23760 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 152, Pt. 18 December 8, 2006 with $6,000 that he borrowed from his brother, president of the East Texas Symphony Asso- remain manageable for farmers as the river is Apostolos, Nikos created a successful busi- ciation and worked to relocate performances restored. It was also important to me that im- ness, Mana Products, that employs over 600 to the Cowan Center at U.T. Tyler. Billy also pacts to third parties, if any, be minimal and people. For nearly three decades, Mana Prod- served as president of the Tyler Civic Theatre voluntary and the negotiators worked hard to ucts has been an innovative participant in the where he oversaw construction of the create such language. beauty industry. Headquartered in New York, Braithwaite Theater and the opening of the The landmark bill introduced today gives the the company offers research, development, Rogers Children’s Theatre. As president of the people of our Valley a say in how the river is manufacturing and other operations. The com- Tyler Rotary Club he became a Paul Harris restored, as opposed to waiting for an uncer- pany works with some of the most respected Fellow. Billy was a member of the Henry Bell tain outcome from the Federal court. This so- brands and professionals around the globe. In Masonic Lodge, and a founding board mem- lution is science-based and included involve- addition to his company, Nikos has interests in ber of the Better Business Bureau of Central ment from individuals throughout the Valley, real estate as well as investments in other East Texas. He served as a board member for the State and Federal agencies. businesses. Leadership Tyler, the Tyler Independent The significance of this bill cannot be under- Nikos has never forgotten the place of birth, School District Foundation, and the Tyler stated. Over the past year and a half, count- Athienou in Cyprus, where he helps to support Chamber of Commerce and was a member of less hours have been spent in developing this the local home for the elderly, and has helped the Order of the Rose. He was a member of measure, and I commend all those involved in build a day care center. He has also provided the Pairs and Parents Sunday School class, this balanced resolution. I especially want to funding for an archaeological expedition in the an usher, and a past trustee of Marvin United express my appreciation to the Friant Water area of Athienou, Cyprus for Davidson College Methodist Church. Billy also remained active Users Authority, Natural Resources Defense of North Carolina for several years. in the Independent Insurance Agents at local, Council, Department of Interior, Department of Nikos also works to promote Cypriot culture State, and national levels throughout his life. Justice, the Department of Commerce and nu- and human rights interests in the United In 2004, Billy was inducted into the Junior merous third parties who were involved in the States. As a member of the Board of Directors Achievement ‘‘Business Hall of Fame,’’ and development of this bill. and Trustees of the Pancyprian Association of made a member of the honor business frater- I also thank Senator FEINSTEIN, who has in- America, Nikos works to educate young Cyp- nity, Beta Gamma Sigma, at the University of troduced an identical bill in the Senate, for her riot-Americans about the culture and ethnic Texas at Tyler. In 2005, Hibbs-Hallmark & steadfast commitment to this measure along customs of Cyprus and Greece, and to spon- Company was honored with the Better Busi- with the members of the Valley delegation. sor cultural events. He is a member of the ness Bureau’s ‘‘Torch Award’’ for dem- I’m dedicated to the passage of this meas- International Coordinating Committee Justice onstrating a commendable ethical record over ure in Congress and will work toward that end for Cyprus, PSEKA, which seeks freedom and the years, and recently, the Tyler Rotary Club until it is signed into law. justice for the Cypriot people and promotes honored Hibbs by distinguishing all present f international human rights. and future donors of $1,000 as ‘‘Billy Hibbs Nikos and his wife Carol, who is his partner Fellows.’’ ON THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPO- in business as well as in their personal lives, Billy is survived by his loving wife of 48 SIUM ON DEMOCRACY AND CON- have two children, Alexis and Ariana. years, Eugenia ‘‘Jeannie’’ Hibbs, his son Billy GRESS IN TAIPEI, TAIWAN Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me E. Hibbs, Jr., and daughter-in-law Tisa Weiss in saluting Nikos Mouyiaris, a true American Hibbs, two grandchildren, Stratton Weiss HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY hero and a remarkable member of the Hel- Hibbs and London Elizabeth Hibbs, and two OF RHODE ISLAND lenic-American community. sisters, Dorma Shields and Betty Cassels of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Quitman, as well as other relatives. Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Billy was always generous with his time and REMEMBERING BILLY EARL HIBBS leadership and he shared his many blessings Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speak- with his community and his country. Mr. er, this weekend, on December 8 and 9 in Tai- HON. RALPH M. HALL Speaker, Billy Hibbs was a valuable member wan, there will be an important gathering of OF TEXAS of the community whose years of service will legislators from Pacific Rim nations to discuss IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES provide a legacy for many years to come. the role of congresses or legislatures in the f growing number of democracies developing Wednesday, December 6, 2006 across Asia. Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, today it is my privi- SAN JOAQUIN RESTORATION The meeting has been convened by the Pa- lege to honor the life of a dear friend, Billy SETTLEMENT ACT cific Congressional Caucus, an arm of the Earl Hibbs, who passed away earlier this year Democratic Pacific Union, DPU, a regional or- at the age of 67. Billy was a native Texan, HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH ganization of Pacific Rim democracies. born on September 25, 1938 in Quitman. He OF CALIFORNIA Legislative leaders from 20 nations, includ- graduated from Quitman High School and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, married his high school sweetheart, Eugenia Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Stroud, in 1957. Eugenia and Billy had one Wednesday, December 6, 2006 the Philippines, and the host Taiwan are ex- child, Billy Earl Hibbs, Jr. Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, today, I pected to participate. It is unfortunate that, be- Starting with a small, three-person insur- submit to the House bipartisan legislation, the cause of our legislative schedule, no member ance agency, Billy grew his business into ‘‘San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement of this House or of the other body are able to Heartland Security Insurance Group, one of Act,’’ which implements an historic water set- attend. the largest insurance holding companies in the tlement to resolve an 18-year lawsuit to re- However, Mr. Speaker, I did want to take Southwest. Heartland is one of the largest pro- store a salmon fishery on the San Joaquin note of this important meeting that will focus viders of claims services to the Federal Gov- River. on the role of Congress in the various demo- ernment, including all branches of the military The settlement legislation achieves two co- cratic governing models, such as the par- as well as non-military personnel injured in Af- equal goals: it restores the San Joaquin River liamentary system and the presidential sys- ghanistan and Iraq. Despite its size, Heartland and secures water management objectives to tem. Another important set of discussions will maintains its Texas roots with its headquarters mitigate water losses to farmers in the restora- focus on the issue of legislative elections in in Tyler and continues to serve almost half the tion process. These two elements are crucial various democracies, how they are conducted, school districts in Texas. to the success the Act, and they are to be im- and how they are financed. The Texas Legislature recognized Billy’s ac- plemented in tandem. I congratulate Taiwan’s political leaders who complishments in 1981 for his success in han- The main reason I became involved in this were instrumental in creating the DPU and the dling the John Tyler High School fire loss. In issue last year was to ensure a stable water Pacific Congressional Caucus. Taiwan’s Vice 1990, he led the passage of a bond measure supply for Valley farmers. With that premise, President Annette Lu was the prime mover in to provide upgrades to the city of Tyler’s infra- the provisions in this measure were designed bringing the DPU into existence and the structure. A patron of the arts, Billy served as to make certain that water supply levels will Speaker of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, Wang VerDate Nov 24 2008 09:47 Jan 27, 2010 Jkt 049102 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR06\E08DE6.000 E08DE6 cprice-sewell on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with BOUND RECORD December 8, 2006 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 152, Pt. 18 23761 Jin-Pyng, was instrumental in establishing the Conditioning and later Walt Casey’s Culligan Ambassador Vassilakis was born on the is- Pacific Congressional Caucus and in orga- in the 1950s. Walt Casey’s Culligan is now land of Chios on June 13, 1942, where he nizing such meetings as the one this week- known as the largest water conditioning com- grew up and received his basic education, end. pany in the state. graduating from the Commercial High School This effort in Taiwan has been truly bipar- Walter also dedicated his life to enriching of Chios.