3928 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 153, Pt. 3 February 13, 2007 Madam Speaker, February was chosen as after that of the United States. The Church es- work for the Department of Defense. Her son, National Marfan Awareness Month in part to tablished executive, legislative, and judicial David, works for the Department of the Treas- coincide with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. branches of government at national, diocesan, ury, and her son Mark serves as a Rear Admi- President Lincoln is believed to have been af- and parish levels. The result is a democratic ral in the United States Navy. Helen is adored fected by Marfan syndrome based on the Catholicism that among other things provides by her seven grandchildren Alex, Hannah, An- many outward signs of the disorder he por- for ownership of parish property by the con- drew, Eric, Ellie, Ian, and Seth. trayed. Marfan syndrome patients are fre- gregation, a voice and a vote for every mem- Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will quently taller than non-affected members of ber in most matters of the parish, and the join me in sending our very best to Helen Fer- their family and have disproportionately long election of parish delegates to meet with cler- guson on the occasion of her 75th birthday limbs, fingers and toes. In addition, they often gy at synods to elect bishops and determine and recognizing her as a role model for her have an indented or protruding chest-bone, church policy. strength, dignity, and support for her family. curved spine, high-arched palate, and loose Since its inception in 1907, St. Joseph’s has Coming from a family of immigrants myself, I joints. Other well known individuals who were been an integral part of our community and am particularly proud of her as a role model afflicted with the Marfan syndrome include has now grown to its current 300 parish mem- to all who come to this country from humble Jonathan Larson, the Tony Award winning bers from 20 different commu- beginnings, and contribute to the rich fabric of playwright of the Broadway musical Rent, Flo nities. Our churches play a vital role in our America. Hyman, captain of the U.S. Olympic volleyball communities—providing people with a place to f team that won a gold medal in 1984, Charles turn to for comfort when they are most in de Gaulle, the composer Sergei Vasilievich need. By strengthening our bonds of faith, St. HONORING MISS GREATER Rachmaninoff, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Joseph’s gives its members a place to find SPRINGFIELD, CARESSA CAMERON According to the Centers for Disease Con- their spiritual center and to solidify and sup- trol and Prevention, approximately 14,000 port their values. The members of the St. Jo- HON. TOM DAVIS people die each year of aortic aneurysms and seph’s have also given much to the City of OF dissections, 20 percent of which can be con- Bridgeport and the Town of Stratford. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tributed to genetic disorders such as Marfan Throughout the years, as their membership Tuesday, February 13, 2007 syndrome. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness grew so did their commitment to the enrich- about Marfan syndrome continues to result in ment of our community. Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speak- patients dying before being properly diag- For 100 years, the St. Joseph’s of Stratford er, I rise today to honor Caressa Cameron for nosed and treated. Madam Speaker, I encour- National Catholic Church has been a fixture in her year of service to the Orga- age my colleagues to join me and the National communities of Bridgeport and Stratford. nization and Greater Springfield area. Marfan Foundation in raising awareness of Through their ministry and outreach efforts, Ms. Cameron won the title of Miss Greater this life-threatening disorder so we can pre- they have left an indelible mark on our com- Springfield 2006 on February 12, 2006. She vent future unnecessary tragedies. munity and continue to enrich the lives of oth- has worked tirelessly with the Boys and Girls f ers. I am proud to stand today and extend my Club to promote her platform of AIDS aware- very best wishes to them as they mark this ness through behavior modification in the HONORING ST. JOSEPH’S OF milestone in their history. Happy 100th Anni- Northern Virginia area. STRATFORD NATIONAL CATHO- versary! During her reign, Ms. Cameron made nu- LIC CHURCH AS THEY CELE- f merous appearances around Springfield, in- BRATE THEIR 100TH ANNIVER- cluding a gala fundraiser at Greenspring Re- SARY CONGRATULATIONS HELEN GALE tirement Community. She also spoke to stu- FERGUSON ON HER 75TH BIRTH- dents at Erving Middle School about ‘‘Right HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO DAY Decisions, Right Now,’’ a pro- OF CONNECTICUT gram. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. JOHN P. SARBANES Last June, Ms. Cameron competed in the Miss Virginia pageant in Roanoke, VA and Tuesday, February 13, 2007 OF MARYLAND IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES placed 2nd runner-up. She was then asked to Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with represent Virginia at the National Miss Sweet- Tuesday, February 13, 2007 great pleasure that I rise today to join the Rev- heart Pageant in and placed 4th run- erend Anthony Kopka, members of the con- Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise ner-up to Miss National Sweetheart 2006. gregation, and the Stratford community in ex- today to celebrate the life of Helen Gale Fer- Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to tending my sincere congratulations to St. Jo- guson and wish her well on the occasion of thank Ms. Cameron for representing the seph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church her 75th birthday. Helen was born in New- Greater Springfield area with great pride and as they celebrate its 100th Anniversary. This foundland, Canada in February 1932, where respect. I ask my colleagues to join me in con- is a remarkable milestone for this community she grew up with her siblings as the daughter gratulating her on this distinguished title and in treasure and I am proud to help them cele- of a fisherman and boat builder who sailed the wishing her the best of luck in all future en- brate this momentous occasion. waters of the northern Atlantic. deavors. St. Joseph’s was first organized in Bridge- Upon completion of high school, Helen f port, Connecticut by a group of Polish Catholic began working for the U.S. Air Force at Ernest immigrants in 1907 and later moved to Strat- Harmon Air Force Base in Stephenville, New- TRIBUTE TO DR. MILTON GORDON ford, Connecticut after building a new church foundland. It was there that she met and mar- complex. St. Joseph’s was born out of the ried Mark E. Ferguson, Jr., during his active HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ congregation’s desire to exercise more control duty assignment at the base. Following his OF over their parish. It was important to the Polish honorable discharge from the Air Force, they IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES congregants that their church be led by a Pol- settled with their children in 1960 in Glen ish priest, services held in Polish—in all, it Burnie, Maryland. In 1966, Helen proudly be- Tuesday, February 13, 2007 was of the utmost importance to the came a U.S. citizen during a ceremony in An- Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. congregants that their ethnic traditions and napolis, Maryland. Helen and Mark were mar- Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man customs be preserved. In an effort to meet ried for 41 wonderful years until his passing in who has been dedicated to higher education these needs, the Church became a part of the 1997. and who is a model community servant to my Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC)—a Helen is the proud mother of four children. district, Dr. Milton Gordon. denomination which began in Scranton, Penn- Her personal life is one of grace, quiet As Chancellor of California State University, sylvania. strength, and love of family. Her values have Fullerton, Dr. Milton Gordon has been a vi- The PNCC blends traditional Apostolic and been passed down to her children, as each of sionary for the students and faculty as he Catholic teaching with American democracy them have chosen a life of service to our Na- works to promote higher education for women which is governed by a constitution patterned tion. Her daughters Pamela and Patricia both and minorities.

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