E1658 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 14, 2013 with Disabilities Act, bipartisan legislation I who has exemplified the finest qualities of citi- ernmental entities. MSG Jensen supported nu- was proud to lead to passage in the House in zenship and leadership by taking an active merous congressional hearings, frequent office 1990 and witness signed into law by President part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 264, calls, and countless Hill engagements with George H.W. Bush. As advocates for people and earning the most prestigious award of members of Congress and Army Reserve with differing abilities celebrate this milestone Eagle Scout. Senior Leaders. He spearheaded, organized, anniversary, let us recommit ourselves to Ethan has been very active with his troop, planned and executed the Army Reserve Con- Melwood’s mission to empower and inspire. I participating in many scout activities. Over the gressional Staff Delegation to Fort McCoy, look forward to continuing to work with many years Ethan has been involved with Wisconsin to showcase the capabilities of an Melwood for many years to come, and I am scouting, he has not only earned numerous Operational United States Army Reserve. confident that it will continue to carry out its merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the grateful Na- mission for another fifty years and beyond. ily, peers, and community. Most notably, tion, I join my colleagues today in saying I ask that my colleagues join me in con- Ethan has contributed to his community thank you to Master Sergeant Jon Jensen for gratulating co-founder, President, and CEO through his Eagle Scout project. his extraordinary dedication to duty and serv- emeritus, Earl Copus, Jr., current President Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in ice to the country throughout his distinguished and CEO, Cari DeSantis, and the rest of the commending Ethan James Fenske for his ac- career in the United States Army. outstanding Melwood staff, who will continue complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- f carrying this outstanding organization into the ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the future. highest distinction of Eagle Scout. A TIMELY CALL TO ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE PERSECUTED f f CHURCH TRIBUTE TO COACH ROY ATMER TRIBUTE TO MASTER SERGEANT HUTCHINS JON JENSEN HON. FRANK R. WOLF OF VIRGINIA HON. STEVE STOCKMAN HON. CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF TEXAS OF NEW YORK Thursday, November 14, 2013 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I submit Cardinal Thursday, November 14, 2013 Thursday, November 14, 2013 Timothy Dolan’s remarks at the annual U.S. Mr. STOCKMAN. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay trib- Conference of Bishops (USCCB) Coach Roy Hutchins was a proud veteran of ute to Master Sergeant Jon Jensen for his ex- gathering in which he gave an impassioned World ’War II; and traordinary service to the nation while serving plea for the church in the West to focus on the Whereas, Coach Hutchins earned a Bach- in the United States Army for the past 25 increasingly dire plight of the persecuted elor of Science Degree from Texas Southern years. His record of distinguished service in- church around the globe. University in 1947, and a Master of Science cludes tours in Kuwait, Korea, and a competi- I venture that the Catholic bishop under Degree from the same University in 1952; and tive selection assignment as a Congressional house arrest in China, the imperiled believer in Whereas, Coach Hutchins joined the faculty Legislative Liaison to the Office of the Chief, Iraq still reeling from the devastating attack on of George Washington Carver High School of Army Reserve. Our Lady of Church and the unjustly Baytown, Texas in 1948 and remained there As the 295th Ordinance Company First Ser- imprisoned Christian in Pakistan will undoubt- until 1967, as assistant football coach, Coach geant while deployed to Kuwait in 2004 and edly be heartened by his words and buoyed Hutchins played a major role in Baytown 2005, he superbly integrated 110 cross-lev- by his call to action. Carver High School winning seven district eled Army Reserve Soldiers and 44 active CARDINAL TIMOTHY M. DOLAN, OF football championships and three state football duty Soldiers into one cohesive company. First NEW YORK, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. CON- championships; and Sergeant Jensen utilized his superb leadership FERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS (USCCB) Whereas, As Head Track and Field Coach, abilities to provide command and control and ADDRESS TO THE USCCB GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON Roy Carver saw his track teams win five state health and welfare of his unit, despite their NOVEMBER 11, 2013 championships; and dispersal throughout the Kuwait area of re- Just last August, I had the honor of Whereas, Coach Hutchins is known for sponsibility. First Sergeant Jensen also as- concelebrating the Mass of Dedication for molding numerous Carver athletes into sumed operational duties during this deploy- the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Kiev. A ment and successfully established three am- particularly moving moment came when PVILCA Hall of Fame or Hall of Honor mem- Metropolitan Shevchuk asked the Lord’s bers; and munition holding areas and a theater amnesty protective hand upon believers suffering per- Whereas, Coach Hutchins was also known program resulting in the company’s ability to secution for their faith anywhere in the and very much admired as a science teacher, maintain and provide more than 74,000 short world. That such a heartfelt plea came from motivator of youth, and father-like figure who tons of ammunition in direct support of Oper- a people who had themselves been oppressed knew how to mold honorable and successful ation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Free- for so long made it all the more poignant. men out of young boys; and dom. This morning I want to invite us to broad- Whereas, Coach Hutchins also exhibited an During his tenure as the 303rd Ordinance en our horizons, to ‘‘think Catholic’’ about Group Operations Senior Non-Commissioned our brothers and sisters in the faith now suf- exemplary family life, and provided a wonder- fering simply because they sign themselves ful role model for his student athletes; Be Officer, MSG Jensen successfully ensured full with the cross, bow their heads at the Holy therefore munitions support for all U.S. and coalition Name of Jesus, and happily profess the Apos- Resolved: That I, Congressman STEVE forces on the Korean Peninsula during the tles’ Creed. STOCKMAN of the 36th District of Texas, proud- Ulchi Focus Lens Korea 06 exercise. While bishops, our legitimate and ongo- ly salute the life and career of this Carver High serving as the 1st Brigade, 104th Training Di- ing struggles to protect our ‘‘first and most School hero and fellow Texan; and do strongly vision Operations NCO, MSG Jensen was cherished freedom’’ in the United States pale urge that he be inducted into the Prairie View hand selected by the Ordinance Corps Advi- in comparison to the Via Crucis currently sory Group to present a proposal to the U.S. being walked by so many of our Christian Interscholastic League Coaches Association brothers and sisters in other parts of the (PVILCA) Hall of Honor. Army Chief of Ordinance on recommended world, who are experiencing lethal persecu- f upgrades to the 89B (Ammunition Specialist) tion on a scale that defies belief. If our com- Military Occupational Specialty. While in this mon membership in the mystical body of HONORING ETHAN JAMES FENSKE role, he also led the Brigade Headquarters Christ is to mean anything, then their suf- and Headquarters Command from last to first fering must be ours as well. The new Arch- HON. SAM GRAVES place in Division operational readiness in a bishop of Canterbury has rightly referred to victims of Christian persecution as ‘‘mar- OF MISSOURI span of only four months. MSG Jensen’s military career culminated in tyrs.’’ We are living in what must be recog- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nized as, in the words of Blessed John Paul his competitive selection as the Army Re- Thursday, November 14, 2013 II, ‘‘a new age of martyrs.’’ One expert cal- serve’s only senior enlisted Legislative Liaison. culates that half of all Christian martyrs Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I At this strategic level, MSG Jensen heavily en- were killed in the twentieth century alone. proudly pause to recognize Ethan James gaged with key congressional leaders and key The twenty-first century has already seen in Fenske. Ethan is a very special young man senior leaders of governmental and non-gov- its first 13 years one million people killed

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:15 Nov 15, 2013 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14NO8.005 E14NOPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS November 14, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1659 around the world because of their belief in from Hama was killed by a sniper while help- We can also make people aware of the Jesus Christ—one million already in this ing the wounded. Similarly tragic violence great suffering of our brothers and sisters still young century. against believers is now commonplace. with all the means at our disposal. Our col- That threat to religious believers is grow- Just as Syrian Christians have suffered umns, our blogs, our speeches, and our pas- ing. The Pew Research Center reports that 75 from the war raging in their land, the war in toral letters can reference the subject. We percent of the world’s population ‘‘lives in Iraq has devastated that ancient Christian can ask our pastors to preach on it, and to countries where governments, social groups, community in that country as well. As stimulate study sessions or activist groups or individuals restrict people’s ability to Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Iraq tearfully in their parishes. We can encourage our freely practice their faith.’’ Pew lays out the told us during our spring assembly in 2012, Catholic media to tell the stories of today’s details of this ‘‘rising tide of restrictions on remember, the situation of Christians there new martyrs, unfortunately abundant. Our religion,’’ but we don’t need a report to tell ‘‘became a tragedy of immense proportions good experience defending religious freedom us something we sadly see on the news every after 2003,’’ with many religious and lay here at home shows that, when we turn our day. faithful tortured and killed. minds to an issue, we can put it on the map. While Muslims and Christians have long Violent attacks continue to terrorize the Well, it’s time to harness that energy for our lived peacefully side-by-side in Zanzibar, for Iraqi people. Just a little over a year ago the fellow members of the household of faith instance, this past year has seen increasing war’s worst massacre of Iraqi Christians oc- hounded for their beliefs around the world. violence. Catholic churches have been curred in a brutal attack on Our Lady of Sal- We know the importance of supporting or- burned and priests have been shot. In Sep- vation Church in Baghdad, where some 58 be- ganizations such as Aid to the Church in tember one priest was the victim of a hor- lievers were massacred. Those martyred for Need, the Catholic Near East Welfare Asso- rific acid attack. Nigeria has also been the their faith included their priest who ciation, , and the So- site of frequent anti-Christian violence, in- died holding a crucifix, forgiving the gunmen ciety for the Propagation of the Faith, who cluding church bombings on our holiest days. and asking him to spare his people. have done heroic work, while among our The situation in India has also been grave, The situations in Syria and Iraq wrench Protestant brothers and sisters groups such particularly after the Orissa massacre of our hearts, but the plight of Christians in as Open Doors make a similar contribution. 2008, where hundreds of Christians were mur- Egypt is no better. This past summer saw Writers such as Nina Shea, Paul Marshall, dered and thousands displaced, and thou- the serious escalation of violence against our John Allen, and Phillip Jenkins here in the sands of homes and some 400 churches were brothers and sisters there, as the ancient United States help keep the issue alive, as torched. Just recently, a Christian couple Coptic Christian community has been tar- does our own Committee on International was recently attacked by an angry mob just geted. Dozens of Coptic churches have been Justice and Peace. because of their faith, their Bibles torn from burned; Christian-owned businesses and ho- Finally, we can insist that our country’s their hands. tels have been attacked; and individual be- leaders make the protection of at-risk Chris- We remember our brothers and sisters in lievers have been murdered. tians abroad a foreign-policy priority for the China, where Catholic bishops and other reli- To take one example, John Allen reports United States. We can also cajole political gious leaders are subject to state supervision that in August, ‘‘hundreds of Muslim ex- leaders to be more attentive to the voices of and imprisonment. Conditions are only get- tremists stormed a school run by Franciscan Christians on the ground, since those Chris- ting worse, as the government closes church- sisters in . . . Upper Egypt, where they re- tians will certainly feel the consequences of es and subjects members of several faiths to portedly raped two teachers. Three whatever the West does or doesn’t do. As Dr. forced renunciations, so-called re-education, were paraded before the crowd as prisoners of Thomas Farr reminded us at our spring and torture. war.’’ It was only through the intervention meeting a couple summers ago, the protec- Of course, it’s not just Christians who suf- of a Muslim lay teacher that other sisters’ tion of religious freedom abroad, and advo- fer from religious persecution, but believers lives were spared. cacy of oppressed believers, has hardly been in other faiths as well. Much religious perse- We as bishops, as shepherds of one of the a high foreign policy priority for administra- cution is committed by Muslims against most richly blessed communities of faith on tions of either party. other Muslims. Buddhists in Tibet suffer the planet, as pastors who have spoken with In general, my brothers, we can make sup- under government torture and repression. In enthusiastic unity in defense of our own reli- porting the suffering Church a priority—not Myanmar Muslims suffer at the hands of gious freedom, must become advocates and one good cause among others, but a defining Buddhist mobs. All of us share apprehension champions for these Christians whose lives element of our pastoral priorities. As histo- over reports of rising anti-Semitism. literally hang in the balance. rians of this conference know, speaking up But there is no escaping the fact that Francis recently invited us all to an for suffering faithful abroad has been a hall- Christians are singled out in far more places examination of conscience in this regard mark of our soon-to-be-century of public ad- and far more often. during his General Audience on September vocacy of the gospel by the conference of I don’t have to tell anyone in this room 25: bishops in this beloved country we are hon- that our brothers and sisters in the Middle ‘‘When I hear that so many Christians in ored to call our earthly home. East face particular trials. As Bar- the world are suffering, am I indifferent, or Protecting religious freedom will be a cen- tholomew of Constantinople has observed, is it as if a member of my own family is suf- tral social and political concern of our time, for Christians in the Middle East, ‘‘even the fering? When I think or hear it said that and we American bishops already have made simple admission of Christian identity places many Christians are persecuted and give very important contributions to carrying it the very existence of [the] faithful in daily their lives for their faith, does this touch my forward. Now we are being beckoned—by his- threat . . . Exceptionally extreme and ex- heart or does it not reach me? Am I open to tory, by , by the force of our pansive occurrences of violence and persecu- that brother or that sister in my family own logic and the ecclesiology of com- tion against Christians cannot leave the rest who’s giving his or her life for Jesus Christ? munion—to extend those efforts to the dra- of us—who are blessed to live peacefully and Do we pray for one another’? How many of matic front lines of this battle, where Chris- in some sense of security—indifferent and in- you pray for Christians who are persecuted? tians are paying for their fidelity with their active.’’ How many? Everyone respond in his own lives. As the Council reminded us, we are The humanitarian catastrophe that con- heart. It’s important to look beyond one’s bishops not only for our , not only tinues to unfold in Syria has been particu- own fence, to feel oneself part of the Church, for our nation, but for the Church universal. larly close to our hearts these past few of one family of God!’’ May all the blessed martyrs, ancient and months. We’ve prayed for and stood in soli- I am convinced that we have to answer new, pray for us, as we try to be confessors darity with the Church and the people of those questions of Pope Francis, not merely of the faith. Syria, and with Pope Francis and the bishops as individual believers, but collectively as a Praise be Jesus Christ! of the Middle East in their call for peace. body of bishops. f It’s no surprise that this violent and cha- So you ask me, what can we do? Without otic situation has bred even more religious any pretense of being exhaustive, here are PERSONAL EXPLANATION persecution. Of course we’re all familiar with some ideas I’d like to lay before you, with a Syria’s venerable history as the place from nod to John Allen and his recent compelling which our faith spread to the rest of the work on this topic. HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ world, and Syria has long been home to a siz- First, we can encourage intercession for OF PENNSYLVANIA able Christian minority. Yet those Chris- the persecuted. Remember how the ‘‘prayers tians who have remained in Syria face ever- for the conversion of Russia’’ at the end of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES present, rising threats of violence. Masses over a half-century ago shaped our Thursday, November 14, 2013 Last April two of our Orthodox brother sense of what was going on behind the Iron bishops were kidnapped in Aleppo by gunmen Curtain? A similar culture of prayer for per- Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall as they returned from a humanitarian mis- secuted Christians today, both in private and No. 572, I was unable to be present for the sion. Their driver was shot and killed. And a in our liturgical celebrations, could have a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted little less than a year ago an Orthodox priest similar remedial effect. ‘‘yes.’’

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