February 11, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- Extensions of Remarks E239
TRIBUTE TO BRIGIT STORHOFF HON. TOM LATHAM OF IOWA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the excellence in education in the 4th Congressional District of Iowa, and to specifically congratulate Brigit Storhoff of Decorah Community School District, who earned the National Board Certification-the highest level of certification in the teaching profession.
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers. National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. Certification is offered in 25 different subjects, covering 97 percent of the subjects taught in K-12 schools.
I congratulate Brigit Storhoff on her well-deserved certification, and I'm certain that she will continue to touch the lives of many youth in her community. It is a great honor to represent Brigit in the United States Congress, and I wish her continued success.
f HONORING THE NAACP ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY SPEECH OF HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, February 10, 2009 Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on its 100th Anniversary. In 1909 the founders of the NAACP came together with the purpose of promoting the rights guaranteed under the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.
Today, the NAACP works to ensure that all individuals have equal rights and to end racial hatred and discrimination. The NAACP has influenced some of the greatest civil rights victories of the last century, including: the integration of our nation's schools and the Brown v. Board decision; the Voting Rights Act; striking down segregation; and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act.
It is particularly notable that this year's 100th anniversary also marks the first time in the history of the United States that we have an African-American President. The NAACP helped pave the way for this landmark achievement, and continues to lay the groundwork for future accomplishments in minority communities.
Despite the advancements of the past 100 years under the leadership of the NAACP, there is still much work to be done. The
Dunedin, a small town feeling city of 37,000, has done all that and more.
Under the leadership of Mayor Bob Hackworth, Vice Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski, Commissioner Deborah Kynes, Commissioner Julie Scales, and Commissioner Dave Eggers, the City of Dunedin has created a family friendly, business friendly, and environmental friendly community along Florida's Gulf Coast.
This latest honor is the result of years of hard work by the city, by its many community organizations, and by its residents. Dunedin is home to Dr. Beach's top rated ``America's Beach'', it is on CNN's list of Best Places to Retire, it has been ranked as a top place for walkers, and it is America's first Purple Heart City.
Dunedin has great parks, great schools, great programs, and most importantly great people. The city government can only do so much without the commitment of the people they represent to create a great place to live, to work, to play, and to raise their families.
Madam Speaker, it is my hope that my colleagues join me in congratulating the people of Dunedin, Florida, their elected leadership, their city staff, the many fine organizations represented by the Dunedin Council of Organizations and the residents themselves for what we have long known, that Dunedin is a Florida City of Excellence.
f CELEBRATING THE ALEXANDRIA MARDI GRAS ASSOCIATION HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER OF LOUISIANA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association (AMGA) for enhancing economic development and quality of life by unifying and celebrating Louisiana's interests each year.
On March 3, 1994, the 295th Anniversary of the Founding of Louisiana by Iberville, the AMGA was officially established to ensure Alexandria Mardi Gras is among the best cultural and social events in Central Louisiana.
The goal of Alexandria Mardi Gras, or Mardi Gras au Coeur de la Louisiana, which means Mardi Gras in the Heart of Central Louisiana, is to exemplify unity and cohesiveness through family-friendly festivities.
As Mardi Gras in the heart of Louisiana kicks off its 16th year, the goal is truly illustrated through numerous cultural events that appeal to all cross sections of the community, state, and region, while helping stimulate the economy.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the AMGA for its continued hard work and dedication to ensure that Mardi Gras in Central Louisiana retains the charm and spirit of the first official celebration 16 years prior.
EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING PASTOR EL-YATEEM HON. MICHAEL M. McMAHON OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Mr. MCMAHON. Madam Speaker, I am here to pay tribute to a religious leader from my district who is a pillar of our community.
Pastor Khader El-Yateem was born in Beit Jala, a town in the West Bank of Palestine. In 1968, after his graduation from high school, he studied at the Bethlehem Bible College, graduated with a Diploma in Theology, and proceeded to study at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt, where he received his B.A. degree. He was invited by the ELCA to work as a mission developer among the Arab and Middle Eastern community in the United States. He studied at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree.
In February 1999, Pastor El-Yateem was called by the Division for Outreach to start the Salam Arabic Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, which became the first official Arabic Lutheran Church in North America. Civic leaders within the Bay Ridge community requested his assistance in October 2000, to help establish a committee to bring the Christian, Jewish and Arabic communities together in a pledge to live in peace. He opened his church to all and successfully helped the committee bring the various groups together. The inter-faith dialogue continues with great success. This endeavor prompted Pastor El-Yateem to ask District Attorney, Charles Hynes to co-chair a Brooklyn wide Unity Task Force, which has also been successful in bringing together various ethnic and religious groups within the borough.
Pastor El-Yateem continues to contribute to the spiritual well being of our community with the support of his lovely wife Grace and children Rowan, Janette, Naim and Isabelle.
I am honored by the work Pastor El-Yateem carries out in my district and for the people of Brooklyn. I congratulate him and his family for the work they have done to make a stronger community.
f DUNEDIN, FLORIDA NAMED FLORIDA CITY OF EXCELLENCE HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, The Florida League of Cities has named the city of Dunedin, which I have the privilege to represent, as its 2008 City of Excellence.
The League of Cities honored the City of Dunedin for its commitment to public service by achieving the highest standards of city leadership, citizen outreach and involvement, and the development of innovative programs.
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