September 17, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1439 the First Circuit in Boston, Massachusetts. tracting thousands of visitors to wineries, all of our courageous veterans receive ade- From 1991 to 1992, he was the Chief of Staff greenhouses, and seasonal pumpkin picking. quate disability compensation. for the Resident Commissioner of , Consisting of over 600 farms spanning f Jaime Fuster, in Washington, D.C. Bhatia is 35,000 acres, Suffolk County farms form the also the former Executive Director of the Puer- pillar of the East End economy and contribute TRIBUTE TO MR. BRENDAN to Rico Federal Affairs Administration in millions of dollars to the Long Island and New BERNARD FRANCIS MCKAY Washington D.C. As the Executive Director, York state economies, supporting local jobs he officially represented the Governor of Puer- and igniting economic growth across the re- HON. ZOE LOFGREN to Rico on important issues affecting the Com- gion. This success is sustainable with the help OF CALIFORNIA monwealth. of the Suffolk County Soil and Water Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bhatia was elected as an official Senate servation District and can help further propel Wednesday, September 17, 2014 candidate in the Popular Democratic Party Long Island’s continuing economic recovery. (Partido Popular Democra´tico or PPD) primary Mr. Speaker, helping local farmers secure Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, it is with a on March 9, 2008. At the 2008 general elec- federal aid and educating them about building very heavy heart that I share this obituary of tions, Bhatia won one of only five Senate green infrastructure are just some of the many an outstanding young American, Mr. Brendan seats obtained by his party. critically important functions of the Suffolk Bernard Francis McKay. At the 2012 primaries, Bhatia won the most County Soil and Water Conservation District, Brendan, 30, passed away Monday, Sep- votes, securing his spot for the general elec- which remains dedicated to the success of tember 8, 2014, in Rome, Italy, following a tions. He then won the most votes of all the Long Island farmers and small businesses, tragic accident. PPD candidates to the Senate. After the win, and why it is an honor to offer my congratula- An AmeriCorps volunteer, artist, multi-instru- Bhatia was elected by his colleagues as the tions on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary. mentalist, snowboarder, world traveler, coun- fifteenth President of the Senate of Puerto f selor, historian, Ph.D. candidate, and Rico. Seanchai in the Irish storytelling tradition, VETERANS’ COMPENSATION COST- In 2013, Bhatia served as Co-Chair of the Brendan was born June 30, 1984 in Summit, OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF Eastern Regional Conference of the Council of New Jersey, the second of Bernard and Mazy 2014 State Governments (CSG–ERC). Later that McKay’s four children. He grew up in Alexan- dria and McLean, Virginia, where he grad- year, he was elected as President of the Na- SPEECH OF tional Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators uated from McLean High School in 2002. (NHCSL), becoming the first Senate President HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE Brendan began undergraduate studies at to hold the title. Bhatia is also a board mem- OF TEXAS Virginia Commonwealth University, later at- ber of several organizations, including the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tended Western Connecticut State University Council of State Governments (CSG) and the Tuesday, September 16, 2014 and John Cabot University in Rome, and in National Association of Latino Elected Officials 2012 graduated magna cum laude from Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Rhode Island College with a Bachelor’s in His- (NALEO). strong support of S. 2258, the Veterans’ Com- I am honored to recognize Senator Eduardo tory. Most recently, Brendan completed his pensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of Master’s degree in International Relations at Bhatia, during Hispanic Heritage Month, for his 2014. leadership and commitment to serving the St. John’s University in Rome, Italy in June Mr. Speaker, it is an undeniable truth that 2014. Puerto Rican and Hispanic-American commu- our military veterans deserve our deepest nities. Throughout his teens and early twenties, gratitude for the courage and valor they dem- Brendan struggled with addiction issues. With f onstrated while defending the of the support of loved ones, he participated in 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUF- America. therapeutic and rehabilitation programs in FOLK COUNTY SOIL AND WATER One way the nation can express its deepest Utah, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and CONSERVATION DISTRICT appreciation for our service men and women Kansas. In 2008, Brendan emerged from this is by assisting disabled veterans with com- period secure in his recovery, and with a re- HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP pensation and financial support. newed passion for education, adventure, and The VA estimated that it will provide com- experience which would come to define the OF NEW YORK pensation to over 4 million beneficiaries in FY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rest of his life. 2014. From 2008–2010, Brendan served with Among the veterans estimated to receive Wednesday, September 17, 2014 AmeriCorps as a volunteer with Big Brothers, such compensation are: Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I Big Sisters in Worland, Wyoming. Within a 136,897 World War II veterans rise today to recognize the 50th Anniversary of 140,169 Korean War veterans matter of months he was promoted to Vice the Suffolk County Soil and Water Conserva- 1,327,348 Vietnam-era veterans President of Development, going on to raise tion District. Since 1964, the Suffolk County 1,546,030 Gulf War-era veterans hundreds of thousands of dollars on behalf of Soil and Water Conservation District has ac- 695,574 veterans who served during peace- at-risk youth, before leaving to accept a posi- tively developed and implemented specialized time tion as an AmeriCorps Program Manager in projects and educational programs to improve, Close to half of the nearly 2 million veterans Rhode Island. Before leaving Wyoming he protect, and preserve Suffolk County’s most of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have or was urged by locals in Worland to stay and treasured natural resources. will seek compensation for service-related inju- run for mayor. He was flattered and seriously Suffolk County’s thriving agriculture has ries, including post-traumatic stress disorder considered it. been assisted by the conservation efforts of (PTSD). Brendan is remembered fondly by his loved the Suffolk County Soil and Water Conserva- We must be certain that disability com- ones in the U.S. and around the world for his tion District in partnership with the local com- pensation provides adequate assistance to legendary sense of humor, a classic Irish sto- munities and landowners, the U.S. Department veterans, and this bill does so by increasing ryteller vividly sharing his many adventures. of Agriculture, the Long Island Farm Bureau, the amounts paid by the same cost-of-living He ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. He the Cornell Cooperative Extension and Re- adjustment that will be payable to Social Se- rode a hot air balloon through the Atlas Moun- search Lab, the New York State Soil and curity recipients. tains of Morocco. He skied across the Swiss- Water Conservation Committee, the New York Mr. Speaker, not only does S. 2258 benefit French border in the Alps, not entirely on pur- State Department of Agriculture and Markets, our injured veterans, it also helps the families pose. Completing an Asian journey that in- the New York State Department of Environ- of these injured service members by providing cluded Malaysia, Cambodia and Nepal, he re- mental Conservation, and the New York Asso- increased compensation for dependents and turned to Rome over the Himalayas and Mt. ciation of Conservation Districts. surviving spouses. Everest. He crisscrossed the United States by As a result of this collaboration, Suffolk By passing S. 2258, countless veterans and car, camped in the badlands of North Dakota, County leads the rest of our great state in their families would have financial stress alle- and lived on a mountain in Southern Cali- market value of crop production, including sod, viated thanks to increased rates of veterans’ fornia. During academic travel to North Korea grapes, nursery stock, aquaculture, and spe- disability compensation. he became one of only a small number of cialty crops. The County can also be proud of Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all members to Americans to have seen the demilitarized flourishing agricultural tourism, known for at- support the passage of S. 2258 to ensure that zone from the north side.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:05 Sep 18, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17SE8.032 E17SEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 17, 2014 Brendan was also intellectually brilliant. He ing him from shrapnel and knocking him un- cedures affecting voting rights are fair and ap- was an enthusiastic reader, with particular in- conscious. propriate. Every election, ELVP members terest in philosophy, history, physics, and Because of the critical need for doctors, Mr. monitor voting precincts and help make sure comparative religion. His collection of unusual Nagler was revived, his wounds were ‘‘stitched each citizen can fully and fairly exercise his or tattoos included the Fibonacci sequence on up,’’ as he puts it, and he was sent on with his her right to vote, regardless of political pref- his arm. His creativity and humor led to unique fellow medics to continue saving other sol- erences. inventions; on one occasion, Brendan created diers’ lives. Unfortunately, any records of his Jill Turner—Program Manager, Intel Com- what he called a ‘‘Scrabbanjelo,’’ a playable wounds apparently do not exist. He concedes puter Clubhouse, Gum Springs Community banjo which he constructed from the wooden that, in the confusion, the records of his inju- Center. Ms. Turner works to change the box of a Scrabble set—a game at which he ries may not have been recorded or the mindset of young people who come from eco- was renowned as unbeatable. records may have been lost as the hospital nomically disadvantaged families. She teaches At the time of his passing, he was looking was hurriedly moved to the next battlefield. creative writing, computer skills, etiquette, po- forward to his doctoral work at King’s College However, there is a distinct possibility that a etry writing, and has formed a book club. in London. His studies were to focus on the lit- record was made of his injury and it was de- Through her leadership, some teens have be- tle-told story of the town of Fiumi on the Italy- stroyed in the great fire that swept through a come leaders and have formed additional Croatia border, which formed its own inde- section of the National Personnel Records clubs, specializing in their own interests. Ms. pendent state in World War I in defiance of Center in St. Louis in 1973. The fire destroyed Turner recently established a mentoring pro- the warring countries around it. nearly 50 years worth of records of those who gram. Participants discuss issues such as do- Brendan’s 6′ 6″ physical presence was the served our nation in uniform from 1912–1959. mestic violence, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, outer manifestation of an unusually humble, That is why I rise today, Mr. Speaker. In my drugs, and other issues facing our youth. sensitive, self-deprecating person, whose gen- 21 years in Congress, I have been contacted Danielle Blunt—Girls Inspired and Ready to erosity, kindness, and compassion for friends many times by veterans seeking not just med- Lead, Inc. (GIRL). Founded by Ms. Blunt in and family alike will never be forgotten. His als, but the records they need to prove their 2010, GIRL is a nonprofit organization dedi- beloved dog, Anastasia, is the physical em- eligibility for disability benefits and pensions. I cated to mentoring and empowering today’s bodiment of that kindness. Brendan had en- do not fault the army, as they must work with girls for future success through academic ex- countered a group of drug dealers about to what records they have to give veterans ev- cellence, leadership skills, community service, shoot a young puppy for which they had no erything they deserve. Still, after sacrificing so a healthy lifestyle, and self-esteem. In 2014, use. He persuaded them to let him adopt her much for our nation and its freedoms, I feel Ms. Blunt partnered with George Mason Uni- in exchange for what little money he had in his there must be some way to correct this situa- versity’s College of Science STEM Accelerator pocket, a meager five dollars. For more than tion. After 60 years of trying, Arthur Nagler Program to create a STEM summer camp for a decade, Anastasia has been a cherished has given up hope of ever getting the Purple middle school girls of color and one for ele- member of the McKay family, displaying a Heart that he rightly deserves. Everyone mentary school boys and girls. It also gives level of emotional intelligence that is extraor- should consider the supreme irony of a man me great pleasure to recognize the following dinary to find in an animal. who spent World War II saving the lives of recipients of this year’s President’s Awards: Brendan was not immune to accidents, and other wounded American soldiers, is then Supervisor John Cook, Fairfax County Board indeed had scars going back to toddlerhood. wounded himself, and has not been awarded of Supervisors (Braddock District); Captain But he always stood up, brushed himself off, a Purple Heart. Everett A. Lewis, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Execu- and went at life again, charging boldly at every I respectfully ask that my colleagues on tive Committee, Alexandria NAACP; Colonel experience the world could offer. His enthu- both sides of the aisle work together to fix this Ed Roessler, Chief, Fairfax County Police De- siasm for adventure inspired all who knew absurd situation, not just for Arthur Nagler, but partment. him. for all veterans in similar situations. Let us Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me Brendan is survived by his parents, Bernard give these brave men and women the respect in congratulating the 2014 honorees of the and Mary, his two brothers, Patrick and Conor, they deserve. Fairfax County NAACP and thanking them for his sister, Rosemary, sister-in-law Nora, and f their tremendous contributions to our youth his beloved, Camilla Valeriano. He will be and our community. RECOGNIZING THE 2014 HONOREES sorely missed. f OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY f BRANCH OF THE NAACP CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS HONORING WORLD WAR II RESOLUTION, 2015 VETERAN ARTHUR NAGLER HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY SPEECH OF OF VIRGINIA HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. PAUL RYAN OF FLORIDA Wednesday, September 17, 2014 OF WISCONSIN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Wednesday, September 17, 2014 to congratulate the 2014 Honorees of the Fair- Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I fax County Branch of the National Association Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, this rise today to honor a decorated World War II for the Advancement of Colored People continuing resolution (H.J. Res. 124) ensures veteran, Mr. Arthur Nagler, who lives in my (NAACP). The Fairfax Branch is recognized as that there will be no government shutdown Congressional district, and to point out a seri- the NAACP’s first rural chapter. In 1915, a few and that the men and women of America’s ous flaw in the ability of veterans to obtain brave African American citizens in Falls armed forces and diplomatic service will have medals they deserve for the service they gave Church, Virginia, fought a proposed ordinance the resources they need in Afghanistan and to our country. that would have segregated housing. They beyond to protect the nation from the dangers Arthur served our country in some of the called themselves the Colored Citizens Protec- of terrorism. This resolution continues funding fiercest battles of World War II. After his ar- tive League (CCPL) and the group evolved to on a temporary basis at fiscal year 2014 lev- rival in France following the Normandy inva- become the Fairfax County Branch of the els, but it does not provide the final, full-year sion, he was a medic with the 170th General NAACP. spending levels for the government. For war- Hospital where he saved the lives of many of Each year, the Fairfax County NAACP hon- related spending, the resolution provides for his fellow soldiers. In recognition of his serv- ors several deserving individuals and organi- an interim rate of spending that is over $26 ice, he was awarded several medals, including zations that have shown extraordinary support billion more than the President’s June 26, the Legion of Honor by the Republic of of the Branch or the community. I am honored 2014 amended request for these purposes for France. to submit the names of the following 2014 fiscal year 2015. At this stage, there is a great I am so very proud of Arthur, as we all Community Service Award winners: deal of uncertainty about the precise needs for should be. I want to highlight a point of su- Fairfax County Democratic Committee Elec- these activities. preme irony in his case, however. During one tion Law and Voter Protection Committee. The The Budget Committee has jurisdiction over battle, as Mr. Nagler worked in his hospital Election Law and Voter Protection (ELVP) the use of the statutory authority that permits tent saving the lives of wounded soldiers, an Committee strives to make sure every vote is for spending in excess of the discretionary enemy bomb landed nearby, seriously wound- counted and that proposed legislation and pro- caps for funding designated for Overseas

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:05 Sep 18, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17SE8.035 E17SEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with REMARKS