S4964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 3, 2008 questions. His work as an ambassador As the numbers of subprime mort- Dillard’s Incorporated and founded CDI of cinema will be remembered grate- gages and foreclosures have increased, Contractors, which grew to be one of fully by all those whose lives he St. Ambrose has stepped forward to the largest construction firms in the touched. He touched mine, and he will help homeowners save their homes. Ex- South. High-profile projects completed be deeply missed. pert housing counselors provide assist- by CDI under Bill’s leadership include Sydney is survived by his wife Claire ance to homeowners in a number of the Clinton Presidential Library in Griswold, and their two daughters, Ra- ways and staff attorneys are available Little Rock, the headquarters for Heif- chel Pollack Sorman and Rebecca Pol- to provide legal review and action. er International in Little Rock and Im- lack Parker.∑ I am most proud to extend my warm- manuel Baptist Church in West Little f est congratulations and best wishes to Rock, of which Bill was a devout St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center on its attendee for over 27 years. Bill’s im- THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. 40th anniversary and ask my col- pact on the business community of Ar- AMBROSE HOUSING AID CENTER leagues to do the same.∑ kansas is evident by the numerous ∑ Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I f business and professional awards he re- congratulate the St. Ambrose Housing ceived, including Arkansas Business REMEMBERING LIEUTENANT Aid Center on its 40th anniversary. Executive of the Year, Rotary Club of GENERAL WILLIAM ODOM Since 1968, it has grown from its origi- Little Rock’s Business and Profes- nal mission to confront the ∑ Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today sional Leader of the Year Award, Paul ‘‘blockbusting’’ practices harming Bal- I would like to commemorate the life Harris Fellow as given by Fifty for the timore’s neighborhoods to providing a of a great soldier, strategic thinker and Future, election to the Arkansas Con- myriad of services to more than 100,000 American, LTG William Odom. I was struction Hall of Fame, and admission Baltimoreans as our oldest nonprofit deeply saddened to learn of his recent to the University of Arkansas Engi- housing provider. sudden death. neering Hall of Fame and the Arkansas St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center was General Odom served our country Academy of Electrical Engineering. founded in 1968 by the dynamic and te- with honor and distinction throughout Respected and admired throughout nacious Father Vincent Patrick his life. During his time serving as a Arkansas for over three decades, Bill Quayle, known to all as Vinny. The military adviser in the White House, took on countless worthwhile projects center is dedicated to creating and pre- Director of the National Security with optimism and enthusiasm; he was serving affordable housing in Balti- Agency, and West Point and Yale pro- an inspiration to many. The positions more. Its many successes are due to fessor, General Odom demonstrated an he held relating to public service are the charismatic and effective leader- uncanny talent for assessing and ad- evidence of his commitment to his ship of Vinny Quayle and the tireless vancing U.S. interests in a complex and community. His awards reflect his pro- efforts of a dedicated staff. challenging world. fessional successes as well as his avid In the 1970s, St. Ambrose initiated a Over the years, the U.S. Congress has public service. These awards included rental program and converted several benefited greatly from General Odom’s the Arkansas Arts Center’s Winthrop vacant Catholic school buildings into clear vision of U.S. interests in the Rockefeller Memorial Award, the Boys affordable apartments. This effort led Middle East. General Odom was a and Girls Club of America National to neighborhood revitalization in many strong critic of the Iraq war even be- Service to the Youth Award, the Edwin Baltimore communities. Today, St. fore it began. It is unfortunate that N. Hanlon Memorial Award for Con- Ambrose owns and manages 350 single more Members of this body did not tribution to the Arts, and the Arkansas and multifamily affordable housing heed his insightful and prescient warn- Children’s Award from the Arkansas units serving very low-income house- ings of the perils of invading Iraq. His Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. holds, households with special needs, steadfast commitment to ending the and the elderly. war and restoring a balanced and fo- Bill was a past president of the board When Baltimore experienced a cused national security strategy has for the University of Arkansas board of gentrification movement in the 1980s, been an inspiration. So, too, was his trustees, the Arkansas Arts Center, the many low income families, especially strong opposition to the President’s il- Little Rock Regional Chamber of Com- those renting their homes, feared they legal warrantless wiretapping program. merce and the Country Club of Little would be displaced. St. Ambrose led the Our thoughts are with his wife, son, Rock. Bill served as a board member of way in helping tenants convert to and family during this difficult time. I the Little Rock Boys and Girls Club, homeownership and was instrumental hope that they can take some comfort the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation, in convincing Baltimore City to estab- knowing that he will be deeply missed Baptist Health, the UAMS Foundation, lish a ‘‘Tenant’s Right of First Re- by a grateful Nation.∑ Ouachita Baptist University Business Advisory Council, and the Episcopal fusal’’ bill. f Two other programs were established Collegiate School Foundation. that have become core services at St. REMEMBERING BILL CLARK During his lifetime, Bill was an en- Ambrose. The Homesharing Program, ∑ Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, today I thusiastic outdoorsman. He loved hunt- the only one in Maryland, matches honor the life of a great Arkansan, Wil- ing, fishing, and golf, while remaining householders with room to share with liam E. ‘‘Bill’’ Clark, who passed on committed to conservation endeavors. homeseekers who need affordable hous- May 15, 2007. Bill was respected as a A final gesture honoring Bill and bene- ing and are willing to provide help with great philanthropist, sportsman, busi- fiting his community is the establish- household tasks or financial support. ness leader and citizen of Arkansas. He ment of the William E. ‘‘Bill’’ Clark The Legal Services Program helps was seen as an unparalleled advocate Presidential Park Wetlands, a 13-acre homeowners and tenants combat home for the needs and welfare of his State tract located on the banks of the Ar- improvement fraud and predatory lend- and its citizens. He dedicated his life to kansas River running adjacent to the ing practices. serving his community and supporting Clinton Presidential Library. This nat- St. Ambrose partnered with the U.S. individual lives in the public and pri- ural wetland area provides an edu- Department of Housing and Urban De- vate sector. cational exhibit that can be enjoyed by velopment, HUD, and bought, ren- Bill graduated from Little Rock Cen- State, national, and international visi- ovated and sold Federal Housing Ad- tral High School in 1961 and the Uni- tors for generations to come. As con- ministration, FHA, properties to first- versity of Arkansas at Fayetteville in tractor for the Clinton Presidential Li- time homebuyers. Through its Home- 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in elec- brary, Bill believed in the library’s ownership Counseling Program, St. trical engineering. Thereafter, he mission to strive for educational ad- Ambrose serves more than 700 prospec- joined his brothers at C&C Electric vances within Arkansas, including the tive homebuyers every year, with 100 of Construction Company in Little Rock, history of the , the insti- them purchasing a home within 6 working there until 1981 when he ac- tutional roles of the Presidency and months of completing housing coun- quired Bragg’s Electric Construction the American political system as ap- seling. Company. In 1987, Bill partnered with plied to President William J. Clinton.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:54 Jun 04, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G03JN6.020 S03JNPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with SENATE June 3, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4965 It is hard for people to experience Ar- make a positive difference and she has. New Hampshire Excellence in Edu- kansas without noticing the remark- She supports good causes, knows in re- cation Awards. These prestigious able accomplishments of Bill Clark. It markable detail the history of the awards, commonly called the ‘‘ED’’ies, is not hard to imagine just what makes smallest communities in our State, and are presented each year to individuals Bill Clark so special to his family, his knows the importance of simply re- and schools who demonstrate the high- friends, and to Arkansas. He was a per- membering. She loves children, cap- est level of excellence in education. son of great faith, a loving husband and turing them with tall tales while The ‘‘ED’’ies were instituted as a way father, a doting grandfather, and a hu- stressing education and personal char- to honor the best of the best among morous, compassionate friend to all he acter. New Hampshire’s educators. For 15 met. Bill never approached a situation Her wonderful southern accent is years, annual award winners have been with a negative attitude; rather, he well remembered on NPR’s ‘‘All Things drawn from a rich source of talented saw everything as an opportunity to Considered’’ and her commentaries are and successful teachers, administra- benefit his community. Bill will be still heard on Public Radio. tors, schools, and school boards. This well remembered for his generosity and I applaud her on her many achieve- year’s recipients are no exception. commitment to improving his commu- ments, and I am thankful to have such Those individuals selected have been compared against a criteria set by oth- nity.∑ a beacon of literary excellence shining ers in their discipline through their from Alabama. She is highly recog- f sponsoring organization. Schools are nized for her achievements by the chosen by experienced educators and TRIBUTE TO KATHRYN TUCKER whole State and around the world and community leaders in New Hampshire WINDHAM was one of the 13 artists chosen to rep- ∑ Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today based on guidelines established by the resent the State by the Alabama State New Hampshire Excellence in Edu- I ask that my colleagues join me in Council for the Arts at Alabama in celebrating the 90th birthday of one of cation Board of Directors. I am proud France and Monaco in 2000. She was to recognize the individuals and America’s and Alabama’s most tal- also honored in 2003 with the establish- schools who will receive this honor on ented and acclaimed residents, Ms. ment of the Kathryn Tucker Windham June 7, 2008, and look forward to per- Kathryn Tucker Windham. Ms. Museum at Alabama Southern College. sonally presenting this year’s award Windham is a beloved storyteller, au- Fellow Alabama author , for Secondary School of Excellence to thor, playwright, photographer, tele- author of ‘‘To Kill a Mockingbird’’, Londonderry High School, as well as vision and radio personality and, most which is set in Monroeville not far the Presidential Awards for Math and importantly, a woman of faith, integ- from Thomasville, nominated Ms. Science to Kimberly Knighton of Pro- rity, grace and high ideals. Windham to the Alabama Academy of file School and Louis Broad of This smalltown girl has written larg- Honor in 2003. Some of her other acco- Timberlane High School, respectively. er than life tales including ‘‘Thirteen lades include: Alabama Humanities As a graduate of Salem High School, Alabama Ghosts and Jeffery’’, along Award in 2000, the Governor’s Award I am especially pleased that this year’s with many other historically based for the Arts, the National New Hampshire Teacher of the Year, ghost-stories that involve smalltown Association’s Circle of Excellence Benjamin Adams, has taught in Salem urban legends in Alabama, Georgia, Award and Lifetime Achievement for 12 years. As I serve in the United Tennessee, and Mississippi. She has Award, the University of Alabama’s States Senate, I am grateful for the ex- also written works like ‘‘Twice Society of Fine Arts’ Alabama Award, cellent education I received in our New Blessed’’, ‘‘GRITS’’ and ‘‘Alabama, One the Selma Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Hampshire public schools, and con- Big Front Porch’’, which reveal the Year, and she was inducted into the gratulate all of this year’s award win- rich joys of Alabama living. University of Alabama College of Com- ners. She grew up in Thomasville, AL, not munications Hall of Fame. I ask that the list of the 2008 New too far from my rural home and not In true poetic form, I think, Ms. Hampshire Excellence in Education too far from another notable Alabama Windham sums up her insights in her Award winners be printed in the writer—Harper Lee. Her capacity for book ‘‘Alabama, One Big Front Porch’’: RECORD. The material follows. storytelling and writing started early, Alabama, they say, is like one big front as a news reporter. But she did not stop porch where folks gather on summer nights 2008 NEW HAMPSHIRE EXCELLENCE IN there allowing her natural talent and to tell tales and to talk family. The stories EDUCATION AWARDS RECIPIENTS inclinations to lead her to a higher they tell are all alike in their Southern Dr. Maurissa Abecassis; Benjamin Adams; plane of national renown. It is always blend of exaggeration, humor, pathos, folk- Ina Ahern; Susan Antico; Dawn Bechtold; Al- inspirational to see a real person, an lore and romanticism. Family history is exander J. Blastos; Louis Broad; James K. Crane; Heather R. Cummings; Blanche individual American, follow their own woven into the stories. And pride. And humor. Always humor. Garant; Tobi Gray Chassie; Dorothy Grazier; calling and achieve success. Cynthia Grisa; Jacquelyn Hall; Percy Hill; Ms. Windham represents the highest I know I speak for all Alabamians Mark Humphreys; Kevin Irwin; Maria Knee; values of our State and region. This is and all Americans when I express my Kimberley Knighton; Dan LaFleur; William so because she was raised right, studied gratitude for your eloquence, your lit- Marston; Curt Martin; Jan Martin; John hard, thought deeply, and was com- erary achievements, and your human- Miles; Carl J. Nelson; Christina Nelson; Jill mitted to a life that enriches others. A ity, and say, ‘‘Happy Birthday Kathryn Pinard; Virginia Pinard; Dennis Pymm; Mi- Tucker Windham!’’ chael Reardon; Christine Reinart; David graduate of my alma mater, Hun- Seiler; Elise Smith; Bill Tirone; Carolann tingdon College, she followed its admo- In closing, I would like to leave the Wais; Bradley Wolff; and Ellen Zimmerman, nition, ‘‘Enter to grow in wisdom; go Senate with a few of her words that RN, M.Ed. forth to apply wisdom in service.’’ truly embody the spirit of her work Chichester School Board, Cooperative Mid- I have known her and her son Ben for and life: dle School, Londonderry High School, many years. I am so in awe of her. Not I think we need to be put back in touch Adeline C. Marston Elementary School, with our childhood . . . to be reminded of Pittsfield Elementary School, Simonds Ele- just for her noteworthy achievements, mentary School.∑ but because of the content of her char- what’s important, like memories about peo- acter. She is an entertaining story- ple we loved, or things that happened to us f teller for sure, but she is a truth teller that affected our lives, things we can laugh TRIBUTE TO GENERAL BURWELL about and shed a few tears about . . . I think BAXTER BELL also. Her works reflect with truth the storytelling is a way of saying ‘‘I love you. I nature of the human condition. In love you enough to tell you something that ∑ Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I wish them, she displays a love for all per- means a great deal to me.’’∑ to recognize the professional dedica- sons that reflects well on her rich her- f tion, vision, and military service of itage of religious faith. GEN B.B. Bell, who is retiring from the She, from a lifetime of experience NEW HAMPSHIRE EXCELLENCE IN U.S. Army after 39 years of dedicated and insight, has been a leader in racial EDUCATION AWARD WINNERS service. It is a privilege for me to rec- reconciliation in her home area. Per- ∑ Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, today I ognize the many outstanding achieve- sons of her integrity and stature can congratulate the 2008 recipients of the ments General Bell has provided the

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