September 8, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 13 17979 in which we are engaged, and the im- ticed law in Richmond from 1945 to nasts at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance measurable pain that comes with so 1967, establishing himself as a formi- in West Des Moines, where she has been great a loss, I pray that Jon’s family dable trial lawyer representing crimi- training since she joined the facility at can find comfort in the words of the nal defendants as well as dozens of in- age 6. Her training and her strong com- prophet Isaiah who said: surance companies. mitment to the sport have propelled He will swallow up death in victory; and On August 30,1967, Judge Merhige was her to success in the series of competi- the Lord God will wipe away tears from off appointed U.S. District Court Judge for tions that led her to the Beijing Sum- all faces. the Eastern District of Virginia, Rich- mer Olympics. May God grant strength and peace to mond Division by President Lyndon B. In addition to her rigorous training those who mourn, and may God be with Johnson, serving as a Federal judge of up to 25 hours per week, she has also all of you, as I know He is with Jon. until 1998. In 1972, Judge Merhige or- excelled academically. She is now in f dered the desegregation of dozens of her junior year at Valley High School Virginia school districts. He considered in West Des Moines, and has been on NAMING OF U.S. COURTHOUSE IN the ‘‘A’’ Honor Roll. I believe very RICHMOND, VA himself to be a ‘‘strict constructionist’’ who went by the law as spelled out in strongly that promoting fitness and Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise precedents by the higher courts. In providing quality education are both today to speak on S. 2403, a bill to 1970, he ordered the University of Vir- key factors in ensuring that children name the new United States court- ginia to admit women. As evidence of have a bright and successful future. house in Richmond, VA, for two distin- Judge Merhige’s groundbreaking deci- Shawn Johnson is an inspiration to guished jurists and sons of VA. sions, he was given 24-hour protection Iowa’s young people to stay active, be Senator WEBB and I introduced this by Federal marshals due to repeated studious, do what they love, and follow bill together last year, and the bill threats of violence against him and his their dreams. passed the Senate on June 24, 2008. The family. His courage in the face of sig- I would like to congratulate Johnson House of Representatives is expected to nificant opposition of the times is a for bringing home four Olympic medals pass this bill tonight, with a minor testimony to his dedication to the rule and commend her for her outstanding technical change. It is my hope that of law. commitment to the sport of gym- the Senate will accept this minor As my colleagues may be aware, I nastics. I hope that she continues to modification and pass this bill when have worked to name the new court- pursue her passion and that we will see the legislation returns to the Senate house in Richmond for these two men her endearing smile and more of her tonight or early tomorrow. amazing performances in London in Our bill will recognize two of Vir- for several years. I am proud that the Virginia Congressional delegation, the 2012. ginia’s outstanding jurists: Spotswood f Robinson III and Robert Mehrige, Jr. Virginia Bar Association, the mayor of They were lawyers who throughout Richmond, and many others decided COMMENDING OLYMPIAN LOLO their careers adhered to the principle that the best way to honor both men JONES of ‘‘equal justice under law.’’ was to have them equally share the Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I The first, Spottswood William Robin- honor of having the courthouse so honor an Iowan who has courageously son, III, was born in Richmond, VA, on named. pursued her dreams through great ad- July 26, 1916. He attended Virginia With the ribbon cutting for this versity and who has displayed out- Union University and then the Howard grand facility tentatively set for Octo- standing character and grace through- University School of Law, graduating ber 17 of this year, I can think of no out her life. Lori ‘‘Lolo’’ Jones re- first in his class in 1939 and serving as better time than now to move this leg- cently returned from Beijing, where a member of the faculty until 1947. islation in honor of Spottswood Robin- she competed as a hurdler in the 2008 Judge Robinson was one of the core son and Robert Merhige. I thank the Olympic Games. Lolo made us all very attorneys of the NAACP Legal Defense committee for the consideration of this proud as she represented the United and Educational Fund from 1948 to 1960, bill and look forward to working with States in Beijing. Although she did not achieving national prominence in the my colleagues in seeking its passage. come away from Beijing with a medal, legal community with his representa- f she realized her dream of competing in tion of the Virginia plaintiffs in the COMMENDING OLYMPIAN SHAWN the Olympics and was a model of 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. MACHEL JOHNSON athleticism, sportsmanship, and deter- Board of Education. Brown outlawed mination. public school segregation declaring Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I Lolo has had seemingly limitless en- ‘‘separate but equal’’ schools unconsti- honor an Iowan who has shown tremen- ergy, a positive attitude and an intense tutional. dous strength of spirit, as well as a focus on running since she was a child. In 1964, Judge Robinson became the fierce determination and world-class It is these characteristics that have al- first African American to be appointed talent. Olympic gymnast Shawn lowed her to overcome what many to the U.S. District Court for the Dis- Machel Johnson has been and con- would consider to be challenging cir- trict of Columbia and, in 1966, Presi- tinues to be a model of character and cumstances, including the fact that her dent Johnson appointed Judge Robin- fitness, as well as a source of inspira- family relocated frequently throughout son the first African American to the tion for all Americans. her childhood. United States Court of Appeals for the Shawn recently returned from Bei- As a student at Roosevelt High District of Columbia Circuit. Finally, jing, where she made us all very proud, School in Des Moines, she excelled at on May 7, 1981, Judge Robinson became competing in the 2008 Olympics and running as well as academics. After the first African American to serve as winning one gold and three silver med- graduating from Roosevelt, Lolo be- chief judge of the District of Columbia als. The gold medal was for her per- came the first in her family to attend Circuit. formance in the balance beam finals, college when she enrolled at Louisiana Our second jurist, Judge Robert R. while the silver medals were for the State University, where she excelled on Merhige, Jr., was born in 1919 and later team competition, the women’s all- the LSU track team. She graduated attended High Point College in North around, and the floor individual finals. with an economics degree and a minor Carolina. He subsequently earned his Since Johnson was 3 years old, she in Spanish, yet deferred seeking a ca- law degree from the T.C. Williams has exhibited a love for gymnastics, reer in her field of study, determined to School of Law at the University of and received constant support and en- pursue her running career instead. She Richmond, from which he graduated at couragement from her parents Teri and worked part-time jobs to support her- the top of his class in 1942. Doug Johnson, and coaches Liang Qiao self and to have free time to travel for From 1942 to 1945, Judge Merhige and Liwen Zhuang. She is greatly ad- competitions. After missing an oppor- served in the U.S. Air Force, he prac- mired and respected by her fellow gym- tunity to compete in Athens in 2004,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 10:00 Mar 16, 2011 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR08\S08SE8.000 S08SE8 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD 17980 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 13 September 8, 2008 her former LSU coach persuaded spon- cluded Trisha Moise, Tiia Groden, casted in high definition and is acces- sors to recognize Lolo’s great poten- Gabbie Whitney, John Pleasants, Dan sible from mobile devices across Michi- tial, allowing her to devote herself to Tracy, John Coletta, Nick Oliveira, gan. Listeners can tune in to program- becoming a world-class professional Nick Montecalvo, Ryan Zins, Cam ming from National Public Radio, Pub- athlete. Burns, Matt Petrarca, Mark Sullivan, lic Radio International, and the BBC, Competing in and winning many Valentina Szlashta, Michael as well as local programs, such as the races around the world in the years Commendatore, Alex Schlageter, Sean Environment Report and Jack leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olym- Walsh, Kevin Cronin, Molly B. Allen, Lessenberry’s Essays and Interviews. pics, Lolo became a highly respected Katie Ryan, Emily Maher, Colin Whit- WUOM has been the recipient of athlete, not only for her performances, ney, Ashley Smith, Stephen many awards throughout its history. In but for her exemplary sportsmanship Zukauskas, JR McKenzie, and Michael the past year alone, Michigan Radio and generosity. Gebhart. Faculty and staff included has earned more than 30 awards. The And, through it all, Lolo never forgot Thomas Haynes, Elissa Cerros, Mar- most notable was the 2008 National Ed- where she began her journey. She re- garet Hayes, and David Cabral. ward R. Murrow Award for Best News Documentary, which was awarded for turned to Roosevelt High School ear- f lier this year to make a donation for ‘‘Ashes to Hope: Overcoming the De- improvements to the track, and also RECOGNIZING THE 60TH troit Riots.’’ for new shoes and equipment for the ANNIVERSARY OF WUOM-FM Michigan Radio has forged an impres- track team. She also donated winnings Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, it is with sive reputation for quality program- from a recent race to a victim of the pleasure that I, along with my Michi- ming, public service, and integrity. It flooding that ravaged Iowa this spring. gan colleague, Senator STABENOW, con- is in this spirit that we know our Sen- I salute Lolo Jones for her extraor- gratulate WUOM-FM on 60 years of ate colleagues join us in congratu- dinary discipline and hard work, for successful broadcasting. Over the past lating each individual who has contrib- her determination to improve and six decades, WUOM-FM, the University uted to the success of WUOM-FM over excel as an athlete, and also for her of Michigan’s flagship public radio sta- the past 60 years, dedicating endless grace, generosity, and strength of char- tion, has become a fixture in public hours, energy, and hard work in pur- acter. She has been, and will continue broadcasting, distinguishing itself suit of excellence in public broad- to be, a wonderful role model for all through the breath and depth of its casting. I wish them another 60 years athletes and for all young people seek- programming and through its unwaver- of outstanding achievement. ing to excel in their field. I congratu- ing dedication and service to its many f late her on all of her achievements and listeners throughout southeastern IDAHOANS SPEAK OUT ON HIGH on realizing her dream of competing in Michigan. ENERGY PRICES Since its inception as a small radio the Olympics. I hope and expect that Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, in mid- station broadcasting in the Ann Arbor we will see Lolo again in London in June, I asked Idahoans to share with area, WUOM-FM has been a consistent 2012, this time hurdling her way toward me how high energy prices are affect- and important voice in public radio in Olympic gold. ing their lives, and they responded by Michigan. In 1950, WUOM broadcasted f the hundreds. The stories, numbering its first Michigan Football game, a tra- over 1,000, are heartbreaking and RECOGNIZING THE LA SALLE dition it would enjoy for the next 50 touching. To respect their efforts, I am ACADEMY PLAYERS years, and in 1958, it broadcasted its submitting every e-mail sent to me Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I first Detroit Symphony Orchestra per- through an email address set up for recognize the achievement of the La formance from the Ford Auditorium. these stories to the CONGRESSIONAL Salle Academy Players, the theater Two years later, Michigan Radio broad- RECORD. This is not an issue that will troupe from my high school alma casted Senator John F. Kennedy’s fa- be easily resolved, but it is one that de- mater, which recently gave four per- mous campaign speech at the Univer- serves immediate and serious atten- formances of ‘‘The Scottish Play: Mac- sity of Michigan, where he spoke about tion, and Idahoans deserve to be heard. beth’’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Fes- public service as a responsibility of Their stories not only detail their tival. This prestigious event, the freedom, a speech that helped to bring struggles to meet everyday expenses, world’s largest arts festival, is held an- about the creation of the Peace Corps. but also have suggestions and rec- nually in Scotland. In 1971, WUOM joined National Public ommendations as to what Congress can The La Salle Players were one of Radio and became one of the first radio do now to tackle this problem and find only 43 high school troupes chosen to stations to air ‘‘All Things Consid- solutions that last beyond today. I ask perform from among hundreds of high ered’’. unanimous consent to have today’s let- school drama programs by the Amer- WUOM has grown and evolved since ters printed in the RECORD. ican High School Theatre Festival. La its first public broadcast on July 5, There being no objection, the mate- Salle Academy was the first Rhode Is- 1948. Today, Michigan Radio, which in- rial was ordered to be printed in the land private high school and only the cludes WUOM, WVGR and WFUM, RECORD, as follows: second Rhode Island high school to broadcasts from Ann Arbor, Grand Priority: Explore in this country for oil have been selected in the 14 years that Rapids, and Flint, respectively, and en- How do high fuel prices affect me and my the American High School Theatre joys the largest listening audience of family? We do not travel nearly as much as Festival has participated in the Fringe any public radio station in the State before. I am telecommuting one day a week. Festival. and is among the leaders nationally. We have cut out all spending except the bare I am especially pleased to share that, Michigan Radio’s programming format essentials. We are worried about losing jobs as the economy continues to collapse. by all reports, the young men and changed from classical music to a news I have no doubt that the fuel prices will women of the La Salle Players con- and information format in 1996. With continue to increase as the extremists in ducted themselves with great talent this change one thing has remained the this country continue to sabotage efforts to and poise, representing both their same: the superb quality of each and tap local fuel sources. They are diligent in school and their country with distinc- every broadcast segment. With more their efforts to slowly undermine and de- tion. than 400,000 listeners tuning in each stroy this country. Unfortunately, there is I want to individually recognize the week, Michigan Radio has become an no hope that they will be stopped. I am doing cast and crew, faculty, and staff, who what I can to not spend as much on fuel, important source of news and informa- such as using a wood stove for heat in the were instrumental to this effort: tion about local, state, national and winter. Of course, the natural gas-fired fur- Brother Michael McKenery, the presi- world affairs for the listening public. naces are cleaner-burning, but the extrem- dent of La Salle Academy, served as As technology has evolved, so has ists do not consider that when they ban min- producer. The student cast and crew in- Michigan Radio. Today, it is broad- ing for gas and oil and, in a roundabout way,

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