October 28, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2211 A child should live in a secure and safe envi- including his wife Nancy Stephens, his step- completing almost half of his original four-year ronment, not in such poverty-stricken condi- daughter, Kathleen Lowenthal, his stepson, sentence. Regrettably, his reprieve ended as tions that they become victims to the sex John Stephens, and his grandchildren, Julia abruptly as his release. Trepashkin was de- trade. Every second, more of tomorrow’s lead- and John Lowenthal. tained at his home and on September 16, ers are orphaned. We must do all we can to f 2005 the regional court of Sverdlovsk over- ensure that the world has the opportunity to turned the lower court’s early release decision. see and benefit from their leadership, their po- THE RENEWED JUDICIAL ASSAULT The local prosecutor who assented to Mr. tential. Over 33 humanitarian, NGO, and child ON MIKHAIL TREPASHKIN Trepaskin early release has now been fired. care organizations support the passage of this Trepashkin had written about the horrible jail bill. The valuable programs in H.R. 1409 can HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH conditions of his earlier imprisonment: hunger, make a world of difference for orphans, prov- OF NEW JERSEY sleep deprivation, withholding of medicine, and ing them shelter, medical care, food, and, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a substandard, lice-infested cell. It is now re- eventually a new home. Friday, October 28, 2005 ported that conditions after his re-incarceration Families across the United States and have become even worse. Apparently his around the world are willing to welcome and Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as comments to journalists during his brief re- adopt orphans from around the world. This Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I lease, detailing the poor jail conditions means a new chance at a bright new future would like to reiterate my concerns regarding aroused the resentment of the prison guards for the most vulnerable in our society. We the rule of law, or the absence of it, in the and the administration. Trepashkin is report- need to do everything we can to make those Russian Federation today. The case of Mikhail edly in poor health, recently suffering an acute possibilities a reality. I urge my colleagues to Trepashkin, which I raised in the House last asthmatic attack. November, highlights the shortcomings and protect our children and our future by voting Mr. Speaker, the Trepashkin case appears corruption that plague the Russian legal sys- ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 1409. fraught with blatant corruption by Russian law tem. f enforcement and unacceptable manipulation of Trepashkin, an attorney and former Federal the rule of law to satisfy political vendettas. If ON THE LIFE, AND VOICE, OF THE Security Service (FSB) officer, was arrested the FSB cannot endure criticism from outside LATE AND GREAT BILL KING on October 24, 2003, just one week before he and exposure of possible malfeasance within was scheduled to represent the American rel- its ranks, how effective can it be in inves- atives of a victim of the 1999 bombings of two HON. GEORGE MILLER tigating and preventing genuine threats to Moscow apartment buildings. He was charged OF CALIFORNIA Russia and beyond? I believe the Russian ju- with unlawful possession of a firearm. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES diciary system would be better served if the Trepashkin, at the behest of a Russian parlia- court were to adhere to its original decision to Friday, October 28, 2005 mentarian, had been investigating the bomb- release Mikhail Trepashkin from his unwar- ings and was expected to present findings that Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. ranted confinement and allow him to return to suggested the involvement of elements of the Speaker, Holy Toledo, we’ve lost another Moscow without fear of further reprisals. Per- FSB in the crime. Russian officials, however, great American voice. secution of those who seek the truth is not Sadly, I rise today to commemorate and cel- had been quick to characterize the bombings only a violation of an individual’s human rights; ebrate the life of Bill King—a close personal as terrorist attacks, and blamed Chechen sep- it further erodes Russia’s already weakened friend—and his legacy as a sports radio per- aratists. Trepashkin had publicly announced democracy. sonality in the San Francisco Bay Area. that his research had left him with many sus- I was deeply saddened when I heard news picious findings, including a statement by the f of the death of this distinguished man. Over landlord of one of the buildings that the FSB the course of the last half century Mr. King had forced him to falsify the identity of a base- RECOGNIZING THE NAPA VALLEY grew to become a regular presence in the ment apartment tenant, the suspected source MASONIC LODGE NO. 93 OF NAPA lives of so many people in the Bay Area. His of the blast. In addition, Trepashkin charged VALLEY, CALIFORNIA trademark phrase, ‘‘Holy Toledo,’’ remains a that a bomb discovered in an apartment build- household expression across several genera- ing in the city of Ryazan and safely detonated tions of sports enthusiasts. before it was set to explode, was admittedly HON. MIKE THOMPSON Mr. King, a native of Bloomington, Illinois, placed there by FSB officers who were report- OF CALIFORNIA began his broadcasting career with the Armed edly conducting a ‘‘readiness exercise.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Forces Radio Network, while he was stationed The weapon possession charge against Mr. Friday, October 28, 2005 on Guam following World War II. He came to Trepashkin fell apart in court as witnesses re- the Bay Area in 1958 and worked on the San ported seeing a gun only in the hands of the Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Francisco Giants broadcast team, and also for arresting officer. However, the FSB seemed I rise today to recognize the Napa Valley Ma- Cal football. Throughout his career he did the intent on derailing Trepashkin’s independent sonic Lodge No. 93 of Napa Valley, California play-by-play for numerous historic events. inquiry, and subsequently claimed that Mr. as it celebrates its 150th anniversary this Sat- He became the first lead broadcaster for the Trepashkin had revealed classified material to urday, October 29, 2005. NBA Warriors franchise when they moved to unauthorized persons during the course of his The Napa Valley Masonic Lodge No. 93, San Francisco from Philadelphia in 1962. He investigation. In May 2004, a closed Moscow which was founded by Napa Valley historical remained with the Warriors until 1983 and has Military District Court found him guilty of di- mason George Yount, is an institution in the the distinction of broadcasting through the only vulging state secrets and sentenced him to Napa Valley. The first meeting was held at the championship season (1974–75) in the fran- four years in a labor camp. Caymus Lodge in Yountville, California. In chise’s history since moving to the Bay Area. Mr. Speaker, it still seems that Mr. 1867, the masons of Lodge No. 93 relocated Starting in 1966 Mr. King began a 16-year ten- Trepashkin was prosecuted in order to prevent to St. Helena, my hometown, where they con- ure broadcasting for the Oakland Raiders. him from releasing potentially damaging infor- tinue to meet today. From 1981 until his passing he was the lead mation regarding FSB complicity in the bomb- Since 1855, Lodge No. 93 has helped to broadcaster for the Oakland Athletics Baseball ings. In other words, the security services forge a stronger brotherhood among the men franchise. This era included the famous 1989 have apparently manipulated the Russian judi- of the Napa Valley. What was once a group of ‘‘Bay Bridge’’ World Series between the San cial system to ‘‘get its man.’’ As the U.S. State 13 men now boasts a membership of nearly Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. The Department expressed it diplomatically, ‘‘The 200. Men from all walks of life, including farm- series, which the A’s eventually won, was de- arrest and trial of Mikhail Trepashkin raised ers, businessmen and doctors have joined this layed for 10 days after the Loma Prieta struck concerns about the undue influence of the fraternity in an effort to not only better them- the region just minutes before the start of FSB and arbitrary use of the judicial system.’’ selves and their families, but to also better the game 3. Even though the United States and others entire community. The Bay Area and the entire Nation will truly had called for an honest and open investiga- Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my fellow col- miss Mr. King. For so many people he was tion into the circumstances surrounding the leagues I would like to congratulate the Napa the voice that brought our national pastimes to case of Mr. Trepashkin, his situation remained Valley Masonic Lodge No. 93 upon its 150th life, play-by-play, one game at a time. I extend unchanged until August 2005. Suddenly he Anniversary. I wish the organization all the my sincere condolences to Mr. King’s family, was released early for good behavior after best in its future endeavors.

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