August 3, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1439 

Georgians may have too pessimistic a view 

of their own country. As a recent pre-electoral assessment from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) points out, Georgia 

has implemented several key democratic reforms in recent years. New institutions ensure the accuracy of the voters’ list or regulate party financing. Amendments to the 

electoral code in late 2011 and early 2012 introduced a raft of positive changes although 

the failure to redraw electoral districts 

(which range from 6,000 to 158,000 voters) 

means some votes are worth less than others. Recent ‘‘must carry’’ provisions will improve opposition parties’ access to the media 

by obliging cable providers to transmit all 

television channels with news programmes 

during the sixty-day campaign period. In all, 

the ‘‘2012 electoral process is more 

formalised and regulated compared to past 

elections’’, the NDI concludes. 

Even so, the dark side of Georgian politics, 

which Thomas de Waal has likened to ‘‘a 

blood feud’’, has been all too evident since 

Mr. Ivanishvili entered politics in October 

last year. Georgia’s richest man remains 

without Georgian citizenship, an absurd situation of which most of his compatriots disapprove; the sooner that is resolved, the better. The Chamber of Control stands accused 

of levying disproportionate fines on the 

Georgian Dream movement, which Mr. 

Ivanishvili has refused to pay. (It has responded by seizing some of his assets). And 

before Parliament adopted the must carry 

provisions, Channel 9, a new television station co-owned by Mr. Ivanishvili’s wife, and 

Global TV, the only broadcaster that carried 

it, suffered from almost continuous harassment. 

Both sides continue to vilify each other, 

complaining of harassment, improper campaign spending, attempted bribery of state 

officials and abuse of administrative resources. A debate in the European Parliament on 4th July about Georgian politics 

reached similar extremes. As punch-ups during Georgian Dream campaign meetings in 

the central Georgian villages of Mereti on 

26th June and Kareleti on 12th July suggest, 

it could get nastier still. 

Yet Mr. Ivanishvili’s political awakening 

has also awoken Georgian voters. Huge, 

peaceful rallies have taken place across the 

country, far beyond anything seen in recent 

years. Many more Georgians (75%) now plan 

to vote in October’s elections than intended 

to so in September last year (51%), polls 

show. And the political debate is increasingly focused on issues that matter to ordinary Georgians, not just personalities. 

Georgian Dream unveiled some of their 

plans in May: cutting utility costs, investing 

in agriculture, free universal health-insurance and increased pensions. Vano 

Merabishvili, the former interior minister 

who became prime minister in late June, announced the government’s four-year postelection programme shortly after taking office. He too wants to boost pensions, provide 

universal health-insurance, and invest in agriculture. Mr. Merabishvili has also set up a 

new ministry to tackle unemployment 

(roughly 34% of Georgians say they are unemployed, compared with an official rate unemployment rate of 16%), and promises to 

provide each family with vouchers worth 

$600. 

Does Mr. Merabishvili’s appointment indicate that Mikheil Saakashvili, the president, 

is unlikely to become prime minister once 

his term in office expires in early 2013? As 

one of the few big beasts of Georgian politics, Mr. Merabishvili would certainly be 

hard to shove aside. At any rate, slightly 

more Georgians would oppose such a jobswap a ́ la Putin than would approve of it. 

Reassuringly, 55% of Georgians surveyed 

think the elections will be well conducted, 

and only 21% fear falsification. But there is 

little room for complacency. Mr. Ivanishvili 

has said that if he has any evidence of voterigging by the authorities, he will call for 

street protests. For most foreign observers, 

and many Georgians, that would be a step 

backwards. Yet 27% of those polled say he 

would be justified in doing so. Come October, 

that sentiment could matter. 

While most Georgians are focused on who 

will win, Georgia’s allies say the credibility 

of the electoral process is key. As the NDI 

states, ‘‘further development of democratic 

institutions and practices offer the best 

chance for western integration and for longterm prosperity and stability.’’ With the political temperature likely to rise further in 

coming months, Georgia’s politicians would 

do well to bear that in mind. Will they? 

f 

IN HONOR OF ALEXANDER 

COCKBURN 

HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH 

OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

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

honor of Alexander Cockburn, the bold IrishAmerican journalist who passed away after a 

courageous, private battle with cancer. He left 

this world on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the 

youthful age of 71. 

Alexander Cockburn was born in Scotland 

on June 6, 1941 and spent most of his childhood living in Ireland. He attended the University of Oxford and earned a degree in English 

literature and language in 1963. Alexander became a permanent resident of the United 

States in 1973, where he wrote for several 

noteworthy publications. He spent his first ten 

years in the U.S. writing for The Village Voice, 

an alternative weekly magazine based in New 

York City. He then became a writer for The 

Nation until the time of his death, in addition 

to a variety of publications including The Wall 

Street Journal and New York Press. Alexander 

was also the co-editor of CounterPunch, a 

newsletter in which he frequently expressed 

his controversial, unfiltered opinions for which 

he became renowned and deeply respected. 

Friends and co-workers remember Alexander for his remarkable talents. He could 

quickly write dazzling columns that were full of 

passion and conviction. He was unafraid to 

speak his mind, often writing in opposition to 

his colleagues at the same publications. His 

bold style set him apart as a truly remarkable 

journalist. 

Alexander died on July 21, two years after 

he was diagnosed with cancer. He kept his illness a secret and continued to write until the 

day of his death, refusing to let cancer get in 

the way of his passion. He will be missed by 

his family, friends, and many readers. 

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me 

in honoring Alexander Cockburn, the talented 

journalist and audacious man who has left a 

lasting legacy on the world of literature and 

the world at large. 

TRIBUTE TO CPL MARCUS W. 

DANDREA, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 

HON. ANDER CRENSHAW OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

to honor one of Florida’s brightest sons, Corporal Marcus W. Dandrea, United States Marine Corps, from Jacksonville. On February 

24th of this year, CPL Dandrea, a member of 

Charlie Company, stepped on a pressure plate 

while patrolling a mountain top in Sangin, 

Helmond Province. His recovery has been fast 

and furious, as he is already moving to start 

the next phase of his already inspiring life. 

However, his U.S. Marine Corps active duty 

service will continue through his wife, Lance 

Corporal Victoria Dandrea. They have three 

children, Naomi, DJ, and Micah. I ask that this 

poem, penned in their honor by Albert 

Caswell, be placed in the RECORD. 

INTEL

Intel . . . 

In every battle . . . 

And in every fight . . . 

And in every war, 

there is but such need to so bring such insight! 

Intel . . . Intelligence, 

is what a war’s life blood so ignites . . . 

leading us all to victory by shedding such 

light! 

To illuminate the darkness of war, 

to burn bright! 

For there are but only a few who so gather 

such insights . . . 

For there are The Ph.D’s of the battlefield 

who fight . . . 

The men who are but armed with mind of 

might, 

and with heart’s of steel in sight! 

Top Secret! 

The United States Marine! 

One of our brightest of all shades of green! 

Jar Heads, 

who with such Intelligence so fight . . . and 

so convene! 

Where Technology So Meets Might! 

Saving lives, 

but with all of the knowledge that they so 

provide . . . 

As from all of this, 

such battle plans are so devised! 

As many times, 

making the difference between death and 

life! 

Darkness or Light! 

So that out across a Nation, 

a mother will not have to so cry this night! 

As warriors drop in from no where, 

from out of sight! 

For they are both beauty and the beast, 

all at their height! 

Fighting with their brains and bodies, 

oh what an awesome sight! 

Putting, The Stealth in Technology! 

As how wars are won, 

all in the cover of day and or night . . . 

As when it all so depends on who lives or dies 

As is the high cost so compromised! 

As that’s where you will find, 

all of their most magnificent of all silent 

battle cries! 

As it was out on such a secret mission, 

when this young Marine’s life would almost 

not reach its fruition! 

As an IED went off, 

as so close to death he’d lie! 

As right there but on its very edge, 

as when Marcus so reached so deep down 

with something so left inside! 


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E1440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks August 3, 2012 

To so cheat death! 

As from somewhere so deep . . . so deep . . . 

so deep . . . down inside . . . 

From this Marine’s heart, but came his battle cry! 

To somehow stay alive . . . 

And from that moment on, he was gone! 

Moving up and moving on! 

As this Marine got up and ran towards recovery . . . 

For he had a life to live, 

and to this our world so much more to give 

. . . 

Oooh . . . Rahhhh! Jar Head! 

For, it’s far better to die for something . . . 

than to live for nothing at all! 

And that’s why you joined the Core 

And your fine heart so answered that most 

noble call! 

For some people are but put upon this earth, 

To So Teach Us! To So Reach Us! And So Beseech Us, 

with all of their fine worth! 

As this fine son from Jacksonville, 

gives us all of us such a thrill . . . 

As you has so shone us what so comes first! 

For this United States Marine, 

is one of the greatest things our nations has 

ever seen! 

The only secret he could not so keep! 

Is what so runs in your most magnificent 

heart so very deep! 

That which so out shines them all! 

For Marcus, you won’t cry and he won’t 

crawl! 

As he you can climb any mountain, of them 

all! 

And if I ever had a son, I’d wish he’d have a 

heart half as tall! 

Surely, Marcus you are but one of Florida’s 

Most Brightest of All Son’s! 

Because, up in heaven you need not arms nor 

even legs to run . . . 

And that’s were you are going Marcus, one 

day my son! 

For you have so made our Lord so proud, 

with all of your inspiration and faith bestowed upon us all now! 

Maximus . . . Marcus . . . you’ve put the I in 

Intel this day! 

But, there are No Secrets . . . 

all in what you magnificent heart so says! 

For you are one of our Nation’s, America’s 

Best! 

Ooo . . . Rah Jar Head 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. BILL HUIZENGA OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, 

on rollcall No. 537, 538, and 539, I was absent due to travel delays and inclement weather. Had I been present, I would have voted 

‘‘no’’ on rollcall No. 537, and ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall 

Nos. 538 and 539. 

f 

CELBRATING FIRST BOOK’S 20TH 

ANNIVERSARY 

HON. DANNY K. DAVIS OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to ask the House of Representatives to 

join me in honoring First Book on the occasion 

of their twentieth anniversary and celebrating 

their work on behalf of children in need, in Illinois and across the country. 

First Book is a nonprofit that provides 

brand-new books and educational resources 

to schools and community programs serving 

children from low-income families. Since 1992 

they have distributed over 90 million new 

books to kids in need. 

First Book was founded twenty years ago by 

Peter Gold, Elizabeth Arky and Kyle Zimmer. 

After working with children in some of the 

poorest neighborhoods in the Nation’s capital 

and seeing how their futures were limited by 

their lack of access to books and resources, 

they created First Book. 

Ms. Zimmer continues to lead the organization today, and her vision and passion have 

helped First Book grow from a local nonprofit 

to a global social enterprise with an unsurpassed record of success. 

First Book is set apart by more than their 

deep commitment to the children, teachers 

and community leaders they serve. By working 

with the publishing industry to create new and 

innovative ways to get books and resources to 

children in need, they are creating a groundbreaking and self-sustaining model that benefits both the donors and the recipients. 

First Book is also committed to empowering 

teachers and program leaders, ensuring that 

the educators closest to the children choose 

the books that have the greatest chance of 

turning those young people into lifelong readers. 

I ask the House to join me in honoring First 

Book and further ask the members to introduce First Book to teachers and community 

leaders in their home districts. The more 

schools and local programs join First Book’s 

network, the closer we will come to achieving 

equity in education for all our children. 

f 

HONORING THE SOLDIERS, AIRMEN AND AVIATORS IN THE 

BATTLE OF DIEPPE 70 YEARS 

AGO 

HON. DALE E. KILDEE OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

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

pay tribute and to honor the sacrifice 70 years 

ago this month of more than 3,600 Allied soldiers, airmen and aviators in the Battle of 

Dieppe during a critically pivotal point in World 

War II. The Dieppe Raid, also known as Operation Jubilee, was an Allied attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe on the northern 

coast of France on 19 August 1942. The assault began at 5:00 a.m. and by 10:50 a.m. 

the Allied commanders were forced to call a 

retreat. Over 6,000 infantrymen, predominantly 

Canadian, were supported by limited Royal 

Navy and large Royal Air Force contingents. 

Among Allied soldiers who took part in the 

Battle of Dieppe were 50 U.S. Rangers, including one from Michigan, and two additional 

civilian support personnel from my State. Almost 60 percent who made it ashore in that 

crushing battle 70 years ago were either killed, 

wounded, or captured 

This battle became a critical learning point 

for the Allies who less than two years later 

launched D Day in June 1944 in the invasion 

that eventually led to the defeat of Nazi Germany. ‘‘I have no doubt,’’ said Lord Mountbatten, who helped plan the raid, ‘‘that the Battle 

of Normandy was won on the beaches of 

Dieppe.’’ 

On August 18, one of our esteemed former 

colleagues, former Congressman and former 

state Senator James Barcia, and Viet Nam 

veteran Terry Watson, who is supervisor of 

Bangor Township, Michigan will represent the 

United States during memorial ceremonies in 

Dieppe, France. The ceremonies will honor 

the courage and sacrifice of the men who took 

part in Operation Jubilee, including three 

Michigan men who have since passed away. 

They are: Pfc Stanley Bush, Walter A. 

Bresnahan and James C. Moseley. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues in 

the United States House of Representatives to 

join me today in honoring those whose sacrificed 70 years ago at Dieppe, France and 

helped win the war that saved our Nation from 

the tyranny of Nazi Germany. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO LAURA FROEHLICH 

HON. KEN CALVERT OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, August 2, 2012 

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

honor and pay tribute to a dear friend of mine, 

Laura Froehlich. Laura passed away on 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012. As a pillar of the 

Moreno Valley and Riverside County military 

communities, her sudden passing was a shock 

to all and she will be dearly missed. 

Laura served honorably in the Air Force and 

began volunteering in 1985 through the 

Moreno Valley Military Affairs Committee, 

which she eventually chaired. March Air Reserve Base (MARB) was and still is heavily 

used by Marines from nearby Twentynine 

Palms and Camp Pendleton bases. As increasing numbers of troops began to flow 

through the MARB facilities in the buildup to 

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Laura wanted to ensure that the troops leaving and returning from 

war received a timely farewell and warm welcome, a far cry from the public indifference 

and occasional contempt experienced by veterans returning from Vietnam, such as her father. She had organized a similar effort during 

the Persian Gulf War of 1991. 

With the help of her team of more than 100 

volunteers, she transformed MARB’s austere 

Hangar 385 into a welcoming center where 

troops could relax and enjoy good food and 

entertainment during their 6–8-day layovers. 

Her motto was, ‘‘When they come to March, 

they’re taken care of.’’ 

Laura, fondly known as the ‘‘Flag Mama’’ 

because of her patriotic attire, made it a point 

to be present for the arrival and departure of 

virtually every MARB flight carrying troops to 

and from the Central Command Area of Responsibility. She even purchased a motor 

home to park in the lot near the hangar so she 

could go quickly between home and the base. 

At the end of 2008, Laura had individually 

greeted more than 200,000 men and women 

on 4,000 flights. When the troops saw ‘‘Miss 

Laura’’ at the base to shake their hands and 

give them a hug, it was how they knew they 

were home. 

Regardless of the recognition she received, 

Laura remained humble and modest. Upon returning home to California from the Pentagon 


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