E1442 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks August 3, 2012 

1982, President Reagan said, ‘‘Mr. Weeks has 

exemplified the finest traditions of American 

volunteerism by his unselfish service to his 

country. As director of the National Veterans 

Day Celebration in Birmingham for the past 

years, Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran himself, has devoted his life to serving 

others, his community, the American veteran, 

and the Nation. He was the driving force behind the congressional action which in 1954 

established this special holiday as a day to 

honor all America’s veterans.’’ 

The tradition of respect and honor established by National Veterans Day in Birmingham would be ably carried on by Raymond Weeks’ successor, Colonel Bill Voigt. To 

this pivotal position of community leadership, 

Colonel Voigt brought his experience from the 

Alabama Air National Guard and U.S. Air 

Force Reserves and a deep and abiding concern for our veterans. His dedication went 

above and beyond duty. New leadership has 

been tasked to continue this tradition. 

As we look toward the 65th anniversary of 

America’s first Veterans Day and to 2014, the 

60th anniversary of the legal holiday, we can 

cast our vision. It is to continue to honor our 

veterans. 

We would do well by restoring emphasis on 

General Eisenhower’s request of Raymond 

Weeks in 1947 for Veterans Day to perpetuate 

world peace: ‘‘I wish you every success in 

your purpose of arousing all American citizens 

to the need for cooperating among ourselves 

to the utmost to achieve the greatest of all 

goals—assurance of enduring peace.’’ 

The history of Veterans Day is a lesson in 

character education that can be used to inspire students to learn ‘‘living history’’ from our 

veterans. Alabama teaches character traits 

daily, including those illuminated by the history 

of the founding of Veterans Day—patriotism, 

courage, perseverance, loyalty and citizenship. 

Raymond Weeks demonstrated these qualities 

in his pursuit of the creation of a National Veterans Day and stands as an example of good 

citizenship for all students and every generation. 

The symmetry of service has been a powerful constant through the generations in Alabama. 

As an example, recently a rededication was 

held for the Rainbow Viaduct Memorial in Birmingham, which commemorates the heroism 

of the 167th Alabama Infantry during World 

War I. At that same ceremony, members of 

the modern-day 167th Alabama National 

Guard were recognized as they prepared for 

deployment to Afghanistan. Almost a century 

apart, the challenges may be different but the 

ethos of service and duty remains the same. 

It is important to remember both what we 

honor and who we honor on Veterans Day. 

We honor soldiers and their devotion to freedom, yes. But we reflect that these are people 

around us who have willingly and unselfishly 

served on our behalf: fathers and mothers, 

sons and daughters, husbands and wives, 

brothers and sisters, grandparents, a favorite 

uncle or cousin, a high school buddy or college roommate, a best friend or a childhood 

playmate. 

Some we have joyfully welcomed back from 

an assignment or waved at during a parade. 

Others we thank at their gravesite, shedding a 

tear in their memory. We thank them for their 

sacrifice, bravery, and patriotism. We forget 

none of them. 

This is what inspires us as we prepare for 

the annual observance of Veterans Day this 

coming November, and it is what continues to 

motivate my native Birmingham to set the 

highest standard for honoring those who have 

preserved the precious gift of freedom for all 

of us. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEIGHBOR 

WORKS HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER SACRAMENTO REGION 

HON. DORIS O. MATSUI OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

recognize the NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center Sacramento Region and its employees as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. NeighborWorks is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the Sacramento 

community by increasing opportunities for families to purchase their own homes and preserving homeownership. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring NeighborWorks 

Sacramento Region for their important contribution to the Sacramento community. 

Originally founded in 1987, NeighborWorks 

has grown tremendously and now serves the 

entire Sacramento Region as well as parts of 

California’s Central Valley. Lead by a committed board of directors and CEO Pam Canada, the devoted staff and partners of 

NeighborWorks continually work alongside 

local residents to improve Sacramento’s 

neighborhoods, and make the dream of homeownership a reality for all. For 25 years, 

NeighborWorks has been successful in increasing homeownership, assisting first-time 

home buyers, and empowering residents 

through education and community engagement. It is my privilege to serve as an honorary member of their Board of Trustees, as it 

was the honor of my late husband, Congressman Robert T. Matsui too. I have enjoyed 

working with Pam, and always find her and 

her staff to be responsive to the needs of my 

constituents. 

As our nation’s foreclosure crisis continued 

this past year, the NeighborWorks Sacramento 

Region has counseled more than 19,800 customers on a variety of housing related issues 

including foreclosure prevention, refinancing 

and home purchasing. Through their 3 offices, 

they have prevented more than 400 foreclosures by helping these distressed homeowners acquire loan modifications, and assisted 2400 residents in purchasing affordable 

homes. In conjunction with the McGeorge 

School of Law, NeighborWorks has provided 

more than 670 customers with free legal services through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program. Through their work, 

they have helped hundreds of families avoid 

homelessness. 

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to 

the NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center 

Sacramento Region on its 25th Anniversary. I 

am confident that the organization will continue to be a beacon for those seeking the 

American dream of homeownership. I ask all 

my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 

excellence of the staff and of NeighborWorks 

Sacramento Region who commit their lives 

and professional careers to the people of Sacramento. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO YOUNG STAFF MEMBERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE 37TH 

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 

HON. LAURA RICHARDSON OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, each year 

about this time I rise to recognize the wonderful young men and women who have contributed a substantial amount of work to my office. Members of Congress know well, perhaps better than most, how important it is to 

have such exceptional young men and women 

working towards our nation’s future. 

We know this because we see them and 

benefit from their contributions every day. 

Many of them work for us in our offices as junior staff members, congressional fellows or interns. They do amazing work for the constituents we are privileged to represent, and are a 

vital part of every aspect of this establishment. 

Although the United States has experienced 

some hard times in recent years, I simply 

have to look to the eager and idealistic young 

staff members and interns in my office to 

know the future of our country is bright and 

our best days lay ahead. 

These are the people who toil in obscurity, 

but who willingly and happily jump at every 

task they are given because they know they 

are serving a great purpose. 

Mr. Speaker, I believe there is no higher 

calling than serving your country. That is why 

I ran for public office. When I was six years 

old I dreamed of becoming a public servant 

when I grew up so I could help others. As the 

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King once said: 

Everybody can be great because anybody 

can serve . . . You only need a heart full of 

grace. A soul generated by love. 

This rings true for a number of great young 

men and women who served as volunteers 

this year in my office. Their contributions to 

the constituents we serve are deeply appreciated and I wish to acknowledge them. They 

are: Ashley Guill, Ashley Bobo, Aliya Wishner, 

Quentin Scott, Anna Bartels, Tara Karoian, 

Lilit Rostomyan, Amanda Osborne, Monique 

Morgan, Sarah Birk and Francisco Guerra. 

Mr. Speaker, the infusion of energy, intelligence, and idealism young people bring to 

their internships in my office and those of my 

colleagues helps keep our democracy vibrant. 

The insights, skills, and knowledge of the governmental process they gain from their experiences will last a lifetime and prove invaluable 

to them as they go about making their mark in 

this world. 

This is why I am so optimistic about our 

country’s prospects for the future. As Margaret 

Mead said: 

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the 

world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever 

has. 

These particular young people I have had 

the honor of getting to know have displayed 

extraordinary talent, quality, commitment and 

energy in their time in Washington. Their initiative and drive have shown me that in time, 


rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with REMARKS
August 3, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1443 

they will assume the responsibility of leadership. 

Mr. Speaker, if these young men and 

women are a representation of the future, I 

know our country will remain a nation of fairness, equality and greatness for generations 

to come. 

f 

GRATITUDE FOR THE SERVICE OF 

BENJAMIN STAUB 

HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to 

take this opportunity to thank one of the most 

dedicated and productive members of the Judiciary Committee staff for his service to the 

House, Benjamin Staub. For six years Ben 

has worked ably and diligently for the Judiciary Committee, and I would like to commend 

him on his achievements. 

After growing up in Greeley and 

Silverthorne, Colorado, and being named a 

Boettcher Scholar, Ben graduated cum laude 

from Yale University. During his time at Yale, 

Ben worked for the Undergraduate Admissions 

Office, taught health in New Haven high 

schools with the Community Health Educators, 

worked at the Blake Street Head Start and 

Calvin Hill Day Care, volunteered in the welfare-to-work early childhood educator program 

at All Our Kin, and served as a Freshman 

Counselor for Davenport College. He served 

as the Executive Co-Coordinator and on the 

Board of Directors of Dwight Hall at Yale—the 

student-run nonprofit for community service 

and social justice with more than 3,000 annual 

undergraduate volunteers. He interned at the 

Paris branch office of the UN Office of the 

High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) 

and wrote and recorded a year-long radio column for Colorado Public Radio about his senior year in college. He earned Yale’s John C. 

Schroeder Prize for social service and the 

Davenport College Prize for Citizenship. 

Ben came to Washington following graduation to work for the political television advertising firm of Murphy Putnam Shorr and Partners, and following the 2006 election, came to 

work for the House Judiciary Committee. 

During his time with the Committee, Ben 

has worked on a host of issues of national significance—principally in intellectual property 

policy, antitrust law, and civil liberties. He distinguished himself as an excellent writer and 

was instrumental in the Committee’s work on 

performance rights legislation and protecting 

intellectual property from digital theft. He authored large portions and supervised the editing and publishing of the Committee staff’s report Reigning in the Imperial Presidency: Lessons and Recommendations Relating to the 

Presidency of George W. Bush, and always 

stood ready to work on a host of issues at a 

moment’s notice, including voting rights, health 

care, civil rights, immigration policies, and Executive Branch oversight. 

Finally, Ben is well known among his peers 

as a dedicated athlete and began a trend in 

our office to use stability balls as desk chairs. 

On behalf of the Judiciary Committee, its 

staff, and this distinguished body, I would like 

to thank Ben for his exemplary work, generosity, sense of humor, and loyalty. He will 

be sorely missed as a colleague, advisor, and 

friend. We wish him the best of luck and extend to him our deepest gratitude. 

f 

STATEMENT OF INTRODUCTION, 

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE 

CENSUS 

HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am 

proud to be introducing a resolution supporting 

the importance of census surveys and the 

data they produce. Special thanks to Senator 

JOHN ROCKEFELLER for his leadership on the 

issue and for introducing the Senate companion, and to the House original cosponsors, 

Reps. MICHAEL HONDA, JUDY CHU, KEITH ELLISON, JOHN OLVER, BETTY MCCOLLUM, JOSE ́

SERRANO, LAURA RICHARDSON, EARL BLUMENAUER, FORTNEY STARK, JOHN LEWIS, and 

BARNEY FRANK, for their strong support of census surveys. 

Since our founding, Congress has recognized the value of census surveys to inform 

policymaking and measure our country’s 

progress. By including this modern invention in 

our Constitution, the founders turned a survey 

into a tool of political empowerment. The decennial census is the basis for fair representation and fair distribution of hundreds of billions 

of dollars in federal aid. In recent times, the information is used by the public and private 

sectors for planning purposes and to better 

understand the needs of communities. 

The statistics gathered through the Census 

Bureau give politicians, researchers, urban 

planners, educators, and other interested 

Americans, a regular and measurable snapshot of the growth and the socio-economic 

status of our Nation. Census programs like the 

American Community Survey and the Economic Census provide vital data to federal, 

state, and local governments, to all sectors 

and industries, and to all geographic areas 

across the country—from rural to urban to 

suburban neighborhoods. 

These surveys are a fundamental building 

block for how our country measures itself; the 

value of these statistics cannot be underestimated. They let us know how we are doing as 

a nation, identifying areas where we could 

grow, where we could be more economically 

efficient, and how best to compete globally. I 

urge my colleagues to support this resolution. 

f 

IN MEMORY OF SHERMAN 

HEMSLEY 

HON. CORRINE BROWN OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today in honor and memory of my friend, actor 

Sherman Hemsley. This man was best known 

as the iconic and central figure, George Jefferson, in the sitcom, ‘‘The Jeffersons’’ who became one of the most enduring, beloved characters in television history. 

Much of that credit belongs to Mr. Hemsley, 

the gifted character actor who gave life to the 

blustering black Harlem businessman on ‘‘The 

Jeffersons’’, one of the longest-running sitcoms with a primarily black cast in television 

history. 

With the gospel-style theme song of ‘‘Movin’ 

On Up,’’ the hit show depicted the wealthy 

former neighbors of Archie and Edith Bunker 

in Queens as they made their way on New 

York’s Upper East Side. The show often dealt 

with contemporary issues of racism, but more 

frequently reveled in the sitcom archetype of a 

short-tempered, opinionated patriarch trying, 

often unsuccessfully, to control his family. 

Despite the character’s many faults 

Hemsley managed to make the character endearing, part of the reason it stayed on the air 

for so long. Hemsley’s Jefferson loved his 

family, his friends (even the ones he relentlessly teased) and had a good heart. His performance was Emmy and Golden Globe nominated. The show’s producer Norman Lear said 

that when Hemsley read for the part ‘‘the 

minute he opened his mouth he was George 

Jefferson.’’ 

This man, the son of a printing press-working father and a factory-working mother, 

served in the Air Force and worked for eight 

years as a clerk for the Postal Service. 

Having studied acting as a teen at the Philadelphia Academy of Dramatic Arts, he began 

acting in New York workshops and theater 

companies, including the Negro Ensemble 

Company. For years, he kept his job at the 

post office while acting at night, before 

transitioning to acting full-time. Sherman embodied the American dream, to ‘‘move on up’’. 

He had many other production credits other 

than playing George Jefferson. He made his 

Broadway debut in 1970’s ‘‘Purlie,’’ a musical 

adaptation of Ossie Davis’ Jim Crow-era play 

‘‘Purlie Victorious.’’ (He would later star in a 

1981 made-for-TV version of ‘‘Purlie,’’ as well.) 

It was while touring the show that he was approached by Lear about playing a character 

on the sitcom that would become ‘‘All in the 

Family.’’ 

In an interview Hemsley said his show business career actually began in childhood. 

‘‘Making people laugh was automatic,’’ he 

said. ‘‘I was in a play in elementary school 

and had to jump up and run away. I was nervous and tripped and fell down and everyone 

laughed. Their laughter made me relax, so I 

pretended it was part of the show.’’ 

When we visited with each other, I was truly 

impressed with his good-spirited personality 

and optimism that could brighten the mood of 

any room he entered. He was a fun man with 

a good heart. He once said, ‘‘I always told my 

mother I wanted a job where I could have a 

lot of fun and have a lot of time off. She asked 

me where I was going to find that, and I said, 

’I don’t know, but it’s out there.’ ’’ 

Sherman Hemsley will forever be remembered as the loud and boisterous yet goodhearted family man whom he played for almost 10 years. The world is a little less funny 

today, and we should all celebrate the memory of Sherman Hemsley. 


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