July 26, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1347 

melting pot of the United States, it can be 

easy to overlook these differences, as cultures 

blend and become more homogenized. 

While cultural sensitivity is important, I also 

recognize the significance that my constituents, and all those who fought in this battle, 

attach to the name ‘‘Chosin.’’ This is the name 

that evokes images in their minds of relentless 

cold and even more relentless fighting. I believe their sacrifice has earned them the gratitude of both of our nations and the right to 

name a mountain in Alaska whatever name 

they believe will most appropriately honor their 

fallen comrades. I hope the Korean government, and the people they serve, understand 

that the sacrifices made by those who have 

fought and died in the name of freedom are 

far more meaningful than the origin of the 

name of a mountain in Alaska. 

f 

CONGRATULATORY REMARKS FOR 

OBTAINING THE RANK OF EAGLE 

SCOUT 

HON. SANDY ADAMS OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mrs. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to 

congratulate Matthew Winchester for achieving 

the rank of Eagle Scout. 

For his Eagle Scout project, Matthew provided several tetherball sets to benefit a local 

summer youth camp. Throughout the history 

of the Boy Scouts of America, the rank of 

Eagle Scout has only been attained through 

dedication to concepts such as honor, duty, 

country and charity. By applying these concepts to daily life, Matthew has proven his true 

and complete understanding of their meanings, and thereby deserves this honor. 

I offer my congratulations on a job well done 

and best wishes for the future. 

f 

OUR UNCONSCIONABLE NATIONAL 

DEBT 

HON. MIKE COFFMAN OF COLORADO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, 

on January 20, 2009, the day President 

Obama took office, the national debt was 

$10,626,877,048,913.08. 

Today, it is $15,874,859,322,768.40. We’ve 

added $5,247,982,273,855.32 to our debt in 

just over 3 years. This is debt our nation, our 

economy, and our children could have avoided 

with a balanced budget amendment. 

On this day in 1947, President Harry S Truman signed the National Security Act, creating 

the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, the Central Intelligence Agency, 

and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We must balance 

the budget to ensure proper funding for organizations that keep us safe. 

HONORING MODESTO POLICE 

CHIEF MIKE HARDEN 

HON. JEFF DENHAM OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

acknowledge and honor Modesto Police Chief 

Mike Harden, who will be retiring on August 3, 

2012, after serving in law enforcement for 

nearly three decades. 

As a teenager, Chief Harden began volunteering as an Explorer; and as soon as he 

was able, he applied to the police academy. 

Chief Mike Harden began his career as a patrol officer at Modesto Police Department and, 

for the last 28 years, has worked his way 

through the ranks. He served as Assistant Police Chief from November of 2003 to June of 

2009, when he was named Acting Chief of Police. His permanent appointment to Chief of 

Police occurred in February of 2010. 

Chief Harden holds a Bachelor of Science 

degree in Criminal Justice Administration and 

is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 

Class, the WestPoint Leadership Program at 

the Los Angeles Police Department, and California Command College. He has lived in Modesto since 1970 and is a graduate of 

Modesto’s Davis High School. 

Harden has committed himself to a focus of 

sustained crime reduction efforts, especially in 

the area of gang violence. He set a goal for 

lower crime rates, which the Department met 

after he was appointed. Chief Harden instituted several internal changes to the organization to better address the crime and gang violence and attributed critical partnerships with 

businesses, non-profits, and citizens as a significant key to his successful approach to 

curbing criminal activity. Chief Harden has 

done a great job reorganizing the Police Department, delivering positive results for our 

community while implementing 25-percent reduction in staffing levels. 

Modesto’s Fallen Officers Memorial wall was 

erected and dedicated under Chief Harden’s 

leadership. This wall was a community driven 

effort and honors Modesto officers who died in 

the line of duty. Chief Harden has also developed a new mission and vision statement focusing on serving the Modesto community 

with professionalism, pride, and integrity for 

the Modesto Police Department. 

Chief Harden has committed his life to serving the Modesto community every day and 

has worked diligently to keep its residents and 

their property safe. Chief Harden has been an 

outstanding and highly effective Police Chief 

whose quiet and steady leadership is an excellent example of how to serve others. While 

his service has been greatly appreciated and 

will be missed, I am confident that his leadership and example will continue to serve and 

protect Modesto long into the future. 

Chief Harden is married to Lori and they 

have two children: Brad, a Naval Academy 

graduate, and their daughter, Lindsey, who is 

currently attending college at UC Davis. 

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and 

commending the outstanding contributions 

made to law enforcement and the Modesto 

community by Chief of Police Mike Harden 

and wishing him continued success in his retirement. 

f 

CONGRATULATING THE MACARTHUR MUSEUM OF ARKANSAS 

MILITARY HISTORY 

HON. TIM GRIFFIN OF ARKANSAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, July 26, 2012 

Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I 

rise today to congratulate the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History on the 

opening of their newest exhibit, ‘‘Vietnam: 

America’s Conflict.’’ 

I am proud to represent the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, which is located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Museum 

opened to the public in May 2001 and is located in the historic Arsenal Building of the Little Rock Arsenal. 

The Arsenal Building was constructed in 

1840, and it is the only surviving remnant of 

the original Little Rock Arsenal and one of 

central Arkansas’s oldest structures. 

The future General of the Army, Douglas 

MacArthur, was born in the Arsenal Building 

while his father, Captain Arthur MacArthur, 

was stationed in Little Rock. 

Through its displays and exhibits as well as 

its outreach into the community, the MacArthur 

Museum provides insight into Arkansas’s rich 

military history and tradition—from its territorial 

period until present. 

The Museum stands as a memorial to the 

proud history and dedication of Arkansas’s 

men and women who served in and supported 

our nation’s armed forces both at home and 

abroad. 

The newest exhibit, ‘‘Vietnam: America’s 

Conflict,’’ which will open on Friday, July 27, 

2012, will examine the origins and conflicts of 

the Vietnam war and the contributions our 

state and its citizens made. It will also honor 

the 600 gallant Arkansans who lost their lives 

during the Vietnam war. 

The MacArthur Museum stands as a memorial to the brave men and women who, 

throughout our history, have sacrificed—some 

making the ultimate sacrifice—out of their desire to serve our Nation. Each visitor, through 

their presence at the Museum, extends their 

gratitude and honors these Arkansans. 

I congratulate the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History on its opening of this 

exciting exhibit, and I congratulate the men 

and women at the Museum who each day preserve Arkansas’s proud military history and 

tradition so that it can be shared by this and 

future generations. It is an honor to represent 

you. 


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