September 20, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1191 A&M University college student named Heath- erans, for our military men and women who Germany. Mr. Powell earned the rank of Mas- er Hilton came across a brochure and won- protect us, and for our first responders who ter Sergeant and was awarded the WWII Vic- dered why there was no locally run affiliate of keep us safe at home. tory Medal, the European-African-Middle East- Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, f ern Campaign Medal, the American Defense ecumenical Christian housing organization. Medal, the Operation Overload Medal, the Heather contacted other pillars of the commu- HONORING KIRK-CASEY AMERICAN American Campaign Medal, the Army Good nity who also noticed the lack of affordable LEGION POST 366 IN SENECA Conduct Medal, and the Bronze Star. housing in the Brazos Valley. Since its subse- FALLS, NEW YORK FOR ITS ONE Mr. Powell returned home and worked for quent formation, the Bryan-College Station HUNDRETH ANNIVERSARY businesses in upstate New York. He later Habitat for Humanity has continued its mission landed a job with IBM as a manager and was of putting God’s love into action by building HON. TOM REED transferred to Lexington, Kentucky where he homes, communities, and hope in Brazos OF NEW YORK worked for 28 years prior to retirement. Mr. County, Texas. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Powell married his wife Betty and they were In 1990, Victor and Amelia Gonzalez pur- blessed with two daughters, Paula and Mar- Friday, September 20, 2019 chased the first home built by Bryan-College sha. Mr. and Mrs. Powell will celebrate their Station Habitat for Humanity. This opportunity Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to 77th anniversary this New Year’s Eve. allowed them and their three children to move recognize and honor Kirk-Casey American Le- Mr. Powell and his fellow veterans are true out of their small trailer with no heating or gion Post 366 in Seneca Falls, New York for heroes. As members of the ‘‘Greatest Genera- cooling and a large hole in the floor. In 2012, its one hundredth Anniversary. tion’’, they willingly served to protect and de- they paid off their mortgage on the home. The A charter was put in place by New York fend the freedoms that we enjoy today. I am Gonzalez family is just one example of the State for Kirk-Casey American Legion Post humbled to honor the service of Mr. John more than 1,000 people the Bryan-College 366 in Seneca Falls on September 8, 1919. Powell and to celebrate his upcoming 100th Station Habitat for Humanity has helped in The post was named in honor of local citizens, birthday before the United States Congress. their 30 years of existence. Frederick Kirk and Maynard Casey, two mili- f The Bryan-College Station Habitat for Hu- tary members killed in action during World manity has served 456 adults and 816 chil- War I. The first meeting of Kirk-Casey Amer- HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVER- dren by providing homeownership opportuni- ican Legion Post 366 was held on September SARY OF SPORTS FOUNDATION, ties to individuals and families who earn be- 19, 1919 where the name was chosen. Six INC. tween 35 and 80 percent of the area’s median days later, Fata Martin was the first woman income. This past August, the Bryan-College enrolled in the post. Fata Martin served as a HON. JOSE´ E. SERRANO Station Habitat for Humanity raised the walls nurse in France after training at Willard State OF NEW YORK of its 298th home, and will reach its 300th Hospital in Romulus. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES On February 22, 1921, a women’s auxiliary home milestone this year. Friday, September 20, 2019 The Bryan-College Station Habitat for Hu- was organized and a charter was received on manity is able to provide these opportunities to May 23, 1923. Property was purchased on Mr. SERRANO. Madam Speaker, it is my those in need through financial donations, vol- April 2, 1924, known as the Casey Property, pleasure to honor Sports Foundation, Inc. on unteer labor, efficient building methods, stand- which was located at 48 State Street, Seneca their 50th Anniversary of tireless advocacy to ardized designs, and zero interest loans. Over Falls, New York. This property was used to improve the lives of Bronx residents. This or- 70 percent of the land and construction costs build the post home, which is still in use. The ganization is a great example of extraordinary come from the generous donations from busi- post home was dedicated on May 18, 1929. contributions that community based groups nesses, individuals, and other private sources. The rich and varied history of this post is a and outstanding individuals have made in my Other costs are covered by mortgage pay- long-lasting legacy that I wish to share with district in the Bronx. ments of the existing Habitat for Humanity my colleagues here, the constituents in my Mr. Robert Williams and Mr. Claude homeowners and revenue from the Bryan-Col- district and the American people. Kirk-Casey ‘‘Buddy’’ Young founded Sports Foundation, lege Station ReStore which opened in 1995 American Legion Post 366 is the first char- Inc. in 1969. Mr. Williams was born and raised selling building supplies, furniture, appliances, tered post in Seneca County and is one of the in the Bronx, attended Theodore Roosevelt and home de´cor. longest chartered posts in the American Le- High School and was captain of NYU’s bas- In addition to constructing new homes, the gion’s seventh district. I applaud the efforts of ketball team while earning a bachelors in edu- Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity this post on behalf and for veterans over the cation from there. Mr. Williams was also the has also started a Community Home Repair years and wish them continued success in the first African-American assistant basketball program to serve low-income residents. Since future. coach at NYU. Throughout his career, basket- the program’s inception in 2015, it has served Given the above, I ask that this Legislative ball and scholarship were two of his biggest another 209 homeowners in the Brazos Val- Body pause in its deliberations and join me to priorities. Mr. ‘‘Buddy’’ Young was one of the ley. recognize Kirk-Casey American Legion Post first black men to play pro football. He started The work Habitat for Humanity does is vital 366 in Seneca Falls, New York for its one playing at the University of Illinois, and then to the success of families in the Brazos Valley. hundredth Anniversary. was drafted into the Armed Services, and A 2018 study conducted by the Bush School f played with one of the service teams. At the of Government and Public Service found that end of his military service, Mr. Young played families in Habitat homes visit the doctor less IN HONOR OF JOHN POWELL for ten years in the All-America Football Con- for mold related illnesses, the children have in- ference and National Football League. creased performance in school, and parents HON. ANDY BARR The dedication of Sports Foundation, Inc. to are more confident in funding their children’s OF KENTUCKY promote social responsibility to disadvantaged education. The Bryan-College Station Habitat IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and at-risk youth has facilitated their ability to for Humanity does more than build and repair foster, develop and encourage positive youth Friday, September 20, 2019 homes; they bring people from all walks of life development using sports as a method of together to work toward a common goal: dem- Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to change. Their work has created a lasting im- onstrating God’s love by giving a hand up to honor the life of a special man, Mr. John Pow- pact in my community and participants have those in need of decent, affordable places to ell of Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Powell is part been all the better for it. The variety of pro- live. of a special group of heroes that served our grams such as prevention counseling, sports Madam Speaker, it is clear that the Bryan- nation during World War II. Mr. Powell cele- and fitness activities, music/entertainment, and College Station Habitat for Humanity has had brates his 100th birthday on September 22nd. educational and community service, has a large and positive impact on the Brazos Val- Mr. Powell was born in Pennsylvania. He helped to develop healthy bodies and strong ley in their 30 years of operation. I congratu- was drafted into the United States Army on minds in the youth from this community. Their late them on reaching this milestone and I April 4, 1941. He was expected to serve for location in the South Bronx placed this organi- look forward to seeing their continued suc- one year, but instead served nearly five years. zation on the front lines in the war against cess. He was an artilleryman who landed on Omaha poverty, obesity, hunger, drugs, and violence. As I close today, I urge all Americans to Beach just 17 days after D-Day. He and his Sports Foundation, Inc. is now focused on continue praying for our country, for our vet- unit pushed all the way to the Rhine River in transforming the foundation into the premier

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:23 Sep 21, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A20SE8.009 E20SEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS E1192 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 20, 2019 youth services provider capable of reaching an thorities Act (Roll Call 536). Had I voted, I acting President appointed ever-expanding and greatly underserved youth would have voted YEA. President Caid Essebsi, after almost 20 years population. f of private life, as the new Prime Minister for Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join his record of patriotism, loyalty, and commit- me in honoring Sports Foundation, Inc. for HONORING PRESIDENT MOHAMED ment to democracy. BEJI CAID ESSEBSI their steadfast dedication and years of service In 2011, following elections for the Con- to our Bronx residents, and for their long- stituent Assembly of , the body standing commitment to improving our com- HON. BILL FLORES charged with writing a new constitution, Presi- munity. OF TEXAS dent Caid Essebsi left office. As the country’s f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES new constitution was being written, President Caid Essebsi founded a new political party HIDDEN FIGURES CONGRESSIONAL Friday, September 20, 2019 named ‘‘’’ which translates to GOLD MEDAL ACT Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today ‘‘Tunisia’s Call.’’ He founded this party as a to honor Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi, the first SPEECH OF democracy-oriented alternative to the lslamist democratically elected , Ennahda party which had recently taken HON. JOYCE BEATTY who passed away on , 2019. power. President Caid Essebsi was born November OF OHIO In early 2014, the country’s new constitution 29, 1926, in , Tunisia. In 1950 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was passed and ratified; followed by elections he went to study law in , France, and to form a new system of government. Par- Thursday, September 19, 2019 when he returned, he joined the independence liamentary elections were held in October of movement led by future President Habib Mrs. BEATTY. Madam Speaker, Katherine that year and Nidaa Tounes won a plurality of Bourguiba. Following Tunisia’s independence Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy the seats. The next month, President Caid from France in 1956, he served as Vaughan, and Mary Jackson; most people Essebsi was elected as President of Tunisia in Bourguiba’s adviser and in his cabinet from know them as the ‘‘Hidden Figures.’’ the country’s first free and fair elections. Dur- 1957 to 1951. His posts included Chief of Re- Well, Madam Speaker, I think it’s safe to ing his presidency, he supported a secular so- gional Administration, Interior Minister, De- say they are ‘‘hidden figures’’ no longer. ciety and legislation that promoted women’s fense Minister, and Ambassador to France. Thanks to them and many other women, we rights. were able to reach for the stars and put a man Ten years after being sidelined for advo- Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting on the moon. cating for , President Caid President Caid Essebsi on a House Democ- We honor these brave, brilliant women. Essebsi returned to public service in 1981, racy Partnership trip to Tunisia to promote They accomplished what many thought impos- serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs until their continuing democratic progress. I enjoyed sible and proved—to paraphrase Katherine 1986. In 1987, Prime Minister Zine el Abidine his company and was saddened to hear of his Johnson—that ‘‘Girls are capable of doing ev- Ben Ali staged a bloodless coup against Presi- passing. It is my fervent hope that in the up- erything men are capable of doing. Sometimes dent Bourguiba. Under the new regime, Presi- coming elections to replace him, Tunisia con- they even have more imagination than men.’’ dent Caid Essebsi was appointed as Ambas- tinues to build upon the democratic processes In that spirit, I am proud to be a cosponsor sador to Germany. He later returned to serve that he so strongly supported. of the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold from 1990 to 1991 as the President of the Medal Act and urge all my colleagues to sup- Chamber of Deputies, the former lower cham- Madam Speaker, President Mohamed Beji port this resolution. ber of the Tunisian parliament. Caid Essebsi’s life was defined by his service to his country. He will be forever remembered f In 2010, the citizens of Tunisia took part in a campaign of civil resistance against Presi- as a husband, a father, a selfless public serv- PERSONAL EXPLANATION dent Ben Ali. Their demonstrations against ant, a champion for democracy, and a friend. high unemployment, food inflation, and lack of My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and HON. JENNIFER WEXTON political freedom led to the eventual ouster of heartfelt condolences to the Caid Essebsi fam- OF VIRGINIA President Ben Ali. The ’s revo- ily. We also lift up the family and friends of President Caid Essebsi in our prayers. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lutionary success sparked a wave of protests and government overthrows across the Middle As I close today, I urge all Americans to Friday, September 20, 2019 East, resulting in the . In the after- continue praying for our country, for our vet- Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I was on math of their success, Tunisians were in need erans, for our military men and women who the floor but missed the vote on H.R. 535, the of leadership while trying to form a new and protect us, and for our first responders who Department of Veteran Affairs Expiring Au- democratic form of government. In early 2011, keep us safe at home.

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