May 15, 2012 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 158, Pt. 5 6813 HONORING THE AFRICAN AMER- Mount Carmel Baptist Church is committed press my gratitude to Walter Lamerton for his ICAN EDUCATION TASK FORCE to advancing the kingdom of our Lord and dedication in bringing the USO to the Tampa Savior Jesus Christ through the preaching and Bay area. His success in this endeavor will HON. BARBARA LEE teaching of the Gospel, comforting the sick serve as a lasting legacy for all who support OF CALIFORNIA and distressed, and helping humanity. our military and their families. The USO Cen- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Under the leadership of Rev. Joseph ter at Tampa International Airport will, surely, Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Hezekiah May, Mount Carmel Baptist Church be a shining star in our community. became the flagship Baptist Church on Far f Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise Rockaway. Rev. May was a freedom fighter today to honor the African American Education for affordable and appropriate housing and PRAISE FOR TAIWANESE Task Force, co-chaired by Mr. Oscar Wright through his efforts, the City of New York took ELECTIONS and Mrs. Wandra Boyd, for its record of suc- notice and began building public housing. cess in encouraging and acknowledging aca- Mount Carmel Baptist Church has served as HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL demic achievement by African American youth a pillar to the Arverne community through its OF NEW YORK in California’s Oakland Unified School District. desire to further the cause of the Gospel of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Today, the African American Education Jesus Christ through social activism, pastoral Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Task Force and the Oakland Unified School care, community engagement and youth de- District will celebrate a successful decade of velopment. Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as Taiwan pre- recognizing our local African American stu- On behalf of the more than 655,000 resi- pares for its Presidential inauguration on May dents’ Honor Roll status. The African Amer- dents of Sixth Congressional District, we thank 20, I’d like to congratulate our friends in Tai- ican Education Task Force Academic Achieve- Mount Carmel for your outstanding contribu- wan for the smooth conclusion of their presi- ment Celebration takes place at the ACTS Full tion to our community, city, and state. We join dential election on January 14, when Mr. Ma Gospel Church, pastored by Bishop Bob Jack- with Mount Carmel to celebrate 100 years of Ying-jeou won a second term as President of son in Oakland, California. service and wish you continued success in all Taiwan. During this year’s event, 1,026 African of your endeavors. For over half a century, the United States American students from the 8th through 12th f and Taiwan have enjoyed strong relations grades will be honored for attaining grade over economic and security issues. Our point averages of 3.00 or above for the 2011– RECOGNIZING SMSGT (RET.) WAL- shared interest in peace and stability has guid- 2012 school year. This outstanding group of TER LAMERTON’S EFFORTS TO ed the relationship, and our commitment to young people has accomplished a great deal, BRING A USO CENTER TO TAMPA Taiwan’s security, as stated in the 1979 Tai- and we are pleased to commend them for INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT wan Relations Act, has enabled Taiwan to their academic dedication and success. Espe- build a strong democratic government which cially in light of the great budgetary challenges HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS serves as a symbol of success for others in faced by the State of California and the city of OF FLORIDA the region and beyond. Similarly, Taiwan’s Oakland, these students have proven them- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES economic partnership with us has been ex- selves to be bright, capable and resourceful. tremely beneficial. Taiwan is currently our Tuesday, May 15, 2012 I would like to take this opportunity to con- tenth largest trading partner, with over $68 bil- gratulate each and every student for earning Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lion in total bilateral trade. this distinction. Thank you for understanding honor retired U.S. Air Force SMSgt (Ret.) Wal- During Mr. Ma’s second term, I hope our re- and promoting the importance of staying in ter Lamerton of Trinity, Florida for his critical lationship with Taiwan will continue to flourish school. By continuing to be the best students role in bringing the USO to Tampa Inter- in areas as diverse as trade, military coopera- possible and by making the most of your edu- national Airport. tion, and the Visa Waiver Program. cation, you will enjoy a full range of opportuni- On January 18, 2012, the USO Board of Congratulations to Mr. Ma and the people of ties to achieve your personal goals, as well as Governors voted to grant a charter for the Taiwan. give back to your communities. USO expansion to Tampa. This USO Center f Your accomplishments represent the is scheduled to open in August 2012 and will strength of your initiative and a commitment to support the more than 300,000 service mem- THE DEATH OF NICHOLAS KING excellence. The skills and discipline you have bers and their families that annually transit the developed will be of great use as you continue Tampa Bay community. At the time of the HON. LAURA RICHARDSON to follow your dreams toward success. I am so vote, USO Headquarters Staff stated that OF CALIFORNIA very proud of you for taking personal pride in ‘‘Many have applied, but that this is the first IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES your studies. Oakland’s future leaders are cer- Chartered USO Center approved in the nation tainly present at this celebration of academic in over twenty years.’’ Tuesday, May 15, 2012 achievement, and I welcome your many civic Walter Lamerton was a driving force behind Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, it is my contributions in the years to come. submitting this ultimately successful proposal regrettable duty to report the death of a great On behalf of the residents of California’s 9th to the USO Board of Governors. He worked American, Nicolas King. Mr. King died on April Congressional District, I again salute you for closely with volunteers throughout the Tampa 3, 2012 in Santa Rosa, California. He was 79. your exemplary academic performance. I am Bay area and effectively conveyed their mes- Perhaps more than any other person, Mr. King confident that you will continue this fine record sage of support for our service members and was responsible for preserving the Watts Tow- of scholarship, service and success. Keep up their families to both the local community and ers in Los Angeles, which has been visited by the good work, and I wish you the very best to the USO Board of Governors, under a com- millions over the past 50 years. in all of your future endeavors. pact timeframe. King was instrumental in preserving the f Mr. Lamerton’s leadership and attention to world famous Watts Towers which adds an RECOGNIZING MOUNT CARMEL detail were critical in the effort to bring the aesthetic appeal to my 37th District. The BAPTIST CHURCH, MAY 15, 2012 USO Center to Tampa. As a result, many of unique work of folk art, was created over 33 our Nation’s service members and their fami- years by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia. HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS lies will directly benefit from his efforts for Rodia, described as a cement finisher and years to come. construction worker, began building the towers OF NEW YORK As Vice-Chairman of the House Committee in 1921. The nearly 100-foot complex of spires IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on Veterans’ Affairs, I constantly find myself in and other structures are decorated with bro- Tuesday, May 15, 2012 awe of the sacrifices and efforts that have ken pottery, seashells, glazed tiles and pieces Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recog- been made on behalf of our great country by of colored glass. nize Mount Carmel Baptist Church who this the men and women who have worn the uni- In 1954, Rodia moved to Martinez, Cali- year, will celebrate 100 years of service to the form of our Armed Services. Because of this, fornia to be closer to family and signed his Arverne Community in my district. it is my distinct honor to recognize and ex- property over to his neighbor, Louis Sauceda.

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