June 24, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E689 Texas, this was the team’s first appearance in HONORING AVERY ALVES OF TUR- cated his life to public service. God Bless him the finals since 2015 and its second national KEY HILL SCHOOL IN ORANGE, and God Bless America. championship in baseball, with the first coming CONNECTICUT f in 1983. The Highlanders are led by head coach HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO HALBERT SULLIVAN Mitch Thompson, my brother-in-law. For OF CONNECTICUT Thompson, who has had a long and distin- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. CORI BUSH guished baseball career, this was his first na- OF MISSOURI Thursday, June 24, 2021 tional championship. Thompson played college IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES baseball at Fort Hays State University in Kan- Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, each year Thursday, June 24, 2021 sas, where he twice earned academic all-con- the community of Orange, Connecticut gathers ference honors and served as team captain as for a solemn ceremony and parade to mark Ms. BUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a senior. Following his graduation from Fort Memorial Day. As part of this ceremony, local Mr. Halbert Sullivan, founder and CEO of Fa- Hays State in 1988, Thompson began his elementary school students are invited to sub- thers & Families Support Center (FFSC) who coaching career. Prior to being named the mit artwork that reflects the special meaning of passed away on April 15, 2021. Mr. Sullivan is head coach at McLennan in 2013, Thompson Memorial Day. One of these submissions is a shining personification of triumphing over served as an assistant at Mississippi State chosen as the cover art for the community’s mistakes and using them as a catalyst for University, Radford University, Auburn Univer- Memorial Day program. I had the opportunity change. As the founder of FFSC, Mr. Sullivan sity, and Baylor University. Additionally, he to join the Orange ceremony this year and was continually recognized for his was a scout for the Kansas City Royals orga- was inspired by the artwork by Avery Alves of groundbreaking work in the community, includ- nization in 2013. Throughout his coaching ca- Turkey Hill School, the student whose artwork ing being awarded with the Gold Pin for the reer, Thompson has become widely respected was selected for the program cover. President’s Volunteer Service Award, a Life- as a recruiter and evaluator of talent. I only wish that I could submit the actual art- time Achievement Award from the National I want to congratulate Coach Thompson and work. Avery did a wonderful job and I will try Partnership of Community Leadership, multiple his team on their fantastic season. Coming off to do it justice with this description. On a white honors from the NAACP, Missouri Association a year in which the baseball season was cut backdrop blue blocked letters spell out ‘‘Or- of Social Welfare, Washington University, and short, this season provided unique challenges ange, CT’’; scripted in black just below ‘‘Me- many others. In 2017, Mr. Sullivan was also and was unlike any other the players had pre- morial Day’’; blocked red letters spell ‘‘Pa- named St. Louis’ Nonprofit Executive of the viously experienced. I am proud of the rade’’; at the center of the page is a beautifully Year. He was unquestionably a change agent McLennan team and all that the Highlanders rendered bald eagle clutching an American whose work and impact reverberated in the accomplished this year by bringing home the flag in its talons; just below scripted in black lives of every person he touched. St. Louis top prize in junior college baseball. are the words ‘‘Never Forget’’; and the final has been made lastingly better because of his f line, once again blocked in blue lettering, is legacy and he will be sorely and widely ‘‘Ever Honor.’’ For one so young, Avery’s art- missed. HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF work is a stirring reminder of why we gather f STEVE KERR FROM WHEELER each year to pay homage to those who have HONORING SHERIFF JOHN MISSION made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our ROBERTSON Nation. HON. TREY HOLLINGSWORTH For more than two hundred years American OF INDIANA soldiers have answered the call to defend our HON. MIKE THOMPSON IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES land and our values of freedom and democ- OF CALIFORNIA Thursday, June 24, 2021 racy. With annual ceremonies like the one in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Orange, that engage our youngest citizens, we Thursday, June 24, 2021 Mr. HOLLINGSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I ensure that we will never forget that our rise today to honor a community leader Steve armed forces have a long and proud history, Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Kerr. Steve is retiring after 28 years of service and that every one of our veterans has dem- Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheriff John to Wheeler Mission, a ministry that has been onstrated outstanding courage, dedication, Robertson and to recognize his extensive con- serving Hoosiers for over 128 years, including and service. It is my honor to rise today to tributions to our community through his leader- two locations in my district. thank Avery Alves for her very special con- ship in law enforcement. Steve has been with Wheeler since Novem- tribution to Memorial Day and her community. A California native, Sheriff Robertson was ber 22, 1993. He began his role as the Capital born and raised in Burlingame, California. He f Campaign Director and then moved into the went on to attend San Diego State University, Director of Development role. He has built a DEKON FASHAW, SR. where he received his degree in Criminal Jus- strong legacy that has impacted thousands of tice. Sheriff Robertson began his accom- lives, went from three staff members to now HON. JEFFERSON VAN DREW plished career in Law Enforcement at the San twenty-two who make sure the needs of resi- OF NEW JERSEY Mateo Police Department in 1981. It was there dents, staff, donors and volunteers are met IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that he established his expertise in Hazardous daily. Materials, Explosives, and Incident Manage- In 2003 Steve had the vision to bring run- Thursday, June 24, 2021 ment. Since June 1991, Sheriff Robertson has ners, walkers, and families together on Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, I am been with the Napa County Sheriffs Office, Thanksgiving Day to help raise money for the here today to speak about an inspiring citizen where he established himself as a natural ministry. The Drumstick Dash is now headed of Cape May, New Jersey—Dekon Fashaw, leader and resource to the Napa community. into its 19th Dash and continues to grow. Peo- Sr. Back in February, he became the first Soon after, he began teaching at the Police ple from all over the country descend on Indy Black police chief for the City of Cape May. Academy and Criminal Justice Training Cen- and virtually to ‘‘Move Their Feet So Others Before becoming police chief, Dekon was with ter, where he instructed both Academy Cadets Can Eat.’’ The annual campaign, along with the Cape May Police Department for 22 years. and law enforcement officers on a wide variety other special events, raises around million dol- Throughout his career, he longed to be a po- of topics. lars each year for this vital ministry. lice officer because he felt that it was impor- He became Sheriff of Napa County in 2012 Wheeler Mission offers the Indianapolis and tant for a man of color to be in the esteemed serving for 11 years, including during the ter- Bloomington communities homeless shelters, position to look after his community. Dekon rible earthquake in 2014 and the apocalyptic residential programming, addiction recovery has the support of many behind him, including fires in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Sheriff Robert- services, and social enterprises. Wheeler has his predecessor, Anthony Marino. The City of son’s leadership and innovation has recently adapted to meet the community’s ever-chang- Cape May Mayor Zack Mullok also empha- led to a pilot program utilizing the European ing needs and is unwavering in its commit- sized how Dekon has brought the community ‘‘Hi-Lo’’ siren in patrol cars for use during ment to Christ and the transformation through together through his positive attitude and de- evacuations. As a result, departments across the Gospel. I thank Steve Kerr for his commit- sire to care for people. I have no doubt that California began participating in this program, ment to Wheeler Mission, and the lives he has Dekon will serve and protect the City of Cape leading to the passage of Senate Bill 909, and will continue to impact due to his legacy. May. He is an exceptional man who has dedi- which amended the California Vehicle Code to VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:13 Jun 25, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JN8.006 E24JNPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REMARKS E690 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 24, 2021 allow for Sheriff Robertson’s idea to become Project, Daniel created a sensory path by the Roll Call 180 (Passage of H.R. 2062, the Pro- an industry norm nationwide. playground at Sewell Elementary School. This tecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Throughout his career, Sheriff Robertson project provided the children who attended the Act of 2021) when I meant to vote YEA. I has never lost sight of the importance of Com- elementary school the opportunity to do fun would like to clarify that my intention was to munity Policing. He has tirelessly advocated activities and work on their gross motor skills.