January 31, 2006 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 447 down to a good hot meal. The one thing she know that my delegation colleagues look for- TRIBUTE TO MARIA DE LOS likes most about Hernando County is the peo- ward with me to its speedy enactment. ANGELES OBREGON ple, in addition to the good weather. Her favor- ite flower is the rose and her favorite color is f HON. HENRY CUELLAR blue. Her advice to the young people is to, OF TEXAS ‘‘work hard and be good and kind to people.’’ IN MEMORY OF FRANCIS L. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in hon- BRANNIGAN, FIRE SERVICE CON- Tuesday, January 31, 2006 oring Dora Kauffman for reaching her 100th STRUCTION EDUCATOR WITH A birthday. I hope we all have the good fortune LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE AS Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to to live as long as she has. A GROUNDBREAKING LEADER IN celebrate the 100th birthday of Maria de los ˜ f PROVIDING FOR FIREFIGHTER Angeles Obregon Pena who was born on the SAFETY 23rd of December, 1905, in San Luis Potosi, INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION Mexico. DESIGNATING THE GOVERNOR Maria de los Angeles Obregon Pen˜a moved JOHN ANDERSON, JR. POST OF- HON. CURT WELDON to Laredo, TX in 1910 with her two brothers FICE BUILDING and widowed mother. Her father, Gumaro OF PENNSYLVANIA Obregon, was the youngest brother of Presi- dent Alvaro Obregon and was assassinated HON. DENNIS MOORE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for political reasons. While in Laredo, Maria OF Tuesday, January 31, 2006 has memories of sitting on the rooftops in La- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES redo and listening to gun fire just across the Tuesday, January 31, 2006 Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, border in Nuevo Laredo during the 1910 Rev- I rise today with great sadness and tremen- olution. Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, joined dous gratitude to honor the life of Francis L. Maria attended public school until the eighth today by my Kansas colleagues Todd Tiahrt, Brannigan, who over the years has helped grade when she was forced to leave to help and , I am introducing firefighters be more astute to the importance the family make enough money to sustain legislation that would designate the United itself. Later, on July 10th, 1933, she married States post office located at 110 North Chest- of knowing building construction to promote firefighter safety. As a groundbreaking leader Ramiro Santos Pen˜a in Laredo. Together, they nut Street in Olathe as the ‘‘Governor John had three children, Pauline P. Baclesse of Anderson, Jr. Post Office Building.’’ in providing for firefighter safety, Frank was one of the first to realize that the biggest Mexico, MO, Ramiro A. Pen˜a of Holland, TX, Governor Anderson was born near Olathe in and Carlos D. Pen˜a of Clear Lake, TX. 1917 and educated at Kansas State University threat to firefighters were the buildings they were working in. Throughout his career, Frank Maria and Ramiro were both active mem- and the University of Kansas, where he re- bers of the Primera Iglesia Bautista where provided constant focus on the issues associ- ceived a law degree in 1944. After serving on their children were baptized. Maria credits her ated with building construction and the fire en- the staff of U.S. District Court Judge Walter outlook on life and her faith in God for her lon- vironment. The safety of firefighters was al- Huxman for two years, John Anderson won gevity. Laredo is proud to have Maria as a cit- ways the focus of his message and as a re- election as Johnson County Attorney in 1947, izen, and is pleased to celebrate her 100th where he served for six years. He was a sult, generations of firefighters will be safer birthday. member of the Kansas State Senate from because of his message. The knowledge that Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the chance to 1953–1956, and was appointed Kansas Attor- he possessed, and generously shared, was honor a fine citizen of Texas. ney General, serving from 1956–1961. Elected second to none. f Governor of Kansas in 1960 and 1962, he de- Frank Brannigan devoted more than half of feated incumbent Governor George Docking, his 63-year career to the safety of firefighters CONGRATULATING DR. TIMOTHY served as Governor during Kansas’ centennial in building fires. He was well known as the au- LYNN JACKSON celebration, and appointed James B. Pearson thor of ‘‘Building Construction for the Fire to the upon the death of Service,’’ and for his lectures and videotapes. HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS Senator Andrew Schoeppel. The first edition of his ‘‘Building Construction OF TEXAS John Anderson’s tenure as Kansas Gov- for the Fire Service’’ was an instant success in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ernor was marked by numerous achieve- 1971. Since then, it has sold more than Tuesday, January 31, 2006 ments, including: 130,000 copies in three editions, the most re- Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Revision of the state’s pardon and parole cent of which was published in 1992. Des- congratulate Dr. Timothy Lynn Jackson of systems; ignated by Fire Chief as one of the 20 people Highland Village, TX, for receiving the pres- Creation of a combined state medical and who most influenced the fire service in the psychiatric hospital; tigious Fulbright award to teach abroad in 20th century, Frank Brannigan was truly one South Korea during the 2005–2006 academic Restructuring of the state’s public school of the giants of the fire service. system into unified districts; year. Dr. Jackson was honored with this Increasing of the state’s per-pupil expendi- Frank Brannigan was not a fire chief or an award for his talents in the field of music at ture allowance; engineer, but he became one of the most im- the University of North Texas. Addition of the University of Wichita to the portant influences in the fire service in the last The Fulbright program is sponsored by the state board of regents system; quarter of the 20th century. I am proud to say Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program was estab- Sanctioning of fair employment practices I knew Frank Brannigan. lished in 1946 with the purpose of building standards; Mr. Speaker, the Fire Service has lost an mutual understanding between the people of Approval of an advanced public employee exceptional leader and guardian of firefighters the United States and the rest of the world by retirement system; everywhere. I wish Frank Brannigan’s wife allowing recipients to study, lecture or conduct Advancements in highway construction; Maurine and family my heartfelt condolences research in an international exchange pro- Expansion of vocational-technical schools; and may they find comfort in knowing that the gram. Authorization of a state library consultant; many people he impacted deeply value his Timothy was selected on the basis of his Improvements in the public welfare system; dedication and generosity and the example of professional achievement, as well as dem- and his life and work. Frank Brannigan exemplified onstrated leadership potential in his field. Reorganization of state agencies, commis- the spirit of service that has made this country I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. sions and boards. great. As long as firefighters fight fires, the fire Timothy Lynn Jackson on receiving this award Mr. Speaker, this legislation honoring an im- service will be the beneficiary of Frank’s writ- and praise his dedication and desire to help portant Kansas leader is long overdue, and I ing, scholarship, zeal and life-saving message. his community and country.

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