May 8, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E557 IN RECOGNITION OF LINDA IN HONOR OF BARBARA This Memorial Day week the National Cap- ROSENBERG THOMASON ital Region welcomes members of the African American LGBTQ community to celebrate HON. ‘‘Our Truths In Harmony’’ at the 29th annual HON. DORIS O. MATSUI OF TEXAS D.C. Black Pride. The festivities begin May 20th at 5:00 p.m. OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with the Damian Ministries’ Black Pride Kick IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Off Reception and they close at 6:00 p.m. May Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, today I rise in 27th with Helping Us People Into Living’s Wednesday, May 8, 2019 recognition of Barbara Thomason for her out- ‘‘Pride In the Park’’ festival at Fort DuPont Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today standing service and profound impact as Park. to recognize Linda Rosenberg, the outgoing President and CEO of the Houston Northwest On May 21st, D.C. Black Pride honors its CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Chamber of Commerce. 2019 award winners at the D.C. Black Pride Awards Reception. The National Association Health. As members of the community gather An accomplished Texas scholar, Barbara for the Advancement of Colored People today, I ask my colleagues to join me in hon- holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in (NAACP) President and Chief Executive Der- oring Linda for her leadership as a health care Management from Houston Baptist University. rick Johnson receives the President’s Award. architect and reformer in advancing quality She also holds a Chamber Management cer- The 2019 Welmore Cook Awards go to Bishop care for individuals with behavioral health dis- tification from the U.S. Chamber of Com- Allyson Nelson Abrams, founder prelate and orders. merce’s Institute for Organizational Manage- pastor of Empowerment Liberation Cathedral, For 15 years, Linda has served as the ment, and a certification in Professional Com- her spouse, Bishop Emerita Diana Williams, President and CEO of the National Council for munity and Economic Development. and Dr. Dii-Quartelai Quartey of the National Behavioral Health. Under her leadership, the Prior to her service at the Houston North- Association of Retired Persons (NAARP) and National Council has become the nation’s west Chamber of Commerce, Barbara had a the Robert H. Smith School of Business. most effective advocate for behavioral health diverse and impressive portfolio of profes- Steven ‘‘Kahos’’ Wilson, Founder and CEO care, serving 10 million adults, children, and sional experience. She served as the Dean of of Ovah the Top Productions and Executive families. Linda’s work has played a critical role Corporate and Continuing Education at Lone Director of the OASIS Dance Company, re- in expanding the financing for integrated be- Star College—North Harris, worked in training ceives the Unsung Hero Award. Black Pride havioral health services, ensuring the passage and development for the American General recognizes True Colors United Senior Pro- of federal mental health and addiction parity companies, and was a small-business owner gram Officer Kahlib Barton with the Leader- law, as well as introducing Mental Health First of the Gymboree franchise. ship Award. Shi-Queeta Lee, noted DMV Drag Aid in the U.S. She also helped to ensure the She then went on to found the Northwest Entertainer and costume designer, is honored inclusion of behavioral health services in the Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which with the Earline Budd Award. . provides scholarships and educational re- Black Pride acknowledges U.S. Department sources to local students. During her time with of Health and Human Services Health Impact Linda’s commitment to the advancement of the Northwest Chamber, Barbara has proven Specialist Derrick Caˆome´i ‘‘Strawberry’’ Cox behavioral health care can be seen throughout to be a friend, leader and dedicated citizen of as the Charlotte Smallwood Volunteer of the the duration of her career. Prior to the Na- Houston. Throughout her years of public serv- Year for 2019. Gail Oliver and Nana Amuah- tional Council, she served as Senior Deputy ice, Barbara has been a model of exceptional Afenyi VI (born Peggielene Bartles, known in- Commissioner of New York State Office of civic duty, and has remained devoted to the formally as ‘‘King Peggy’’), chief of Tatum Mental Health and helped to implement New advancement of Houston area businesses Ghana, receive the Curtis L. Etherly, Jr., Ally York’s first Mental Health Court. She also has through grassroot level advocacy for local Award. Michael Beale of Mb Staffing Services, over 30 years of experience as certified social safety and economic development. LLC, receives the D.C. Black Pride Small worker, family therapist and psychiatric reha- In 2015, Barbara was named as a Woman Business Award. bilitation practitioner. Linda currently serves on of Excellence by the Women’s Business This year, Black Pride initiates the Alan several boards of directors and is a member Forum. The following year, Leadership North Sharpe Award for contributions to art by of the Executive Committee of the National Houston honored Barbara as the 2016 Distin- awarding it to its namesake, Alan Sharpe, Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. In her guished Volunteer. By 2017, Barbara was se- Founding Artistic Director of Washington, honor, the National Council recently granted lected for a position on the Executive Board D.C.’s African-American Collective Theater. her the Lifetime Achievement Award at their on the Texas Chamber of Commerce. Each Black Pride continues through Memorial Day 2019 annual conference. award is well-deserved, and recognizes her with town halls, educational workshops, a po- etry slam hosted by Mary Bowman, an inter- Madam Speaker, as we gather to celebrate steadfast service to our community. faith worship service, and social events, in- Linda Rosenberg’s lifetime of achievements, I This year, Barbara is retiring following her cluding breakfasts, brunches, dinners and ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring 15 years of exceptional service to the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce. However, I happy hours. her dedication and leadership in the improve- D.C. Black and Lesbian Gay Pride Day ment of mental health and substance services. know that Barbara will continue to be a leader and champion of family training and develop- began my first year in Congress. On Sunday, May 26, 1991, 800 people gathered at f ment during her next professional venture as a consultant. I am proud to join her family, Banneker Field on Georgia Avenue. I have watched it mature from an ad hoc event to PERSONAL EXPLANATION friends, and colleagues in recognizing her many contributions to Northwest Houston. I one of the world’s preeminent Black Pride thank her and I wish all the best on her next celebrations. Now D.C. Black Pride draws HON. NORMA J. TORRES adventure. more than 50,000 participants from the United f States, Africa, Europe and the Americas to our OF CALIFORNIA nation’s capital. RECOGNIZING THE 29TH ANNUAL D.C. Black Pride fostered the beginning of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES D.C. BLACK PRIDE the Center for Black Equity (formerly known as Wednesday, May 8, 2019 the International Federation of Black Prides, HON. Inc.) and the ‘‘Black Pride Movement,’’ which Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speak- OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA now consists of 53 Black Prides on four con- er, while on a fact-finding mission to South IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tinents. I commend the volunteer Advisory America to conduct oversight of U.S. assist- Board that assists Earl D. Fowlkes, Jr., Jeffrey ance and assess the situation at the Ven- Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Richardson, Michael S. Hinson, Jr., C. Haw- ezuelan border, I was unavoidably detained. Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today kins, Kenya Hutton and Genise Chamber- As a result, I missed roll call votes No. 170 to ask the House of Representatives to join Woods in the planning and execution of D.C. and No. 171. Had I been present, I would me in recognizing the 29th annual D.C. Black Black Pride. have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 170, and Pride and the 50th anniversary of the Stone- As Black Pride comes to town, I also take YEA on Roll Call No. 171. wall Riots. this opportunity to inform the celebrants and to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:12 May 09, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08MY8.006 E08MYPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS E558 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 8, 2019 remind my colleagues of the various limita- Jim was the inspiration behind the Open after being declared cancer-free; thus, moti- tions Congress has placed on the District of World Leadership Center, a unique Library of vating him to conduct research on the relation- Columbia. Despite paying more federal taxes Congress—Legislative Branch initiative which ship between cancer and obesity. His passion than 22 states and paying the highest per cap- for twenty years has administered thousands for finding treatments for cancer is dem- ita federal taxes in the United States, the resi- of exchange visits to the United States of pro- onstrated by his drive to design artificial intel- dents of Washington, D.C. still do not have full fessionals and other leaders from post-Soviet ligence algorithms that can be used to person- voting representation in Congress. and post-communist states. As a current alize cancer treatment. Mr. Arroyo’s contribu- I ask the House to join me in welcoming all board member of Open World, I have deep- tions toward supporting and developing tools attending the 29th annual D.C. Black Pride ened my appreciation of Dr. Billington’s legacy for cancer treatment could potentially impact celebration. and of the way the Center can compliment the lives of millions around the world. f and support the House’s work, through the Mr. Arroyo’s passion for education has been House Democracy Partnership (HDP), to pro- the framework of his success. As a first-gen- HONORING A GIANT OF PUTNAM mote parliamentary development in emerging eration college student, and now Chapman COUNTY democracies. University’s first Rhodes Scholar, he is an ex- Like many members of Congress, I have traordinary inspiration to our community. For HON. ALEXANDER X. MOONEY enjoyed a cordial and productive working rela- this reason, I ask my colleagues to join me in OF WEST VIRGINIA tionship with Jim Billington for years—from the honoring and recognizing the accomplish- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Legislative Branch Appropriations sub- ments and career of Vidal Arroyo. Go Pan- thers. Wednesday, May 8, 2019 committee, to Open World, to encouraging Congressional Research Service engagement f Mr. MOONEY of West Virginia. Madam with HDP’s partner legislatures, to the building Speaker, I would like to include in the RECORD of programs such as American Memory—the RECOGNIZING DR. DAVID L. the following obituary for Mr. Bill O’Dell of Put- national digital library—and the John W. Kluge MCKENNA nam County: Center’s program for visiting scholars. In re- FRIENDS AND FAMILY HONORING COMMUNITY cent years, Jim and his wife Marjorie have HON. LEADER IN PUTNAM COUNTY WHO SUDDENLY been a welcoming presence at the wonderful OF MICHIGAN PASSED AWAY dinners, sponsored by IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (By Taylor Eaton) David Rubenstein, featuring authors of major Wednesday, May 8, 2019 PUTNAM COUNTY, W.VA. (WSAZ).—A man studies in American biography and history. Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise who dedicated his life to preventing teen Madam Speaker, Jim Billington lived a full substance abuse in Putnam County passed today to recognize Dr. David L. McKenna, a and consequential life of scholarship, institu- legendary leader in Christian higher education, away suddenly on Monday. tional innovation, and public service. We miss Bill O’Dell was a community leader in as he celebrates his 90th birthday during the many ways. He dedicated his life to sub- his cordial and collegial presence as we month of May 2019. stance abuse prevention across West Vir- mourn his passing and appreciate his wide- Born in Michigan, Dr. McKenna received an ginia. ranging legacy. We extend gratitude and good education at Spring Arbor College, Western O’Dell passed away while he was swimming wishes to Marjorie and their family in the hope Michigan University, and Asbury Theological in the pool at the YMCA in Teays Valley. that the outpouring of affections and apprecia- Friends and family say he suffered a medical Seminary, culminating with a Ph.D. from the tion will offer solace and support at this time University of Michigan. emergency. of loss. Most of his work was centered in Putnam Dr. McKenna served as the President of County. O’Dell was the director of the Put- f Spring Arbor College (now university), a re- nam Wellness Coalition, a group that was HONORING CHAPMAN UNIVER- spected Christian college in my district, from formed to educate teenagers about the dan- SITY’S FIRST RHODES SCHOLAR 1961 to 1968. He led the transformation of gers of alcohol and drugs. MR. VIDAL ARROYO Spring Arbor from a two-year college to a bac- O’Dell spent his time going into schools to calaureate institution and years later served as speak to students, setting up fundraising the Chairman of the Board when it became events for the coalition and participating in HON. J. LUIS CORREA different promotions around prom and grad- Spring Arbor University. OF CALIFORNIA uation time. That’s just to name a few. He went on from Spring Arbor to serve as Evan Young, who worked with O’Dell for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES President of Seattle Pacific University from many years, says they just wrapped up an Wednesday, May 8, 2019 1968 to 1982 and as President of Asbury event for Cinco de Mayo over the weekend Theological Seminary in from 1982 Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today that was geared toward making sure kids to 1994, completing a remarkable 33 years of to honor Mr. Vidal Arroyo for being selected had a safe and fun environment. Most of the presidential leadership in higher education. as the first ever Rhodes Scholar from Chap- proceeds from the event went to the Putnam Dr. McKenna and his wife, Janet, now live Wellness Coalition. man University, a prominent research Univer- in Kirkland, Washington, where they remain sity in my district. f active and continue to positively impact peo- As one of 32 U.S. scholars selected for a ple’s lives. For many years, he has been a TRIBUTE TO JAMES H. Rhodes Scholarship, he will be provided all prolific author, continuing to publish at least BILLINGTON, 13TH LIBRARIAN OF expenses for up to four years of study at the one book per year. CONGRESS University of Oxford in England. Mr. Arroyo I ask my colleagues in the United States earned his place as a Rhodes Scholar, not House of Representatives to join me in wish- only for his outstanding scholarly achieve- HON. DAVID E. PRICE ing Dr. David L. McKenna a happy 90th birth- ments, but for his character and commitment OF NORTH CAROLINA day, and in expressing best wishes for future to his education. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES blessings. I applaud Mr. Arroyo for maintaining a per- Wednesday, May 8, 2019 fect GPA in his educational career. He has ex- f Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam pressed his unique passion to become a new CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND Speaker, I am pleased to join numerous col- paradigm of science by striving toward his LEGACY OF RODNEY BURRESS leagues in honoring the life and legacy of goal of creating artificial intelligence tools that James H. Billington, the 13th Librarian of Con- are driven to treat cancer. HON. JAMES COMER gress, who died on November 20, 2018. Mr. Arroyo comes from a humble back- OF KENTUCKY Before Jim Billington’s appointment as Li- ground and is the first in his family to attend IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES brarian of Congress in 1987, he served thir- college. As a founder and President of Chap- teen productive years as director of the Wood- man STEMstors, he has been mentoring at- Wednesday, May 8, 2019 row Wilson International Center for Scholars. risk youth to explore careers in science, tech- Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today Before that, and throughout his career, he was nology, engineering, and math. to celebrate the life and legacy of Rodney a researcher and author, continuing to While volunteering at Children’s Hospital of Burress who passed away on April 29, 2019 produce serious scholarship on Russian his- Orange County, he was exposed to children at the age of 58 after decades of service to tory and culture. struggling with obesity and other diseases Taylor County.

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