May 21, 2009 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 10 13423 years, the Mill employed 800 people from our ence as a co-campaign coordinator for Bobby I look forward to continuing to work with my community. But it wasn’t just jobs that the Kennedy to lobby then-city councilman Tom friends and colleagues on the Ways and Russell family provided, it was community Bradley on getting permanent structures on Means Committee Subcommittee on Income leadership. They didn’t just live in our commu- the Southwest College campus. Security and Family Support to improve the nities—they were our county commissioners, Professor Dirks knows that ‘‘it takes a vil- experiences of those young people living in Boy Scout leaders, served on town board— lage’’ and over the years he has received nu- and preparing to exit foster care. much of which Mr. Russell did himself. merous accolades and great support from his Madam Speaker, each and every young There were and are Mr. Russell’s in every community. He is deserving of commendation person has a right to a childhood. During Na- community across our District. We all know for his tireless campaign to secure adequate tional Foster Care Month, I hope that commu- how our communities have been affected by higher education in the northeast San Fer- nities around the country really come together the loss of the textile industry. It was not only nando Valley. With a combination of union and think of ways to improve the lives of the loss of jobs which we still struggle to re- backing and political tenacity, Professor Dirks young people in the child welfare system. place, but it was the loss of leadership as well. was able to secure a budget for Mission Col- f These families provided so much leadership in lege from then Governor Deukmajian. As one our community, and it was all gone so quickly. of the founding faculty members of Mission A PROCLAMATION HONORING One of the things I will always remember College, he was instrumental in organizing the STAFF SERGEANT JOSEPH about J. Paul Russell was his spirit. He was faculty into a union and putting together sup- SOLVEY FOR RECEIVING THE an amazing person, one that attacked life with port for a permanent site and buildings. The SILVER STAR MEDAL CITATION gusto, not just in his work but when he was Chancellor and both the California State Sen- FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION having fun as well. He lived his life to the full- ate and Assembly have named Professor est. Dirks ‘‘The Faculty Father of Mission College.’’ HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE This is a chance for me to honor, not only Madam Speaker and distinguished col- OF OHIO Mr. Russell and his family for their contribu- leagues, I ask you to join me in saluting Pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tions, but to all of those people who make a fessor Dirks for his impressive career and Thursday, May 21, 2009 difference in our community. dedication to the people of the San Fernando Those special people are scattered through- Valley, and to congratulate him on the occa- Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: out our District. They spend their time doing sion of his retirement. Whereas, Staff Sergeant Solvey was as- things they know will better their community f signed as a Private First Class to Infantry and make a difference in the lives of the peo- Company E, 104th Infantry Regiment, US ple around them. It is the best legacy we can RECOGNIZING NATIONAL FOSTER Army; and hope to leave. It is the legacy that J. Paul CARE MONTH Whereas, Staff Sergeant Solvey was in- Russell has left. Mr. Russell will dearly be volved in a morning attack near Bettborn, Lux- missed by his family, friends, and community, HON. JOHN LEWIS embourg on December 22, 1944; and and his contributions made to our community. OF GEORGIA Whereas, Staff Sergeant Solvey refused an f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES evacuation order and, though injured, put him- self at substantial personal risk to eliminate a Thursday, May 21, 2009 PROFESSOR CHARLES E. DIRKS German tank threatening to break the Amer- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I ican position; and HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN rise today in proud support of H. Res. 931, a Whereas, Staff Sergeant Solvey enabled his OF CALIFORNIA resolution recognizing National Foster Care company to accomplish its objective by mov- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Month. I thank my friend and colleague on the ing in the face of fire and showing great per- Ways and Means Committee, Chairman sonal courage and valor; now, therefore, be it Thursday, May 21, 2009 McDermott, for sponsoring this important reso- Resolved, that along with his friends, family, Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am hon- lution. and the residents of the 18th Congressional ored to pay tribute to my good friend Pro- During National Foster Care Month, we pay District, I congratulate Staff Sergeant Solvey fessor Charles Dirks, on the occasion of his tribute to the half million children presently in on winning the Silver Star for gallantry in ac- retirement from Los Angeles Mission College. the child welfare system and the many others tion. We recognize the tremendous sacrifice, I have had the pleasure of working with him in the network—mentors, volunteers, friends, determination, and courage that he displayed on important issues in our community for more extended families, and organizations who fill in that day in December 1944, and all the days than two decades and know firsthand of his the gaps in Federal and State coverage to of his service to the United States Army. many accomplishments. help these young people find their way. f Professor Dirks comes from a long line lin- In Georgia, there are thousands of children eage of community activists, a lineage that living in foster care. These young people—of HONORING COLONEL SCOTT has helped fuel his tireless fight for Southwest all race, ages, and backgrounds—were victims VANDER HAMM College, Mission College and the entire Los of neglect and abuse. Madam Speaker, as Angeles school system. parents we know that children require stability HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN Upon graduating from Occidental College, and permanency to thrive. Love and security OF SOUTH DAKOTA Professor Dirks got an invitation from R. Sar- help the development of healthy and confident IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gent Shriver, the Director of the Peace Corps young adults. Sadly, due to circumstances be- to join ‘‘Ghana One’’ and teach in the very first yond their control, foster children are uprooted Thursday, May 21, 2009 Peace Corps group. During this time, he built from their homes and represent the one of Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, two schools in Ghana and helped build the largest constituencies of displaced people in I rise today to honor Colonel Scott Vander first public library in Liberia. He also set up the United States. In fact, numerous studies Hamm, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at community development training programs for show the increased difficulties foster children Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, for the Peace Corps in Puerto Rico and helped must overcome, especially the lack of support his commendable record of service to our build flood control dams in Kenya. This experi- for foster care youth as they transition to country. Colonel Vander Hamm is leaving Ells- ence led to his lifelong mission of rebuilding adulthood and independence. worth for a new assignment, but his efforts and working in the Los Angeles education Child welfare services have a shared goal to have left a lasting impact on Ellsworth, my community’s areas of need. find safe, stable, and loving homes for these state of South Dakota, and the security of our By joining the community college district, young people. Unfortunately, this dream is not country. and becoming the Faculty Guild President, always realized. Last year, Congress passed Over the course of a career that has seen Professor Dirks helped erect permanent build- and the President signed the Fostering Con- him earn the Distinguished Flying Cross and ings in the north-east San Fernando Valley, nections to Success Act. This legislation was the Bronze Star, Colonel Vander Hamm has where a college was most needed. A long an important step in improving the nation’s logged more than 4,200 hours as a pilot, time volunteer in politics, he used his experi- child welfare system, but more can be done. which adds up to 167 days in the air. He has

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As the 7th Operations lish a state in Palestine.’’ regarded his personal safety and immediately Group Commander, Colonel Vander Hamm Last year, several of my colleagues and I moved forward to treat his wounded comrade; also led planes in support of Operation Endur- sent a letter to the United States Justice De- and ing Freedom, and the expeditionary group he partment, asking for a posthumous pardon for Whereas, PFC Wood sustained multiple commanded flew over 900 combat and com- Mr. Winters. We are grateful that President wounds from automatic weapons fire while at- bat support missions. Bush issued a pardon in December, thereby tending to his comrade but refused to retreat However, Colonel Vander Hamm describes clearing Mr. Winters name and providing com- or stop his treatment; now, therefore, be it himself as an officer first and an aviator sec- fort to his family. Resolved, that along with his friends, family, ond. At Ellsworth, he commanded the largest Today, the Jewish Federation of Palm and the residents of the 18th Congressional B–1 combat wing in the U.S. Air Force, with Beach County’s Jewish Community Relations District, I congratulate Private First Class Eu- 29 aircraft and more than 4,300 personnel. His Council will be hosting Jimi Winters, the son of gene F. Wood on winning the Bronze Star organizational skills and drive kept that force Charlie Winters, to honor the memory of his with ‘‘V’’ Device for heroism and gallant action. in top shape, ready to respond to a crisis at father. While I regret that I cannot be with We recognize the incredible determination, a moment’s notice. them today, I join them in their celebration of loyalty, courage, and valor he displayed for his He’s also a proud family man. His wife Jo- Mr. Winters’ memory. Mr. Winters’ actions comrades on that day in January 1968, and all anna, seven daughters and four sons have all helped secure the independence of the state the days of his service to the United States helped shape the Colonel into a great leader of Israel, thereby establishing a beacon of de- Army. of men and women. The Vander Hamms have mocracy in the Middle East. f become an important part of the Ellsworth f HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVER- family and their looming absence will be felt PERSONAL EXPLANATION by the entire base. SARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT The leadership and diligence shown by OF THE OMAHA DISTRICT OF Colonel Vander Hamm and our nation’s other HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGI- OF ILLINOIS military commanders are second to none. I am NEERS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES personally immensely grateful for the values and honor that soldiers such as he have in- Thursday, May 21, 2009 HON. LEE TERRY stilled in the fabric of our society. And I am Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, OF NEBRASKA sure the people of South Dakota and the en- unfortunately Monday night, May 18, 2009, I IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tire country join me in thanking him for his was unable to cast my votes on H. Res. 300, Thursday, May 21, 2009 sacrifices in helping keep all of us safe. S. 386 and H. Res. 442 and wish the record Madam Speaker, it is with enduring pride to reflect my intentions had I been able to Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to and respect that I rise today in recognition of vote. honor the establishment of the Omaha District Col. Vander Hamm and his service at Ells- Had I been present for rollcall No. 267, on of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 75 years worth Air Force Base. The state of South Da- suspending the rules and passing H. Res. ago. Since that time, the Omaha District of the kota will miss him, but we are all fortunate that 300, Congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Corps has performed admirably in a wide his service to our nation continues. Westport, New York, on the occasion of its range of duties, and today manages more f 125th anniversary, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ than a billion dollars worth of civil works, mili- Had I been present for Rollcall No. 268, on tary construction, and environmental restora- HONORING CHARLIE WINTERS suspending the Rules and agreeing to the tion projects. Members of the Omaha District Senate Amendments to the House Amend- of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers currently HON. RON KLEIN ments on S. 386, the Fraud Enforcement and serve in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the OF FLORIDA Recovery Act, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ Global War on Terror. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Had I been present for Rollcall No. 269, on When the Omaha District was established in suspending the Rules and passing H. Res. 1934, its initial mission was the construction of Thursday, May 21, 2009 442, Recognizing the importance of the Child the Fort Peck Dam in Montana. That project Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I and Adult Care Food Program and its positive was the first of many that resulted in the con- rise today to honor the memory of Charlie effect on the lives of low-income children and struction of a total of 6 dams along the main Winters. Mr. Winters was an ordinary Florida families, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ stem of the Missouri River that provided nec- businessman who played an extraordinary role f essary jobs during the Great Depression. This in history. was just part of the Corps’ efforts to harness In 1948, he provided an aircraft to the Jew- A PROCLAMATION HONORING PRI- the mighty Missouri River basin through con- ish armed forces in pre-war Israel for its de- VATE FIRST CLASS (PFC) EU- struction of a vast set of engineering projects fense during the Israeli Independence War. GENE F. WOOD FOR RECEIVING which control flooding, facilitate commerce by Had Mr. Winters and other Americans not pro- THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH improving navigation, generate electricity, and vided this assistance at such a critical time, ‘‘V’’ DEVICE CITATION FOR HER- spur agriculture. These projects evolved into a Israel may not have survived as an inde- OISM flood control system that has prevented over pendent state and become one of our Nation’s $25 billion in flood damages to date. staunchest allies. However, Mr. Winters was HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE During World War II and the Cold War, the not honored at the time for his heroism. In- OF OHIO Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of En- stead, he was arrested and convicted under IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gineers was involved in numerous aspects of the ‘‘Neutrality Act’’ for his role in Israel’s Thursday, May 21, 2009 our nation’s defense. It constructed the as- founding. In fact, he was one of a handful of Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, sembly plant for the B–29 Superfortress and Americans convicted and he was the only one Whereas, PFC Wood was assigned as a ri- the B–26 Marauder, and gained technical ex- to serve a prison sentence. fleman to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 60th In- pertise in constructing runways which proved Mr. Winters was released from prison on fantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division; and valuable for Army Air Force training. The November 17, 1949 and lived a humble and Whereas, PFC Wood was involved in a Omaha District also was involved in the con- quiet life thereafter in Miami. In 1984, Mr. Win- combat mission in Vietnam on January 10, struction of the Northern Area Defense Com- ters passed away, and never told his family 1968; and mand in Colorado, facilities for Space Com- about his story. But, his obituary in the Miami Whereas, PFC Wood’s company came mand, and various missile control and launch Herald was entitled ‘‘Charles Winters, 71, under heavy enemy fire while moving to the facilities throughout the Midwest. Following the Aided Birth of Israel,’’ and noted that he was aid of another company; and Cold War, the Omaha District helped lead on

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