February 28, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E275 HONORING DR. ETHEL HALL DUR- woman for her commitment to the students Heritage Trails, and actively demonstrated his ING BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2014 that she served. She led with grace and im- interest in improving the health of Appalach- peccable character that was defined by her ians with the creation of the Appalachian HON. TERRI A. SEWELL passion for challenging students to be their Health Policy Advisory Council. Tom has done OF ALABAMA very best. As a role model, she inspired her so much for my district, and for Kentucky, that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fellow educators to be servant leaders to their it becomes difficult to fathom how he has likely Friday, February 28, 2014 students and to their community. This beloved been an equally significant champion for the figure is also remembered for belief that all other 12 states included in the Appalachian Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I children deserved a quality education. Regional Commission’s territory. The ARC has rise today in honor of Black History month and Through her work she truly taught us to see been an extraordinary federal agency due to my commitment to honoring influential African education as the great equalizer. the constant commitment they have shown in Americans that have impacted the state of During Black History month, simply saying responding to the needs of people throughout Alabama and this nation. Today, I have the thank you to Dr. Hall seems woefully inad- Appalachia. There is no doubt that Tom’s stra- pleasure of sharing the inspiring story of Dr. equate but on behalf of a grateful nation we tegic leadership was a fundamental driver be- Ethel Harris Hall. Dr. Hall was the first African salute this pioneer and acknowledge her role hind the ARC’s steady success. American to serve on the Alabama State not only in black history but American history. As he moves into retirement, Tom leaves Board of Education and she was also the first Her story is a perfect illustration of passionate behind a legacy of forthright demeanor, an at- African American Vice President of the Board leadership and selfless service to mankind. I tentive ear, and humility in service. His wis- of Education. In Alabama, we remember this ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. dom, care and passion for the region will be exemplary educator for her role in breaking Ethel Harris Hall, a phenomenal woman and a sorely missed. barriers in education and for her lifelong com- great American. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me mitment to excellence. Dr. Hall was born on February 23, 1928 in f in honoring a true hero of the Appalachian re- gion, Thomas M. Hunter. I wish him all the Morgan County Alabama to Harry and Fannie TRIBUTE TO THOMAS M. HUNTER Mae Harris. The Harris’ sent their daughter to best in the years to come. Birmingham to ensure that she received a HON. HAROLD ROGERS f quality education. She attended Ullman High HONORING AUGUST ‘‘GUS’’ SCHAE- School, A.H. Parker High School, and Councill OF KENTUCKY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FER ON A DISTINGUISHED 41- Training School. She was valedictorian of her YEAR CAREER WITH UNDER- class and went on to attend Alabama A&M Friday, February 28, 2014 WRITERS LABORATORIES University where she graduated cum laude Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1948. rise today to pay tribute to one of Appalachia’s She also obtained masters degrees from the HON. BRADLEY S. SCHNEIDER most dedicated allies, Thomas M. Hunter. OF ILLINOIS University of Chicago and Atlanta University. Tom will retire after 20 years of esteemed IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES She continued her studies at the University of service as Executive Director of the Appa- Alabama where she obtained a doctorate in lachian Regional Commission (ARC). Friday, February 28, 2014 social work in 1979. Over the years, Tom has made a tremen- Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I am Throughout her tenure, this stellar educator dous impact on eastern Kentucky’s commu- pleased to rise today to honor August ‘‘Gus’’ taught in various schools systems throughout nities and local economies. The ARC has con- Schaefer for an extraordinary career—41 the state of Alabama including Hale County sistently worked to leverage their funding in Schools, Birmingham City Schools, and Jeffer- years of innovation and leadership in product order to spur private-sector investment in com- son County Schools. Dr. Hall also taught at and public safety at Underwriters Laboratories mercial and industrial development, as well as the collegiate level and was the first African (UL) in the suburban Chicago district I rep- provide for improved water, sewer, gas, fiber, American faculty member at the University of resent. Under his watch, more than 25 billion and road infrastructure projects where they Montevallo. She later taught in the school of products worldwide have earned the UL stamp had previously been sorely needed. Many of social work at The University of Alabama of approval. these investments have occurred in my Dis- where she retired in 1999. As UL’s Public Safety Officer, Mr. Schaefer On January 19, 1987 Dr. Hall made history trict, where all 28 of the counties I represent has pioneered and overseen countless major when she became the first black elected to are recognized as a part of the ARC. Specifi- safety initiatives. His work and leadership serve on the Alabama State Board of Edu- cally, Tom has had oversight of the 3,080-mile have helped firefighters do their jobs better cation. During her 24 year tenure, she served Appalachian Development Highway System; and safer. His commitment has guaranteed six terms and became vice chair in 1994. Dr. noted to be the cornerstone of the ARC’s the safety of imports from around the world. Hall served on the State Board of Education transportation efforts. The ADHS is a system And his dedication has helped teach fire, during many tumultuous battles over issues of modern highways that connect with the water, health, environmental, online and con- such as funding levels for schools, teacher interstate highway system. The ADHS recently sumer safety to untold thousands of children testing, accountability standards for schools achieved 85 percent completion, and has al- each year. and academic standards for students. In mak- ready proved to be a formidable economic Mr. Schaefer began his career with UL in ing these tough decisions, she always re- stimulator for a region where roadways have 1973. Over the next 41 years, he built a rep- mained a woman of principle-putting Ala- traditionally been difficult to construct and utation for excellent work and leadership, as bama’s children first. often fall into disrepair. In my district, these well as for building partnerships and forging In 2010, shortly before her death, Dr. Hall vital corridors allow Kentuckians from even the friendships. Mr. Schaefer successfully built published her autobiography entitled ‘‘My Jour- most remote areas a chance to reach inter- teams and cultivated a team atmosphere. ney: A Memoir of the First African American to states with ease; thus opening up entire com- His record, his experience and his work preside over the Alabama Board of Edu- munities to travel and trade in a way that ethic earned him roles as the Director of Asian cation.’’ Dr. Hall stated that she felt It was im- would have been impossible just a few dec- Operations and then U.S. and Canadian Oper- portant to share her story to inspire others to ades ago. ations before finally taking his position as Sen- appreciate the opportunities they had been af- All told, Tom Hunter has his fingerprints on ior Vice President and Public Safety Officer. forded. ‘‘I wrote the book because as I worked hundreds of improvement projects in eastern Throughout his storied career, Mr. Schaefer on the state board I found so many young Kentucky alone. Over the last 20 years, he maintained his commitment to excellence and people who took education for granted,’’ Hall has affected the lives of countless Kentuck- team building. His accomplishments dem- said. ‘‘They just assumed that everybody had ians by overseeing the installation and repair onstrate the grand vision and discipline nec- the opportunity to go to school where they of water lines, investments in small regional essary to take ideas to action. wanted to . . .’’ In telling her story, she hoped businesses via grant initiatives, and edu- Mr. Schaefer’s career has indeed been long to not only share her experiences as a trail- cational programs such as the Appalachian and distinguished. I have no doubt his pres- blazer, but to tell others about how she saw Higher Education Network—a group devel- ence, guidance, friendship, leadership and vi- Alabama’s education system evolve through oped to work with high schools to increase the sion will be sorely missed at UL, but his leg- the years. number of college-ready students in Appa- acy and accomplishments will long be remem- While we honor Dr. Hall for breaking bar- lachia. Tom has aided in tourism development bered and have set the foundation for years riers, we must also salute this extraordinary with projects such as the Kentucky Artisan more success and safety.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 02:11 Mar 01, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28FE8.011 E28FEPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 28, 2014 RECOGNIZING JANA PAVLUS AS Sumgait Pogroms. On February 27, 1988 or- this nation. Today, I am honored to recognize THE 2015 ESCAMBIA COUNTY, ganized mobs of Azerbaijanis aimed at killing brothers Rev. Abraham Lincoln Woods, Jr. FLORIDA TEACHER OF THE and driving Armenian Christians living in and Bishop Calvin W. Woods, Sr. for their in- YEAR Sumgait from their homes. Armed with sticks, credible audacity and courage during the dark- axes and iron rods, they attacked Armenian est days of the Civil Rights Movement. HON. JEFF MILLER men, women and children by breaking into Rev. Abraham Lincoln Woods, Jr. and OF FLORIDA their homes and brutally beating and killing Bishop Calvin W. Woods, Sr. were both born IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES them just because of their ethnicity. Despite in Birmingham, Alabama to Maggie Rosa Lee Friday, February 28, 2014 Sumgait’s 30 minute proximity to Baku, police Wallace Woods, a homemaker, and Rev. allowed the pogroms to go on for 3 days, dur- Abraham Lincoln Woods Sr., a plant worker Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise ing which Armenians were burned alive and and Baptist minister. to recognize Ms. Jana Pavlus as the 2015 thrown from windows. In the spring of 1963, Rev. Abraham Woods Escambia County, Florida Teacher of the These acts were merely a continuation of Year. An outstanding educator, Ms. Pavlus led Birmingham’s first demonstration at a the Azerbaijani authorities’ unswerving policy whites-only lunch counter in downtown Bir- has been an inspiration to her students, her of racism towards Armenians and ethnic colleagues, and her community, and I am mingham. In the days and weeks following the cleansing of the Armenian population, with proud to recognize her success and myriad of first sit-in, Rev. Abraham Woods was arrested unpunished killings and deportations. achievements. along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and The Sumgait massacre is a black mark on Ms. Jana Pavlus graduated Summa Cum other civil rights leaders for confronting Bull Laude from the University of Mobile in 2007 history and sadly, this event sparked further Conner. Rev. Abraham Woods had become with a Bachelor of Science in Religion and violence as Armenians would be targeted less friends with Dr. King while they were students Psychology. She began her teaching career in than 9 months later in Kirovabad and again in at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and 2008 in Northwest Florida’s Escambia County Baku in 1990. later joined him on the steps of the Lincoln School District. After serving as a substitute The Azerbaijani Government has shamefully Memorial for his ‘‘I Have a Dream’’ speech in teacher, as well as a Florida Comprehensive continued to undermine prospects for a lasting 1963. Assessment Test (FCAT) math tutor, Ms. peace in the Southern Caucuses, recently in Rev. Abraham Woods received a bachelor’s Pavlus joined the faculty at Woodham Middle 2012, pardoning an Azerbaijani military officer degree in theology from Birmingham Baptist School, located in Pensacola, Florida, in 2010, Ramil Safarov who brutally murdered Arme- College, a bachelor’s in sociology from Miles where she currently serves as a seventh nian military officer Gurgen Margaryan during College in Birmingham and a master’s in grade science teacher. a NATO-sponsored Partnership for Peace ex- American history from the University of Ala- Ms. Pavlus not only believes that community ercise in 2004. Safarov confessed and was bama. He co-founded the Alabama Christian involvement is critical in fostering a love and convicted in Budapest for brutally axing Movement for Human Rights in 1956 with value of education in each student, but she Margaryan while he was sleeping. Safarov Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and served as the di- understands and values the critical role she never showed remorse for the murder and rector for the Miles College Voter Registration plays in the journey and professional develop- stated that he wished he had killed more Ar- Project. ment of her students. Throughout her teaching menians. Immediately after his pardon Safarov Thirty-four years after the bombing of Bir- career, Ms. Pavlus has shown an unwavering received a promotion in the Azerbaijani mili- mingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church, Rev. commitment to inspiring her students and tary, an apartment, and years of back pay for Abraham Woods played a pivotal role in urg- pushing them to their highest potential. In ad- his time spent in prison. ing the federal government to re-investigate dition to helping students grasp difficult sci- For more than 20 years, the people of the bombing. The new investigation led to the entific theories, Ms. Pavlus also recognizes Nagorno Karabakh have fought and died for conviction of two Klansmen. ‘‘Even the Klan, the importance of strong communications skills their independence. From the earliest days of as bad as they are,’’ he told the New York in improving critical thinking and is constantly its formation, the Republic’s freely elected Times in a 1997 interview, ‘‘you didn’t think challenging her students to understand why governmental bodies have helped build an writing, analysis, and mathematics are impor- they would go as far as to bomb a church on open democratic society through transparent Sunday with little children in Sunday school.’’ tant not only in other areas of study, but par- elections and it is critical that the United While president of the Birmingham chapter ticularly in the study of science. States support their independence and auton- of the Southern Christian Leadership Con- The dedication and commendable work Ms. omy. ference (SCLC), Rev. Abraham Woods led Pavlus demonstrates as an educator has not As we reflect on these horrific outbreaks of protests which were instrumental in integrating gone unnoticed. She was awarded the ethnic violence, I join with Armenians in country clubs and golf courses in Alabama Woodham Middle School Teacher of the Year Rhode Island, and across the world in remem- and across the nation. The P.G.A. had chosen for 2013–2014 and was one of a few teachers bering these victims and renewing our commit- a Birmingham country club as the site for its invited to attend a Capturing Kids’ Hearts ment to justice, independence and finding last- 1990 Championship. The protests that fol- Workshop, which has influenced her teaching ing peace. lowed impelled major corporations to withdraw style and strengthened her connection with I am proud to say Rhode Island was the first advertising from the tournament which led to her students. state in our nation to pass a resolution to rec- the integration of the club. Mr. Speaker, Northwest Florida has been ognize the Independence of the Nagorno blessed with an abundance of exemplary edu- Karabakh Republic and set an example for Rev. Abraham Woods is also remembered cators who constantly strive to empower as other legislatures to follow, like Massachu- as an exemplary educator. He was the first Af- well as teach their students, and it is a privi- setts, Maine and Louisiana. The time has rican American to teach American history at lege to recognize Ms. Jana Pavlus as the come for the United States Congress to do the the University of Alabama. In 2002, Rev. Abra- 2015 Escambia County, Florida Teacher of the same. ham Woods retired from Miles College after Year. My wife Vicki joins me in congratulating forty years on its faculty. Upon his retirement, Ms. Pavlus and thanking her for her commit- f Miles College conferred upon him the Doc- ment to serving the students and families of HONORING REV. ABRAHAM L. torate of Humane Letters. He went on to retire the Northwest Florida community. We wish her WOODS, JR. AND BISHOP CALVIN as president of the Birmingham chapter of the all the best for continued success. W. WOODS SCLC in 2006. He served as pastor of St. Jo- f seph’s Baptist Church in Birmingham for thirty- seven years until his death on November 7, COMMEMORATION OF SUMGAIT, HON. TERRI A. SEWELL 2008 at the age of 80. KIROVABAD AND BAKU MAS- OF ALABAMA Rev. Abraham Woods had an incredible im- SACRES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pact on the state of Alabama and this nation Friday, February 28, 2014 in his pursuit of justice. He taught all of us the HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, in importance of loving God and living for others. OF RHODE ISLAND honor of Black History Month, I rise today to In 2006, Bishop Calvin Woods succeeded IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES continue my commitment to paying tribute to his older brother as president of the Bir- Friday, February 28, 2014 outstanding African-Americans who have mingham SCLC and became president of the Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, today we com- made tremendous contributions to the political, New Era Baptist State Convention a year memorate the 26th Anniversary of the horrific economic and social fabric of Alabama and later.

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