Extensions of Remarks E1588 HON. ROY BLUNT
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E1588 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 5, 2001 Newman decided they should inform the to the doctor’s office or help with a utility University of Colorado. After his education, agents. bill. Felix served as a District Attorney for a seven- ‘‘I guess I should have phrased it better be- ‘‘One time a little boy on the street got his county judicial district in Colorado’s Western cause in seconds there were 10 men sur- bike stolen,’’ McKenna said. ‘‘By noon, there rounding us,’’ she said. ‘‘They literally was a brand new bike on that boy’s porch.’’ Slope and also served as a Colorado Su- picked us up by the shoulders and dragged us McKenna smiled. ‘‘That’s Dutch.’’ preme Court Justice. Mr. Sparks is a first- out of there.’’ class citizen who dedicated himself towards f At the police station, Newman attempted bettering Colorado both as a justice of the to reach someone from Clarence Kelley, a TRIBUTE TO MARISSA WHITLEY peace and as a commander of the Colorado former Kansas City police chief, then head of National Guard. the FBI. HON. ROY BLUNT Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to pay tribute Soon after, the women—minus the gun— to a distinguished Colorado citizen-soldier, Re- headed back to the convention. OF MISSOURI tired Brigadier General Sparks. On behalf of Then there was the time she was in the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES hospital during the Gerald Ford-Jimmy our nation and the great state of Colorado, I Carter presidential race. Wednesday, September 5, 2001 offer Mr. Sparks my warmest regard and debts ‘‘The nurse comes in and says, ‘Mrs. New- Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give trib- of gratitude. man, I think this is a prank, but there’s a ute to Marissa Whitley, who for the last year f guy on the phone who says he is Jimmy has been Miss Missouri Teen USA. On the Carter,’’’ Newman recalled. IN HONOR OF MR. TONY VENTO Indeed it was Carter, wanting to make sure night of August 22nd, this wonderful young Newman was OK. lady was crowned Miss Teen USA 2001. For ‘‘I was in the hospital another time and Marissa, who lives in my district, this corona- HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH (George) McGovern called me,’’ Newman re- tion serves as a fitting accomplishment in a OF OHIO membered with a sheepish grin. She whis- journey full of dedication and sacrifice. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pered, ‘‘I really didn’t like him that much.’’ ‘‘She’s always been a leader since she was Wednesday, September 5, 2001 On a visit to Kansas City in his run for the young’’ according to Marissa’s aunt, Karen Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to White House, Vice President Al Gore stopped McHaney. Mrs. McHaney should know as well his motorcade when he saw Newman stand- honor a truly wonderful humanitarian, Mr. ing on the lawn of Penn Valley Community as anyone. McHaney took three-year-old Tony Vento, on his retirement from the Inter- College. He got out of the limousine and ran Marissa in after Marissa’s mother passed Religious Task Force on Central America. over to give her a hug. away due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Marissa Mr. Tony Vento, Coordinator of the Inter- Newman hasn’t won all her battles. She and her family met the challenges of her loss. Religious Task Force on Central America, was backed Joseph P. Teasdale when he lost his She has worked hard to achieve her new title born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale but soon left second bid at governor to Kit Bond. Carter of Miss Teen USA. Marissa volunteered at the lost to Ronald Reagan. She couldn’t prevent for Philadelphia to study Urban Studies with a Ronald McDonald House and a local Boys focus in Community Development Planning the closing of her neighborhood school at the and Girls Club while competing in and winning Guardian Angels Church. and Architectural History. After his under- But even in defeat, she set herself apart by four pageant events. In addition to maintaining graduate work, Mr. Vento decided to accept a staying loyal, several politicians said. her rigorous schedule as Miss Missouri Teen position as campus minister of the University ‘‘Even if their ship was sinking,’’ Newman USA, she was still prepared for college and of Pennsylvania and centered his work on said, ‘‘I stayed with them.’’ scheduled to begin classes at St. Louis Uni- peace, justice, and community service. Newman once filed for a seat in the Mis- versity this fall until this most recent ‘‘detour.’’ Mr. Vento’s theological career led him down souri legislation but later withdrew. Once, Her perseverance and vision to seek out and many winding paths, including trips to Italy, she was approached to run for lieutenant fulfill her dreams make Marissa an excellent governor. Peru, and the University of Toronto’s St. Mi- Among the reasons she declined was her role model not only for the young people of chael’s College. His dedication to the fur- family. Missouri, but for youth across our country. thering of democracy eventually brought him ‘‘I was sitting at home eating dinner with Marissa’s home town is Springfield, Mis- to the InterReligious Task Force on Central the family and I remember thinking, ‘I can’t souri. She has been featured in local media America, where he was hired as the Director leave this for four or five days a week,’’’ she stories as she worked to represent young in the fall of 1992. The task force uses edu- said. American women. Marissa’s hard work and cation human rights work, and advocacy of Daughter Michele Newman said Newman dedication are worth recognition and I’m con- always managed to be the consummate peaceful policies to build bridges of hope and mother, even while staying busy in politics. fident she will continue to use her position of solidarity with the most consistently martyred ‘‘My sisters and I always felt blessed to leadership to set a positive example to young region in our hemisphere. have such an incredible mom,’’ she said. ‘‘We people. I know my colleagues in the United Mr. Vento has been a true jewel for the were reflecting and it’s amazing that first States Congress wish her well as she begins InterReligious Task Force on Central America, and foremost was us three girls and our fa- this part of her life’s journey. and he will be greatly missed. His dedication ther. We were always No. 1.’’ f and love for the people of Central America is ‘‘She was the coach for our girls volleyball extremely evident in the fine work he does. He team at Guardian Angels . she was always HONORING MR. FELIX SPARKS the room mother at school,’’ Michele New- will be soon joining Pax Christi USA to be man said. ‘‘It’s been incredible having her as their National Program Director. a mother.’’ HON. SCOTT McINNIS Mr. Speaker, please join me in humbled rec- The human side of Newman is what neigh- OF COLORADO ognition and celebration of Mr. Tony Vento. bors notice most. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES He has, and will continue to, inspire many not Tim Mulvany remembered his real estate Wednesday, September 5, 2001 only in his local community, but across the agent telling him about Newman when he globe. moved to her block in 1979. Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ‘‘A week went by and there she was at the take this opportunity to pay tribute to Retired f door,’’ he said. ‘‘She immediately included us Brigadier General Felix Sparks, who proudly 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AL-ANON in everything.’’ served our nation by leading a Colorado Na- Mulvany discovered Newman’s political savvy in the first Kansas City election in tional Guard contingent into the European the- HON. JIM RAMSTAD which he voted. He noticed that Newman ater during World War II. OF MINNESOTA backed everybody he was voting for. He General Felix Sparks has seen and experi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES printed up a special campaign sign for the enced the horrifying aspects of war that most next election. It read: ‘‘Whoever Dutch votes of us cannot even imagine. Mr. Sparks has Wednesday, September 5, 2001 for.’’ lost close friends in battle and although sur- Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, shortly before Neighbor Joe McKenna said Newman is the rounded by death, his heroism shone through- the August District Work Period, this body first to help with any neighborhood problem. out his service. Mr. Sparks was a member of passed H. Con. Res. 190, a resolution I of- ‘‘If you need anything it seems like you al- fered commemorating September as National ways end up calling Dutch,’’ he said. the team of American soldiers who landed at ‘‘There’s a lot of people who don’t even know Anzio and later he joined in liberating the Da- Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. she’s helped them.’’ chau concentration camp in 1945. The theme of Recovery Month this year is McKenna said Newman is always quick to After serving his nation, Mr. Sparks moved ‘‘We Recover Together: Family, Friends and help a neighbor whether it is providing a ride to Colorado and attended law school at the Community.’’ VerDate 11<MAY>2000 05:29 Sep 06, 2001 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05SE8.057 pfrm04 PsN: E05PT1 September 5, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1589 Nothing epitomizes this theme better than cate others about Creede’s long-standing his- sorts across the country.