E1576 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 28, 2013 leadership, the University saw simultaneous mitted to another match at USC. The Wiley VETERAN HALL OF FAME annual enrollment increases and higher SAT College team also known as the Melvin B. INDUCTEE JOSEPH K. VRABEL scores of entering classes. Tolson/Denzel Washington Forensics Society, In addition, Dr. Freeman oversaw $20 mil- will be represented by Sophomore Lyle HON. TIM RYAN lion in capital improvements to the Albany Keinman and Junior Nathan Leal along with OF OHIO State campus, including a state-of-the-art stu- team director, Christopher Medina. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dent center, a learning center, and six resi- dence halls. The positive impact of the con- Now ranked fourth in the nation, Wiley’s de- Monday, October 28, 2013 struction reverberated throughout the student bate team completed its 2012–2013 season of Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today community, as well as in the surrounding city. competition having amassed 82 national to honor the life of Joseph Vrabel. Joe served The relationship between ASU and the Great- awards, 368 season-long awards, 16 cham- in the United States Army during the Korean er Albany area has been significantly strength- pionship trophies, and the first team title by a War. Upon his return, he served his fellow vet- ened, as the University’s economic impact on historically black college. The debate team is erans by joining the Veterans of Foreign Wars the city reached $156 million during Dr. Free- affiliated with Pi Kappa Delta, the National in 1956, and soon thereafter, becoming Post man’s time as president. Dr. Freeman also Forensics Association, and the American Commander. His service continued as a Life worked to establish partnerships with several Forensics Association. Member of the American Legion Mahoning local businesses, further improving the town We commend both Wiley College and USC Valley Post 15, where he served five years as and gown relationship between Albany and in their efforts on enhancing students’ critical Post Commander, going on to serve as ASU. thinking skills through the medium of debate. Mahoning County Commander of the Dynamic On a personal note, I am proud to call Dr. We wish the best for both teams and look for- Ninth District; and then proceeding on to serve Freeman a friend and I am so grateful for all ward to have such a historical event re-en- as the American Legion Department of Ohio he has done for Albany State University and acted in the California 37th Congressional Dis- Commander. Joe was an enthusiastic sup- the Albany community. His heartfelt dedication trict. porter of the American Legion’s Buckeye Boys to this school will be felt and remembered for State, promoting the program whenever he years to come. could and securing local sponsorships which f Nelson Henderson once said, ‘‘The true would allow the youth of this area to gain first- meaning of life is to plant trees under whose IN RECOGNITION OF MR. BRAD hand experience in state government. Joe was shade you do not expect to sit.’’ Dr. Freeman WILLIAMS a significant supporter of the Gifts for the has not only planted trees of knowledge Yanks program which provided gifts for hos- whose fruit ASU students and alumni can pitalized veterans during the Christmas sea- yield, but he has also planted the seeds of HON. PETE SESSIONS son. Joe was instrumental in obtaining a van success for future generations of Albany State to transport veterans from Youngstown to the University Golden Rams. OF TEXAS Cleveland American Legion, where he served Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES as Post 15 Sons of the American Legion Advi- in paying tribute to Dr. Everette J. Freeman for sor for 15 years. In addition, he spent count- his eight outstanding years as President of Al- Monday, October 28, 2013 less hours as a member of Mahoning Valley bany State University. His energizing leader- Post 15’s Honor Guard and Color Guard, pro- ship and his commitment to academic excel- Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to viding final military honors to his fellow vet- lence has helped to make lasting improve- recognize Mr. Brad Williams who will be in- erans. Joe was locally known as the ‘‘Vet- ments to Albany State University so to better stalled as the 2014 Chairman of the Board for eran’s Veteran’’, for his dedicated work with provide current and future students with the the National Apartment Association on No- veterans. As the owner of Hillcrest Tavern, tools they need to lead successful and produc- vember 8, 2013. Joe was able to support local youth sports tive lives. As a native of Dallas, Texas, Mr. Williams is teams, mainly golf, bowling, and softball in his f a graduate of the University of Texas with a hometown of Poland, Ohio. For his significant contributions to the veterans and youth of the WILEY COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY degree in History, holds a Certificate of Real Estate from Southern Methodist University, Mahoning Valley, Joe is very worthy to be in- OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EX- ducted, posthumously, into the 2013 Ohio Vet- HIBITION DEBATE and has received the Certified Property Man- ager designation from the Institute of Real Es- erans Hall of Fame. tate Management. He has over 40 years of f HON. LOUIE GOHMERT experience in property management with Lin- OF TEXAS HONORING SUNCOAST HIGH coln Property Company and is responsible for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SCHOOL IN RIVIERA BEACH, management of over 50,000 rental units FLORIDA ON CELEBRATING 25 Monday, October 28, 2013 throughout Texas and the Midwest. YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN PRO- Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, today, we rec- Mr. Williams is the past President of the VIDING SECONDARY EDUCATION ognize and celebrate the Wiley College and Apartment Association of Greater Dallas and University of Southern California debate teams the Texas Apartment Association. In addition, HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS on their Exhibition Debate. On October 25, he has served as the Chairman of the Na- OF FLORIDA 2013 the Wiley College and USC debate tional Apartment Association’s Political Action IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES teams will reenact their historic debate of Committee for the last three years and cur- Monday, October 28, 2013 1935. rently serves on the Executive Committee for The 1935 debate was depicted in the 2007 the National Apartment Association. As Chair- Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I movie, ‘‘The Great Debaters,’’ which Denzel man of the Board, Mr. Williams will lead the rise today to honor Suncoast High School in Washington starred in and directed. ‘‘The National Apartment Association towards con- Riviera Beach, Florida on the occasion of its Great Debaters’’ tells the story of Wiley’s de- tinued success as America’s leading advocate 25th anniversary as an institution of secondary feat of USC, the then reigning national for quality rental housing, serving the interests education in Palm Beach County. forensics champion, under the direction of of rental housing owners, managers, devel- This remarkable school is perennially ranked as a top high school in America, as it Professor Melvin B. Tolson. Following the re- opers and suppliers, and promoting a high lease of the movie, Denzel Washington do- offers a wealth of coursework in Math, level of professionalism in the rental housing nated $1 million to Wiley College to revive the Science and Engineering, Computer Science, industry to better serve the housing needs of debate team. International Baccalaureate studies, as well as the public. October 25th will not be the first meeting of Interactive Technology magnet programs. Chil- the teams in recent years. In 2012, USC trav- Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues dren from across Palm Beach County seek eled to Wiley College in Texas’ 1st Congres- to join me in expressing our heartiest con- admission to Suncoast for its acknowledged sional District for an exhibition match with the gratulations and best wishes to Mr. Brad Wil- excellence in comprehensively educating stu- great debaters at the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chap- liams as he guides the National Apartment As- dents. The school has also become renowned el. At the conclusion of the evening, both sociation this upcoming year as Chairman of in the community for the diligent attention that teams were declared victors and they com- the Board. the faculty and staff offer to their students.

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