2702 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 153, Pt. 2 January 30, 2007 Blackshere has been responsible for maintain- medal, and several other finishing places— Beame, Ed Koch, and Rudy ing unity within the Illinois AFL/CIO even placing and medaling in each of three divi- Giuliani for his efforts in promoting the rich though there have been signs of discord in sions—a remarkable showing! culture of Caribbean people and thus enrich- other locations during recent years. I am also pleased to recognize the incom- ing the cultural life of City. In 2001, In addition to her tireless work for her labor parable Gloria Jean Cuming for her out- the Carnival route—Eastern Parkway was re- organizations, Ms. Blackshere has been in- standing leadership and instruction as well as named Carlos Lezama Parkway. volved in a number of civic and political orga- the six choreographers who worked with the Even though Carlos Lezama passed away nizations as well. These organizations include dancers and traveled to Germany with them. on January 22, 2007, his contributions to the the Alliance for Retired Americans Labor-Man- Their work with individuals and groups helped diversity of the of America will agement Cooperation Council, United Way of to secure this outstanding triumph. In addition, continue to resonate through the Annual Illinois, Voices for Illinois Children, Workers I would also extend a note of thanks and ap- Brooklyn Carnival held each Labor Day Mon- Compensation Advisory Board, the Chicago preciation to the parents and volunteers day. Council on Global Affairs and the American whose support has enabled the dancers to [From the ] Red Cross of Greater Chicago. She has also practice and travel for their competitions. With- been a delegate to the Democratic National out their efforts, the success of the USA Tap WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL FOUNDER CARLOS Convention and has been a member of the Dance Team would not be possible. LEZAMA DIES AT 83 Democratic National Committee. I am thrilled to stand today to join our local (By Bill Hutchinson) While Ms. Blackshere is retiring from her communities in extending my sincere con- Carlos Lezama, who transformed the West position as President of the Illinois AFL/CIO, gratulations to the USA Tap Dance Team on Indian American Day Carnival from a five- she has indicated that she will continue to their great success at the 2007 World Tap block affair into one of the city’s biggest consult, assist and volunteer her time for the Dance Championships. You have all made us events, died yesterday. He was 83. causes that have been important to her. For proud! Lezama, a retired machinist for the Metro- those in organized labor and for everyone who f politan Transportation Authority, died at Kings County Hospital after a brief illness. appreciates the positive impact that the labor A TRIBUTE TO MR. CARLOS movement has had in our overall quality of ‘‘Throughout our lives, my siblings, as well LEZAMA—PRESIDENT EMERITUS as my mother, have been privileged to share life, Margaret Blackshere has been a true OF THE WEST INDIAN AMERICAN my father with the millions who are part of champion. DAY CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION the carnival family,’’ said Lezama’s daugh- Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join ter, Yolanda Lezama-Clark. me in an expression of appreciation to Mar- ‘‘I am grateful that he has left an impres- garet Blackshere for her years of dedicated HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL sive legacy of which we all as Caribbean peo- service to the working men and women in Illi- OF NEW YORK ple can be proud,’’ added Lezama-Clark, nois and our nation and to wish her the very IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES president of the West Indian American Day best in the future. Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Carnival Association. f Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today Born in Trinidad, Lezama grew up playing the steel pan and the cello, garnering the HONORING THE USA TAP DANCE to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Carlos nickname ‘‘Celloman’’ while working on a TEAM ON THEIR SUCCESS AT Lezama, West Indian community leader who cruise ship. THE WORLD TAP DANCE CHAM- left this world at the age of 83 years and to When he immigrated to America, he gravi- PIONSHIPS enter into the RECORD an article in the Daily tated to the annual carnival event in Har- News by Bill Hutchinson entitled ‘‘West Indian lem. In the mid-1960s, he and a friend, Rufus Carnival Founder Carlos Lezama Dies at 83.’’ Goring, brought the celebration to Brooklyn, HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO Carlos Lezama was born in Trinidad and and in 1967 he was elected the first president OF CONNECTICUT spent his formative years on the island. He of the carnival association. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES played the Cello and was nicknamed ‘‘He was a major force with respect to the Tuesday, January 30, 2007 ‘‘Celloman’’ a name and position he enjoyed West Indian Day parade, which now has mil- lions of people,’’ former Ed Koch said Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with while working on a passenger ship before mi- of Lezama yesterday. ‘‘It’s really not a pa- the greatest pride that I rise today to extend grating to the USA in the early fifties. He rade. It’s a mass of people, having a great my sincere congratulations and very best joined the New York Metropolitan Transit Au- time together.’’ wishes to the USA Tap Dance Team, based thority, in the mid-sixties. At NYTA he moved Former Mayor David Dinkins said it was out of the Greater New Haven area, as they up steadily for the next twenty years until he Lezama’s ‘‘vision and foresight’’ that turned celebrate their tremendous success at the became a Machinist. In 1989, he retired from the parade into a city cultural icon. 2007 World Tap Dance Championships re- that Agency. ‘‘I thought he was terrific,’’ Dinkins said. cently held in Reisa, Germany. In all, 51 danc- Lezama long ago recognized the cultural ‘‘He had a drive, he was determined that the ers ranging in age from 10 to 20 years old significance of Carnival, since he played Mas’ parade was going to go off and he didn’t par- made the trip and returned with a total of 11 in Trinidad. When he came to New York he ticularly care about the politics of it. I medals! Our communities certainly have cause naturally gravitated towards the Carnival which thought he did a great job.’’ for celebration with the wonderful accomplish- took place in Harlem. In the mid-nineteen six- Besides his daughter, Lezama is survived by his son, Kenwyn; four grandchildren, and ments of these young people. ties, he directed his efforts to firmly establish two great-grandchildren. Participating in three divisions, the USA Tap Carnival in Brooklyn with his friend Rufus Dance Team has worked very hard over the Goring, who brought the celebration to Brook- f last several months to be able to compete in lyn. this year’s competitions. Coming together from Under the stewardship of Lezama, the WATER QUALITY FINANCING ACT across Connecticut and even New York, the Brooklyn Caribbean Carnival grew from a five- OF 2007 dancers practiced for countless hours for solo, block affair to the status of the largest outdoor duo, small group, and formation events. The parade in the United States. It attracts in ex- commitment these young people have dem- cess of three million people on Eastern Park- HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR onstrated is truly inspiring. They have worked way every year on the first Monday in Sep- OF MINNESOTA so hard to master the required high-level skills tember. Over the years the West Indian Amer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the necessary symmetry of their move- ican Day Carnival Association has grown to a Tuesday, January 30, 2007 ments. full-fledged community service organization I had the distinct honor of joining them for and provides scholarships and a host of an- Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, in 1972, a very special evening as they prepared to nual calendar events of cultural and edu- the passage of the Clean Water Act secured leave for Germany and, as a former tap danc- cational events. the nation’s commitment to rescuing our er myself, I was truly impressed with the level Lezama has been officially recognized and waters and expelling the pollutants that were of dedication, passion, and talent of the team. honored by scores of organizations, four New killing our water supply and the wildlife that It was this combination of drive and spirit that York State Governors (Govs. Rockefeller, depended on it. Today, Mr. YOUNG, former led to the team to come home with three gold Carey, Cuomo, and Pataki), and numerous Chairman of the Committee on Transportation medals, seven silver medals, one bronze awards from Mayors , Abe and

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Infrastructure, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, had been steady at a level of $1.35 billion an- HONORING THE LIFE OF EMMA Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water nually, in recent years, funding for the pro- FAUST TILLMAN Resources and Environment, Congresswoman gram has been cut dramatically. From just fis- ELLEN TAUSCHER, and I introduce bipartisan cal year 2006 to fiscal year 2007, the adminis- HON. JOHN B. LARSON legislation that definitively renews our commit- tration’s budget request for Clean Water SRFs OF CONNECTICUT ment to these waters and authorizes in- decreased $199.2 million, dropping from IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES creased funding for wastewater infrastructure $886.7 million to $687.5 million. Tuesday, January 30, 2007 through a reauthorization of the Clean Water These declines come at a time when fund- Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam State Revolving Loan Fund program. ing is vital for progress. Our population is The Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 Speaker, I rise today to pay great honor to booming, putting more pressure on already Mrs. Emma Faust Tillman, who passed away authorizes $20 billion in Federal grants over over-burdened systems. In addition, much of five years to capitalize Clean Water State Re- on January 28, 2007. Mrs. Tillman, a longtime the wastewater infrastructure in this country is resident of the Hartford area, was the oldest volving Funds. These funds provide low inter- rapidly approaching or has already exceeded est loans to communities for wastewater infra- known living peson prior to her death at 114 its projected useful life. These antiquated sys- years of age. Though her reign lasted only 4 structure. This bill also provides additional tems need maintenance and rebuilding to pro- subsidies, including principal forgiveness and days, the legacy of her life can provide inspi- tect our physical, economic, and natural envi- ration to us all. negative interest loans for communities that ronments. meet a state’s affordability criteria, for indi- Born November 22, 1892 in Gibsonville, vidual ratepayers that will experience signifi- Without increased investment in wastewater North Carolina, Mrs. Tillman was one of 23 cant hardship from potential rate increases, infrastructure, in less than a generation, the siblings. Her parents, former slaves, moved and for the construction and implementation of U.S. could lose much of the gains it made Mrs. Tillman and her family to Glastonbury, innovative or alternative processes, materials, thus far in improving water quality as a result Connecticut in 1900. After graduating high or technologies to meet the nation’s waste- of the 1972 Clean Water Act. school in 1909 as the only black student in her water treatment needs. It encourages long- I urge my colleagues to support this bipar- class, Mrs. Tillman went on to work as a cook, term asset management planning and fInanc- tisan bill, to continue funding our infrastruc- maid, and party caterer, eventually owning her ing that will ensure sustainable systems and ture, to make repairs where maintenance is own catering service and baking for many of the potential to reduce overall capital and op- needed, and to renew our commitment to our Hartford’s notable residents, including Hartford eration and maintenance costs and it pro- nation’s waters. Hospital’s Dr. Thomas Hepburn, father of leg- motes communities to consider alternative and endary actress Katharine Hepburn. She wed innovative processes, materials, and tech- f Arthur Tillman in 1914 and they had 2 daugh- nologies (including ‘‘green infrastructure’’) that ters before his death in 1939. Deeply religious from a young age, Mrs. Till- provide greater environmental benefIts, or the REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF OFFI- man became involved with her church mem- same benefIts using less energy or at a re- CER DAN BESSANT OF THE berships. After being christened at age 13, duced cost. Water quality benefIts are the pri- OCEANSIDE POLICE DEPART- she began singing in her church choir, an ac- mary criterion for determining which projects MENT tivity in which she was engaged in for over 80 receive funding, and encourages watershed years. A longtime member of the A.M.E. Zion approaches to solving water quality problems, Church in Hartford, she was considered the as well as traditional infrastructure. HON. DARRELL E. ISSA ‘‘mother of the church’’ by Rev. Terry L. Since 1972, the federal government has OF CALIFORNIA provided more than $82 billion for wastewater Jones, not only for her ripe age, but also for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES infrastructure and other assistance. Overall in- her fervent faith. When commenting on the longevity of her life, Mrs. Tillman would always vestment in the nation’s infrastructure—includ- Tuesday, January 30, 2007 ing that from federal, state, and local credit ‘‘God’s will.’’ Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join sources—has been over $250 billion. Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to Today, twice as many waters are consid- remember the life and service of Oceanside me today in honoring the life of Emma Faust ered fishable and swimmable as they were be- Police Officer Dan Bessant, who was killed in Tillman. In her 114 years, she deeply touched fore the Clean Water Act was passed into law. the line of duty on December 20, 2006. and inspired those who knew her, and those who have heard her tremendous story. My Our infrastructure systems include 16,000 A 3-year police department veteran, Officer thoughts and prayers are with her friends and publicly owned wastewater treatment plants, Bessant was fatally shot while responding to a family, in particular, her surviving daughter 100,000 major pumping stations, 600,000 fellow officer’s call for assistance on a routine Marjorie. The Hartford community is thankful miles of sanitary sewers, and 200,000 miles of traffic stop in Oceanside, California. It is intol- for the honor of knowing Emma Faust Tillman. storm sewers. Toxic chemicals and other pol- erable that such a fine young man should be lutants have been greatly reduced. Wildlife taken from those he loved in the prime of his f has returned in abundance to waters that were life to a senseless act of youth violence. REV. ROBERT F. DRINAN, SCHOL- once declared ‘‘dead’’. One in ten tourists is Just as he did on that fateful day, Officer AR, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST, destined for the beach—providing our travel Bessant spent his life of 25 years committed AND FORMER MEMBER OF CON- and vacation industries with customers and to serving the public—first as police cadet, GRESS business. then as a Police Community Safety Assistant, Many of these success stories have oc- and finally as an Oceanside Police Officer. HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE curred, in part, because of a strong commit- Each day of Officer Bessant’s service made OF TEXAS ment to fund necessary projects to improve Oceanside a safer place. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES water quality. Title VI of the Clean Water Act provides for the establishment and capitaliza- Officer Bessant will be remembered as a Tuesday, January 30, 2007 tion of Clean Water State Revolving Loan dedicated officer, passionate for his work and Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Funds (‘‘Clean Water SRFs’’) to aid in funding eager to improve the community where he Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great Amer- the construction of wastewater treatment was born and raised. His family and friends ican and a former member of this House. The works and other wastewater infrastructure will remember him as a proud, new father and Rev. Robert Drinan, was a Jesuit Catholic around the country. Since 1987, individual devoted husband. By all, he will be recalled priest, lawyer, human rights activist, and a states and territories have maintained Clean for his unwavering honor and courage. former Member of Congress from Massachu- Water SRFs to help provide for low-cost fi- On this day, Congress should remember Of- setts. He was also a law professor at George- nancing for approved water quality infrastruc- ficer Bessant’s passion for law enforcement town University Law Center for the last 26 ture projects. and his endless devotion to Oceanside. May years of his life. Father Drinan, who died Sun- These advances aside, one-third of our na- God bring peace to his wife Katelyn, 2 month- day, January 28, 2007, was one of the most tion’s waters are still in deplorable condition. old son Wyatt, and his family, friends and col- admired members of this body and was be- Although federal funding of Clean Water SRFs leagues. loved by all who knew him. He will be missed

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