E294 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 4, 2014 With these appalling acts, the Azeri state re- The 6888 was shipped home to Fort Dix KAY EHALT minded the whole world why the people of and immediately disbanded. Anna Mae Rob- Artsakh must be allowed to determine their ertson Wilson was a member of this ‘‘Band of HON. ED PERLMUTTER own future and cannot be allowed to slip into Sisters’’, who served honorably, and whose OF COLORADO Aliyev’s clutches, lest the carnage of Sumgait story was largely untold and its successes not IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 26 years ago serve as a foreshadowing of a celebrated. Mr. Speaker, Anna Mae Wilson Tuesday, March 4, 2014 greater slaughter. Mr. Speaker, the memory of Robertson and the 6888 Central Postal Direc- Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise the victims of Sumgait must not be forgotten, tory Battalion performed above and beyond and it is our moral obligation to condemn today to recognize and applaud Kay Ehalt for expectations. I am proud to celebrate her 90th receiving the Unsung Hero Award from the crimes of hatred, in hope that history will not Birthday and her accomplishments as a vet- be repeated. West Chamber serving Jefferson County. eran and resident of Milwaukee. This award is given to an individual who f gives of their time and resources to ensure the IN TRIBUTE TO ANNA MAE f West Chamber remains a thriving and suc- WILSON ROBERTSON cessful organization. HONORING PASTOR DR. JOHN E. Kay Ehalt embodies all of the qualities of HON. GWEN MOORE CAMERON our unsung hero. Kay has been a West Chamber member since 1997. She was an OF WISCONSIN Ambassador from the beginning, a member of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON the Friday morning Leads group and recently Tuesday, March 4, 2014 OF MISSISSIPPI joined the West Chamber Board of Directors. Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to con- You will find Kay wherever there is fun. She IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gratulate and honor a mother, volunteer and welcomes new members to events and makes veteran, Anna Mae Wilson Robertson. Mrs. Tuesday, March 4, 2014 everyone she meets feel important. Her work Robertson, a long-time resident of Milwaukee, with the West Chamber has left an indelible Wisconsin, will celebrate her 90th birthday Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- mark for future West Chamber members. with family and friends on March 8, 2014. er, I rise today to honor a remarkable public I extend my deepest congratulations to Kay Annie Mae Wilson married John Robertson, servant, Pastor Dr. John E. Cameron who was Ehalt for this well-deserved honor from the who passed away in 1982, and their 33 year born on June 11, 1932, just outside of Hatties- West Chamber serving Jefferson County. I union produced 8 children. Mrs. Robertson burg, Mississippi in Petal. His parents were have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedi- work history included jobs at Marquette Uni- the late Mr. A.C. and Mrs. Courtney Cameron. cation and character in all her future endeav- versity and St. Camillus Health Center. He is the fourteenth of sixteen children. ors. Mrs. Robertson enlisted in the Army in 1945 f Pastor Cameron was educated in the and served in the Women’s Army Corps TRIBUTE TO WALTER EHLERS (WAC) 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion Springfield Vocational High School in Hatties- (The Six Triple Eight). The 6888 comprised of burg, Mississippi, where he graduated in 1951. 855 women has a long list of firsts and ac- He later attended Alcorn A and M College in HON. KEN CALVERT complishments, including the first African Lorman, Mississippi. He attended Rust Col- OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES American all-female battalion and the first and lege in Holly Springs, Mississippi where he re- ONLY all women battalion to be deployed ceived his B.S. degree. Pastor Cameron also Tuesday, March 4, 2014 overseas. The 6888 confronted life threatening attended the American Baptist Theological Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to German U Boats on route to Europe in Feb- Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee where his honor and pay tribute to a dear friend of mine, ruary, 1945 and upon their arrival in England major was social science (theology). Walter Ehlers. Walter passed away on Thurs- were greeted by Buzz Bombs. Pastor Cameron has been serving in a pas- day, February 20, 2014. A long time resident Letters and care packages vital to the mo- toral position for more than forty years. His of California, he was a pillar of the community rale of soldiers were delayed across Western first position was at First Baptist Church in Ox- and he will be deeply missed. Europe. The 6888 developed a new mail sys- ford, Mississippi. He is currently pastor at Walter was born May 7, 1921, in Junction tem housed in three air hangars from floor to Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Jack- City, Kansas, and was raised from humble be- ceiling for distribution to the 7 million Army, son, Mississippi where he has been since ginnings. While growing up, Walter spent Navy, Marine Corps, civilian and Red Cross 1970. Pastor Cameron has been active in nu- many long, but rewarding days on the farm. Personnel in Europe. The task was daunting merous organizations and actively involved in This quickly changed when news of World with many letters addressed improperly; some the civil rights movement extending back prior War II broke and both Walter and his brother, letters were over two years old, and nearly to his involvement with Dr. Martin Luther King Roland, decided that they wanted to join the 7500 Robert Smiths to be properly identified. Jr. Pastor Cameron worked with Dr. King on Army and serve their country. The fact that The working conditions were abysmal with no Walter was underage at the time of his deci- voter registration campaigns in the Hatties- heat in the hangars, windows blacked out due sion proved difficult, but after receiving special burg, Mississippi area. to air raids and the poor light contributed to permission from his parents, the Ehlers broth- eyestrain. However, the 6888 successfully Pastor Cameron has been involved in civic ers set out in 1940 to serve in the same unit. processed 65,000 pieces of mail on each of affairs which included his bid for the United Their duty spanned from Sicily to North Africa, the 3 shifts, 7 days a week. States Congress Fifth Congressional District in and became more intense as the war moved The 6888 operated under the challenges of the State of Mississippi. He was the director of along. As what would become known as ‘‘D- ‘‘dual segregation’’ being women and African the Hattiesburg Ministers’ Project and served Day’’ approached, Walter, 23, and his brother American; they were not allowed to sleep, as Ambassador to Central America. Presently, were split up into different units in an effort to shower or eat with other female personnel or he serves as a member of the Board of Direc- better chances that at least one of them would soldiers while in Birmingham, England. They tors of the Pearl River Valley Redevelopment survive the bloody attack. were housed in a former boarding school and Basin in Hinds County. The morning of June 6, 1944, Walter, a squad leader and staff sergeant, was tasked out of necessity operated their own mess hall, Pastor Cameron has been cited in Who’s hair salon, and motor pool adding to their with getting his 12 men safely through the Who in Black America, Notable Americans in workload. The 6888 completed their assign- danger zone on Normandy Beach and move the Bicentennial Era and Outstanding Commu- ment in 3 months instead of 6 months and inland in order to fulfill their mission of col- nity Leader. He has received a proclamation were then reassigned to Rouen, France. While lecting data on German troop activities. He from Mayor Dale Danks, Jr., a proclamation in France, they no longer faced the challenges and his squad survived several rounds of from Judge Alexander in Hinds County and he of segregation. Again the 6888 completed heavy fire as they moved along and Walter’s their assignment in 3 months in Rouen, served as a colonel on Governor Cliff Finch’s guidance to ‘‘run for cover’’ proved successful France and were reassigned to Paris, their staff. time and time again. On June 10, 1944, Wal- last assignment with the war ending a short Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me ter’s squad came under such extreme fire that time later. Three women of the 6888 lost their in recognizing Pastor John E. Cameron for his the company commander ordered a with- lives overseas and were buried in France. dedication to serving others. drawal. Walter knew that in order to get his

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An enemy sniper managed to Major Brancato joined the Marine Corps Re- OF MISSISSIPPI shoot Walter in the back that fateful morning, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES serve in 1995 and worked his way up the but he still found a way to ensure that he and Tuesday, March 4, 2014 his fellow soldier, who had been more seri- ranks, earning his promotion to Major in 2012. ously injured, made it to safety. Because of He served as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- his efforts and quick thinking, countless Allied Operation Enduring Freedom and the U.S. er, I rise today to honor a remarkable public soldiers’ lives were saved that day. D-Day be- Southern Command’s Tradewinds operations servant, Mother Evelyn Marshall-Mays. Mother came a day that would live on as a costly suc- in Belize and Antigua-Barbuda. He is the re- Marshall spent her early years in historic cess for all Americans, and especially for Wal- cipient of the Global War on Terrorism Expedi- Mound Bayou, Mississippi with her parents, ter, when he found that his brother had not tionary Service Medal for Operation Iraqi Free- the late Alford and Evelyn Harvey Marshall, along with nine siblings. She graduated from survived. dom, the Operation Enduring Freedom Cam- After the war, Walter returned to Kansas for paign Medal and the NATO ISAF Medal for Mound Bayou High School in 1951. Mother Marshall married Eddie Lee Mays in a short time before permanently moving out service in Afghanistan. He is currently demobi- 1952, and they are the proud parents of five west to California. He had always dreamed of lized and serving as an artillery officer with the children. She worked diligently as a nurse for making it big in Hollywood and acting in mov- Third Battalion, 14th Regiment in Bristol, 25 years. Upon retirement, she operated a ies. Though he did earn one movie credit star- Pennsylvania and attending the Marine Corps’ daycare center for over eight years. ing as West Point Cadet Mike Shannon in the Command and Staff College Distance Edu- Mother Marshall is an integral part of Liberal 1955 film, ‘‘The Long Gray Line,’’ his desire to cation Program. Trinity Church of God in Christ, fulfilling nu- serve within the community quickly became merous roles: church mother, teacher of the his top priority. Walter accepted a job as a In addition to his service with the Marine Corps, Major Brancato is active in his local primary Sunday school class for 57 years; benefits counselor at the Veterans Administra- mentor for young children and young women tion soon after and went on to help his fellow community. He is a Trustee with the Amerigo Vespucci Society, a member of the Marine through conversation and an exemplary life- veterans in any way that he could for many style, holding true to Psalm 121, encouraging Corps League and a member of the Knights of years to come. everyone to love others and to follow God’s Columbus. He is currently pursuing his mas- It is no surprise that Walter became very Word and mandates. decorated over the years considering the im- ter’s degree in history at Monmouth University Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me mense service he committed to the United in West Long Branch. in recognizing Mother Evelyn Marshall-Mays States. He was the recipient of a Silver Star, Major Brancato is the son of Charles Eras- for her dedication to serving others. two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart for the inju- mus Brancato and Berenice Viali Johansson f ries he sustained in combat, and the nation’s and a graduate of Middletown High School HONORING NELLIE LONGSWORTH highest military award, a Medal of Honor. North. He received his bachelor’s degree in Throughout his life Walter was highly sought AS ‘‘A PIONEER IN PRESERVA- history from Loyola College, where he was after to attend speaking engagements, and TION’’ also a member of the Men’s Varsity Rowing also spoke to President Clinton and Queen Team and an inductee into Phi Alpha Theta Elizabeth II of England during the 50th Anni- HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN versary of D-Day in France. He even found historical honor society. OF MARYLAND himself with an invitation to every presidential Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES inauguration since Dwight D. Eisenhower’s. congratulating Major Brancato on his recogni- Tuesday, March 4, 2014 Walter’s legacy will live on in the form of the tion as Man of the Year by the Amerigo Ves- Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I am writ- Walter D. Ehlers Community Center in Buena pucci Society and thanking him for his honor- ing to recognize Nellie Longsworth of Mary- Park, an action figure made in his likeness, able service to our nation. land. As Founding President of Preservation and the street named after him in Manhattan, Action, Ms. Longsworth was at the forefront of Kansas. f America’s preservation movement, working Walter is survived by his loving wife, Doro- tirelessly to protect historic places from de- thy; daughters, Cathy Metcalf and Tracy Kil- PLANET HONDA struction. patrick; son, Walter Jr.; sisters, Leona Porter, In 1974, historic preservationists came to- Marjorie Justin and Gloria Salberg; 11 grand- gether to create Preservation Action in order children and two great grandchildren. HON. ED PERLMUTTER to preserve our historic assets and make his- On Saturday, March 8, 2014, a memorial OF COLORADO toric preservation a national priority. From the service honoring Walter’s life will be held. Wal- historic rehabilitation tax credit to historic pres- ter will always be remembered for his incred- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ervation funding, Ms. Longsworth and Preser- ible leadership, service to our country, fear- Tuesday, March 4, 2014 vation Action built and deployed a grassroots lessness, contributions to the community and constituency empowered with information and love of family. His dedication to everything he Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise training to advance these worthy goals. did is truly a testament to a life lived well and today to recognize and applaud Planet Honda Mr. Speaker, Nellie Longsworth’s career is a legacy that will continue. I extend my condo- for achieving 25 years of outstanding member- the embodiment of the purposes underlying lences to Walter’s family and friends; although ship in the West Chamber serving Jefferson the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Walter may be gone, the light and goodness County. which read in part: he brought to the world remain and will never The spirit and direction of the Nation are be forgotten. Membership in a Chamber of Commerce founded upon and reflected in its historic f comes with commitment, dedication and con- heritage; tribution to community. Chamber members are The historical and cultural foundations of IN RECOGNITION OF MAJOR CARLO leaders in the community mentoring other the Nation should be preserved as a living ROBERTO BRANCATO, USMCR part of our community life and development businesses, creating positive environments for in order to give a sense of orientation to the business to thrive. The West Chamber serving American people; HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. Jefferson County is a strong and vibrant orga- The preservation of this irreplaceable her- OF NEW JERSEY nization today due to members like Planet itage is in the public interest so that its IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Honda. vital legacy of cultural, educational, aes- thetic, inspirational, economic, and energy Tuesday, March 4, 2014 I extend my deepest congratulations to benefits will be maintained and enriched for Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Planet Honda for 25 years of leadership and future generations of Americans. congratulate Major Carlo Roberto Brancato as inspiration you provide in our community. I All Americans who care about our nation’s he is honored as the Man of the Year by the look forward to many more years of your serv- cultural resources are indebted to, and in- Amerigo Vespucci Society of Long Branch, ice. spired by, Nellie Longsworth. As we observe

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