July 18, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1275 

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me 

in paying tribute to the life of Mr. Frank M. 

Toste Sr. His character truly exemplified the 

best of what America has to offer. His many 

contributions to agriculture and unwavering 

commitment to his loved ones will ensure that 

his legacy lives on for years to come. 

f 

THE DESIGNATION OF MEADOW 

BROOK HALL AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY AS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK 

HON. GARY C. PETERS OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great 

pride that I rise today to join with Oakland University in celebrating the designation of Meadow Brook Hall as a National Historic Landmark. 

Meadowbrook Hall, built on what was the 

Dodge family’s Meadow Brook Farms in 1929 

in then Avon Township, now Rochester Hills, 

Michigan, is a symbol of the American automotive industry’s transformative effect on 

Michigan. When the 88,000-square foot, 110- 

room residence was envisioned by Matilda 

Dodge Wilson, the widow of Dodge Brothers 

Motor Car Company cofounder John F. 

Dodge, it was a country residence for her and 

her family. Today, Meadow Brook Hall is the 

site of Oakland University, a fully fledged institution of higher learning which supports a student body of 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students. 

In Meadow Brook Hall’s construction, Mrs. 

Wilson held true to many of the principles that 

guided the greats of America’s automotive industry. Believing in the spirit of American innovation and contrary to the prevailing practices 

of the time, Mrs. Wilson had the Tutor-revival 

styled estate constructed almost entirely from 

American materials crafted by American designers. And in keeping with the spirit of community involvement that has been ever prevalent in the American automotive industry, Mrs. 

Wilson often used the grounds of Meadow 

Brook Hall to host charitable events and civic 

engagements. 

In 1955, it became a focus of the community in Oakland County that as Michigan’s second most populous county, area residents 

should join together to cultivate a local institution of higher learning. Answering the call of 

their community, Mrs. Wilson and her second 

husband, Mr. Alfred Wilson, bequeathed the 

entire 1500-acre Meadowbrook estate to the 

State of Michigan. And after supporting the 

endeavor with an additional two million dollars, 

Michigan State University (MSU) opened its 

MSU-Oakland Campus in 1959. MSU-Oakland 

would become known as Oakland University in 

1963. 

Steeped in the history of Michigan’s industrial ingenuity, Meadow Brook Hall has come 

to embody the American automotive industry’s 

spirit of transformation. Just as the auto industry once raised millions of Americans into the 

middle class, Meadow Brook Hall and Oakland 

University continue that proud tradition; providing our youth the tools they need to become the successful leaders of tomorrow. And 

throughout its years, the spirit of philanthropy 

and service upon which Meadow Brook was 

gifted to the State, continues to be a fundamental tenant to Oakland University as it supports many community endeavors and engages local stakeholders in shaping the future 

of the Southeast Michigan region. 

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to have supported Oakland University in its endeavor to 

have Meadow Brook Hall designated a National Historic Landmark. As a symbol not only 

of Michigan’s history, but also its future, the 

designation of Meadow Brook Hall as a National Historic Landmark is truly becoming of 

its significant impact on the communities of 

Southeast Michigan. 

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FORMER PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR WILLIAM WARREN 

SCRANTON 

HON. LOU BARLETTA OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

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

honor former Pennsylvania Governor William 

Warren Scranton on the occasion of his 95th 

birthday. 

Governor Scranton comes from a long line 

of statesmen and his family founded the 

Northeastern Pennsylvania city of Scranton. 

After graduating from Yale University in 1939, 

he enlisted in the United States Army Air 

Corps just before World War II. Although he 

did not see combat, he served honorably and 

remained active in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for two decades. 

Governor Scranton’s public service began in 

the 1950s, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed him as a special assistant to 

the U.S. Secretary of State in 1959. After a little over a year, Governor Scranton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for 

Pennsylvania’s 10th District. As a freshman 

member, he fought tirelessly for his constituents and fostered bipartisan support for the 

common good. In 1962, he successfully ran 

for Governor of Pennsylvania, defeating then 

Philadelphia Mayor Richardson Dilworth. During his four years in office, Governor Scranton 

advocated for a strong education system, continued industrial development in the United 

States and abroad, and fiscally responsible 

policy. 

In 1966, Governor Scranton vowed to never 

run for public office again, but his service to 

the community did not end. From 1967 to 

1968, Governor Scranton attended the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention and helped 

write a new constitution for the state. Additionally, he continued his public service through 

leadership positions with several civic organizations including; director of the Boys Club of 

Scranton, vice president of the University of 

Scranton’s President’s Council, director of the 

Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and vice 

president of the board of directors for 

Geisinger Memorial Hospital. 

After turning down several proposals to run 

again for public office, Governor Scranton accepted an appointment from President Gerald 

Ford in 1976 to serve as the United States 

Ambassador to the United Nations. His ability 

to promote diplomacy and genuine interest in 

human rights earned him favor with many nations and promoted a positive world view of 

the United States. 

Mr. Speaker, today, Governor Scranton embodies the traits, ideals, and values which 

many of us strive to achieve today, and I am 

honored to congratulate him on his many 

years of dedicated civic service to the community of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth, and the country. 

f 

HONORING ARIEL KOMINIQUE 

TAYLOR 

HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON OF MISSISSIPPI

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable young 

woman, Ms. Ariel Kominique Taylor. Ariel was 

born in Indianola, Mississippi, to LaShunda 

King and Kamia Taylor. She is a dedicated 

member of Weeping Mary Baptist Church and 

proud member of the Humphreys County High 

School Class of 2012. 

Ariel’s commitment to academic excellence 

earned her the title of Salutatorian for Humphreys County High School Class of 2012. At 

Humphreys County High School, Ariel was a 

charter member of Students Making a 

Change, SMAC, a participant in The Mayor’s 

City Youth Council, and was a member of the 

Youth with a Vision Community Choir. She 

also served as a sports journalist for the 

school’s newspaper, a member of the Varsity 

Cheerleader Squad, and the school’s tennis 

team. 

After graduating, Ariel plans to attend Jackson State University and major in mathematics 

with an emphasis in accounting. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me 

in recognizing Ms. Ariel Kominique Taylor for 

her continued effort in achieving excellence in 

education and leadership. 

f 

HONORING CAPTAIN FREDERICK E. 

GAGHAN 

HON. SILVESTRE REYES OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

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

recognize Captain Fredrick E. Gaghan of the 

Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, JIEDDO, who will retire in November after 25 years of service. 

Captain Gaghan has had a long and distinguished career in the United States Navy. 

Upon graduation from Hartwick College in 

1987, he enlisted in the Navy as part of the 

Special Operations Officer Program and was 

subsequently commissioned in 1988. As a 

young naval officer, Captain Gaghan served 

onboard USS Opportune, ARS 41, as a qualified Surface Warfare Officer. Following his initial sea assignment, he became an Explosive 

Ordnance Disposal, EOD, officer and was first 

assigned to EOD Mobile Unit NINE. Throughout his career, Captain Gaghan has displayed 

exceptional professionalism and technical proficiency. As such, he was identified by his seniors as a leader who could be entrusted with 

command. He served as the Commanding Officer of EOD Mobile Unit FOUR as well as 

Commander, Task Group 56.1 in Bahrain. At 


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