September 17, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1817 TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL of service and sacrifice, a lifetime of duty be- He will be dearly missed by his wife, Chris- WALTER WOJDAKOWSKI fore self. Maj. Gen. Wojdakowski has worn his tine, his children John III and his wife Kath- nation’s uniform with honor, dignity and pride leen, Frank and his wife Josephine, Stephen HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND since the day he graduated from West Point. and his wife Debra, and Christine Egan and OF GEORGIA On behalf of the U.S. House of Representa- her husband Christopher, his 10 grandchildren IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tives, I want to thank the general and his wife and one great-grandson, and his sister Cath- Candy for everything they have given us. I erine Miller and her husband Charles. Wednesday, September 17, 2008 congratulate them on their many accomplish- Although John passed away, his spirit will Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I ments and wish them years of happiness as always be with us. John will forever be re- rise today to pay tribute to a great American they retire to beautiful Harris County in Geor- membered for the love he shared with his soldier who has dedicated his life to our coun- gia’s 3rd Congressional District. family and friends, and for the music that is try. Maj. Gen. Walter Wojdakowski will retire f made with the grand instruments that John from the U.S. Army Jan. 1 after more than spent his life constructing and maintaining. three decades of service, capping his career POSTHUMOUS TRIBUTE TO JOHN The job of a Congressman in- as the commanding general at in S. PERAGALLO volves much that is rewarding, yet nothing Columbus, Ga. compares to learning about and recognizing A native of Colorado, Wojdakowski found a HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR. individuals like John S. Peragallo. welcoming home in Georgia. In this way he is OF NEW JERSEY Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our col- leagues, John’s family and friends, all those no different than thousands of soldiers who’ve IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES come before him. The people of west Georgia who have been touched by the sacred music Wednesday, September 17, 2008 are deeply proud of Fort Benning; they hold that he helped to create, and me in recog- the soldiers in high esteem and treat them like Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would nizing the contributions of John S. Peragallo. part of the family. like to call to your attention the life of an out- f Wojdakowski felt that family feeling strongly standing individual, John S. Peragallo, who HONORING CHRISTOPHER MORROW in 1976 when he was first stationed at Fort passed away on September 12, 2008 at the Benning. On one fateful July night that year, a age of 76. He will be remembered for his life young Columbus woman named Candy Coo- long dedication to his family, friends, and his HON. SAM GRAVES OF MISSOURI per caught his eye at the officers’ club. It family business. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES wasn’t long before they were off on their first It is only fitting that he be honored in this, date at a local Shoney’s Big Boy and a year the permanent record of the greatest democ- Wednesday, September 17, 2008 later Candy Cooper would become Candy racy ever known, for he brought joy and Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly Wojdakowski. The soldier’s lifelong love would peace, through his craft, to many others pause to recognize Christopher Morrow of become his lifelong partner in service to their throughout his lifetime. Blue Springs, Missouri. Christopher is a very nation and to fellow military families. John was born in New York, but was a life- special young man who has exemplified the As a military family, the Wojdakowskis have long resident of Paterson, NJ. He graduated finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by moved their family to points across the nation from Eastside High School in 1949 and went taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of and across the globe—from Georgia to Alaska on to take several classes at Newark College America, Troop 1138, and earning the most to Germany and Kuwait. The Wojdakowskis’ of Engineering. He served our country in the prestigious award of Eagle Scout. road, however, often pointed back toward during the Korean Conflict Christopher has been very active with his Georgia. In 1993, then a colonel, Wojdakowski and was a chaplain’s assistant and a member troop, participating in many scout activities. assumed command of the 11th Regiment at of the honor guard. Over the many years Christopher has been in- Fort Benning. He returned in 1996 as a briga- Since John’s childhood, he helped his father volved with scouting, he has not only earned dier general. in the family business of building and servicing numerous merit badges, but also the respect Wojdakowski’s final tour of duty at Benning pipe organs. The Peragallo Pipe Organ Com- of his family, peers, and community. began in 2005 when the major general took pany was founded by his father, John Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join charge of the entire base. Wojdakowski’s Peragallo, Sr., in 1918, after learning the craft me in commending Christopher Morrow for his crowning achievement in the military would as an apprentice with the famous E.M. Skin- accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of come at the same base where his own family ner Organ Company. John Jr. joined the com- America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- began, Fort Benning, GA. There, at the pany in 1949 and made the business stronger ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. world’s largest infantry training center, with a close father-son relationship. John f Wojdakowski kept the focus on training our Peragallo, Jr. was President of the company. IN SUPPORT OF THE 37TH RYDER nation’s warriors and supporting the War on He was responsible for the construction and CUP AT VALHALLA Terror. At the same time, his leadership pre- care of many of the pipe organs throughout pared Benning for a massive expansion that New Jersey, and for the complete renovation will greatly transform the base. of the organs at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH OF KENTUCKY While it was the general alone who wore the York City. John Jr.’s sons, John III and Frank, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES uniform that got a little heavier every year with have been actively involved in the business military hardware, Wojdakowski’s career was since the 1980’s and now a fourth generation Wednesday, September 17, 2008 anything but a solo mission. It was a family af- of Peragallos, Janine, Anthony, and John IV, Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, today my fair. Candy volunteered at every port of call. work alongside them. The company has in- hometown of Louisville continues to recover For example, she ran a family support group stalled almost 700 new organs and currently from windstorms that battered our region, at during the first . At Fort maintains about 400 along the east coast, in- leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Benning, she worked as a master trainer for cluding those at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Still, the resilient residents of our community Army Family Team Building and she began a John was a member of the American Guild will rise to host the 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla leadership seminar. Their son Steven followed of Organists, Northern NJ Chapter, St. John Golf Course, and in turn, the Ryder Cup will in his father’s footsteps. After graduating from Vianney/St. Elizabeth of Hungary Fraternity generate tens of millions of dollars for our Columbus High School in 1998, Steven en- and was active with the Boy Scouts of Amer- local economy over the next five days. tered West Point—where his 6 foot 4 inch fa- ica when his sons were younger. This is the culmination of Dwight Gahm’s vi- ther played on the basketball team under John and his wife Christine met at the St. sion when he commissioned Jack Nicklaus to coach Bobby Knight 30 years before. Steven, Anthony’s Church Carnival in Paterson in design a Louisville golf course. The course now a captain, is currently serving in Iraq as 1955, and he took her to the Plaza Theatre in has twice held the PGA championship and a Troop Commander to the 3rd Armored Cav- Paterson on their first date. Christine was in- today ascends to new heights with the 80- alry Regiment. Their daughter Ami may have doctrinated into the family business on their year-old, biennial summit of sports. Here, Eu- started a family tradition when she got married second date, which was to a church so John rope’s best golfers will compete against Amer- earlier this year in the same Fort Benning could check the organ. They married eleven ica’s greatest, not for personal wealth but for chapel where her parents tied the knot. months after meeting and had a dynamic, the spirit of competition. More than three mil- The American people owe the spontaneous, loving marriage of fifty-two lion dollars will be donated to charity on behalf Wojdakowskis a debt of gratitude for a lifetime years. of the Ryder Cup.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:02 Sep 18, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17SE8.009 E17SEPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with REMARKS E1818 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 17, 2008 Among the 12 American players, I proudly Had I been present, I would have voted PERSONAL EXPLANATION welcome home two Kentuckians, Kenny Perry ‘‘yea.’’ and JB Holmes. I know they, along with their HON. AL GREEN other American teammates, will represent our f OF country well. SUPPORTING THE SECOND AMEND- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring MENT RIGHTS OF DISTRICT OF Wednesday, September 17, 2008 the Ryder Cup and the people of Louisville COLUMBIA RESIDENTS who overcome adversity this week to host one Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, of the world’s greatest sports traditions. I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote 598 on September 16, 2008. Had I been f HON. DARRELL E. ISSA OF present, I would have voted ‘‘nay.’’ TRIBUTE TO LONGTIME WIRE- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f GRASS BROADCASTER, HOWARD PARRISH, JR. Wednesday, September 17, 2008 INTRODUCTION OF MANIILAQ Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I am pleased ASSOCIATION ACT HON. TERRY EVERETT that the House of Representatives has voted HON. DON YOUNG OF ALABAMA to hold the District of Columbia accountable OF ALASKA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for violating the civil rights of D.C. residents for decades. Making the District adhere to the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Constitution now is better than waiting 180 Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Mr. EVERETT. Madam Speaker, I rise to days. Once the District comes into compliance Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I pay tribute to longtime Wiregrass broadcaster with the Supreme Court decision, D.C. resi- am pleased to introduce legislation today and servant of his community, Mr. Howard dents will finally be able to defend themselves which will transfer property from the Depart- Parrish, Jr., of Ozark, Alabama, who passed against armed criminals. The District’s anti- ment of Health and Human Services to the away July 28 at the age of 82. gun law created a bastion for crime. Our ac- Maniilaq Association in Kotzebue, Alaska. This At the same time that local radio established tion here today puts D.C. residents first and transfer would occur through the Indian Health itself as a vital link between rural America and criminals second. Service, the current owners of the properties. the world, Parrish became a familiar and trust- Since 1995, Maniilaq Association, a Native ed voice for Ozark, Alabama listeners. f non-profit entity in Kotzebue, Alaska has car- A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, a PERSONAL EXPLANATION ried out a comprehensive health care delivery graduate of Georgia Southern and a native of program to residents in Kotzebue, Alaska and Atlanta, he moved to southeast Alabama in the Northwest Arctic Borough. They have car- 1955, leaving the growing Atlanta radio scene HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN ried out these responsibilities under the Alaska and that city’s first commercial FM station to OF MAINE Tribal Health Compact and Funding Agree- help run the relatively new broadcast station in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment negotiated annually with the Indian Ozark, WOZK, 900 AM. Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Health Service. These agreements give To his many Dale County listeners, Howard Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, on September Maniilaq Association the right to acquire title to was the voice of WOZK. But he was much all federal property that they have utilized to more than a friendly announcer. He was gen- 15, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from the House. provide these health care services. eral manager, sales manager and chief engi- Currently, the Indian Health Service owns If I had been present, I would have voted neer for WOZK and its FM counterpart, the properties that Maniilaq Association uses ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall vote No. 591, a motion by Mr. WOAB, for the better part of 45 years. to carry out its health care delivery services. SCOTT of Virginia to suspend the rules and Parrish likely delivered over 16,000 news- While there is an administrative process in pass H.R. 6889, a bill to extend the authority casts over the Ozark airwaves during his ten- place for them to acquire these properties, the of the Secretary of Education to purchase ure at WOZK and WOAB-FM. Despite his con- process is cumbersome and sometimes may guaranteed student loans for an additional tinual Ozark broadcast duties, he also found take years to accomplish the goal of acquiring year, and for other purposes. time to construct radio station WELB in neigh- these properties. Thus, Maniilaq Association is I ask unanimous consent that this statement boring Elba in 1959 and he served as general asking for legislation to acquire the properties be inserted in the appropriate place in the manager of WDHN-TV 18 in Dothan, Alabama listed in my legislation. RECORD. in the early 1970s, returning the struggling TV Madam Speaker, we are not setting a station to financial stability. He retired from f precedent with this legislation. Congress, in WOZK/WOAB and all local broadcasting in the past, has enacted legislation which trans- 2002. HONORING JESSE ANDERSON fers excess government properties to non- Parrish leaves a long legacy of community profits such as Maniilaq Association. service, both on the air and through vol- My legislation would authorize the Secretary unteerism. Parrish was an active member of HON. SAM GRAVES OF MISSOURI of the Health and Human Services, through the Ozark Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and was the Indian Health Service, to transfer to the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a charter member of the local Civitan Club. Maniilaq Association by a warranty deed to a Parrish was one of the Wiregrass’s longest Wednesday, September 17, 2008 number of parcels of land legally described in serving broadcasters and he shared a great Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly my legislation. love for communications. He was also well pause to recognize Jesse Anderson of Grain I am pleased to introduce this legislation on known in local amateur radio circles for his de- Valley, Missouri. Jesse is a very special young behalf of Maniilaq Association to allow them to votion to the hobby. He was a licensed radio man who has exemplified the finest qualities continue with their health care delivery pro- amateur, W4IEO, for over 65 years. of citizenship and leadership by taking an ac- grams and to provide better services to their I wish to extend my condolences to his wife, tive part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop patients and residents of the Northwest Arctic Jane, and his children and grandchildren for 1246, and earning the most prestigious award Borough. their loss. Ozark’s long-time ‘‘voice’’ may now of Eagle Scout. f be silent, but he will be long remembered. Jesse has been very active with his troop, PERSONAL EXPLANATION f participating in many scout activities. Over the PERSONAL EXPLANATION many years Jesse has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous HON. JERROLD NADLER OF NEW YORK merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- HON. CANDICE S. MILLER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ily, peers, and community. OF MICHIGAN Wednesday, September 17, 2008 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jesse Anderson for his ac- Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, due to offi- Wednesday, September 17, 2008 complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- cial business in New York related to the anni- Mrs. MILLER of Mighigan. Madam Speaker, ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the versary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist at- on rollcall No. 598, I was unavoidably delayed. highest distinction of Eagle Scout. tacks, I was unable to travel to Washington,

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