E1598 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 21, 2012 

family was doing, and asking for stories and 

updates to make sure everything was alright. 

She felt like a family member because she 

cared so much about everyone. 

While she had many jobs and significant responsibilities, the roles that Julie cherished 

more than any others were that of loving wife, 

mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Julie 

loved her family with all of her heart—and it 

was one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever known. 

She spoke frequently and proudly about her 

family members’ latest accomplishments. 

Nothing brought Julie more joy than spending 

time with her husband Don—her one and only 

true love and high school sweetheart to whom 

she was married for 47 years—and the rest of 

their family, including their children, Laurie and 

Michael, along with their spouses, Perry and 

Kori; and their grandchildren Elizabeth 

Julianne, Caden and Taylor. Despite all of the 

many great accomplishments throughout her 

life, there was no greater achievement in 

Julie’s life than building this beautiful family. 

Mr. Speaker, I add my voice to those honoring the life of Julianne Elizabeth Marks 

Allen. I offer my heartfelt condolences to her 

family and many friends. I am deeply grateful 

for the opportunity to have known and worked 

closely with Julie. The world is an emptier 

place without Julianne Elizabeth Marks Allen, 

but her legacy and impact on the lives of others will live on forever. 

f 

NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER 

AWARENESS MONTH 

HON. KATHLEEN C. HOCHUL OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, in recognition 

of the month of September being National 

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I would 

like to express my deep support for the 

women and families who are affected by ovarian cancer. In 2012, over 22,000 women will 

be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the 

United States, and we will lose more than 

15,000 mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, and 

friends to this disease. 

While great strides have been made in cancer research, education, and awareness, there 

is still much work to be done, especially on 

ovarian cancer. Though many other cancers 

have seen significant reductions in mortality 

rates due to improved prevention methods, 

screenings, and treatments, the mortality rate 

for ovarian cancer has remained nearly the 

same for the past 40 years. 

I commend the many programs and organizations dedicated to ovarian cancer research, 

education, and awareness, including the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Ovarian Cancer 

Control Initiative, the Department of Defense 

Ovarian Cancer Research Program, and the 

many advocacy, education, and awareness organizations. 

I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing September as National Ovarian Cancer 

Awareness Month, remembering the women 

who have lost the battle with this disease, and 

supporting research, education, and awareness efforts so that eventually, future generations will no longer feel the effects of ovarian 

cancer. 

IN HONOR OF MRS. ALINA 

CZERNEC 

HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

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

honor Mrs. Alina Czernec who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 7, 

2012. 

Alina was born in pre-World War II Poland. 

During the war she was forced to spend five 

years of her life living in Polish refugee camps 

in Iran, India and Pakistan. Following the War, 

her family reunited in England in 1947 and immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio’s Tremont neighborhood in 1952. After graduating from St. 

John Cantius High School, Alina was attending Fenn College and working for the Polish 

daily newspaper, Wiadomosci Dodzienne. In 

1959, Alina married Steve Czernec and together they had three children, Lisa, Richard 

and Chris. Alina spent much of her time volunteering at local schools and nursing homes 

and eventually became the director of admissions at Broadview Nursing Home. She 

worked at Heights Drapery Company, which 

she and her daughter own, until her retirement 

in 2004. 

Alina has been involved in the Polish-American community since she settled in the U.S. 

She has belonged to a number of organizations including Gmina 6, PNA and the Alliance 

of Poles. She is also an active member of the 

Polish American Cultural Center and has 

spent countless hours volunteering at St. John 

Cantius Church. 

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me 

in honoring Mrs. Alina Czernec and congratulating her as she is recognized by the Polonia 

Foundation. 

f 

A TRIBUTE TO HIS HONOR JUDGE 

MICHAEL T. MCSPADDEN—TEXAS 

JUDGE 

HON. TED POE OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there are 

thousands of individuals who make it their 

life’s work to make communities safer while 

holding criminals accountable for their actions. 

One of the best is Judge Michael T. 

McSpadden. I have known Judge McSpadden 

for what seems like forever. We served in the 

district attorney’s office as prosecutors together. Judge McSpadden prosecuted criminals for 8 years in the Harris County district 

attorney’s office under the leadership of District Attorney Carol Vance. 

In 1982, Judge McSpadden became a 

Criminal District Court Judge in Harris County, 

Texas. He tried felony cases. Judges in Texas 

are elected on a partisan ballot and Judge 

McSpadden has been elected 8 consecutive 

times to the bench of the 209th Criminal District Court. We served as judges together and 

I witnessed his remarkable dedication to the 

law and justice. As a community, we are truly 

privileged to have such an extraordinary man 

answer the call to public service and as an individual, I am grateful to call Judge 

McSpadden a friend. 

Judge McSpadden has served the citizens 

of Harris County, Texas for over 35 years. A 

graduate from the University of Oklahoma 

(though we don’t hold it against him), he has 

worked diligently to rise through the ranks in 

Texas courts. He started his legal career in 

the Harris County District Attorney’s office as 

an Assistant District Attorney, and then he became the Chief Prosecutor of the 209th District Court. 

In 1982, Judge McSpadden was elected as 

a judge for the same court and, for the last 30 

years, he has continued to preside over the 

209th. His extensive knowledge of the justice 

system and his incredible work ethic have 

gained the respect of many in the law profession. Over his career, he has earned the respect and admiration among lawyers and 

judges within the legal community: he is always among the highest rated judges by 

members of the Houston Bar Association and 

was the highest rated judge in Harris County 

in the 2011 Houston Bar Association Judicial 

Qualification Poll. Our community has benefited greatly from the many, many years of 

service that he has dedicated. In addition, 

Judge McSpadden has been recognized by 

the Houston Police Officer’s Association and 

Harris County Deputy Sheriffs Association. He 

has also been honored and named Champion 

of Crime Stoppers by the Bay Area Crime 

Stoppers. These organizations recognized that 

he has not only dedicated his professional 

time to helping others, but he has dedicated 

his personal time to helping the next generation as well. In 1994, Child Advocates honored 

him for his efforts to help children. He has 

been also honored by the Samaritan Center 

and the Assistance League of Houston for his 

work with inner city youth. Judge McSpadden 

is a positive mentor to young males at risk. In 

2002, he was the first recipient of the Chuck 

Norris Team Spirit Award for his work with 

Kick Drugs Out of America. He continues to 

serve on the advisory boards of many nonprofit organizations. By giving his time and 

lending his hands, Judge McSpadden has 

changed many lives, and I want you to know 

that our Nation is a better place because of 

his commitment to helping our communities 

become safer. 

Prior to his three decades of public service 

in the courtroom, Judge McSpadden also 

served his country as a United States Marine. 

While enlisted, he even found time to win the 

Marine Corps Tennis Champion title. He is a 

3-time Big 8 Conference Tennis Singles 

Champion and still enjoys playing at River 

Oaks Country Club. 

The impact of Judge McSpadden’s work is 

far reaching. He truly is an unsung hero 

whose efforts are felt in communities, neighborhoods and homes across Texas each and 

every day. 

Judge McSpadden’s achievements at the 

209th and in the community far surpass these 

recognitions. His innovation, determination and 

compassion for serving others make him one 

of the best judges in the Nation. Judge 

McSpadden is a close personal friend, excellent lawyer, tremendous judge, and amazing 

public servant for Texas. 

And that’s just the way it is. 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS