November 8, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1539 of my constituents and an American hero, TRIBUTE TO BLUE STAR MOTHERS Martin is the Band Director at Clarinda Mid- Corporal Virgil Hanks. Corporal Hanks passed dle School in Clarinda, Iowa. He has served in away last week at the age of 96, just a few HON. TODD ROKITA that position since 2003. A graduate of days before Veterans Day. OF INDIANA Morningside College and the University of Corporal Hanks joined the United States IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Kansas, he serves as the Southwest Iowa Army Air Corps in 1942 and was honorably Bandmaster’s Association representative for discharged from the military at the end of Wednesday, November 8, 2017 middle school affairs and has served as dis- World War II following four years of service. In Mr. ROKITA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to trict president of the Southwest Iowa Band- 2015, in his hometown of Social Circle, Geor- recognize and salute Blue Star Mothers in master’s Association. He also fills a leadership gia, I had the distinct honor of presenting Cor- honor of Military Family Appreciation Month. role in the Journey of Excellence Mentor Pro- poral Hanks with a certificate of Congressional Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, gram for first year teachers and is a member Recognition and a World War II Victory Medal grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal of the District Leadership Team, which fo- for his valuable and selfless contribution to our guardians who have children serving in the cuses on teacher professional development Nation’s wartime efforts. military, Guard or Reserve, or who are vet- activities for visual arts, music, and physical Virgil Hanks will be remembered as an in- erans. These women provide support for the education. credibly kind and humble man, dedicated to service members that make up our military, Mr. Speaker, I applaud and congratulate his late wife, siblings, and children, whom he the veterans on the homefront, and the fami- Martin for earning this award. He is an excel- loved fiercely. His legacy of service survives to lies of our service members and veterans. lent example of how hard work and dedication this day throughout Georgia’s 10th Congres- The Blue Star Mothers started in the United can affect the future of our youth and their sional District, and he will be buried at the States 75 years ago during World War II in education. I ask that my colleagues in the Georgia National Cemetery with his other Flint, Michigan. On January 22, 1942, the Flint United States House of Representatives join brothers and sisters in arms. News Advertiser printed a coupon asking me in congratulating Martin for this out- Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me mothers of servicemen to return the coupon standing recognition and in wishing him noth- in a moment of silence to honor the life of after filling it out. The following February, 300 ing but continued success. Corporal Virgil Hanks, a hero who deserves mothers came together for their first meeting the respect of all Americans and will be sorely and decided to form a permanent organiza- f missed by so many in the community. tion. They started working in hospitals and f train stations, packed care packages for sol- diers, and became a working part of homeland SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS CELEBRATING THE 100TH security during times of war. ANNIVERSARY OF HONOR BANK Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, Today, Blue Star Mothers have a presence agreed to by the Senate of February 4, in 40 states consisting of almost 300 chapters 1977, calls for establishment of a sys- HON. JACK BERGMAN nationwide. In the State of Indiana, we have tem for a computerized schedule of all OF MICHIGAN seven chapters that I would like to recognize meetings and hearings of Senate com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES directly. These chapters are the Blue Star mittees, subcommittees, joint commit- Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Mothers of Indiana out of Monticello, the Blue tees, and committees of conference. Star Hoosier Mothers out of Crawfordsville, This title requires all such committees Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it’s my honor the North Central Indiana Blue Star Mothers to recognize Honor Bank upon the occasion of to notify the Office of the Senate Daily out of Kokomo, the St. Joe Valley Blue Star Digest—designated by the Rules Com- its 100th Anniversary. Through its trusted Mothers out of South Bend, the Fort Wayne services, reliable staff, and community en- mittee—of the time, place and purpose Area Blue Star Mothers out of Fort Wayne, the of the meetings, when scheduled and gagement, Honor Bank has become an indis- Hoosier Heartland Blue Star Mothers out of pensable part of Northern Michigan. any cancellations or changes in the Kokomo, and the Indy Blue Star Mothers out meetings as they occur. Founded in 1917 as Honor State Bank, just of Indianapolis. Each of these groups has had $20,000 in capital and a determined staff built an incredible impact on our community and on As an additional procedure along the bank into the community institution it is the Hoosier service members and their fami- with the computerization of this infor- today. Over the course of 100 years, Honor lies. mation, the Office of the Senate Daily Bank forged its path to success through World These women know what it means to serve Digest will prepare this information for Wars and financial crises, all while maintaining our country. They live it each and every day. printing in the Extensions of Remarks its commitment to the community it was built It is with their help and strength that we are section of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD upon. Today, the bank’s capital has grown, yet able to have the greatest military the world on Monday and Wednesday of each it still promotes its ideals of independent com- has ever seen. Behind each of our heroes, week. munity banking. both at home and abroad, you will likely find Meetings scheduled for Thursday, No- The bank’s Honor Code of integrity, hard a Blue Star Mother providing them the sup- vember 9, 2017 may be found in the work, responsibility, teamwork, and reliability is port, encouragement, and courage they need Daily Digest of today’s RECORD. illustrated through its Giving Back to our Com- to fight our foes. Mr. Speaker, we need more munities program. During each month of this Americans like the Blue Star Mothers. MEETINGS SCHEDULED year’s anniversary celebrations, Honor Bank is f highlighting the work of a local non-profit NOVEMBER 14 agency chosen by the bank’s employees. TRIBUTE TO MARTIN ALDRICH 9:30 a.m. Through this Agency Spotlight, customers and Committee on Energy and Natural Re- employees are encouraged to donate needed HON. DAVID YOUNG sources To hold an oversight hearing to examine items, and employees volunteer on average OF IOWA hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto 100 minutes per month to the selected agen- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cy. These charities have included the Betsie Rico and the United States Virgin Is- Wednesday, November 8, 2017 lands. Valley District Library, Michigan Blood, and the SD–366 Benzie Food Pantry. Honor Bank continues to Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise 10 a.m. set a positive example of what can be today to recognize and congratulate Martin Al- Committee on Armed Services achieved when a company is built around a drich of Clarinda, Iowa for being selected as To hold hearings to examine the nomina- community. the 2016–17 Educator of the Year by Schmitt tions of Anthony Kurta, of Montana, to Mr. Speaker, it’s my honor to congratulate Music Company. The Schmitt Music Company be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Honor Bank and its staff for 100 years of suc- operates music stores in 7 Midwest states, of- and James E. McPherson, of Virginia, cess, service, and community investments. fering help to over 13,000 students per year to be General Counsel of the Depart- ment of the Army, both of the Depart- Michiganders can take great pride in knowing with music lessons, and employing nearly 400 ment of Defense, and Gregory E. the First District is home to such dedicated people, many who are professional musicians. Maggs, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish They are dedicated to recognizing teachers United States Court of Appeals for the Honor Bank all the best in its future endeav- who go above and beyond in their musical ca- Armed Forces. ors. reers. SD–G50 VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:48 Nov 09, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08NO8.036 E08NOPT1 E1540 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 8, 2017 Committee on Environment and Public Committee on Foreign Relations Judge for the Eastern District of Ken- Works Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, tucky. Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear and International Cybersecurity Policy SD–226 Safety To hold hearings to examine American 2 p.m. To hold hearings to examine S. 1857, to leadership in the Asia-Pacific, focusing Committee on Foreign Relations establish a compliance deadline of May on the view from Beijing. Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, 15, 2023, for Step 2 emissions standards SD–419 Transnational Crime, Civilian Secu- for new residential wood heaters, new rity, Democracy, Human Rights, and residential hydronic heaters, and NOVEMBER 15 Global Women’s Issues To hold hearings to examine attacks on forced-air furnaces, S. 203, to reaffirm 9 a.m.