November 14, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1659 around the world because of their belief in from Hama was killed by a sniper while help- We can also make people aware of the Jesus Christ—one million already in this ing the wounded. Similarly tragic violence great suffering of our brothers and sisters still young century. against believers is now commonplace. with all the means at our disposal. Our col- That threat to religious believers is grow- Just as Syrian Christians have suffered umns, our blogs, our speeches, and our pas- ing. The Pew Research Center reports that 75 from the war raging in their land, the war in toral letters can reference the subject. We percent of the world’s population ‘‘lives in Iraq has devastated that ancient Christian can ask our pastors to preach on it, and to countries where governments, social groups, community in that country as well. As stimulate study sessions or activist groups or individuals restrict people’s ability to Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Iraq tearfully in their parishes. We can encourage our freely practice their faith.’’ Pew lays out the told us during our spring assembly in 2012, media to tell the stories of today’s details of this ‘‘rising tide of restrictions on remember, the situation of Christians there new martyrs, unfortunately abundant. Our religion,’’ but we don’t need a report to tell ‘‘became a tragedy of immense proportions good experience defending religious freedom us something we sadly see on the news every after 2003,’’ with many religious and lay here at home shows that, when we turn our day. faithful tortured and killed. minds to an issue, we can put it on the map. While Muslims and Christians have long Violent attacks continue to terrorize the Well, it’s time to harness that energy for our lived peacefully side-by-side in Zanzibar, for Iraqi people. Just a little over a year ago the fellow members of the household of faith instance, this past year has seen increasing war’s worst massacre of Iraqi Christians oc- hounded for their beliefs around the world. violence. Catholic churches have been curred in a brutal attack on Our Lady of Sal- We know the importance of supporting or- burned and priests have been shot. In Sep- vation Church in Baghdad, where some 58 be- ganizations such as Aid to the Church in tember one priest was the victim of a hor- lievers were massacred. Those martyred for Need, the Catholic Near East Welfare Asso- rific acid attack. Nigeria has also been the their faith included their priest who ciation, , and the So- site of frequent anti-Christian violence, in- died holding a crucifix, forgiving the gunmen ciety for the Propagation of the Faith, who cluding church bombings on our holiest days. and asking him to spare his people. have done heroic work, while among our The situation in India has also been grave, The situations in Syria and Iraq wrench Protestant brothers and sisters groups such particularly after the Orissa massacre of our hearts, but the plight of Christians in as Open Doors make a similar contribution. 2008, where hundreds of Christians were mur- Egypt is no better. This past summer saw Writers such as Nina Shea, Paul Marshall, dered and thousands displaced, and thou- the serious escalation of violence against our John Allen, and Phillip Jenkins here in the sands of homes and some 400 churches were brothers and sisters there, as the ancient United States help keep the issue alive, as torched. Just recently, a Christian couple Coptic Christian community has been tar- does our own Committee on International was recently attacked by an angry mob just geted. Dozens of Coptic churches have been Justice and Peace. because of their faith, their Bibles torn from burned; Christian-owned businesses and ho- Finally, we can insist that our country’s their hands. tels have been attacked; and individual be- leaders make the protection of at-risk Chris- We remember our brothers and sisters in lievers have been murdered. tians abroad a foreign-policy priority for the China, where Catholic bishops and other reli- To take one example, John Allen reports United States. We can also cajole political gious leaders are subject to state supervision that in August, ‘‘hundreds of Muslim ex- leaders to be more attentive to the voices of and imprisonment. Conditions are only get- tremists stormed a school run by Franciscan Christians on the ground, since those Chris- ting worse, as the government closes church- sisters in . . . Upper Egypt, where they re- tians will certainly feel the consequences of es and subjects members of several faiths to portedly raped two teachers. Three whatever the West does or doesn’t do. As Dr. forced renunciations, so-called re-education, were paraded before the crowd as prisoners of Thomas Farr reminded us at our spring and torture. war.’’ It was only through the intervention meeting a couple summers ago, the protec- Of course, it’s not just Christians who suf- of a Muslim lay teacher that other sisters’ tion of religious freedom abroad, and advo- fer from religious persecution, but believers lives were spared. cacy of oppressed believers, has hardly been in other faiths as well. Much religious perse- We as bishops, as shepherds of one of the a high foreign policy priority for administra- cution is committed by Muslims against most richly blessed communities of faith on tions of either party. other Muslims. Buddhists in Tibet suffer the planet, as pastors who have spoken with In general, my brothers, we can make sup- under government torture and repression. In enthusiastic unity in defense of our own reli- porting the suffering Church a priority—not Myanmar Muslims suffer at the hands of gious freedom, must become advocates and one good cause among others, but a defining Buddhist mobs. All of us share apprehension champions for these Christians whose lives element of our pastoral priorities. As histo- over reports of rising anti-Semitism. literally hang in the balance. rians of this conference know, speaking up But there is no escaping the fact that Francis recently invited us all to an for suffering faithful abroad has been a hall- Christians are singled out in far more places examination of conscience in this regard mark of our soon-to-be-century of public ad- and far more often. during his General Audience on September vocacy of the gospel by the conference of I don’t have to tell anyone in this room 25: bishops in this beloved country we are hon- that our brothers and sisters in the Middle ‘‘When I hear that so many Christians in ored to call our earthly home. East face particular trials. As Bar- the world are suffering, am I indifferent, or Protecting religious freedom will be a cen- tholomew of Constantinople has observed, is it as if a member of my own family is suf- tral social and political concern of our time, for Christians in the Middle East, ‘‘even the fering? When I think or hear it said that and we American bishops already have made simple admission of Christian identity places many Christians are persecuted and give very important contributions to carrying it the very existence of [the] faithful in daily their lives for their faith, does this touch my forward. Now we are being beckoned—by his- threat . . . Exceptionally extreme and ex- heart or does it not reach me? Am I open to tory, by , by the force of our pansive occurrences of violence and persecu- that or that sister in my family own logic and the ecclesiology of com- tion against Christians cannot leave the rest who’s giving his or her life for Jesus Christ? munion—to extend those efforts to the dra- of us—who are blessed to live peacefully and Do we pray for one another’? How many of matic front lines of this battle, where Chris- in some sense of security—indifferent and in- you pray for Christians who are persecuted? tians are paying for their fidelity with their active.’’ How many? Everyone respond in his own lives. As the Council reminded us, we are The humanitarian catastrophe that con- heart. It’s important to look beyond one’s bishops not only for our , not only tinues to unfold in Syria has been particu- own fence, to feel oneself part of the Church, for our nation, but for the Church universal. larly close to our hearts these past few of one family of God!’’ May all the blessed martyrs, ancient and months. We’ve prayed for and stood in soli- I am convinced that we have to answer new, pray for us, as we try to be confessors darity with the Church and the people of those questions of Pope Francis, not merely of the faith. Syria, and with Pope Francis and the bishops as individual believers, but collectively as a Praise be Jesus Christ! of the Middle East in their call for peace. body of bishops. f It’s no surprise that this violent and cha- So you ask me, what can we do? Without otic situation has bred even more religious any pretense of being exhaustive, here are PERSONAL EXPLANATION persecution. Of course we’re all familiar with some ideas I’d like to lay before you, with a Syria’s venerable history as the place from nod to John Allen and his recent compelling which our faith spread to the rest of the work on this topic. HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ world, and Syria has long been home to a siz- First, we can encourage intercession for OF PENNSYLVANIA able Christian minority. Yet those Chris- the persecuted. Remember how the ‘‘prayers tians who have remained in Syria face ever- for the conversion of Russia’’ at the end of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES present, rising threats of violence. Masses over a half-century ago shaped our Thursday, November 14, 2013 Last April two of our Orthodox brother sense of what was going on behind the Iron bishops were kidnapped in Aleppo by gunmen Curtain? A similar culture of prayer for per- Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall as they returned from a humanitarian mis- secuted Christians today, both in private and No. 572, I was unable to be present for the sion. Their driver was shot and killed. And a in our liturgical celebrations, could have a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted little less than a year ago an Orthodox priest similar remedial effect. ‘‘yes.’’

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:15 Nov 15, 2013 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14NO8.008 E14NOPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1660 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 14, 2013 HONORING MATTHEW ALAN Stephanie, at only nine years old. Today, ever elected to public office in the city’s his- STUBBS II Doug runs Valley Enterprises whose fleet con- tory. He served in that office with distinction, sists of 27 power units and 150 sets of trail- earning the nickname the ‘‘Watchdog at City HON. SAM GRAVES ers. Hall.’’ Dedicated to giving back to the industry, Ed Based on his record of demonstrated excel- OF MISSOURI is very active with several trucking organiza- lence as a manager and public administrator, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tions. He is the former president of the Cali- Leonel Castillo came to the attention of Presi- Thursday, November 14, 2013 fornia Trucking Association and is active in the dent Jimmy Carter, who nominated him on Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I American Truck Historical Society (ATHS). Ed April 7, 1977 to be Commissioner of the Immi- proudly pause to recognize Matthew Alan also serves on the board of directors for the gration and Naturalization Service and con- Stubbs II. Matthew is a very special young American Trucking Association (ATA), served firmed by the Senate just three weeks later, man who has exemplified the finest qualities on the National Ag Science Center Board of on April 27, 1977. He was the first Hispanic to of citizenship and leadership by taking an ac- Directors, and he is the executive director and hold this position. Leonel Castillo served as tive part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop past president of the Hays Antique Truck Mu- INS Commission until October 1, 1979. 264, and earning the most prestigious award seum. His community involvement spreads be- At a White House swearing-in ceremony, of Eagle Scout. yond transportation, Ed and Carole helped President Carter explained his reasons for ap- Matthew has been very active with his start Children’s Guardian Home in Oakdale, a pointing Leonel Castillo to such an important troop, participating in many Scout activities. home that takes in abused and abandoned post: Over the many years Matthew has been in- children. Ed is a past president of the Chil- He’s a man who has the highest possible volved with scouting, he has not only earned dren’s Crisis Center in Modesto. reputation. He’s a public administrator, and numerous merit badges, but also the respect Mr. Speaker, please join me in praising Ed I think I can tell you that he’s going to take of his family, peers, and community. Most no- Rocha and Rocha’s Valley Enterprises, for on one of the most difficult jobs in the Gov- ernment. tably, Matthew has contributed to his commu- their significant contributions to agriculture and nity through his Eagle Scout project. to the people of our local community. Mr. Speaker, Leonel J. Castillo touched so Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in f many lives in so many ways. He inspired a commending Matthew Alan Stubbs, II for his generation of civic minded Hispanic men and TRIBUTE TO LEONEL J. CASTILLO, women to seek public office. He was a tow- accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of EDUCATOR, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIV- America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- ering figure in the life of our community. He IST, AND HOUSTON’S FIRST HIS- will be greatly missed. ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. PANIC ELECTED I ask the House to observe a moment of si- f lence in honor of a great American, my friend, CONGRATULATING ED ROCHA AND HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE the Honorable Leonel J. Castillo. OF TEXAS ROCHA’S VALLEY ENTERPRISES f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. JEFF DENHAM Thursday, November 14, 2013 HONORING ANGEL WOODRUFF OF CALIFORNIA Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pay tribute to Leonel J. Castillo, a legendary HON. JASON T. SMITH OF MISSOURI Thursday, November 14, 2013 and pioneering figures in the history of Hous- ton, Texas. Mr. Castillo, who was the first His- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to panic elected to public office in Houston, died Thursday, November 14, 2013 recognize and congratulate Ed Rocha and November 4, 2013. He was 74 years old. Rocha’s Valley Enterprises, which will be in- Leonel J. Castillo was born June 9, 1939 in Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise ducted as a member of the Stanislaus County Victoria, Texas and educated at St. Mary’s today to honor Ms. Angel Woodruff of Cape Agricultural Hall of Fame ‘‘Legends in Agri- University in San Antonio, from which he re- Girardeau, Missouri for her compassionate de- culture’’ during a ceremony in Modesto, Cali- ceived his Bachelor’s degree in English, and fense of others in her local community. Ms. fornia, on November 14, 2013. his Master’s degree in Community Organiza- Woodruff currently serves as the first assistant Trucking is truly a family legacy for the tion from University of Pittsburgh. prosecuting attorney in Cape Girardeau Coun- Rocha family. In 1924, John Rocha founded Like many men and women of his genera- ty, and has become widely-known for her John N Rocha transportation. They started tion, Leonel Castillo was inspired by President compassionate and diligent defense of victims hauling milk, hay and dairy supplies and John F. Kennedy’s call to service and joined of crime. She is known for encouraging victims added cattle a few years later. In 1952, when the Peace Corps, serving in the Philippines. to advocate for themselves, and to actively Ed was a senior in high school, his dad took During this time he met the gracious and bril- seek out the help of the law. Ms. Woodruff him to Salinas Dressed Beef Company, in Sa- liant Evelyn, his partner in life and marriage began her education studying English at linas, CA, to look at two nearly-new 1951 for more than 50 years, and the mother of Southeast Missouri State University, and con- Peterbilt Cabovers they had for sale. His dad their two children, a daughter Avalyn, and a tinued on to earn a Law Degree at the Univer- told him, ‘‘If I like the deal, you’re in business.’’ son, Efrem. sity of Missouri-Columbia. She began working They ended up buying the trucks and Ed and In 1967, Leonel and his family moved to at the Cape Girardeau Prosecuting Attorney’s his father became partners under the name Houston where he soon became involved with Office in 1998 and specializes in violent Rocha Livestock Transportation. local neighborhood organizations. He orga- crimes, drug crime, domestic violence, and Ten years later, Ed decided to go out on his nized across racial lines and worked to find sex crimes. She believes that her job is more own and started Ed Rocha Livestock Trans- common ground on important issues to each than just what people see on headlines and in portation. Over the years, Ed’s operations ex- community, including integration and better court rooms, and seeks to help victims whose panded to Stockton and Modesto and the fleet educational opportunities for the children of daily lives are affected by her cases on a per- grew to include tankers, vans, curtain vans, Houston. sonal level. Ms. Woodruff reaches out to vic- flats and of course cattle trucks. Leonel served as Director of SER-Jobs for tims and shows them that they are not alone, In 1990, Valley Enterprises was founded, Progress, board member of , and that she is willing to fight for them. leasing tomato trailers to the Morningstar and member of the Memorial Hermann Hos- In the words of the U.S. Attorney who hired Company. To this day they are handling the pital advisory board. Leonel also was one of her, Morley Swingle, ‘‘A crime victim is lucky shuttle and interplant business for E&J Gallo. the co-founders of the Houston Hispanic if she is assigned to the case.’’ I am grateful It is important to note that the Rocha family Chamber of Commerce and Houston Inter- that we have such caring and hardworking has been hauling for the Gallo family for over national University. He also taught at the Uni- members of the Cape Girardeau community, 70 years. versity of Houston and Texas Southern Uni- such as Ms. Angel Woodruff. It is my pleasure A true family business, Ed’s youngest son versity. to recognize her achievements before the Douglas was running a tomato operation at In 1971, Leonel Castillo was elected Comp- House of Representatives and to encourage twelve years old, helped out by his sister troller of the City of Houston, the first Hispanic her to continue advocating for victims of crime.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:15 Nov 15, 2013 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14NO8.005 E14NOPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS