Extensions of Remarks E200 HON. LOUIE GOHMERT
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E200 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 12, 2015 Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in son, Daniel Swaim, Jeff Lyles, Gary Wilson, and tireless efforts in promoting justice, civil commending Cole Michael Kostelac for his ac- Vencent Lee, David Higginbotham, Matt rights and mutual understanding among the complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- Goode, and Lorenza Thomas; the Ball Boys Minnesota Islamic community and all peoples ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the include Paxton Keeling, Trent Higginbotham, of faith. As Co-Founder and Executive Director highest distinction of Eagle Scout. Jalynn Washington, LaZavion Thomas, and of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on Is- f Benito Sanchez. And, of course, if a school lamic American Relations (CAIR) Mrs. Saroya and school district is not committed to its ath- has been at the forefront of building coalitions HONORING THE WASKOM HIGH letic program and all the life lessons it pro- SCHOOL WILDCATS, 2014 3–A, DIV and improving Muslim relations across the vides, the team does not have the opportunity state. II STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS to excel. So thanks and congratulations go to the School Principal Andy Chilcoat and his Mrs. Saroya was raised in Bloomfield, Iowa. HON. LOUIE GOHMERT staff, as well as Superintendent Jimmy E. Cox She received her undergraduate degree from OF TEXAS and all of his staff. St. Catherine University and her Juris Doctor IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES It is with great pride that I join with the citi- from Hamline University. As a child of the only Thursday, February 12, 2015 zens of Waskom, as well as the entire First Muslims in a small town she and her family District of Texas, in congratulating the were subject to messages of hate and unfair Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is a great Waskom Wildcats on their first State Cham- treatment. She took these early life experi- honor to recognize today the outstanding sea- pionship and their impressive season. This ences and turned them into positive actions. son of the Waskom Wildcats football team, outstanding accomplishment is now preserved While still in high school Mrs. Saroya orga- who completed the season by capturing the in the United States CONGRESSIONAL RECORD nized the Iowa Conference on Islam at the title of 2014 Class 3A Division II Texas State which will endure as long as there is a United University of Iowa. Champions for the first time in the entirety of States of America. Recognizing a lack of Muslim civil rights ad- Waskom’s history. f The championship series proved difficult for vocacy groups in Minnesota she decided to fill the Wildcats, but it was not a difficulty that HONORING UNIVERSITY OF OR- the void. In 2007, she co-founded the Min- these skilled and devoted athletes could not EGON PROFESSOR DAVID FRANK nesota chapter of CAIR. The organization has overcome. In the State semi-final game, the quickly become a powerful voice for Muslim Wildcats trailed the Sonora Broncos until the HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO civil liberties and advocacy across the state. third quarter, when their defense held the OF OREGON CAIR–MN successfully fought for and won the Broncos back while their offense prevailed IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES establishment of the Abu Huraira Islamic Cen- with a final score of 25–21 to win the game Thursday, February 12, 2015 ter in St. Anthony, MN despite misguided local and usher them into the state championship Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to opposition. CAIR–MN asked the Justice De- title game. partment to investigate, which led to a nego- After the scoreless first quarter of the state recognize University of Oregon (UO) Professor tiated agreement with the city and the opening title game, the tenacious Waskom Wildcats David Frank. In his 32 year career at the UO, of a magnificent new center for gatherings and scored their first touchdown to take the lead Professor Frank has taught, mentored, and in- over the Newton Eagles, but the Eagles bat- spired generations of students. He has shaped prayer. In 2014, Mrs. Saroya along with mem- tled back to take an 8–7 lead. In an amazing the study of speech and debate as the dean bers of CAIR–MN led the first ever Jewish- show of resilience and ability, just fifteen sec- of the Robert D. Clark Honors Program at the Muslim Youth Day at the Minnesota Legisla- onds later, the Wildcats ran the ball 88 yards UO and as the longtime director of the UO ture. This ground breaking interfaith program to score a touchdown and take the lead once Forensics Program. For his exemplary work trains students on successfully engaging in again. From that play on, the Wildcats only in- and for his leadership, the UO college debate dialogue with legislators on the pressing creased their lead. Scoring six touchdowns tournament has been renamed the David issues of racial profiling, immigration, and safe and running 350 total yards of offense, the Frank Tournament of Scholars. schools. CAIR–MN has become the go-to Wildcats ended an extraordinary and vic- Professor Frank is renowned for his wit, rhe- legal source for those in the Muslim commu- torious game with a final score of 41–22. torical flair, and passion for the principles of nity. Since 2007 the organization has provided The Wildcats are a perfect representation of debate. He is the recipient of five teaching hundreds of Muslims with free legal aid and what can be accomplished when a team pos- awards, including three university wide rec- has become a driving force in fighting unlawful ognitions and a career achievement award in sesses both perseverance and resolve with discrimination and bullying in work, schools, forensics. He has overseen the UO Forensics proper guidance from the coaching staff. Al- and the public sphere. though the Wildcats suffered a loss during the Program since 1981, which won three national CAIR–MN’s outstanding work has been rec- first game of their season, their determination championships and international recognition, remained steadfast, and they recovered to end with a team competing in the semifinal round ognized time and time again on the state and the season with a stellar record of 13–2. at the 2006 World Universities Championship national level. Among some of the organiza- The exceptional athletes who comprise this in Dublin, Ireland. tion’s many awards include the ‘‘Nonprofit Mis- team of champions are Kevin Johnson, As a University of Oregon graduate, it is my sion and Excellence Anti-Racism Award’’ from Keileon Johnson, Trace Carter, Jaire Jackson, pleasure to highlight the outstanding accom- the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Junebug Johnson, Kaleb Haynes, Eric Ste- plishments of Professor Frank. I am also ‘‘Pro Bono Difference Maker Award’’ from the phens III, Pedro Rodriguez, Lucas Norton, proud to note that Oregon forensics dates to American Bar Association. It is through Cullum Ditmore, Dylan Harkrider, Jake Gillard, the founding of the university in 1876. One of achievements such as these that Mrs. Saroya Chan Amie, Mike Reason, Kyle Kyker, Dillon the very first intercollegiate debates in Amer- became the recipient of the prestigious Bush Benton, Michael Jaeger, Kyle McInnis, Hernan ica occurred in 1891 between Oregon and Wil- Foundation Fellowship for $100,000 in 2014. Rico, Victor Tapia, John Lumpkin, Tony lamette University. The style of debate now This fellowship stands as a testament and a known as policy cross-examination was devel- Ratcliff, Morgan Browning, Jose Chavarria, capstone to the truly amazing work that Ms. Kyle Adams, Brandon Latham, Logan O’Con- oped at the University of Oregon in the 1930s. The UO hosts the first David Frank Tour- Saroya did in her time as Executive Director. nor, Christian Smith, Jack Smith, Dylan Pow- nament of Scholars later this month, an honor Through this grant she will be able to take ell, Jeremy D’Agostino, Hunter Johnson, Professor Frank so richly merits. even greater leaps in her advocacy work. Jacob Bennett, Dylan Hudson, Matt Norris, Bradley Cochran, Ty Carter, Jason Jinks, Tay f Thanks to Ms. Saroya’s outstanding efforts and hard work, CAIR–MN has immensely ben- Green, Vicente Segura, and Matt Padron. HONORING LORI SAROYA The athletic staff and faculty who led the efited the Muslim community in Minnesota. I Wildcats to victory must be congratulated, be- HON. KEITH ELLISON applaud Ms. Saroya’s extraordinary work in cause no team, no matter how talented and advancing the civil rights of the Muslim com- OF MINNESOTA committed can rise to the pinnacle of being munity and fostering a more vibrant and cul- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES State Champions without proper direction, cor- turally understanding Minnesota. On behalf of rection, and motivation. Led by Head Coach & Thursday, February 12, 2015 the people of Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional Athletic Director Whitney Keeling, the Coach- Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to District, I wish you continued success and im- ing Staff includes Jeremy Kubiak, Greg Pear- recognize Lori Saroya for her contributions pact in your future advocacy work. VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:07 Feb 13, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K12FE8.002 E12FEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with REMARKS February 12, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E201 COMMEMORATING THE LIVES OF BUFFALO STATE WOMEN’S Mid-Manhattan Branch, Jazzmobile, Inc., ISIL’S VICTIMS BASKETBALL Masjid Malcolm Shabazz Mosque, Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, HON. DIANA DeGETTE HON. BRIAN HIGGINS United Clergy Caucus, Mobilizing Preachers OF NEW YORK and Community (MPAC), Clergy With a Pur- OF COLORADO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pose and Community, United Baptist Mis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sionary Association, Baptist Ministers’ Con- Thursday, February 12, 2015 Thursday, February 12, 2015 ference of New York & Vicinity, Faison Fire- Mr.