March 5, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E313 Morocco ‘‘Roc’’ Coleman, Robert ‘‘Big Bob’’ PERSONAL EXPLANATION optometry in the Jackson Ward neighborhood. Blackwell, Cheryl Holland-Jones, the Edu- He was an active member of the Virginia, Na- cational Corporation of America (ECA), T. Mi- HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ tional and American optometric societies and chael Sullivan and the William Joiner Institute OF PENNSYLVANIA was chosen as Virginia’s Optometrist of the Year in 1980. for the Study of War and Social Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sequences, and Congressional staff members Benny came to the Virginia General Assem- Ronnie Simmons, Lee Footer, Stephanie Wednesday, March 5, 2014 bly after years of political and civic activism, Anim-Yankah, Jonathan Halpern, Adam Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall which helped him to become a very influential McCombs, George Henry, Hannah Kim, and No. 85, I was unable to attend the vote. Had and effective legislator during his 30 year ten- Reba Raffaelli. I been present, I would have voted ‘‘no.’’ ure. He severed on several committees in the Congratulations on 25 years, during which f General Assembly, including Education and the journey has been the destination. Health, General Laws, Privileges and Elec- HONORING PATRICK DENEEN tions, General Government, and Health and f Human Resources. He also has the distinction HON. DAVID G. REICHERT of being the first African American in the 20th PERSONAL EXPLANATION OF WASHINGTON century to serve on the Virginia Senate Fi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nance Committee. Additionally, he chaired the Subcommittees HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO Wednesday, March 5, 2014 on Higher Education and General Govern- OF TEXAS Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ment, the Brown v. Board Scholarship Com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES honor an Olympic athlete from Washington mission, and the Lead Abatement Sub- Wednesday, March 5, 2014 State’s 8th District, Mr. Patrick Deneen. Mr. committee. Benny also served as a member of Deneen just returned from representing our the Joint Commission on Health Care, the Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on roll- nation in the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Joint Subcommittee Studying the Election call No. 91 on H.R. 3370, Homeowner Flood Sochi, Russia. Mr. Deneen is an incredible Process and Voting Technologies, the Dr. Insurance Affordability Act of 2013, I am not athlete who has reached the pinnacle of his Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission, recorded. Had I been present, I would have sport and achieved a well-deserved 6th place the Commission on State Employees Health voted ‘‘yea.’’ finish in the Men’s Moguls event. Benefits Reform, and the Virginia Legislative I applaud both his achievement and the Black Caucus. In 2010, Governor Bob McDon- f hard work and perseverance that paid off dur- nell appointed him vice chair of the Commis- CONGRATULATING THE MINORITY ing these games. Simply to attend the Olym- sion on Government Reform and Restruc- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGEN- pics is an honor, and to do so well is a testa- turing. CY ON ITS 45TH ANNIVERSARY ment to everything Mr. Deneen has accom- Outside of government, Benny had a very AND THE OPENING OF MBDA plished. I thank him for representing America active civic life. He was a member of the BUSINESS CENTER AT HOUSTON so well, and I am proud to call him a con- NAACP, the Richmond Crusade for Voters, COMMUNITY COLLEGE stituent and a Washingtonian. the Jackson Ward Civic Association, the Rich- mond Jaycees, the North Richmond YMCA, f and he served on the board of his alma mater, HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY Virginia Union University. Benny was also an OF TEXAS OF DR. BENJAMIN J. LAMBERT III active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Inc. Benny devoted his career in and out of pub- Wednesday, March 5, 2014 HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT lic service to the citizens of Richmond and OF VIRGINIA Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise Central Virginia, always doing what he thought IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today to congratulate the Minority Business was best for his community, regardless of the Development Agency, MBDA, on its 45th anni- Wednesday, March 5, 2014 political consequences. versary and commend its commitment and Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. Speaker, words alone cannot express success in promoting the growth and competi- today to honor the life and legacy of my friend the tremendous loss to the Richmond commu- tiveness of a critical segment of the U.S. and former colleague in the Virginia General nity and the Commonwealth of Virginia with economy, the minority business community. Assembly, Dr. Benjamin J. Lambert III, who Benny’s passing. Benny Lambert was a hum- For the past 45 years, the MBDA has provided passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2014. ble optometrist that achieved so much on be- an essential service to this nation, working to Benny, as he was affectionately known by half of his community during his 77 years of level the playing field for minority-owned busi- his friends, family, and constituents, was a life. My thoughts and prayers are with Benny’s nesses. pioneering figure in Virginia politics. We were wife Carolyn, his children and grandchildren, The results speak for themselves. At the both elected to the Virginia House of Dele- and his many friends and admirers during this time of MBDA’s creation there were only gates in 1977. In 1980, Benny became the difficult time. 322,000 minority-owned firms in the nation. first African American elected to represent the f Today, the number stands at 5.8 million; Commonwealth on the Democratic National RED BANK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 215,000 of which are in the City of Houston. Committee. In 1985, he was elected over- BUSINESS MENTOR PROGRAM Over the last five years in particular, the whelmingly to fill the seat vacated by then- MBDA has assisted firms gain access to over Lieutenant Governor Doug Wilder. During my $19 billion in contracts and capital resulting in time serving alongside Benny, I always ad- HON. JOE WILSON OF SOUTH CAROLINA the creation and retention of nearly 60,000 mired his ability to build strong relationships IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES jobs. with his colleagues, work across the aisle, and Today, the MBDA is celebrating this day in take the tough positions that were not always Wednesday, March 5, 2014 my district by launching a new MBDA Busi- politically popular but were the ones he be- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speak- ness Center at Houston Community College, lieved were right for his constituents. er, The American Dream is attainable with which was awarded a three-year $900,000 Benny was born in Richmond on January hard work and dedication. South Carolina is grant to operate the MBDA Business Center. 29, 1937 to Frances and Benjamin J. Lambert, very fortunate to have devoted teachers who HCC’s MBDA Business Center will help boost Jr. He attended Henrico County Schools at a dedicated to helping every child succeed. This job creation and global competitiveness of mi- time when they were still racially segregated. week, a group of teachers and students from nority-owned businesses across the nation. I He graduated from Virginia Randolph High Red Bank Elementary School in Lexington, look forward to continuing to work with MBDA School in Glen Allen, just outside of Rich- South Carolina, are visiting Washington to see and Houston Community College to create mond. He went on to earn his undergraduate the government at work. I am very proud of jobs locally so that we may thrive globally. degree from Virginia Union University, and his this group of young people, as they are dedi- Congratulations, MBDA, on 45 years of graduate degree from the Massachusetts Col- cated to achieving a bright future by partici- great work. May the next 45 years be even lege of Optometry. After graduate school, pating in their school’s Business Mentor Pro- better. Benny returned to Richmond and practiced gram.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:28 Mar 06, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05MR8.026 E05MRPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E314 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 5, 2014 The Red Bank Elementary School Business entirely new street in downtown Pensacola, is a shining example of the kind of world-class Mentor Program engages children in learning which was given to the City of Pensacola at newspaper envisioned by our Founding Fa- by connecting them with local mentors affili- no cost to the taxpayer. thers. They have enriched Northwest Florida ated with businesses in the Midlands commu- With the space available in its new location, for 125 years, and my wife Vicki and I send nity. Leaders from Michelin Tire Corporation, the News-Journal Company constructed one our congratulations to all the staff of the News Lexington Medical Center, Prysmian Group, of the most modern and advanced newspaper Journal, both current and former, and wish Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, and he structures in the Southeast. The company’s them continued success in the future. South Carolina State Museum have impacted meteoric growth continued throughout the f 1950s when it added a new pressroom and close to 150 students over the past three HONORING MIDFIELD HIGH brand new state-of-the-art three-unit Goss years. By connecting the skills each student SCHOOL AS ALABAMA’S CLASS Headliner Press. By the end of the decade, learns in the classroom to a professional envi- 3A BOY’S STATE BASKETBALL the paper required even more room to operate ronment, these bright children are given the CHAMPIONS opportunity to chase their dreams. its growing enterprise, and by 1960 the News- As a member of the House Education and Journal company headquarters had more than the Workforce Committee, I am encouraged doubled in space and added two additional HON. TERRI A. SEWELL by the opportunities these young students are press units. OF ALABAMA able to enjoy and appreciate the business Thanks to the two papers’ well-earned rep- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mentors for contributing to their future. utation for quality journalism, the first-rate pub- Wednesday, March 5, 2014 f lication infrastructure, and robust circulations, Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I the News-Journal Company was acquired by rise today to pay tribute to the Midfield High RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVER- the Nation’s largest newspaper publisher, School Patriots for their victory in the 2014 SARY OF THE PENSACOLA NEWS Gannett Company, Inc., in 1969 for $15.5 mil- Class 3A Alabama State Basketball Cham- JOURNAL lion. Six years after the purchase, the News- pionship. On behalf of the 7th Congressional Journal building underwent another renova- District, I congratulate the Patriots for the tre- HON. JEFF MILLER tion, highlighted by the construction of a new mendous athleticism and teamwork they dis- OF FLORIDA plant that was on the cutting edge of news- played throughout the season under the out- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES paper technology. standing leadership of Head Coach Darrell After operating under the same roof for Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Barber and his coaching staff. Midfield High more than six decades, the Pensacola Daily School won its second state championship in Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise News and the Pensacola Journal were com- three years with its victory over Barbour Coun- to recognize the 125th anniversary of the Pen- bined in 1985, to create one morning news- ty on Saturday, March 1. These young men sacola News Journal. During its incredible 125 paper called the News Journal. The News and their coaches pursued excellence and year history, the News Journal has been an Journal carried on the proud traditions of both were driven by hard work and determination invaluable resource for the people of Pensa- long-time Pensacola institutions and continued during every game of the season. The Patriots cola and Northwest Florida, and we are proud its commitment to meeting the needs of the finished the season undefeated in their region to have such a first-class newspaper in our expanding Northwest Florida community. A and lost only 7 games overall. community. new Goss Headliner offset press was installed As the daughter of a high school basketball In 1889, two local newspapermen, John to enhance the quality of their printing oper- coach, I know this decisive victory is the result O’Connor and John C. Witt, gathered support ation, and the paper won several national of the tremendous efforts of both the players from the local business community to start a newspaper awards for investigative reporting and coaching staff of Midfield High School. daily morning paper. The paper, originally and environmental coverage. Coach Barber is known for setting high expec- known as the Daily News, was first published In 2004, the News Journal expanded into tations for his players and assisting them in on March 5, 1889, with a staff of ten people the digital age during coverage of the dev- meeting those expectations. The exemplary working to write and produce the paper in astating Hurricane Ivan. Despite the cata- leadership and dedicated support from the downtown Pensacola. The newly created strophic impact of the storm, which caused coaching staff was a major factor in the suc- paper quickly began to flourish and within a nearly $20 billion in economic damages, the cess of the Midfield Patriots. decade had a daily circulation of more than News Journal was able to use its generator In the championship game, the Midfield Pa- 1,500. Thanks to the success of the Daily and one working phone line to transmit photo- triots defeated Barbour County by 22 points News, a rival paper, the Pensacola Journal graphs and news coverage of the storm to a for a final score of 62–40. The Patriots forced was started by M. Loftin in March 1897. The sister paper to post on the News Journal’s 11 turnovers, but only gave up the ball seven following year, the Pensacola Journal became website. During this difficult time, the News times. In the second half, the Midfield Patriots led a daily and began directly competing with the Journal relayed stories to millions across the by as many as 25 points and never less than Daily News through publication of a highly re- world, aid their outstanding coverage earned 13 points. During the entire fourth quarter, the garded afternoon daily. the newspaper a Pulitzer Prize finalist nomina- Patriots never led by less than 20 points. For more than two decades, these two com- tion, the second in the paper’s history. Tournament MVP Aaron Gaines scored 22 peting papers fought to expand their reach in Pensacola’s proud newspaper tradition con- points with four 3-pointers. Alvin Murry com- the growing Pensacola community. While this tinues today as the Pensacola News Journal pleted the game with 15 points and 10 re- fierce competition raised the quality of both celebrates its 125th anniversary. The News bounds. Jermaine Turner scored 11 points papers, it also required constant innovation Journal continues to provide excellent cov- and made eight assists and seven rebounds. and expansion, leaving them both in precar- erage to more than 31,000 daily and 47,000 Following the victory, Head Coach Darrell ious financial shape. In 1922, John H. Perry, Sunday subscribers. In addition, the paper’s Barber thanked God, his family and the Mid- a Kentucky native, arrived in Pensacola and website, pnj.com, provides constant news to field community for supporting the Patriots decided to purchase the Pensacola Journal. more than 500,000 visitors, logging more than throughout the season. He explained how the Two years later, he purchased the Daily News 4.3 million page views per month. The News nay-sayers gave the team motivation making and merged the two publications to under the Journal’s tradition of evolving to meet the them more dedicated to win. ‘‘It gave us a little News-Journal Company umbrella. needs of the community will continue this fuel,’’ he told Al.com following the victory. ‘‘As With the reporting resources of both papers summer when the company moves into a new you all know myself and my guys, we play now working together and the business acu- digital facility that will help the paper continue with a chip on our shoulder and we coach with men of the News-Journal Company leader- to provide the quality reporting that local resi- a chip on our shoulder to get this program rec- ship, the two papers began an era of unbri- dents have grown to trust. ognition.’’ dled growth and expansion. The News-Journal Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Winning the state championship is a proud Company moved to a new larger location in Congress, I am privileged to recognize the moment these boys achieved through hard downtown Pensacola; however, because of 125th anniversary of the Pensacola News work and commitment. Members of the team the meteoric growth of the papers, they quick- Journal. Freedom of the Press, as guaranteed include: Eric Billups, Kelvin Eatmon, Aaron ly outgrew this location and began plans for by the First Amendment, is one of the corner- Gaines, Ahmad Isaac, Derrick Morse, Jabril further development. In order to meet the stones of our Nation’s democracy, and it has Muhammad, Alvin Murry, Joseph Murry, Jer- needs of this growing company, the News- helped pave the way for American success emy Shields, Jermaine Turner, and Cedric Journal Company funded the creation of an and innovation. The Pensacola News Journal Russell.

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