September 10, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1459 

TRIBUTE TO OLYMPIC GOLD 

MEDALIST GABRIELLE DOUGLAS 

HON. TOM LATHAM OF IOWA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 10, 2012 

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

recognize Gabby Douglas of West Des 

Moines, Iowa for her outstanding accomplishments in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. 

Gabby will be remembered by history as the 

first African-American individual all-around 

champion and as the first American gymnast 

to earn a gold medal in both the individual allaround and team competitions in the same 

Olympics. 

Gabby has been training in West Des 

Moines under former University of Iowa gymnastics coach Liang Chow for nearly two 

years. Originally from Virginia Beach, Gabby 

has dedicated her life to gymnastics since enrolling when she was just six years old. In 

2010, Gabby felt it was time to take her training to the next level and moved halfway 

across the country to train under Coach Chow 

and make her Olympic dreams a reality. While 

Gabby’s move was not an easy decision for 

her mother Natalie, or her two sisters Arielle 

and Joy, Gabby’s move to Iowa has been a 

wonderful experience thanks to her host parents, Travis and Missy Parton of West Des 

Moines. Gabby quickly became another 

daughter to her host parents and another sister to their four daughters, Hailey, Leah, Lexi, 

and Elissa. In London, Gabby’s two mothers 

stood side by side as they cheered Gabby to 

a first place finish and into the history books. 

Gabby Douglas has shown America, and 

the world, that anything is possible through 

hard work and dedication. She has taken her 

newfound fame with elegance and humility, attributing her success to her supportive families 

and unwavering faith in God. It is no surprise 

to those who know Gabby that her infectious 

positive attitude and incredible athletic ability 

has captured the nation’s attention. Gabby returns to America both as a champion and as 

a role model for millions of young Americans. 

Mr. Speaker, witnessing the historic 

achievements of Gabby Douglas has captivated the nation and the world. Miss Douglas 

has represented the very best of Iowa’s work 

ethic and people on the international stage, 

and it is a great honor to represent Gabby and 

the Partons in the United States Congress. I 

know that all of my colleagues in the House 

will join me in congratulating Gabby, thanking 

her supportive families, and welcoming all of 

our athletes home from a truly historic Summer Olympics in London. 

f 

HONORING ELIZABETH AND 

HENRY SNIPES 

HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. OF GEORGIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 10, 2012 

Mr . JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I 

submit the following proclamation. 

Whereas, the union of Elizabeth and Henry 

Snipes has blessed us with descendants that 

have helped to shape our nation; One such 

descendant being Mr. Maceo Snipes who was 

a World War II veteran; and 

Whereas, their union produced many well 

respected citizens, today we honor all of the 

matriarchs and patriarchs, who are pillars of 

strength for the Snipes and Turner families; 

and 

Whereas, in our beloved Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, we are honored to 

have many members of the Snipes and Turner 

families, whom are some of our most productive citizens in our District; and 

Whereas, family is one of the most honored 

and cherished institutions in the world, we 

take pride in knowing that families such as the 

Snipes and Turner families have set aside this 

time to fellowship with each other, honor one 

another and to pass along history to each 

other by meeting at this year’s family reunion 

in Atlanta, Georgia; and 

Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the 

Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this 

day to honor and recognize the Snipes and 

Turner families; 

Now therefore, I, HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, Jr., do hereby proclaim, July 7, 2012 as 

Snipes and Turner Family Reunion Day in the 

Fourth Congressional District of Georgia. 

Proclaimed, this 7th day of July, 2012. 

f 

THE GREATER KANAWAH VALLEY 

FOUNDATION 

HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO OF WEST VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 10, 2012 

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to 

congratulate The Greater Kanawha Valley 

Foundation on obtaining their National Standards for U.S. Community FoundationsTM accreditation from the Community Foundations 

National Standards Board. 

The Community Foundations National 

Standards Board was established as a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations, a nonprofit membership association of 

grant making foundations and corporations, to 

administer the National Standards. This board 

is responsible for upholding the quality, value, 

and integrity of the National Standards for 

U.S. Community FoundationsTM, the first and 

only accreditation program of its kind. 

In the United States, community foundations 

serve tens of thousands of donors, administer 

more than $40 billion in charitable funds, and 

address the core concerns of more than 700 

communities and regions. With such a presence—nationally and within local communities—comes responsibility. 

Achieving confirmation and reconfirming 

compliance with National Standards is a rigorous process, guaranteeing that every community foundation that receives the designation has adhered to excellent philanthropic 

practice. This program requires community 

foundations to document their policies for governance, donor services, investments, 

grantmaking, community leadership, and administration. 

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation of 

Charleston, West Virginia has obtained its National Standards accreditation by demonstrating a commitment to operational quality, 

integrity, accountability, and adherence to the 

highest standards for grantmaking. 

On behalf of the residents of Charleston, I 

congratulate The Greater Kanawha Valley 

Foundation on receiving its National Standards 

accreditation and commend the foundation’s 

dedicated service to Charleston and communities in West Virginia. 

f 

HONORING CAPTAIN JOE MORRIS 

HON. HEATH SHULER OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 10, 2012 

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

honor Captain Joe Morris, who retires from 

law enforcement after having completed over 

40 years of outstanding service to his community and Western North Carolina. 

Joe has shown devotion to upholding the 

rule of law and ensuring the safety of our 

mountain communities throughout his career. 

He began in 1964 as a Highway Patrol Officer, 

a position in which he excelled until he retired 

as a Master Trooper in 1985. 

He later served as a Captain for Sheriff 

Homer Holbrooks at the Macon County Sheriffs Department until 2002. Joe once again returned to service the same year, working as 

the Jail Administrator and as a Captain at the 

Cherokee County Sheriffs Department. It is 

from this position that we can celebrate his retirement. 

Through literally decades of service, Joe 

has shown extraordinary dedication to law enforcement in Western North Carolina, and as 

has had a particularly important impact on 

Macon and Cherokee Counties. As his nephew, I could not be prouder. Thank you, Uncle 

Joe, for all of your service to Western North 

Carolina. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO COLONEL JOHN 

BOULE` II 

HON. WILLIAM L. OWENS OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 10, 2012 

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

honor the career and service of a friend and 

constituent, Colonel John Boule` II of Plattsburgh, New York, and to congratulate him on 

his upcoming retirement. Col. Boule` has a 

long and decorated career, rising to his current position as Commander of the New York 

District for the Army Corps of Engineers. This 

country and the State of New York are fortunate to have benefitted from his years of dedicated service. 

Col. Boule` graduated in 1986 from the 

United States Military Academy at West Point 

with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He went on to earn two Master of Science 

degrees from Stanford University, and later 

used those skills to help further the careers of 

fellow soldiers by teaching at West Point. Col. 

Boule` also served the Army in a variety of 

operational, command, and staff assignments 

in the U.S. and overseas including in Iraq, Somalia, and in New York at Fort Drum with the 

41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division. His decorated career includes the Legion 

of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, six awards of 

the Meritorious Service Medal, the Ranger 

Tab, and the Combat Action Badge. 

In addition to his work overseas, Col. Boule`

has been a positive force for change in New 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS