November 30, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 158, Pt. 12 16045 career in the Senate and House of Rep- his dog, Dakota, on daily walks on the fore being charged as a spy. After a resentatives serving the great people of campus of Dakota Wesleyan Univer- sham trial, Mr. Gross was sentenced to South Dakota left a lasting legacy sity, sometimes stopping to eat at the 15 years in prison. filled with numerous accomplishments university cafeteria and visit with stu- Alan Gross a Maryland native, is a and achievements. Senator McGovern dents. former social worker who spent a quar- inspired me and many others into pub- Senator McGovern once said that ter of a decade working in inter- lic service. ‘‘politics is an act of faith,’’ meaning national development—helping people Like my mother, Senator McGovern that you need faith that the people can around the world. A graduate of the was a PK, a preacher’s kid, and I recall make good and moral decisions. He had University of Maryland, Mr. Gross has from my mother’s memories that this that faith, and his life of moral and in- lived in Potomac, MD for many years. was not easy. Senator McGovern often tellectual leadership has made it easier I’ve met his wife on numerous occa- talked about growing up not only as a for all of us to carry that faith forward. sions and her continued strength and Methodist PK who couldn’t attend One of the characteristics that I focus inspires me. While her husband movies, but also as a child of the De- most admired in Senator McGovern has been held in a Cuban prison, she pression, living in a small parsonage was that his belief in good and moral has held down the fort and held the that shared the little they had with decisions extended to leaders in both pressure on the Cuban government for those in the congregation who had even parties, and led to his lifelong friend- its poor treatment of her husband. less. ships with statesmen like the afore- Despite facing severe health prob- His Methodist background provided mentioned Senator Dole, with whom he lems and complications caused by his the foundation for his deep sense of formed a deep friendship as they imprisonment, Alan Gross has re- morality and social justice. It was the worked on hunger issues, and William mained strong. He has developed a force that led him to be a lifelong ad- Buckley, with whom he delighted in de- daily routine to maintain his strength. vocate for feeding the hungry, for serv- bating the issues whether in public, on Yet he has lost more than 100 pounds, ing his country as a bomber pilot dur- ‘‘Firing Line’’, or over a drink as they has difficulty walking, and has a large ing World War II, and then returning traveled together debating their oppos- mass behind his shoulder that has gone home to work for peaceful solutions to ing views. untreated. The information shared by international conflicts. Senator McGovern knew and valued the Cuban government about Mr. Each chapter of Senator McGovern’s what so many have forgotten today; Gross’s medical condition is incom- life was as riveting and spellbinding as that America needs a strong two-party plete and raises new concerns for his the chapters of the many books he system built on respect and coopera- family. penned over the years. Numerous hon- tion if we are to survive as a democ- Mr. Gross’s family has also encoun- ors were bestowed upon him, including racy. tered substantial health problems of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the He also found time to write 14 books their own over the past 3 years and World Food Prize, and the Air Medal. on political issues and philosophy. And they are facing significant financial From his heroic military service he found time to check off a few items hardship. His mother has inoperable where he flew 35 missions as a B–24 Lib- from his personal bucket list. In his lung cancer and the family is con- erator pilot and earned the Distin- late eighties, he parachuted from an cerned they will not have a chance to guished Flying Cross for making a haz- airplane. He drove a stock car at a be together to say goodbye. The fam- ardous emergency landing of his dam- local speedway. Even this past sum- ily’s contact with Mr. Gross remains aged plane and saving his crew; his te- mer, as he was to observe his 90th extremely limited. nacious advocacy in fighting world birthday, he had hoped to fly a B–1 air- I have been hopeful that America and hunger and working to provide school craft. Cuba could move closer together—in meals for millions of children in dozens With all of his accomplishments, per- trade, in community connections, and of countries; to his unwavering and haps his greatest was his marriage to for the individual families that have passionate support of various social Eleanor. I will never forget the opening been separated. Yet, concern over the programs, his strongly stated political of the McGovern library in Mitchell, detention of Alan Gross has put a hold views, and his wisdom on a spectrum of SD, which Eleanor was too weak to at- on efforts to improve relations and the contemporary political and world tend, and how affectionately he case shows that Cuba is not serious issues, Senator McGovern’s life has had touched the newly unveiled statue of about moving forward and has stalled a profound impact on our nation and her standing with him, as they had any effort in the Senate to move to- world. stood together throughout their lives. wards normalizing our relationship. He traveled the world to advocate for We can rejoice today that they are President Obama has stated that better nutrition programs and estab- now reunited and with their children until Cuba’s current government im- lish efforts to fight hunger. He was the Terry and Steve. They lived the lives proves human rights and freedoms, the first U.N. Global Ambassador on World that John Wesley admonished them to embargo against Cuba remains in our Hunger. He was the first director of the live when he said: Nation’s national interests. What had Food for Peace Program under Presi- Do all the good you can. By all the means become a yearly effort to modify the dent John F. Kennedy. He developed you can. In all the ways you can. In all the embargo was halted in the Senate this the ‘‘McGovern Report’’, which led to a places you can. At all the times you can. To year because of the continued deten- new set of nutritional standards and all the people you can. As long as ever you tion of Alan Gross. The Cuban govern- guidelines for Americans. He joined can. ment needs to heed what it has heard longtime friend Senator Bob Dole in es- f from Senators and now hears from me: tablishing the McGovern-Dole Inter- if you unjustly imprison our citizens, national Food for Education and Child ALAN GROSS we cannot and will not improve the re- Nutrition Program that provided Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, Mon- lationship between our countries. school meals to millions of children. day, December 3, will mark the third In a recent letter to the Cuban gov- He served 3 years as U.S. Ambassador anniversary of the imprisonment of ernment, I and several of my Senate to the United Nations Agencies for Alan Gross by Cuba as a political pris- colleagues called for the release of Mr. Food and Agriculture. oner. Gross on humanitarian grounds. The Yet Senator McGovern never forgot In 2009, Mr. Gross went to Cuba on a government’s response has called our the people of South Dakota, residing USAID contract to assist the Jewish request illegitimate. This is not the many months out of the year in his community in improving access to the way to move forward. That is why I hometown of Mitchell, location of the internet by installing wireless equip- will join with Senators CARDIN and George and Eleanor McGovern Library ment. He was arrested by the Cuban MORAN to submit a resolution that will and Museum. George would often take government and held for 14 months be- apply additional pressure on Cuba to

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:40 Jun 30, 2017 Jkt 019102 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR12\S30NO2.000 S30NO2 jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD 16046 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 158, Pt. 12 November 30, 2012 let Alan come home. I want to close by watched Big Blue’s romp over Green Bay cut’s most dedicated and admired pub- sending my continued thoughts and Sunday night. He also had the luxury of lic officials, former Stonington first se- prayers to Mr. Gross, his wife Judy, roaming the home team’s sideline after the lectman, James Spellman, Sr., who first quarter, and then got a choice seat next and their family. I think of the chal- to Justin Tuck after the game. Not a bad passed away at the age of 92. lenges you are facing daily and I re- way to spend a few days in the Big Apple. Mr. Spellman’s legacy of public serv- main hopeful that you will all be re- ‘‘That’s the happiest I’ve seen him in a ice is remarkable. Elected 12 times united soon. Your strength and deter- long time, Heather Merchant said of her son. over a span of 24 years, he made his- mination inspire me as you face dif- ‘‘Actually, that is the happiest I’ve ever seen tory as Stonington’s longest serving ficult challenges. him.’’ first selectman. And he retired as Con- The unique experience came together I urge the government of Cuba to re- through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Adam necticut’s longest serving municipal lease Alan Gross immediately. I prom- Merchant was diagnosed with Stage 3 executive. At age 80, he received a rare, ise I will continue standing up for Alan Burkitt lymphoma, a cancer that attacks lifetime public service award from the and calling for his return home to the lymphatic system, in March. Although town of Stonington. His lasting impact Maryland. Adam’s cancer is in remission after chemo- will be measured by the local land- therapy, he had to have his gall bladder re- f marks erected under his leadership moved during the course of his treatment. that will endure for generations. SALUTE TO ADAM MERCHANT While he was hospitalized, his mother began researching Make-A-Wish, calling the As first selectman, Mr. Spellman was Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, so much Vermont chapter, which in turn worked with an expert manager during a time of of the news we hear today is riddled in the New York/New Jersey chapters to put to- tremendous growth, and he guided his- tragedy, but every so often a story of gether Adam’s dream scenario. toric development in infrastructure. joy and hope transcends the negativity Soon a ‘‘wish granter’’ visited the Mer- Most especially, he oversaw construc- and warms our hearts. I would like to chants with a special announcement. Origi- tion of the portion of Interstate 95 con- share such a story and salute a con- nally, the Merchants were supposed to come necting Stonington with the rest of the stituent of mine, fifteen-year-old Adam to the Nov. 4 game against the Steelers, but their travel plans were postponed in the State and east coast, and the develop- Merchant of Barre, VT. wake of Hurricane Sandy. ment of several schools and shared rec- Adam is in remission after battling Instead of watching a deflating loss to reational spaces. Mr. Spellman always Burkitt lymphoma, a cancer that at- Pittsburgh, the Merchants got to take in a stayed true to the core values of his tacks the lymphatic system. Through pummeling of the powerhouse Packers. hometown. Born and raised in the area, the kindness of the Make-A-Wish Foun- ‘‘They’re definitely no slouch team,’’ Adam he considered the town his family. dation, Adam received his wish: to see said of Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay. Heather Merchant, a supervisor at Stowe Mr. Spellman’s loved ones are quick his favorite team play, the defending ski resort, says her son has always been a Gi- to point out he never asked for—or ex- Super Bowl champions New York Gi- ants fan, despite living in Patriot country. pected—a local namesake. In fact, town ants. Not only did he see his Giants de- Adam and his father, Adam Sr., a licensed officials quickly chose to dedicate feat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday nurse’s aide, have stood their ground in Spellman Drive at a time when Mr. night, but Adam also delivered an im- enemy territory, surrounded by Tom Brady Spellman was physically unable to de- promptu, pregame motivating speech fans. Those two Super Bowl victories over cline the honor while hospitalized. Brady and Co. don’t hurt. to the Giants, which many of the ‘‘He’s a walking encyclopedia, especially His work was his life and his job was team’s players cited as an inspiration about football,’’ Heather Merchant, who has his personal pride. In this way, one of to their 38-to-10 victory over the two other children, says of Adam. his shining accomplishments—the pres- mighty Packers. Adam described the Despite his penchant for stats and football ervation of the Stonington Town Dock night as a ‘‘dream,’’ but it is the rest of history, nothing could have prepared Adam and commercial fishing for us who should be moved by Adam’s for his big moment Friday, when he was Stonington—is both personal and pub- bravery and persistence battling called into the Giants’ huddle after practice lic. He was a courageous and highly and had to make an impromptu speech. lymphoma. The Make-A-Wish Founda- He spoke barely above a whisper. decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy tion brightens so many young lives, ‘‘I thought about it a little bit before I during World War II, and he led delib- and I thank them and the New York spoke,’’ Adam said. ‘‘It came to me that the erately, kindly, and with stellar intui- Giants for helping make Adam’s dream only thing that needed to be said was what I tion. come true. said—I told them, ‘Go out and play, show In addition to his leadership of town them why we’re world champs.’ ’’ I ask unanimous consent that Chris- ‘‘He was getting really emotional,’’ said hall, Mr. Spellman chaired the Water tian Red’s article in the November 27, Heather Merchant, who added that her son is Pollution Control Authority and guid- 2012, edition of the New York Daily back in school and ‘‘getting back on track’’ ed the creation of an intermunicipal News, ‘‘Young Adam Merchant, teen- after his treatment. sewage system. He also donated his ager fight cancer, gives NY Giants in- Every player, from Eli Manning to Tuck to time serving on the school board, and spired pep talk before rout of Green Adam’s favorite, Jason Pierre-Paul, spoke volunteering with the Pawcatuck Fire Bay Packers,’’ be printed in the about how the speech inspired them to get Department, the Atlantic States Ma- the victory. Adam, for one, thinks the team RECORD. has turned the corner and has another Super rine Fisheries Commission, and the There being no objection, the mate- Bowl run in the making. Connecticut Judicial Selection Com- rial was ordered to be printed in the ‘‘Oh, definitely. We’ve come through so mission. In 1955, he was one of the first RECORD, as follows: much adversity in the past that I think we Connecticut residents to be given a [From the New York Daily News, Nov. 27, can do anything,’’ said Adam Merchant, who real-estate brokerage license, and from 2012] might as well have been speaking for himself 1956 to 1961 was appointed by then-Gov- as well as the Giants. YOUNG ADAM MERCHANT, TEENAGER FIGHTING When the 38–10 win was in the books, Adam ernor Abraham Ribicoff as judge of the CANCER, GIVES NY GIANTS INSPIRED PEP sat next to Tuck for the celebration, even Stonington Town Court—the only ap- TALK BEFORE ROUT OF GREEN BAY PACKERS though he was sporting a No. 90 Pierre-Paul pointee without a law degree. (By Christian Red) jersey. Tuck didn’t mind, Adam said, and Even in retirement, Mr. Spellman Adam Merchant says he was ‘‘a little bit’’ even gave him a No. 91 jersey to add to his demonstrated his truly heartfelt care fatigued Monday afternoon, which was un- wardrobe. and concern for Stonington. He was derstandable given the dizzying schedule the ‘‘I have a newfound love for Justin Tuck,’’ generous with sage advice for local Adam said. ‘‘The locker room was awesome. 15-year-old native of tiny Barre, Vt., has leaders throughout Connecticut, check- kept since Thursday, the best four-day Make-A-Wish didn’t just create a wish—it was a dream.’’ ing in frequently at town hall, and stretch of his young life. writing to the local newspaper. ‘‘I’m feeling pretty good,’’ Merchant told f Mr. Spellman was deservedly proud the Daily News on Monday. REMEMBERING JIM SPELLMAN Merchant flew down to the New York area of all his family, including his son on Thursday, gave an unrehearsed rallying Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I Steve, a friend and former colleague in speech to Giants players Friday and then rise to pay tribute to one of Connecti- the State senate. He will be missed for

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