E1474 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 11, 2012 

In January 1922, a Minnesotan angler 

named Will Dilg and a group of fisherman created the Izaak Walton League of America in 

response to the environmental damage they 

witnessed during the rapid industrialization following World War One. They began a grassroots campaign to educate the public about 

the environment and worked to influence Congress to adopt pro-conservation legislation. 

Just a year after its creation, the Izaak Walton League successfully blocked legislation 

that threatened wilderness land that is now the 

Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). For 

many years the League was the only organization working to defend this treasured landscape, which has become central to our 

state’s identity. The Izaak Walton League of 

America would go on to help establish the 

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and 

Fish Refuge and prove instrumental in passing 

the federal Clean Water Act in 1972. The 

Izaak Walton League has always remained 

true to its founding as a grassroots organization. Their members share my belief that in 

order to protect our nation’s wildlife and natural lands we must focus on bringing communities together around a shared appreciation of 

nature. They do this through school visits, 

educational seminars, and hands on volunteer 

work. In 2005, the League established the National Conservation Scholarship Program to 

develop future leaders who will carry on the 

League’s mission. Mr. Speaker, it gives me 

great pride to recognize the Izaak Walton 

League and all its members on this anniversary and wish them continued success on the 

next 90 years. 

f 

REQUIRE THE VA TO CONSIDER 

ALL QUALIFIED VETERANS 

HON. MIKE COFFMAN OF COLORADO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, 

we are remiss in our duty to reintegrate those 

who served in our military into the civilian 

workforce. The awful truth is that 16.7 percent 

of Iraq and Afghanistan servicemembers face 

joblessness upon separation. To help address 

this problem, I am introducing the Veterans 

Employment Act of 2012, which will require 

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire all 

qualified veterans before considering other applicants. The Department of Veterans Affairs, 

VA, has a workforce of 318,856 civilians, only 

32 percent have actually ever worn the uniform. Increasing the amount of veterans they 

employ, while decreasing the amount of unemployed veterans, is a commonsense policy 

that benefits everyone. 

The number of claims for veterans’ disability 

benefits that take more than 125 days to complete has reached 560,000 unresolved cases. 

The VA claims backlog is leaving too many 

disabled veterans waiting an average of six 

months to receive the disability benefits they 

have earned. Worse, the Integrated Disability 

Evaluation System, IDES, designed to make 

the transition from wounded warrior to veteran 

status more efficient, averages 394 days to 

process each veteran. 

Broadening the presence of veterans working for the VA will ultimately make the organization more responsive to the needs of our 

veterans. Having served in both the U.S. Army 

and the Marine Corps, I understand the strong 

bond of compassion shared between veterans 

of all uniforms and across all generations. 

There is a common culture, terminology and 

expectation of care among military personnel 

and veterans that have proven to be uncommon to civilians who struggle to connect with 

them. A dramatic increase in the number of 

veterans working at the VA is one solution to 

the systemic inefficiencies that have plagued 

the department and the reason I am introducing this bill. 

My bill will require the VA to consider all 

qualified veterans for a job. If the VA determines none of those candidates meet the 

qualifications, only then may they consider 

non-veteran candidates. The VA will still be required to submit an explanation to the Office 

of Personnel Management for all veterans 

passed-over, in accordance with current regulation. No qualifications for employment will be 

changed or reduced. Requiring the VA to explain their hiring decisions introduces greater 

transparency into the process. 

I look forward to working with my colleagues 

from both parties to fulfill our commitment to 

veterans by recognizing their increased value 

for employment in the VA. 

f 

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF HARLEM’S SOUTHERN STYLE FOOD 

ICON, CALVIN COPELAND 

HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of another Harlem’s 

Southern Home Style Restaurant owner and 

Master Chef, Calvin Copeland, who passed 

away on Thursday morning, August 23. As we 

remembered and recently celebrated the life of 

Sylvia Woods, The Queen of Soul Food—certainly for 50 years, Mr. Calvin Copeland and 

his famed Copeland’s Restaurant & Reliable 

Catering was worthy and reigned with royalty 

on West 145th Street, between Amsterdam 

Avenue and Broadway in the Village of West 

Harlem. 

Born in Virginia on May 1, 1925, Mr. 

Copeland headed north to live with an aunt 

who taught him her secret recipe to making 

finger licking good, fried chicken. Never one to 

forget his southern roots, Mr. Copeland proudly proclaimed Harlem as ‘‘the place’’ that 

made him famous by cooking and serving his 

delicious, and often catered, Southern foods 

and a little bit of live Jazz. 

Mr. Copeland started the business in 1958 

as a catering service, one of Harlem’s first, in 

a modest storefront on Broadway north of 

148th Street. Mr. Copeland baked and decorated cakes and only had but one worker, Ms. 

Gertrude Clark, who is white and grew up on 

a farm in upstate New York did whatever else 

was needed, which often included preparing 

Southern fare. Quoted in a New York Times 

Article, she stated. ‘‘I had never eaten collard 

greens in my life, and there I was making fried 

chicken and souse meat.’’ Ms. Clark later became Copeland’s banquet manager. 

Mr. Copeland eventually rented the store 

next door, opened up a hole in the wall, expanded the kitchen and started serving breakfast and lunch, cafeteria style. In 1980, As 

small business restaurateur, Copeland faced 

many challenges. In 1981, the restaurant 

burned to the ground and the insurance company went bankrupt before Mr. Copeland was 

able to recoup his losses. He lost everything, 

but the liquor. Back in the day Banks were not 

prone to lending money to restaurants located 

in Harlem, but because of the generosity of 

friends and special loyal worker, Copeland 

was able to reopen in grandeur. That very 

special worker was Gertrude Clark who mortgaged her property in upstate New York, 

which along with a small business loan helped 

her boss secure financing for a new location, 

on West 145th Street between Broadway and 

Amsterdam in Hamilton Heights. 

Calvin Copeland became an institution, 

when he moved his business to 547 West 

145th Street and opened Copeland’s Restaurant & Bar Lounge and Reliable Catering 

Service, which was also a community buffet 

style diner. Copeland’s became a destination 

for black families from as far South as Florida 

and the Carolinas and as far North as Buffalo, 

New York to Canada. Black entertainers, like 

Harry Belafonte and Stevie Wonder; and other 

notables would stop by when in town. 

Desmond Tutu, the retired Anglican archbishop, ate there once, and so did Muhammad 

Ali and the comedian Richard Pryor, who 

threw money in the air when he left the restaurant so as to distract the crowd that had 

surrounded him, Mr. Copeland stated that Natalie Cole was a regular. Michael Jackson 

came by once for take-out. 

One of my fondest memories was the eve of 

the Mayoral General Election in 1989 when 

David N. Dinkins and I campaigned at the 

subway stop on 145th Street and Broadway 

and ate at Copeland’s Restaurant. I don’t 

know if it was the lucky fried chicken, the collard greens or Copeland’s corner, but the next 

day David N. Dinkins won the election and became the first African American and 106th 

Mayor of the City of New York. 

Copeland Restaurant was a place where 

you can catch Kathy Sharpton, Candi Staton, 

Lonnie Youngblood, Gloria Lynne and other 

great Jazz, Gospel and R&B artist perform. 

Where politicians held court and Harlem players and shakers hung out for breakfast. I miss 

those fried apples, chicken livers and cat fish, 

and that amazing banana pudding and sweet 

potato pie. 

Unfortunately, in 2007 due to the economic 

downturn and poor health, Mr. Copeland had 

to close. Mr. Copeland always dreamed that 

one day he would make a comeback to the 

food business that he loved so much. He was 

a great teacher and mentor to those in need 

of a trade to make a decent living, Mr. 

Copeland trained many into the restaurant 

business. Even people coming out of prison 

with no real job options could depend on him 

for a professional introduction into the culinary 

arts. 

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Calvin Copeland, a Harlem 

Mainstay was there when rioters burned and 

looted stores in 1964, when crack cocaine and 

HIV/AIDS tore families apart, when 

brownstones were for sale for $50,000 and 

few outsiders dared move in. He endured fire 

and financial ruin, yet each time he picked up 

the pieces and prospered, as bold and resilient as the neighborhood around him. If he 

could be the master of his fate, he would live 

out his days in Harlem. Please join me and 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS
September 11, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1475 

my colleagues as we salute another Harlem 

Icon, Mr. Calvin Copeland who has contributed to the greatness in which Harlem is 

known. 

f 

WEST CALDWELL VOLUNTEER 

FIRE DEPARTMENT’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY 

HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to honor the West Caldwell Volunteer 

Fire Department of West Caldwell, Essex 

County, New Jersey for the celebration of its 

100th Anniversary this year. 

Although the Borough of West Caldwell received its charter in 1904, it was not until August 5, 1912 that the pressing need for organized protection against fire prompted the incorporation of a fire department. With the help 

of an appointed committee, the department 

soon legitimized, purchasing fire equipment 

and property for a firehouse, on which the first 

WCVFD firehouse was built. Additional investments in horse drawn wagons, a 700 foot fire 

house, and sounding fire alarms further improved the efficiency of the department. 

Beginning in 1917 the Borough motorized 

the department, continuing to purchase automobile fire apparatuses throughout the 1950’s 

and 1960’s in response to the demands of industry, business, and an increasing population. 

Despite the fact that the department’s first 

initial firehouse no longer stands, in 1968 the 

West Caldwell Borough constructed a new 

firehouse. This firehouse, located on 6 Fairfield Avenue, is home to the present day 

headquarters of the department. 

Today, the West Caldwell Volunteer Fire 

Department clearly maintains its initial principles of teamwork and commitment. Under 

current Chief James Alvine, the department 

consists of approximately 60 dedicated individuals who work together to save lives on a 

daily basis. 

It is evident that the West Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department exhibits the unity and 

teamwork required of the fire service. The 

merits of courage, pride, and passion that permeate the department serve as a testament to 

its long withstanding success. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues 

to join me in congratulating the West Caldwell 

Volunteer Fire Department of West Caldwell, 

Essex County, New Jersey, for the achievement of its 100th anniversary. 

f 

RECOGNIZING CHET WALKER 

HON. FRED UPTON OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

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

recognize Chet Walker of Benton Harbor, 

Michigan, who was elected to both the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 

7, 2012. 

Mr. Walker began his career as the star of 

Benton Harbor High School’s basketball team, 

leading the school to the Class A Boys’ state 

finals in 1958. He then matriculated to Bradley 

College in Peoria, Illinois, where he became 

the school’s all-time top scorer and rebounder, 

and was a two-time unanimous First Team AllAmerica pick. Mr. Walker led the Bradley 

Braves to victory in the 1960 National Invitation Tournament and finished his college career with an outstanding 69–14 win-loss 

record. 

His success as a college athlete caught the 

attention of the NBA, and after graduation Mr. 

Walker was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals 

in the second round. Mr. Walker continued in 

his tradition of success, and was named to the 

first ever NBA All-Rookie Team. The rest of 

his professional basketball career proved to be 

exceptional: over the span of his 13 years, Mr. 

Walker scored 18,831 points and grabbed 

7,314 rebounds, had a free throw percentage 

of 79.6, was a seven-time All-Star, and won 

the 1967 NBA championship with what is considered by many today to be the greatest basketball team of all time. 

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mr. 

Walker’s achievements and am glad that he is 

being properly respected for his contributions 

by the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and the 

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Chet Walker is one of the greatest to ever play the game 

and we are so proud in southwest Michigan. 

f 

IN HONOR OF THE ANDERSON 

POLICE DEPARTMENT K-9 UNIT 

HON. MIKE PENCE OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I was deeply saddened to learn that, for the second time in less 

than a month, the community of Anderson is 

mourning the loss of a police dog. On July 26, 

2012, Anderson Police Department K-9 Kilo 

was lost during a shooting that took the life of 

a Pendleton resident and injured two police officers. Just weeks later, on August 18, 2012, 

while tracking the scent of a bank robbery 

suspect, Anderson Police Department K-9 

Magnum was shot and eventually succumbed 

to those wounds. 

Both Kilo and Magnum were lost in the line 

of duty and while some may believe their service is far different from the officers who 

choose to wear the uniform, those who stand 

on the thin blue line see police dogs as partners. Kilo and Magnum both were loyal to the 

end. With their instincts and training, these police dogs were the front line of defense, protecting their human compatriots. 

I couldn’t be more proud, that in the wake 

of these tragedies, the community has rallied 

around the Anderson Police Department. Students at both Anderson Prepatory Academy 

and Anderson High School have raised funds 

to help the city bring on another K-9. 

Police dogs, like Kilo and Magnum are often 

visible within our communities and can be very 

valuable with public outreach efforts. Yet, as 

we have learned, these animals often are the 

front line of defense for officers and the public 

at large. 

Let us keep the Anderson Police Department, especially Officers Marty Dulworth and 

Matt Jarrett, the handlers of Kilo and Magnum, 

in our prayers. These instances demonstrate 

that our first responders put our lives ahead of 

their own on a daily basis. For that, we will be 

forever grateful. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. ADAM KINZINGER OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, due 

to transportation issues beyond my control, I 

was unable to cast my votes on Monday, September 10, 2012. If able to cast those votes I 

would have voted Aye on H.R. 6122, to Revise the Authority of the Librarian of Congress 

to accept gifts on behalf of the Library; H.R. 

2139, the Lions Club Commemorative Coin 

Act; and H.R. 6186, to Require a study of 

community-based flood insurance options. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. BARBARA LEE OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was 

not present for rollcall votes 557–559. Had I 

been able to vote, I would have voted ‘‘yes’’ 

on all three votes. 

f 

TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS CLAYTON R. 

BEAUCHAMP 

HON. KAY GRANGER OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

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

honor the service of Petty Officer 3rd Class 

Clayton R. Beauchamp who was killed on August 7, 2012 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Petty Officer Beauchamp was serving 

with the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 

Regimental Combat Team 6, based at Camp 

Pendleton, California. 

Petty Officer Beauchamp was from 

Weatherford, TX. He graduated from Weatherford High School in 2009 and enlisted in the 

Navy that July. Petty Officer Beauchamp is 

one of three siblings who have all chosen to 

serve in the United States Navy. His brother, 

Christopher Beauchamp, is a six-year Navy 

corpsman serving his third tour overseas, and 

his younger sister, Cheyenne Beauchamp, is 

in the Navy Security Forces, stationed in Virginia. According to friends, Clay always knew 

he wanted to serve after high school, and he 

signed up at the first possible opportunity on 

his 17th birthday, Jan. 16, 2008, more than a 

year before graduation. 

Petty Officer Beauchamp, a medical corpsman, had earned a Combat Action Ribbon, 

Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy 

Good Conduct Medal, Navy Expert ribbons in 

rifle and pistol and the Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist device, and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. 

Petty Officer 3rd Class Clayton R. 

Beauchamp was a true patriot and made the 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS