June 6, 2007 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 153, Pt. 11 14955 pension and working conditions of his mem- my own funeral, listening to all these speech- implement the recommendations of the Iraq bership and demonstrating to all of San Diego es. I feel terribly small and humbled by it all.’’ Study Group (ISG)—also known as the ‘‘Baker the benefits of union membership. He has That statement explains the character of Rev- Hamilton Commission’’—as a bipartisan foun- spoken on the record before the Industrial erend Graham better than anything I can say. dation for long overdue strategic change in our Welfare Commission. Madam Speaker, the legacy of Billy Graham policy in Iraq. Nico is involved in all aspects of the Labor will live on long after he is gone, and I am I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues movement. He has had numerous pro-union proud to congratulate him on the opening of Representatives FRANK WOLF, MICHAEL letters to various editors of San Diego news- this new library which will help to carry his leg- MCCAUL, and DANIEL LIPINSKI—and 41 other papers published. To enhance his career as a acy forward. Billy Graham has served his Lord Members—in introducing this bill, and I am union officer, Nico enrolled in the Labor Stud- for a lifetime, and it is an honor to serve Rev- grateful for all their help in building support for ies Program at San Diego City College. He erend Graham in the United States Congress. this legislation. Representative WOLF deserves completed the program in 1994 and continued May God continue to bless Billy Graham. special recognition for the role he played in his studies, earning a Business and Labor f spearheading the creation of the Iraq Study Studies Degree and graduating with honors in D/FW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S Group and in pushing forward its rec- June 2000. ‘‘WELCOME HOME A HERO’’ PRO- ommendations. California Governor Gray Davis further hon- The ISG was created in March 2006 at the GRAM ored Nico by appointing him to the Industrial request of a bipartisan group of Members of Welfare Commission Wage Board, where he Congress, led by Representative WOLF, and was asked to determine the wages, work HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON was co-chaired by former Secretary of State hours and working conditions for the mining, OF TEXAS James Baker and former chairman of the For- drilling and construction industries. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES eign Affairs Committee, Representative Lee Nico Ferraro truly has been an inspiration to Tuesday, June 5, 2007 Hamilton. In December 2006, the ISG re- all of San Diego. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. leased its recommendations and outlined a bi- f Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to partisan approach to bringing a responsible HONORING THE REVEREND BILLY the ‘‘Welcome Home a Hero’’ program at Dal- conclusion to the Iraq war. What this legislation does is to take these GRAHAM las-Fort Worth International Airport. The ‘‘Wel- come Home a Hero’’ program is a daily gath- recommendations and establish them as offi- ering of volunteers to celebrate the home- cial United States policy. Among the rec- HON. HEATH SHULER coming of soldiers returning from Iraq, Afghan- ommendations outlined in the bill are a new OF NORTH CAROLINA istan, and Kuwait. This program is one of the diplomatic offensive in the region that includes IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Nation’s foremost morale builders for our the creation of the Iraq International Support Tuesday, June 5, 2007 troops with over 150 civic organizations, gov- Group; giving the highest priority to training, Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today ernmental departments, and businesses volun- equipping and advising the Iraqi military and to recognize an important milestone in the his- teering during its 3-year tenure. This tremen- security forces; assessing the full budgetary toric ministry of the Reverend Billy Graham. dous effort has made the ‘‘Welcome Home a and personnel impact of the war in Iraq on the On Thursday, May 31, 1,500 of Reverend Hero’’ program one of the largest ongoing U.S. military; accelerating and increasing oil Graham’s friends gathered for the dedication community service efforts in north Texas. production and accountability including equi- of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North These committed volunteers have given of table distribution of oil revenues in Iraq; imple- Carolina. Among those friends were all three their time so that our troops, as well as their menting and oversight of economic recon- of our living former Presidents. Reverend Gra- families, can see how proud we are as a com- struction programs in Iraq with the creation of ham’s ministry has touched more people in munity, and as a nation, of their service and a new Senior Advisor for Economic Recon- this world than could ever be able to attend sacrifice. struction; ensuring that the President includes such a dedication. Madam Speaker, the north Texans that par- the cost of the war in his annual budget re- I am honored to have Reverend and Mrs. ticipate in the ‘‘Welcome Home a Hero’’ pro- quest; and setting conditions that can lead to Graham as two of my constituents in Western gram are the first people the troops see upon redeployment of U.S. combat forces as early North Carolina. The Grahams moved to their return to the United States, and they as the first quarter of 2008, including nec- Montreat many decades ago, and have made speak on behalf of all Americans in thanking essary diplomatic, infrastructure and security an indelible mark on the area. I have the ut- them and celebrating the safe return of each benchmarks. most respect for Reverend Graham. soldier. On June 12, 2007, the 500,000th sol- It is clear to me that a Democratic majority The newly dedicated Billy Graham Library is dier will come home for a well-deserved 2 in Congress cannot unilaterally legislate an appropriately built in the shape of a barn, weeks of rest and recuperation, and I am end to this war and expect its architect and which no doubt reminds Reverend Graham of proud to share that the ‘‘Welcome Home a champion—President Bush—to sign on the his childhood on a nearby dairy farm. When Hero’’ program at Dallas-Fort Worth Inter- dotted line. In my view, the only way to end Billy Graham was born some 88 years ago no national Airport has been selected by the U.S. this war—and to end it in a way that mini- one but God knew the influence he would Military to host this celebration. I extend my mizes the likelihood of greater regional blood- have on the world. personal gratitude to the program’s volunteers shed—is to broaden the tent of opposition, Billy Graham has ministered to hundreds of for their efforts in supporting our dedicated and engage concerned Republicans in pres- millions of people across the world, over 210 men and women in uniform who are proudly suring the Bush Administration to change million of those contacts coming through the serving our Nation. course. That is why I worked last year with form of live audiences. Reverend Graham has Madam Speaker, I am indeed honored to Representative Joe Schwarz on a resolution ministered to Congressmen, celebrities, and pause and pay tribute to these wonderful vol- insisting on benchmarks for Iraqi political sta- heads of state. He has ministered to people unteers and valiant soldiers who represent the bility and a process to hold the Bush Adminis- without regard to their wealth, political affili- very best of the United States of America. tration accountable. ation, social status, or skin color; and he did f That is why I am introducing this bill today. it before such things were popular. Billy THE IRAQ STUDY GROUP REC- Democrats and Republicans must work to- Graham has stood for what is right throughout OMMENDATIONS IMPLEMENTA- gether to change the course in Iraq, and im- his long career. He paid Reverend Martin Lu- TION ACT plementing the major policy recommendations ther King’s bail on numerous occasions, re- of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group is an over- fused to speak in Little Rock while school seg- HON. MARK UDALL due step in this direction. regation was being insisted upon by the state As an early and consistent opponent of this OF COLORADO government, and he would not visit South Afri- war I do not believe that embracing these rec- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ca during Apartheid until The government ommendations is the only action we in Con- would allow a desegregated audience. Tuesday, June 5, 2007 gress must take, but it is important as a foun- Reverend Graham commented at last Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, dation. I, for one, will also continue to push for week’s dedication that ‘‘I feel like I’ve been at today I am pleased to introduce legislation to a strategy of military disengagement in Iraq

VerDate Mar 15 2010 10:34 May 17, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR07\E06JN7.000 E06JN7 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD 14956 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 153, Pt. 11 June 6, 2007 and phased redeployment of our forces, be- of the 61st Session of the United Nations Shah, Donald Soffer, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, cause I do not believe we should ask our sol- General Assembly. Toomas M. Sorra, MD, Debra Brown Stein- diers to referee a civil war. When the immigrant station at Ellis Island, berg, Esq., Daniel J. Sullivan, Daniel J. Thom- Ending American military participation in this New York, opened on January 1, 1892, it ad- as, DDS, Gerald Turpanjian, Luis A. Valentin, war and managing the consequences of the mitted 700 immigrants into the United States Tai Nin Wang, Richard J. Wolff, Mahvash on just its first day of operation. By the time Bush Administration’s failures will not be easy Yazdi, Dr. Gazi Zibari, Mira Zivkovich. and it will not come overnight, but it will the center closed in 1954, 17 million immi- grants had passed through its doors. The Ellis come—and the ISG recommendations offer a f means of moving toward these goals. Island administration and staff, on average, Many of us embraced the ISG’s rec- processed up to 5,000 people per day. Many HONORING BILL FRANCE JR. ommendations when the report was first re- of these newcomers had little or no knowledge leased last year, and many of us believe that of English, hardly any money, and many ar- the report still provides a comprehensive blue- rived with only the clothes on their backs. HON. JOHN L. MICA print for a way forward in Iraq and the Middle They arrived risking their lives in exchange for East, from both the military and the diplomatic freedom and a better way of life. OF FLORIDA perspective. I, once again, commend NECO and its IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I do not believe the ISG recommendations Board of Directors headed by my good friend, or my bill will offer a complete solution, but Nasser J. Kazeminy, for honoring these truly Tuesday, June 5, 2007 they will offer a start. outstanding individuals for their tireless efforts We went into war as a badly divided coun- to foster dialogue and build bridges between Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker. I rise today to try; I hope we can end it differently and that different ethnic groups, as well as promote pay tribute to William Clifton ‘‘Bill’’ France, is my motivation in offering this bill today. unity and a sense of common purpose in our who passed away Monday, June 4, 2007, at f Nation. As Rosemarie Taglione, Executive Di- his home in Daytona Beach, Florida. It was rector of NECO has said so eloquently on a my honor to have known and worked with Bill A TRIBUTE TO THE 2007 ELLIS IS- number of occasions: ‘‘NECO’s message of France over the past years. Known by friends LAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPI- tolerance and harmony among diverse ethnic as ‘‘Bill Jr.,’’ he was a legend in American mo- ENTS groups is, perhaps, even more important today torsports. than it was 20 years ago.’’ HON. DAN BURTON Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues The son of NASCAR’s founder, he was born in Washington, DC on April 4th, 1933. His OF INDIANA to join me in recognizing the good works of family moved to Daytona Beach in 1934 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NECO, and congratulating all of the 2007 re- cipients of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. I where his father, William France, Sr., began Tuesday, June 5, 2007 also ask unanimous consent that the names of establishing the world’s most famous racing Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I this year’s recipients be placed into the CON- circuit and a national sports phenomenon. rise today to congratulate the 2007 recipients GRESSIONAL RECORD following my statement: Bill Jr. graduated from Seabreeze High of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The Ellis Is- Dr. Gregory Adamian, H. E. Sheikha Haya School in Daytona Beach in 1951 where he land Medal of Honor is presented annually by Rashed Al Khalifa, George Altirs, Peter Arnell, played on the basketball team. He attended the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Dr. Elias Ayoub, Dr. Ernest M. Barsamian, (NECO), representing more than 250 organi- Michelle Bodden, Edgar Cahn, Leo Chen, Dr. the University of Florida and served in the zations that span the spectrum of ethnic herit- Aram V. Chobanian, Jaekun Chung, Mario United States Navy from 1953 to 1955. ages, cultures and religions. Since the organi- Ciano, Denis A. Cortese, MD, Hon. Leslie After his service in the Navy, Bill Jr. found zation’s founding in 1986, approximately 1,700 Crocker-Snyder, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh, Nich- the love of his life, Ms. Betty Jane Zachary, American citizens have received Ellis Island olas J. Daniello, MD, Dr. Joel Alan DeLisa, who became the mother of his two children, Medals of Honor, including six American Kirti Desai, Dr. Akshay Desai, Michael J. Brian France and Lesa Kennedy. Both of his Presidents, several United States Senators, Dowling, James J. Dowling, Blaise Durante, children and his wife were instrumental in the Congressmen, Nobel Laureates, outstanding Hon. Jacob Eapen, MD, MPH, Mory Ejabat, success of what is now ‘‘the most watched Richard A. Elias, MD, Hani Findakly, PhD, Ar- athletes, artists, clergy, and military leaders. American sport,’’ NASCAR. As we all know, citizens of the United States thur Flegel, Jon Fortgang, Douglas Foshee, can trace their ancestry to many nations. The Philip Friedman, Cynthia R. Garrett, Obren Bill Jr. did not begin his journey as CEO. He richness and diversity of American life makes Gerich, Joi Gordon, Col. R. L. Grabowski, started working his way up the ranks holding us unique among the nations of the world and USMC, MSGT Nicholas G. Grand, USAF positions as a flagman, concierge, race scorer is in many ways the key to why America is the (Ret.), Patrick Grant, Hon. Chuck Hagel, and other jobs. In 1959, he even drove a bull- most innovative country in the world. The Ellis George Hamilton, William Harrington, Esq., dozer and a grater during the construction of Island Medals of Honor not only celebrate se- Richard Heckmann, Col. Jack H. Jacobs, USA the Daytona International Speedway before lect individuals but also the pluralism and de- (Ret.), Rev. John I. Jenkins, CSC, Ik Joong becoming Co-Chairman and Chief Executive mocracy that enabled our ancestors to cele- Kang, Dr. Sarkis Kechejian, Don Keenan, Do- Officer. brate their cultural identities while still embrac- Young Kim, David E. Kimmel, Jr., Dr. Steven ing the American way of life. This medal is not S. Koh, George J. Kostas, Les Kuczynski, With the passing of Bill France, American about money, but about people who really Joan Kuyper-Farver, Irene Ladas, LTC. Larry motorsports has lost a great leader, our coun- seized the opportunities this great country has H. Lang, USAF, Rep. Tom Lantos, Dr. Edwin try and State have lost an outstanding citizen to offer and who used those opportunities to Pak-Wah Leung, Dr. John M. Levinson, Hon. and I have lost a wonderful friend. He will be not only better their own lives but make a dif- Guillermo Linares, Harvey Mackay, Patrick J. remembered as a patriotic American, a pillar ference in the lives of those around them. By Martucci, Thomas Mattia, CPT. Gary A. May- of our community, a respected businesman, a honoring these outstanding individuals, we nard, USN, Mitchell Modell, Hon. Samuel Mok, compassionate husband and a loving father. honor all who share their origins and we ac- Todd Morgan, C. Warren Moses, Dr. Vance To his wife Betty Jane, his son Brian, his knowledge the contributions they and other Moss, Dr. Vince Moss, Sharmin Mossavar- daughter Lesa France Kennedy, his brother groups have made to America. Rahmani, Maureen Murphy, Fereydoun James, his three grandchildren and the all of In addition, NECO awards one International Nazem, Hon. Liet Nguyen, Col. Tracey E. the France family, we offer our deepest sym- Ellis Island Medal of Honor each year. This Nicholson, USA, Fr. Michael O’Connell, Dr. pathy. year’s international honoree was Victor Phillip Kiran C. Patel, Antonio M. Perez, Asst. Chief Dahdaleh, Chairman, Dadco. Mr. Dahdaleh is Diana L. Pizzuti, L. Rafael Reif, PhD, RADM Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to recog- Canadian. Stephen W. Rochon, USCG, James Rogers, nize Bill France’s contributions and ask all And for the first time in its history, NECO Michael Rogers, Hon. Carlos A. Romero- Members of the U.S. House of Representa- presented a Global Humanitarian Award to H. Barcelo, Ali A. Saberioon, Carlos A. tives of the 110th Congress to join me in re- E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President Saladrigas, Dominick M. Servedio, Smita N. membering a great American.

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