August 3, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1411 

We will keep you and your staff updated on 

developments regarding Dr. Richard Nguyen. 

Please do not hesitate to let us know if we 

can be of further assistance. 

DAVID S. ADAMS, 

Assistant Secretary, 

Legislative Affairs. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, July 13, 2012. 

Hon. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, 

Secretary of State, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY CLINTON: I write to follow-up on my letter of July 9 regarding Ambassador David Shear’s deeply disappointing 

pattern of sidelining of human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam. In fact I was so 

troubled by his approach that I urged you to 

fire him. I continue to believe that Ambassador Shear is not the man for the job. Furthermore, I am eager to know when the 

State Department will be able to provide me 

with a list of invited guests for the recent 

July 4 event held at the embassy. 

I read with interest your public remarks 

earlier this week in Vietnam. While I appreciated your general comments regarding 

human rights concerns, I was disappointed to 

see no public mention of the imprisoned Vietnamese-American democracy activist Dr. 

Nguyen Quoc Quan. 

As you know, I have been unreserved in my 

criticism of this administration’s policies in 

China on a host of levels. But, I will gladly 

concede that I have seen a promising trend 

with Ambassador Gary Locke, himself a Chinese-American. In numerous meetings with 

dissidents, human rights lawyers and activists, I have learned that they have been welcomed into the embassy under Ambassador 

Locke’s leadership. He has taken a personal 

interest in their cause. This is in keeping 

with the finest traditions of our nation’s embassies over the years. It bears noting that 

Chinese human rights activists and selftrained legal advocate Chen Guangcheng recently sought refuge in the American embassy—not the embassy of any other country. 

The American embassy must a beacon for 

those seeking basic human freedom and dignity. The American ambassador must be a 

stalwart defender of dissidents and advocate 

for human rights. Increasingly I hear from 

the Vietnamese-American community in the 

U.S. that they no longer have any confidence 

that Ambassador Shear is up to the task. 

I again urge you to remove Ambassador 

Shear and appoint a Vietnamese-American 

ambassador, preferably someone who is well 

versed, through personal experience, in the 

oppressive ways of Vietnam’s communist 

government, to take his place. Such an individual would not need to be reminded that 

human rights and religious freedom advocacy feature prominently in their job description. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF. 

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, 

Washington, DC, July 19, 2012. 

Hon. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, 

Secretary of State, 

Washington DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY CLINTON: We strongly believe that human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam need to be at the forefront 

of bilateral relations with Vietnam, including any discussion about a strategic partnership with the United States. While we were 

pleased to hear that you mentioned democracy activists, lawyers and bloggers on your 

recent trip to Vietnam, we were deeply disappointed that there was no public mention 

of imprisoned Vietnamese-American Dr. 

Nguyen Quoc Quan. In fact, in a letter sent 

earlier this month prior to your trip, several 

members of Congress urged you to raise the 

matter of his continued detention and press 

for his release. 

We do not believe that this administration, 

especially Ambassador David Shear, have 

sufficiently advocated for basic human 

rights and religious freedom in Vietnam. In 

fact, Ambassador Shear has sidelined these 

issues which has been a cause for concern. 

The people of Vietnam yearn for American 

leadership in this realm—leadership which 

Ambassador Shear has been simply unable or 

unwilling to provide. As such, we urge you to 

dismiss Ambassador Shear from his post, and 

move swiftly to appoint an individual who 

will embrace the struggle of the Vietnamese 

people and advocate on their behalf. 

Unfortunately, the outstanding congressional request for the list of invitees to the 

Embassy Hanoi’s July 4th celebration remains unfulfilled. As such, we also urge you 

to make sure that the list is provided in a 

timely fashion so that we are able to see 

which religious freedom and democracy activists were invited, if any. 

We wish to see a mutually beneficial relationship with Vietnam. In order for this to 

happen, we must have confidence in this administration’s efforts to promote religious 

freedom and democracy in Vietnam. We have 

lost confidence that Ambassador Shear is up 

to the task. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF. 

DANIEL E. LUNGREN. 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH. 

f 

JOSEPH R. PITTS. 

TO RECOGNIZE THE 2012 BEST OF 

BRADDOCK AWARD RECIPIENTS 

HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY OF VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it 

is my honor to recognize the recipients of the 

2012 Best of Braddock Awards. The awards 

are given annually to deserving individuals, organizations and companies in the Braddock 

Magisterial District of Fairfax County, Virginia, 

who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the community. 

Residents of the 11th Congressional District 

enjoy an exceptional quality of life. Fairfax 

County schools are ranked as some of the 

best in the country, our communities are safe, 

and our employment rate is one of the highest 

in the nation. However, much of what defines 

a community cannot be found in statistics; it 

lies in the commitment and contributions of all 

who strive for the betterment of the community 

as a whole. It is my pleasure to recognize the 

following individuals for their service to our 

community, and to congratulate each of them 

on being named a Best of Braddock honoree: 

Citizen of the Year: Kathy Augustine, Braddock District and Fairfax County Communities. 

Young Person of the Year: Dawson Taylor, 

Frost Middle School. 

Most Outstanding Business Person: Patrick 

Gloyd, Burke Centre Conservancy. 

Most Can-Do State Public Employee: Katherine Stramel, Northern Virginia Community 

College. 

Most Can-Do Local Public Employee: Gaela 

Hime, Laurel Ridge Elementary School Crossing Guard. 

Club or Organization Making a Difference: 

Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke. 

Neighborhood Enhancement or Beautification, Community Association: The Burke 

Centre Conservancy. 

Special Recognition Award: Marian Hardy 

(Annandale Christian Community for Action). 

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me 

in congratulating these outstanding residents 

and companies and also in thanking them for 

their service to our community. Their efforts 

and leadership have been a great benefit to 

our community and truly merit our highest 

praise. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE ATHLETES AND 

MEMBERS OF THE GUAM NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE’S 

DELEGATION TO THE 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES 

HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO OF GUAM

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

to recognize the athletes and members of the 

Guam National Olympic Committee’s (GNOC) 

delegation to the Games of the 30th Olympiad 

in London, England. Since 1896, the Olympic 

Games have been the premier gathering for 

athletic competition throughout the world with 

more than 200 nations participating. Guam 

first participated in the Olympic Games in 

1988 and has sent a delegation to every competition since then. 

This year I am proud to recognize eight athletes who carry the distinguished honor of representing Guam in London. Our athletes are, 

Amy Atkinson, a runner competing in the 

women’s 800 meter event; Ricardo Blas, Jr., a 

judoka competing in the men’s +100 kilogram 

event; Christopher Duenas, a swimmer competing in the men’s 100 meter freestyle event; 

Maria Dunn, a wrestler competing in the women’s 63 kilogram freestyle event; Derek Horton, a cyclist competing in the men’s crosscountry mountain bike event; Derek Mandell, a 

runner and my former Assistant Press Secretary, competing in the men’s 800 meter 

event; Benjamin Schulete, a swimmer competing in the men’s 10 kilometer marathon 

event; and Pilar Shimizu, a swimmer competing in the women’s 100 meter breaststroke 

event. 

I commend each athlete for their dedication, 

passion, and sacrifice in preparing for their individual sporting events. Additionally, I acknowledge the support of their families, relatives, and friends in contributing to their successes as they represent our island and people. 

I also commend the GNOC Executive Board 

Members, staff, and stakeholders for their efforts in preparing our athletes for this unique 

opportunity. I join our island in wishing Team 

Guam the best of luck and I look forward to 

their successes in this year’s games. 


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E1412 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks August 3, 2012 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE VETERANS OUTREACH CLINIC IN 

PLYMOUTH 

HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING OF MASSACHUSETTS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

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

recognize the opening of the new Veterans 

Outreach Clinic in Plymouth. 

Our veterans in the South Shore of Massachusetts have long been calling for a local veterans’ medical center of their own. After many 

years of working toward achieving this goal, 

the Department of Veterans Affairs’ regional 

office in Boston was proud to announce that 

they would be opening a new Veterans Outreach Clinic in the Town of Plymouth. For the 

first time, veterans in the Plymouth area will 

no longer need to travel to Cape Cod, Brockton, or Boston in order to receive care. In particular, this new addition to the VA Boston 

Healthcare system will make a tremendous 

difference to those unable to seek medical 

care due to limited mobility or transportation 

resources. As approximately 40,000 veterans 

live in Plymouth County alone, the new Veterans Outreach Clinic will go a long way towards providing the quality care that our veterans deserve without overburdening them 

with long travel. 

When the Veterans Outreach Clinic opens 

next spring, it will already have the capacity to 

care for up to six hundred patients. A doctor, 

a nurse, an LPN, and a medical assistant will 

be on hand five days a week to treat veterans 

and to assist them with the various challenges 

that they may face. It is essential that we do 

not forget the sacrifices that our veteran population has made for our country. We must continue to care for these men and women once 

they return home, and ensuring access to 

medical services is a necessary facet of the 

long-term care that our veterans deserve. 

Mr. Speaker, it brings me great pride to recognize the opening of the new Veterans Outreach Clinic in Plymouth. I urge my colleagues 

to join me in recognizing the importance of 

this new facility, and of the valuable role that 

it will play in the lives of many local veterans. 

f 

COMMEMORATING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GUADALCANAL CAMPAIGN OF WORLD 

WAR II 

HON. ADAM SMITH OF WASHINGTON

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I 

rise in commemoration of the 70th anniversary 

of the Guadalcanal campaign of World War II. 

This month, as we approach the 70th anniversary of Guadalcanal, we are reminded of 

the many sacrifices that brought freedom and 

security to the South Pacific. We reflect upon 

the 7,100 men who gave their lives in the 

Guadalcanal campaign. 

Guadalcanal lasted more than six months 

and effectively ended the military expansion of 

our enemies in the South Pacific. During that 

time, more than 60,000 Allied personnel participated in gaining control of Guadalcanal, its 

surrounding islands, and Henderson Field, a 

particularly important location to enemy forces. 

There is no doubt that this victory significantly 

contributed to the eventual end of the Second 

World War. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me 

in honoring and remembering this great sacrifice and appreciating the advancement of 

freedom that came at such a high cost 70 

years ago. 

f 

HONORING THE D.L. MARTIN CO. 

ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY 

HON. BILL SHUSTER 

OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the D.L. Martin 

Company as it celebrates its 50th anniversary 

on August 9th, 2012, and to recognize and 

honor its founder and owner, Donnie L. Martin 

for receiving ‘‘Business Person of the Year’’ in 

Franklin County, Pennsylvania. 

The D.L. Martin Company has experienced 

outstanding growth since it was first founded 

in 1962, when Donnie Martin first purchased a 

3,000 square foot machine shop in 

Mercersburg, Pennsylvania and hired his first 

two employees. D.L. Martin has now grown to 

over 40 acres and 150,000 square feet of 

manufacturing floor space and employs nearly 

200 people, making it an integral business in 

our community. 

We are proud of the resilience that the D.L. 

Martin Company has shown and the excellent 

service that it has provided to Franklin County 

over the last 50 years. The company has become a world class provider of heavy industrial, construction and mining equipment, and 

also specializes in manufacturing custom hydraulics, elevator jacks and components, and 

engine and transmission parts for class 8 

trucks. Their commitment to quality products 

and customer service has not gone unnoticed 

to their clients or to our community. 

The company is holding a celebration in 

Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania to 

commemorate its 50 years of business on August 9th, 2012. Current and former employees 

as well as family and friends in the community 

are invited to celebrate this anniversary and 

the promising future of D.L. Martin. 

I would like to thank Donnie Martin for his 

service to our community and for being such 

an important employer to so many in our district. His integrity and strong work ethic have 

brought him great success thus far and have 

enabled his company to grow and thrive in our 

community. D.L. Martin continues to provide 

quality service and lasting jobs to the citizens 

of Franklin County and in other areas of Pennsylvania. As Congressman of the 9th district of 

Pennsylvania, I believe that their service has 

been very beneficial to the community and I 

know that they will experience continued success for many years to come. 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. JAMES B. RENACCI OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. RENACCI. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 

539, due to a travel delay stemming from yesterday’s inclement weather, I was unable to 

cast my vote on this legislation. Had I been 

present, I would have voted ‘‘yea.’’ 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE REDEDICATION OF AMERICAN LEGION 

POST 40 HONORING PFC EDWARD 

RIBIERO 

HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING OF MASSACHUSETTS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

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

recognize the rededication of American Legion 

Post 40 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, honoring 

PFC Edward Ribiero. 

In the spring of 2010, heavy rains caused 

Little West Pond in Plymouth, Massachusetts 

to overflow, flooding American Legion Post 40. 

The flooding occurred not long after renovations had been completed on the Post and 

caused damage. The damage was so extensive that the entire building needed to be demolished. The Post’s members began construction on a new, larger building in the hope 

of funding some construction costs by renting 

out their function room and gaining new members. 

Even when faced with such adversity and 

loss, the members of American Legion Post 

40 persevered. They remained committed to 

pushing forward the reconstruction of a new 

building, and did not falter. Such determination 

is a testament to the character and integrity of 

the men and women who have defended our 

nation both past and present, and to Post 

members who undertook this project. 

The role of American Legion Posts cannot 

be understated. They remain sacred places for 

our veterans, playing a vital role in helping reintegrate our servicemen and women into society, especially those recently returning from 

Iraq and Afghanistan. That is why the rebuilding of American Legion Post 40 is such a 

great accomplishment. The members of the 

Post realized the important need for veterans 

to have a support community and they remained committed to ensuring that Plymouth 

had that in the new Post. 

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the members of American Legion Post 

40 for their hard work and determination. I am 

certain Post 40 will serve the community for 

many years to come. 

f 

IRAN THREAT REDUCTION AND 

SYRIA HUMAN RIGHTS ACT OF 2012 

SPEECH OF

HON. RUSH D. HOLT OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 

the amended version of H.R. 1905, the Iran 

Threat Reduction & Syria Human Rights Act. 


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