E2330 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 6, 2007 IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVER- HONORING THE FIRST RESPOND- alty. He has also been a partner with many SARY OF THE DANBURY CHAP- ERS AND SUPPORTING THE VIC- different businesses in southern Nevada in- TER OF THE NAACP TIMS OF THE SOUTHERN CALI- cluding Beano’s Casino Restaurant and FORNIA WILDFIRES Lounge and Shuck’s Seafood Restaurant and Lounges. In addition, he has been a managing HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY SPEECH OF partner with Virgin River Hotel and Casino, OF CONNECTICUT HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN Casablanca Hotel Resort and Casino, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA Oasis Resort Casino in Mesquite, Nevada. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Randy also owns many development projects Tuesday, November 6, 2007 in southern Nevada. Tuesday, October 30, 2007 Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Madam Along with all of his work in the real estate Speaker, throughout America, the National As- Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, over the course industry, Randy has also dedicated his time to sociation for the Advancement of Colored of just one week, my home State of California various boards and commissions. He has People, NAACP, has worked tirelessly to en- has witnessed the most destructive and ex- been active with the City of Las Vegas Citi- sure our Nation’s creed, ‘‘that all men are cre- pansive wildfires in its history. Across southern zens Advisory Board and the Nellis Air Force ated equal,’’ rings true. California, more than a dozen large fires Base Support Team. He has utilized his ex- fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds burned pertise in real estate to contribute his time to Recently, Connecticut’s Greater Danbury over 500,000 acres. The flames engulfed for- the Southern Nevada Homebuilders Associa- Chapter of the NAACP celebrated its 50th an- ests, homes and businesses alike. In my con- tion and the Las Vegas Board of Realtors Po- niversary. I rise to honor the efforts and con- gressional district, the city of Malibu lost litical Action Committee. tributions of those who have been instrumental homes, a community church, and Castle Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor in the development of this local chapter over Kashan, an iconic landmark on the California Randy Black, Sr. His constant commitment to the years and commend them for their support coast. the advancement of the real estate community and dedication to the community. As these fires raged, thousands of coura- in southern Nevada is honorable, and I wish During the height of the civil rights move- geous firefighters risked their lives to battle the him congratulations as the 2007 Lieder Award ment, the Danbury chapter of the NAACP was flames, tirelessly working shift after shift in recipient. actively involved in numerous local and na- grueling conditions. Hundreds of volunteers f tional events in pursuit of justice and equality. donated money, resources, and time to help PROTECTING VETERANS FUNDING In 1963, approximately 75 members traveled the nearly 1 million Californians evacuated at LETTERS from Danbury to Washington, DC to listen to the height of the crisis. Officials at all levels of Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic ‘‘I Have a government acted swiftly to coordinate a rapid Dream’’ speech and participated in the historic response. While we grieve for the hundreds of HON. STEVAN PEARCE March on Washington. families who have been devastated, we must OF NEW MEXICO In 1979, Danbury’s main street was flooded be thankful that even greater losses were IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with some 400 people, including the son of averted. Tuesday, November 6, 2007 President Jimmy Carter, James Earl ‘‘Chip’’ The damage caused by the fires is stag- Mr. PEARCE. Madam Speaker, I submit the Carter, to march from Kenney Park to city hall gering in its scope and heartbreaking in its im- two letters I referred to in my 1 minute this protesting the distribution of offensive pam- pact on those who must start over from morning. phlets by a member of the Klu Klux Klan. scratch. But Californians are resilient and de- CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, And in the 1960s and 1970s, the Danbury termined to restore their communities and re- Washington, DC, October 4, 2007. NAACP was instrumental in influencing policy build their lives. Today we stand in solidarity Office of the Senate Majority Leader, changes to encourage the hiring of African- as we consider H. Res. 778, a resolution hon- U.S. Capitol, Americans and minorities citywide in response oring the first responders and supporting the Washington, DC. to discriminatory hiring and admission prac- victims of the southern California wildfires. DEAR MAJORITY LEADER REID: We write tices at the Henry Abbott Technical School. This resolution sends an important message today to ask you to keep the Senate in ses- sion the week of October 8, to help pass this Today, continuing the tradition of promoting to all Californians that the Nation is with them, and that Congress stands prepared to provide years’ veterans appropriations. Now that we social justice, the Danbury chapter of the are already into the new fiscal year, it is im- NAACP is focused on improving affordable the assistance they need. perative that the House and Senate reach a housing, ensuring quality education for chil- f prompt agreement on the conference report dren and adults, and encouraging people to on the FY2008 Military Construction and PAYING TRIBUTE TO RANDY Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. vote and participate in the political process. BLACK, SR. Under the leadership of the Reverend Ivan S. 2642). It is unfortunate the Senate has been un- Pitts, the chapter has seen a surge in mem- HON. JON C. PORTER able to act upon many of its Constitu- bership, amplified meeting attendance, and tionally mandated appropriations bills. OF NEVADA the renewed respect of its leaders within the While the House continues to wait upon the community. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Senate to complete its work, we call upon Beyond today’s chapter leadership, I would Tuesday, November 6, 2007 you to quickly move veterans appropriations like to formally applaud former presidents of through conference so a final version of the Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today bill may be passed and presented to the the Danbury NAACP over the past 50 years: to honor Randy Black, Sr., who is the recipient President. We believe that veterans issues Constantine Brandi, the Reverend Leslie G. of the 2007 Lieder Award. The Lieder Award rise above the partisan divisions of Wash- Lawson, Richard Brown, Dr. Frederick Adam, is given annually to a person or organization ington which is evident by the passage of the Samuel Hyman, Sylvester Craig, Ben An- that demonstrates outstanding leadership in FY08 MilCon-Veterans appropriations with drews, Robert Cherry, Jr., Harold Taylor, the southern Nevada real estate industry by overwhelming majorities in both Houses, Gladys Cooper, the Reverend Aaron Samuels, the Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies at 501–3 combined. The Senate cannot allow this critically im- William J. Knight, Stanford Smith, Sr., Daryle the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Dennis, Sherrie Neptune, and the Reverend portant funding to continue to fall victim to Randy has had a lasting impact on southern the usual partisan wrangling which occurs Donald Dolberry. Nevada that began when he enrolled in Clark all too often in Washington. If tragedies such Recent events in Danbury remind us that County Community College in an effort to be- as the recent revelations at Walter Reed racism is not just a historical stain in our com- come a realtor. Throughout his career he has Army Medical Center are to be diverted in munity—it is ever present. The Danbury chap- had a multi-faceted experience, working as a the future, we must pass veterans funding ter of the NAACP is an example and an inspi- title examiner for First American Title/Stewart now. From FY 2001 the total VA budget rose ration to all organizations dedicated to the Title, a commercial real estate salesman with from $48 billion to approximately $70 billion in FY 2006, a 46 percent increase. This year, cause of justice and I am proud to recognize Robert Realty Investment and Development, the House voted to increase funding by $6 them for their efforts. I ask that all Members and a commercial real estate broker with Con- billion dollars over FY07, one of the largest of the United States House of Representatives solidated Realty and Management. Since in the 77 year history of the Department of join me in honoring their 50 years of out- 1977, he has served as the chairman of the Veterans Affairs. Because we have asked so standing achievement. board, owner, and broker with Diversified Re- much of or brave men and women in uniform

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:10 Nov 07, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A06NO8.014 E06NOPT1 ccoleman on PROD1PC69 with REMARKS November 6, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2331 during the War on Terror we must uphold solemn obligation to fulfill our promises to mense responsibility on dedicated but over- our commitment to veterans upon their re- them. We ask for you to look past the extended members of the House and Senate, turn home. heightened partisanship of our times and Earlier in the year, the new Majority unite us on this issue by making it a first the Vice President of the United States and agreed they would continue the trend of sig- priority to quickly bring a stand alone Vet- Chief Justice of the United States Supreme nificant increases in veterans funding begun erans appropriations bill through conference Court, fully half of the board, who must per- by the Republican Congress. We ask you to so the Congress may present the President form their fiduciary duties as board members honor that agreement and see the commit- with a bill by October 1, 2007. while giving first priority to their sworn respon- ment we made to our veterans is upheld. We stand ready to assist you in reaching sibilities as important Federal officials. We must never forget the sacrifice of our this goal. veterans. As members of Congress, we have a Sincerely, The need for new revenue streams and for solemn obligation to fulfill our promises to Steve Pearce, Gus Bilirakis, Thelma a modern governance structure has been them. We ask you to look past the height- Drake, Pete Sessions, Louie Gohmert, clear for years but can no longer be avoided ened partisanship of our times and unite us Jean Schmidt, Jim Saxton, Dana Rohr- on this issue by making it a first priority to following unprecedented controversies and ir- abacher, Mario Diaz-Balart, Sue responsible risks taken by Smithsonian man- bring a stand-alone veterans appropriations Myrick, Tom Feeney. bill through conference so the Congress may Jon Porter, Rick Renzi, Marilyn agement. The Smithsonian’s first full-blown present the President with a bill no later Musgrave, Michael Burgess, Michael scandal in its 160 year history, replete with than October 12, 2007. Conaway, Mark Souder, Tim Walberg, embarrassing coverage, has damaged the Sincerely, Steve King, Ron Lewis, Jeff Miller, Smithsonian’s reputation and perhaps the con- Steve Pearce, Tim Walberg, Jean Tom Tancredo. fidence of potential contributors. The poor Schmidt, Darrell Issa, Jim Saxton, Don Steve Buyer, Peter Roskam, John Mica, judgment and overreaching of Smithsonian Young, Scott Garrett, Jeff Miller, John Kline, Paul Ryan, Greg Walden, Trent Franks, Duncan Hunter, Jo Ann Tom Price, Mary Fallin, Randy Forbes, personnel require new and concentrated over- Davis, Pete Sessions. Mary Bono, Spencer Bachus. sight by citizens from whom the Smithsonian Phil Gingrey, Phil English, Thelma Dean Heller, Barbara Cubin, John can command priority attention. The Regents, Drake, Jeb Hensarling, Ginny Brown- Shimkus, Jim Gerlach, Jeb Hensarling, of course, have taken some important action Waite, Peter Roskam, Vito Fossella, Geoff Davis, Scott Garrett, Adrian on their own. After irregularities were uncov- Lincoln Diaz-Balart, John Carter, Dan Smith, Mike Ferguson, Don Young, Burton, K. Michael Conaway, John ered by the media, the Regents responded to Ginny Brown-Waite. the controversies by creating a Governance Kuhl. f Tom Feeney, Tom Price, James Sensen- Committee, chaired by Patty Stonesifer, a Re- brenner, Gus Bilirakis, Wally Herger, SMITHSONIAN MODERNIZATION gent who is chief executive officer of the Bill Doug Lamborn, Greg Walden, Gary ACT OF 2007 & Melinda Gates Foundation, with a mandate Miller, Michele Bachmann, John Kline, to comprehensively review the policies and Tom Tancredo, Geoff Davis. HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON practices of the Smithsonian and how the Adrian Smith, Paul Ryan, John Doo- OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA little, John Peterson, Rick Renzi, Board conducts its oversight of the Institution. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mark Souder, Louie Gohmert, Michael The Board also established an Independent McCaul, Randy Neugebauer, Wayne Tuesday, November 6, 2007 Review Committee (IRC), chaired by Charles Gilchrest, Jim Gerlach. Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, the Smith- A. Bowsher, former Comptroller General of the CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, sonian Institution is a unique and irreplaceable United States, to review the issues arising Washington, DC, September 17, 2007. cultural, historical, educational and artistic from the Inspector General’s reports, the Re- OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER, complex without any public or private counter- gents’ response, and related Smithsonian U.S. Capitol, part in the world. Since its founding, the Washington, DC. practices. MADAM SPEAKER: We write to urge you in Smithsonian has become an extraordinary The Independent Review was forthright in the strongest possible terms to reach a array of world class museums, galleries, edu- its investigation and recommendations. The prompt agreement on the conference report cational showplaces and unique research cen- IRC stated explicitly in its report that the root on the FY2008 Military Construction and ters including 19 museums and galleries, 9 re- cause of the current problems at the Smithso- Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. search facilities, the National Zoo, and a Na- nian was an antiquated governance structure 2642). Few issues are more important than tional Museum of African American History adequate funding for our nation’s veterans. and Culture, approved by Congress, now that led to failures in governance and manage- The leadership in the House cannot allow ment. According to the IRC, the Board of Re- this critically important funding to fall vic- seeking funding from the private sector for construction. The Smithsonian has grown with gents for the Smithsonian must recognize a fi- tim to the usual partisan wrangling which duciary responsibility that carries a ‘‘major occurs all too often in Washington. trust funds, donations from American culture Veterans should not be used as tools for and life, and other financial contributions. commitment of time and effort, a reputational political bargaining and gamesmanship. However, most of its funding continues to risk and potentially, financial liability.’’ The IRC Both the House and Senate passed the FY08 come from federal appropriations. Despite re- further found that the Smithsonian, with a MilCon-Veterans appropriations with over- ceiving 70 percent of its support from the fed- budget of over $1 billion a year, must have a whelming majorities because our commit- Board of Regents who ‘‘act as true fiduciaries ment to veterans rises above partisan squab- eral government, the Smithsonian has long bling. Tragedies such as the recent revela- had serious and mounting unmet infrastructure and who have both the time and the experi- tions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other financial needs. Infrastructure needs ence to assume the responsibilities of setting must never be repeated. The findings of in- have increased to $2.5 billion, and continuing strategy and providing oversight. Time is a sufficient care at Walter Reed and other fa- deterioration threatens exhibits and restricts major factor.’’ The IRC cited lack of clarity of cilities should be seen by Congress as a man- access. Congress must help the Smithsonian the roles of the Vice President and Chief Jus- date to finish the work and live up to the Institution strengthen its ability to build re- tice on the Board, and said that ‘‘it is not fea- promises we have made to our veterans. After decades of flat funding, total VA sources beyond what taxpayers are able to sible to expect the Chief Justice to devote the budget rose from $48 billion in FY 2001 to ap- provide. The most important step that Con- hours necessary to serve as a fiduciary proximately $70 billion in FY 2006, a 46 per- gress could take today is to finally rescue the agent.’’ The same might be said of members cent increase. This year, the House voted to Smithsonian from the 19th century governance of the House and Senate who serve. The IRC increase funding by $6 billion dollars over structure that keeps it from accessing needed recommends expanding the level of expertise FY07, one of the largest in the 77 year his- available private resources and limits close and number of board members and ensuring tory of the Department of Veterans Affairs. and critical internal oversight similar to what Both the Senate and House versions received that Regents who are appointed have suffi- overwhelming majority support passing by a public and private facilities receive today. This cient time and attention to dedicate to the vote of 409–2 in the House and 92–1 in the bill provides a structure befitting an agency of Smithsonian. Senate. the unique complexity of the Smithsonian’s, Earlier in the year, the new Majority without which these goals cannot be reached. The Smithsonian’s own Governance Com- agreed they would continue the trend of sig- In no small part, the difficulty the Smithso- mittee identified several board weaknesses nificant increases in veterans funding begun nian has faced results from limitations inherent and concluded that the Regents did not re- by the Republican Congress. We ask you to to its antiquated governance structure. The ex- ceive or demand the reports necessary for honor that agreement and see that the com- isting structure may have fit the Smithsonian competent decision making, that staff whom mitment we made to our veterans is hon- ored. 160 years ago, but today, the structure has the Regents depended upon for oversight in- We must never forget the sacrifice of our proven to be a relic that has disserved the In- quiries, did not have direct access or the rela- veterans. As members of Congress, we have a stitution. The present governance places im- tionships necessary to bring forward important

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