E2038 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 18, 2004 Psychology. Mrs. Mun˜oz-Velazquez also ob- Mr. Speaker, Al and Joanna Lacy have con- CONGRATULATING SHARON HAM- tained an Elementary Teaching Credential and tributed much toward the education and learn- MERSLA UPON HER RETIREMENT began teaching kindergarten for the Marysville ing of numerous children all across the coun- FROM THE HOUSE OF REP- School District. Soon after her time there, she try, giving parents a reliable source of enter- RESENTATIVES AFTER 32 YEARS moved to San Benito County with her hus- tainment for their kids. I am honored to recog- OF DEDICATED SERVICE band, Felipe Velasquez, and has been teach- nize the accomplishments of Al and Joanna ing for the Hollister School District since 1975. before this body of Congress and this Nation. HON. HENRY J. HYDE They have four sons: Richard, Adrian, Alejo, Thank you, Al and Joanna for all your hard OF ILLINOIS and Junior. work, and I wish you both all the best in your IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES While she was growing up, Mrs. Mun˜oz- future endeavors. Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Velazquez attended a school system that did f not support maintaining Spanish language Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, at the end of the while learning to write and speak in English. NATIONAL HUNGER AND 108th Congress, Sharon Hammersla will be Because she recognized the value of having a HOMELESS AWARENESS WEEK retiring from government service after thirty- good grasp of two languages, she purposely two years as a dedicated and distinguished chose to become a bilingual teacher, allowing HON. FRED UPTON public servant. Sharon has served as the Information Re- her to reclaim her primary language and cul- OF MICHIGAN source Manager for both the House Com- ture. Mrs. Mun˜oz-Velazquez truly believes in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mittee on International Relations and the providing and promoting bilingualism and Wednesday, November 17, 2004 House Committee on the Judiciary under my biliteracy, which she feels is instrumental in chairmanship. In fact, Sharon worked for the the success of children learning a second lan- Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to House Judiciary Committee during the im- guage. commemorate the National Hunger and peachment of President Clinton. Her efforts at Of course, with her giving nature, Mrs. Homelessness Awareness Week and to pay that time toward making the Committee’s work Mun˜oz-Velazquez knows how significant it is tribute to the countless shelters and staffs on related events accessible to the public will to give back to the community and has been throughout the country who tirelessly work to be instrumental to historians when studying involved with multiple organizations such as address this ever-growing problem. that period of our Nation’s history. Prior to the United Way, American Cancer Society Throughout our nation help is increasingly working on the Judiciary and International Re- (ACS), Children with Attention Deficit Dis- needed to create safe places for people to call lations Committees, she served seventeen orders (CHADD), Mexican American Commu- home. The face of homelessness does not years with the House Science Committee. nity on Education (MACE), and League of have an age, race, or creed. Over one million Just because Sharon is leaving The Hill United and Latin American Citizens Council of our nation’s homeless are children and fam- doesn’t mean that she won’t be busy. She will (LULAC) #2890. She has also taught religion ilies comprise of nearly 40 percent of the en- maintain her position in history-making and classes at Sacred Heart Church, preparing tire homeless population. There is no question continue to serve as a member of the Board many young ones for Holy Communion. that homelessness is a serious problem, and of Directors of the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Mu- Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this oppor- we must ensure that our shelters are provided seum in Bryantown, Maryland, where she has tunity to thank Mrs. Laura Mun˜oz-Velazquez with the necessary assistance. been a docent, and she will be publishing her for the outstanding work she’s done in my dis- One particular shelter that is truly making a first book on her family’s genealogy early next trict. I would like to honor and congratulate her difference is the Emergency Shelter Service year. Most importantly, however, she will be on her accomplishments and express my sin- Inc., of Benton Harbor, Michigan. The service, joining her husband, Don, in catching up with cere gratitude for her commitment to the com- care, and opportunity that this shelter provides family and friends and enjoying life with their munity. for the homeless folks of Southwest Michigan grandchildren. f is tremendous. I recently had the chance to visit with the Mr. Speaker, Sharon Hammersla has PAYING TRIBUTE TO AL AND staff and residents of the shelter. It was heart- served her country with honor and distinction. JOANNA LACY warming to see firsthand, individuals getting Please join me in congratulating her on an il- back on their feet, ready to start anew. The lustrious career in federal service and wishing HON. SCOTT McINNIS shelter provides the helping hand that many her well as she embarks on new adventures. f OF COLORADO folks need. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The nine-bedroom shelter, a 100-year old A TRIBUTE TO MRS. TANNER house along Pipestone Street, currently JOHNSON LIVISAY Wednesday, November 17, 2004 houses 35 people, many of which are children. Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay trib- Residents stay for a maximum of 30 days, and HON. NICK J. RAHALL II ute to Al and Joanna Lacy, a retired Baptist the shelter staff work with them to find afford- OF WEST VIRGINIA minister and his wife who have authored nu- able, appropriate housing. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES merous educational books for children. The re- I am pleased to report that the top floor of search and historical background that Al and the house was recently insulated for the winter Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Joanna present in these books have helped which will allow a few more people to have Mr. RAYHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to educate kids about American history and si- shelter during the coldest months of the year. pay tribute to a woman who had a very distin- multaneously encourages them to read. Today But the unfortunate reality is that more people guished career as a State extension specialist I have the privilege of recognizing their service seek assistance than the shelter can provide in the State of West Virginia Mrs. Tanner before this body of Congress and this Nation. for, and folks seeking a warm bed and a roof Johnson Livisay. Mrs. Livisay was a retired After retiring from thirty-two years of trav- over their heads must find shelter elsewhere. State extension specialist and associate pro- eling as a pastor, Al decided he wanted to On behalf of the Sixth District of Michigan, fessor at West Virginia University and was a write novels. Al first started with Western I pay tribute to the great service of this admi- resident of Princeton, West Virginia. Mrs. themes and expanded into narratives that cov- rable shelter. I commend the selfless efforts of Livisay graduated in 1923 from the former ered religious experiences, the Civil War, the Alysia Babcock and her staff who dedicate Douglas High School in Huntington, West Vir- gold rush era, immigration through Ellis Island, themselves to provide a safe haven for those ginia and later went on to earn her Bachelor and the lives of orphan street children. Joanna in need. Southwest Michigan is better off for of Science degree in home economics from also contributed to her husband’s work with their efforts. West Virginia State College in 1927. She then her extensive background in nursing. They As we approach the holiday season, it is vi- taught in Jefferson and Wyoming counties for have spent countless hours traveling, re- tally important that our communities and cities the next 14 years. Mrs. Livisay earned her searching, and talking with people to learn get involved to raise awareness and work to Masters degree from West Virginia University more about the local cultures and customs for combat the problems of hunger and homeless- and completed further studies at Merrill Palm- the settings in their books, which makes them ness. Any contribution to the Benton Harbor er Institute in Detroit, Michigan, University of a source of education and excitement for shelter will be greatly appreciated, whether it Michigan, University of Cincinnati, Cornell Uni- young readers. Together they have made the be a blanket, some food or even a couple of versity and Colorado State University. In 1941, best seller list numerous times in publishing dollars. Even the smallest donation makes an Mrs. Livisay began her work as a home dem- over 102 works. impact. onstration agent in West Virginia. Her territory

VerDate Aug 04 2004 05:31 Nov 19, 2004 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17NO8.115 E18PT1 November 18, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2039 included Mercer, McDowell and Cabell coun- Act for the 21st Century, under which Illinois PAYING TRIBUTE TO COL. JOHN E. ties in my district. She organized home and continues to receive an average of $885 mil- STAVAST (USAF RET.) garden clubs, 4–H clubs, and established the lion per year for highway funding and $150 West Virginia State Farm Homemakers Coun- million per year for mass transit programs. HON. SCOTT McINNIS cil, under the auspices of West Virginia State During the 107th Congress, Representative LI- OF COLORADO College, West Virginia University and the U.S. PINSKI was the author of legislation to allow IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Department of Agriculture. She was the district Chicago’s Mayor Daley to expand O’Hare Wednesday, November 17, 2004 home demonstration agent and became pro- International Airport without consulting the Illi- gram development leader. After 27 years in nois Governor, an important step of autonomy Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a sad the Extension Service, Mrs. Livisay retired as for the city. heart that I rise to pay tribute to the passing a specialist in child development and human I cannot say enough about how much I of a great man from my district. John Stavast, relations. A personal account of the work of have enjoyed working with BILL. Again, Mr. a native of Denver, Colorado, recently passed the West Virginia Extension Service for Afri- Speaker, I would like to convey my sincerest away at the age of 78. Colonel Stavast dedi- can-Americans is recorded in the book, thanks to Representative BILL Lipinski for his cated 33 years of his life the armed services, ‘‘Reaching Out with Heart and Hands—The friendship and counsel, and congratulations to in both the Army and Air Force. I am honored Memories of An Extension Worker,’’ written by both him and his family on this well-deserved today to bring his contributions to the attention Mrs. Livisay in 1994. retirement. He has built an outstanding career of this body of Congress and this Nation. A diamond soror and life member, Mrs. during these past 22 years and will be sorely John joined the Army in 1944 and served in Livisay was initiated into Nu Chapter of Alpha missed in the halls of Congress. I will look for- Europe during World War II as a gunner on Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. in 1925. She was a ward to working with his son, incoming Rep- B–17s. He was discharged in 1946 and en- charter member of Epsilon Delta Omega resentative DANIEL LIPINSKI, during the coming listed again in 1949 earning his pilots wings. Chapter in Beckley, West Virginia and at the years. John trained Japanese Self Defense Force pi- time of her death, she was a member of Eta f lots in the USAF Air Training Command. While Iota Omega Chapter, in Inkster, Michigan. flying over North Vietnam in 1967, Colonel IN HONOR OF DR. STEVEN K. Stavast and his crewmate were shot down Mrs. Livisay, was the proud mother of four WEBSTER children, Carolyn L. McGhee, Marilyn L. Stew- near Hanoi. Both men safely ejected and were taken prisoner. He endured torture for seven art, Jackson P. Livisay, Jr. and Osborne HON. SAM FARR Livisay. full days after his capture and remained a OF CALIFORNIA Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay POW until 1972. During his time in the POW IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tribute to the late Mrs. Tanner Johnson camp, the colonel, as the senior ranking offi- Livisay, for her many accomplishments and Wednesday, November 17, 2004 cer, was responsible for over 200 American achievements and the legacy she leaves for Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to POW’s at the prison near the Chinese border. Colonel Stavast suffered numerous injuries her family and the great State of West Vir- honor Dr. Steven K. Webster, a dedicated ed- during his imprisonment including broken ginia, and in particular, my third congressional ucator and community volunteer, upon his re- bones in his back, arms and legs, and a skull district. tirement as Senior Marine Biologist at the fracture. He had over 6,000 flying hours when f Monterey, Bay Aquarium. Dr. Webster has dili- gently worked to develop and shape the retired from the Air Force in 1980, and was CONGRATULATIONS TO aquarium’s education, teacher training, and awarded many medals for his service. These REPRESENTATIVE BILL LIPINSKI outreach programs. His dedication to the peo- include three Silver Stars, two Legions of ple of the Monterey Bay region has been a Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two HON. LANE EVANS great benefit to the community for over twenty- Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star for Valor, and six Air Medals. After his retirement he was a OF ILLINOIS five years. member of the Military Officers Association, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES As an educator at the Monterey Bay Aquar- ium, Dr. Webster developed the Discovery Lab the Military Order of the Purple Heart, VFW, Wednesday, November 17, 2004 programs that have served over 1.5 million American Legion, and others. He was also a Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like children to date. There is scarcely a child in dedicated volunteer at the Veterans Adminis- to congratulate my good friend Representative Monterey County who has not participated in tration Hospital. BILL LIPINSKI his retirement after 22 years of one of the aquarium’s free education pro- Mr. Speaker, John Stavast was a dedicated dedicated service in the House of Representa- grams, thanks in great part to Dr. Webster’s patriot that selflessly served his community tives. BILL has been a close friend of mine vision and advocacy. In addition, Dr. Webster and country, and I am honored to pay tribute since we were freshman together in the 98th has initiated teacher education workshops in to his memory. He will be greatly missed. My Congress, and I know that reporting to work which over 10,000 teachers have participated thoughts and prayers go out to his family. each day will not be the same without BILL free of charge. He has encouraged thousands f around. of aquarium guides and volunteers in the A TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN LA Representative LIPINSKI is a native of Chi- aquarium’s nationally recognized volunteer MONTAGNE—A TRUE PUBLIC cago and works incredibly hard for the resi- guide training program which he developed. SERVANT dents of the 3rd Congressional district. Even Dr. Webster has served as an inspiration and after 11 terms in Congress he still flies home has offered great encouragement to those nearly every weekend to address the concerns HON. FRED UPTON consulting him on a career in marine biology. OF MICHIGAN of his constituents. BILL has spent his entire Beyond his extensive career in marine biol- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES career working for the people of Chicago, first ogy, Dr. Webster has served in numerous vol- in Chicago’s Park District for 17 years, then as unteer community and board positions, includ- Wednesday, November 17, 2004 the 23rd Ward Alderman in the Chicago City ing the Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Council, and then as a U.S. Congressman. Cetacean Society, the Cannery Row Founda- pay tribute to John La Montagne, Ph.D., Dep- Some of BILL’s greatest achievements lie in tion, the Lyceum of the Monterey Peninsula, uty Director of the National Institute of Allergy his work on the House Committee on Trans- the State Underwater Parks Advisory Board, and Infectious Diseases, who died suddenly portation and Infrastructure. He has done an the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, on November 2, 2004. He was a true public incredible amount both for Chicago and for the and the Friends of Moss Landing Marine Lab- servant who worked tirelessly to improve pub- entire state of Illinois and has secured millions oratories. An avid diving instructor and under- lic health in the United States and across the of dollars in federal funding for improvements water photographer, Dr. Webster is a popular world. He is sorely missed in the public health at both Midway and O’Hare airports. For ex- speaker on natural history topics ranging from community, by Elaine, his beloved wife of 37 ample, in 1990 Representative LIPINSKI spon- the Monterey Bay to the Galapagos Islands. years, his family, and the many persons in his sored and helped pass the Passenger Facility Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Dr. Webster for community who were blessed to be able to Charge BILL to enable both Midway and his outstanding and invaluable contributions to call him friend and know his warmth, compas- O’Hare to finance important airport infrastruc- our community, and commend him for his sion for others, humor, and quiet modesty and ture projects. many accomplishments. I congratulate him on dignity. In the 105th Congress, BILL was instru- his much deserved retirement and wish him Dr. La Montagne’s contributions to the na- mental in passing the Transportation Equity the best of luck in all of his future endeavors. tional and international effort against infectious

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