E1790 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 15, 2015 Northern Marianas. Soudelor rendered hun- We thank our Commonwealth emergency enter and investigate alongside their white col- dreds of families homeless overnight. It also management crews, utility workers, police offi- leagues. Crawford also recounted the chal- decimated infrastructure—knocking out power cers and firefighters, healthcare professionals, lenges he and others faced when working with and water systems, shutting down the ports, educators, and other local government em- firefighters from other firehouses around the ravaging the college, schools and other public ployees, who answered the call to serve even city, obtaining information on fighting fires and buildings. as their own families were picking up the in being considered for promotions. Survival is a way of life in our islands. We pieces of their shattered homes and lives. Fire Station No. 8 became well-known for its are accustomed to bracing ourselves through We thank our local businesses, shuttered by crews’ perseverance, work ethic and bravery tropical storms and picking ourselves up when the storm, who nevertheless rallied together to in the line of duty. Over time, other fire com- skies clear. But the sheer ferocity of Typhoon raise funds for the recovery effort. panies became open to working with the men, Soudelor caught us all off-guard. Even the Na- We thank the legions of volunteers—of all which led to the full integration of the Memphis tional Weather Service failed to foresee the ages, all religions and races, many survivors Fire Department. This was, however, not with- force of this storm. themselves—who came forward to share food, out resistance from some within the depart- That there was no loss of life is testament water, clothing, shelter, and comfort with their ment who were opposed to such change, to the resilience and resourcefulness of our fellow human beings. even into the 1980s when some of the twelve people. And we are grateful to Providence for And we thank our friends from throughout men had been promoted to high ranks. By the sparing us. the Pacific region, and indeed throughout the time of their retirements, they had achieved As long as we live, those of us who experi- world, for sending supplies, expertise, and the ranks of: Robert Crawford—Deputy Direc- enced Soudelor will not forget the wreckage equipment by air and by sea to help us back tor of the Memphis Fire Department; Carl we saw the morning after. Nor will we forget on our feet. Stotts—Deputy Chief; Floyd Newsum—Divi- the hardship that followed, the long hours in Today, the marks of Typhoon Soudelor are sion Chief; Norvell Wallace—Assistant Fire line for food and fuel and other necessities, still to be seen in homes and businesses yet Marshal; George Dumas—Battalion Com- the days of physical suffering and distress, the to be repaired, debris yet to be removed. But mander; John Copper—Captain; William Car- weeks without power and running water. beneath these physical scars, a new strength ter—Fire Inspector; Leon Parsons—Lieuten- Soudelor tested our infrastructure, our gov- is arising. ant; Richard Burns—Private; and Lawrence ernment, and our capacity as a community to A new community-based working group deal with disaster. Yates—Private. Sixty years later, the Memphis Now, however, four months after the storm, known as CARE—the Commonwealth Advo- Fire Department remains integrated and three I can report that conditions are greatly im- cates for Recovery Efforts—has emerged. The African Americans have held the highest posi- proved, since that long and terrifying night in people in CARE—from all walks of life, private tion of Director, including Alvin Benson who August. and public sector, formal and informal organi- now serves as the Chief of the Shelby County Electricity is restored, and residents have zations—are committed to rebuilding our is- Fire Department. daily water service. Streets have been cleaned land home so that it is stronger and better Mr. Speaker, these twelve men are a part of in our villages and commercial districts. Stu- than before. Memphis history. They are honored with an dents are in school. Businesses have re- With this newborn spirit of hope, coopera- exhibit at the Fire Museum of Memphis and opened. Workers are employed again. Fami- tion and interdependence I am confident that they have a place in the hearts of the citizens lies are putting their lives back together. we will succeed. of Memphis. Now, they will be honored and Though there is still much to reconstruct f remembered in the United States CONGRES- and strengthen to be better prepared and SIONAL RECORD. I ask all of my colleagues to RECOGNIZING THE 60TH YEAR OF more resilient than before, it is remarkable join me in recognizing the 60th year of deseg- DESEGREGATION OF THE CITY how far we have come on the road to recov- regation of the Memphis Fire Department. OF MEMPHIS FIRE DEPARTMENT ery. f So, today, I want to thank all those who contributed to this successful response to ad- HON. STEVE COHEN HONORING THE FIFTH ANNIVER- versity. There are so many individuals and or- OF TENNESSEE SARY OF THE DEATH OF U.S. ganizations. It is not possible for me to know IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BORDER PATROL AGENT BRIAN TERRY and name each and every one. Their collec- Tuesday, December 15, 2015 tive efforts prove how much can be done, when people work together towards a com- Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to HON. DARRELL E. ISSA mon goal. recognize the 60th year of desegregation of OF CALIFORNIA First we thank the American people, who the City of Memphis Fire Department. On July IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 11, 1955, twelve African American men were gave without hesitation to fellow citizens in Tuesday, December 15, 2015 need. When all is said and done, American recruited to join the Memphis Fire Department taxpayers will have contributed an estimated and were assigned to Fire Station No. 8 lo- Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 100 million dollars in federal disaster aid to cated at E.H. Crump and Mississippi Boule- Brian Terry and his service to this great coun- feed those who had no food, shelter those vards. They were: Robert Crawford; Carl try as a U.S. Border Patrol agent. who lost their homes, repair residences and Stotts; Floyd Newsum; Norvell Wallace; In 2009, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, replace lost property, reopen shops and return George Dumas; John Copper; William Carter; Firearms, and Explosives began a program the economy to life, revive the power and Leon Parsons; Richard Burns; Lawrence known as ‘‘Operation Fast and Furious.’’ The water systems. In doing all this, they gave us Yates; Leroy Johnson; and Murray Pugues. program was a maligned attempt to track the hope that we needed to work our way to Like many African Americans who worked to 2,000 weapons destined for drug cartels. recovery. break the barriers erected by Jim Crow era Five years ago, Border Patrol agents were We thank President Barack Obama and laws, there were many challenges to being the assaulted by a band of robbers 17 miles in- Governor Eloy Inos for their leadership in en- first to integrate the fire department, but their side the U.S. border in Arizona, resulting in suring the prompt availability of resources to love for the city of Memphis and desire to the death of Brian Terry on December 15, address the state of disaster in the Northern keep citizens safe from harm helped them to 2010. Two of the guns found at the scene Marianas. overcome the challenges with the highest lev- were linked to Operation Fast and Furious. We thank the Federal Emergency Manage- els of determination and professionalism. Together with Senator CHUCK GRASSLEY and ment Agency team, led by Federal Coordi- For many years following integration, racial the Senate Judiciary Committee, the House nating Officer Stephen De Blasio. FEMA’s col- differences dictated how African American fire- Committee on Oversight and Government Re- laborative spirit set the tone for the response, fighters responded to fires. In his book ‘‘Black form attempted to get answers for the Terry working with other federal agencies and re- Fire: Portrait of a Black Memphis Firefighter,’’ family, but this effort has been stonewalled sponders to aid the thousands of typhoon sur- Robert Crawford recalled how the twelve men and obstructed by those responsible for the ill- vivors. were required to wait outside homes belonging conceived Operation. We thank our U.S. service members, who to white residents until after the Captain in- Before serving three and a half years with mobilized quickly to produce and distribute spected the home to ensure any woman the U.S. Border Patrol, Agent Terry served in drinking water, clear debris, clean up fuel present was appropriately dressed. When re- the United States Marine Corps and worked spills, and transport critical supplies and sponding to fires at residences belonging to as a police officer in Ecorse and Lincoln Park, equipment. African Americans, the twelve were allowed to Michigan, not far from his hometown of Flat

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:38 Dec 16, 2015 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K15DE8.009 E15DEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with REMARKS December 15, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1791 Rock. He was only 40 years old when his life As a dedicated leader, Mayor Gross closely Last week, on the 65th annual International was cut tragically short. Agent Terry is sur- oversaw several large community projects, Human Rights Day, I gave another speech de- vived by his mother, father, stepmother, step- such as the installment of public sewer lines manding Beijing put a stop to this atrocious father, brother and two sisters. and the planning and construction of the West practice of harvesting organs from prisoners of Some of those involved in Agent Terry’s Easton municipal building. He also led plan- conscience. It is high time China ends its ille- shooting were recently convicted for their ter- ning and preparations for the Borough’s cen- gal subjugation of Falun Gong practitioners. rible crime. However, the Obama Administra- tennial celebration in 1998, which was ended Justice must be served. tion continues to actively resist turning over in- with a fireworks display. Unfortunately, Anastasia Lin is an innocent formation related to the Congressional inves- Mayor Gross has been ardent in his efforts victim of the Chinese Government’s attempts tigation into Operation Fast and Furious. We to boost economic development in the Bor- to persecute the Falun Gong. It just goes to must never give up our fight to ensure the ough. A notable accomplishment was his role show how obsessed the Chinese Government Terry family gets nothing less than full ac- in the establishment of a new Northampton is about persecuting the Falun Gong. Beijing countability from their government. I have County leased DUI Treatment Center in 2012, is now censoring beauty pageants. But the pledged to them before, and do so again which generates $50,000 in impact fees for courageous men and women of the Falun today, that I will continue to pursue the truth. the Borough’s general fund. Additionally, he Gong community will not be silenced by Bei- f has worked to make the community and its jing’s abuse—beauty pageant or no beauty parks safe and clean in order to promote West pageant. TRIBUTE TO RYAN SCHWEIZER Easton as a great place for families. And that’s just the way it is. Mayor Gross is also known to be someone f HON. DAVID YOUNG who can bring people together. He believes OF IOWA much can be done when people are willing to TRIBUTE TO RUTH LAMPE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES compromise, and he stresses the importance Tuesday, December 15, 2015 of listening to each other and staying focused HON. DAVID YOUNG Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise on the greater good of the community. His OF IOWA today to recognize and congratulate Ryan good works have served as a role model for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Schweizer from Dowling Catholic High School his daughter, Kelly Gross, who was first elect- Tuesday, December 15, 2015 ed to West Easton Borough Council in 1993 for winning the Class 4A Boys Cross Country Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise individual title. Ryan is the son of Mike and and currently serves as Council President. It is an honor for me to recognize Mayor today to recognize and congratulate Ms. Ruth Kathy Schweizer. Lampe, who at the age of 102 has received Ryan has spent his high school career Gerald Gross for his generous nature and his her honorary high school diploma from working towards a single goal: winning a cov- lifetime of service. With a will to do for others, he has improved his community and inspired Winterset High School. eted state championship. After 4 long years of Back in Ruth’s younger years it wasn’t un- hard work, Ryan was able to achieve that goal the next generation of leaders. f common for students to drop out of school when he crossed the finish line at the 2015 and go work to help support their family. She Class 4A Boys Cross Country State Cham- CHINA DISCRIMINATES AGAINST did so after her freshman year at Winterset pionship. He finished 4 seconds ahead of any CANADIAN FALUN GONG CON- High School. Ruth would have graduated with other runner. TESTANT the class of 1931. Today, Ruth volunteers her Mr. Speaker, the example set by Ryan dem- time two days a week at the senior center in onstrates the rewards of hard work, dedica- Winterset where she helps serve meals to tion, and perseverance. I am honored to rep- HON. TED POE those who need it the most. A friend of Ruth’s, resent him and his family in the United States OF TEXAS and another regular at the senior center, Congress. I ask that all of my colleagues in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES worked with the school district for months to the United States House of Representatives Tuesday, December 15, 2015 attain her honorary diploma. join me in congratulating Ryan on competing Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I come Mr. Speaker, applaud and congratulate Ruth in this rigorous competition and wishing him here today with yet another example of Chi- for receiving her high school diploma after so nothing but continued success in his education na’s egregious disregard for the most basic of many years and thank her for staying active in and athletic pursuits. human rights—the right to live freely. her community. I am proud to represent her in f After the Falun Gong’s rise in popularity in the United States Congress. I ask that my col- IN RECOGNITION OF MAYOR GER- the 1990s, the Chinese Government perceived leagues in the United States House of Rep- ALD W. GROSS OF WEST EAS- this peaceful group as a threat. Over the resentatives join me in congratulating Ruth TON, PENNSYLVANIA years, Falun Gong followers in China have and wishing her nothing but the best. been imprisoned, tortured, and killed. In fact, f HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT there are more Falun Gong practitioners in prison in China than any other persecuted VISA WAIVER PROGRAM IMPROVE- OF PENNSYLVANIA group. MENT AND TERRORIST TRAVEL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Last month China hit a new low in its at- PREVENTION ACT OF 2015 Tuesday, December 15, 2015 tempt to silence the Falun Gong community. SPEECH OF Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Anastasia Lin is a Falun Gong practitioner honor the Mayor of the Borough of West Eas- who also happens to be Miss World Canada. HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN ton, PA, the Honorable Gerald W. Gross, for The Miss World competition is held this year OF MARYLAND his 50 years of service as an elected official. in China but Miss Canada can’t go. Why? Be- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES His accomplishments were recognized by the cause China refused to give her a visa. She Tuesday, December 8, 2015 West Easton Borough Council on the evening was given no explanation why. However, the of Monday, December 14. motive is clear. Beijing does not like how out- Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, today while Mayor Gross first held an official role in spoken Ms. Lin has been about China’s I rise in support of H.R. 158 the Visa Waiver West Easton as a member of the Borough human rights abuses and religious oppression. Program Improvement Act of 2015, I must Council. It was a position he held for twenty Anastasia Lin moved from China to Canada also note my reservations about some of the years. In 1986, he was sworn in as the Mayor when she was 13 years old. Yet she has not provisions in this bill. of West Easton. He has been the mayor for stopped fighting for the rights of her fellow President Obama in an address to the thirty years. members of the Falun Gong community. Dur- American people from the Oval Office specifi- Known to be a patient and giving man, ing a congressional hearing in July, Ms. Lin cally asked Congress to pass legislation to ad- Mayor Gross would take calls from home to told Members that tens of thousands of Falun dress any weaknesses within our visa waiver hear complaints and questions from Borough Gong practitioners have been killed so their program (VWP) and for a ‘‘stronger screening residents. He owns a landscaping business organs could be harvested and sold for trans- for travelers to the U.S. without a visa to and often donates free materials and services plants. Clearly, Beijing’s only concern is re- check if they have travelled to warzones.’’ to the Borough to maintain parks and rec- maining in power, not the welfare of the Chi- After the terror attacks in Paris, France and reational areas. nese people. San Bernandino, California we must ensure

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