June 17, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E889 Thrash was a role model and community the same courtesy for our own troops that we the sale of the 66 F–16 C/D planes. It is im- leader, he served in the Georgia Municipal have granted to foreigners under the ‘‘Denton portant that U.S. obligations to provide for Tai- and Cobb Municipal associations, and his Program’’ since 1985. wan’s defenses—codified in and by the TRA— service to the National League of Cities Coun- We also ensure that the Secretary has the be dictated by our assessments of Taiwan’s cil on Youth, Education, and Families, Thrash authority to determine that there is a legitimate needs and not by the threat, implied or other- was named Citizen of the Year by the North- need for the goods being shipped, that sup- wise, of Taiwan’s big neighbor. Beyond this west Cobb Area Council of the Chamber of plies are suitable for distribution, and that ade- defense relationship, the United States has Commerce and the Kennesaw Business Asso- quate arrangements have been made for dis- strong economic ties with Taiwan. In 2010 ciation. tribution. total U.S. trade with Taiwan was $61.9 billion, His colleagues and friends will always re- This legislative idea was brought to my at- making it the 9th largest U.S. trading partner. member Thrash as someone who loved public tention by veterans in my congressional dis- I encourage my colleagues to vote for this service and was particularly passionate about trict, specifically AVET Project in Brevard bipartisan amendment directing the President creating programs for young people to thrive County. I especially commend Garren and Kim to sell 66 F–16 C/D aircraft to Taiwan. in the community. He is credited as being the Cone and the members of AVET for their f driving force behind an after-school rec- service to our Nation and their support for our HONORING SAL CASTRO reational program for at-risk teens, and for the soldiers. Again, thanks to everyone involved development of Cantrell Park. for helping to advance this common sense Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condo- Amendment. HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD lences to William E. Thrash’s wife Suzie, his f OF CALIFORNIA daughter Mandy, and sons Robbie and Billy IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- during these most difficult of times. It saddens Friday, June 14, 2013 TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014 me to know that the world is missing an hon- Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, Sal orable and dedicated man, but I am humbled SPEECH OF Castro (October 25, 1933–April 15, 2013) was to know that he is now in a better place. HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY a Mexican-American educator and activist. He f was most well-known for his role in the stu- OF VIRGINIA dent walkouts at East Los Angeles high NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES schools in 1968. With Sal’s assistance and TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014 Thursday, June 13, 2013 guidance, the students protested against un- equal conditions in the Los Angeles Unified SPEECH OF The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union had under School District schools. HON. BILL POSEY consideration the bill (H.R. 1960) to authorize Long after he retired from teaching, Sal con- OF FLORIDA appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for mili- tinued his lectures that shared his experiences tary activities of the Department of Defense IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the importance of education, particularly and for military construction, to prescribe in Mexican American communities. After a Thursday, June 13, 2013 military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes: seven month battle with cancer, Sal Castro The House in Committee of the Whole passed away in his sleep on April 15, 2013. House on the state of the Union had under Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, I am A funeral mass was celebrated for Sal at consideration the bill (H.R. 1960) to authorize pleased to offer this bipartisan amendment on the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for mili- behalf of my fellow co-chairs of the Congres- Los Angeles on April 25, 2013. In tribute to tary activities of the Department of Defense sional Taiwan Caucus: Reps. DIAZ-BALART, Mr. Castro’s life efforts, I would like to submit and for military construction, to prescribe CARTER, and SIRES. We also have two other military personnel strengths for such fiscal into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD the eulogy notable cosponsors: Rep. GINGREY, the former year, and for other purposes: honoring him which was delivered by Mario T. co-chair of the Caucus, and Rep. GRANGER. Garcia, Professor of Chicano Studies and His- Mr. POSEY. Mr. Chair, I’m pleased to rise Our amendment would affirm the United tory at the University of California, Santa Bar- today in support of my bipartisan bill, the De- States’ longstanding economic and defensive bara. ployed Troops Support Act, which has been partnership with Taiwan, which dates back to accepted as an Amendment to H.R. 1960, the EULOGY FOR: SAL CASTRO the 1940s. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal This amendment reflects the same language Los Angeles, CA, April 25, 2013 Year 2014. adopted by voice vote in the House during I would like to thank House Armed Services About fifteen years ago, I invited Sal Cas- consideration of the FY13 National Defense tro to speak to my Chicano History class at Committee Chairman MCKEON and Ranking Authorization Act. In the 112th Congress, 181 UC Santa Barbara. My students and I were Member SMITH for their support in helping this Members of the House of Representatives enthralled with the power of his voice, the important Amendment to move forward. I sent a letter to the Administration citing the humanity that he projected, and that won- would also like to thank the cosponsors of ‘‘critical’’ need for the United States ‘‘to sell derful humor. I knew then that I had to H.R. 1756, the Deployed Troops Support Act the government of Taiwan all the F–16 C/D write his story. That story testifies to Sal’s for their support: FREDERICA WILSON of Florida, [aircraft] it requires.’’ The letter urged the Ad- place in history and it is an honored place. DENNIS ROSS of Florida, LOUIS GOHMERT of ministration to ‘‘move quickly’’ on this matter Very few of us have the opportunity to make history that affects others’ lives. Sal Texas, WILLIAM ENYART of Illinois, CHRIS- and cited the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 Castro did that. He did that by first of all TOPHER GIBSON of New York, KERRY (TRA) as the statutory basis for such a sale. dedicating his career to being a teacher. BENTIVOLIO of Mississippi, DONNA The Administration’s announcement to sell There is nothing Sal would not do for his CHRISTENSEN of the U.S. Virgin Islands, LARRY only a retrofit package for Taiwan’s older fight- students. He did this for four decades and BUCSHON of Indiana, and DEREK KILMER of er jets disappointed Taiwan’s supporters. After touched the lives of countless young people. Washington. all, U.S. policy with regard to the defensive ca- Sal made history by the inspirational and Mr. Chairman, when our soldiers are de- pabilities of Taiwan is clearly outlined in the courageous leadership that he provided his ployed to defend our Nation, many patriotic kids as he called them in the 1968 Blowouts TRA, which states it is the policy of the U.S. or walkouts in the East Los Angeles schools Americans show their support for our brave ‘‘to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive the largest high school student strike in men and women in uniform by putting together character.’’ American history. I do not believe that the care packages. This Amendment simply al- Moreover, three joint communique´s between Blowouts would have occurred without Sal’s lows the Department of Defense to transport, the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China leadership. He put his career and perhaps on a space available basis, goods supplied by (PRC), and the ‘‘Six Assurances’’ to Taipei of- even his life on the line for the students in nonprofit organizations to members of the fered by President Reagan, add additional this movement. He didn’t do it because he Armed Services who are deployed overseas. context to the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. The personally wanted publicity or rewards. He This Amendment gives veterans’ nonprofits defensive weapons provision in the TRA has did it because of the injustices of an edu- cational system that for decades had denied and other private charitable organizations that been an irritant in the relationship with Beijing, Mexican American students a quality edu- support our troops the same consideration that but this provision is necessary for Taiwan’s cation and an opportunity to go to college. organizations are already given for trans- defense. Sal Castro took on the entire educational es- porting humanitarian goods to foreign nation- It should be no surprise that advocates for tablishment because they did not care about als overseas. In this Amendment, we extend Taipei’s defensive needs continue to push for his kids.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:59 Jun 18, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14JN8.009 E17JNPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E890 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 17, 2013 He knew that real change does not come teacher’’ and he added in concluding his Mr. Speaker, service women and men who from on top from the elite but from the bot- story and he is saying this to us today: survive sexual violence should not have to tom, from the people. In 1968 it was senior ‘‘Que Dios les Bendiga y que La Virgen choose between their careers and justice. and junior high school students who through Morena les proteja’’ They should not be afraid to report crimes per- Sal came to recognize that they were not the f problem nor were their parents the problem petrated against them, and they should not for their lack of educational achievement. SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE face intimidation when seeking treatment and Sal helped open their eyes that it was the MILITARY other services. I strongly believe we need to schools, too many teachers, too many prin- take action now to fundamentally change the cipals, and too many members of the board way sexual assault is handled in the military of education who were the problem. Sal HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY OF ILLINOIS by passing legislation to prevent and punish taught them that there was no ‘‘Mexican sexual assault and rape. problem’’ but instead a racist problem as it IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f affected the schools and the Mexican Amer- Friday, June 14, 2013 ican community. Because of Sal, the stu- IN CELEBRATION OF JUNETEENTH dents—the Blowout generation as Sal called Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise them—empowered themselves. They were today in strong support of efforts to fight sex- IN MACON, GEORGIA not going to accept anything now but a good ual assault in the military. Sexual assault and education so that they could advance as far rape are violent and horrific crimes, and they HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. as their personal talents would take them. must be treated as serious offense, not—as OF GEORGIA Sal knew he had achieved this change in con- Senator SAXBY CHAMBLISS of Georgia has sug- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sciousness as he saw hundreds of students gested—as a byproduct of ‘‘hormones.’’ walk out of Lincoln High School and Roo- Friday, June 14, 2013 According to Pentagon estimates, last year, sevelt High School and Garfield High School Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise and Wilson High School, and Belmont High over 70 service women and men were sexu- School and other high schools in other parts ally assaulted every single day. The Depart- today to salute a longstanding tradition in of Los Angeles. He knew that it would never ment of Defense estimates that 26,000 sexual Macon, Georgia, the 21st Annual Juneteenth be the same and he was right. With tears in assaults occurred last year, an increase from Freedom Festival. Georgia Juneteenth Week his eyes and pride in his very being many the estimated 19,300 assaults in 2010. Yet spans from June 8, 2013 to June 15, 2013, years later he said of that day in 1968: only a fraction of those crimes are referred to culminating in the Juneteenth Freedom Fes- ‘‘As the bell rang, out they went, out into courts martial. tival on Saturday, June 15, 2013 from noon to the streets. With their heads held high, with sundown at Historic Tattnall Square Park in dignity. It was beautiful to be a Chicano that We face an epidemic of sexual assault in day.’’ the military. Because of a culture of intimida- Macon, Georgia. In that first week of March, 1968 with thou- tion and retaliation against victims, coupled On June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, two sands of high school students on strike, the with the low rate of prosecution and punish- years after President Abraham Lincoln issued students, the college students who helped, ment, the vast majority of these crimes go un- the Emancipation Proclamation, Union Troops the brown berets who provided defense, and reported. In some instances, the victim seeks seized control of the area and declared all Sal made history. They brought the edu- help but opts not to file a formal complaint. slaves free. Since then, Juneteenth has been cational establishment to its knees. They nationally and internationally observed as showed what Chicano power meant. The men and women of the armed services Various reforms followed but they were risk their lives to defend our country. Our mili- Emancipation Day and the end of slavery in never enough and still not enough even tary is built on the values of trust, discipline, the United States for those who did not re- today. But Sal and the students showed that and respect. ceive the news that the Emancipation Procla- week that major social change can only hap- Despite growing discussion and awareness mation was signed by President Lincoln on pen when the people themselves realize that of the fact that sexual assault has become en- January 1, 1863 until June, 1865. only they can make the changes that will trenched in our military culture, we’ve seen Whether it is a day, week, or month-long improve their lives. This was the lesson of limited progress toward a solution. That’s why celebration, Juneteenth brings people of all the Blowouts and the lessons of the Chicano walks of life together for remembrance of a movement. It was the lesson that Sal as a I am proud to support provisions in the Na- teacher taught that generation and con- tional Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that dark period in our Nation’s history, to rejoice tinues to teach us today and in the future. make progress toward combating military sex- at how far we have come as a society, and to Sal Castro was first and foremost a teacher ual assault. As currently written, the NDAA reflect upon how far we have yet to go. but as a teacher he made history not only strips commanders of their ability to dismiss For the past 21 years, Torchlight Academy, through the Blowouts but by year after year court martial convictions for serious offenders, Inc. and Kwanzaa Cultural Access Center producing students who would dedicate their and it prohibits commanders from reducing have partnered to organize the Juneteenth lives in whatever profession they pursued to celebrations in Macon, Georgia. The go out and fulfill the legacy of his blowout guilty findings for serious offenses. The NDAA kids—to change the world. Sal never rested requires that servicemembers found guilty of Juneteenth Freedom Festival has been one of on his laurels. There were still too many rape or sexual assault be punitively dis- the most innovative, vibrant and enjoyable dis- kids that he needed to reach and which he charged from the military. plays of Afro-centric art, talent and culture in did not only in his classes but through his Among other provisions, the Defense Au- Middle Georgia. With agricultural education unselfish work in inspiring new generations thorization bill we’re considering today also exhibits; live jazz, soul and hip hop music; of future Chicano/Latino leaders by his Chi- lays out the rights of victims. It allows them to modern and African dance; delicious food; live cano Youth Leadership Conference. apply for a permanent change of station or history exhibits; children’s games; and story- Sal Castro is a giant in Chicano history and also needs to be recognized as a giant in unit transfer, ensuring they are not forced to telling, this partnership has fostered the spirit American history. He showed us that real continue to serve next to their assaulter. of community that is so deeply anchored in education is different from schooling. However, I believe we need to go further. I our ancestral roots. Schooling produces students who accept the am a cosponsor of Congresswoman JACKIE Macon’s oldest continuous African-American status quo and never ask ‘‘why?’’ Education SPEIER’s legislation H.R. 1593, the Sexual As- community-based festival, the Juneteenth produces students who not only ask ‘‘why’’ sault Training Oversight and Prevention celebrations and annual Freedom Festival but act on their question. (STOP) Act. The STOP Act would take the re- unite Middle Georgians to honor the struggle, I personally will miss a colleague, a fellow porting, oversight, investigation and victim sacrifice and success of our ancestors. teacher, and a dear friend. I will miss him coming to my classes as he did for many care of sexual assaults out of the hands of the This year’s local Juneteenth festivities in- years never asking for compensation but al- military’s normal chain of command and place cluded a ‘‘Salute to Freedom’’ 5k Run/Walk for ways with the same passion wanting to share jurisdiction in the newly-created, autonomous Health and Peace, the Pleasant Hill Neighbor- his story with students. I often joked that if Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Of- hood Reunion, Heritage Discovery Walk, Sal couldn’t show up I could give Sal’s talk fice comprised of civilian and military experts. Macon Black Heritage Tours, and the Real because I had heard it so often. And now I In addition to the STOP Act, Congress- Talk Hip Hop Summit of Youth Awareness and will give that talk by myself but I also re- woman SPEIER has introduced an amend- Responsibility. dedicate myself today to his mission in life ment—which I am proud to cosponsor—to the Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join and will teach others about Sal Castro and his place in history. Defense Authorization bill taking the decision- me in saluting Mr. George A. Fadil Muham- The last question I asked Sal is how do you making of whether to prosecute out of the mad, Torchlight Academy, Inc., Kwanzaa Cul- wish to be remembered. He simply said: ‘‘I chain of command and give discretion to tural Access Center, the residents of Macon, want my tombstone to read—Sal Castro a trained prosecutors. Georgia and the surrounding communities as

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:59 Jun 18, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A14JN8.040 E17JNPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS