May 11, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E709 Whatever his true identity, the people of Al- amended to conform the definition to Congres- REGARDING: MR. B AND buquerque are grateful for all he has done for sional charter members and their dependents. SOUTHMOST COLLEGE us. Our bill would eliminate these potential Mr. Speaker, let us wish Thunder Boy God- issues by providing that the definition of HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ speed in all the battles he faces. ``member'' for purposes of the exemption sta- OF TEXAS f tus and unrelated business income would be IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A BILL TO AMEND THE INTERNAL expanded to include ``ancestors or lineal de- Thursday, May 11, 2000 REVENUE CODE OF 1986 TO PRO- scendants of the member'' (i.e. past or present Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my VIDE THAT ANCESTORS AND member of the Armed Services meeting the colleagues to join me in commending one of LINEAL DESCENDANTS OF PAST congressional charter definition). the pillars of my South Texas community, Mr. OR PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE We believe this change is not only fair, but Raul Besteiro, as he is recognized by the Uni- ARMED FORCES SHALL BE recognizes the original intent of Congress, and versity of Texas at the Brownsville (UT±B) TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN DE- the fact that more distant relatives of the Texas Southmost College as a ``Distinguished TERMINING WHETHER A VET- member will come into existence over time. Alumni'' on Friday, May 12. ERANS’ ORGANIZATION IS EX- We hope our colleagues will join us in cospon- Mr. B, as Raul Besteiro is affectionately EMPT FROM TAX soring this legislation. known throughout South Texas, is an educator with the biggest heart I have ever known. We HON. AMO HOUGHTON f have known each other nearly 20 years. He is OF NEW YORK a gentle and respected friend who shares my IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE 3M SALUTE TO SCHOOL love for all things in South Texas. First as an Thursday, May 11, 2000 LIBRARIES educator, then in a second career as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Port of Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I am Brownsville, Mr. B has energetically served pleased to join my colleague from New York, HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS the people in the Rio Grande Valley over the Mr. RANGEL, in introducing our bill to fix a cur- course of his life. His work at the Port brings rent problem in the Internal Revenue Code re- OF NEW YORK an enormous volume of trade through the Val- garding use of American Legion Post facilities IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ley, bringing jobs to our area. by members and their families. That is, who It is entirely appropriate that Mr. B be cho- qualifies as a ``member'' versus a guest, for Thursday, May 11, 2000 sen for the honor of Distinguished Alumnus, purposes of unrelated business income and for he has dedicated his life to the education Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I congratu- the exempt status of the Legion Posts. We do of young people. He spent the first 33 years late 3M, in partnership with the American As- not believe Congress intended or con- of his career in the service of the Brownsville sociation of School Librarians, for their dona- templated that use of the facilities by families Independent School District (BISD), first as a of the member would result in unrelated busi- tion of $1 million in detection systems to teacher, then later as Superintendent. He has ness income, or worse yet, the possibility of school library media centers in 2000. remained committed to education while in his losing the Post's tax exemption under Section In an effort to help school libraries maintain career as Port Director, offering advice to the 501(c)(19). their valuable resource, 3M, a leader in library school district and employees, and even had By congressional charter, only veterans who security, has launched ``3M Salute to a school named after him in 1994. He is a served during specifically designated wars Schools,'' a program which will donate up to unique educator for the community of Browns- may become ``members'' of the American Le- $1 million in 3M detection systems for up to ville with the example of his life's work. gion. Section 501(c)(19) requires only that 75 100 schools in the United States. The Amer- The community of Brownsville is lucky to percent of the members be current or former ican Association of School Librarians (AASL) have Raul Besteiro in it. He taught us all the members of the Armed Forces, and substan- will be responsible for receiving applications meaning of courage and the remarkable na- tially all the other members are cadets, and selecting recipients for the donations. ture of human will when he faced down cancer spouses, widows or widowers of past or in the early 1990s. His most recent edu- present members. The IRS says substantially The program is open to middle and high cational legislative interest, the Brownsville all is 90 percent. The Legion requires inter- schools in the United States. Schools selected Wetlands Center Act, was signed into law in nally that 100 percent of its members be quali- will be awarded a 3M Detection System for 1994. This important coordination of industry fying veterans. However, the Legion has many the entrance/exit of their media center, a sup- and UT±B teaches students how to protect, programs, such as the Sons of the American ply of 3M Tattle-Tape security strips for mark- restore, and maintain the fragile ecosystems Legion (SAL), as well as programs involving ing items in their collection and necessary ma- of the Gulf of Mexico region. youth and family support groups. All are de- terials processing accessories. Individual do- This projectÐin which Raul Bestiero was a signed to further the purposes for which the nations will vary depending upon the size of prominent and influential playerÐcombines his exemption was granted. the collection and the physical layout of the love of this community, his dedication to edu- The Post is a family gathering place for media center. To receive the donation, a cation, and his vision of a future in which the many social and patriotic activities. As a re- school must meet eligibility requirements, in- environmental concerns of industry and sult, many family members of numerous gen- cluding demonstrating a need for a security NAFTA are solved by the people who live in erations attend these events. At the present system. a community inspired ever forward by free time, the regulations provide that certain rel- trade. atives related to the war veteran qualify. Schools must apply by May 31, 2000, appli- cations are available by calling the AASL Fax Mr. B is a unique patriot, citizen, and family These include grandparents, brother, sister, man, respected by so many people because and grandchildren. Questions have been on Demand at 1±800±545±2433, then press 4 and request document No. 802. Recipients will he offers respect to everyone he meets. I ask raised whether SALs count for the 100 percent the colleagues to join me in commending Raul be announced at the AASL Annual Con- or 90 percent test, or might be considered Besteiro for the honor of indeed being a distin- ference, July 8±11. ``associate or social members.'' The same guished alumni of the Brownsville (UT±B) questions arise regarding auxiliary members For more information about ``3M Salute to Texas Southmost College. and relatives beyond the position of the regu- Schools,'' contact the AASL awards program f lation, i.e. great grandparents, great grand- at 1±800±545±2433 ext. 4383 or children, etc. The answers could determine [email protected]. TRIBUTE TO DR. BRIAN CRAM the extent of unrelated business taxable in- This important award program reflects 3M's come as well as exempt status. This is not an and AASI's shared commitment to education HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY issue regarding true guests, i.e. unrelated indi- and investing in our nation's schools. OF NEVADA viduals who are, and must be, accompanied IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES by a member. Nor is any substantive change It is with this outstanding award, Mr. Speak- contemplated regarding the sale of life and er, that I offer this tribute in honor of 3M and Thursday, May 11, 2000 health insurance to members as provided in their contribution to our nation's school librar- Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Section 512(a)(4). That section would be ies. take a moment to recognize a man who has

VerDate 112000 06:04 May 12, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A11MY8.022 pfrm04 PsN: E11PT1 E710 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 11, 2000 dedicated his life to improving education for honor a special constituent of mine who after HONORING NON-COMMISSIONED the children in the Las Vegas community. 30 years of providing senior citizens with dedi- OFFICERS Dr. Brian Cram has spent over 34 years as cated service at the Social Security Adminis- an educator, serving our children as a teacher, tration has decided to retire on June 2 of this HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD as a principal, and as the superintendent of year. OF GUAM the Clark County School District. It is with William G. Sheehan, who presently serves IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES great sadness that we say farewell to an edu- as the District Manager of the Springfield, MA, Thursday, May 11, 2000 cator who has touched the lives of thousands regional office of the Social Security Adminis- of students, but it is with great happiness that tration, has decided that the time has come for Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, it is a well we wish him a joyous retirement. him to hang up his hat and retire from a long established fact that non-commissioned offi- Affectionately known by the students in his and meritorious career. cers are the backbone of our nation's military. district as the ``Supernintendo,'' Dr. Cram's Bill Sheehan's commitment to seniors, the Today's NCO's are given dual roles as leaders tenure will be remembered by his strong per- poor and the disabled in western Massachu- and technicians. In addition to providing oper- sonal relationships, and his ability to bring the setts is well known, and his day to day input ational support for their superiors and their or- ``human side'' to the needs of the school dis- and dedication in the Springfield regional SSA ganizations, these men and women are duty trict. office will surely be missed. bound to provide for the health, welfare and As a principal, Dr. Cram was not satisfied Bill started his career with the Social Secu- safety of the troops under their care. An effec- sitting behind a desk, and was happiest during rity Administration in 1967 as a Claims Rep- tive NCO must be mentally and physically the times when he was actively involved with resentative in SSA's Springfield office. In dedicated as well as technically and tactically the students' education. As a superintendent, 1971, he became an Operations Supervisor, proficient in his or her field of expertise. Such Dr. Cram would actively participate in the edu- working out of the Hartford, CT, office. He qualities are inherent in Command Sergeant cational needs of the students by traveling to continued to climb the ranks within the Social Major Benjamin C. Palacios. as many schools possible to read to classes Security Administration, moving from office to Widely known as Ben, CSM Palacios was during the district's ``reading weeks.'' office, when in June of 1980, he became the born on November 11, 1950, on the island of Dr. Cram was witness to the enormous District Manager of the Springfield Regional Saipan in the Northern Marianas. He later growth of Las Vegas, as the Clark County Social Security office. He has served in this moved to Guam where he graduated from School System expanded from 111,000 stu- position for more than 20 years. George Washington High School. Initially en- dents, to over 215,000 students. As a self pro- There is common and collective praise for listing with the Army on October, 1969, he un- claimed ``poster boy for school bonds,'' Dr. the job Bill Sheehan has done during his ten- derwent Basic Training at Fort Ord, CA. Cram supported the building of 100 new ure in Springfield. The usual comments I hear Ben was destined to serve in the Army. He schools, and championed voter approval of bil- about Bill go something like: ``Oh, Bill took a 2-year hiatus from military life in 1972 lions of dollars in school construction bonds SheehanÐhe's the nicest man,'' or ``Bill only to re-enlist in 1974 as a Specialist Four. for the students, teachers, and staff of the Sheehan, he's been so helpful.'' Surely his He is now one of the Army's most senior Clark County School District. friendly face and his cordial demeanor will be NCO's. Driven by the fundamental principle that greatly missed. All through his many years of military serv- education is the ``great equalizer'' in life, Dr. In addition to his brilliant service record, Bill ice Ben served both in the Continental United Cram endorsed the School to Work program has had a very rich public life in the commu- States and overseas with the 1st Infantry Divi- that was sponsored by the Chamber of Com- nity outside of his office. He serves on the Ca- sion, the 9th Infantry Division, the 1st Cavalry merce, enabling students with the necessary reer Advisory Board at Springfield College, Division, and the 2d Armored Division. His as- tools to excel in the workforce. and was a Board member at Independence signments include serving in all enlisted lead- Dr. Cram should be very proud of his ac- House, a shelter for men. He currently serves ership positions within the Armor Career Man- complishments, as he has been successful in on the Boards of Independence House, the agement FieldÐfrom Tank Commander to achieving his greatest challenge to meet the Galaxy Council, and the Consumer Credit Command Sergeant Major. He also served as growth needs of the 8th largest school district Council of western Massachusetts, as well as an Operations Sergeant in several Armor Bat- in the country. His commitment and dedication the Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc., talions. In 1988, he was assigned as the Sen- is unmatched, and will be truly missed. I would where he has also served as past President ior Enlisted Advisor for the 50th Armored Divi- like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Cram and Treasurer. He is also a retired United sion, New Jersey Army National Guard. on behalf of the Clark County community, and States National Guard Lieutenant Colonel and From March 1994 through February 1996, wish him every success in future endeavors. Squadron Commander. Ben served as the Division Command Ser- f Most noteworthy to mention today is Bill geant Major for the 24th Infantry Division at Sheehan's commitment to his family. He is Fort Stewart, GA. While serving as the Bri- PERSONAL EXPLANATION married to the former Madelyn Ferrero, his gade Command Sergeant Major for the 2nd former schoolmate at Cathedral High School Vanguard Brigade from May 1994 through HON. VITO FOSSELLA in Springfield. Madelyn is a graduate from January 1996, he participated in several de- OF NEW YORK Elms College and is a teacher at Forest Park ployments with the Brigade. These included IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Middle School. tours of duty with the National Training Center Together, Bill and Madelyn have two chil- and Bright Star '94 in Egypt. In addition, he Thursday, May 11, 2000 dren, Bill and Mark. Mark is married to Jen- was also deployed to Saudi Arabia in Oper- Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I am not re- nifer Doyle, lives on Cape Cod, and works for ations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as the corded on rollcall No. 154 for the rule to pro- State Street Bank in Boston. His son Bill lives 3±69 Armor Battalion Command Sergeant vide for consideration of H.R. 3709, the Inter- in Boston and is Vice President for an Internet Major. Ben served as the Command Sergeant net Nondiscrimination Act. I was unavoidably company, Suppliermarket. Major for the Third Mobile Armored Corps at detained due to inclement weather, and there- Bill Sheehan is a graduate of Western New Fort Hood in Texas for 21¤2 years prior to as- fore, was not present to vote. Had I been England College, doing it the hard way, at suming duty as the United States Army Forces present, I would have voted ``yes'' on the rule. night, while working during the day. Bill also Command Command Sergeant Major on July f sold advertising for the Springfield newspapers 27, 1998. prior to coming to the Social Security Adminis- Ben sought further development through HONORING WILLIAM G. SHEEHAN tration. professional military education. He attended UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RE- Bill enjoys his life in Wilbraham, keeping a the Fifth Army Noncommissioned Officer TIREMENT meticulously groomed yard and house. He Academy and the Sergeant Major Academy. plans to spend much of his retirement at his He also completed the First Sergeants Course HON. RICHARD E. NEAL summer home at the Rhode Island shore. in addition to obtaining an Associate's Degree OF MASSACHUSETTS I would like to take a moment to thank Bill from Fort Steilacoom Community College. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Sheehan for a life of public and community Among his decorations are the Legion of service. Social Security beneficiaries in the Merit (1OLC), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Thursday, May 11, 2000 Springfield area, and all of us who have Service Medal (2OLC), the Army Commenda- Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, worked with him throughout the years, will tion Medal (3OLC), the Army Achievement today I would like to take a few minutes to miss him very much. Medal, the Good Conduct Medal (9th Award),

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