July 21, 2006 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 152, Pt. 11 15431 that Turkish-Cypriots could travel and acquire ship skills that Mr. Zamora learned was put to nouncing the tyranny and hanging signs above work more efficiently. The Republic of Cyprus great use by becoming the first Mexican- his bed that say ‘‘Down with Fidel’’ and ‘‘We has begun a program where it pays the full American mayor of the City of Cotulla in the Need Freedom.’’ In July, Mr. Mantilla Arango tuition fees of Turkish-Cypriot pupils in sec- State of . In 1972, Mr. Zamora was re- informed the Cuban Human Rights Foundation ondary education private schools in the gov- cruited to become Executive Director of SER- that he has been in brutal, solitary confine- ernment-controlled areas. To date, this pro- Jobs For Progress, an advocacy organization ment since putting on a T-shirt last month that gram has promised more than $5.4 million in that helped represent Hispanics in Racine, carried the words, ‘‘Down with Fidel.’’ tuition fees, and the program added five times Wisconsin. He also attended the University of Mr. Speaker, Dr. Mantilla Arango is the face as many students this year than it did in 2003, Wisconsin at Milwaukee where he received his of the real Cuba. No matter how intense the its first year. M.S. in Supervision and Administration, and beatings, no matter how remorseless the re- The occupying Turkish regime partially re- extensive study work towards his Ph.D. in pression, no matter how inhumane the condi- laxed restrictions that limited travel across the Urban Education during his tenure with SER- tions, he will never relent in his belief that the Green Line. Since then, there have been more Jobs For Progress. people of Cuba should be and will be free. than ten million incident-free border crossings In 1981, Mr. Zamora was hired as Chief Ex- Mr. Speaker, it is as inconceivable as it is by Turkish and Greek Cypriots to visit areas ecutive Officer of Rural Health unacceptable that, in the 21st century and and homes that were inaccessible to them for Services, Inc., a community health center. He only 90 miles from our shore, brave men and over 30 years. This has produced rare dis- has successfully guided the organization from women are locked in grotesque dungeons be- plays of human kinship, exchanges of flowers a singular site and a $250,000 operating cause they believe that all people have basic and pastries, and emotional visits to homes budget to approximately $4.5 million worth of human rights. It is a profound embarrassment abandoned in the mid-1970s. As a result, needed services to a multiple-county service for mankind that the world stands by in silence Greek-Cypriots have infused more than $57 area in South Texas. Mr. Zamora has spent and acquiescence while political prisoners are million into the impoverished, Turkish-occupied his life working to help better the lives of those systematically tortured because of their belief economy in the North. in his community, and I commend him for his in freedom, democracy, human rights and the Still, neither the Government’s incomplete, commitment to South Texas and to improving rule of law. My colleagues, we must demand albeit well-intentioned, benefit package for rural healthcare services. the immediate and unconditional release of Turkish-Cypriots, nor the limited lifting of re- Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this Virgilio Mantilla Arango and every political strictions by Turkey’s occupying regime, sub- time to recognize the wonderful dedication and prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. stitutes for a comprehensive resolution to end commitment of Alfredo Zamora, Jr. to advo- f Cyprus’ divide. I urge the Bush Administration, cacy in the areas of healthcare and education HONORING RAYFER EARL’E the United Nations, the European Union, and for the City of Cotulla and to the rural commu- MAINOR, POET LAUREATE this honorable body to remain engaged in ef- nity of South Texas, and I thank you for this forts to resolve the Cyprus problem, and to time. HON. work toward a fair and lasting reunification of f OF TEXAS Cyprus. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES We should look to correct the wrong that oc- FREEDOM FOR VIRGILIO curred more than thirty years ago. We should MANTILLA ARANGO Thursday, July 20, 2006 work to bring about a just resolution to the sit- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. uation. And, at the very least, we must act to HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to honor a halt the continuing injustice which the world OF FLORIDA great man and a great artist, poet laureate community allows to continue in Cyprus, our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rayfer Earl’e Mainor. As our Nation’s longest proven and strong ally. Thursday, July 20, 2006 serving poet laureate, and the only current Af- f rican American poet laureate, Rayfer Earl’e Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Mainor has shared his soul through his poetry TRIBUTE TO MR. ALFREDO Speaker, I rise today to speak about Virgilio for over 50 years. ZAMORA Mantilla Arango, a political prisoner in totali- It is the responsibility of a poet laureate to tarian Cuba. Mr. Mantilla Arango is a pro-de- uplift and raise the status of poetry in the ev- HON. HENRY CUELLAR mocracy leader in totalitarian Cuba. Because eryday consciousness of Americans. Since OF TEXAS of his steadfast conviction in human liberty 1969, Rayfer Earl’e Mainor has embodied IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and his constant work to bring freedom to an those ideals and standards. island enslaved by the nightmare that is the All too often poetry has ignored the par- Thursday, July 20, 2006 Castro regime, he has been a constant target ticular aspects and unique history of African Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to of the dictatorship. Americans. Rayfer Earl’e Mainor’s representa- honor Mr. Alfredo Zamora, Jr., Chief Executive According to multiple reports, Mr. Mantilla tions and imagery have shaped the way the Officer of South Texas Rural Health Services, Arango was arrested on March 4, 2002, for world now views the African American experi- Inc., for his exemplary leadership in providing peacefully protesting at a provincial hospital. ence. His poems have allowed us to reexam- healthcare to those living in rural areas in The reports outline how, at the hospital, the ine and rethink our own views and experi- South Texas. group shouted ‘‘Long live human rights’’ and ences. Alfredo Zamora, Jr. was born on June 19, sat on the floor. After 2 years in the gulag, Rayfer Earl’e Mainor has authored several 1941, to his Mexican-American migrant par- and after a sham trial in April 2004, Human works that have sought to inspire us including: ents, Guadalupe Cantu and Alfredo Zamora. Rights Watch reports that Mr. Mantilla Arango Poems; Poems II; A Tribute to Blackness; The His family would travel to Wisconsin, and to was ‘‘sentenced’’ to 7 years in the totalitarian Life and Times of Sister Menefee; Mammoth the fields of Illinois to work the land there. gulag. The ‘‘sentence’’ included 4 years for his Melting Sugar; and To Mister or Sarah Jean: After he graduated from Cotulla High School participation in the March 2002 protest and 3 A Love Story. Through his craft, Rayfer Earl’e in 1961, he joined the United States Army, years for continuing to peacefully protest Mainor has enlightened us with the narrative and received a honorable discharge in 1963, against the nightmare that is the Castro re- prose of the brutal murder of Emmitt Till, and which allowed him to attend a teacher’s col- gime during his time in the gulag before his poetry relaying the 1916 lynching of Jesse lege where he then continued his further edu- ‘‘trial.’’ Washington. His work has also detailed the re- cation at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis- The U.S. Department of State’s Country Re- flections and expectations surrounding expect- consin, and he graduated with a Bachelor of ports on Human Rights Practices—2005, de- ant fatherhood. Arts in elementary education in 1968. scribes the deplorable conditions in the totali- It is an honor for me to be able to recognize He also received a fellowship in the Ford tarian gulag as, ‘‘harsh and life threatening.’’ this outstanding man, artist, and lifelong mem- Foundation Leadership Development Program Sadly, this is all too true for Mr. Mantilla ber of Alpha Phi Alpha. His work and rep- in 1969 that helped him learn how to become Arango. According to reports published on Net resentations have brought reverence to the Af- an effective leader in advocacy, community or- For Cuba, Mr. Mantilla Arango has suffered rican American community and his brother- ganizing, and political awareness. The leader- savage beatings by dictatorship thugs for de- hood at Alpha Phi Alpha. I am fortunate

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:34 May 03, 2017 Jkt 049102 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\FDSYS\BOUNDRECORD\BR21JY06.DAT BR21JY06 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with BOUND RECORD 15432 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 152, Pt. 11 July 21, 2006 enough to serve with several distinguished CONGRATULATING ELLICOTT CITY Mr. Speaker, I commend the other 2006 men of Alpha Phi Alpha, including: Congress- AND COLUMBIA, MARYLAND FOR Best Places winners, and I remind my col- man CHARLES RANGEL, Congressman GREG- BEING NAMED ONE OF THE leagues to work with me to ensure that our ORY MEEKS, Congressman ROBERT SCOTT, ‘‘BEST PLACES TO LIVE’’ IN policies support and facilitate the creation of Congressman CHAKA FATTAH, Congressman AMERICA BY MONEY MAGAZINE livable communities for all Americans. , Congressman DAVID Again, I congratulate Columbia and Ellicott SCOTT, Congressman DANNY DAVIS, and Con- HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS City, located in my district in Howard County, gressman . I know that my fellow OF MARYLAND Maryland, on receipt of this prestigious rec- colleagues and Congressional Black Caucus IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ognition. Members equal the respect and admiration for Thursday, July 20, 2006 f Mr. Mainor. I have the highest esteem for Rayfer Earl’e Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF RUTH Mainor and his work, and I look forward to to recognize Ellicott City and Columbia, Mary- MCKENRY many more bright expressions of poetry, land located in beautiful Howard County which prose, and art in the years ahead. is part of my district, the 7th District of Mary- HON. land, for placing 4th on Money Magazine’s OF CALIFORNIA ‘‘Best Places to Live’’ 2006 list. f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES This list recognizes what we in Maryland HONORING LOUIS ‘‘BOTCH’’ have known for years: that Ellicott City and Thursday, July 20, 2006 TONELLA, NAPA COUNTY, CALI- Columbia provide the best of both worlds—an Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to FORNIA economy in which parents and children can honor and remember the life of Ruth McKenry. thrive and a quality of life that allows them to She was an exemplary woman and a premier HON. MIKE THOMPSON enjoy the fruits of their labor. advocate for health care and the agriculture Located in the corridor between Baltimore, industry in the Valley. She passed away on OF CALIFORNIA Maryland, and Washington, DC, the area that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 2, 2006. became known as Ellicott City was a tobacco Ruth McKenry was a native of New York. Thursday, July 20, 2006 outpost until the Ellicott brothers turned it into She graduated from Bellevue School of Nurs- Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, the flour-milling capital of the 1700s. Two cen- ing in 1943 and became a U.S. Navy Nurse I rise today to honor the achievements of turies later, Columbia grew from the vision of Corps Lt.j.g. serving from 1944 to 1946. Soon Louis ‘‘Botch’’ Tonella on the occasion of his developer Jim Rouse, who created the town after being honorably discharged in 1946, she recognition as the Napa County Farm Bu- as an alternative to the epidemic of boring moved to California with her husband and suburbs. Only 5 miles apart and now called reau’s Agriculturalist of the Year for 2006. worked as a registered nurse in various hos- home by 160,000 Marylanders, these two Mr. Tonella has been an active participant in pitals in the Central Valley. towns provide an active and charming down- the remarkable transformation of the Napa Having raised four children, Mrs. McKenry town, a major music venue, a 30,000 square Valley into the world’s premier wine-growing was very knowledgable and experienced as a foot arts center, an impressive mall, and over region. His career in vineyards started at a nurse. She worked for the Selma District Hos- 4,500 acres of park space. The Money Maga- young age when he went to work at the Ponti- pital Emergency Room, as well as at the Doc- zine recognition stands as a testament to the Beaulieu Vineyards, helping tend vines and tor’s Hospital in Modesto, California, special- fine administration of the county and local gov- trimming the orchards. During the difficult izing in orthopedics, cardiology, surgery and ernments and to the residents’ long-standing years of the Great Depression, he and a friend as a relief supervisor. Furthermore, having an commitment to active community involve- opened a general store in Rutherford to serve extensive background and a great under- ment—working together to ensure the highest the needs of local farms and families. In 1949 quality of life. standing of the health care industry, Ruth was Mr. Tonella purchased a vineyard, which he Mr. Speaker, Ellicott City and Columbia are a long-time advocate for improving the health owned and operated for half a century before not just great places to play and enjoy life, care system in the country. She was involved passing control to his son. Working among the they are also excellent places to work and at- in the politics of the Valley and held several vines beside his employees during the har- tend school. About one-third of these residents important positions in different organizations. vests, Botch was known for being a hard work at local businesses, at one of the na- Ruth maintained an encompassing interest worker and team player. He drove his tractor tional corporations headquartered there, or at in the activities of her community. She served through the vineyards a final time in 1997, at the Howard County General Hospital, a mem- as a Brownie Girl Scout Leader, 4–H Leader, the age of 85. ber of Johns Hopkins Medicine. Many others and as a volunteer for a local Well Baby Clin- Mr. Speaker, in addition to his achievement make the commute to nearby Baltimore, or ic. Additionally, her involvement in many vital as a vineyard owner, we should acknowledge Washington, DC. agricultural groups and organizations left a Mr. Tonella’s role as a member and leader of In addition, Howard County’s public schools, mark on the people of the Valley. After retiring the community in the Napa Valley. He has from kindergarten through community college, as a registered nurse, Ruth farmed grape performed the invaluable service of a volun- are constantly ranked among the best in the vineyards and together with her husband, teer fire fighter for the Rutherford Fire Depart- State and boast test scores 50 percent above managed McKenry Farms in Kingsburg, Cali- ment, including 10 years as the fire chief. He average. Parents know that their children are fornia. Being a farmer herself, Ruth was was also a founding member of the Sunny St. receiving the best education possible, due to strongly engrossed in the workings of the agri- Helena Co-op Winery and an active participant the hard work and dedication of the employ- cultural industry. She served as the State and in the Farm Bureau of Napa County for many ees of the Howard County Public School Sys- Federal Legislative Chair and the Agricultural years. tem led by Superintendent Dr. Sydney L. Labor Chair for the California Women for Agri- Mr. Tonella’s life has been blessed by the Cousin, who has served the school system for culture (CWA). She also served as the Agri- company of his wife of 70 years, Eda Villa. His almost 20 years in an exemplary manner. cultural Labor Chair for the American Agri- son Raymond now owns the Tonella vine- With its top schools, great jobs, low crime Women (AAW) and for the Tulare County yards, which today includes the Ponti vine- rates, variety of recreational activities, and Farm Bureau. yards Mr. Tonella worked on during his first acres of open space, it is no surprise that Co- Additionally, Ruth was involved with Women job in the 1920s. The arrival of his first great- lumbia and Ellicott City beat 741 other com- in Farm Economics and the California Farm grandchild earlier this year marks another wel- munities to place fourth on Money Magazine’s Bureau Federation Agricultural Labor Com- come addition to the Tonella family. Best Places to Live 2006 list. I applaud How- mittee. Many of her colleagues, especially in Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time ard County Executive James N. Robey for his the CWA and AAW attest to her enthusiasm that we recognize Louis ‘‘Botch’’ Tonella for nearly four decades of service to Howard and her driving force in pushing for change in his lifetime of dedication, hard work and suc- County, as well as the citizens of Columbia the agricultural labor industry, especially in cess in the vineyards of the Napa Valley and and Ellicott City for making this area truly one providing farm workers access to necessary his leadership as a member of numerous or- of the best places to live in America—for it is health care programs. Ruth once stated, ‘‘My ganizations in our community. the people who make our communities great. involvement in agricultural labor has given me

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