January 22, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E97 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT energy, wisdom, humor, innate ability to re- truly care. Their mission is to support the de- AND CAREER OF JAMES ‘‘JIM’’ member dates, and his many discussions will velopmental needs of each child and create NISSEN be missed terribly by all who worked alongside an interdependent partnership between home, him. I wish both Jim, Ruth, and their son Trav- work, community, and the center. HON. RON KIND is all the best in the years to come. Early childhood education has a value that OF WISCONSIN f cannot be measured. Research has shown IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARGO NIELSEN—EMBODIMENT significant gaps in early development between Thursday, January 22, 2015 OF SERVICE children of the lowest socioeconomic status Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor and those in the highest, which have been of the career and retirement of James ‘‘Jim’’ shown to start as early as nine months of age. Nissen. After twenty-six years as La Crosse HON. JOHN RATCLIFFE The main contribution to this problem is ac- District Manager of the Upper Mississippi OF TEXAS cess to good quality early childhood edu- River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cation. nearly 39 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Thursday, January 22, 2015 Children on the Green has a philosophy that Service, Mr. Nissen announced his retirement Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, one of the states, ‘‘Every child deserves access to a on January second 2015. most rewarding parts of my job is seeing the quality early education program like Children Nissen held seasonal positions with the U.S. extraordinary work that constituents do giving on the Green, irrespective of their means.’’ Fish and Wildlife Service in Nebraska, Illinois, back to their communities every single day. This organization strives every day to lower Missouri, Minnesota, and South Dakota. He They don’t do it for fame, and they don’t do the achievement gap by providing quality early also held permanent positions in Indiana, it for glory. They do it because they want to childhood education to those children in need. Vermont, Utah, and Wisconsin. Each station make a difference. No one person embodies offered new opportunities and challenges and Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing this spirit of service better than Margo Nielsen. developed his career from a student trainee to 20 years of outstanding service by Children on Refuge Manager. During her 25 years at the helm of Helping the Green, their directors, board of trustees Mr. Nissen is not a native of the La Crosse, Hands, the organization has seen tremendous and staff. Organizations like this are bettering WI area, but according to his colleagues, ‘‘no growth and helped tens of thousands of peo- the lives of the children not just in Morristown, one knows this refuge better than he does.’’ ple by ensuring that essential health and New Jersey, but across the country. Nissen grew up in a duck hunting family in emergency services are available to everyone northeastern Nebraska, not far from the Platte in Rockwall County. f River and among the prairie pothole country Margo—congratulations on your remarkable that produces much of the continent’s canvas- career. Your leadership will be missed, but CONGRATULATING HARPER COL- back ducks. Jim’s career followed this regal your legacy not soon forgotten. Thank you all LEGE ON ITS NEW CAREER AND bird across the country and in 1989, Nissen for joining me in honoring Margo and sup- TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER came to the La Crosse District after two years porting Helping Hands. God Bless. of overseeing the Horicon National Wildlife f HON. ROBERT J. DOLD Refuge on the eastern side of Wisconsin. The CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVER- OF ILLINOIS Horicon position marked his return to Wis- SARY OF CHILDREN ON THE consin; Nissen had been there in 1976 for the GREEN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Canada goose dispersal program, where he not only helped manage the goose population, Thursday, January 22, 2015 but also met his wife Ruth. HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN The La Crosse position offered Nissen the OF NEW JERSEY Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I am excited to rec- chance to get back to a river-based assign- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ognize Harper Community College in Palatine, IL, which will be opening its new Career and ment—his true passion. Nissen fell in love with Thursday, January 22, 2015 the abundance of canvasbacks, also referred Technical Education Center on January 23. to as ‘‘the king of ducks,’’ that the Upper Mis- Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise This new building, with state-of-the-art class- sissippi River and La Crosse area boast dur- today to honor Children on the Green located rooms and labs, will house some of Harper’s ing fall migration. ‘‘I like rivers and canvas- in Morristown, New Jersey as it celebrates its fastest-growing technical programs such as backs and people,’’ Nissen said, ‘‘so it was a 20th Anniversary. manufacturing, welding, architectural tech- good fit.’’ In 1994, twenty years ago, a special organi- nology, heating, ventilation and air condi- Each fall, the Upper Mississippi River allows zation opened its doors with the goal of serv- tioning (HVAC), maintenance technology, law Nissen to see nearly half of the world’s can- ing others. Not just serving others, but serving enforcement, and fire science. vasback population pass by his window during others who were not as fortunate as them- Programs in this building will help provide migration. ‘‘It really is a world-class spectacle,’’ selves, specifically children. Since its opening, students with the skills they will need in the fu- Nissen said. Children on the Green of Morristown has met ture. These programs will help put people to During his tenure at LaCrosse, Jim received the childcare needs of nearly 400 families work and support local employers who are numerous awards and accolades including the from area shelters. This was possible through seeking a highly-skilled workforce to compete Meritorious Service Award of the Department the organizations longstanding partnerships in the 21st Century global economy. of the Interior in 2007. He has overseen multi- with Homeless Solutions, the Jersey Battered million dollar habitat enhancement projects Women’s Services and Family Promise of The building will also house Harper’s inno- funded through the Environmental Manage- Morris County. vative Advanced Manufacturing Program. The ment Program; he has acquired over 2,500 Children on the Green, located behind the program partners with 75 area manufacturing acres of lands for inclusion in the National United Methodist Church, works to provide companies which offer paid internships to Wildlife Refuge; he has overseen the con- safe and nurturing care to children whose par- manufacturing students attending Harper Col- struction of a LEED certified Visitor Center ents are struggling to provide for them be- lege. and office; and he is regarded as a leader in cause they are in need of housing, education, I applaud the Harper College community on wetland and waterfowl ecology and manage- and/or employment. While the parents work to the opening of its new Career and Technical ment. better their families’ situation, Children on the Education Center, and I look forward to its Jim’s departure will create a profound void Green is a safe place for the children to go continued leadership in bringing educational in the Upper Miss’ institutional knowledge. His where they’re taken care of by people who opportunities to students in the 10th District.

∑ 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 Sep 11 2014 05:49 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22JA8.001 E22JAPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E98 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 22, 2015 AGGIES IN WWI sons and younger generation. When World Balkonis, Jr. Mr. Balkonis was Vice President War II started, the entire graduating classes of of Sales for Prairie Estates Genetics of Mid- HON. TED POE 1941 and 1942 at Texas A&M University did dleton, Wisconsin. Mr. Balkonis’ retirement at OF TEXAS the exact same thing; they all volunteered to the end of 2014 marked the conclusion of a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES serve our country. 40 year career in the seed corn industry. The Thursday, January 22, 2015 The Aggies at A&M have a long tradition of President of Prairie Estates Genetics, Ron service to the military. A&M commissions so Rogers, affirmed that Balkonis leaves a robust Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the many officers into our military that the number legacy as a fantastic mentor to forage man- trenches of the Argonne Forrest in north- rivals our service academies. agers and a valued member of the Prairie Es- eastern France, sat thousands of allied troops. Much like the writing of our Star Spangled tates Genetics team. It was the fall of 1918, it was World War I. The Banner, the Aggie War Hymn was born from Mr. Balkonis graduated from University of battle was muddy, rainy and most of all it was a place of true patriotism during a time of pure Wisconsin-River Falls in 1975, working on bloody. It was one of the largest and deadliest terror and a fight for freedom. While the origi- dairy farms in the summer and during holiday battles in U.S. military history, involving over a nal version that Wilson wrote had a first verse, breaks to make his way through school. After million American soldiers. Among the masses, the second verse makes up the war hymn. graduation and marriage to his high school in the front line trenches, sat James Vernon And still, almost 100 years later, this second sweetheart, Mr. Balkonis was recruited by ‘‘Pinky’’ Wilson, a marine from Texas, who verse marks one of the most notable and fa- Farm Supply (Growmark), and managed a amidst chaos felt called to write what would mous A&M traditions. After the war, Wilson store location in northern Illinois for five years. become one of the most famous songs in col- eventually returned to A&M to earn a degree After his time with Farm Supply, he then lege history, the Aggie War Hymn. and graduate with the class of 1920. He went Pinky Wilson grew up in the small Texas joined PAG Seeds, a division of Cargill. During on to become a successful Texas Rancher. his time with PAG Seeds, Mr. Balkonis worked town of Florence, about 30 miles north of Aus- His alma mater will be forever grateful for tin. In 1917, he was a junior enrolled at Texas as a territory manager in southwest Michigan. his contribution to not only his school, but to After PAG Seeds, Paymaster, and Cargill A&M University when he volunteered to serve the State of Texas and his country. our country in World War I. combined to create Cargill Hybrid Seeds, To quote the Aggie War Hymn, ‘‘Rough Balkonis was moved to northern Michigan, Wilson fought with the 6th Marine Regiment tough, real stuff, Texas A&M,’’—those Aggies and by choice he became buck private in the where he became both territory manager and who fought in WWI, WWII and those who assistant district manager. While located Marine Corps, turning down two commissions, have served and are currently serving our remaining a buck private throughout his mili- throughout Michigan, Mr. Balkonis and his wife country embody this line to the fullest extent. welcomed three sons into the world. tary career. Not long after joining his Marine James Vernon ‘‘Pinky’’ Wilson is one of the outfit as a replacement, Wilson saw firsthand In 1992, Mr. Balkonis was promoted within remarkable men who answered the call of his Cargill Hybrid Seeds to area manager for the the rigorous and relentless fighting in the country. There truly are none quite like the Champagne area of France. eastern United States. Then, in 1996, Mr. Texas A&M Aggies. Balkonis assumed the position of area man- In November of 1918, Wilson found himself The Aggie spirit is engrained and rooted ager for the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin right in the middle of the Battle of the Argonne deep into Texas A&M. They are hard core pa- and Illinois and moved his family to Holmen, Forrest. By the time Wilson took his first triots, committed cadets and forever rivals of Wisconsin. In 2000, when Cargill Hybrid muddy spot in the trenches, the battle had the University of Texas. They are and will al- Seeds sold to Dow (becoming the entity been waging on for 37 days. For the remain- ways be the pulse of Texas A&M. Gig ’em. Mycogen), Mr. Balkonis remained on as area ing days, the Germans gave everything they And that’s just the way it is. manager. After his time as area manager with had, fighting to the death. Knowing that the THE AGGIE WAR HYMN Mycogen, Mr. Balkonis took on the respon- end was near, the Germans were desperate to (By Pinky Wilson) try and steer the war in their favor. sibilities of VP of Sales for Prairie Estates Ge- They bombarded and pelted the Marines Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck! netics, where he would spend the rest of his Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck! with infantry, artillery, and machine gun fire. career and begin the transition to the new role FIRST VERSE While sitting in the foxhole watching this of grandparent with the birth of his first grand- bloodbath unfold before him, Wilson was All hail to dear old Texas A&M son Efraim. Rally around Maroon and White struck with an idea. In an interview with the Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies Mr. Balkonis will retire with his wife of 40 San Antonio Express-News in 1975, Wilson They are the boys who show the real old years, Claudia, in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, recalled that it was during the Champagne fight just 10 miles north of Holmen where they battle he had a running idea of writing a song. That good old Aggie spirit thrills us raised their three sons, Adam, Scott and A fight song that a quartet would sing for And makes us yell and yell and yell Wade. I wish to extend the best of wishes to Texas A&M. He took out a pencil and some So let’s fight for dear old Texas A&M Berny as he steps into retirement and that letters from home and began scribbling the We’re going to beat you all to next great adventure. lines of the song that would become one of Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem f the most recognizable songs in Texas history. Rough Tough! Real Stuff! Texas A&M! Wilson sat with his lyrics in the trenches IN HONOR OF MAJOR CHAD ERIN SECOND VERSE until the war was over. Since he wrote the LAMPHERE song and knew it perfectly in his head, mel- Good-bye to Texas university So long to the orange and the white ody, lyrics and all, he never bothered to keep Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies HON. SAM FARR the original copy he wrote. The tenor of the They are the boys that show the real old OF CALIFORNIA War Hymn as it was officially named, takes fight IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES digs at the arch rival of Texas A&M, the Uni- ‘‘The eyes of Texas are upon you . . .’’ Thursday, January 22, 2015 versity of Texas Longhorns. That is the song they sing so well By the time the Battle of the Argonne For- So good-bye to Texas university Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rest was over, it had been a 47 day nightmare We’re going to beat you all to honor the memory of Major Chad Erin that the allies were able to wake up from. And Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem Lamphere, an American hero who valiantly they woke up victorious, the war was over. Chig-gar-roo-gar-rem served his country while serving in the United Rough Tough! Real Stuff! Texas A&M! The bloody battle that began on September States Army. 26, 1918, concluded World War I. It lasted f Chad was born on August 24, 1973 on a until the Armistice, on November 11, 1918. RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT small family farm in Arkansaw, WI. Displaying What is remarkable about the class of 1917 OF BERNARD ‘‘BERNY’’ BALKONIS a warm heart at a young age, Chad helped his at Texas A&M University is that they all volun- family raise dogs, cats, pigs, and goats, while teered to serve our country. Some as officers HON. RON KIND also contributing and giving back to his com- munity through partaking in 4–H. Chad quickly and some as enlisted men. These men went OF WISCONSIN rose to the top of his academic classes, grad- on to fight in World War I to serve and protect IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES America and her freedoms. They were the fa- uating with two degrees and as Valedictorian thers of the Greatest Generation. Thursday, January 22, 2015 from Hartnell College, and later attending They came back and had families, instilling Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor UCLA for pre-medical courses, in which he the same sense of selfless service in their of the retirement of Bernard ‘‘Berny’’ Frank graduated Summa Cum Laude.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:49 Jan 23, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22JA8.004 E22JAPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with REMARKS