E1488 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 12, 2012 

after by some of America’s most prestigious 

universities. But Donald Holleder chose to attend the United States Military Academy at 

West Point, even forgoing a National Football 

League draft selection by the New York Giants 

in 1956 to serve as an officer in the Army. 

Don Holleder was, by nature, a selfless man 

who subordinated himself to the greater good 

of the team, whether that team was on the 

football field or the field of battle. He was the 

embodiment of a true leader, willing to endure 

personal sacrifice so that others could succeed, even at risk to his own personal safety. 

Major Holleder’s actions in Vietnam on the 

morning of October 17th, 1967 at the Battle of 

Ong Thanh were unparalleled in their bravery. 

According to eyewitness accounts documented in the Army’s recommendation for 

award, his actions to save wounded soldiers 

under enemy fire were above and beyond the 

call of duty. After several requests to be permitted to assist his men, the Brigade Commander relented and gave his approval. Having voluntarily gone outside the perimeter, 

armed with only a .45 caliber pistol and advised of the peril he faced, he ran several 

times into no-man’s land, risking his own life 

to save others. Stabilizing a rapidly deteriorating situation and reestablishing command, 

this Brigade staff officer saved many lives before he was mortally wounded. 

On April 27th, 2012, Major Donald Holleder 

was posthumously awarded the Distinguished 

Service Cross in recognition of his sacrifice. 

His actions were indeed so notable and involved risk of life so extraordinary that he 

clearly deserves to be set apart from his comrades, exemplifying the timeless values of 

courage and sacrifice that this award is intended to honor. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF ENABLE AMERICA 

HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 12, 2012 

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to commemorate the 10th Anniversary 

of Enable America, a first of its kind organization entirely dedicated to reducing unemployment among people with disabilities. This organization has assisted countless people with 

disabilities in finding a job and the belief that 

‘‘good things happen when people have jobs’’ 

underpins their efforts. 

Enable America was founded by Richard 

Salem, a man intimately familiar with the disabled community. After losing his eyesight as 

a teenager, Richard’s parents were the main 

drivers behind his continued inclusion in the 

public high school system, which later allowed 

him to graduate cum laude from Belmont 

Abbey College. In pursuing a law degree, he 

was the first blind student to attend Duke Law 

School, graduating with distinction in 1972. 

Now, 40 years later, Richard is not only a successful lawyer, as the founding partner of the 

Tampa-based Salem Law group, he is also a 

tireless advocate for those living with disabilities and life-changing diseases. 

Knowing that the support he received was 

one of the keys to his success, Richard founded Enable America in 2002 as a nonprofit organization that is focused on increasing employment among the 54 million Americans with 

disabilities, including wounded warriors and 

disabled veterans. With more than 70 percent 

of adults with disabilities wanting to work so 

that they can live independently, the programs 

that Enable America has developed helps 

them to achieve this goal. Enable America’s 

committed staff knows that having a job gives 

people ‘‘self-esteem, independence and pride. 

They have a place in the community and are 

able to grow and become their own person.’’ 

In assisting people with disabilities to find a 

job, Enable America directly confronts the misinformation or misunderstandings about the 

disabled community, which often hinders people with disabilities from finding employment. 

Enable America’s two-pronged approach was 

developed specifically to help connect the disabled community with the business community. First, they host Community Connection 

Meetings across the nation, which assist with 

the creation of a national information-sharing 

network comprised of local community task 

forces devoted to eliminating the barriers to 

employment for disabled individuals. Second, 

Enable America hosts a series of meetings 

with business leaders, managers, resource 

professionals and speakers to encourage prospective employers to hire disabled job seekers by demonstrating the many benefits of hiring disabled employees and by answering 

questions that businesses may have about 

issues such as personnel policies, taxes and 

insurance. 

Beyond connecting people with disabilities 

with business leaders, Enable America also 

provides disability employee mentoring. This 

program provides people with disabilities with 

real-world experience in the workplace by 

matching mentees with business mentors that 

are looking to improve diversity and increase 

employment opportunities. Today, I have the 

privilege to host one of these mentees in my 

Washington, D.C. office. William ‘‘Bill’’ Rockwood, who is currently pursuing a law degree 

at Georgetown, does not allow his learning 

disability to stop him from embracing new experiences and taking advantage of opportunities when they come along. Programs like Enable America, which offered Bill a unique mentoring opportunity, not only provide an irreplaceable experience for the mentees, but 

also afford mentors an impactful look at the 

contributions they can make in any work environment. 

Finally, Enable America assists our wounded warriors as they return to active duty or civilian life. These brave men and women who 

have served our country in combat deserve all 

the assistance that we can provide. Military 

service members, past and present, possess a 

great sense of honor and traits any employer 

would find valuable—duty, commitment, and 

loyalty. Enable America honors their service 

and sacrifice by showing businesses that investing in our nation’s veterans and honoring 

their service to our nation is not charity, but a 

smart decision. 

Mr. Speaker, as you can see this organization is truly making a difference in the lives of 

those living with disabilities. I ask my colleagues to join with me today in recognizing 

this important milestone and to wish Enable 

America continued success in the future. 

HONORING LT COL KRISTINE 

SWAIN FOR 21 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES AIR 

FORCE 

HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN OF VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 12, 2012 

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

recognize Lieutenant Colonel Kristine Swain 

for her 21 years of dedicated service to our 

great country. Lt Col Swain graduated from 

the United States Air Force Academy in 1991, 

and a year later earned her Master of Arts in 

Russian studies from the University of Kansas. 

During Lt Col Swain’s 21 years of exceptional 

service she has served in South Korea, Saudi 

Arabia, Alaska, England, Kosovo, Italy, and 

Belgium. 

During Lt Col Swain’s three year assignment in Brussels she authored position papers 

for use by both the Secretary of Defense and 

Secretary of State for negotiations dealing with 

the Russian incursion into Georgia. She was 

awarded her second Defense Meritorious 

Service Medal in part for translating complex 

and delicate guidance into concrete NATO 

policy and action. Lt Col Swain is currently 

serving as associate professor of history at the 

Air Force Academy where she has authored a 

new course in Russian history and co-authored an innovative senior level course on 

the Cold War. We are all indebted to the selfless service members such as Lt Col Swain 

and many others who courageously defend 

our great nation. 

f 

IN HONOR OF JULIAN ROGERS 

HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 12, 2012 

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 

honor of Julian Rogers, a member of the Cuyahoga County Council serving the Tenth District. 

Councilman Rogers was elected to the Cuyahoga County Council in 2010 and currently 

chairs the Environment and Sustainability 

Committee. He is also the current Executive 

Director of Education Voters Ohio, a statewide, nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of public education throughout Ohio. 

Prior to serving the residents of Cuyahoga 

County, Councilman Rogers worked as the 

senior assistant to the Chief Executive Officer 

at the Cleveland Municipal School District 

(CMSD) for a span of seven years. During that 

time, he also served as a Liaison to the Office 

of the Mayor for five years. Preceding his work 

with the CMSD and City of Cleveland, Rogers 

worked on Mary Boyle’s campaign for the U.S. 

Senate, as a Regional Director for America 

Coming Together, served as a delegate to the 

2004 Democratic National Convention, cofounded Blue 88 and served as Field Director 

for the Cuyahoga County Arts and Culture 

levy which helps provide over $16 million a 

year to support arts and culture in the community. Additionally he has been appointed to the 

Board of Trustees of the Greater Cleveland 

Regional Transit Authority in 2006 and 2009, 


jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS