E948 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 10, 2017 HONORING THE LIFE OF LORAIN wrote a new chapter in the history of Lorain. TRUMP’S VOTER FRAUD COMMIS- CITY COUNCILMAN EDDIE C. As a man and leader in the community, the SION IS A FRAUD AND SHOULD EDWARDS successes and struggles of Eddie’s generous BE DISBANDED NOW life represent a beacon for generations to fol- HON. MARCY KAPTUR low. HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE OF OHIO Last year, The Smithsonian opened the only OF TEXAS national museum solely dedicated to recording IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and underscoring African Americans’ many Monday, July 10, 2017 Monday, July 10, 2017 contributions in art, history, culture and life. I Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to would like to submit this Congressional Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, unable to honor and pay tribute to the life of a respected Record to the National Museum of African cope with the brutal fact that he lost the pop- public official and very dear friend, Lorain City American History and Culture on behalf Ed- ular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.9 million votes, Councilman Eddie C. Edwards. He passed die’s family to hallmark the life and lasting the largest vote deficit of any president in away peacefully on June 27, 2017, after cou- contributions of a true public servant. American history, Donald Trump tweeted that rageously battling illness over the last several Today, my thoughts and prayers are with he would have won the popular vote but for years. Please let me offer the deepest condo- the entire Edwards family. Mr. Speaker, I ask ‘‘millions of people who voted illegally.’’ lences of our entire citizenry to his son Greg- you to join me in honoring Eddie C. Edwards, Instead of producing any credible evidence ory Edwards, daughter Darnisha Hunter and a loyal friend, a defender of democracy, a true to support this claim, a hoax that has been re- the countless friends and family whose lives public servant, a dedicated father, a loving peatedly and decisively debunked by experts, he touched. A true public servant in the every husband and a courageous man. the President doubled down and issued an Executive Order establishing the ‘‘Presidential sense, Eddie dedicated his life not only to f Advisory Commission on Election Integrity’’ making government work better for the people HONORING CARMELA SANDOVAL (PACEI), appointing Kris Kobach, anti-immi- he served, but by striving to make the lives of AND MARIA SANCHEZ, RECIPI- gration warrior and poster-child for voter fraud all people, better. ENTS OF THE AMERICAN DREAM conspiratorialists everywhere, to lead the Eddie began his career in politics in 1996, AWARD Commission. first elected to represent South Lorain’s Fifth It would be more accurate to characterize Ward. Throughout his eighteen years of serv- HON. MIKE THOMPSON the PACEI as the ‘‘Presidential Advisory Com- ice on City Council, Eddie fought hard for his mission on Voter Suppression.’’ Voter sup- community—making his neighborhood safer, OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pression is real but the oft-repeated claim that parks cleaner, improving education in schools Monday, July 10, 2017 American elections are rife with voter fraud is and working toward enhancing and growing a myth. small businesses. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, According to a comprehensive 2014 study While Councilman Edward’s service to the I rise today to honor sisters, Ms. Carmela published in The Washington Post, out of City of Lorain will forever be remembered, Ed- Sandoval and Ms. Maria Sanchez, whom I more than a billion votes cast between 2000 die’s contributions to the Lorain community have selected to receive the American Dream and 2014, only 31 credible instances of imper- started decades earlier. Award for California’s 5th Congressional Dis- sonation fraud were found, and even this tiny Born and raised in the small town of trict. This award recognizes the achievements number was likely inflated because the study’s Dyersberg, Tennessee, Eddie moved to Lorain of immigrants in my district who have made author counted not just voter fraud prosecu- when he was 20 years old, with less than 13 remarkable contributions to our communities in tions or convictions but all credible claims. Nu- dollars in his pocket, seeking a better life. He the areas of Arts and Culture, Professional merous other reports have reached the same immediately enrolled in school studying busi- Achievement, Entrepreneurship and Innova- conclusion. ness and construction management, which tion, or Community Service. Ms. Sandoval and Any lingering doubt regarding the true pur- jumpstarted a new life of helping build Lorain Ms. Sanchez are very deserving of this award pose of the PACEI should be laid to rest by forward. and recognition. the request made by Commissioner Kobach Eddie, who was the owner-operator of Ms. Sandoval and Ms. Sanchez are daugh- on June 28, 2017 when he wrote each of the Edwards Trucking & Excavating for more than ters of Mexican immigrants to the United nation’s state secretaries of state requesting two decades, understood the role small busi- States. Together they own and manage Bere’s that they provide the Commission with ‘‘the full nesses play in driving healthy local econo- Bridal and Christening Wear in Vallejo, Cali- first and last names of all registrants, middle mies. Moreover, Eddie knew the value of mi- fornia. They are both successful and inspiring names or initials if available, addresses, dates nority owned small businesses. As a founding community leaders. of birth, political party (if recorded in your member of the Lorain County Minority Con- Prior to moving to Vallejo, Ms. Sandoval state), last four digits of social security number tractors Association and Executive Board and Ms. Sanchez grew up and attended if available, voter history (elections voted in) Member of the Minority Trucking and Trans- school in Los Angeles. Though she loved from 2006 onward, active/inactive status, can- portation Association—Eddie paved the way school, Maria had to withdraw to begin work- celled status, information regarding any felony for countless entrepreneurs to use their skills, ing to support her family. Their diligence, per- convictions, information regarding voter reg- grow our local economy and improve our com- severance and sacrifice for their family at such istration in another state, information regarding munity. His friends, family and colleagues re- a young age embodies the ideals of the Amer- military status, and overseas citizen informa- call his passion and willingness to stand up ican dream and foreshadows their future roles tion.’’ and speak his mind, always working toward as dedicated community leaders in Vallejo, The information requested by the Commis- equal rights and fighting for those left behind. California. sion will not prevent voter fraud. It will violate During the rise of the civil rights movement, Carmela and Maria volunteer regularly for rather than protect voter privacy. Eddie was a founding member of the Com- Vallejo Together, a nonprofit in our community And it will make it easier to craft legislation mittee for Positive Change in the Black Com- that provides resources to homeless individ- and devise campaign strategies intended to munity and was the past president of the Lo- uals. They also volunteer for Centro Latino, an suppress the vote in urban clusters and rain NAACP. And as an ordained Baptist Dea- organization that advocates for Latino youth in among targeted demographic groups, particu- con, Eddie was a true champion and relent- Vallejo. Every year, the sisters organize a holi- larly minority voters. less advocate for African Americans and all day ‘‘posada’’ for underserved children, which It is important that all voters, and the people those in need throughout our community. includes a gift drive and a hot meal for all the of the 18th Congressional District of Texas A man of strong faith, Eddie worked each youth in attendance. While Carmela and Maria whom I am privileged to represent, be fully day fighting for those less fortunate. I myself are ambitious leaders, they remain humble protected. recall a time when Eddie and I joined the Full and willing to lend a helping hand. Both sisters While supplying only public voter information Gospel Ministries and Pathways Enrichment take pride in being loving parents, and, for may seem secure, the sad fact is that it is not. Center in Lorain, planting a community garden Maria, being a grandparent as well. There is no publicly accessible database of as part of a community driven effort to Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Carmela voter registration information in any of the 50 produce fresh fruits and vegetables for the Sandoval and Ms. Maria Sanchez for their states or the District of Columbia. local food pantry. achievements and for enriching our commu- That is because information of this kind is As an African American, there is no ques- nity. It is fitting and proper that we honor them protected from public disclosure under the set- tion Councilman and businessman Edwards here today with the American Dream Award. tled principle of ‘‘collective privacy’’ recognized

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:15 Jul 11, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A10JY8.005 E10JYPT1 July 10, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E949 by the Supreme Court in the landmark deci- involved in cyberwarfare campaigns to under- communities in the areas of Arts and Culture, sion of NAACP v. Alabama, 377 U.S. 288, 84 mine our democracy. Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurship S. Ct. 1302, 12 L. Ed. 2d 325 (1964), which There is no denying that our election system and Innovation, or Community Service. Ms. held that compelled disclosure of affiliation is under assault, but not in the way Trump Ceja is very deserving of this award and rec- with groups engaged in advocacy may con- imagines. ognition. stitute an impermissible chilling effect on the Instead of wasting taxpayer money to fund Ms. Ceja was born in Las Flores, Jalisco, an freedom of association guaranteed by the First an investigation into voter fraud, which is as agricultural village in Mexico, and immigrated Amendment, a holding that has been affirmed mythical as a unicorn, American democracy to the United States at the age of 12. She is repeatedly. would be better served by focusing on and a successful businessperson and an important Accordingly, neither Texas nor any state correcting the real problem with our elec- member of our community. can, consistent with the U.S. Constitution, sup- tions—voter suppression and external, illegal, Ms. Ceja moved with her family to the Napa ply the voter information requested by the and international interference in our national Valley American Viticulture Area in California PACEI. elections. as a child. Her parents worked for a local Indeed, if the information sought was as I am not opposed to employing reasonable, vineyard management company, her father as public in nature as PACEI contends, there legitimate, and workable means to safeguard a mechanic and her mother as a farm worker. simply would be no need for it to request the the integrity of our electoral system and to She met her husband, Pedro Ceja, while pick- information from state governments. protect the precious right to vote. But Trump’s ing grapes with their families. In 1983, the Trump’s voter suppression commission is a Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Ceja family came together to purchase 15 solution in search of a problem. Integrity is incapable of doing either and thus acres and to plant their own grapes. The fam- Contrary to what Trump and Kobach would should be disbanded and dissolved imme- ily later founded Ceja Vineyards, Inc. in 1999. have the public believe, American elections diately. Today they own 113 producing acres. Ms. Ceja is the first Mexican American woman to are not rife with widespread voter fraud. Stud- f ies have shown that it is more likely an Amer- be the president of a California winery. Her ican ‘‘will be struck by lightning than that he HONORING THE HARRIET TUBMAN vineyard and winery are famous for their qual- will impersonate another voter at the polls.’’ FREEDOM MUSIC FESTIVAL ity grape harvests and production of premium No, the major ill affecting our election sys- Carneros wines. tem is not that too many people vote due to HON. JOHN KATKO Ms. Ceja cares deeply about the family business and employees. She is dedicated to voter fraud, but that too many people are pre- OF NEW YORK producing the highest quality of wine. The vented from voting due to vote suppression IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES schemes such as discriminatory photo identi- California Legislature recognized her contribu- fication requirements, curtailment of early vot- Monday, July 10, 2017 tions to the community on March 15, 2005 by ing, too few polling stations leading to long Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to naming her ‘‘Woman of the Year.’’ Ms. Ceja’s lines and excessive wait times, purging of honor the second annual Harriet Tubman story is one of sacrifice and determination. election rolls. Freedom Music Festival in Auburn, New York. Stories like hers make America great. Even in the wholly unimaginable event that Auburn is a place that Harriet Tubman once Mr. Speaker, we recognize Ms. Amelia the commission created by Donald Trump and called home, and our community is proud to Mora´n Ceja for her achievements and for en- led by Kris Kobach could be trusted enough preserve and highlight her extraordinary life’s riching our community. It is fitting and proper for states to cooperate by sharing their voter work. This concert pays tribute to Harriet Tub- that we honor her here today with the Amer- data, there is no reasonable basis for assum- man’s remarkable legacy through music. ican Dream Award. ing that information would be kept secure and The Harriet Tubman Freedom Music Fes- f the privacy of voters protected. tival’s creator, Sean McLeod, is an Auburn na- IN RECOGNITION OF REV. JIM Recent cyberattacks have made clear the tive and descendant of a slave rescued by HOLLEY FOR HIS CAREER AS A vulnerability of large central databases to Harriet Tubman. McLeod is a member of the PASTOR AND COMMUNITY ACTIV- cyberattack. An information security breach at Thompson AME Zion Church and has devoted IST the Department of Veterans Affairs com- much of his life to the Harriet Tubman Home, promised sensitive personal data of 26.5 mil- now a National Historic Park. McLeod estab- HON. DEBBIE DINGELL lion persons and cost the VA between $100 lished the Harriet Tubman Freedom Music OF MICHIGAN million to $500 million to remediate; another Festival to develop both a local and global im- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES occurring at the Office of Personnel Manage- pact through partnerships with a variety of ment impacted 22 million current and former businesses and nonprofits. McLeod also com- Monday, July 10, 2017 federal employees, many of whom held sen- posed ‘‘A Soundtrack for Harriet Tubman,’’ Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sitive security clearances; and the attack on which will be featured at this year’s Music recognize Rev. Jim Holley of the Historic Little Yahoo, the mother of all security breaches, re- Festival. Rock Missionary Baptist Church. For 45 years, sulted in 1.5 billion user accounts being com- This celebration is a fitting tribute to a Rev. Holley has been a tireless advocate on promised. woman who escaped slavery and devoted her behalf of Detroit as a faith leader and commu- Because large centralized databases are life to advancing the freedom and equality of nity activist. targets of opportunities for criminals, terrorists, African Americans and the rights of women. I After receiving theological training at the and foreign adversaries, it would be the height am honored to recognize the Harriet Tubman Chicago Theological Seminary, Rev. Holley of recklessness for Texas or any state to pro- Freedom Music Festival and I wish it contin- began his career as a pastor at the Little Rock vide the PACEI with personal information of ued success in the years to come. Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. During his millions of persons via unsecured email ad- f time with the church, Rev. Holley has distin- guished himself as a key member of the great- dress to be stored in undersecured databases ´ on undersecured servers. HONORING AMELIA MORAN CEJA, er Detroit community who understands the One of the biggest strengths of the Amer- RECIPIENT OF THE AMERICAN spiritual needs and concerns of the city and its ican election system is its decentralized na- DREAM AWARD residents. His service in church leadership ture. roles, including President of the Council of the Aggregating all voter data into one central- HON. MIKE THOMPSON Baptist Pastors, speaks to his dedication to ized database with questionable security pro- OF CALIFORNIA the congregation and the well-being of the city tections makes that data highly vulnerable to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES at large. Rev. Holley has also been involved in a cyberattack that could lead to the personal the business community, working with local Monday, July 10, 2017 information of hundreds of millions of Ameri- real estate organizations and founding an ad- cans being stolen and misused. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, vertising agency to empower Detroit’s resi- Voter privacy and the integrity of the secret I rise today to honor Ms. Amelia Ceja, whom dents and create jobs. In addition to these du- ballot are integral to American democracy. I have selected to receive the American ties, Rev. Holley also served as the City of Voter privacy rights should and must be pro- Dream Award for California’s 5th Congres- Detroit’s Director of Community and Civic Af- tected. sional District. This award recognizes the fairs during Mayor Duggan’s administration, This is especially true since we are now cer- achievements of immigrants in my district who where he was a liaison between the mayor’s tain that adversaries like Russia are actively have made remarkable contributions to our office and the Detroit community at large.

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