December 13, 2005 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 28169 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

PAYING TRIBUTE TO MARSHA for the difference that an individual Member Hundreds of young men and women seek- MCELLIGOTT can make in the lives of his or her constituents ing appointments to the nation’s military acad- by providing access to the halls of govern- emies also have Marsha to thank for their HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY ment. entry into these elite institutions. Marsha’s OF NEW YORK Like many of our longest-serving and most ability to coach these future leaders of our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dedicated staff, Marsha has been relatively armed forces successfully through the nomina- anonymous. Constituents may remember for Tuesday, December 13, 2005 tion process is worthy of great admiration and decades the name of the Member of Congress praise. Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to who helped them earn their citizenship, or get I could go on and on about her professional pay tribute to a dear member of my staff, Mar- their veterans’ benefits, or solve a problem accomplishments, but I want to close by say- sha McElligott, who will soon retire after nearly with the IRS, but they probably won’t remem- ing what she has meant to me personally. She 31 years of service to the House of Rep- ber the name of the staff member who helped has been a pleasure to know and to work resentatives. I have been fortunate enough to them. with, and I’ve relied on her wisdom and expe- work with Marsha since I was sworn into office That anonymity is a testament to how deep- rience in these 13 years more times than I can in January of 1993, but that was not the be- ly dedicated to the greater good that Marsha, count. Day in and day out, she has regularly, ginning of her congressional career. In fact, and staffers like her, truly are. I offer it as a faithfully and loyally provided the very best nearly her entire working life has been de- compliment. Some people who work in a pub- service any Member of Congress could hope voted to public service. lic service position for a long time come to be for, for more than three decades. I congratu- After graduating from the Katharine Gibbs known for their own personalities and their late her as she prepares for this new chapter School, she went to work for my predecessor own political careers. For Marsha, her devo- of her life and know that her husband David, in representing this district, Congressman Mat- tion has been to Congressman McHugh and their children and families look forward to thew McHugh. She served as his assistant in me and to the people of the congressional dis- spending more time with her. the Ithaca city prosecutor’s office, in the trict. She has been utterly selfless, subsuming her own opinions to be instead the voice of Tompkins County District Attorney’s office and f then in his private law practice. When Matt the members of Congress she has served and was elected to Congress in 1974, she joined working always for the good of our constitu- RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT him as a caseworker on his staff and stayed ents, not her own personal gain. Because she CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NEVADA through his retirement in 1992. I am very is always the picture of discretion, she has the COMMISSION ON TOURISM grateful to have inherited her service when I unfailing trust of our constituents, my staff and was elected in 1993. me. Most of the people in Ithaca, where she’s There are thousands of people in the con- HON. JON C. PORTER worked for all 31 years, would be surprised to gressional district I represent—immigrants and OF NEVADA learn that she’s never lived in the congres- new citizens, college students, veterans, peo- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sional district. Rather, she’s lived all of her life ple with disabilities, young, old, rich and Tuesday, December 13, 2005 in Watkins Glen, in a neighboring county. It’s poor—whose lives have been bettered by the remarkable for the fact that her knowledge of efforts of Marsha McElligott. Marsha’s a very Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with the communities of this congressional district modest person, but I believe there’s no exag- my colleagues, Congresswoman SHELLEY is so deep and her work has always been so geration in saying that she’s made a dif- BERKELEY and Congressman JIM GIBBONS, to seamless that I think most of my constituents ference in the future of our nation, because of recognize the significant contributions of the would assume that she had, in fact, been an her particular devotion to two areas of her Nevada Commission on Tourism in leading Ithaca native. work: bringing new citizens into our country the United States in tourism marketing and Her service is also unusual in that she has and helping to select the finest leaders of our promotion in China. devoted so many years to two members of armed forces. Since 2002, the Nevada Commission on Congress, Matt McHugh and myself. While we For hundreds of refugees, visa applicants, Tourism has been instrumental in collaborating undoubtedly have different styles and have or those needing help with the naturalization with Chinese officials to strengthen inter- run our congressional offices in different man- process, Marsha’s patience and compassion national ties with this burgeoning tourist econ- ners, Marsha never missed a beat when she has meant the difference between hope and omy. The Nevada Commission on Tourism is came to work for me, and I doubt that con- despair, success and failure, united or divided the first U.S. tourism entity at any government stituents who had received her help ever no- families. The long and exhausting process level to be granted a license by the Chinese ticed any transition. They only noticed how these special cases require have proven no government to advertise its tourism attractions very well served they were in her hands. match for Marsha’s limitless diligence and de- to prospective Chinese tourists. All of this was A congressional career that spans more sire to serve those in need of help. Many of achieved in less than 1 year and with minimal than 30 years has become very rare, and I these cases were presented by people who costs to taxpayers. fear that there are few Marsha McElligotts left didn’t speak English or didn’t know our cus- The result of their efforts has not solely ben- in congressional employment, staff members toms, people who were scared and intimi- efited the State of Nevada, but has encour- who are so deeply, personally dedicated to dated. She made a good introduction to these aged tourism to all parts of the United States. serving the public, serving the Members for people of what America was all about, and Statistically, Chinese tourism to the United whom they work, and upholding the very best what American government means in the lives States has increased by 20 percent from 2003 goals and ideals of this institution. of individuals. People who were frightened by to 2004, when Nevada was able to achieve its I’ve always said that being a caseworker is the immigration process when they came to licensing goals. Therefore, through their inno- the hardest job in a congressional office—it’s our offices were reassured by her direct per- vative efforts, the Nevada Commission on demanding, it’s stressful, and it requires infi- sonal contact, her no-nonsense attitude and Tourism has paved the way for other States to nite patience and persistence. It takes a very the confidence she inspired that she’d sort out actively participate in marketing to this unique- special person to do that job well and for such whatever sort of bureaucratic mess they were ly lucrative economy. a long time. I can think of no finer embodiment in. A generation of immigrants to the Finger We are encouraged by the tremendous of these qualities than Marsha McElligott. She Lakes region from all over the world became growth in Chinese tourism and we recognize has true respect for the role of Congress and citizens because of her. that there is fertile ground in this burgeoning

● This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:00 Mar 02, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00241 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK21\NO-SSN\BR13DE05.DAT BR13DE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 28170 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS December 13, 2005 international travel and tourism market. Fur- charge of operations for Palmer Wholesale, India and by declaring our support for the fun- ther, we are optimistic that other states will fol- Dick also has served as a mentor and role damental democratic principle of self-deter- low Nevada’s lead and actively begin to mar- model to countless young people as a Little mination, we can help bring real peace, pros- ket travel and tourism to China, the world’s League baseball coach. I even had the privi- perity, freedom, and stability to South Asia. largest market place. lege of being coached by Dick when he was Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert the Coun- Mr. Speaker, again, we applaud the unique- my seventh grade basketball coach at cil of Khalistan’s very informative press re- ly monumental efforts of the Nevada Commis- Hobgood Elementary School. lease about the celebration of Guru Nanak’s sion on Tourism and look forward to wit- Dick’s dedication to his community and to birthday into the RECORD at this time. nessing an even greater increase in Chinese the Blue Raiders is truly an inspiration and a [From the Council of Khalistan, Nov. 22, tourism to our State and other tourist destina- shining example of Middle Tennesseans at 2005] tions throughout the United States. their best. It has been a pleasure knowing him SIKHS CELEBRATE GURU NANAK’S BIRTHDAY WITH DEVOTION, ENTHUSIASM, REVERENCE f since I was a young man, and I am proud to call him a family friend. I thank him for all of WASHINGTON, DC.—Over 25,000 Sikhs gath- HONORING JAMES RIZZO ON HIS his contributions to Middle Tennessee and ered in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan) CAMPAIGN TO BE ELECTED TO wish him all the best for his retirement. last week for the celebration of the birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikh re- THE CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY LEG- f ISLATIVE DISTRICT 23 ligion. About 15,000 were from Pakistan, SIKHS ENTHUSIASTICALLY CELE- about 4,500 were from India, and the rest BRATE GURU NANAK’S BIRTH- were from abroad. Slogans of ‘‘Khalistan Zindabad’’ resonated throughout Nankana HON. BRIAN HIGGINS DAY WITH REVERENCE OF NEW YORK Sahib during the day’s speeches. The celebration began with the perform- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS ance of Akand Path, which is the The Guru Tuesday, December 13, 2005 OF NEW YORK Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, was IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES read without interruption for 48 hours lead- Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ing up to Guru Nanak’s birthday. Hymns honor James Rizzo, a resident of Chautauqua Tuesday, December 13, 2005 were sung as midnight struck. In the morn- County for his quest to become the elected Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, last month, Sikhs ing, the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak representative to the twenty-third legislative gathered from around the world to celebrate Committee (PGPC) presented government of- district in the Chautauqua County Legislature. the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of ficials and others with siropas. According to Although Mr. Rizzo was not able to realize his Sikh tradition, the afternoon was marked by Sikhism, with devotion, enthusiasm, and rev- a procession led by the Guru Granth Sahib, dream he has been able to make an impact erence. Over 25,000 Sikhs gathered in on other’s lives in a different way. followed by the Panj Piaras, and then the Nankana Sahib, in what is now Pakistan, for Sangat, of all the Gurdwaras in Nankana The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. the celebration. Sahib, ending back at Gurdwara Janam Any person with a dream may enter but only The celebration included reading of the Sikh Asthan. The evening program featured a few are able to reach the end. Mr. Rizzo holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, the speeches given by various Sikh leaders, in- traveled that path with his head held high and singing of hymns, a procession through the cluding Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President a smile on his face the entire way. I have no streets, and speeches. One of the speeches of the Council of Khalistan, which leads the doubt that his kind demeanor left a lasting im- was given by Dr. Gunnit Singh Aulakh, Presi- Sikh struggle for independence. When Dr. Aulakh raised slogans of ‘‘Khalistan pression on the voters of district 23. dent of the Council of Khalistan, the organiza- Chautauqua County is blessed to have such Zindabad,’’ the Sangat responded with great tion that leads the Sikh struggle for independ- enthusiasm. The Sikh Nation knows that po- strong candidates with a desire to make this ence. Dr. Aulakh’s speech was punctuated litical power is essential for the enhance- county the wonderful place that we all know it with slogans of ‘‘Khalistan Zindabad,’’ which ment of any religion. The Sikh Nation also can be. Mr. Rizzo is one of those people and means ‘‘Long live Khalistan.’’ Khalistan is the knows that the gold was added to cover the that is why Mr. Speaker I rise to honor him name of the Sikh state that declared its inde- building of Darbar Sahib when the Sikihs today. pendence on October 7, 1987. ruled Punjab from 1765 to 1849. Since then, it f The celebration was carried live on Paki- is also called the Golden Temple. After mid- stani television and on Punjab Radio from night the celebration concluded with cere- HONORlNG THE DISTINGUISHED monies according to the Sikh rehat London, which is available worldwide. SERVICE OF DICK PALMER maryada. Guru Nanak had two companions, one The Sang at showed great devotion and Hindu and one Muslim. He was a shining ex- reverence on this pious occasion. Guru HON. BART GORDON ample of acceptance of all. When Guru Nanak Nanak was the founder of the Sikh religion. OF TENNESSEE passed away, his burial shawl was torn in half (‘‘Marya Sikha Jagat Sitch Nanak Nirmal IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and burned by the Hindus, and buried by the Panth Chalaya.’’) It was an occasion of great happiness for the Khalsa Panth. The events Tuesday, December 13, 2005 Muslims. Both Hindus and Muslims revered him. were carried live on Pakistani TV and on Punjab Radio from London, which is heard Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Yet today, Hindus persecute the Sikhs, the recognize the distinguished career of Dick throughout the world. Sikhs who were able followers of Guru Nanak. More than 250,000 to participate in the celebration were very Palmer, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native Sikhs have been murdered at the hands of the fortunate. who has been the voice of the Middle Ten- Indian government. According to the Move- Guru Nanak confronted Sabar, the Moghul nessee State University Blue Raiders for 25 ment Against State Repression, MASR, over ruler of the time and called him a Jabbar years. 52,000 are being held without charge or trial (oppressor) and spoke out against the tyr- A 1960 graduate of MTSU, Dick is a Blue as political prisoners in ‘‘the world’s largest de- anny of the rulers of that time. He was even Raider through and through. His presence on mocracy.’’ Over 50,000 young Sikh men were imprisoned by Babar, along with his fol- the airwaves certainly will be missed. For lowers. Guru Nanak travelled extensively, to picked up by the government, tortured, mur- the Middle East, where he visited Baghdad, more than 46 years, Dick has been involved in dered, and then secretly cremated. Their bod- and throughout India, along with his two sporting events in Tennessee, from his 9 year ies were declared ‘‘unidentified’’ and never re- companions, one Hindu, one Muslim. He stint calling play-by-play for Jackson high turned to their families. spread his message of truthfulness, respect school sports to his work with the Memphis Christians and Muslims throughout the for the rights of individuals, earning an hon- Blues baseball team, Memphis Pros ABA country are also being persecuted. Over est living, sharing with the needy, and pray- team, and Memphis Grizzlies World Football 300,000 Christians in Nagaland and over ing to Almighty God. He was revered by Hin- League team. 90,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed by dus and Muslims alike. When he left this Although he will be retiring from MTSU world, his body was not found. The sheet cov- the government. In addition, tens of thousands ering his body was torn in two. The Hindus broadcasting at the end of this season, I have of Assamese, Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, cremated it and the Muslims buried it, each no doubt that Dick will continue to be an ac- Tamils, and other minorities have been killed. according to their customs. tive and valued member of the Murfreesboro Are we going to stand idly by and let this Guru Nanak is remembered as Baba Nanak community. Not only a family businessman in happen? By stopping our aid and trade with Shah Faqir, Hindu Da Guru, Mussleman Da

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