July 29, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1189 Woman of Influence honoree by the award- chief. Her qualifications and professionalism law on August 6, 1965 the Voting Rights Act winning central Iowa publication, the Des as an emergency medical technician, para- of 1965, which swept away barriers impeding Moines Business Record. medic, and arson investigator have inspired millions of Americans from meaningful partici- Since 2000, the Des Moines Business others towards public service and her ability to pation in American political life. Record has undertaken an exhaustive annual coordinate with the department’s partners is On July 30, 1965, President Johnson signed review to identify a group of standout female much-praised among her colleagues. Her into law the Social Security Amendments Act leaders in the Greater Des Moines Area that dedication and good humor has been a tre- of 1965, which we today know as Medicare, are making an impact in their communities ei- mendous asset for the city, and has helped which has transformed the delivery of health ther personally or professionally, forging a the Fire Department offset budget restrictions care in the United States and which, along path for other women to follow. The women and foster a greater sense of community in with Social Security, reduced the rate of pov- given this prestigious award are individuals Woodhaven and beyond. Janet is a true gem erty among the elderly from 28.5 percent in who have selflessly dedicated their time and in our community and Woodhaven is fortunate 1966 to 9.1 percent in 2012. proven their leadership abilities across a vari- to call her their own and grateful for her con- On July 2, 1964 President Johnson secured ety of professional fields. tributions. passage and signed into law the most sweep- Lt. Governor Reynolds began her political Janet’s commitment to education has been ing civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, career by serving four terms as the Clarke evidenced by her annual trips to each elemen- the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits County Treasurer. She was then elected State tary school in the city to teach fire safety. discrimination in employment, education, and Senator of Iowa’s 48th Senate District, where ‘‘Firefighter Jan’’ is no stranger to the class- public accommodations based on race, color, she served until 2010. During her time in the room, and has used her experience as a religion, or national origin. Senate, the Republican nominee for Governor, physical education instructor to promote fire On November 8, 1965, President Johnson Terry Branstad, asked then Senator Kim Rey- prevention techniques that students find as ex- signed into law the Higher Education Act, nolds to serve on his ticket as the nominee for citing as they are informative. Jan has also which provided need-based financial aid to Lt. Governor. She accepted his request and promoted higher education in Woodhaven, students in the form of scholarships, work- the rest is history. partnering with Wayne County Community study grants, and loans, and thus for the first Lt. Governor Reynolds has dedicated her College to provide two full scholarships for time made higher education more accessible life to serving the people of Iowa. As Lt. Gov- students in her community to pursue a career to populations of persons who were previously ernor she has leveraged her unique under- in public safety. unable to attend college because of economic standing of small rural communities and their Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me circumstances. governments to bring good, high paying jobs today to honor Chief Janet Sikes for her twen- On October 3, 1965, President Johnson to the state. Lt. Governor Reynolds has also ty-nine years of service and her lasting impact signed into law the Immigration and Natu- built strong, lasting relationships with some of on the Downriver communities. I thank her for ralization Act of 1965, which transformed the Iowa’s most important global trading partners. her leadership, and wish her many years of nation’s immigration system by abolishing the Her long list of accomplishments is a testa- success. racially based quota system that had defined ment to her hard work, dedication and willing- f American immigration policy for the previous ness to selflessly serve all Iowans. four decades and replaced it with a policy Mr. Speaker, it is a profound honor to rep- URGING AWARD OF CONGRES- whose central purpose was family reunifica- resent leaders like Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds SIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO PRESI- tion, with a preference for immigrants with in the and it is with DENT LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON specific skillsets. great pride that I recognize and applaud her FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY According to Robert A. Caro, the pre- for utilizing her talents to better the State of RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT IN eminent biographer of Lyndon Baines John- Iowa. I invite my colleagues in the United THE FIELD OF DOMESTIC AF- son, with the single exception of Abraham Lin- States House of Representatives to join me in FAIRS coln, Lyndon Johnson was the greatest cham- congratulating her on receiving this esteemed pion of the poor and underprivileged in the designation, and wishing her the best of luck HON. history of the Republic and was the President in all her future endeavors. OF TEXAS ‘‘who wrote mercy and justice into the statute f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES books by which America was governed.’’ I invite all Members to join me in sponsoring PERSONAL EXPLANATION Wednesday, July 29, 2015 this legislation awarding the Congressional Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask Gold Medal and recognizing the extraordinary HON. unanimous consent to address the House for domestic achievements of President Lyndon OF WASHINGTON 1 minute and revise and extend my remarks. Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Today I introduced legislation awarding the United States. Wednesday, July 29, 2015 Congressional Gold Medal to Lyndon Baines f Johnson, the 36th President of the United Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on States whose vision and leadership secured HONORING DAVID FINKEL Tuesday, July 22, 2015, I was detained in a passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of meeting and unable to make the first vote in 1965, the Social Security Amendments Act a series. I would have voted ‘‘No’’ on roll call HON. (Medicare) of 1965, the Civil Rights Act of vote No. 450 (on ordering the previous ques- OF CALIFORNIA 1964, the Higher Education Act of 1965, and tion on H. Res. 369). IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Immigration and Naturalization Act of f 1965. Wednesday, July 29, 2015 IN RECOGNITION OF JANET SIKES’ The awarding of the Congressional Gold Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, SERVICE AS FIRE CHIEF OF THE Medal is long overdue recognition of the re- today I rise to recognize the remarkable life of CITY OF WOODHAVEN markable record of achievement in the field of David B. Finkel, an honorable veteran, a dis- domestic affairs of the person most respon- tinguished civil rights attorney, an esteemed HON. DEBBIE DINGELL sible for several of the nation’s landmark laws elected official, and someone I was privileged that mark their 50th anniversary this year. to call a friend. David deeply impacted count- OF Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress less lives by standing up for civil rights, free- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES from the Tenth Congressional District of dom of speech, affordable housing, and edu- Wednesday, July 29, 2015 Texas, as Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, cational equality for over six decades. David Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Vice-President and President of the United was also a longtime and devoted member of recognize Janet Sikes for her 29 years of States, Lyndon Baines Johnson’s domestic ac- the Sholem community and will be remem- service to the Woodhaven Fire Department, complishments in the fields of civil rights, edu- bered for his integrity and compassion as a 18 of those served as Fire Chief. During her cation, and economic opportunity rank among ‘‘warrior for justice.’’ career, Janet has saved many lives, and en- the greatest achievements of the past half David, the son of Jewish immigrants fleeing riched countless others. century. persecution in Europe, lived through historical Janet has served as a role model in our As President, Lyndon Johnson proposed, events such as the Great Depression and community as Woodhaven’s first female fire championed, led to passage, and signed into World War II. These heavy experiences

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