June 20, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 9 13297 arsonists, well that is yet to be seen. There’s Agencies Appropriations Act, I would have labor challenges in the face of the financial a reason for the saying—‘‘Don’t mess with voted ‘‘aye.’’ downturn of the automotive ‘‘Big Three’’, said Texas!’’ Had I been present for rollcall 432, H.R. he often turned to Mr. Fraser for guidance and And that’s just the way it is. 2262, agreeing to Senate Amendment to support. f House Amendment No. 2 on the Military Con- struction and Veterans Affairs and Related Once Mr. Fraser retired as UAW president HONORING HOUSTON WHITE Agencies Appropriations Act, I would have in 1983, he became a professor of labor stud- voted ‘‘aye.’’ ies at Wayne State and launched another ca- HON. JEB HENSARLING Had I been present for rollcall 433, H.Res. reer that spanned 25 years. In that capacity, OF TEXAS 1029, on a motion to suspend the rules and he served as a guest faculty member at other IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES agree to a measure congratulating and recog- campuses, including the University of Michi- nizing Mr. Juan Antonio Chi-Chi Rodriguez for Friday, June 20, 2008 gan, Harvard University and Columbia Busi- his continued success on and off the golf ness School, where he was labor leader in Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, I rise course, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ residence for 3 years. today to honor Mr. Houston White on the 60th f anniversary of his participation in the estab- It is with the deepest appreciation that I pay lishment of the Rotary Club of Rusk, Texas. HONORING DOUGLAS A. FRASER tribute to the long life of a hard-working, just If you’ve ever wondered what made individ- and passionate man, Douglas Fraser. He lived uals from the ‘‘Greatest Generation’’ so excep- HON. MARCY KAPTUR his years in service to his family, friends and tional, one must look no further than to Mr. OF OHIO– fellow United Auto Workers. May this ardent White. Ninety-five years old, Mr. White recalls IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES labor leader be showered with blessings into surviving the Great Depression by spending eternity and receive a loving peace. his days picking cotton in West Texas. During Friday, June 20, 2008 World War II, Mr. White volunteered for the Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker. I rise today f Navy, but that was just the beginning of his to recognize Douglas A. Fraser of Southfield, volunteerism. Michigan. CENTENNIAL OF THE INTER- Mr. White, a graduate of Jacksonville High Douglas A. Fraser departed from this life NATIONAL BOUNDARY COMMIS- School and Jacksonville Baptist College, Saturday, February 23, 2008 at a fulfilling 91 SION helped establish the Rotary Club in Rusk, years old. Douglas will forever be remembered Texas in 1948. Since then, Mr. White has for his dedication to labor rights, as he con- been an active member and was selected to stantly sought after fairness and justice in em- HON. DON YOUNG serve as District Governor for Rotary District ployment practices. Douglas led the United 5910, one of the highest offices a Rotarian Auto Workers (UAW), though a period of tran- OF ALASKA can achieve. sition in the 1970s and 1980s. As the chief of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. White’s public service includes count- the United Auto Workers, he played an instru- less civic projects, volunteer efforts, and par- mental role in saving the former Chrysler Cor- Friday, June 20, 2008 ticipation in Rusk city government. In addition, poration from bankruptcy. Mr. YOUNG. Madam Speaker, I have the Mr. White has served as a deacon and Sun- Mr. Fraser commenced his career with the pleasure of informing my colleagues that the day school teacher at First Baptist Church. auto industry by taking a job at a DeSoto plant Mr. White is a husband to Freddye Banks owned by Chrysler that had been organized International Boundary Commission (IBC), the Dear, a father to George White, and grand- by the UAW. He rose rapidly in the ranks of entity responsible for making, maintaining and father to Christopher White. the union, eventually being elected of Local mapping the Canada-U.S. border, is cele- Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘‘In the end, it’s 227, in 1944, at the age of 27. After three brating its centennial this month. not the years in your life that count. It’s the life terms as president, in 1947 he was hired as Through the IBC, Canada and the United in your years.’’ Well, Mr. White has certainly a member of the union’s international staff. In States have collaborated for over 100 years to 1951, Mr. Fraser joined then UAW President made the past ninety-five years count. peacefully maintain the longest shared border Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Walter Reuther’s staff. Because of skills at ne- in the world, 5525 miles long, from the Atlantic Mr. Houston White as a resident in the fifth gotiation, he quickly became known for his to the Pacific to the Arctic Ocean. My state of district of Texas and would like to thank him shrewd bargaining ability. for his tireless service to Cherokee County, Respected for being both an artful politician Alaska shares more boundary with Canada Texas, and this great nation. and an impassioned activist, Mr. Fraser was than any other State, 1540 miles (Water and f one of the first labor leaders to take on many Land). Of those 1540 miles, 710 miles of land of the thorny issues facing the auto industry is defined by 90 mountain peaks and 97 inter- PERSONAL EXPLANATION today, from global competition to soaring mediate monuments from the Portland Canal health costs. to Mt. St. Elias. This summer, the field parties HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY Without Mr. Fraser’s aggressive lobbying on for both the U.S. and Canadian sections of the OF INDIANA Capitol Hill and among UAW rank and file, IBC will be surveying the land boundary in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chrysler would not have been able to secure Southeast Alaska (710 miles). The main goal $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees in 1979, of this project is to update the boundary posi- Friday, June 20, 2008 which saved the automaker from bankruptcy, tions to the currently used coordinate ref- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, I was according to labor historians and top UAW of- absent from the House due to the funeral of ficials. Also, in the 1979, as president of the erence system, as well as identify and mark a close friend and therefore missed rollcall UAW, Mr. Fraser and his team achieved other the boundary points the original surveys were votes 430 through 433. breakthroughs: Incremental increases in pen- unable to physically occupy. Had I been present for rollcall 430, H.Res. sion benefits for current and future retirees, a The work of the IBC is fundamentally impor- 1230, on a motion to suspend the rules and substantial increase in reduced work time, im- tant to our national interest; to law enforce- agree to a measure condemning the post- provements in the cost-of-living allowance for- ment—land administration, customs and immi- election violence in Zimbabwe and calling for mula, and Chrysler agreement to union rep- gration; and to the management of the a peaceful resolution to the current political resentation on its board of directors. transboundary resources. The last 100 years crisis, and for other purposes, I would have In 1980, Mr. Fraser became the first Amer- of work of the IBC exemplifies the close and voted ‘‘aye.’’ ican union official to sit on the board of a large enduring Canada-U.S. relationship. Had I been present for rollcall 431, H.R. corporation. He even donated his board salary 2262, agreeing to Senate Amendment to to Wayne State University in Detroit. Madam Speaker, and my fellow members, House Amendment No. 1 on the Military Con- Current UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, join me in celebrating the centennial of the struction and Veterans Affairs and Related who has led the union through a period of International Boundary Commission.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:45 Jan 28, 2011 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E20JN8.000 E20JN8 WReier-Aviles on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BOUND RECORD 13298 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 9 June 20, 2008 RECOGNIZING THE COMMITMENT school teacher prior to her marriage to Harris every cause she believed in. Equality for all OF THE ALI FAMILY TO THE L. Kempner on April 24, 1939. They had two people, regardless of sex, race or religion was COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR sons, Harris L. ‘‘Shrub’’ Kempner, Jr., and one of those causes, and she fought for it BUSINESS, BEN’S CHILI BOWL Marion Lee ‘‘Sandy’’ Kempner. Sandy, a lieu- staunchly at a time when it took much cour- tenant in the United States Marine Corps, was age. She was particularly a role model for HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL killed in Vietnam in November 1966. many women who responded to her gracious OF NEW YORK She is preceded in death by her parents, toughness, and her willingness to express her- husband, son, and brother, Marion Levy of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES self very directly. Princeton, New Jersey. She is survived by her Mrs. Kempner was a courtly hostess, a Friday, June 20, 2008 son, Harris L. Kempner, Jr., and his wife Hetta steadfast friend, and a formidable enemy to in- Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today T. Kempner of Galveston, her grandchildren, justice of any kind. She took great pride in her to pay special tribute to the Ali Family for 50 Harris L. Kempner III and wife Kim of Knox- family, and was passionate about Galveston years of contributing to the economic vitality ville, Tennessee, and Randall T. Kempner of and its citizens. Vice versa. and culture of Washington, DC’s historic U Washington, DC, sister-in-law, Joy Levy of She occasionally admitted that she had poor Street corridor, the ‘‘Black Broadway.’’ Princeton, New Jersey, niece, Dore Levy-Trill- math skills. We believe that she thought one In each decade in which the Chili Bowl has ing and husband Jim Trilling of Providence, and one equals three because she always been in operation, Ben and Virginia have Rhode Island, nephews Noah Levy of New knew that the whole was greater than the sum faced challenges that for others contributed to Jersey and Amos Levy and wife Carla of New of its parts. We will miss her greatly. the closing of their business. The violent un- York, and cousins, Adrian Levy of Galveston f rest following the assassination of Martin Lu- and Gloria Herman of Houston. INACTION AND OVERREACTION ther King, Jr. in 1968, disinvestment in Wash- Her life was devoted to various charitable ington commercial districts throughout the and civic endeavors. She was president of the 1970s and 80s, the complete upturning of the Family Service Bureau and served on the HON. JOE WILSON 1200 block of U Street to make way for Met- boards of Galveston Public Health Nursing OF SOUTH CAROLINA ro’s green line extension during the late Service, Galveston Community Council, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1990s. Many entrepreneurs have come and the League of Women Voters among many Friday, June 20, 2008 gone, but the Ali’s and that familiar long white others. Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam counter with red-vinyl stools have remained She was chairman of the Red Cross Dis- Speaker, depending on what day it is, the stalwart and true. aster Relief Committee during the Texas City House Democrat energy policy can be de- As we enter into a moment in time when the disaster in 1947, and worked tirelessly on the scribed one of two ways—either inaction or possibility for change is right at our finger tips, scene searching the wreckage for the dead overreaction. On the one hand, with gas it is comforting to know that for which we hope and injured, bringing home temporarily or- prices over 4 dollars per gallon and a growing to attain is possible, and can be seen in our phaned children at night. It was her nature to global demand for oil, House Democrats not too distant past. Ben and Virginia opened see a need and immediately accept the chal- refuse to lift the moratoriums against exploring a business to be part of a community, to con- lenge to meet it. for new oil and natural gas reserves here in She was president of Friends of Rosenberg tribute. Through hard work and commitment, the United States. On the other hand, having Library and volunteered in the library’s cata- they have been able to raise a family, guide now failed to lower gas prices by doing noth- loging department for 20 years. She also young employees in the lessons of good busi- ing, we hear Members of the majority saying served on its board of trustees. ness, and make and keep appreciative pa- we should nationalize the American oil indus- From 1959 to 1960 Mrs. Kempner served trons. The neighborhood has changed around try. Since when did the United States start fol- on the Galveston City Charter Commission them, but their devotion to creating a place lowing the example of socialist regimes like and was instrumental in changing Galveston’s where everyone feels welcome, where what is that of unstable Venezuelan President Hugo form of government from a city commission to expected is what is served, and where you Chavez? a council-city manager operation. When the can listen to the rhythms of what makes U House Republicans have a plan that will not new charter was adopted, Mrs. Kempner was Street so special. They created a place of surrender our freedom and innovative spirit to elected to serve on the first Galveston City character. It is in these things that for 50 years the limits of big government. We want to lift Council from 1961 to 1963. She thereby be- we have seen the best part of ourselves when the unnecessary restrictions on energy explo- came the first woman in Galveston’s history to looking through the plate glass window of ration. We want to invest in alternative energy serve on any governing body of the city of Ben’s Chili Bowl. It is with the next generation sources and use the power of the free market Galveston. In this, as in many things, she pio- of Ali capable hands that the business moves to drive innovation forward and energy prices neered the way for women in the city. forward. down. Ruth Kempner was one of two lay persons f In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we appointed to the Texas Civil Judicial Council will never forget September 11th. I am grateful TO HONOR A GREAT TEXAN—RUTH and served for 8 years, from 1965 to 1973. In that World War II veteran, Sergeant William E. KEMPNER later years, she was active on the develop- Durkes, Sr., is visiting Washington today con- ment board of the University of Texas Medical tinuing to celebrate his 92nd birthday. Branch in Galveston and was chairman of the HON. NICK LAMPSON f OF TEXAS Breast Imaging Committee. She was a gen- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES erous benefactor to the UTMB mammography TRIBUTE TO MRS. LINDA DAVIS and osteoporosis screening van, ‘‘the Ole- Friday, June 20, 2008 ander’’, and enthusiastically participated in its HON. DANNY K. DAVIS Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in dedication in 1999. In 2003, her grandsons es- OF ILLINOIS honor of a great friend and Texan that passed tablished the Ruth Levy Kempner Professor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES away June 16, 2008. Ruth was an honorable ship in Radiation Oncology at UTMB in honor woman who dedicated her life to charity and of their grandmother’s dedication to the med- Friday, June 20, 2008 helping others. ical branch and the Galveston community. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise Ruth Levy Kempner was born at John Sealy She was the recipient of many community to pay tribute to one of the outstanding resi- Hospital in Galveston, Texas, on November awards over the years including the Galveston dents of the community where I live and enjoy 26, 1917, to Marion J. and Alma L. Levy. She Historical Foundation Steel Oleander Award the friendship and fellowship of my neighbors died on June 16, 2008, at her home in Gal- and the 1894 Grand Opera House Community and friends. Madam, I cannot pinpoint exactly veston. Enrichment Award. when or where I first met Ms. Linda Davis; Mrs. Kempner graduated from Ball High She was delighted to list her profession on however, I do recall that we immediately con- School in 1933, and earned a BA degree from her passport as ‘‘Housewife and Civic Busy- nected and soon were communicating and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating body’’, but she will be remembered for her in- working together on various issues and cum laude in 1937. She was a Galveston telligence, her candor, and her dedication to projects.

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