E622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 29, 2014 Rather than slander the names of two faithful RECOGNIZING PHILIP P. SMITH ON ‘‘One voice united in prayer.’’ Echoing that men of God, China should take national pride RECEIVING THE SUN SENTINEL’S sentiment of unity, those of us who grew up that two of its own, neither of whom were po- 2013 EXCALIBUR AWARD FOR reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at school litical in either their message or their leader- BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR every morning recall its stirring words with ab- ship of the flock, have had extraordinary im- IN BROWARD COUNTY solute clarity to this very day: ‘‘One Nation pact far beyond the Chinese-speaking world. under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice Mr. Speaker, I call upon the Chinese gov- HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS for all.’’ ernment today to release all those being held OF FLORIDA Yet today in some schools, the Pledge has simply because of their faith in Christ and to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES taken a back seat to busy class schedules abandon this national campaign to discredit Tuesday, April 29, 2014 and that crucial phrase, ‘‘under God,’’ seems under constant fire by an unrestrained judici- and distort the record of two brave followers of Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I the One who came with the message of salva- ary. National Prayer Day serves to remind us rise today to recognize Mr. Philip P. Smith, the we need to regain our footing in this country tion, forgiveness and peace, and instead, to president and chief executive officer of Phil celebrate with us the contributions of Watch- again if we are to stand tall in His eyes among Smith Management, Inc., on receiving the Sun the brotherhood of nations. man Nee and Witness Lee to believers the Sentinel’s 2013 Excalibur Award for Business world over. My efforts in the Congress have long been Leader of the Year in Broward County. Each to preserve our Constitutional guarantees of year, the Sun Sentinel recognizes outstanding freely exercising our religion, and not van- f business executives who exemplify both busi- quishing that right from the public square. ness leadership and community involvement, Since the earliest days of our founding, and in RECOGNIZING MASTER SERGEANT and I can think of no one more deserving of the hearts and minds of those landing on our LANCE NELSON this honor than Phil. Well known as the founder of Phil Smith shores to settle a new world, hope endured Chevrolet, a successful General Motors (GM) through prayer. HON. ADAM SMITH dealership in my Congressional district that I have again introduced a Constitutional OF WASHINGTON serves the greater South Florida area from Amendment to ensure voluntary prayer in pub- lic schools. H.J. Res. 42 reads: ‘‘Nothing in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Palm Beach to Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Phil bought into his first auto dealer- this Constitution, including any amendment to Tuesday, April 29, 2014 ship 35 years ago. While finishing college at the Constitution, shall be construed to prohibit Florida Atlantic University (FAU), he started voluntary prayer or require prayer in school, or Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, it is working at a Ford dealership in Pompano to prohibit voluntary prayer or require prayer at with great admiration that I rise to congratulate Beach. Owner Pete Menten saw Phil’s poten- a public school extracurricular activity.’’ In the MSgt. Lance Nelson on being named the tial, and not only kept him on the job after his past, I had jointly introduced this amendment Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year. graduation but later gave him the chance to with our late senator, Robert C. Byrd. And, I This award, given annually by the Tacoma- buy into a small Toyota store in Homestead. have co-sponsored H. Res. 547, supporting Pierce County Chamber Military Affairs Com- With help and support from Menten, Southeast the 63rd annual observance of the National mittee and the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma, rec- Toyota Distributors Chief Jim Moran, and oth- Day of Prayer on May 1, 2014, and urge all ognizes an individual who upholds his or her ers, Phil grew his business and now leads an West Virginians to come together to pray and commitment to civic responsibility in an exem- auto-dominated group with 780 employees reaffirm the importance prayer has played in plary way. MSgt. Nelson has served his com- and about $500 million in annual revenue. our nation’s heritage. munity and country in great measure and is With a direct hands-on sales and manage- As wise old Ben Franklin told his fellow del- truly deserving of this award. ment approach, Phil has built his company egates in calling for daily prayer at our Con- During his time in the 728th Airlift Squadron, from the ground up and now operates 17 auto stitutional Convention, ‘‘the longer I live, the 446th Airlift Wing, MSgt. Nelson has personi- dealerships throughout Florida, Georgia, and more convincing proofs I see of this truth— fied what it means to be an airman. He not North Carolina, as well as the Coral Ridge that God governs in the affairs of men. And if only serves as a flight leader in his squadron Country Club in Fort Lauderdale. Just as in a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his but also as the squadron’s Self Aid and Buddy the very beginning, he remains true to the notice, is it probable that an empire can rise Care Instructor, a position that puts him in principles that have put him at the forefront of without his aid?’’ charge of conducting classes on battlefield his business model: paying it forward and Being a firm believer in the power of prayer, first aid. Furthermore, MSgt. Nelson’s commit- strong relationships with customers. Phil offers I remain convinced that collectively, through ment to service continues when he is off duty, promising employees the same chance that he the power of prayer, we can begin to heal our where he is employed as a firefighter and was given, to become a part owner in each of land. Because when we weigh what little our EMT with West Pierce Fire and Rescue. his auto franchises and pursue the American Lord asks of us—the faith of a mustard seed, MSgt. Nelson has also shown enthusiasm Dream through hard work and dedication. the mere touch of a garment’s hem—the re- Even with his great success, he remains for the potential of young people in our com- turn is nothing short of amazing grace. grounded to the things that matter most. Phil The leadership of our pastors helps guide munity. From starring in Fire Prevention Week is civically engaged and active in his commu- assemblies and volunteering in classrooms, to us to greater understanding and appreciation nity. In addition to his charitable giving, he of that sound investment. I thank them for leading Boy Scouts and coaching sports, serves on the boards for his alma mater FAU, MSgt. Nelson has consistently invested in the their compassion and for their continuing com- the Orange Bowl Committee, and various non- mitment to the power of prayer, and the lives of children. As President of the Ever- profits that focus on issues such as health and green Elementary PTA and member of the strength and guidance it grants us to make the education. Phil also welcomes several high Lord’s work here on Earth our own. Bethel School District Long Range Facilities school teams to practice on the golf course at Planning Team, he has been a dedicated ad- Coral Ridge Country Club without charge. f vocate and resource for the Bethel School Mr. Speaker, Phil Smith is not only an ex- RECOGNIZING MRS. JENNIFER District. ceptional entrepreneur, but a community lead- AINSWORTH Howard O. Scott, for whom this award is er and dear friend. It is truly a pleasure to rec- named, served America when called upon dur- ognize him on receiving the Excalibur Award ing World War II, and continued to serve the for Business Leader of the Year. HON. TOM RICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA Tacoma community throughout the rest of his f life, leaving behind an impressive legacy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MSgt. Nelson carries on the legacy of Howard NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Tuesday, April 29, 2014 O. Scott, setting an incredible example of what Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I it means to give back to your country and HON. NICK J. RAHALL II rise today to recognize one of our nation’s fin- OF WEST VIRGINIA community. est teachers, Mrs. Jennifer Ainsworth of Horry IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I County, South Carolina. congratulate MSgt. Lance Nelson. I wish him Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Mrs. Ainsworth was recently named South well in his future endeavors, and thank him for Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Carolina’s 2014–2015 Teacher of the Year for his service. theme of this year’s National Day of Prayer, her exemplary work at Socastee High School, VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:52 Apr 30, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A29AP8.022 E29APPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS April 29, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E623 where she teaches and mentors mild to mod- vived the German occupation of Poland and rights, advocates for farmland preservation, erate special needs students. Drawing from the destruction of Warsaw during WWII and in and helps run a non-profit that obtains fresh the inspiration of her late-mother, grand- 1952, when he was 16, he moved with his produce weekly from four local farms and dis- mother, and late-class assistant, Mrs.