March 1, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E245 MCLANE for many years for Blue Diamond Coal in Town Council, in fact, I took over his position Bonny Blue, Virginia. Ron later attended the on the Council in 2005, and his ability to work HON. ED PERLMUTTER Massachusetts School of Pharmacy, and in with members of both political parties earned OF COLORADO 1990 returned as an outreach worker in the him the respect both of his fellow IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES black lung clinic operating out of the St. councilmembers and of our entire town. Charles Community Health Clinic. For the past Cheshire residents know Sheldon as a dedi- Thursday, March 1, 2018 20 years he has served as the director of cated and creative problem solver who is al- Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise three black lung clinics which are now part of ways willing to advocate for our town. today to recognize and applaud McLane for Stone Mountain Health Services. In addition to As President of the Chamber of Commerce, receiving the 2018 Commerce City Business helping miners secure diagnostic tests, treat- Sheldon has been a strong advocate for on the Move Award. ment and benefits counseling, Ron led an ef- Cheshire’s small businesses and has worked The Business on the Move Award recog- fort to develop what is now the largest pro- to keep the American Dream a reality for fami- nizes businesses bringing new employment, gram for non-lawyers to successfully advocate lies in our community. The past decade has growth in sales, or new capital investment to for black lung benefits before the U.S. Depart- seen big changes in Connecticut, but Sheldon Commerce City. McLane started as a small re- ment of Labor. has made sure Cheshire’s businesses have a tail grocer in 1894 and grew to a leading gro- There are very few attorneys who represent strong voice. He leaves behind a legacy of cery, wholesaler and distributer in the 1970s miners filing claims for black lung benefits. service to our town, and his commitment to and 1980s and to a worldwide logistics power- And, coal miners proceedings pro se are no Cheshire sets a high bar for the rest of us house in the 1990s. Today it is a global match for the expert legal and medical re- working in public service to meet. I wish him wholesale distributer of 35,000 products to sources that coal companies and insurers a restful—and much deserved—retirement full over 50,000 businesses in the grocery, dedicate to each case. Ron and his team have of time spent with his loved ones. foodservice, convenience, mass merchandise, worked to fill this void by providing training for Mr. Speaker, Sheldon Dill has served the quick service restaurant, and drug store indus- clinics, doctors, lawyers and lay representa- Cheshire community as an elected official, a tries. In 2017, McLane completed a 226,000 tives in all 15 coal producing states. The lay volunteer, and an advocate for our business square-foot facility along Tower Road creating advocates working for the Stone Mountain community. His leadership as President of the 235 new jobs to Commerce City. clinics have helped miners win over 2,000 Cheshire Chamber of Commerce for the last McLane is passionate about making a dif- black lung claims in the past 17 years. twelve years has made our community strong- ference in the community. The company cre- In recent years, Ron documented how min- er and better able to lead in the 21st Century. ates a diverse and inclusive workforce through ers with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), It is proper that we honor him here today. their Hiring Our Heroes and Operation Net- the most advanced form of black lung disease, f work of Champions hiring initiatives. Employ- have flooded the clinics in southwestern Vir- ees also proudly support the Children’s Mir- ginia. Working with the National Institute for PERSONAL EXPLANATION acle Network and the United Way. Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), he I extend my deepest congratulations to recently co-authored an article in the Journal HON. NYDIA M. VELA´ ZQUEZ McLane for this well-deserved recognition by of the American Medical Association which OF NEW YORK Commerce City. verified an epidemic of this lethal form of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES disease in Central Appalachia and helped to f Thursday, March 1, 2018 elevate national awareness. ‘‘Mining disasters RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC get monuments, meanwhile black lung deaths Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, on Tues- SERVICE OF RON CARSON get tombstones. And I’ve seen many a tomb- day, February 27, 2018, I regret not being stone in the last 28 years from black lung,’’ he present for two vote sessions. During both in- HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH noted. stances, I was with my constituents and the OF VIRGINIA At a roundtable Ron organized in Wise, Vir- meeting extended longer than expected. It IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ginia, disabled miners, physicians and lawyers prevented me from making it to the House floor on time to submit the first vote in each Thursday, March 1, 2018 explained how the current black lung adjudica- tion process keeps justice out of teach for fat series. Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I am honored too many deserving miners and survivors. Had I been present, I would have voted in to rise, on behalf of Congressman BOBBY Ron Carson has been accessible to Mem- support of the Democratic Motion to Recommit SCOTT and myself, to recognize the achieve- bers of Congress and provided wise counsel, H.R. 4296, Roll Call No. 88, and against the ments of Ron Carson who has made the plight as well as compassionate and enduring serv- Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of of tens of thousands of disabled coal miners ice to his community. He has been recognized the Chair, Roll Call No. 83. a central part of his life’s work. Through his by the United Mine Workers of America f decades of work directing three black lung (UMWA) and his peers in the black lung com- SUTRAK clinics in Southwest Virginia, and tireless ad- munity. On behalf of out colleagues in the vocacy efforts across the coal fields of this House of Representatives, Congressman country, he offered help and hope to miners SCOTT and I extend out appreciation for Ron’s HON. ED PERLMUTTER whose lungs were irreversibly scarred with the service to those in need. OF COLORADO scourge of black lung disease. f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ron was born in Pennington Gap, Virginia during segregation. He attended a one-room HONORING MR. SHELDON DILL Thursday, March 1, 2018 primary school on land that his great-great- Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise grandmother, Rachael Scott, had donated in HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY today to recognize and applaud Sutrak for re- 1939 for education of black children in Lee OF CONNECTICUT ceiving the 2018 Commerce City Business on County. Ron and his wife Jill, a Member of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Move Award. Town Council in Pennington Gap, founded the The Business on the Move Award recog- Appalachian African American Cultural Center Thursday, March 1, 2018 nizes businesses bringing new employment, in that same brick school house, which now Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I growth in sales, or new capital investment to preserves the life stories, history, heritage, cul- rise today to honor my friend Sheldon Dill, Commerce City. Sutrak is a manufacturer of ture and events of African Americans in who the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce is HVAC systems for transit vehicles including Southwest Virginia. Although segregated in celebrating upon his retirement at its awards bus, light rail, and automated people movers. housing and schools, African Americans found dinner in my hometown of Cheshire, Con- Founded in the 1970s by Hugh Ferdows in a measure of inclusion in Central Appalachia, necticut. Sheldon has served as President of Germany, Sutrak expanded into the United where they were able to work free from the the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce for the States and Colorado by the early 1980s. harsh conditions in the Deep South, ad many past twelve years, and his leadership has With over 30 years of domestic production, received equal pay for their work mining coal. proven invaluable through the challenges that Sutrak systems have been installed on vir- Ron worked for Westmoreland Coal Co. in our town, state, and nation have faced. tually every major bus, light rail vehicle, and Appalachia, Virginia as did his stepfather. His Sheldon has led an impressive career in automatic people mover system manufacturer grandfather and great-grandfather both worked public service. He served on the Cheshire in the United States. Sutrak completed a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:07 Mar 02, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A01MR8.006 E01MRPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS E246 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 1, 2018 major expansion in 2017, adding two new IN RECOGNITION OF THE VICTIMS commanding various infantry units on the East warehouse buildings and seven additional em- OF THE SUMGAIT POGROMS German-Czech Border during the Cold War. ployees to the company’s existing 70 employ- He finished out his active duty Army career as ees. HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. an instructor in the Leadership Department at I extend my deepest congratulations to OF NEW JERSEY Ft. Benning, Georgia. Sutrak for this well-deserved recognition by IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Once out of the Army, Judge Bentley at- Commerce City. Thursday, March 1, 2018 tended the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, f Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and graduated in 1980. He practiced law for commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the PERSONAL EXPLANATION twenty-two years in Birmingham and Hamilton, Sumgait pogroms, one of the most horrific at- Alabama, many of those years serving as the tacks against the Armenian people committed City Attorney for the City of Hamilton. In 2002, HON. DONALD M. PAYNE, JR. at the hands of Azerbaijanis. he was appointed to the bench as Circuit OF NEW JERSEY On February 27, 1988, up to 200 Armenian Judge of the 25th Judicial Circuit serving Mar- civilians living in the city of Sumgait in Azer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ion and Winston Counties. Judge Bentley baijan were indiscriminately killed, raped, Thursday, March 1, 2018 served in this capacity until his retirement on maimed, and even burned alive for no reason January 15, 2018. Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I was not present other than their ethnicity. This senseless vio- Judge Bentley is a member of the Hamilton for the following Roll Call votes. I would like to lence was instigated by hostile, anti-Armenian First United Methodist Church and has served reflect how I would have voted, had I been rhetoric from Azerbaijani citizens and officials as both Lay Leader and Sunday School present. against these innocent individuals. Teacher. Furthermore, he has served on the Had I been present, I would have voted the For three decades, Azerbaijan has taken steps to cover up these crimes against hu- Board of Directors of the Alabama Emmaus following: ‘‘YEA’’ on Roll Call No. 81; ‘‘YEA’’ Community. He is also one of the founders of on Roll Call No. 82; ‘‘NAY’’ on Roll Call No. manity and dismiss the atrocities at Sumgait. Even more disturbing is that perpetrators of the Weldy Home, an emergency shelter for 83; ‘‘NAY’’ on Roll Call No. 84; ‘‘NAY’’ on Roll abused, abandoned and neglected children. Call No. 85; ‘‘NAY’’ on Roll Call No. 86; these events and similar violent attacks have ‘‘NAY’’ on Roll Call No. 87; ‘‘YEA’’ on Roll Call since been lauded as national heroes. He is married to Judy Sandlin Bentley, and No. 88; ‘‘NAY’’ on Roll Call No. 89; ‘‘NAY’’ on I condemn these horrific attacks. Tragically, they have two children, Carrie and Samuel, Roll Call No. 90; and ‘‘YEA’’ on Roll Call No. the Azerbaijani government’s approach toward and four grandchildren, Lydia, William, Caro- 91. the Armenian people has not changed much line and Jonathan. since these attacks were perpetrated. In 2018, Judge Bentley is very respected by the peo- we hear the same violent rhetoric and witness f ple of Marion and Winston Counties for his the intimidation tactics by the Azerbaijani gov- honesty and dedication, and I am proud to call PERSONAL EXPLANATION ernment against the people of Nagorno him my friend. Karabakh. HON. SAM GRAVES If we do not condemn crimes against hu- Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to honor manity, we only strengthen the resolve of Judge John Hodges Bentley on his many ac- OF MISSOURI those seeking to perpetrate these crimes in complishments and for his enduring impact on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the future. The Armenian people have known his community, state and nation. I join his fam- Thursday, March 1, 2018 this for too long, as we prepare to commemo- ily, friends and colleagues in wishing him rate the 103rd Anniversary of the Armenian God’s richest blessings as he enters the next Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on Genocide in April. chapter of his life in retirement. February 27, 2018, I missed a series of Roll I will continue to work with my colleagues Call votes. Had I been present, I would have on the Congressional Armenian Issues Cau- f voted ‘‘YEA’’ on Roll Call votes No. 83, No. cus to remember the victims of the pogroms at 84, No. 85, No. 86, and No. 87. Sumgait and to condemn all acts of violence CONGRATULATING IAN KUEHL, against people who are targeted simply be- STATE CHAMPION IN WRESTLING f cause of their existence. I hope my colleagues GEORGE T. SANDERS COMPANY will join me in rejecting violent rhetoric and in- timidation by renewing our commitment to HON. CHERI BUSTOS HON. ED PERLMUTTER achieving a collective and lasting peace. OF ILLINOIS f OF COLORADO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRIBUTE TO JUDGE JOHN HODGES BENTLEY Thursday, March 1, 2018 Thursday, March 1, 2018 Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT congratulate Ian Kuehl, a student from Lena- today to recognize and applaud the George T. OF ALABAMA Winslow High School, for earning the Class 1 Sanders Company for receiving the 2018 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A wrestling title for the Illinois State Cham- Commerce City Business on the Move Award. pionship in the 285lb weight class. The Business on the Move Award recog- Thursday, March 1, 2018 nizes businesses bringing new employment, Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I would like Ian Kuehl pinned his opponent in 3 minutes growth in sales, or new capital investment to to recognize and honor Judge John Hodges 25 seconds to claim his title as state cham- Commerce City. The George T. Sanders Com- Bentley on the occasion of his retirement as pion, and I would like to recognize Ian for his pany is Colorado’s largest independent dis- Circuit Judge of the 25th Judicial Circuit of tremendous accomplishment. Ian’s dedication tributor of plumbing and heating supplies and Alabama. I am proud to recognize Judge and passion for his sport meant that he was services the plumbing, heating, and HVAC Bentley for his many years of public service determined to win gold. As a former athlete, I trades as well as the general public and can on the bench and the practice of law. He is understand the amount of hard work and com- accommodate plumbing and heating projects truly a man who embodies the American prin- mitment that goes into being awarded such a for residential dwellings or large commercial ciples of hard work and devotion to one’s title. Ian’s title demonstrates the value of dedi- buildings. Last year, George T. Sanders Com- community, state and nation. cation and a strong work ethic. I am proud pany built a new, 76,000 square-foot facility in Judge Bentley is a native of Kinston, North there is such young talent in our community, Commerce City, which brought 25 new jobs to Carolina. After graduating from Grainger High and to see him represent Lena throughout the the city adding to their 16 existing locations School, he was appointed to the United States state. throughout Colorado and in Wyoming. Military Academy in West Point, New York Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally I extend my deepest congratulations to the where he graduated in 1972 and was commis- congratulate Ian Kuehl on his title, and I join George T. Sanders Company for this well-de- sioned into the infantry. While in the Army, the rest of the community in wishing him every served recognition by Commerce City. Judge Bentley served five years on active duty success in the future.

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