May 20, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E973 to destabilize neighborhoods and local econo- Ferris State (Oct. 20, 2001). In 2002, Ron was quickly began covering the fire with dirt, extin- mies and helped to revitalize and strengthen introduced as the 16th athletic director in guishing it before the entire cache of weapons neighborhoods. Michigan State history. During his five-year exploded. He then located the fire’s propellant, Named as a tribute to the late Pennsylvania tenure, State athletic squads have captured I1 scooped it into a canister and continued to Gov. Robert P. Casey, this award is intended conference championships (regular season fight more small flash fires until they were all to acknowledge the efforts of individuals who and postseason combined) and one national extinguished. His actions saved the lives of 15 have faithfully invested their time and talents championship. In addition, MSU has been rep- Afghans and 4 American soldiers who would to the betterment of the quality of life in north- resented at the NCAA Championships 72 have been killed had he not taken those ex- eastern Pennsylvania and, equally as impor- times, including Final Four/Frozen Four ap- traordinary actions. tantly, to allow others to learn from their serv- pearances by men’s basketball (2005), wom- Madam Speaker, Master Sergeant ice. en’s basketball (2005), field hockey (2002 and Cremeans’s heroic actions were brought to my Ms. Bovard is a special friend to north- 2004) and ice hockey (2007). attention by my constituent Army MAJ Zachary eastern Pennsylvania. As executive director of Ron is also active in a number of local orga- Norsworthy of St. Petersburg, Florida, who the Scranton Area Foundation, she has pro- nizations and charities. He recently completed was with the unit at the time of this incident. vided dynamic leadership to an organization a 4-year term on the Sparrow Hospital Foun- Having personally witnessed Master Sergeant that has served this community as a catalyst dation Board and has set up the Ron Mason Cremeans’ quick thinking and actions, Major for change and as a vital convener of diverse Fund for Kids that supports the Pediatric Re- Norsworthy nominated him for the Soldier’s groups passionate about community action. habilitation Department, which has raised Award, one of the Army’s highest noncombat Throughout her career, she has overseen nearly $675,000 since 1998. He also served honors for valor. Unfortunately, the award direct and measureable improvements to our as the honorary chairperson for the Children’s package was lost by the Army and when time region’s health. education, arts, environment, Miracle Network, which has raised $19 million had passed with no action, Major Norsworthy human services and civic affairs. over the last 19 years, and has worked with resubmitted the application but was told that Although she consistently and humbly cred- the Coaches For Kids campaign, which has the two-year period for submitting an award its the foundation for its remarkable success, raised $5.3 million in the last 7 years for a pe- nomination had passed and it was too late to it is widely known that it is her own kindness, diatrics emergency room at Sparrow Hospital. resubmit. Major Norsworthy promptly con- intelligence, compassion and love for this In addition, he served on the committee for tacted me and I contacted the Secretary of the community that have been the key ingredients the broomball game for the Legal Eagles, Army who reviewed the case and quickly saw to its amazing impact on our region. which benefited the Boys and Girls Club of that Master Sergeant Cremeans was deserv- Madam Speaker, please join me in con- Lansing, and spent several years on the Lan- ing of this honor and ordered the awarding of gratulating Jeanne Bovard on this auspicious sing Safety Council. Ron currently is a board the medal. occasion. Her example and commitment is an member for the Lansing Chamber of Com- This morning in my office, SMA Kenneth inspiration to all whose lives she has touched. merce. Preston officiated as we presented Master f For all his career accomplishments, Ron Sergeant Cremeans with this long-overdue has been inducted into the Michigan Sports recognition. Following my remarks, I will sub- PAYING TRIBUTE TO RON MASON Hall of Fame (1994), Lake Superior Sports mit for the benefit of my colleagues the Army Hall of Fame (1996) and St. Lawrence Sports citation and Major Norsworthy’s narrative out- HON. MIKE ROGERS Hall of Fame (1999). In addition, the American lining the brave actions of Master Sergeant OF MICHIGAN Hockey Coaches Association honored him Cremeans. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with the John Machines Award for his out- Madam Speaker, Master Sergeant Tuesday, May 20, 2008 standing contributions to hockey in the spring Cremeans represents the best our Nation has of 2003, and he received the Hobey Baker to offer. He volunteered to serve our Nation in Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, Memorial Award Foundation’s 2004 ‘‘Legend uniform and to protect our freedom and liberty. I rise to honor the accomplishments of Ron of Hockey’’ award in April 2004. He is now retired after 22 years of service to Mason as he retires after 29 years as a leader Therefore Madam Speaker, I ask our col- the United States and to the Army. Please join at Michigan State University. I want to thank leagues to join me in honoring Ron Mason’s me in saying thank you to him for his actions Ron on behalf of those individuals who have exceptional service to students, athletes, and and his lifetime of service. benefited from his time, contributions, and Michigan State University. May he know that CITATION dedication to world-class academics and ath- his nation is greatly appreciative of his dedica- letics. To all who shall see these presents, greet- tion, and wishes him the best in all his future ing: this is to certify that the President of Ron Mason’s Michigan State career began endeavors. the United States of America, authorized by with the 1979–80 season when he became f act of Congress, July 2, 1926, has awarded the head coach of the Spartan hockey team. He Soldier’s Medal to (Then) Sergeant First became a seven-time CCHA Coach of the MASTER SERGEANT BRIAN Class Brian L. Cremeans, United States Year and led the Spartans to seven regular- CREMEANS HONORED WITH Army, for heroism on 6 May 2003 in season league championships and 10 playoff ARMY SOLDIER’S MEDAL Meynemah, Afghanistan. Given under my crowns. In 2001, the conference honored hand in the City of Washington on this 30th Mason by renaming the CCHA playoff tro- day of October 2007. HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG REUBEN D. JONES, phy—The Mason Cup—in recognition of his OF FLORIDA the Adjutant General. contributions to college hockey and the forma- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETE GEREN, tion of the league as well as his success be- Secretary of the Army. hind the bench. Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Considered one of the ‘‘Founding Fathers’’ Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, It The President of the United States of of the CCHA, Ron joined Bowling Green’s was my distinct privilege this morning to par- America, authorized by an Act of Congress, Jack Vivian and St. Louis University’s Bill ticipate in ceremonies here at the Capitol to July 2, 1926, has awarded the Soldier’s Medal Selman in establishing a ‘‘coaches’ league’’ in honor Army MSG Sergeant Brian L. Cremeans to Sergeant First Class Brian L. Cremeans, United States Army, for heroism: not involv- 1971. Among his many accomplishments in- with the Soldier’s Medal for heroism. ing actual conflict with an armed enemy on cluded an NCAA Championship at Michigan During a 2003 tour of duty in Afghanistan as 6 May 2003, in Meynemah, Afghanistan. As State in 1986. His dedication to upholding the part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Master enemy munitions were being placed in a values of sportsmanship and integrity at Michi- Sergeant Cremeans, an explosive ordnance demolition pit, Sergeant Cremeans saw a gan State University, and his continued work disposal technician, was conducting a con- glimpse of smoke billow from the pit. The on behalf of the university and its community, trolled demolition of 4,000 pounds of high ex- demolition pit was covered with approxi- is a testament to his strength of character. plosives that were captured from the Taliban mately four inches of explosive propellant On March 18, 1994, a win over Bowling when he alertly realized that a fire ignited in (white phosphorous) at the base that, if ig- nited, would detonate the 4000 pounds of high Green established him as the winningest col- the demolition pit. Given the amount of explo- explosives rigged for demolition. Without lege hockey coach in history. In 2001–02, sives, he realized that there was no time to hesitation, he immediately leapt onto the Ron’s final campaign as the Spartan coach, evacuate the area. Master Sergeant side of the twenty-foot deep pit, which he recorded his unprecedented 900th win as Cremeans, without forethought for his own caused dirt to smother the flame that had a college hockey coach with a victory over safety, jumped into the demolition pit and begun to build. Sergeant Cremeans’ actions

VerDate Aug 31 2005 07:15 May 21, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A20MY8.012 E20MYPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS E974 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 20, 2008 provided him enough time to gain control of cus, I would like to thank my fellow Caucus that the rest of the community should be the flame and further extinguish it. His at- co-chair, Representative UDALL, for his leader- aware of Pungo’s delicious treasure: its straw- tention to detail and situational awareness ship on this issue. berries. In 1983, locals began an annual fes- enabled him to recognize the difference be- tween dust and smoke as the pit was being Endangered species such as lions, chee- tival, which at the time drew 2,500 people. In loaded with mortar and tank rounds. Ser- tahs, leopards, jaguars, and Ethiopian Wolves the years to follow, the festival’s attendance geant Cremeans’ quick reaction prevented are not just remarkable creatures, but they grew to roughly 120,000 people each year. the propellant from igniting, which would play an important role in eco-tourism through- Today, the festival hosts many family-oriented have caused the munitions to prematurely out Africa, bringing in much needed revenue activities, including a carnival, youth art show, detonate, thereby saving the lives of the fif- to very poor countries. and a multi-million dollar military display. teen Afghan Nationals and four U.S. service- Unfortunately, many of these endangered In 1985, it was deemed necessary to estab- men. Master Sergeant Cremeans’ courage and concern for his fellow Soldiers and Af- animals are losing their race for survival, as lish a festival board in order to accommodate ghan Nationals were in keeping with the habitats become compromised and poachers the festival’s growth as well as establish them- highest traditions of the military service and decimate populations. This bill will be an im- selves as a nonprofit organization. To this reflect great credit upon himself, his unit portant tool for reversing these trends. end, the festival gives back to the community and the United States Army. Importantly, this bill provides assistance for in the form of scholarships for students and programs to preserve and protect these re- makes contributions to other community-ori- NARRATIVE markable animals. Multinational species funds, ented programs. On May 6, 2003, Sergeant First Class Brian such as this one, have enjoyed tremendous To this date, the Pungo Strawberry Festival L. Cremeans was serving as the Senior Ex- plosive Ordnance and Demolition (EOD) success and have played a vital role in the has donated over $550,000 to the community. Technician to destroy the largest cache ever protection of wildlife. On average, private do- I want to take this moment to recognize the discovered in Afghanistan. The cache nors have matched 3–1 every U.S. govern- people behind this festival, some of whom amounted to over 350,000 pounds worth of ment dollar contributed to conservation pro- have been involved since the beginning, and High Explosives. Over 4000 pounds worth of grams. to inform my colleagues that this year the fes- High Explosives was loaded into one of two In other words, when the United States tival will be celebrating its 25th anniversary demolition pits by fifteen Afghans with the leads in conservation, others follow. As the with, as always, an emphasis on the men and close supervision of a fellow EOD technician. At this point, the floor of the pit was covered mission of the international Conservation Cau- women serving in the military. The theme this ankle deep with propellant from previous cus states, the U.S. has the opportunity to ad- year will be ‘‘Celebrating 25 years of Freedom, demolition shots. SFC Cremeans, 1LT Patton vance the protection of the worldwide environ- Family, and Fun.’’ I support the community of and 1LT Norsworthy were standing on top of ment. This bill is true to that mission. Pungo in their efforts and look forward to at- the pit as the Afghans and one of the EOD f tending the festival this year. technicians were loading the final mortar rounds into the pit. As he was watching the DYSTONIA AWARENESS WEEK f pit, a billow of smoke appeared at the bot- tom of the 20 foot deep pit. SFC Cremeans A PROCLAMATION HONORING yelled, ‘‘Fire’’ and before 1LT Patton could HON. RON LEWIS MARY C. POLILLI FOR BEING yell burning, SFC Cremeans had dove into OF KENTUCKY TUSCARAWAS COUNTY’S OLDEST the pit yelling fire. As he was sliding down IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTER to the bottom of the pit a flame erupted and he slid into it causing his body to push Tuesday, May 20, 2008 enough dirt into the flame to momentarily Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE smolder it. This act gave him enough time to rise today to draw attention to Dystonia OF OHIO put more dirt onto the flames and gather up Awareness Week, designated by the Com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES loose propellant surrounding the site of igni- tion, thus allowing him to gain control of monwealth of Kentucky for June 1–7, 2008. Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Dystonia is a neurological disorder that cre- the situation. He immediately gathered up Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: ates painful, involuntary muscle spasms the white phosphorous residue that had been Whereas, Mary C. Polilli is 102 years young; unearthed and the surrounding propellant throughout the body. The public knows little and and scooped them into a canister. He stayed about this disorder, afflicting as many as 1 mil- Whereas, she continues to make voting a there extinguishing the ambitious little lion people in North America alone. flames until the threat was eliminated. All The causes of dystonia are still largely un- priority; and non essential personnel were loaded on the known within the medical community. The Whereas, Mary C. Polilli continues to be a truck. He then calmly set the ring main and positive influence on the lives of others and charges on the pit. He then finished by arm- physical manifestations of dystonia can be de- bilitating and the lack of understanding among contributes to her state and country; and ing the M–60 fuse igniters on the ring main Whereas, she strives to continue her good and was the last man to get into the revving the general public often creates isolation and works of public service and inspire others to truck. In summary, Sergeant First Class psychological distress to those who suffer Brian L. Cremeans’ courageous selfless act from the disorder. work for the many freedoms guaranteed by and impeccable attention to detail saved the The Dystonia Association of Kentucky, Inc., our democratic form of government; now, lives of fifteen Afghans and four United was formed by patients, families, and friends therefore, be it States Army servicemen. SFC Cremeans cou- to help one another and to seek a cure for Resolved that along with her friends, family, rageous selfless act richly deserves the and the residents of the 18th Congressional award of the Soldiers Medal. Through his their condition. Widespread public support for their efforts is essential. District, I commend and thank Mary C. Polilli courageous selfless efforts and impeccable for her contributions to her community and attention to detail, Sergeant First Class I urge my colleagues in the U.S. House of Brian L. Cremeans reflected great credit Representatives to join me in supporting the country. upon himself, the United States Army and goals of Dystonia Awareness Week and urge f the Department of Defense. all Americans to gain a deeper understanding f of this disorder and those who are afflicted by IN RECOGNITION OF COLONEL ANNE L. DAVIS, USA GREAT CATS AND RARE CANIDS it. f ACT OF 2008 HON. ROB BISHOP THE PUNGO STRAWBERRY SPEECH OF OF UTAH FESTIVAL HON. EDWARD R. ROYCE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA Tuesday, May 20, 2008 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. THELMA D. DRAKE OF VIRGINIA Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speaker, I rise Monday, May 19, 2008 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today to honor an outstanding military com- Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support mander in the United States Army, Colonel Tuesday, May 20, 2008 of H.R. 1464, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Anne L. Davis. Act of 2007. Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, 25 years As outgoing Commander of the Tooele As an original cosponsor of this bill and co- ago, in the rural area of Virginia Beach, Vir- Army Depot, TEAD, Utah, Colonel Davis has chair of the International Conservation Cau- ginia, know as Pungo, several locals decided demonstrated exceptional meritorious service

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