E1228 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 21, 2009 have a very large work family and a man I than two decades and know firsthand of his all race, ages, and backgrounds—were victims considered the father of that family passed many accomplishments. of neglect and abuse. Madam Speaker, as away April 19. Professor Dirks comes from a long line lin- parents we know that children require stability J. Paul Russell was a visionary, not only in eage of community activists, a lineage that and permanency to thrive. Love and security the textile industry but as a community leader has helped fuel his tireless fight for Southwest help the development of healthy and confident as well. With Mr. Russell’s passing, Mont- College, Mission College and the entire Los young adults. Sadly, due to circumstances be- gomery County has lost a true legend and one Angeles school system. yond their control, foster children are uprooted of its most impassioned leaders. Upon graduating from Occidental College, from their homes and represent the one of Mr. Russell had a personal interest in all his Professor Dirks got an invitation from R. Sar- largest constituencies of displaced people in employees. He treated all people with respect. gent Shriver, the Director of the Peace Corps the United States. In fact, numerous studies He knew the names of their children and to join ‘‘Ghana One’’ and teach in the very first show the increased difficulties foster children grandchildren. I worked closely with his son Peace Corps group. During this time, he built must overcome, especially the lack of support Charles during my time at the mill, and two schools in Ghana and helped build the for foster care youth as they transition to Charles treated people the same way. It is first public library in Liberia. He also set up adulthood and independence. why people chose to work at the Mills for 20 community development training programs for the Peace Corps in Puerto Rico and helped Child welfare services have a shared goal to or 30 years. find safe, stable, and loving homes for these It was this type of determination and com- build flood control dams in Kenya. This experi- ence led to his lifelong mission of rebuilding young people. Unfortunately, this dream is not mitment that helped our communities prosper, always realized. Last year, Congress passed and that we miss so much now that so much and working in the Los Angeles education community’s areas of need. and the President signed the Fostering Con- of the textile industry is gone. nections to Success Act. This legislation was Mr. Russell was part of the ‘‘Greatest Gen- By joining the community college district, and becoming the Faculty Guild President, an important step in improving the nation’s eration’’ and he had that entrepreneurial spirit. child welfare system, but more can be done. The textile industry was just one of his many Professor Dirks helped erect permanent build- ings in the north-east San Fernando Valley, I look forward to continuing to work with my contributions to our community. He was instru- friends and colleagues on the Ways and mental in bringing the county airport to Star where a college was most needed. A long time volunteer in politics, he used his experi- Means Committee Subcommittee on Income and the hospital to Troy. Security and Family Support to improve the During those years, so many of us here in ence as a co-campaign coordinator for Bobby experiences of those young people living in Montgomery County relied on the Russell fam- Kennedy to lobby then-city councilman Tom and preparing to exit foster care. ily for our livelihood. For a period of many Bradley on getting permanent structures on years, the Mill employed 800 people from our the Southwest College campus. Madam Speaker, each and every young community. But it wasn’t just jobs that the Professor Dirks knows that ‘‘it takes a vil- person has a right to a childhood. During Na- Russell family provided, it was community lage’’ and over the years he has received nu- tional Foster Care Month, I hope that commu- leadership. They didn’t just live in our commu- merous accolades and great support from his nities around the country really come together nities—they were our county commissioners, community. He is deserving of commendation and think of ways to improve the lives of Boy Scout leaders, served on town board— for his tireless campaign to secure adequate young people in the child welfare system. much of which Mr. Russell did himself. higher education in the northeast San Fer- There were and are Mr. Russell’s in every nando Valley. With a combination of union f community across our District. We all know backing and political tenacity, Professor Dirks how our communities have been affected by was able to secure a budget for Mission Col- A PROCLAMATION HONORING the loss of the textile industry. It was not only lege from then Governor Deukmajian. As one STAFF SERGEANT JOSEPH the loss of jobs which we still struggle to re- of the founding faculty members of Mission SOLVEY FOR RECEIVING THE place, but it was the loss of leadership as well. College, he was instrumental in organizing the SILVER STAR MEDAL CITATION These families provided so much leadership in faculty into a union and putting together sup- FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION our community, and it was all gone so quickly. port for a permanent site and buildings. The One of the things I will always remember Chancellor and both the California State Sen- about J. Paul Russell was his spirit. He was ate and Assembly have named Professor HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE Dirks ‘‘The Faculty Father of Mission College.’’ an amazing person, one that attacked life with OF OHIO gusto, not just in his work but when he was Madam Speaker and distinguished col- having fun as well. He lived his life to the full- leagues, I ask you to join me in saluting Pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fessor Dirks for his impressive career and est. Thursday, May 21, 2009 This is a chance for me to honor, not only dedication to the people of the San Fernando Mr. Russell and his family for their contribu- Valley, and to congratulate him on the occa- Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: sion of his retirement. tions, but to all of those people who make a Whereas, Staff Sergeant Solvey was as- f difference in our community. signed as a Private First Class to Infantry Those special people are scattered through- RECOGNIZING NATIONAL FOSTER Company E, 104th Infantry Regiment, US out our District. They spend their time doing CARE MONTH Army; and things they know will better their community and make a difference in the lives of the peo- HON. JOHN LEWIS Whereas, Staff Sergeant Solvey was in- ple around them. It is the best legacy we can volved in a morning attack near Bettborn, Lux- OF GEORGIA hope to leave. It is the legacy that J. Paul embourg on December 22, 1944; and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Russell has left. Mr. Russell will dearly be Whereas, Staff Sergeant Solvey refused an Thursday, May 21, 2009 missed by his family, friends, and community, evacuation order and, though injured, put him- and his contributions made to our community. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I self at substantial personal risk to eliminate a f rise today in proud support of H. Res. 931, a German tank threatening to break the Amer- resolution recognizing National Foster Care ican position; and PROFESSOR CHARLES E. DIRKS Month. I thank my friend and colleague on the Whereas, Staff Sergeant Solvey enabled his Ways and Means Committee, Chairman company to accomplish its objective by mov- McDermott, for sponsoring this important reso- HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN ing in the face of fire and showing great per- OF CALIFORNIA lution. sonal courage and valor; now, therefore, be it IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES During National Foster Care Month, we pay tribute to the half million children presently in Resolved, that along with his friends, family, Thursday, May 21, 2009 the child welfare system and the many others and the residents of the 18th Congressional Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am hon- in the network—mentors, volunteers, friends, District, I congratulate Staff Sergeant Solvey ored to pay tribute to my good friend Pro- extended families, and organizations who fill in on winning the Silver Star for gallantry in ac- fessor Charles Dirks, on the occasion of his the gaps in Federal and State coverage to tion. We recognize the tremendous sacrifice, retirement from Los Angeles Mission College. help these young people find their way. determination, and courage that he displayed I have had the pleasure of working with him In Georgia, there are thousands of children that day in December 1944, and all the days on important issues in our community for more living in foster care. These young people—of of his service to the United States Army. VerDate Nov 24 2008 06:08 Jul 09, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\RECORD09\RECFILES\E21MY9.REC E21MY9 mmaher on PROD1PC76 with CONG-REC-ONLINE May 21, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1229 HONORING COLONEL SCOTT fense during the Israeli Independence War. A PROCLAMATION HONORING PRI- VANDER HAMM Had Mr. Winters and other Americans not pro- VATE FIRST CLASS (PFC) EU- vided this assistance at such a critical time, GENE F. WOOD FOR RECEIVING HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN Israel may not have survived as an inde- THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH OF SOUTH DAKOTA pendent state and become one of our Nation’s ‘‘V’’ DEVICE CITATION FOR HER- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES staunchest allies.