September 30, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2181 

His interest in Asia, ignited when military 

service took him to China in 1922, was bolstered by academic credentials from what is 

now The University of Montana in Missoula. 

Elected to the House of Representatives in 

1942 and the Senate in 1952, he was a leading Asia expert in Congress and went on to 

become the longest-serving U.S. ambassador 

to Japan. Maureen Mansfield not only supported Mike’s career, she inspired it. For this 

reason, the Foundation established by Congress to honor Mike begins with Maureen’s 

name. 

Maureen and Mike Mansfield’s values, 

ideals and vision for U.S.-Asia relations continue through the exchanges, dialogues and 

publications of the Mansfield Foundation. For 

25 years the Foundation has helped create 

networks among U.S. and Asian leaders, explored the underlying issues influencing public 

policies, and increased awareness about the 

nations and peoples of Asia. 

A centerpiece of the Foundation’s work is 

the Mansfield Fellowship Program, established 

by Congress in 1994 to build a corps of U.S. 

Federal Government officials with substantial 

Japan experience. Each year this governmentto-government exchange allows a select group 

of Federal employees to gain proficiency in 

the Japanese language and practical experience working in the Japanese government. 

Since the Fellowships were established, 86 

Fellows from 22 U.S. agencies and departments have entered the program. 

The Foundation is also instrumental in a 

number of other programs. 

The Mansfield Congressional Study Tour in 

Asia is a program that has provided opportunities for Senators and their staff to develop an 

authoritative understanding of Asia through 

meetings with government officials, business 

leaders, and NGO representatives in major cities and rural areas. To date, the Foundation 

has led 11 senatorial study trips to approximately 30 cities in China, Japan, Korea and 

Vietnam. 

The Foundation and the Center recently cosponsored the 24th annual Mansfield Conference, which addressed a timely and critical 

issue—the security implications of climate 

change in Asia. 

The Mansfield Foundation was established 

in 1983 with a single focus and mission—to 

promote understanding and cooperation in 

U.S.-Asia relations. I believe both Mike and 

Maureen would be proud of all the Mansfield 

Foundation has done to advance that goal in 

the last 25 years. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE CALIFORNIA REINVESTMENT COALITION AND ITS HONORING OF 

FOUR COMMUNITY HEROES 

HON. DORIS O. MATSUI OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 29, 2008 

Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, on October 

2, 2008, the California Reinvestment Coalition, 

an organization that works to bring financial 

and housing services to low-income communities, will be honoring four community heroes 

for their efforts in making homeownership and 

financial independence a reality for many of 

Sacramento’s residents. These heroes are: 

Elaine Abelaye of Asian Resources Inc., Ken 

Cross of Sacramento Habitat for Humanity, 

Mike Himes of NeighborWorks Sacramento, 

and Ron Javor of the California Department of 

Housing and Community Development. I ask 

all my colleagues to join me in honoring these 

distinguished individuals. 

Elaine Abelaye has demonstrated true leadership and commitment to the social, community and economic development needs of lowincome individuals and families in Sacramento. Her leadership has led to the development of the Dare to Dream Entrepreneurship Development and Financial Literacy Education programs for the local Hmong and Vietnamese communities. Elaine has shown true 

dedication to providing multiple services needed in the Sacramento area. She has truly empowered community members to become a 

vital part of our changing and diverse society. 

Ken Cross has substantially increased production of housing for very low-income households in Sacramento. Under Ken’s leadership, 

Sacramento Habitat for Humanity runs the ReStore, a building material recycler that sells 

second-hand and donated building materials. 

He has also been a strong advocate in promoting the policies that produce affordable 

and inclusionary housing. Ken’s personal approach makes him a great advocate for Sacramento’s neediest families. 

Mike Himes has demonstrated his dedication to helping families achieve successful, 

long-term homeownership. When the foreclosure crisis began to pound on the door of 

the region, Mike and his colleagues at 

NeighborWorks Sacramento led the way to 

create and promote many different collaborative relationships to assist borrowers. Mike is 

a smart, patient and outstanding individual 

who deserves recognition for his many personal and professional contributions. His expertise, strong principles and commitment are 

shown each time he helps a family. 

Ron Javor has worked tirelessly for decades 

within state government and the community to 

improve access to safe, affordable and accessible housing for lower-income households. 

Ron has worked consistently to develop and 

improve state programs that serve the neediest Californians. As a community activist, he 

helped found the Sacramento Housing Alliance and serves on many local nonprofit 

boards. He has been a strong voice in local 

efforts to ensure that local governments meet 

their obligations to adequately serve the 

homeless and lower-income households. 

Madam Speaker, because of the efforts of 

the California Reinvestment Coalition and 

community leaders like Elaine Abelaye, Ken 

Cross, Mike Himes, and Ron Javor, low-income communities and communities of color 

have access to fair and equal housing, banking and other financial services. It is my sincere hope the coalition and the outstanding 

people noted today will continue to serve the 

people of Sacramento for many years to 

come, and mentor the next generation of community leaders. 

OAKLAND PRESBYTERIAN 

CHURCH: A LEGACY OF 150 YEARS 

HON. BOB ETHERIDGE OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 29, 2008 

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to pay tribute to Oakland Presbyterian 

Church in the Cleveland community of North 

Carolina as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. 

Oakland Presbyterian Church is the oldest 

Presbyterian church in Johnston County, North 

Carolina, and is an important institution in the 

region. 

Local residents, Mr. John McLean and Mrs. 

Sarah Sanders, first gathered worshipers 

under an old brush shelter about a mile from 

the present location on land that was then 

known as Finch Place. On Saturday, August 

7, 1858, Oakland was officially organized into 

a Presbyterian Church by representatives of 

Orange Presbytery with a congregation of six 

charter members. The very next day, the congregation elected John W. Hodges as its first 

elder and the Reverend T.B. Neal was installed as the first pastor on October 30, 1858. 

The land for the church was donated by 

Mrs. Sanders, and because the property was 

shaded by a stand of oak trees, it seemed 

natural for the congregation to choose Oakland for its name. Despite expansion and renovation, Oakland Church continues to worship 

at its original site, across from the old Cleveland School building where I attended school. 

The Oakland grounds encompass the Oakland 

Church Cemetery, which was established with 

the church and continues to serve the community. While tradition is strong here, there are 

also new additions. In 1972, church members 

contributed stones to build the ‘‘Cairn of Remembrance,’’ ‘‘in memory of all who worshiped at this hallowed place since its founding in 1858,’’ as its dedicatory plaque reads. 

The stone monument, common in the Scottish 

Highlands, connects Oakland to its Presbyterian spiritual roots in Scotland. 

The congregation has been blessed by outstanding pastoral leadership, which continues 

today with its current pastor, Dr. Stephen E. 

Aschmann, a native of Richmond, Virginia. 

Among the many notable church leaders was 

Dr. Drury Lacy II, former president of Davidson College, who performed the marriage 

ceremony for ‘‘Stonewall’’ Jackson and his 

bride Mary Anna Morrison. Another of the congregation’s early ministers was Dr. Benjamin 

Rice Lacy, Jr., who was elected to serve as 

the Moderator of the General Assembly of the 

Presbyterian Church in the United States, the 

most honored office in the denomination. Dr. 

Lacy also served for many years as president 

of Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, 

Virginia. 

From the beginning, Oakland has also been 

guided by strong and progressive lay leadership. In 1969, Mrs. Gladys E. Barber and Miss 

Elizabeth Talton made history when they became the first women to be elected and ordained as deacons. Later in 1975, Mrs. Barber 

was ordained as the congregation’s first female elder. 

Oakland has a tradition of emphasizing 

service, mission, outreach, and education. In 

recent years the congregation has enjoyed 


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E2182 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 30, 2008 

widespread community support with its Harvest Day Sale and Golfing for Jessica Tournament. Oakland’s annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast draws hundreds of local families and serves as the kick-off of the Celebrate 

Cleveland Independence Day Festivities. 

Today, the congregation offers a wide range 

of activities that minister to all ages. Members 

of the congregation lead the weekly Golden 

Circle Bible Study at the Brian Center nursing 

facility in Clayton. Two mission teams have 

been sent to New Orleans to help rebuild the 

community devastated by Hurricane Katrina. 

Ministries generously supported by the Oakland faith community include the Basic Needs 

Ministry, Harbor House, Operation Hope, the 

Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, wounded 

veterans and troops in foreign conflicts, local 

school teachers, and the Barium Springs Children’s Home. 

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Oakland Presbyterian Church as it celebrates 150 

years of service to the community. I urge my 

colleagues to join me in commending this outstanding institution. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO HISPANIC HERITAGE 

MONTH 

HON. ANNA G. ESHOO OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 29, 2008 

Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, it is a privilege for me to pay tribute to over 112,000 of 

my constituents during Hispanic Heritage 

Month. September 15th through October 15th 

has been selected to honor, celebrate and 

commemorate the history and contributions 

that people of Hispanic heritage have made to 

the United States of America. 

Today there are 45.5 million Hispanic Americans and it is fitting to acknowledge their 

many contributions. The belief that hard work 

can bring a better life and future for our children is part of our shared and treasured 

American dream. 

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding organizations serving 

California’s 14th Congressional District. In addition to many other excellent organizations, 

the following make important contributions to 

our community while respecting, preserving 

and sharing their heritage and culture. 

The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley is 

a public foundation that cultivates philanthropy 

to inspire Hispanic children and families to 

achieve personal greatness. 

The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley 

engages leadership and bridges resources to 

invest in a thriving Hispanic community. 

MACLA Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino 

Americana is a contemporary art space dedicated to supporting the work of emerging 

Latino artists and audiences and promotes 

programs that create opportunities between 

traditional audiences and new art forms and 

emerging artists. Mexican Heritage Corporation is an arts and cultural organization whose 

focus is to affirm, celebrate, and preserve the 

complexity and richness of Latino art and cultural heritage. The Mexican Heritage Corporation serves Silicon Valley and Northern California by presenting and advancing Mexican 

and multicultural performing arts. It is one of 

the largest Latino cultural centers in the Nation. 

Fair Oaks Community Center—The Fair 

Oaks Community Center is a multi-service 

center offering a variety of services to the 

broader Redwood City Community. Services 

include: Education, immigration and citizenship, senior services, housing, employment, 

legal services, and crisis intervention. They 

also offer emergency food programs served by 

a combination of City staff, as well as representatives from public and private non-profit 

agencies. 

Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to 

join in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month to 

honor the citizens who work daily to build a 

better future for all American families. 

f 

HONORING ASSEMBLYWOMAN 

PATTY BERG CALIFORNIA STATE 

ASSEMBLY, DISTRICT 1 

HON. MIKE THOMPSON OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 29, 2008 

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam 

Speaker, I rise today to recognize State 

Assemblywoman Patty Berg, an extraordinary 

citizen of Humboldt County, who is being honored for her years of dedicated public service 

to the people of California. 

Over the past 3 decades, Assemblywoman 

Berg has been a tireless advocate for families 

and children and for older adults. She was the 

founding Executive Director of the Area 1 

Agency on Aging, which serves Humboldt and 

Del Norte Counties. Under her passionate direction the agency was recognized nationwide 

for its model comprehensive system providing 

services to California’s seniors. She has also 

become an indispensable resource on aging 

issues within the State Assembly. 

The citizens of California’s 1st Assembly 

District recognized Patty Berg’s dedication to 

preparing California for its current and future 

challenges by electing her three times to represent them in the California Legislature. During her tenure, Patty has chaired the Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, the 

Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Budget Subcommittee on 

Health and Human Services. She has served 

on many committees with jurisdiction over important public policy areas, including health, 

insurance, agriculture, and the environment. 

Patty’s exceptional ‘‘people’’ skills were evident in bringing together progressive and conservative colleagues to help improve the lives 

of North Coast residents. She is passionate, 

committed to public service, hard-working, and 

extremely skilled. 

As a champion for the rights of families, 

youth, and older adults, Assemblywoman Berg 

has touched many lives. Her K–12 comprehensive family life education curriculum 

was the fIrst in California and was distributed 

throughout the country. She increased funding 

for computers and technology in our local 

schools. As chair of the Legislative Women’s 

Caucus she emphasized the need for flexible 

workplace policies to allow working families to 

care for their loved ones. Due to her relentless 

efforts, Trinity County’s only hospital was 

saved, and a vital county medical services 

program was preserved. 

Assemblywoman Berg is being honored for 

her contribution to one of our Nation’s most 

precious rights—participation in the political 

process. She is being recognized for her contribution by the Humboldt County Democratic 

Central Committee as ‘‘Democrat of the Year, 

2008.’’ 

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this 

time that we recognize Assemblywoman Patty 

Berg for her unwavering commitment to public 

service and to the ideals and values that sustain our great Nation. 

f 

EARMARK DECLARATION 

HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 29, 2008 

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, 

I submit the following: 

Requesting Member: Rep. CHRISTOPHER H. 

SMITH

Bill Number: HR 2638 

Account: Federal Emergency Management 

Agency’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation 

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of 

Trenton 

Address of Requesting Entity: City of Trenton 

Description of Request: 

The City of Trenton will use the $500,000 in 

Pre-Disaster Mitigation funding in the FY 2009 

Homeland Security Appropriations Bill to begin 

elevating the utilities of 270 flood prone properties that have suffered severe and repetitive 

physical damage resulting in significant economic loss. 

Trenton’s Island and Glen Afton neighborhoods are greatly affected by rapidly rising 

flood water as a result of their proximity to the 

Delaware River. These two neighborhoods are 

bordered by the Delaware River to the southwest and the Delaware and Raritan Canal to 

the northwest. Route 29 (a four lane state 

highway that traverses the City) splits the two 

neighborhoods; causing an island-like geography. 

These waterfront communities are home to 

approximately 270 structures, many of which 

are occupied by single family working class 

homeowners who have suffered great financial 

loss as a result of: water damaged electrical 

distribution systems, hot water heaters and 

central heating units, as well as the loss of 

personal items that can never be replaced. 

Six historical river crests (occurring from the 

earlier part of the 20th century until present) 

have caused considerable property damage 

and interrupted sewer, electric and gas services, causing the evacuation of these neighborhoods. Although these neighborhoods are 

designated as a 100 year flood plain, the last 

two floods occurred within seven months of 

each other (September 2004 and April 2005). 

Just as the Island and Glen Afton residents 

saw their lives getting back to some semblance of normalcy, the second flood occurred, resulting in lost wages, belongings, 

property, major systems and complete dislocation. 

One major contributing factor to the early 

flooding is the storm sewer outfall, which provides an early entry point for water to backflow 

into the lower points of the Island and Glen 

Afton neighborhoods via the storm sewer system during early flood stages. However, once 

the river reaches two feet above flood stage, 


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