January 26, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E109 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNI- I ask my colleagues to join me in standing life and legacy of Northwest Florida’s beloved VERSARY OF BLACK JANUARY with the people of today in solitude Sue Pardue. For decades, Sue was a leader and gratitude for their passion for independ- and integral part of the Northwest Florida com- HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO ence and remembrance of the lives lost on munity, and she will be missed by all who OF GUAM Black January. were fortunate to know her. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Sue married her loving husband of more than 42 years, Alvin, in 1972, before moving Monday, January 26, 2015 RECOGNITION OF DEAN LESTER’S to Pace, Florida, where they started a family 20 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, one of the and became an integral part of the Pace com- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES seminal events in 20th century was the de- munity. While raising her five children, Sue mise of the , which altered the also took steps to further her education, re- balance of power in the world, most pro- HON. THOMAS J. ROONEY ceiving bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees foundly in Europe and Central Asia. But the OF FLORIDA from the University of West Florida. Sue used event that sparked the tinderbox of democratic IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES her education and kind-hearted nature serving uprisings through the sphere of Soviet sat- Monday, January 26, 2015 as a counselor at many institutions in North- ellites began in , the capital of Azer- Mr. ROONEY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I west Florida, including Pace Assembly Min- baijan. istries, Santa Rosa Correctional Institute, and remember the night that demo- would like to recognize a member of my staff, Pensacola Family Care for Youth, amongst cratic fire was sparked; it was , Dean Lester, on his 20 years of service to the many others. 1990. The Azeris called it ‘‘Black January.’’ At House of Representatives and the people of While raising a family and working as a midnight on that fateful night, 26,000 armed the United States. Dean came to Washington, DC in January, counselor, Sue also took an active role in Russian troops stormed into Baku with tanks. many community organizations helping to The weeks and months prior to Black Janu- 1995 to work for his home state Congress- serve the community that she loved. Sue was ary had seen a surge in the national inde- woman, Representative Helen Chenoweth- deeply devoted to serving the Lord, and she pendence movement. Hundreds of thousands Hage of Idaho. He fondly remembers the served for many years as head of the Chil- of Azeris pushed then USSR President Mikhail ‘‘united sense to accomplish things’’ in the first dren’s Ministries at Pace Assembly of God Gorbachev’s policy by publicly 100 days of that year as the House embarked on a hectic schedule to implement the Con- and the Women’s Ministries at Pensacola First marching for independence and territorial in- tract with America. Assembly of God, while also holding a position tegrity. Dean must have enjoyed that fast pace, be- Some of the emerging democratic groups on the church’s board. In addition to her serv- cause even when Congress slows down or were projected to win seats in the upcoming ice at her church, Sue was deeply involved in goes into recess, he maintains a full schedule. Parliamentary elections. Since only Com- many other organizations, including: Con- Over time, he began working for multiple munists could hold government office in a So- cerned Citizens for Gifted Children, Crisis Line House offices at once, and he now serves as viet satellite, Gorbachev moved quickly to put Counseling, RSVP Advisory Board, Red office and financial administrator to eight dif- down the independence movement. Cross, Advisory Board for Children’s Home, Gorbachev declared a ferent members of Congress. In total, Dean Advisory Board for Guardian Ad Litem, Pace to repress a growing independence move- has worked for 20 members of Congress in 20 Water System, Family Promise, Pregnancy ment. The Soviet heavyhandedness served years. Resource Center, and Santa Rosa County Dean is an irreplaceable member of every only to elevate Azeri resolve and passion. So- Bond Review Board. staff on which he serves. He tracks our budg- viet troops, under orders to ‘‘restore order,’’ To some, Sue will be remembered as a de- ets, manages our office moves, and ensures tried dispersing the throngs of peaceful Azeri voted servant of Jesus Christ, working tire- all of our equipment is working properly; in demonstrators by firing arbitrarily into the lessly to spread His word at her church and short, Dean makes sure the trains run on time. crowds on the Baku streets, killing women and throughout Northwest Florida. To others she He knows every inch of this building and every children who were among the protesters call- will be remembered as a highly educated, trick of the trade. When a problem arises, we ing for independence from the Soviet Union. hard-working, and dedicated counselor. To her Over 130 Azeris were killed in the violence call Dean and we can always count on him to family and friends, she will always be remem- of Black January; 611 were injured, nearly fix it. bered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, Dean is a mentor and guide not just to 1,000 were arrested, and five were never and great-grandmother. younger staff members but to senior staff and found. On behalf of the United States Congress, ’s report ‘‘Black Janu- members of Congress as well. Through it all, my wife Vicki and I send our deepest condo- ary in Azerbaijan,’’ said that, ‘‘among the most he maintains a sense of humor, an upbeat at- lences and prayers to Sue’s husband, Alvin; heinous violations of human rights during the titude, and a positive view of what we can ac- her children, Donna, Deniece, Brian, Edwin, Baku incursion were the numerous attacks on complish together. He reminds us of why we and Calvin; her seven grandchildren and two medical personnel, ambulances and even hos- came here and what an incredible, once-in-a- great-grandchildren; and the entire Pardue pitals.’’ Human Rights Watch concluded, ‘‘The lifetime opportunity it is to serve. family. Dean, we could not do our jobs without you. punishment inflicted on Baku by Soviet sol- f For your tireless work ethic, your dedication to diers may have been intended as a warning to Congress and the people of this great country, nationalists, not only in Azerbaijan, but in IN HONOR OF 2015 NASCAR HALL and your 20 years of service, we salute you. other Republics of the Soviet Union.’’ OF FAME INDUCTEE BILL ELLIOTT The standoff between nationalists in Azer- f baijan and the Soviet leaders in Moscow esca- HONORING THE DEDICATED SERV- HON. RICHARD HUDSON lated into an Azeri threat to hold a referendum ICE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S OF NORTH CAROLINA on secession unless Soviet troops withdrew in SUE PARDUE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 48 hours. Soviet troops were hampered when Monday, January 26, 2015 Azerbaijani oil tankers blockaded the Baku HON. JEFF MILLER Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to harbor, keeping Soviet naval vessels at bay. OF FLORIDA Soviet forces withdrew, but formal independ- honor and congratulate racing legend Bill El- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ence would come nearly two years later. liott upon his induction into the sixth class of On this day, Azeri patriots stood up for their Monday, January 26, 2015 the NASCAR Hall of Fame. There is a rhyme freedom, sealing the fate of the Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is that holds true about this inductee, ‘‘Awesome and forever changing the history of the world. with great sadness that I rise to recognize the Bill from Dawsonville.’’

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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