E1824 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 12, 2014 growth and development of the attractions in- HONORING UNDER SHERIFF DAVE CONNER TRIBUTE dustry. DERRICK CUBIT Mr. Knoebel’s parents founded Knoebel’s HON. MIKE COFFMAN Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania in HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON OF COLORADO 1926, and as a result, he grew up surrounded OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES by the attractions industry. As an adult, Mr. Thursday, December 11, 2014 Knoebel pursued his passion for amusement Thursday, December 11, 2014 Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to parks, becoming president of the Pennsylvania Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- honor the life of Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Amusement Parks Association in 1971. In er, I rise today to honor a remarkable enforce- Conner, who recently passed away after a 1984, he was a key player in the development ment officer and community servant, Under long fight with cancer. Dave is survived by his and adoption of the Pennsylvania Ride Inspec- Sheriff Derrick Cubit. wife Teri, son Gavin, and daughter Ashton. tion Act. Derrick Cubit was born on a warm, sunny Dave Conner dedicated his life to public day of September 1, 1970 in Jackson, MS. As Since 1988, Mr. Knoebel has served as the service, serving for over thirty-two years in the a youngster, he lived in Hazlehurst, Mis- president of the family business. In this role, state and Federal courts. And throughout that sissippi with his mother, Bobbie, his brother, he has shown a strong dedication to pre- time, he served our state and country with serving and restoring vintage rides including Travis, and his late grandmother, Sarah. Derrick Cubit started school when he was both honor and integrity. ‘‘The Phoenix’’ roller coaster from Texas and six-years-old. He went to kindergarten through Dave’s career as a public servant dates ‘‘The Twister’’ from Colorado, both of which fifth grades at Hazlehurst Elementary, at- back to 1982, when he graduated law school currently operate at Knoebel’s. He has also tended Hazlehurst Middle School, and grad- and began working as a Deputy District Attor- constructed first-of-their-kind attractions such uated from Hazlehurst High School in 1988. ney in Denver. After six years, he became an as a flume ride with wood supports and the He continued his education by attending Hinds Assistant U.S. Attorney. In 1996, he took a po- ‘‘Flying Turns,’’ the only wooden bobsled-style Community College and Jackson State Univer- sition as a public defender, and after four roller coaster in existence which was modeled sity where he majored in Criminal Justice. years in that capacity, he returned to the U.S. after a ride from the 1930s. Mr. Knoebel has ‘‘Life has been a means of friends and fam- Attorney’s office. been an active IAAPA volunteer and has ily who you can trust and who trusts you.’’ I have had the honor of meeting Dave and made many significant contributions to the or- says Mr. Cubit. He is pretty happy with what discussing possible ways we could curb the ganization, including serving as a member of life brings and is accustomed to being around trend of mass shooting incidents that our na- the Board of Directions from 1999 to 2002. primarily adults, those who he received wis- tion, and Colorado, in particular, has experi- Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Dick dom from. He met lots of people who invested enced in recent years. Dave was dedicated to Knoebel’s induction into the IAAPA Hall of and took time with him, and helped him to public safety and I found his insight and ad- Fame, I commend him and thank him for all of excel at most of his many and various hob- vice on gun violence to be very helpful as we his hard work and lasting contributions to the bies. He did well in school because of this and discussed this extremely important issue. attractions industry, and I wish him well in his fortunately, self-awareness was something An active member of the Smoky Hill United future endeavors. that was learned later on in his years. Methodist Church, Dave Connor was dedi- Under Sheriff Cubit is a member of the Phi cated to his family and community and his life f Beta Fraternity and of the Golden Square should serve as an example of the positive ef- Lodge #88. There was always an interest in fect that dedicated public servants can have SUPPORTING SECTION 206 OF H.R. being a public servant, and he finally got an on those around them. My heartfelt prayers go 647, THE ABLE ACT opportunity to work for the Copiah County out to his family, friends, and loved ones as Sheriff Department in October of 1997. He they grieve the loss of a dedicated public serv- gives all thanks to the late Chief Deputy Joe ant and a great man. HON. PETER J. ROSKAM L. Young, who gave him the opportunity to be- f come a Deputy Sheriff with the Copiah County OF ILLINOIS Sheriff Department. The trend was set by just ABD AL-BASET AZZOUZ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES meeting his potential, and taking on new chal- lenges when someone brought it to his atten- HON. MARC A. VEASEY Thursday, December 11, 2014 tion that he’d be perfect for the opportunity to OF TEXAS work through the ranks at the Sheriff Depart- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased ment. He started out being a Deputy Sheriff, Thursday, December 11, 2014 to advocate for and support the recently later was promoted to Juvenile Officer, after passed H.R. 647, the ABLE Act, for the impor- that he was promoted to Captain of Patrol, Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tant benefits it offers to the disabled, and be- and now he serves as the Under Sheriff for order to commend the recent intelligence part- cause of the additional clarity and equity it will the Copiah County Sheriff Department. nership between the United States and the provide for employers dealing with the IRS. Under Sheriff Cubit always assumed he’d country of Turkey that led to the apprehension Section 206 addresses an issue under cur- never get married because he was a hard and eventual transfer into U.S. custody of a rent law and the interpretation of the IRS for worker and thought that if he was tied down senior Al Qaeda operative, Abd al-Baset employers that use the services of profes- by the constraints of a wife and kids his work Azzouz. sional employer organizations (PEOs). For ex- might hinder family growth. But then, he met The State Department of the United States ample, any PEO that qualifies as a statutory the beautiful Ms. Semekia Jones in 1994 and listed Azzouz as a ‘‘Specially Designated employer under the Internal Revenue Code is they agreed to marry in 2001. He had one son Global Terrorist’’ pursuant to Executive Order eligible to claim the Tip Tax Credit, instead of before this union and now his new family role 13224 on September 24, 2014. Additionally, the restaurant for which the wait staff who di- suits him as being a father and husband. He’s the State Department states that Azzouz ‘‘has rectly perform the services and therefore driven to spur his son on to even greater ac- had a presence in Afghanistan, the United earned the qualification for it. complishments. Kingdom, and Libya. He was sent to Libya in Despite a lifetime of challenges and accom- 2011 by al-Qa’ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to Under this system, some PEOs claim the plishments Under Sheriff Cubit has held on to build a fighting force there, and mobilized ap- credit themselves as the statutory employer, a quote by James Baldwin: ‘‘The world is be- proximately 200 fighters. He is considered a others administer the credit for the restaurants fore you, and you need not take it or leave it key operative capable of training al-Qa’ida re- which they serve, and some restaurants claim as it was when you came in.’’ His goal is to cruits in a variety of skills, such as IED con- the credit directly—only to be challenged in achieve what James Baldwin speaks about. struction.’’ IRS audits. Although he would question, ‘‘How?’’ he be- I am encouraged by this positive develop- This provision of the ABLE Act provides im- lieves that the moment his son entered this ment between Turkey and the United States portant tax clarity for small businesses working world, he then knew that he had achieved it. and hope that this event indicates a growing with PEOs. I am pleased to have been able to Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me partnership between our countries that will re- help secure the passage of this legislation in in recognizing Under Sheriff Derrick Cubit for sult in a common military strategy against hos- the House of Representatives, and I urge its his dedication to serving our great Country tile elements in Iraq and Syria. While no inter- prompt consideration in the Senate. and his community. national relationship is perfect, there is already

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:03 Dec 14, 2014 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A11DE8.071 E12DEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with REMARKS December 12, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1825 a large amount of cooperation that exists be- Zawahiri’s deputy at one point, traveled to HONORING THE SERVICE OF tween the U.S. and allies like Turkey and it is Libya after he was allowed to leave Iran, MAYOR BRENDA LAWRENCE TO critical that we continue to grow our existing where he had been since 2003. THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD partnerships in this important region as well as Azzouz lived in Britain and was known to forge new ones. police but left the country in 2009 for Paki- HON. GARY C. PETERS It is important that we recognize and com- stan and Afghanistan. Authorities in Britain OF MICHIGAN mend this very positive incident of counterter- had briefly detained Azzouz before letting IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rorism cooperation between the U.S. and Tur- him go, according to news reports. Thursday, December 11, 2014 key, as well as do all that we can to encour- age these efforts to continue. Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I [From International Business Times, Dec. 4, rise today to honor the service of Brenda Law- Finally, I submit the recent articles from the 2014] Washington Post and International Business rence, Mayor of the City of Southfield, who will Times. AL QAEDA LEADER ABD AL-BASET AZZOUZ, be leaving office at the end of this year to rep- [From the Washington Post, Dec. 5, 2014] ACCUSED OF PARTICIPATION IN BENGHAZI AT- resent Michigan’s 14th Congressional District TACK, REPORTEDLY AWAITING TRIAL IN US SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA MEMBER HELD IN JOR- in the United States House of Representa- DAN AS U.S. INVESTIGATES POSSIBLE (By Alessandria Masi) tives. BENGHAZI LINK Mayor Brenda L. Lawrence is a long-time A senior al Qaeda leader accused of partici- (By Adam Goldman and Karen DeYoung) resident of the City of Southfield. A product of pating in the attack on the U.S. embassy in Michigan’s public school system, Mayor Law- A suspected member of al-Qaeda who had Benghazi, Libya, was arrested in Turkey last recently been designated a global terrorist rence is an alumna of Pershing High School month. The Libya-based terrorist leader was by the United States has been detained in and received her BA in Public Administration transferred to Jordan and subsequently to Jordan. The United States is also inves- from Central Michigan University. tigating whether he played a role in the Sep- the U.S., where he is now awaiting trial, ac- Ms. Lawrence was elected Mayor of the City cording to the Turkish Hurriyet Daily News. tember 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in of Southfield in November of 2001. She is the Benghazi. U.S. officials, who spoke on the A joint CIA and Turkish intelligence oper- first African American and first woman Mayor condition of anonymity to discuss an ongo- ation led to Abd al-Baset Azzouz’s capture of Southfield, a city with a population of over ing investigation, identified the man as Abd when he attempted to enter Turkey with a al-Baset Azzouz, a Libyan national. Details 78,000 residents, a budget of $143 million, fake passport, according to a report from and 833 employees. Mayor Lawrence is com- about his capture and what charges he could Turkish daily Milliyet. Azzouz is a senior face in the United States remain unclear. mitted to diversity, fiscal responsibility, edu- member of al Qaeda’s branch in Libya and al- Turkish news media reported that Azzouz cation, and keeping a clean and safe city. legedly had a role in the bombing that killed was captured Nov. 13 in an operation in Mayor Lawrence has been a community ad- U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Ste- Yalova, which is about 100 miles south of vocate for many years, both as an elected offi- vens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Istanbul, and that he was later deported to cial and a private citizen. She has served on Management Officer Sean Smith on Sept. 11, Jordan. the Southfield City Council, where she was Turkey’s Daily Sabah newspaper said the 2012. CIA provided the tip that led to his arrest. elected president in 1999. As a Council- The CIA declined to comment on its al- woman, Ms. Lawrence gained experience in The CIA declined to comment. leged involvement in the operation and the In recent years, the Obama administration managing a multi-million dollar budget and Department of Defense did not immediately has brought a number of alleged terrorists to demonstrated fiscal responsibility. Ms. Law- confirm Azzouz’s continued presence in the this country after capture by the U.S. or rence has also served on the Southfield Public U.S. through extradition. Azzouz has not been School Board of Education as President, Vice- named in any public statements or reports A man by that name was put on the U.S. President, and Secretary. Her love for commu- about those sought in connection with the State Department’s Designated Terrorist nity involvement has been evident through her Benghazi attacks. Although the State De- List in September and described as a ‘‘key partment designated Azzouz as a terrorist, it previous service as a volunteer in various ca- operative capable of training al Qaeda re- pacities on the Parent Youth Guidance Com- is not known if there are any criminal cruits in a variety of skills, such as IED [im- mission, Oakland County United Way Advisory charges against him that would facilitate his provised explosive device] construction.’’ extradition to the United States. Committee, and Oakland County AIDS Coun- Azzouz’s name was also presented to the A likely venue for any criminal pro- House Committee on Foreign Affairs last cil. ceedings would be federal court in New York. Since becoming Mayor, Ms. Lawrence has FBI spokesman Peter Donald in New York year on a list of people it did not ‘‘make sense to consider anything but ‘core’ al initiated the following community programs: declined to comment. One official stressed The Mayor’s Walk community health program; that U.S. intelligence was still examining Qaeda members.’’ whether Azzouz had a role in the Benghazi Mayor’s Roundtable—a citizen driven forum Azzouz was detained for nearly 10 months where residents can discuss one-on-one top- attacks that killed U.S. Ambassador J. in the U.K. in 2006. Upon his release, he ics of concern; Southfield Reads!—a program Christopher Stevens and three other Ameri- moved to Libya at the request of al Qaeda cans. leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, according to designed to promote reading literacy in the In September, the State Department des- Hurriyet. Al-Zawahiri reportedly sent him to City of Southfield; Annual Flower Day; City- ignated Azzouz a global terrorist. The State wide Blood Drive; and Today’s Woman—a Department said he has also lived in Afghan- Libya to open a training camp and recruit fighters, a move that ‘‘indicates that senior cable show featuring respected women in and istan and Britain. around Southfield. As a result of her initiative As part of the designation, the United al Qaeda leaders trust him to carry out the States said Azzouz was sent home by al- strategic task of establishing an al Qaeda to create a more environmentally friendly com- Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in 2011 to network in Libya,’’ according to a 2012 re- munity, Mayor Lawrence joined over 600 other build a fighting force in Libya, mobilizing port from the Federal Research Division of Mayors in signing the Mayors Climate Protec- about 200 fighters. the Library of Congress. tion Agreement, and with Council support has ‘‘He is considered a key operative capable Libyan jihadist group Ansar al-Sharia has created the Southfield Green Committee. of training al-Qaeda recruits in a variety of been widely held accountable for the deadly Mayor Lawrence has received many honors skills, such as IED [improvised explosive de- Benghazi attack, but the group said in a for her leadership skills. She was recognized vice] construction,’’ according to the State in October 2007 as one of Crain’s ‘‘2007 Most Department. statement that it ‘‘didn’t participate as a Seth Jones, an analyst at the Rand Corp., sole entity.’’ Ansar al-Sharia has a strong Influential Women.’’ She is the recipient of the said Azzouz probably has minimal informa- presence in Benghazi and is ‘‘ideologically ‘‘2004 Wand Award’’ for breaking new frontiers tion about where Zawahiri is hiding but aligned’’ with al Qaeda, according to the for women and minorities, the Jewish War could provide a clearer picture of the ter- State Department. The group also has a Veterans-State of Michigan ‘‘Brotherhood rorist groups operating in Libya. branch in the Libyan port city of Derna, Award,’’ the Leadership Detroit ‘‘Challenging ‘‘He’s got a lot of information that could where Azzouz allegedly set up his training the Process’’ award, the ABWA Millennium be useful on how al-Qaeda is structured, its camp. Chapter ‘‘Woman of the Year Award,’’ the De- broader strategy and operations,’’ he said. troit Historical Society’s ‘‘Enterprising Women’’ Azzouz isn’t the first known al-Qaeda oper- Derna has long been a jihadist battle- ative suspected of going to Libya in recent ground and is home to several groups, in- award, Leadership Oakland’s 2004 Distin- years. cluding the Islamic Youth Shura Council, guished Leadership & Future Leaders Award Officials said there was intelligence that which recently pledged allegiance to the Is- for Exemplary Leadership, and the ‘‘Black Thirwat Shihata, an Egyptian who was lamic State group. Women Achiever Award.’’ Mayor Lawrence

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