April 14, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2501 1980s and 1990s he returned to teaching, the ‘‘Federal City,’’ and at the national and committees with the returning to teach at his alma maters, and international scope of work taking Department of Education, U.S. Depart- the University of Notre Dame, where place there every day. Stennis is an es- ment of Education and U.S. Depart- he helped found the Kroc Institute for sential part of NASA’s mission today, ment of Health and Human Services. International Peace Studies, and the due largely to Roy’s commitment for Ray isn’t afraid to fight for Cali- University of Cincinnati College of over 40 years. His footprints will long fornia schools. He has advocated on be- Law. But even in academia, Jack re- remain along the paths and roads of half of teachers and students in Cali- mained active in politics and public that center, which has become a unique fornia by testifying on Capitol Hill service. In 1999, at the age of 78, the asset for our Nation. about the importance of increasing former Congressman-turned-Governor Roy Estess’ legacy continues to in- funding for title I and special edu- served on the Board of Education for fluence the future of Stennis and the cation programs, as well as saving Cincinnati Public Schools. gulf coast with the construction of the teachers’ jobs. And throughout his commitment to INFINITY Science Center. This project Ray dedicated himself to serving his public service, Jack Gilligan has re- was his vision and dream, and one that country in other ways. He served in the mained a steadfast family man. He will carry on his effective, but unas- U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. married Katie Dixon, with whom he suming, way of inspiring passion for I admire Ray’s hard work, dedication raised four children before she died in science, education and space explo- and commitment to raising academic 1996. He since remarried to Susan ration. achievement and turning around low- Freemont, a family practice physician Roy Estess was a true leader who left performing schools. As Los Angeles from Cincinnati. an indelible mark on me, on the State Unified School District Super- As the family patriarch, he has in- of Mississippi, and on our Nation and intendent, Ray concentrated on im- spired his children Donald, Kathleen, the world.∑ proving instruction and teacher qual- John, and Ellen to pursue the public f ity. Under his leadership, the district good. Kathleen now serves as U.S. Sec- experienced a 16-point increase on the TRIBUTE TO RAMON C. CORTINES retary of Health and Human Services, 2010 California Academic Performance having previously served as Governor ∑ Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I Index. The district’s overall score of Kansas the only time in our Nation’s wish to honor Ramon C. Cortines, his topped the 700 threshold for the first history that a father and daughter distinguished career and his dedication time. Ray restructured the first school have served as Governors. Secretary to improving our Nation’s schools. in the district—Fremont High School. Sebelius helped pass the most impor- Cortines is retiring today after 55 years Ray’s leadership style is no-nonsense tant health care law since the creation in public education. and I applaud him for what he has ac- of Medicare and Medicaid, enacted with I know Ramon, or ‘‘Ray,’’ as the su- complished. the help of her father nearly 50 years perintendent of the Los Angeles Uni- All of us who care about providing earlier. To Jack’s family, thank you fied School District in Los Angeles, every student with a quality education for sharing him with a grateful State CA—the Nation’s second largest school will miss him. and a grateful Nation. district. I applaud Ray for being a zeal- I congratulate Ray on his years of re- 2011 marks the 90th birthday of John ous advocate on behalf of the Los An- markable service to our Nation and to ‘‘Jack’’ Gilligan’s and the 40th anniver- geles Unified School District and the our State’s education system. We are sary of his leadership as Ohio’s Gov- State of California. His tireless efforts grateful to him for his leadership and ernor. To Jack, I thank you for your helped to bring Federal funding and re- commitment to making the classroom service and for your counsel. And form to its schools, especially during a better place for our students. I am thank you for your continued belief this difficult time of budget cuts and sure that his students and colleagues that the fight for social and economic teacher layoffs. will always remember the impact he justice is always worth it, so long as Ray has committed himself to edu- made on their lives and their commu- we remember who we fight for and cating young minds. His career started nities.∑ what we stand for. with humble beginnings as a teacher in f Happy Birthday, Governor. elementary, middle and high schools. After his first teaching job in Aptos, REMEMBERING RICHARD ‘‘DICK’’ f Ray became a teacher and adminis- ELIASON ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS trator in Covina, CA. ∑ Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, His career flourished, taking him to today I honor the life and service of administrative positions of principal, Richard ‘‘Dick’’ Eliason. Dick passed REMEMBERING ROY ESTESS assistant superintendent, administra- away on April 3, 2011. He will be re- ∑ Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I wish tive director and superintendent. Ray membered for his decades of service to today to celebrate and commemorate became an administrator for 4 years and his steadfast commitment the life and legacy of Roy Estess, who and superintendent of schools for 11 to sensible, long-term management of served as the Director of Stennis Space years in Pasadena, CA; superintendent Alaska’s fisheries. Dick was the first Center from 1989 until 2002. in San Jose, CA, for 2 years; super- Alaskan nominated to the 2006 Wild Roy passed away in June 2010, and his intendent in San Francisco for 6 years; Salmon Hall of Fame at the Pacific life will be honored at a ceremony at and New York City Schools chancellor Northwest Salmon Center for his lead- Stennis Space Center on May 2, 2011. for 2 years. ership primarily in banning fin fish I will always remember Roy as a son Ray also recognizes the importance farming in Alaska and his work on the of Mississippi whose personal qualities of higher education. He has acted as a ‘‘Wild Stock Priority.’’ contributed greatly to the growth of consultant to the University of Cali- Dick was born in Seattle, WA, on Oc- NASA and its presence in our State. fornia, the California State University tober 14, 1925. As an only child he spent Today, we recognize Roy Estess as one and the California Community College his childhood fishing between Wash- of the giants in NASA history because systems. ington and Port Alexander with his of his leadership, intellect, integrity Ray’s leadership didn’t stop at the parents, George and Elsie Eliason. The and vision. local level. In December 1992, he family decided to move to Sitka in 1939 It was always a pleasure to visit with chaired a U.S. Department of Edu- where he attended Sitka High School. Roy in Washington or at the Stennis cation transition team for then-Presi- Following high school, during World Space Center because he was both a vi- dent-elect Clinton. Ray served as a sen- War II Dick spent 3 years aboard a sub sionary and a pragmatist. He was a ior adviser to former U.S. Secretary of chaser in the Navy patrolling the Ha- great friend and a trusted source of Education Richard Riley. He was also waiian Islands. good advice and counsel for me nominated to serve as Assistant Sec- In 1950, Dick met Nurse Betty throughout my career. retary of Education for Intergovern- Gemmell from Montana and married I continue to marvel at the growth of mental Affairs by President Bill Clin- her. Together they had five children; Stennis, which came to be known as ton. He served on numerous task forces Greta, George, Ida, Richard, Jr. and

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And we’ve never taken the wis- perior Court, which is our trial court. tough raising his growing family, he dom of these individuals for granted. Prior to Alaska’s admission to the certainly succeeded in raising a loving I speak today to honor the life of one statehood, the Federal Government family. He continued to work as a com- of these individuals who passed away maintained the judicial system for the mercial fisherman for nearly 70 years. last week—Senior U.S. District Judge territory. A new court system for our Dick entered public service early, James Martin Fitzgerald, a member of new State had to be created from serving on the territorial public utili- Alaska’s Territorial Bar, one of the scratch. The eight new judges were ties board. He entered the political first eight individuals selected to serve promptly dispatched to New Jersey to arena in the early 1960s in Sitka where on the Alaska Superior Court, an asso- learn how a State trial court operates. he was elected to the assembly and ciate justice of the Alaska Supreme Among his colleagues on that trip was went on to become mayor. At the State Court and a Federal judge since 1974. Judge James von der Heydt, who like level, Dick served as a member of the Judge Fitzgerald was born in Port- Fitzgerald, would also one day serve on Alaska House of Representatives from land, OR, in 1920. He enrolled in the the U.S. District Court. 1968 to 1970 and 1972 to 1980 and as a University of and played foot- Judge Fitzgerald was elevated to the member of the Alaska Senate from 1980 ball for the Ducks. But shortly there- Alaska Supreme Court in 1972 and to 1992. Dick also worked for his com- after he left college, when he was served there until 1974 when he was munity as a member of the VFW, the called to active duty in the National confirmed to serve on the federal Elks, the Moose and the Masons. Guard. Following discharge from the bench. In his 22 years in the Alaska Legisla- National Guard he resumed under- Judge Fitzgerald was sworn in as a ture, he championed the interests of graduate study at Willamette Univer- U.S. district judge on December 20, fishermen and fishing communities. He sity, once again playing on the football 1974. He served as chief judge of the fought for sustainable yield manage- team. District of Alaska from 1984 until 1989 ment of our fisheries and the hatchery But World War II interceded. On De- and became a senior district judge in system, and against fin fish farming cember 6, 1941, the Willamette team 1989. and illegal high seas fishing. played an away game at the University Judge James Fitzgerald passed away Over the course of time, the fin fish of Hawaii. The next morning, the team surrounded by his family on April 3, farming ban has changed in the mind of was waiting outside the Moana Loa 2011. He is survived by his wife Karin Alaskans. The universally popular idea Hotel for a bus to take them on a Fitzgerald and their four children. On in Alaska was once much more con- sightseeing tour as bombs fell on Pearl behalf of my Senate colleagues, I ex- Harbor. troversial. In 1988, salmon prices soared tend condolences to Karin, Judge The entire Willamette football team to levels not seen again until lately Fitzgerald’s family and his many was conscripted to help defend the Is- giving corporations and other busi- land of Oahu. After brief training they friends in the Alaska Bar and the com- nesses an opportunity to compete in were armed with World War I era rifles munity as a whole. James Fitzgerald’s life was one of the emerging farmed salmon market. and put on guard duty at a Honolulu sacrifice and public service. He set Dick wisely saw that to protect the High School. The team went on sentry wild stocks and the people who earned rotations to keep watch over nearby aside his college education and an op- a living off of them was more than a water towers and storage tanks that portunity to play varsity football in temporary issue. Dick recognized the were potential Japanese targets. They order to serve his country in time of long lasting effects that his legislation strung barbed wire along the Waikiki war. He was a dedicated attorney and could offer. His legacy of protecting beach. jurist who brought peace to the terri- wild salmon and promoting quality The football team remained in Hono- tory of Alaska and then went on to salmon is not bound to Alaska: his leg- lulu for several weeks until their coach help create Alaska’s highly respected acy is enjoyed by those even beyond convinced the captain of the SS Presi- State court system before joining the the reaches of this Nation. dent Coolidge to take the team home Federal bench. He served my beloved Dick would say that he merely in exchange for aiding the hundreds of State of Alaska for well over 50 years; worked to protect a way of life, but it critically wounded servicemen that and it is my hope that his life will con- was his own way of life that typically were on board. tinue to serve as an inspiration to us allowed him to shine brighter than oth- On Christmas Day 1941, the team ar- all.∑ ers and to succeed. He was acutely rived in San Francisco. Judge Fitz- f aware of how to communicate and bar- gerald promptly enlisted in the U.S. WISCONSIN CHAPTER OF THE gain among his colleagues. By all ac- Marine Corps. He spent 5 years fighting AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHI- counts, Dick was not likely to let his for our country as a radio gunner for a TECTS title or power go to his head, even torpedo squadron in the South Pacific. though he had plenty of both. He was Honorably discharged once again in ∑ Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, the Wis- the consummate statesman. He was 1946, Fitzgerald returned to Portland. consin Chapter of the American Insti- fair and knew how to roll with the He married his wife Karin in 1950. Fitz- tute of Architects, AIA Wisconsin, was punches in a way that only he could. gerald worked as a firefighter and re- established in 1911 with a commitment Dick leaves an esteemed legacy that enrolled at Willamette where he com- to creating better places to work and Alaska will benefit from for years to pleted work toward his B.A. and subse- live through architectural design and come. I extend my sympathies to the quently earned a law degree in 1951. advocacy. This year, we celebrate the Eliason family and feel blessed to have The newly married couple spent their 100-year anniversary of Wisconsin’s known this great Alaskan.∑ first summer in Ketchikan, Alaska AIA Chapter. I would like to congratu- f where he worked in a lumber mill and late all past and present members of a salmon cannery. AIA Wisconsin for a century of service REMEMBERING JAMES MARTIN Upon graduation from law school, and their devotion to designing the FITZGERALD Judge Fitzgerald returned to Ketch- buildings that are hallmarks of Wis- ∑ Ms. MURKOWSKI. My home State of ikan. He served as an assistant U.S. at- consin’s architectural landscape. Alaska is a young State. Barely over 50 torney in Ketchikan for 4 years then Over the years, AIA Wisconsin has years old. I often marvel at the fact relocated to Anchorage where he developed into four active local chap- that so many of those who led Alaska served as the city attorney. ters, each covering a quadrant of our during territorial days and were instru- Judge Fitzgerald was subsequently State. With more than 1,300 members, mental in the statehood movement named counsel to Alaska’s first Gov- AIA Wisconsin brings fellowship to

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