October 26, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1463 years of friendship and support. She has been to her current role as Director of Public Health breadth and depth of knowledge. She has a kindred spirit since we first met—she is Nursing at the Yolo County Health and Human taken it upon herself to share her insight by more than a friend, she is family. I am grateful Services Agency, her goal has always been to sitting on various panels whenever the oppor- every day that she is always in my corner. improve the health and quality of life of fami- tunity arises. Ms. Frasier is also active in local Today, as she marks the end of one career lies in her community. Ms . Sutton fulfills many and state-wide organizations. She is a past and looks ahead to new opportunities, I am roles, lending her time and expertise to the President and current Board Member of So- honored to stand and express my deepest Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Pro- roptimist International of Napa and the Bay thanks to Lyn Caliendo for her many invalu- gram, the Yolo County Infectious Disease Pro- Area Chair for the California Association of able contributions to our community. I wish her grams, the Yolo County Help Me Grow Lead- County Treasurers and Tax Collectors. She is many more years of health and happiness as ership Team, the Child Abuse Prevention a member of the California Associations of she embarks on this new chapter. Council, the Programs Benefitting Children Country Treasurers and Tax Collectors and in- f Workgroup, Resilient Yolo, the American Col- volved with the Government Investment Offi- lege of OB/GYNs Maternal Mental Health Ex- cers Association and California Municipal CONGRATULATING LTC(RET) NICH- pert Workgroup, and the Yolo County Maternal Treasurers Association. OLAS M. LAIACONA ON RECEIV- Mental Health Collaborative. As Chairwoman Mr. Speaker, Ms. Tamie Frasier has had a ING THE 2018 VETERAN OF THE of the Yolo County Maternal Mental Health long and rewarding career in public service YEAR AWARD Collaborative, she has used her career exper- and Napa County is better for it. It is therefore tise and firsthand experience as a mother to fitting and proper that we honor her here HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK create an organization which promotes the today. OF NEW YORK health and wellbeing of new and expecting f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mothers. Under her leadership the organiza- PRAISING SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR, Friday, October 26, 2018 tion has developed educational tools to create awareness of maternal mental health dis- THE FIRST FEMALE SUPREME Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to orders and guide those in need to treatment. COURT JUSTICE congratulate LTC(Ret) Nicholas Laiacona on Her work gained recognition across disciplines receiving the 2018 Veteran of the Year Award. and brought stakeholders together to create a HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE Each year, the Friends of the NYS Military common strategy for helping vulnerable moth- OF TEXAS Museum and the Capitol District of NY Chap- ers find help. Ms. Sutton dedicates her time, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ter, Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) rec- talent, and expertise to improving the health Friday, October 26, 2018 ognize an outstanding veteran from the local and wellbeing of mothers throughout Yolo community. This year’s awardee, LTC County and works tirelessly to help particularly Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Laiacona, has made distinguished contribu- vulnerable mothers facing the stigma and iso- recognize and pay tribute to Sandra Day tions to his country as a soldier and to his lation of maternal mental health disorders. Ms. O’Connor, the first woman to serve as an As- community as a veteran. Sutton is an integral part of Yolo County’s out- sociate Justice of the United States Supreme After entering the Army in 1966, LTC reach to mothers in need. She is continuously Court. Laiacona served in the Mekong Delta region working to make a positive difference for Among the 20th century trailblazers, Sandra of Vietnam as a Platoon Leader and Company mothers and children in her community and Day O’Connor ranks among the greatest lead- Commander in the Mobile Riverine Force of does so with unparalleled compassion and ers. the 9th Infantry Division. He would later fulfill dedication. It is a privilege to honor to this legal giant as we reflect on her career and commemorate a number of assignments as a member of the f Army’s Ordnance Corps, and was selected as her legacy as a path maker for women. one of the first officers in the Army Acquisition HONORING TAMIE FRASIER On October 23, 2018, Justice O’Connor Corps in 1985. By the end of his 24 years of courageously announced that she is suffering service, LTC Laiacona had received numerous HON. MIKE THOMPSON from early onset Alzheimer’s disease and is awards and decorations, among them the Pur- OF CALIFORNIA retreating from public life. ple Heart and Vietnam Service Medal with 4 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Born in El Paso, Texas, on March 26, 1930, stars. Sandra Day spent part of her youth on her Friday, October 26, 2018 LTC Laiacona’s service to his country did family’s Arizona ranch. not end with his retirement from the Army in Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Her family instilled in her a love of edu- 1991. His expertise has supported the work of I rise today to celebrate Tamie Frasier’s retire- cation, but schooling options near the ranch the U.S. Army Armament Research, Develop- ment after twenty-four years in public service, were limited for a young woman so her par- ment and Engineering Center, and he remains ten of which she served as the Napa County ents sent her to live with her grandmother in actively involved in several Veterans organiza- Treasurer–Tax Collector. El Paso where she excelled at the Radford tions, including the AUSA, where he formerly Ms. Frasier is a fourth generation Napan, School for Girls and graduated high school served as President of the Capital District who is dedicated to our community. She has two years early. Chapter and currently serves on its Executive shown her commitment to Napa County After graduating from high school in 1946 Committee. throughout her twenty-four years working for and despite the probability that she might not On behalf of New York’s 21st District, I want the County, first as the Treasury Supervisor be accepted because she was a woman, San- to congratulate LTC(Ret) Nicholas Laiacona and then as the Assistant Treasurer–Tax Col- dra Day was accepted to Stanford University. on his well-deserved award of 2018 Veteran of lector. In 2008, she became the Treasurer– Sandra Day graduated in 1950 with a bach- the Year. We are thankful for his service and Tax Collector. Throughout her tenure at the elor’s degree in economics and was admitted dedication to both his country and community. County, Ms. Frasier has worked to deliver the to Stanford Law School where she was an f highest level of customer service for her fellow editor of the Stanford Law Review. Napans. She has skillfully managed Napa Sandra Day graduated at the top of her law HONORING ANNA SUTTON WITH County’s funds, particularly during the Great school class, finishing third in a class of 102 CALIFORNIA’S THIRD DISTRICT Recession. students, which included William Rehnquist WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD Ms. Frasier is always the first person to roll whom she would later join as a colleague on up her sleeves and help however she can, the U.S. Supreme Court. HON. JOHN GARAMENDI whether the person in need is a colleague or While a law student at Stanford, Sandra OF CALIFORNIA a taxpayer. She leads by example and never Day met her future husband, John Jay O’Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fails to pass up an opportunity to set an exam- nor III and the two were married shortly after ple of what professionalism and compassion in graduation. Friday, October 26, 2018 County Administration can, and should, be. That union lasted for 57 years and produced Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Ms. Frasier has inspired her coworkers to pro- 3 wonderful children: Scott O’Connor, Jay to honor Anna Sutton as a woman of the year. vide a high level of service to their fellow resi- O’Connor, and Brian O’Connor. She is a healthcare professional who has dents of Napa County. After graduating from law school, Sandra dedicated her career to the care of mothers After working for Napa County for twenty- Day O’Connor busily went about applying to and children. From her work as a school nurse four years, Ms. Frasier has an impressive law firms in San Francisco and Los Angeles,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:40 Oct 27, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A26OC8.042 E26OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS E1464 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 26, 2018 but because of the sexism against women, RECOGNIZING THE 185TH ANNIVER- It is about the people. could not get a paying job as a lawyer. SARY OF ST. JAMES AT SAG The Texians—The Tejanos who gave their After turning down a paid position as a legal BRIDGE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN last full measure of devotion to a cause great- secretary, Sandra Day O’Connor began her LEMONT er than life itself—Liberty. legal career working as an unpaid attorney for It is about the beginning of our 9 years as the San Mateo County Attorney’s Office, HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI a sovereign Republic. where quickly she proved her merit and even- OF ILLINOIS It is a symbol of the fierce independent tually was promoted to Deputy County Attor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES streak that runs through our veins. ney. Behind those crumbling church walls of the Friday, October 26, 2018 Alamo, there is a spirit that has forever shown In 1954, Sandra Day O’Connor left Cali- Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the world shown who we are as Texans—our fornia to work in Frankfurt, Germany as a civil- recognize and honor St. James at Sag Bridge character: defiant, bold, fearless, fighters for ian attorney for the Quartermaster Masker Catholic Church on the parish’s 185th anniver- freedom. Center, a site abroad for the U.S. Army Quar- sary. The oldest functioning church in northern The Alamo instills yet today an almost mys- termaster Corps. Illinois serves almost 500 families who ‘‘bear tical spirit in all Texans native, and recent ar- In 1957, she returned to the United States, witness to Jesus Christ by loving and serving rivals of pride. settled in Arizona with her husband, and start- one another to bring about the Kingdom of 187 Volunteers of all races; frontiersmen, ed a private practice with another attorney. God.’’ lawyers, farmers, shopkeepers; men from Eight years later, she began working as the St. James at Sag Bridge Church in Lemont Spain, Mexico, Germany, Scotland, England, Assistant Attorney General of Arizona. is the sole country parish of the Catholic Arch- most of the states and native Texians who In 1969, Sandra Day O’Connor was ap- diocese of Chicago. In 1833 a rough log cabin were led by my hero Colonel William Barrett pointed to the Arizona State Senate to fill a served as the church building where Chicago’s Travis, stood in righteous defiance against a vacated seat and was elected to that seat in first resident priest John Mary Irenaeus St. Cyr dictator and tyranny. her own right in 1970. held mass for both Irish immigrants and 300 Such men as Davy Crockett (Tennessee), local Potawatomi Native Americans. Twenty Jose´ Gregorio Esparza (Tejano), James Sandra Day O’Connor was reelected twice years later in 1853, with the congregation Bonham (South Carolina), James Bowie (Lou- and was chosen by her colleagues to become growing in size, Bishop James Oliver Van de isiana), and Brigido Guerrero (Mexican soldier the first female majority leader in any state Velde laid the cornerstone of a new building that switched sides) and 180 more, stood their senate. built with limestone from a nearby quarry. ground against the invaders. In 1975, Sandra Day O’Connor won election From there, St. James at Sag Bridge operated All have personal stories. to the Superior Court of Maricopa County, and as a mission church until 1882, when Rev- Knowing and despite of the overwhelming was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court erend Joseph A. Bollman became the first per- odds, those Texians and Tejanos fell to their of Appeals four years later. manent pastor. Numerous additions have death rather than submit to oppression. Sandra Day O’Connor served as an Arizona been made to the church and the parish They first embodied the phrase ‘‘Don’t Mess State Supreme Court Justice for only two grounds over the years, but the 1853 stone with Texas.’’ years before President Ronald Reagan nomi- church building stands proud and tall today, a It is quite a remarkable story. nated her in 1981 to become the first female testament to the faith of all the parishioners No people anywhere have such a history of justice to serve on the United States Supreme who have worshipped here for all these years. how they all, gave all. Court. The church has survived numerous dan- From the ashes of the burning Alamo—the gers, including not only harsh winters but also phoenix of a republic was born, because of Politically, she was canny—and exhibited it these Freedom Fighters of 1836. well during her Senate confirmation hearings. dynamite blasting of the nearby canal and a 1991 tornado that did serious damage to the After the Battle of the Alamo, Texas gained She gracefully navigated politically precar- church building. In doing so, the parish has independence on the plains of San Jacinto ious questions from senators but made her established itself as a symbol of endurance where Sam Houston and his boys defeated points, on national television, of noting her and the church stands as an important herit- the invaders. commitments to reduce crime and fix over- age site. St. James at Sag Bridge and its Then, Texas remained an independent na- loaded federal courts. neighboring cemetery are registered as parts tion for nine years. She was confirmed unanimously by the of the Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage I first came to the Alamo as a kid in Mrs. Senate. Corridor, and in 1984, were listed on the Na- Wilson’s Texas history class in Houston. Despite her breast cancer diagnosis and a tional Register of Historic Places. A lot has changed since then. mastectomy, Justice Day O’Connor did not St. James’ current pastor, Fr. Thomas Koys, It has changed even more since 1836. miss a day of court. maintains not only strong, faithful leadership of There was no Five and Dime Woolworths store across the street. Over the course of her 24 years on the the parish, but has also founded the St. James Historical Society to celebrate the his- Neither was there a tattoo parlor. court, the conservative justice became known Colonel Travis didn’t buy a $54.99 combo as a moderating voice of reason. tory of the church as well as the American his- tory that the church has lived through. In July ticket for Ripley’s Believe It or Not either. Sandra Day O’Connor was known for being 2014, I had the honor of welcoming Fr. Koys The years of encroachment and commer- a majority builder whenever possible, but also as the Guest Chaplain in the House of Rep- cialization of sacred ground, where the blood for being a swing vote in critical cases such as resentatives where he delivered the day’s of the Sons of Texas consecrated the land Grutter v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 306 (2003). opening prayer. should be a deep concern for all Texans and It truly can be said that Justice Sandra Day Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me Americans, not just the citizens of the great O’Connor served as an inspiration for women in honoring St. James at Sag Bridge Church city of San Antonio. around the world. and its parishioners on the 185th anniversary As Land Commissioner George P. Bush said, ‘‘When people visit the Alamo, almost all Justice Sandra Day O’Connor broke down of the parish’s establishment. I look forward to are underwhelmed with the small size of the barriers for women in the legal profession to joining in the celebration. Alamo grounds.’’ the betterment of that profession and the f Visionary, Land Commissioner George P. country as a whole. ALAMO: PRESERVING HISTORY Bush has presented a bold plan to restore the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor serves as a Alamo battlefield to much of what it was in role model not only for girls and women, but 1836. for all those committed to equal justice under HON. TED POE OF TEXAS I strongly support the efforts of Commis- law. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sioner Bush, Mayor Nirenburg, and the San I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Antonio City Council on approval of the Alamo the remarkable career and achievement of Friday, October 26, 2018 Master Plan to make sure Texans, and the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, an extraor- Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Alamo world visitors know that our history is like no dinary American who was and remains an in- is the most important place in Texas and in other place—because there is but one Alamo. spiration to millions of people all over the Texas History. San Antonio recently approved leasing land world. It is the definition of all things Texan. to the State of Texas to implement this plan.

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