October 23, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1437 PRESERVING HISTORY: THE in a log cabin near the Tennessee-Kentucky Ellenville Regional Hospital for their dedicated GREAT WORLD WAR border became an American hero and his ac- efforts to spearhead this initiative, share their tions became the basis for the iconic movie, knowledge, and reverse the dangerous trend HON. TED POE Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper. Upon of opioid abuse and addiction. OF TEXAS York’s death in 1964, President Lyndon John- Aside from trailblazing this pathway to more IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES son called him ‘‘a symbol of American courage impactful care and treatment for the many and sacrifice’’ who epitomized ‘‘the gallantry of struggling with addiction in our Upstate com- Tuesday, October 23, 2018 American fighting men and their sacrifices on munities, Ellenville Regional Hospital is a lead- Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the day behalf of freedom.’’ er of rural care in the greater Ulster County re- was October 8, 1918, a century ago, when the As we honor the 100-year anniversary for gion, always innovating and finding ways to events of the Meuse-Argonne offensive would the Great World War, let us not forget the improve, and most importantly ensuring our be etched into history eternal. The largest op- more than two million Americans that crossed friends and neighbors have access to quality eration of the American Expeditionary Forces the Atlantic to fight for freedom in Europe, and care in the community. (AEFs) was taking place with over one million the 116,000 of them that never came home. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join American doughboys deployed. One such soldier that answered the call was me in recognizing Ellenville Regional Hospital Soldiers were tasked with a dangerous mis- my friend, Frank Buckles. Frank died in 2011; for their dedicated efforts in addressing the sion, penetrating the Argonne Forest, which he was the last living link to the story of the opioid epidemic as well as their legacy of in- was a force in itself to be reckoned with. Thick American Doughboy. novative and quality care. vegetation, jagged hills, and the entrenchment I introduced the Frank Buckles WWI Memo- of German forces made this the single dead- rial Act, to restore the local DC memorial and f liest battle in American history. 125,000 Amer- to recognize the service and sacrifice of all the HONORING HEIDI WHEELER WITH ican casualties were sustained, with over men and women that served in the Great CALIFORNIA’S THIRD DISTRICT 26,000 deaths. World War. Finally, after 100 years a memorial WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD What was to be the final Allied push against will finally be built in the nation’s capital for all German forces on the Western Front, October of those who fought in the Great War. I was HON. JOHN GARAMENDI 8th proved to be a day that would always be honored to work with my colleague, Rep. OF CALIFORNIA remembered by all the nations that partici- EMANUEL CLEAVER of Missouri in a bipartisan pated in the War. way to make sure that Congress did its part in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES United States Corporal Alvin C. York was in authorizing the construction of the World War Tuesday, October 23, 2018 small squadron of about 20 fellow Americans, I Memorial on our National Mall. Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today just boys really, a world away from home. I often talk about those of our Greatest Gen- to honor Heidi Wheeler as a woman of the Their task was to take German-held positions. eration, but without the fathers from the Great year. She is a hardworking and dedicated ad- The geography made this objective a difficult World War, the Doughboys, the Frank Buck- vocate for seniors in Yolo County. In her 22- one, but York along with his men knew what les—the rest wouldn’t be possible. America year career at St. John’s Retirement Village, had to be done. goes to war to free, to liberate, to protect, and Ms. Wheeler has helped provide care to sen- Following orders, the group advanced, but to bring justice to bear. We owe it to them and iors with kindness and compassion. She has was fired upon from a nest at the top of a our future generations to honor our veterans in grown professionally, seeking further edu- nearby hill. The German gunners cut down our nation’s capital. Because, the greatest cation, and taking on multiple leadership roles. nine men, including a superior officer, leaving tragedy of war is to be forgotten. She is now the Skilled Nursing Administrator York in charge of the squad. And that’s just the way it is. responsible for the Stollwood Convalescent Now in charge, and with little to no time to f regroup, he fought to avenge the lives of the Hospital within St. John’s Village where she fellow soldiers that lost their lives. After it was HONORING ELLENVILLE REGIONAL cares for some of her community’s most vul- all said and done, York successfully took the HOSPITAL nerable. Both her professional life and per- position while taking down 20 German sol- sonal time have been dedicated to improving diers, as well as taking 132 German prisoners. HON. JOHN J. FASO the lives of seniors throughout Yolo County. His honorable service in this battle earned him She lends her time, talent, and expertise to OF NEW YORK Woodland’s Commission on Aging where she the Congressional Medal of Honor. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES York described the events in his diary: recommends and coordinates programs and ‘‘Those machine guns were spitting fire and Tuesday, October 23, 2018 services for seniors. Through her work on the cutting down the undergrowth all around me Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- commission she helps promote a better quality something awful. . . . I didn’t have time to ognize Ellenville Regional Hospital in their ef- of life for aging individuals ensuring that crit- dodge behind a tree or dive into the brush, I forts to develop a comprehensive, collabo- ical support services are available. She is also didn’t even have time to kneel or lie down. rative, community-based and region-wide ini- a part of Leading Age, a network of nonprofit ... tiative to help combat the opioid epidemic in leaders committed to supporting and empow- As soon as the machine guns opened fire Upstate New York. ering seniors in their community. Through this on me, I began to exchange shots with them. In 2017 alone, this epidemic claimed more organization, she helps fight for quality senior In order to sight me or to swing their machine than 72,000 lives across the country. Ellenville living and care. Ms. Wheeler is a passionate guns on me, the Germans had to show their Regional Hospital is working with local care advocate on behalf of seniors, working to en- heads above the trench, and every time I saw providers including, the Columbia Memorial sure a full and rewarding life for all people in a head I just touched it off. All the time I kept Health and Albany Medical Center and the her community. yelling at them to come down. I didn’t want to Greene County Rural Health Network, to de- f kill any more than I had to. But it was they or velop a model of dynamic care to better treat I. And I was giving them the best I had.’’ individuals who are shouldering the tremen- HONORING THE NAACP-HOUSTON The ‘‘best he had’’ was more than enough. dous burden of opioid addiction. BRANCH FOR 100 YEARS OF RE- The German commander, thinking he was Ellenville’s plan focuses on providing pa- MARKABLE SERVICE AND EX- grossly outnumbered, surrendered his garrison tients who have overdosed an entry path to TRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS of nearly 90 men. Like many men of his time, treatment that combines medical efforts to TO THE CAUSE OF EQUALITY York never made much of his accomplish- counter withdrawal and immediately con- FOR ALL ments of that day, but his heroic actions did necting them with primary health care serv- not go unnoticed. Promoted to the rank of ser- ices, mental health, and addiction services as HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE geant, he remained on the front lines until No- well as other basic services such as housing, OF TEXAS vember 1, ten days before the armistice. transportation, and nutrition. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The New York Times called York ‘‘the war’s The opioid epidemic knows no bounds— biggest hero.’’ General John J. Pershing, com- spanning across all socioeconomic standings, Tuesday, October 23, 2018 mander of the American Expeditionary Force in every state, in every district, and in every Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to (AEF), called him ‘‘the greatest civilian soldier’’ community throughout the country. I extend commemorate the 100th anniversary of the of World War I. The American doughboy born my sincerest thanks and appreciation to Houston Branch of the oldest, largest, most

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:11 Oct 24, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A23OC8.010 E23OCPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS E1438 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 23, 2018 historic and most influential civil rights organi- to improve civil rights and equality of oppor- 6. 1956—Browder v. Gayle, which outlawed zations in the United States, the National As- tunity for all persons in the United States. the practice of racial segregation on buses sociation for the Advancement of Colored The NAACP’s close relationship with Presi- and led to the end of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. People, known to all simply as the ‘‘NAACP.’’ dent Truman helped to influence him to issue Founded in 1918, the Houston Branch of Executive Order 9981, which desegregated Mr. Speaker, as Chair for the Congressional the NAACP has played a pivotal role in some the United States Armed Services by an- Children’s Caucus, I am especially concerned of the most pivotal moments and landmark nouncing the new ‘‘policy of the President that with fair access to quality education for today’s voting and civil rights cases, including Smith v. there shall be equality of treatment and oppor- youth and am personally grateful to the Allwright, 321 U.S. 649 (1944), which over- tunity for all persons in the armed services NAACP for its leadership in winning the great- turned a Texas statute that authorized the without regard to race, color, religion or na- est legal victory for civil rights in American his- Democratic Party to set its internal rules, in- tional origin,’’ and that this policy be put into tory, the 1954 landmark decision in Brown v. cluding the use of white primaries; and Sweatt effect as rapidly as possible. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), in v. Painter, 339 U.S. 629 (1950), which suc- Mr. Speaker, the NAACP was perhaps the which the Supreme Court struck down de jure cessfully challenged the doctrine of ‘‘separate leading member of the ‘‘Big Six’’—the coalition segregation in elementary schools. but equal’’ in higher education and helped of religious, labor and civil rights organizations NAACP General Counsel Thurgood Mar- pave the way for the Supreme Court’s land- that organized and staged on August 28, 1963 shall, who would later become the first Afri- mark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the historic March on Washington, the most can-American Solicitor General and Associate 347 U.S. 483 (1954), four years later. famous act of peaceful protest in our nation’s Justice of the Supreme Court, forcefully ar- The NAACP-Houston Branch’s tradition of history. gued and persuaded the Court to rule unani- service continues today under the dynamic Other members of the Big Six were the mously that in the field of public education, leadership of its president, Dr. James Doug- Southern Christian Leadership Conference ‘‘separate but equal’’ was inherently unequal. las, and Executive Director, Yolanda Smith. (SCLC); the National Urban League; Student That decision gave hope to millions of First organized in 1905, the group was Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); Americans that their children might enjoy the known as the Niagara Movement when mem- the International Brotherhood of Sleeping Car full promise of America that had been denied bers began meeting at a hotel situated on the Porters; and the Congress of Racial Equality their forebears for more than three centuries. Canadian side of the Niagara Falls. (CORE). Mr. Speaker, the NAACP remains com- Members of the group had to meet in Can- The March on Washington was a seminal mitted to achieving its goals through non- ada because American hotels in Niagara Falls event in our nation’s history and awakened violence, the legal process, and moral and po- were segregated. Americans of goodwill to the urgent need to litical suasion, and through direct actions such Under the leadership of the Harvard-edu- rededicate ourselves to the great unfinished as marches, demonstrations, and boycotts to cated scholar, the great W.E.B. DuBois, the task of making real the promise of America for give voice to the hopes and aspirations of Afri- group would later be known as the National all Americans, especially African-Americans. can-Americans and others who lack the power Negro Committee before finally adopting the Mr. Speaker, the current president of the to make their voices heard. name by which it has been known for the last NAACP is Derrick Johnson and the Board There is still a need for justice and equal 108 years—the National Association for the Chairman is Leon W. Russell; through the treatment for African-Americans and other vul- Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP— years, the NAACP has been led by some nerable populations in our country, and thank- at its second conference in 1910. bold, visionary, and effective leaders, includ- fully, we still have a vibrant NAACP to advo- The first official meeting was held on Feb- ing: cate their cause and fight for their interests. ruary 12, 1909, the centennial of the birth of Walter White; Roy Wilkins; Benjamin Hooks; I am grateful for the many battles for equal- President Abraham Lincoln. Benjamin Chavis; Merlie Evers-Williams, ity that the NAACP organization has fought The mission of the NAACP was clearly de- widow of Medgar Evers; Kweisi Mfume; Bruce and won, and thankful that the NAACP will be lineated in its charter: S. Gordon; Benjamin Todd Jealous; and Cor- there in the future to wage the fight for justice To promote equality of rights and to eradi- nell William Brooks. wherever and whenever justice needs a cham- cate caste or race prejudice among the citi- Mr. Speaker, America would be a very dif- pion. zens of the United States; ferent place were it not for the brilliance of the So on this day I am so proud to salute the To advance the interest of colored citizens; NAACP’s Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., the leg- 100th anniversary of the remarkable Houston to secure for them impartial suffrage; and endary Director of the Washington Bureau To increase their opportunities for secur- Branch of the NAACP, and express the appre- ing justice in the courts, education for the from 1950 to 1978. ciation of the nation for all it has done to make children, employment according to their So effective was Clarence Mitchell in the our country better. ability, and complete equality before law. campaigns to win passage of civil rights laws, f Mr. Speaker, for more than a century, the including the 1957 Civil Rights Act, the 1960 RECOGNIZING GA 09 CBYX AND NAACP has stayed true to its charter and Civil Rights Act, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the NSLI-Y SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS championed the cause of justice and equality 1965 Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair in America. Housing Act of 1968, that his sobriquet was It has fought valiantly and tirelessly on be- the ‘‘101st Senator.’’ HON. DOUG COLLINS The NAACP is perhaps best known for the half of African-Americans and others to secure OF GEORGIA practice pioneered by the legendary Charles their civil rights and liberties and the full meas- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall of ure of justice and equality for all. Tuesday, October 23, 2018 At a time when African-Americans were ‘‘impact litigation,’’ the strategy of bringing treated as second-class citizens and the carefully selected cases to court to establish Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I scourge of slavery was still rampant, the legal precedents of beneficially affecting thou- rise today to recognize 3 outstanding high NAACP emerged to ensure that the rights, in- sands, and frequently millions, of persons be- school students from Georgia’s 9th Congres- terests and voices of African-Americans did yond the immediate parties to the case. sional district that have been selected for high- not go unheard. Among the historic victories won by NAACP ly competitive scholarships from the U.S. De- During World War I, the NAACP success- lawyers are: partment of State. fully campaigned for African-Americans to be 1. 1940—Chambers v. Florida, which estab- Ms. Sarah Kudyba has been accepted into commissioned as officers in the army, result- lished that confessions obtained as the result the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. of police coercion are inadmissible at trial; ing in President Woodrow Wilson commis- 2. 1944—Smith v. Allwright, which out- This program is for motivated high school stu- sioning 600 African-American officers. lawed the South’s ‘‘white primary’’; dents who want to fully immerse themselves in During World War II, the NAACP persuaded 3. 1948—Shelley v. Kraemer, which ruled German culture by living with a host family the administration of President Franklin Roo- racially restrictive covenants and unconsti- and attending a local high school. The pro- sevelt to issue an executive order banning ra- tutional and legally unenforceable; gram is designed to strengthen ties between cial discrimination in war-related industries and 4. 1950—Sweatt v. Painter and McLaurin v. youth, improve their career skills through for- federal employment. Oklahoma State Regents, which held that mal study and work experience, and expand separate law and graduate school are inher- In 1948, President Harry Truman became ently unequal and thus constitutional; their cognizance of other cultures, society, his- the first president to formally address the 5. 1954—Brown v. Board of Education of To- tory, and politics. NAACP and he worked with the NAACP in ap- peka, landmark case overruling separate but Ms. Victoria Zappi-Colombine and Ms. pointing a commission to study and offer ideas equal doctrine of Plessy v. Ferguson; and McKenzie Hooper have been accepted into

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:11 Oct 24, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A23OC8.013 E23OCPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS