September 22, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2331 Jewish culture relies a great deal upon the This legislation would authorize $12 million At Clovis Police Department, Captain passing of information from one generation to to allow for the planning, design, and con- Bessinger served in patrol, investigations, another. The Center offers youth activities struction of the Magna Water District (District) neighborhood policing, youth services, admin- such as lectures, workshops, religious school water reuse and groundwater recharge istration, planning and neighborhood services and Hebrew High for students after their bar project. The District constructed an assignments. He continued his years of serv- or bat mitzvah, all aimed at teaching children electrodialysis reversal (EDR) drinking water ice with undoubtedly flawless service to the about the Jewish faith. Events for adult and treatment plant to remove harmful arsenic and community and people of Clovis, he climbed senior members continue to carry the tradi- perchlorate from the Barton Well Field. To ad- the ranks from Corporal in October, 1992, and tions of the culture and faith as well as provide dress the water shortage issues facing the citi- only five years later in 1997 became Sergeant. opportunities for socializing. zens of northwest Salt Lake County, the Dis- At the height of his career, he became Cap- The most important service that The Clifton trict developed a state-of-the-art, first of its tain in April 2007. Jewish Center provides is that of being a type in the world water reuse and recharge fa- During his tenure at Clovis Police Depart- sounding board and a voice for the thriving cility, known as BIOBROx, that treats the ment, Captain Bessinger helped design: the Jewish community in the greater Clifton area. waste stream from the EDR plant to produce shoulder patch policemen wear on their uni- Its sponsorship and participation with interfaith high quality effluent that can be used for out- forms for CPD; the department’s Honor Guard programs, human relations and civic improve- door irrigation. In doing so, the District will be Badge; and Challenge coin. He also led the ment reach across the lines of faith to help saving over 580 million gallons/year of drink- Honor Guard Unit, participated in the Peace promote the interests and values of their able water that was formerly being used for ir- Officers Memorial at Pelco Company, partici- membership. Under the leadership of Rabbi rigation purposes. pated in the Annual Peace Officers Memorial Ari Korenblit, it is successfully contacting and The project also includes additional pumping in Fresno’s Courthouse Park, the State Offi- connecting with all the other organizations in facilities, distribution system upgrades, and cers Memorial in Sacramento, and was an offi- the area. storage facilities required to deliver reuse cer at the funeral for fallen Marine Jared Hub- The job of a United States Congressman in- water to the District’s customers. bard and Army Soldier Nathan Hubbard. The volves much that is rewarding, yet nothing The Magna Water District has invested $36 Hubbard’s where sons of a retired department compares to learning about and recognizing million in the project and is seeking the $12 sergeant. Captain Bessinger volunteered for the efforts of wonderful, thriving community in- million federal appropriation to complete con- the Special Olympics and also managed to stitutions such as The Clifton Jewish Center. struction of the project. oversee several operations in the CPD includ- I certify that this project does not have any Madam Speaker, I ask that you join the ing Youth Services, Animal Services, Commu- foreseeable effect on any of my financial inter- members and clergy of The Clifton Jewish nications, and administrative duties ranging ests, nor the interests of any member of my Center, all whose faith has been enriched from writing/updating Municipal Codes, Home- family. Consistent with the Republican Con- throughout the years and me in recognizing land Security and Grants, Internal Affairs and ference’s policy on earmarks, I hereby certify the outstanding contributions of The Clifton Audits, Workers Comp, and Public Informa- that to the best of my knowledge, this request Jewish Center to the Jewish community and tion. beyond. (1) is not directed to an entity or program that Aside from serving the public as a Police- will be named after a sitting Member of Con- f man throughout his life, one of Captain gress; (2) is not intended to be used by an en- Bessinger’s proudest accomplishments has EARMARK DECLARATION tity to secure funds for other entities unless been raising his two sons; Derek who is twen- the use of funding is consistent with the speci- ty nine and Chris who is twenty five. Single- HON. JASON CHAFFETZ fied purpose of the earmark; and (3) meets or handedly, he raised his two boys from the exceeds all statutory requirements for match- OF UTAH ages of four and sixteen months, a responsi- ing funds where applicable. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bility any father would fathom. During this f Tuesday, September 22, 2009 time, he managed the duties of a father, police CAPTAIN DREW BESSINGER officer, and as a student earning his college Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I wish to degree. Captain Bessinger celebrates with his make the following disclosure in accordance HON. JIM COSTA wife Yvonne, their ninth anniversary this year. with the Republican Earmark Transparency I ask that my colleagues please salute Captain Standards requiring Members to place a state- OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bessinger for his years of service in the law ment in the Congressional Record prior to enforcement field and to wish him well as he Tuesday, September 22, 2009 floor vote on a bill that includes earmarks they retires from the Clovis Police Department. have requested. Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to f Specifically, H.R. 2265, the Magna Water pay tribute to an extraordinary public safety of- District Water Reuse and Groundwater Re- ficer who has spent his entire career serving RECOGNIZING 15TH ANNIVERSARY charge Act of 2009, which I introduced on May the public. I am speaking of Captain Drew OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST 6, 2009, contains an earmark as defined Bessinger, of the Clovis Police Department WOMEN ACT under House Rule XXI, clause 9. The earmark (CPD) in Clovis, California. Captain Bessinger in H.R. 2265 authorizes appropriations for will conclude his years of service in law en- SPEECH OF projects under Title XVI of Public Law 102– forcement and retire from the Clovis Police HON. PHIL HARE 575, the Reclamation Wastewater and Department this year. OF ILLINOIS Groundwater Study and Facilities Act. Captain Bessinger was born in the Garden IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The project authorized in H.R. 2265 is an State of New Jersey, where he graduated advanced water treatment facility and reuse from high school in 1975. Upon his gradua- Monday, September 14, 2009 water system in the township of Magna, Utah, tion, he enlisted in the United States Army. Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in located in the northwest quadrant of Salt Lake During his tenure in the Army, Captain strong support of recognizing the 15th anniver- County. Magna relies on drinking water from Bessinger was a Military Police Officer; serv- sary of the Violence Against Women Act two well fields, one of which has been im- ing in Germany and achieving the rank of Ser- (VAWA) of 1994. I commend our distinguished pacted by the contaminant perchlorate, a by- geant. colleague from New York, Representative product of decades of manufacturing of rocket Upon returning from his service overseas, SLAUGHTER, for introducing this resolution motors and explosives by the defense and Captain Bessinger worked for the Department which recognizes a significant achievement in aerospace industries. Additionally, the EPA of Defense Police in Virginia. Santa Barbara the women’s rights movement. changed the standard for arsenic in drinking Police Department hired Captain Bessinger This landmark legislation, originally authored water, an unfunded mandate for which water which brought him to California in 1980 and by our former colleague, Senator JOSEPH suppliers across the Nation must comply. Be- he served there until 1984. In 1984, he ac- BIDEN, set a new standard for preventing vio- cause of this contamination and the unfunded cepted a position with the University Police lence against women and provides resources federal mandate, the Magna Water District is Department of Fresno State, my alma mater. necessary for coping with attacks that have attempting to restore the Barton Well Field, a He was then hired by the Clovis Police De- occurred. Since the enactment of VAWA fif- valuable water resource. Therefore, reclama- partment in 1987, where he remained for teen years ago, this country has made signifi- tion of this drinking water source necessitates twenty two years in a variety of roles helping cant progress in our response to domestic and federal assistance. the community of Clovis. dating violence, sexual assaults and stalking.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 04:23 Nov 11, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\RECORD09\RECFILES\E22SE9.REC E22SE9 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE E2332 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 22, 2009 Provisions of VAWA have allowed for addi- forefathers whose Boston Tea Party resonated CELEBRATING GEAR UP DAY tional training for law enforcement officers around the world.’’ dedicated to these issues. Additionally, VAWA I salute these modern day patriots and want HON. CHAKA FATTAH authorized funding for an office within the De- to publicly thank them for this petition. OF PENNSYLVANIA partment of Justice, which is dedicated to end- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing violence against women. Notably this leg- f Tuesday, September 22, 2009 islation created a national domestic violence hotline, which has provided information and CONGRATULATING WILLIAM HOW- Mr. FATTAH. Madam Speaker, I rise today help to millions of women in crisis. ARD BRONSON, JR. ON THE OC- to recognize the ambitious and important work VAWA has brought communities together in CASION OF HIS RETIREMENT being performed every day by students, pro- order to address domestic violence and rally FROM MOBILE’S PRESS-REG- gram staff, parents and teachers to ensure support for survivors. It is important for Con- ISTER that college dreams become reality for stu- gress and all Americans to recognize the dents attending high poverty schools. In par- ticular, I would like to join with GEAR UP pro- achievements of this legislation. Since HON. JO BONNER VAWA’s inception, this country’s awareness of grams across the country who celebrated GEAR UP Day on September 18, 2009. domestic violence has increased and re- OF ALABAMA In order to meet the challenge posed by sources to help victims have become more IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES President Obama that ‘‘by 2020, America will readily available and accessible. Tuesday, September 22, 2009 once again have the highest proportion of col- Though we have made great progress, the lege graduates in the world,’’ we will need to instances of domestic violence, sexual assault, Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to honor the long and draw students from communities where high stalking and dating violence are still too high. school graduation, let alone college attend- distinguished career of William Howard Far too many women in our great nation are ance, is the exception rather than the rule. Bronson, Jr. on the occasion of his retirement victims of violence. We must take further ac- This ambitious goal, and the global competi- as president and publisher of Mobile’s Press- tion to keep women safe and provide justice tiveness that comes with it, will require a dra- Register. for those who have been victims. Too many matic increase in college attendance for stu- communities remain underserved and lack the A 17-year veteran of the Press-Register, dents who are the first in their families to pur- resources to provide services to victims of Howard brought profound changes to the sue higher education. sexual violence. We need to continue to in- paper. Under his leadership, the paper re- I want to thank the GEAR UP programs who crease awareness about sexual violence, pro- ceived several prestigious awards and greatly organized these events and the elected offi- vide funding to programs that prevent and increased its readership. In the days following cials who participated: punish that violence and educate women his retirement, the paper published a tribute In Fairmont, West Virginia, they hosted a re- about the help that is available to victims. stating ‘‘Howard Bronson leaves an extensive ception to thank the faculty and staff and to I am proud of the achievements made in the legacy of accomplishments and contributions highlight the successes of GEAR UP while the past fifteen years, and I look forward to sup- to the southwest Alabama community and, in- Governor declared a West Virginia GEAR UP porting the renewal of the Violence Against deed, the entire state.’’ Day. Women Act in 2010. Again, I thank my friend Howard and his wife, Dorsey, moved to Mo- In Cleveland, the program received a proc- from New York for introducing H. Res. 738 bile from Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was lamation from the Governor of Ohio. which commemorates this landmark legisla- president and publisher of The Times, owned In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the Governor pro- tion. by Gannett Company, Inc. He served as presi- claimed September 18, 2009 as GEAR UP f dent and general manager of the Newspaper Day and the program celebrated with a com- Production Co., while in Shreveport from 1977 munity outreach event. IN HONOR OF ROBERT CHILES to 1991. He was regional vice president re- In Iowa City, a GEAR UP principal gave re- sponsible for the launch and first year of oper- marks and received proclamations from the HON. JOHN SHIMKUS ation of three USA Today print and distribution Governor and Mayor. OF ILLINOIS sites in Dallas, New Orleans and Houston in In Wilburton and McAlester, Oklahoma, they received a proclamation from the Governor. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1983–84. In Pago Pago, American Samoa, the pro- Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Howard also has held regional responsibility gram received a gubernatorial proclamation Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today with Gannett for publications in Monroe, Lou- and Valasi Lam Yuen was recognized as their to highlight the actions of Robert Chiles as isiana; Gainesville, Georgia; Muskogee, Okla- Teacher of the Year. well as honor all American citizens who em- homa; Springfield, Missouri; Jackson, Mis- In Portland, Maine, the GEAR UP site also body the spirit of our early patriots. sissippi; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and Jackson, received a gubernatorial proclamation. Beginning on April 15, 2009, Mr. Chiles Tennessee. In La Grande, Oregon, the mayor officially began circulating a Tea Party Declaration in As president and publisher of the Press- proclaimed September 18, 2009 GEAR UP Springfield, Illinois, requesting the end of Register, he was involved in a number of pro- Day. ‘‘massive government driven bailouts,’’ ‘‘so- fessional organizations, including the Alabama In Waco, Texas, parents, students, faculty called economic stimulus plans,’’ ‘‘trillion dollar Press Association, the Newspaper Association and staff were on hand to receive a proclama- spending schemes,’’ and ‘‘out of control gov- of America and the American Newspaper Pub- tion from the Mayor. In New York City they held a National ernment spending.’’ lisher’s Association. Howard serves as a GEAR UP Day breakfast at the partner middle This petition is nearly 60 feet long and con- board member of several civic organizations, school for parents, students, teachers, and ad- tains about 1,000 signatures. The organizer, including the Mobile Area Chamber of Com- ministrators. The middle school scholars sent Mr. Robert Chiles of Rochester, Illinois, says merce, the Business Council of Alabama, an oversized thank you card to the Honorable that the petition is signed by ‘‘electricians, Spring Hill College and the United Way of Senator CHARLES SCHUMER. The Mayor of plumbers, construction workers, doctors, law- Southeast Alabama, Inc. He is also a member of Forward Mobile and Mobile United. New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg has yers, nurses, ministers, teachers, democrats, proclaimed September 18, 2009 as National republicans, law enforcement officers, retired Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated journalist, a re- GEAR UP Day. military, stay at home moms, small business In Tucson, the Mayor proclaimed GEAR UP spected executive and friend to many through- owners, you name it.’’ Day and students are creating a GEAR UP out southwest Alabama. I am certain that his The document begins, ‘‘When, in the course Wall of Dreams. of human events, it becomes necessary for family—his wife, Dorsey, and their four chil- In San Marcos, California, GEAR UP re- like-minded patriotic Americans to rally as one dren—along with all those at the Press-Reg- ceived a proclamation from the city. against the powers that threaten to alter, di- ister and his many friends in Mobile join me in In Kalamazoo, Michigan, they had an all- minish and destroy this country we love. Prop- praising his accomplishments and extending school assembly which included the Super- er respect for the opinions of our fellow citi- thanks for his considerable service to the city intendent and Michigan State Representative zens requires that we should clearly state the of Mobile and all of southwest Alabama. Robert Jones. grievances that impel us to gather at this On behalf of a grateful community, allow me In Cincinnati, students signed promise cards Springfield, Illinois, tea party to protest peace- to wish Howard Bronson the very best of luck and invited the Mayor and grant partners to fully, but passionately in the tradition of our in all of his future endeavors. participate.

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