CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E1603 HON
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July 25, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1603 ANNIVERSARY OF THE TURKISH Navy. Indeed, Kevin himself graduated from that timely response is critical. Any delay com- INVASION OF CYPRUS the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Mary- plicates short-, medium-, and long-term recov- land, in May 1985 with a Bachelor of Science ery efforts. Sadly, many of the lessons that we HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN degree in Applied Science. He led fellow serv- have learned have gone without an appro- OF NEW JERSEY icemen as captain of the Navy Wrestling team, priate response. For example, the Washington IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and was commissioned and assigned to the Post reported on June 4, 2003, that the United Naval Academy staff as an Assistant Physical States remains highly vulnerable to a chemical Thursday, July 24, 2003 Education Instructor and Assistant Wrestling terrorist attack, in large part because the De- Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Coach. In June 1991, Cmdr. Bianchi reported partment of Health and Human Services and remembrance of the 29th Anniversary of the to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey the Environmental Protection Agency still have Turkish Invasion of Cyprus and to commemo- California where he earned a Masters of not decided which agency would spearhead rate this tragedy for the Greek Cypriot people. Science degree in Information Systems Tech- chemical testing. Clearly now is the time to On the 29th Anniversary of the Turkish Inva- nology Management. Finally, in March 2001, learn from our past and prepare for the future. sion of Cyprus, we solemnly remember the he went to Newport, Rhode Island to attend The Community Protection and Response Act victims of the invasion. The invasion claimed the College of Naval Command and Staff at does just that. 5,000 Cypriot lives, displaced 200,000 Greek the United States Naval War College where In response to the attacks of September Cypriots from their homes, and has created he was awarded a Master of Arts degree in 11th, Congress took a series of actions to one of the most militarized areas in the world, National Security and Strategic Studies. bring relief to affected areas. These legislative with 40,000 Turkish troops continuing to oc- His glittering academic career was mirrored actions along with existing statutes, including cupy the island. The invasion also created ha- by his successful service record. He served the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency tred between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cyp- with honor on the Naval Air Force Atlantic Act and the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, riots that poisoned the way they thought of Fleet in Virginia, and was promoted to the po- formed the framework for the federal govern- each other for years. sition of Air Operations Officer of the Pacific ment’s response. The magnitude of the at- While we mourn the tragic losses of the Fleet in San Diego, California. He was deco- tacks and the need for Congress to take ac- past 29 years, we are also able to celebrate rated on countless occasions in recognition of tion before certain relief could be delivered the future of a Cyprus integrated into the Eu- his service success. In addition to various added to the challenge of the recovery efforts ropean Union. This is an historic year for Cy- service awards, Cmdr. Bianchi earned an Air and exposed critical weaknesses in federal prus, and I would like to commend Cyprus and Medal and Navy Commendation and Achieve- authority to respond. the Greek Cypriot people for their commitment ment Medals. The Community Protection and Response and determination in reaching a settlement on Mr. Speaker, I am sure that my colleagues Act would amend the Stafford Act along with the reunification of the island and especially here in the U.S. House of Representatives are other statutes and would give the President a membership in the European Union. On April inspired, as I am, by Cmdr. Bianchi’s remark- series of policy options to chose from following 16, 2003, Cyprus signed the Accession Treaty able patriotism and exceptional valor. He was a homeland security event. A homeland secu- to the European Union and will now have a proud to serve his country, and refused to give rity event is defined as an event that poses a host of new opportunities open to its people. up his career even after his family had been significant risk to the security of people and Just this week, the Wall Street Journal ran an struck by tragedy. That Cmdr. Bianchi contin- property and is in such a magnitude that effec- article describing the emotional meetings of ued to put his life at risk on a regular basis, tive response is beyond the scope and capa- Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots going even after the loss of his brother in 1986, is bility of the affected state and local govern- back to their former villages, and their realiza- proof of his unassailable courage and dedica- ment. Many of these options are based on tion that the hatred melted away once they tion. Let us join in extending our condolences congressional action following September 11th met and spoke with people on the other side. to Cmdr. Bianchi’s parents, who have now lost or other policy suggestions in reports by the If this is truly the case, then there is hope for two sons in service to our Nation. Our Congressional Research Service, the General a peaceful future. thoughts and prayers will be with his loving Accounting Office and the New York branch of Nevertheless, it is the obligation of the U.S. wife Rita Barrie, and their three children, the Federal Reserve. Specifically, in the event Congress to condemn the violence that sepa- Kevin, Christopher and Julia. of homeland security event, the President can provide grants for lost tax revenue, aid to rated the island nation of Cyprus, and to en- f courage Turkish Cypriot leaders as needed to school systems, and assistance to medical fa- negotiate in good faith with their Greek Cypriot PERSONAL EXPLANATION cilities and utility companies. The bill also es- counterparts to settle this dispute. The reunifi- tablishes guidelines to ensure the public cation of the island nation is a priority for this HON. DENNIS MOORE health of area residents and disaster workers. This legislation was introduced in the 107th Congress and the international community. On OF KANSAS Congress (H.R. 5164) and was offered as an this anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cy- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES amendment to the Bill that created the Depart- prus, we mourn the deaths of those killed in Thursday, July 24, 2003 ment of Homeland Security. While the Com- the invasion and the lost opportunities over Mr. MOORE. Mr. Chairman, I was unavoid- mittee on Government Reform passed the the years, and we look forward to a future of ably detained due to a U.S. Airways plane amendment by an unanimous vote, it was a reunited Cyprus in the European Union. malfunction and missed rollcall vote No. 357, stripped out before floor consideration. f the Ackerman-LaTourette amendment to the f HONORING THE SACRIFICE OF Agriculture appropriations bill which would re- IN RECOGNITION OF JETT WIL- CMDR. KEVIN A. BIANCHI quire that the USDA expend no funds to ap- prove meat from downed animals—animals LIAMS, THE DAUGHTER OF HANK that are too sick to walk or stand—for food. WILLIAMS HON. DONALD M. PAYNE Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ OF NEW JERSEY f HON. MIKE ROGERS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ALABAMA Thursday, July 24, 2003 COMMUNITY PROTECTION AND IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RESPONSE ACT Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Thursday, July 24, 2003 honor a true American hero. Kevin A. Bianchi, HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I 40, was among three members of a Navy heli- rise today to pay tribute to Jett Williams, the OF NEW YORK copter crew confirmed dead in a crash in Sic- daughter of the legendary Hank Williams, for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ily on July 16, 2003. The fact that his older her outstanding professional achievements. brother, Robert, a Navy helicopter pilot, was Thursday, July 24, 2003 Jett Williams was born in Montgomery, Ala- killed in a crash in the Philippines in 1986, Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I intro- bama, on January 6, 1953, five days after the adds to the enormous grief that his family now duce the Community Protection and Response death of her father, Hank Williams. She was feels. Act of 2003 to eliminate confusion in terrorist adopted by her grandmother, Lillian Williams. Kevin Bianchi came from a proud family tra- prevention and response. When Ms. Williams passed away in 1954, Jett dition of Navy servicemen. Two of his three One of the major lessons learned in the was adopted by a family living in Mobile, Ala- brothers served honorably with Kevin in the aftermath of the September 11th, attacks is bama. It was not until adulthood that she VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:22 Jul 27, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JY8.052 E25PT1 E1604 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 25, 2003 began to search for her real identity. In 1989, parishes in the Diocese of Toledo.’’ Though him for his example and for his friendship. I the Alabama Supreme Court recognized Jett her daily presence will be missed, Toledo’s was lucky to have him as my teammate for Williams as the daughter of Hank Williams.