E134 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 7, 2008 PERSONAL EXPLANATION HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE HONORING LESTER RAY OF INDIANA REPRESENTATIVE WISEGERBER HON. K. MICHAEL CONAWAY RICHARD MANGUS OF OF TEXAS LAKEVILLE, INDIANA HON. TED POE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF TEXAS Thursday, February 7, 2008 HON. JOE DONNELLY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Thursday, February 7, 2008 OF INDIANA No. 30, H. Res. 942—Recognizing the signifi- Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I would like to cance of Black History Month, I was attending IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES recognize the fine work and outstanding public a funeral for a soldier killed in Iraq. service of my friend, Lester Ray Wisegerber. Thursday, February 7, 2008 Had I been present, I would have voted In 2004, Lester Ray Wisegerber became ‘‘yea.’’ Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, today I president of the Dayton Chamber of Com- f rise to honor the life of distinguished former merce. He drew upon his diverse background RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE State Representative Richard Mangus. to lead and represent the city of Dayton. Being a true Texan and Dayton resident for 72 OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH Mangus, age 77, suffered a heart attack Mon- years, his happy spirit and love of the town SPEECH OF day, February 4, 2008 and sadly passed made Lester Ray a natural promoter of the HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON away. city. Celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary OF TEXAS Mr. Mangus’ career in public service began last December, Lester Ray and his wife Betty IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in 1972 upon his election to the Indiana Gen- eral Assembly. After his initial term was com- Jo are the proud parents of four children, Wednesday, February 6, 2008 plete, Mr. Mangus won 15 additional elections, twelve grandchildren and eight great grand- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. serving a total of 32 years. A dairy farmer for children. During his lifetime Lester Ray has Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 60 years, Mangus excelled in representing the worn many hats, working for instance as a Congressman AL GREEN’s resolution to honor rancher, and a rice farmer. He helped form the agricultural community—he knew the farmers Black History Month. Seaberg Rice Company and is also an inven- As the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson, the and the types of issues they faced, and he tor. His inventions include the ‘‘Easy Start’’, celebration of the many contributions of Afri- shared a great concern for the environment. Dr. Hennessey’s Dental Flosser, and a fuel can Americans to this Nation has evolved from During his time in office, Mangus served as saving motor. its 1926 inception as Negro History Week, to Chairman of the House Election Committee, Lester Ray has a long career in public serv- what we now know as Black History Month. the House Environmental Committee, and the ice. Throughout the years, he has assisted As apparent by the change in titles, the men- House Natural Resources Committee. Inside and been recognized by numerous boards and tality of our nation towards race and race rela- the Assembly, Mangus was known for his fiery organizations. For two terms, he served on the tions has made significant improvements with spirit, his use of theatrics and drama to prove Dayton City Council. He served on the board each generation. a point, and his no-nonsense wisdom. It has of the Liberty County Farm Bureau. He served Although African Americans were an integral been said that Mangus did not speak often, on the Dayton ISD school board for fifteen part of the founding of this nation dating hack but when he did, it deserved complete atten- years. His service to Dayton ISD has helped to at least to the colonial times, it was not until tion, for he was a true political genius. improve both the life and education for the the 20th century that they gained a respect- children of our community. As a former bronco able presence in the history books. Prior to Dick Mangus’ illustrious career of service football player, Lester Ray’s love for sports Woodson’s vehement efforts to write African has been recognized by numerous honors and gave way to the organization of the Bronco Americans into the history of the Nation, awards; in fact, he was a three-time winner of Booster Club Oyster Supper. For twenty four books largely ignored the African American the Sagamore of the Wabash honor. He has years, Lester Ray served in the Dayton Volun- population except to mention them in the con- been honored as both Police Legislator of the teer Fire Department. The list of this model text of slavery. That is why it is so important Year and Professional Firefighter Legislator of citizen’s accomplishments will have lasting ef- that the full history of African Americans con- the Year; he received the District Soil and fects on our children and our community. tinue to he preserved and taught so that future Water Conservation Special Recognition Actively involved in local politics, Lester Ray generations of all Americans will know our Award for Support of District Programming, as currently serves as the chairman of the Liberty abundant heritage. well as the 4–H Leadership 20 year Service County Republican Party. During this time, he An ancient proverb states, ‘‘Who has no has successfully promoted candidates for nu- Award, Izaak Walton League Environmental past. has no future.’’ African Americans have merous elected positions. His hard work and Achievement Award, and the award for the made significant contributions to this nation’s love for Liberty County has earned him endur- history, and we continue to build that rich leg- Junior Chamber of Commerce Outstanding ing respect throughout the community. acy today. Because of the continued efforts of Citizen of the Year. Mangus was also ap- On behalf of the Second Congressional Dis- those who educate our schoolchildren, future pointed as a member of the Department of trict of Texas, I commend this remarkable generations will know about how a race of op- Natural Resources Commission. Texan for his exemplary service and dedica- pressed people overcame the social and polit- Outside of his career in the state legislature, tion to the city of Dayton. ical obstacles of slavery and Jim Crow to be- Dick Mangus served his country in the United And that’s just the way it is. come great innovators, scientists, novelists. States Army as well as owned and operated f musicians, philosophers, and political leaders. The inclusion of African Americans in aca- a successful family dairy farm. In 1951, he HONORING THOMAS O. MEFFERD demic curriculums ensures that children can married his sweetheart, Mary, and they were continue to be inspired by Thurgood Marshall, together for 56 years. During this time, they HON. PETER J. ROSKAM raised five children: Marcia, Russell, Richard, Malcolm X, Mac Jamison, Benjamin Carson, OF ILLINOIS Ronald, and Ryan. Mangus was a grandfather Richard Wright, and Shirley Chisholm. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Black History Month has not only set a of seven and great-grandfather of ten. Thursday, February 7, 2008 precedent by honoring the achievements of Despite his claim to be ‘‘just a dairy farmer African Americans, but it has paved the way from Lakeville,’’ Mangus will be remembered Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today for other nationwide celebrations of the con- to honor Thomas Mefferd for his 22 years of as much more. His legacy as a public servant tributions of other races and cultures. There- dedication and service to DuPage County. will be defined by his passionate advocacy, fore, by supporting Congressman AL GREEN’s Tom began his career in emergency man- Resolution to honor Black History Month. I creative methods, and humble approach. He agement in 1971 as the Civil Defense Director also support the American idea of diversity will be dearly missed by his family, his con- for the Village of Plainfield, IL, a position he and multiculturalism. stituents, and all Hoosiers. It is with great held for 10 years. I commend Congressman GREEN for bring- pride and honor that I enter former State Rep- In 1981, Tom left municipal government and ing this important resolution to the floor, and I resentative Richard Mangus’ name into the became an instructor for the Federal Emer- strongly urge my colleagues’ support. United States CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. gency Management Agency, FEMA. While

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:52 Feb 08, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A07FE8.010 E07FEPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS February 7, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E135 there, he was responsible for conducting train- the court room for his unwavering commitment CONGRATULATING NEW YORK: ing courses and disaster exercises in FEMA to his work. LAND OF GIANTS Region 5. Mr. Jackson was a member of the Denton In 1988, Tom returned to local government County Bar Association, the Denton County HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and a service and became the Deputy Coordinator of OF NEW YORK founding member of the Texas Criminal De- the DuPage County Office of Emergency Man- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES agement, where he oversaw disaster planning fense Lawyers Association. He served on the and training activities. Denton Airport Board for two years, and was Thursday, February 7, 2008 In recognition of his exemplary role as Dep- an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of Amer- Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today uty Coordinator, Tom was appointed Coordi- ica. Mr. Jackson was inducted into the Denton to place in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD and nator of the DuPage County Office of Emer- County Criminal Defense Attorneys Associa- allow two editorials, the Feb. 5 New York Post gency Management in 1995. While holding tion’s Hall of Fame in March 2006. He is sur- piece ‘‘They Shocked the World’’ and the Daily this position, he supervised the renovation of vived by his wife Barbara, whom he was mar- News’ ‘‘Land of the Giants,’’ to speak to the the county’s Emergency Operations Center, ried to for 65 years, and several cousins. inarguable superiority of New York’s football designed the county’s Mobile Operating Cen- Madam Speaker, today I would like to rec- team, the Giants. In what has become one of ter and the installation of Illinois’ first Emer- ognize and celebrate the life of Mr. Hal Jack- the greatest upsets ever, the underdog Giants gency Alert System. son, one he spent serving our country, both in ended the New England Patriots’ hopes for a He also serves as a member on the Illinois the war and in the courtroom. His loyalty and perfect season and brought the title home to Terrorism Task Force. allegiance to this nation will be sorely missed, the Big Apple and New Jersey. In 2003, Tom became the Director of the but his memory will remain as an inspiration to The tenacity of this championship team car- DuPage County Office of Homeland Security those who were fortunate enough to have ried it over the finish line—from the steady and Emergency Management, as DuPage be- known him. I extend my sincerest sympathies leadership of its most valuable player, Eli came the first county in Illinois to merge the to his family and friends; he will truly be Manning, and head coach, Tom Coughlin, to roles of emergency management and home- missed by all. the late-breaking plays from wide receivers land security. f David Tyree and Plaxico Burress. The 17–14 Tom’s steadfast dedication to protecting our RECOGNIZING THE 35TH ANNIVER- nail biter was a match of wills and mettle, and communities has spanned more than two dec- SARY OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY the people of New York are proud that their ades. On February 29, 2008 he will begin a ACTION team came out on top. well deserved respite. Thanks to Thomas Congratulations are in order for the New Mefferd, DuPage County’s emergency man- HON. KENNY MARCHANT York Giants, and its supporters, in its win of agement system is clearly a cut above the OF TEXAS Super Bowl XLII. rest. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THEY SHOCKED THE WORLD Madam Speaker and distinguished col- Thursday, February 7, 2008 Everyone knew that Super Bowl XLII was leagues, please join me in honoring the distin- going to make history. guished career and service of Thomas Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise Either the world would witness the corona- Mefferd. today to honor Christian Community Action on tion of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the f the occasion of its 35th Anniversary for pro- New England Patriots as masters of a once- viding financial and spiritual needs for the un- in-a-generation perfect season...or it IN MEMORY OF ROBERT HAL derprivileged in southern Denton County. would see one of the greatest football upsets JACKSON Christian Community Action (CCA) was ever. founded on February 22, 1973 by a small But no one could possibly have foreseen that the Eli Manning-led New York Giants HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS group of Christians whose resolve was to care would pull off that upset with one of the OF TEXAS for ‘‘the least of the brethren.’’ Local main- most iconic performances in Super Bowl his- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stream Christian pastors and their congrega- tory: two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, tions were asked to donate food, clothing, fur- including one to take a final lead with mere Thursday, February 7, 2008 niture, house wares and money. Tom Duffy, seconds remaining. Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise founder and the original President of CCA, The team is being honored this morning today to honor Robert Hal Jackson, a life-long started organizing their efforts from a residen- with a much-deserved parade through New York’s Canyon of Heroes, from Battery Park North Texan who passed away at 87 years of tial garage but CCA soon outgrew that space age on Saturday, January 19, 2008. to City Hall. and moved to their current headquarters in Theirs was a performance, indeed, that Robert Hal Jackson devoted his life to help- downtown Lewisville, Texas. Under Mr. Duffy’s could shape the game for years to come—if ing and protecting others. Born on November tenure, CCA went from a volunteer—run store- New York’s already proud football history is 29, 1920, in Denton, Texas, he graduated front to three full—scale Resale stores that any indication. from North Texas State Teacher’s College, earn approximately $5 million each year to as- Take the 1958 NFL championship at now known as the University of North Texas, sist needy families. The number of those re- Yankee Stadium—‘‘the greatest game ever in 1941. Mr. Jackson enrolled in law school at ceiving help also saw an increase from a played’’—where legendary quarterback John- ny Unitas’ own late-game heroics led the the University of Texas but left to join the handful of families in 1973 to more than Navy Air Corps on January 1, 1942. On No- Baltimore Colts to a thrilling overtime vic- 15,000 individuals this past year. tory over the Giants. vember 14th of that year, he married his wife Christian Community Action continues to ex- It was a devastating loss for New Yorkers, Barbara Hancock before serving three tours of pand its services to those who need it most in but a huge blessing to the sport. Football duty in the South Pacific during World War II. more than 46 communities. They compas- caught the nation’s imagination as never be- He was a member of the VF–17 Skull & sionately assist families financially with their fore, and the country soon discovered that Crossbones Squadron and received a Silver needs of today while helping them learn to its even pace, regular breaks and hard-hit- Star for his part in the aerial attack that sunk one day live independently for a brighter to- ting action made the game perfectly suited the Yamato, Japan’s largest battleship. morrow. In addition, CCA encourages spiritual for the television era. Upon returning from the war, Jackson fin- Within two years, the NFL boasted two growth providing religious opportunities to fur- new teams, and the newly formed American ished his degree at Baylor University and ther their chances of success. CCA is com- Football League (the leagues decided to Southern Methodist University. He served two mitted to being responsible and faithful stew- merge in 1966) added eight more. terms in the Texas State Legislature rep- ards of the donations they receive ensuring New York got its revenge in 1969, anyway, resenting Denton, and earned his law license that their work directly benefits families in cri- when ‘‘Broadway Joe’’ Namath famously in 1952. Continuing his commitment as a pub- sis situations. guaranteed—and delivered—victory for his lic servant, Mr. Jackson chose to be a defense I am honored to pay tribute to Christian (AFL) Jets over the heavily favored Colts in attorney in the criminal courts, believing that Community Action and the valuable contribu- Super Bowl III. That victory was just as significant, shat- the American justice system relied on strong, tions they provide to those in need. I com- tering the image of AFL (now AFC) teams as dedicated lawyers to compel the government mend CCA for their dedication, commitment talent-challenged upstarts and bringing an to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. and service to disadvantaged families in exciting and competitive parity to the sport Mr. Jackson was most assuredly one of those Lewisville, Texas, and the surrounding com- that’s propelled it toward unambiguous na- lawyers, receiving respect from both sides of munities, during the last 35 years. tional-pastime status.

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