February 4, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S757 full coverage: more than 9 out of 10 build on his impressive showings at the Many additional Olympians have American children now are insured. Continental Cup and National Large been educated, coached, trained, or Studies have shown that children en- Hill Championships as he competes for even competed in New Hampshire. rolled in CHIP have demonstrated im- Team USA. These athletes with Granite State ties provements in their ability to pay at- Sean Doherty of Center Conway, NH, include Kacey Bellamy, Team USA, ice tention in class, school attendance, will be competing in the . We hockey; Sophie Caldwell, Team USA, reading scores, and participation in hope to see Sean, a first-time Olym- cross-country ; David school and childhood activities. pian, continue his accomplishments Chodounsky, Team USA, ; Our efforts are working but we must from the International Biathalon Hannah Dreissigacker, Team USA, bi- do more. We must continue to work to Union Junior World Championships athlon; Susan Dunklee, Team USA, bi- enroll kids who are eligible but not yet last year and excel at this year’s Olym- athlon; Nolan Kasper, Team USA, al- covered. We must ensure that funding pics. pine skiing; Hannah Kearney, Team for this essential lifeline for families Nick Fairall of Andover, NH, will be USA, ; James Van does not expire. I, too, regret I will no competing in jumping. As a first- Riemsdyk, Team USA, ice hockey; Ida longer be in the Senate in 2015 to con- time representative of Team USA, we Sargent, Team USA, cross-country ski- tinue this work. That is why I hope have been impressed with Nick’s per- ing; Mikaela Shiffrin, Team USA, al- that we can solve the problem this formances in World Cup events and his pine skiing; Katey Stone, Team USA, year, and I am very glad my good victory at the National Large Hill Head Coach, ice hockey; Sara Stude- friend, the senior Senator from Mon- Championships. We are looking forward baker, Team USA, biathlon; and An- tana, and I could come to the floor to watching him compete on the Olym- drew Weibrecht, Team USA, alpine ski- today to deliver this important mes- pic stage ing. sage. Julia Ford, of Holderness, NH will be It is my honor to congratulate these f competing in alpine skiing. A first- time member of Team USA, we hope to New Hampshire athletes. I wish each of VOTE EXPLANATIONS see Julia perform as she did in the U.S. them and all of Team USA the best of Ms. LANDRIEU. Madam President, Championships and North American luck as they seek to bring home the due to my flight being canceled, I re- Cup races. As the 2011 NorAM downhill gold at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. gret having missed a vote on February Super G and super combined champion 3, 2014. Had I been present, I would have and 2012 NorAm overall and downhill f voted in favor of the motion to invoke champion, we are eager to cheer Julia cloture on the conference report to ac- on in Sochi. PITTSBURGH OPERA’S 75TH company H.R. 2642, a bill to provide for Kris Freeman of Thornton, NH, will ANNIVERSARY the reform and continuation of agricul- be competing in cross-country skiing. tural and other programs of the De- As a well-decorated Nordic skier and Mr. CASEY. Madam President, today partment of Agriculture through fiscal representative of Team USA for the I wish to recognize the Pittsburgh year 2018, and for other purposes. fourth time, I hope that Kris will be Opera on their 75th anniversary. Since Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam able to build upon his past experiences its founding by five dedicated women President, due to an unanticipated and excel at this year’s Winter Olym- in 1939, the Pittsburgh Opera has con- family emergency, I was unable to cast pics. We are proud to have Kris rep- sistently worked to foster new genera- a vote on February 3, 2014, relative to resenting New Hampshire once again. tions of artists and fans by making rollcall vote No. 20 to invoke cloture Chas Guldemond of Laconia, NH, will opera accessible to a diverse audience. on the conference report to accompany be competing in . A first- The stated mission of the Pittsburgh H.R. 2642, the Federal Agriculture Re- time member of Team USA, Chas has Opera is ‘‘to culturally enrich Pitts- form and Risk Management Act of 2013. built an impressive resume in burgh and the tri-state area, and to Had I been present, I would have voted competitions, and we hope draw national and international atten- yea. that his success will continue in his tion to the region’’. Roughly 31,000 peo- f Olympic debut. ple attend one of their five opera pro- Julia Krass of Hanover, NH, will be ductions each year. 2014 OLYMPIANS competing in freeskiing. A first-time Over time, the Pittsburgh Opera es- Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, participant in the Olympics, we are ex- tablished its own orchestra, has be- today I wish to recognize the great ac- cited to watch 16-year-old Julia com- come a leader in the use of supertitles, complishments of the many New pete in the inaugural ski slopestyle and forming the Resident Artists Pro- Hampshire athletes who will be rep- event. gram to train young artists and in- resenting the United States this month Bode Miller of Franconia, NH, will be crease awareness of opera, developing in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, competing in alpine skiing. As the community programming throughout Russia. These athletes have all exhib- most decorated US male skier in World southwestern Pennsylvania. In so ited incredible dedication to their re- Cup history and five-time representa- doing, the company has served not only spective sports and have proven their tive of Team USA, Granite Staters are Pittsburgh and the tristate area, but remarkable abilities in competitions excited to see Bode compete again and has become a respected national orga- among their peers. A selection to the hope to see him repeat his impressive, nization, attracting such luminaries as U.S. Olympic team is a tremendous three-medal performance from the 2010, Luciano Pavarotti, Beverly Sills and honor and a fitting reward for their Vancouver Olympics. many years of hard work. Leanne Smith of North Conway, NH, Joan Sutherland. In New Hampshire, growing up on the will be competing in alpine skiing. As a The Pittsburgh Opera has also been snow is a way of life. With access to representative of Team USA for the an invaluable steward for the future of the unparalleled beauty and terrain of second time, we hope that the com- opera and Pittsburgh’s arts culture the White Mountains, thousands of bination of her previous Olympic expe- through its focus on environmental miles of trails, and nearly 1,000 lakes, rience and her success in recent World sustainability and fiscal management. Granite Staters are at home on the Cup events translates into victory this In 2008, the company moved to new snow, on the ice, and in the air. year. headquarters in the historic George New Hampshire is proud to acknowl- DJ Montigny of Dover, NH, will be Westinghouse Air Brake Factory, a edge our State’s Olympians and is ex- coaching three women on the cultural landmark that became the cited to show the world their talents freeskiing team. A first time coach at oldest LEED-certified building in during the Sochi games. the Olympics, DJ was named Pittsburgh in 2011, making the Pitts- Nick Alexander of Lebanon, NH, will Freeskiing International Coach of the burgh Opera the first opera company in be competing in . As the Year in 2013. We look forward to DJ the United States to receive LEED cer- 2013 U.S. National Champion on the K90 helping lead Team USA athletes to vic- tification in the operations and main- ski jump, we are excited to see Nick tory in Sochi. tenance category.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:14 Feb 05, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G04FE6.035 S04FEPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with SENATE S758 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 4, 2014 Similarly, in 1997, general director original home of the George A. Wes- fraternity, brotherly love, relief, and Mark Weinstein sought, through finan- tinghouse Air Brake Co. in Pitts- truth.∑ cial management and long-range stra- burgh’s historic Strip District and f tegic planning, to ensure a sound fu- transformed it into a state-of-the-art REMEMBERING WALTER J. ture for the Pittsburgh Opera, increas- home for the development and produc- ‘‘JIMMIE’’ FEW ing the company’s assets and estab- tion of opera. This structure is the old- lishing a gold standard for financial est LEED-certified building in Pitts- ∑ Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, we management in the industry. This burg, and it is a fitting home for an often note in our record the passing of planning, as well as the establishment opera company with such a rich his- government and business leaders of re- of the Artistic Excellence Project to tory and a promising future. nown, and that is appropriate. But it is raise funds for engaging elite singers Again, I want to recognize the Pitts- also fitting to pause to reflect on some and directors, has ensured that the burgh Opera on its 75th anniversary. I of those millions of American citizens Pittsburgh Opera will continue to serve wish them nothing but success in the who reflect in their lives the highest as a cultural centerpiece of Pittsburgh next 75 years. and best ideals of their faith and of and a respected leader in the greater f America. opera community. Jimmie Few of Mobile, AL, was one Again, I want to congratulate the ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS such person. I first got to know him Pittsburgh Opera on the impressive when, in 1991, we took part in a mission to Russia as part of a United Methodist achievement of their 75th anniversary. FREEMASONS CONFERENCE I wish them the best and look forward Church delegation. This was shortly ∑ to their continued enrichment of the Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, after the fall of communism. We spent arts community both in Pittsburgh and today I wish to join grand master Ger- over a week in the small city of Vyksa, nationwide. ald E. Piepiora and the Grand Lodge of 5 hours east of Moscow. We roomed to- Mr. TOOMEY. Madam President, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of gether in the home of a Russian family. today I wish to recognize the Pitts- Maryland in welcoming the 2014 Con- This was the first chance the people of burgh Opera, the seventh oldest opera ference of Grand Masters of Masons in Vyksa had to actually meet and get to company in the United States. The North America, which will be con- know Americans. Frequently, one of Pittsburgh Opera is currently engaged vening in Baltimore from Sunday, Feb- the Russians would, with surprise, say, in its 75th season, and I would like to ruary 15, to Tuesday, February 18. This ‘‘You look just like us!’’ congratulate them on this momentous annual meeting is the largest gath- Jimmie was a very large man and anniversary. The company started in ering of grand masters in the world and naturally took charge. When an agree- 1939 when five ambitious women were the first time they have come to Balti- ment was concluded, Jimmie would determined to bring opera to their more. This delegation of grand masters seal it with a firm—very firm—hand- community. Within a year, these represents 2 million Freemasons from shake. He loved the Russians. Indeed, women had assembled musicians, sing- all 50 States; Washington, DC; Puerto after this he made some 19 more trips, ers, sets, costumes, and lighting, and Rico; the Provinces of Canada; and the assisting with orphanages, schools, and produced the opera company’s first per- United Mexican States. In addition, a Bible schools as well as advising Rus- formance, Offenbach’s ‘‘The Tales of delegation of grand masters rep- sians on economic matters. Jimmie Hoffman’’ at Carnegie Music Hall. Be- resenting Freemasons from around the was a very experienced small business- fore long, the Pittsburgh Opera Soci- world also will be attending the con- man. He bought an orphanage a needed ety, under the leadership of general di- ference. van on one occasion and fixed a road to rector Dr. Richard Karp, had become a Throughout their history, Free- the orphanage in another. fully professional organization. masons—the oldest and largest frater- This kind of humanitarian, religious The Pittsburgh Opera is not only rec- nity in the world—have dedicated their mission is not unusual for Americans. ognized as an asset to southwestern lives to cultivating good moral char- Thousands of such trips are occurring Pennsylvania, but it is known through- acter both within themselves and in now involving hundreds of thousands of out the international opera community their communities. The Masonic fra- Americans who make trips to meet for the fine skill and artistry of its pro- ternity is dedicated to caring for those with millions around the globe. They ductions. It has welcomed numerous less fortunate and to giving back to the don’t focus on the rich and powerful; celebrity vocalists over the years, and community, contributing well over they focus on those in need, the poor the company’s notoriety only con- three quarters of a billion dollars annu- and the children. No nation in the his- tinues to grow and attract more talent. ally to philanthropic causes in North tory of the world has ever matched I believe that the Pittsburgh Opera has America alone. such selfless giving. It reflects well on been undeniably successful in fulfilling Maryland Masons have carried on the United States, surely creating its stated mission ‘‘to culturally enrich this tradition since 1787 by serving greater understanding among peoples, Pittsburgh and the tri-state area, and their communities with local scholar- and it is in harmony, certainly, with to draw national and international at- ship programs, student assistance, vol- the spirit of Jesus, which has inspired tention to the region,’’ and I think that unteerism, educational support, and so many. the 31,000 Pittsburghers and visitors other charitable activities. Maryland While Jimmy’s business success and who attend the opera’s productions an- Masons make important contributions health suffered in recent years, his nually would agree. to the quality of life of Marylanders at good life of service to his Lord and to The Pittsburgh Opera is also dedi- every stage of life, including the Mary- others exemplifies the best in human- cated to fostering the development of land Child Identification Program that ity.∑ future opera talent. The company has provides free identification and protec- f established and nurtured a resident tion against the problem of missing artist program that ranks among the children; free childhood language dis- REMEMBERING COLONEL WILLIAM top five in the country and has the dis- order clinics; transportation to re- EDWARD CALLENDER, SR. tinction of being the only program in gional Shriners Hospitals for children ∑ Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today, the United States that trains singers as with orthopedic conditions, burns, spi- I would like to pay tribute to COL Wil- well as stage directors. These artists nal cord injuries, and cleft lip and pal- liam Edward ‘‘Bill’’ Callender, Sr., U.S. present two fully staged productions of ate; and retirement housing and con- Army, Retired. Bill was a friend, a na- their own and also develop a variety of tinuing care for Masons and their fami- tional hero proven in combat, a man general music programs to perform at lies. who loved his family, and a man who public schools, community centers, and I urge my colleagues to join me in committed himself to service to others. libraries. welcoming this distinguished group of To an exceptional degree, he loved his Six years ago, after nearly 70 years international guests to Maryland and country and most especially, he loved without its own center, the Pittsburgh in wishing the masons of Maryland and honored those who served her in Opera acquired and renovated the continued success in their pursuit of uniform.

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