E1824 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 12, 2014 growth and development of the attractions in- HONORING UNDER SHERIFF DAVE CONNER TRIBUTE dustry. DERRICK CUBIT Mr. Knoebel’s parents founded Knoebel’s HON. MIKE COFFMAN Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania in HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON OF COLORADO 1926, and as a result, he grew up surrounded OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES by the attractions industry. As an adult, Mr. Thursday, December 11, 2014 Knoebel pursued his passion for amusement Thursday, December 11, 2014 Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to parks, becoming president of the Pennsylvania Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- honor the life of Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Amusement Parks Association in 1971. In er, I rise today to honor a remarkable enforce- Conner, who recently passed away after a 1984, he was a key player in the development ment officer and community servant, Under long fight with cancer. Dave is survived by his and adoption of the Pennsylvania Ride Inspec- Sheriff Derrick Cubit. wife Teri, son Gavin, and daughter Ashton. tion Act. Derrick Cubit was born on a warm, sunny Dave Conner dedicated his life to public day of September 1, 1970 in Jackson, MS. As Since 1988, Mr. Knoebel has served as the service, serving for over thirty-two years in the a youngster, he lived in Hazlehurst, Mis- president of the family business. In this role, state and Federal courts. And throughout that sissippi with his mother, Bobbie, his brother, he has shown a strong dedication to pre- time, he served our state and country with serving and restoring vintage rides including Travis, and his late grandmother, Sarah. Derrick Cubit started school when he was both honor and integrity. ‘‘The ’’ from Texas and six-years-old. He went to kindergarten through Dave’s career as a public servant dates ‘‘The Twister’’ from Colorado, both of which fifth grades at Hazlehurst Elementary, at- back to 1982, when he graduated law school currently operate at Knoebel’s. He has also tended Hazlehurst Middle School, and grad- and began working as a Deputy District Attor- constructed first-of-their-kind attractions such uated from Hazlehurst High School in 1988. ney in Denver. After six years, he became an as a flume ride with wood supports and the He continued his education by attending Hinds Assistant U.S. Attorney. In 1996, he took a po- ‘‘Flying Turns,’’ the only wooden bobsled-style Community College and Jackson State Univer- sition as a public defender, and after four roller coaster in existence which was modeled sity where he majored in Criminal Justice. years in that capacity, he returned to the U.S. after a ride from the 1930s. Mr. Knoebel has ‘‘Life has been a means of friends and fam- Attorney’s office. been an active IAAPA volunteer and has ily who you can trust and who trusts you.’’ I have had the honor of meeting Dave and made many significant contributions to the or- says Mr. Cubit. He is pretty happy with what discussing possible ways we could curb the ganization, including serving as a member of life brings and is accustomed to being around trend of mass shooting incidents that our na- the Board of Directions from 1999 to 2002. primarily adults, those who he received wis- tion, and Colorado, in particular, has experi- Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Dick dom from. He met lots of people who invested enced in recent years. Dave was dedicated to Knoebel’s induction into the IAAPA Hall of and took time with him, and helped him to public safety and I found his insight and ad- Fame, I commend him and thank him for all of excel at most of his many and various hob- vice on gun violence to be very helpful as we his hard work and lasting contributions to the bies. He did well in school because of this and discussed this extremely important issue. attractions industry, and I wish him well in his fortunately, self-awareness was something An active member of the Smoky Hill United future endeavors. that was learned later on in his years. Methodist Church, Dave Connor was dedi- Under Sheriff Cubit is a member of the Phi cated to his family and community and his life f Beta Fraternity and of the Golden Square should serve as an example of the positive ef- Lodge #88. There was always an interest in fect that dedicated public servants can have SUPPORTING SECTION 206 OF H.R. being a public servant, and he finally got an on those around them. My heartfelt prayers go 647, THE ABLE ACT opportunity to work for the Copiah County out to his family, friends, and loved ones as Sheriff Department in October of 1997. He they grieve the loss of a dedicated public serv- gives all thanks to the late Chief Deputy Joe ant and a great man. HON. PETER J. ROSKAM L. Young, who gave him the opportunity to be- f come a Deputy Sheriff with the Copiah County OF ILLINOIS Sheriff Department. The trend was set by just ABD AL-BASET AZZOUZ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES meeting his potential, and taking on new chal- lenges when someone brought it to his atten- HON. MARC A. VEASEY Thursday, December 11, 2014 tion that he’d be perfect for the opportunity to OF TEXAS work through the ranks at the Sheriff Depart- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased ment. He started out being a Deputy Sheriff, Thursday, December 11, 2014 to advocate for and support the recently later was promoted to Juvenile Officer, after passed H.R. 647, the ABLE Act, for the impor- that he was promoted to Captain of Patrol, Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tant benefits it offers to the disabled, and be- and now he serves as the Under Sheriff for order to commend the recent intelligence part- cause of the additional clarity and equity it will the Copiah County Sheriff Department. nership between the United States and the provide for employers dealing with the IRS. Under Sheriff Cubit always assumed he’d country of Turkey that led to the apprehension Section 206 addresses an issue under cur- never get married because he was a hard and eventual transfer into U.S. custody of a rent law and the interpretation of the IRS for worker and thought that if he was tied down senior Al Qaeda operative, Abd al-Baset employers that use the services of profes- by the constraints of a wife and kids his work Azzouz. sional employer organizations (PEOs). For ex- might hinder family growth. But then, he met The State Department of the United States ample, any PEO that qualifies as a statutory the beautiful Ms. Semekia Jones in 1994 and listed Azzouz as a ‘‘Specially Designated employer under the Internal Revenue Code is they agreed to marry in 2001. He had one son Global Terrorist’’ pursuant to Executive Order eligible to claim the Tip Tax Credit, instead of before this union and now his new family role 13224 on September 24, 2014. Additionally, the restaurant for which the wait staff who di- suits him as being a father and husband. He’s the State Department states that Azzouz ‘‘has rectly perform the services and therefore driven to spur his son on to even greater ac- had a presence in Afghanistan, the United earned the qualification for it. complishments. Kingdom, and Libya. He was sent to Libya in Despite a lifetime of challenges and accom- 2011 by al-Qa’ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to Under this system, some PEOs claim the plishments Under Sheriff Cubit has held on to build a fighting force there, and mobilized ap- credit themselves as the statutory employer, a quote by James Baldwin: ‘‘The world is be- proximately 200 fighters. He is considered a others administer the credit for the restaurants fore you, and you need not take it or leave it key operative capable of training al-Qa’ida re- which they serve, and some restaurants claim as it was when you came in.’’ His goal is to cruits in a variety of skills, such as IED con- the credit directly—only to be challenged in achieve what James Baldwin speaks about. struction.’’ IRS audits. Although he would question, ‘‘How?’’ he be- I am encouraged by this positive develop- This provision of the ABLE Act provides im- lieves that the moment his son entered this ment between Turkey and the United States portant tax clarity for small businesses working world, he then knew that he had achieved it. and hope that this event indicates a growing with PEOs. I am pleased to have been able to Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me partnership between our countries that will re- help secure the passage of this legislation in in recognizing Under Sheriff Derrick Cubit for sult in a common military strategy against hos- the House of Representatives, and I urge its his dedication to serving our great Country tile elements in Iraq and Syria. While no inter- prompt consideration in the Senate. and his community. national relationship is perfect, there is already

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