11278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 9 April 30, 2009 community, we must not forget the lege or serve in the Armed Forces an training facility for deep sea merchant history of Asian Pacific Islander Amer- opportunity to adjust to a lawful sta- seafarers. It teaches skills for sailors icans in this country. The Angel Island tus and pursue these goals. If it be- and seafarers, such as how to maintain Immigration Station has a significant comes law, the DREAM Act would help a boat engine and how to secure a ship place in Asian Pacific Islander Amer- Asian Pacific Islander Americans and from pirates. I salute the SIU members ican history. Declared a National His- others triumph over adversity. aboard the Maersk Alabama for their toric Landmark in 1997, Angel Island As future generations of Asian Pa- patriotism and pluck and for their re- served as the entry point in the West cific Islander Americans continue to fusal to surrender their ship. for over 1 million immigrants from strive for excellence in our educational This incident reminds us of the im- 1910–1940. This includes approximately system, economy, and communities, I portance of the Merchant Marines. 175,000 Chinese immigrants who were am pleased to honor and distinguish Often unseen and unappreciated, they detained at Angel Island before they the many triumphs and accomplish- are vital to our economic security and were granted entry to San Francisco. ments of the Asian Pacific Islander our national security. They are our Along with Representative LYNN WOOL- American community and their role in eyes and ears on the water. They are SEY, I sponsored the Angel Island Im- shaping our Nation’s identity. experts in marine safety, environ- migration Station Restoration and f mental protection and the new and lat- Preservation Act, which passed in both est technology. They keep our ports MAERSK ALABAMA HEROES the House and the Senate in 2005, au- safe and our commerce flowing. thorizing $15 million of federal funds Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, this They are the Ready Reserve. They for the Angel Island Immigration Sta- month the Nation was gripped by the are there in war, transporting vital tion Preservation Project. After 31⁄2 pirate attack on Maersk Alabama off military aid and supplies to our troops. years since it was closed for restora- the coast of Africa. Today, I rise to They are there in peace, supplying aid tion, Angel Island reopened this Feb- cheer Captain Richard Philips, for his to those most in need—just as the ruary and will educate the public about bravery and valor, and the Navy Maersk Alabama was doing when the the immigration experience and the SEALs, for securing the Captain’s safe pirates attacked. They are prepared to significance that it holds for many im- return. risk their lives defending their flag. migrant families today. We also need to honor the Merchant Let’s salute the Merchant Marine, After the recent passage of the Amer- Marines who did not give up their ship. not just for what they did aboard the ican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of Though unarmed, using their wits, grit Maersk Alabama, but for what they do, 2009, benefits were finally granted to and training, they saved their ship—an what they stand for, their proud tradi- long-time Filipino veterans of World American flag-ship—and the much- tion. The Merchant Marine tradition is War II. The act recognizes the service needed food aid they were carrying to one of saving America time and time of these veterans and includes a provi- the desperately poor of Africa. again. They have been the Nation’s sion which allocates $198 million to the The 20-man crew of the Maersk Ala- fourth arm of defense since the Amer- Filipino veterans for their defense of bama belonged to the American Mer- ican Revolution. the Philippines, a commonwealth chant Marines. They were sailing a President Roosevelt called our Mer- under the United States during World U.S.-flag vessel carrying 17,000 metric chant Marines ‘‘heroes in dungarees’’ War II. We must praise and commend tons of cargo to Mombasa, Kenya. because during World War II these gal- these brave soldiers for the sacrifices I am so proud that many of them lant men braved the waters of the they made during their service in the trained in Maryland at Calhoon MEBA North Atlantic and the dangers of the Armed Forces. Engineering School in St. Michael’s or Murmansk run to keep our troops over- The idea of family is important to at the maritime training school in seas fed and clothed. They have fought Americans and continues to be at the Piney Point. Here, they learned how to on the front lines of every war since center of the Asian Pacific Islander navigate at sea, operate and repair then—from Korea, Vietnam and the American value system. It is impera- ships, and how to handle a pirate or Persian Gulf to the Iraq War. They tive that we do what we can to keep terrorist attack. Here, they received were there on 9/11, ferrying thousands families united to ensure that immi- the education to sail the sea with skill of people to safety in New York. They grants and children receive the support that allowed them to save their ship were there in the aftermath of Hurri- to sustain a livelihood in the United with courage. canes Katrina and Rita. And they have States. Thirteen of the 20 crew members been there providing food to starving I have continued to support immigra- aboard the Maersk Alabama trained in children in Ethiopia, Somalia and doz- tion initiatives, such as comprehensive Maryland; 4 at Calhoon MEBA Engi- ens of other regions around the world. immigration reform and have sup- neering School and 9 at the Paul Hall The maritime community has been a ported family reunification. I authored Center for Maritime Training and Edu- major player in my personal and polit- legislation to reform the treatment of cation. ical history, from growing up in east unaccompanied immigrant children Richard Matthews of St. Michael’s Baltimore to my early days in Con- who are in Federal immigration cus- was an engineer aboard Maersk Ala- gress on the Merchant Marine and tody. The bill gives unaccompanied mi- bama. He trained at Calhoon MEBA Fisheries Committee. I got my start in nors access to pro bono legal counsel Engineering School, as did three others politics by representing blue collar and requires family reunification aboard the ship: Ken Quinn, the ship’s workers in Baltimore, the shipyard whenever possible. second mate who called CNN from the workers and the dock workers. We must recognize that the Asian ship; Michael Perry; and John Cronan. I am relieved by the safe return of Pacific Islander American community John Cronan later told the ‘‘Today’’ the Maersk Alabama’s crew and cap- is diverse, not only in language, cul- show: ‘‘We didn’t have to retake the tain and I am grateful for all of those ture and foods, but in education and ship because we never surrendered it. involved in their safe rescue and re- socio-economic levels as well. That is We’re American seamen. We’re union turn: the Navy and their elite Navy why it is so important to provide tal- members. We stuck together and did SEALs squad and President Obama and ented students who have clearly em- our jobs.’’ his administration for handling the braced the American dream the incen- Twelve crew members aboard the hostage situation with great skill. tive to take the path toward being a re- Maersk Alabama are members of the As we welcome them home, let us ac- sponsible, contributing member in our Seafarers International Union, SIU. knowledge not just their heroism off civic society. Many of them trained at SIU’s mari- the horn of Africa, but the everyday I have cosponsored the DREAM Act time school, the Paul Hall Center for heroics of our Merchant Marines; their of 2009 to give undocumented high Maritime Training and Education, in skills and training, their patriotism school students who wish to attend col- Piney Point, MD. It is the largest and proud tradition, and the role they

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:15 Aug 24, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S30AP9.001 S30AP9 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD April 30, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 9 11279 play every day, in every way, sup- reminisced at length about her first meeting Still, Mr. Miller, 56, and the more flamboy- porting our troops, guarding our ports, with Leonard Cohen, who had no confidence ant Mrs. Miller, 52, are by temperament keeping our economy strong and safe- in his talents until she recorded his song genuinely modest, and each, during separate guarding our interests overseas. ‘‘Suzanne.’’ He returned the favor by per- recent interviews, remarked on being taken suading her to take up songwriting. aback by the international outpouring of f Her wildest tale described an adventure in good wishes and concern that followed Mr. TRIBUTE TO JUDY COLLINS Chicago on a winter night in which she ca- Miller’s triple-bypass surgery. He’d felt a roused until 3 a.m. with two folk-singing col- heart attack coming on after a Feb. 19 per- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, Marcelle leagues, one of whom gave her a handgun for formance with Emmylou Harris, Patty Grif- and I have been privileged to have protection during the walk back to her fin and Shawn Colvin in Baltimore. known Judy Collins for years. We have hotel. Once safely in her room, she tried to ‘‘The first month was rough; then it got heard her sing in New York, in Wash- remove the clip, and the gun went off. better,’’ Mr. Miller noted. ‘‘I feel like I’d ington, DC, and in Vermont, and every Those were the wild old days to which Ms. been beaten with baseball bats by a couple of Collins increasingly alludes in her shows. time we have been thrilled. I have even the Sopranos, but I’m doing good. I’ve got a The more she talks about her itinerant life free pass to rest—no dates until June. been known to call her phone just to as a folk musician, the more you want to ‘‘You know, after the heart attack and sur- hear her sing on her answering ma- know. The high point of the show was her gery, a side effect was that all my senses chine. rendition of a recent Jimmy Webb song, were really heightened. For a week or so, I The New York Times on April 23 of ‘‘Paul Gauguin in the South Seas.’’ The song, could smell somebody down the hall and my this year wrote a review of her current which describes the painter’s retreat from hearing was really heightened. And that engagement at the Cafe´ Carlyle, and I civilization in a search for paradise that kind of beautiful note that John Deaderick talked with Judy about it. I know that eventually landed him in the Marquesas Is- plays on keyboards on the record, the kind she and Louis keep a very busy sched- lands, evokes the quest of any artist for sa- that really hurts you, would make me start cred ground that has never been visited: an ule, but I just wanted to congratulate weeping uncontrollably. It was kind of cool; elusive place Ms. Collins conjures when her I was hoping I could hold on to part of that— her on another well deserved review. voice soars. although it wouldn’t be so good on stage!’’ I would ask unanimous consent to f Nine of the dozen songs on ‘‘Written In have the New York Times article print- Chalk’’ were written by Mrs. Miller, and— ed in the RECORD. TRIBUTE TO BUDDY AND JULIE some comic change-ups and love songs with There being no objection, the mate- MILLER attitude aside—most of them concern loss or rial was ordered to be printed in the Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, Marcelle learning to be reconciled with personal set- RECORD, as follows: and I have gotten to know Buddy and backs, as titles such as ‘‘Everytime We Say Goodbye’’ and ‘‘Hush, Sorrow’’ suggest. As [From the New York Times, Apr. 23, 2009] Julie Miller over the years—especially many fans of the Millers are generally FOLK GODDESS DESCENDS FROM HER LOFTY with their friend of ours, Emmy Lou aware, Mrs. Miller has not been seen on PEDESTAL Harris. So many times when I have stage harmonizing with Mr. Miller or engag- (By Stephen Holden) traveled I have listened to Buddy and ing in their George Burns-Gracie Allen style It wasn’t always so. But nowadays a Judy Julie’s music on my headphones and badinage for the past five years. She’s been Collins concert is a seamless flow of music one of the great thrills I had was when sidelined by the severely exhausting, painful and storytelling. Alternating between the they dedicated a song to Marcelle and condition fibromyalgia and by the sudden guitar and the piano, Ms. Collins offers a me years ago at the Birchmere. loss of her brother, killed when he was version of a personal musical history that is The Wall Street Journal this week struck by lightning. Some of the new songs that seem most to reflect that experience in too complicated and rich to be covered in a wrote an excellent article about the single evening. particular were, in truth, composed before On Tuesday night at the Cafe´ Carlyle, ‘‘first couple of Americana.’’ I ask the event. where she began a six-week engagement, the unanimous consent that it be printed ‘‘One of the things that sort of broke me,’’ emphasis was on her folk-music side, and for in the RECORD. Mrs. Miller recalls, ‘‘was that I went to more than half the show she accompanied There being no objection, the mate- Texas to be with my mother after my broth- herself on acoustic guitar, with Russell Wal- rial was ordered to be printed in the er died, and when she asked about the record den assisting on piano and backup vocals. RECORD, as follows: I’d been working on for half a year before that, I couldn’t remember one single thing Her song ‘‘Mountain Girl,’’ performed early [From the Wall Street Journal, Apr. 28, 2009] in the evening, set the tone. Ms. Collins grew about it, not a note. When I came back to up in Colorado, and her silvery vibrato-free BUDDY AND JULIE MILLER: FIRST COUPLE OF Nashville and found the notebook with those voice might be described as an Alpine instru- AMERICANA SINGS OF SETBACKS AND SORROWS songs in it, they were all so strangely pro- ment. Especially when she sings a cappella, (By Barry Mazor) phetic that it freaked me out.’’ it has the ringing purity of a voice ema- NASHVILLE—By virtue of their broad musi- As a practical matter, Mr. Miller’s packed nating from a lofty altitude and rever- cal accomplishments, Buddy and Julie Miller schedule and Mrs. Miller’s physical restric- berating in an endless echo chamber of have essentially reigned since the mid-1990s tions made it difficult to get this record mountain passes. Ms. Collins, who will turn as the unpretentious but royal couple of made, delayed it, and inevitably affected the 70 on May 1, has miraculously retained her Americana music, that lovably motley mod- nature of their collaboration on it. There upper register. The higher she sings, most of ern-roots music genre derived from the are, for instance, fewer outright duets on the the time with perfect intonation, the more American music traditions of country, folk, record than on previous joint efforts. she projects the ethereality of a flute played gospel, roots rock and more. Their CDs, ‘‘I worked on this so long, starting and by the wind. whether recorded together or individually, stopping in between tours,’’ Mr. Miller re- The influence that propelled her from a have consistently garnered high praise for calls, ‘‘that it was hard to gain perspective piano prodigy who played Mozart, she re- both the songs they write for them and for on it. It started out as her record, but she called, wasn’t the sound of the Weavers or the often touching, sometimes feisty coun- couldn’t finish it, and it went back and Woody Guthrie, but that of Jo Stafford on try-soul delivery. Their long-incubating new forth. It’s difficult for Julie to start and her 1950s folk albums. In particular it was release, ‘‘Written In Chalk’’ (New West stop; she kind of gives everything together, Ms. Stafford’s recording of ‘‘Barbara Allen,’’ Records), is no different in that regard. everything she’s got. So she would just get first heard on the radio, that drew Ms. Col- Songs of theirs have been recorded by ev- started sometimes and I’d have to go back on lins away from classical piano. And as she eryone from country hit makers Lee Ann the road, which was really, really difficult sang this ballad of unrequited love, death Womack, Patty Loveless, the Dixie Chicks for her—and that went on for years.’’ and grief, her vocal similarities with Staf- and Dierks Bentley, to jazz great Jimmy ‘‘It’s funny,’’ Mrs. Miller says. ‘‘We live ford, who died last year, were striking. Both Scott. Mr. Miller was seen bringing his al- just a few blocks from Music Row, where singers expressed a demure self-containment ways coveted, tasteful guitar work behind people make appointments to meet and write in unadorned phrases that imbued their per- Alison Krauss and Robert Plant on this songs for three hours. But I have to get to- formances with faraway longing. year’s Grammy Awards show, as he did tally lost in my soul and go oblivious to time In recent years Ms. Collins has descended throughout their recent tour of major are- and space and surroundings—and Buddy’s the from the folk-goddess pedestal to emerge as nas. (Led Zeppelin veteran Mr. Plant per- only person I can do that with. But he’s been a funny, self-effacing Irish-American story- forms a comic duet with Mr. Miller on the so busy and structured, and me so com- teller, and the tension between her pristine new release.) And Mr. Miller has produced pletely not. Unless I’m pressured, it’s like I singing voice and her salty reminiscences records for Solomon Burke, Jimmie Dale have my own radio station going that I can lends her shows a theatrical dimension. She Gilmore and Allison Moorer. just tune into for songs; it’s like whoever is

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:15 Aug 24, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S30AP9.001 S30AP9 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD