Congressional Record—House H1467
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March 7, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1467 infrastructure connects not just the are doing our part to empower our fu- and he could unite different groups of two States, but the entire region be- ture leaders with the tools they need to people despite any racial, ethnic, or re- tween Boston and Washington, D.C. Be- succeed. ligious differences. He lived his life cause Gateway is so important to ev- Congratulations, Trini Garza High demonstrating what it means to be a eryone in the Northeast, a substantial School, for your well-deserved recogni- contributing citizen and to serve as a Federal commitment is necessary to tion. role model for those, like myself, who make this project a reality. f were fortunate to know him. The Gateway Project is far too im- I will miss Frank Hess. He will for- VIETNAMESE OF LINCOLN portant to be left unfunded. Gateway ever be missed by our community. should not be sacrificed because of (Mr. FORTENBERRY asked and was f President Trump’s political animosity. given permission to address the House b 1645 f for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) HONORING THE LIFE OF DANA RECOGNIZING JESSICA MELNIK Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I GARDNER FOR HER WORK IN FIGHTING recently had the opportunity to join AGAINST SEX TRAFFICKING (Mr. KIHUEN asked and was given the Lincoln Vietnamese community in permission to address the House for 1 (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given the celebration of the Vietnamese New minute and to revise and extend his re- permission to address the House for 1 Year, the Year of the Dog. I celebrated marks.) minute and to revise and extend his re- this special occasion at St. Andrew Mr. KIHUEN. Mr. Speaker, today I marks.) Dung-Lac and Companions Catholic rise to remember the life of Dana Gard- Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Church in Lincoln, where I live, and I ner, who attended the Route 91 music recognize Jessica Melnik, a junior at participated in the Catholic mass, fol- festival in Las Vegas on October 1. Hopkins High School and the founder lowed by a community festival com- Dana worked for San Bernardino of a student-run nonprofit, Girls plete with traditional dragon dancers. I County, California, for 26 years in the United Minnesota, for her work fight- would like to thank Father Joseph Assessor-Recorder Office. When she ing against sex trafficking. Nguyen and the parish community for went home for the day, she always Jessica, along with fellow members their generosity and hospitality. made sacrifices for her three children of Girls United Minnesota, took action Mr. Speaker, there are nearly 2 mil- and two grandchildren. She wanted to to spread awareness after they ob- lion persons of Vietnamese descent liv- make sure that her kids understood the served a fellow classmate who was a ing in America. My hometown of Lin- importance of loving and caring for all target of sex trafficking. They soon re- coln has become home for nearly 10,000 humans. She did this through her ac- alized that Minnesota ranks 13th in the Vietnamese Americans, some of whom tions as a dedicated public servant. Nation for its prevalence of sexual ex- faced the trauma of persecution, es- Dana was an amazing cook who had ploitation and they stepped forward to cape, open seas, refugee camps, and, fi- just begun to travel more and spend do something about it. nally, resettlement in a new home. more time with her friends. She had a Girls United Minnesota started by Our vibrant, well-respected Viet- contagious smile and a great sense of working with local law enforcement namese community has become an in- humor that could light up a room. She and nonprofits to organize public tegral part of Lincoln’s cultural tradi- is remembered by all those who knew awareness events throughout our com- tions and adds to our capital city’s vi- her as a go-to person with a lot of munity. Jessica and her friends are brant tapestry. Vietnamese is the third knowledge and a can-do attitude. also working with State legislators in most commonly spoken language in I would like to extend my condo- Minnesota to expand education on sex the Cornhusker State, and I have ac- lences to Dana Gardner’s family and trafficking in schools and create more tively encouraged the youth to keep friends. Please know that the city of resources for the victims of sexual ex- the great tradition alive. Las Vegas, the State of Nevada, and ploitation. Mr. Speaker, it is not advisable to the whole country grieve with you. Mr. Speaker, the determination and try a language that you don’t speak, f the hard work of Jessica and her class- but to my Vietnamese friends, I would mates at Girls United Minnesota is like to try: ‘‘thank you,’’ ‘‘cam o’n SISTER MARY SCULLION nothing short of inspiring, and their ban.’’ (Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Penn- impact is literally helping to save f sylvania asked and was given permis- lives. sion to address the House for 1 minute REMEMBERING FRANK HESS f and to revise and extend his remarks.) (Mr. ESPAILLAT asked and was Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsyl- CONGRATULATING TRINI GARZA given permission to address the House vania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ac- HIGH SCHOOL for 1 minute.) knowledge a distinguished Philadel- (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise phian who will be leading our city’s an- permission to address the House for 1 today to remember my neighbor and nual St. Patrick’s Day parade as grand minute.) longtime friend, Frank Hess, who for- marshal, Sister Mary Scullion. Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise merly served as special assistant to the Sister Mary is a towering figure and today to congratulate Trini Garza High legendary New York State Assembly a driving force for social change in School for earning the designation of member Denny Farrell, who, for many Philadelphia. She belongs to the Sis- National Title I Distinguished School years, chaired the prestigious Ways ters of Mercy, the third largest con- for the 2016–2017 school year. and Means Committee. gregation of Sisters in Philadelphia, This exclusive designation is given to Frank was known for his cowboy hats and is the cofounder of Project HOME, high-poverty schools that excel in ei- and brutal honesty. He devoted his life an influential nonprofit that seeks to ther student performance or for its to public service and spent almost 30 break the cycle of homelessness. work to close the achievement gap. years in government. He was a devoted Since 1989, Sister Mary’s organiza- Garza, with a student body that is 86 godfather, uncle, and father figure to tion has helped provide shelter to the percent economically disadvantaged, anyone in the community who knew homeless, set up programs for at-risk was one of 34 schools across the Nation him. He once called 20 stores and drove youth across the city, and organized to be praised ‘‘for its exceptional stu- for 2 hours to try to find a pair of shoes wellness and healthcare services. She dent performance for two or more con- for his niece. has also been a leader at the city, secutive years.’’ Frank was a devoted person to his State, and Federal level to bring about Garza’s designation would not be pos- family and his community. Through awareness and much-needed funding to sible without the strong partnerships his lifetime devotion to public service, address the root causes of homeless- of its educators, parents, students, and he made sure Washington Heights was ness. the Oak Cliff community in Dallas. a better place for all of us. Frank could As a religious and community leader, Each of you have made sure that we accomplish anything he set his mind to Sister Mary has become a household VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:49 Mar 08, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07MR7.045 H07MRPT1 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with HOUSE H1468 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 7, 2018 name in Philadelphia and a champion Today I would like to recognize an lamy’s gravesite, and completed it 1 for the voiceless in our city. It is fit- outstanding group of hometown Elks year later, just in time to rededicate it ting that she has been selected to lead who have made the journey from Onei- for Flag Day. this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, da County to visit us here in Wash- In addition to their work in honoring and I rise to commend her on her life- ington: Donna Townsend; Whitney Sir Francis Bellamy and the American time of devoted service. Cook; Mary Bielby; and retired captain flag, the Rome Elks are also well f of the Rome Police Department, John known for their commitment to help- Bielby. ing our local veterans. ANNIVERSARY OF BLOODY Our Elks in Rome and around the Recently, the Rome Elks held a fund- SUNDAY country help our youth develop lifelong raiser to raise money for therapy dogs (Ms. JAYAPAL asked and was given skills, assist students who are attend- for veterans through a local organiza- permission to address the House for 1 ing college, support charitable work in tion called Clear Path for Vets. As part minute and to revise and extend her re- their communities, and care for our of the fundraiser, the Rome Elks took marks.) local veterans. flags that had flown over Sir Francis Ms.