E172 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 25, 2021 CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY rado Job Corps; special assistant to the CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MONTH AND HONORING SHEVRIN United States Air Force Red Horse Officer MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS LEE JONES Corps at Osan Air Force Base in Korea (’68– SINCLAIR ’69 Pueblo Incident); healthcare quality assur- HON. STEPHANIE N. MURPHY ance consultant for Northrop Corporation (’84 HON. RALPH NORMAN OF FLORIDA Saudi Arabia); office manager of Vern’s prac- OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tice, president of both the Clear Creek Valley IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and Colorado Medical Society Auxiliaries, and Thursday, February 25, 2021 Thursday, February 25, 2021 an advocate for child health issues through Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Madam Speaker, the American Medical Association. Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today as part of our national celebration of Black Sharon became active in the community in to celebrate the life of Major General Thomas History Month, I am paying tribute to African- which she and Vern raised their family— Lee Sinclair who passed away on February American leaders from Florida who have Wheat Ridge, Colo. She owned a ladies’ bou- 17, 2021. Born to the late John Albert Sinclair and made outstanding contributions to our commu- tique, Stepping Out, where her daughter Gladys Lee Sinclair on September 22, 1947, nity and our country. These accomplished helped to manage the store and created Thomas was raised in Union and graduated men and women have not always received the memories there together until Sharon’s retire- from Union High School. He pursued a Bach- recognition they have earned. ment in 2004. During retirement, Sharon and elor of Science at Clemson University and re- Today I rise to honor Shevrin Jones. Vern traveled the world and enjoyed time with ceived both a Master’s in Education and EdS Shevrin grew up in Carol City. He earned his their family and friends. degree at Winthrop University. Furthering his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molec- Sharon was a devoted wife and loving studies, Thomas attended the United States ular biology from Florida A&M University and mother and grandmother. Sharon is survived Army War College where he received a Mas- his master’s degree in educational leadership by her husband of fifty years Dr. Vern ter’s in Strategic Studies. Thomas served his from Florida Atlantic University. Jones went on Ritzman; son Michael Ritzman of country as a decorated United States Army to found L.E.A.D. Nation, a South Florida non- Breckenridge, Colo.; daughter Michelle (Matt) veteran of 38 years, retiring after earning the profit organization committed to youth leader- Spidell, of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; grandson rank of Brigadier General for the South Caro- ship development and social entrepreneurship Trevor Ritzman of Lakewood, Colo.; and furry lina Army National Guard. While on active- training. He is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Edu- granddaughters Daisy and Maya. duty, he amassed notable honors including the cational Leadership at Florida Atlantic Univer- I appreciate and thank her for her lifetime of Legion of Merit, the Army Achievement and sity. service to our community. National Defense Service Medals, and the Shevrin was elected to the Florida House of f South Carolina Palmetto Cross for his dedi- Representatives in 2012, where he served cated efforts during Operation Hugo. Thomas honorably for eight years. In 2020, he was HONORING THE LIFE OF CAROL spent half of his military career in command elected to the Florida Senate, becoming the ANN MARTINEZ roles, leading his surrounding staff through first openly LGBTQ member of any race to HON. J. LUIS CORREA significant assignments. serve in that chamber. For 27 years, Thomas found a fulfilling ca- Senator Jones is continuing his family’s OF CALIFORNIA reer in the Union County School System as a proud legacy of public service. His father, Eric IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES high school teacher, junior high school prin- Jones, served as Mayor of West Park for over Thursday, February 25, 2021 cipal, and assistant superintendent. He en- 15 years. joyed mentoring students and retired as a Senator Jones has always had a passion for Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today Union County supervisor. A member of Grace education. He taught A.P. Chemistry in the to honor the life of Carol Ann Martinez, wife of United Methodist Church, Thomas remained Broward County Public School district, serves Marine Corps Veteran SSGT Jose Martinez, faithful and humble through all facets of his as the Executive Director of Florida Reading and an avid volunteer to the American Legion life. Former Chairman of the Union Community Corps, and founded South Florida Youth Sum- Post 132. Carol passed away on January 29, Foundation and President of the Union Civitan mit, the largest gathering of young people in 2021, during an emergency heart surgery. Club, he was determined to leave a lasting South Florida. Carol was born on March 6, 1960, and mark on his hometown. Thomas was happily Every day, Senator Jones is making a posi- raised in Santa Ana, CA. She was a graduate married to Kathryn Bowers Sinclair with three tive difference in his community and for our of Santa Ana High School and worked for the adult children, Libby, Kelly, and Tommy, and country. Santa Ana Police Department early on in her ten beautiful grandchildren. His presence will I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring career. certainly be missed by those who knew him, and celebrating Shevrin Jones. Being a proud military wife was a highlight but his legacy will shine on for years to come. f for her. She was an Auxiliary member and was involved with the American Legion Post f SHARON RITZMAN 132 alongside her husband. She assisted with CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY the children and youth activities for the post MONTH AND HONORING HON. ED PERLMUTTER and district levels. As well as being a historian ARTHENIA JOYNER OF COLORADO for the post, she took pictures and docu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mented activities. Carol also started events such as the ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Vet- HON. STEPHANIE N. MURPHY OF FLORIDA Thursday, February 25, 2021 erans Dinner’’ and the ‘‘Welcome Home Ko- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise rean War Veterans Dinner’’. today to recognize Sharon Leatrice (Karr) She assisted with a multitude of functions Thursday, February 25, 2021 Ritzman of Golden, Colorado who passed and fundraisers outside of the Legion as well Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Madam Speaker, away on February 8, 2021. like the Relay for Life. The Relay for Life was as part of our national celebration of Black Sharon’s childhood was spent in Omaha, near and dear to her heart from losing so History Month, I am paying tribute to African- Nebraska. After graduating high school in Ne- many family members to cancer. American leaders from Florida who have braska, Sharon went on to attend the Univer- Carol was incredibly giving, and losing her made outstanding contributions to our commu- sity of Iowa. There she was an active member to heart complications affected so many peo- nity and our country. These accomplished of Pi Beta Phi and graduated with a bachelor’s ple. We will all love her, miss her and remem- men and women have not always received the degree in psychology. Shortly thereafter, Shar- ber her every single day. recognition they have earned. on married Vern Ritzman on August 28, 1965 She was laid to rest on February 22, 2021, Today I rise to honor Arthenia Joyner. Born in Omaha, NE. Following their wedding, Shar- at Riverside National Cemetery. in Lakeland and raised in Tampa, Ms. Joyner on accompanied Vern on his career path of She is survived by her husband, her daugh- has been a champion for justice and equality family medicine, all the while holding a variety ter Jessica and her grandsons Aaron, Evan, from a young age, participating in her first civil of meaningful positions herself. Sharon’s ac- Jayden and Roman. rights demonstration as a high school junior in complishments include chief operator for I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 1960. She studied political science at Florida Northwestern Bell Telephone in Sioux City and the life of Carol Ann Martinez. May her mem- A&M University, where she also earned her Iowa City, Iowa; client advocate with the Colo- ory live on with her loved ones. law degree.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 10:04 Feb 26, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A25FE8.018 E25FEPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with REMARKS February 25, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E173 Ms. Joyner served as a legal assistant to vation have remained constant at Winnetonka. and 26, 1992. Since the beginning of the State Representative Joe Lang Kershaw, the Committed to closing the opportunity gap, armed conflict between Armenia and Azer- first African-American state legislator in Florida Winnetonka was the first high school in Mis- baijan in the late 1980s, it is reported that the since the Reconstruction era. After law firms souri to be designated as a National Dem- Khojaly tragedy was the single worst day in refused to hire her, Ms. Joyner opened her onstration School for the Advancement Via In- this conflict, resulting in hundreds of lives lost, own law practice in 1991. She was the first dividual Determination (AVID) program. This families devastated, and the town destroyed. Black lawyer to practice in Polk County and designation was earned after years of helping A cease-fire was negotiated in 1994, but the the first Black woman to practice law in students find success in both their school and conflict remains unresolved. In the wake of the Hillsborough County. their community through collaboration, inquiry, 2020 fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia Throughout her career, Ms. Joyner has and relationship building. These principles in the Nagorno-Karabakh, it is my hope and worked to combat racial and gender inequality. have provided the bedrock of the many suc- prayer that the barriers to peace that have In recognition of her efforts, she received mul- cessful student organizations that generations persisted for the last three decades can be re- tiple presidential appointments by President of Winnetonka Griffins have helped create. solved. Long-term peace, security, and re- Bill Clinton, serving as a member of the U.S. Groups like the acclaimed student publication gional cooperation are in the best interests of delegation to the 1994 World Population De- Griffin Rites, the Muslim Student Association, the entire region of the South Caucasus and velopment Conference in Cairo and to the the Blacks Achieving Greatness organization, the world. 1995 U.N. Fourth World Conference on and the National Honors Society all work to The U.S. and Azerbaijan established diplo- Women in Beijing. Ms. Joyner proudly partici- create an inclusive, empowering, and exciting matic relations in 1992, the same year as the pated in the ‘‘Lawyers Against Apartheid Day’’ space where students can realize their full po- Khojaly tragedy. Since then, Azerbaijan has at the South African Embassy in Washington, tential. Winnetonka students have relished been a key partner in the War on Terror, and DC on January 8, 1985, where she was ar- these opportunities, with several becoming the two nations share a Trade Relations rested alongside former U.S. Attorney General National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists and Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Treaty. The anniversary of this tragedy is an appro- Ramsey Clark and others. thousands more finding success in their ca- priate time to remember the lives of all the Ms. Joyner was elected to the Florida reers after graduation. Dr. Eric Johnson, men, women, and children who were killed, House of Representatives, where she served Winnetonka’s principal, acknowledged after he and to recommit to working together to pre- from 2000 to 2006. She was then elected to was named the 2020 Missouri Principal of the vent such atrocities from occurring again. the Florida Senate, serving until 2016. In Year that the accolades of the faculty and staff 2014, she became the first Black woman cho- were only made possible by the good fortune f sen as Senate Majority Leader. Throughout of having one-of-a-kind students at a one-of-a- HONORING THE SERVICE OF her career as a legislator, Ms. Joyner distin- kind school. It is clear for all to see that Kan- ROBERT DOYLE guished herself for her skill, leadership, and sas City is a better place to live because of commitment to her constituents. the impact that Winnetonka High School grad- HON. MARK DeSAULNIER Arthenia Joyner has spent a lifetime over- uates have on our community every day. OF CALIFORNIA coming adversity, breaking barriers, and fight- In a letter to Booker T. Washington, Mis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing for justice and equality. souri-born scientist George Washington Thursday, February 25, 2021 I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Carver wrote that ‘‘Education is the key to and celebrating Arthenia Joyner. unlock the golden door of freedom.’’ By at- Mr. DESAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise f tending Winnetonka High School, Kansas City today with Congressman MIKE THOMPSON, students not only gain the freedom that comes Congressman JERRY MCNERNEY, Congress- IN CELEBRATION OF WINNETONKA with opportunity, but also the skills and abili- man ERIC SWALWELL, Congresswoman BAR- HIGH SCHOOL’S 50TH ANNIVER- ties needed to achieve their version of the BARA LEE, and Congressman RO KHANNA to SARY American Dream. As we look to the next fifty recognize the service of an esteemed leader years, there are certainly a great many unan- in Contra Costa County, Robert Doyle. HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER swered questions weighing heavily on our Robert began his career with the East Bay OF MISSOURI minds. However, one thing remains certain: Regional Park District in 1973 as a Park IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Winnetonka High School will continue its ever- Ranger. Through decades of hard work and devotion to the betterment of our community, Thursday, February 25, 2021 lasting endeavor to provide that most precious key to freedom to all students who pass Robert rose through the ranks of the Park Dis- Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise through its doors. trict until being appointed as General Manager today with abundant joy and everlasting hope Madam Speaker, colleagues, please join me in 2010. His numerous professional accom- to celebrate the 50th anniversary of in extending our warm congratulations and plishments include increasing the Park Dis- Winnetonka High School, a member of the very best wishes to the administration, faculty, trict’s public lands and trails by more than North Kansas City School District. For half a staff, parents, and students of Winnetonka 61,000 acres and obtaining over $100 million century, as an institution devoted to instilling High School as they commemorate fifty years in local, state, and federal grant funding for the fundamental values of tradition, respect, of exceptional service to Kansas City, and fur- trail and land projects. Robert also established unity, and excellence, Winnetonka High ther extend our best wishes for their continued the Resources Enhancement Mitigation Pro- School has consistently proven itself to be far success. Let us also embrace Winnetonka gram that funded millions of dollars in restora- more than just a brick-and-mortar school. High School’s mission in our own lives; let it tion projects for parks and open space. 1971 represented the first year that students inspire us to educate others responsively, em- Robert’s work, however, went beyond the were warmly welcomed to Winnetonka High brace our duties fully, and prepare holistically logistics of land acquisition and was focused School, a place that future alumni would call the next generation of American leaders, so around the idea that parks should be a haven a ‘‘home away from home.’’ Beginning that that we can fulfill our unique purposes and for everyone in the community. As General year, Winnetonka embarked on an endeavor change our community, our country, and our Manager, Robert led efforts to diversify the to simultaneously provide opportunities to its world for the better. Park District’s user base to better embrace students and service to its community. When disadvantaged youth and other underserved f those first 600 students opened the doors of populations. Civic engagement was supported Winnetonka High School for the first time back OBSERVING THE 28TH ANNIVER- by a Multicultural Advisory Committee and in- on March 1, 1971, they began a tradition of SARY OF THE KHOJALY TRAG- cluded programs such as the Adventure Crew/ excellence that has been carried on by thou- EDY Richmond Rangers, Wellness Walks, and the sands of students since. In that first year, the school-based Kids Healthy Outdoor Challenge. students and staff collaborated to create an HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT Additionally, the Healthy Parks Health People environment where they could explore their OF ALABAMA initiative sought to connect the health benefits possibilities, prioritize building positive relation- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of being outdoors with individuals at high risk ships with others, and celebrate the unique for chronic illness. The inclusivity of the com- purpose that inspires each student. Thursday, February 25, 2021 munity outreach that Robert oversaw has cre- While many things have changed in our Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I want to ated new links between our natural environ- country and in the Kansas City community call into remembrance of the hundreds of ment and community members. This in- over the past fifty years, excellence and inno- Azerbaijanis killed in Khojaly on February 25 creased engagement ensures that our parks

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