April 29, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E621 The 1946 pro-freedom demonstrators com- RECOGNIZING THE AMERICAN and throughout the Far East. Lee peted for attention with the communist-en- MEDICAL GROUP FOUNDATION agreed. Subsequent developments not only dorsed May 1 Labor Day celebrations in the validated Nee’s insight (he was imprisoned Polish People’s Republic. Until 1989, May 3 HON. JAMES P. MORAN shortly thereafter, and the churches raised up was a frequent occasion for anti-government OF VIRGINIA under his and Lee’s ministry were forced un- and anti-communist protests and Polish Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES derground), but also confirmed that their mes- stitution Day was restored as an official Polish sage and ministry had the potential to reach holiday in April 1990 after the fall of com- Tuesday, April 29, 2014 far beyond . munism. In 2007, May 3 was declared a Lith- Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Almost immediately Lee’s ministry began to uanian national holiday and Polish-American recognize the American Medical Group Foun- have a profound impact in Taiwan. Tens of pride has been celebrated on the same date dation, based in Alexandria, Virginia, for thousands turned to Jesus Christ for their sal- here in the as well. For instance hosting the first ever Measure Up/Pressure vation and began congregating in simple, New since 1982 in Chicago, the Polish-American DownTM National Day of Action: Roll Up Your Testament churches, as their Chinese breth- community have marked May 3rd with festivi- Sleeves! on May 15, 2014. On this day, med- ren had done in China during the previous two ties and the annual Polish Constitution Day ical groups, health systems, partners, and decades. Today, there are more than 200 Parade, and in my own district, Polonia sponsors across the nation will take one ‘‘ac- such local churches in Taiwan with more than United, San Diego led by its President tion’’ to improve blood pressure control in their 200,000 believers. It is a similar story in the Zdzislaw (George) Juchum and its Vice Presi- communities. The services will range from free Far East and Australasia, with churches estab- dent Miroslaw Gomy work tirelessly to inform blood pressure screenings and patient edu- lished in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and involve the San Diego community of this cation, to employee brown bag lunches and Singapore, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and important event. media outreach. Australia. The Constitution of May 3, 1791, is evi- The Measure Up/Pressure DownTM initiative did not confine his work to dence of successful internal reform and serves is a national campaign that raises awareness Asia. In 1962 he came to North America and as a symbol of the eventual restoration of Po- and control of blood pressure by working with began to minister from , where he land’s sovereignty. Congratulations to our more than 150 medical groups and health sys- established Living Stream Ministry, the pub- friends and allies in Poland. As you celebrate tems, partner organizations, and sponsors. lisher of and Witness Lee in Polish Constitution Day on May 3, please be High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of English and over fifty other languages. Wit- assured that the United States stands beside the biggest risk factors for heart disease, ness Lee’s speaking and writing continued to you as a fellow defender of freedom and stroke, kidney disease, and diabetes complica- emphasize ‘‘Christ as life’’ and God’s desire to democracy. tions. Nearly one out of three American adults ‘‘build His church’’ on the basis of the oneness f has high blood pressure. Yet out of these 68 of God’s people, rather than on any ethnic or SENATOR DAVE WATTENBERG million people, only half have the condition cultural differences. This was the same mes- under control. sage that he had learned from his spiritual HON. ED PERLMUTTER Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the mentor, Watchman Nee. Since the early OF COLORADO American Medical Group Foundation’s con- 1960s the spread of the local churches under IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tributions to healthier communities, applaud Lee’s ministry throughout the North and South their national day of action, and ask that my America, Europe, and Africa has been remark- Tuesday, April 29, 2014 colleagues and their staffs consider taking part able. There are more than 4,000 churches and Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in this important event. 400,000 believers meeting on every inhabited today to honor the memory of my colleague, f continent, including 200 churches and several neighbor, and above all else my friend . . . thousand believers in Russia and the Russian- Dave Wattenberg. Dave passed away on WATCHMAN NEE AND WITNESS speaking world. Monday, January 20, 2014 with his wife Mary LEE Inside mainland China the number of ‘‘hid- Sharon by his side. den’’ believers following the ministry of Nee Dave and I served together for 6 years in HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS and Lee has continued to grow despite the Colorado’s State Senate. OF PENNSYLVANIA Chinese government’s often extreme meas- He was a cowboy whose wit was un- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ures to suppress and openly persecute them. matched but he was a serious legislator and Historically, members of the churches in China Tuesday, April 29, 2014 public servant. During the years of Dave’s who appreciate the ministry of Nee and Lee service he passed over 250 bills. These laws Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, a little over four have been among the most harshly per- encompassed mining, banking, air quality years ago my esteemed colleague from New secuted. Thousands have been imprisoned, standards for public lands, and even bringing Jersey, the honorable CHRIS SMITH, rose in countless beaten, and many even martyred. It horse racing back to the State of Colorado. this chamber to bring due attention to one of is estimated today that there may be two mil- He cared deeply about rural Colorado and the great Christians of the twentieth century— lion believers and thousands of local churches his home and the people of northwest Colo- the noted Chinese teacher and church-planter, in China that draw their spiritual nourishment rado in Jackson County. Watchman Nee. Today, I rise to complete the and supply from the ministry of Nee and Lee. He understood better than most the issues circle on this compelling story by honoring Recently, reports have reached the West that effected ranchers and farmers and he Watchman Nee’s closest co-worker, Witness that Christian believers in two provinces have brought those issues to light at the State- Lee. Together they labored tirelessly in China been imprisoned merely for possessing copies house. The Colorado Brand Association legis- from 1932 until the conquest of mainland of the Recovery Version, a study pub- lation sponsored by Dave was most important China by the Communist Red Army under lished by Living Stream Ministry and Taiwan to his love of western heritage. Mao Tse Tung in 1949. Today, the story of Dave knew what it took to bring people to- Gospel Book Room, the publishing entity Lee Watchman Nee is somewhat well known, gether, to compromise and strike a deal to established in Taiwan. Today Watchman Nee make good public policy for the people of Col- given his numerous writings that have become is still labeled as a ‘‘dangerous counterrevolu- orado. Christian classics, such as The Normal Chris- tionary,’’ and Witness Lee is officially branded I was honored to be the beneficiary of Dave tian Life and Sit, Walk, Stand. Capping his in- as a ‘‘cult leader.’’ The writings of both men and Mary Sharon’s help and support over the spirational biography was his martyrdom in a are banned in China. It is tragic that Watch- years. Chinese labor farm in 1972. man Nee died in a Chinese prison farm, totally Whenever I talked to Dave he wanted to Witness Lee’s story is less known in the unaware of how profoundly his life and min- know how he could help me. West but is in no way less significant. Al- istry would impact the entire world. It is a simi- I will always remember the events in his though Nee was the clear leader when they lar tragedy that Witness Lee died in 1997 with backyard and treasure the times we just sat labored together in China, it was left to Wit- such a blatant, gross distortion hanging over and talked and joked about our time at the ness Lee, to preserve and continue their work his name and his ministry in his homeland. Statehouse as well as about family and poli- outside of China and to spread it far beyond It is ironic that at a time when China is tak- tics. the Chinese-speaking world. When it became ing such a prominent role on the world stage I know how much his wife, Mary Sharon will apparent in 1949 that the Communists would in so many areas of society, it is missing an miss him. I and so many others will miss him prevail in China, Watchman Nee insisted that obvious opportunity to further improve its rep- too. Witness Lee emigrate to carry on their work in utation with in the international community.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:52 Apr 30, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29AP8.020 E29APPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 29, 2014 Rather than slander the names of two faithful RECOGNIZING PHILIP P. SMITH ON ‘‘One voice united in prayer.’’ Echoing that men of God, China should take national pride RECEIVING THE SUN SENTINEL’S sentiment of unity, those of us who grew up that two of its own, neither of whom were po- 2013 EXCALIBUR AWARD FOR reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at school litical in either their message or their leader- BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR every morning recall its stirring words with ab- ship of the flock, have had extraordinary im- IN BROWARD COUNTY solute clarity to this very day: ‘‘One Nation pact far beyond the Chinese-speaking world. under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice Mr. Speaker, I call upon the Chinese gov- HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS for all.’’ ernment today to release all those being held OF FLORIDA Yet today in some schools, the Pledge has simply because of their faith in Christ and to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES taken a back seat to busy class schedules abandon this national campaign to discredit Tuesday, April 29, 2014 and that crucial phrase, ‘‘under God,’’ seems under constant fire by an unrestrained judici- and distort the record of two brave followers of Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I the One who came with the message of salva- ary. National Prayer Day serves to remind us rise today to recognize Mr. Philip P. Smith, the we need to regain our footing in this country tion, forgiveness and peace, and instead, to president and chief executive officer of Phil celebrate with us the contributions of Watch- again if we are to stand tall in His eyes among Smith Management, Inc., on receiving the Sun the brotherhood of nations. man Nee and Witness Lee to believers the Sentinel’s 2013 Excalibur Award for Business world over. My efforts in the Congress have long been Leader of the Year in Broward County. Each to preserve our Constitutional guarantees of year, the Sun Sentinel recognizes outstanding freely exercising our religion, and not van- f business executives who exemplify both busi- quishing that right from the public square. ness leadership and community involvement, Since the earliest days of our founding, and in RECOGNIZING MASTER SERGEANT and I can think of no one more deserving of the hearts and minds of those landing on our LANCE NELSON this honor than Phil. Well known as the founder of Phil Smith shores to settle a new world, hope endured Chevrolet, a successful General Motors (GM) through prayer. HON. ADAM SMITH dealership in my Congressional district that I have again introduced a Constitutional OF WASHINGTON serves the greater South Florida area from Amendment to ensure voluntary prayer in pub- lic schools. H.J. Res. 42 reads: ‘‘Nothing in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Palm Beach to Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Phil bought into his first auto dealer- this Constitution, including any amendment to Tuesday, April 29, 2014 ship 35 years ago. While finishing college at the Constitution, shall be construed to prohibit Florida Atlantic University (FAU), he started voluntary prayer or require prayer in school, or Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, it is working at a Ford dealership in Pompano to prohibit voluntary prayer or require prayer at with great admiration that I rise to congratulate Beach. Owner Pete Menten saw Phil’s poten- a public school extracurricular activity.’’ In the MSgt. Lance Nelson on being named the tial, and not only kept him on the job after his past, I had jointly introduced this amendment Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year. graduation but later gave him the chance to with our late senator, Robert C. Byrd. And, I This award, given annually by the Tacoma- buy into a small Toyota store in Homestead. have co-sponsored H. Res. 547, supporting Pierce County Chamber Military Affairs Com- With help and support from Menten, Southeast the 63rd annual observance of the National mittee and the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma, rec- Toyota Distributors Chief Jim Moran, and oth- Day of Prayer on May 1, 2014, and urge all ognizes an individual who upholds his or her ers, Phil grew his business and now leads an West Virginians to come together to pray and commitment to civic responsibility in an exem- auto-dominated group with 780 employees reaffirm the importance prayer has played in plary way. MSgt. Nelson has served his com- and about $500 million in annual revenue. our nation’s heritage. munity and country in great measure and is With a direct hands-on sales and manage- As wise old Ben Franklin told his fellow del- truly deserving of this award. ment approach, Phil has built his company egates in calling for daily prayer at our Con- During his time in the 728th Airlift Squadron, from the ground up and now operates 17 auto stitutional Convention, ‘‘the longer I live, the 446th Airlift Wing, MSgt. Nelson has personi- dealerships throughout Florida, Georgia, and more convincing proofs I see of this truth— fied what it means to be an airman. He not North Carolina, as well as the Coral Ridge that God governs in the affairs of men. And if only serves as a flight leader in his squadron Country Club in Fort Lauderdale. Just as in a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his but also as the squadron’s Self Aid and Buddy the very beginning, he remains true to the notice, is it probable that an empire can rise Care Instructor, a position that puts him in principles that have put him at the forefront of without his aid?’’ charge of conducting classes on battlefield his business model: paying it forward and Being a firm believer in the power of prayer, first aid. Furthermore, MSgt. Nelson’s commit- strong relationships with customers. Phil offers I remain convinced that collectively, through ment to service continues when he is off duty, promising employees the same chance that he the power of prayer, we can begin to heal our where he is employed as a firefighter and was given, to become a part owner in each of land. Because when we weigh what little our EMT with West Pierce Fire and Rescue. his auto franchises and pursue the American Lord asks of us—the faith of a mustard seed, MSgt. Nelson has also shown enthusiasm Dream through hard work and dedication. the mere touch of a garment’s hem—the re- Even with his great success, he remains for the potential of young people in our com- turn is nothing short of amazing grace. grounded to the things that matter most. Phil The leadership of our pastors helps guide munity. From starring in Fire Prevention Week is civically engaged and active in his commu- assemblies and volunteering in classrooms, to us to greater understanding and appreciation nity. In addition to his charitable giving, he of that sound investment. I thank them for leading Boy Scouts and coaching sports, serves on the boards for his alma mater FAU, MSgt. Nelson has consistently invested in the their compassion and for their continuing com- the Orange Bowl Committee, and various non- mitment to the power of prayer, and the lives of children. As President of the Ever- profits that focus on issues such as health and green Elementary PTA and member of the strength and guidance it grants us to make the education. Phil also welcomes several high Lord’s work here on Earth our own. Bethel School District Long Range Facilities school teams to practice on the golf course at Planning Team, he has been a dedicated ad- Coral Ridge Country Club without charge. f vocate and resource for the Bethel School Mr. Speaker, Phil Smith is not only an ex- RECOGNIZING MRS. JENNIFER District. ceptional entrepreneur, but a community lead- AINSWORTH Howard O. Scott, for whom this award is er and dear friend. It is truly a pleasure to rec- named, served America when called upon dur- ognize him on receiving the Excalibur Award ing World War II, and continued to serve the for Business Leader of the Year. HON. TOM RICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA Tacoma community throughout the rest of his f life, leaving behind an impressive legacy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MSgt. Nelson carries on the legacy of Howard NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Tuesday, April 29, 2014 O. Scott, setting an incredible example of what Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I it means to give back to your country and HON. NICK J. RAHALL II rise today to recognize one of our nation’s fin- OF WEST VIRGINIA community. est teachers, Mrs. Jennifer Ainsworth of Horry IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I County, South Carolina. congratulate MSgt. Lance Nelson. I wish him Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Mrs. Ainsworth was recently named South well in his future endeavors, and thank him for Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Carolina’s 2014–2015 Teacher of the Year for his service. theme of this year’s National Day of Prayer, her exemplary work at Socastee High School,

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