December 8, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1111 The year 2020 marks 40 years since the ap- came to this country from Japan in search of employees who will follow in their footsteps. I pointment of the Commission on Wartime Re- a better life, retaining the best of the rich cul- applaud all our honorees, and I am proud to location and Internment of Civilians by Presi- tural heritage of their ancestral country in gen- stand before you and our great nation on their dent Jimmy Carter in 1980. That Commis- erations of contribution and achievement behalf to recognize the importance of their sion’s report, entitled Personal Justice Denied, since. public service. affirmed what we already knew: that the mass f f internment of Japanese Americans was the product of racism and not driven by any actual RECOGNITION OF EMPLOYEES OF STEVE DOMINE: A CAREER OF national security risk. In 1988, Congress THE OFFICERS AND INSPECTOR SERVICE TO STEARNS COUNTY passed, and President Ronald Reagan signed GENERAL OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF into law, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which REPRESENTATIVES WITH 25 HON. TOM EMMER formally apologized and established restitution YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE OF MINNESOTA for the internment of Japanese Americans. HOUSE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Yet from this dark period in our history Tuesday, December 8, 2020 emerged great acts of courage and patriotism HON. ZOE LOFGREN Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today that helped make our country a more perfect OF CALIFORNIA to recognize Steve Domine, President of Min- union. Just months after President Roosevelt IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nesota Community Banking at Stearns Bank issued Executive Order 9066, thousands of Tuesday, December 8, 2020 National Association. After 43 years in banking Japanese Americans volunteered to join the and 33 years at Stearns Bank, Steve an- war effort to join their comrades who had Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, Ranking nounced his retirement in July. served earlier in the Hawaii National Guard, Member RODNEY DAVIS and I wish to recog- nize today a special group of dedicated and Steve describes his career as having served leading to formation of the 100th Infantry Bat- nearly every position at the bank, starting as talion and the 442nd Regimental Combat outstanding employees of the Officers (Clerk of the House, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief a teller and eventually being promoted to man- Team, later combined. Nicknamed the ‘‘Purple aging several community bank locations. Heart Battalion,’’ the 100th/442nd became the Administrative Officer) and of the Inspector General of the U.S. House of Representatives, In his tenure with Stearns Bank, Steve has single-most decorated unit of its size in U.S. helped small businesses across our state military history. Thousands more Japanese and congratulate those who have reached the milestone of 25 years of service to the U.S. grow and prosper. Americans served in the all-Japanese Amer- I thank Steve and wish him good luck on his House of Representatives. ican 552nd Field Artillery Battalion and Japa- next chapter. nese American Unit of the Military Intelligence These remarkable and steadfast employees f Service. are an amazing asset for the House of Rep- Last year, I had the honor of traveling to the resentatives. The work they accomplish is es- HONORING COUNCILMEMBER GINA town of Bruye`res, France, liberated by the sential to keeping the operations and services BELFORTE 100th/442nd in the fall of 1944 at terrible cost, of the House running efficiently and effectively. to represent our Congress at the 75th anniver- The employees we acknowledge today are HON. MIKE THOMPSON commended for their hard work, dedication, sary of liberation. There, I was moved by the OF CALIFORNIA professionalism, and teamwork; support of powerful memory of these Japanese American IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES soldiers, which included my wife’s uncle, PFC House Members, their staffs, and their con- Tuesday, December 8, 2020 Sadao Hikida, their courage and ferocity in stituents; and for their contributions day-in and freeing this town from Nazi oppression and day-out to the overall operations of the House. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam rescuing the ‘‘Lost Battalion’’ and the enduring These employees, whose work is often per- Speaker, I rise today to honor Rohnert Park friendships they built with the people of formed behind the scenes, possess a wide City Councilmember Gina Belforte for more Bruye`res. range of responsibilities and skills that support than a decade of service to our community. As In Bruye`res, I also recounted the personal the legislative process, ensure the security of we mark her retirement, it is important to rec- impact that two veterans of the 100th/442nd this great institution, maintain our technology ognize her contributions to the City of Rohnert had on my own life and career. It was Journey and service infrastructure, and contribute to Park and the greater North Bay. to Washington, the memoir of Medal of Honor more efficient and productive House support Councilmember Belforte was first elected in recipient and U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, operations. These devoted employees have 2008 and has served three terms with honor that first inspired me to consider a career in accomplished many great and important things and integrity, including terms as mayor and elected office. After graduating from college, I in a diverse range of activities, and the House vice mayor. Throughout her years in office, worked three years for Congressman (and of Representatives, its Members, its staff, and she has worked hard to stabilize the city budg- later Senator) Spark Matsunaga, another vet- the American public are better served because et while maintaining essential services, and eran of the 100th/442nd, who has served as of them. has always strived to give a voice to the a lifetime role model for me and so many oth- We recognize and honor the individuals underrepresented. She has also been a re- ers. named below for 25 years of loyal service to gional leader as the Sonoma County ap- The courage and patriotism of Japanese the House. Collectively, the employees listed pointee to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway Americans also extended to the home front. below have provided 100 years of service to and Transportation District and as a member Japanese American citizens fought against the the U.S. House of Representatives. of the Sonoma Clean Power Board of Direc- injustice of Executive Order 9066 and chal- Anne Binsted, Office of the Chief Adminis- tors. Through her passion and commitment, lenged it in court, leading to the infamous trative Officer. Councilmember Belforte has ensured a strong- Korematsu v. United States decision. That de- Kenneth Burch, Office of the Chief Adminis- er, brighter future for Rohnert Park and our cision was only recently reversed by the U.S. trative Officer. greater community. Supreme Court. Philip Hamner, Office of the Chief Adminis- Aside from her noteworthy record as a pub- In the decades since, Japanese Americans trative Officer. lic servant, Councilmember Belforte is a well- have accomplished so much and contributed Cynthia Hibbs, Office of the Chief Adminis- regarded business leader. In recognition of her so greatly to our country through their service trative Officer. success in the face of barriers that exist for and achievements in government, the military, On behalf of the entire House community, I woman-owned enterprises, she was awarded science and technology, arts and culture, busi- want to once again congratulate, acknowl- the Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment ness and more. I especially recognize the Jap- edge, and thank these employees for their Woman Entrepreneur of the of the Year award anese Americans of Hawaii who help make professionalism and commitment to the U.S. in 2010. Using her business acumen for chari- our home state the wonderfully rich and di- House of Representatives as a whole, and in table causes, she has also served with distinc- verse place it is. particular to their respective House Officer, the tion as the President of both Sonoma County I am proud to join my colleagues in this Inspector General, and collaboratively across Adult and Youth Development and the Rotary House in recognizing the U.S.-Japan alliance these organizations. Their long hours, hard Club of Rohnert Park—Cotati. Although she is and commit myself to continued support for work, diverse skills, and team spirit are invalu- retiring from public service, her impact on our the historic friendship and amity between our able, and their years of unwavering service community will continue. peoples. And I am equally proud to represent and dedication to the House set an example Madam Speaker, Councilmember Gina and support the descendants of all those who for their colleagues and raises the bar for the Belforte is an exceptional public servant, a

VerDate Sep 11 2014 08:53 Dec 09, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08DE8.017 E08DEPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS