2146 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 159, Pt. 2 February 28, 2013 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

HONORING THE VICTIMS OF Last August Safarov was sent home to TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM P. SUMGAIT Azerbaijan, purportedly to serve out the re- GALLIGAN’S 43 YEARS OF SERV- mainder of his sentence. Instead of prison, he ICE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DE- HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF was greeted as a hero by the Azeri govern- FENSE OF CALIFORNIA ment and promenaded through the streets of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Baku carrying a bouquet of roses. President HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG Thursday, February 28, 2013 Ilham Aliyev immediately pardoned Safarov OF FLORIDA Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, this week marks and he was promoted to the rank of major and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the twenty–fifth anniversary of the pogrom given a new apartment and eight years of Thursday, February 28, 2013 against people of Armenian descent in the back pay. Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan. The three–day In recent weeks, 75–year–old Akram Aylisli, to pay tribute to William (Bill) P. Galligan, for massacre in the winter of 1988 resulted in the one of Azerbaijan’s most celebrated writers, his exceptional dedication to duty and service deaths of scores of Armenians, many of whom has been subjected to a campaign of hatred. to the Department of Defense, spanning over were burnt to death after being brutally beaten According to a report in the BBC, ’[h]is books a 43-year career, in honor of his retirement at and tortured. Hundreds of others were wound- have been publicly burnt. He has been the end of September 2012. ed. Women and girls were brutally raped. The stripped of his national literary awards. And a Mr. Galligan enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in carnage created thousands of ethnic Armenian high–ranking Azeri politician has offered February 1969 and served on Active Duty until refugees, who had to leave everything behind $13,000 as a bounty for anyone who will cut February 1993. His uniformed service included to be looted or destroyed, including their two combat tours in Vietnam, assignments at homes, cars and businesses. off his ear. Aylisi’s ’crime?’— in his short novel Stone Dreams, he dared to look at the conflict bases in Germany and stateside, and 11 These crimes, which were proceeded by a years as administrative assistant and Con- between Azeris and Armenians from the Ar- wave of anti–Armenian rallies throughout gressional courier on the Comptroller’s staff at menian perspective. Azerbaijan, were never adequately prosecuted the Pentagon. With his retirement from the Air by Azerbaijan authorities. Many who organized With these disgusting acts, the Azeri state Force, he transitioned to a civilian role and or participated in the bloodshed have gone on reminded the whole world why the people of continued to serve the Comptroller organiza- to serve in high positions on the Azeri govern- Artsakh must be allowed to determine their tion for another 19 years. ment. For example, in the days leading up to own future and cannot be allowed to slip into In his capacity, including three decades in the massacre, a leader of the Communist Aliyev’s clutches, lest the carnage of Sumgait the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Party of Azerbaijan, Hidayat Orujev, warned a quarter century ago serve as a fore- (Comptroller) office, serving 15 Congresses Armenians in Sumgait: ‘‘If you do not stop shadowing of a greater slaughter. from the 98th to the 112th, Mr. Galligan deliv- campaigning for the unification of Nagorno ered key documents to our Committee from Karabakh with Armenia, if you don’t sober up, f the Department of Defense. We could always 100,000 Azeris from neighboring districts will count on a story that ended with a chuckle break into your houses, torch your apartments, HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY, MRS. from Bill. Many staff over the years has be- rape your women, and kill your children.’’ In a BETTY HECHLINSKI come fond of Bill and it won’t be the same not cruel twist, Orujev went on serve as Azer- seeing his face around Capitol Hill anymore. baijan’s State Advisor for Ethnic Policy and We wish him all the best in his well-de- later as head of State Committee for Work HON. JACKIE WALORSKI served retirement. I’m sure he will be enjoying with Religious Organizations. more time with his grandchildren. The Sumgait massacres led to wider repris- OF INDIANA f als against Azerbaijan’s ethnic minority, result- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing in the virtual disappearance of Azerbaijan’s TRIBUTE TO SARAH COLLINS-RU- 450,000–strong Armenian community, and cul- Thursday, February 28, 2013 DOLPH IN RECOGNITION OF HER minating in the war launched against the peo- SACRIFICES AS A SURVIVOR OF ple of Nagorno Karabakh. That war resulted in Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I submit THE 1963 BOMBING OF SIX- almost 30,000 dead on both sides and created these remarks in honor of my aunt, Mrs. Betty TEENTH STREET BAPTIST more than one million refugees in both Arme- Hechlinski of South Bend, Indiana who turns CHURCH IN BIRMINGHAM, ALA- nia and Azerbaijan. 80 years old today. A lifelong Hoosier resi- BAMA In the years since the fighting ended, the dent, Aunt Betty was the oldest of three chil- people of Artsakh, the region’s ancestral dren and attended school in her hometown of HON. TERRI A. SEWELL name, have struggled to build a functioning South Bend, graduating from St. Adalbert Ele- OF ALABAMA democratic state in the midst of unremitting mentary School and Washington High School. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES hostility and threats from Azerbaijan, as well Aunt Betty has always assumed a natural as sniper fire and other incursions across the Thursday, February 28, 2013 leadership role in the Walorski family, particu- Line of Contact between the two sides. Hatred Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I larly to my father, the late Ray Walorski. The towards Armenians is both inculcated and rise today to honor and recognize Sarah Col- celebrated in Azeri youth, as exemplified by proud mother of three children and five grand- lins-Rudolph, a little known American hero the case of Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani children, Aunt Betty continues to stay busy in whose life was forever changed on the morn- army captain who had confessed to the sav- the community, attending church and blessing ing of Sunday, September 15, 1963. On that age 2004 axe murder of Armenian army lieu- us all with her wonderful cooking at family tragic day, Sarah’s sister Addie was one of tenant Gurgen Margaryan, while the latter gatherings. As the matriarch of the Walorski four little girls killed in the noted bombing of slept. At the time, the two were participating in family, she continues to remind us of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Bir- a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise in Bu- power of generosity and kindness. I am hon- mingham, Alabama. While her name isn’t en- dapest, Hungary. After the murder, Safarov ored to join our family and friends in wishing graved in memorials or printed in history was sentenced to life in prison by a Hungarian Aunt Betty a Happy Birthday, with many more books, to many in the Birmingham community, court and imprisoned in Hungary. years of continued health and joyful memories. Sarah is known as ‘‘the fifth little girl.’’ As we

● This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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CONNOLLY Belvoir Youth Sports), Noah Adler (VYI), Christian Jessup (Dulles South Youth League) mingham, AL. The day of the bombing, she OF VIRGINIA Youth Sports Coaches of the Year: Anthony was just 12 years old. Sarah and Addie Mae IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Price (Gum Springs Community Center), were one year apart and formed a unique Thursday, February 28, 2013 Buddy Morris (BRYC), Tommy Durand (Arling- closeness due to their closest in age. Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today ton Football League), Donny Cooke (VYI) On the morning of the bombing, Sarah was to recognize the Fairfax County Youth Football Youth Cheerleaders of the Year: Haley Clay in the bathroom of the church’s basement with League and to congratulate the 2013 Fairfax (Dulles South Youth League), Rachel Strauss the four victims including Addie Mae, Denise County Football Hall of Fame honorees and (VYI), Angel Bailey (HOYC), Asjah Snead McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wes- scholarship award recipients. (HOYC), Meghan Adams (GHYFL) ley. Sarah was the only girl in the bathroom The importance of youth sports cannot be Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join that day to survive. She lost her right eye and overstated. Participation in organized sports me in congratulating the Fairfax County Youth instills in our youth many values that will serve Football League as well as those students, her life was filled with corrective surgeries and them well throughout life. These values in- coaches and community leaders who are extensive medical care for her injuries. There clude sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, a being honored at this 2013 Hall of Fame cele- were 21 survivors of the bombing of Sixteenth sense of belonging, and maybe most impor- bration. Street Baptist Church but no single family suf- tant, the work ethic developed by striving for f fered as much as the Collins family, losing success and working to achieve a common Addie Mae and caring for Sarah’s multiple in- goal. Organized youth sports also contribute to PERSONAL EXPLANATION juries. our society. Studies have shown a correlation The physical and emotional scars of this between participation in sporting activities and HON. GEORGE MILLER senseless tragedy remain with Sarah as she increased academic performance. Some stud- OF CALIFORNIA continues her extraordinary life. Even today, ies indicate that a reduction in gang activity IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES can be partially attributed to refocusing at–risk there are moments when she struggles men- Thursday, February 28, 2013 children into organized, supervised activities tally with her fate of being bombed at just 12 such as youth sports. Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. years old. Despite the persistent aftermath of I commend the Fairfax County Youth Foot- Speaker, on February 27, 2013, I was un- the events, she is dedicated to making sure ball League for providing opportunities for our avoidably detained and missed roll No. 53. that the nation remembers the bombing and children to succeed and be a part of a team. Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay.’’ its significance to the civil rights movement. I also congratulate the following students, f Sarah shares her painful story in hopes that coaches and community leaders who are future generations will know their history and being recognized at the 23rd Annual Fairfax HONORING MARINE MASTER SERGEANT ELBERT LESTER remember those that were symbols of the civil County Football Hall of Fame: rights movement. $1,500 Scholarship Award Recipients: Raina Aide (Cheerleading, J.E.B. Stuart HS), Har- HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON Today, I salute Sarah Collins-Rudolph for rison ‘‘Sonny’’ Romine (Football, Chantilly HS), OF MISSISSIPPI her sacrifices to our country. We are often re- Brian Deely (Football, Westfield HS), and Ben IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES minded of the civil rights giants that fought on Sanford (Football, Madison HS) Thursday, February 28, 2013 the front lines for justice and equality. But it is Fairfax County Football Hall of Fame 2013 an imperative that we never forget the sac- Inductees: Evan Royster (Washington Red- Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- rifices made by all those who were a part of skins, Penn State, Westfield HS, FPYC), er, I rise to recognize a remarkable veteran, this transformative time in America. On behalf Bruce Hanson (Head Coach, Yorktown HS), Marine Master Sergeant Elbert Lester. On Fri- of a grateful nation, we say thank you to Mrs. and Steve Wilmer (Coach/Commissioner— day, November 2, 2012 Marine Master Ser- Sarah Collins-Rudolph for the personal sac- McLean Youth Football) geant Elbert Lester, now eighty-seven years of rifice and courageous fight she has endured Football Official of the Year—Youth Sports: age, was awarded the Muntford Point Marines’ for civil and equal rights. On that Sunday Steve Caruso (Fairfax County Football Offi- Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian morning in 1963, Sarah’s life changed in- cials Association) honor bestowed by Congress for distinguished stantly and she was forever scarred by the ac- Karl Davey Community Achievement Award: achievement. tions of those who sought to stifle America’s Tom Healy (Southwestern Youth Association, The Munford Point Marines were the first Af- rican-Americans to serve in the United States movement. But because of Sarah, we rejoice FCYFL) Marine Corps in 1941, when President Frank- in a new era of our history that realizes the Tom Davis Meritorious Service Award: Deb Garris (Manager, Synthetic Turf Branch, Fair- lin D. Roosevelt created the Fair Employment dreams of those before us. fax County Park Authority) Practices Commission, ultimately forcing the We salute Mrs. Collins-Rudolph because Gene Nelson Commissioner of the Year Corps to recruit blacks. When asked, ‘‘Why her story was a catalyst for a new America. Award: Jason McEachin (Dulles South Youth did you choose the Marine Corps?’’ he replied Her sacrifices led us to the liberties and free- Sports) ‘‘They decided that for me.’’ He then explained doms that many of us enjoy today. I am espe- High School Players of the Year: Jonathan while at the Army recruiting station, the black cially grateful for Sarah’s story for had it not Allen (Stone Bridge HS), Tyler Donnelly (York- company was asked for volunteers to go into been for her painful journey, my own journey town HS), Oren Burks (South County HS), the Marines. No one did. ‘‘So, they put our would not be possible. As Alabama’s first Sean Huelskamp (Chantilly HS), Scott Car- names in a hat and my name was one of Black Congresswoman, I stand before you penter (Gonzaga College HS), Nick Newman those that were pulled. I was one of the un- today with a humble heart knowing that (Battlefield HS) lucky ones.’’ Sarah’s journey paved the way for my own High School Coaches of the Year: Mickey Elbert Lester was assigned to the 27th Thompson (Stone Bridge HS), Jason Rowley Depot Company as a Corporal and would place in American history. (Oakton HS) leave the service as Master Sergeant. Fol- I ask all of my colleagues in the House of Youth Sports Players of the Year: Avery lowing training, his unit was put aboard a ship Representatives to join me in saluting Mrs. Howard (Manassas YFL), Virginia ‘‘Ginny’’ in Norfolk, VA to Guadalcanal, a thirty-day Sarah Collins-Rudolph, an Alabama treasure Delacruz (SYC), Justin Burke (RYA), Preston voyage that would begin his time of service in and an American hero. Bacon (CYA), Miles Thompson (Fairfax Police the South Pacific. Most of the 19,000 black

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