September 11, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1129 RECOGNIZING D. M. BOWMAN’S 60 to represent TSA in its transition to DHS. She tive, where he was responsible for member- YEARS IN BUSINESS also served as the transportation security advi- ship and program development. Since May sor to DHS Under Secretary Asa Hutchinson. 1994, Jim has served as the Wilkes-Barre HON. DAVID J. TRONE In recognition of her service to the newly Family YMCA Executive Director, successfully OF MARYLAND formed Department, Ms. Bester received the spearheading numerous campaigns and rais- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Department of Homeland Security ‘‘Day One’’ ing millions of dollars to improve facilities of Award. the Wilkes-Barre YMCA and to offer access Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Early in her career, she was Director of opportunities to low income families. He also Mr. TRONE. Madam Speaker, I would like Regulatory Relations with the United States led effort to construct five new facilities at to take this opportunity to recognize D. M. Telephone Association and an attorney with Camp Kresge and rebuild existing infrastruc- Bowman, Inc., a transportation and logistics the Federal Communications Commission. ture to improve the camp for future genera- company based in Williamsport, Maryland. A first-generation American, Ms. Bester was tions. This company has used innovation and work born in Buffalo, NY, to parents that had been Jim is also a member of numerous associa- ethic to make its mark on the trucking world. granted asylum in our country after surviving tions and societies, including the Pennsylvania In 1996, D. M. Bowman Founder and Chair- the atrocities of the Second World War. Love Recreation and Parks Society, the Pennsyl- man Don Bowman designated this week as of country and the importance of being an ac- vania State University Recreation and Parks Driver Appreciation Week, an annual event tive, engaged citizen were ingrained at a Society, the Kiwanis Club of Wilkes-Barre, the celebrating the hard work drivers do every young age. Ms. Bester has often spoken of Riverfront Parks Association, the Downtown day. This year, I am honored to highlight the the great honor of serving, protecting, and giv- Business Association, and the State Public achievements of his incredible company and ing back to our nation, which provided oppor- Policy Committee. recognize our nation’s truck drivers, who pro- tunity and security for her family during dire It is an honor to join with the Luzerne Coun- vide all Americans a great service. circumstances. ty Sports Hall of Fame in recognizing Jim’s This year, D. M. Bowman is celebrating 60 Her passion for public service is second lifetime of effort. May his hard work and dedi- years in business. Throughout this time, the only to her dedication to her family. Of her cation to the community continue to have a company has been an invaluable source of many accomplishments, Ms. Bester is most lasting impact on the greater Wilkes-Barre economic development and jobs for Mary- proud as a mother to her sons, Brian and Eric, area. land’s Sixth District. Although the business and as grandmother to Chase and Ava. f began as a one-man operation, due to Don After spending a career protecting our Na- tion’s transportation security, Ms. Bester now IN RECOGNITION OF MR. STEVEN Bowman’s determination and expertise, it S. SMITH quickly began to pick up speed. Now, D. M. heads to an extremely well-deserved retire- Bowman has an exceptional fleet of 382 ment from Federal service. I ask my col- HON. JENNIFER WEXTON power units and 8 terminals on the east coast. leagues to join me in sending the very best wishes and congratulations of the House as OF VIRGINIA As the company grew, so did its outreach IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES efforts. Today, D. M. Bowman works with Ha- well as our thanks for her remarkable career gerstown Community College Driving School and her notable service to our country. Wednesday, September 11, 2019 to help individuals who obtain their commercial f Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today driver’s licenses find new career opportunities. IN RECOGNITION OF JIM THOMAS, to honor my constituent, Mr. Steven S. Smith, On behalf of the residents of Maryland’s RECIPIENT OF THE 2019 COMMU- who is retiring from the Drug Enforcement Ad- Sixth Congressional District, I thank D. M. NITY SERVICE AWARD FROM ministration, after 24 years of law enforcement Bowman and its dedicated team for all that THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS service, culminating as Supervisory Special they have done for our community and recog- HALL OF FAME Agent assigned to the Pharmaceutical Inves- nize the 112,900 people employed by the tigations Section as the Group Supervisor for trucking industry in our great state. HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT Mobile Diversion Team One (MDT–1) based in f Springfield, Virginia. OF PENNSYLVANIA Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Steven RECOGNIZING DISTINGUISHED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Smith entered on duty with the Drug Enforce- PUBLIC SERVANT, MARGOT Wednesday, September 11, 2019 ment Administration (DEA) on March 15, 1995 BESTER Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise in Miami, Florida. SSA Smith was first as- today to honor Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA Ex- signed to the Los Angeles Field Division. Dur- HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON ecutive Director Jim Thomas. Jim received the ing his fifteen-year tenure in Los Angeles, then OF MISSISSIPPI 2019 Community Service Award from the Special Agent (SA) Smith worked in enforce- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame at the ment groups targeting methamphetamine pro- duction and trafficking, and Asian heroin dis- Wednesday, September 11, 2019 35th annual dinner on August 11, 2019 for his leadership and service to the greater Wilkes- tribution. Working in a multi-agency environ- Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Barre area. ment at the Southern California Drug Task Speaker, I rise today to recognize a distin- Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall Force and LAX Group Three, SA Smith co- guished public servant, Margot Bester, who, of Fame honors those who have brought fame ordinated surveillance operations with over a after nearly 25 years of dedicated service to and recognition to the state of Pennsylvania dozen different law enforcement agencies the American people, is retiring from her posi- through their outstanding achievements and while supporting Title III investigations. While tion as Principal Deputy Chief Counsel at the contributions in athletic endeavors. investigating narcotics and money couriers Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Throughout his career, Jim has been dedi- passing through LAX airport, SA Smith’s intel- Ms. Bester has served as second in com- cated to serving the Luzerne County commu- ligence background in both law enforcement mand of the Office of Chief Counsel since the nity in a variety of roles. Following graduation and the military enabled him to rapidly link de- months following the creation of TSA, a com- from the Pennsylvania State University, Uni- tained suspects to active federal, state, and ponent of the Department of Homeland Secu- versity Park with a Bachelor of Science in local criminal investigations around the country rity created by Congress to ensure transpor- Parks and Recreation, Jim immediately put his and build partnerships which enhanced the tation security for our nation in the wake of the knowledge to action by serving as the Sea- quality of the LAX–G3 cases. 9/11 terrorist attacks which occurred 18 years sonal YMCA Summer Camp Director for In August 2010, SA Smith transferred to the ago today. Camp Kresge in White Haven, Pennsylvania. Las Vegas District Office as a member of the In coordination with the Chief Counsel, Ms. Later, Jim became the Wilkes-Barre Family Tactical Diversion Squad (TDS). While as- Bester has overseen the legal work of the at- YMCA Youth Director. He established a local signed to the Las Vegas TDS, SA Smith led torneys at TSA and has been primarily re- indoor premier soccer program with more than an investigation targeting a doctor and an sponsible for the day-to-day operations of the two-thousand participants, while also working international organized crime ring responsible Office of Chief Counsel. with the Pennsylvania Department of Natural for the distribution of tens of thousands of pre- Ms. Bester joined the TSA Office of Chief Resources to start a YMCA program located scription tablets. This investigation resulted in Counsel in April 2002. In August of that year, in a state park. the seizure of over 8000 d.u. of oxycodone, she was selected by Admiral James Loy, then From June 1986 to April 1994, Jim served $58,000 U.S. currency, and evidence identi- Under Secretary of Transportation for Security, as the Wilkes-Barre YMCA Program Execu- fying a local pharmacy as a significant

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:10 Sep 12, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K11SE8.003 E11SEPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS E1130 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 11, 2019 oxycodone and hydrocodone source of supply. School is renowned for its quantitative anal- those traditions and culture on display was During his tenure at the Las Vegas TDS, SA ysis of a wide-range of policy issues, making particularly special. There is truly no better Smith’s investigations brought money laun- the school a frequent destination for distin- celebration of the many contributions the dering charges, substantial monetary civil pen- guished policymakers from around the world. Greek community have made in the greater alties, and regulatory sanctions to bear along Thanks to the wisdom and understanding of Manchester area than Glendi. with Title 21 violations against DEA registrants University of Michigan alumni and Regent By sharing our Greek traditions with the and diversion drug trafficking organizations Ronald Weiser and his wife Eileen, the Weiser broader Manchester community, the festival (DTOs). Diplomacy Center was established at the Ger- makes our city more inclusive and open. In November 2012, SA Smith was promoted ald R. Ford School of Public Policy in January On behalf of my constituents in New Hamp- to Group Supervisor (GS) of the Oakland 2019. The Weiser Diplomacy Center provides shire’s First Congressional District, I want to Resident Office TDS with an area of responsi- a forum for leading diplomats and foreign pol- thank George Copadis—President of the bility which included over 50,000 DEA reg- icy experts to gather and offer practical train- Board of Directors, Father Mike, and the St. istrants in 15 counties of northern coastal Cali- ing sessions and simulations to students to George’s community for their decades of dedi- fornia. GS Smith enhanced the mission effec- supplement their studies. The center will bring cation to our community. I congratulate them tiveness of the group by directing major en- a diverse cadre of seasoned diplomats and on this milestone and thank them for all that forcement initiatives at high value targets with- foreign policy experts to campus. This year they do to make our state such a wonderful in the TDS Area of Responsibility (AoR). Asset alone, the center will successfully connect stu- place to learn, live, and eat. seizures from his group increased nearly four- dents with distinguished leaders like f fold from $510,180 to $1,989,741, which en- Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, and abled GS Smith to persuade local agencies to Samantha Power, to name a few. In addition, IN RECOGNITION OF ANGELINE double the number of investigators assigned the center sponsors a program for Weiser Di- ‘‘ANGIE’’ NANNI as Task Force Officers to the TDS. Under SA plomacy Fellows and helps students find in- Smith’s leadership, Oakland TDS investiga- ternships pertaining to foreign affairs. The cen- HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT tions charged eight doctors and three physi- ter will include lessons for students to practice OF PENNSYLVANIA cian’s assistants with criminal offenses and international diplomacy and opportunities to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES put them out of business for good. learn from diplomats from around the world. Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Prior to employment with the DEA, Super- Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join visory Special Agent (SSA) Smith served on me in honoring Ambassador Ronald N. Weiser Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise Active Duty as an Army Reserve Military Intel- for his dedication to the Gerald R. Ford School today to recognize Angeline ‘‘Angie’’ Nanni for ligence Officer at the South Florida Investiga- of Public Policy. The immediate success of the her critical role in the once highly classified tive Support Center (now the South Florida center is due in no small part to his work and Venona Project breaking encrypted Soviet HIDTA Intelligence Center). SSA Smith served tremendous leadership. Ambassador Weiser’s communications. Angie, with her unparalleled in Iraq under the U.S. Army V.Corps during own experience has demonstrated to him the gift for numbers and analytical thinking, dedi- the 2003 invasion. SSA Smith maintained staff importance of preparing students in a quickly cated her career to breaking codes to maintain oversight of all tactical human intelligence op- shifting foreign policy world through engage- the safety and security of the United States erations in theatre while serving as the CJTF– ment with experts. The Weiser Diplomacy during the Cold War. 7 Task Force Counterintelligence Coordination Center will be an invaluable resource not only Born August 2, 1918 in the small town of Authority charged with the de-confliction of all for the students participating, but to our coun- Blairsville, PA, Angie was expected to work in counterintelligence operations in the Iraqi The- try as it trains the leaders of the future. This her sisters’ beauty salon. Not passionate atre of Operations. SSA Smith holds a Bach- new diplomacy center will be critical for young about being a beautician, she ran the busi- elor of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida people to engage with members of the foreign ness side of the shop. However, during the International University and currently resides policy community and inspire a new genera- end of WWII, Angie and her sisters set off to in Loudoun County with his wife and two chil- tion of the importance of this field. Washington, D.C. to help with the war effort. Once the war was over, Angie decided to stay dren. f I am proud to represent Mr. Smith in Con- near the capital. When the opportunity to take gress and I thank him and his family for their IN HONOR OF THE 40TH an exam for a government job arose, she de- honorable service to our nation with the United ANNIVERSARY OF GLENDI cided to take it. States Army. Madam Speaker, I ask my col- Angie, one of the only non-college educated leagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Smith HON. CHRIS PAPPAS women taking the coded exam, not only as he concludes a distinguished career in pub- OF NEW HAMPSHIRE passed with flying colors, but also was the first lic service. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES person to finish the exam. Her natural affinity for numbers allowed her to strip down the f Wednesday, September 11, 2019 codes and extract the pertinent information. IN RECOGNITION OF AMBASSADOR Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today Angie joined the female-dominated coalition of RONALD N. WEISER AND THE to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Glendi, a cryptanalysts based in Arlington, Virginia post. OPENING OF THE WEISER DIPLO- Greek festival held annually in my hometown Described as a ‘‘needle-in-a-haystack ability,’’ MACY CENTER of Manchester, NH. Over the past four dec- Angie’s job was to match messages coming ades, St. George’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral from two distinct channels, accessing vital in- HON. DEBBIE DINGELL has hosted this event, which celebrates Greek formation from what were thought to be un- OF MICHIGAN culture, crafts, music, and, of course, food breakable Soviet codes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Every year, Glendi brings together thou- During the era of McCarthyism and blind ac- sands of people from across New Hampshire cusations, there was a secret group of women Wednesday, September 11, 2019 and the region to celebrate the contributions who held more confidential knowledge than Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise and traditions of Greek culture in America. I any branch of government so close to their today to recognize the work of Ambassador grew up and remain a member of the St. chests that not even their family members Ronald N. Weiser in so many arenas but George’s family, which for over 100 years has knew the details of their jobs. Angie worked today specifically for his leadership in launch- welcomed the faithful to gather and be part of for the Venona Project until it ended in 1980. ing the Weiser Diplomacy Center at the Ger- this tight-knit community. Now as a member of At her retirement party, nobody knew from ald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the Uni- Congress I could not be more proud to mark what job she was retiring. versity of Michigan. this milestone. Due to her hard work, in addition to the The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy My great-grandfather Arthur Papathanasiou other members of the Venona Project, many at the University of Michigan is America’s first left Livadi, Elassona, a tiny hilltop town in encrypted messaged from the KGB were able graduate public service training program. Turkish-occupied northern Greece, to start a to be deciphered. Some of the most notable Since 1914, the Ford School has been teach- better life in 1906, and like many Greek immi- codes Angie helped break were names for ing students how to address the public’s most grants, his family brought their culture and many prominent players of the era, including pressing concerns by using research and cut- food and traditions with them. President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, The ting-edge problem-solving methodologies to As a life-long resident of Manchester, Glendi Manhattan Project, Julius Rosenberg, and develop actionable policy solutions. The Ford was always a highlight and the chance to see Washington, D.C.

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