E2032 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 1, 2007 Never one to shy away from the tough ices to those in need, it also is ‘‘a wonderful National Flood Insurance Program to include questions, Paul earned his reputation as being place for the community to come together and coverage for wind damage. a tough but fair interviewer, whose only moti- connect,’’ says executive director Deanna Multi-peril coverage, or the coverage of both vation was to provide his listeners with the Euritt. wind and flood risk in one policy, has proven most up-to-date information available. Novato has a very strong sense of commu- especially important in the aftermath of Hurri- He has given back to the Kearney commu- nity, she explains, and it is because of the canes Katrina and Rita as survivors continue nity in so many ways—as an instructor, a vol- community’s support that the center exists and to struggle to receive fair compensation for the unteer, and a member of many local commu- continues to operate. ‘‘We’re very grateful to damages they experienced. Private insurers nity boards—yet I fully expect this service to the City of Novato and all the residents who have used anti-concurrent causation clauses continue. live here who have been very generous not to deny payment for damages on the grounds I wish him well in his retirement and I hope only with their financial contributions, but with that the damages occurred as a result of he knows how much he will be missed. their time.’’ flooding, which is covered by the Federal gov- f As one donor said, ‘‘God’s been really good ernment. Multi-peril coverage would shield SALUTE TO NOVATO HUMAN to me and I feel this need to be good to some- consumers from these arguably deceptive NEEDS CENTER one else who might be in dire circumstances.’’ practices, protecting consumers in the ab- And that, Madam Speaker, is what makes sence of a solution to this controversy. the center a valuable member of the Novato Again, I express my full support for this im- HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY community—neighbors helping neighbors. portant piece of legislation. OF CALIFORNIA Congratulations to the Novato Human Needs f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Center on its 35th anniversary, and to the Monday, October 1, 2007 people of Novato for supporting such a worthy TRIBUTE TO GREGORY MANSOUR Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise organization. today to ask you to share with me in saluting f the Novato Human Needs Center on its 35th HON. DALE E. KILDEE anniversary of serving the low-income people FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM AND OF MICHIGAN of Novato and helping them move towards MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2007 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES self-sufficiency. Monday, October 1, 2007 The Novato Human Needs Center began in SPEECH OF 1972 when three people—Gene Quinones, a HON. AL GREEN Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to day Catholic , Bob Stockwell, a Protestant to honor the Most Reverend Gregory John OF TEXAS Mansour on the 25th anniversary of his ordi- businessman, and Mary Banks, a black wel- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fare mom—came together that Thanksgiving nation. Bishop Mansour will be honored at Di- season with the desire to help those in need. Thursday, September 27, 2007 vine Liturgy and festivities on Sunday, October 7th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. With $50 and a heart full of good intentions, The House in Committee of the Whole they gave birth to the Holiday Share program, House on the State of the Union had under After graduating from Western Michigan allowing those who have to give what they can consideration the bill (H.R. 3121) to restore University in 1977, Gregory Mansour entered to those in need. Since then, the nonprofit has the financial solvency of the national flood Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in helped thousands of residents, has increased insurance program and to provide for such Washington, D.C. and attended Catholic Uni- program to make available multi-peril cov- its services to provide year-round assistance, versity of America. Graduating with a degree erage for damage resulting from windstorms, in Theological Studies in 1981, he was or- and has grown to operate on a budget of and floods, and for other purposes: more than $1.4 million. dained a priest on September 18, 1982 by Such is the power of the organization’s phi- Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I Bishop John Chedid at St. Michael in losophy that those who come for help—sen- am honored to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 3121, Flint. He celebrated his first at iors, immigrants, the disabled, those in unex- ‘‘The Flood Insurance Reform and Moderniza- Our Lady of Lebanon and pected crisis—are often those who years later tion Act of 2007’’ and I would like to thank then traveled to Rome to continue his studies become the helpers. One anonymous donor, Chairman FRANK. Subcommittee Chairwoman earning his License in Spiritual Theology from once a poor immigrant and now a wealthy WATERS, Representative TAYLOR, and Rep- the Gregorian Pontifical Institute. resident, subsidizes the center’s rental assist- resentative JINDAL for their leadership in re- Returning from a trip to Lebanon in 1983, ance program which allows someone experi- forming a program that plays a vital role in Father Mansour began his work as a encing a temporary and unexpected crisis, protecting residents and communities in flood priest. He worked as an administrator at St. such as a medical emergency or job loss, to prone areas. Parish in Philadelphia and served 11 get one-time help with rent or mortgage pay- Flood protection is an important issue in my years as to St. George Maronite Catho- ments. Among those whom this program district and in Texas, a state which has experi- lic Church in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Bishop saved was an elderly woman left without an enced the greatest number of flood and flash John Chedid tapped him to serve as the income when her husband died. Because of flood deaths over the past 36 years. In 2006, ’s , , and the donor’s generosity, Novato Human Needs Texas saw an increase of over 20 percent in Chancellor for the newly formed Eparchy of Center was able to cover the widow’s rent new flood insurance policies under the Na- Our Lady of Lebanon in Los Angeles in 1994. until social security checks arrived in her tional Flood Insurance Program. He also served as Advocate/Procurator for the name. I want to thank Chairman FRANK for working Eparchial Marriage Tribunal. ‘‘It really is neighbor helping neighbor,’’ with Congressman HINOJOSA and I in com- His Beatitude Nasrallah Peter Car- notes Susan Markavage, a Novato resident mittee to preserve subsidies for those prop- dinal Sfeir nominated him to and who works at the center. erties that serve as affordable rental housing he was ordained on January 21, 1996. When In addition to rental assistance, the center for many families. A measure was included in Bishop Chedid retired his replacement, Bishop has instituted programs for such wide-ranging the bill to acknowledge that the loss of sub- Robert J. Shaheen, with the concurrence of services as providing emergency food, job sidies for properties that serve as primary the Holy See, moved the See of the Diocese training and financial, as well as continuing the homes for rental households could result in from Los Angeles to St. Louis, Missouri. traditional Holiday Share. significantly higher premiums, to the detriment Chorbishop Mansour relocated and assumed In fact, the center—which operates out of of these families. Higher premiums would in- the additional duties as of St. Raymond facilities underwritten by the City of Novato— crease the cost of property ownership, a cost Cathedral and began teaching Spiritual The- even provides showers for the homeless, that apartment owners would likely pass on to ology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. many of whom work but simply can’t afford tenants in the form of higher rents. By pro- When Bishop Stephen Hector Douelhi re- housing in Marin County, one of the Nation’s tecting subsidies for these properties, this tired, John Paul II named most expensive places to live. measure would ensure their continued afford- Bishop Mansour to succeed him as the head ‘‘One of them,’’ Markavage explains, ‘‘cleans ability at a time when our nation is faced with of the Eparchy of Maron in Brooklyn. Or- our parking lot thoroughly every morning be- a shortage of affordable housing. dained a bishop in Lebanon on March 2, fore coming in.’’ I want to also express my strong support for 2004, he was enthroned in Our Lady of Leb- Although Novato Human Needs Center is a provision in the bill authored by my col- anon Maronite Cathedral in Brooklyn on April unique in that it provides comprehensive serv- league Congressman TAYLOR to expand the 27, 2004.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:47 Oct 02, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A01OC8.038 E01OCPT1 bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with REMARKS October 1, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2033 Madam Speaker, throughout his life Bishop memorial known as Dark Elegy, dedicated to legislation in order to secure a permanent lo- Mansour has followed the words of St. Augus- all victims of terrorism. Pursuant to the Com- cation for this worthy and poignant memorial tine, ‘‘With you I am a Christian, for you I am memorative Works Act, my legislation author- to all victims of terrorism. (a priest, and now) a Bishop.’’ Bishop izes Dark Elegy as a commemorative work, Mansour has kept the promise he made 25 making it eligible to be located in the Wash- f years ago to serve Our Lord Jesus Christ with ington, DC, area on land owned by the Na- WELCOMING HONOR AIR humility, joy, and compassion. I ask the House tional Park Service or Government Services of Representatives to join me in congratulating Agency. HON. HEATH SHULER him as he celebrates this momentous occa- Dark Elegy is currently located in Montauk, OF NORTH CAROLINA sion and wish him the best for the future. New York—in my home district of eastern IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Long Island—and has been exhibited around the Northeast for the past 16 years. The me- Monday, October 1, 2007 TRIBUTE TO COLONEL JAMES morial was created by one of my constituents, KASLER OF MOMENCE, ILLINOIS Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise to wel- the artist Suse Lowenstein, and consists of come World War II veterans from my home larger-than-life sculptures depicting the reac- district to Washington, DC. I am honored to HON. JERRY WELLER tion of 76 mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, welcome these members of the Greatest Gen- OF ILLINOIS and relatives as they responded with shock eration to Washington to visit the National IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and grief upon learning of the death of their World War II Memorial. loved ones after the 1988 terrorist bombing of Monday, October 1, 2007 For the past year Honor Air of Henderson Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. and Buncombe counties has provided trips Mr. WELLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I Mrs. Lowenstein’s son, Alexander, was one of free of charge for World War II Veterans to rise today to honor a true American war hero 35 Syracuse University students aboard that ensure that they would have an opportunity to whom I had the pleasure to meet recently. flight. see the memorial which honors their service to Retired Air Force COL James Kasler of Sadly, the creation of Dark Elegy spanned a our nation, and remembers their comrades in Momence, Illinois, represents the uncommon growing number of terrorist attacks around the arms who never made it home. I would like to courage that is found in our military men and world. It is a striking and solemn coincidence offer my sincere gratitude to the dedicated vol- women. His distinguished record of service in- that this work of art was dedicated on Sep- unteers of Honor Air for making these trips cludes 76 awards for valor and service, and tember 11, 1991—exactly one decade before possible. Colonel Kasler has the distinction of being the the terrorist attacks against the United States World War II was a defining moment for our only person in our country’s history, dead or on September 11, 2001. If you are not familiar country during the 20th Century. The men and alive, to receive the Air Force Cross three with Dark Elegy, I ask you to view ‘‘Remem- women who served in uniform during that war times. bering the Moment,’’ which will tell you more dedicated their lives and spirit to guiding our His career as a decorated combat pilot about the legacy of Dark Elegy than any writ- Nation through some of its most trying hours. began as a B–29 tail gunner over Japan in ten statement could ever convey and can be On behalf of all the residents of North Caro- World War II. He went on to become a jet ace accessed at the following website: lina’s 11th District, I offer our deepest appre- in Korea, and showed remarkable bravery vol- www.darkelegy103.com. ciation. unteering for bombing runs in Vietnam. Dark Elegy was created to remind the world The National World War II Memorial was On his 91st mission, in Vietnam, Colonel of the devastation that terrorism leaves in its opened to the public in May of 2004, and has Kasler was shot down while covering for his wake. It will serve as a lasting testament to been visited by millions of visitors. Built to downed wingman. He would go on to endure the victims of terrorism worldwide in the honor the 16 million Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, 61⁄2 years in a Vietnamese prison camp, and unending struggle to eradicate this menace Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Merchant would become a role model for his fellow pris- from the globe. In addition, it is intended to Mariners who served our Nation during World oners, including Senator JOHN MCCAIN of Ari- stand as a beacon for all peace-loving people War II, the National World War II Memorial zona and a member of this House, Represent- throughout the world to unite. serves as a reminder of their sacrifice and ative SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is my goal to help find service to the American people. I am thankful James Kasler is the face of the valor that all a permanent home for Dark Elegy that can be that we have finally found a permanent memo- our veterans demonstrated when they put on visited by as many people from as many na- rial here in the Nation’s capital to honor their the uniform of our armed forces. Recently I tions as possible. From its current display in service. had the honor of delivering the keynote ad- my district, this memorial has assumed a dress at the dedication of the Kasler-Momence unique role in both healing and remembrance f Veterans Park in my district, where I met the for many individuals and families. It has been colonel. This park will serve to honor all those visited by families affected by terrorism includ- DR. THOMAS C. HO veterans who served and those future vet- ing families of the victims of the September erans who are currently serving. Hundreds of 11th attacks and by families of murdered chil- HON. TED POE thousands of military personnel go about their dren whose loss, while not terrorism-related, OF TEXAS task every day without complaint, often far was equally painful. It is through their voices IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the Lowensteins repeatedly heard, and from their families and in hostile conditions— Monday, October 1, 2007 and too many don’t make it home. Their serv- continue to hear, the expressed belief that ice keeps us free. Dark Elegy should be placed somewhere Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, the Texas State I am proud to have COL James Kasler as prominent where people from all over the University System (TSUS) recently announced a constituent, and proud to have been associ- world can visit and experience it themselves. the establishment of the TSUS Regents’ Pro- ated with the veterans’ memorial that bears It is important to note that establishing this fessor Award to honor outstanding perform- his name. I ask my colleagues to join me in memorial would not cost taxpayers any addi- ance and contributions of its professors. honoring him and all war heroes of the past, tional public funds. Once a permanent location These ‘‘stars of academia’’ bring attention to present, and future. is found, the artist and her family will donate their campuses through their distinguished f the memorial to the public. Also, the artist and teaching, accomplishments in research, schol- her family will personally finance the casting of arly activities, service at the local, state, and ESTABLISHING A MEMORIAL TO each figure in bronze assuring the longevity of national levels, and commitment to their col- ALL VICTIMS OF TERRORISM the sculptures that make up the memorial. It is leges and universities. their strong belief that this is an appropriate On August 16, 2007, Dr. Thomas C. Ho, a HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP use of the money paid to them from the Liby- Lamar University Professor in the Chemical OF NEW YORK an Government following the Pan Am 103 Engineering Department was one of six out- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tragedy in 1988. standing members to be recognized as Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to the first recipients of the Regents’ Professor Monday, October 1, 2007 please join me in cosponsoring this legislation, Award. Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker and I call upon the committees of jurisdiction Dr. Ho has had a 25-year long teaching ca- I rise to introduce a bill that would designate and our leadership to consider it pursuant to reer at Lamar University. He, shapes his stu- a permanent location in Washington, DC, for a the Commemorative Works Act and related dents through his unique and challenging

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