E964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 28, 2010 through promoting shared values of dedica- gime finally passed to the dustbin of history, I have much hope for the future because all tion, athleticism, perseverance, teamwork, and and Azerbaijan declared its independence yet Americans are working together hand in hand play. again. to ensure the equality and advancement not The good work of the Special Olympics is My congratulations to the people of Azer- only of their community, but of all commu- summed up in its motto: ‘‘Let me win, but if I baijan: congratulations on the anniversary of nities. cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’’ Republic Day, and for your continued efforts Mr. Speaker, let me again thank Congress- It is a motto that captures the spirit of the or- and commitment to build a strong democracy man HONDA, Chair of the Congressional Asian ganization, and of the champion and visionary in the critically important region of the South Pacific American Caucus, for his leadership in who worked so hard on its behalf for so many Caucasus. introducing this resolution. I look forward to years, . And it is only f celebrating the accomplishments of Asian Pa- fitting this bill, reauthorizing the Special Olym- CELEBRATING ASIAN/PACIFIC cific Americans this year and for years to pics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, be come! Thank you. given her name. AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH I encourage my colleagues to be brave SPEECH OF f today, to stand up for Americans with intellec- tual disabilities, and to support the Eunice HON. LAURA RICHARDSON HONORING BAY NEWS ON ITS 65TH Kennedy Shriver Act and the Special Olym- OF CALIFORNIA ANNIVERSARY pics. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Tuesday, May 25, 2010 HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER TRIBUTE TO RAMON ALVAREZ, Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise OF NEW YORK 2010 FATHER OF THE YEAR RE- today in strong support of H. Res. 1316, cele- CIPIENT brating Asian Pacific American Heritage IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Month. I thank my California Delegation col- Thursday, May 27, 2010 HON. KEN CALVERT league, Congressman HONDA, for his work in Mr. WEINER. Madam Speaker, I rise to rec- OF CALIFORNIA bringing this resolution to the floor today. This is a very exciting time for the Asian ognize exceptional work of the staff of the Bay IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community News, a newspaper that serves southern Thursday, May 27, 2010 and I am looking forward to continuing to work Brooklyn, in honor of its 65th anniversary. Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Though the hard-hitting reporters at the Bay to honor and congratulate an individual from Pacific American Caucus and with the Obama News cover issues that affect all New Yorkers, my Congressional District who will be pre- Administration to promote AAPI priorities. they specialize in local news that focuses on sented with the 2010 Father of the Year The 37th Congressional District of Cali- the neighborhoods of Bensonhurst, Brighton Award next week in Riverside, California. fornia, which I am privileged to represent, is Beach, Coney Island, Gerritsen Beach, The purpose of the Father of the Year home to one of the largest Asian constitu- Gravesend, Manhattan Beach, Seagate and Awards is to honor fathers who have remained encies in the nation, including large commu- Sheepshead Bay. It’s not an exaggeration to a positive role model for their children while nities of Filipinos, Samoans and Cambodians. say that if something happens in this part of also making a positive difference in their com- My district is home to the largest Cambodian the City, the Bay News will know about it. munity. population in the , and the sec- The groundwork for what is now the Bay Ramon Alvarez is one of those fathers. He ond largest Cambodian population in the world News was first established in 1944 when is married to his wife Araceli and together they outside of Cambodia. I am proud to be a Charlie Peterson started printing the ‘‘Sheeps- have three children. He is also President of Al- member of the Congressional Asian Pacific head Bay Service News’’, a newsletter for the varez Lincoln-Mercury and Alvarez Jaguar, American Caucus which truly represents my families of troops serving overseas in World and throughout his successful career, Ramon Asian Pacific American constituents’ interests. War II. Over the years, that small newsletter has made a strong commitment to local and The month of May was chosen to celebrate merged with other local papers from across civic activities. Asian Pacific American Heritage for two sig- the borough to become what is now a publica- I am proud to call Ramon a fellow commu- nificant reasons. On May 7, 1843, the first tion with a circulation of more than 15,000. Japanese immigrants arrived to our country nity member and American. And today, I add As my staff knows, my Thursdays don’t truly and on May 10, 1860, the first transcontinental my voice to the many who will be congratu- begin until I’ve read the Bay News. This sto- railroad was completed. The transcontinental lating him on this well-deserved recognition. ried publication has been on the scene for all railroad transformed our nation and could not f of the defining moments that have shaped have been completed without the inclusion of New York City over the past 65 years, and I AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC DAY Chinese immigrants. know that it will be there for whatever happens Dalip Singh Saund was the first Asian next. HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY American elected to Congress in 1957. Less Day in and day out, week after week, The OF CALIFORNIA than a decade later, Patsy Mink became the Bay News covers everything from local com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES first Asian American woman elected to Con- gress. Both overcame adversity to pave the munity board meetings to arts and movies to Thursday, May 27, 2010 way for all minorities, including , national politics. As I know firsthand, the pa- Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to a Medal of Honor winner who has served in per’s reporters aren’t afraid to ask the tough honor the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan the Senate for nearly a half century. Today, questions. They work tirelessly to provide the as they prepare to celebrate Republic Day on we have seven Members of Congress who are community with the news and information that May 28. of Asian descent. is so vital to a robust democracy and the civic Azerbaijan’s Republic Day commemorates Despite the challenges and adversity that life we take for granted. the day that this nation, located on the shores Asian Pacific Americans have experienced, That is why I am pleased and honored to of the Caspian Sea, south of Russia and north many have forged ahead and made significant congratulate the entire staff of the Bay News of Iran, declared its independence from the contributions to this great nation. History was on all their success and contributions on the Russian Empire in 1918, as the first Muslim made when we elected a President with such occasion of the paper’s 65th anniversary and democracy. significant personal ties to the Asian Pacific I wish them all many successful years to The new democracy granted women the community. President Obama spent his child- come. We should commend editor Vince right to vote in 1919, a year before the 19th hood in and Indonesia. One of Presi- DiMiceli, publisher Clifford Luster; assistant Amendment was passed in the United States dent Obama’s first guests to the Oval Office editors Shavana Abruzzo, Joanna Del Buono, granting U.S. women that right. was the Prime Minister of Japan, Taro Aso. Meredith Deliso, Courtney Donahue; calendar Their independence was tragically short, as Further, President Obama appointed three editor Erica Sherman; reporters Thomas Tracy the Soviet Union invaded the tiny nation in to his cabinet: Secretary of and Joe Maniscalco; vice president of adver- 1920—altering Azerbaijan’s dream of democ- Energy, Dr. Steven Chu; Secretary of Com- tising Ralph D’Onofrio; classified manager racy in the 20th Century. That dream re- merce, Gary Locke; and Secretary of Veterans Amanda Tarley; and production manager Keith emerged in 1991 when the brutal Soviet re- Affairs, Eric Shinseki. Oechsner.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:55 Sep 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\E28MY0.REC E28MY0 mmaher on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE May 28, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E965 RECOGNIZING THE BUILDING EF- abilities and injuries sustained while fighting on the establishment of Ukrainian language FORTS OF ‘‘HOMES FOR OUR for our freedom. It does not matter what state radio programs with Voice of America and TROOPS’’ IN WARREN COUNTY, or which branch of the military these soldiers Radio Free Liberty. The UCCA also success- VIRGINIA are from, these are our American heroes, and fully lobbied both the House of Representa- we all need to unite, support and help them. tives and Senate to construct a monument in HON. FRANK R. WOLF I ask that my colleagues join me in sup- honor of Taras Shevchenko, the bard of OF VIRGINIA porting this important program so disabled Ukraine, which was unveiled by former Presi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES servicemembers can experience the gift of dent Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1946. independence. Throughout the Cold War, the Ukrainian Thursday, May 27, 2010 f Congress Committee of America spoke out Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to against human rights violations and advocated recognize the ‘‘Homes for Our Troops’’ pro- HONORING DR. DARRON T. SMITH for the liberation of Ukrainian political pris- gram in Warren County, Virginia, and bring to oners in the former USSR. The grassroots ef- the attention of our colleagues a program at HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. forts of the UCCA continue to focus on en- work throughout the country building houses OF GEORGIA couraging members of Congress to support for injured veterans returning home from serv- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the process of democratic development in the ing our country. Thursday, May 27, 2010 Ukraine and to promote the needs and con- Homes for Our Troops is a national non- cerns of Ukrainian Americans. profit, non-partisan organization founded in Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker: Madam Speaker, please join me in honor 2004 and committed to helping those who Whereas, the accomplishments of many and recognition of the members of the Ukrain- have selflessly given to our country and have start with the works and words of one; and ian Congress Committee of America as they returned home with serious disabilities and in- Whereas, Dr. Darron T. Smith has given of celebrate their 70th anniversary. For seven juries since September 11, 2001. They feel a himself for many years in the field of edu- decades they have brought the issues and duty and honor to assist severely injured serv- cation as a student, professor, editor and lec- concerns of Ukrainian Americans to the fore- icemen and women and their immediate fami- turer; and front of American government and society. As lies by raising donations of money, building Whereas, upon obtaining his doctorate de- United States citizens whose origins span the materials and professional labor, and to co- gree with emphasis in the Sociology of Race, globe, we must work to promote bonds of ordinate the process of building a home that Education, Theory, Social Problems, Race & friendship, support, and goodwill here at home provides maximum freedom of movement and Ethnic Minority Relations; and and in the nations of our origin. the ability to live more independently. Whereas, Dr. Darron T. Smith is serving our f John Gonsalves, a construction supervisor, country honorably as one of few African Amer- started the organization in 2004 after watching ican men who have decided to enter into the CELEBRATING ASIAN/PACIFIC a news report of a severely injured service- field of education as a Ph.D., to teach our fu- AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH member who had returned from Iraq. He real- ture and enhance our present while never for- ized the need for special housing projects for getting our past. Dr. Smith is sharing his time SPEECH OF injured service members. He focused on con- and talents for the betterment of our commu- HON. JOHN B. LARSON structing customized homes with specially nity and our nation through his tireless works, OF CONNECTICUT adapted and barrier-free features that allow words of encouragement and inspiration that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES servicemembers to regain some of their inde- have been and continue to be a beacon of pendence and mobility. light to those in need; and Tuesday, May 25, 2010 In its first 2 years, Homes for Our Troops Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I built a handful of homes as it worked to Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this rise today to express strong support for H. spread the word about its mission. Since then, day to honor and recognize Dr. Darron T. Res. 1316—Celebrating Asian Pacific Amer- the organization has grown into a successful Smith on his achievement of earning his ican Heritage Month. I applaud the leadership national nonprofit organization that has built Ph.D., from the University of Utah, May 7, and continued efforts of Chairman MIKE and donated more than 50 specially adapted 2010, and to congratulate him as he provides HONDA, as well as my colleagues in the Con- homes to severely injured veterans. It has ap- a much needed service to educate and en- gressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for proximately 30 homes in various stages of lighten our future for the betterment of our bringing this Resolution before us today. construction across the United States on a great nation; Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was continuous basis. All the services that this or- Now therefore, I, HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHN- established in 1977 by the efforts of Rep- ganization provides are at no cost to the re- SON, Jr., do hereby proclaim May 15, 2010, as resentatives and Frank Hor- cipient. Dr. Darron T. Smith Day in the 4th Congres- ton, and Senators DANIEL INOUYE and Spark Most recently, volunteers helped to com- sional District. Matsunaga who introduced resolutions asking plete a home for my constituent, Army SSG f for a Presidential declaration that the first 10 Arthur ‘‘Bunky’’ Woods, who was injured by a days of May honor the rich history and con- sniper’s bullet during a tour in Iraq. The Build IN HONOR OF THE 70TH ANNIVER- tributions of our nation’s Asian Pacific Ameri- Brigade, of more than 50 volunteers from the SARY OF THE UKRAINIAN CON- cans. In 1992 Congress expanded the com- community constructed the frame of Bunky’s GRESS COMMITTEE OF AMERICA memoration to a month, in order to fully recog- house in just three days, a project which usu- nize the impact that Asian Americans and Pa- ally takes several weeks. His new home on HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH cific Islanders, AAPIs, have on this great Na- Waterhouse Lane in Warren County, Virginia, OF OHIO tion. will be ready by the end of the summer. The IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES From the early 1800s to today, Asian Ameri- home will have controls and special features cans and Pacific Islanders have played a crit- Thursday, May 27, 2010 specifically tailored to Bunky’s needs, allowing ical role in the development of this country. him to perform everyday actions such as Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker and Col- This year’s theme: ‘‘Lighting the Past, Present opening doors. leagues, I rise today in honor and recognition and Future,’’ is fitting as the world’s attention This project would not be possible without of the 70th anniversary of the Ukrainian Con- turned to the United States to see the historic the help of Martha Buracker, who is the owner gress Committee of America (UCCA), cele- inauguration of President Barack Hussein of the Buracker Construction Company in brated on May 19, 2010 in Washington, D.C. Obama. President Obama’s diversity reflects Bentonville. She generously volunteered to be For seventy years, the Ukrainian Congress the richness and strength of our nation. the general contractor for Bunky’s home, do- Committee of America, a non-partisan organi- We must reaffirm our commitment to the nating her time and her company’s resources. zation, has sought to raise awareness of the promise of a future for all Americans by eradi- Martha’s selfless actions should be an exam- interests and concerns of Ukrainian Americans cating racial and ethnic health disparities, en- ple to all to get involved with this truly remark- and the people of the Ukraine. The UCCA has acting comprehensive immigration reform, pro- able program. worked on many initiatives, including a law viding educational opportunities for the under- There are hundreds of soldiers who will be adopted by Congress in 1948 which allowed served and creating jobs. I am proud that we needing our help across the country and more more than 110,000 Ukrainians to be admitted ensured full equity for the Filipino veterans coming home each day with life-altering dis- into the United States. The UCCA has worked who proudly served under the American flag

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