April 4, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E513 rebuilding their industrial bases and working to Africa. ‘‘My father is still remembered in night in Indianapolis by a score of 73–57. This with small business owners and minority en- many places in Africa. Fellows from the Ron marks the first NCAA men’s title in trepreneurs to create and expand employment Brown Institute based in Pretoria have been for any Division I school in Florida. interns in companies in southern Africa. As you may know, the team lost most of its opportunities. Small and medium sized companies go to the Mr. Speaker, Ronald Brown was an excep- Ron Brown Commercial in Johannes- scoring players from last season and many tional individual with accomplishments too nu- burg for help with their commercial trans- pundits questioned whether this year’s Gators merous to list. He left an indelible impression actions. He introduced us to the benefits of would even make it into the NCAA tour- not only in the United States but in many commercial diplomacy.’’ nament. First, they started the season by win- countries abroad. As evidenced by the article The Constituency for Africa is a non-profit ning their first 17 games. Then they went on that I submit to the RECORD, I join the Con- and non-governmental organization based in to secure the SEC Conference tournament stituency for Africa (CFA), a U.S.-based coali- Washington, DC, that focuses on advocacy championship. And, just when it was thought tion with interest in Africa, in acknowledging and educational initiatives directed at U.S. they couldn’t top that, they ended their historic Africa policy. CFA’s mission is to advocate, the many contributions made in Africa by the educate, inspire, act upon and inform its season winning the national title. late Secretary of Commerce. constituency about issues, concerns and During the past month, these young, ener- (March 31, 2006, Washington, DC) challenges impacting the quality of life for getic Gators won the hearts and minds of fans THE CONSTITUENCY FOR AFRICA REMEMBERS the nations of Africa. everywhere. Their success came down to a RON BROWN f simple formula: they played as an unselfish, Apri1 3 marks the tenth anniversary of the hardworking and passionate team. plane crash in Croatia which ended the life of CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTH- Head coach deserves enor- late Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown DAY OF MS. CARRIE COLEMAN mous credit for building such a dominant pro- and 34 others traveling with him on a trade ROBINSON gram. His team held to his often professed mission to the Balkans. The Constituency mantra of ‘‘PHD’’—‘‘be poor, be hungry and for Africa (CFA), a Washington, D.C. based be driven’’—in their pursuit of excellence coalition of organizations, groups and indi- HON. JOE WILSON viduals with interest in Africa, acknowledges OF SOUTH CAROLINA whether on the court or in the classroom. the contributions made by the late Secretary IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I applaud the strong performances by the entire team: , , Corey in forging U.S. ties with Africa. Tuesday, April 4, 2006 ‘‘Ron Brown opened the doors to recogni- Brewer, , , Chris tion of the importance of the U.S.-Africa re- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speak- Richard, Adrian Moss, , Brett lationship, highlighting the trade and invest- er, today I rise to honor the life of Ms. Carrie Swanson, Jack Berry, Garrett Tyler and David ment opportunities, traveling to Africa and Coleman Robinson, a citizen of Hilton Head Huertas. supporting organizations seeking to educate, Island who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Again, congratulations to the University of advocate and build ties with Africa,’’ said April 21, 2006. Melvin P. Foote, the Chief Executive Officer Florida for this impressive and historic win. of the Constituency for Africa. In celebration The Hilton Head Island Town Council re- Today it is truly great to be a Florida Gator. of Ron Brown’s legacy, CFA established a cently issued the following proclamation in her f highly regarded Ronald H. Brown African Af- honor: fairs series during Congressional Black Cau- Whereas, Carrie Coleman Robinson, her COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF cus Week which features speakers and semi- family, and friends will be gathering on Hilton FLORIDA MEN’S BASKETBALL nars on critical issues confronting Africa, in- Head Island, South Carolina from April 21–23, TEAM ON WINNING THE NCAA cluding issues of health, agriculture, energy 2006 to celebrate her 100th birthday, and CHAMPIONSHIP and trade. Whereas, many of Ms. Robinson’s family ‘‘The term, ‘Africa matters’ was used by the National Summit on Africa and many and friends will be coming from such diverse HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS other events over recent years, but was first locations as Minnesota, California, Indiana, OF FLORIDA used in a major speech by Ron Brown. He Alabama, North Carolina and Illinois, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Whereas, Carrie Coleman Robinson was truly put the spotlight on Africa’s potential Tuesday, April 4, 2006 for the Clinton Administration. He got born April 21, 1906 to James and Cordelia American companies who would never have Coleman in Madison County, Pocahontas, Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to considered trading and investing, to take a Mississippi, and congratulate the men’s closer look. He also elevated the African dip- Whereas, Carrie was the 5th of 6 siblings, basketball team on winning the 2006 NCAA lomatic corps and Africa focused organiza- all of whom are now deceased, and national championship. tions by engaging them in dialogue and None of ’s so-called ex- showing them the respect he believed they Whereas, Carrie was married to Dr. Thomas deserved,’’ reflected Leonard Robinson, L. Robinson of Hilton Head Island for 54 years perts picked the University of Florida to do President of the Africa Society of the Na- until his death in 1989, and much, if anything, this season. In fact, they tional Summit on Africa. Whereas, Ms. Robinson’s education is un- were not even ranked in the preseason polls. Ron Brown was the first African-American paralleled as she received an Associate Bach- This was to be a rebuilding year for the chairman of the Democratic National Com- elor’s degree from Tougaloo College in 1931, Gators. They lost three prolific scorers to the mittee and the first to travel to sub-Saharan a BLS degree from the Hampton Institute in NBA last season and were considered too Africa. During that trip in 1990 he talked young and inexperienced to play with most of about political development, but also the im- 1932, and an MLS degree from the University portance of trade and investment. Later, of Illinois in 1949 while she also attended Co- the , let alone the when he became Secretary of Commerce, he lumbia University from 1940–41 and Advanced elite teams in the NCAA tournament. made good on his belief in the importance of Studies from 1953–55, However, Coach Billy Donovan and his un- economic development and commercial ties Now, therefore the Hilton Head Island Town wavering team knew differently. Through hard by leading numerous trade missions to Afri- Council hereby proclaims April 21, 2006 as: work, drive, discipline, and determination, the ca including one to South Africa a few days The Centennial Birthday of Carrie Coleman Gators soon made their presence felt. Led by after sanctions were lifted by the U.S.; he Robinson on Hilton Head Island. four sophomores and one junior, they began opened a U.S. commercial center in South f their historic season with a 17-game winning Africa, now named after him; opened and ex- streak, the longest in Florida basketball his- panded commercial offices in regional hubs FLORIDA GATOR MEN’S throughout Africa; supported passage of the tory. And they concluded their title run by win- Africa Growth and Opportunity Act; rallied BASKETBALL REMARKS ning their last 11 games, including an SEC other U.S. Government Agencies around Af- tournament championship, an unbelievable run rica issues and invited senior officials from HON. MARK FOLEY through the Minneapolis region, and a domi- those agencies to travel with him to Africa OF FLORIDA nating performance in the Final Four. and to develop solutions to problems in a co- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In the championship game, the Gators faced operative manner. He helped to create the a very talented UCLA team, heralded for their Corporate Council on Africa and remained a Tuesday, April 4, 2006 defense and rich with basketball tradition. But loyal supporter during his tenure as Com- merce Secretary. Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend on this night, Florida wrote the next and best Michael Brown, Board Member of CFA, lob- the men’s basketball team for chapter of their basketball tradition. Poised byist and candidate for Mayor of Wash- winning their first ever national championship and focused, the Gators took the court where ington, DC, reflected on his father’s travels title. They handily beat the UCLA Bruins last their balanced offensive attack swamped

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:37 Apr 05, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A04AP8.064 E04APPT1 HMoore on PROD1PC68 with HMREMARKS E514 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 4, 2006 UCLA’s defense. Furthermore, the Gators lence in their field of endeavor as an adult. abused and tortured. It is morally abhorrent quickly demonstrated that their defense was The board has held a celebratory event that that, in the 21st Century, brave men and the more domineering on the court, limiting involved the community to recognize their suc- women like Mr. Guerra Pe´rez are still locked their opponents’ scoring options. cess—and to raise awareness about childhood in repugnant gulags for reporting the truth. My I want to recognize Coach Donovan and his abuse, as well as the potential for recovery. Colleagues, we must demand the immediate assistant coaches, who have helped lead the More people than ever are willing to talk and unconditional release of Roberto de Jesu´s Gators to national prominence. This is Coach about this ongoing tragedy, which is a signifi- Guerra Pe´rez and every prisoner of con- Donovan’s second title game appearance with cant step in helping rid this problem from our science languishing in the totalitarian gulags of UF, and with this victory, he becomes the sec- society. the nightmare called the Castro regime. ond youngest head coach to win a national I ask my colleagues to join me in congratu- f championship. I also would like to acknowl- lating Celebrate the Child Within for their edge the Gators’ starters. Joakim Noah, the much-needed work, and to wish them many TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAJOR Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, led the more years of success. WILLIE BEASLEY Gators with 16 points, nine rebounds, three f assists, and six blocked shots, a title game FREEDOM FOR ROBERTO DE HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES record. Taurean Green ran the nearly to JESU´ S GUERRA PE´ REZ OF OHIO perfection, refusing to allow UCLA’s pressure IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to lead to turnovers. had great Tuesday, April 4, 2006 offensive statistics; however, it was his shut- HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART down defense which held UCLA’s leading OF FLORIDA Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, con- scorer scoreless for most of the game. Al IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gratulations to Sergeant Major Willie Beasley Horford helped control the interior and defend Tuesday, April 4, 2006 on his retirement from Collinwood High School UF’s basket, and Lee Humphrey’s barrage of Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. in Cleveland, Ohio. Sergeant Major Beasley three-point jump shots helped put the game Speaker, I rise today to speak about Roberto has served as Assistant Instructor and Military out of reach. Additionally, I would like to con- de Jesu´s Guerra Pe´rez, a political prisoner in Property Custodian at Collinwood High School gratulate the Gators’ only senior, Adrian Moss, totalitarian Cuba. for the past 12 years. who finished his college career with a sensa- Mr. Guerra Pe´rez is an independent jour- Sergeant Major Beasley is a valued member tional game, posting nine points and six re- nalist and a chronicler of truth amid the lies of the faculty at Collinwood High School and bounds in only ten minutes of play. and deceit of Castor’s villainous regime. He has earned the reputation of being an out- I also want to applaud the rest of the Gator writes about the reality of the reprehensible re- standing teacher and mentor to young adults. team: Chris Richard, Walter Hodge, David pression inflicted on the Cuban people by the He is highly regarded in the community for his Huertas, Garrett Tyler, Jimmie Sutton, Jack dictatorship. Because of his belief in truth in dedication to the cadets in the Army JROTC Berry, Brett Swanson, and everyone involved print, truth for the people of Cuba, and truth to program at Collinwood. Through the Army with the Men’s basketball program. They are enable the world to better comprehend the JROTC, over 1200 students have been di- all to be commended for their contributions to daily horrors of totalitarian Cuba, Mr. Guerra rected under his tutelage. the Gators’ success. Pe´rez was a target of the tyrannical regime. Sergeant Major Beasley also served in the This young team showed their maturity by Make no mistake, brave men and women who 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam where he playing unselfish basketball. We have seen seek truth and freedom are the enemies of demonstrated leadership in combat as a pla- the results when players are out for the great- Castro’s totalitarian dictatorship. toon sergeant and acting platoon leader. er good of the team, rather than playing for According to Reporters Without Borders, Mr. There he distinguished himself earning a themselves. This Florida squad epitomizes Guerra Pe´rez was arrested for ‘‘disturbing the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the that philosophy. They shared the ball, always peace’’ on July 13, 2005, while staging a fast Combat Infantryman’s Badge. looking for an open teammate rather than along with a dozen other opposition activists Sergeant Major Beasley’s selfless service, seeking personal glory. to protest against the incessant harassment of superior achievement and loyal dedication to I’m tremendously proud of these young men independent journalists. Over eight and half the youth of the City of Cleveland are immeas- and honored to be an alumnus. It truly is great months later, he is still locked in the totali- urable. On behalf of the nation and the con- to be a Florida Gator! tarian gulag and still waiting for a trial. stituents of the 11th Congressional District of f Castro’s ruthless machinery of repression Ohio, I thank you for your service and tremen- does not stop after sentencing innocent Cu- dous sacrifices you have made for our coun- TRIBUTE TO THE CHILD WITHIN, bans to the totalitarian gulag. In the U.S. De- try. Congratulations on your retirement and on INC. partment of State’s Country Reports on a job well done. Human Rights Practices—2005, it is reported: f HON. DEVIN NUNES Prison conditions continued to be harsh IN RECOGNITION OF PHIL LARSON, OF CALIFORNIA and life threatening. Conditions in detention facilities also were harsh. Prison authorities 2006 FRESNO COUNTY FARM BU- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES frequently beat, neglected, isolated, and de- REAU DISTINGUISHED SERVICE Tuesday, April 4, 2006 nied medical treatment to detainees and AWARD RECIPIENT Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to prisoners, particularly those convicted of po- litical crimes or those who persisted in ex- recognize Celebrate the Child Within, Inc.—a pressing their views . . . Prisoners some- HON. JIM COSTA unique organization in my home district that times were held in ‘‘punishment cells,’’ OF CALIFORNIA offers support and encouragement for adult which usually were located in the basement IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES survivors of childhood sexual abuse. of a prison, with continuous semi-dark con- Celebrate the Child Within is dedicated to ditions, no available water, and only a hole Tuesday, April 4, 2006 helping negate the shame of childhood sex for a toilet. Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with abuse, as well as the promotion of healing by To protest these grotesque abuses, Mr. my colleagues, Representatives CARDOZA, recapturing happier childhood times. Those in- Guerra Pe´rez has conducted four hunger NUNES and RADANOVICH, to honor Phil Larson volved with CTCW, Inc. are committed to help- strikes to call international attention to the in- of Kerman, California, the recipient of the ing sufferers to focus on the little boy or girl human treatment in the gulag. In a cry of soli- 2006 Fresno County Farm Bureau ‘‘Distin- within who endured the assault and survived darity for Mr. Guerra Pe´rez, Reporters Without guished Service’’ Award. to adulthood, and to celebrate that survival. Borders said, ‘‘We are all the more concerned Phil has been a lifelong farmer and Fresno The celebrations are done with wholesome, about this hunger strike as he had only called County resident. He began his career as an happy activities in order to help this specific off the preceding one a few days before and agricultural chemical sales representative and group feel more accepted by society and to he was still very weak. There are no serious worked for over 37 years for the Wilbur Ellis foster better understanding of themselves and grounds for holding him as all he did was de- Company. While fulfilling this job, he also their families. scribe what life is really like for Cubans. We farmed for his family’s vineyard in Kerman; Each year for the last three years CTCW’s demand his immediate release.’’ where today, he still farms raisins. The exper- Board of Directors has identified a survivor of Mr. Speaker, it is intolerable for Mr. Guerra tise he gained over the years in agriculture childhood sexual abuse who achieved excel- Pe´rez to languish in a gulag where he is earned Phil much respect from members in

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