EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

September 21, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1583 

HONORING THE 50TH 

ANNIVERSARY OF ROHNERT PARK 

HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

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

honor a city in my District on the occasion of 

the 50th anniversary of its establishment. Incorporated in 1962, Rohnert Park has become 

an integral part of Sonoma County’s historical 

and cultural heritage. 

The land that would become Rohnert Park 

was known as Rancho Cotate when it was 

granted by General Mariano Vallejo to one of 

his soldiers in 1844. During the next century, 

the land would change ownership many times 

and experience much development. 

After World War II, when Sonoma County 

experienced a surge in growth, the City of 

Rohnert Park was conceived and developed 

by two Sonoma County lawyers, Paul Golis 

and Maurice Fredericks, who had a vision of 

a vibrant planned community in the heart of 

the valley. Their concept stressed the importance of ‘‘neighborhood units’’, groups of 

houses centered around schools and parks, in 

order to provide ample recreation to city-dwellers. 

Through collaboration and hard work, 

Rohnert Park was established in 1962. Today 

it is proud to serve its residents with many 

recreational amenities and attractions. Rohnert 

Park is home to two municipal swimming 

pools, an 18-hole golf course, and bike, hiking, 

and equestrian trails. The city also contains 

Sonoma State University and the Green Music 

Center. 

Mr. Speaker, Rohnert Park is an important 

city in the heart of Sonoma County. Please 

join me in honoring Rohnert Park on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. 

f 

PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR AARON 

WILLIAMS 

HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

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

honor and thank Director Aaron Williams for 

his invaluable service to the Peace Corps and 

our nation. As the Director throughout the past 

three years, Mr. Williams undeniably impacted 

the Peace Corps legacy. It is important that 

we recognize the importance of his contributions and the unique role the Peace Corps has 

played in our national and global community 

throughout his tenure. 

Mr. Williams championed the ideals of the 

Peace Corps by bridging alliances with Minority Serving Institutions, enhancing the safety 

and security for the nine thousand volunteers 

serving abroad, and as President Obama 

noted, was essential in reforming and modernizing the agency. Sharing core American values with some of the world’s most impoverished populations, his leadership these past 

three years reflects his service to the underrepresented and underprivileged. 

Despite a complex, changing global climate, 

Mr. Williams dedicated tireless efforts to ensure the safety of the Peace Corps volunteers. 

I was proud to work closely with the Director 

to pass the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act. This act expanded the 

Peace Corps’ safety precautions by providing 

further protection for female volunteers who 

are particularly vulnerable while living in foreign countries. It also increased government 

accountability in responding to sexual assault 

through a Sexual Assault Advisory Council 

and protects the anonymity of volunteers who 

report sexual assault. 

Mr. Williams understood that a better Peace 

Corps is a bigger Peace Corps, and he therefore fought for the necessary increase in volunteers. He successfully expanded programs 

throughout Colombia, Indonesia, and Sierra 

Leone. And I was proud to work in the Appropriations Committee to help the agency obtain 

the largest funding in its history. 

Whether it was collaborative efforts with 

RCPV/W or promoting fundamental principles 

that make the Peace Corps and our country 

exceptional, Mr. Williams never wavered from 

his commitment to enhancing Peace Corps’ 

outreach and capacity to serve diverse communities. Having served in the Peace Corps, 

I know firsthand the positive impacts that result from our Peace Corps programs and volunteers. Due to Mr. Williams’ vision and leadership, the Peace Corps continues to lead the 

cause for peace, prosperity, and progress, and 

it has been strengthened for future generations. Again, I thank Mr. Williams. I am immensely grateful for his service, and most of 

all, his friendship. 

f 

RECOGNIZING SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE OR MORAGA, CALIFORNIA 

HON. GEORGE MILLER OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. 

Speaker, I rise with my colleague Congressman JOHN GARAMENDI to recognize and congratulate Saint Mary’s College of Moraga, 

California, upon its 150th year of academic excellence in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Saint Mary’s College was founded in 1863 

in San Francisco as a liberal arts institution reflecting the life and work of the founder of the 

Christian Brothers, John Baptist de La Salle. 

The College was founded to serve some of 

California’s earliest denizens, many of whom 

were immigrants with few resources and the 

first in their families to attend college. In 1928, 

after establishing a brief presence in Oakland, 

the college moved to its current location in 

Moraga, California. 

Saint Mary’s is a Lasallian Catholic College 

with a strong history of service to our country. 

In the 1940s, Saint Mary’s joined the war effort in becoming the West Coast naval aviation 

training center. Lieutenant Gerald R. Ford of 

Michigan, who would later become President 

of the United States, was stationed at Saint 

Mary’s for three years as he trained young pilots for duty in the Pacific Theatre. After the 

Second World War, Saint Mary’s welcomed 

returning veterans studying on the G.I. Bill and 

continues to support our Veterans today 

through the Yellow Ribbon program. 

St. Mary’s rightfully boasts of a faculty composed of scholars at the top of their field with 

a devotion to teaching students to be engaged 

global citizens. Nearly 45,000 alumni have 

earned degrees at Saint Mary’s, leading to 

every imaginable career path. The Graduate 

Business programs have produced scores of 

corporate leaders in businesses around the 

world, while the School of Education has produced world-class teachers who are in turn 

educating millions of students around the 

globe. 

Saint Mary’s is also proud of its extracurricular programs. The athletic department 

has brought national and international attention to Northern California through athletic excellence in basketball, baseball, softball, crew, 

soccer, golf, and rugby. Furthermore, world-renowned artists, authors, scholars, musicians 

and political leaders share their unique talents 

not only with the student community, but with 

all of Northern California. 

I invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing Saint Mary’s College of Moraga, the 

faculty, staff, alumni and students as they celebrate 150 years of extraordinary success as 

an educational leader in the State of California. 

f 

SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF 

THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM 

HON. TOM PRICE OF GEORGIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today 

I rise to honor the wonderful work being done 

by the Georgia Aquarium, which is located in 

the heart of downtown Atlanta. With more than 

10 million gallons of water, the Georgia Aquarium is the world’s largest with more aquatic 

life than any other aquarium, and six distinct 

galleries that portray diverse aquatic habitats, 

ranging from arctic to tropical waters. Since 

opening its doors in 2005, Georgia Aquarium 

has established itself as a leader in aquatic 

animal conservation and research. The results 

of this research are shared with the global zoological community for the enhancement of 

animals everywhere, thus showcasing Georgia 

as a global center of animal study. 

Currently, Georgia Aquarium is one of only 

six accredited facilities in North America that is 

capable of providing care for beluga whales, a 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS