E774 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 10, 2012 succeed, Iliana and Agnes are transforming ment Foundation and continues her critical nation’s farmers and ranchers and extend lives and helping students to reach their full role in the publication of Setting Course. birthday wishes to the USDA. potential. I truly admire Deborah’s ongoing commit- f As our nation observes Teacher Apprecia- ment to helping people of all ages understand tion Week, I urge my colleagues and all Amer- the importance of good nutrition, healthy living, TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK icans to support critical investments in edu- and being a force for positive change in their cation that help to provide all students with a communities. HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ OF FLORIDA high quality education and to make teaching f one of the most valued professions in Amer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ica. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF Thursday, May 10, 2012 AGRICULTURE’S 150TH ANNIVER- f SARY Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, IN RECOGNITION OF THE CON- I rise today to pay tribute to the teachers of TRIBUTIONS OF DEBORAH HON. LAURA RICHARDSON Broward and Miami-Dade Counties during Na- SZEKELY tional Teacher Appreciation Week, taking OF CALIFORNIA place this year from May 7 through May 11, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2012. HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS Thursday, May 10, 2012 This week affords students, parents, and OF CALIFORNIA communities across the nation a chance to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise come together and honor the extraordinary today to pay tribute to one of our greatest Thursday, May 10, 2012 work our teachers are doing in the classroom American success stories. Today let us all to transform the lives of young people and Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise pause to recognize the United States Depart- educate the next American generation. today to recognize a treasured member of the ment of Agriculture’s 150th Birthday. It is a time to remember that education is San Diego community. Deborah Szekely is an President Abraham Lincoln established the the cornerstone of a vibrant and prosperous extraordinary woman of tenacity and dedica- USDA 150 years ago, on May 15, 1862. That America, and to recognize the teachers that tion, and on May 3rd she celebrated her 90th act helped ground our nation’s agriculture in- make America’s successful future a reality. birthday. dustry in science, and helped give our nation As a member of Congress and the proud Deborah is a renowned health and wellness the ability to lead the world in feeding the mother of three children in Broward County advocate, philanthropist, community leader, globe. One of the first responsibilities dele- Public Schools, I see the talent and hard work and champion for childhood nutrition. At 90 gated to the USDA was the Homestead Act. of our teachers every day—not just in my role years old, she represents the beauty and en- The Homestead Act gave pre-approved U.S. as a policy maker, but in a very personal way. ergy that comes from a life committed to citizens undeveloped federal land at no cost if Educating the next generation is an essen- health and wellness, and she outpaces young- they agreed to develop that land. This act led tial and great act of public service—it’s a call- er fitness advocates. She truly lives what she to the settling of the Great Plains; today those ing that our teachers have answered because teaches. Along with her husband, Edmond lands are the world’s largest producers of they care, they believe in our children, and Szekely, she founded Rancho la Puerta, a wheat and corn. they choose to make a difference in the lives destination spa and wellness center in Baja Our nation’s agriculture industry has, of future generations. California, and the Golden Door Spa in Escon- throughout our history, been a significant force For our students, nothing is more important dido, California. She is committed to helping in our economy. One out of every twelve than an excellent teacher at the front of the others prioritize healthy living. Americans is employed in an agriculture-re- room and in their lives, and now more than Deborah has worked with my office on initia- lated industry. So it is important to recognize ever, we must make an investment in our fu- tives related to educating children about health that agriculture is not just a nostalgic notion of ture by investing in our teachers. and nutrition. She is committed to changing the past but remains a foundation of the We must provide them with the resources the culture of eating and making sure young American economy. The influence of American they need to successfully do their jobs, and children understand the importance of healthy farmers and ranchers not only reaches every we must afford them the respect and support food, and the role it plays in wellness. Ever state and household within the United States, that their profession deserves. the energetic advocate, on May 3, 2012, her but it can be felt all around the world. The Port Thank you to Florida’s teachers for investing 90th birthday, Deborah launched of Long Beach, in my district, exports millions your skills and talents into the lives of future wellnesspring.org, a grassroots effort to en- of metric tons of agricultural cargo to our vital generations, and thank you for the sacrifices courage the creation of a culture of wellness Asian trade partners every year. made each day to ensure that our kids have throughout the United States. I appreciate her American consumers spend on average less the tools they need to learn. We are all grate- laser focus when it comes to reaching people than ten percent of their disposable income on ful for your work. and educating them about the importance of food. That ten percent represents the lowest f living a healthy lifestyle and eating well. percentage in the history of the world. By HONORING FALLEN STAFF SGT. In addition to her healthy living work, Debo- comparison, most European consumers spend THOMAS KENT FOGARTY rah has served as the president of the Inter- more than double that and in developing coun- American Foundation, worked with the Organi- tries the percentage is often higher than 50 zation of American States, and served as prin- percent. Our nation’s advanced system of pro- HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK OF CALIFORNIA cipal delegate to the Inter-American Commis- duction agriculture is evidence of how suc- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sion on Women. She currently works as the cessful the USDA has been in ensuring a Chairman and Founder of the New Americans safe, affordable and abundant food supply. Thursday, May 10, 2012 Museum in San Diego and serves on the Today, the United States is the world leader Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise, along with Board of Directors for the Center for Science in the development and use of agricultural bio- my colleague Rep. BARBARA LEE of California, in the Public Interest and the Old Globe The- technology, contributing to our positive bal- to honor the service and sacrifice of Staff Sgt. atre in San Diego. ance of agricultural trade. We must continue Thomas Kent Fogarty, age 30, of Alameda, Deborah ran for Congress in 1982, and supporting policies that promote the smart use California. He was killed in action on May 6th, while she did not win that election, through of research, science and biotechnology that 2012 in Pakita Province, Afghanistan. The that process she conceived the idea of Setting has enabled production agriculture to thrive. married father of two sons, ages 2 and 5, was Course, a publication of the Congressional We must embrace the importance of agricul- felled by an improvised explosive device that Management Foundation which provides guid- tural innovation in the same way we endorse detonated near the vehicle he was com- ance on the fundamentals of managing a con- innovation in fields such as health care or manding. gressional office. The first edition of Setting communications. My heart goes out to SSG Fogarty’s wife Course was published in 1984, and the 12th Mr. Speaker, our producers remain a critical Vanessa, their young sons, his parents and edition of Setting Course just recently came source of jobs and innovation. Maintaining a his friends for the loss of this noble man and out. This manual has been an invaluable re- strong agriculture industry is vital to the soldier. SSG Fogarty made the ultimate sac- source to congressional offices, including my present and future U.S. economy and is crit- rifice in service to his country. His fellow coun- own. Deborah is still a member of the Board ical to the economic and political stability. It is trymen and women, and I, will be forever of Directors for the Congressional Manage- with great pride and respect that I honor our grateful. VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:16 May 11, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A10MY8.030 E10MYPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS May 10, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E775 A graduate of Alameda High School, SSG guration to his second term as the leader of Union Baptist Church meeting on the second Fogarty entered the military in 2003 and his The Republic of China (Taiwan). floor and the first African-American school in first deployment was in January of 2005. His Back in January of this year, the people of Alton using the first floor. tragic and untimely death occurred after eight Taiwan reelected President Ma Ying-jeou and The church was forced to sell the building in years and three months of service to his coun- on May 20th he will have his second inaugura- the later years of the 19th Century and went try, and only a month after his arrival in Af- tion.