S814 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 10, 2016 The North Korean leadership has allies that are at the most immediate possible leads the experts have identi- thumbed its nose at the Chinese, ignor- threat from North Korea—not to men- fied, including by soliciting assistance ing entreaties and some measure of tion the more than 25,000 U.S. military from the United States. protection offered against tighter sanc- personnel stationed in South Korea. As I also urge the government to pub- tions or Security Council action. I was such, without progress on ending North licly refute the campaign that some recently in New York meeting with our Korea’s nuclear weapons program, I have waged to delegitimize the experts talented Ambassador to the United Na- support the deployment of necessary as a way to discredit their work. If the tions, Samantha Power, and I was dis- missile defense technologies to help experts’ work is forced to carry on with mayed at the challenge she faces in ob- protect these allies. only the passive acquiescence of the taining greater Chinese help on this f government—or worse, subtle attempts matter. to hinder its work—rather than its ac- DISAPPEARANCE OF 43 STUDENTS Now, I know the Chinese and some tive support, the progress that has IN MEXICO other apologists will argue that North been made may be lost and with it the Korea is so isolated that further sanc- Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, it has truth and the Mexican Government’s tions would not work and may even been well over a year since 43 students remaining credibility on this issue. backfire. But we know that there have from Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ Col- The Mexican people, like people ev- been effective measures against the lege were forcibly disappeared in the erywhere who care about human North, for example, going after luxury state of Guerrero, Mexico. On Sep- rights, deserve to know what happened goods and overseas accounts linked to tember 26, 2014, around 100 students to these students. As I mentioned, we the regime and ruling elite. from the college traveled to the city of also know there are thousands of other Yet, despite international sanctions Iguala. They were there to raise money cases in Mexico of disappearances and on luxury goods to North Korea, the and to obtain buses to attend a com- many reports by the National Human New York Times recently reported how memoration of the infamous massacre Rights Commission and reputable China loosely defines such goods and of more than 600 students in the capital human rights organizations of inci- continues to allow North Korean leader in 1968. dents of torture and extrajudicial Kim Jong Un’s army’s to import equip- The now former mayor of Iguala has killings. The only way to effectively ment from China to build a world-class been accused of ordering the attack on address the kind of lawlessness that ski resort. the students that evening. While the has become far too prevalent in Mexico That is right—a world-class ski re- motive remains a mystery, what ap- is to conduct credible, thorough inves- sort in a country that can’t feed its pears to have occurred is that the po- tigations and appropriately punish own people. lice used lethal force against the stu- those responsible, so the message is In fact, according to the report, Chi- dents, and the 43 who are missing were clear that no one is above the law. nese customs data showed that North handed over to the criminal organiza- f Korea imported $2.09 billion in luxury tion Guerreros Unidos. Six people were goods between 2012 and 2014, including killed that day, and the fate of the 43 ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS armored cars and luxury yachts. disappeared students remains un- And, according to United Nations known. TRIBUTE TO FRED SEARS trade statistics, in 2014, China exported After it became clear, thanks to the $37 million worth of computers, $30 courageous and dogged work of foreign ∑ Mr. COONS. Mr. President, today, on million of tobacco, $24 million of cars, journalists that a horrific crime had behalf of Delaware’s congressional del- and $9 million of air-conditioning been covered up by Guerrero officials egation of U.S. Senator TOM CARPER equipment to North Korea. and the police, the Mexican Govern- and U.S. Representative JOHN CARNEY, So I hope this legislation will tighten ment established the Interdisciplinary I wish to recognize a close friend from the measures against luxury goods Group of Independent Experts of the Delaware, Fred Sears—a community used to buy loyalty for the regime. And Inter-American Commission on Human leader and a passionate advocate for all I hope the Chinese realize that ignoring Rights to provide independent analysis in our community; a man whose name this regime is far riskier than working and technical assistance to the govern- is synonymous with business leader- with the United States and others to ment. ship and public service in my home rein in North Korea’s nuclear weapons The experts’ September 2015 report, State of Delaware, and a man I am program. released on the eve of the 1-year anni- proud to call my friend. Let us also not forget that in 2014, versary of this tragedy, exposed signifi- Fred is known statewide for his gen- the U.N. General Assembly voted to cant deficiencies in the government’s erosity, his enthusiasm, and his busi- refer the North Korean regime to the handling of the investigation and pro- ness acumen. For decades, his impact International Criminal Court for well- vided an opportunity for the govern- has been felt by elected officials, non- documented crimes against humanity. ment to restore the integrity of its own profit and community leaders, and Earlier, a U.N. commission of inquiry inquiry. The government’s decision to countless Delawareans of all back- report documented massive crimes extend the experts’ mandate in the fall grounds and careers. He is a true lead- against humanity in North Korea, in- was a welcome signal of political will er, an authentic champion of the com- cluding deliberate starvation, forced and a desire to build credibility. munity, and the embodiment of what labor, executions, torture, rape, and in- But as the end of the experts’ man- service means in Delaware. fanticide, among other crimes—most of date nears, President Pena Nieto is Fred Sears is a Delawarean through them committed in North Korea’s po- running out of time to demonstrate and through, born just blocks away litical prison camp systems. that that political will has a lasting from his boyhood home at what was The almost 400-page report concluded impact. The manner in which this in- then called Wilmington Hospital, he that the bulk of the crimes against hu- vestigation is conducted has grave im- grew up across the river from Brandy- manity were committed ‘‘pursuant to plications not only for the victims of wine Zoo. This Delaware native at- policies set at the highest levels of the the attacks in Iguala and their fami- tended Mt. Pleasant Elementary, Al- state’’ and were ‘‘without parallel in lies, but for the victims of countless fred I. DuPont Junior High, and Wil- the contemporary world.’’ other incidents in which Mexican citi- mington Friends School for high This criminal regime holds between zens have vanished during the past dec- school. Fred went on to earn a business 80,000–120,000 political prisoners in its ade and remain unaccounted for. degree from the University of Delaware system of gulags. I urge the Mexican Government to and had a great deal of fun, including a So I am glad this sanctions legisla- fully support the experts’ investigation truly memorable spring break trip to tion also includes provisions that ad- by ensuring maximum cooperation of the Bahamas with JOE BIDEN, his class- dress North Korea’s terrible human all Mexican officials, including on mate and friend. rights record. issues related to the experts’ access to After graduating from UD in 1964, Let me close by reaffirming my sup- all those potentially involved in this Fred began a nearly 40-year career in port for our South Korean and Asian incident and the serious pursuit of all banking. Fresh out of college, Fred was

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:14 Feb 11, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G10FE6.044 S10FEPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with SENATE February 10, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S815 scheduled to interview for a job with quality: the ability to inspire others. sion, just a day after the passing of our the Bank of Delaware, but accidentally He has used his passion for service to beloved friend Beau Biden earlier this walked into Delaware Trust instead. motivate the next generation of great year, Fred spoke to the Bidens and of- Fortunately, Delaware Trust was also leaders in our State. fered to help the family establish an hiring, and after starting as a manage- Take, for example, one of Fred’s organization in Beau’s name. That idea ment trainee, he rose to become the in- many initiatives called the Next Gen- became the Beau Biden Foundation for stitution’s first vice president of busi- eration. It is one he is most proud of— the Protection of Children—and 2 days ness development. From there, Fred and justifiably so. Next Gen takes after it was launched, they had already went on to later work at Wilmington groups of civic-minded young profes- raised over $125,000. Trust, Beneficial National Bank, and sionals with limited or no experience If this is all there was to Fred’s ultimately Commerce Bank, where he in philanthropy and, with just the story, it would be a remarkable one, was Delaware market president. right amount of guidance and encour- but there is even more to Fred as a While Fred was well and widely agement, helps mold them into non- businessman, a philanthropist, and a known as a leader in our financial serv- profit board leaders. Since 2004, Next person. If you speak to those who have ices industry, he found many other Gen’s chapters up and down the State been around him the longest, they will ways to serve our community as well. have helped direct over $300,000 in tell you his true passion is his family: Early in his career, Mayor Tom Malo- grants to community needs all over my his wife, JoAnn; his son, Graham; his ney asked his friend Fred to take a home State of Delaware. daughter-in-law, Kathryn; his son, leave of absence from Delaware Trust My good friend Tony Allen, who also Jason; his daughter-in-law, Jen; and of to serve as the city’s director of fi- calls Fred a mentor and a friend and a course his treasured grandchildren, nance and then later as director of eco- brother, tells a story of how Fred Kylie, Paxton, and Charlie. I have no nomic development. Fred not only ful- helped establish the African-American doubt that Fred’s retirement means he filled those two roles terrifically, but Community Empowerment Fund. The will be spending a lot more time as Pop decided afterwards to run for an at- fund is today known as the Council on Pop to his three treasures, becoming large city council seat in 1976. Fred Urban Empowerment, and it promotes even more of a fixture at their frequent won and went on to serve two full philanthropy that supports edu- school functions and their baseball and terms. cational, social, and economic em- soccer games. Many of us in younger generations of powerment of African-American Dela- Fred’s friends and family will also politics after Fred’s elected service wareans. As Tony notes, Fred didn’t tell you how much he adored his moth- have called on his wisdom, his insight, just help establish the fund, he wasn’t er, Marjorie, visiting her daily at and his ability to bring people to- just one of its first donors; he attended Stonegates until her passing, and how gether, as we had important decisions every meeting of the group. In 2010, much he cares for his father-in-law to make. So Fred served on the transi- Tony introduced Fred when Fred Sears today. They will tell you that Fred tion teams of Wilmington Mayor was set to receive an award for non- loves dancing, snappy suspenders, and James Sills, Delaware Governor Ruth profit leadership. As Tony put it then, vinyl records. Ann Minner, and co-chaired my transi- ‘‘While patience is a virtue, impatience Fred’s friend Tom Shopa will tell you tion team after I was elected New Cas- is a weapon. And Fred can be appro- about Fred’s passion for golf and how, tle county executive in 2004. priately impatient. Fred doesn’t demur for decades, he has kept track of all of For many of us, decades of success in to what others would call insurmount- his golf scores, the number of putts he finance, in business, in politics might able tasks and taboo topics of con- made, the weather that day—recording be the hallmark of a complete and suc- versation. He takes every opportunity every single detail just as his father cessful career, but for Fred, these expe- to constructively push the status quo.’’ did. Fred’s friends and colleagues will riences were just a few of the ways he Tony’s absolutely right, and given tell you they hear Fred say thank you fulfilled a lifelong passion for service that legacy of leadership, it is no sur- dozens of times every day. in our State of Neighbors. Just over 13 prise Fred has been honored by count- Today I pause for a moment on the years ago, while Fred was at Commerce less organizations for his business and floor of this great institution to say Bank, our mutual friend Jim Gilliam, community efforts. He has received a thank you to Fred. Thank you for giv- Jr., called Fred one day and said to Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy ing your time and talents over decades him, ‘‘I have a job for you.’’ After some Award from the Association of Fund- to more than 40 community nonprofit convincing, Fred accepted the job, and raising Professionals. He has been organizations, for serving on countless since then, he has served admirably at given a distinguished service award boards, from Christiana Care to the the helm of one of the most important from the Wilmington Rotary Club. He Rodel Foundation, from the Housing organizations in Delaware: the Dela- has been deemed a Superstar in Busi- Partnership, to the United Way. Thank ware Community Foundation. The DCF ness by the Delaware State Chamber you for your decades of service to Wil- plays an integral role in my home and was named Citizen of the Year by mington and Delaware and for a life- State, helping local nonprofits direct the Delmarva Council of the Boy long commitment to family, friends, philanthropy to Delaware’s most wor- Scouts of America. and community. Fred, as our friend thy causes and encouraging long-term Those awards and merits are cer- Tony Allen puts it, everyone in Dela- charitable giving to improve our State. tainly a reflection of Fred’s values and ware is better off because of your ef- Since Fred began as CEO in 2002, the his many successes. But those of us forts. DCF has tripled its long-term chari- who have had the privilege to work On behalf of Senator TOM CARPER and table funds and built its assets to $285 closely with Fred and to know him Congressman JOHN CARNEY, I whole- million. Dozens of nonprofits and com- know that his commitment to service heartedly thank you, Fred Sears, and munity funds have flourished under shines most brightly in the hundreds of congratulations on many jobs well Fred’s leadership, and he and his team interactions he has with Delawareans done. I eagerly look forward to seeing and their astute financial guidance every day, whether he is offering ideas where your so-called retirement will continues to generate the funding that and advice or just saying a quick hello. take you next.∑ enables them to serve. Fred didn’t join We know that even though Fred’s f the DCF though just to raise money leaving the Delaware Community and just to be important and recog- Foundation, he will undoubtedly con- REMEMBERING ALEX DIEKMANN nized; rather, he sought to improve the tinue to serve the community he loves. ∑ Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, at the entire philanthropic community and In fact, Fred just accepted an appoint- beginning of February, Montana lost a quality of community life in Delaware, ment from Governor Markell to chair true conservationist. Alexander Boris and his success in doing so reflects his Delaware’s Expenditure Review Com- Diekmann, 52 years old, passed away values and his vision. mission, suggesting Fred has no inten- peacefully at his Bozeman home after Fred is a true leader: honest, insight- tion of taking ‘‘retirement’’ literally. battling cancer for many years. He is ful, thoughtful; creative, positive and In a testament to Fred’s thoughtful- survived by his wife, Lisa, and his two confident. And Fred possesses that rare ness, leadership, and sense of compas- sons, Logan and Liam.

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