E1568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 19, 2012 your religious beliefs? When did religion be- As a civilian, Mr. Linn married Betty Linn, Throughout its history, Colby College has come such a bad thing that people want to de- Publisher of the Sierra Star Newspaper. He fostered a culture of social justice at its very lete it from our nation’s history? I am discour- received a Bachelor of Science Degree from core. In 1833, students launched the first col- aged when I see anti-religion groups forming Purdue University, a Master’s Degree in Busi- lege-based anti-slavery society. In 1871, Colby throughout the nation, working hard to remove ness Administration from California State Uni- College became the first all-male college in any mention or symbol of God or religion in versity, Dominguez Hills, and a Juris Doc- New England to admit women, the first of our public spaces and resources. These torate from Pepperdine University. whom was Mary Caffrey Low, valedictorian of groups claim their work is about the separa- Mr. Linn has practiced law for the past thir- the Class of 1875 and one of the five founding tion of church and state, but the government ty-seven years and is currently the senior part- members of the Sigma Kappa sorority. In is not forcing anyone into religion or to pay ner at the law firm of Linn Law Offices in 1985, students successfully protested for Col- tithes to any particular religious establishment. Oakhurst, California. He is licensed to practice lege divestment in South Africa in protest of Religion, specifically the Judeo-Christian reli- in California and has also been admitted to apartheid. More recently, Colby has made gion, is just simply part of our heritage, and the Bar by the United States Court of Appeals ever increasing strides to attract students with the Constitution says this is a nation with free- for the Federal Circuit, the United States diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, to dom of religion, not freedom from religion. Claims Court, and the United States Supreme reduce the college’s carbon footprint, and to I introduced this resolution because we are Court. develop new partnerships with the community. a nation of people with the right to freely exer- A sense of volunteerism has driven much of The College will kick off its bicentennial cise our religion and many in our nation are Mr. Linn’s life. He has served as President of celebration this October. Special lectures, religious. A 2007 PEW survey shows that 92 the Oakhurst Community Fund and Oakhurst panel discussions, and festivities will be held percent of Americans believe in God. I also in- Community Park Association since 1984. He throughout the year both on campus, as well troduced this resolution because I believe the is a former President of the Oakhurst Sierra as in downtown Waterville. I am pleased to religious beliefs of Americans inspire them to Rotary Club, the Eastern Madera County Bar have the opportunity to join the community’s do good for others, not harm. For instance, in Association, and the Eastern Madera County celebration of Colby, and I look forward to 2010, $298.42 billion of charitable contribu- Chamber of Commerce. watching the College continue its growth dur- tions were made in the United States and 32 Mr. Linn has remained politically active ing the years to come. throughout his career and in his private life. percent, or $95.88 billion, went to religious or- Mr. Speaker, please join me again in con- He has served on many councils, including ganizations according to the National Park gratulating the students, alumni, faculty, staff, Congressional Advisory Councils, the Con- Service. From September 2010 to September and friends of Colby College as they celebrate gressional Business Council, and Congres- 2011, 64.3 million people in the United States their bicentennial. volunteered and 33.2 percent did so for reli- sional Service Academy Selection Boards for gious organizations, the highest percentage of the past eighteen years. He was the Repub- all volunteer categories according to the Bu- lican nominee for the 18th Congressional Dis- f reau of Labor Statistics. trict in 1988; and in 1989, he was the Eastern CELEBRATING THE 101ST ANNI- The freedom to exercise religious beliefs is Madera County Man of the Year. He has been VERSARY OF DOUBLE TEN DAY vital to our nation’s citizens and an important a member of the California Republican State FOR THE PEOPLE OF part of our heritage. That’s why I am honored Central Committee for fourteen years and cur- to introduce the Affirming Religious Heritage rently is a Madera County Civil Service Com- and Freedom in the United States Act. missioner. HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO f Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring OF David A. Linn for his outstanding service to his TRIBUTE TO DAVID A. LINN country and community. His expertise as a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Naval Officer, strong academic background, Wednesday, September 19, 2012 HON. JEFF DENHAM and life experiences have made his contribu- Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today OF CALIFORNIA tions on the Academy Selection Board for to congratulate the people of Taiwan on the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES former Representative George Radanovich and myself invaluable. He is a true public upcoming celebration of the 101st anniversary Wednesday, September 19, 2012 servant, and I wish him continued success in of ‘‘Double Ten Day.’’ Double Ten Day traces Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to his future endeavors. its roots to the Wuchang Uprising that oc- curred on October 10, 1911. The Wuchang recognize and thank Mr. David A. Linn for the f time and energy he has dedicated to the Mili- Uprising signaled the end of the Qing Dynasty tary Academy Nomination process by serving HONORING COLBY COLLEGE ON and the start of a democratic movement that the constituents of the 19th Congressional ITS BICENTENNIAL we continue to celebrate and recognize. Dou- District as a member of our Academy Selec- ble Ten Day is a celebration of the birth of de- tion Board. HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD mocracy and the Republic of . David A. Linn was born in Pittsburgh, Penn- OF MAINE I want to especially recognize the people of sylvania on August 8, 1948. In June of 1970, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Taiwan on this important occasion. The Mr. Linn was commissioned an Ensign in the strength of the relationship between the peo- United States Naval Reserve through Purdue Wednesday, September 19, 2012 ple of Taiwan and the people of the United Universities’ NROTC Program. Mr. Linn Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to States is strong and this is evidenced by the served his country honorably in Vietnam congratulate Colby College as it prepares to expansion of the U.S. visa waiver program to aboard the USS Virgo ammunition ship. Later, celebrate its bicentennial in 2013. include Taiwan. Inclusion of Taiwan in the while still on active duty, Mr. Linn was trained Nearly 200 years ago, residents of Ken- U.S. visa waiver program is a significant de- and certified as a terrier missile systems offi- nebec County raised over $4,000 to secure velopment in the relationship between both cer by the Department of Defense. He then land for a locally-based theological institution. countries. This announcement will help to ex- served aboard the USS Dahlgren, a guided The petition establishing what was then the pand business opportunities as well as deep- missile frigate, and the USS Dale of the stand- Maine Literary and Theological Institution was en our mutual appreciation for each other’s ing NATO forces in the Atlantic. formally adopted by the Massachusetts Legis- unique cultures. Exchange of our cultures is After leaving active duty in 1973, Mr. Linn lature on February 27, 1813, making it the clearly evidenced on Guam, which is home to continued to serve as part of the Naval Re- 33rd chartered college in the country. Today, many people of Chinese ancestry. Guam con- serve. During his reserve years, he served on Colby College enrolls over 1,800 students tinues to benefit from their cultural contribu- numerous ships, participated in exercises at from 46 states and 76 countries. As one of the tions to our community and the promotion of the Naval War College in Newport Rhode Is- finest liberal arts colleges in the country, its trade and economic opportunities. I congratu- land, and served on the staff of Commander graduates have gone on to become inter- late the people of Taiwan on the 101st anni- and Chief of the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, national business leaders, critically acclaimed versary of Double Ten Day. We celebrate this Hawaii. He retired with the rank of Com- writers, noted statesmen, and even members historic occasion with them and we honor their mander. of my Congressional staff. friendship with the American people.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:18 Sep 20, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A19SE8.036 E19SEPT1 pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS September 19, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1569 HONORING CHANDLER ELEMEN- and the state of Arizona. She launched the cide there, but Hutu-Tutsi animosity also TARY SCHOOL AS A 2012 BLUE Mesa-Phoenix and Flagstaff councils of the spilled over into the DRC. Hutu militiamen, RIBBON SCHOOL League of United Latin American Citizens, or who fled Rwanda after the genocide, have re- LULAC, and served as LULAC’s regional gov- peatedly attacked Rwanda, and fighting involv- HON. JEB HENSARLING ernor. She volunteered her time at the South- ing Tutsis and Hutus inside the DRC have ter- OF TEXAS side Hospital of Mesa and Desert Samaritan rorized the inhabitants of the eastern part of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hospital and served as a board member and the country. treasurer of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Wednesday, September 19, 2012 As one of our witnesses today, Congolese For her many efforts to give back, Mrs. Matta Bishop Ntambo Ntanda, told us, six million Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, today I Garza was named Mesa Woman of the Year people have lost their lives in the DRC as a would like to honor Chandler Elementary in 1973. result of recurring conflict. Far from resolving School of the Brownsboro Independent School In her 90 years, Mary Lou Matta Garza ethnic disputes, the interventions by Rwanda District from the Fifth Congressional District of raised her six children, saw the birth of 21 in the DRC have exacerbated tensions among Texas for excellence in education. Chandler grand children, 23 great grandchildren, and the ethnic groups who live there. Elementary School was named to the United even one great-great grandchild. She ran a In the wake of activity by Rwandan troops States Department of Education’s 2012 Blue profitable business that became a pillar of or militias that they create or support, Tutsi Ribbon Schools Program, which: ‘‘recognizes Mesa. And she gave much of her time, effort, and Hutu people living in the DRC have be- public and private elementary, middle, and and love to her community. Mrs. Matta Garza come targets as a result. Rwanda has been high schools where students perform at very is fond of saying that giving back in this way engaged in armed intervention in the DRC for high levels or where significant improvements will ‘‘reward you tenfold.’’ As a Mesa resident, at least 17 years. If this is the most successful are being made in students’ levels of aca- I feel rewarded to have had her as an integral method to halt cross-border attacks into demic achievement.’’ part of our community. Thank you, Mrs. Matta Chandler Elementary School’s performance Garza, for all you have done and continue to Rwanda by Hutu rebels operating from DRC illustrates the commitment and dedication of do for our town and our home. territory, why is there continued devastation in the region? Why do Tutsis and Hutus living in the school board, administrators, teachers, f and staff who provide students with a quality the DRC seem more hated today than they education. The school district, parents, stu- EXAMINING THE ROLE OF have been previously? dents, and community should be applauded RWANDA IN THE DRC INSURGENCY During the summer of 2008, the National for this achievement. Congress for the Defense of the People Mr. Speaker, as the representative for the HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH (CNDP), a Congolese rebel group, reportedly Fifth Congressional District of Texas, I would OF NEW JERSEY was backed secretly by Rwanda. It was ini- like to commend Chandler Elementary School IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tially led by Tutsi General Laurent Nkunda, an indicted war criminal. A March 23, 2009, for their continued educational achievements. Wednesday, September 19, 2012 f agreement between the DRC and Rwanda led Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I to the arrest of Nkunda, but replaced him with HONORING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF held a hearing that examined U.S. policy to- Bosco Ntaganda, even then a suspected war MARY LYDIA MATTA GARZA ward Rwanda following the release on June criminal for whom the International Criminal 26th of a report confirming Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant in HON. JEFF FLAKE Rwanda’s support of rebels who have ravaged 2006. When the CNDP judged that DRC OF ARIZONA the provinces of North and South Kivu in President Joseph Kabila had broken the 2009 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES neighboring Democratic Republic of the accord, Ntaganda led a mutiny that named Congo, or DRC. In the aftermath of the 1994 itself M23 for date of the broken agreement Wednesday, September 19, 2012 genocide until the issuance of this report, the and began a reign of terror in eastern DRC. Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to international community declined to comment In June of this year, a United Nations Group commemorate and celebrate the 90th birthday on Rwanda’s interventions in the DRC. We of Experts report confirmed that Rwandan De- of Mrs. Mary Lydia Matta Garza, of Mesa, Ari- need to better understand the devastation fense Minister James Kabarebe and other top zona. caused by these interventions and gauge how Rwandan military officers played a central role Known to her friends and family as Mary the United States can play a helpful role in in organizing, funding and arming the muti- Lou, Mrs. Matta Garza is perhaps best known bringing this crisis to an end. neers in eastern DRC. The report also stated in the Mesa community as the proud owner Unfortunately, our previously scheduled Ad- that Rwandan military officers engaged in ef- and operator of the former Matta’s Restaurant. ministration witnesses—Assistant Secretary of forts to convince Congolese businessmen, Now a Mesa landmark, Matta’s was opened in State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson and politicians and former rebels that had joined 1953 by Mrs. Matta Garza and her husband, USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau the Congolese army to join the M23 mutiny in Manuel. Mary Lou and Manuel opened Matta’s of Africa Earl Gast—are unable to testify this order to wage ‘‘a new war to obtain a seces- with only $1,000, and grossed a mere $25 a morning due to events in the world involving sion of both Kivus.’’ The report further charged day in those first few weeks and months of heightened security for U.S. embassies and that Rwanda was protecting Ntaganda from getting their small business off the ground. aid missions. This would have been an oppor- arrest. Meanwhile, Nkunda remains in Rwan- Matta’s opened as a small storefront, but its tunity to present a full statement of the Admin- da—immune from prosecution for his crimes. family-oriented traditions and atmosphere, and istration position on what has happened in the of course, its great dishes based on Matta DRC and what needs to be done to more ef- Aside from ethnic divisions and allegations family recipes passed down for generations, fectively address the root causes of the ongo- of breach of faith in agreements, another drew larger and larger crowds. The Matta’s ing conflict there. We expect that they will be source of conflict has been the abundant min- following grew so much that in 1969, Mary available to speak publicly on these matters at eral wealth in DRC, including 70% of the Lou and Maneul were able to expand Matta’s a later date. world’s coltan (used to make vital components home, adding enough seating for 350 people. We had a distinguished private panel that of cell phones and other electronic equip- Mrs. Matta Garza and her family decided to was more than able to shed light on the crisis ment), 30% of the world’s diamond reserves close Matta’s in 2008 after 55 years of serving in the DRC, as well as Rwanda’s involvement and vast deposits of cobalt, copper and baux- quality Latin fare. But despite its closed doors, in the ongoing rebellion in eastern DRC. The ite. The UN report stated that rebels in the its traditions, and of course, its great food, crisis in the DRC is both tragic and complex, East export precious minerals for profit to fund now live on at Matta’s Mexican Grill in East and the ethnic cleavages have developed over their continuing mayhem and that Rwandan Mesa and Matta’s Grill and Cantina in North- more than a century, although they have been officials also were benefiting from DRC’s min- west Mesa, which are owned and operated by heightened in recent decades. The first signifi- eral wealth. Mrs. Matta Garza’s grandchildren. cant recorded influx into the DRC of Rwandan We have held this hearing to begin the While Matta’s was becoming a successful Tutsis and Hutus dates back to the 1880s. process of finding a way to address the fac- business and Mesa landmark, Mrs. Matta Other ethnic groups in DRC (then known as tors that have caused Rwanda’s armed inter- Garza—in between helping to run the res- Zaire) began to fear the influence of the vention in hopes that the U.S. Government taurant and raise six children—made many im- Rwandans, especially in the East. The Hutu- can offer a lasting solution to the long crisis in portant contributions to the Mesa community Tutsi conflict in Rwanda led to the 1994 geno- the DRC.

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