September 19, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1567 

early part of the 10th Century. During his tenure as king, St. Wenceslaus took a vow of 

chastity and was devoted to his Christian faith. 

Killed by his brother, St. Wenceslaus was later 

canonized as a martyr of the Christian faith. 

St. John Nepomucene is one of only two 

Czech congregations left in the Cleveland 

Catholic Diocese, along with Our Lady of 

Lourdes Parish. 

The Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland 

will gather together on September 29th for 

mass featuring the Most Reverend Bishop 

Roger W. Gries and will be followed by a celebration dinner and performance by the Hronek 

Czech Band. 

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me 

in recognition of the Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland on the occasion of their 89th Annual Feast of St. Wenceslaus. I offer my best 

wishes to the Czech Catholics of Greater 

Cleveland and all those who attend this joyous 

celebration. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF MILESTONES AUTISM ORGANIZATION 

HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

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

recognition of the 10th anniversary of Milestones Autism Organization, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of 

life for individuals on the autism spectrum and 

their families. 

Founded in 2003 by parents to promote lifelong strategies for success for individuals with 

autism, Milestones Autism Organization has 

assisted more than 4,000 individuals throughout the past decade. Milestones trains parents 

and professionals using research-based techniques in order to improve the level of educational and therapeutic programming available for individuals with autism. Milestones offers parent workshops and training, professional development programs, school team 

training, consultation services, hosts an annual 

Autism/Asperger’s conference, and has 

launched a professional network, the Milestones Consortium for Autism Professionals. 

As Milestones Autism Organization celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, a special 

tribute will be given to its founding board 

members, Chantal Akerib, Bart Bookatz, Carol 

Lader and Sally H. Wertheim. 

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me 

in recognizing a decade of training and support provided by the Milestones Autism Organization. 

f 

A TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND 

DOCTOR DARAN HERNANDEZ 

MITCHELL 

HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

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

pay tribute and honor the Reverend Doctor 

Daran H. Mitchell, a man dedicated to serving 

God, his family, and the community. Dr. Mitchell is the pastor of the First African Methodist 

Episcopal Zion Church in the BedfordStuyvesant section of Brooklyn, which I represent. 

Dr. Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion/Philosophy-Liberal Studies 

from Bethune-Cookman College, a Master of 

Divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary, and the Doctor of Ministry from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. 

Since his appointment to the First A.M.E. 

Zion Church pulpit in October 2004, Dr. Mitchell has established a ministry to men, a ministry to women, a liturgical dance ministry, a 

media ministry, completed over $850,000 in 

capital improvements, restored the Historic 

Clock on its edifice, and is actively creating 

partnerships with churches and community 

leaders in the Borough of Brooklyn. 

An active member of the community, Dr. 

Mitchell presently serves as chairman of the 

Board of Conference Studies for the New York 

Annual Conference; member of the Board of 

Trustees of the New York Annual Conference; 

member, Board of Directors, Harriet Tubman 

Home; chairman of the Budget Committee, 

New York Annual Conference; chairman of the 

Finance Committee for the New York City District, and a member of the Brotherhood Pension Board for the A.M.E. Zion Church. 

Dr. Mitchell is married to the Reverend Lorraine Lynn Kennedy-Mitchell and they are the 

proud parents of a 16 year-old son, Caylen. 

A gifted preacher, teacher, motivational 

speaker, builder, and community activist, Dr. 

Mitchell has sought to raise the spiritual climate and social consciousness of not only the 

congregation, but the community in general by 

becoming active in every aspect of community 

life. The community of Greensboro, North 

Carolina is gaining an extraordinary figure that 

will be greatly missed in Brooklyn. 

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the 

Reverend Dr. Daran H. Mitchell for his tremendous contributions to his congregants and the 

community. 

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join 

me in paying tribute to the Reverend Dr. 

Daran H. Mitchell. 

f 

HONORING 53 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE BY THE FEDERATION OF ASIA-PACIFIC WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION 

HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO OF GUAM

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

to honor the Federation of Asia-Pacific Women’s Association (FAWA) for more than 50 

years of exemplary service to our community. 

FAWA has strived to develop mutual cooperation and friendship through the advocacy of 

cultural ties among Asian and Pacific Islander 

women in our region since its origins with the 

General Federation of Women’s Clubs and its 

founding in the Philippines in 1959. 

FAWA seeks to improve the lives of members and their communities. Their motto, 

‘‘Asian Women United for Service’’ describes 

their efforts to effect major changes in the status of women in Asia and to work towards a 

better life for the Asia-Pacific region. FAWA 

accomplishes this objective through promoting 

closer relations and joint efforts among 

Asians, particularly women, by fostering a mutual appreciation of cultural, moral and socioeconomic values. 

As an honorary president of FAWA, I am 

proud and excited to host this year’s convention on Guam. This year’s theme, ‘‘Empowering Asia-Pacific Women Through Knowledge 

and Opportunities,’’ is fitting, as this convention brings together women leaders from 

across the Asia-Pacific region to share experiences and promote the continued growth and 

preservation of women’s roles in the Asia-Pacific region. The conference will address 

issues affecting women in the modern world, 

including women and sustainability, women’s 

health issues, and women and education. 

These sessions offer valuable networking opportunities for participants, and I encourage all 

attendees to take advantage of this unique 

group of leaders; to make valuable connections with other empowered women in our 

community. 

I recognize the founders, Minerva G. 

Laudico and Geronima T. Pecson; this organization has carried on their vision and passion 

across generations and national boundaries. I 

am confident that their legacy of service will 

endure. I commend my fellow Honorary President Cecilia Y. Koo, Honorary Advisor Nancy 

C. Nee, FAWA President Kristal Koga, FAWA 

1st Vice President Charlene Yang, FAWA 2nd 

Vice President Mei Woo, FAWA 3rd Vice 

President Jung Sook Kim, Convention Chair 

Sylvia Crafton, Convention Co-Chairs Nancy 

Tan and Denise Mendiola-Hertslet, and members of the FAWA Board of Executives and all 

the organizing members for their efforts in ensuring that this year’s conference, like past 

events, will be a success. I congratulate the 

Federation of Asia-Pacific Women’s Association for their dedication and contributions, and 

I look forward to the continued growth of this 

organization for many more years to come. 

f 

THE AFFIRMING RELIGIOUS HERITAGE AND FREEDOM IN THE 

UNITED STATES ACT 

HON. STEPHEN LEE FINCHER OF TENNESSEE

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

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

introduce the Affirming Religious Heritage and 

Freedom in the United States Act. This legislation is a simple statement recognizing the importance of religion in the lives of our nation’s 

citizens, the strong role of Judeo-Christian 

heritage in the development of our nation, and 

the freedom for all to exercise their religious 

beliefs in our nation. 

Our nation’s history is storied with references to religious beliefs and symbols that 

mark their importance in the development of 

our nation. Those religious beliefs often inspired our nation’s founding fathers, as well as 

presidents and lawmakers throughout our history, to stand firm in their conviction that this 

should be a nation of freedom, including freedom of religion. 

Recently, we’ve heard more and more negative news stories about religion in our nation. 

I ask, what is wrong with faith and exercising 


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