July 18, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1085 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING THE LATE MAYOR RECOGNIZING STAFF SERGEANT RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVER- JAMES D. GRIFFIN ON THE OC- CLIFFORD M. WOOLDRIDGE AS SARY OF THE SLOVAK DAY CASION OF THE RUN JIMMY RUN THE 2013 MARINE CORPS TIMES CELEBRATION 5K RACE MARINE OF THE YEAR HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY OF INDIANA HON. BRIAN HIGGINS HON. DEREK KILMER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW YORK OF WASHINGTON Thursday, July 18, 2013 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my dis- tinct honor to recognize the 40th anniversary Thursday, July 18, 2013 Thursday, July 18, 2013 of the Slovak Day Celebration. In honor of this Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to momentous occasion, a commemorative event remember the life and legacy of one of Buf- recognize Staff Sergeant Clifford M. will take place on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at falo’s great leaders, our late Mayor James D. Wooldridge, an ‘‘Everyday Hero’’ as the 2013 the Salvatorian Shrine in Merrillville, Indiana. Griffin who served as the city’s top civic leader Marine of the Year. SSgt. Wooldridge was The first Slovak Day Celebration took place from 1978 to 1993, on the occasion of the first previously awarded the Navy Cross for her- at the Seven Dolores Shrine in Valparaiso, In- race held in his honor, the Run Jimmy Run 5k. oism in Afghanistan. In 2012 he was awarded diana in 1973, when Father Joseph Viater, along with Betty and Carl Yurechko, decided the USO Marine of the Year. SSgt. Inspired by Mayor Griffin’s tenacious spirit, that Slovak heritage and culture should be Wooldridge has continued to serve his country dedication to the City of Buffalo, and commit- honored in Northwest Indiana with a day of ment to good works and good causes, the both professionally as a Marine and through celebration. Run Jimmy Run 5k kicks off at 10 am on July volunteering. He was selected as the Marine Slovak Day has been a great success over 21, 2013. The proceeds from the day’s events Corps Times Marine of the Year for his vol- the years, and the day is celebrated each year will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of unteerism and bravery in combat. with a Slovak Catholic Mass, followed by tradi- Western New York. Additionally, items will be The Marine Corps Times honors tional Slovak food and performances by Slo- donated to the City Mission and baseball tick- servicemembers, like SSgt. Wooldridge, who vak dancers. Throughout the years, many ets will be donated to the Special Olympics, demonstrate pride, dedication, and courage bishops have come to celebrate this significant organizations that were near and dear to beyond expectations. He is an instructor with event, including Bishop Sokol from Slovakia, Mayor Griffin’s heart. the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment Bishop Adamec of Pennsylvania, and Bishops Andrew G. Grutka and Dale J. Melczek of the Beginning at One James D. Griffin Plaza, in and teaches and mentors junior Marines. He teaches them technical skills they will need in Diocese of Gary, Indiana. Additionally, over front of the baseball stadium for which Mayor the past 40 years, many dedicated volunteers Griffin was the driving force behind building, close quarter combat and shares personal sto- ries so they can learn from previous mistakes. from Slovak churches throughout the region the race course passes through the heart of have given their time and efforts to this day. downtown and along the waterfront. After the Professional duties aside, it is SSgt. I would like to take this time to recognize race’s completion at home plate, there will be Wooldridge’s service to his community that the numerous hardworking committee mem- a post-race party and Bison’s baseball game. has earned him this latest honor. He has bers for their outstanding dedication to this The Run Jimmy Run charity event was initi- spent countless hours assisting disabled and event. They are Betty Yurechko, Lillian and ated by Mayor Griffin’s children to honor the recovering veterans with the Wounded Warrior John Zaborske, Agnes Chervenak, Melissa memory of their father and raise funds for an Project and served as an athlete sponsor and and Jason Yurechko, Ann Fedorchak, Leona organization that they came to rely on in a was the host Marine for the Special Olympics Cupka, Elaine Ruzbasan, Betty Ortiz, Andy very personal way. Mayor Griffin succumbed in Virginia Beach. He helped a terminally ill Sacek, Irene Horn Riggio, and Reverend John to a rare neurodegenerative disorder and young man receive recognition as an honorary Kalicky. many of the nurses who cared for him were Marine. While all his volunteer activities are Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in trained by the Alzheimer’s Association. important to him, SSgt. Wooldridge has a spe- cial passion for the Honored American Vet- recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Slovak Alzheimer’s is a tough disease that touches erans Afield, which helps combat veterans Day Celebration. The Slovak community has many of our lives. It’s critically important that transition through hunting, fishing, and other played an important role in enriching the qual- we continue to fight for increased funding for outdoor activities. ity of life and culture of Northwest Indiana. For Alzheimer’s research and I pledge to continue their commitment to preserving Slovak herit- that fight in Washington. I wish to sincerely SSgt. Wooldridge’s outdoor skills were age, the committee members, church leaders, thank all those involved with the Run Jimmy honed in his hometown of Port Angeles, in and volunteers are worthy of the highest Run 5k, especially Mayor Griffin’s three chil- Washington State, the place where I, too, was praise. dren Maureen, Megan and Thomas, for their born and raised. There he experienced the f efforts in the fight against Alzheimer’s. beautiful and plentiful natural resources found only on the Olympic Peninsula. Graduating HONORING OFFICER DANIEL ‘‘JJ’’ Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a LOMAX few moments to remember the incredible leg- from Port Angeles High School in 2006, SSgt. Wooldridge completed training as a diesel me- acy of our late Mayor James D. Griffin and the HON. TOM MARINO work he has inspired for the future of Buffalo. chanic and left his home in the Pacific North- OF PENNSYLVANIA I can think of no better tribute to the man who west for a life as a Marine in service to others. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES brought professional baseball back to Buffalo Mr. Speaker, I can say with confidence that then a run through downtown Buffalo, followed our community is a better place thanks to the Thursday, July 18, 2013 by a ballgame at ‘‘The Field that Jimmy Built.’’ ongoing, selfless commitment of people like Mr. MARINO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to I wish to extend all participants and organizers SSgt. Wooldridge. The Port Angeles commu- honor Daniel Lomax, a firefighter and police a successful run and fun-filled day with special nity applauds SSgt. Wooldridge for his service officer who laid down his life in the service thanks to Mayor Griffin’s children, extended to country and we honor him today as the and protection of his community. Officer family and friends for honoring the life and leg- 2013 Marine of the Year. On behalf of our Lomax’s End of Watch was Saturday, June acy of the late, great Mayor James D. Griffin. thankful nation, thank you. 22, 2013. ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:44 Jul 19, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K18JY8.001 E18JYPT1 pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1086 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 18, 2013 Daniel Lomax, known as ‘‘JJ’’ to his friends, help of her late husband David. Together, they years, Sue has been the primary legislative li- always put the safety of others first. He dem- successfully restored a historical building in Al- aison for Fairfax County, serving as the eyes, onstrated that when he stopped to help the exandria to house the Red Cross Operations. ears, voice, and chief advocate for local gov- victim of a car accident while he was off duty, As I mentioned previously, Glenda opted for ernment in the halls of the Virginia General sacrificing his own safety for the good of oth- an early retirement from Delta Airlines so that Assembly and Congress. ers. she could live a simpler life. It is my guess Her success in educating state and federal He devoted his life to serving others as a that, though Glenda is retiring from her posi- legislators about the interests of local govern- member of the Mayfield, Forest City, and tion as owner and operator of her restaurants, ment stems from her background as a class- Great Bend Police Departments. He also she is not slowing down. Glenda Stock is a room teacher. Having once attended classes served as the Deputy Fire Chief in the woman to be admired and respected by her in a one-room schoolhouse, Sue initially pur- Factoryville Fire Department and volunteered peers for her motivated and philanthropic sued a career in education.