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HONORING MASON SMOAK Harre’s leadership and service will be held at and successful career after narrowly escaping Strongbow Inn Restaurant in Valparaiso, Indi- Nazi Germany. HON. TIM MAHONEY ana, on Thursday, June 26, 2008. A German Jew born shortly after the end of OF FLORIDA Dr. Alan Harre has spent his professional World War I, Irving Klothen barely avoided de- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES career improving the quality of life at portation by the Nazis when he and his par- Valparaiso University. Dr. Harre’s Strategic ents fled their native Berlin in 1941. Mr. Monday, June 23, 2008 Plan set goals for the university in every as- Klothen displayed his strong work ethic and Mr. MAHONEY of Florida. Madam Speaker, pect of campus life. During his tenure, the uni- his resolve to make the most of his abilities as I rise today to pay my deepest condolence to versity has built several new facilities, includ- he simultaneously completed his secondary the Smoak family and to honor the passing of ing: the Center for the Arts, Kallay-Christopher education at night school and worked full time a great American and close friend. Mason Hall, the Christopher Center for Library Infor- for a picture-framing company. Smoak was an outstanding human being, mation and Resources, and has broken In 1943, Mr. Klothen entered the U.S. Army whose bravery and character left lasting im- ground for a new student union. Valparaiso and his service included guarding German pressions on all who knew him. This kind gen- University has also ranked within the top four POWs in France, where he met the love of his tleman exemplified the meaning of leadership. in its class in U.S. News and World Report’s life, Miriam Frank. He and Miriam, another Mason was loved by all in his community, a rankings of America’s Best Colleges under Jewish refugee from Berlin, married in 1944. lifelong resident of Lake Placid, Florida who Harre’s leadership. Dr. Harre also contributed Following the war, Mr. Klothen graduated dedicated his life to his wife, children, and to the development of three new Master of from New York University with a degree in church, as well as the University of Florida his Science programs and established a chemical engineering and would receive sev- alma mater. Unfortunately, Mason passed Valparaiso University Phi Beta Kappa honor eral patents for his work with animal-feed ad- away on Friday, June 20, 2008 at the age of society chapter. Perhaps Dr. Harre’s greatest ditives. His expertise led to business trips that 33. on-campus achievement is the increasing of turned into family vacations with his son and His accomplishments within the agricultural the endowment fund from $37 million to over wife across the globe. As an employee of community will serve as inspiration and guid- $200 million. American Cyanamid Co, he traveled to Eu- ance for aspiring citrus growers. Mason pro- During his time at Valparaiso University, rope, Latin America and Asia. moted awareness of agriculture and citrus Alan has shared his unrivaled expertise and Mr. Klothen, a loving father of his son Ken issues in both Washington and Tallahassee, knowledge of his field with local organizations. and loving grandfather of Erich and Rebecca, often testifying at the request of elected offi- Alan has served two terms on the Board for never forgot his roots and the family he left cials. He enjoyed fruitful partnerships with UF/ the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce behind to move to the United States. In 1989, IFAS and served the community as the current and was named Distinguished Community he visited the Berlin Jewish School, which he President of the Highlands County Citrus Leader by the Chamber in 1998. He was a attended more than four decades earlier. He Growers. He was also the Chairman of the founding member of the Porter County Com- committed to assisting the new German Jew- Heartland Agricultural Coalition, a Board Mem- munity Foundation and a co-founder of the ish community through work at the now-Jew- ber of the Highlands County Habitat for Hu- non-profit group Rebuilding Together. Alan ish High School of Berlin. Even last year, he manity and Florida Citrus Mutual’s Federal Po- also has served as the Chairman of the Qual- funded a program to allow teachers from that litical Action Committee, and Past President of ity of Life Council, and in 2007, received the institution to visit Jewish schools in the United Highlands County Farm Bureau and the Flor- Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. States. ida Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranch- Harre and his wife, Diane, are also creating Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in ers. the Alan and Diane Harre Scholarship Fund paying tribute to Irving Klothen. Through his Florida will miss Mason’s dedication and for Valparaiso University. beautiful family, and his contributions to Jew- dogged determination to Florida citrus. Madam Madam Speaker, Dr. Alan Harre has de- ish communities in America and Germany, he Speaker, I will miss Mason as a true friend. voted his life to improving Valparaiso Univer- has left a lasting contribution that we can all f sity and to serving the people of Northwest In- admire. diana. At this time, I ask that you and all of my DR. ALAN HARRE distinguished colleagues join me in com- f mending him for his lifetime of service, perse- HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY verance, and dedication. I also ask that you NAACP PICKS YOUNGEST LEADER OF INDIANA join me in wishing him the best of health and EVER, JEALOUS AT THE HELM IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES happiness in the years to come. Monday, June 23, 2008 f HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with IRVING KLOTHEN OF NEW YORK great admiration and gratitude that I stand be- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fore you today to recognize the many years of HON. JOE SESTAK Monday, June 23, 2008 dedicated service of Dr. Alan Harre. Having OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today known Alan for many years, I can truly say IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that he is one of the most committed, knowl- in recognition of Ben Jealous, the new presi- edgeable, and honorable citizens in Northwest Monday, June 23, 2008 dent of the National Association for the Ad- Indiana. Nowhere has his knowledge and Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today vancement of Colored People, NAACP, and to commitment been more evident than in his to recognize and honor the life of a husband, enter into the RECORD an article from the New faithful service as President of Valparaiso Uni- father, grandfather, and Veteran, who, through York Carib News for the week ending June 3, versity. Alan has served Valparaiso University hard work and determination, fulfilled the 2008 titled ‘‘NAACP Picks Youngest Leader with two decades of dedicated leadership, and American dream. Irving Klothen, who passed Ever.’’ he has been a constant fixture in the away on Thursday, June 12, at age 84, be- The NAACP was founded in 1909 by an Valparaiso community. For his efforts, I would lieved strongly in the principles of democracy interracial coalition that battled segregation like to thank him and extend my best wishes and took full advantage of his opportunities in and lynching and helped win some of the Na- for his retirement. A celebration honoring Dr. the United States, building a prosperous family tion’s biggest civil rights victories. The mission

● This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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DIANA DeGETTE munity activism and extensive civil rights ex- OF COLORADO perience, Ben Jealous has strong credentials interim president and chief executive officer since that time. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for leadership of the NAACP. Ben, who will Monday, June 23, 2008 start his position September 1, is a former Jealous was born in Pacific Grove, Calif., managing editor of Mississippi’s historic Jack- and educated at Columbia University and Ms. DEGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise to son Advocate. In 2000, he became executive Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes recognize a dual celebration for two distin- director of the National Newspaper Publishers Scholar. He began his professional life in 1991 guished members of the First Congressional Association, NNPA, the Black press of Amer- with the NAACP, where he worked as a com- District. This week the Kopel family of Denver ica. He left NNPA after three years to become munity organizer with the Legal Defense celebrates the 80th Birthday of Gerald (Jerry) director of Amnesty International’s U.S. Fund working on issues of health care access Kopel and the 56th Anniversary of the mar- in Harlem. His family boasts five genera- Human Rights Program. He comes to the riage between Jerry and Dolores Kopel. tions of NAACP membership. Jerry and Dolores have led an interesting NAACP from the San Francisco-based Rosen- and engaged life together, balancing careers berg Foundation, where he has served as During the mid 1990s, Jealous was man- aging editor of the Jackson Advocate, Mis- in journalism, law, politics, and policy. They president since 2005. were the original ‘‘power couple’’ long before Among his plans for the organization are sissippi’s oldest black newspaper. From 1999 dual careers were more outwardly prevalent strengthening online presence to connect with to 2002, Jealous led the country’s largest and socially acceptable. What is truly admi- activists, mobilize public opinion, and build a group of Black community newspapers as ex- rable is the Kopels managed to pursue these database for tracking racial discrimination and ecutive director of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. accomplishments while raising a family and hate crimes. His agenda includes ensuring a contributing to the broader well-being of our high voter turnout among the Black community Jealous left the Publishers Association for Amnesty International to direct its U.S. community. in the November election, pushing an aggres- Dolores and Jerry met at the University of sive stance on civil rights, and retooling the Human Rights Program, for which he suc- cessfully lobbied for federal legislation Colorado when Jerry was city editor of the Sil- national office to make it more effective at ver and Gold newspaper and Dolores was a helping local branches effect change in their against prison rape, public disapproval of ra- cial profiling after Sept. 11, and exposure of reporter. Jerry graduated from the University communities. and Dolores transferred to the University of As a young Black activist, he is poised to at- widespread sentencing of children to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Denver College of Law. They married at the tract young African Americans who have criti- end of her first year of law school, while Jerry cized the NAACP for being out of step with Since 2005, Jealous has served as president was working for the Rocky Mountain News. people who still face racial discrimination after of the Rosenberg Foundation, a private insti- Dolores graduated from law school cum the demise of legalized segregation. Ben Jeal- tution that supports civil and human rights laude in June 1954. Jerry enrolled in law ous has the smarts, talent, and leadership ex- advocacy. His experiences caught the atten- school in January 1955 but continued for a perience to modernize the organization and tion of the NAACP’s search committee, and while to pull night shifts at the Rocky Mountain lead it into the 21st century better able to con- Jealous said mentors encouraged him to News as a copy editor. In 1958, Jerry grad- take the job. tinue its historic record of achievement on be- uated cum laude from the University of Den- half of the Black community. ‘‘Like all black people in this country. I ver. The Kopels had the unique experience of [From the NY Carib News, June 3, 2008] am deeply grateful for what the NAACP has practicing law together until 1979, when Dolo- NAACP PICKS YOUNGEST LEADER EVER accomplished in the 20th century, and I want res was appointed U.S. Trustee for the District The 64-member Board of the National Asso- to make sure it’s as strong and as powerful of Colorado and Kansas. ciation for the Advancement of Colored Peo- in the 21st century,’’ he said. ‘‘If I thought As part of his life-long dedication to giving ple (NAACP), the nation’s largest civil rights that I could help rebuild, if I thought that I back to the community and preparing the next organization, decided that it was time to in- could help bring in more funds and give di- generation for careers in law, Jerry directed a vest in the youth when it announced the de- rection to the national staff and increase review course for law students preparing for cision that 35-year old Ben Jealous will be- morale, I needed to take it very seriously, the Colorado bar exam from 1958 through come the organization’s President making and that’s what I’ve done.’’ 1985. him the youngest leader in its 99-year his- The NAACP was founded in 1909 by an In 1964, Jerry combined his background in tory. He will take the helm of the NAACP interracial coalition that battled segrega- this September. journalism and his law degree to become an ‘‘I’m excited. I think that it’s a real affir- tion and lynching and helped win some of the influential member of the Democratic Party. mation that this organization is willing to nation’s biggest civil rights victories. But in He served as State representative for a total invest in the future, to invest in the ideas the wake of racial advances, the organiza- of 22 years, spanning 2 decades. and the leadership of the generation that is tion has struggled financially. Jerry was known as the consummate legis- currently raising Black children in this Among his plans for the group are lator, reading every bill and every amendment country, Jealous said after his confirmation. strengthening its online presence to connect that came before the House chamber. He suc- Jealous is not a politician, minister or with activists, mobilize public opinion and cessfully carried 110 bills as chief sponsor, in- civil rights icon. His background is in com- build a database for tracking racial discrimi- cluding the Nation’s first sunset law. munications and community activism. It is Jerry’s 22 years in the State Legislature and hoped that Jealous will provide the NAACP nation and hate crimes; ensuring high voter with a new youthful face in order to attract turnout among Blacks in the November elec- his extensive involvement in community issues more young people to the organization’s tion; pushing an aggressive civil rights agen- and Colorado politics are encapsulated in ranks. He will bring another invaluable da, regardless of the makeup of the Congress ‘‘The Gerald Kopel Papers’’, which are housed asset—a young but connected chief familiar or White House; and retooling the national in the Denver Public Library’s Western History with Black leadership and social justice office to make it more effective at helping Collection. The papers are perhaps the most issues. He takes the helm as the NAACP’s local branches affect change in their commu- extensive archive of the public career of any 17th President just months before the orga- nities. American state legislator from the 20th cen- nization’s centennial anniversary and as the What Jealous lacks in oratorical appeal, he tury. group looks to boost its coffers. makes up for as an administrator skills he After retiring from the Legislature in 1992, ‘‘There are a small number of groups to Jerry continued to produce a printed news- whom all Black people in this country owe a honed during his tenure with the Publishers debt of gratitude, and the NAACP is one of Association. And his foundation experience letter, titled ‘‘Jerry Kopel’s Report’’ until 1998. them.’’ Jealous said. ‘‘There is work that is could help with fundraising especially as the However, for many years, Jerry prepared undone. . . . The need continues and our NAACP looks to raise $100 million in con- weekly reports for House Democrats and sug- children continue to be at great risk in this junction with its 100th anniversary in Feb- gested amendments to bills being debated on country.’’ ruary. the House floor.

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