April 30, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1037 World Famous Apollo Theatre, over the years TRIBUTE TO JAMES GRABAU and completed the Advanced Placement Insti- has been the home club of choice and hang- tute at Millsaps College. out for many of ’s renowned entre- HON. TOM LATHAM Prior to teaching at Murrah H.S., Ms. Don- preneurs and personalities. Since 1942, Show- OF IOWA aldson taught at Bassfield High School in the man’s Jazz Cafe has showcased top musi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Jefferson Davis School District and at Sumner cians for Harlem and International audiences, Hill Junior High in Clinton, MS. ‘‘The art of Thursday, April 30, 2009 as Mona, Co-Owner and retired Son of Sam teaching is bigger than the subject one teach- Police Detective Al Howard, Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to rec- es,’’ Donaldson said. It is no surprise to those and former barmaid ‘‘Lil’’ Pierce refer to as ognize James Grabau, a resident of Boone, who know Stacey best that she would be rec- ‘‘family.’’ Iowa, and president of R. H. Grabau Construc- ognized for her achievements. Donaldson’s fa- tion Inc. ther, Allen Hall, ‘‘noticed his daughter’s poten- Madam Speaker, The Friends of Show- James, who has been the president of R.H. man’s roster include luminaries and enter- tial and encouraged her to be the best she Grabau Construction Inc. since 1984, was re- could be’’. With this in mind, Stacey serves as tainers like , , cently honored with The Master Builders of a member of the Murrah site council and Sammy Davis, Jr., Charles Honi Coles, Leroy Iowa ‘‘Build Iowa Award.’’ The award is given sponsor of the school’s Not Here Club, which Myers, Gregory Hines, Pop Brown, Nat Davis to one Master Builder member each year who discourages students from substance abuse, and Savion Glover. Personalities like Jesse best exemplifies skill, integrity, and responsi- as well as coordinates Murrah’s Seatbelt Safe- Walker, Joe Yancy and Jimmy Booker. Per- bility in the construction industry and in the ty Project. formers like Bill Doggett, George Benson, member’s community. Stacey’s husband, Johnny Donaldson, de- Seleno Clarke, Irene Reid, Jimmy ‘‘Preacher’’ James has offered his time and talents to scribes her as passionate, hardworking and Robins, Gloria Lynne, Joey Morant, Akiko many community organizations. Among many devoted. She is the mother of two daughters, Tsuruga, , Frank Dell and the other contributions, he has served as Presi- 10-year old Camaryn and 5-year old Cailyn. In Prince of Harlem Lonnie Youngblood. dent of Boone’s Future, the Boone Chamber addition to her role as wife, mother and teach- Mona has always been, and still is a of Commerce, Boone’s Industrial Development er, Stacey finds time to give back to her ‘‘Hands-On’’ person and as Operations Man- Corporation, and the Master Builder’s of Iowa. church and community. She is a member of ager she along with her dedicated and ener- He has served on the boards of Boone County Greater New Jerusalem’s scholarship com- gized staff, is responsible for the reputation YMCA and Hawkeye Federal Savings Bank. mittee and is a young women’s ministry volun- that Showman’s has maintained for being Additionally, he has served as Global Ambas- teer for the Sims House Stewpot Ministries. sador for the Rotary Group Study Exchange to ‘‘The Jazz Club in Harlem’’ since it was found- I am very proud of Ms. Donaldson and all of Australia, Church Elder, and Chairman of the ed back in 1942. For her service to the com- her accomplishments. She is truly a remark- Congregation of the Trinity Lutheran Church. munity, Mona has been honored to receive a able example of the talented, dedicated and Through his work, he has been honored with ‘‘Woman of the Year’’ award from the Tioga hardworking teachers that help to educate such awards as the Al Kinney Award, DMACC Democratic Club, the Women’s Ministry Mississippi’s best and brightest children. Alumni Award, National Leadership Award, Achievement Award, and a special award from and the Associated General Contractors of Please join me today in congratulating Ms. the Greater Harlem Uptown Chamber of Com- America Chapter President of the Year Award Stacey Donaldson, the 2009 Mississippi merce Association. In 2009 Ms. Lopez be- while President of the Master Builders of Iowa. Teacher of the Year. came a partner in Showman’s Jazz Club. I know that my colleagues in the United States Congress join me in commending f f James Grabau for his professional contribu- PERSONAL EXPLANATION tions to the construction industry, his leader- PERSONAL EXPLANATION ship and dedication to representing Iowa in his career, and committing time to his community. HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS I consider it an honor to represent James and OF TEXAS HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS his family in Congress, and I wish him the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF TEXAS best in his future endeavors. Thursday, April 30, 2009 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, on Thursday, April 30, 2009 CONGRATULATING STACEY DON- ALDSON 2009 MISSISSIPPI TEACH- Wednesday, April 29, 2009, on rollcall number Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, on ER OF THE YEAR 223 I am not recorded. This rollcall vote on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, on rollcall number H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate 216 I am not recorded. This rollcall vote on S. Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, to provide HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON Federal assistance to States, local jurisdic- Con. Res. 13, the Conference Report to a OF MISSISSIPPI tions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate Concurrent Resolution setting forth the Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES crimes, and for other purposes, occurred while gressional Budget for the United States Gov- Thursday, April 30, 2009 I was absent from the floor of the U.S. House ernment for fiscal year 2010 and budgetary of Representatives. Had I been present, I levels for fiscal years 2009 and 2011 through Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam would have voted ‘‘nay.’’ 2014, occurred while I was absent from the Speaker, I would like to congratulate the 2009 Violence, whether it’s based on a perceived floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Mississippi Teacher of the Year, Stacey Don- or actual threat, is of enormous concern when Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay.’’ aldson. The Teacher of the Year program, spon- it is combined with constitutionally protected I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on S. Con. Res. sored by the state Department of Education rights. Race. Color. National Origin. Religion. 13 because the budget significantly increases and the Mississippi Teacher Center, awards Gender. Disability. All of these fundamental the Federal deficit and passes the burden of certified public school teachers for their out- rights are protected by our Constitution and payment on to future generations of Ameri- standing performance. Donaldson, a 37-year- hate crimes themselves have additional pro- cans. The reserve funds singled out for old Murrah High School English teacher, was tection in Section 280003(a) of the Violent healthcare reform, climate change, affordable selected for exhibiting leadership, excelling in Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of housing, and Medicare alone represent a dra- the classroom and being active in her commu- 1994. Any hate crimes perpetrated in violation matic expansion of the powers of the Federal nity. of either law should be fully prosecuted by the government. I am committed to voting to im- Stacey, a graduate of University of Southern U.S. Department of Justice and we, as the prove fiscal responsibility and to reduce the Mississippi, obtained a bachelor’s degree in DOJ’s appropriators, should give them all the size and power of the federal government. As Broadcast Journalism and a minor in speech resources they need to prevent any hate a result of that commitment, I would not sup- communications. She worked as a broadcast crimes from occurring. port this resolution. On April 2, 2009 the journalist before changing careers and becom- I believe existing federal law is more than House of Representatives voted in favor of the ing a teacher. Stacey earned a master of adequate to prosecute hate crimes and, as House Budget Resolution (233–196), on that teaching degree from William Carey College such, should I have been present I would vote, I am recorded as voting ‘‘nay.’’ and became a national board certified teacher have voted ‘‘nay.’’

VerDate Nov 24 2008 05:46 May 01, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A30AP8.041 E30APPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS E1038 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 30, 2009 CREDIT CARDHOLDERS’ BILL OF just that, while also helping to foster fair com- ships. He also has been most active in civic RIGHTS ACT OF 2009 petition and the values of the free market. I life by serving as Mayor of the Borough of encourage all my colleagues to vote for H.R. Phoenixville since 1998. SPEECH OF 627. The school district and community members HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN f will honor the two men during an induction ceremony on May 5, 2009 at Phoenixville OF RHODE ISLAND TRIBUTE TO DR. TOM RENZE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Area High School. Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues HON. TOM LATHAM join me today in congratulating Thomas R. The House in Committee of the Whole OF IOWA Ramsey Jr. and Leo J. Scoda for their tremen- House on the State of the Union had under IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dous community spirit and exemplary dedica- consideration of the bill (H.R. 627) to amend tion to the youth of Phoenixville, . the Truth in Lending Act to establish fair Thursday, April 30, 2009 and transparent practices relating to the ex- Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to rec- tension of credit under an open end con- f sumer credit plan, and for other purposes: ognize and congratulate Dr. Tom Renze, Prin- cipal of Woodbury Elementary School in LOCAL ENFORCEMENT HATE Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong Marshalltown, Iowa, on receiving the Dr. Car- CRIMES PREVENTION ACT OF 2009 support of H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders’ men P. Sosa Leadership Award. Bill of Rights Act. Last week, I hosted my first The Dr. Carmen P. Sosa Leadership Award telephone town hall meeting and my constitu- SPEECH OF recognizes administrators who exhibit out- ents called in with questions and concerns standing leadership and advocacy for English about what can be done to stop the deceptive HON. JOHN LEWIS language learners. Woodbury School has a practices by credit card companies. I was OF GEORGIA dual language program and helps students pleased to tell them that I was a cosponsor of learn English or Spanish as a second lan- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES this bill, which provides a sensible approach to guage. reforming major credit card abuses and im- Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Dr. Renze credits the award and success of proving consumer protections for cardholders. the dual language program to the efforts of Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, while it Credit cards have become an integral part and support from the teaching staff and par- is an honor to be able to participate today’s of the American economy, offering consumers ents of the school’s students. This award debate, I must say that it gives me feelings of instant access to a convenient, flexible source comes at a special time for Dr. Renze, who is both joy and sorrow. Sorrow, because in the of financing. Unfortunately, more and more retiring at the end of the 2009 school year. year 2009, I would hope that we should not Americans are turning to their credit cards to I know my colleagues in the United States have a need for such a bill. help pay medical and utility bills, buy gro- Congress join me in thanking Dr. Renze for ceries, and make ends meet in this troubled I find it most ironic that some of the very his work with the dual language program and economy. Credit card debt now consumes a same voices in the community who speak out service to the Marshalltown Community sizeable portion of the average family’s in- against this bill are the very same voices that School District. I consider it an honor to rep- come. To make matters worse, the playing question whether racism and prejudice no resent Dr. Renze and his family in Congress, field between card companies and consumers longer exist simply because a person of color and I wish him the best in his future retire- has become increasingly uneven in recent has been elected President. Racism, preju- ment. years. A credit card agreement is a contract dice, and hate did not disappear on November between a card company and a cardholder, f 4th, 2008. Nor did they disappear on January 20th, 2009. but these companies have taken advantage of HONORING MR. THOMAS R. Yet it gives me joy that we are able to do their customers with deceptive billing practices RAMSEY and hidden fees. Meanwhile, money that fami- something about it. I grew up in the Deep lies are forced to divert to these unfair rates South and faced vile hatred up close, and it and charges could be better spent on goods HON. JIM GERLACH gives me joy to vote ‘‘yes’’ on the Local Law and services that could help bolster our strug- OF PENNSYLVANIA Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. gling economy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Today we proclaim that our country will not stand for, and will not tolerate hate crimes. Cardholders deserve more bargaining Thursday, April 30, 2009 power, and the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of This bill is the right thing to do. It protects Rights Act helps level the playing field. Card- Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise our citizens, our nation; our principles and our holders are entitled to accurate information today to congratulate the 2009 inductees to values. the Phoenixville Area School District Wall of and the right to make decisions about their We are all Americans— own credit. This bill will ban interest rate in- Fame. Black Americans, White Americans, His- creases on an existing balance unless the bor- Thomas R. Ramsey Jr. and Leo J. Scoda panic Americans, Asian Americans, Native rower is 30 days overdue and requires card are well-deserving recipients of this honor American, Christian Americans, Jewish Ameri- companies to give cardholders notification 45 thanks to their outstanding service to students cans, Muslim Americans, Gay Americans, days before any interest rate increase. This and constant commitment to improving the Straight Americans—all Americans. We are legislation also protects vulnerable consumers quality of life in the community. one people and one nation, the American na- from fee-heavy subprime cards and prohibits Mr. Ramsey, a Phoenixville native, has tion. This bill will bring us one step closer to issuing cards to minors. H.R. 627 would also shared his knowledge of television broad- the Beloved Community, a nation at peace ban ‘‘universal default,’’ where a card com- casting with high school students since 2002, with itself. pany raises the interest rate on one card if the helping launch Phantom Television. In addition cardholder misses a payment on a separate to informing students and staff with daily A constituent came by my office just yester- credit card or their credit score lowers. All of morning announcements, the station provides day and spoke about her son who fought in the provisions in this bill are the result of care- great coverage of concerts, sports and other Iraq. Her son completed two tours in Iraq. Her ful study and analysis, and I believe this delib- scholastic events. Mr. Ramsey also gives back son has said that he was indeed concerned erative approach has produced a very bal- to the community through his service on about his safety. But her son said that he was anced and moderate bill. Schuylkill River Heritage Center Board and the even more concerned about the safety of his Mr. Chair, instead of looking the other way Donald J.L. Coppedge Scholarship Com- father—a transgender woman, walking the while Americans fall deeper into debt, Con- mittee. streets of the United States of America every gress must protect their financial interests and Mr. Scoda dedicated 35 years to teaching day. put an end to the tricks and traps used by biology at Phoenixville Area High School President Obama has talked repeatedly credit card companies to undermine a com- where he also guided the boys’ tennis team to about renewing America’s promise. Today, I petitive market. The balanced reforms in the amazing 196–0 record in PAC 10 play and 33 urge my fellow Members to vote ‘‘yes,’’ and Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights will help do Chest-Mont and PAC 10 league champion- keep America’s promise.

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