H5966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 24, 2001 RECOGNIZING SARGENT SHRIVER TRIBUTE TO TOM BURNETT, JR., A ficial effect and he knew what the odds WITH CONGRESSIONAL GOLD TRUE AMERICAN HERO were, he would have taken action.’’ An- MEDAL The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a other business associate said: ‘‘This (Mr. FARR of California asked and previous order of the House, the gen- was very much in character for Tom was given permission to address the tleman from Minnesota (Mr. RAMSTAD) Burnett. It’s just the type of man he House for 1 minute and to revise and is recognized for 5 minutes. was.’’ extend his remarks.) Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. Speaker, such moving Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, today to pay tribute to a true Amer- testimonials to this great and coura- I rise today to introduce a Congres- ican hero. America owes Tom Burnett, geous man have literally come in sional Gold Medal resolution for Sar- Jr., a deep debt of gratitude for his floods of words and tears in recent days gent Shriver who was the first director bravery on September 11. Indeed, the back in Minnesota. At a memorial of the Peace Corps. I do this with my Members of this very body may owe service last Tuesday night at St. Ed- cosponsors, former members of the their very lives to Tom Burnett, Jr. ward’s Catholic Church in Bloom- United States Peace Corps, myself, the Mr. Speaker, Tom Burnett, who grew ington, I was among the 1,200 mourners gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. up in Bloomington, Minnesota in the who attended and heard many such SHAYS), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Third Congressional District, which I moving tributes. The streets and park- HALL), the gentleman from New York am privileged to represent, was aboard ing lot of that church were lined with (Mr. WALSH), the gentleman from Cali- United Flight 93 on that darkest of many other people who could not get fornia (Mr. HONDA), and the gentleman days for our Nation. Tom was among into the packed church. Many waved from Wisconsin (Mr. PETRI). the small group of passengers who con- American flags of all sizes. It was very I also do it on behalf of the 163,000 fronted the hijackers that fateful sad. And it was very uplifting. volunteers who have served the United morning. Department of Defense offi- Mr. Speaker, many people claim States Government in over 135 coun- cials believe Flight 93 was headed for a America has suffered from a lack of he- tries. I also do this based on what I did target here in Washington, most likely roes in recent years. Not anymore. Not Saturday which was to celebrate the the White House or the Capitol. with Tom Burnett, Jr. to look up to. 40th anniversary of the Peace Corps Tom was able to reach his wife, Like so many heroes of September 11 here in Washington, but then on Sun- Deena, on his cell phone from the who gave their lives to help others, day I went to the World Trade Center, plane. She told him that other hijacked from Tom and his fellow passengers on ground zero in New York City, so I saw planes had crashed into the World Flight 93, to the police, rescue per- peace on Saturday and war on Sunday. Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. sonnel and firefighters in New York I view the destruction with a renewed b 1900 who rushed into those doomed towers reemphasis in the role of the Peace Tom then told her, and I am quoting, and so many others, America has real Corps in order to better understand the ‘‘We’ve got to do something. I know heroes to remember and to cherish. We world cultures, the world languages we’re all going to die. There’s three of must never forget their ultimate sac- and the world differences. us who are going to do something rifice. Mr. Speaker, what better way than to about it.’’ Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and pray- authorize the President to present Sar- Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what ers are with Tom’s wonderful family, gent Shriver with a Congressional Gold Tom Burnett did. His courage and sac- his loving wife, Deena, their daughters Medal to commemorate the 40th anni- rifice foiled the hijackers’ plans of Madison, Halley and Anna-Clair, his versary of the Peace Corps in recogni- mass destruction. Without regard to parents Thomas Sr. and Beverly of tion of its founding father. his own safety, Tom helped save count- Bloomington, and his sisters Martha f less lives. O’Brien and Mary Margaret Burnett. In recent days, after listening to the SPECIAL ORDERS May God bless Tom Burnett and his tape from the black box, law enforce- family. And may God bless America The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ment officials have described a des- and all the heroes and heroines like the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- perate struggle aboard the plane. As Tom Burnett who gave their lives to uary 3, 2001, and under a previous order FBI Director Mueller said after being save others on September 11. of the House, the following Members briefed on the contents of the tape, and I am quoting, ‘‘We believe those pas- will be recognized for 5 minutes each. f sengers were absolute heroes, and their f actions during this flight were heroic.’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Mr. Speaker, Tom Burnett, Jr. has INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION IN previous order of the House, the gen- shown this kind of selfless leadership SUPPORT OF RECOVERY AND RE- tleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is many times before. As a quarterback TURN OF LUDWIG KOONS recognized for 5 minutes. at Thomas Jefferson High School in The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. (Mr. DEFAZIO addressed the House. Bloomington, Minnesota, Tom’s in- HART). Under a previous order of the His remarks will appear hereafter in spired play led his team to the con- the Extensions of Remarks.) House, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. ference championship game in 1980, the LAMPSON) is recognized for 5 minutes. only game they lost that season. The f Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a team that beat them won the State title, in fact. He was also a leader in today I rise to let my colleagues know previous order of the House, the gentle- of my introduction of a concurrent res- woman from Florida (Ms. ROS- his remarkable business career, as chief operating officer for a medical de- olution in support of the United States LEHTINEN) is recognized for 5 minutes. Government becoming actively in- (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN addressed the vice manufacturer in California. No one who knew Tom Burnett is volved in the recovery and return of House. Her remarks will appear here- Ludwig Koons, a boy who was abducted after in the Extensions of Remarks.) surprised at his heroism. His football coach in high school, to Italy by his mother. f Bruno Waldner, said, ‘‘Tom, if any- Ludwig, son of Jeffrey Koons, an The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a body, would have the type of character award-winning, internationally re- previous order of the House, the gentle- to do that. He didn’t get rattled. He nowned artist, was abducted to Italy woman from California (Ms. took everybody up another level. He by his mother, Ilona Staller, on June 9, MILLENDER-MCDONALD) is recognized was on an average football team that 1994. Mr. Koons has filed a petition for 5 minutes. went on to play over their heads. And against the Republic of Italy with the (Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD ad- they almost won a championship.’’ European Court of Human Rights in dressed the House. Her remarks will Another business associate said: Strasbourg, and a preliminary decision appear hereafter in the Extensions of ‘‘Tom was a man of action. If he knew regarding the admissibility of this pe- Remarks.) that he could have any potential bene- tition is expected to be issued by the September 24, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5967 court in October 2001. I have respect- found itself under the attack of the play a part in making these days mem- fully requested that both the U.S. De- greatest Navy in the world. One thou- orable in the history of our race.’’ partment of Justice and the U.S. De- sand American soldiers were charged Madam Speaker, as we declare war partment of State file briefs in the Eu- with the daunting task of defending on terrorism around the world, the ropean Court of Human Rights sup- Fort McHenry against 30 British war- American flag will inspire us just as it porting Mr. Koons’ petition, pursuant ships and thousands of enemy ground inspired Francis Scott Key. It will to article 36 of the Convention for the troops. The bombs fell for 25 straight serve as a notice to our adversaries. Protection of Human Rights of the hours. Many hit their target. Others Though bruised and bloodied, we re- Council of Europe, which states the burst overhead, raining shrapnel on the main unbowed. The authors of terror United States has a right to intervene soldiers below. When the rocket explo- may never understand the words of our in proceedings before the European sions ceased on the morning of Sep- national anthem, but they will come to court in Strasbourg, promoted by its tember 14, 1814, Key surely thought understand the spirit that it embodies. citizens seeking relief from human that Fort McHenry had been taken. We will turn our rage into moral out- rights violations. Straining to see through the smoke rage. When the dust of battle clears, On May 29, 2001, Mrs. Staller was con- that hung over the water in the early America will remain the land of the victed in Italy for kidnapping their morning light, Key wiped away tears to free and the home of the brave. minor son, Ludwig, from his family see the Stars and Stripes still flying Madam Speaker, to victory. May God residence in New York on June 9, 1994. defiantly over that battered fort. The bless America. In addition, with a judgment dated Americans had achieved the unthink- f May 31, 2001, this year, Mrs. Staller was able. They had bravely held their posi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a found guilty by the Rome Tribunal of tion against all odds. The magnificent previous order of the House, the gen- repeated acts of defamation through sight moved Key to pen the words that tleman from Michigan (Mr. CONYERS) is the media against Mr. Koons. The have stirred American hearts ever recognized for 5 minutes. delays of the Italian judicial authori- since, the Star-Spangled Banner. (Mr. CONYERS addressed the House. Two weeks ago, 187 years after the ties in finding Mrs. Staller guilty of His remarks will appear hereafter in defense of Fort McHenry, our Nation international child kidnapping were in- the Extensions of Remarks.) strumental in allowing the mother to stared in horror at the smoke hanging retain custody of Ludwig in Italy ille- over New York City and Washington, f gitimately. D.C. We looked on in disbelief as the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Authorities have not taken into con- towers of the World Trade Center previous order of the House, the gen- sideration the judgment of divorce en- crumbled before our very eyes. Yet out tleman from Indiana (Mr. KERNS) is tered by the New York Supreme Court, of the destruction shone a beacon of recognized for 5 minutes. which had exclusive jurisdiction to de- hope. Wiping tears from our eyes, we (Mr. KERNS addressed the House. His cide the parties’ custody dispute. The watched modern heroes, New York’s remarks will appear hereafter in the decision of the Italian judicial authori- firefighters, raising the Stars and Extensions of Remarks.) ties to prohibit Ludwig, a native Amer- Stripes atop the mountain of rubble. f ican citizen, from exercising his right The comparison to Iwo Jima is inescap- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a of access to the United States, even for able. previous order of the House, the gentle- temporary visits, in order to maintain Madam Speaker, the attack on Amer- woman from Florida (Mrs. MEEK) is meaningful relations with his father ica was not an attempt to defeat our recognized for 5 minutes. and his paternal family is in violation Army. It was an organized plan to de- (Mrs. MEEK of Florida addressed the of international principles of law and stroy the lives of innocent Americans. House. Her remarks will appear here- treaties to the detriment of a U.S. It was a direct assault on the American after in the Extensions of Remarks.) minor. spirit. The terrorists succeeded in kill- My resolution states that the United ing thousands of our fellow citizens, f States should request that the Italian but they can never kill the American The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Republic immediately return Ludwig spirit. previous order of the House, the gentle- Maximilian Koons to the custody of Napoleon once said, ‘‘The great sol- woman from Florida (Ms. BROWN) is the father in the United States as es- diers run to the sound of the guns.’’ recognized for 5 minutes. tablished by the judgment of divorce in Consider the heroism of the passengers (Ms. BROWN of Florida addressed the the Supreme Court of New York of De- aboard United Flight 93 who attacked House. Her remarks will appear here- cember 9, 1994. Pending a final decision their hijackers. They saved thousands after in the Extensions of Remarks.) by the Republic of Italy regarding the of lives on the ground and perhaps the f permanent return of Ludwig to the most precious symbols of our Nation. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a United States, the United States We will never forget the firefighters previous order of the House, the gentle- should also request that Italy author- who gave their lives when they coura- woman from Ohio (Mrs. JONES) is rec- ize Ludwig to visit his father in his geously rushed into the burning towers ognized for 5 minutes. New York residence on a temporary as others streamed out. Now we see the (Mrs. JONES of Ohio addressed the basis. quiet heroism of rescue workers who House. Her remarks will appear here- As an American citizen, Ludwig has a continue to dig tirelessly through the after in the Extensions of Remarks.) rubble in hopes of finding just one sur- right to preserve his identity, his na- f vivor. These Americans stand on the tionality, and his family relations and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a shoulders of the defenders of Fort to be raised by the parent who can best previous order of the House, the gentle- assure him a sound and healthy envi- McHenry. Throughout our history, many adver- woman from California (Ms. WATSON) is ronment. recognized for 5 minutes. f saries have underestimated the steely resolve of the American spirit. They (Ms. WATSON of California addressed OH SAY CAN WE SEE? underestimate us now. We have been the House. Her remarks will appear The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a called to action, to demonstrate the hereafter in the Extensions of Re- previous order of the House, the gen- virtues that make this a great Nation. marks.) tleman from Minnesota (Mr. GUT- At a similar hour, Winston Churchill f KNECHT) is recognized for 5 minutes. said, ‘‘Do not let us speak of darker The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Mr. GUTKNECHT. Madam Speaker, days. Let us speak, rather, of sterner previous order of the House, the gen- lying aboard a British warship in Balti- days. These are not dark days. These tleman from Texas (Mr. RODRIGUEZ) is more Harbor, Francis Scott Key lis- are great days, the greatest days our recognized for 5 minutes. tened through the night as shells country has ever lived. We must all (Mr. RODRIGUEZ addressed the rained down on Fort McHenry. The thank God that we have been allowed, House. His remarks will appear here- small, undermanned garrison suddenly each of us according to our stations, to after in the Extensions of Remarks.)