July 29, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1475 Payton Myers, Kacee Newman, Taylor sworn in by President Barack Obama on April HONORING REPRESENTATIVE O’Bryant, Richard Olds, James Olson, James 27, 2010. ROGER WENDT FOR HIS WORK Pike, Lyle Potter, Tyler Reed, Blake Richey, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to ON THE IOWA SAFE SCHOOLS John Hunter Sattler, Jack Schaeffer, Brady join me in recognizing the achievements of ACT Schuh, Colbert Sheard, Jeremiah Slaughter, Beatrice Wilkinson-Welters. Spencer Smith, Brandon Spears, James Tyler HON. LEONARD L. BOSWELL Stricklin, Connor Tate, Travis Tate, John f OF IOWA Timaeus, Andrew Walker, Jeffrey Dylan Wat- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES son, Elliot West, John West, Robert West- CELEBRATION OF THE COLUMBUS moreland, Mason Wheeler, Zach Ziegelgrube. RECREATION AND PARKS DE- Thursday, July 29, 2010 In addition, these Scouts of which their U.S. PARTMENT ON ITS CENTENNIAL Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise to Representative LOUIE GOHMERT is immensely commend State Representative Roger Wendt, proud, as should be the Nation itself, the fol- former Chair of the Iowa House Education lowing outstanding leaders have participated HON. MARY JO KILROY Committee for his work protecting Iowa’s les- to lead these wonderful young men to the ful- OF OHIO bian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) fillment of this scouting dream are the fol- students from bullying and harassment in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lowing: Paul Dunaway, Rory Hassell, Stephen schools and communities. All students need a Head, Jeffrey Jones, Matt Lindsey, Chris Thursday, July 29, 2010 safe, supportive environment in which to learn, Peurifoy, Lyle Potter, Jim Reed, Greg Tate, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Clinton Willbanks, Geoffrey Willbanks. Ms. KILROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today There is extensive evidence that LGBT stu- The foregoing Boy Scouts and leaders to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Co- dents are disproportionately targets for harass- have, by their demonstrated excellence and lumbus Recreation and Parks Department. ment and discrimination in schools. The cli- zeal, not only expanded their horizons and Through its 100 years of serving our commu- mate of fear experienced by LGBT students abilities, but they have also made it possible nity, the Department has enriched the lives of frequently results in increased absenteeism, to create a better world in which to live for all central Ohioans by offering social and edu- decreased academic performance and in- those who follow hence. Accordingly, their cational programming, activities, and events creased risk of suicide and other high-risk be- names and participation are hereby memorial- for all ages to enjoy. haviors. ized in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD of the On July 15, 1910, Columbus mayor George On September 1, 2010, Iowa Safe Schools United States of America to bear witness of S. Marshall signed into law legislation estab- will recognize Alicia Claypool, State Rep- their valiant participation to all those who may lishing the Columbus Department of Recre- resentative Roger Wendt, and State Senator draw near. May God bless every one of these ation, which encompassed the city’s six estab- Mike Connolly for all their work protecting fine individuals just as He has so richly lished park locations. As part of the City Beau- Iowa’s LGBT students and all other students blessed these United States of America to this tiful Movement, the Department of Recreation from bullying and harassment. This date will time. became crucial in Columbus’ development as mark the 3rd year anniversary of the Iowa f an aesthetically-pleasing city filled with green Safe Schools Law going into effect. This legis- spaces and public parks. With the Depart- lation protects Iowa’s 500,000 students from A TRIBUTE TO BEATRICE ment’s hard work, residents began to enjoy bullying and harassment in our schools on the WILKINSON-WELTERS beautiful scenery, community centers, trails, basis of 17 categories which include sexual pools, golf courses, and programming de- orientation and gender identity. HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS signed with central Ohioans of all ages in Representative Wendt led the fight in the OF NEW YORK mind. In 1972 the Department of Recreation Iowa House for this critical piece of legislation. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES merged with the Division of Forestry and His years-long efforts resulted in its bi-partisan Parks to become the Columbus Recreation Thursday, July 29, 2010 passage in February 2007. Iowa educators, and Parks Department we have today, and administrators, and other policy makers hold Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today has grown from its original six parks to 215 Representative Wendt in high esteem for his in recognition of Beatrice Wilkinson-Welters for established parks, greenways and green tireless commitment to improving the lives of her appointment as Ambassador to Trinidad spaces that span over 10,000 acres across Iowa youth. Parents, community leaders, and and Tobago and for her outstanding contribu- Franklin County. students have been well-served by this advo- tions to the welfare of residents of Brooklyn. The Columbus Recreation and Parks De- cate for equality, and I am proud to honor him. Beatrice Wilkinson-Welters has distin- partment offers a wide variety of classes, f guished herself through many years of service events, and programs to connect residents of to her nation and community as the Founder TRUTH IN FUR LABELING ACT OF all neighborhoods involved in the community. and Chairman of the AnBryce Foundation and 2009 Locations such as the Cultural Arts Center the Vincent Wilkinson Foundation, whose offer art classes for painting, ceramics, and focus on underserved youth and young adults SPEECH OF sculpting. Entire theatrical seasons are played provide multiple settings for their personal and out at various centers such as the Davis HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. scholastic development. Youth Performing Arts Center. Central Ohio OF GEORGIA She earned her undergraduate degree from seniors can enjoy aerobics classes, along with IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Manhattanville College and her graduate de- senior golf, softball, and basketball leagues. gree from John Jay College of Criminal Jus- Wednesday, July 28, 2010 tice. She also received an Honorary Doctorate From April through December of this year, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I from Livingstone College in Salisbury, North the Columbus Recreation and Parks Depart- rise today to express my support for H.R. Carolina. ment will be celebrating its centennial anniver- 2480, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, which im- Beatrice Wilkinson-Welters has provided vi- sary with events every month. At the Jazz and proves the accuracy of labels on fur products sion and leadership through her service as a Rib Fest in the Arena District, the Department sold in the United States. The bill would also trustee or board member for the Kennedy commemorated its July 15th birthday with a require the Federal Trade Commission to re- Center Board of Trustees, the National Sym- ‘‘Best Ribs’’ contest and they have held their view its Fur Products Name Guide, ensuring phony Orchestra, the Library of Congress, the 100th hole celebration at Raymond Golf that document contains accurate and con- Brookings Institution, the Washington Jesuit Course. sistent species names. I support the Truth in Academy, and the Maret School. For 100 years, the Columbus Recreation Fur Labeling Act because American con- Despite her demanding career and many and Parks Department has played a vital role sumers deserve to know what, exactly, they contributions to society, Beatrice Wilkinson- in the growth of Columbus and Ohio’s 15th are purchasing when they shop for fur gar- Welters has been a devoted wife to her hus- Congressional District, as well as the en- ments, regardless of the price of those gar- band, Anthony and a loving mother to their hancement of the quality of life of those who ments. two sons Bryant and Andrew. call central Ohio home. I am proud to recog- This legislation guarantees transparency so Beatrice Wilkinson-Welters was confirmed nize and honor the Columbus Recreation and that shoppers can make informed decisions by the United States Senate as Ambassador Parks Department as they celebrate 100 years about the products they buy. This trans- to Trinidad-Tobago on March 10, 2010 and of history and achievement. parency is currently compromised by the ‘‘fur

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:57 Jul 30, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29JY8.026 E29JYPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with REMARKS E1476 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 29, 2010 loophole’’ in the Fur Products Labeling Act of riod of time, he also represented central New Metroplex Technology Business Council, the 1951, which allows manufacturers of fur and York in the House of Representatives. William largest technology trade association in Texas. faux-fur garments under $150.00 to sell these Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass were At the 10th annual Tech Titans gala this Au- products without a label or with a label that also among the central figures in the aboli- gust, the 2010 winners will be announced in fails to list all of the types of fur included in the tionist crusade who worked closely with John categories designed to showcase the most product. In the market today, exporters use and George Vashon throughout their lives. cutting-edge technologies and the brightest this loophole to deceptively sell products made With George B. Vashon’s gifted scholarly talent emerging from the North Texas region. from cat and dog fur as though they were abilities—he was fluent in several languages The event will also reveal the rankings of the made from faux fur or the fur of other animals, as a teenager and went on to become the first 2010 Titan Fast Tech, which lists the fastest- although it is illegal to import, export, sell or African American to graduate from Oberlin growing DFW technology companies based on advertise domestic dog or cat fur in the U.S. College—he chose to study law and pursue a percentage of revenue growth over the last China exports about half of all the imported legal career after college. Under the tutelage year and the last 5 years. fur garments sold on the U.S. market. In Chi- of Judge Walter Forward, who would later be- Founded in 1994, the Metroplex Technology nese factories, many domestic dogs and cats come Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Vashon Business Council, MTBC, is a non-profit orga- are brutally killed and sometimes even sought to practice law in his home state of nization composed of approximately 300 mem- skinned alive for their fur. A Humane Society Pennsylvania and applied for admission in bers that include technology businesses and investigation found in the 1990s that the death 1847. His application was denied because of providers from across the DFW Metroplex. toll of domestic dogs and cats in China his ‘‘negro descent.’’ He was so distraught at The MTBC produces numerous events, includ- reached 2 million animals every year; the this denial that he left Pennsylvania to live and ing the Management in High-Tech Luncheon same investigation revealed that some of the teach in Haiti for a few years, but not before Series, the Technical Luncheon Series, Tech resulting dog fur was being sold in the U.S. he applied for and passed the New York bar Week in Austin and the Tech Titans and Fast After this scandal broke, Congress passed the and became the first black lawyer in the state. Tech Awards. Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000, which Upon his return to the U.S., George B. The MTBC is a shining example of the face banned the trade in dog and cat fur. Unfortu- Vashon moved to New York, where he of the future for Texas. Make no mistake, the nately, the ‘‘fur loophole’’ has created a way opened a legal practice at the corner of Water MTBC is making great things happen for the for dishonest exporters to continue profiting and Warren streets in downtown Syracuse. Lone Star State—and the world. from sales of dog and cat fur to American con- Because of its proximity to Ohio and Canada, In addition to the MTBC, supporters of the sumers. Manufacturers also use the loophole Syracuse had become a growing hotbed of Tech Titans Awards and Fast Tech event in- to market real fur as faux fur, tricking Ameri- activity along the Underground Railroad and clude PricewaterhouseCoopers, TechAmerica, cans with humane shopping policies into sup- Vashon was a central player at this time. With Deloitte, Dallas Business Journal, BKD, LLP, porting an industry they oppose. passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, Time Warner Cable Business Class, GSCS Part of my objection to the current, deficient, Vashon’s legal services were needed to assist Inc., Farstar Inc., and AVMG. language of the Fur Products Labeling Act lies runaway slaves gain their freedom. With the Congratulations to all finalists. Thank you for in the fact that its loophole only applies to support of his friend Gerrit Smith, Vashon later your hard work and commitment to excellence. products of ‘‘relatively small quantity or value.’’ went on to become the first black man to run I salute you. A garment of $150, the upper limit of that cat- for Attorney General in New York on the Lib- The 2010 Tech Titans Finalists’ names and egory, can contain multiple animal pelts. erty Party ticket. He also contributed to Fred- categories follow: Clearly, new legislation is necessary to allow erick Douglass’ newspaper, The North Star, Corporate CEO Award: Valerie Freeman, customers to be confident in the type of fur and became one of the first black college pro- BravoTECH, Dallas, TX; Suri Gurvenda, Opti- they are buying, regardless of how much fessors in this country when he served on the mal Solutions Integration, Inc., Irving, TX; Dale money they spend. faculty of New York Central College in Sohn, Samsung Telecommunications America, I urge my colleagues to also support this im- McGrawville, New York. Years later, George Richardson, TX; Charlie Vogt, Genband, portant resolution. would help found Howard University, where he Plano, TX. f would be the university’s first black professor. Emerging Company CEO Award: Andres He was later admitted to the bar of the U.S. Ruzo, Link America, Inc., Rowlett, TX; RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISH- Supreme Court. Devender Aerrabolu, American Unit, Frisco, MENTS OF GEORGE B. VASHON In an effort to remedy the discrimination he TX; Bettina Bennett, WhichBox Media, LLC, faced when he initially pursued a legal career Dallas, TX; Shama Kabani, The Marketing Zen HON. DANIEL B. MAFFEI in Pennsylvania, two of Vashon’s descendants Group, Carrollton, TX. OF NEW YORK petitioned the Supreme Court of Western Corporate Horizon Award: D4D Tech- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Pennsylvania. Nolan Atkinson, Vashon’s great- nologies, Richardson, TX; Entrust, Dallas, TX; Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., Rich- Thursday, July 29, 2010 grandson, and Paul Thornell, Vashon’s great- great-grandson were successful. On May 4, ardson, TX; Genband, Plano, TX. Mr. MAFFEI. Madam Speaker, I rise today 2010, the Court righted a wrong in the history Emerging Company Horizon Award: to recognize George B. Vashon, a distin- books. In doing so, they issued the following GlobeRanger Corporation, Richardson, TX; guished 19th century figure in American his- order: ‘‘In acknowledgement of Mr. Vashon’s HealthPoints, Inc., Dallas, TX; MicroTrans- tory and the notable event that occurred re- credentials and achievements, this Court here- ponder, Inc., Dallas, TX; Revere Security, Dal- cently to help remedy a past injustice. This by admits George B. Vashon to the practice of las, TX. gifted writer, orator, educator, abolitionist and law in the Courts of this Commonwealth post- Technology Innovator Award: Drs. Caddedu, lawyer, who was a leader in Syracuse’s anti- humously.’’ Scott, Fernandez, & Bergs, UT Southwestern slavery efforts for a period of time, was post- I am pleased to commend this important ac- Medical Center, Arlington, TX; Yves Chabal, humously admitted to the Pennsylvania bar knowledgement of this notable figure in Amer- University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX; this spring after twice being denied because of ican history. Syracuse is privileged to claim Will Rosellini, MicroTransponder, Inc., Dallas, his race. His life work helped improve the lives George B. Vashon as a key figure in our city’s TX; Steve Wallach, Convey Computer, Rich- of countless African Americans, while his indi- proud history of antislavery activism. ardson, TX. vidual career achievements clearly proved the f Technology Advocate Award: Matt Blanton, merits of his being granted this distinction 163 StarTech Early Ventures, Richardson, TX; years later. SALUTING THE 2010 TECH TITANS Gabriella Draney, Tech Wildcatters, Dallas, George B. Vashon was born and raised in FINALISTS TX; Robert Scott, Scott & Scott, Dallas, TX; Pennsylvania and moved to New York, where North Texas RCIC, Dallas, TX. he resided in Syracuse for some years. In his HON. SAM JOHNSON Technology Adopter Award: City of Richard- early years, he was exposed to many leading OF TEXAS son Animal Shelter, Richardson, TX; Dallas figures in the abolitionist movement through IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Cowboys Football Club, Irving, TX; The Heart his father John B. Vashon’s role as a leader Hospital at Baylor Plano, Plano, TX; Top Golf, of Pittsburgh’s black community. One of the Thursday, July 29, 2010 Dallas, TX. Vashons’ close associates was New York phi- Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Community Hero Award: Wanda Gass, lanthropist Gerrit Smith, a financier and activist Speaker, I rise to congratulate the finalists for Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX; Suri of the anti-slavery movement. For a short pe- the 2010 Tech Titans Awards presented by Gurvendra, Optimal Solutions Integration, Inc.,

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