E308 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 5, 2012 Previously, he held positions as dean of the October 2010; Ethan A. Glasser-Camp has February 25 in Kabul, Afghanistan, while work- College of Education at the University of been serving in Cameroon since August 2010; ing at the Afghanistan Ministry of the Interior Bridgeport, Connecticut, Professor of teacher Evelyn Minaya has been serving in Romania in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. education at Vanderbilt University’s George since August 2010; and Rosemarie B. Philip J.D. or Darin, as his family and friends knew Peabody College, Chair of Elementary Edu- has been serving in Costa Rica since Decem- him, was assigned to Air Force Special Oper- cation at Kent State University, and as Distin- ber 2010. Their tireless efforts for the greater ations Command. guished Visiting Professor at Bir Zeit Univer- cause of peace will profoundly affect these Lt Col Loftis first entered the Air Force in sity near Ramallah in the West Bank of Pal- communities. I would like to applaud and com- 1996 as a Space and Missile Officer after re- estine. mend these outstanding volunteers from ceiving his commission through Officer Train- He has been recognized for his contribu- Brooklyn for committing themselves to such a ing School. In 2008, he became a Regional tions to the field of education and has been a worthwhile cause. They are role models for us Affairs Strategist; and in 2009, he deployed to member for 10 years on the Legislative Advi- all. Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction sory Committee to the Texas Association of f Team with a mission to help Afghanistan re- School Boards. In addition, he was a member build its infrastructure and secure the rule of of the North Texas Area Association of School HONORING THE HEROES OF law within the country. It was during that de- Boards’ executive committee for six years. In SELMA, ALABAMA ployment that his fluency in the Pashto lan- 2010, he received an award of distinguished guage made it possible for him and his team service at the TASB and TASA state con- HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE to engage directly with local Afghans. This ference, and in 1996 he achieved the Master OF RHODE ISLAND helped both sides establish a mutual trust and Trustee status from TASB. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES provided a means to exchange viewpoints and Dr. Ramsey has shared his expertise as an learn about each other’s culture. In fact, he Monday, March 5, 2012 educational consultant and witness before the was so successful that the local Afghans gave Texas Legislature. He dedicated hundreds of Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, 47 years ago him the Pashto name: Esan, meaning the hours to visit and speak to legislators about this month, nearly 8,000 men and women from quality of being generous. During his last de- many proposed bills that could have a direct every walk of life took to the streets in Selma, ployment, Lt Col Loftis was once again work- impact on education, Texas students, and the Alabama in three successive marches to de- ing to help U.S. service members bridge the country. His dedication and public service on mand full and equal rights for every American. cultural divide that separates them from their behalf of Texas students and teachers has These ordinary heroes were brutally beaten Afghan and Pakistani counterparts. never wavered. by Alabama State Troopers as they crossed His mission was a noble one and of his Earlier this month, Dr. Ramsey announced the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma on Sun- dedication to duty, courage of heart, and com- that he will be retiring from the Denton ISD day, March 7, 1965. The horrifying images of mitment to our great nation, there can be no Board of Trustees in May. His valuable con- Bloody Sunday, as it would become known, doubt. To Lt Col Loftis’ loving wife Holly and tributions to education and the Denton com- were captured on film and broadcast around his two precious daughters, Alison and munity have been unparalleled and his depar- the world—ultimately helping to galvanize na- Camille, my wife Vicki joins me in offering our ture will leave an outstanding legacy of serv- tional support for civil rights. most sincere condolences. We have heard ice. I am pleased to recognize Dr. Curtis Undeterred, the marchers returned twice many times and know in our hearts the truth Ramsey and am privileged to represent Den- more, walking the streets and highways of that Freedom often demands of us a heavy ton ISD in the U.S. House of Representatives. Alabama in an unflinching show of support for and at times unbearable price. Your husband f equality. Among them were Dr. Martin Luther and father was a living example of the Air- King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy, and our colleague man’s Creed, ‘‘I am an American Airman, A TRIBUTE TO NATIONAL PEACE Congressman JOHN LEWIS. I had the great guardian of freedom and justice, my nation’s CORPS WEEK honor last year of marking this important civil sword and shield, its sentry and avenger. I de- rights moment by traveling to Selma with Con- fend my Country with my life.’’ He was a brave HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS gressman LEWIS and participating in a reen- man and paid the ultimate price in defense of OF NEW YORK actment of this march. It was, without ques- our nation’s freedom. For that and for every- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion, one of the most extraordinary moments thing he stood for, we owe you our eternal of my life. Monday, March 5, 2012 gratitude. I would also like to take a moment to recog- Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful United Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in nize the extraordinary achievement of my col- States Congress, I stand here today to honor support of National Peace Corps Week, in league, Congresswoman TERRI SEWELL, a Lt Col John Darin Loftis, his service and sac- honor of the 51st Anniversary of the Peace member of this year’s freshman class, who rifice, and all of the heroes we have lost. May Corps on March 1, 2012. grew up in and now represents Selma, Ala- God continue to bless the Loftis family and Since the inception of the Peace Corps in bama. Congresswoman SEWELL was born in friends, the AFSOC community, and the 1961, more than 200,000 Peace Corps Volun- Alabama the same year as the Selma United States Armed Forces. teers have served their country in 139 devel- marches, and as the first African-American f oping nations around the globe. They range woman elected to Congress from Alabama from recent college graduates to retirees with and a Rhodes Scholar, I believe that her suc- DIRECTING OFFICE OF HISTORIAN several decades of work experience, and rep- cess is a testament to the lasting legacy of the TO COMPILE ORAL HISTORIES resent the tremendous diversity of the Amer- brave men and women who risked their lives FROM MEMBERS INVOLVED IN ican people. The issues they address cover for equality almost a half century ago. ALABAMA CIVIL RIGHTS agriculture, business development, information I join my colleagues in saluting the heroes MARCHES technology, education, health and HIV/AIDS, of Selma, Alabama today. SPEECH OF youth development, and the environment. f The work of Peace Corps Volunteers HON. MARCIA L. FUDGE HONORING THE SERVICE AND SAC- around the globe exemplifies a legacy of serv- OF OHIO RIFICE OF LT COL JOHN DARIN ice that has become a significant part of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES America’s history and positive image abroad. LOFTIS, USAF Their desire to make a difference has im- Thursday, March 1, 2012 proved the lives of millions of people around HON. JEFF MILLER Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, forty-seven years the world as well as here in the United States. OF FLORIDA ago, 600 civil rights protesters en route from Their enduring efforts for the cause of peace IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Selma to Montgomery were stopped at the are commendable and have made a lasting Edmund Pettus Bridge where state and local impact on the communities in which they have Monday, March 5, 2012 policemen attacked them with billy clubs and lived and worked. Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is tear gas, driving them back to Selma. I was Four individuals from my Congressional Dis- with deep sympathy and solemn gratitude that honored to vote for a resolution on March 1, trict in Brooklyn are presently serving as I rise to pay tribute to a fallen American hero. 2012, calling on Congress to collect oral his- Peace Corps volunteers. Melinda Blaise has Air Force Lieutenant Colonel John Darin tories from current and former members of the been serving in the Eastern Caribbean since Loftis, of Paducah, Kentucky, was killed on House who lived through that chilling day

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