E1578 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 20, 2012 meet with constituents in the Champaign-Ur- Lala Coy. While he was away in Germany on A Navy ship has been named after him, bana area concerning financial matters of local active duty, he asked a local priest, his grand- several elementary schools in have Government and I missed suspension votes father and his uncle if they would go to Lala’s been named after Roy Benavidez, and even a on H.R. 5044, the Andrew P. Carpenter Tax father and ask permission for Roy to marry toy company has issued a Roy Benavidez GI Act, which amends the Internal Revenue Code her and he agreed. While he was in the Army, Joe action figure. to exclude from gross income any amount at- however, he was in a lot of trouble, even As we prepare to celebrate and honor His- tributable to the discharge of student loan in- though he was a member of the Military Po- panic Heritage Month, one of those great His- debtedness of a veteran who died as a result lice. panic Americans was Roy Benavidez, a Texas of a service-connected disability, Also I missed So he finally joined the Special Forces train- hero, an American hero, a war hero that loved votes on H.R. 5912, which would Amend the ing at where he reached the rank America and, as he said, got to live the Amer- Internal Revenue Code to prohibit public funds of staff sergeant and went to Vietnam as a ican Dream the way that he wanted. for political party conventions. Green Beret. But on May 2, 1962, his life And that’s just the way it is. Had I been present, I would have voted changed forever. It is a story that is almost un- f ‘‘aye’’ on the above stated bills. believable. RECOGNIZING THE ALDEN f On the morning of May 2, 1968, a 12-man Special Forces team was inserted in Cam- FARMERS MARKET ‘‘TAIWAN’S NATIONAL DAY’’ bodia to observe a large-scale North Viet- namese troop movement, and they were dis- HON. BRIAN HIGGINS HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ covered by the enemy. Most of the team OF NEW YORK OF members were close friends of Roy IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Benavidez, who was the forward operating of- Thursday, September 20, 2012 ficer in Loc Ninh, Vietnam. Three helicopters Thursday, September 20, 2012 Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in were sent to rescue this 12-man team, but honor of the Alden Farmers Market, a staple Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. they were unable to land because of the in Western New York since 2003 that brings Speaker, in celebration of Taiwan’s National heavy enemy concentration. When a second community together over fresh, locally grown Day on October 10th, fondly referred to as attempt was made to reach the stranded produce every Saturday morning in the sum- Double Ten Day. Since its formation, Taiwan team, Benavidez jumped onboard one of the mer. has rapidly industrialized and now boasts the helicopters, armed only with a Bowie knife. As Open from late May until early October, the 19th largest economy in the world. the helicopters reached the landing zone, farmers market sponsored by the Alden Taiwan remains important to the United Benavidez realized the team members were Chamber of commerce, located in Alden Vil- States in its advocacy of fair democratic val- likely too severely wounded to move to the lage Plaza allows friends, family and neigh- ues across the world and its success in sus- helicopters. So he ran by himself through bors to enjoy a plentiful variety of fresh vege- taining a dynamic multi-party system revealing heavy small arms fire to the wounded soldiers. tables, fruits, flowers, plants, chickens, beef, its commitment to protecting political rights He was wounded in the leg, the face, and the baked goods, honey, maple syrup, candy, and freedoms. In troubled times such as head in the process. He reorganized the team spices, soaps and jellies while learning tech- these, it is also gratifying to know that there and signaled the helicopters to land. But de- niques of how they were made straight from are countries that continue to put forth efforts spite his injuries, Benavidez was able to carry the merchants and producers themselves. that provide constructive solutions for highly off half of the wounded men to the helicopters. This rare level of personal service and divisive issues. He then collected the classified documents knowledge, combined with the variety of fresh Instead of exacerbating tensions with China, held by the now dead team leader. As he local products is unique to Western New York Taiwan has pursued positive relations with completed this task, he was wounded by an and surrounding farms and has become a China by promoting economic trade. Taiwan exploding grenade in the back and shot in the practice that all western New Yorkers take has continued to maintain its own independent stomach. At that moment, the waiting heli- pride in. and democratic form of government, vibrant copter’s pilot was also mortally wounded, and Mr. Speaker, on Saturday October 6 the culture, and booming commerce. that helicopter crashed. He ran to collect the Alden Farmers Market will mark the end of its Once again, I would like to share in Tai- stunned crash survivors and form a perimeter. 10th season. Small closing ceremonies will in- wan’s celebration on their National Day. He directed air support, ordered another ex- clude musical artist Sara Elizabeth Genco, a f traction attempt and was wounded again when costume and pet parade, and a second raffle shot in the thigh. At this point he was losing ROY BENAVIDEZ drawing. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me so much blood from his face wounds that his and all Western New Yorkers in thanking the vision became blocked. Alden Chamber of commerce and all local HON. TED POE Finally, another helicopter landed and as merchants and farmers who participated in OF TEXAS Benavidez carried a wounded friend to it, he this great Saturday morning tradition. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was clubbed in the head with a rifle butt by an f Thursday, September 20, 2012 enemy soldier. That soldier bayonetted Benavidez twice. HONORING THE FOUR UNITED Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, America is Mr. Speaker, Benavidez was wounded in STATES PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO about people. Who we are and what we are that one battle 37 times; Seven gunshot DIED IN LIBYA is because of the people who have come to wounds, he had mortar shrapnel in his back, America. We have always been and will al- and two bayonet wounds. He was taken for SPEECH OF ways be a nation of immigrants. They are indi- dead and left for dead and zipped up in a HON. LAURA RICHARDSON viduals who have lived and died and influ- body bag, but right before they zipped the bag OF CALIFORNIA enced the rest of us because of their tena- up, he spit in the doctor’s face, letting the doc- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cious spirit and determination. tor know he was yet alive. Roy Benavidez was one of those Ameri- He later recovered. He received the Distin- Wednesday, September 19, 2012 cans. He was born in South Texas in a small guished Service Cross and then many years Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in town called Cuero, August 5, 1935. He was later presented him with the support of H. Res. 786, which honors the four the son of a sharecropper. He was an orphan Congressional . President exceptional public servants who gave their and he had mixed blood of Yaqui Indian and Reagan stated that if this were a movie, no lives in service to the and con- Hispanic. He lost his family at a young age one would believe it because of the heroic demns the attacks on United States’ diplo- and dropped out of school in the 7th grade. deed of Roy Benavidez. matic facilities in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen. He didn’t see the need for an education at that Mr. Speaker, after he retired from the mili- I would like to extend my condolences and time. He was a migrant farm worker. He tary, Roy Benavidez went around America sympathy in this time of great loss to the fami- worked all over Texas and as far as Colorado talking about the importance of an education, lies of these four heroes. in the sugar beet fields and the cotton fields. since he only went to the seventh grade. He Mr. Speaker, John Christopher Stevens, the In 1955 decided to join the United States talked to young gang members, he talked to United States Ambassador to Libya; Sean Army, and he joined in , Texas. He youth, telling them to stay in school and get Smith, Foreign Service Information Manage- was in love with his hometown sweetheart, an education. He was a remarkable individual. ment Officer; and Tyrone S. Woods and Glen

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:52 Sep 21, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A20SE8.010 E20SEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS September 20, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1579 A. Doherty, Security Officers, were among the State University, Hayward and an M.S.W. from This generation of Iraq and Afghanistan Vet- finest members of our diplomatic corps. They the University of California, Berkeley. erans is no less humbling in their service and dedicated their lives to promote peace, sup- For the past 30 years, Rocio de Mateo sacrifice. They have fought overseas for over port prosperity, and protect American citizens Smith has worked in the field of develop- a decade so that we may live in peace here while advancing the interests of the United mental disabilities with a special emphasis in at home. While our country may never be able States abroad. services to immigrant communities. In her role to repay the debt we owe our Gold Star fami- Ambassador Stevens was a champion of as Executive Director of Area Board 5 on De- lies, we must uphold the promise that we will the Libyan people’s efforts to remove Muam- velopmental Disabilities, Rocio advocated for never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by mar Qaddafi from power and served as Spe- the service rights of people with develop- their loved ones. cial Envoy to the Libyan Transitional National mental disabilities of all ages, both at the indi- I am tremendously proud and humbled to Council in Benghazi during the 2011 Libyan vidual and systemic levels. Prior to this posi- welcome the Quad Cities Honor Flight, our revolution. tion, she was the Developmental Disabilities World War II and veterans, and Foreign Service Information Management Coordinator for Alameda County Health Care our Gold Star families to our nation’s capital Officer Sean Smith, and security officers Ty- Services Agency and, before that, was the Ex- today. On behalf of every Iowan I represent, I rone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty as well ecutive Director of Agency for Infant Develop- thank them for their service and sacrifice. as the United States’ citizens that were injured ment, a Fremont-based program for infants f in these attacks made professional and per- with disabilities and their families. HONORING TREVOR GREENE sonal sacrifices to faithfully serve the United Rocio is a true champion when it comes to States and its people to advance the ideals of advocating for people with developmental dis- freedom, democracy, and human dignity abilities and her knowledge with regard to re- HON. DOC HASTINGS around the globe. sources in the community is unmatched. She OF They are heroes and their contributions and has served and impacted countless individuals IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sacrifices in service to America and the cause and families in the Bay Area, representing Thursday, September 20, 2012 them and guiding them toward appropriate of freedom will never be forgotten. Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speak- services. For all her efforts, Rocio is not only Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolu- er, I rise today to congratulate the 2013 Na- highly regarded, but has been recognized and tion in its condemnation of the terrorists who tional Principal of the Year, Principal Trevor honored extensively as an outstanding woman planned and conducted the attack on the Greene, from Toppenish High School in my and as a true advocate for persons with dis- United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya, Congressional District. Principal Greene is an abilities. and those who vandalized the United States outstanding school administrator and I am embassies in Cairo, Egypt, and Sana’a, Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in commending Rocio de Mateo Smith for grateful for his leadership and dedication to Yemen. The resolution also reaffirms that the students and faculty at Toppenish High nothing can justify terrorism or attacks on in- her committed and diligent service to the com- munity. I am pleased to join her family, School. nocent civilians and diplomatic personnel. Four years ago, Principal Greene returned friends, and colleagues in congratulating Rocio Most importantly, the bill calls upon the to the Yakima Indian Reservation, where he on an outstanding career and wish her the Governments of Libya, Egypt, and Yemen, in grew up, to serve as principal at Toppenish very best as she begins a well-deserved re- full cooperation with the United States Govern- High. Once an underperforming school, tirement. ment, to investigate and bring to justice the Toppenish High has become a top performing perpetrators of these attacks. f institution whose successful model is followed Finally, the resolution reiterates the United HONORING THE VETERANS AND by other schools in the region, thanks to the States’ commitment to promoting its core val- GOLD STAR FAMILIES OF THE hard work of the staff under his leadership. ues, including support for democracy, uni- SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 QUAD CITIES Principal Greene energized Toppenish stu- versal human rights, individual and religious HONOR FLIGHT dents and helped them gain the confidence freedom, and respect for human dignity. needed to work harder and dream bigger. By Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate indeed to live HON. DAVID LOEBSACK implementing a rigorous science, technology, in a country that produces exceptional men OF IOWA engineering and mathematics, STEM, edu- like Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cation program and expanding academic op- Woods, and Glen Doherty. Their selfless de- portunities to his students, test scores have Thursday, September 20, 2012 votion to our nation’s ideals and values will improved by 67 percent and graduation rates forever mark them as American heroes. I hope Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, today I have are over 90 percent. their families can take consolation in the fact the great honor of welcoming to our nation’s At a time when the United States is falling that they will live on in the memories of the capital ninety-two Iowa veterans of the Great- behind in science and math, the Toppenish grateful nation they gave their lives to serve. est Generation and forty-three Gold Star fam- High STEM program continues to increase in It is for these reasons that I support H. Res. ily members who will be escorting them on popularity among students, with enrollment 786 and ask for a moment of silence in mem- their visit. This is truly a special Honor Flight jumping by more than 100 students in just one ory of Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone because it is bringing together World War II school year. Students are receiving a high Woods, and Glen Doherty. and Korean War veterans with families who quality education and graduating with the re- f have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and sources and tools they need to succeed in col- Afghanistan. lege and beyond. CONGRATULATING ROCIO DE The 43 Gold Star family members travelling Each year, MetLife Resources along with MATEO SMITH to our capital today represent 24 fallen the National Association of Secondary School servicemembers. I can think of no greater Principals Association, NASSP, selects one HON. GEORGE MILLER honor than to join them and our World War II highly deserving principal from a pool of more OF CALIFORNIA and Korean War veterans at the National than 100 middle and high school principals na- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES World War II Memorial during their visit and to tionwide. These individuals, who have been personally thank Iowa’s, and our nation’s, he- nominated by their state, are highly successful Thursday, September 20, 2012 roes—our veterans and the families who have at providing top-quality learning opportunities Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. sacrificed so greatly on behalf of our country. for students and have demonstrated com- Speaker, I rise with my colleagues Congress- When our country was threatened, our mendable contributions to the profession. woman BARBARA LEE and Congressman JOHN World War II and Korean War Veterans rose I am pleased that as a result of Principal GARAMENDI; to recognize and congratulate to defend not just our nation but the freedoms, Greene’s selection as National Principal of the Rocio de Mateo Smith upon her retirement as democracy, and values that we hold dear. The Year, Toppenish High School will receive a Executive Director from the Developmental Greatest Generation did not seek to be tested $5,000 school improvement grant from the Disabilities Area Board 5. both abroad by a war that fundamentally chal- Metlife Resources/NASSP National Principal Born and raised in Mexico City, Rocio de lenged our way of life and at home by the of the Year program. Mateo Smith attended Universidad Nacional Great Depression and the rebuilding of our We need more people like Principal Greene Autonoma de Mexico, where she received a economy that followed. But, when called upon working to make a difference in our schools. B.A. in Mathematics. In the United States, she to do so, they defended and then rebuilt our I applaud his dedication to the students and received a B.A. in Psychology from California nation. faculty at Toppenish High School.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:45 Sep 21, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A20SE8.012 E20SEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS