June 17, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E661 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

HONORING REN HARRIS Herb was a cherished member of the Miami When asked about her motivation to challenge community. One of the last living survivors of the system, Mills would later say ‘‘Our instruc- HON. MIKE THOMPSON Kristallnacht and the SS St. Louis, Herb was tors were just as good, but some of my son’s OF CALIFORNIA widely known and respected for his decades textbooks would go to page 3 and then skip to of engagement with community groups, page 35. You can’t learn like that.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES schools, churches, and synagogues. He was a Ms. Mills also was the first black career em- Thursday, June 17, 2021 ubiquitous presence as a teacher and docent ployee of the United States Postal Service in Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam at the Holocaust Memorial on Miami Beach, Winter Haven and eventually became man- Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ren Harris, where he spent every Saturday leading tours ager of the Florence Villa Post Office. But as the 2021 Napa Valley Grape Grower of the and educating generations of visitors about the first Black postal worker, her career was Year, for his accomplishments and contribu- the Holocaust. not easy. At one point, Ms. Mills was trans- tions toward our community. Born in Germany, Herb was just 12 when ferred to another post office, in an area known Born in 1941 in San Francisco, Harris is a he and his family fled the Nazi regime on ‘‘the to be unwelcoming to Black people, in an ef- sixth generation Californian. After attending Voyage of the Damned,’’ the tragic ocean liner fort to get her to quit. While the move was in- Napa Valley College, the University of San which was forced to return to Europe in 1939 timidating, she once recalled that her worst Francisco, the University of California Davis after being turned away from the United day was when a Black patron refused to buy and the University of Bordeaux, Mr. Harris States, Cuba, and Canada. When the ship re- stamps from her because she was Black. began his career in the wine community in turned to Europe, about 250 of the pas- Although Ms. Mills passed away in 2008, 1967 as a grape grower and vintner. In the sengers were killed in the Holocaust, including her legacy lives on. C.A. Boswell, Jr., the late 1960’s, Mr. Harris and his wife Marilyn Herb’s parents and two sisters. ‘‘We were so longtime attorney for the Polk County School moved from San Francisco to Oakville and close to Miami Beach, I could see it,’’ Herb Board, said of his former opponent, ‘‘She was began planting grapes on what was once a told the Miami Herald in 1997. ‘‘I said to my a good lady and had the best interests of the prune orchard. By 1975, they had successfully parents, ‘Someday, I’ll come back here.’ ’’ kids at heart, it was a different time. It took created the Paradigm brand, which is known Despite the odds, Herb survived the Nazi in- some brave people to hold that thing (the law- and loved by residents throughout Napa Val- vasion of France by hiding in the woods and suit) up.’’ ley today. working under false papers. In 1949 he immi- The recognition of Ms. Althea Margaret Mr. Harris’s contributions to the wine com- grated to Miami and would go on to serve ad- Daily Mills is all the more special as we do it munity extend far beyond Paradigm Winery. mirably in the Korean War, open a bakery, on June 17, 2021, on the first recognition of His leadership within the industry is exem- marry the love of his life, and raise a wonder- Juneteenth as a National Holiday. This plary, having served as the President of the ful family. Juneteenth is the 155th anniversary of the old- Napa County Farm Bureau, Council Member Herb dedicated much of the latter part of his est nationally celebrated commemoration of of the California Growers Board, Director of life to advocating for the rights, interests, and the ending of slavery in the United States. the Napa Valley CoOp Winery, and both needs of Holocaust survivors, especially those General Gordon Granger read General President and Director of the Oakville living in poverty. As a member of the Holo- Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas which an- Winegrowers. Additionally, he was the founder caust Survivors Foundation USA Executive nounced the freedom of the last American of both the Napa Valley Grape Growers and Committee, he often met with elected national slaves. the California Grower Foundation. political and communal leaders, even testifying GENERAL ORDER NO. 3 Perhaps the best testament to Mr. Harris’s before Congress to ensure the rights of Holo- The people of Texas are informed that, in caust survivors to live in dignity. Despite the accordance with a proclamation from the dedication to Napa Valley and his fellow viti- Executive of the United States, all slaves are culturists is his extensive work throughout his tragedy he endured, Herb never let his com- free. This involves an absolute equality of career advocating for the protection of Napa mitment to justice waiver and is an enduring personal rights and rights of property, be- Valley’s land, workforce, and community. example of commitment, leadership, and serv- tween former masters and slaves and the Through the California Grower Foundation, he ice. He will be deeply missed. connection heretofore existing between was able to help improve the working condi- Herb is survived by his wife of almost 60 them, becomes that between employer and tions of viticulturalists as well as establish af- years, Vera; his daughters Debbie and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to re- fordable healthcare access for farmworkers. Michelle; son-in-law Amir; and three grand- main at their present homes and work for wages . . . These contributions have made a lasting im- children, Jessica, Zachary, and Jonah. By the reading of this order two-hundred pact on Napa Valley and beyond. f Madam Speaker, Mr. Harris is a community and fifty thousand slaves were freed nearly member we should all strive to be. His pas- RECOGNITION OF MS. ALTHEA two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln’s sion for viticulture and dedication to his grape MARGARET DAILY MILLS Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. growing community make him deserving of the We thank Ms. Althea Margaret Daily Mills Napa Valley Grower of the Year. It is therefore HON. on this special day and appreciate her efforts to make our community a better place. fitting and proper that we honor Ren Harris OF FLORIDA f here today. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Thursday, June 17, 2021 IN RECOGNITION OF BUILDING SAFETY MONTH HONORING THE LIFE OF HERBERT Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Ms. Althea KALINER Margaret Daily Mills is an unsung hero in the HON. SHARICE DAVIDS fight for desegregation in Florida. Ms. Mills OF began her education in Pughsville, Winter Ha- HON. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF FLORIDA ven’s first Black community. When she was Thursday, June 17, 2021 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 13, she moved to Pennsylvania to live with her aunt. There, she was able to attend integrated Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, in Thursday, June 17, 2021 schools. In 1963, Mills filed a lawsuit against honor of Building Safety Month, I am pleased Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam the Polk County Board of Public Instruction to to recognize the importance of safety in the Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn end the ‘‘dual school system’’ and allow her built environment and the dedication of the remembrance that I rise to pay tribute to a son to attend the then, all-white, Winter Haven members of the International Code Council great man, Herbert Kaliner, who passed away High School. This lawsuit eventually led to the (ICC) to their roles in protecting our commu- on June 1st at the age of 94. integration of all Polk County public schools. nities.

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:44 Jun 18, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A17JN8.001 E17JNPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS E662 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 17, 2021 members of the International Code Council safe and resilient construction, fire prevention, assistance for Greece, in the amount of at (ICC) to their roles in protecting our commu- sanitation, disaster mitigation, and new tech- least $10 million, due to its strategic impor- nities. nologies in the construction industry. tance to the United States as the House will With natural disasters only expected to in- see presented in this testimony. The East Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Med Act authorized appropriations of $3 mil- crease in frequency and severity, building International Code Council Board President lion for FMF assistance in FY2020. codes include important safeguards to protect Greg Wheeler, as well as ICC’s Chief Execu- U.S. Interests in Southeast Europe and the the public from tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, tive Officer Dominic Sims, the International Eastern Mediterranean. The U.S. has impor- ice and snowstorms, wildland fires, and earth- Code Council leadership, and ICC’s Members tant interests in southeast Europe and the quakes. Last November, FEMA released, and staff for recognizing Building Safety eastern Mediterranean. It is in the United ‘‘Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study’’ Month. States’ best interest for the region to be po- litically, economically, and socially stable, and found that implementing modern building f and for democratic principles to flourish, in- codes could save $600 billion in disaster AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE cluding adherence to the rule of law. Signifi- spending by 2060. This further confirmed find- cant commerce and energy sources pass ings from the National Institute of Building (AHI) TESTIMONY ON FISCAL through the region. With Greece’s centuries Sciences (NIBS) that show adopting modern YEAR 2022 APPROPRIATIONS of enduring presence, its close cultural, po- model building codes save $11 for every $1 BILL litical, and economic ties to the Mediterra- invested through earthquake, flood, and wind --- nean countries, including Israel; Western Eu- mitigation benefits, with a $4 to $1 wildfire rope, the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the HON. Middle East, Greece is strategically situated mitigation benefit. These benefits represent OF NEW YORK in a vital region to be an ideal strategic avoided casualties, property damage, busi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES partner for the U.S. ness interruptions, and insurance costs, and America Values Its Alliance with Greece. Thursday, June 17, 2021 are enjoyed by all building stakeholders—from Greece is an immensely valuable link as ‘‘a developers, titleholders, and lenders, to ten- Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Speaker, I in- pillar of stability’’ in the region as several ants and communities. clude in the RECORD remarks from the Amer- high-level U.S. government officials have Vulnerable and underserved populations are ican Hellenic Institute on the Administration’s noted. The U.S.-Greece relationship has most affected by increases in utility costs, and proposed FY2022 foreign aid budget and U.S. reached new heights by virtue of an ongoing Strategic Dialogue, where avenues for co- they often have the most to lose in the event interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. In pro- operation among many sectors, including: of a disaster or health emergency. Building moting peace and stability in this critical re- regional cooperation, defense and security, codes establish minimum requirements that gion, Congress must authorize robust, Amer- and trade and investment, among others, are ensure safe, resilient, and energy efficient ica-first security assistance to our democratic plotted for implementation. Greece is a piv- schools, childcare and healthcare facilities, allies in the Eastern Mediterranean—Greece otal and dependable NATO ally to advance housing, and places of employment. and Cyprus. Any security assistance which U.S. interests and is a frontline state against Year round, building safety and fire preven- counters U.S. interests, to Turkey and UN terrorism. The Mutual Defense Cooperation tion officials, architects, engineers, plumbers, ‘‘Peacekeeping’’ efforts in Cyprus, namely, will Agreement between the United Stales and Greece illustrates the two allies’ commit- builders, tradespeople, laborers, and others in only serve to advance instability and ideolog- ment to address over a longer term the secu- the construction industry work to ensure the ical expansionism in this region. Greece and rity challenges in the region. The Agreement safe construction of buildings though the use Cyprus are key allies of our Nation, and we currently is under revision. After it is up- of model building codes. The dedicated mem- must continue to support their security for graded, it will offer more flexibility to deep- bers of the International Code Council, a na- years to come. en cooperation in the defense sector, accord- tional standards developing organization, TESTIMONY OF NICK LARIGAKIS, PRESIDENT, ing to Greece’s Minister of Defense Nikos come together with local, state and federal of- AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE (AHI), FIS- Panagiotopoulos. For its part, Greece fur- ficials to develop voluntary consensus codes CAL YEAR 2022 APPROPRIATIONS BILL, SUB- ther demonstrates its commitment to the Alliance as a top contributor to the defense that protect us in the buildings where we wor- MITTED TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- TIVES efforts of NATO. Greece is estimated to ship, live, work, learn, and play. The Inter- spend 2.68% of its GDP on defense expendi- (By Nick Larigakis) national Codes, the most widely adopted tures in 2020 in accordance with NATO stand- building safety and fire prevention codes in the I am pleased to submit testimony to the ards despite battling economic challenges. nation, are used by most U.S. cities and coun- House on behalf of the nationwide member- By percentage of GDP, Greece is second to ties and in all 50 states, including the State of ship of the American Hellenic Institute the U.S. (AHI) on the Administration’s proposed Greece is also important for the projection Kansas. I commend Johnson County, which FY2022 foreign aid budget. makes up a large portion of my district, for re- of U.S. strategic interests by being home to The Administration’s budget aims to con- the most important U.S. military facility in cently adopting the 2018 International Codes. front 21st century security challenges. The the Mediterranean Sea, Souda Bay, Crete. It During the pandemic, building and fire pre- budget’s vision for the United States is to is a base from where joint USN/USAF recon- vention departments’ essential work has en- ensure it ‘‘. . . plays a lead role in defending naissance missions and air refueling support sured that healthcare centers are structurally democracy, freedom, and the rule of law’’ by for U.S. and NATO operations were imple- sound and capable of withstanding natural dis- recommending a significant increase in re- mented successfully, and it continues to be asters, and that temporary healthcare facilities sources to: ‘‘strengthen and defend democ- immensely important. In 2020, the United providing medical surge capacity are built and racies throughout the world; advance human States homeported the Expeditionary Sea rights; fight corruption; and counter maintained to protect occupant safety. These Base ship, the USS Hershel ‘‘Woody’’ Wil- authoritarianism.’’ liams, at Souda Bay, assisting the U.S. officials enforce state, local, and federal regu- In keeping with the best interests of the armed forces in maritime missions and spe- lations that require adequate ventilation and United States, AHI opposes: (1) any proposed cial operations in both Europe and North Af- sanitization. More broadly, code officials pro- foreign aid and assistance to Turkey from rica. Military installations located at Souda tect the health and welfare of building occu- the United States; (2) any proposed reduction Bay include the NATO Maritime Interdiction pants to prevent dangerous sanitary, air qual- in the aid levels for the UN Peacekeeping Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) and ity, structural, or electrical hazards. Force in Cyprus. the NATO Missile Firing Installation In a Presidential Proclamation designating Further, AHI recommends an FY2022 fund- (NAMFI). To illustrate Souda Bay’s impor- May 2021 as Building Safety Month, President ing level of $1.5 million for NATO ally tance, these figures show the volume of oper- Greece’s International Military Education ations conducted there: Biden stated, ‘‘Investing in our infrastructure and Training (IMET) program as authorized In 2020, at least 90 U.S. and 40 NATO (total and adopting and implementing modem build- for appropriation in The Eastern Mediterra- 130) ships made a port visit at Souda Bay. ing codes are the most effective mitigation nean Security and Energy Partnership Act. It also has been noted by U.S. government measures communities can undertake.’’ Build- The Act also authorized $500,000 for the Re- officials how Souda Bay allows United States ing Safety Month was sponsored by the Inter- public of Cyprus’ IMET program for FY2022, Navy vessels—especially aircraft carriers— national Code Council to remind the public which AHI recommends. In 2020, the U.S. De- the ability to dock, make needed repairs and about the critical role of our communities’ code partment of State provided, for the first maintenance, and resupply, all within a cou- officials in assuring us safe, efficient, and liv- time, IMET program funding for the Repub- ple of weeks and without having to return to lic of Cyprus. AHI welcomed this policy de- Naval Station Norfolk. According to U.S. able buildings. This year’s Building Safety velopment, and urges that this policy be con- Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, in a Month theme was, ‘‘Prevent, Prepare, Protect. tinued. March, 20, 2021 statement: ‘‘Souda Bay is the Building Codes Save’’ and it encouraged all of Finally, AHI recommends robust invest- jewel in the crown of US-Greece defense co- us to raise awareness of the importance of ment for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) operation . . . the unique capacities the

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