CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1723 on the Chief of Staff position at Fort Leonard hard work on the single parts of this bill which, fact, the Omnibus National Parks and Public Wood, U.S. Army Engineer School in South- together, make this a landmark piece of legis- Lands Bill of 1998 does more than any other ern Missouri. lation. The far-reaching Omnibus National single piece of legislation could, in order to en- Colonel Davis has held various positions in Parks and Public Lands Bill accomplishes sure that the management and creation of the Army Corps of Engineers, including serv- many goals and addresses a multitude of pub- America's parks and public lands remains a ing as an exchange officer to the Australian lic lands concerns to assure that our cherished top priority of this Congress. It creates new School of Military Engineering and participat- parks and public lands, many of them national National Park units, new wilderness areas, ing in Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. treasures, are protected, expanded, and im- new historic sites, and new heritage areas. It Colonel Davis also participated in Operation proved. It also creates new and important his- expands existing National Parks, authorizes Desert Shield in Kuwait and Operations Re- toric sites, heritage areas, and wilderness land exchanges and conveyances, and makes store Hope and Continue Hope in Somalia. In areas so that the American public can enjoy, numerous and necessary technical changes to the United States, Colonel Davis took part in benefit, and use these extraordinary natural existing laws so that parks can operate more the Hurricane Andrew Relief Operations in the and historic resources. efficiently. In short, this bill assures that our Miami area. Furthermore, the wonderful natural and sig- country's magnificent historical, cultural, and Colonel Davis has had an extraordinary ca- nificant historic areas that the Omnibus Na- natural resources and areas will be protected reer. His long list of awards and decorations tional Parks and Public Lands Bill protects and and managed effectively now and in the fu- include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star creates, span the breadth of this great country ture. Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three of ours. In fact, it deals with resource issues f campaign stars. He has also earned the Para- and areas in over 305 StatesÐfrom wild and chutist and the Air Assault Badges. Last, but scenic rivers in Massachusetts, to creating wil- PERSONAL EXPLANATION certainly not least in Larry Davis' long list of derness areas in California, to studying Mid- accomplishments, is his dedication as a hus- way Island, far out in the Pacific Ocean, from HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN band and father of two children, Kimberly the Everglades of Florida to Mount St. Helens OF FLORIDA Anne and John. in the State of Washington. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I have enjoyed working with Colonel Davis Of equal breadth and scope is the variety of Tuesday, September 15, 1998 issues and areas that this bill addresses. For over the years in addressing various Army Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, yester- example, the Omnibus Bill will assure a fair Corps issues in my district. I will surely miss day I was not present due to important busi- and equitable land exchange dealing with hun- his attention, and that of his staff, to matters ness in my home district and missed four roll- dreds of thousands of acres of school trust of importance to me. call votes (426, 427, 428 and 429). If I had lands in Utah while also authorizing an innova- Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Larry for been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all tive approach to land management in Utah's his hard work and dedication. I would also like four votes. spectacular San Rafael Swell area. It will cre- to wish him and his wife Barbara continued f success and happiness in Fort Leonard Wood, ate new trails across the United States and Missouri. authorize the construction of a trails interpre- SALUTE TO VIOLET THOMPSON f tive center. These trails will bring years of en- joyment to those who wish to hike across the PERSONAL EXPLANATION HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER entire United States or for those who just want OF NEW YORK to take a few steps on trails that the American IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pioneers made on their courageous treks to HON. CHARLES W. PICKERING Tuesday, September 15, 1998 OF MISSISSIPPI settle this country. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In addition, this bill establishes new affiliated Ms. SLAUGHTER. Ms. Speaker, I rise today units of the National Park System, like a his- to pay tribute to an outstanding citizen of my Tuesday, September 15, 1998 toric site which will honor America's most district and the state of New York, as well as Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I was unable prominent landscape artist, Thomas Cole. an outstanding American: Ms. Violet Thomp- to return to the House floor because I was un- Other affiliated areas include the unique and son. Ms. Thompson will be honored on Octo- avoidably detained and missed the following innovative Eastside Tenement Museum in the ber 20, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri by the Na- rollcall votes: heart of New York City and the important tional Industries for the Blind as the 1998 (1) Rollcall vote No. 426, S. 2206. Had I Casa Malpais Indian ruins in the middle of pic- Peter J. Salmon National Manufacturing Em- been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' turesque rural Arizona. ployee of the Year. Ms. Thompson overcame (2) Rollcall vote No. 427, H. Con. Res. 304. This bill also re-authorizes and extends a a difficult childhood punctuated by repeated Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' number of Commissions which were estab- stints in foster care to raise a family and pur- (3) Rollcall vote No. 428, H. Con. Res. 254. lished to better manage many of our park sue a career. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' units or affiliated areas, like the Delaware Ms. Thompson's birth-related blindness was (4) Rollcall vote No. 429, H. Con. Res. 185. Water Gap and the Illinois-Michigan Heritage not detected until she was in the sixth grade. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' Corridor. Moreover, it expands many of the By then, Violet had fallen far behind the other f existing National Park units, like the unique students both in her academic work and her and beautiful Arches National Park in Utah, sense of self-esteem. Through her own perse- THE OMNIBUS NATIONAL PARKS the Cape Cod National Seashore, the Fort verance and hard work, the help of an atten- AND PUBLIC LANDS BILL OF 1998 Davis Historic Site in Texas, the Morristown tive teacher, the encouragement of her step- Historic Site in New Jersey, the George Wash- father, and large print books, Violet learned to HON. JAMES V. HANSEN ington Boyhood Farm in Virginia, and Abra- read and write and graduated from high OF UTAH ham Lincoln's Birthplace in Kentucky. school at the age of 20. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Omnibus National Parks and Public Ms. Thompson married soon after and set- Lands Bill of 1998 provides for many land ex- tled down to raise a family of four daughters Tuesday, September 15, 1998 changes which help Federal agencies better and seven grandchildren. Seven years ago, Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great manage their resources, it authorizes a memo- Ms. Thompson decided to take on a new chal- pleasure that I introduce today the National rial to a great world leader, Mahatma Gandhi, lenge and return to work. She learned about Parks and Public Lands Omnibus Bill of 1998. it establishes a cave and karst research cen- the Association for the Blind and Visually Im- This is a very good and necessary bill that ad- ter. In addition, this bill makes needed tech- paired-Goodwill Industries in Rochester, New dresses a variety of important concerns and nical corrections to previous laws, it estab- York and joined the workforce on the produc- issues dealing with National Parks, wild and lishes new heritage areas and new historic tion line. Ms. Thompson's dedication and skill scenic rivers, heritage areas, National Forests, sites and even authorizes construction of a allowed her to move rapidly through the var- and many other public lands. This bill is a new visitor's center for the Independence Mall ious manufacturing stations and in time she compilation of a number of resource related so that the public can better interpret and mar- reached her present position of Production Su- bills, most of which have gone through individ- vel at the history and people behind founding pervisor. In her position, Ms. Thompson bene- ual hearings and followed the legislative proc- of this great country. fits from a number of assistive technologies, ess. Numerous Members of Congress are to The paragraphs above outline just some of including a Visual-Tek closed circuit television be commended and congratulated for their the many things that this bill accomplishes. In as well as hand held magnifiers. E1724 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 15, 1998 Violet Thompson is a hard working Amer- This national touring exhibition is dedicated TRIBUTE TO BOETTCHER ican who has seized the opportunity offered by to the late Dr. Linus Pauling, the great Amer- SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (JWOD) to ex- ican scientist, for his extraordinary contribu- pand her horizons through meaningful employ- tions to science and humanity. In 1954, Dr. HON. BOB SCHAFFER ment. For six decades, JWOD has acted as Pauling received the Nobel prize in chemistry OF COLORADO an effective and cost-efficient catalyst to open for his discovery of the nature of the chemical IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES jobs to people who are blind, like Violet bond. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize in Tuesday, September 15, 1998 Thompson. Today, not only is Ms. Thompson 1962 for his efforts to ban the testing of nu- helping to support herself and her family, she Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. clear weapons. Dr. Pauling, the only person to is working in an environment that has helped Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 1998 to nurture her sense of self-worth and produc- receive two unshared Nobel prizes, continued Boettcher Foundation Scholarship winners. tivity. ``I feel equal at ABVI-Goodwill . . . I've to work for a healthier and more peaceful Each year the Boettcher Foundation grants 40 worked [at] other places and wasn't treated world until his death in 1994 at the age of 93. merit-based scholarships to superior young the same way,'' says Ms. Thompson. ``I really, The exhibition is designed to inspire audi- people from Colorado high schools. Begun in really love my job.'' ences of all ages with the life of one of the 1952 as a statewide competition recognizing Mr. Speaker, please join me in acknowledg- greatest scientists and humanitarians of this scholarship, leadership and achievement by young men and women, the program seeks to ing and congratulating a fine American whose century. It will feature Dr. Pauling's achieve- reward outstanding high school seniors who hard work and perseverance are honored by ments in science and his efforts to promote demonstrate the potential to make significant this award. peace. With an educational emphasis on f contributions to Colorado. Since the program's grades 6±12, the exhibition will provide an ex- inception, the Foundation has awarded 1779 STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE cellent opportunity to teach our children about scholarships. The Boettcher Scholarship Pro- TOM DELAY REGARDING THE the important role scientists can play in the gram is budgeted at $1,600,000 annually and SUCCESSES OF THE CHOCTAW progress of human culture and world peace. is one of the largest private scholarship pro- INDIANS OF MISSISSIPPI Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the role of grams in the state, and one of the leading Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, President of the Soka merit scholarship programs in the nation. HON. TOM DeLAY Gakkai International, for his initiative in orga- These awards cover virtually all college ex- penses for recipients who choose to further OF TEXAS nizing this special exhibition. Dr. Ikeda, an their education in their home state of Colo- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES internationally recognized peace activist, de- rado. The scholarships consist of full tuition, Tuesday, September 15, 1998 veloped a deep friendship with Dr. Pauling fees, and book allowance, and a $2,800 an- Mr. DELAY Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute a during the final years of his life. Their dia- nual stipend for living expenses. The scholar- true economic success storyÐthe Choctaw In- logue, spanning the subjects of sciences, hu- ships are granted for eight semesters at either dians of Mississippi. manity, war and peace, was eventually pub- a public or private four-year college or univer- Lead by the dynamic Chief Phillip Martin, lished in 1992 in a book titled ``A Life Long sity within the state as long as the scholar the Choctaw Indians, using the power of the Quest for Peace.'' maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0. free market and the philosophy of individual Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in supporting Selection is strictly ``merit-based,'' allowing freedom, have improved the life of the mem- this exhibition to promote the legacy of Dr. all seniors in Colorado to compete based upon bers of the tribe and the surrounding commu- Linus Pauling in the U.S. and around the their individual accomplishments. This year's scholarship winners were selected from ap- nity. world. I ask my colleagues to join me in hon- For over 150 years, the tribe was mired in proximately 750 applicants on the basis of oring the opening of the Exhibition: Linus Pau- the deepest poverty imaginable. Unemploy- their academic performance, demonstrated ling and the Twentieth Century. ment was often as high as 75 percent. Life ex- ability, outstanding character and their partici- pectancy was only 45 years and local edu- pation and leadership in both school and com- f cation stopped at the sixth grade. munity activities. The minimum eligibility re- But lead by Chief Martin, the Choctaw Indi- quirements to apply include the following: Stu- CHIEF MARTIN ans have seized the power of self-determina- dents must rank among the top 5% of their tion and economic freedom. By relying on the graduating class, have a score of at least power of the market and not the power of gov- 1200 on the SAT or 27 ACT, be a U.S. citizen ernment the Choctaws have become an eco- HON. MIKE PARKER and a Colorado resident for their junior and nomic powerhouse. Through their ingenuity OF MISSISSIPPI senior year of high school. I congratulate all the 1998 Boettcher Foun- and hard work, Chief Martin and the Choctaws IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have established a new paradigm of success dation scholarship winners and their parents, for all Native Americans. Tuesday, September 15, 1998 and hereby recognize those residing in my I urge other citizens who wish to better their district: Ryan Avery of Ft. Collins, son of Mark lives to view the tribe as a model for success. Mr. PARKER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great and Cynthia Avery; Kristin Bjornsen of Ft. Col- The Choctaws are a powerful example of the pride that I come to the floor today to pay trib- lins, daughter of Robert and Mary Ann miracles that personal freedom can work in ute to one of Mississippi's finest and most Bjornsen; Charity Hermes of Elbert, daughter the lives of all Americans. dedicated leaders, Chief Phillip Martin of the of Steven and Rose Hermes; Ryan Johnson of f Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The Eaton, son of John and Deanne Johnson; Jen- special vision of Chief Martin has enabled the nifer Malers of La Junta, daughter of Ralf and IN HONOR OF THE EXHIBITION: Choctaw tribe to rise out of deep poverty to Linda Malers; Regina Mattie of Trinidad, LINUS PAULING AND THE TWEN- become a thriving economic force in my state. daughter of Anthony and Lucille Mattie; Susan TIETH CENTURY Nicholson of Aurora, daughter of Roger and As Representative from the 4th District of Mary Kathleen Dykstra; Scott Wilkinson of Ft. HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR. Mississippi, I have been able to get to know Collins, son of Eric and Janice Wilkinson; and OF CALIFORNIA Chief Martin and observe firsthand his dy- Jordan Willeke of Otis, son of Leland and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES namic leadership and entrepreneurial savvy. Denise Willeke, The Trustees of Boettcher Foundation are: Tuesday, September 15, 1998 Chief Martin is known for his hard work to move the Choctaw Tribe closer to a self-reli- Mrs. Charles Boettcher, II, E. Atwell Gilman, Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ant, self-empowerment tribe. Chief Martin is A. Barry Hirschfeld, Edward Lehman, Harry T. rise today to comment on the Exhibition: Linus convinced that through private enterprise, the Lewis, Jr., Claudia Boettcher Merthan, John C. Pauling and the Twentieth Century and to rec- Choctaw Tribe will continue to prosper. Mitchell, J. William Sorensen and George M. ognize the man whose hard work and dedica- Wilfley. tion led to the opening of this special exhi- It is an honor for me to stand here today to Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Boettcher bition. The exhibition will open in San Fran- praise and thank Chief Martin and the Choc- Foundation Scholarship winners on their suc- cisco on September 20, 1998 before touring taw Indians for their contributions to the great cesses and look forward to their leadership of other sites. state of Mississippi. Colorado.