E590 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 31, 2011 military service. Each story is unique and government and law enforcement at all levels, TRIBUTE TO GERALDINE FERRARO humbling for those of us who, far from the which, in turn, undermines public safety. dangers they have faced, live our lives in rel- The American Muslim community should be HON. NITA M. LOWEY ative comfort and ease. The day the Hinkle able to rely on the federal government to lead OF NEW YORK family learned of the death of their son and the effort in fostering an open climate of un- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES brother was probably the hardest day they derstanding and cooperation. These commu- Thursday, March 31, 2011 have ever faced and our thoughts, prayers nities must be shielded from the threat of vio- and deepest gratitude go out to the family and lence and suspicion that was at the heart of Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute friends of Airman Hinkle. There are no words last January’s thwarted attack against the Is- and appreciation of Geraldine Ferraro, who that can relieve their pain and what words we lamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michi- blazed a trail for all women, especially in gov- can offer only begin to convey our deep re- gan. They should also be able to rely on law ernment, and dedicated her life to public serv- spect and highest appreciation. enforcement’s fundamental integrity and re- ice. Senior Airman Hinkle’s family have all given spect for First Amendment protected rights. Gerry and I shared many priorities, many of a part of themselves in the loss of their loved Only through a balanced examination of the which were grounded in our similar experi- one and we hope they know that his service challenges facing the nation will we establish ences. As a former PTA president in Queens, and the goodness he brought to this world will a strong policy framework for protecting secu- New York, I felt a unique kinship with Gerry, never be forgotten. rity, while respecting the Constitution and the who taught elementary school in Queens. In f interests of affected communities. these capacities, we came to better under- stand the struggles families faced, the unmet INTRODUCTION OF SENSE OF CON- This sense of Congress is an attempt to set the record straight and counter the perception needs of children, and the opportunities—and, GRESS THAT FEDERAL GOVERN- indeed, our responsibility—to exercise our pre- MENT SHOULD TAKE STEPS TO of growing anti-Muslim rhetoric. Congress has a solemn duty to ensure that its actions do not cious rights to improve our communities for all COUNTER ANTI-MUSLIM SENTI- our fellow citizens. MENT fuel misconceptions about, and prejudices to- ward, any faith community, including the One of only three women in her law school American Muslim community and Islam. class, she advocated for women and children HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. Scores of religious, civil rights, law enforce- in countless pro bono cases in family court, in- OF MICHIGAN ment, and national security leaders and orga- cluding during the years she spent at home IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nizations representing diverse Americans and raising her own children. Gerry’s sense of commitment to justice and opportunity for Thursday, March 31, 2011 areas of expertise are concerned about mes- abused women and children was rivaled only Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased sages which appear to target the American Muslim community, sending counterproductive by her success. In the Queens District Attor- to introduce this resolution expressing the ney’s office, she led the Special Victims Bu- sense of Congress that the federal govern- messages both domestically and internation- ally. It is essential that the federal government reau, prosecuting domestic violence, child ment should take steps to counter anti-Muslim abuse, and sex crimes. She gave voice to sentiment, along with additional cosponsors. send the message that we all must work to- gether to guarantee the security of our country thousands who desperately needed an advo- Over the last decade, the American Muslim cate and improved the quality of life and safe- community has confronted a festering level of and that no community should be singled out for suspicion. ty for all New Yorkers. suspicion which has manifested itself in hostile Then as a member of the U.S. House of government policies and bias from the general Representatives, Geraldine Ferraro fought f public. A CBS/New York Times poll released day-in and day-out in the continuing struggle in mid-September showed that as many as 20 RECOGNIZING DR. MARIE for women’s rights, especially in the work- percent of Americans said they have negative ROSSMANN place. Before any of us knew the injustice Lilly feelings toward Muslims because of the Sep- Ledbetter faced in a tire manufacturing plant tember 11th terrorist attacks. While Congress 900 miles from New York, Gerry was working has confronted some of the more violent mani- HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS to ensure women received wages, benefits, festations of this bias, the general climate OF TEXAS and pensions equal to their male counterparts. faced by the community has continued to cre- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES She laid the groundwork for the Lilly Ledbetter ate barriers to full participation in public life Thursday, March 31, 2011 equal pay legislation we passed only two that should be addressed by official govern- years ago. ment policy. Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to The first Italian-American and the first As a member who represents a district with recognize Dr. Marie Rossmann on being woman on a major-party presidential ticket, on of the greatest concentrations of American named the Texas State Assistant Principal of Geraldine Ferraro crystallized for millions of Muslims in the nation, I believe that this sense the Year. Dr. Rossmann has worked diligently women and girls that gender should be no ob- of Congress is a logical step toward sending to promote the high educational standards of stacle to public service and national leader- the message that this group of proud citizens the 26th District of Texas. She has been an ship. Hillary Rodham Clinton, NANCY PELOSI, should be able to enjoy the rights guaranteed educator for two decades, and has maintained and other strong women in government have under the Constitution to the same extent as her passion and optimism. benefited from the foundation she laid as the all other Americans. Throughout diverse cities Most recently, Dr. Rossmann spearheaded Democratic Party’s Vice Presidential nominee and small towns across the country, American the Yellow Project. With the Yellow Project, in 1984, and she inspired countless women to Muslims have a long history of playing crucial Dr. Rossmann seeks to ‘‘assist teachers with pursue elected office and assert their power roles in law enforcement and the armed specific interventions which enable students to as voters and active civic participants. Thanks forces, and as business leaders, doctors, law- become more successful in the classroom.’’ to her efforts, the United States is stronger yers, and teachers. However, there exists in This effort is unique in that it encourages and more representative of our diverse and vi- our nation today a disturbing and dangerous teachers to take the entire child into account brant population. trend of anti-Muslim rhetoric and bigotry, evi- when coming up with a way to address his or Her leadership did not end when she left the denced by attacks against individuals, reli- her particular needs. It is so easy to think halls of Congress. As U.S. Ambassador to the gious institutions and entire communities. about the education system as one giant enti- U.N. Commission on Human Rights, she was The United States is a country founded on ty, but Dr. Rossmann reminds us that it is in a highly effective voice for women and families the principles of tolerance and religious free- fact a system composing many individual stu- not just in the United States, but worldwide. dom, as embodied in the First Amendment of dents. She donated a great deal of her time and tal- the Constitution. The protection of these prin- It is this determination and insight that made ent to highly respected charitable organiza- ciples is vital to the ongoing sense of commu- Dr. Marie Rossmann an obvious choice for the tions and causes. nity shared by the diverse peoples and reli- Texas State Assistant Principal of the Year. I Once diagnosed with multiple myeloma, she gious groups of this nation. Targeting Amer- am encouraged to know there are people like fought her illness for 12 years with the same ican Muslims for scrutiny based on their reli- Dr. Rossmann who are making an impact on tenacity and determination that were the hall- gion goes against the core principles of reli- our children’s lives. Please join me in recog- marks of her professional career. I was privi- gious freedom and equal protection under the nizing this world class educator on her won- leged to be part of honoring Geraldine with the law. Moreover, the practice erodes trust in derful work. Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee’s 2009

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