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E1006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 7, 2015 community and the game, Maraney is the Ponce is the official historian of the Palm as the community had more students to edu- 2015 inductee into the Roll Call Congres- Beach Chamber of Commerce and has also cate. Additional teachers were added in 1935, sional Baseball Hall of Fame. served as the President of the Historical Soci- and the school moved to occupy Libbey, Maraney was working for the Clerk of the House in 1963, when he suggested to Yudain ety of Palm Beach. Goodman, Horne and Hollaran Streets. In that someone should write about all the Throughout his career and retirement, 1935, Mr. J Martin Jacquet was hired as prin- sports teams featuring congressional staff Ponce has been recognized for his vast histor- cipal and served the institution for ten years (baseball was just getting going then). ‘‘He ical knowledge. In 1996 the Palm Beach Town with Mr. Oscar M. Williams succeeding him in said, ‘Ok, write it,’ ’’ Maraney recalls about Council named him ‘‘Palm Beach’s only two- 1946. The current building was erected in the birth of Skip-along, which eventually ex- legged, historical landmark.’’ He is the recipi- 1950 during Williams’ tenure as principal. Mr. panded into an ‘‘around the Hill’’ beat and ent of the Providencia Award from the Palm Wilbur H. Byrd served as Como High School’s laid the groundwork for Roll Call’s current Beach Country Convention and Visitors Bu- last principal from 1967 until the school’s clo- coverage of life in and around the Capitol. From his perch, Maraney watched the reau, which recognizes an individual or agen- sure in 1971. game rise from the ashes after Speaker Sam cy that contributes to the prosperity of the Como Elementary School and Como High Rayburn, D–Texas, shut it down in 1958. In tourism industry in the county. School grew from humble beginnings to a 33 1961, members of Congress took part in a James Ponce is an exceptional man, and room ultra-modern structure that housed an in- home-run contest and the next year the one whom I am proud to represent in Florida’s dustrial arts room, a gymnasium, a 500 person event became an actual game, played prior 22nd District. I know I join with his family and auditorium; a chemistry lab, homemaking lab- to a Washington Senators home contest. friends in celebrating this wonderful occasion. oratories, a library, men’s and women’s ‘‘Sid had the idea of turning it into a I wish him good health and continued success party. The game had hot dogs, cheerleaders,’’ lounges, and a group of offices for the admin- Maraney says. ‘‘Buses took everyone to the in the coming years. istrative staff. Stadium.’’ f Between 1914 and 1965, Como Elementary Not only was Maraney providing pre- and and Como High School’s prestige increased post-game coverage, he was also calling the IN HONOR OF THE COMO HIGH as their academic excellence was recognized game. During those years, he got to see some SCHOOL, 1914–1971, 10TH ALL by the Southern Association of Colleges and of the greats of congressional baseball his- SCHOOL REUNION CELEBRATION Secondary Schools. tory: Indiana Democratic Sen. Birch Bayh In 1971, the sudden shift to integrate (‘‘He was sensational!’’); former major league schools forced Como High School to close de- pitcher Wilmer ‘‘Vinegar Bend’’ Mizell, R– HON. MARC A. VEASEY N.C.; Massachusetts GOP Rep. Silvio Conte OF TEXAS spite its growth. Although school integration (‘‘He batted with a cigar and came out on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES caused the original Como High School to crutches one year. And hit a double.’’). Tuesday, July 7, 2015 close, Como Elementary School and Como As the 1970s began, Maraney left the Montessori Magnet School carry on its legacy Clerk’s office and gave up the sports beat for Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to of community, unity and pride. a job with the National Star Route Mail Con- honor Como High School’s 10th All School After Como High School’s closure the first tractors Association, where he remains as Reunion Celebration on July 2–5, 2015. This annual school reunion was held in July 1983. executive director. While he obviously en- celebration is a milestone for the Como com- joys his job, there are some things he had to Its subsequent reunions proved that the fond munity as it recognizes its history and the im- memories of the Como spirit remain in the leave behind. As Roll Call’s sports and com- pact Como High School had on its students. munity columnist, ‘‘I got invited to every- hearts of former students and staff members thing.’’ From its inception, the Como community’s forever. location left its primarily black residents walled f f in with a physical barrier separating Como HONORING JAMES PONCE from the surrounding neighborhoods. This HONORING THE RAVENSBRUCK physical separation prompted its residents to ARCHIVE PROJECT HON. LOIS FRANKEL meet the needs of the community through OF FLORIDA their own initiatives. In the fall of 1914, Como HON. TED LIEU IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES residents felt an urgent need for a formal OF CALIFORNIA school to educate the black youth of the com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, July 7, 2015 munity. During its first year, Como Elementary Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I School housed 11 students and employed one Tuesday, July 7, 2015 rise to celebrate James Augustine Ponce of teacher by the name of Ms. Lucinda Baker. Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I St. Augustine, Florida who turns 98 on July Unfortunately, after two years the school rise today to honor the Ravensbruck Archive 19, 2015. was closed due to low enrollment and did not Project. A native of St. Augustine, Florida, James reopen for its second term until 1917. The The Ravensbruck Concentration camp was Ponce was born on July 19, 1917. His rel- school was ultimately reestablished the fol- the Nazi’s largest and central internment camp atives descended from the family of Juan lowing year in 1918, where Mrs. Pearl Walker for women and children during the Holocaust. Ponce de Leon. Connor served as the head teacher. Between 1939 and 1945, over 130,000 pris- Ponce grew up in the downtown area of St. After World War I, the Como community oners passed through Ravensbruck and its Augustine, where his father owned R. Ponce began to grow rapidly. As more people moved satellite camps. Funeral Home. As a young boy he recalls his into the community there was a greater need The Ravensbruck Archive is an international father burying American Tycoon, Henry for a bigger and better school building. Under archive that provides a critical link to the his- Flagler, and other prominent figures of the the leadership of Mr. R. N Riddles, the county tory of the Holocaust. Many of the documents community. In addition, Ponce has stated that superintendent, a building with two rooms was in the Archive have been hidden for the past his days at St. Joseph Academy afforded him built on the southeast corners of Faron and 70 years, but now because of the the opportunity to learn about how Florida be- Bonnell Streets. Ravensbruck Archive Project, the material will came a U.S. territory. During the time of expansion, Mrs. Gertrude be translated, digitized, and shared with the This early exposure to America’s Oldest City Wilkerson-Starners was appointed head teach- world via the web and a world traveling ex- cemented his passion for the rich history that er with Mrs. Geneva Carrington serving as her hibit. The Ravensbruck Archive Project will Florida boasts. Since that introduction as a assistant. Later Mrs. Jessie Raliegh and Mrs. preserve and make accessible this important child, Ponce has dedicated his life to pre- A. Greenwood joined the staff and Mrs. M. L. piece of history for generations to come. serving and sharing the histories of St. Augus- Patterson came to the school as a teacher in The Ravensbruck Archive is housed at Lund tine, the Breakers, and Palm Beach. Ponce 1931. University in Sweden. The Archive includes also proudly served his country in the Navy The men of the community initially supplied more than 500 handwritten interviews with during World War II and the Marines during coal for heating and kept the grounds clean; Ravensbruck survivors, taken at the time of the Korean War. Since the 1950s, he has but as the school began to grow, the need for their liberation in 1946. The Archive contains called Palm Beach County home. During his custodial personnel became necessary. In prisoners’ notebooks, diaries, letters, poems, time at the Breakers Hotel and Resort, Ponce 1933, Mr. John Atkins was hired as the first recipes, photographs, drawings, and official worked at the front desk and eventually retired full time custodian. Nazi documents from the concentration camp as an assistant manager. As of now, he con- Although no formal record exists, it is clear such as lists of prisoners, block books, and ducts weekly walking tours of the Breakers. that the need for a high school naturally grew transcripts of protocols and original documents VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:39 Jul 08, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A07JY8.015 E07JYPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS July 7, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1007 from the Ravensbruck trial in Hamburg in Mr. Speaker, Jim recently announced his re- And you know what? America can succeed 1946–1947.

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