E274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 8, 2019 And help came the very next week when the same dedication and character in all of her We need to make sure that voters elect President Johnson announced to the nation future accomplishments. their representatives and not the other way that he would send to Congress for immediate f around. action a law designed to eliminate illegal bar- We need to give every American a seat at riers to the right to vote by striking down ‘‘re- COMMEMORATING THE TWO HUN- the table, so we can drive progress for every strictions to voting in all elections—Federal, DREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE family in every community. State, and local—which have been used to FIRST STEUBEN COUNTY FAIR H.R. 1 does all these things and more. deny Negroes the right to vote.’’ It expands access at the ballot box by ad- On Adjust 6, 1965, that legislation—the Vot- HON. TOM REED dressing systemic and institutional barriers to ing Rights Act of 1965—was signed into law OF NEW YORK voting. by President Johnson and for the next 48 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES It prohibits voter roll purges and ends par- years did more to expand our democracy and Friday, March 8, 2019 tisan gerrymandering. empower racial and language minorities than It expands early and absentee voting. Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to any act of government since the Emancipation It also protects our elections systems from commemorate the two hundredth anniversary Proclamation and adoption of the Civil War attack. of the first Steuben County Fair. I am also proud that H.R. 1 lays the ground- Amendments. In Steuben County we are proud of our But our work is not done; the dreams of Dr. work for H.R. 4, The Voting Rights Advance- farmers and the hard work they do. The Steu- King and of all those who gave their lives in ment Act, which will restore the VRA’s ben County Fair is a celebration of that hard the struggle for justice are not behind us but preclearance provision. work and an opportunity for friends and neigh- still before us. Madam Speaker, voting is the very corner- bors to come together to join in the festivities. stone of our democracy. And THIS is what Madam Speaker, in the wake of the Su- The County Agricultural Society held their Democracy looks like. preme Court’s 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. first ever countywide fair in 1819. This would Holder, which severely crippled the Voting be the first of many festivals that would come f Rights Act, we have seen many states across to be known as the Steuben County Fair. The ELIJAH BURK our nation move to enact legislation designed creation of the new Steuben County Agricul- to limit the ability of women, the elderly, and tural Society in 1853 led to the establishment racial and language minorities to exercise their of an annual county fair. The following year HON. ED PERLMUTTER right to vote. marked the first time the fair was held at its OF COLORADO To honor the memory of the foot soldiers of current site and by 1862 the Agricultural Soci- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Selma, we must rededicate ourselves to a ety had purchased the fairgrounds to ensure Friday, March 8, 2019 great task remaining before us—to repair the the longevity and continuity of the event. As damage done to the Voting Rights Act by Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise the years have gone by, the fairgrounds have working to pass H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Ad- today to recognize and applaud Elijah Burk for added fair houses, grandstands, a Judges vancement Act of 2019, which I am proud to receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Hall, and even a pioneer log cabin—each ad- be one of the original co-sponsors. Ambassadors for Youth award. dition enhancing the experience for visitors As I have stated many times, the 1965 Vot- Elijah Burk is a student at Oberon Middle and participants of the fair. School and received this award because his ing Rights Act is no ordinary piece of legisla- The Steuben County Fair holds a special tion. determination and hard work have allowed him place in my heart. I have many fond memories to overcome adversities. For millions of Americans, and for many in of going to the fair with my mother and eleven Congress, it is a sacred treasure, earned by The dedication demonstrated by Elijah Burk older siblings as we grew up in Corning and is exemplary of the type of achievement that the sweat and toil and tears and blood of ordi- I’m glad to share this tradition with my son nary Americans who showed the world it was can be attained with hard work and persever- and daughter today. Everyone in our family ance. It is essential students at all levels strive possible to accomplish extraordinary things. has a part of the fair they like best, but the fa- As we remember and honor the foot sol- to make the most of their education and de- mous demolition derby has always been my diers of Selma, let us resolve also to restore velop a work ethic which will guide them for favorite event and I make sure not to miss it. the rest of their lives. the Voting Rights Act of 1965, so that it re- Two hundred years of community tradition is mains a lasting monument to their heroism I extend my deepest congratulations to Eli- certainly a cause for celebration. I congratu- jah Burk for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge and devotion to the country they loved. late the Steuben County Agricultural Society f Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have on this impressive milestone and look forward no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication SHOHZODAKHON BURHONOVA to many more fairs in the years to come. and character in all of his future accomplish- Given the above, I ask that this Legislative ments. Body pause in its deliberations and join me to HON. ED PERLMUTTER celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the f OF COLORADO Steuben County Fair. RECOGNIZING THE 2019 TYSONS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COM- Friday, March 8, 2019 MERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1, THE FOR Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise THE PEOPLE ACT today to recognize and applaud HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY Shohzodakhon Burhonova for receiving the HON. TERRI A. SEWELL OF VIRGINIA Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for OF ALABAMA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Youth award. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Shohzodakhon Burhonova is a student at Friday, March 8, 2019 Mandalay Middle School and received this Friday, March 8, 2019 Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to award because her determination and hard Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, recognize the Tysons Regional Chamber of work have allowed her to overcome adversi- I rise today in support of H.R. 1, The For the Commerce and to congratulate the incoming ties. People Act. 2019 board members. The dedication demonstrated by In November, Americans took to the polls to Tysons has drastically transformed during Shohzodakhon Burhonova is exemplary of the make their voices heard—and this Democratic the past 56 years from a sleepy, rural area to type of achievement that can be attained with Congress has heard them, loud and clear. one of the most vibrant regions in the country. hard work and perseverance. It is essential H.R. 1 will implement common-sense meas- This change began when the Fairfax County students at all levels strive to make the most ures to give Congress and our elections more Board of Supervisors approved plans for the of their education and develop a work ethic transparency. Tysons Corner Shopping Center in 1962. which will guide them for the rest of their lives. It’s long been said that sunshine is the When the mall opened in 1968, it was hailed I extend my deepest congratulations to greatest disinfectant. as the largest enclosed mall in the world. Shohzodakhon Burhonova for winning the Ar- We need to limit the influence of money in Since then, there has been a dramatic influx vada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for our politics and make critical updates to our of technology companies, government con- Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit campaign finance laws. tracting firms, and other corporations. Tysons VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:10 Mar 09, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08MR8.009 E08MRPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS March 8, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E275 has become the premier business district of information. Those who work our polls will how to be devoted to their country, family, the Washington Metropolitan Area and is one learn strategies to help voters who come from work and community. of the largest employment centers in the diverse backgrounds, live with disabilities, or Richard was a great community leader and United States. With the opening of Metro’s Sil- have limited English proficiency—regardless of very formative in the lives of many young men ver Line and ongoing redevelopment, the re- gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. through being a scoutmaster of Troop 29 in gion is expected to continue adding not only Cultural competency training will decrease Union. He was a great mentor and taught us businesses but also high-density residential congestion at the voting booth and ensure that as Scouts, the value of God, community, and housing.