March 12, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 4059 STACEY ELLIOTT PERSONAL EXPLANATION women to enter the professional workforce as legal experts. Similarly, Lucy Brewer, the first HON. SAM GRAVES HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL woman marine (1812), inspired her prede- OF ARIZONA cessors to defend their Nation with pride and OF MISSOURI valor. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES These women and many others are legends Wednesday, March 12, 2008 today. Therefore, it is essential that all Ameri- Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, due to cans acknowledge and celebrate the contribu- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly family obligations in Arizona that required my tions of women throughout our Nation’s his- pause to recognize Stacey Elliott of Liberty, attention, I missed the following votes and had tory. In addition, as America’s arms stretch out Missouri. Stacey is a very special young I been present, I would have voted against across the seas, we must honor women in the woman who has exemplified the finest quali- rollcall vote No. 111, the Motion to Adjourn; international community that have challenged, ties of citizenship and leadership by taking an rollcall vote No. 112, the Motion to Adjourn; changed and improved the condition of active part in the Girl Scouts of America, and rollcall vote No. 113, the Motion to Adjourn; women and others in their native countries. earning the most prestigious award of Girl and rollcall vote No. 114, the Motion to Ad- That is why on March 8, 2008, America cele- Scout Gold Award. journ. brated International Women’s Day. I urge my colleagues and all Americans to Stacey has been very active with her troop, I would have voted in favor of rollcall vote No. 115, H. Res. 924; rollcall vote No. 116, commemorate women for their contributions to participating in many scout activities. In order the advancement of our great Nation. to receive the prestigious Gold Award, Stacey the Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling has completed all seven requirements that of the Chair; rollcall vote No. 117, the Vote to f promote community service, personal and Override the President’s Veto of H.R. 2082; RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVER- spiritual growth, positive values and leadership rollcall vote No. 118, H. Res. 948; and rollcall SARY OF THE EUROPEAN PAR- skills. vote No. 119, H. Res. 493. LIAMENT Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join I would have voted againat rollcall vote No. me in commending Stacey Elliott for her ac- 120, the Motion To Adjourn. HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN I would have voted in favor of rollcall vote complishments with the Girl Scouts of America OF CALIFORNIA No. 121, on Ordering the Previous Question; and for her efforts put forth in achieving the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES highest distinction of Girl Scouts Gold Award. rollcall vote No. 122, H. Res. 1031; and rollcall vote No. 123, the Motion to Adjourn. Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today f f to call to the attention of my colleagues the IN COMMEMORATION OF WOMEN’S TRIBUTE TO THE WURZER FAMILY 50th anniversary of the European Par- HISTORY MONTH liament—the legislative body of the European Union. It is a great pleasure to celebrate this HON. TOM LATHAM HON. AL GREEN very special day in the history of the European OF IOWA OF TEXAS Union. Seldom in so short a period as 50 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES years do we have the opportunity to witness Wednesday, March 12, 2008 the birth and evolution of such an important Wednesday, March 12, 2008 democratic institution. Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today In the 25 years that I have served as a I wish to commemorate the month of March to congratulate and recognize Duane, Joann, Member of the United States Congress, the 2008 as Women’s History Month in honor of Kelli, Staci, Amy, Brooke and Andy Wurzer of European Parliament has undergone a dra- the female trailblazers and unsung heroes in Chickasaw County, Iowa for being named the matic transformation. It began as an institution American history. 2007 Outstanding 4–11 Family. whose members were appointed by national Historically, women have contributed signifi- parliaments, and it played a minor role in the Duane has been involved with the local 4– cantly to the greatness of our Nation. Amer- policy-making process. Today. the European 11 club by coaching softball, conducting serv- ican women from diverse origins have trans- Parliament is a truly democratic legislature ice projects and helping with livestock formed and revolutionized politics, law, busi- whose members are elected by the popular projects. Joann has been a leader of the ness, social service, civil rights, education, vote of the people in all member states of the Lawler Lassies and Lads club for 16 years. All music, athletics, science and technology, as European Union. Furthermore, it has a key five of their children started in 4–11 as Little well as the military. Together, their dedication, role in approving the members of the Euro- Clovers in the second grade. They have all perseverance and courage has generated a pean Commission and in adopting the EU held various leadership positions, earned wave of opportunities for entire generations of budget. As the United States Congress, the awards for their efforts in a variety of areas, women. The contributions of notable women European Parliament also has significant re- volunteered in numerous service projects and such as Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Har- sponsibility for conducting oversight of EU ex- have had many projects selected at the Iowa riet Tubman, Dorothy Height, Coretta Scott ecutive governmental institutions. State Fair. King, Sally Ride and many others have Madam Speaker, the first half of the 20th 4–H’s mission is to ‘‘empower youth to sparked an unstoppable momentum for wom- century was marked by two bloody World reach their full potential, working and learning en’s rights and others. Wars that devastated the European continent in partnership with caring adults.’’ Duane and In government, trailblazers such as Hattie and produced deep divisions between Euro- Joann have been compassionate adults who Wyatt Caraway, the first woman elected to the pean countries. World War I produced sharp continue to strive to empower more children to U.S. Senate (1932), and Jeannette Rankin, national differences among the Europeans, reach their goals each day. As parents and the first woman in Congress (1917), paved the which continued to fester even after that war mentors they have touched the lives of many way for 16 female Senators and 70 female was concluded. At the end of World War II. children who have then gone on to inspire oth- Representatives to be elected to the 110th Europe was divided by the ‘‘Iron Curtain,’’ ers, to continue the cycle for generations to Congress, which is the highest number ever in which ideologically, and politically separated come. congressional history. More importantly, the the continent’s peoples. During the era of the I know that my colleagues in the United House of Representatives elected Nancy Cold War, the unification of the Western and States Congress join me in commending the Pelosi, the first woman to serve as the third Eastern Germany seemed like an impossible Wurzer family’s leadership and donation of most powerful official in America. In the legal dream let alone the unification of Western and time and talent for the benefit of Chickasaw sector, women such as Arabella Mansfield I astern Europe. however, the last half-century County’s youth. I consider it an honor to rep- Babb, the first woman admitted to the bar has seen the remarkable growth of an ever resent Duane, Joann, Kelli, Staci, Amy, (1869), and Belva Ann Lockwood, the first closer union of people and states. Brooke, and Andy Wurzer in Congress and I woman to practice law before the U.S. Su- Indeed, the success of the European Union wish them the best in their future endeavors. preme Court (1879), have opened doors for has produced significant changes in the make

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:00 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E12MR8.000 E12MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD 4060 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 12, 2008 up of Europe. The European Union began as RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE promote community service, personal and an institution for economic cooperation among LAURA HILL UPON BEING spiritual growth, positive values and leadership six Western European nations in 1951, but it NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR skills. has evoked into a political and economic BY THE SOUTHLAKE CHAMBER Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join union that now embraces 27 European na- OF COMMERCE me in commending Tamara Cash for her ac- complishments with the Girl Scouts of America tions, including 10 former communist states of HON. KENNY MARCHANT and for her efforts put forth in achieving the Central and Eastern Europe. The European highest distinction of Girl Scouts Gold Award. Union has brought peace, stability and pros- OF TEXAS f perity to almost 500 million people. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONORING SHEILA JOSEPH In 1951, Madam Speaker, the Treaty of Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Paris, which created the European Coal and Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise Steel Community provided a minor rule for a today to pay tribute to the Honorable Laura HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS OF NEW YORK Parliamentary Assembly. This body evolved Hill, a Southlake City Councilwoman, commu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and was institutionalized as the European Par- nity and civic leader, as recipient of the Citizen liamentary Assembly in the Treat of Rome that of the Year Award presented by the Southlake Wednesday, March 12, 2008 was signed seven years later. the Assembly Chamber of Commerce. Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today held its first meeting on March 19, 1951, Laura Hill has been a tireless public servant to recognize Sheila Joseph, a native New under the leadership of its first president and with a strong sense of stewardship to the en- Yorker, daughter of Haitian immigrant parents tire Southlake community. Ms. Hill’s public one of Europe’s great visionaries, Robert and raised in public housing, Ms. Joseph con- service truly speaks for itself. She is not only ducted her undergraduate studies at the Uni- Schuman. At that time the parliament was only a City Councilwoman, but the Founder and versity of California at Berkley where she dou- a consultative body composed of 142 mem- President of SPARKS (Students and Parents ble majored in psychology and legal studies, bers appointed by the national parliaments of Against Risks to Kids in Southlake), Co-found- with a minor in education, earning her Bach- the member states. The members conducted er and Vice President of the Southlake Angel elor of Arts degree in just three years. After their business in four official languages. Society, a member of the Southlake Historical graduating from Berkley in 1994, Sheila began In 1962, the body became the European Society, and a graduate of Southlake’s DPS her legal studies at Georgetown University Parliament, and in 1979, its members were Citizens Academy and Southlake’s fire rehab Law School in Washington, DC. While a stu- chosen for the first time through direct elec- team. Somehow, she finds additional time for dent at Georgetown, she worked as a student tions. Over time, treaty revisions have ex- involvement in numerous other community or- attorney handling juvenile delinquency cases ganizations, as well. panded the powers of the European Par- in the District of Columbia Superior Court. Of the many examples of Ms. Hill’s selfless Upon completing her legal studies in 1997, liament over legislation, the budget and execu- service, one story in particular stands out. Not Ms. Joseph returned to her native New York tive oversight. The European Parliament now long ago, a Southlake firefighter had a baby and spent the next four years working as an has 785 members who work in 23 official lan- with significant medical problems. Due to the attorney for indigent clients, first as a staff at- guages, and it represents the 492 million citi- high medical costs, the firefighter’s family was torney with the Neighborhood Defender Serv- zens of the 27 member states of the European struggling to keep up. Upon hearing about the ice of Harlem, then as a law guardian with Union. situation Laura immediately volunteered and The Children’s Law Center of New York. Madam Speaker, I am delighted that the created a fund raiser with her friends. The Based on her experiences as a law student United States House of Representatives has a event raised approximately $16,000 entirely and lawyer, she became increasingly frus- cooperative working relationship with the Euro- for the family of the Southlake firefighter. trated by the limitations of the law as an in- Whether it is creating fund raisers for those strument for empowering young people and pean Parliament. For the last three decades. in need, preserving the city’s history, solving communities. She determined that the best delegations of our respective legislatures have zoning problems, caring for the children in the long term course was to be an educator and met twice a year to discuss our common goals community, or volunteering for the city’s emer- have a positive impact on children and impov- and have endeavored to bring the United gency response team, Ms. Hill is always will- erished communities. States and the European Union ever closer to- ing to go above and beyond to serve her com- In 2001, Sheila Joseph applied for, and was gether. Currently this exchange—the Trans-At- munity. accepted into, the New York City Teaching lantic Legislators Dialog, TLD—is led on the I proudly commend the Honorable Laura Hill Fellows Program and taught math and science United States side by Chairwoman SHELLY for her tireless passion and commitment to the at P.S. 40 in Queens while earning a Master BERKLEY of Nevada and Vice Chairmen CLIFF betterment of Southlake, Texas. Many com- of Science degree in Elementary and Early STEARNS of Florida and JIM COSTA of munity members are grateful for her service Childhood Education from Queens College. In Californina. The European Parliament delega- and I congratulate her for receiving this pres- September 2004, Ms. Joseph began a one- tion is ably led by Jonathan Evans, a member tigious award. year residency with Building Excellent of the European Parliament from the United f Schools, a prestigious and rigorous Boston- Kingdom. based program that trains and supports aspir- TAMARA CASH ing charter school founders. She founded the Over the last half-century, Madam Speaker, East New York Preparatory Charter School in the United States has worked with our Euro- HON. SAM GRAVES August 2005. pean allies to promote democracy, the rule of OF MISSOURI East New York Prep, ENYP, opened its law, free market economies and human rights IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES doors to 100 kindergarten and first grade stu- dents in September 2006 to ensure that boys around the world. The 50th anniversary of the Wednesday, March 12, 2008 European Parliament provides an excellent oc- and girls growing up in East New York would casion for all of us to reflect upon our friend- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly have the same opportunity for a good life as ship with our colleagues in the European pause to recognize Tamara Cash of Kansas children in wealthier communities. ENYP’s City, Missouri. Tamara is a very special young Parliament and to celebrate with them this mission is to address the specific needs and woman who has exemplified the finest quali- challenges of children in East New York to en- successful trans-Atlantic cooperation. The rati- ties of citizenship and leadership by taking an sure that students achieve or exceed grade- fication of the Treaty of Lisbon and the par- active part in the Girl Scouts of America, and level mastery of academic content, knowledge liamentary elections in June 2009 should fur- earning the most prestigious award of Girl and skills. ther reinforce the European Parliament’s crit- Scout Gold Award. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize ical role in the European Union decision-mak- Tamara has been very active with her troop, Sheila Joseph and her impressive accomplish- ing process. I congratulate the European Par- participating in many scout activities. In order ments in academia. Her passion and concern liament on its first half-century and look for- to receive the prestigious Gold Award, Tamara for inner-city children’s educational needs is ward to continued collaboration in the future. has completed all seven requirements that noteworthy indeed.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:00 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR08\E12MR8.000 E12MR8 rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with BOUND RECORD