May 23, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3099 Daniel Inouye, who became the highest and performers who have captured our serving his community as a sponsor for ranking Asian-American politician in emotions and introduced us to innova- those facing addiction. Even now, he our Nation’s history when he became tive concepts. In short, Asian Ameri- calls from his hospital bed to encour- the President pro tempore of the Sen- cans and Pacific Islanders represent an age sobriety and offer support to those ate. Beyond elected office, Asian Amer- essential pillar of the United States. who still turn to him for help. icans and Pacific Islanders constitute Their story in this country reaches To honor Tom O’Loughlin, I had a an indispensable portion of the civil back to its very founding, and it will U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. I service at all levels of government. only continue to shine on for the entire pray his health returns, and I ask we There, too, they have clearly dem- world to see, for they are, above all, all offer prayers of gratitude for Tom onstrated the commitment they have Americans. and the other World War II veterans to their community. f across our country, for they truly are In addition to the many contribu- heroes here among us. TRIBUTE TO THOMAS O’LOUGHLIN tions made by individuals, Asian Amer- f icans and Pacific Islanders have also Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, imprinted onto our society the marks each Memorial Day we, as Americans, TRIBUTE TO SHIRLEY of distinctive cultures. Though perhaps take time to honor the heroes who ABRAHAMSON taken for granted today, many ubiq- gave their lives in service to our coun- Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today uitous aspects of American life and try, from those who died in the cre- I wish to recognize the remarkable ca- identity ultimately derive from the ation of this great Nation to those who reer and legacy of Justice Shirley men and women who brought pieces of today risk their lives in the most dan- Abrahamson as she retires from the their home countries with them when gerous corners of the world. Supreme Court. Justice they came to the United States. From As we approach this Memorial Day, I Abrahamson has a long and distin- philosophy to religion and entertain- want to take a moment to honor the guished career upholding the law on ment to cuisine, Asian and Pacific Is- heroes still among us who served in the Wisconsin’s highest court. Her unparal- lander cultures have helped influence Second World War. There are fewer leled commitment to justice has pro- and form the American way of life as than half a million of these veterans moted a fair and impartial judicial sys- we know it today. still living, and we lose more than 300 tem while greatly contributing to the As minorities, many Asian Ameri- every day. promotion of equal rights in Wisconsin. cans and Pacific Islanders have en- These men and women of the World Justice Abraham’s exceptional career dured persistent forms of systemic rac- War II era are truly heroes here among had modest beginnings in New York ism that still have yet to be eradi- us. In the great battle between good City. Her parents were Polish immi- cated. Historically, countless individ- and evil, these heroes advanced over grants who started a grocery store in uals were denied the same rights as rough terrain against bombs and bul- Manhattan. Her passion for the law other Americans and were even ex- lets and tanks. started at the tender age of 6, when she cluded from citizenship. Laws barred Today, their battle is against the un- decided she wanted to become a lawyer. many from working in certain fields relenting march of time and the ines- She was a dedicated student, earning and codified school segregation and capable effects of aging. For these vet- honors in high school and college. prohibitions on property and business erans, whose valor many of us only Justice Abrahamson graduated ownership. Immigration itself became know from history books or movies, we magna cum laude with bachelor’s de- a target of exclusionary policies that still have the opportunity and sacred gree from New York University in 1953. prohibited immigrants of certain duty to express our gratitude, so we She earned a law degree with high dis- ethnicities from coming to the United honor them as we aspire to be greater tinction from University in States. Widespread xenophobia, cap- than we are. If we desire to serve more 1956 and a doctor of law in American tured best by the ‘‘Yellow Peril,’’ dehu- than ourselves, we must honor them. legal history from the University of manized entire communities and in- On this Memorial Day, I take time to Wisconsin Law School in 1962. Before stilled prejudice in the hearts of many draw special attention to one of these her appointment to the Wisconsin Su- Americans. This discrimination heroes, who is now hospitalized in Mis- preme Court, Justice Abrahamson reached a peak when President Roo- sissippi. practiced law in the private sector for sevelt ordered the incarceration of over Ninety-four years ago, Thomas 14 years and was a distinguished pro- 100,000 Japanese Americans in intern- O’Loughlin was born in an Irish-Catho- fessor at the University of Wisconsin ment camps as war began with the Em- lic community in New Jersey. When his Law School. pire of Japan in World War II. country called him to war, Tom re- In 1976, Shirley Abrahamson broke Although we have made much sponded and made his first trip to Mis- the glass ceiling in Wisconsin’s judicial progress in recent decades, we still face sissippi, courtesy of the U.S. Army, for system by becoming the first female persistent issues of xenophobia, under- training at Camp Shelby. He deployed justice on the Wisconsin Supreme representation, and discrimination. Op- to the European Theater where, in Jan- Court. She again made history in 1996 portunities such as Asian Pacific uary 1944, he was captured by the Axis when she became the first woman to American Heritage Month allow us to forces and held as prisoner of war for serve as chief justice. After winning educate all Americans and spread the more than a year before liberation. four elections and serving a total of 42 stories and perspectives unique to this Following the war, Tom served as a years, Justice Abrahamson is now the community. We must do all that we guard during the Nuremberg Trials of longest serving supreme court justice can to bridge the divide by supporting Nazi war criminals. One of the pris- in State history. policies and ideas of acceptance and oners in his charge was Deputy Fuhrer Though her career is punctuated by equality. There is still much work to Rudolf Hess. countless achievements and distinc- be done, but with the effort of all of Following the Nuremberg Trials, tions, Justice Abrahamson’s path to our community acting together, I be- Tom continued serving his country in success was anything but easy. Despite lieve we can reach our goal. the Armed Forces, once again serving a multitude of academic distinctions Asian Americans and Pacific Island- in combat with the 811th Engineer and an unprecedented affinity for the ers represent more than just a demo- Aviation Battalion assigned to the law, Justice Abrahamson was met with graphic category. They are our neigh- Fifth Air Force in Korea. He returned a demoralizing wave of sexism when bors and coworkers, our friends and to civilian life in 1952, eventually mak- she entered the legal profession in the family. They are small business owners ing his way back to Mississippi. Keep- 1950s. The dean of the Indiana Univer- and entrepreneurs who have helped ing his Jersey accent and Irish sparkle, sity Law School traditionally placed transform our economy for the better. Tom made Mississippi his home and the top student from each graduating They are prize-winning scientists and married Rachel Pitts, a Southern belle. class at the largest law firm in Indian- researchers who have made countless They settled down in Laurel, MS, and apolis; yet after graduating first in her discoveries that have advanced our like many members of the Greatest class from the university in 1956, the knowledge. They are creative artists Generation, Tom dedicated himself to dean told Justice Abrahamson he could

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:25 May 24, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23MY6.059 S23MYPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with SENATE S3100 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 23, 2019 not place her at the firm because they After leaving public office to teach at April 15, 1917, for a small group of Afri- just were not going to hire a woman. Harvard in 1979, Soglin returned to can Americans, all of whom worked at Rather than feeling disheartened, Jus- Madison to practice law and was twice Fairbanks Morse. As their families tice Abrahamson informed the dean reelected to lead Wisconsin’s capital grew and the Great Migration contin- that she didn’t want to go to Indianap- city. In all, he served as Madison’s 51st, ued, the once small church quickly olis, so the slight was fine with her. 54th, and 57th mayor. During his sec- grew to a congregation of 100 by 1920. This type of discrimination was not ond stint as mayor, Soglin accom- On June 3, 1927, formal incorporation an anomaly. Justice Abrahamson was plished one of his crowning achieve- papers were filed with the Rock County denied jobs, clients, and even social ments, breaking through a 70-year de- Registrar. club memberships on the basis of her bate to build the Monona Terrace Con- The first church at the current loca- gender. Undaunted by this prejudice, vention Center that Frank Lloyd tion was built in 1924 for $5,500. The ed- Justice Abrahamson took a stand Wright designed for Madison’s Lake ifice of the present church was built in against gender inequality and refused Monona’s shoreline. He is also credited 1960 after the first building was de- to back down from those who stood in with invigorating Madison’s economy stroyed by fire in 1958. Today, Emman- the way of a woman’s path to success and rebuilding its declining downtown. uel Baptist church proudly offers wor- in the legal field. Her greatest legacy is Through his more than two decades ship and educational programs for its the trail she blazed for countless young of investment in infrastructure, the members and provides community out- women, who can see themselves in a arts, and recreation, has reach programs through its Family courtroom or on a judicial bench be- helped build a welcoming and flour- Life Center. Two of its most successful cause of the barriers she fearlessly ishing city that appears often on lists endeavors, a food pantry and a free hot broke through. She will go down in his- of the Nation’s most livable cities. lunch program, began under the leader- tory as one of Wisconsin’s most influ- Throughout this growth, he has also ship of the late Rev. Dr. Floyd Prude, ential and powerful women, and she fought to ensure that Madison’s re- Jr., who served as senior pastor for 36 used every bit of that influence and sources and assets are available to all years, the longest in the church’s his- power in the pursuit of justice for all city residents, regardless of their eco- tory. Wisconsinites. nomic standing. Now, 102 years after its founding, Justice Abrahamson is a true Amer- In addition to Paul Soglin’s remark- Emmanuel Baptist Church provides a ican hero. From her incomparable ten- able public service, I feel fortunate to spiritual refuge for its 350 members ure on the to know him as a lifelong family friend. under the steady hand of Minister Rod- her efforts as a pioneer for gender From my earliest memories of Paul ney Hayes. It stands as a beacon of equality, Justice Abrahamson has lived teaching me how to throw a Frisbee to hope that has withstood the dev- a life devoted to service and justice for his generous moving reflections at my astating impacts of racism and perse- all. mother’s memorial service, Paul cution. Under the devoted guidance of f Soglin has provided me with encour- its spiritual leaders, may it continue to TRIBUTE TO PAUL SOGLIN agement and inspiration. be a shining asset to the community Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today As he begins his next chapter after 22 for the next 102 years. I wish to recognize the exceptional ca- years of service, he leaves with the f reer and legacy of Madison, WI’s long- knowledge that he has left an indelible mark on the city he loves and that his TRIBUTE TO THE ALEXANDER est serving Mayor, Paul Soglin. Mayor FAMILY Soglin spent his many years in office legacy will endure. Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, it is my as driving force behind Madison’s ex- f honor today to pay tribute to five na- traordinary economic success and high 102ND ANNIVERSARY OF tive Utahns who are brothers and vet- quality of life. EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH Paul Soglin was raised in the Hyde erans of World War II and Korea: Wil- Park neighborhood of Chicago, where Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today liam, Gail, George, Jack, and Bert he excelled academically at Highland I wish to recognize the 102nd anniver- Alexander. Park High School. He graduated with sary of Emmanuel Baptist Church in These five brothers answered the call honors from University of Wisconsin— Beloit, WI. Emmanuel Baptist Church to defend our freedom and the freedoms Madison in 1966 and from the UW-Madi- was established on April 15, 1917, and of others from foreign invaders. Nazi son Law School in 1972. has been a pillar of the community for Germany, Imperial Japan, and the Soglin gained national notoriety on the last 102 years. North Koreans believed it their right campus as an activist for social and po- The church was founded during the to attack and forcefully restrict the litical change. He frequently protested peak of the Great Northward Migra- freedoms of their neighbors, but these American military involvement in the tion, when more than 6 million African brothers recognized that our freedom Vietnam war and demonstrated against Americans migrated from the rural as American citizens is inextricably Dow Chemical Company for its role in South to the industrial cities of the linked to the freedom of our friends manufacturing napalm and Agent Or- North and Midwest. Many northern and allies. Remaining safely protected ange for use in Vietnam. Beaten by po- manufacturing plants sought African- in Northern Utah was not an option for lice during the protests, Soglin became American migrants from the South to the Alexander brothers; they answered a respected voice on campus. During help replace white workers fighting in the call to take up arms and defend this trying time in our Nation’s past, World War I. Beloit became a favored freedom’s cause. Soglin demonstrated his enduring com- destination for many migrants thanks One brother, SGT Gail Alexander, mitment to peace and civil rights. in part to a young African-American was killed in action exactly 75 years Soglin won election to the Madison named John McCord from Pontotoc, ago tomorrow, May 24, 1944, during the City Council in 1968, representing the MS, who helped the Fairbanks Morse Anzio campaign to retake Rome, Italy. city’s student wards. Four years later, manufacturing company in Beloit re- The Anzio campaign and then Oper- he accomplished one of the biggest up- cruit Black labor from the southern ation Neptune—or D-day, as it came to sets in Madison history by defeating town. be known—marked an important turn- two-term incumbent William Dyke, be- African Americans were eager to es- ing point in World War II, with the Al- coming the youngest mayor in the cape the Jim Crow laws of the South lies beginning to liberate and retake city’s history. During his first term as and seek an improved quality of life for German-occupied Europe, restoring mayor, he established Madison’s Civic their families. As they settled in an un- freedom to the French and Italians and Center to showcase the city’s growing familiar part of the country, they subsequently to the rest of Europe. arts scene. He made tremendous im- sought solace in their faith and estab- Prior to his death, Gail received a provements to the city’s public transit lished the Second Emmanuel Baptist Purple Heart and Silver Star citation system and transformed State Street Church, now Emmanuel Baptist for Gallantry when on February 4, 1944, into an iconic pedestrian mall, one of Church. The church held its first serv- after sustaining a gunshot injury to his Madison’s defining landmarks. ice at Kent Hall on State Street on hand, he singlehandedly took out a

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