E314 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 15, 2013 Josh Fleming is the Digital Strategy Director him as U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica. In ance, contributions and accomplishments are at Lessing-Flynn Advertising Company. In this 1967, President called on Am- far remembered and everlasting. Artie was a role, Josh has excelled through his out- bassador Telles to serve as Chairman of the dear friend and was known to many of us as standing creativity and enthusiasm. One of Mr. U.S.-Mexican Border Commission. He would a brilliant hardworking community leader who Fleming’s creations for Lessing-Flynn, later be appointed as Commissioner of the dedicated his life work to the education of our AdMavericks.com, has now become one of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission youth. Iowa’s most-read marketing blogs. Another where he served in the administrations of Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 150th an- creation, Lessing-Flynn’s Battle of the Brands, Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. niversary of the Emancipation Proclamation provides Iowa companies a chance to com- Although Ambassador Telles will be known and the 50th anniversary of the March On pete and showcase their brands in an innova- in many political circles as a tireless public Washington, let us celebrate the life of our be- tive social media format. Outside of the office, servant, he will eternally be remembered by loved Arthur ‘‘Artie’’ Georges who dedicated Josh serves as president of the American those closest to him as a caring father, loving his life to our youth and the Black American Marketing Association of Iowa, is a board husband, and mentor who paved the way for Experience. member of Prevent Blindness Iowa, and trav- others to succeed long after his passing. As f els the country as a public speaker on topics someone who advised so many young emerg- CLARITY RECOVERY AND relevant to advertising in the digital age. ing leaders, he can rest comfortably knowing WELLNESS Josh’s passion for his work and community that the light of his legacy will shine for sev- engagement is something that our state can eral generations to come. be proud of. Mr. Speaker, we are truly fortunate to live in HON. BILLY LONG Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to rep- a country which gives every one of us an op- OF MISSOURI resent leaders like Josh in the United States portunity to make our dreams come true. A IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Congress and it is with great pride that I rec- few remarkable Americans achieve a level of Friday, March 15, 2013 ognize and applaud Mr. Fleming for utilizing service to country that opens the door not just Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- his talents to better both his community and to their dreams but to ours as well. Many of ognize Sigma House of Springfield, Inc. under the great state of Iowa. I invite my colleagues us, therefore, have a profound desire and its new name, Clarity Recovery and Wellness. in the House to join me in congratulating Josh abiding obligation to look up to the sky to say First opened in 1977, Sigma House of on receiving this esteemed designation, thank- to Ambassador Raymond Telles, ‘‘Thank you!’’ Springfield, Inc. was the area’s first addiction ing those at Business Record for their great Surely, he is smiling upon us now as he sur- treatment center. Focused on individualized work, and wishing each member of the 2013 veys the countless dreams he brought to life. long-term treatment of substance abuse, it Forty Under 40 class continued success. May Ambassador Telles rest in peace and provided 1,150 units of treatment in its first 19 f may his family celebrate the life and memory months. Over the last 25 years, the center has of a dear family man and American patriot. IN RECOGNITION OF AMBASSADOR expanded to include four facilities. In 2012 f RAYMOND TELLES alone, it treated nearly 12,000 people. CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF HAR- Treatment and long-term recovery from sub- LEM’S BELOVED ADVOCATE FOR stance abuse can offer a renewed outlook on HON. XAVIER BECERRA life for those who are addicted and their family OF EDUCATION ARTHUR ‘‘ARTIE’’ GEORGES members, which can lead to more productive IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and fulfilling lives and an improved quality of Friday, March 15, 2013 life for the entire community. HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL Resources for treatment and recovery pro- Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to OF NEW YORK vide important assets for the communities of celebrate the legacy of a great American, Am- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Springfield, Branson and surrounding counties, bassador Raymond Telles, a true pioneer in and I am proud that Clarity Recovery and international and civic leadership. Friday, March 15, 2013 Wellness remains committed to providing qual- Ambassador Telles passed away on March Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great ity care to those in need of rehabilitation serv- 8, 2013 at the age of 97 in the company of sadness as I pay tribute to one of Harlem’s ices. those who loved him. He is survived by his distinguish dynamic and influential members, daughters, Dr. Cynthia Telles and Dr. Patricia Arthur ‘‘Artie’’ Georges, who passed away on f Telles-Irvin and their families. His life was the January 29, 2013. As I speak with profound HONORING RICHARD GRIFFITH very definition of a trailblazer. Ambassador sorrow, I ascend to celebrate a life well lived KESLER Telles was America’s first ambassador of and to remember with fondness the accom- Latino descent, the first Latino to be mayor of plishments of a remarkable leader. HON. SAM GRAVES a major American city and a decorated U.S. It is without question that Artie’s outstanding OF MISSOURI Air Force Colonel. contributions to the Holcombe Rucker Basket- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Born September 5, 1915 in El Paso, , ball League, the National Association of Each Ambassador Telles began his career at the One Teach One, Inc. and our famed Harlem Friday, March 15, 2013 Department of Justice before being drafted Week Golden Hoops places him in a very spe- Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I into the United States Army Air Force where cial category in a long line of remarkable men proudly pause to recognize Richard Griffith he admirably served as the Chief of the Lend- who have given so much to our children and Kesler. Griff is a very special young man who Lease Program for South and Central Amer- to the Greater Harlem community and beyond. has exemplified the finest qualities of citizen- ica. In honor of his distinguished work, he was Artie’s passion for public service is well docu- ship and leadership by taking an active part in awarded the Mexican Legion of Merit, the mented by his important and outstanding 30- the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and Order of the Southern Cross from , Co- year career work as a Methadone Mainte- earning the most prestigious award of Eagle lumbian wings, and the Peruvian Flying Cross. nance Treatment Counselor—at a time when Scout. Later Ambassador Telles served as a military heroin crippled and took the lives of so many Griff has been very active with his troop, aide for President Harry S. Truman and Gen- of our best and brightest young men and participating in many scout activities. Over the eral Dwight D. Eisenhower during World War women. many years Griff has been involved with II. Artie served his Nation proudly in the United scouting, he has not only earned numerous After being recalled as the Executive Officer States Army and was a loyal member of the merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- of the 67th Tactical and Reconnaissance Colonel Charles Young American Legion Post ily, peers, and community. Most notably, Griff Group during the Korean War, Raymond 398. An advocate of education, he loved being has earned the rank of Warrior in the Tribe of Telles was elected Mayor of El Paso, Texas in a part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Mic-O-Say and is a Brotherhood member of November 1957. While in office, he encour- Association and Basketball Tournament Week- the Order of the Arrow. Griff has also served aged fire and police departments around the end; the Pelham Fritz Basketball League as a counselor-in-training at Rotary Camp and city to diversify their workforce. Following a Scholarship Fund; and the John Hunter Me- is a member of the National Honor Society. close first election, he went on to win a sec- morial Camp Fund. For his Eagle Scout project, Griff contributed ond term unopposed. After his tenure as Great men like Artie are precious gifts we to his community by designing and con- mayor, President John F. Kennedy appointed temporarily have in this world, but their assist- structing five

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:50 Mar 16, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K15MR8.006 E15MRPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS March 15, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E315 insect boxes for Maple Woods State School, a to bring Saddam to justice, and win the right tour in Iraq. The renovation of Sgt. Costley’s school for the developmentally disabled, in of self-determination for the Kurdish people of home in Erin, New York, would not have been Kansas City, Missouri. Griff also designed a Iraq and for all Iraqis. Their sacrifices must completed without the leadership of Ren- curriculum for the students and delivered nine never be forgotten. ovating Hope and the hard work of countless classroom presentations for the students. Third, it is important to remember Halabja, volunteers from the community. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in because of America’s strong and vital relation- I am proud to recognize the efforts of Ren- commending Richard Griffith Kesler for his ac- ship with the Kurds of Iraq. In the immediate ovating Hope in assisting our military heroes, complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- aftermath of the first Gulf War, Saddam again and I commend their dedication to giving back ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the unleashed his wrath on the Kurdish people. to the individuals who have given so much of highest distinction of Eagle Scout. Thousands of Kurdish refugees fled into the themselves to serve this great country. This f mountains of northern Iraq to escape another organization truly exemplifies the commitment massacre. The United States intervened in to serving the men and women of the United IN SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE OF Operation Provide Comfort to join forces with States military. As Americans, we should THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE the Kurds and to prevent another massacre. strive to emulate this commitment every day. HALABJA MASSACRE Under the umbrella of the no-fly zone of north- f ern Iraq, the resilient, strong and resourceful HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ people of Kurdistan rose from the ashes of the PERSONAL EXPLANATION OF CALIFORNIA Anfal campaign to restore their land and lay IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the foundations of democracy and prosperity HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS Friday, March 15, 2013 for all of Iraq. When US forces deployed to OF FLORIDA northern Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Iraqi freedom, Kurdish forces joined with US Friday, March 15, 2013 Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance forces to defeat 13 Iraqi Army divisions in the of the 25th- anniversary of the massacre of northern area of operations. Today, the Kurds Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, over 5000 innocent civilians in the Iraqi Kurd- are continuing to build on their friendship with March 14th, 2013, I missed rollcall vote num- ish city of Halabja by the criminal regime of our country and have created an economic ber 70 for unavoidable reasons. Had I been Saddam Hussein. This atrocity took place on and cultural miracle in the Kurdistan Region, present, I would have voted as follows: March 16, 1988, during Saddam’s genocidal where the rights of religious and ethnic minori- Rollcall No. 70: ‘‘yea’’ (On ordering the pre- Anfal Campaign to exterminate or expel the ties are protected and respected in law and in vious question.) Kurdish people of northern Iraq. The Halabja fact, which is a model for all of Iraq to emu- f massacre is worthy of our remembrance for late. RECOGNIZING DAVID LEONG several very important and timely reasons: Finally, as we remember Halabja and the First, the Halabja massacre is one of the Anfal campaign on this 25th anniversary, we few examples of use of chemical weapons by must maintain our resolve and use all of our HON. BILLY LONG a government against its own people in the diplomatic and economic power to ensure that OF MISSOURI history of mankind. Iraqi forces used a lethal peace and democracy take root and thrive in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mix of nerve agents, asphyxiating gas and Iraq. That peace and the future of democratic Friday, March 15, 2013 other toxins to inflict over 5000 deaths and government in Iraq is now jeopardized by the thousands of permanent injuries on survivors. increasingly negative relations between the Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- The attack on Halabja continues to inflict its Iraqi government of PM Maliki and the Sunni ognize long time family friend David Leong, a toxic legacy on the Kurds today in the form of and Kurdish minorities of Iraq. It is not my pur- truly unique American hero who has become birth defects and disabilities of Halabja sur- pose today to cast blame for the current state a local Springfield legend for his creation of vivors. As we monitor the unfolding events in of those relations, but only to remind my col- Cashew Chicken. Syria and Assad’s threatened use of chemical leagues of the grave dangers of ethnic and Born in Guangdong, China, David immi- weapons against his own people, we are re- sectarian strife in Iraq. Let us remember grated to the United States in 1940 and later minded of the Halabja massacre. In the Halabja in light of the sacrifices our country went on to serve his new country during World course of the Anfal campaign, the Iraqi Army has made to ensure that such crimes are War II. He trained in Fort Lee, Virginia for 3 committed countless atrocities, razed thou- never repeated and to renew our resolve to months before shipping out to Europe. He par- sands Kurdish towns and villages, forcibly dis- use our power and influence to achieve a last- ticipated in the Normandy invasion where he placed thousands of families from their homes ing peace and the security of the Iraqi people. hit Omaha Beach as part of the fourth wave and livelihoods and murdered an estimated of troops. By the war’s end, he had served in f 200,000 Kurdish men, women and children. England, France, Italy, and Belgium. Halabja was perhaps the single worst day of IN RECOGNITION OF RENOVATING David and his late wife, Wong Shau Ngor, the Anfal campaign. The suffering, death, HOPE are the proud parents of seven: the late Wing crimes and horror of that day were famously Cheong Leong; Evelyne Leong Mousted; Wing documented and burned into the conscious- HON. TOM REED Ling Leong; Wing Yee Leong; Yim Fong ness of the world by a Time Magazine cover OF NEW YORK Leong; Wing Loke Leong; and Wing Wah and feature article which contained scores of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Leong. ghastly photographs, many of which were In November 1963, David opened Leong’s used by prosecutors to secure the convictions Friday, March 15, 2013 Tea House, a 350 seat white tablecloth res- and executions of Saddam Hussein and Gen- Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- taurant on the edge of town in what had been eral Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as ‘‘Chemical ognize Renovating Hope, a nonprofit organiza- a cornfield in Springfield, Missouri. When he Ali.’’ I can never forget—and the world must tion that assists America’s heroes in need. started the restaurant he knew that most peo- never forget—those haunting images of dead Renovating Hope’s mission is to provide pro- ple were not familiar with Chinese food, but children in the lifeless arms of their mothers, fessional and sustainable home repairs and they loved fried foods. He decided to come up their mouths frozen open in their final des- renovations to families of men and women with a recipe that combined both worlds to- perate attempts to breathe. A crime of this currently serving in the armed forces, as well gether. He created a cashew gravy from soy magnitude must never be forgotten and must as veterans. This organization delivers re- and oyster sauce, added stock, and poured it never be allowed to happen again. newal and hope to the members of our military over fried chicken, creating the immensely Second, the 25th anniversary of the Halabja who are in need of assistance, and provides popular Cashew Chicken. There are now over massacre is worthy of our remembrance and comfort to their families. 300 restaurants in the Springfield area that reflection because thousands of Americans I recently had the privilege of observing serve it. gave their lives to liberate Iraq and give the Renovating Hope’s service and commitment to He decided to close the original restaurant Iraqi people the freedom and opportunity to our military ’heroes in my district. The organi- in December 31, 1997, following the death of create a stable, safe and prosperous country zation developed a project to remodel the his beloved wife. After falling ill in 2009, David where all minorities can flourish. Over four home of Retired Army Sgt. Robert C. Costley, decided he wanted to open a new restaurant thousand Americans died and over 40,000 a Purple Heart Award recipient who was criti- to keep busy. Two years of success at the were wounded in that war to secure the peace cally wounded by a roadside bomb during his new Leong’s Asian Diner inspired David to

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