May 21, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3323 RECOGNIZING THE LAS VEGAS Marine Division, known as the Lex- The Lexington Platoon will be honored METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPART- ington Platoon. Mr. Cecil and 69 other again Thursday at the Urban County Council MENT men from the central Kentucky area meeting. This time, Cecil, 88, will be the only formed the Platoon in 1942, 8 months platoon member present. ‘‘As best we can Mr. REID. Madam President, I rise tell, I’m the only one left,’’ he said. today to recognize the Las Vegas Met- after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Mayor Jim Gray will present a proclama- ropolitan Police Department’s His- Harbor. These young men went on to tion declaring James Cecil Day. Councilman panic American Resource Team’s fight in some of the bloodiest battles of Jay McChord will speak about how he met (H.A.R.T.) 10th Academy for their ef- the Pacific, including in Okinawa, Cecil and other World War II veterans while writing and illustrating his 2010 book, A Vet- forts to combat crimes against His- Saipan, Tinian, and Guadalcanal. The Lexington Platoon was honored eran’s Legacy: Field Kit Journal. panic-Americans, while building good on Thursday, May 17 at the Lexington ‘‘We’re losing so many of these guys every will and trust between the city’s police Urban City Council meeting, with Mr. day, it’s good any time we can honor them,’’ department and the Hispanic commu- McChord said. ‘‘We need to remind ourselves Cecil being the only member present. nity. of who they are and what they did.’’ Lexington Mayor Jim Gray proclaimed Cecil and Mitch Alcorn, his Lafayette High For more than a decade, H.A.R.T. has it James Cecil Day, and Councilman fulfilled and exceeded its mission, ‘‘to School buddy and the longtime Midway post- Jay McChord spoke about his inter- master, began tracking down their fellow build and maintain positive relation- views with Mr. Cecil while writing his Lexington Platoon members several years ships between the Hispanic community 2010 book, A Veteran’s Legacy: Field ago, searching the Internet and running ads and the police through compassion and Kit Journal. in veterans magazines. innovative thinking.’’ At its core, the James Cecil grew up on a tobacco By this time last year, the group had dwin- H.A.R.T. program trains and places tal- farm, and chose to join the Marines dled to the two of them and Elwood Watkins, who earned a Silver Star and three Purple ented officers who are fluent in English when the entered the and Spanish to work directly with Hearts in battle. Watkins died July 12. war rather than being drafted. He was Alcorn, who earned a and later Spanish-dominant community mem- promoted from private to fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars as an bers. It is through language ability, after killing a Japanese officer and ob- Army officer, died February 18. cultural competence, and dedication taining his map of artillery positions, Cecil grew up on a tobacco farm off that H.A.R.T maintains public safety and received a Purple Heart for injuries Nicholasville Road. ‘‘We didn’t have any for the broader community regardless suffered during the battle of Saipan in money, but we had plenty to eat,’’ he said. of language capability or immigration June 1944. ‘‘We had milk cows, chickens and a big gar- status. den.’’ Although Mr. Cecil was recommended When the war came, he decided to join the A centerpiece of the educational for officer candidate school in August Marines rather than wait to be drafted. After services H.A.R.T. provides is the His- 1945, he never got the chance to attend, training, platoon members were scattered to panic Citizens Academy which offers an as in the weeks following, the United various units of the 2nd Marine Division, al- intensive 12-week training program in States bombed Japan, thus ending though Cecil served alongside Alcorn and a Spanish to non-English speaking com- World War II. few others from Lexington. ‘‘We were just munity members to impart knowledge After his service, Mr. Cecil moved to like a big family,’’ he said. on how to navigate through routine Ohio and became the owner of a suc- As I talked with Cecil last week, he pulled cessful trucking company. He moved out a small envelope. Inside was a portrait of law enforcement protocols, including a Japanese officer he killed, and money and knowing their legal rights and how to back to Lexington after the death of a ration card he found in the officer’s pocket. contact the police in case of an emer- his wife, Janet, in 1988. Today, Mr. That wasn’t all: The officer was carrying a gency. The Hispanic Citizens Academy Cecil is in good health and still often map of artillery positions, a find that got helps strengthen the partnership be- reflects on his wartime experiences. He Cecil promoted from private to corporal. tween the Hispanic immigrant commu- says that he feels ‘‘honored and proud Cecil earned a Purple Heart for wounds suf- nity and the Las Vegas Metropolitan that [he] served [his] country.’’ fered in the battle of Saipan on June 20, 1944. Police Department. In fact, the Na- I would like to ask at this time for He survived several Japanese suicide attacks my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to on his camps at night. tional League of Cities recognized Las ‘‘The next morning you couldn’t walk Vegas and the H.A.R.T. program as one join me in recognizing Mr. James Cecil without walking on a dead Marine or a dead of the top 17 U.S. police departments for his brave service to our Nation dur- Japanese,’’ he said. for good practices in a June 2011 report. ing World War II. There was recently At the battle of Okinawa, a Japanese sui- H.A.R.T.’s work serves as a model for an article published in the Lexington cide pilot hit the USS Hinsdale before Cecil’s other police departments across the Herald-Leader highlighting Mr. Cecil’s unit could land on the beach. Cecil spent 45 Nation to ensure public safety in immi- valorous service and his platoon’s leg- minutes in the cold water, watching for acy. I ask unanimous consent that said sharks, before a Navy destroyer rescued him. grant communities by keeping them ‘‘We had so many killed and wounded,’’ informed and engaged. article be printed in the RECORD. There being no objection, the mate- Cecil said. ‘‘Every battle, you just didn’t On May 23, 2012, H.A.R.T. will be cele- know who was going to be next.’’ brating the graduation of individuals rial was ordered to be printed in the Cecil’s only trip stateside came in August serving in the 10th Hispanic Citizens RECORD as follows: 1945, when he was recommended for officer Academy, a stage shared by more than [From the Lexington Herald-Leader, May 15, candidate school. Before he could begin, 2012] though, U.S. forces dropped atomic bombs on 500 alumni of the program. I am a SOLE SURVIVING MARINES’ LEXINGTON Japan, and World War II ended. proud supporter of the H.A.R.T. pro- PLATOON MEMBER TO BE HONORED After the war, Cecil had a successful career gram, and I applaud the leadership and (By Tom Eblen) as the owner of an Ohio-based trucking com- dedication law enforcement officers pany. He moved back to Lexington after Eight months after the Japanese bombed Janet, his wife of 52 years, died in 1998. In his have demonstrated to the growing His- Pearl Harbor, hundreds of people gathered apartment, he proudly displays photos of panic population of my home State of around the steps of the Fayette County her, their sons and their grandsons. Nevada. I ask my colleagues to please Courthouse to honor James T. Cecil and 69 Cecil’s health is good, his mind sharp. He other local boys. join me in congratulating the Las finds himself thinking a lot these days about Vegas Metropolitan Police Department The recent graduates of Henry Clay, Lafay- ette and other central Kentucky high his wartime experiences, including the occa- and its H.A.RT initiative as they cele- sional nightmare with Japanese soldiers brate the 10th Hispanic Citizens Acad- schools were forming the Lexington Platoon of the United States Marine Corps. Mayor T. ‘‘getting after me.’’ ‘‘I just felt honored and proud that I served emy. I wish H.A.R.T. continued success Ward Havely and other dignitaries spoke at my country,’’ Cecil said. ‘‘Coming off a to- in their future endeavors. the mass-induction ceremony. A young lady bacco patch and going into battle, that was sang the Marine Hymn, and women and chil- f a hell of a change. We were just a bunch of dren wept, the Lexington Herald and Leader brave boys.’’ TRIBUTE TO JAMES CECIL reported in late August 1942. Platoon members left in buses that day for f Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, processing in Louisville and training in San ISHRA today I wish to honor Mr. James Cecil, Diego. From there, they joined some of the who is believed to be the last living bloodiest battles of the Pacific Theater: Oki- Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. member of the 729th Platoon of the 2nd nawa, Saipan, Tinian and Guadalcanal. Madam President, earlier today the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:58 May 22, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G21MY6.020 S21MYPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S3324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 21, 2012 Senate passed by Unanimous Consent Misinterpretation of U.S. law by for- nity, basic democratic rights, and ac- S. 2101, the Iran Sanctions, Account- eign financial institutions should no cess to economic opportunity is more ability, and Human Rights Acts of 2012 longer deny the people of Iran the ben- perilous than ever to long-term U.S. (ISHRA). The bill significantly in- efit of OFAC-approved humanitarian national security interests. creases pressure on Iran’s leaders and I trade. It is for this reason that I make a few thank my colleagues for their support I want to close by again thanking my points about our reliable partner in the of this important measure. As we begin colleagues for their support of ISHRA. Horn of Africa, Ethiopia. Two weeks negotiations with our counterparts in I think this action sends an important ago at the World Economic Forum, the House, I want to expand on my message to the Iranians and the world Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles comments from my earlier statement. that the U.S. will continue to increase Zenawi made hopeful remarks about I do so in order to provide my col- sanctions until Iran verifiably aban- the virtues of democratic society. I leagues some clarification regarding a dons its illicit nuclear program. As we publically commit my continuing sup- few provisions in the bill. begin our work with the House, I will port for efforts to make such impor- First, section 201 of the Iran Sanc- continue to press for the strongest and tant principles a reality in Ethiopia. It tions, Accountability, and Human most effective sanctions legislation is in the U.S. interest to match Ethio- Rights Acts of 2012 will impose sanc- possible. pia’s progress in economic development tions, for the first time, against enti- I yield the floor. and poverty reduction with movement ties involved in joint ventures to de- f toward economic opportunity, social velop petroleum resources outside of justice and judicial independence. It Iran that are established on or after CUBAN INDEPENDENCE DAY has been said that basic human rights January 1, 2002. Those joint ventures Mr. NELSON of Florida. Madam and free and fair elections are nothing which qualify are joint ventures which President, today I wish to commemo- but dreams for all except for the devel- involve the Government of Iran as a rate the 110th anniversary of Cuba’s oped countries of the world. I do not substantial partner or investor, or independence. On May 20, 1902, after a believe that to be true; Ethiopia is through which Iran could receive tech- series of rebellions against foreign ready to realize that dream. To foster nological knowledge or equipment not rule, Cuba finally gained its freedom the benefits of a diverse citizenry, the previously available to it that could from the Spanish empire. I am honored many political prisoners and journal- contribute to its ability to develop do- to join with Cubans around the world ists should be released, the Charities mestic petroleum resources. Further, in commemorating this day. and Societies Act, as designed and as it even if ancillary agreements to imple- At the same time, we must remember is implemented, should be prevented ment an existing pre–2002 joint venture that the island nation still remains from strangling peaceful civil society are agreed to on or after January 1, under the tyranny of an authoritarian advocacy. 2002, sanctions are not authorized to be Beginning in 1903, President Theo- imposed against any third-party to regime. We can never forget that the Castro regime continues to jail its po- dore Roosevelt and Ethiopian Emperor that joint venture or against persons Menelik II launched a long and mutu- who provide goods, services, tech- litical opponents, and it still holds an American hostage. Once again, I rise ally beneficial history of working to- nology or information to such a joint gether on important geopolitical and venture, as a result of their participa- today to urge the Cuban regime in the strongest possible terms to imme- economic strategic partnerships that tion in or dealings with such venture, last to this day. Our friend and partner, by virtue of such ancillary agreements. diately and unconditionally release Mr. Alan Gross. Ethiopia, has been a champion with the In addition, this legislation seeks to United States during many critical continue the long-standing tradition of Today, we reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Cuba. Now more times for almost 110 years. When Italy ensuring that humanitarian trade, in- invaded Ethiopia, we refused to recog- cluding agricultural commodities, than ever, the United States must con- tinue policies that promote respect for nize the conquest. When the United food, medicine and medical products is States asked for help during the Cold specifically exempted by Congress from the fundamental principles of political freedom, democracy, and human rights, War, Haile Selassie was ready to help. sanctions, on the condition that such When the regime of Mengistu Haile- trade be licensed by the Department of in a manner consistent with the aspira- tions of the people of Cuba. Mariam failed, the United States came the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets to Ethiopia’s side with help to prevent Control, or OFAC. It is becoming more f violence in Addis Ababa, by facili- apparent that U.S. financial sanctions CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT BUILDING tating Mengistu’s departure. We gave targeting Iran’s banking sector are IN ETHIOPIA this support for the mutual benefit and causing increased concern among busi- promise of democratization in Ethi- nesses and banks of our allies. The fear Mr. BEGICH. Madam President, to opia. is that engaging in humanitarian trade mark the occasion of President Obama’s Camp David G8 Summit focus- Ethiopia’s macroeconomic successes in the current sanctions environment of rapid growth rates and better than might lead to sanctions for legiti- ing, in part, on the problem of food se- curity in Africa, I want to take this op- average performance in poverty reduc- mately licensed humanitarian trade. tion have been celebrated at this past However, it is not and has not been portunity to address the necessity for week’s G8 Summit, and at the recent the intent of U.S. policy to harm the the United States to help foster stable World Economic Forum. There Prime Iranian people by prohibiting humani- and democratic nations as partners as Minister Meles pondered aloud: tarian trade that is licensed by the we build multilateral coalitions to U.S. Treasury Department. OFAC con- tackle global issues like hunger and What is the substantive political thing poverty. that creates such an environment [of fair sistently issues many licenses, both economic opportunity for all citizens]? The general and specific, for this type of Alaska is a long way from Africa, but one [thing] that creates such an environment trade. The practical financing difficul- the citizens of my State are committed is an engaged citizenry that is able to create ties arising today between banks and to a stable and prosperous Africa. an environment where corruption and loot those engaging in licensed humani- Many Alaskans contribute their time cannot happen at the lower level, at the mid- tarian trade can be best addressed by and resources toward this goal. level, at the higher level, and that goes be- U.S. Government officials, who should A year ago in Deauville, France, yond elections every four and five years. do more to make it clear that no U.S. President Obama joined other leaders On the microeconomic level, aside sanctions will be imposed against of the G8 in reaffirming that ‘‘democ- from the lack of progress on land re- third-country banks that facilitate racy lays the best path to peace, sta- form, this is good news indeed, given OFAC-licensed or exempted humani- bility, prosperity, shared growth and recent complaints about poor state of tarian trade. The Administration must development.’’ As the events in North economic opportunity for all of Ethio- make that clear in public statements, Africa and the Middle East have shown, pia’s citizens. We are hopeful this is a in private meetings with foreign finan- supporting reliable autocrats who are sign that Ethiopia’s federal ministries cial institutions, and elsewhere as ap- helpful on matters of security and eco- are ready to engage and assist the local propriate. nomics at the expense of human dig- citizenry in issues that relate to their

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