E1384 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks August 1, 2012 

that all of us in East Tennessee are the better 

for. 

I commend Gary for his selfless contributions to East Tennessee and its water resources and wish him the best as he transitions into this new stage in life. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on 

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 I missed votes due to 

a meeting in my district with constituents in 

Urbana, IL on pressing local issues. Had I 

been present, I would have voted ‘‘aye’’ for S. 

679, Presidential Appointment Efficiency and 

Streamlining Act of 2011; ‘‘aye’’ for H.R. 828, 

Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 

2011; and ‘‘aye’’ for H.R. 3803, District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection 

Act. 

f 

IN HONOR OF DR. JOHN PETER 

GROTHE 

HON. SAM FARR OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 

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

honor the late Dr. John Peter Grothe who 

passed away on June 16th, 2012 at the age 

of 81. Dr. Grothe was a dedicated public servant who counted among his proudest achievements drafting the original Peace Corps legislation and giving it the name ‘‘Peace Corps’’ 

when he worked for Senator Hubert Humphrey. Dr. Grothe was a dedicated educator, 

author, and public speaker whose passion and 

work touched countless lives. 

Dr. Grothe was born on May 28, 1931 in 

San Francisco to Walter and Dorothy Grothe 

and grew up in Hillsborough, California. He 

earned his BA and MA degrees in Journalism 

from Stanford University and later went on to 

earn his PhD in Political Science from George 

Washington University. After his work with 

Senator Humphrey, Dr. Grothe was appointed 

Deputy Director of the United Nations Division 

of the U.S. Peace Corps. 

Following this appointment, Dr. Grothe 

launched a long career in academia, serving 

as an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate 

School of International Policy Studies at the 

Monterey Institute of International Studies in 

my Congressional District where he was the 

Director of International Student Programs and 

taught American Politics and Cross-Cultural 

Communications. Dr. Grothe also held positions at San Jose State University, Odense 

University in Denmark, and State University of 

New York, Stony Brook. Dr. Grothe brought 

his knowledge and abilities to his work as a 

visiting research scholar, lecturing in Sweden, 

Norway, and 51 other countries. He also 

served with the American Field Service as an 

adviser, leader, and volunteer. 

Dr. Grothe was also an accomplished author who wrote To Win the Minds of Men—A 

Study of the Propaganda War in East Germany and penned numerous scholarly articles 

that appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, and 

San Francisco Chronicle, among other publications. 

Dr. Grothe was an inspiring mentor, leader 

and volunteer who served as a father figure to 

many. He was committed to creating opportunity for tomorrow’s leaders and made a financial contribution that allowed 145 qualified 

international and minority students to pursue 

their educational goals. The Peter Grothe 

Scholarship Fund for Women in Developing 

Countries was created to continue Dr. 

Grothe’s tradition of providing educational opportunity. 

Mr. Speaker, I offer my deepest condolences to Dr. Grothe’s sister, Ms. Carol Stevens, and half siblings, Mr. Tom Grothe, and 

Ms. Heidi Carman. Dr. Grothe leaves an inspiring legacy and he will be deeply missed. 

f 

CELEBRATING IAB’S FIRST 30 

YEARS 

HON. JOE BARTON OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 

Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today 

Dr. Burgess and I rise to recognize the Independent Association of Businesses (IAB), a 

leading national trade association, in celebrating 30 years of supporting small business 

owners and self-employed individuals. IAB 

was founded in 1982 and after years of 

growth, now serves more than one million 

members. 

IAB was founded in Washington, DC and 

maintains its administrative headquarters in 

the Dallas/Fort Worth area. IAB is a non-profit, 

501(c)6 designated business organization, and 

has been recognized by numerous State and 

Federal officials for its success in aiding and 

advancing small businesses. The organization 

has had success in providing businesses and 

individuals with beneficial tools such as research, advocacy, and access to numerous 

services. Additionally, members have the opportunity to become associates with JAB in 

order to further promote the organization’s efforts. 

After 30 years, IAB continues to put the interests of both business owners and consumers first. It is our pleasure to recognize the 

Independent Association of Businesses for 30 

years of service and this significant milestone 

in its history. We are privileged to represent 

JAB, America’s Premier Membership Association in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE CAREER 

AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF SEYMOUR S. LEVANDER 

HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

to honor the exceptional achievements and 

outstanding career of Seymour S. Levander. 

Sy, as his friends and family know him, will 

turn 89 years old later this year, is a beloved 

father and grandfather. Sy, the son of immigrant refugees from Europe, began his version 

of the American Dream growing up in the 

Bronx, graduating from James Madison High 

School in 1941. He continued his academic 

studies at Cooper Union University, graduating 

in 1944 and teaching electrical engineering 

there for a short time. 

Sy then started designing and selling equipment for the building trade, which was booming at that time in post-war America. In the 

1950s, Sy, seeing an opportunity, struck out 

on his own and started his own business 

which he owned and ran until he sold the firm 

at the age of 66 at his wife Ellenore’s request. 

However, retirement didn’t take with Sy, and 

he continued to work. At the tender young age 

of 71, he started a new engineering and sales 

firm with younger partners where he continues 

his storied career in the construction industry 

to this day, still going in to work at age 88. 

Sy’s knowledge, work ethic, and old-fashioned 

integrity are the stuff of legend in the industry. 

Over the years, he has been honored several 

times by ASHRAE, the nationwide building 

technology society, as well as other industry 

organizations. 

Sy has also been a terrific community leader and a fighter for the underdog throughout 

his life. Through his businesses and a lifetime 

of charitable endeavors, he has created opportunities for people from all walks of life and 

backgrounds. In addition, he and his beloved 

wife Ellenore, who unfortunately passed away 

this year after 67 years of marriage, were 

founders of the Pelham Jewish Center, which 

has been a primary focus of his energies and 

care for many years. 

Mr. Speaker, while he has many achievements to his name, Sy is most proud of his 

two children, a doctor and a lawyer; his 

daughter-in-law, an architect; and his four 

grandchildren, who are, respectively, the first 

trumpet for the San Francisco Opera and a 

music professor at Berkley, a doctor interning 

at Stony Brook University Medical Center, a 

law student and Human Rights Fellow at Columbia University Law School, and a rising 

junior at Dartmouth College. I ask all of our 

colleagues to rise and join me in honoring 

Seymour S. Levander. 

f 

IN SUPPORT OF H. RES. 742, CONDEMNING THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION FOR SELLING WEAPONS TO 

SYRIA 

HON. LAURA RICHARDSON OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I 

rise in support of H. Res. 742, a resolution I 

introduced condemning the Russian government for selling weapons to the Assad regime 

of Syria. 

A bipartisan companion resolution sponsored by Senators CORNYN (R–TX) and DURBIN (D–IL) has been introduced in the Senate 

as S. Res. 494. I am proud that my colleagues 

SHEILA JACKSON LEE, DAVE CAMP, SUE

MYRICK, BILL PASCRELL, JR. and BETTY

MCCOLLUM have joined me as original cosponsors of this important resolution. 

The resolution is endorsed by the American 

Syrian Coalition, ASC, and I ask unanimous 

consent to include in the record a letter of 


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