E984 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 25, 2015 Seiser from Waukee High School for winning Mrs. Mary Broom-Thomas was born on western Nebraska public schools. She then the Class 2A Co-ed Golf Doubles title along January 22, 1914 in Lexington, Mississippi to decided to take her classroom expertise to the with her partner, Parker Howe. I would like to Alberta Garnett-Broom and Cleveland next level to assist other educators across the Broom. She graduated from Saints Industrial also recognize Paige Seiser for taking home High School in Lexington, Mississippi and Nebraska Panhandle and beyond. the Class 5A Girls Golf individual title. taught there for 2 years. Ms. Businga devoted her career to ensuring Mr. Speaker, the example set by these stu- Mary married Leroy Thomas, Sr. in 1937 Nebraska teachers have the innovative train- dents demonstrates the rewards of hard work, and the couple moved to Jackson, Mis- ing and support they need to instill a love of dedication, and perseverance. I am honored to sissippi, where they built a home. They had learning in their students. When I worked for represent them and their families in the United four children, McKinley, Abraham, her, I personally witnessed Ms. Businga’s hard Earnestine, and Leroy, Jr. States Congress. I know all of my colleagues After Leroy finished military duty in the work and dedication to ensuring educational in the House join me in congratulating Paige South Pacific, Mary and Leroy moved the opportunity for young people. and Parker on competing in this rigorous com- family to Compton, California in 1955. Mary On behalf of the people of Nebraska’s Third petition and wishing continued success in their practiced her vocation as a seamstress, mak- District, I thank Ms. Businga for her impact on education and high school golf career. ing her own patterns and designing clothes, Nebraska education and congratulate her on f including garments for her children and the start of this new chapter in her life. some specialty sales for friends and family. f HONORING THE VIRGINIA SOCIETY After the children graduated from Centen- OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN nial and Locke High Schools and were off to RECOGNIZING THE DAMAGING IM- REVOLUTION college and building careers, Mary took a job PACT OF SHELBY COUNTY V. at Newberry’s Department Store in down- HOLDER town Los Angeles. She continued sewing HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH clothing, but later added making handbags OF VIRGINIA and light upholstery to her sewing skills HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES portfolio. OF TEXAS Mrs. Thomas was a member of First A.M.E. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, June 25, 2015 Church where Reverend Dr. Cecil Murray Thursday, June 25, 2015 Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these was Pastor. They continued to visit at fam- ily gatherings after his retirement and by Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. remarks today in honor of the Virginia Society then she became less mobile. of the Sons of the American Revolution, which Up until seven years ago, Mrs. Thomas al- Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 2nd anniver- will be celebrating its 125th anniversary on ways had an organic garden. She grew an sary of the Shelby County v. Holder Supreme July 7. array of vegetables and fruits. She and her Court ruling. By declaring Section 4 of the Vot- Sadly, too often it seems as if lessons from family were healthier for it . . . she lived a ing Rights Act unconstitutional, the Supreme history are overlooked or forgotten. But in Vir- great 101 years. Court dismantled a key provision to this pivotal She raised her children to embrace the voting rights protection. The importance of the ginia, we are proud of our history, of our love Golden Rule, ‘‘Do unto others as you would of freedom, and of our dedication to independ- have them do unto you.’’ She lived the exam- Voting Rights Act to our American democracy ence. I commend the important efforts of the ple. She taught the core values of honesty, cannot be overstated. This damaging prece- Virginia Society of the Sons of the American respect, humility, courage and the necessity dent, set by the nation’s highest Court has Revolution to keep in our hearts and minds of sometimes standing alone as long as you weakened a piece of legislation that was fun- American patriotism and the memory of our stand for the right thing. damental to the advancement of the American Revolutionary War heritage. She championed education. Some of her democracy. As a student of history myself, I could spend most favorite people: The Honorable Maxine On June 25, 2013, when the Supreme Court Waters, Congresswoman; the Honorable decided that states with a history of discrimi- hours discussing not only the various events Barack Obama—she was glad to see the first preceding and succeeding our nation’s fight African-American become President of the nation against minority voters no longer need- for independence, but also the crucial role by United States; the late former Mayor Tom ed clearance from the federal government to Virginians. Countless patriots, battles, and Bradley; Malcom X; Dr. Martin Luther King; set new voting restrictions, it established a events from this pivotal period in our nation’s Mrs. Rosa Parks; Reverend Dr. Cecil L. Chip pathway for modern day discriminatory prac- history ought to be commemorated and re- Murray; Kobe Bryant; and Shaquille O’Neil tices. Under this ruling, states across the membered, battles including but not limited to as she was an avid Laker fan. She attended Deep South, where vestiges of discrimination the Battle of Point Pleasant, which is credited a personal reception with the team along are still present, were able to enact stricter with her grandson, Demetrius Wilson. as being the first battle of the American Revo- She has been honored with a published voting requirements for the first time since lution by the Senate of the United States, to song entitled ‘‘Mary,’’ composed, scored and 1965. the Battle of Great Bridge, the Burning of Nor- written by her grandson, Endele (Sky) Wil- Many of these states, including my home folk, etc. son; and she has been given a tribute by her state of Texas, are governed by Republican- May we forever remain vigilant and com- grandson, Demetrius (Red) Wilson, via a per- led state legislatures that insist on the neces- mitted to preserving and protecting the self- sonalized brick on the residential mall at sity of voter ID laws to protect the integrity of evident truths and freedoms fought for and so Xavier University, his alma mater, in Cin- elections. However, Mr. Speaker, it is quite cinnati, Ohio. carefully outlined in our nation’s founding doc- One would often hear her quoting from an clear that these laws, which disproportionately uments by our Founding Fathers. old spiritual, ‘‘needless pain we bear . . . all affect African-Americans, Hispanics and poor I extend to all those involved with the Vir- because we do not carry everything to God in people, are a political ploy to suppress voter ginia Society of the Sons of the American prayer.’’ turnout. This runs counter to the Constitutional Revolution my best wishes on the occasion of Just a little about a Queen, who never had right to vote, which is the cornerstone of our its 125th anniversary, and look forward to this to declare herself a queen . . . she just was. democracy. organization’s continued success. f Recently, as a result of the Shelby County f CONGRATULATING PENNY v. Holder ruling, Texas implemented restrictive BUSINGA voter ID laws that prohibit voting autonomy for BIOGRAPHY OF MARY BROOM- many underserved minorities across the state. THOMAS During the 2014 election, instead of being HON. ADRIAN SMITH granted the opportunity to cast their vote of OF NEBRASKA choice, many voters were turned away on the HON. MAXINE WATERS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA basis of technicalities. Thursday, June 25, 2015 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, I cannot fathom how these ac- Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise tions would be permissible among any group Thursday, June 25, 2015 today to congratulate Penny Businga of of lawmakers. Today, I stand before you to Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Gering, Nebraska, on her retirement this call attention to this fact. The Voting Rights Speaker, I submit the biography of Mary month and to honor her 29 years of dedicated Act of 1965 was implemented to ensure that Broom-Thomas, a wife, mother and woman of service at Educational Service Unit #13 in all Americans have the ability to exercise their faith who lived to the ripe age of 101 years Scottsbluff. right to vote. This body should act in a bi-par- and who will be missed by many who loved Before becoming a trailblazer for profes- tisan fashion to ensure that this right is fully her. sional development, Ms. Businga taught in restored.

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