E288 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 10, 2020 many local organizations, including being youth are encouraged to establish their own PERSONAL EXPLANATION named the 2018 Farmington Women’s Club programs such as Girl Empowerment Day, ca- Woman of the Year. reer night and college information night. In HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO On behalf of my constituents in New Hamp- 2016, youth skateboarders from the Fire OF OREGON shire’s First Congressional District, I want to House worked with Los Angeles County and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES thank Kathy for her decades of service to our designed their own skate park at Crescenta community. I congratulate her again on her in- Valley Park. Tuesday, March 10, 2020 credible career and this well-deserved honor, In addition, Mary also serves on the Mr. DEFAZIO. Madam Speaker, on March 9, and I thank her for all that she has done to Crescenta Valley Prayer Breakfast Committee I was unable to be present and missed the fol- make our state such a wonderful place to and Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council Board, lowing votes due to my attendance at the learn, live, and grow. and helped create the local community news- Transportation Trades Department Executive f paper, the Crescenta Valley Weekly, where Committee Meeting on official duties. If she oversees a staff of reporters who write for present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call PERSONAL EXPLANATION the newspaper, while being a main contrib- No. 91, and YEA on Roll Call No. 92. uting writer herself on in-depth stories. f HON. GWEN MOORE A devoted wife and mother, Mary and her RECOGNIZING THE INAUGURAL OF WISCONSIN husband Mark have three children: Charly, HEALTH LAW WEEK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Molly and Jessy. I ask all Members to join me in honoring this Tuesday, March 10, 2020 HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON exceptional, well-respected woman of Califor- OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, on March 9, nia’s 28th Congressional District, Mary 2020, I missed Roll Call votes 91 and 92. Had O’Keefe. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I been present, I would have voted YEA on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 both measures. f Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today f to recognize the inaugural ‘‘Health Law PERSONAL EXPLANATION Week,’’ a week-long series of events cele- TRIBUTE TO MARY O’KEEFE—28TH brating the health law profession by high- CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS lighting programs that create new opportuni- WOMAN OF THE YEAR ties for entry into the profession, showcasing OF WASHINGTON organizations and firms dedicated to employ- HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing these professionals and elevating this OF CALIFORNIA Tuesday, March 10, 2020 community’s contributions to the health care industry. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Sponsored by the American Health Law As- Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Speaker, last Thursday, I missed the vote se- sociation, Health Law Week will take place Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today ries in order to travel back to WA with the this year from April 27 through May 1, with re- in honor of Women’s History Month. Each state delegation and VP PENCE to visit the WA ceptions hosted in Los Angeles, California, year, we pay special tribute to the contribu- State Emergency Operations Center for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, St. Louis, Mis- tions and sacrifices made by our nation’s coronavirus response. souri, and, of course, Washington, D.C., women. It is an honor to pay homage to out- Had I been present, I would have voted where the American Health Law Association standing women who are making a difference YEA on Roll Call No. 87; YEA on Roll Call No. has resided for over 50 years. Additional com- in my Congressional District. I would like to 88; YEA on Roll Call No. 89; and NAY on Roll munity events will also take place across the recognize a remarkable woman, Mary O’Keefe Call No. 90. nation in celebration of the health law profes- sional. of La Crescenta, California. With the landscape continuing to shift Mary O’Keefe is an esteemed community f around delivery of care in the United States volunteer and reporter for the Crescenta Val- CHRISTOPHER LUCIANO healthcare system, health law professionals ley Weekly, and her contributions, both per- are at the center, providing analysis, assess- sonal and professional, have positively im- ing risk, ensuring compliance and making rec- pacted the lives of many people in the greater HON. ED PERLMUTTER ommendations to organizations and clients to La Crescenta community. OF COLORADO protect them from liability. They are a stabi- A consummate volunteer, Ms. O’Keefe’s IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lizing force within the industry, and we should contributions to her community date back to celebrate and champion these professionals. being a Girl Scouts troop leader when her Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Health Law Week not only serves to cele- daughters were young. As an enthusiastic brate the health law profession, but it also rec- Parent Teacher Association (PTA) member Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Christopher ognizes the rich history of health care delivery and room mom, she quickly became known as in our nation. In 1965, Medicare was enacted a sought-after volunteer for whatever events Luciano for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. as Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, pro- and activities the PTA was planning. When viding federally funded and administered Christopher Luciano is a student at Drake her son was attending high school, Mary be- health insurance coverage for the elderly Middle School and received this award be- came a vital member of Prom Plus, a non- through Part A and Part B of the Act. Medicaid cause his determination and hard work have profit organization which holds a supervised was enacted at the same time as Title XIX of allowed him to overcome adversities. after-prom event for Crescenta Valley High the Social Security Act, creating a voluntary School seniors as well as their guests. When The dedication demonstrated by Christopher federal-state program of medical assistance to her daughter voiced interest in establishing a Luciano is exemplary of the type of achieve- the indigent and so began the need for health youth arm, Prom Plus Club, she became the ment that can be attained with hard work and law professionals. club’s mentor and oversaw hundreds of stu- perseverance. It is essential students at all Today, the American Health Law Associa- dents as they implemented volunteer tasks in levels strive to make the most of their edu- tion helps educate and connect over 60,000 the community and helped create the scholar- cation and develop a work ethic which will health law professionals across the country, ship program for members of the Prom Plus guide them for the rest of their lives. with over 6,000 of them residing here in the Club. Ms. O’Keefe remains active in both I extend my deepest congratulations to District of Columbia metropolitan area. Prom Plus and Prom Plus Club to this day. Christopher Luciano for winning the Arvada Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the Mary founded the Fire House Youth Center Wheat Ridge Service Ambassador for Youth House of Representative to join me in recog- in La Crescenta, which welcomes youth to award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the nizing Health Law Week and acknowledge the congregate and spend time with each other in same dedication and character in all of his fu- impact and contributions of the health law pro- a safe place. Under Ms. O’Keefe’s mentorship, ture accomplishments. fession on the nation’s healthcare system.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:44 Mar 11, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10MR8.005 E10MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS March 10, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E289 TRIBUTE TO SUSANA REYES—28TH nia’s 28th Congressional District, Susana Maerz for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Reyes. Service Ambassadors for Youth award. WOMAN OF THE YEAR f Christian Maerz is a student at Drake Mid- dle School and received this award because YOUTH, PEACE, AND SECURITY his determination and hard work have allowed HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF ACT OF CALIFORNIA him to overcome adversities. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The dedication demonstrated by Christian HON. GRACE MENG Maerz is exemplary of the type of achieve- Tuesday, March 10, 2020 OF NEW YORK ment that can be attained with hard work and Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES perseverance. It is essential students at all in honor of Women’s History Month. Each Tuesday, March 10, 2020 levels strive to make the most of their edu- year, we pay special tribute to the contribu- cation and develop a work ethic which will tions and sacrifices made by our nation’s Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Youth, guide them for the rest of their lives. women. It is an honor to pay homage to out- I extend my deepest congratulations to standing women who are making a difference Peace, and Security Act, the first comprehen- sive legislation that would prioritize the inclu- Christian Maerz for winning the Arvada Wheat in my Congressional District. I would like to Ridge Service Ambassador for Youth award. I recognize a remarkable woman, Susana sion of youth in conflict resolution. There are more than 1.8 billion youth in the have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedica- Reyes of Glendale, California. tion and character in all of his future accom- Susana graduated magna cum laude from world. Whether here in the U.S. or abroad, youth populations have long been at the fore- plishments. Saint Paul College with a degree in Commu- f nications. She earned a Civic Engagement front of building peace in their communities by Leadership and Management certification from creating youth-led movements, organizations, RECOGNIZING HOWARD the University of California, Los Angeles and networks to mitigate negative effects of BLACKBURN (UCLA) Anderson School of Management and conflict and to prevent recurring cycles of vio- a Government Purchasing and Contract Ad- lence. Inclusive peace processes are proven to more holistically address the root causes of HON. VIRGINIA FOXX ministration credential from George Wash- OF NORTH CAROLINA ington University. violence and lead to more sustainable peace. Not only is it important to include youth in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Susana Reyes has dedicated her life to conflict resolution for the sake of inclusivity, it working on issues that impact the environ- Tuesday, March 10, 2020 has also been proven to lead to more sustain- ment, both in her personal life and profes- Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam able peace. For example, Somali Youth Learn- sional career. As a Sierra Club leader and ac- Speaker, I rise to recognize the late Howard ers Initiative (‘‘SYLI’’) was created to improve tivist, she is an advocate for the greater Los Blackburn of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina Somali youths’ access to education and to Angeles community in environmental justice for his recent induction into the Wilkes County promote civic engagement. After learning lead- issues. Ms. Reyes supported the successful Agricultural Hall of Fame. ership and nonviolent conflict resolution skills battle against a large residential development Howard Blackburn epitomized a life of ex- through the program, the students were able in the Verdugo Mountains of Glendale and cellence and service. He served in the military to implement their own youth-led community helped pause the Glendale gas plant expan- during World War Two and the Korean war. projects and communicate effectively with poli- sion in favor of exploring clean energy alter- Howard Blackburn influenced thousands of ticians about policies that impact youth. Youth natives. She was the Political Chair of the Si- lives through his leadership in education and who gained access to improved secondary erra Club Angeles Chapter, a member of their agriculture. Through his work at Wilkes Com- school and civic engagement opportunities National Political Team, and served on the Si- munity College, where he served as director of through SYLI and the community projects erra Club’s Political Action Committee. Susana the life sciences program, Mr. Blackburn were 65 percent less likely to demonstrate was an elected member of the Sierra Club Na- helped thousands of students develop farming moral or material support for political violence. tional Board of Directors where she served as skills. My bill will codify the roles of a Youth Coor- Vice President, was elected to the Board’s Ex- Howard Blackburn is perhaps best known dinator at USAID and Youth Points of Contact ecutive Committee and currently is the na- throughout Wilkes County for his contributions in relevant bureaus; integrate youth consulta- tional volunteer co-lead for the Clean Trans- to beekeeping. He helped found the Bee- tion into program design; and provide financial portation for All campaign. In addition to her keepers of Wilkes, and personally served as and technical assistance to youth-led initia- service with the Sierra Club, in 2019, she was an instructor and mentor for decades. He tives in pursuit of conflict resolution and appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti helped many, many other people understand peacebuilding. to the Board of Commissioners of the Los An- The Youth, Peace, and Security Act is a the importance of bees to our lives. He always geles Department of Water and Power once-in-a-generation shift in U.S. foreign pol- maintained the highest standards of meticu- (LADWP) making her the first Filipino-Amer- icy that would bring youth voices to the table lous conduct and expected others to strive to ican LADWP Commissioner. in conflicts around the world. In countries fac- the same level of excellence. Howard Black- Ms. Reyes is the founder and CEO of ing conflict, it will be the young people who burn is a shining example of service that we AgilEngines LLC, a consulting and advocacy will bear the burden of sustaining peace over should all seek to emulate. firm with a focus on civic engagement strate- generations, leading their society from rec- f gies and community outreach. Prior to this, onciliation to prosperity. SALUTING THE EXTRAORDINARY she was a Senior Sustainability Analyst at the I am thrilled to be joined in leading this bill Los Angeles Mayor’s office, where she played CAREER OF MIKE STANFORD by my colleagues, Representatives SUSAN an essential role in launching the first Sustain- BROOKS, DEAN PHILLIPS, and JOHN CURTIS, able City Plan and was responsible for secur- and am grateful to our other colleagues who HON. JOHN R. CARTER ing a $1.7 million grant from the California Air have supported this introduction. My bill is OF TEXAS Resources Board for the first-ever electric car also endorsed by over 35 non-governmental IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES share program specifically designated for low- organizations. I urge the House of Represent- Tuesday, March 10, 2020 income communities. Previous positions also atives to join me in passing this important leg- Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Speaker, I include serving as Manager of the City of Los islation. Angeles Facilities Recycling Program and salute the extraordinary career of Mike Stan- Human Resources Director at the LADWP. f ford as he retires from a lifetime of civic in- For her outstanding accomplishments, CHRISTIAN MAERZ volvement. Mike devoted nearly four decades Susana has received the City of Los Angeles of incredible service to communities through- Career Service Award, the Sierra Club Polit- HON. ED PERLMUTTER out the State of Texas through his career in ical Service Award, the Sierra Club Phil OF COLORADO the television industry. With his ‘‘what can I do to help?’’ spirit and high-minded vision, he’s Bernays Award, the Rotary Club Bay Area IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Women Leaders Award, and the Women in made Central Texas a model for child-focused Business Environmental Leader Award. Tuesday, March 10, 2020 community outreach. I ask all Members to join me in honoring this Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise A pillar of the Texas community, Mike has exceptional, well-respected woman of Califor- today to recognize and applaud Christian devoted years of selfless service to help those

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