E2146 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 1, 2011 Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. ment career in 1981 in the Tehama County positions since joining the staff of Public Craig Samuel for his exceptional foresight in Auditor-Controller’s Office as an Accountant. School 5 in September, 2000. Ms. Townsel the culinary business that has provided Brook- In 1986, he was elected Auditor-Controller and was a third grade teacher for 5 years, Busi- lyn with tastes from around the country. ran unopposed for a second four-year term in ness Manager for 5 years, and is presently an f 1990. assistant Principal. Ms. Townsel began her Mr. Robinson currently serves on several teaching career with a Bachelors of Science SOUTHEASTERN FEDERAL local Committees, including the Community Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology REGIONAL DIRECTORS Hospice Board of Directors, the Governing from Brooklyn College. She then served in Board of Doctors Medical Center, Stanislaus residence as a Speech Therapist in an Early HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. Workforce Alliance Board of Directors, and the Intervention Center at Downstate Hospital. OF GEORGIA Valley First Credit Union Supervisory Com- Ms. Townsel was a member of the first co- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mittee. hort of the New York City Teaching Fellows. Rick was recently honored by the Stanislaus Through that program she earned her Master Thursday, December 1, 2011 County Equal Rights Commission as a recipi- Degree in Elementary Education. Although Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ent of the 2011 Annual Dale Butler Equal being a classroom teacher, Ms. Townsel con- submit the following Proclamation. Rights Award for exemplary service in equal tinued to provide speech and language ther- Whereas, the Southeastern Region of the employment opportunity matters and leader- apy services to children in NYC’ s Early Inter- has many citizens that work to ship in promoting equal rights. vention Program. Ms. Townsel has served as make our Region a worthy instrument for Faced with severe financial challenges dur- Business Manager and Staff Developer since good; and ing the current economic crisis, Mr. Robinson September 2005. During that time Ms. Whereas, President ap- led an effort to develop a multi-year framework Townsel earned her advanced Masters De- pointed five outstanding individuals to serve as around which the County Budget functions—a gree in School District Leadership through a directors of the Southeastern agencies, strategy which enables the County to address compact with the UFT and Stony Brook Uni- Cassius Butts, Small Business Administration, both current and future year budget shortfalls versity. Gwendolyn Keyes-Fleming, Environmental in a systematic and proactive manner. In her management role, Ms. Townsel has Protection Agency, Edward Jennings, Depart- During his career with Stanislaus County, provided various services to the children of ment of Housing and Urban Development, Rick led many efforts aimed at strengthening Public School 5. Ms. Townsel collaborated in Paulette Norvel Lewis, U.S. Department of the County Health Care safety net, including providing programs such as; New York Cares, Labor and Carlis V. Williams, Department of successful initiatives to attain the Federally Scholastic Book Fairs, Learning Gardens, Health and Human Services, each individual Qualified Health Care Facility Designation in Club Getaway, Poly-tech University & New being charged to bring community service, the County’s Health Clinic system, a multi-year York University. Ms. Townsel’s collaboration honor and excellence in government; and effort to retain the County Residency Program, with Poly-Tech University and NYU has in- Whereas, the Southeastern Regional Direc- and the sale and transition of the Stanislaus creased the experiences in the Math, Science, tors are promoting and providing the concept Behavioral Health Center to private ownership. Engineering and Technology areas for stu- of One Community-One Goal by working with Mr. Robinson has also led efforts to create dents at Public School 5. This collaboration and for individuals in all walks of life to make an Animal Services Joint Powers Agency, con- helped to form Public School 5’s first LEGO our Region a place where the needs of the struct a state-of-the-art Animal Shelter, create Robotics Team. Ms. Townsel, in collaboration people are met; and the new Modesto Regional Fire Authority, with the Poly-Tech fellow during the 2010– Whereas, these directors give of themselves securitize future tobacco settlement revenues 2011 school year; assisted the team in win- tirelessly and unconditionally to serve our in excess of $40 million and establish, with ning a First Place trophy for ‘‘Team Work’’ and community and our nation by providing leader- board approval, a capital facilities revolving helped them qualify for the NYC competition ship and service; and loan fund to assist in financing future County at the Jacobs Javitz Center. Whereas, the lives of many in our district construction projects, and coordinate the Ms. Townsel continues to strive for excel- are touched by the leadership and service County’s 2011 redistricting efforts. lence for the students of Public School 5. She given by these directors; and Rick was an honors graduate of provides speech therapy, volunteers on her Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the State University, Chico, earning his degree in housing development board, and sings with a Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this Business Administration with an emphasis in local community choir, as well as assists with day to honor and recognize Cassius Butts, Accounting. He is a lifetime selection to Beta various educationally founded organizations Gwendolyn Keyes-Fleming, Edward Jennings, Gamma Sigma, a national scholastic honor such as the Caring Educators and the Ade- Paulette Norvel Lewis and Carlis V. Williams society for business graduates. laide Sanford Institute. She has also taught As Chief Executive Officer with Stanislaus for their outstanding service to America; NYC–DOE Budgeting as a guest speaker for County, under the direction of the Board of Now therefore, I, HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHN- the past two semesters at Long Island Univer- Supervisors, Mr. Robinson oversees all as- SON, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 27, 2011 sity. as Southeastern Federal Regional Directors pects of Stanislaus County government, which Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Day In the 4th Congressional District of Geor- includes 26 County departments, a $900 mil- Townsel for her unwavering support to edu- gia. lion operating budget and over 3600 employ- cation and youth in Brooklyn. Proclaimed, this 27th day of October, 2011. ees. Rick has been married to his wife Kathy for f f thirty-seven years. They have four children UNJUST IMPRISONMENT OF ALAN HONORING RICHARD ‘‘RICK’’ and eight grandchildren. GROSS ROBINSON Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and commending Richard (Rick) Robinson, HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL HON. JEFF DENHAM Stanislaus County Chief Executive Officer, for his numerous years of selfless service to the OF NEW YORK OF CALIFORNIA betterment of our community. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Thursday, December 1, 2011 Thursday, December 1, 2011 A TRIBUTE TO KESHA TOWNSEL Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere concern over the unjust acknowledge and honor Richard (Rick) Robin- imprisonment of Alan Gross by the Cuban son, Stanislaus County Chief Executive Offi- HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS government. A true humanitarian, Mr. Gross OF NEW YORK cer, and to thank him for his leadership and was sentenced in March to 15 years in prison IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dedication to the citizens of Stanislaus County. for ‘‘acts to undermine the integrity and inde- Richard (Rick) Robinson was appointed Thursday, December 1, 2011 pendence’’ of Cuba. Stanislaus County Chief Executive Officer in Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Before the sentencing earlier this year, Mr. September, 2004. Prior to his appointment in honor Kesha Townsel for her devotion to the Gross had already been imprisoned for two Stanislaus County, he had, since 1991, held public education and youth in Brooklyn. years without charge. He was in Cuba as part the position of Chief Administrator with Ms. Townsel is the Assistant Principal of of a USAID contract to provide support to Tehama County. Rick started his local govern- Public School 5. She has served in various members of the Cuban Jewish community

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:36 Dec 02, 2011 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K01DE8.001 E01DEPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS December 1, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2147 when he was arrested. He was helping to im- Dr. Abakporo is the recipient of a Congres- Divisions. In 1992, Loretta was tapped to prove their access to the internet and to build sional Award of the U.S. House of Represent- serve as the Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights an intranet. Never did any of his actions pose atives, and an award in Health Care Excel- Division’s Voting Section. In 1994, Loretta was a threat or danger to the Cuban government. lence in Community Service. He is a elevated to her current role as the Civil Rights Because of his unethical imprisonment, Mr. Healthcare Advisor to Congressman Division’s Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Gross, who is 62 years old, is declining in EDOLPHUS TOWNS, 10th Congressional District, where she has served continuously for 17 health and spirit and quick action must be New York. He was also appointed Chairman years, except during temporary assignments taken. of the Health Advisory Council of the 10th to other senior roles in the Division. Specifi- Mr. Gross is an international development Congressional District of New Jersey by Con- cally, in 2009, Loretta served as her Division’s specialist and social worker. He has positively gressman DONALD PAYNE. Acting Assistant Attorney General, pending impacted the lives of people in over 50 coun- In response to the increasing need for dis- confirmation to that post of Thomas Perez. tries, including the West Bank, Gaza, , Af- aster awareness and management, Dr. From August 2010 through June 2011, Loretta ghanistan, Africa, and Haiti. His work has al- Abakporo has taken further training and certifi- led the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Liti- ways focused on helping people. cation. He is certified by the United States De- gation Section as its Acting Chief. I join my constituents of the Jewish Commu- partment of Homeland Security in Healthcare A civil rights legal pioneer, Loretta became nity Relations Council of New York, Mr. Gross’ Leadership and Administrative decision mak- one of the highest ranking women and per- wife Judy, their two daughters, and my Col- ing in responses to weapons of mass destruc- sons of color to serve in the Justice Depart- leagues Senator BEN CARDIN and Congress- tion (WMD). He is certified by the United ment, and the first African-American woman to man CHRIS VAN HOLLEN in calling for the States Army in Chemical, Biological, Radio- hold the positions in the Civil Rights Division speedy and unconditional release of Allan logical, Nuclear, and Explosive incidents of Acting Assistant Attorney General and Dep- Gross. (CBRNE). In addition, he is certified by the uty Assistant Attorney General. f Fire Department of New York (FDNY) in On- As a Member of Congress representing line—Medical Control. Americans who know all too well the sting of PERSONAL EXPLANATION Dr. Abakporo is an accomplished, young injustice, I am here to salute Loretta’s tireless and dynamic physician, with a distinguished work and long service upholding the civil and HON. MIKE ROSS track record of working successfully with constitutional rights of all Americans. As Rob- OF ARKANSAS healthcare professionals, government leaders ert F. Kennedy once said, ‘‘few will have the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and community groups to address health care greatness to bend history itself; but each of us issues. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize can work to change a small portion of events, Thursday, December 1, 2011 Dr. Theophine Abakporo for providing an intu- and in the total; of all those acts will be written Mr. ROSS of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, on itive approach to healthcare in his community the history of this generation.’’ Loretta has Wednesday, November 30, 2011, I was not and to our country. done just that. present for rollcall vote 869 on passage of f Again, I ask the House to celebrate Loretta H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and as a servant to her family and country as well Fairness Act. RECOGNIZING LORETTA KING as defender of the civil rights of all people, in- Had I been present for rollcall 869, I would cluding the residents of the Nation’s capital. have voted ‘‘no.’’ HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON f f OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PERSONAL EXPLANATION A TRIBUTE TO THEOPHINE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ABAKPORO Thursday, December 1, 2011 HON. BRUCE L. BRALEY Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to OF IOWA HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS ask my colleagues in the House of Represent- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW YORK atives to join me in recognizing Loretta King, Thursday, December 1, 2011 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a champion for civil rights, a loving wife and mother, and a dedicated public servant. Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I regret Thursday, December 1, 2011 Today, Loretta is celebrating her retirement missing a floor vote on Wednesday, Novem- Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to most recently as the career Deputy Assistant ber 30, 2011. Had I registered my vote, I honor Theophine Abakporo for his dynamic Attorney General in the United States Depart- would have voted: ‘‘No’’ on rollcall No. 869, approach to healthcare in my district of Brook- ment of Justice, Civil Rights Division. In total, On Final Passage of H.R. 3094—the Work- lyn, New York. Loretta has dedicated more than 32 years of force Democracy and Fairness Act. Dr. Abakporo, M.D. is the Medical Director/ her life in defense of our Nation and the public f Chairman, Emergency Services of Wyckoff at large. HONORING CHICK–FIL–A Heights Medical Center and an Assistant Pro- Loretta’s career is one self-sacrifice and fessor of Emergency Medicine in Clinical Med- commitment to protecting the rights of all icine at Weill Cornell Medical College/New Americans, without regard to race, gender, or HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Abakporo has political affiliation. OF GEORGIA worked with Wyckoff for the last fourteen As a career-track civil servant, Loretta epito- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES years, and has been instrumental in forging a mizes a Justice Department lawyer; Loretta Thursday, December 1, 2011 relationship between the community and the did so without seeking the limelight, year after Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I hospital. He is also an Attending Physician in year, day in and day out, for all her career. submit the following Proclamation. Emergency Medicine at Brookdale University Starting as a law clerk while completing her Whereas, we need businesses to set up Hospital & Medical Center. Dr. Abakporo is studies, Loretta literally rose up the ranks at shop in our community to provide the goods Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Emer- the Justice Department to become the Acting and services that are needed in order for our gency Medicine, and Disaster Medicine. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, the citizens to survive and thrive on a day-to-day While pursuing his medical career Dr. government’s chief civil rights advocate. basis; and Abakporo became deeply involved in the After graduating in 1990 from American Uni- Whereas, in 2001, Mr. Tony Royal opened health care needs of inner-city communities in versity, Washington College of Law, Loretta the 1,000th Chick-fil-A restaurant at Turner Hill the United States. Dr. Abakporo worked hard was chosen by the Justice Department’s Legal Road here in Lithonia, Georgia to service the and committed himself to participating in Honors Program. From 1980 to 1990, Loretta citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia and near- health outreach and other programs related to served as a line attorney in the Civil Rights Di- by communities; and the well being of the Brooklyn communities vision’s Employment Litigation Section, tasked Whereas, Mr. Royal is the owner and oper- such as Ocean Hill, Brownsville, East New with enforcing Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights ator of the restaurant, he credits all of the suc- York, BedStuy, Bushwick and Ridgewood Act. In this post, Loretta led and settled the cess to his team: the sales, the community communities. This strong willingness to help Justice Department’s first sexual harassment outreach, the community partnership, and the and care for people, contributed to his interest case as well as its first paternity leave case. promotion of scholarships; and and focus in the field of Emergency Medicine Over the next 20 years, Loretta worked in both Whereas, Mr. Royal and the Chick-fil-A and Pre-Hospital Care. the Justice Department’s Civil and Civil Rights team at Turner Hill continues to be a resource

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