June 12, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1225 HONORING LINDA DARNELL IN HONOR OF THE MOST no secret that inconsistent Federal support THORPE ON THE OCCASION OF VENERABLE THICH HO GIAC has hampered Amtrak’s ability to replace HER RETIREMENT equipment necessary for it to provide service. HON. AL GREEN These capital grants will help Amtrak make HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO OF TEXAS additional capital improvements and mainte- nance over its entire network. In addition, the OF CONNECTICUT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES operating grants authorized under the bill will IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, June 12, 2008 help Amtrak pay salaries, health costs, over- Thursday, June 12, 2008 Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, time pay, fuel costs, facilities, and train main- this Father’s Day, I wish to celebrate the life tenance and operations. These operating Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the and ministry of the Most Venerable Thich Ho grants will also ensure that Amtrak can meet many family, friends, and colleagues in paying Giac, who currently serves at the Phap Luan its obligations under its recently negotiated tribute to my dear friend, Linda Darnell Buddhist Culture Center in Houston, Texas. labor contract. The Amtrak reauthorization bill also does Thorpe, as she celebrates her retirement after He was born on January 14, 1928 and is now much for intercity and high speed passenger 36 years of dedicated service as an educator 80 years old. He does not have any biological rail in this country. The bill creates a new with the New Haven Public School System. children of his own, but he is still a father fig- State Capital Grant program for intercity pas- She has been a teacher that is not only loved ure and mentor to many in the Buddhist faith. The Most Venerable Thich Ho Giac has senger rail and capital projects. It also rec- by her students, but respected by her col- committed his life to religion and service. He ommends that the United States establish a leagues—a reflection of all that we hope and was admitted to monastery life when he was high-speed rail network for the entire country. expect our educators to be. five years old. He was ordained as a bhikkhu The bill authorizes $1.75 billion for grants to A native of New Haven, Linda was educated in 1948. He came to the United States in 1982 States and Amtrak to finance the construction locally earning a B.S. in education from South- and became a United States citizen in 1988. and equipment for 11 authorized high-speed ern Connecticut State University as well as an He has two leadership titles: Supreme patri- rail corridors. M.S. from the University of Connecticut. She arch of Buddhist Sangha and President of the However, Amtrak still has many hurdles to began her career at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Overseas Office of the Unified Buddhist overcome, the biggest of which is its $3.17 bil- School where she taught second grade. She Church of Vietnam. lion worth of debt. Although Amtrak has taken spent 24 years at MLK, teaching two genera- Madam Speaker, on this Father’s Day, I ask great steps in reducing its debt by almost tions of students—literally having the oppor- my colleagues and the people of Houston to $600 million since 2002, it still has a long way tunity to teach some of the children of the honor the Most Venerable Thich Ho Giac for to go. As a result, this bill explicitly helps Am- young people she first taught at the beginning his seventy-five years of service and leader- trak manage its debt by authorizing $345 mil- of her career. She has spent the last 12 years ship in the Buddhist faith. lion each year for debt service through at the Edgewood Magnet School where she f FY2013. has taken on the challenge of educating a Mr. Chairman, I am particularly pleased and more diverse group of fifth and sixth grade PASSENGER RAIL INVESTMENT grateful to the committee, under the leadership students. AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008 of Chairman OBERSTAR and Chairwoman I have often spoke of our nation’s need for BROWN, for including a provision that calls for SPEECH OF talented, creative educators ready to help our a report on Amtrak’s utilization of the Beech children learn and grow. Throughout her ca- HON. ANDRE´ CARSON Grove repair facility in my congressional dis- reer, Linda has been just that kind of teacher. OF INDIANA trict. The report will also include an examina- She is well-known among her colleagues as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion to determine the extent that Amtrak is always being the first to arrive in the morning maximizing the opportunities for each facility, Wednesday, June 11, 2008 and one of the last to leave in the evening. including any attempts to provide maintenance Linda would arrive 6 o’clock in the morning The House in Committee of the Whole and repair to other rail carriers. As the largest and, on more than one occasion, would have House on the State of the Union had under Amtrak maintenance facility in the country, it is to return home when it was announced that consideration the bill (H.R. 6003) to reauthor- my belief that the Beech Grove facility is un- ize Amtrak, and for other purposes: school would be closed on a snow day. derutilized and that Amtrak can bring more Linda’s deep commitment to education is Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Chairman, I maintenance work to this facility. best reflected in the success of her students. rise today in strong support of H.R. 6003, the Mr. Chairman, this piece of legislation is Her enthusiasm and energy combined with her Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement long overdue and much needed. It is time for belief that children learn best when they are Act of 2008. As this country’s sole provider of us to give Amtrak all the funding and opportu- active in the learning process created an envi- regularly scheduled intercity passenger rail nities it needs to become a more efficient and ronment where children not only wanted to service, Amtrak’s importance and necessity to effective travel alternative for Americans. I am learn, they had fun doing so. The myriad of all Americans is clear. In the face of contin- pleased that we are bringing this bill to the accolades, awards, and commendations that ually rising gas prices, overloaded highways floor and I urge all my colleagues to vote in she has received throughout the years are and congested airports, many Americans are favor of this legislation. testimony to the positive impact she has had being forced to make difficult financial deci- f on her students. Her students were excited to sions regarding their modes of travel. Amtrak be in her classroom and inspired to succeed. has become an ever more viable transpor- COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND That was her gift to them. For an educator, tation option at such a time, and continues to LEGACY OF DARRENT there is no greater legacy one could leave. be a practical option for many of those people DEMARCUS WILLIAMS OF FORT In a career that has spanned four decades, searching for an efficient and economical trav- WORTH, TEXAS Linda has touched the lives of thousands of el alternative. young people. She has helped to shape their Mr. Chairman, as you know, Amtrak carried HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS education and their character—preparing them almost 25.8 million passengers and posted ap- OF TEXAS with the tools and skills they need and building proximately $1.5 billion in ticket revenue in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a foundation on which they will enjoy future 2007. This is a gain of 10 percent over FY06 success. She has also served as an inspira- ticket revenues, and is the third consecutive Thursday, June 12, 2008 tion to her colleagues. Today, as she cele- year that ticket revenues have increased. It is Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise brates her retirement and reflects on her ca- through a combination of increased profits and today to recognize the life of Darrent ‘‘Dee’’ reer, I am proud to join her longtime com- a reauthorization bill that proposes $14.4 bil- Williams and his legacy, the Darrent Williams panion, Stanley Welch, her grandson Vinston, lion dollars over the next five years that Am- Foundation. and all of those gathered today in extending trak will have an incredible opportunity to Darrent Williams, a constituent of TX–D26, my sincere thanks and appreciation for her thrive and flourish. was a Fort Worth native and O.D. Wyatt grad- outstanding and invaluable contributions. H.R. 6003 does much to aid in the contin- uate who died tragically January 1, 2007. Linda Darnell Thorpe is an extraordinary ued growth and vitality of Amtrak. The bill au- Though his most important roles were as son, woman, teacher, and friend and we are all thorizes $4.2 billion to Amtrak for capital father and role model to many, he was also a better for having the opportunity to know her. grants and $3 billion for operating grants. It is star NFL player for the Broncos. With

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:15 Jun 13, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A12JN8.047 E12JNPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC60 with REMARKS E1226 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 12, 2008 a magnanimous heart, a desire to excel and MERIDA INITIATIVE TO COMBAT water fountains, Mrs. Shamblee, the city’s first the fight in him to say to naysayers, ‘‘just ILLICIT NARCOTICS AND REDUCE African-American librarian, interceded and watch me,’’ Darrent took on the world. ORGANIZED CRIME AUTHORIZA- acted as an agent of change by providing As a senior high school player, he was TION ACT OF 2008 books to those who otherwise may not have been able to visit the city’s library. Mrs. named 7–4A Defensive Most Valuable Player. SPEECH OF During his career at Oklahoma State Univer- Shamblee repeatedly carried boxes of books sity, where he received full scholarship, he HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY and rode on streetcars and buses to deliver them to the African-American community of tied for first place all-time Division I–A in ca- OF NEW YORK South Fort Worth. reer returns for . In IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Through continued public service, Mrs. 2005 he was selected by the Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Shamblee became a pillar of the community as 2nd Round pick for starting and provided library services at establish- and Punt Returner. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss HR 6028, ‘‘The Merida ments such as Stevens Grocery Store, a nurs- At the age of 24, Darrent Williams’ life was Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Re- ery school and the Federations Women’s cut short. But through tragedy, a life-fulfilling duce Organized Crime Authorization Act of Club. Her enthusiasm in creating an atmos- purpose emerged. The Darrent Williams Foun- 2008.’’ This bill would fund, train and equip phere of education and knowledge resulted in dation, which carries his namesake, will part- Mexican security forces that would help pre- her pioneering the library’s bookmobile which ner with a host of organizations to provide vent the trafficking of guns and drugs over the was the forerunner of the city’s branch librar- mentorship, counseling, tutoring, guidance, U.S.-Mexico border. I will vote for this bill, but ies. and athletic training and conditioning to youth I have some concerns about the Merida Initia- The Shamblee Library will serve as an epit- ages 6 to 13. These services will be rendered tive. ome of advancements made in providing ac- with the overall goal to help ease life chal- By supporting the Merida Initiative, the cess to information to all residents in the city lenges and concerns regardless of ethnicity United States demonstrates its commitment to of Fort Worth, and particularly the Evans/ and socioeconomic background. As partners prevent the illegal importation of guns and Rosedale and Terrell Heights neighborhoods. with Fort Worth Independent School District drugs by partnering with Mexican and Central Incorporated into the design of the historic (FWISD), L. Clifford Davis and Morningside El- American governments. This initiative benefits Tommy Tucker building, the Shamblee Library ementary Schools have been chosen as inau- the larger battle against organized crime, pre- is the cornerstone of the Eva & Rosedale gural recipients. vents drugs from hitting American cities and Business and Cultural District and an edifice Today, I join with the entire city of Fort counties, and stymies gang violence from spill- to the long-anticipated Southeast Fort Worth Worth community in recognizing Darrent Wil- ing over the border. renaissance. Today, I join with the entire city of Fort liams’ life and legacy. I believe that Congress must ensure our money is being used to prevent illegal mate- Worth community in recognizing the signifi- rials from coming over the border. We have a cance of this occasion and to pay tribute to f responsibility to protect American citizens from the grand opening of the Ella Mae Gratts IN HONOR OF FATHER’S DAY drugs and violence. However, we also have a Shamblee Library. responsibility to make sure the money we ap- f propriate for foreign governments is not di- HON. AL GREEN rectly or indirectly leading to human rights vio- IN HONOR OF REVEREND DR. JOE lations. Human rights abuses cannot and E. DANCY, SR. OF TEXAS should not be perpetrated by personnel IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES trained using American dollars. I applaud HON. AL GREEN Chairman BERMAN and the Foreign Affairs OF TEXAS Thursday, June 12, 2008 Committee for placing restrictions on the uses IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of this money and firmly support investigations Thursday, June 12, 2008 Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, into reports of human right abuses in countries I wish to honor our Nation’s fathers this Fa- receiving Merida Initiative funding. Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, ther’s Day because they are the foundation of Human rights violations have been reported this Father’s Day, I wish to honor and recog- the family and heroes in the eyes of our Na- in Mexico but are insufficiently investigated. A nize the life, legacy and ministry of the Rev- tion’s children. Fathers are a vital part of the constituent of mine, Brad Will, a journalist for erend Dr. Joe E. Dancy, Sr., who currently strength of the American family and I ask that the Downtown Express, was murdered while serves as the pastor of St. James Missionary my colleagues honor the fathers of our Nation on assignment in Mexico. The suspected gun- Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Dr. Dancy on Sunday, June 15, 2008. men were local officials. Tragically, his family was born on October 3, 1926 and is now 80 years old. Dr. Dancy has ten children, 56 Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide at dif- is still waiting for justice. While we must pro- grandchildren and over 100 great grand- ferent times of the year, but in America, we tect our own citizens from guns and drugs, we children and has been married for 63 years to celebrate it on the third Sunday of June. Fa- must exercise the necessary oversight to en- Mrs. Vernia L. Dancy. On this Father’s Day, I ther’s Day has a long history in the United sure that this funding is used appropriately. would like to salute him as the patriarch of the States, although it was not officially recog- f Dancy family, public servant to the people of nized until the presidency of Richard Nixon. COMMEMORATING THE OPENING Houston, and the presiding pastor at St. After the Civil War, the casualties were im- OF ELLA MAE GRATTS SHAMB- James Missionary Baptist Church. measurable and many women lost their fa- LEE LIBRARY IN FORT WORTH, Dr. Dancy has been preaching for 45 years thers, husbands and family members. Two no- TEXAS and he has served the people of St. James for table women, Sonora Smart Dodd of West Vir- 41 years. In 1945, he began working for the ginia and Grace Golden Clayton of Wash- HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS City of Houston as a truck driver and he did ington, acted upon their loss by encouraging not retire until 1978. During his 33 years with their communities and states to commemorate OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the City of Houston, he worked through the the lives of their fathers. Sonora Smart Dodd, Civil Rights Movement, the Jim Crow era and whose single-parent father raised 6 children Thursday, June 12, 2008 the desegregation period. In addition, he before his death, was the first to propose such Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise worked as a community leader in Houston’s a celebration of fatherhood in 1909. today to commemorate the grand opening of Sunnyside community for over 60 years. Con- Father’s Day is a time for Americans nation- the Mrs. Ella Mae Gratts Shamblee Library in tinuing his commitment to service, Dr. Dancy wide to show reverence and love for the father the city of Fort Worth, Texas. On Friday, June worked on community projects such as the figures in their lives. It is also a time to pay 13, 2008, elected officials, clergy, historians, Shutdown of the Sunnyside Incinerator, the tribute to those men who are single parents or stakeholders, residents and visitors will gather community resistance movements against the guardians and still seem to be legends in their to celebrate this opening and the library expansions of numerous landfills that existed children’s eyes. On June 15, I urge my col- named in her honor. in Sunnyside, and most recently the fight leagues and fellow citizens to celebrate Fa- At a time when African-Americans were not against Southern Crushed Concrete. In a lead- ther’s Day. allowed to sit in libraries or drink from ‘‘public’’ ership capacity, he serves as a Chaplain for

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