E1776 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks August 4, 2007 LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT dedicated hero of the Fort Worth community placeable community figure. Marvin’s father OF 2007 and of our Nation. Abe, who openly opposed the Cpl James H. McRae was a proud United and was a card-carrying member of the SPEECH OF States Marine and a true American hero who NAACP, helped instill in Marvin the values that HON. AL GREEN gallantly and selflessly gave his life for his made him so valued in the community. As a OF country on July 24 during combat operations newsman, Marvin became a pioneer in con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in Diyala Province, Iraq. sumer reporting and a tireless advocate for James enlisted in the toughest of the mili- Tuesday, July 31, 2007 those who, without his assistance, would be tary branches during time of war, which without a voice in having their needs ad- Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, speaks volumes about his character and patri- dressed. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2831, the Lilly otism. Mr. Zindler initially came to prominence Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007, which will cor- Assigned to the Marine Expeditionary Force, through a week long special on the ‘‘Chicken rect a gross injustice done in the recent Su- James was a non-commissioned officer—the Ranch,’’ an illegal brothel just outside of La preme Court decision in the case Ledbetter v. backbone of the corps and a true leader. Grange, TX, that local authorities tolerated for Goodyear. Our thoughts and prayers are with James’ decades. This special report quickly forced the The Supreme Court’s May 29, 2007, ruling parents and all of his family and friends. closure of the brothel, which had been open in Ledbetter reversed decades of precedent Our community and Nation honor Corporal since 1905. Subsequently, Mr. Zindler was that helped victims of pay discrimination to McRae’s memory and we are grateful for his known largely for his self-described ‘‘Rat and pursue claims against their employers. Under faithful and distinguished service to our Nation Roach Report,’’ in which he read reports on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, em- and the Corps of Marines that he loved. ployees illegally discriminated against in pay health department restaurant inspections on Cpl James Heath McRae will not be forgot- news broadcasts on ABC affiliate KTRK. can file claims to recoup that pay within 180 ten. His memory lives on through his family days of being wrongfully denied pay. Unfortu- These reports consistently aided consumers and the legacy of selfless service that he so looking for information on the safety of the nately, the Ledbetter decision concluded that bravely imprinted on our hearts. victims need to file claims within 180 days of food at local restaurants. a discriminatory decision being made, rather f Mr. Zindler advocated aggressively for low- income individuals in desperate need of recon- than within 180 days of receiving a discrimina- VETERANS’ BENEFITS structive surgery. Earlier this year, despite his tory paycheck, as previous jurisprudence had IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007 mandated. illness, Mr. Zindler’s advocacy played a major It is wholly unreasonable to require individ- SPEECH OF role in acquiring mechanical hands for seven uals who are discriminated against to file suit Iraqi amputees. Because of his extensive ad- within 180 days of the illegal action. Work- HON. HEATH SHULER vocacy, Mr. Zindler’s Action 13 office received place norms mean that co-workers rarely ask OF NORTH CAROLINA nearly 100,000 letters annually asking for as- each other about their pay. Moreover, one rel- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sistance on issues ranging from Social Secu- atively small discriminatory decision can com- Monday, July 30, 2007 rity benefits to housing discrimination to immi- pound over time, meaning that decisions that Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in gration. He took pride in ensuring that his of- are not immediately obvious can nevertheless strong support of H.R. 1315, the Veterans’ fice responded to every single request that have profound impacts over the course of an Benefits Improvement Act of 2007, which they received. It is eminently clear that Marvin Zindler was employee’s career. would expand housing assistance for disabled no ordinary newsman. He used his influence Congress recognized 43 years ago with the veterans of the United States Armed Forces. passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that it The Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act to constantly stand up for the underprivileged is wrong to treat people differently on the amends title 38 of the United States Code so who needed his assistance—and he made a basis of their gender, religion or the color of that specially-adaptive housing assistance can difference. Mr. Zindler profoundly changed the their skin. The decision in Ledbetter v. Good- be provided to certain members of the Armed city of and the very concept of con- year effectively eliminates the primary remedy Forces who are disabled and residing tempo- sumer reporting, and his contribution will never for thousands of Americans who face illegal rarily in housing owned by family. be forgotten. I would like to send my condolences to Mr. and immoral discrimination. America’s veterans have sacrificed in the The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act provides a Zindler’s family, friends, and all those who will defense and well-being of our country and straightforward and efficient solution for the miss him dearly. I hope that, even in this sad should be rewarded for their bravery and com- mistaken decision in Ledbetter. This bill simply time, Mr. Zindler’s courage and fights for jus- pensated for their sacrifices. Therefore, we clarifies that each discriminatory paycheck tice can serve as an example for us all. have a duty to see to it that the appropriate qualifies as a new violation that gives employ- benefits are made available to every disabled f ees 180 days to file claims to recover pay. veteran, regardless of residential status. We This policy has been the law of the land for IN HONOR OF CORPORAL RHETT A. must remember that with nearly 30,000 troops the last 43 years, has worked well and should BUTLER, UNITED STATES ARMY be reinstated. wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, more young For over four decades, the United States veterans are in need of disability assistance. HON. KAY GRANGER Federal Government has made it clear that Mr. Speaker, this bill provides the necessary OF TEXAS discrimination on the basis of one’s race, gen- revisions that will enable more veterans to re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ceive the special housing assistance they der, or religion will not be tolerated. It is our Saturday, August 4, 2007 responsibility to do everything in our power to need. I fully support this bill and encourage Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise ensure that all employees are treated fairly others to do so as well. today to honor the courage of a brave and and respectfully, and this bill is an important f dedicated hero of the State of Texas and of step forward in that direction. I am proud to be STATEMENT HONORING HOUSTON our Nation. a co-sponsor of this legislation and I commend NEWSMAN MARVIN ZINDLER Corporal Rhett A. Butler was a United my colleague and friend, Mr. GEORGE MILLER States Army soldier and a true American hero of California, for introducing the bill. HON. AL GREEN who gallantly and selflessly gave his life for f OF TEXAS his country on July 20, 2007 during combat IN HONOR OF CORPORAL JAMES H. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES operations north of Baghdad, Iraq. Assigned to the Second Infantry Division, MCRAE, UNITED STATES MARINE Saturday, August 4, 2007 CORPS Rhett enlisted during time of war, which Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, speaks volumes about his character and patri- HON. KAY GRANGER I rise to pay tribute to a wonderful man and otism. longtime Houston television legend, Marvin Moreover, he was a leader and mentor to OF TEXAS Zindler. Mr. Zindler passed away yesterday younger soldiers and his service as a Non- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES after a battle with inoperable pancreatic can- Commissioned Officer in the infantry exempli- Saturday, August 4, 2007 cer and he will be sorely missed. fies this spirit. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise Marvin Zindler was born August 10, 1921, in Our thoughts and prayers are with CPL But- today to honor the courage of a brave and Houston, where he went on to become an irre- ler’s parents and all of his family and friends.

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