October 19, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1709 occasion of its Champions Dinner. A Library HONORING MR. BOBBY RUSH and apprenticed under as well. He has sang Champion is committed to the success of the in night clubs, at festivals, at charity events, library. They frequent programs held by the li- HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON and in concert halls all over the world—Chi- brary, encourage others to visit and use the li- OF MISSISSIPPI cago, Cleveland and Clarksdale Mississippi, brary, and are concerned about issues that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Detroit, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, may affect the library. Mr. John Pallone, Mr. Poland, Japan, China, Arkansas, Louisiana, Friday, October 19, 2012 John (Jack) Kearns, Ms. Marsha Cohen, Mr. and Canada just to name a few places—and Emmanuel Itzol and Miss Ashley Pape are Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- he is still traveling the world and performing. truly deserving of the Library’s Champion dis- er, I rise today to honor a philanthropic and In an interview back in the 90s with Stanley tinction. blues musician in his own rights, Mr. Bobby Booth, he said, ‘‘Until a few years ago, nobody Born and raised in Long Branch, New Jer- Rush, born Emmit Ellis, Jr.; however he pre- knew I exist. Not really. I’m probably the only sey, John Pallone is an active member of the fers to be called ‘‘Bobby Rush’’ in a one syl- one livin’ who have did as well as I’ve done, Long Branch community. In addition to serving lable pronunciation. The decision to change and nobody know nothin’ about me.’’ One of as a Trustee of the Long Branch Free Public his name came simply out of respect for his the reasons is because Bobby Rush has al- Library, John is a member of the Amerigo father, Pastor Emmit Ellis, Sr.; because Emmit ways been his own manager, never taking on Vespucci Society and is involved with the Holy Ellis, Jr. wanted to be a Blues entertainer. anyone to manage him, answering his own Name Society at Christ the King Parish. He is I could talk only about his career as a Blues phone calls, and booking his own shows and also a Long Branch City Councilman and a artist and leave out the humanitarian side of then showing up to perform—no imposter board member of the Long Branch Urban En- Bobby Rush but I would be, as my mother there! When I asked him about that comment, terprise Zone. used to say ‘‘short changing,’’ him. Blues is he said, ‘‘I’m just a Blues singer, I am just I Jack Kearns worked in the telecommuni- his ‘‘love’’, but his compassion is people. am, the people’s Blues singer. I never wanted Bobby Rush started singing at an early age, cations industry for over 30 years, serving as to get too high where they couldn’t reach me around six, when he made his first instrument, a Division Manager at AT&T before his retire- but I wanted to be high enough to be able to a guitar, out of a broom. He started enter- ment. Following his career with AT&T, Mr. help them.’’ taining around ten years old, and formed his Kearns pursued teaching, working as an ad- After a lifetime of achievement, in April first band around age thirteen. Here are three junct professor with Boston University, the 2000, the Mississippi Senate passed Resolu- eyebrow raising interesting facts about Bobby University of Colorado at Denver and Georgia tion 43 honoring Bobby Rush for his musical Rush. One, with his father being the pastor of Institute of Technology. Mr. Kearns also taught career. Then in 2003, he started his own perhaps at least two churches, he never sang project management programs to manager- record label, Deep Rush, on which he cut his in the choir but he certainly sang from his level individuals in government and the private CD ‘‘Undercover Lover’’ while performing live seat. Second, although his parents were de- sector. Most recently, Mr. Kearns is working at club Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi. vout church goers and gospel listeners, they as a local news journalist. He is also active in He is also the owner of Rush Productions, Inc. never discouraged Bobby Rush from singing his community, serving as a member of the Also in 2003, he was featured in Richard and performing the Blues. And, they never Long Branch Rotary Club and President of the Pearce’s documentary film ‘‘The Road to saw him perform but he said, ‘‘Every time I Board of Trustees of the Long Branch Con- Memphis,’’ which was part of the Martin went home they had all my music already so cordance. Scorsese’s film series ‘‘The Blues.’’ His I’m sure they kept up with me.’’ And third, in Marsha Cohen and her family have been awards and recognitions include but are not getting started he often would role play himself residents of Elberon, New Jersey for 15 years. limited to: Best Live Performer of the Year, performing and entertaining. Trying to mimic In addition to raising her family and working in Best Blues Entertainer of the Year, Best Soul/ after other entertainers, he would ask his sales, Ms. Cohen is devoted to the arts. She Blues Album of the Year, and the James uncle about who was old enough to visit the recently exhibited her paintings at the Elberon Brown Heritage Award. clubs and watch them perform. He said he Mr. Bobby Rush is still breaking barriers in Branch of the Long Branch Free Public Library would add his own personal touch, of course. the last decade because he has finally and also offered art classes at the library. In Many people may not be aware of this but crossed over to white audiences; race is not addition to sharing her work with the library in 1951 he recorded his first song with Chess the face of entertaining any longer but rath- patrons, Ms. Cohen frequents the library Records. Not only was he making history at er—whether or not the artist is good at what weekly with her 6 children and 3 grand- Chess Records with other artists like Bo he does, and that he is. children, passing along her passion for read- Diddly, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Rogers, Lowell Like he said back in the 90s, nobody knew ing. Fulson, Memphis Slim, and others but he ac- he existed a few years earlier. But, I want to A lifelong resident of Long Branch, New Jer- tually broke the color barrier around 1951 or help make sure people know there is more to sey and a 2009 graduate of Long Branch High 1952 when he became the first black enter- Bobby Rush than a Blues song. I stated ear- School, Emmanual Itzol currently attends tainer to play on Bourbon Street on Chicago’s lier, ‘‘Blues is his ‘‘love’’, but his compassion Brookdale Community College. His love for Southside. is people.’’ education is evident in the volunteer opportu- As a teenager, in 1953, he moved to Chi- Throughout his career, he has met people nities he undertakes with the Long Branch cago with his family and began performing on with circumstances that have reminded him of Public Schools and he has carried this pas- the local blues scene. He also formed his own himself. For example, at one time in his Blues sion into college, majoring in Elementary Edu- band. But it was in the 1970s when his career career he was too poor to afford health insur- cation. Not only does Mr. Itzol like helping the really started to take off with his first hit ance, so as a result, his wife and three chil- community through volunteer projects, he also ‘‘Chicken Heads’’ on the Galaxy Record label. dren died of sickle cell anemia. So, because enjoys entertaining them and performs as a Bobby Rush has sold over 259 records on the of that he is always giving to support sickle DJ at events. Southern ‘‘Chitlin’ Circuit.’’ cell anemia research. Blues in the Schools The youngest of the Champions, Ashley Bobby Rush, like all other southern blues Program is a program he started because he Pape is a 7 year old 2nd grader with a love artist, could take a life-time telling stories wanted to help the Blues stay alive through of stories. She is an avid reader and enjoys about the highs and lows of his career. I’m our children! You can certainly make a living visiting museums to learn more about the sub- sure he can tell you about how he faced racial singing the Blues and be able to help some- jects that interest her, including spiders, mum- issues, menial pay, his efforts to break the one in the process. Computers in Schools is mies and Egypt. Ashley also enjoys spending color barriers while out on tour in order to another program he supports; once, he do- time at the beach and the pool, riding her bi- make a living so he could provide for his fam- nated all the proceeds from an event to buy cycle, and drawing, among others. She is cur- ily, and even the disparaging work conditions thousands of dollars worth of computers for rently working toward becoming a Brownie he endured, to say the least. West Tallahatchie County School District in within the Girl Scouts organization. Ashley Nevertheless, this veteran of the Blues has Tallahatchie County, MS. hopes to one day be a scientist and President definitely established a name for himself And his humanitarian journey continues. of the United States. among such great entertainers as, BB King, Bobby Rush travels the country putting on a Mr. Speaker, once again please join me in Howlin’ Wolf, Solomon Burke, Ike and Tina pulse racing—finger popping Annual Red congratulating John Pallone, Jack Kearns, Turner, Muddy Waters, Bobby Blue Bland, White and Blues Jam for Veterans. He men- Marsha Cohen, Emmanuel Itsol and Ashley Etta James, Red Foxx, Otis Rush, Little Mil- tors other artists, just like Albert King, Muddy Pape for their contributions to the Long ton, Dick Gregory, and Sammy Davis, Jr. And Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Little Milton took Branch Free Public Library. by the way, many of these he performed with him under their wings and mentored him as a

VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:17 Oct 20, 2012 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A19OC8.005 E19OCPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1710 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 19, 2012 teenager. And if that’s not enough, he is al- PLAINS SPORTS HALL OF FAME Acapella Choir. It was during this time he de- ways offering to perform at charity events to INDUCTEES veloped a love for Acapella singing. After help small communities raise money through- graduating from Rust College with a Bach- out the Delta. HON. LOU BARLETTA elor’s of Science Degree in Biology, he So, after migrating from his birthplace in OF PENNSYLVANIA furthered his education at Coahoma Commu- Homer, Louisiana, after getting an early start IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nity College, graduating with a Certificate in on his Blues career when he moved to Chi- Practical Nursing. He also attended Mis- Friday, October 19, 2012 cago in 1953, and recording his first number sissippi Delta Community College graduating one hit eighteen years later in 1971, with six Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor with an Associate Degree in Nursing, and decades of singing the Blues, Bobby Rush Paul Gosiewski, James Jesikiewicz, Stephen Delta State University where he received a has settled on his Mississippi roots in Jack- Krushnowski, Heather Susek, and Alfonso Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing. Mr. son, Mississippi in 1983. His great-grand- Zangardi for their induction into the Plains Flowers has worked 16 years as an Emer- mother and grandfather were from Jackson, Sports Hall of Fame in Northeastern Pennsyl- gency Nursing specialist. His colleagues tell Mississippi. And I am glad to be working on vania. The Plains Sports Hall of Fame recog- stories of Fred singing gospel songs to his pa- his behalf as well. nizes local athletes who demonstrate a lifelong tients which calms their fears. When Bobby Rush is not out of state touring commitment to athletics and have excelled in After marrying Ms. Kerrin Williams and mov- or participating in a charity event, you just sports both during and after high school and ing to Ruleville, Mississippi, he joined Delmar might catch him performing for fun and enter- college. Avenue Church of Christ and made a decision tainment a local night club somewhere in Mis- Mr. Gosiewski graduated from Plains Memo- that he was going to do more than sing pri- sissippi. rial High School in 1957 where he served as vately in his car, at home or to his patients. a starting guard for the Red Raiders. After Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me Fred began to take the lead role singing graduation, Mr. Gosiewski served in the in recognizing a humanitarian and blues musi- church songs. He enjoys singing at church be- United States Marine Corps for 12 years and cian from the Second Congressional District of cause his singing provides encouragement to competed as a member of the Marine Corps Mississippi, Mr. Bobby Rush. the hearts and souls of the congregation. His wrestling team. singing has impacted his four sons, Darrell, Mr. Jesikiewicz graduated from Coughlin Deracius, Fredarian and Justin so much that f High School in 1983 where he was a member they enjoy harmonizing with him during their RECOGNIZING BROOKS ELEMEN- of the golf and basketball teams. During his family activities. TARY SCHOOL’S 12TH ANNUAL time on the basketball team, James scored Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me VETERAN’S DAY PROGRAM 1,069 points and recorded 624 assists for the in recognizing Mr. Fred Flowers as an inspira- Crusaders. He was named a Wyoming Valley tional gospel singer. Conference All Star in 1982 and 1983. HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND Mr. Krushnowski graduated from Coughlin f OF GEORGIA High School in 1990 where he was a varsity HIGHLY QUALIFIED PROVISION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES letter-winning member of the football, wres- ATTACHED TO H.J. RES. 117, CON- tling, and basketball teams. Mr. Krushnowski Friday, October 19, 2012 TINUING APPROPRIATIONS RESO- continued his wrestling career at Mansfield LUTION OF 2013 Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I University and was a three-time place finisher come to the floor today to recognize Brooks in the NCAA Division II national qualifier. ´ Elementary School’s 12th annual Veteran’s Ms. Susek graduated from Coughlin High HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA Day Program in Fayette County, Georgia, on School in 2007 where she was a member of OF ARIZONA November 9, 2012. This is a momentous the soccer, track and field, and field hockey IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES event for the 3rd district, and I am proud to teams. As a member of the Syracuse Univer- Friday, October 19, 2012 sity field hockey team, Heather was selected help honor the service and sacrifice of our na- Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I, along with tion’s brave veterans so that we may live free. to the Big East All Conference Team in 2010 and was named Co-Offensive Player of the Representative HINOJOSA submit the following: This is the 12th consecutive year that the Educational success depends on well-pre- Brooks Community has invited Veterans to Year in 2011. Mr. Zangardi is a graduate of Seton Catholic pared, qualified, and effective teachers, lead- their school to honor their service to our coun- ers and other support professionals. We be- try. The annual program includes a breakfast High School where he participated in golf, basketball, and baseball. As a member of the lieve that establishing and continuing to im- for these brave. men and women and the prove programs that train, develop, and sup- school uses the occasion to express their grat- Plains American Legion baseball team, he re- ceived the Rookie of the Year Award in 1995 port these professions must be integral in ele- itude and appreciation. The breakfast is fol- mentary and secondary education. lowed by a program presented by the elemen- and the Coach’s Award in 1996. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure Unfortunately, we know that in too many tary students and the Sandy Creek Color states and districts across the country, stu- Guard. Lastly, there is a parade with the Vet- that I commend Paul Gosiewski, James Jesikiewicz, Stephen Krushnowski, Heather dents with the greatest needs are being taught erans and their families around the town of by teachers with little or no training, including Brooks featuring the Whitewater High School Susek, and Alfonso Zangardi as they are in- ducted into the Plains Sports Hall of Fame. those enrolled in alternative route teacher Marching Band. preparation programs. That is why we are glad f In the past, more than 120 veterans have H.J. Res. 117 requires the Department of Edu- attended the program and this year they are HONORING MR. FRED FLOWERS cation to provide to Congress—and the Na- expecting even more. This program is a testa- tion—comprehensive information on the extent ment of Brooks Elementary School’s mission HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON to which our highest-need students, including to strive for excellence by creating an environ- OF MISSISSIPPI students with disabilities, English learners, stu- ment that is focused on improving academic IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dents from rural communities, and low-income performance, and providing opportunities that students, are being taught by teachers-in-train- develop responsible citizens and lifelong Friday, October 19, 2012 ing who are enrolled in alternative route pro- achievers. I know that this program has taught Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- grams, disaggregated by state and district, as the students of Brooks Elementary the value er, I rise today to honor a remarkable gospel well as by student subgroups. The data that of patriotism, which is an essential part of singer, Fred Flowers. Mr. Flowers was raised will be included in this report should be made each American’s education. in Shelby, Mississippi by his parents Mr. Na- public and disseminated to parents and other I would like to thank all of our Veterans and thaniel Flowers and Mary Pippins. interested parties so that it is understandable the Brooks community that have continually Mr. Flowers attended church regularly and and actionable. made the Veteran’s Day Program a success. sang gospel songs at the request of his grand- Specifically, the provision requires the Sec- It is vital that students everywhere are taught mother Ms. Mary Hall. Upon graduating from retary of Education to submit a report to Con- the importance of our history and national Shelby High School he attended Rust College gress by 12/31/13 that provides a comprehen- service firsthand, like the students of Brooks in Holly Springs, Mississippi where he enjoyed sive picture, with state-level and LEA data, on Element in Fayette County, Georgia. listening to the renowned Rust College the extent to which the following categories of

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