E622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 29, 2014 Rather than slander the names of two faithful RECOGNIZING PHILIP P. SMITH ON ‘‘One voice united in prayer.’’ Echoing that men of God, China should take national pride RECEIVING THE SUN SENTINEL’S sentiment of unity, those of us who grew up that two of its own, neither of whom were po- 2013 EXCALIBUR AWARD FOR reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at school litical in either their message or their leader- BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR every morning recall its stirring words with ab- ship of the flock, have had extraordinary im- IN BROWARD COUNTY solute clarity to this very day: ‘‘One Nation pact far beyond the Chinese-speaking world. under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice Mr. Speaker, I call upon the Chinese gov- HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS for all.’’ ernment today to release all those being held OF FLORIDA Yet today in some schools, the Pledge has simply because of their faith in Christ and to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES taken a back seat to busy class schedules abandon this national campaign to discredit Tuesday, April 29, 2014 and that crucial phrase, ‘‘under God,’’ seems under constant fire by an unrestrained judici- and distort the record of two brave followers of Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I the One who came with the message of salva- ary. National Prayer Day serves to remind us rise today to recognize Mr. Philip P. Smith, the we need to regain our footing in this country tion, forgiveness and peace, and instead, to president and chief executive officer of Phil celebrate with us the contributions of Watch- again if we are to stand tall in His eyes among Smith Management, Inc., on receiving the Sun the brotherhood of nations. man Nee and Witness Lee to believers the Sentinel’s 2013 Excalibur Award for Business world over. My efforts in the Congress have long been Leader of the Year in Broward County. Each to preserve our Constitutional guarantees of year, the Sun Sentinel recognizes outstanding freely exercising our religion, and not van- f business executives who exemplify both busi- quishing that right from the public square. ness leadership and community involvement, Since the earliest days of our founding, and in RECOGNIZING MASTER SERGEANT and I can think of no one more deserving of the hearts and minds of those landing on our LANCE NELSON this honor than Phil. Well known as the founder of Phil Smith shores to settle a new world, hope endured Chevrolet, a successful General Motors (GM) through prayer. HON. ADAM SMITH dealership in my Congressional district that I have again introduced a Constitutional OF WASHINGTON serves the greater South Florida area from Amendment to ensure voluntary prayer in pub- lic schools. H.J. Res. 42 reads: ‘‘Nothing in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Palm Beach to Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Phil bought into his first auto dealer- this Constitution, including any amendment to Tuesday, April 29, 2014 ship 35 years ago. While finishing college at the Constitution, shall be construed to prohibit Florida Atlantic University (FAU), he started voluntary prayer or require prayer in school, or Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, it is working at a Ford dealership in Pompano to prohibit voluntary prayer or require prayer at with great admiration that I rise to congratulate Beach. Owner Pete Menten saw Phil’s poten- a public school extracurricular activity.’’ In the MSgt. Lance Nelson on being named the tial, and not only kept him on the job after his past, I had jointly introduced this amendment Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year. graduation but later gave him the chance to with our late senator, Robert C. Byrd. And, I This award, given annually by the Tacoma- buy into a small Toyota store in Homestead. have co-sponsored H. Res. 547, supporting Pierce County Chamber Military Affairs Com- With help and support from Menten, Southeast the 63rd annual observance of the National mittee and the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma, rec- Toyota Distributors Chief Jim Moran, and oth- Day of Prayer on May 1, 2014, and urge all ognizes an individual who upholds his or her ers, Phil grew his business and now leads an West Virginians to come together to pray and commitment to civic responsibility in an exem- auto-dominated group with 780 employees reaffirm the importance prayer has played in plary way. MSgt. Nelson has served his com- and about $500 million in annual revenue. our nation’s heritage. munity and country in great measure and is With a direct hands-on sales and manage- As wise old Ben Franklin told his fellow del- truly deserving of this award. ment approach, Phil has built his company egates in calling for daily prayer at our Con- During his time in the 728th Airlift Squadron, from the ground up and now operates 17 auto stitutional Convention, ‘‘the longer I live, the 446th Airlift Wing, MSgt. Nelson has personi- dealerships throughout Florida, Georgia, and more convincing proofs I see of this truth— fied what it means to be an airman. He not North Carolina, as well as the Coral Ridge that God governs in the affairs of men. And if only serves as a flight leader in his squadron Country Club in Fort Lauderdale. Just as in a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his but also as the squadron’s Self Aid and Buddy the very beginning, he remains true to the notice, is it probable that an empire can rise Care Instructor, a position that puts him in principles that have put him at the forefront of without his aid?’’ charge of conducting classes on battlefield his business model: paying it forward and Being a firm believer in the power of prayer, first aid. Furthermore, MSgt. Nelson’s commit- strong relationships with customers. Phil offers I remain convinced that collectively, through ment to service continues when he is off duty, promising employees the same chance that he the power of prayer, we can begin to heal our where he is employed as a firefighter and was given, to become a part owner in each of land. Because when we weigh what little our EMT with West Pierce Fire and Rescue. his auto franchises and pursue the American Lord asks of us—the faith of a mustard seed, MSgt. Nelson has also shown enthusiasm Dream through hard work and dedication. the mere touch of a garment’s hem—the re- Even with his great success, he remains for the potential of young people in our com- turn is nothing short of amazing grace. grounded to the things that matter most. Phil The leadership of our pastors helps guide munity. From starring in Fire Prevention Week is civically engaged and active in his commu- assemblies and volunteering in classrooms, to us to greater understanding and appreciation nity. In addition to his charitable giving, he of that sound investment. I thank them for leading Boy Scouts and coaching sports, serves on the boards for his alma mater FAU, MSgt. Nelson has consistently invested in the their compassion and for their continuing com- the Orange Bowl Committee, and various non- mitment to the power of prayer, and the lives of children. As President of the Ever- profits that focus on issues such as health and green Elementary PTA and member of the strength and guidance it grants us to make the education. Phil also welcomes several high Lord’s work here on Earth our own. Bethel School District Long Range Facilities school teams to practice on the golf course at Planning Team, he has been a dedicated ad- Coral Ridge Country Club without charge. f vocate and resource for the Bethel School Mr. Speaker, Phil Smith is not only an ex- RECOGNIZING MRS. JENNIFER District. ceptional entrepreneur, but a community lead- AINSWORTH Howard O. Scott, for whom this award is er and dear friend. It is truly a pleasure to rec- named, served America when called upon dur- ognize him on receiving the Excalibur Award ing World War II, and continued to serve the for Business Leader of the Year. HON. TOM RICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA Tacoma community throughout the rest of his f life, leaving behind an impressive legacy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MSgt. Nelson carries on the legacy of Howard NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Tuesday, April 29, 2014 O. Scott, setting an incredible example of what Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I it means to give back to your country and HON. NICK J. RAHALL II rise today to recognize one of our nation’s fin- OF WEST VIRGINIA community. est teachers, Mrs. Jennifer Ainsworth of Horry IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I County, South Carolina. congratulate MSgt. Lance Nelson. I wish him Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Mrs. Ainsworth was recently named South well in his future endeavors, and thank him for Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Carolina’s 2014–2015 Teacher of the Year for his service. theme of this year’s National Day of Prayer, her exemplary work at Socastee High School,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:52 Apr 30, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29AP8.022 E29APPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS April 29, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E623 where she teaches and mentors mild to mod- vived the German occupation of Poland and rights, advocates for farmland preservation, erate special needs students. Drawing from the destruction of Warsaw during WWII and in and helps run a non-profit that obtains fresh the inspiration of her late-mother, grand- 1952, when he was 16, he moved with his produce weekly from four local farms and dis- mother, and late-class assistant, Mrs. family to Peoria. When he arrived, speaking tributes it through local food banks. Ainsworth prepares her students for their fu- little English, he would leave Peoria High I want to honor Claire’s commitment and ture by teaching them life and work skills so School at the end of the day and visit the local drive to overcoming food insecurity by creating they can be productive citizens. movie theater to help himself learn the lan- a means to get healthful food directly from Mrs. Ainsworth attributes her success to un- guage. In 1958, after Shalikashvili graduated farms to the homes that need it most. conditional love, hard work, and her dedication from Bradley University in Peoria with a de- to making a difference in her students’ lives. gree in mechanical engineering, he received f Too often, people focus on the broken por- his draft notice. He entered the Army as a pri- tions of our education system. We must recog- vate before attending Officer Candidate HONORING ISABEL MARIE ZUREK nize and celebrate our educators that go School (OCS) and embarking on a distin- above-and-beyond their job duties, like Mrs. guished career that would span almost 40 Ainsworth. years. HON. KERRY L. BENTIVOLIO Our nation’s teachers, especially our special Under President George H.W. Bush, OF MICHIGAN education teachers, dedicate their lives to en- Shalikashvili served as NATO’s Supreme Al- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES riching the lives of our children. Mr. Speaker, lied Commander. After the first Gulf War, he I applaud Mrs. Ainsworth, and all of our coun- served as Commander of Operation Provide Tuesday, April 29, 2014 try’s educators, for their selfless commitment Comfort, the peacekeeping and humanitarian Mr. BENTIVOLIO. Mr. Speaker, we honor to our country’s future. action in northern Iraq. In 1993, General Isabel Marie Zurek, one of the many women f Shalikashvili was appointed Chairman of the who rose up to help the wartime effort during Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Clinton, WWII. Ms. Zurek is proudly recognized as a THE ARC THRIFT where he served until his retirement in 1997. ‘‘Rosie the Riveter’’ who worked in one of the He was the first foreign-born man to hold the many factories in Detroit during the war. Now HON. ED PERLMUTTER position, as well as the first draftee to ever celebrating her 90th birthday, we honor the life OF COLORADO rise to become Chairman. and accomplishments of Isabel Marie Zurek. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES General Shalikashvili passed away in July, 2011, and was honored by the Presidents he f Tuesday, April 29, 2014 served under and his fellow military leaders. Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise President Clinton remembered that ‘‘he never HONORING MR. ED VAN BUREN today to recognize and applaud the Arc Thrift minced words, he never postured or pulled Stores for receiving the Golden Rotary Ethics punches, he never shied away from tough in Business Award. issues or tough calls, and most important, he HON. TED S. YOHO The Ethics in Business Award was estab- never shied away from doing what he believed OF FLORIDA lished by the Golden Rotary to honor for profit was the right thing.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and not for profit businesses. The recipients of Mr. Speaker, I’d like to commend Peoria for this award must maintain integrity, conviction recognizing Shalikashvili’s patriotism and dedi- Tuesday, April 29, 2014 and demonstrate high ethical standards, dem- cated service, and I hope those who visit Gen- Mr. YOHO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- onstrated by treatment of customers, employ- eral Shalikashvili Park continue to be inspired ognize and celebrate Ed Van Buren, an Amer- ees, community and the environment. by his incredible story. ican hero and Army veteran from back in my The Arc Thrift is a 45 year old non-profit, f home district in Florida who recently passed with 21 stores across Colorado employing away. Mr. Van Buren was a patriot and family over 1,200 people. They are one of the largest HONORING THE WORK OF CLAIRE THOMAS man who constantly strove to help his fellow integrated employers of people with disabilities veterans. I have had the privilege and distinct in Colorado. The Arc Thrift Chapters provide honor of speaking with his wife and son, the disabled community with help finding jobs, HON. SUZAN K. DelBENE Vickie and Ben, and learned just how great of OF WASHINGTON housing, medical assistance and services in an American he was. I would like to share his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES schools. Also proving they are good stewards story. of the environment, last year the Arc Thrift or- Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Ed was proud not only to have served his ganization diverted 20 million pounds of mer- Ms. DELBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to country, but he was honored to have been chandise from Colorado landfills. honor Claire Thomas. Claire Thomas estab- both the son and father of a veteran. After Mr. I congratulate the Arc Thrift stores for being lished The Root Connection in 1987 as the Van Buren left the military, he continued to the recipient of this well-deserved honor by first Community Supported Agriculture farm in serve his nation in the General Services Ad- the Golden Rotary. I thank all the employees Washington State. ministration as a computer specialist. These of the Arc Thrift for their continued commit- She started with a quarter acre of rented principles of service and education are ones ment to the people they serve. land in the Sammamish Valley between that we must pass on to the next generation f Woodinville and Redmond, just 18 miles from of Americans. downtown Seattle. She improved soil, pur- RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND After retirement, Mr. Van Buren never fal- chased land, and increased acreage until she ACHIEVEMENTS OF GENERAL tered from his sacred mission of assisting vet- now farms 20 acres. erans any way he could. He commanded JOHN SHALIKASHVILI OF PEO- Claire’s farm is organic, and applies the RIA, ILLINOIS American Legion Post 16 and was a member same intensive growing techniques used by of the American Legion honor society. As the many home gardeners. The result is enough HON. CHERI BUSTOS Chairman of the Veteran’s Advisory Board, for about 600 families, a production rate six Alachua County is indebted to the service of OF ILLINOIS times that of farms using normal commercial Mr. Van Buren. In all of his roles, he cham- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES agricultural practices. pioned assisting and advocating for his fellow The Root Connection provides its members Tuesday, April 29, 2014 veterans and their families. a close connection to the land that grows their Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to produce. Families pick up their produce at the About a year ago, Mr. Van Buren was diag- celebrate the extraordinary life and achieve- farm, and can go out into the fields to harvest nosed with lung cancer, but his commitment to ments of General John Shalikashvili of Peoria, herbs and flowers. improving the lives of others never wavered. Illinois, who served as Chairman of the Joint In 2012, King County Executive Dow Con- Though Ed lost his battle with cancer, the im- Chiefs of Staff from 1993 to 1997, and is stantine and Councilmember Kathy Lambert pact he has made in the life of each and every being honored in a park dedication on May awarded Claire the King County Rural Small veteran he helped will never be forgotten. 17th. Business of the Year Award. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity General Shalikashvili was born in 1936 in In addition to The Root Connection, Claire to recognize the life of a distinguished citizen Warsaw to Georgian exiles. His family sur- manages 47 acres of farmland and water patriot, Ed Van Buren.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:52 Apr 30, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29AP8.026 E29APPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS