CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E955 REMARKS OF BENJAMIN MEED ON fleeing Nazism. For these passengers, it was ticipant and leader for the Colorado's court re- THE HOLOCAUST a desperate bid for freedom that was doomed porters. Before becoming it's president in before it began. Politics, profit and public 1996±97, Catherine Rodriguez served on the opinion were permitted to overshadow mo- HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY rality, compassion and common sense. It is Colorado Court Reporter's Assocation board OF NEW YORK so painful now to realize that not only Cuba for 7 years. She has proven to be valuable in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES but our own beloved country closed her doors creating a page-rate increase, as well as voic- and her heart to these People of the Book ing Colorado's need for computer-integrated Thursday, May 13, 1999 who could see the lights of Miami from the courtrooms. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, decks of the ship but were not allowed to dis- Catherine Rodriguez has more than proven I would like to share with my colleagues the embark. This group of nine hundred could herself as a valuable asset to the court system have been saved, but instead the voyage be- remarks of Mr. Benjamin Meed who recently of San Luis Valley, therefore, earning Colo- gave an exceptionally moving speech about came a round-trip passage to hell for many of them. Less than three months after the rado's highest honor for court reporters. This Yom Hashoah, The Days of Remembrance, at St. Louis docked at Antwerp, the world was is a great achievement considering that she is the United States Capitol. Mr. Meed is Chair- at war. And in less than three years, the only the second recipient in recent years. man of both The Days of Remembrance Com- ‘‘Final Solution of the Jewish Problem’’ in It is with this, Mr. Speaker, that I say thank mittee, United States Holocaust Memorial Europe was fully operational. you to Catherine Rodriguez on a truly excep- Council and the Warsaw Ghetto Resistance Could this happen today? Hopefully, not. tional career as a Colorado court reporter. Organization (WAGRO). He is also the Presi- But we—all of us—must be vigilant—ever mindful that once such a course of destruc- Due to Ms. Rodriguez's dedicated service, it is dent of The American Gathering of Jewish clear that Colorado is a better place. Holocaust Survivors. Mr. Meed is a champion tion of a people has been chartered, it can be followed again, and again, and again. of humanitarian causes around the world. And what lessons did we derive from these f REMARKS BY BENJAMIN MEED, CHAIRMAN, horrible experiences? The most important DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE COMMITTEE, UNITED lesson is obvious—it can happen again, the 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEMPLE STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL COUNCIL impossible is possible again. Ethnic cleans- BETH TORAH REFUGE DENIED: THE VOYAGE OF THE SS ST. ing, genocide, is happening as I speak. It can LOUIS happen to any one or any group of people. The slaughter in Kosovo and in other places HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI Members of the diplomatic corps, distin- must be brought to an end. guished members of the United States Sen- OF PENNSYLVANIA Should there be another Holocaust, it may ate and House of Representatives, members be on a cosmic scale. How can we prevent it? IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the United States Holocaust Memorial All of us must remain vigilant—always Council, distinguished guests, fellow sur- Thursday, May 13, 1999 aware, always on guard against those who vivors and dear friends. are determined to destroy innocent human Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Welcome to our 20th national Days of Re- life for no other reason than birthright. recognition of the 50th anniversary of the membrance commemoration. There are some passengers of that unfortu- For at least a decade, the magnificent flags Temple Beth Torah. This synagogue serves nate voyage of the SS St. Louis who are with that surround us now have been part of our the Jewish community in Northeast Philadel- us here today. Like most of us Holocaust annual observance here in the nation’s Cap- phia as well as the surrounding suburban survivors, they are in the winter of their itol. Every time the American flag, and the neighborhoods of Montgomery and Bucks lives. Even so, all of us look toward the fu- flags of the United States Army Divisions ture, because we believe that, in sharing our Counties. that liberated the concentration camps, are experiences—by bearing witness—there is Boulevard Temple was the original name of brought into this Hall for this commemora- hope of protecting other generations who tion, a special pride as an American citizen the synagogue when it was formed in 1949. In might be abandoned and forgotten, robbed sweeps over me, as I am sure it must for all 1965, it was necessary to change the location and murdered. The telling and retelling of Holocaust survivors. These pieces of red, of the temple in order to better serve the Jew- the stories of the Holocaust with their pro- white and blue cloth were the symbols of ish community. Since this expansion, the syn- found lessons for humanity must become a freedom and hope for those of us caught in agogue has been known as the Temple Beth mission for all humankind. In this way, fu- the machinery of death. Discovery of the ture generations, particularly future genera- Torah. German Nazi concentration camps by the Al- tions of Americans, can Remember and can Temple Beth Torah enriches the community lied armies began the process that restored use the power of this knowledge to protect our lives. Although we have many dates this in many ways. Beyond meaningful and signifi- people everywhere. month to remember, we recall with special cant services, the synagogue has formed and In these great halls of Congress, we see gratitude the date of April 11, 1945, when manages a highly regarded School of Religion symbols of the ideals that this country rep- American troops, in their march to end the and an excellent Nursery School. In addition, resents. It was the collective rejection of war in Europe, came across the Buchenwald these ideals by many nations that made the the members of Temple Beth Torah improve concentration camp. We will always remain Holocaust possible. Today, let us all promise their community through a wide array of grateful to the American soldiers for their to keep an ever-watchful eye for those who events and activities. The Sisterhood, Men's bravery, kindness and generosity. We will al- would deny the principles of liberty, equality Club and PTA strive to develop programs that ways remember those young soldiers who and justice, and for those who would defy the will engage and educate congregants of all sacrificed their lives to bring us liberty. rules of honorable and peaceful conduct be- Many revelations over the last half a cen- ages. tween peoples, and nations. Together, let us tury have unveiled the Holocaust as a story I wish to sincerely honor the Temple Beth remember. Thank you. of massive destruction and loss. It has been Torah for its many accomplishments and offer shown to be the story of an apathetic world— f my congratulations on the 50th anniversary. I world full of callous dispassion and moral in- RECOGNIZING CATHERINE hope the Temple continues to help the Jewish sensitivity, with few individual exceptions. community prosper, flourish and benefit for But more, it has been shown to be a tale of RODRIGUEZ victory—victory of the human spirit, of ex- many more years into the future. traordinary courage and of remarkable en- durance. It is the story of life that flourished HON. SCOTT McINNIS f before the Shoah, that struggled throughout OF COLORADO its darkest hours, and that ultimately pre- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONGRATULING THE FAIR LAWN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND vailed. Thursday, May 13, 1999 And after the Holocaust, as we rebuilt our MCDONALD’S ON ‘‘A SAFE PLACE lives, we also built a nation—the State of Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to FOR SMALL FRIES’’ Israel. This was our answer to death and de- take a moment to recognize the career of one struction—new life, both family and national of Colorado's leading ladies, and recipient of life—and Remembrance. Minister Ben-David, the Distinguished Service Award, Catherine HON. MARGE ROUKEMA please convey to the people of Israel our soli- Rodriguez. In doing so, I would like to honor OF NEW JERSEY darity with them as they, too, Remember this individual who, for many years, has exhib- today on this Yom Hashoah. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ited dedication and experience to the court Today, our thoughts turn back sixty years. Thursday, May 13, 1999 On May 13, 1939, the SS St. Louis sailed from system of San Luis Valley. Hamburg bound for Havana with more than As a District court reporter for the last 15 Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to con- nine hundred passengers, most of them Jews years, Ms. Rodriguez has been an active par- gratulate the Fair Lawn Police Department and E956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 13, 1999 the McDonald's Corp. for a pioneering new Assault Weapon Ban Enhancement Act of deadly violence. This is a forward-looking bill, program intended to help young children con- 1999. This legislature is designed to strength- that will take strong preventive action now, so tact police in times of need. This program is en the existing ban and to respond to efforts that we do not hear about another awful trag- extremely worthwhile and I am certain it will by gun manufacturers and importers to edy later. If we act quickly, we can do a world serve as a model that will be copied by many cosmetically alter their weapons to avoid the of good, and save countless lives. communities throughout our northern New Jer- ban. f sey region if not nationwide. Nothing in the I was a proud cosponsor of the Assault world is more priceless than our children. Weapon Ban Enhancement Act that passed in A TRIBUTE TO COALINGA POLICE The Fair Lawn police and the local McDon- 1994, and I remain a strong supporter of that CHIEF LUELLA ‘‘KAY’’ HOLLOWAY ald's restaurant this weekend will begin oper- law. It specifically prohibited nine categories of ation of a new project called ``A Safe Place for pistols, rifles, and shotguns. It also had a ``fea- HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY Small Fries.'' Under this program, children tures test'': that is, it bans semiautomatic OF CALIFORNIA who are lost, injured or otherwise in trouble weapons with multiple features (e.g., detach- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES can come to the restaurant and receive help able magazines, flash suppressors, folding Thursday, May 13, 1999 in calling the police. The police department rifle stocks, and threaded barrels for attaching and McDonald's are circulating flyers advising silencers) that appear useful in military and Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I the public of the new service, and McDonald's criminal applications, but that are unnecessary rise today to pay tribute to the induction of staff are being trained in how to respond to re- in shooting sports. former Coalinga Police Chief, Luella ``Kay'' quests for help. The Department of Justice recently released Holloway into the National Police Officer's me- This program was the idea of Fair Lawn Po- a report on the ``Impacts of the 1994 Assault morial. lice Officer Glen Callons. Officer Callons and Weapons Ban: 1994±96.'' Among the report's Chief Holloway's law enforcement career his family were walking along a Jersey Shore key findings are that ``criminal use of the began when she was hired as a police matron boardwalk last Father's Day when they en- banned guns declined, at least temporarily, and file clerk at the Torrance police Depart- countered an obviously lost 3-year-old girl. after the law went into effect.'' It said that fur- ment in August 1963. In June 1964, she be- After his own young children approached the ther studies were needed to assess the long- came a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff. girl, the off-duty officer took the youngster to The majority of her career was spent with the a nearby police substation, where she was re- term effects. It also stated that ``evidence sug- department until she relocated to the city of united with her family. gests that the ban may have contributed to a Officer Callons couldn't stop thinking about reduction in the gun murder rate and murders Coalinga as the Chief of Police. the girl in the days that followed, worried that of police officers by criminals armed with as- Chief Holloway was the first woman Chief of other small children might now know where to sault weapons.'' Police in California history. At the time of her go if lost. It then struck him that almost all But the report also observed that the ban service in Coalinga, she was one of six female small children recognize the golden arches could be easily avoided by gun manufacturers police chiefs in the country. During Chief trademark of the ubiquitous McDonald's res- and importers. It said that ``shortening a gun's Holloway's three and a half years in Coalinga, taurant chain. Callons, assigned to the com- barrel by a few millimeters or `sporterizing' a she was responsible for obtaining several im- munity policing division in Fair Lawn, ap- rifle by removing its pistol grip and replacing it portant grants and initiating several new pro- proached the manager of the local McDonald's with a thumbhole in the stock, for example, grams for the community. and began to develop plans for the program. was sufficient to transform a banned weapon On January 3, 1980, Chief Kay Holloway The program is carefully structured, with chil- into a legal substitute.'' and her husband, California Highway patrol dren urged to dial 911 from a public phone if That is why we have to do more. We have Officer Don Holloway, were killed in an air- not close to the restaurant, and not to pass up witnessed, in gun shows and advertisements plane accident while returning home from a a police station, fire station or hospital in order on the Internet and in magazines, a new California P.O.S.T. training session in Sac- to reach the restaurant. A special training brand of assault weapon, specifically designed ramento. She died in the line of duty. video has been prepared for McDonald's em- to avoid the ban, but still lethal and potentially Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me ployees by police, and workers are supplied harmful to the American public. The BATF has in recognizing the induction of former Coalinga with multi-language information cards to help recently approved a new weaponÐthe VEPR. Police Chief Luella ``Kay'' Holloway into the them deal with children who don't speak We fear that gun makers will use the VEPR as National Peace Officer's memorial. English. a prototype of a new generation of weapons f McDonald's Corp. officials say they are that seek to avoid the ban and flood the U.S. looking at the program as a pilot. If successful, market with high-powered deadly assault ri- HONORING THE LENOX HILL the company may enter similar arrangements flesÐassault rifles in fact; but evading the DEMOCRATIC CLUB with other police departments, potentially es- 1994 legal definition. tablishing a similar program nationwide. The Our gun import laws are like a series of HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY National Center for Missing and Exploited sieves. The first sieve is the 1989 ban on the OF NEW YORK Children has supported the proposal, noting importation of assault weapons, and the 1994 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the Boys and Girls Clubs of America have ban on the domestic manufacture of assault Thursday, May 13, 1999 established similar ``save havens'' at their weapons. But there are some holes in this clubhouses. sieve. The second sieveÐthe Clinton Adminis- Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, If this program can save even a single child tration's April, 1998 rulingÐhas slightly smaller I rise to salute the Lenox Hill Democratic Club. from being lost or worse, then it is worthwhile. holes and blocks a few more weapons, includ- This month, the Lenox Hill Club celebrates 44 I am glad there are people like Officer Callons ing some guns that were cosmetically altered years of service to the community. Founded thinking pro-actively about the safety of our to avoid the first ban. The final sieve is the as part of the reform movement in Democratic children in today's dangerous world. Officer Nadler bill, which has the smallest holes. It politics, the Lenox Hill Club has developed a Callons, Acting Chief of Police Rodman D. stops guns that would have been determined reputation for championing progressive causes Marshall, and McDonald's Regional Marketing to be assault weapons except for the fact that and candidates. Coordinator Teresa Monohan deserve special they had a thumb hole stock instead of a pis- The Lenox Hill Democratic Club is com- recognition. I offer my support and wish this tol grip. It stops guns that can be easily modi- posed of a concerned group of citizens eager program success. fied to accept high capacity magazines, or that to assist their neighbors. For the tenant, the f use .22 caliber ammunition. Now, some guns elderly, or the women facing discrimination, ASSAULT WEAPON BAN will still make it through the Nadler sieve. Reg- the Lenox Hill Club is a place to turn for help. ENHANCEMENT ACT ular sporting rifles, and weapons that can't be In addition to working on behalf of the com- modified to accept large capacity magazines munity, the members of the Lenox Hill Club HON. JERROLD NADLER would still be able to be imported. But the have helped ensure the election of numerous Nadler bill is designed to strengthen an al- progressive leaders. Located in the ``silk-stock- OF NEW YORK ready good law and to prevent manufacturers ing district'' on the East side of Manhattan, the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES from evading the assault weapons ban. Lenox Hill Club has been a source of strength Thursday, May 13, 1999 This legislation was designed to head off for many of the most prominent leaders of our Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, today I joined the influx of this next generation weapon, be- era, including Ed Koch, Mario Cuomo and with several of my colleagues to introduce the fore these guns are used in the next round of Jimmy Carter.