May 6, 2008 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 6 7885 PERSONAL EXPLANATION THE CINCO DE MAYO HOLIDAY The unconscionable decision by the British authorities to send these Holocaust survivors HON. DEAN HELLER HON. AL GREEN aboard the back to Germany focused OF TEXAS the world’s attention on the plight of Jewish OF NEVADA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES refugees and their desire to leave the fetid dis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES placed persons camps in Europe for a new life Tuesday, May 6, 2008 in soon to be sovereign Israel. Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, Members of the United Nations Special I am proud to commemorate Cinco de Mayo, Commission on Palestine saw first hand as Mr. HELLER of Nevada. Madam Speaker the historic celebration of Mexican heritage these refugees, with their meager posses- on rollcall No. 244, motion to adjourn, had I and pride. sions, were unloaded from the ramshackle Ex- been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’. On May 5th, 1862, Mexican General Ignacio odus 1947 in the port of Haifa and prepared Zaragoza Seguin led 4,000 Mexican troops for their return to Europe—all just precious f into battle against the French in the Battle of feet away from the land they had so des- IN MEMORIAL OF SGT. STEPHEN Puebla, just 100 miles from Mexico City. Gen- perately yearned to reach. Incredibly these refugees—just two years LICZBINSKI eral Seguin led his brave troops to a spirited victory in spite of being badly outnumbered removed from the horrors of the Holocaust— and lacking the modern weaponry possessed were held by the British in a former S.S. con- HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ by the French. centration camp after their return to Germany. The Mexican effort in the Battle of Puebla This shocked the conscious of much of the OF PENNSYLVANIA epitomized courage, as the outmanned troops world and further galvanized opinion against IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES survived three bloody French assaults and fi- the British blockage and in favor of the estab- lishment of a Jewish state in Mandate-era Pal- Tuesday, May 6, 2008 nally achieved resounding success. Numerous Mexicans gave their lives not solely for their estine. Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise country, but also for the timeless values of The story of those aboard the Exodus 1947 today with a heavy heart. On Saturday May 3, freedom and justice. The tremendous fight put and their harrowing journey to Haifa was im- 2008, Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, a 12-year vet- up by the Mexican troops at the Battle of mortalized in Leon Uris’s novel Exodus and eran of the Philadelphia Police Department Puebla also had a substantial impact on the subsequent film featuring the character Ari and a constituent of the 13th Congressional United States’ history, as the French defeat Ben-Canaan based on Harel himself and District, was shot and killed while responding provided President Lincoln with crucial support played by Paul Newman. to a bank robbery. as the Civil War descended into chaos. Though Harel is best known for com- manding Exodus 1947, he also led three other Sgt. Liczbinski, who would have turned 40 There can be no doubting the bravery, spirit ships to the shores of Israel, helping 24,000 today, left behind a wife, Michelle, and three or patriotism of the thousands of Mexican refugees find safe harbor in the Promised children, Matt, Steven, and Amber. He was troops who fought and, all too frequently, gave their lives at the Battle of Puebla. In the spirit Land—all by the time he was 28. known to his friends and colleagues as ‘‘the Today we mourn the loss of a great hero, real deal,’’ ‘‘a great family man,’’ and ‘‘a hero.’’ of remembering the sacrifices of those troops, Cinco de Mayo provides us with a perfect op- who not only touched the lives of these 24,000 Sgt. Liczbinski spent most of his career refugees and won the admiration of millions of working South Philadelphia as a beat cop in portunity to recognize the sacrifice for sov- ereignty, the importance of courage and, people worldwide, but also came to symbolize the Fourth District. In November 2007, he the determination and pluck of the modern moved to the 24th District where he was pro- above all, the universal yearning for freedom. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated throughout state of Israel. moted to Sergeant and became a valuable f asset to his fellow officers. He was known as Mexico and the United States with a joyous a great supervisor who treated all of his col- mixture of food, music and dancing. It has IN MEMORY OF CHARLES leagues equally. also taken on great significance in the United MEADERS States as a day to celebrate broadly the cul- When he wasn’t on the clock, Sgt. ture and ancestry of Americans of Mexican HON. CHARLES W. ‘‘CHIP’’ PICKERING Liczbinski was known as a dedicated father heritage. who would bring his entire family with him to OF MISSISSIPPI The Mexican forces who won the Battle of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES police barbecues. Puebla should not and will not ever be forgot- His last words, according to the brave ten, nor will the values for which they fought. Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Northeast Philadelphia residents who ran out I commend those forces for their spirit and Mr. PICKERING. Madam Speaker, a man of their homes to provide him with comfort and courage and I wish all those celebrating the name Charles Meaders from Newton, Mis- assistance was ‘‘Tell my wife I’ll miss her.’’ holiday across Mexico and the United States sissippi had a soldier’s heart, a soldier’s Like many in Philadelphia, I’m hurt and a happy Cinco de Mayo. honor, and responded to our Nation’s call with shocked that we’ve lost yet another coura- f a soldier’s duty. He passed away last month geous, outstanding officer. Unfortunately this but due to a twist of fate, he did not receive ON THE PASSING OF YOSSI HAREL is not an isolated incident. The lack of respect soldier’s burial. for our law enforcement officers and the failure Mr. Meaders was in the United States to respect the life of any human is appalling HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN Armed Forces during the Korean conflict. and intolerable. OF CALIFORNIA However, he contracted a serious case of pneumonia and was shipped home and dis- Our city owes Sgt. Liczbinski its eternal IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES charged, short of the time required to be rec- gratitude for the sacrifice he made to protect Tuesday, May 6, 2008 ognized for veterans’ benefits. I’ve known the the public from these heinous criminals. Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today Meaders family for a long time and they are In respect of that sacrifice, I ask that the with great sadness to note the recent passing educators, soldiers, and hard working Mis- whole House of Representatives extend its of Yossi Harel, the legendary com- sissippians. Mrs. Bobbie Meaders, who dearly condolences to Michelle Liczbinski, her family, mander responsible for shepherding thou- loved her husband Charles, is an active and and the Philadelphia Police Department for sands of Jewish refugees through British feisty 72-year-old former nurse. their loss. blockades and to safety in the nascent Jewish Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize May our thoughts and prayers ease their homeland. the memory of Charles Meaders and for my grief and help sustain the dedicated men and Harel was perhaps best known for com- office to deliver to his wife her only request, a women of the Philadelphia Police Department manding the ship Exodus 1947, which was proper American flag that memorializes her who put themselves in harms way every day intercepted off the coast of Haifa by British husband’s service to the American armed to protect the safety of our families and com- warships in July 1947, carrying 4,553 Jewish forces. I hope Congress joins me and remem- munities. refugees from Europe. bering this patriot and will hold Mrs. Bobbie

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