E576 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 18, 2012 and Hugh; as well as by 17 great grand- gized and with a plan for a statewide con- honored by the Cleveland American Middle children. ference to tackle ways to reform the system. East Organization. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the Merva’s passion ignited my own, and I re- f memory of Mr. Kevin O’Donnell. His work and member feeling so lucky that the State of Con- legacy will live on with all those who were necticut had her to advocate on behalf of vul- TRIBUTE TO MR. JOHN PAYTON blessed with knowing him. nerable youth. A few months later our vision f became a reality when over 150 people from HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. across the State—and the Assistant Secretary OF MICHIGAN HONORING NEWARK, NEW JERSEY of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Edu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAYOR CORY BOOKER cation—came together to listen to Merva and Wednesday, April 18, 2012 others discuss the critical issue of promoting HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON dignity in schools. Of course, she provided in- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, ‘‘Democracy, at its core, requires that all of the people be OF TEXAS valuable insight and perspective that day, as included in ‘We the People.’ ’’ Uttered by Mr. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES she did every day. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Merva John Adolphus Payton during a 2008 speech Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Jackson but feel so lucky to have known her. in Michigan, this quote embodies his legacy. A Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I last saw Merva in October at a juvenile jus- true pioneer, John Payton rarely turned down Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Newark, tice event in Wethersfield, Connecticut. She an opportunity to advocate for the least among New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker for his heroic was busy planning events for the future, to us and reminded America time and again of efforts on April 13, 2012. continue her work for justice and equal oppor- the necessity to advance toward a more inclu- Mayor Booker returned home last Thursday tunity for all. I hold that memory near to me, sive and tolerant society. From his youth until evening to find flames erupting out of his and hope all who knew her find some comfort his last days, John Payton fought for the rec- neighbor’s home. His neighbor screamed that in reflecting on their own many loving memo- ognition of individual rights and taught us how her daughter was still inside. The mayor ran ries of Merva and take pride in all that she did to work toward democracy—not just speak inside without hesitation, hoping to rescue the and all that she was. about it. woman he had known for years. In doing so, f A quick glance at John’s background quickly Mayor Booker suffered second-degree burns reveals the makings of a civil rights giant. At IN HONOR OF MS. MALAK and smoke inhalation. The woman who was the height of the overt racial tensions of 1965, JADALLAH trapped inside the burning home suffered sec- John Payton was one of only a handful of ond-degree burns on her back. Mayor Book- black students at Pomona College. Even as a er’s neighbor, Zina Hodge, said ‘‘If Cory HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH working student, John found time to enhance wouldn’t have came in there and rescued me, OF OHIO the quality of collegiate life for disadvantaged I would have died in there.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES students by founding Pomona’s Black Student Mayor Booker is one of our Nation’s fore- Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Association, organizing and participating in most Mayors. As Mayor of Newark, he has Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in anti-war and civil rights demonstrations, suc- worked diligently to create thousands of jobs, honor of Ms. Malak Jadallah and to acknowl- cessfully lobbying Pomona’s administration to reduce crime, and improve education. Mayor edge her receipt of the Community Service recruit more black students, and for the cre- Booker’s leadership has attracted approxi- Award from the Cleveland American Middle ation of a black studies program. A year after mately $100 million in private philanthropy to East Organization (CAMEO). Ms. Jadallah is graduating from Pomona College, John en- the City of Newark, and a variety of nonprofits being recognized for her service, dedication, rolled at Harvard Law School in 1974. As a and public-private partnerships have been cre- leadership, volunteerism and advocacy on be- law student he obtained affidavits from black ated with the goal of improving the lives of half of the Arab American Community of student activists who were injured during Bos- Newark residents. Mayor Booker is a shining Greater Cleveland. ton’s school busing controversy. John served example of what being a public servant truly Malak was born and raised in Jerusalem, as an ideal model of what true civic engage- means. Palestine. She is a former art and German ment should be. Even without a formal title, he Mr. Speaker, Mayor Booker continues to language teacher. Ms. Jadallah later moved used his resources to fight for the rights of strive to improve the lives of the citizens of with her beloved husband, Muhammad Amer, others. Newark. I would like to recognize the Honor- to Kuwait in 1972. Later, the Palestinians that Serving as the sixth president of the NAACP able Cory Booker for his determination, hard had settled in Kuwait were forced to leave Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), work, and bravery. His dedication and leader- their homes and lives. Malak immigrated to John led many victories before the U.S. Su- ship are outstanding models for public service. the United States in 1990 and settled with her preme Court, including the 2010 case Lewis v. f mother and sisters in Brooklyn, Ohio. City of Chicago, where John successfully rep- Soon after becoming a Member of Con- resented a group of firefighters who argued HONORING THE LIFE OF MERVA E. gress, I asked Malak to join my Congressional that the city had discriminated against black JACKSON staff in Lakewood, Ohio. She has been faith- recruits by using a grading system that re- fully serving the residents of the 10th District sulted in no black applicants being hired. HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY for 15 years as a constituent service rep- Though their claims had been barred by a OF CONNECTICUT resentative specializing in immigration and statute of limitations defense in the lower IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES visa issues. Prior to working in my office, court, the Supreme Court reversed those find- ings, allowing the recruits’ claims to move for- Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Malak was a program director for the Arab American Community Center for Economic ward. Prior to taking the helm of the NAACP Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, and Social Services (AACCESS). She has LDF, in 2003 John argued in Grutter v. I rise today to honor the life and memory of continued her work in the Arab community and Bolinger that the University of Michigan had a Ms. Merva E. Jackson, who sadly passed has been a member of CAMEO for 18 years. compelling interest in promoting class diver- away on April 4, 2012. She also worked with the Council of Amer- sity, and that acknowledging race as one of Few times in one’s life do you come across ican-Islamic Relations, American-Arab Anti- many factors in admissions decisions was not a person with such great passion, grace, and Discrimination Committee, American Arab In- a quota. In a 5–4 decision, the Supreme Court expertise like Merva Jackson. Merva had an stitute, Beit Hanina Federation and the agreed with John’s argument, and put our na- indelible impact on everyone she met, includ- Ramallah Federation. tion one step closer towards achieving equi- ing me. I vividly remember a meeting I had As a result of her steadfast dedication, table higher education for all. with her and several of her colleagues in my Malak has been honored numerous times John’s journey to erasing the ‘‘badges of Washington office in the spring of 2010. It was throughout the years. She has been recog- slavery’’ meant challenging racism head on. one of those inspiring meetings that you never nized by the Arab American Community Cen- As an associate with the D.C. law firm Wilmer, forget. The excitement in the room and the ter, Albanian American Association of Cleve- Cutler and Pickering (now known as Wilmer commitment to change was palpable as we land and Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the Hale), he contributed to the firm’s representa- brainstormed ways to combat the pervasive U.S. tion of the NAACP in various legal matters, in- school-to-prison-pipeline that entangles too Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me cluding assisting with the 1982 Supreme Court many of our youth. We left the meeting ener- in congratulating Ms. Malak Jadallah as she is case NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co. The

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:05 Apr 19, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K18AP8.019 E18APPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS April 18, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E577 Claiborne case rescued the NAACP from cer- IN RECOGNITION OF CLEVELAND and friend to his fellow teachers. He gener- tain bankruptcy by avoiding a financial penalty PEACE ACTION ously shares his knowledge and experience after the group organized a 1960s boycott with those around him and we are all thankful against white merchants in Mississippi. In HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH for his many contributions to teaching. 1988, John represented the city of Richmond’s OF OHIO I congratulate Stanley on reaching this great program which set aside 30 percent of munic- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES milestone and for his outstanding commitment ipal construction jobs for minority-owned busi- to education and his students. Tonight’s cele- nesses. The Supreme Court ruled that the Wednesday, April 18, 2012 bration is well deserved for the many years of Richmond law was unconstitutional because it Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in service he has given and I wish him all the violated the white-owned construction firms’ recognition of Cleveland Peace Action as they best for continued success in the future. right to equal protection. Many would have gather for the Second Annual Save Our Com- f been discouraged by the loss, but as John munities—Books Not Bombs, Jobs Not Jails, eloquently stated in the 2008 edition of The Families Not Foreclosures Forum and Dinner PERSONAL EXPLANATION RE- Civil Rights Monitor, published by the Leader- and Rally on April 14 and 17, 2012. GARDING RECORDED VOTE ON ship Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Cleveland Peace Action, a chapter of Peace THE HOLT AMENDMENT TO H.R. ‘‘We must recognize that this is a marathon Action, was established in 1981 as the Great- 4809 and not a race if we are to find solutions that er Cleveland Nuclear Weapons Freeze Cam- will work.’’ paign. Their mission is ‘‘To reduce the threat HON. EARL BLUMENAUER As I sat at John’s memorial service, I not of violence, war and terrorism by working OF OREGON only sat as a legal colleague, but as a friend. through peaceful, just and democratic means.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Cleveland Peace Action works for global nu- Many shared their respects for a man who Wednesday, April 18, 2012 gave so much to promote justice and equality. clear disarmament, a comprehensive nuclear I thank his wife of 20 years, Gay McDougall, test ban treaty, a reduced military budget, al- Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to for sharing her lifelong partner so that we ternatives to war and violence, cooperation correct a vote I made yesterday, regarding the could be beneficiaries of his lifelong mission. with other nations and protection of human Holt Amendment to H.R. 4809, the Sports- rights. men’s Heritage Act of 2012. I mistakenly voted against the amendment, when I intended to f On April 14 and 17, 2012, Cleveland Peace Action will host the Save Our Communities— support it. I strongly support Rep. HOLT’s in- WE SAY NEVER AGAIN TO THE Books Not Bombs, Jobs Not Jails, Families tention, which was to make a technical correc- HOLOCAUST Not Foreclosures Forum and Dinner and Save tion to the legislation to allow a local park Our Communities—Make Taxation Fair! Bring manager to close a park to hunting and rec- the War $$$ Home! Invest In Real Security! reational shooting when necessary. My record HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL Rally. The community forum will be held on in supporting and protecting our national parks OF NEW YORK Saturday, April 14 at the Pilgrim United is a testimony to my strong commitment to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Church of Christ and will feature National Pri- these important places, and I believe that Rep. orities Project’s Senior Research Analyst, HOLT’s amendment was an important technical Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Chris Hellman, as the keynote speaker. The correction. Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, on Yom rally will be held on April 17 in Cleveland Pub- I wish to clearly state for the record that I HaShoah, better known as Holocaust and Her- lic Square. supported the Holt Amendment to H.R. 4809 oism Remembrance Day, people from all Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me and did not intend to vote against it. walks of life regardless of politics, faith, race, in recognizing Cleveland Peace Action as f members of the Northeast Ohio community gender, or sexual orientation recognize the IN RECOGNITION OF CLEVELAND gather for the Second Annual Save Our Com- Holocaust as one of the most horrific events in FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD’S munities—Books Not Bombs, Jobs Not Jails, world history. Since the end of World War II 26TH ANNIVERSARY the United States and our allies have prom- Families Not Foreclosures Forum and Dinner ised to never allow such mass genocide to be and Rally. repeated. Never again shall humanity experi- f HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH ence the evil and destruction that brutally OF OHIO CELEBRATING STANLEY GORSKI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES robbed eleven million people of their lives. ON HIS 50 YEARS OF TEACHING After the Allies took back Europe from the IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMP- Wednesday, April 18, 2012 forces of evil, millions of Jews emigrated to SHIRE Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the United States and to the area now globally recognition of the 26th anniversary of the recognized as the State of Israel. It is here HON. FRANK C. GUINTA Cleveland Federal Executive Board, and to where the Jewish people found a home to re- thank all the federal employees in our commu- store their identity in the aftermath of the War. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nity for their individual and collective dedica- When General Dwight Eisenhower arrived at tion to the public good. Buchenwald, he ordered the U.S. 4th Armed Wednesday, April 18, 2012 The community of federal employees in Division to tour the facility. He wanted them to Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great Cleveland, Ohio is comprised of more than bear witness to the atrocities unleashed on pleasure that I congratulate Mr. Stanley Gorski 25,000 individuals who contribute their talent human beings so that no person would ever on his 50 years of teaching in the state of and expertise daily in an array of roles, includ- question what happened. New Hampshire. ing park rangers, administrators, accountants, For the Holocaust survivors, they live with For the past fifty years, Mr. Gorski has in- clerical employees, attorneys engineers, mili- the nightmares and trauma of having seen spired hundreds of high school students to tary personnel, mail carriers, scientists, nurses their brothers and sisters treated like animals. pursue their talents and goals, and excel in and physicians. To this day former prisoners wake up seeing their studies. As an English teacher, he has The professional contributions extended the most visible scar from that era, an identi- helped to spark an interest in reading and writ- daily by federal employees serve as a founda- fication tattoo forced on them upon entering ing, and broadened the minds of many stu- tion of support, safety and security throughout the concentration camps. dents in his classes, doing so with a great the community. Every day, the environment is New York is home to half of the Holocaust sense of humor and kindness appreciated by protected; the mail is delivered; veterans re- survivors living in the United States. Although all. He is to be commended for his many ceive medical care; our national park is pre- we can never undo this tragedy, we can con- years of service and dedication to his profes- served; immigrants are guided to citizenship; tinue to remember and pay tribute to the sur- sion and students, and recognized for the im- citizens are provided with benefits and pro- vivors and their families. I am proud to live in pact he has had on their lives. grams; and the universe is studied and ex- a country that recognizes human rights and Throughout his fifty years of teaching, both plored thanks to federal employees in North- has provided sanctuary to oppressed people at Bishop Brady High School and Trinity High east Ohio. throughout the world. America must continue School, Mr. Gorski has not only become a Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me to remain that beacon of hope. trusted and valued employee, but a mentor in honoring the members of the Cleveland

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