E1018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 30, 2019 other accommodating services. Expanding HONORING DIANE VANDERKOOY Small business owners like John Nemjo upon these, CILDRC assists those with dis- FOR BEING SELECTED TO BE benefit our communities in so many ways. abilities in asserting their freedoms to become PART OF THE LAW ENFORCE- They employ local residents and contribute to independent. MENT TORCH RUN AT THE SPE- the dynamism and vibrancy of our economy. The CILDRC assists, both, our communities CIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES On behalf of New York’s 21st Congressional and individuals with disabilities by offering District, I want to congratulate him for this work experience programs to receive the HON. DARIN LaHOOD well-deserved recognition and thank him for knowledge required to go into the workforce OF ILLINOIS his contribution to our community. and to contribute to businesses and organiza- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f tions across Northwest Florida. Tuesday, July 30, 2019 INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO RE- This year is the 29th anniversary of the Mr. LAHOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise to MOVE THE STATUE OF CONFED- Americans with Disabilities Act. The CILDRC honor Diane VanderKooy, of Chatham, Illinois, ERATE GENERAL ALBERT PIKE luncheon is celebrating the importance of the for participating in the Law Enforcement Torch ADA and reaffirms that the ADA is vital in pro- Run at the Special Olympics World Games in HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON tecting those in our communities with disabil- Abu Dhabi. OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ities. Diane began her involvement with the Spe- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United cial Olympics in 1990. Since then, Diane has States Congress, I am privileged to congratu- put her heart and soul into the games. Tuesday, July 30, 2019 late the Center for Independent Living Dis- VanderKooy plays a major role in coordinating Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to in- ability Resource Center (CILDRC) on their ef- the Gillespie to Bloomington leg of the Law troduce a bill to require the removal of a stat- forts to make an impact with and on behalf of Enforcement Torch Run in Illinois. This was ue of Confederate General Albert Pike from people with disabilities in our communities. Diane’s first time at the World Games, as she federal land near Judiciary Square in the Dis- joined a team of 112 members who took part trict of Columbia. This statue was authorized, f in the torch run throughout the United Arab not by the District, but by Congress in 1898, Emirates. when the District had no home rule. The stat- TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND LEG- Diane has dedicated her life to ensuring that ue was constructed using both federal and pri- ACY OF ELIJAH ‘‘PUMPSIE’’ people have a fun and safe environment to vate funds. The Freemasons, of which Pike GREEN participate in whichever sport they desire. Not was a member, donated the majority of the only is VanderKooy deeply involved with the money needed to build and install the statue Special Olympics, but she is also the Athletic in 1901. I oppose tearing down Confederate HON. MARK DeSAULNIER Director for the Chatham Chargers. Diane was statues, because I believe they should be recently recognized by the Village of Chatham OF CALIFORNIA moved to more appropriate settings, like mu- for her service to the village and community seums, to avoid erasing an important part of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with an honorary designation of a local road- history from which Americans must continue to Tuesday, July 30, 2019 way as ‘‘Diane VanderKooy Volunteer Drive.’’ learn. Diane’s work proves that athletics can have a Pike was a Confederate general who served Mr. DESAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise positive and meaningful impact on people from dishonorably and was forced to resign in dis- today to recognize the life and legacy of a all walks of life. grace. It was found that soldiers under his groundbreaking professional baseball player, Again, I would like to commend Diane command mutilated the bodies of Union sol- Richmond native, and longtime El Cerrito resi- VanderKooy for her continued service in the diers, and Pike was ultimately imprisoned after dent, Elijah ‘‘Pumpsie’’ Green. community, and for participating in the Law his fellow officers reported that he misappro- Born in 1933 in Oklahoma, Pumpsie’s par- Enforcement Torch Run at the Special Olym- priated funds. Adding to the dishonor of taking ents moved to Richmond, California, where pics World Games. up arms against the United States, Pike dis- they raised their five children. Pumpsie at- f honored even his Confederate military service. tended El Cerrito High School where he was HONORING MOUNTAINMAN OUT- He certainly has no claim to be memorialized an accomplished three-sport athlete who DOOR SUPPLY COMPANY OWNER in the nation’s capital. Even those who do not would later earn distinction as an inductee into JOHN NEMJO FOR WINNING THE want Confederate statues removed will have the school’s inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AS- to justify awarding Pike any honor, considering class. He ultimately chose to pursue baseball, SOCIATION’S SMALL BUSINESS his history. starring at Contra Costa College before joining EXCELLENCE AWARD After meeting with the Freemasons, I be- the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast lieve that the best course of action is to re- League. HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK move the statue and find a more appropriate place for it. The Freemasons themselves sup- In 1959, 12 years after Jackie Robinson OF NEW YORK port the statue’s removal, given its divisive na- broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ture. The D.C. Mayor and the Council also Pumpsie became one of the game’s true trail- Tuesday, July 30, 2019 blazers when he became the first African support the removal of the statue. American player ever to play for the Boston Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise My bill clarifies that no federal funds may be Red Sox. Despite facing continued discrimina- today to recognize the achievements of one of used to remove the Pike statue. I urge my col- tion and segregation, he went on to play five the North Country’s most successful small leagues to support this important legislation. seasons for the Red Sox before being traded business owners, John Nemjo. f to the New York Mets and retiring in 1963. John demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit when he opened Mountainman Outdoor Sup- HONORING ALFREDO PEDROZA After retiring as a professional baseball ply Company in 1993. Back then, he ran the player, Pumpsie moved with his family to El company out of an abandoned, 700 square HON. MIKE THOMPSON Cerrito, where he devoted the rest of his life foot pizza shop in the heart of the Adirondack OF CALIFORNIA to education. He served as a student super- State Park with just a couple seasonal em- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES visor and baseball coach at Berkeley High ployees and a budget of a few thousand dol- Tuesday, July 30, 2019 School, and during his 20-year tenure became lars. a mentor to countless students. In the decades since, John has grown his Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Pumpsie will forever be remembered for his company into a fixture of the Adirondack busi- Speaker, I rise today to recognize Napa Coun- role in helping to end segregation in profes- ness community. He now operates a thriving ty Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza as Napa Coun- sional sports and paving the way for other ath- business out of six locations with over 15,000 ty Farm Bureau’s 2019 Friend of Agriculture. letes of color. Please join me in honoring Eli- square feet in combined retail space. Instead Mr. Pedroza, a native of Napa County, is jah ‘‘Pumpsie’’ Green for his lasting impact on of a handful of seasonal employees, John now the son of a farmworker and currently serves professional baseball and his dedication to has 53 year-round employees. Adirondack as the Supervisor for District Four of Napa youth. He is truly an inspiration for his Bay Bank acknowledged John’s achievements with County. Mr. Pedroza attended Sonoma State Area home. a 2018 Small Business Excellence Award. University, where he earned a Bachelor of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:02 Jul 31, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A30JY8.045 E30JYPT1 July 30, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1019 Science in Business Administration and a County that will allow future generations of and San Fernando High School. A man of ex- minor in Economics. Mr. Pedroza began his Napa residents to start businesses, raise fami- traordinary character and patriotism, he nobly career working in the financial services indus- lies, and live fulfilling lives. served our nation as a member of the United try. He worked with credit unions and commu- Madam Speaker, Alfredo Pedroza has an States Army during the Korean War. nity banks for over a decade, where he gained unrelenting dedication to our agricultural com- Though his sacrifices for our country alone valuable financial expertise he has used to munity and to serving the people of Napa help our local business community improve, County and is deserving of being named Napa are enough to warrant the highest respect and manage, and sustain their financial growth. In County Farm Bureau’s 2019 Friend of Agri- praise, we could not properly celebrate a man 2012, Mr. Pedroza was elected to the Napa culture. It is therefore fitting and proper that such as him without mentioning the generous City Council. He became both the first Latino we honor the service of Alfredo Pedroza here life he led in his community. In the years after member and the youngest city councilmember today. he returned from war, Mr. Barragan spent his ever elected to the Napa City Council. Gov- f time enriching the lives of others without ever expecting anything in return. He will be re- ernor Jerry Brown appointed Mr. Pedroza to REMEMBERING JOE H. BARRAGAN serve the Fourth District on the Napa County membered for his endless kindness and love Board of Supervisors in December of 2014. HON. J. LUIS CORREA of all people. Mr. Pedroza went on to win a full, four-year Mr. Barragan is survived by his wife of 61 term on the Board of Supervisors in the 2016 OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES years, Virginia Barragan; his two daughters, primary election. Susan Arriaga and Belinda Barragan; his son- Tuesday, July 30, 2019 Mr. Pedroza’s deep ties to Napa County in-law, Danny Arriaga; his two grandchildren, and commitment to public service drive him to Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today Daniel Arriaga Jr. and Jessica Arriaga; and his serve our community, including the agricultural to honor the life of Joe H. Barragan, an es- dog, Demi. sector. He is dedicated to enacting sound agri- teemed Californian and an outstanding gen- cultural policy. He has worked tirelessly on ag- tleman to everyone who knew him. Mr. As his family and community continue to ricultural issues that have come before the Barragan passed away on November 19, 2018 hold the legacy and memory of Mr. Joe H. Board of Supervisors. His passion for serving but will continue to be remembered for his Barragan in their hearts, I ask my colleagues the community extends beyond his career, as love of family, commitment to serving his com- to join me in recognizing this outstanding man Mr. Pedroza is active in a local service clubs munity, and passion for working to make the and the virtues he held so dear to him. May and nonprofits. Through his work on the Board world a better place. his memory serve as an example for all seek- of Supervisors and with nonprofit organiza- Mr. Barragan was born on December 31, ing to lead a happy and joyful life and may his tions, Mr. Pedroza hopes to realize a Napa 1931 and attended Saint Ferdinand School spirit rest in peace and glory.

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