December 15, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1791 Rock. He was only 40 years old when his life As a dedicated leader, Mayor Gross closely Last week, on the 65th annual International was cut tragically short. Agent Terry is sur- oversaw several large community projects, Human Rights Day, I gave another speech de- vived by his mother, father, stepmother, step- such as the installment of public sewer lines manding Beijing put a stop to this atrocious father, brother and two sisters. and the planning and construction of the West practice of harvesting organs from prisoners of Some of those involved in Agent Terry’s Easton municipal building. He also led plan- conscience. It is high time China ends its ille- shooting were recently convicted for their ter- ning and preparations for the Borough’s cen- gal subjugation of Falun Gong practitioners. rible crime. However, the Obama Administra- tennial celebration in 1998, which was ended Justice must be served. tion continues to actively resist turning over in- with a fireworks display. Unfortunately, Anastasia Lin is an innocent formation related to the Congressional inves- Mayor Gross has been ardent in his efforts victim of the Chinese Government’s attempts tigation into Operation Fast and Furious. We to boost economic development in the Bor- to persecute the Falun Gong. It just goes to must never give up our fight to ensure the ough. A notable accomplishment was his role show how obsessed the Chinese Government Terry family gets nothing less than full ac- in the establishment of a new Northampton is about persecuting the Falun Gong. Beijing countability from their government. I have County leased DUI Treatment Center in 2012, is now censoring beauty pageants. But the pledged to them before, and do so again which generates $50,000 in impact fees for courageous men and women of the Falun today, that I will continue to pursue the truth. the Borough’s general fund. Additionally, he Gong community will not be silenced by Bei- f has worked to make the community and its jing’s abuse—beauty pageant or no beauty parks safe and clean in order to promote West pageant. TRIBUTE TO RYAN SCHWEIZER Easton as a great place for families. And that’s just the way it is. Mayor Gross is also known to be someone f HON. DAVID YOUNG who can bring people together. He believes OF IOWA much can be done when people are willing to TRIBUTE TO RUTH LAMPE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES compromise, and he stresses the importance Tuesday, December 15, 2015 of listening to each other and staying focused HON. DAVID YOUNG Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise on the greater good of the community. His OF IOWA today to recognize and congratulate Ryan good works have served as a role model for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Schweizer from Dowling Catholic High School his daughter, Kelly Gross, who was first elect- Tuesday, December 15, 2015 ed to West Easton Borough Council in 1993 for winning the Class 4A Boys Cross Country Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise individual title. Ryan is the son of Mike and and currently serves as Council President. It is an honor for me to recognize Mayor today to recognize and congratulate Ms. Ruth Kathy Schweizer. Lampe, who at the age of 102 has received Ryan has spent his high school career Gerald Gross for his generous nature and his her honorary high school diploma from working towards a single goal: winning a cov- lifetime of service. With a will to do for others, he has improved his community and inspired Winterset High School. eted state championship. After 4 long years of Back in Ruth’s younger years it wasn’t un- hard work, Ryan was able to achieve that goal the next generation of leaders. f common for students to drop out of school when he crossed the finish line at the 2015 and go work to help support their family. She Class 4A Boys Cross Country State Cham- CHINA DISCRIMINATES AGAINST did so after her freshman year at Winterset pionship. He finished 4 seconds ahead of any CANADIAN FALUN GONG CON- High School. Ruth would have graduated with other runner. TESTANT the class of 1931. Today, Ruth volunteers her Mr. Speaker, the example set by Ryan dem- time two days a week at the senior center in onstrates the rewards of hard work, dedica- Winterset where she helps serve meals to tion, and perseverance. I am honored to rep- HON. TED POE those who need it the most. A friend of Ruth’s, resent him and his family in the United States OF TEXAS and another regular at the senior center, Congress. I ask that all of my colleagues in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES worked with the school district for months to the United States House of Representatives Tuesday, December 15, 2015 attain her honorary diploma. join me in congratulating Ryan on competing Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I come Mr. Speaker, applaud and congratulate Ruth in this rigorous competition and wishing him here today with yet another example of Chi- for receiving her high school diploma after so nothing but continued success in his education na’s egregious disregard for the most basic of many years and thank her for staying active in and athletic pursuits. human rights—the right to live freely. her community. I am proud to represent her in f After the Falun Gong’s rise in popularity in the United States Congress. I ask that my col- IN RECOGNITION OF MAYOR GER- the 1990s, the Chinese Government perceived leagues in the United States House of Rep- ALD W. GROSS OF WEST EAS- this peaceful group as a threat. Over the resentatives join me in congratulating Ruth TON, PENNSYLVANIA years, Falun Gong followers in China have and wishing her nothing but the best. been imprisoned, tortured, and killed. In fact, f HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT there are more Falun Gong practitioners in prison in China than any other persecuted VISA WAIVER PROGRAM IMPROVE- OF PENNSYLVANIA group. MENT AND TERRORIST TRAVEL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Last month China hit a new low in its at- PREVENTION ACT OF 2015 Tuesday, December 15, 2015 tempt to silence the Falun Gong community. SPEECH OF Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Anastasia Lin is a Falun Gong practitioner honor the Mayor of the Borough of West Eas- who also happens to be Miss World Canada. HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN ton, PA, the Honorable Gerald W. Gross, for The Miss World competition is held this year OF MARYLAND his 50 years of service as an elected official. in China but Miss Canada can’t go. Why? Be- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES His accomplishments were recognized by the cause China refused to give her a visa. She Tuesday, December 8, 2015 West Easton Borough Council on the evening was given no explanation why. However, the of Monday, December 14. motive is clear. Beijing does not like how out- Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, today while Mayor Gross first held an official role in spoken Ms. Lin has been about China’s I rise in support of H.R. 158 the Visa Waiver West Easton as a member of the Borough human rights abuses and religious oppression. Program Improvement Act of 2015, I must Council. It was a position he held for twenty Anastasia Lin moved from China to Canada also note my reservations about some of the years. In 1986, he was sworn in as the Mayor when she was 13 years old. Yet she has not provisions in this bill. of West Easton. He has been the mayor for stopped fighting for the rights of her fellow President Obama in an address to the thirty years. members of the Falun Gong community. Dur- American people from the Oval Office specifi- Known to be a patient and giving man, ing a congressional hearing in July, Ms. Lin cally asked Congress to pass legislation to ad- Mayor Gross would take calls from home to told Members that tens of thousands of Falun dress any weaknesses within our visa waiver hear complaints and questions from Borough Gong practitioners have been killed so their program (VWP) and for a ‘‘stronger screening residents. He owns a landscaping business organs could be harvested and sold for trans- for travelers to the U.S. without a visa to and often donates free materials and services plants. Clearly, Beijing’s only concern is re- check if they have travelled to warzones.’’ to the Borough to maintain parks and rec- maining in power, not the welfare of the Chi- After the terror attacks in Paris, France and reational areas. nese people. San Bernandino, California we must ensure

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:38 Dec 16, 2015 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K15DE8.011 E15DEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1792 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 15, 2015 that a law created to encourage travel and cul- TRIBUTE TO MAJOR MICHAEL to 1999; Town Manager for the Town of Clay- tural exchange is not exploited by those who POCHE ton, North Carolina, from 1988 to 1995; and would do us harm. We must scrutinize and Town Manager for the Town of Wallace, North strengthen our VWP and many of the provi- HON. STEVE CHABOT Carolina, from 1983 to 1988. This is an im- sions in this bill do just that. I support the pro- OF OHIO pressive record of service for any public serv- visions in this bill that encourage our allies to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ant, and is certainly worthy of the recognition share biometric data, improve data sharing on and praise Mr. Hyatt has received during the criminal and security concerns and stronger Tuesday, December 15, 2015 later years of his service as Davidson County vetting systems This bi-partisan effort is a sig- Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay Manager. nificant improvement over H.R. 4038, a bill tribute to Major Michael Poche of the United Recently, Mr. Hyatt was presented the which did nothing but target innocent refugees States Army for his extraordinary dedication to Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest and exploited xenophobic and unsubstantiated duty and service to our Nation. Major Poche award the Governor of North Carolina can be- fears. and his wife Stephanie will be moving on from stow, on December 8, 2015. The Order was While I support the overall thrust of this bill, his present assignment as an Army Congres- created in 1963, and has been presented to I do have some reservations. I am concerned sional Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of honor persons who have a proven record of that there are not exceptions for journalists, Defense to serve as an officer in the Louisiana service to the State of North Carolina. In addi- ministers or aid workers who provide vital National Guard. tion to this prestigious honor, Mr. Hyatt re- services to a needy population. The exclusion Army Congressional Liaison officers provide ceived the ‘‘Service to Agriculture and Exten- for law enforcement or military personnel an invaluable service to both the military and sion Award’’ from the Davidson County Coop- should be extended to include people who Congress. They assist Members and staff in erative Extension for his efforts in support of visit Syria, Sudan, or Iraq for completely inno- understanding the Army’s policies, actions, op- the local agricultural industry and for his rep- cent and humanitarian reasons. We should erations, and requirements. Their first-hand resentation in 2015 on the North Carolina continue to scrutinize the VWF so that we do knowledge of military needs, culture, and tradi- State University Visioning Team. Mr. Hyatt not unnecessarily target innocent travelers. tion is a tremendous benefit to Congressional was also recognized for his thirty years of offices. Prior to serving as a Congressional Li- service from the International City/County I hope our colleagues in the Senate take aison, Mike served as a Military Congressional these reservations into account when they Management Association on September 25, Fellow. During that year he also earned a 2013. consider this bill. Masters in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University. In addition to his service as Davidson Coun- f A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Mike first ty Manager, Mr. Hyatt has been an exemplary civil servant through his contributions to a PERSONAL EXPLANATION joined the Louisiana National Guard in 1996 and subsequently earned his commission number of other organizations. He has served through the University of Louisiana at Monroe on the North Carolina City/County Managers HON. SCOTT PERRY ROTC in 2004. During his 19-year Army ca- Association’s Membership Support and Pro- reer, Mike has served in numerous tactical gram Committees, and served a three-year OF PENNSYLVANIA leadership and staff assignments as an Armor term as a member of the executive board for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and Cavalry Officer. As a platoon leader and the Boy Scouts for the Uwharrie District of troop commander, Mike commanded troops in North Carolina. Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Iraq over three separate combat tours totaling Mr. Speaker, please join me today in thank- Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, on December 2, 35 months. ing Davidson County Manager Robert Hyatt 2015, I inadvertently voted ‘‘aye’’ on Roll Call His great work has not gone unnoticed. Dur- for his esteemed service to the state of North 657. I intended to vote ‘‘nay’’. This amend- ing Major Poche’s distinguished service to this Carolina and wishing Robert, his wife Teresa, ment was offered by Mr. TONKO of New York. nation, he has earned awards and decorations and their two sons, Will and Thom, well as including: three Bronze Star Medals, the Meri- they enter an exciting new chapter of their f torious Service Medal, the Army Commenda- lives. tion Medal, and four Army Achievement Med- RECOGNIZING TIM GORDON als. f Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service of Major Poche, his wife TRIBUTE TO RODNEY AND KAREN HON. KEN BUCK Stephanie, and their three children: Kaley, WAHLE OF COLORADO Mari Katherine, and Evan. I wish them the best as they continue to serve our great nation IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and proceed to the next chapter in their re- HON. DAVID YOUNG Tuesday, December 15, 2015 markable careers. OF IOWA f Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ognize Mr. Tim Gordon for his service to our IN HONOR OF DAVIDSON COUNTY Tuesday, December 15, 2015 country in the United States Army. I believe MANAGER ROBERT HYATT’S that America’s brave men and women in uni- SERVICE TO THE STATE OF Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise form are the nation’s greatest assets. They NORTH CAROLINA today to recognize and congratulate Rodney have made incredible sacrifices for our country and Karen Wahle of Carson, Iowa, on the very and deserve our utmost support and aid for HON. RICHARD HUDSON special occasion of their 50th wedding anni- their service. OF NORTH CAROLINA versary. They were married on November 6, Mr. Gordon was in the Army from June IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1965, at the Malvern Methodist Church in Mal- 1966 through April 1972. During this time, he Tuesday, December 15, 2015 vern, Iowa. fought in Vietnam from February 1969 through Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Rodney and Karen’s lifelong commitment to February 1970, no soldiers were lost under his honor the retirement of Mr. Robert Hyatt, Da- each other, their children, James and Jennifer, command. Ultimately, he was honorably dis- vidson County Manager. Mr. Hyatt has been a and their grandchildren, truly embodies our charged with the rank of Captain. tireless advocate for the people of Davidson Iowa values. It is families like the Wahles that Our nation owes no greater debt of gratitude County, and has fully earned the admiration make me proud to call myself an Iowan and than the one we owe our veterans. They and and gratitude of his fellow North Carolinians. represent the people of our great state. their families should be commended. On be- Mr. Hyatt served as Davidson County Man- Mr. Speaker, I commend this great couple half of the 4th Congressional District of Colo- ager for over 16 years after being appointed to on their 50th year together and I wish them rado, I extend my best wishes to Mr. Tim Gor- the position on May 24, 1999. Prior to his ap- many more. I ask that my colleagues in the don. pointment as Davidson County Manager, Mr. United States House of Representatives join Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Hyatt served as Assistant County Manager of me in congratulating them on this momentous Tim Gordon for his accomplishments. Brunswick County, North Carolina, from 1995 occasion.

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