September 15, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1641 mud on them yet. We lost a lot of men PERSONAL EXPLANATION IN HONOR OF FIRE CHIEF there.’’ TIMOTHY A. POTTS ‘‘Then as soon as the war ended in Oki- HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY nawa, they loaded us on LST’s and they took OF NEW YORK HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH us to Korea. We went in on the west side at OF OHIO a place called Inchon. They loaded us on a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES narrow-gage railway train, and every little Wednesday, September 15, 2010 hill that we’d go up, we’d have to get out and Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, on Sep- help push the train,’’ Harrison said. tember 14, 2010 I was absent for two rollcall Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise His unit, now the 42nd Engineering Con- votes. If I had been here, I would have voted: today in honor of Fire Chief Timothy A. Potts struction Battalion, was deployed near ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall vote 519 and ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall on the occasion of his retirement from the Seoul, Korea, in late August, 1945, to help vote 520. Olmsted Falls Fire Department. He honorably build the Temple Airfield. served the people of Olmsted Falls with un- ‘‘I remember the first time I went up the f wavering dedication for 35 years as a para- streets of Seoul, you could go across the Han PERSONAL EXPLANATION medic, firefighter and fire chief. river and look straight ahead to the capitol Chief Potts joined the Olmsted Falls Fire and it looked like a beautiful city, and from Department on April 14, 1975, and two years the front side of the street it did, but you’d HON. MARY JO KILROY later he graduated as a paramedic. Through- go around the back to the alleys and maybe OF OHIO out his tenure as a firefighter and paramedic, a cow or a pig would be sticking its head out IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the window,’’ Harrison said. Chief Potts’ motivation to study, and then later Wednesday, September 15, 2010 teach, never diminished. In 1981, Chief Potts He was in Korea until July, 1946. He earned Ms. KILROY. Madam Speaker, on the legis- became a river rescue instructor and his ex- a bronze battle star, three overseas service pertise in this area of rescue became sought bars, an Asiatic/Pacific Theater ribbon, a lative day of Tuesday, September 14, 2010, I after by numerous departments across the victory medal, an army of occupation medal was unable to cast votes on rollcall votes 519 and a good conduct medal. and 520. Had I been present, I would have state of Ohio. Throughout the 1980s, he trav- voted ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall votes 519 and 520. elled throughout the state to teach courses on ‘‘When I came home from the service, first river rescue and rope rescue. I worked [to] help building Quonset huts for f In 1988, Chief Potts was sworn in as lieu- the veterans over at Iowa State College,’’ tenant and, in 1990, he began teaching all Harrison said. ‘‘Then I went to work for Otis COMMENDING BRANDON ACAD- areas of pre-hospital emergency medical care lumber yard, doing carpentry work. I did EMY’S DESIGNATION AS A 2010 to firefighters and paramedics at Southwest that until 1956, and then I went on the fire BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL department.’’ General Hospital. Throughout his career, Chief Harrison would spend 28 years with the fire Potts sought to strengthen and enhance the department, and in 1985 he began working at HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM Olmsted Falls Fire Department. He wrote the county courthouse as Director of Vet- OF FLORIDA grants for his department totaling nearly $1 eran’s Affairs for 20 years. When working as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES million, and helped other fire departments se- a carpenter, Harrison helped build 16 new Wednesday, September 15, 2010 cure more than $4 million in funding. In addi- homes in Boone. tion, Chief Potts was instrumental in designing Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today the new Olmsted Falls Fire Department build- ‘‘Growing up, everyone worked, so I always to commend Brandon Academy of Brandon, did work. If I were younger I’d still work ing and firehouse. He was sworn in as fire today. That was drilled into me when I was Florida, for winning the prestigious 2010 Na- chief in June of 2004. a young kid, that if you wanted something tional Blue Ribbon Schools award. This rec- Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join out of life you had to work for it and I still ognition of incredible accomplishment was be- me in honoring Fire Chief Timothy A. Potts for feel that way today,’’ Harrison said. stowed on the Academy by U.S. Secretary of his focus and dedication to keeping the people Education Arne Duncan. Harrison has undergone knee replacement who live and work in Olmsted Falls safe and surgery, but stays active and walks each Brandon Academy is a private school in secure. His work and accomplishments as day. He has a daughter living in Boone, two Hillsborough County that provides for the intel- chief, firefighter, paramedic and instructor re- sons, seven grandchildren and seven great lectual development of 227 pre-kindergarten flect integrity, excellence, expertise and heart. grandchildren. through 8th grade students. It boasts one of His efforts will continue to enhance the foun- Harrison said he has no significant regrets the most well-balanced curriculums in the na- dation of safety and well being throughout from his time in the Army, and he appre- tion, offering exceptional instruction in math, Olmsted Falls and will provide a shining exam- ciates accoutrements for veterans such as science, writing, and the arts. Thus, the Acad- ple for all who will follow in his path. emy equips its students with the skills they VA hospitals. f ‘‘Back in those days, you knew when it need to become upstanding, productive, and came your time to go into the service and well-informed citizens. The high achievement A TRIBUTE TO THE 2010 ELLIS IS- you were old enough, you went. You just of the Academy’s student body is in no small LAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPI- didn’t make a fuss about it,’’ he said. part due to the involvement of parents in their ENTS Harrison said he feels remorse for soldiers children’s education. from the current conflict, facing a war that The Blue Ribbon Schools award is consid- HON. DAN BURTON is so different from the one he participated ered the highest honor an American school OF INDIANA in. can obtain. Schools singled out for this na- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tional honor reflect the goals of our nation’s ‘‘I wish all the young men and women in Wednesday, September 15, 2010 the service the best,’’ Harrison said. education reforms for high standards and ac- countability. Specifically, the Blue Ribbon Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I People today are fairly savvy to modern Schools program is designed to honor public rise today to congratulate the 2010 recipients wars, he said, and modern soldiers thank- fully have the option to remain in contact and private schools that are either academi- of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor. with family and friends without relying on cally superior in their states or that dem- Presented annually by the National Ethnic Co- censored mail, as was the case in World War onstrate dramatic gains in student achieve- alition (NECO), the Ellis Island Medal of Honor II. ment. pays tribute to our Nation’s immigrant herit- Harrison will board an Honor Flight next I applaud Head of School Robert Rudolph age, as well as individual achievement. The month on August 19, and will visit the World and Principal Sondra Cliggitt, as well as the medals are awarded to U.S. citizens from var- War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. teachers and students of Brandon Academy ious ethnic backgrounds who exemplify out- for their hard work and commitment to excel- standing qualities in both their personal and I commend John Harrison for his many lence. A good education is essential to ensur- professional lives, while continuing to preserve years of loyalty and service to our great na- ing that future generations lead more success- the richness of their particular heritage. Since tion. It is an immense honor to represent him ful, fulfilling lives. They are making a true dif- NECO’s founding in 1986, more then 2,000 in the United States Congress, and I wish him ference in the lives of so many, and building American citizens have received Ellis Island all the best in his future endeavors. communities that improve students’ learning. Medals of Honor, including six American

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:56 Nov 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\E15SE0.REC E15SE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE E1642 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 15, 2010 Presidents, several United States Senators, Srinivasan, MD, George R. Stevenson, Bert byterian Church in Congress, and I ask that Congressmen, Nobel Laureates, outstanding R. Sugar, Hon. Eugene R. Sullivan (Ret.), you join me in congratulating them on their ac- athletes, artists, clergy, and military leaders. Jordan P. Thomas, Annie S. Totah, Suzanne complishments of the past 150 years and von Liebig, PhD, William D. Walsh, RADM As we all know, citizens of the United States wishing them the best for the future. can trace their ancestry to many nations. The Philip A. Whitacre, USN (Ret.), Morrill Worcester, Mohammad Yahyavi, Vartkes B. f richness and diversity of American life makes Yeghiayan, Esq., Matt H. Yildizlar, Chang MONA DIXON BOYS AND GIRLS us unique among the Nations of the world and Bin Yim. CLUB YOUTH OF THE YEAR is in many ways the key to why America is the f most innovative country in the world. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor not only celebrate se- HONORING TWO ROCK VALLEY HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL lect individuals but also the pluralism and de- PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON OF ARIZONA mocracy that enabled our ancestors to cele- THEIR 150TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES brate their cultural identities while still embrac- Wednesday, September 15, 2010 ing the American way of life. This medal is not HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY about money, but about people who really Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise OF CALIFORNIA today in recognition of Ms. Romonia Dixon of seized the opportunities this great country has IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to offer and who used those opportunities to Tempe, the recipient of the 2010 Boys and not only better their own lives but make a dif- Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Girls Club of America National Youth of the ference in the lives of those around them. By Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise Year Award. honoring these outstanding individuals, we today to honor the sesquicentennial of the Mona’s remarkable story begins with a dif- honor all who share their origins and we ac- Two Rock Valley Presbyterian Church in Two ficult past. For much of her life, her family did knowledge the contributions they and other Rock, a small community outside Petaluma, not have a home of their own and she moved groups have made to America. I commend California, of which I am a member. This small from shelter to shelter to find a place to sleep NECO and its Board of Directors headed by church has a special history in our community at night. Sometimes the family was even split my good friend, Nasser J. Kazeminy, for hon- for the past 150 years. up in order to find enough spaces to sleep. oring these truly outstanding individuals for The Two Rock Valley Presbyterian Church Mona did not let difficult circumstances get in their tireless efforts to foster dialogue and was founded in 1860, approximately 10 years the way of her success, however. She worked build bridges between different ethnic groups, after the first settlers arrived. Fire has de- hard in all aspects of her life; she excelled in as well as promotes unity and a sense of stroyed the church sanctuary twice, only to be school, she financially contributed to her family common purpose in our Nation. rebuilt by the community. The first building by holding a part-time job, and she was active Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues dedicated in March 1863 was destroyed in Oc- in Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley in to join me in recognizing the good works of tober 1895. The second building was dedi- Tempe, AZ. Dixon went on to graduate with a 3.92 GPA, NECO, and congratulating all of the 2010 re- cated in March 1896 and destroyed in July placing her third in her class of 280. She was cipients of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. I 1949 by a controlled burn that got out of con- also captain of the basketball team and partici- also ask unanimous consent that the names of trol on the nearby United States Army prop- pated in the National Honor Society, Peer this year’s recipients be placed into the CON- erty, now a Coast Guard Base. The third and Leadership, Student Council and the Math GRESSIONAL RECORD. current church sanctuary was dedicated on Team. Dixon is currently a freshman at the 2010 ELLIS ISLAND MEDALS OF HONOR February 1, 1953. RECIPIENTS The congregation owns and operates the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State Uni- Ichak K. Adizes, PhD, Adrienne G. Two Rock Valley Presbyterian Church Ceme- versity, and is well on her way to a planned Alexanian, Richard F. Ambinder, MD, Cyrus tery located adjacent to the church structure. master’s degree in international retail manage- Amir-Mokri, Anousheh Ansari, Rao S. The first internments date back to 1861. Un- ment. Anumolu, Robert S. Atallah, Mohamed A. We have something in common. She at- fortunately, the fire of 1949 destroyed most of Atassi, MD, FACC, Kevork D. Atinizian, tended Tempe High School, my alma mater the records. A community project was orga- Nancy H. Bailey, Hon. Rosemary Barkett, and a place I called home for 28 years as a Samira Kanaan Beckwith, Sarkis Bedevian, nized in 1992 to identify plot locations and Government teacher and, as I said, she is cur- Dorothy L. Beeve, RN, Jerold E. Beeve, MD, prepare a detailed plot map. rently a freshman at ASU which is also my Suraj P. Bhatia, Carole Black, Chief George The members of Two Rock Valley Pres- alma mater. With our similar academic paths, F. Brown (Ret.), Richard R. Buery, Jr., Mi- byterian Church have a long history of com- chael Capasso, Dominic Chianese, Hank Congress may not be far behind for this young munity involvement as their mission states ‘‘a Hyunho Choi, Yen S. Chou, Jim Lin-Chi Chu, woman. This week, I had a chance to sit down tradition of witness and service.’’ In 1865, they Carl J. Clause, Eugene P. Conese, Sr., John and talk with her. I was very impressed with helped found the Tomales Presbyterian F. Conley, Thomas J. Cook, Edward Cruz, her commitment to her community and expect Church which they now consider their sister Paul R. Davies, Chief Raymond Diaz, Edward she will accomplish great things in the years B. Diethrich, MD, Andre C. Dimitriadis, church. PhD, Borko B. Djordjevic, MD, Thomas J. More recently, the church members are in- to come. With this award, she receives a number of Donohue, David Du, David B. Falk, Lina volved with the work of the Petaluma Food scholarships, but the meaning of this award Fang, Eric Friedberg, Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Pantry by working with a coalition of other goes far beyond that. It would have been easy USAF (Ret.), Rod G. Gilbert, Col. David G. churches to feed the hungry in our community. Goulet, USMC, E. Bulkeley Griswold, Col. for her to take a different path, but she made Their mission extends to regular contributions Gina M. Grosso, USAF, S. K. Gupta, Wolf decisions that would better her life and that to the Cents-Ability Hunger Program of the Hengst, Gregory M. Hodge, PhD, Maj. Gen. has brought her here, today. Presbyterian Church (USA) which provides Karl R. Horst, USA, Hon. Jerry MacArthur Madam Speaker, please join me in recog- Hultin, Chief James Jephthah, Ted Johnson, much needed funds both nationally and to Af- nizing Mona for her tremendous accomplish- James Keach, Alan Krutchkoff, Tak W. rica. ment and for setting an example for the young Kwan, MD, William K. Lee, MD, Robert J. Congregants are also volunteers at the Two people of our nation. Loggia, Wing K. Ma, Vahid Majidi, Fouad Rock Volunteer Fire Department and the Two Malouf, James V. Malpeso, MD, MSgt. Ches- Rock Elementary School. Many annual com- f ter L. Marcus, Jr., USA, Chief Denis McGowan, Shekhar Mitra, PhD, Mohsen munity events including the Abelskiver Break- TRIBUTE TO LOUIS WOLFGRAM Moazami, Curtis E. Moll, Yasmin Motamedi, fast on Mother’s Day, the Harvest Festival in Jeremiah A. Mullins, Agneta E. Nilsson, September, and the Turkey Dinner in Novem- HON. TOM LATHAM RADM Joseph L. Nimmich, Sr., USCG, Irene ber rely on the volunteers from the church to OF IOWA M. O’Neill, Bedros S. Oruncakciel, Hemant help bring people from the surrounding com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Patel, MD, Francis J. Pearn, Richard R. munity together. Pergolis, Timothy A. Phillips, Michael J. Pi- Churches are a place for community mem- Wednesday, September 15, 2010 azza, Hon. Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Kappana bers to come together not just to worship but Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to rec- Ramanandan, Maj. Gen. Michael S. Repass, USA, Hon. Edward J. Rollins, Stanley M. to build the community. Two Rock Valley ognize Louis Wolfgram, a Vietnam War Army Rumbough, Jr., William J. Ryan, Kenan E. Presbyterian Church is that church to the resi- and National Guard veteran from Boone Sahin, PhD, Joseph M. Saponaro, John F. dents of Two Rock. County, Iowa, and to express my appreciation Scarpa, Jane Seymour, Faryar Shirzad, John Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent for his dedication and commitment to his Shu, Esq., Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, Prasad the congregation of the Two Rock Valley Pres- country.

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