Congressional Record—Senate S4108

S4108 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 20, 2017 our public lands are preserved for fu- cational opportunities for children and war. The civilian workers, including ture generations of Americans. The youth who are experiencing homeless- many Idahoans, working for Morrison American people deserve leadership ness. The law requires States and Knudsen Company, building infrastruc- that fights back when the President school districts to remove barriers that ture on the island, when it was at- seeks to cut thousands of jobs at the homeless children and youth face in re- tacked the same day as the attack on Department of the Interior or offers a ceiving a high-quality education. In Pearl Harbor, immediately became sol- budget that critically undermines the the years since the McKinney-Vento diers. Their service cannot be forgot- Department’s mission and threatens Act was passed, hundreds of thousands ten. I thank all those who have helped our public lands. of young people experiencing homeless- keep the memories of those who served The American people deserve leader- ness have received the supports they on Wake Island alive. ship at the Department of the Inte- need in order to attend school, grad- In Veterans Memorial Park in Boise, rior—leadership that works for the peo- uate, and secure a well-paying job that a memorial honoring Americans who ple—and that is not David Bernhardt. can provide for their families. served on Wake Island gives the fol- I yield the floor. I am proud to have introduced and lowing account: ‘‘Five hours after I suggest the absence of a quorum. seen enacted legislation to remove bar- bombing Pearl Harbor on December The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. riers and provide support to homeless 7th, 1941, Japanese forces attacked BLUNT). The clerk will call the roll. children and youth, from early child- Wake Island, a tiny island midway be- The senior assistant legislative clerk hood through postsecondary education. tween Hawaii and Japan. The United proceeded to call the roll. Many of these laws have codified best States was constructing a runway es- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I practices pioneered by dedicated Wash- sential for planes to refuel on their ask unanimous consent that the order ington State educators determined to way through the area. There were 449 for the quorum call be rescinded. make a difference for homeless chil- Marines, 68 Sailors, 6 Army Air Corps, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dren and youth. and 1146 civilians employed by the objection, it is so ordered. I have fought and continue to fight Boise-based Morrison Knudsen Com- for funding that makes a difference for f pany on the island. Approximately 250 homeless children and youth, veterans of the MK workers were from Idaho. LEGISLATIVE SESSION and other adults, and families experi- For 15 days the military and civilians encing homelessness. I ask my col- bravely defended the island from the leagues to join me in celebrating the Japanese forces. Wake Island fell to MORNING BUSINESS success of the McKinney-Vento Act and the Japanese on December 23, 1941. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I recognizing how far we still have to go ‘‘Following the battle, 98 civilian ask unanimous consent that the Sen- in order to solve our homelessness cri- construction workers were kept on ate be in a period of morning business, sis and make sure that every child in Wake Island to labor for the Japanese. with Senators permitted to speak our country has access to a quality When their work was complete, they therein for up to 10 minutes each. education no matter where they live, were forced to dig their own graves be- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without how they learn, or how much money fore being executed. The remaining de- objection, it is so ordered. their parents make. fenders of the island, both military and (At the request of Mr. SCHUMER the f civilian, were taken as prisoners of war following statement was ordered to be RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO SERVED by the Japanese and held for 44 printed in the RECORD.) ON WAKE ISLAND months. These brave heroes endured exceedingly harsh conditions, serving f Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I as slave labor for the Japanese govern- VOTE EXPLANATION wish to honor the servicemembers and ment in Japan and China. Many died in civilians who served on Wake Island in ∑ captivity. In 1981 the civilian MK em- Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, due World War II, as the last gathering of to a family related matter in Michigan, ployees were granted Veteran status in the Survivors of Wake-Guam-Cavite, recognition of their service in the War I was unable to attend today’s rollcall Inc., is scheduled to be held in Boise in vote on the nomination of John K. of the Pacific . . .’’ September. Those who survived and returned Bush to be a United States circuit Survivors of the defense of Wake Is- judge for the Sixth Circuit. Had I been home have enriched our communities. land and their families have held an- Thank you to those who served on able to attend, I would have opposed nual reunions and other get-togethers his nomination. Wake Island and their families for the for the last nearly 71 years. Idaho be- immeasurable service you have given I also was unable to attend today’s came home to annual reunions of Wake rollcall vote on the motion to invoke to our country and for your enduring Island survivors and their families. examples of devotion and strength. cloture on the nomination of David Many of these gatherings have been or- Bernhardt to be Deputy Secretary of ganized by Alice Ingham, whose hus- f the Interior. Had I been able to attend, band was on Wake Island, but since ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS I would have voted no on the cloture many Wake Island survivors have now, motion.∑ unfortunately, passed away, the orga- f nization has decided to wind down their reunions, noting, ‘‘We would like TRIBUTE TO MAJOR RICHARD E. MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS to honor all of our Wake men—the liv- HAGNER ASSISTANCE ACT ing, the deceased, and those who never ∑ Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, July made it home from the war—with this pleased to commend MAJ Richard E. 22, 2017, marks the 30th anniversary of final reunion.’’ The last worker from Hagner for his dedication to duty and the enactment of the McKinney-Vento Idaho, Joe Goicoechea of Boise, passed service to the Nation as an Army con- Homeless Assistance Act, our Nation’s away this past year. gressional fellow and congressional landmark law designed to prevent and The astounding Americans who budget liaison for the Assistant Sec- address homelessness. Many commu- served on Wake Island and their fami- retary of the Army. Major Hagner was nities in my home State of Washington lies are lasting examples of courage recently selected for the Army’s pres- and across the country are confronting and resolve. The history of World War tigious Advanced Strategic Planning a surge in homeless and housing-inse- II and the bravery of the American and Policy Program and will be cure individuals, and the resources servicemembers who fought for our Na- transitioning from his present assign- brought to bear by McKinney-Vento tion and its allies are familiar parts of ment to begin doctoral studies at Van- are essential to continued progress. our collective national history, but an derbilt University. The McKinney-Vento Act also marked often overlooked part of this legacy is A native of Milwaukee, WI, Major the first time that Congress provided the service of the civilian workers on Hagner was commissioned as an infan- dedicated funding to ensure equal edu- Wake Island who were swept into the try officer after his graduation from

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:42 Jul 21, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G20JY6.034 S20JYPT1 July 20, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4109 North Georgia College and State Uni- RECOGNIZING ST. PAUL AFRICAN this month has done just that by hav- versity with a bachelor of science de- METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ing an outsized influence on the micro- gree. He subsequently earned master’s ∑ Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I am electronic and lighting industries. As degrees in joint information operations proud to stand before you this evening chairman of the Senate Committee on from the Naval Postgraduate School to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I and legislative affairs from the George the founding of the St. Paul African am pleased to honor Rohinni as the Washington University. Methodist Episcopal Church. First Small Business of the Month for July Major Hagner has served in a broad built on Court Street in Charleston, 2017. range of assignments during his Army WV, St. Paul African Methodist Epis- The future is bright for this Coeur career. He has served as a rifle platoon copal Church has served as a bedrock of d’Alene based technology startup. leader, communications officer, and faith since its founding in 1892. Rohinni develops and manufactures network engineer, becoming instru- With humble beginnings, St. Paul LED lighting products. Described as mental to the success of his units from AME first organized in the basement of ‘‘the World’s Thinnest LED lighting,’’ the battalion to brigade level. Notably, the old Charleston courthouse under they allow light to be printed in any he has also commanded at the company the leadership of Rev. Lewis McGhee, shape, on any surface, and for any level in Mannheim, Germany, following Sr. One year later, construction began need. The company’s products have al- a demanding combat deployment to Af- on a permanent home, and in 1897, that ready been applied in many different ghanistan. His leadership has brought home was completed. fields, including transportation and great credit to the U.S. Army. The St. Paul African Methodist Epis- consumer electronics. In 2015, Major Hagner was selected to copal Church has been a leader of the Cofounders Cody Peterson and Andy be an Army congressional fellow, where community for its entire existence. In Huska first worked together creating he served in the offices of the late Con- the early 1900s, Rev. Francis Herman advanced force-sensing capacitive gressman Alan Nunnelee of Mississippi Gow formed the first African American membrane switches, touchpads, and and Congressman Steve Israel of New Boy Scout troop in Charleston. Rev- touchscreens for the Pacinian Corpora- York. I have had the privilege of work- erend Gow’s trailblazing did not just tion, which Mr. Peterson founded. With ing with him in his role as a congres- end there, and in 1915, Reverend Gow their extensive experience and back- sional budget liaison officer. In that established the Mattie V. Lee Home to ground in innovative technology prod- role, Richard ensured the Army’s budg- provide housing for African-American ucts, they began with a new, clever et positions were well represented be- women who travelled to Charleston in concept: Using a thin slice of conduc- fore the appropriations committees. search of work. tive material, they were able to dis- perse thousands of micro-LED diodes It has been a pleasure to have worked The Mattie V. Lee Home still stands to create glowing surfaces. With this with MAJ Richard Hagner. His leader- today under the direction of the new direction, Rohinni was born in ship, thoughtful judgment, and exem- Prestera Center, where it serves as an 2013. After further developing this in- plary work have been a positive influ- addiction treatment facility. Just as novative technique and obtaining 44 ence on his soldiers, peers, and superi- the Mattie V. Lee Home continues to patents, including one for the world’s ors throughout his career. I am pleased make a difference in the Charleston thinnest keyboard, Cody and Andy to recognize and commend his dedica- community so long after its founding mastered micro-LED placement. With tion to our Nation and service to the date, so too does the St. Paul African the help of some crucial venture cap- U.S. Congress as an Army congres- Methodist Episcopal Church. ital investments 2 years later, the co- sional liaison.∑ Today the St. Paul African Meth- odist Episcopal Church works to pro- founders turned their idea into a suc- cessful company and have even ex- f vide both healing and spiritual guid- ance in Charleston. Under the direction panded with a branch office in Austin, TX. Their new technology has been TRIBUTE TO JIM SINCLAIR of Rev. John Sylvia, the church serves free weekly dinners for all interested, successfully used in many products, in- ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this and associate pastor Rev. Roberta cluding fabric, television displays, mo- week, I have the distinct honor of rec- Smith was involved in creating bile devices, and automotive displays. ognizing Jim Sinclair of Plains for the RESET, a group to foster positive dia- Rohinni’s creative efforts have been leadership he has provided to his com- logue between law enforcement, clergy, recognized by several business and munity in northwest Montana. As the and community of Charleston, WV. trade publications. As one of the found- senior pastor of his church, Jim has It is through these acts of positivity ers of the Semiconductor Caucus, I rec- provided a helping hand to others for and spiritual guidance that St. Paul ognize the importance that these over two decades. AME has flourished in the Charleston emerging technologies have on the ad- The people of Sanders County know community. I would like to thank Rev. vancement of our Nation’s scientific Jim and his wife, Renee, for the admi- John Sylvia and the entire congrega- progress, as we continue to move to- rable work their ministry has done to tion at St. Paul African Methodist wards manufacturing products that are support those in need. Before becoming Episcopal Church for their commit- simpler in design, more efficient, light- a pastor, Jim made a living harvesting ment to the Charleston community. I er in weight, and smaller in size. The timber, and those skills have been val- am proud of the work done by St. Paul innovation displayed by companies like uable with helping the most vulnerable AME, and I know that the church will Rohinni help to preserve our global members of their community stay continue to spread the Word of the competitive edge in the electronic, warm during the cold Montana winters. Lord for many more years to come.∑ semiconductor, and memory industries. It is my honor to recognize Cody In addition to distributing firewood, f Jim’s church harnesses the talents of Peterson and Andy Huska and the em- many volunteers in order to provide a RECOGNIZING ROHINNI ployees of Rohinni who have made last- food bank, soup kitchen, and clothing ∑ ing contributions to the electronics in- Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, today I dustry. You make our State proud, and bank. Jim’s hands on approach to min- would like to highlight the innovation, istry has empowered his community to I look forward to watching your con- creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit tinued growth and success.∑ help each other overcome challenges. that is found all across my home State Communities like Plains depend on of Idaho. Every month, I recognize a f folks like Jim and Renee, as well as the small business owner from one of our dozens of volunteers they have Idaho communities who embodies the mentored over the years. I thank them spirit of innovation and determination MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT for all the hard work they have done in delivering a product or service that Messages from the President of the and wish them the best as their min- makes a substantial difference in the United States were communicated to istry continues to grow in the service lives of many Americans. The small the Senate by Ms. Ridgway, one of his of others.∑ business that I would like to highlight secretaries.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:59 Jul 21, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A20JY6.027 S20JYPT1