September 21, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1611 to the reason why we were homeless. She ized for a month. She lost her job and we lost RECOGNIZING DR. TRACY VALLIER raised my sister and I as a single mother and our apartment. For a whole month I lived with had to work all the time while my sister baby friends; Friends who I was able to create HON. TOM McCLINTOCK sat me. bonds with because we were stable. After that OF CALIFORNIA We lived in Colorado for the first five years month, we had to move back into the shelter. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of my life, but I was born in San Antonio, My mother was told that she wouldn’t be able Friday, September 21, 2012 Texas. My mother and I, along with my older to work ever again. This news threw my moth- sister moved to San Antonio because it’s er into a depression because she knew that Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today where the rest of our family was. It wasn’t she could no longer support herself, much in recognition of Dr. Tracy Vallier. Dr. Vallier’s career as a Professor of Geol- even my mom’s idea to go to Colorado in the less her daughter. The shelter, once again, ogy at Indiana State University, Whitman Col- first place so the first chance we got to come helped us move into an apartment complex lege, Lewis-Clark State College, and Iowa back, we took. Growing up in San Antonio that wanted only a fraction of our total income, State University; as well as his experience was quite difficult. As soon as we arrived, my and helped us with transportation. Luckily, my mother asked a family member for a place to with Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Moss father had begun paying child support a few Landing Marine Laboratories and the US Geo- stay. She needed time to find a job for herself years earlier so we had an income. We lived and an elementary school for me. My sister logical Survey are all worthy of note. He has there for two and a half years, until I grad- doubtlessly passed his passion and hard- was old enough by this time to get her own uated from Thomas Jefferson High School, earned knowledge on to innumerable students job and begin living her own life, so that’s ex- ranked number 7 of my class. and colleagues. actly what she did. Eventually, the family of That summer, I left to attend Texas State Dr. Vallier has spent the last 50 years work- the family member we were staying with University. Moving from school to school made ing to explore, document and teach the geog- began to grow and my mother knew it was me slower than the other students because of raphy and geology of the Hells Canyon. The time to give them their own space back. We all the different teaching techniques I’d been canyon, which follows the route of the Snake felt somewhat intrusive, as we did for most of exposed to; some teachers even thought I River through Idaho and Oregon, is the deep- the others we stayed with. The people we was dyslexic. However, I made it all the way. est gorge in North America: at 7,993 feet stayed with usually already had their own fam- I plan to go so much further, too, because I’m deep, it dwarfs the Grand Canyon by nearly ily, but still had the heart to offer a whole room tired of being homeless. ‘‘Education is power’’ 2,000 feet. Hells Canyon is a breathtaking, to my mother and I. is my motto. Look at me now: ‘‘Only after two nearly-inaccessible American treasure that has My mother was great with keeping me in semesters of college, I’m influencing the deci- been over 300 million years in the making, school, but not so great at staying put in one sions of congressmen!’’ during which numerous geological processes place, or keeping a job. This sounds really ranging from volcanic uprisings, to the slow negative, but the reasons will explain why she A TRIBUTE TO PETTY OFFICER carving of the Snake River to cataclysmic gla- couldn’t keep a job. My mother found out that GREGORY GAYLOR cial floods have provided a landscape filled she was a diabetic when I was in the second with some of the most complex and inter- grade. The next school year, we found out HON. DAVE CAMP twined geology in North America. that I was also diabetic. She fell ill quite a bit, Dr. Vallier has dedicated the last half-cen- OF MICHIGAN and so did I. We were both new to this dis- tury to understanding this geologic master- ease, so we didn’t quite know how to control IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES piece. His colleagues tell us that he has prob- it like we do now. Most minimum wage jobs Friday, September 21, 2012 ably explored more geography of Hells Can- expect a doctors excuse if a day is missed. yon than any person alive. In his 50 years For my mother, that was difficult. She never Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay working in the Canyon, Dr. Vallier has led to learned how to drive, so we stuck to public tribute to Petty Officer Gregory Gaylor, an Ex- an understanding of not only the geologic his- transportation, but for a woman who is ill, pub- plosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician tory of the Canyon, but also of the regional lic transportation is just not safe. I remember with the United States Navy. Petty Officer tectonics of the Pacific Northwest. He has feeling so helpless knowing that my mother, Gaylor is being honored by the Navy at the shared this knowledge of the Canyon’s history, the woman who’d kept me healthy and up to USO annual gala this November as the 2012 native sites, flora and fauna, and ecology to date with shots and other records was sick USO Sailor of the Year. He is being recog- colleagues, students, and almost everyone he and I could do nothing. By the fifth grade, I’d nized for the steadfast determination and un- has met. Dr. Vallier is a born teacher and his been to seven elementary schools, and my wavering courage he displayed in saving the love and knowledge of the Canyon is passed mother had worked a handful of jobs. The last lives of his fellow soldiers and furthering the on to students and strangers alike. person we stayed with lived in the courts. U.S. mission in Afghanistan. John Wesley Powell, who is best known for They got evicted because we weren’t on their Perhaps the most notable aspect of Petty his pioneering study of the Grand Canyon, lease. We got someone kicked out of the Officer Gaylor’s service came when he said about his explorations: ‘‘We have an un- courts. After that event, my mother felt so low expertly led a three man EOD team during known distance yet to run, an unknown river and so bad about what we’d done. After that, combat operations in Afghanistan from De- to explore. What falls there are, we know not; she decided that it would be best if we were cember 2011 to June 2012, in which he was what rocks beset the channel, we know not; on our own instead of hurting others. responsible for locating and dismantling Impro- what walls ride over the river, we know not. We moved into the Dwyer Avenue Shelter vised Explosive Devices (IEDs), among other Ah, well! We may conjecture many things.’’ and I feel that was the best decision my moth- objectives. In April of 2012, Gaylor and his Without Powell, indeed we would have been er made. The shelter provided so much infor- team were fired upon by four separate ma- left for a long time with only conjecture as our mation about the services that were available chine gun positions, but with little regard for guide to the Grand Canyon. to us. They even offered my mom a job as re- his own safety he managed to clear a nearby In the same way Mr. Speaker, without Dr. ceptionist in the front office of the shelter. compound of explosive hazards and help Tracy Vallier, we would remain in the dark They helped us get in contact with Transpor- transport those wounded from the line of fire. about the wonders of Hells Canyon. As Dr. tation Services who provided school busses Overall, he located and destroyed four IEDs, Vallier continues his work in the Canyon for me to attend which ever school I was last faced six direct fire engagements, and trained today, it is my privilege to rise in recognition attending. Unfortunately, I had just moved up over 300 Afghan Commandos in Counter-IED of his many achievements and contributions to to junior high school so I attended yet another tactics and basic demolition techniques, which our nation. school, but I still felt more stable than I had aided in the autonomy of Afghan security f before. The Shelter case workers helped all of forces. COLORADO BIOBUSINESS the families who lived in the shelter find an The courageous and selfless actions of ACCELERATOR apartment complex in a really nice part of Petty Officer Gaylor are truly commendable town at an extremely discounted price. After and indicative of the skill, professionalism and HON. ED PERLMUTTER the lease was up, my mother had worked fortitude of the men and women of the United OF COLORADO enough as a receptionist that we could now States Navy. On behalf of the Fourth Congres- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES afford our own apartment. sional District, I congratulate Petty Officer After two and a half years of successfully Gaylor on achieving the USO Sailor of the Friday, September 21, 2012 staying on our feet, my mother fell ill. Her liver Year honor and thank him for his remarkable Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise had become inflamed and she was hospital- service to this great nation. today to recognize and applaud the grand

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:39 Sep 23, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K21SE8.008 E21SEPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1612 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 21, 2012 opening of the Biobusiness Accelerator, the HONORING THE DAKOTA JAZZ HONORING COL. ROBERT newest addition to the Fitzsimons Life Science CLUB FORTNAM, USAF (RET.) OF NEW District and the Anschutz Medical Campus of HAMPSHIRE Aurora. The 184-acre Fitzsimons Life Science Dis- HON. KEITH ELLISON HON. CHARLES F. BASS trict is adjacent to the Anschutz Medical Cam- OF NEW HAMPSHIRE OF MINNESOTA pus in Aurora, Colorado. This proximity en- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES courages commercial bioscience companies Friday, September 21, 2012 and academia to collaborate and share amen- ities. The current business Incubator opened Friday, September 21, 2012 Mr. BASS of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, in 2000, and already its 50+ bioscience start- I rise today to honor retired Air Force Colonel Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Robert Fortnam of Pembroke, a New Hamp- ups have created in excess of 600 jobs. honor of the Dakota Jazz Club for its contribu- When these start-ups have demonstrated vi- shire hero whose service and sacrifice during tion to the music industry and musical devel- ability as a commercial entity and received World War II is to be commended and remem- funding to enhance their growth, they graduate opment of the great state of Minnesota. bered. Mr. Fortnam is celebrating his 90th to the Accelerator environment for continued The Dakota Jazz Club opened in 1985 at birthday this year, and in his 90 years, he has growth. The work happening in these incuba- Bandana Square in St. Paul as a bar and res- seen and experienced more than most Ameri- tors and accelerators shows the innovation, taurant for local jazz performers. Since then it cans ever will in their lifetimes. Mr. Fortnam served as a B–17 co-pilot in risks and cooperation involved in building suc- has grown to a well-recognized institution fea- cessful small, medium and large businesses. the 305th Bombardment Group during World turing performances by a range of national art- War II. On October 8, 1943, his life changed The new Accelerator will be a valuable eco- ists. In 2003, the Club moved to its current nomic engine for Colorado’s bioscience indus- dramatically after his plane was shot down by home in Nicollet Mall in Downtown Min- a German F–190 fighter over the German bor- try, and I’m excited to see the creativity and neapolis. Its stage has hosted a multitude of innovative products developed right here in der. Mr. Fortnam landed the plane safely and nationally famous jazz musicians, including: Colorado. protected the lives of the 10 crew members on These are the kinds of businesses we need Ray Brown, McCoy Tyner, Toots Thielemans, board, but their luck would change when Ger- to encourage and to grow here in our state Joey DeFrancesco, Ahmad Jamal, Chucho man guards picked them up and sent them off and country. Valde´s, Benny Green, Joe Williams, Bobby to a POW camp in Poland, where Mr. Fortnam I extend my deepest congratulations and Hutcherson, Roy Haynes, Arturo Sandoval, spent the next 19 months of his life. best wishes to the Colorado BioBusiness Ac- Wallace Roney, Charles Lloyd, Roy Hargrove, After the war, Mr. Fortnam returned to the celerator, the Colorado Biosciences Associa- Nicholas Payton, Larry Coryell, Pat Martino, Granite State, where he graduated from the tion and all the startups and businesses in- Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Sonny Fortune, University of New Hampshire, became a me- chanical engineer, and continued to serve in volved in the opening of this new center. Frank Morgan, Zakir Hussain, Kurt Elling, the Reserves as a colonel until his retirement. f Joshua Redman, James Carter, Madeleine Mr. Fortnam still likes to fly once a week in a OVARIAN CANCER Peyroux, Regina Carter, Patricia Barber, Von Cessna Skyhawk and travel all over New Eng- Freeman, Billy Higgins and Charles Brown. land. HON. MARTHA ROBY The Dakota Jazz Club also operates the Mr. Speaker, stories like Mr. Fortnam’s reaf- firm my commitment to those who have OF ALABAMA Dakota Live Record Label, a label dedicated served and continue to serve our nation. We IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to capturing and distributing world class jazz from their legendary stage in Minnesota. all owe Mr. Fortnam and the brave men and Friday, September 21, 2012 Some of the noted artists that have recorded women of our armed forces a debt of gratitude that we can never truly repay, but we will con- Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in for the label are legendary jazz musicians Von tinue fighting for them as they have fought for support of House Resolution 773—the Recal- Freeman, Nachito Herrera, and Barvara Morri- us. citrant Cancer Research Act. son. The incredible team at the National Cancer New Hampshire citizens have long an- Institute has provided extraordinary research The Dakota Jazz Club’s passion for jazz ex- swered the call to service to our nation, and that has been vital to our ability to combat tends beyond hosting musical performances Mr. Fortnam represents the best of our state. cancer in all its forms. and contributing to the history of jazz at large. It is an honor to represent him in the United Still, research for the deadliest cancers— The Dakota Jazz Club has also taken it upon States Congress, and I wish him all the best called recalcitrant cancers—remains only a itself to ensure the future of jazz in Minnesota as he continues to share his incredible story of small portion of the Institute’s total funding. through their Dakota Foundation for Jazz Edu- service and sacrifice with us all. Recalcitrant cancers are defined by those cation. Started in 1997, the Foundation’s pur- f that average a less than fifty percent survival pose is: ‘‘Introducing young people to jazz and PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE rate beyond five years. helping them understand—and care about— OF TAIWAN It’s these cancers, which hide in hard-to-de- what they are hearing. We want to help young tect places, that can be the most dangerous people use jazz for self-expression and com- for victims and most painful for families. HON. BILL CASSIDY munication, and to experience the sheer OF LOUISIANA I know this to be true, Mr. Speaker, because IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES my dear friend from childhood, Mrs. Kathryn pleasure that comes from responding to its Elliot Williams, lost a grueling battle with ovar- challenges.’’ The Dakota Foundation for Jazz Friday, September 21, 2012 ian cancer earlier this year at the young age Education supports a variety of services in- Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to of 36. Elliot wasn’t just my friend. She was a cluding offering scholarships for a year of seri- recognize October 10 as a very special day loving wife, a nurturing mother, a daughter, a ous extra-curricular jazz study and perform- for the people of Taiwan. It is their National sister and a true servant of her Lord and her ance in partnership with the MacPhail Center Day. I join them in celebrating their continued neighbor. for Music, helping young musicians develop political freedom and democracy. Today the After Elliot passed away I came to this floor and hone their skills in jazz appreciation, pro- people of Taiwan determine their own destiny to memorialize her life. But I cannot think of a moting a wide variety of workshops, funding and government through free and fair elec- better way to honor her memory than for the the Youth Stage at the Twin Cities Jazz Fes- tions. Mr. Ma Ying-jeou won re-election as the Congress to do its part to ensure that more tival held each June in St. Paul, and recog- fifth freely elected president on January 14, women faced with this terrible disease have nizing outstanding educators in honor of Jane 2012. hope for the future. Matteson, the benefactor and cofounder of the The United States and Taiwan value human September, Ovarian Cancer Awareness rights, civil liberties, a free press and the rule Foundation. Month, is the most appropriate time to remind of law. Our shared values have produced a women young and old of the risks and ensure I commend the Dakota Jazz Club for all it strong and dependable friendship for the past that research for ovarian cancer and other re- has done for the Twin Cities, and I thank them century. Taiwan was one of the first countries calcitrant cancers will remain a priority for this for their dedication and service to music and to come to our aid after Hurricane Katrina rav- country. the community. aged my home state of Louisiana. They have

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