May 15, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E653 Robert led the University of Guam to re- and an independent image consultant on in- ments will gather again May 15–16, 2018 in ceive a record eight years of accreditation in dustrial television projects. She currently Kansas City for a diplomatic luncheon and to 2008, and resulting in another record 8 years serves on the Board of Directors of Peace Ac- commemorate the anniversary of the Czecho- of accreditation in 2016. During his tenure as tion State and is a member of the slovakian Declaration of Independence, which president, enrollment at the University of Black Women’s Political Caucus of West- officially created the nation state of Czecho- Guam increased by 16 percent and graduation chester and the Yonkers branch of the slovakia in 1918. rates improved by 5.5 percent. Numerous un- NAACP. She has also served as a co-chair of Mr. Speaker, please join me and all of Mis- dergraduate and graduate degree programs Women of Westchester, a delegate to the UN souri’s Fifth Congressional District in express- were implemented, as well as financial assist- for Peace Action International and has served ing our sincerest congratulations to the Czech ance opportunities to attend the University and on numerous boards, including My Sisters’ Republic and the Slovak Republic for their for off-island travel through student exchange Place, WESPAC, and the Friends of Philipse monumental achievements in independence programs or short-term activities to expand Manor Hall. and their tireless efforts in promoting democ- and improve the student experience. Robert As if this resume wasn’t impressive enough, racy, not only within their borders, but through- led the effort to improve financial account- in 1990 Joanne was named Woman of the out the world. I urge all of my colleagues and ability which resulted in the University being Year for Westchester County, and has also fellow citizens across the country to join me in designated as a federal low-risk auditee from been an honorary Grand Marshall of the Yon- showing our appreciation to these two great 2008 through 2011 and 2015 through 2017. kers African-American Heritage Festival. She nations and their commitment to continued He guided an aggressive fundraising effort was the recipient of the Alice C. Scott Award friendship with the United States and democ- for the capital improvements campaign for Dedicated Community Leadership, the racies everywhere. through the UOG Endowment Foundation Martin Luther King Drum Major Award for f which currently totals over $3 million. Robert community activism, and the NYCLU Myron established the Research Corporation of the Isaacs Community Service Award. HONRING OFFICER THOMAS University of Guam (RCUOG) to create an ef- In short, Joanne Robinson-Boettcher has O’DONNELL ficient and effective environment to support done a tremendous amount of wonderful work management of its federal grants portfolio and to better our world. This year, the Friends of HON. KEN BUCK today provides support to the 84 different Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers is honoring Jo- OF grants and contract projects equating to $12.3 anne with their 2018 Patron Saints of Yonkers IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES million. He ensured engagement with the award. They have chosen a terrific honoree. Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Guam Open Research & Education Exchange Congratulations to Joanne on receiving this Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- (GOREX) initiative to expand UOG’s techno- well-deserved honor. logical capabilities and outreach with the Re- ognize the heroism and bravery of Castle f gion, Asia, Australia, Hawaii, and mainland Rock Police Department Officer Thomas United States. HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVER- O’Donnell. On December 31, 2017, Officer Additionally, Robert established the Presi- SARY OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND O’Donnell responded with fellow law enforce- dent Lecture Series as a way for leaders to THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ES- ment officers to a domestic disturbance call speak with students regarding unique or highly TABLISHMENT OF THE CZECH where he was wounded in the line of duty. On visible topics, and where students and the is- AND SLOVAK REPUBLICS behalf of myself and the 4th Congressional land community can dialog and grow from the District of Colorado, I would like to express my experience. He reinstituted the Triton Athletics HON. sincerest appreciation for Officer O’Donnell’s Program through the new Athletics Director to service to our community. I admire his cour- OF MISSOURI increase student recruitment. Robert also led age and willingness to stand in harm’s way so IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UOG Green strategic initiatives and conducted that the innocent may be protected. nine annual UOG Regional Conferences on Is- Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Officer O’Donnell has committed his life to land Sustainability to address local, regional, Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to protecting citizens through his service in law and global matters in areas of responsible en- commemorate two significant anniversaries for enforcement for the past 17 years, including vironmental stewardship, strong economic de- two of America’s closest allies. One hundred his work for the Castle Rock Police Depart- velopment, and social progress and well- years ago, Czechoslovakia was formed ment since 2008. He also serves as an Entry being. through the Pittsburgh Agreement following Team Leader on the Douglas County Regional Robert made many indelible contributions to the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire SWAT Team. the University of Guam and our community at at the end of World War I. Additionally, this During the incident on December 31st, Offi- large. On behalf of the people of Guam, I con- year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of cer O’Donnell received gunshot wounds from gratulate Dr. Robert A. Underwood on his vast Czechoslovakia, from what many refer to as a gunman who had barricaded himself inside accomplishments and service to Guam. I ex- the ‘‘Velvet Revolution of 1989’’ or the ‘‘Gentle an apartment complex. As Officer O’Donnell tend my sincere gratitude to Robert’s five chil- Revolution,’’ peacefully becoming two demo- confronts his own physical and emotional dren, two grandchildren and his wife, former cratic countries by mutual consent: the Czech healing, he will also carry the burden of know- Guam Senator Nerissa Bretania Underwood Republic and the Slovak Republic on January ing that one of his fellow law enforcement offi- for their support of Robert throughout the 1, 1993. The Pittsburgh Agreement and the cers did not make it away from the incident years. Again, I thank Robert for his leadership Velvet or Gentle Revolution, whichever you alive. For a profession that treats each other in moving our island forward, and I look for- prefer, are monumental events for these great like family, the loss of a colleague is especially ward to many more years of service for the nations as it opened the door for democracy painful. We must never forget the sacrifices paid by people of Guam. and prosperity for the people of the former our men and women in uniform. Our nation’s f Austro-Hungarian Empire. law enforcers are vital to the safety of Colo- During their brief history as independent, HONORING JOANNE ROBINSON- rado communities. On behalf of the citizens of democratic nations, both the Czech Republic BOETTCHER the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I and Slovak Republic have formally become extend my best wishes and deepest gratitude members of the European Union, the North to Officer O’Donnell. HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the OF NEW YORK United Nations, showcasing their commitment f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to democracy through institutional participation COMMEMORATING NATIONAL Tuesday, May 15, 2018 and military cooperation in NATO missions POLICE WEEK Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to around the globe. honor a true public servant, Ms. Joanne Rob- Let it also be known that the Czech Repub- HON. lic has a local tie to Missouri’s Fifth Congres- inson-Boettcher, an individual who through her OF TEXAS sional District. When applying for admission personal and professional work has left an in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES delible mark on her community and the people into NATO, the Czech Republic had the official who live in it. documents signed at the Truman Presidential Tuesday, May 15, 2018 Joanne was a New York City schoolteacher, Library in Independence, Missouri. Visiting dip- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a a public relations specialist at General Foods, lomats from the Czech and Slovakian govern- member of the Law Enforcement Caucus and

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