June 9, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1169 have such an exceptional educator in my dis- for inviting me to speak here today; and for my brother studied abroad just as I hope to. trict. We offer heartfelt congratulations to Vicky bringing me home from our nation’s capitol. I know my family couldn’t afford to send for a job well done as we wish Vicky and her When I was a younger man I dreamt I could both my brother and me abroad. I know this change the world. However, as I grew older is the case for many other people traveling family a joyous celebration of this milestone as and wiser I realized that the world was too on a One World Now! Scholarship. After my she begins a new chapter in her life. big and immovable and would not change. older brother, Robel discovered One World f Consequently, I decided to take on a nar- Now! I wanted to do it. We have a ‘‘typical’’ rower target and change my country. How- older-younger brother relationship, so he RECOGNIZING THE 2008 ever, as I grew older and wiser, I realized my tells me that only upper classmen can be in- EXPLORAVISION AWARD WINNERS country was too big, too fixed in its way of volved, so being the gullible freshman I was, doing things, immovable and would not I believed him, only to learn my sophomore change. I therefore decided to address my year that freshmen were enrolled in One HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG city and community. However, once again as World Now! classes. It is amazing what One OF MICHIGAN I grew older and wiser I realized that my city World Now! is doing, offering high school IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and community were too large and immov- students classes in the two most critical Monday, June 9, 2008 able and would not change. So, I decided that world languages: Arabic and Chinese. Believe one last time I would try and change those me, in my position as a Congressional Page, Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, I nearest to me: my friends and family. But, as I hear about the Middle East and China in want to congratulate Timothy Zako, Enzo I had learned so many times before, those debates almost every day. If our leaders Fantin-Yusta, and Ahsan Mahmood for their nearest to me—my friends and family— knew Chinese and Arabic and understood outstanding performance in the 2008 would not change. The problems I saw in the their cultures, this world would be a much ExploraVision Award. These seventh graders world included violence, intolerance, and different place. If they could have been in- racism. Broken and divided schools and cit- volved in One World Now, they would have a from West Hills Middle School in West Bloom- ies, racial slurs, being spoken and glorified better understanding. One World Now is field, Michigan, along with their coaches Paul through the media. Growing up I heard more than just Chinese and Arabic classes Sanchez and Amy Burke embody the innova- phrases like ‘‘you’re not black enough’’, to and the free food at Friday leadership meet- tive spirit of America. Together this team suc- any African-American who stepped outside ings: it is a melting pot—a place where I was ceeded in capturing second place in this pres- the circle and made white friends and lis- exposed to many different cultures, races, tigious regional competition. tened to any other music other than Rap, or and religions; a place where I made many The ExploraVision Awards, which are spon- played any other sports besides basketball. I good friends. Every week that I went to One World Now classes, I grew a little bit. I sored by Toshiba and the National Science think ‘‘you’re not black enough’’ is just an- other way to say you don’t have sufficient sometimes got tired of them saying ‘‘get out Teachers Association, are awarded to stu- hate for others. If being black means to hate, of your comfort zone’’ and ‘‘be passionate’’, dents of all ages for combining their imagina- then I would rather be green. Of course this but that was what really happened, at every tions with the tools of science to create and isn’t what it means to be black. I’ve heard of meeting I felt I was stripped of all the walls explore a vision of tomorrow’s technology. genocide and gang violence. When I was I put up and just showed the bare and true Students of different interest, ability, and skill born, my home country Eritrea had just fin- Philmon. That’s how you really gain social levels develop new technologies utilizing their ished a thirty-year war for independence skills and grow as a person. There are so from Ethiopia. A war is still going on today many different types of people you don’t creative thinking and problem solving skills. know how to act, so just act like yourself. The students from West Hills Middle School between the two countries, with a tense bor- der conflict plaguing the people. I am close That’s how you really build character. The sought out to find a new method for treating to this war because both parents were in- change that has occurred in me is something lazy eye and strabismus, a condition where volved in it, a facet of my personal and fam- I can’t describe, something deep within has ones’ eyes are misaligned. These conditions, ily history. These problems are so real to me changed. I am now able to communicate my which affect roughly four percent of children in I pray every night for the safety of grand- ideas better, more powerfully. The only America, are often treated with eye-patches or parents, who—as I speak—continue to live in thing I can’t communicate is the change in some instances surgery. These treatments a war torn country run by a dictator. Be- that has occurred because it so deep within cause these issues are so real, I spend a lot of me, but resonates and I can always feel it. limit the activities that children can participate This is all because of One World Now and the in, can lower the child’s self esteem, and in time thinking about why this happens. I found the problem. People hurt each opportunities offered me from their influ- the most severe cases require extremely other because they had no idea what it felt ence. Through One World Now, I’ve really invasive surgery. to be the other party. I knew the answer too, walked a thousand miles. I am a different Utilizing existing technologies, the students and I thought the best way to end all of this person than when I was a sophomore. were able to develop a prototype that could be was through education; uniting people When I was invited to be a U.S. House of worn like eyeglasses, and could be turned on through education; giving them a chance to Representatives Page and I accepted, I felt learn about each other so they can coexist both sad and happy. The sadness came when and off as needed so that the child could use I realized I would not be able to take One both eyes together and see in three dimen- peacefully. Now, as I stand here, old and tired at the World Now classes every other day. Before I sions at least some of the time. The Stra- ripe old age of 17, I finally get it. Perhaps if accepted, I went to the One World Now office bismus Glasses, as they named them, would I abolished my own stereotypes, I could have and asked how this would affect my member- help a child’s self-esteem by allowing them to impacted my friends and family. Their ship at One World Now. They told me that I treat their condition without having to use an change in turn may have influenced more will always be a part of the One World Now eye-patch. people and could have changed my city and family, and that I could even apply to go to Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate community and—who knows—maybe even China with them this summer. I came to DC these students for their amazing and creative my country and the world: a ripple effect sad that I wouldn’t be able to take Chinese like a pebble in the pond. in a formal Chinese class setting provided by work. I am proud of the initiative these young Let’s be honest with ourselves—anyone One World Now, but I was determined I people have shown. Theirs is a shining exam- who grows in this world has certain estab- would not give up. I found the Chinese Cul- ple of what we are all capable of achieving lished mind sets and we all need to tear them tural Center, and learned I could take Chi- with just a little imagination and some hard down before we can progress and accept peo- nese there. So I went over there and they work. ple for who they are. asked questions like ‘‘how long have you f In order to be a successful leader, one must been taking Chinese?’’ and I told them one be willing to give up certain ideas, decisions year, so they gave their second year test be- ONE WORLD NOW and a degree of popularity in order to nego- cause they only offered up to Chinese level tiate, mediate and decide what is in the best the level I should have been at. I took the interest of the whole. The persona you create test and they told me that I was too ad- HON. JIM McDERMOTT around you is how people perceive you. With- vanced to take their classes, so Teacher Sun OF WASHINGTON out a positive attitude I’ve learned the abil- (find her in the audience) if you’re in the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ity to lead others confidently and work to- room, you taught me well. So I decided to gether is greatly diminished. Qualities of become a volunteer and asked if they could Monday, June 9, 2008 tolerance, openness, and optimism are what only speak to me in Chinese. While in DC I Mr. MCDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, I sub- One World Now represents and instills in all still called my old Chinese classmates and mit the following: their students, qualities that will reside and teacher, to make sure I was caught up to resonate forever. where I needed to be. I was now ready to reap WHAT I CAN DO When I came to Garfield High School, I the benefits of the Congressional Page pro- (By Philmon Haile) never thought that I could take Chinese es- gram. First of all I would like to thank Kirstin pecially for free, or much less use those In this program I am able watch the de- Hayden and all of the One World Now folks skills and afford to study abroad. You know, bates of our country’s architects. I think it

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:41 Jun 10, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A09JN8.009 E09JNPT1 smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS E1170 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 9, 2008 is a blessing to watch the people who serve The young man listened politely, then bent its many successes over the past 75 years. our country pass legislation. I have a new- down, picked up another Starfish and threw Passage of the resolution I have introduced found respect for the Congress of this nation. it into the sea, past the breaking waves. ‘‘It commending the theater will be a fitting tribute This program is perfect for me. Young people made a difference for that one.’’ to its many years of cultural contribution. are asked what they want to be when they One World Now is the young man making grow up, and I always had no idea, so I would a difference in students’ lives. I am an exam- f fabricate one of the many formulated an- ple of that difference being made. And guess swers and say something like a doctor or a INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMER- what? I am going to make a difference in CIAL ADVERTISEMENT LOUD- lawyer, not really knowing exactly what I others lives also. One World Now makes its was saying. Now I think I know. Just like NESS MITIGATION ACT difference in a very unique way, I think this Members of Congress, I want to devote my is why One World Now is so great! It empow- life to service and make a difference in the ers those, like me, who have found their world. I would to be an Ambassador and HON. ANNA G. ESHOO commitment in life. One World Now is worth work with different institutions around the OF CALIFORNIA world to make a change. Change to bring my supporting. One World Now is worth attend- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing. It’s lasting legacy, it’s gifts to Seattle home country of Eritrea, and bring its peo- Monday, June 9, 2008 ple, my people out of the straggling choke- and to the Nation, are the gifts of students hold of poverty, to bring peace to the border like me. As I grow older and wiser, I realize Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, most Ameri- conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Peo- that the more I serve my community, I cans are not overjoyed to watch television ple of these countries are the same: they change myself for the better, and I am also commercials, but they are willing to tolerate changing the world. share the same religion, culture, and values, them to sustain free over-the-air television. divided only by politics. f What annoys all of us is the sudden increase A quote from George Bernard Shaw de- scribes exactly how I feel: INTRODUCTION OF H.J. RES. 90, of volume when commercials are aired. ‘‘This is the true joy in life, the being used COMMENDING THE BARTER THE- While the FCC does not specifically regulate for a purpose recognized by yourself as a ATRE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS the volume of TV programs or TV commer- mighty one: the being a force of nature in- 75TH ANNIVERSARY cials, broadcasters are required to have equip- stead of a feverish selfish little clod of ail- ment that limits the peak power they can use ments and grievances complaining that the to send out their audio and video signals. This world will not devote itself to making you HON. RICK BOUCHER means the loudest TV commercial can never happy. I am of the opinion that my life be- OF VIRGINIA be louder than the loudest part of any TV pro- longs to the whole community and as long as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gram. I can live it is my privilege to do for it what- ever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up Monday, June 9, 2008 A TV program has a mix of audio levels. when I die, for harder I work the more I live, Mr. BOUCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise There are loud parts and soft parts. Nuance is I rejoice in life for its sake’’. today to introduce a resolution commending used to build the dramatic effect. Most adver- All this would not be possible without One the Barter Theatre on the occasion of its 75th tisers don’t want nuance. They want to grab World Now. Ms. Kristin Hayden nominated anniversary. It is the longest continuously our attention, and to do this, they record every me to Congressman Jim McDermott, Demo- part of it as loud as possible. The peak levels crat from the Seventh Congressional District functioning live stage theater in the U.S. The Barter Theatre is located in my home- of commercials are no higher than the peak of Washington State. When I was lucky levels of program content, but those peaks are enough to get into the program, I was then town of Abingdon, Virginia. It was founded in one of ten Pages selected to stay for a second 1933. In the midst of the Great Depression, sustained for longer periods in commercials. semester to be a role model for the new money was difficult to obtain, and families I’ve introduced the Commercial Advertise- Pages who were coming in for the Spring were reluctant to use it on such a luxury as a ment Loudness Mitigation Act, CALM Act, to Session. theater performance. Yet founder Robert address the volume of commercials. The bill While in DC, I have thought about my would mandate that the FCC within one year summer a great deal. I would like to travel Porterfield offered a novel solution: Patrons could view live theater performances in ex- enact rules requiring that advertisements not to China on a One World Now scholarship. I be excessively noisy and that they must be at know this will be a fantastic. I am truly ex- change for fresh produce or livestock. This cited about traveling this summer. I will successful ‘‘ham for Hamlet’’ arrangement in- the same volume as the television program- never forget what One World Now scholar- spired the name, ‘‘Barter Theatre.’’ ming they accompany. ships have offered me. Opportunities like In its 75 years of existence, the Barter The- I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this sen- these don’t come every day, and One World atre has established itself as a favorite des- sible bill. Now isn’t just an every day occurrence. I can f guarantee you that Kirstin Hayden is tal- tination for regional, national, and international ented and passionate; able to speak Russian visitors. Its popularity prompted the Virginia RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT and being a great entrepreneur that started General Assembly in 1946 to designate the OF POLICE LIEUTENANT MONTY this extraordinary program from scratch. Barter Theatre as the State Theater of Vir- A. SHIPP FROM THE FAIRFIELD This program started five years ago at ginia. POLICE DEPARTMENT Ingram High School, with one language, Chi- As a premiere tourist attraction in southwest nese, and twelve students. Now this program Virginia, the theatre makes a significant eco- has extended itself to Garfield, Cleveland, HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER nomic and cultural contribution to the region. Roosevelt, Rainier Beach, and Franklin High OF CALIFORNIA The town of Abingdon and its surrounding lo- Schools—six different schools! I hope that it IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES can continue to spread and impact many calities benefit from the theatre’s ability to at- other high school students and make the dif- tract more than 145,000 guests annually to its Monday, June 9, 2008 ference in their lives as it has made in my productions. Mrs. TAUSCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise to life. The Barter Theatre is also a valuable edu- recognize Police Lieutenant Monty A. Shipp This reminds me of an anecdote. It is about cational resource, reaching thousands of chil- a young man who tries to make a difference who faithfully served the residents of the cities in the world: dren each season through its productions at of Fairfield and Concord since 1981. It was high tide and there were thousands Barter and Barter Stage II. Additionally, the Prior to becoming a police officer, Lieuten- of Starfishes washed up ashore, and a man Barter Players, the touring company of the ant Shipp served 4 years in the United States saw a young man throwing star fish back theatre, travels to eight States each year per- Air Force from December 1977 to December into the sea, and asked forming at schools and community venues. 1981. Upon receiving an honorable discharge ‘‘What are you doing?’’ Recently, Barter has created and implemented with an Air Force Commendation Medal and a The young man paused, looked up and re- an innovative internet educational program Good Conduct Medal, Lieutenant Shipp con- plied, ‘‘Throwing Starfish back into the ocean.’’ which teaches students about artistic and tinued his service to his country and commu- ‘‘I guess I should have asked; why are you technical theatrical elements using a Web- nity by joining the Concord Police Department. are throwing Starfish into the ocean?’’ said based interactive program available to class- Lieutenant Shipp served with the Concord the bystander. rooms across the region. This program ex- Police Department for 4 years before being ‘‘The sun is up and the tide is going out poses students to a side of a theatrical pro- hired by the Fairfield Police Department. He and if I don’t throw them in they’ll die.’’ The young man said. duction that they might not have experienced showed considerable talent and promise and ‘‘But don’t you realize that there are miles otherwise. was promoted to Police Sergeant on March and miles of beach and Starfish all along it, I commend and congratulate the Barter The- 23, 1990. His contributions to the police de- you can’t possibly make a difference!’’ atre for its contributions to our region and for partment could be seen in a variety of ways

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