June 12, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E845 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

COMBATING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE THE MILITARY COLONEL JOHN D. WROTH OF HON. CHERI BUSTOS HON. ANNA G. ESHOO HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO OF OF CALIFORNIA OF WEST VIRGINIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Wednesday, June 12, 2013 commemorate the life of Harold ‘‘Pete’’ Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, our nation’s Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Vonachen, an American veteran from Illinois, armed forces are the best in the world, but I recognize Lieutenant Colonel John D. Wroth’s who passed away on Monday, June 10th, rise today to speak against a form of cancer recent retirement from a distinguished military 2013 at the age of 87. Pete was best known as ‘‘Mr. ’’ around Peoria, and as a spreading within the ranks that is compro- career in the United States Air Force. His dedicated community leader and philan- mising the integrity of our armed forces. service to our nation is one of honor and de- thropist. His loss will be felt throughout the For 25 years, Congress has pressured the votion, to which the people of West Virginia community. Department of Defense to take bold action and the United States of America owe a tre- Pete Vonachen, who graduated from Brad- against sexual assault among our service men mendous debt of gratitude. ley University in Peoria with a Bachelor of and women, and for 25 years, we’ve heard the Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, John Science in business administration, started out same promises. In hearing after hearing, Wroth received his bachelor’s degree from the in the restaurant business, opening they’ve offered the results of study after study; University of Charleston in 1987 and began Vonachen’s Junction in 1955. He carried over many of the same philosophies from his res- told us about their zero tolerance policy; cre- serving his country in 1989, the year he re- taurant days to his other businesses, including ated task forces; and promised to prioritize ceived his commission from the United States a recognition of the importance of people. this issue within the chain of command. Air Force Officer Training School. He has led Pete treated everyone as a friend, regardless Despite these promises, sexual assault in unit deployments to Europe, the Pacific and of whether you were a coworker, customer, or the military is at an all–time high and rising. Southwest Asia and, as a graduate of the elite competitor. According to the Defense Department, there Air Force Weapons School, he led as mission As his name and reputation grew, Pete pur- were more than 70 assaults per day in 2012, commander on the first night of Operation AL- chased the Peoria Suns Minor League base- an estimated 26,000 total and a 30 percent in- LIED FORCE in the Balkan Peninsula and ball franchise in 1985, later changing the name to the , a tribute to crease over two years. Worse, only three per- served as the Master Air Attack Plan Team Peoria’s last baseball team. With the help of cent of estimated sexual assaults in the mili- Chief in support of both Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel his close friend the great baseball broadcaster tary in 2012 were prosecuted. Countless serv- , he was able to reach an affili- Wroth has served as a unit scheduler, stand- ice members continue to have little faith in the ation agreement with the . military justice system, and countless more ardization/evaluation officer, tactics and train- Under Pete’s leadership, the once struggling suffer in silence for fear of retaliation. ing instructor, flight commander, platform in- franchise became the first structor and lead electronic warfare instructor The existing military justice system has team to draw more than 200,000 fans in one at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. clearly demonstrated its inability to solve this season. Pete Vonachen also served his community problem. As the civilian institution tasked with Lieutenant Colonel Wroth has received nu- in many roles, including as the Director of the military oversight, it is incumbent upon Con- merous awards and decorations throughout his service to our nation: the Meritorious Serv- Peoria Cerebral Palsy Board, a member of gress to act. OSF St. Francis Medical Advisory Board, the ice Medal, the Air Medal, the Air Force Com- The amendment offered by my colleague, Chairman of the Children’s Hospital of Illinois mendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Representative SPEIER, is an effective and Medical Center, a Peoria Park District trustee, Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expedi- meaningful solution. This amendment is mod- the Director of the Peoria Area Chamber of tionary Medal, and the NATO Medal. Further- eled on legislation, the Sexual Assault Train- Commerce, and the Peoria Rotary Club, more, Wroth led the Air Force ROTC of Duke ing Oversight and Prevention Act (STOP Act), among others. University to a number one rating for all small Mr. Speaker, I am forever grateful for Pete’s which I’m proud to cosponsor. detachments. contributions as a serviceman and leader in The STOP Act rightfully removes the sexual Currently, Lieutenant Colonel Wroth is his community, and am deeply saddened by assault response process from the military his passing. I offer my sincerest thoughts and Chief, Nuclear Operations Branch serving on chain of command and replaces it with an ac- prayers to his wife Donna, the rest of the the Nuclear Command and Control System, countable, civilian-controlled oversight office. It Vonachen family, and the entire Peoria com- and is the primary liaison to the Department of ensures that trained, impartial prosecutors re- munity. Homeland Security and the White House Mili- spond to allegations of sexual assault, not f tary Office. higher ranking commanders with a potential CONGRATULATING TERRY AND In addition to his devoted service to our bone to pick. ROSY BROMELL country, Wroth also managed to raise a won- It provides victims with real access to jus- derful family with his wife, Lydia. Together tice, via an objective response system. And it they have four children, Ian, Sarah, Jacob, HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER means no more fear of retaliation, lost pro- OF LOUISIANA and Dylan. motion, re-victimization, and pushback. Sexual IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, the exemplary service of Lieu- assault is a scourge that weakens our military Wednesday, June 12, 2013 and our nation and has absolutely no place in tenant Colonel John D. Wroth is deserving of Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. Speaker, it is with society. I encourage my colleagues in the the utmost respect. His dedication to country great pride and pleasure that I rise today to strongest possible terms to support this sen- and family is a model for all of us, and I am proud to call him a fellow West Virginian. commemorate and congratulate Terry and sible amendment. Rosy Bromell on the occasion of their 50th

∑ 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 Mar 15 2010 06:10 Jun 13, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K12JN8.001 E12JNPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E846 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 12, 2013 wedding anniversary, which they will celebrate Ice Flyers enjoyed a successful regular sea- With over 59 years of experience in the pre- with their loved ones on June 15. Mr. and Mrs. son, finishing with the third best record in the cast concrete manufacturing railroad and in- Bromell have led incredible lives, truly worthy league. The team also enjoyed tremendous dustrial construction industry, Century Group of this distinction. support from the Pensacola community, draw- Inc. continues its legacy of innovation and su- Terry and Rosy are the parents of four won- ing more than 100,000 fans to their home perior service. It is due to the efforts of busi- derful children: Alicia Lowther, Teena Doxley, games this season. nesses and individuals like the Century Group Ty Bromell, and Rose Marie Dillon. They are The President’s Cup series between the Ice Inc. that Louisiana continues to grow and also blessed with seven grandchildren: Ric Flyers and the Huntsville Havoc was a closely prosper economically. Lowther, Jonah Doxey, Sarah Doxey, Erin Dil- contested affair. In the first game, the Ice Fly- f lon, Ruth Dillon, Vivian Dillon, and Ellie ers prevailed at home in overtime 2–1; how- Bromell. ever, the Havoc fought back just three days MOURNING THE PASSING OF Both graduates of Louisiana Tech Univer- later to claim a series tying 2–1 victory, send- SENATOR FRANK LAUTENBERG sity, Terry and Rosy are well–known and ap- ing the series back to Pensacola for a third SPEECH OF preciated in the North Louisiana area. In 1983, and final game. the couple opened their family–owned and A passionate crowd of nearly 4,700 fans HON. RUSH HOLT independently operated insurance agency, showed up at the Pensacola Bay Center to OF NEW JERSEY Bromell Agency, Inc. For the past 30 years, watch as the Ice Flyers faced the Havoc in the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Bromells have benefitted both Ruston and third and final game of the President’s Cup se- Tuesday, June 11, 2013 Shreveport families and businesses with their ries on April 14, 2013. The Ice Flyers took an commitment to service, as well as their active early lead after just two minutes and seven Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I thank my involvement and leadership in the Chamber of seconds of play, and they never looked back friends and colleagues in the New Jersey del- Commerce, local bureaus, boards, and 4H en route to a 2–0 shutout victory to claim the egation for organizing this tribute to the late programs, and various charitable organizations crown and bring the President’s Cup to Pen- Senator Frank Lautenberg. in the community. sacola. With their victory, the Ice Flyers be- This is a personal loss as well as a loss for As the Bromell family and friends prepare to came just the third professional hockey team New Jersey and for this Nation. I don’t think join together to honor Terry and Rosy Bromell, from Florida to capture a championship, and there has been, nor do I think there will ever this couple continues to exemplify admirable they became the first team from Pensacola to be, anybody quite like Frank Lautenberg in the dedication to serving our region. I ask my col- bring a professional sports trophy to the area. United States Senate. leagues to join me in congratulating Terry and Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States What stands out to so many about Frank is Rosy Bromell on this very special 50th anni- Congress, I am honored to recognize the play- that he never forgot his humble beginnings. versary. ers, coaches, staff, and fans of the Pensacola He was the son of immigrants who was born f Ice Flyers for their championship winning sea- and raised among the silk mills of Paterson. son. The entire Northwest Florida area looks His father died while he was serving in the CONGRATULATING THE PENSA- forward to many more winning seasons to Second World War—and ‘‘serve’’ is the right COLA ICE FLYERS AS CHAM- come. word. He saw service as his duty, as his life— PIONS OF THE SOUTHERN PRO- f serving other people, never forgetting the FESSIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE’S common person and the common good. The PRESIDENT’S CUP LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOP- GI Bill sent him to Columbia University, and MENT ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES he always felt grateful for that and felt a need HON. JEFF MILLER CENTURY GROUP INC. AS A RE- to pay back. OF FLORIDA CIPIENT OF THE 2013 LANTERN Much has been said in recent days about AWARDS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Frank’s successful business career. And it cer- tainly was a success. The qualities that drove Wednesday, June 12, 2013 HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR. Frank to be a successful businessman also Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise OF LOUISIANA made him an exemplary legislator. Frank was today to recognize the Pensacola Ice Flyers IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dogged; he was persistent. His colleagues in for their recent victory in the Southern Profes- the Senate would sometimes laugh or smile sional Hockey League’s President’s Cup Wednesday, June 12, 2013 about that—’’Here comes Frank again to try to Championship series and offer my congratula- Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today twist our arms.’’ Frank did his homework; he tions to the team members, owners, coaching to congratulate Century Group Inc. as the knew what he was talking about, and he just staff, and front office staff: Southwest Louisiana Region recipient of the kept fighting for equality of opportunity, for fair- Team members, Steve Bergin; Dan 2013 Lantern Awards. ness, for safety, for ever-expanding access to Buccella; Jordan Chong; Joe Caveney; Brent The Lantern Award provides an opportunity the American Dream. Clarke; Brad Cooper; Ron Cramer; John Dun- to salute manufacturers for their outstanding Frank’s legislative legacy will remain rel- bar; Nick Dupuis; Gerry Festa; Jeremy Gates; contributions to the Louisiana economy and to evant for generations to come. He fought tire- Mitchell Good; Patrick Knowlton; Kevin their communities. Recipients are selected on lessly to keep trains and buses safe, to pro- Kozlowski; Justin MacDonald; Mike MacIntyre; the basis of their contributions over a period of mote public health, to safeguard chemical Ross MacKinnon; Ryan Salvis; Tyler Soehner; time to the betterment of their communities, plants, to keep cigarettes out of airplanes, and and Brandon Vossberg; Owners, Greg Harris; growth in the number of employees, and ex- so much more. But what stands out in my and Tim Kerr; Coach, Gary Graham; Equip- pansion of their facilities. mind is what Frank did to prevent drunk driv- ment , Mark ‘‘Bonez’’ Bradtmueller; The Century Group Inc. started out as one ing. As part of his transportation work, Frank Athletic Trainer, Jen Lorenzo; and front office man, Alma Como, who built a wooden cast to established limits on blood alcohol levels and staff, Tina Burnham; Patrick Casey; Kayleigh create concrete steps in 1942. Today, Century raised the drinking age. Today, you could fill Kerr; Josh Kersh; Willa Licata; Chuck Group is the leading manufacturer of precast several football stadiums with people who are McCartney; and Brittany Tindell. concrete steps, concrete railroad grade cross- alive only because of Frank Lautenberg—and The Pensacola Ice Flyers were founded in ings, railroad spill collection systems and other not one of them knows who they are. 2009 and named to honor Pensacola’s long precise concrete products in North America. Throughout his time in the Senate, Frank and proud history as the ‘‘Cradle of Naval During the first 30 years, Century Group Inc. was always thinking about the ordinary per- Aviation.’’ From the beginning, the Ice Flyers set up seven manufacturing locations servicing son. He never forgot that they were the people have been strong competitors in the Southern home building material dealers in 27 states. In who had sent him to serve, he never stopped Professional Hockey League, SPHL, making it the mid 1960’s the Century Group Inc. entered fighting, and the people of New Jersey knew to playoffs in each year of their existence. Last the railroad market providing services to in- that. They knew they had somebody in the season, the Ice Flyers made it all the way to dustry along the Louisiana-Texas Gulf Coast. Senate who was looking out for them. the championship series, before narrowly los- By the late 1970’s, it had established a pre- Frank and I worked on a number of impor- ing in the final game. cast division which served state Department of tant issues together. From strengthening and After coming agonizingly close to victory last Transportations, municipalities, military facili- securing our rail system to combating bullying season, the Ice Flyers entered into the 2012– ties, heavy industry, harbors, and general con- with the Tyler Clementi bill, I always relished 13 season with only one goal: to win it all. The tractors. the opportunity to work with such a premier

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