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Home , Deniece Williams, Head to the Sky, The Emotions, Verdine White

E140 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 9, 2016 COMMENDING THE SOUTHERN AND RECOGNIZING THE ESTABLISH- I am honored to represent these men in CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA VOL- MENT OF FLOTILLA 77 OF THE Congress and look forward to seeing them UNTEERS WHO PROVIDED HE- COAST GUARD achieve much more in their careers. The state ROIC SERVICE DURING WINTER AUXILIARY DIVISION 7 of Iowa looks forward to watching these young STORM JONAS men play on Sundays for years to come. HON. DANIEL WEBSTER Congratulations on a great season, David HON. BILL SHUSTER OF FLORIDA and congratulations on becoming Iowa’s IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Super Bowl champion, James. OF PENNSYLVANIA Tuesday, February 9, 2016 f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I HONORING THE LIFE, ACHIEVE- Tuesday, February 9, 2016 rise today to recognize the chartering of Flo- MENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tilla 77 of the United States Coast Guard Aux- commend the selfless assistance provided by iliary Division 7. Flotilla 77 was officially recog- many of the volunteer fire department and nized in a chartering ceremony on January 23, HON. STEVE COHEN public assistance agencies from southern and 2016, in Polk County, Florida. OF TENNESSEE The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the volun- central Pennsylvania during the recent Winter IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Storm Jonas. teer corps that assists the U.S. Coast Guard Tuesday, February 9, 2016 While many of us sought shelter during the in promoting boating safety. Formed originally recent winter storm that struck the East Coast, as the Coast Guard volunteer Reserve on Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to some of us were not so fortunate, as was June 23, 1939, the volunteer Reserve was re- honor the life of Memphis singer, drummer, made evident by the miles and miles of cars named the Auxiliary two years later. During , producer and founder of the world- that were stranded on the Pennsylvania Turn- World War II, the Auxiliary rapidly expanded renowned band Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice pike. Many of these travelers had gotten as Auxiliarists provided oversight assistance in White. Maurice White was born in Memphis, trapped on the turnpike as a number of crash- many of the Coast Guard surface and air op- Tennessee on December 19, 1941, and at- es stopped traffic while a huge amount of erations, which freed up active duty Coast tended Booker T. Washington High School snow fell. Fortunately for the beleaguered trav- Guardsman for wartime missions. Today the where he was in the drum corps. After grad- elers, a number of local volunteer fire depart- Auxiliarists support and augment the non-mili- uating, he and his family moved to , Il- ments from the surrounding communities tary and non-law enforcement operations in- linois and Maurice White enrolled at the Chi- braved the weather to assist those in need. cluding communication watchstanding, public cago Conservatory of Music. Having devel- For the drivers stranded overnight, these education programs, marine safety, and as- oped a love for drums while singing in his volunteer emergency responders were the sisting with search and rescue missions. church choir in Memphis and watching march- The selflessness by which they voluntarily only ones who could reach the area to help. ing bands, Maurice found work as a drummer serve and put their lives on the line for our As snow continued to fall, these volunteers in nightclubs and in 1963, he became a ses- safety and security is inspiring. We honor worked together to ensure the well-being of sion drummer for . these brave men and women whose dedica- those stranded by traveling car to car and of- While at Chess Records, Maurice recorded tion to our great nation have and continue to fering supplies to many. To aid the cause, with music legends Etta James, Fontella Bass, ensure the safety and security of our ports, many local stores and restaurants contributed Muddy Waters, The Impressions, Betty Everett waterways and coastal regions. and many more. In 1966, he joined the food and water to be distributed. It was truly It is my distinct pleasure, as a representa- a community effort. Trio during a time when the tive of the people of Central Florida, to recog- group was one of only a few groups to On behalf of the 9th Congressional District nize and honor the establishment of Flotilla 77 rise to the upper levels of the pop charts. of Pennsylvania and all of those who were as- of the United States Coast Guard. I thank Maurice White left the group to form the Salty sisted by the area’s volunteers, I would like to them and their loved ones for their dedication Peppers in 1969 alongside his two friends, thank these public servants for their selfless- and service to our community and country. and Don Whitehead. After little ness. It is my honor to highlight this tremen- f success, he moved to Los Angeles, California, dous effort and its illustration of the neighborly recruited new band members including his commitment my constituents embody. CONGRATULATING DAVID JOHN- brother and, drawing inspiration To the volunteer organizations and govern- SON AND JAMES FERENTZ ON from the astrological chart, changed the mental agencies listed below, we thank you REMARKABLE NFL SEASONS group’s name to Earth, Wind & Fire. for your generous dedication to serving the Earth, Wind & Fire signed with Warner Bros. public: HON. DAVID LOEBSACK in 1971 but did not gain renowned fame until New Vol. Fire Co. OF IOWA Maurice, again, brought on new band mem- Shawnee Valley Vol. Fire Co. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bers, with the exception of Verdine, and Shawnee Valley EMS Tuesday, February 9, 2016 signed the band with Columbia. It was then Bedford Fire Co. Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today that Earth, Wind & Fire infused its sound with Everett Fire Co. to congratulate two of my constituents, Ari- jazz, , soul and pop, and recorded the Breezewood Fire Co. zona Cardinals running back David Johnson in 1973, which sold Southern Cove Fire Co. and Denver Broncos center James Ferentz, over 500,000 copies and included hit songs Alum Bank Fire Co. on a remarkable 2015–2016 NFL season. Evil and Keep Your Head to the Sky. In 1974, Earth, Wind & Fire released the album Open Chestnut Ridge EMS David and James each helped lead their teams to the AFC and NFC conference cham- Our Eyes and reached the pop Top 40 for the Blue Knob Fire Co. pionship games, and James now has the dis- first time with the song Mighty Mighty. Their Claysburg Fire Co. tinct honor of being called a Super Bowl next album released just a year later, That’s Martinsburg Fire Co. champion. the Way of the World, included the group’s Imler Fire Co. Having grown up in Clinton and Iowa City, first and only No. 1 pop hit, Shining Star. Bedford American Legion David and James both know the meaning of Earth, Wind & Fire also recorded hit songs Pa. National Guard hard work. This hard work ethic propelled Reasons (1975), That’s the Way of the World SCMRTF Incident Management Team them from the gridirons of the University of (1975), Fantasy (1977), September (1978), DCNR Northern Iowa and University of Iowa to the (1979), and Let’s Groove PEMA top of their profession. (1981), including many more hits and popular Currently in their rookie and sophomore songs. Maurice White helped produce seven Pa. State Police NFL seasons, each has achieved so much in double platinum , two platinum albums, Pa. Turnpike just a few short years. Their successes can be two gold albums and two gold singles. Somerset Co. EMA & 9–1–1 attributed to the family, friends, teachers, and In addition to writing or co-writing many of Bedford County EMA & 9–1–1 coaches that continue to challenge the future the songs for Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice American Red Cross David Johnsons and James Ferentzes of White produced music for , Salvation Army. Iowa. Ramsey Lewis and , and in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:36 Feb 10, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K09FE8.012 E09FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS