Extensions of Remarks E203 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS
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February 28, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E203 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING THE LIFE OF TED many improvements within the county, and respected small businessman, Captain Gordon SMITH I know he will be remembered as one of the made the financial sacrifice to answer his Na- best legislators we have had in Chautauqua tion’s call to duty in December 2003, and upon County.’’ HON. BRIAN HIGGINS He continued with, ‘‘Following Ted’s re- returning from Iraq a year later was awarded OF NEW YORK tirement, he returned to the classroom and the prestigious Bronze Star Medal. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES continued his love affair with teaching. I had His family, friends, and the Iraqi children he the privilege of participating in many of lovingly helped will remember Captain Gordon Tuesday, February 28, 2006 Ted’s Student Success Seminars where I wit- for his selfless dedication to them, our country, Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to nessed the relationship he was able to de- and a free Iraq. He is deeply missed by all honor the life of Mr. Ted Smith, a life-long velop with students. In addition to teaching who knew him. resident of Chautauqua County and a truly re- in his retirement, Ted carries out a number The Wilson family extends its deepest sym- markable man. of research assignments for us that resulted pathy to the Gordon family. in establishment of several of our newest PAYING TRIBUTE TO TED SMITH academic programs including professional pi- f (By Manley J. Anderson) loting, occupational therapy, and dental hy- HUMAN RIGHTS IN BURMA: WHERE Two well-known local public figures have giene.’’ shared their thoughts about R. Theodore DeCinque said, ‘‘On a personal note, Ted ARE WE NOW AND WHAT DO WE ‘‘Ted’’ Smith who was an integral part of was always there to provide me with insight DO NEXT? their lives for several years. Those paying re- and wisdom, and he often would send me membrance and tribute to their late, long- short notes from Busti or Florida that were HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH time colleague are Joseph Gerace Sr., New always on target and helpful. I will miss that OF NEW JERSEY York State Supreme Court Justice now serv- guidance.’’ The college leader said, ‘‘JCC and ing as a judicial hearing officer; and Dr. our larger community have lost a dear friend IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Gregory T. DeCinque, Jamestown Commu- and colleague, and our heartfelt sympathy Tuesday, February 28, 2006 nity College president speaking for the goes out to Pat and the entire Smith fam- area’s academic community. ily.’’ He closed with, ‘‘Information on serv- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on Gerace said he and Smith campaigned to- ices for Ted will be shared with you as it be- Tuesday, February 7, I chaired a hearing on gether years ago for the Chautauqua County comes available. the current human rights situation in Burma, Legislature, representing the Busti/North Ted was a man who fully understood how to and what the U.S. and the international com- Harmony area. ‘‘Ted in just about every re- munity can and must do to improve that situa- spect was one of the most outstanding people live to its fullest and that, Mr. Speaker, is why I rise to honor him today. tion. I’ve ever met,’’ the jurist said. ‘‘He was the After 40 years of brutal military dictator- kind of public official we wish we had in all f positions: honest, straightforward and caring ships, the human rights situation in Burma is about the community.’’ IN MEMORY OF CPT SANDOR L. frightening. That nation’s current military junta, ‘‘He was Mr. Environment,’’ Gerace said, GORDON in power for over 17 years, is an abysmal fail- ‘‘and I feel we may still be waiting for the ure on every conceivable level. sewer districts except for Ted Smith, who HON. JOE WILSON It has ruined a beautiful and naturally rich also was known as Mr. Integrity. We cam- land. According to the State Department’s OF SOUTH CAROLINA paigned together for the Chautauqua County most recent Human Rights Country Report: Legislature, knocking on doors, and Ted IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES More than 4 decades of economic mis- took on a county-wide assignment with the Tuesday, February 28, 2006 management and endemic corruption have landfill, closing open dumps and developing a resulted in widespread poverty, poor health solid waste plan that was the envy of the Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speak- care, declining education levels, poor infra- area and so effective the private sector want- er, with the death of CPT Sandor Lebron Gor- structure, and continuously deteriorating ed to buy it.’’ don in a tragic car accident on Sunday, No- economic conditions. During the year, poor The jurist closed with, ‘‘He was an all- vember 27, 2005, our State lost a true South around guy with a great sense of humor. He economic policymaking, lingering con- was truly the Mark Twain of our era and he Carolina hero. sequences of the 2003 private banking sector always used humor to make the best of a sit- Captain Gordon led a selfless life, dem- collapse, and the economic consequences of uation.’’ ‘‘It is with deep sadness that I share onstrated by his commitment to his family and international sanctions further weakened with you that Ted Smith passed away late his country. The son of Reverend and Mrs. the economy. The estimated annual per cap- yesterday (Thursday) at Hamot Medical Cen- Sammie L. Gordon of Orangeburg, SC, Gor- ita income was approximately $225. Most of ter as the result of a heart attack he suffered the population of more than 50 million live don grew up in a home where love, hard work in rural areas at subsistence levels. Sunday evening,’’ DeCinque said. and concern for others were cherished and ‘‘Ted was among the early faculty who es- honored. It was these characteristics that The Heritage Foundation ranked Iran and tablished JCC as the premiere community North Korea as the only countries with more college in New York,’’ he said. ‘‘Whether as made him successful in life. As a husband, his wife and college sweet- restrictive economies than that of Burma. a faculty member, founding dean of the But economic misery is probably the least of Cattaraugus County Campus, dean of aca- heart, the former Angela Nicole Strong called the problems faced by Burma’s long-suffering demic affairs, or retiree, Ted’s contributions him her ‘‘very best friend.’’ His son James to JCC are legend.’’ praised his father for the love and concern he people. DeCinque continued with, ‘‘Ted led JCC gave him and his little brother Simeon. My son Citizens still did not have the right to through the development phase of many aca- Alan and the men of the 3d of the 178th Field criticize or change their government . Se- demic programs as well as the growth of our curity forces continued to carry out extraju- Cattaraugus County Campus, our outreach Artillery Battalion who served with Captain dicial killings. Disappearances continued, into Pennsylvania, and our Dunkirk center.’’ Gordon in Iraq said of him ‘‘Sandor always and security forces raped, tortured, beat, and The academician pointed out, ‘‘Ted was had a smile to share, an ear to listen, and a otherwise abused prisoners and detainees. recognized with the SUNY Chancellor’s hand to shake. He was a selfless humani- Citizens were subjected to arbitrary arrest Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1975 and tarian who volunteered to leave the safety of without appeal.—2004 STATE DEPARTMENT the JCC Foundation’s John D. Hamilton his base to take school supplies, clothes, food HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT. Award in 2001. He is among the select few to and water to the neediest Iraqi children living There are more than 1,100 political pris- receive these highest honors associated with nearby.’’ oners in Burma, who are abused and tortured. the college.’’ DeCinque went on with, ‘‘Ted was highly Captain Gordon was a member of Omega Seven are reported to have died in custody regarded throughout the state both as an ed- Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, the NAACP, last year, and just last month a 38-year-old ucator and a political leader. His service on and was voted ‘‘Top 20 under 40 Midlands democratic activist died in custody due to in- the Chautauqua County Legislature led to Successful Businessmen’’ for the year 2005. A adequate medical attention. ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:29 Mar 01, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A28FE8.001 E28FEPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS E204 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 28, 2006 Over 15 years ago the National League for killing tens of thousands, driving hundreds of His Bureau has kept attention focused on Democracy, led by Nobel laureate Aung San thousands, perhaps millions, of others into Burma when most have forgotten it. We also Suu Kyi and other democratic forces, won an exile as refugees or within Burma as displaced heard testimony from Assistant Secretary of overwhelming victory in free elections, 82 per- persons. It has destroyed over 2,500 villages, State Christopher Hill, who is the chief execu- cent. The junta refused to accept the results and uses rape as an instrument of policy.