E1924 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 25, 2011 Washington today, I can think of no greater CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF Academy in Glynco, Georgia with a focus on honor than to be able to greet them and to THE WOMEN’S CARE CENTER OF Examinations. In 1982, Mr. Riding was pro- personally thank Iowa’s—and our nation’s— LA GRANGE moted to the position of Port Director of La- heroes for their service to our country. redo, Texas. This job supervised the inspec- The Freedom Flight brings together three HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI tion of persons entering the United States at generations of veterans who will travel to- OF ILLINOIS one of the largest land border ports of entry. gether and support one another throughout IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES He held this position until he was transferred their trip. It also brings together veterans who to Fresno as Officer in Charge in 1984. were never given the homecoming they de- Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Prior to beginning his career with INS, Mr. served. This trip, made possible by generous Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Riding spent two years in the United States donations from Iowans, many of whom the celebrate the opening of the Women’s Care Army and two years on a church mission trip veterans will never meet in person, dem- Center of La Grange in my home district. The to Brazil. He graduated Summa Cum Laude onstrates that we as a state and as a country Women’s Care Center is a life-affirming crisis from Brigham Young University where he re- will never forget the debt we owe those who pregnancy center, providing non-judgmental ceived a Bachelor of Arts degree in law en- have worn our nation’s uniform. The veterans guidance and support to women who unex- forcement in 1972. He is married to Donna will be able to visit their monuments today be- pectedly find themselves with a child. Bright of Baltimore and has five children and cause their fellow Iowans refused to let their The Women’s Care Center of La Grange is four grandchildren. service go unrecognized. That generosity is affiliated with International Life Services, a Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join truly humbling and should inspire us all to con- non-profit organization that safeguards the dig- me in honoring Mr. Don Riding for his years tinue to work each and every day on behalf of nity of human life while supporting women in of dedication to the United States Citizenship those who serve our nation. their moment of need. Chicagoland women and Immigration Services. I am tremendously proud to welcome the now have the option to seek refuge at the f Newton Freedom Flight and Iowa’s veterans of Women’s Care Center and receive accurate World War II, the Korean War, and the Viet- information and confidential counseling in a REMEMBERING GORDON ST. nam War to our nation’s capital today. On be- comforting environment. Besides offering emo- ANGELO half of every Iowan I represent, I thank them tional support, the Women’s Care Center pro- for their service to our country. vides free and affordable health care for new HON. MIKE PENCE f and expecting mothers. Pregnancy tests, OF INDIANA ultrasounds, and pre-natal care are offered, as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PERSONAL EXPLANATION well as medical referrals. After the child is Tuesday, October 25, 2011 born, the center continues to aid the family. HON. STEVE KING Support is available in the form of baby Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a OF IOWA clothes, diapers, baby furniture, and food as- heavy heart to honor the passing of Gordon IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sistance. Every mother deserves access to St. Angelo, a prominent Hoosier and commu- Tuesday, October 25, 2011 quality medical care, and I am pleased that nity activist. Mr. St. Angelo was born and raised in Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall this facility prioritizes the health of the mother and the child. Huntingburg, Indiana, where he operated a No. 802 I was not present to vote because I clothing store. He is most known, however, for was participating in a public meeting with the I am proud to have this charitable organiza- tion in my district and I look forward to its his involvement in the community. Mr. St. An- Army Corps of Engineers regarding the his- gelo helped create a foundation with Milton toric flooding that we have experienced along positive impact. I am certain that this new fa- cility will be a gift to the community. Please and Rose Friedman to promote and establish the Missouri River this year. Had I been educational choice in America. He also served present, I would have voted ‘‘yes.’’ join me in celebrating the Women’s Care Cen- ter of La Grange as they pursue their life-af- for 25 years as the senior program officer of f firming mission of improving the health and community development at the Lilly Endow- RECOGNIZING 100TH ANNIVERSARY wellbeing of local women and children. ment. OF TRAPPE FIRE COMPANY f Gordon St. Angelo’s other community in- volvements included serving as chairman of HON. JIM GERLACH IN RECOGNITION OF THE the board for The Indianapolis Star’s Jefferson RETIREMENT OF DON L. RIDING Awards and for the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, OF PENNSYLVANIA was a board member and vice president of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA Indianapolis Airport Authority from 1983 to Tuesday, October 25, 2011 OF CALIFORNIA 1999, and served on the boards of numerous Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES community organizations and colleges. congratulate Trappe Fire Company on its Many Hoosiers also remember Gordon St. Tuesday, October 25, 2011 100th anniversary of selfless dedication and Angelo for his political involvement in Indiana commitment to its community. Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and on the national stage. He began his ca- This is a great milestone and a considerable recognize Don Riding in the event of his retire- reer with the Democratic Party, and was in- accomplishment and I take great pleasure in ment after 39 dedicated years of service with strumental in the successful election cam- being able to help honor the men and women the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. paigns of Governor Roger Branigin, U.S. Sen- of the Trappe Fire Company for their dedica- Mr. Riding was appointed to the Officer in ators Birch Bayh and Vance Harke, as well as tion and outstanding service. Charge position at U.S. Citizenship and Immi- many other candidates. In 1964, he was elect- For 100 years, the officers, firefighters, fire gration Services in Fresno in September 2003. ed chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, police and ambulance corps of Trappe Fire Prior to this, he had served as Officer in a position he held for ten years. He also be- Company have proudly and capably served Charge of the Fresno INS Suboffice since May came the Democratic Party’s deputy national and protected the thousands of citizens of 1984. In his previous capacity, he supervised chairman in 1968 and helped manage Hubert Montgomery County, including Trappe and the enforcement and benefits function of the Humphrey’s presidential bid. Collegeville Boroughs and the Townships of INS in Central California. These operations in- Mr. St. Angelo was known for his ability to Upper Providence, Perkiomen, Skippack, and cluded the processing of applications for bene- relate to many different kinds of people, and Limerick. They have always answered the call fits such as permanent residents and natu- perhaps surprisingly, migrated to the Repub- to help their neighbors in distress, whether it ralization, investigation of criminal and admin- lican Party a little more than a decade after is putting out a fire, aiding those whose homes istrative violations, as well as the detention his involvement in Humphrey’s democratic have flooded, or rescuing animals. and removal of violators of immigration laws. presidential bid. He served as chairman of the Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join Mr. Riding began his career with INS in Indiana Republican Party from 1981 to 1989, me today in recognizing Trappe Fire Company 1972 as an Immigration Inspector in El Paso, and is remembered as an honorable man who on its 100th anniversary and to honor this ex- Texas. He transferred to Baltimore, Maryland could be friends with his opponents and emplary organization for its commitment, dedi- in 1975 as a Criminal Investigator. In 1980, he worked to get the best candidate in office. cation, and outstanding history of service to its was promoted to the position of Course Devel- A committed family man, Gordon St. Angelo community. oper and Instructor at the Immigration Officer was married for 53 years to his beloved wife,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:59 Oct 26, 2011 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A25OC8.010 E25OCPT1 pwalker on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS October 25, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1925 the late Beatrice. They loved to travel, and vis- Loachapoka Elementary and High Schools in President Obama signed into law the land- ited more than 100 countries during their life Lee County, Alabama, before taking over at mark $3.4 billion settlement for the Indian ac- together. I offer my deepest condolences to Phenix City Schools in Russell County. count holders. his three sons, Paul, Kurt, and John. The Old I’m proud to congratulate Dr. DiChiara on Because of Elouise and the litigation that Book tells us that ‘‘the Lord is close to the bro- this great achievement and hope he will con- she initiated, the Department of Interior has kenhearted,’’ and that is my prayer for you. tinue his service for many years to come to made numerous changes to the way it does During this difficult time may you find solace in our children, parents, teachers and our com- business with respect to Indian funds and trust faith and family. munity. Congratulations! resources. Seattle University Law School In- f f dian Law Professor Eric Eberhard said there is ‘‘no doubt that Elouise Cobell changed the IN HONOR OF JAMES L. MEYER HONORING ELOUISE COBELL legal landscape when it comes to Indian law and the federal government’s trust responsibil- HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER HON. NICK J. RAHALL II ities.’’ OF LOUISIANA OF WEST VIRGINIA Against all odds, Elouise persevered with IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES her commitment to the issue. Since the early 1990s, the Committee on Natural Resources Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Tuesday, October 25, 2011 held numerous hearings on the issue associ- Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ated with the handling of Indian trust funds. It to honor and commend Mr. James L. Meyer join Indian country in mourning the death of was during my tenure as Chairman of the Nat- for his unfailing service to Alexandria and Elouise Cobell, who passed away on Sunday, ural Resources Committee that I had the privi- Central Louisiana. Due to his prominent and October 16. Her role as lead plaintiff in the lege and honor of getting to know and work tireless efforts for our great state, his legacy historic Cobell v. Salazar litigation has forever with Elouise. Her dedication to this issue was will live on as the Alexandria International Air- changed the way the federal government bar none. port Commercial Terminal will now be named views the trust responsibility with Native Amer- Elouise won so many battles; the only one the James L. Meyer Commercial Terminal. icans. Elouise Cobell was a true Indian leader. she lost was to the cancer that took her from Mr. Meyer’s ambitious career started at Lou- She was born Elouise Catherine Pepion, us too soon. She will be remembered for her isiana Tech University where he earned two November 5, 1945, on the Blackfeet Nation strength, courage, and positive outlook. We degrees: one in Chemical Engineering and the reservation located on the eastern edge of can honor her life by continuing the work she latter in Civil Engineering. After his marriage to Glacier National Park in Montana. After grad- started. Mrs. Joy in August of 1957, he served as an uating from Great Falls Business College, she I ask that my colleagues join me in cele- officer in United States Air Force from 1957 became an accountant and rancher. Later, brating the life of Elouise Cobell and her many until 1960. He eventually returned to Alexan- Elouise served as Treasurer for the Blackfeet achievements, and in expressing our sincere dria where Mr. Meyer was employed as a de- Nation for 13 years and helped found the first condolences to her husband Alvin, her son sign engineer. all Indian owned national bank. Turk, and all her family and friends. In 1968, he decided to start his own engi- It was during her time as tribal treasurer that f neering firm. While growing James L. Meyer & she realized the royalty checks received by Associates—his consulting, engineering, and tribal members seemed substantially lower IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF surveying firm—to a successful business with than the value of the resources owned. She NITA THOMAS five locations across Louisiana, he also held learned as much as she could about the way numerous board positions and received many the federal government handled the Indian HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER distinguishable awards for serving his region. trust fund accounts and found that over dec- OF LOUISIANA Mr. Meyer’s presidency for the Central Lou- ades, others in Indian country had claimed the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES isiana Chamber of Commerce and becoming funds were badly mismanaged. Tuesday, October 25, 2011 the first Chairman of the England Authority are In the mid 1980s Elouise, already frustrated the reasons he is being honored today. His by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, BIA, came to Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today services from both positions evolved a military Congress looking for assistance and justice for to honor and remember Mrs. Nita Thomas, base closure into a commercial international all Individual Indian Money account holders. whose life and countless contributions to this airport; therefore, air passengers were dou- All she wanted was what all of us expect from world should be celebrated by all. bled and millions of dollars were brought into our banker—to know how much is in each ac- The definitive Southern woman, Nita pos- region through capital construction. count and a showing that the balance was sessed outstanding character, unwavering Mr. Meyer’s efforts reflect how one dedi- correct. faith and matchless elegance. She carried her- cated person can affect an entire region and In 1992, the House Government Operations self with such charisma and poise guaranteed his life should be an inspiration to others. His Committee issued a report titled, ‘‘Misplaced to light up every room she entered. career has brought honor and pride to his Trust: The BIA’s Mismanagement of the Indian Her deep devotion to her family and friends family, friends, community, and the state of Trust Fund.’’ The report called the BIA’s man- is one of her most memorable qualities. With Louisiana. I congratulate Mr. Meyer upon his agement of Indian trust funds ‘‘grossly inad- each encounter, Nita’s love and joy she felt for legacy that will be known as James L. Meyer equate in numerous important respects.’’ It fur- her loved ones was evident. I extend my Commercial Terminal. ther found that the BIA had ‘‘failed to fulfill its deepest condolences to those this wonderful f fiduciary duties to beneficiaries of the Indian mother and grandmother leaves behind. Trust Fund.’’ In Acts 20:35, the Lord Jesus himself said IN RECOGNITION OF DR. LARRY Congress passed the American Indian Trust ‘‘it is more blessed to give than to receive.’’ DICHIARA FOR BEING NAMED SU- Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 to give She was a champion for those with special PERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR account holders more control over, and ac- needs and passionately worked to ensure cess to, their funds, and to provide a model to each person was met with an accepting heart. HON. MIKE ROGERS reform the system. Unfortunately, little was With all that Nita gifted to everyone she came OF ALABAMA changed at the BIA. Fed up and frustrated across, it is indeed apparent she lived her life IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with stonewalling and continued mismanage- by these words. ment, in 1996 Elouise filed a class-action law- Nita grew in Jackson Parish, where she was Tuesday, October 25, 2011 suit on behalf of more than 500,000 Indians at taught to love thy neighbor as thyself. She Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I a time when no one else would. never lost touch with her roots. Nita had the would like to pay tribute to a special school In 1999, the United States District Court for stature and charm to walk with those in the superintendent today, Dr. Larry DiChiara. the District of Columbia confirmed what Indian upper echelons of power, but she had the Dr. DiChiara was named Superintendent of country had always known—the Department of grace and dignity to remember those whom the Year by the School Superintendents of the Interior had breached its trust obligation to society had forgotten. Alabama in October 2011. Indians in handling Indian funds. Fourteen Today, our words may seem futile in com- Dr. DiChiara has always been committed to years after the case was first filed, 220 days parison to the indelible mark Nita left in our teaching and helping students. He was a of trial, 80 court decisions, and two contempt hearts. Some say—and I honestly believe— former principal, teacher and coach from citations against Cabinet secretaries later, that the heart has its own memory, one that is

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