E864 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 9, 2016 RECOGNIZING THE LEADERSHIP appointees from the 27th Congressional Dis- would do just that, the Equality Act, and re- OF MIKE GRAYUM TO THE trict of Texas. main committed to ensuring Congress enacts NORTHWEST INDIAN FISHERIES The following outstanding young men and laws to fully protect the rights of all Americans, COMMISSION AND THE PUGET women have accepted academy appoint- regardless of gender, ethnicity or race. SOUND REGION ments: I am proud to represent communities all Joshua Aaron Agosto, Burkburnett High along the Central Coast who celebrate our di- HON. DEREK KILMER School, United States Merchant Marine Acad- versity and continue to fight towards the OF WASHINGTON emy; Lucas Antonio Beltran, Richard King equality that the LGBT community so rightly IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES High School, United States Naval Academy; deserves. Just this past Sunday, Santa Cruz celebrated their Pride Parade, just as they’ve Thursday, June 9, 2016 Roberto Esai Cervantes, Calallen High School, New Mexico Military Institute, United States done for forty-one years. Marchers, musicians, Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Merchant Marine Academy; Julian Eduardo and drummers marched, danced, and waved recognize Mike Grayum, who will retire this Flores, St. Stephens’s Episcopal School, flags of every color down Pacific Avenue. We year after 11 years as the Executive Director United States Air Force Academy; Amanda Ni- are inspired by the beat of their drum to march of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission cole Madrid, Richard King High School, United on towards equality. (NWIFC) in Washington State. Mike is one of States Air Force Academy; Matthew Joseph f NWIFC’s original employees and has served Moffitt, W.B. Ray High School, United States BRETAGNE: A K–9 HERO in various positions with the Commission since Military Academy; Austin M Nguyen, W.B. Ray 1976. High School, United States Military Academy; NWIFC is stronger, more unified, and better Gavin Senterfitt, Richard King High School, HON. TED POE positioned to serve its member Tribes be- New Mexico Military Institute; Alana Stern, OF TEXAS cause of Mike’s service and leadership. Born Gonzales High School, United States Naval IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES out of the Boldt Decision over 40 years ago, Academy Preparatory School, Greystone Pre- Thursday, June 9, 2016 NWIFC has been a critical voice in natural re- paratory School at Schreiner University, Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, heroes and source policy at the local, state, and federal United States Naval Academy; Tanner servants of our country come in all shapes levels. Mike has played an integral role in de- Strawbridge, W.B. Ray High School, United and sizes. Sept. 11, 2001 is one of those days veloping that voice and crafting policies to States Naval Academy; Clayton Daley Thomp- that will live in infamy. The shameful attack of support NWIFC’s mission and help navigate son, Flour Bluff High School, United States that morning, as President Bush noted in his often-challenging issues. Naval Academy Preparatory School. In addition to assisting member Tribes in address, was meant to frighten our nation. But I ask my colleagues to join me in cele- their resource management practices, Mike we did not descend into chaos and retreat. brating these remarkable students achieve- partnered with past NWIFC Chair Billy Frank September 12 was a day that saw our country ment. I’m confident they will serve our country Jr. and Current Chair Lorraine Loomis in edu- united and resolved. A helping hand was ex- well and I pray success will follow them in all cating elected officials, government agency tended by individuals and organizations from their future endeavors. staff, and the public at-large on Tribal Treaty all across this nation. We all came together, and in doing so we Rights, including producing the vital document f won the first battle of the war on terror. The Treaty Rights at Risk. Mike has played an im- IN HONOR OF PRIDE MONTH men responsible for that attack wanted to portant role in protecting these sacred cultural shake the foundations of America, but in the practices and joined countless Tribal Leaders HON. SAM FARR wake of the disaster we demonstrated the from around the region in highlighting their im- OF CALIFORNIA power of our country, e pluribus unum, in full portance to past, present, and future genera- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES glory. tions. An example of that glory manifested can be Mr. Speaker, for the past four decades, Thursday, June 9, 2016 found in Texas Task Force One, which came Mike Grayum has fiercely advocated for poli- Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, throughout June, over 1600 miles to lend a hand in the search cies to protect our environment, restore nat- LGBT community members and allies across for survivors. One invaluable member of that ural habitat for salmon and other species, and our country will march down Main Street to force was Bretagne (pronounced Britney), a recover Puget Sound. He has undoubtedly celebrate the tremendous progress we have rescue dog of the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire De- served as a mentor to younger staff at NWIFC made towards equality. I rise today to honor partment in Cypress, Texas. She helped mem- and member Tribes and has helped grow the the many individuals in my district, as well as bers of the rescue team search the rubble of next generation of stewards of our environ- across the country, who have fought for gen- the World Trade Center. ment and protectors of Tribal Treaty Rights. erations for the right to be treated fairly and It is important that we show tribute to all, Thankfully, NWIFC is blessed to have Justin with decency. You have led the charge even the four-legged soldiers. Sixteen year old Parker continue that tradition and lead these against bigotry, towards equality. We celebrate Bretagne, a golden retriever from Cypress, efforts in the future as the next Executive Di- Pride Month in honor of you. Texas, was the last living search and rescue rector. In the 24 years that I’ve served in Congress, dog who worked at Ground Zero after the 9/ Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join Tribal the understanding and acceptance of the 11 terrorist attacks. She recently passed away Leaders, environmental advocates, local elect- LGBT community has greatly improved. Fami- at age 16. She was a beloved member of the ed officials, and salmon lovers from through- lies across the country have opened their team, and we are grateful for her service to out the Pacific Northwest in expressing my hearts to welcome increasingly diverse neigh- this country. gratitude today in the United States Congress bors and loved ones. This change can also be She first became a rescue dog in 2000, at for Mike Grayum’s 40 years of leadership and felt in the halls of Congress. Just this past the Cy-Fair Fire Department. Bretagne not dedication. As the proud Representative of month, an amendment to prevent discrimina- only aided the heroes of 9/11, but also located Washington’s 6th Congressional District in the tion against Federal employees and contrac- and rescued hundreds of citizens after natural House of Representatives, I offer my best tors on the basis of sexual orientation or gen- disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in New wishes for a happy retirement. der identity passed the House with bipartisan Orleans. When in Houston, Bretagne visited f support, after having been defeated just the elementary schools, as a symbol to the chil- 2016 SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINT- week before. Discrimination against the LGBT dren that courage doesn’t just have one face. MENTS FROM THE 27TH CON- community is increasingly being recognized for To the despair of the Cypress community GRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF what it is—bigotry—and federal policy is start- that so loved and adored her, brave little TEXAS ing the long trek to catch up. Bretagne’s health declined. Her years of loyal I do not deny that there is still much work service and devotion to the American people HON. BLAKE FARENTHOLD to be done. North Carolina’s recent move to began to take a toll, and the veterinarians target transgender children proves that bigotry OF TEXAS were given no choice but to put her down. and hate still must be fought and defeated. She was given the hero’s salute by the fire IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES We must continue to work towards a Federal department just the other day, as she made Thursday, June 9, 2016 prohibition of discrimination based on actual or her last walk into the office. I too salute you, Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I would perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Bretagne, and all other surviving heroes of 9/ like to congratulate the 2016 Service Academy I am a proud cosponsor of legislation that 11. Our nation deeply thanks all of you. VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:49 Jun 10, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K09JN8.004 E09JNPT1 emcdonald on DSK9F6TC42PROD with REMARKS June 9, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E865 And that is just the way it is. and 8th grade students. Stinson’s passion was In the wake of national discrimination and f to help each student reach their full potential. intolerance, the Fourth District has been work- He always reminded his students to dream big ing to build a community that is welcoming GOREVILLE HIGH SCHOOL and work even harder. and accepting to Muslims and practitioners of BASEBALL TEAM A few years later, Stinson transferred to all faiths.