April 19, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E791 for American expand its recruitment, selection, As today is Holocaust Remembrance Day, I is to listen to the stories of those few remain- training, and support of new teachers. It would would like to extend special recognition to one ing survivors of and ensure that put more enthusiastic, outstanding teachers in of the 32 victims of this unbelievable catas- their stories and their suffering are a perma- high-need schools. And it would help the pro- trophe. Liviu Librescu, 76 at the time of his nent part of history. gram build new leaders in education and pub- death, had known tragedy since childhood. Today we honor and mourn those who per- lic service. When joined forces with Nazi Ger- ished. We vow to live our lives in a way that I urge my colleagues to join me to pass the many in World War II, the young Librescu was pays tribute to their memory and ensures oth- Teach for America Act. Let’s help this excep- interned in a , and then sent along ers will not suffer their fate. tional and proven program expand its reach with his family and thousands of other to f and reduce teacher shortages in the areas a central ghetto in the city of Focsani. Hun- where their services are so desperately need- dreds of thousands of Romanian Jews were IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY OF ed. killed by the collaborationist regime during the ARMY SPECIALIST ROBERT MAT- THEW MCDOWELL f war, yet Liviu Librescu survived. Liviu Librescu was an internationally re- HONORING CAMPBELLSVILLE spected aeronautics engineer and a lecturer at HON. JO BONNER UNIVERSITY for 20 years. He saved the lives OF ALABAMA of several students by blocking the gunman IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. RON LEWIS before he was gunned down in the shooting. Thursday, April 19, 2007 OF KENTUCKY I know that Professor Librescu would join Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES me in expressing solidarity with Jews across this Nation and around the world in honoring to honor the life of a brave, young man who Thursday, April 19, 2007 Holocaust Remembrance Day, or as it is recently made the ultimate sacrifice in defense Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I known in Hebrew, Yom HaShoah. of his country while helping to spread freedom rise today to congratulate Campbellsville Uni- My district, the 9th Congressional District of abroad. versity on the occasion of its Centennial Cele- Illinois, is home to the largest concentration of Army SPC Robert Matthew McDowell, a bration. survivors in the State of Illinois and perhaps in young man whose family lives in Mobile, was Founded in 1906 as the Russell Creek the country, and this day holds deep meaning on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He served Academy, Campbellsville University’s origins for those individuals and the entire community. as a military policeman and was based at Fort were concentrated on primary, secondary, Recent events in the Middle East and Drum, , with the Army’s 10th Moun- teacher and pastor training. The following around the world underscore the importance tain Division. year, the academy added classes in music, art of this day. Anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric Matt recently returned to Iraq after being on and a diploma program that included Greek, and demonstrations continue in numerous leave for the birth of his son, Nathan Matthew modern languages, algebra, and ancient his- countries. The Iranian President, Mahmoud McDowell. One of the last photos made of tory. Over the last 100 years, Campbellsville Ahmadinejad, has threatened to use nuclear Matt was of him holding his newborn baby boy University has grown to over 2,200 students weapons to wipe Israel off the face of the in his proud, loving arms. It is a photo that, no with 40 undergraduate programs and 9 grad- map. doubt, young Nathan Matthew will look back uate programs. With anti-Semitism on the rise, we must be on with great pride in the years to come. Throughout its first century, Campbellsville reminded that ‘‘Never Again’’ is not a guar- Unfortunately, Matt was serving as the gun- University has firmly established itself as a antee, but a pledge that we must uphold ner on a heavy-duty Army vehicle on patrol in leading institution of Higher Christian Edu- through education, dialogue, and determina- Baghdad—a very dangerous assignment— cation in Kentucky, across the country, and in tion. It also reminds us that we must continue when insurgents detonated an improvised ex- far corners of the world. The long tenure and to strengthen the U.S. commitment to the se- plosive device. continued success of the university is due in curity of Israel. Moreover, we must redouble Madam Speaker, at this difficult time, it is large part to an impressive fidelity to its mis- our efforts to bring lasting peace to the Middle only appropriate for us to pause and give sion: academic excellence solidly grounded in East. thanks to God that there are still young men the liberal arts, personal growth, integrity, and ‘‘Never Again’’ means that we must combat like Matt McDowell. fellowship. hate wherever it exists. While the Holocaust His life and actions personify the very best I am honored to represent Campbellsville was a unique incident, a genocide is taking America has to offer. I know his many friends University in the United States Congress. The place right in front of our eyes in the Darfur re- and family, as well as his comrades in the university exemplifies Christian Service gion of Sudan. In February 2006 I traveled to United States Army, while mourning the loss through its consistent leadership in community Darfur where President Bush and the U.S. of this fine young man, are also taking this op- affairs throughout the region. When new chal- Congress have officially acknowledged’ ’geno- portunity to remember his many accomplish- lenges arise in surrounding communities, cide’’ is taking place. The conflict has spilled ments and to recall the fine gift they each re- Campbellsville University is always first to face across international borders and hundreds of ceived simply from knowing him and having the task and work toward solutions. thousands have fled into Chad. The window to him as an integral part of their lives. It is my great privilege to recognize Camp- provide security and hope is narrowing. Ac- Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to bellsville University today before the entire cording to the Commander of the African take a moment and pay tribute to SPC Matt U.S. House of Representatives for 100 years Union forces who briefed the participants of McDowell and his selfless devotion to not only of excellence, producing generations of tal- my Congressional Delegation in Darfur, our country and the freedom we enjoy but to ented, service-minded citizens who continue to ‘‘There is no sense of urgency outside.’’ a people who are in the demanding but impor- make significant contributions to our world. As a Jew, I cannot sit idle while these atroc- tant stages of a new life—a new freedom—in f ities continue to unfold in Darfur. The lessons their own land. from the Holocaust have taught us that we We should also remember his wife, Daniella HONORING HOLOCAUST must never turn a blind eye to terror or dis- McDowell; his daughter, Madison McDowell, REMEMBRANCE DAY crimination. We must demand that our govern- his son, Nathan McDowell; his father and ment hold those who carry out acts of need- stepmother, Kim and LaDonna McDowell; his HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY less brutality accountable. I believe that every- mother, Kathy Jo Kallahan; his brother, Mi- OF ILLINOIS one should take a moment today to consider chael McDowell; his four stepbrothers, Neal IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the role of the U.S. in the prevention and pros- Dickman, Andy Dickman, Tyler Dickman, and ecution of genocide. Grant Dickman; and his other relatives and Thursday, April 19, 2007 The Holocaust was the most horrific human many friends. Our prayer is that God will give Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, be- atrocity the world saw during the last century them the strength and courage that only He fore I begin my remarks, I would like to take and perhaps in the history of the planet. Mil- can provide to sustain them during the difficult a moment to send my prayers and condo- lions of Jews and others were brutalized, days ahead. lences to the entire Virginia Tech community. raped, beaten, dehumanized, enslaved, Madam Speaker, Matt’s daughter, Madison, The Nation and world are mourning with you. robbed, and murdered. While it is hard to recently wrote a poem about her Dad. With The United States Congress stands at your grasp how terrible those events must have your permission, I would like to add it into the side. been, what all of our children, and we must do CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:09 Apr 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A19AP8.015 E19APPT1 jcorcoran on PROD1PC62 with REMARKS