E1384 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks August 1, 2012 that all of us in East Tennessee are the better that appeared in , Wash- grant refugees from Europe, began his version for. ington Post, Christian Science Monitor, and of the American Dream growing up in the I commend Gary for his selfless contribu- San Francisco Chronicle, among other publi- Bronx, graduating from James Madison High tions to East Tennessee and its water re- cations. School in 1941. He continued his academic sources and wish him the best as he transi- Dr. Grothe was an inspiring mentor, leader studies at Cooper Union University, graduating tions into this new stage in life. and volunteer who served as a father figure to in 1944 and teaching electrical engineering f many. He was committed to creating oppor- there for a short time. tunity for tomorrow’s leaders and made a fi- Sy then started designing and selling equip- PERSONAL EXPLANATION nancial contribution that allowed 145 qualified ment for the building trade, which was boom- international and minority students to pursue ing at that time in post-war America. In the HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON their educational goals. The Peter Grothe 1950s, Sy, seeing an opportunity, struck out OF ILLINOIS Scholarship Fund for Women in Developing on his own and started his own business IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Countries was created to continue Dr. which he owned and ran until he sold the firm Wednesday, August 1, 2012 Grothe’s tradition of providing educational op- at the age of 66 at his wife Ellenore’s request. portunity. However, retirement didn’t take with Sy, and Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on Mr. Speaker, I offer my deepest condo- he continued to work. At the tender young age Tuesday, July 31, 2012 I missed votes due to lences to Dr. Grothe’s sister, Ms. Carol Ste- of 71, he started a new engineering and sales a meeting in my district with constituents in vens, and half siblings, Mr. Tom Grothe, and firm with younger partners where he continues Urbana, IL on pressing local issues. Had I Ms. Heidi Carman. Dr. Grothe leaves an in- his storied career in the construction industry been present, I would have voted ‘‘aye’’ for S. spiring legacy and he will be deeply missed. to this day, still going in to work at age 88. 679, Presidential Appointment Efficiency and f Sy’s knowledge, work ethic, and old-fashioned Streamlining Act of 2011; ‘‘aye’’ for H.R. 828, integrity are the stuff of legend in the industry. Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of CELEBRATING IAB’S FIRST 30 Over the years, he has been honored several 2011; and ‘‘aye’’ for H.R. 3803, District of Co- YEARS times by ASHRAE, the nationwide building lumbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection technology society, as well as other industry Act. HON. JOE BARTON organizations. f OF Sy has also been a terrific community lead- er and a fighter for the underdog throughout IN HONOR OF DR. JOHN PETER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES his life. Through his businesses and a lifetime GROTHE Wednesday, August 1, 2012 of charitable endeavors, he has created op- Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today portunities for people from all walks of life and HON. SAM FARR Dr. Burgess and I rise to recognize the Inde- backgrounds. In addition, he and his beloved OF CALIFORNIA pendent Association of Businesses (IAB), a wife Ellenore, who unfortunately passed away IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES leading national trade association, in cele- this year after 67 years of marriage, were Wednesday, August 1, 2012 brating 30 years of supporting small business founders of the Pelham Jewish Center, which owners and self-employed individuals. IAB has been a primary focus of his energies and Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to was founded in 1982 and after years of care for many years. honor the late Dr. John Peter Grothe who growth, now serves more than one million Mr. Speaker, while he has many achieve- passed away on June 16th, 2012 at the age members. ments to his name, Sy is most proud of his of 81. Dr. Grothe was a dedicated public serv- IAB was founded in Washington, DC and two children, a doctor and a lawyer; his ant who counted among his proudest achieve- maintains its administrative headquarters in daughter-in-law, an architect; and his four ments drafting the original Peace Corps legis- the Dallas/Fort Worth area. IAB is a non-profit, grandchildren, who are, respectively, the first lation and giving it the name ‘‘Peace Corps’’ 501(c)6 designated business organization, and trumpet for the San Francisco Opera and a when he worked for Senator Hubert Hum- has been recognized by numerous State and music professor at Berkley, a doctor interning phrey. Dr. Grothe was a dedicated educator, Federal officials for its success in aiding and at Stony Brook University Medical Center, a author, and public speaker whose passion and advancing small businesses. The organization law student and Human Rights Fellow at Co- work touched countless lives. has had success in providing businesses and lumbia University Law School, and a rising Dr. Grothe was born on May 28, 1931 in individuals with beneficial tools such as re- junior at Dartmouth College. I ask all of our San Francisco to Walter and Dorothy Grothe search, advocacy, and access to numerous colleagues to rise and join me in honoring and grew up in Hillsborough, California. He services. Additionally, members have the op- Seymour S. Levander. earned his BA and MA degrees in Journalism portunity to become associates with JAB in f from Stanford University and later went on to order to further promote the organization’s ef- earn his PhD in Political Science from George forts. IN SUPPORT OF H. RES. 742, CON- Washington University. After his work with After 30 years, IAB continues to put the in- DEMNING THE RUSSIAN FEDERA- Senator Humphrey, Dr. Grothe was appointed terests of both business owners and con- TION FOR SELLING WEAPONS TO Deputy Director of the United Nations Division sumers first. It is our pleasure to recognize the SYRIA of the U.S. Peace Corps. Independent Association of Businesses for 30 Following this appointment, Dr. Grothe years of service and this significant milestone HON. LAURA RICHARDSON launched a long career in academia, serving in its history. We are privileged to represent OF CALIFORNIA as an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate JAB, America’s Premier Membership Associa- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES School of International Policy Studies at the tion in the U.S. House of Representatives. Wednesday, August 1, 2012 Monterey Institute of International Studies in f my Congressional District where he was the Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I Director of International Student Programs and IN RECOGNITION OF THE CAREER rise in support of H. Res. 742, a resolution I taught American Politics and Cross-Cultural AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF SEY- introduced condemning the Russian govern- Communications. Dr. Grothe also held posi- MOUR S. LEVANDER ment for selling weapons to the Assad regime tions at San Jose State University, Odense of Syria. University in Denmark, and State University of HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN A bipartisan companion resolution spon- New York, Stony Brook. Dr. Grothe brought OF NEW YORK sored by Senators CORNYN (R–TX) and DUR- his knowledge and abilities to his work as a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BIN (D–IL) has been introduced in the Senate visiting research scholar, lecturing in Sweden, as S. Res. 494. I am proud that my colleagues Wednesday, August 1, 2012 Norway, and 51 other countries. He also , DAVE CAMP, SUE served with the American Field Service as an Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today MYRICK, BILL PASCRELL, JR. and BETTY adviser, leader, and volunteer. to honor the exceptional achievements and MCCOLLUM have joined me as original co- Dr. Grothe was also an accomplished au- outstanding career of Seymour S. Levander. sponsors of this important resolution. thor who wrote To Win the Minds of Men—A Sy, as his friends and family know him, will The resolution is endorsed by the American Study of the Propaganda War in East Ger- turn 89 years old later this year, is a beloved Syrian Coalition, ASC, and I ask unanimous many and penned numerous scholarly articles father and grandfather. Sy, the son of immi- consent to include in the record a letter of

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