15678 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 156, Pt. 11 September 14, 2010 HONORING VONETTA MCGEE Today, California’s 9th Congressional Dis- Major Baldwin continues the tradition of ex- trict salutes and honors a wonderful human cellence and service exhibited by the Green HON. BARBARA LEE being, Ms. Lawrence Vonetta McGee. The Berets and other special service members. OF CALIFORNIA contributions she made to others throughout Major Baldwin is not only a great soldier, but IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES her life are countless and precious. My also a great son, husband, brother, friend, and thoughts are with Mr. , his family, community member. His heroic efforts to help Tuesday, September 14, 2010 and Vonetta’s extended group of loved ones fight the war on terror have helped to keep his Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I as we celebrate her incredible life. May her country and community safe. rise today to honor the extraordinary life of soul rest in peace. During his tour in Iraq on March 9 and 18, Vonetta McGee, a trailblazing actress and f 2005, Major Baldwin was wounded by two im- local Bay Area community member. Known for provised explosive devices, and suffered a her fearlessness, elegance and mastery of her HONORING DAVID WILLIAMS traumatic brain injury. Currently, Major Baldwin craft, she was a loving wife, mother, daughter, is on medical convalescent leave receiving sister and friend. Vonetta McGee will be re- HON. PETER J. ROSKAM physical and neurological therapeutic treat- membered for her warm and vivacious pres- OF ILLINOIS ment. The service he performed for his coun- ence in daily life, as well as her myriad film IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES try, at great personal cost, has been recog- roles, acting beside screen legends such as Tuesday, September 14, 2010 nized with a Purple Heart, three Bronze Stars, Jean-Louis Trintignant, , Clint a Meritorious Service Medal, as well as being Eastwood and Sidney Poitier. With Ms. Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today commended by the Ohio Secretary of State. McGee’s passing on July 9, 2010, we are re- to congratulate David Williams on his retire- Major Baldwin and other wounded soldiers minded of her life’s journey and the joyful leg- ment as the Itasca Village Administrator. Over are our country’s greatest heroes. On Sep- acy she inspired. the past 10 years, Mr. Williams has gener- tember 11, 2010, the Green Beret Foundation Named for her father, Lawrence Vonetta ously served the Village of Itasca. honored Major Darren R. Baldwin at Purple McGee was born on January 14, 1945 in San Prior to becoming Village Administrator, Mr. Heart Commemorative Event for his coura- Francisco, California. She graduated from San Williams worked for the Illinois State Police for geous service in Iraq. In addition to recog- Francisco Polytechnic High School, and briefly thirty years. Under his skilled direction and nizing Major Baldwin, this event in Wor- studied law at State University leadership, Itasca has undergone a great thington, Ohio honored all of our dedicated before moving to 1960s Rome, Italy to pursue transformation. The Village of Itasca has wit- American soldiers and wounded warriors by her passion for acting at Cinecitta` film studios. nessed the design and completion of a new raising money for the Green Beret foundation. With the emerging popularity of Spaghetti village hall, police department, and construc- I commend Major Baldwin on his courage, Westerns, Ms. McGee was cast in ‘‘The Great tion has recently begun on the Itasca bravery, and unwavering commitment to his Silence,’’ which opened in Italy in 1967, and Riverwalk. Mr. Williams also serves on the country and I am proud to recognize him for ‘‘Faustina,’’ a comedy directed by Luigi Magni board of directors and several committees for his service and patriotism. in 1968. She returned to the United States to the DuPage Mayors and Mangers Conference. f appear with Sidney Poitier in ‘‘The Lost Man’’ His coordination and guidance for the commu- (1969). And, in the early 1970s, she appeared nity was one of the reasons Itasca was named HONORING RICHARD CORDELL in a string of pictures which one of the ‘‘150 Great Places in Illinois’’ by the made her famous, including ‘‘Blacula,’’ American Institute of Architects. HON. DALE E. KILDEE ‘‘Melinda,’’ ‘‘Hammer,’’ and ‘‘The Big Bust-Out’’ Madam Speaker and distinguished col- OF MICHIGAN in 1972, and ‘‘Shaft in Africa’’ in 1973. leagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Wil- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES These popular genre pictures starring Afri- liams for his remarkable career and wishing Tuesday, September 14, 2010 can-American actors are a contested, yet im- him the best of luck in all of his future endeav- portant, part of cinematic history. Ms. McGee, ors. Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, on August believing that the ‘‘blaxploitation’’ label was a f 27, 2010 the Rotary Club of Flint, Michigan misnomer, imbued all of her characters with paid tribute to Richard Cordell for 47 years of strength, grace and pride. She was a true pro- RECOGNITION OF MAJOR DARREN service to the club. He has been a member of fessional who well knew the value and variety R. BALDWIN FOR HIS BRAVERY the Rotary Club of Flint from 1963 to 2010. of entertainment. Her cast members, crew and AND SERVICE IN IRAQ Richard Cordell has served the Rotary Club directors often noted her kind approachability of Flint as its president from 1974–1976, club and her commitment to excellence. HON. MARY JO KILROY secretary/treasurer from 1980 to 2008, and In 1974, she starred in ‘‘Thomasine & OF OHIO club secretary/treasurer emeritus from 2008 to Bushrod’’ and landed a role in Clint IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August, 2010. He was District Governor of Ro- Eastwood’s ‘‘The Eiger Sanction’’ the following tary International District 6330 from 1984– Tuesday, September 14, 2010 year. In 1977, she starred opposite Bernie 1985. He served as a club ambassador at- Casey and Ron O’Neal in the film, ‘‘Brothers.’’ Ms. KILROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today tending numerous Rotary events and inter- Her later movies included ‘‘Repo Man’’ in 1984 to honor Darren Baldwin for his bravery, patri- national conventions. and ‘‘To Sleep with Anger’’ in 1990, followed otism, and courage while serving in Task In addition to his service to the Rotary Club by an increasing amount of episodic television Force Falcon and Operation Iraqi Freedom. of Flint, Richard is the past-president of the work. Major Baldwin is a true testament to the re- Greater Flint YMCA, a leader of First Pres- In the mid 1980s, Vonetta McGee met and markable and courageous service that our sol- byterian Church of Flint, and as ambassador married the love of her life, actor Carl Lumbly, diers provide our nation. to Flint’s sister city Togliatti Russia. A veteran when she was cast as his detective char- Major Darren R. Baldwin grew up in Wor- of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Richard served acter’s wife in a Cagney & Lacey episode. thington, Ohio. After graduating from high our country during World War II as a Lieuten- They had a son, Brandon, and enjoyed many school, Major Baldwin attended West Point ant Colonel as a B–26 pilot flying 62 missions years together as soul mates. Vonetta is sur- and dedicated his life to the service of his including two on D-Day. vived by her devoted husband, son, mother, country. His first assignment was as a Field Richard will turn 93 years old on September three brothers and her sister. Artillery Officer to Giessen, Germany during 30th and will soon be leaving Flint to join his I was always inspired by Vonetta’s positive which he was sent into combat in Kosovo as son Richard, daughter-in-law Anita and two attitude, her clear thinking, her politics and her part of Task Force Falcon. Returning from his granddaughters Chelsea and Katie in Cali- love for humankind. I still remember her gen- deployment, Major Baldwin continued his mili- fornia. uine friendship and her gracious hospitality tary training in the Special Forces Officer Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Rep- when she welcomed me and my family into Qualification School in Fort Bragg, North Caro- resentatives to join me in applauding the con- her beautiful Berkeley home. She was a friend lina. His next tour of duty took him to Iraq in tributions of Richard Cordell to the Rotary and an amazing talent who will be deeply support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the Club of Flint, and the greater Flint community. missed. next two years, he served three tours of duty. He has spent his life serving with enthusiasm,

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