June 16, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E941 seen, all of the changes in every facet of pub- RECOGNIZING THE HOLY AND the last two years, ISIL has developed and im- lic and private life, yet that commitment re- GREAT COUNCIL plemented never before seen tactics by using mains. Virlane and Roland’s lifelong commit- social media to recruit foreign fighters and the ment to each other and their family truly em- HON. LEE M. ZELDIN internet to propagate and instill fear. With the bodies Iowa values. As they reflect on their OF NEW YORK emergence of this continually evolving threat, Colonel Garcia has overhauled and expanded 50th anniversary may their commitment grow IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the CENTCOM J39 directorate to counter even stronger, as they continue to love, cher- Thursday, June 16, 2016 ISIL’s internet propaganda machine. ish, and honor one another for many years to Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Currently, he is spearheading an effort for come. recognize the Holy and Great Council of the the Department of Defense to train and equip Mr. Speaker, I commend this great couple Orthodox Church. a joint force capable of addressing emerging on their 50th year together and I wish them Christianity and Orthodox Christianity, in terrorist threats on the internet and social many more. I ask that my colleagues in the particular, have suffered greatly in recent media. They plan to develop a permanent and United States House of Representatives join years. This negative development is the result suitable solution to incorporate the policy, per- of the Islamic fanaticism perpetuated by the sonnel, training, and facilities for all military me in congratulating them on this momentous Islamic State and other terror groups using the commanders across the Department of De- occasion. war in Syria as an excuse to ‘‘ethnically fense to better understand the tactics of ISIL cleanse’’ Orthodox Christians from their vil- as well as engage and influence their target f lages. One such horror was the international audience. broadcast of Islamic State members simulta- Additionally, Colonel Garcia and his team IN RECOGNITION OF DANNY neously beheading twenty-one Egyptians be- are in the process of developing a Web Oper- THOMAS cause they would not convert to Islam when ations Center for the Department of Defense. ordered to denounce their Coptic Orthodox For the first time, the Department of Defense Christian faith. plans to have a centralized location where HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS Several Orthodox Christian Churches from hostile internet activity can be monitored and OF TEXAS around the world will gather in what is called addressed accordingly. This will provide an a Great and Holy Council for the first time in early warning system to assist military com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES over 1,000 years. The focus of the Council will manders with a variety of operations and allow Thursday, June 16, 2016 be internal activities of the various Orthodox them to react quickly, possibly saving the lives Churches; the current crisis for Christians in of our troops. Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the Middle East is also a danger for so many I am grateful for Colonel Garcia’s admirable honor Fire Chief Danny Thomas who is retir- Orthodox Christians and should not go service and dedication in developing counter- ing after 34 years of public service within the unobserved at this history meeting. measures against ISIL. town of Trophy Club. The town has benefited All Christians and all men and women of f immeasurably from his unfaltering dedication, faith and peace should focus on this Great and Holy Council and the individual who con- TRIBUTE TO SHAREF AL NAJJAR unfailing commitment, and unwavering devo- FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY CON- tion to the residents he served. Chief Thomas vened the various hierarchs, Ecumenical Patri- arch Bartholomew. He possibly more than any TRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE has served in several different capacities and other Christian leader understands the Muslim PEOPLE OF THE 18TH CONGRES- played an integral role in the growth of the world; during his life he has seen Muslim cru- SIONAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS AND Trophy Club Fire Department. elty toward Christians, which has greatly di- THE UNITED STATES Chief Thomas began his career in 1982 as minished the number of Christians in the Re- a volunteer firefighter. In 1999 he was hired as public of Turkey. HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE a lieutenant and within one month rose to the The Ecumenical Patriarch experienced the OF TEXAS rank of captain. In 2006 he was promoted to 1955 pogrom carried out against the large IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES chief and has proudly served the Trophy Club Greek Orthodox community in Turkey. The po- Thursday, June 16, 2016 grom resulted in many unnecessary Greek community ever since. Along with his pro- deaths and the destruction of thousands of Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is no motion to fire chief he became the emergency Greek Orthodox businesses, homes, and exaggeration to say that the past several management coordinator and fire marshal for cemeteries. Thousands upon thousands of years have been among the most challenging the town. Chief Thomas had a vision of growth Greeks fled the country in the aftermath. in our nation’s history. The collapse of the and safety for this small community and has The Greek Orthodox community in Turkey housing market, the turmoil on Wall Street and stayed true to that vision from the beginning. has been reduced to a fraction of what it once the ensuing financial crisis, the severe eco- was, yet in light of such violence, the confisca- nomic downturn of 2008 which saw the loss of When Chief Thomas began his career Tro- millions of middle-class jobs, and the ever phy Club only had a volunteer fire department. tion of thousands of Ecumenical Patriarchal properties, and restrictions of religious free- present threat of terrorist attacks on our home- Today, it is a full time department providing dom of the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holi- land are enough to make many question emergency medical and fire rescue services; ness has found ways to cooperate and work whether the American Dream is still attainable boasting 16 full-time employees and four vol- constructively with the Muslim majority in his and to conclude that our best days are behind unteers. Much of the significant expansion and homeland of Turkey. The Ecumenical Patri- us. the many improvements the fire station has arch has much to bring to the table regarding I do not share this view. The future of our seen can be attributed to Chief Thomas. He today’s crisis for Christians in Muslim majority country is bright and I firmly believe that our oversaw the construction of MUD 1 Fire Sta- countries. best days lay ahead. One of the reasons I am tion in 2011 and implemented the Citizens Fire f so optimistic that the 21st century will be known as the second ‘‘American Century’’ is Academy and Citizens Emergency Response RECOGNIZING COLONEL VICTOR the extraordinary quality, talent, commitment, Team. Chief Thomas brought professional in- GABRIEL GARCIA and energy of the young people who will in sight and wisdom to his team. His legacy will time assume the responsibility of leadership. not be forgotten and his service will have a HON. JOE WILSON Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress we lasting impact within the department, as well OF SOUTH CAROLINA know well, perhaps better than most, how as the Trophy Club community. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES blessed our nation is to have in reserve such exceptional young men and women who will As Chief Thomas retires, he is highly es- Thursday, June 16, 2016 teemed by his colleagues and the community go on to become leaders in their local commu- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speak- nities, states, and the nation in the areas of he has served for over 30 years. It is my privi- er, I would like to commend Colonel Victor business, education, government, philan- lege to honor such an outstanding citizen and Gabriel Garcia, Information Operations Chief thropy, the arts and culture, and the military. to serve the town of Trophy Club in the U.S. for CENTCOM, for his work combatting the Is- We know this because we see them and House of Representatives. lamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In benefit from their contributions every day. VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:59 Jun 17, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16JN8.034 E16JNPT1 smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS E942 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 16, 2016 Many of them work for us in our offices as jun- The Eagles triumphed at Friday’s state HONORING RYAN GATTERMEIR ON ior staff members, congressional fellows, or in- meet, where two Eden Prairie routines—short BEING NAMED PRESIDENT OF terns and they do amazing work for and on trio team and long team—were rewarded first- THE MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF behalf of the constituents we are privileged to place finishes. It was a close competition, but REALTORS represent. Eden Prairie’s excellent figure scores put them I rise today to pay tribute and bid fond fare- over the edge to secure both wins. HON. BILLY LONG well to Sharef Al Najjar, an exceptional young OF MISSOURI man who has done incredible work in my of- This Eden Prairie team was determined to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fice in service to my constituents in the Eight- defy odds from the start of the season.