November 19, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2265 

Your Life of Service’’ dinner and award ceremony. This year the ceremony will be held at 

the Radisson Hotel Conference Center in 

Fresno, California, on Friday, October 24th. 

Dr. Mallard-Warren grew up in the projects 

of Oakland, California. Both of her parents 

were educators and realized the importance of 

their children obtaining a higher education. 

Her family moved to East Oakland, but she 

was bussed to Skyline High School; a school 

that provided the academic courses that she 

would need to get into college. Upon graduating from Skyline, Dr. Mallard-Warren attended the University of California, Riverside, 

where she earned her degree in biology. In 

1979, she earned her medical doctorate from 

the School of Medicine at University of California, Davis. 

After graduating from medical school, Dr. 

Mallard-Warren moved to Fresno, California, 

and received her training in obstetrics/gynecology at Valley Medical Center. In 1983 she 

opened her first private practice and today has 

multiple offices in Fresno. In addition to her 

private practice, she has made a habit of serving uninsured and underinsured OB/GYN patients over the span of her career. She has 

worked with Black Infant Health, an organization that provides health education, health promotion, social support and service coordination to pregnant and parenting African-American adult women. Through this program she 

has diligently worked toward lowering the instances of infant mortality in the most impoverished areas of Fresno and assisted in contributing to the well-being of this underserved 

community. She also participates in the Liga 

Doctors of Mercy, a nonprofit organization that 

has been providing free health care and education to the people of Sinaloa, Mexico, since 

1934. 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend 

and congratulate Dr. Gail Mallard-Warren 

upon being awarded the ‘‘Community Health 

Champions Award’’. I invite my colleagues to 

join me in wishing Dr. Mallard-Warren many 

years of continued success. 

f 

INTRODUCING THE CRITICAL 

ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE 

ACT OF 2008 

HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, 

I rise today to introduce the Critical Election 

Infrastructure Act of 2008. 

This legislation is a necessary and vital investment in the future of our democracy. This 

bill authorizes $1 billion over the next four 

years for states and local governments to upgrade existing election equipment and to purchase new polling equipment to meet the 

needs of our growing electorate. Funding 

could also be used to hire and train additional 

poll workers. 

Madam Speaker, roughly 130 million votes 

were cast in this past election. This is an astounding number and emblematic of increased 

participation in our election system, particularly 

by minorities and young people. But while increased turnout is for democracy, in some 

parts of the country it caused undue difficulties. 

For example, throughout south Florida and 

other parts of the country, hundreds of thousands of voters found themselves waiting in 

interminable lines, sometimes for over five 

hours. Five hours! Forced to stand in the heat 

and during Florida’s famous afternoon thunderstorms with little food and water, voters are 

to be commended for their commitment to exercising their right to vote. But voting should 

not be this hard. 

Election officials simply do not have enough 

equipment and trained personnel on the 

ground to speedily and effectively handle such 

large numbers of voters. Even though early 

voting in Florida took place over a 10-day period, these five-hour-long lines persisted 

throughout the state virtually every day. Clearly, what is needed is more: more polling 

booths, more trained workers, more equipment, even more polling locations and facilities 

to handle increasing numbers of voters. This 

bill authorizes the funding to upgrade existing 

technology, provide more polling booths, and 

hire and train more poll workers, reducing long 

lines and facilitating greater speed and efficiency for voters 

Madam Speaker, voting should not be a 

right granted only to those who can stand in 

line the longest or can go the longest without 

food or a bathroom break. Voting is the sacred 

right of all eligible citizens. We have a solemn 

responsibility to ensure the greatest possible 

access to exercise that right. Authorizing funding for the necessary equipment and personnel is an essential first step in that process. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. 

f 

IN MEMORY OF GENERAL ROBERT 

H. BARROW 

HON. IKE SKELTON OF MISSOURI

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it is with 

deep sadness that I inform the House of the 

death of a true gentleman, General Robert H. 

Barrow, United States Marine Corps, Retired—the 27th Commandant of the Marine 

Corps. 

General Barrow was born in 1922 in Baton 

Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated high school 

in 1939 and enrolled at Louisiana State University. In March 1942, he enlisted in the Platoon Leader’s Class Program. He left school in 

the fall of 1942 and went to boot camp in San 

Diego, staying on after graduation as a drill instructor. Selected for Officer Candidate 

School, he left San Diego for Quantico in 

March 1943; and in May 1943, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines. 

After officer training, he was assigned to 

Marine Barracks, Naval Ammunition Depot, 

New Orleans. He was reassigned in February 

1944 to the 51st Replacement Battalion in 

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During the last 

seven months of World War II, he led an 

American team serving with Chinese guerrilla 

forces in Japanese occupied Central China. 

He was awarded the Bronze Star. 

After World War II, he served as Aide de 

Camp to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. He completed Amphibious 

Warfare School, Junior Course in June 1949, 

and was transferred to the 2d Marine Division 

at Camp Lejeune. He was given command of 

Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines. 

At the beginning of the Korean War, his 

company was transferred to Camp Pendleton 

and redesignated Company A, 1st Battalion, 

1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He led Able 

Company ashore at Inchon in September 

1950. For his leadership in the fighting on the 

outskirts of Seoul, he received the Silver Star. 

During the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, he 

was awarded the Navy Cross for the seizure 

and defense of Hill 1081 from 9–10 December 

1950. 

After the Korean War, he was reassigned as 

Officer-in-Charge, Infantry Desk, Enlisted Assignments, Headquarters Marine Corps. From 

there he was detailed out and sent on a classified assignment to the Far East, north of Taiwan. He returned to Headquarters Marine 

Corps, this time to the G–3. 

In February 1956, he returned to Camp 

Lejeune, where he served first as operations 

officer and then executive officer of 2d Battalion, 6th Marines. He joined the NROTC unit 

at Tulane University in 1957, and served as 

Marine Officer Instructor for three years. Returning to Quantico, he completed a tour with 

the Landing Force Development Center and 

attended the Officer’s Senior Course in 1963. 

He left for another tour in the Pacific, where 

he served as G–3, III Marine Expeditionary 

Force, then G–3 Plans Officer at Fleet Marine 

Force Pacific in Hawaii. 

Attendance at the National War College followed, and upon graduation in 1968, he arrived in South Vietnam to take command of 

9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. The regiment 

conducted a series of highly successful operations south of the western part of the Demilitarized Zone and in the Khe Sanh and Ba 

Long Valley areas. For his valor during Operation Dewey Canyon from 22 January to 18 

March 1969, he received the Distinguished 

Service Cross. 

He was promoted to brigadier general in August 1969 by General Leonard F. Chapman, 

24th Commandant of the Marine Corps. General Barrow’s first tour as a general officer was 

Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, 

Camp Butler, Okinawa, where he served for 

three years. He then served as Commanding 

General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris 

Island, South Carolina for 32 months. 

In July 1975, he was assigned as Deputy 

Chief of Staff for Manpower, Headquarters 

Marine Corps. The following year, he became 

Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. He was Assistant 

Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 

1978 until a year later when he assumed the 

office as Commandant. Befitting his reputation 

and stature, when General Barrow stepped 

down as 27th Commandant of the Marine 

Corps in June 1983, President Ronald Reagan 

presided over the ceremony at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. General Barrow returned to Louisiana, where he lived in retirement. 

General Barrow’s medals and decorations 

include the Navy Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, 

Department of the Army Distinguished Service 

Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver 

Star, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, 

and the Combat Action Ribbon. 

Madam Speaker, General Barrow was an 

outstanding Marine and an exceptional American leader. I know the members of the House 


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E2266 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 19, 2008 

will join me in extending heartfelt condolences 

to his family, his friends, and to all Marines. 

He will be greatly missed. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF PENNSYLVANIA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CATHERINE 

BAKER KNOLL 

HON. JOHN P. MURTHA OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, on November 12, 2008, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll succumbed to a 

four month long battle with neuroendocrine 

cancer. 

I’ve known Catherine for 30 years. She was 

a remarkable woman who never stopped fighting to better our Commonwealth and to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians. She was 

one of the most hard-working and determined 

individuals to ever serve in state government, 

and her passion and dedication to both the 

Democratic Party and to the Commonwealth 

of Pennsylvania was unparalleled. 

Catherine was a transformational figure— 

one of the first women to run for statewide office, she served as Pennsylvania State Treasurer (1989–1997) and later became the first 

woman to serve as Pennsylvania Lieutenant 

Governor (2003–2008). She never stopped 

fighting for what she believed in, and this determination placed her at the forefront of so 

many important issues. 

Catherine’s kindness and friendship touched 

the lives of many. Over the past few months, 

people from all across Pennsylvania asked me 

how she was doing, and how she was coping 

with the disease. I reminded them that Catherine Baker Knoll was made of ‘‘steel’’ and 

that she was fighting this disease with the 

same strength and fortitude she fought every 

other challenge in life. 

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the career and life of someone who devoted both to 

serving the interests of her fellow Pennsylvanians. I rise to thank and commend her four 

children, Charles, Mina, Albert, and Kim Eric, 

for always being by her side and giving her 

constant strength. 

Madam Speaker, all of us will miss the 

friendship and great leadership of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker 

Knoll. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEOPLES BAPTIST CHURCH 

HON. MIKE ROGERS OF ALABAMA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, 

I would like to request the House’s attention 

today to pay recognition to a special day in 

the life of the congregation of the Peoples 

Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. 

On November 24th, Peoples Baptist Church 

will celebrate its 110th anniversary. The 

church was first organized in 1898 under Rev. 

Pradd who served as the pastor until 1925. 

The church moved to several locations over 

the years including the campus of Alabama 

State University. 

In September of 2008, the church moved to 

its new location on Dorchester Drive in Montgomery. The new building was built under the 

leadership of the church’s fifth pastor, Paul L. 

Boswell, who served the church for 32 years. 

The congregation works to carry the ‘‘torch of 

building up God’s kingdom one brick at a 

time.’’ 

Today the church celebrates their 110th Anniversary and is blessed to now be under the 

leadership of their new and sixth pastor, Victor 

Lewis, Sr. 

I would like to congratulate Peoples Baptist 

Church on reaching this important milestone. 

f 

HONORING MATTHEW CHARLES 

GARCIA 

HON. SAM GRAVES OF MISSOURI

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly 

pause to recognize Matthew Charles Garcia of 

Kansas City, Missouri. Matthew is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest 

qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1357, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. 

Matthew has been very active with his 

troop, participating in many Scout activities. 

Over the many years Matthew has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned 

numerous merit badges, but also the respect 

of his family, peers, and community. 

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join 

me in commending Matthew Charles Garcia 

for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts 

of America and for his efforts put forth in 

achieving the highest distinction of Eagle 

Scout. 

f 

HONORING SAN BERNARDINO 

COUNTY SUPERVISOR DENNIS 

HANSBERGER FOR HIS DECADES 

OF PUBLIC SERVICE 

HON. JERRY LEWIS OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I 

rise today to pay tribute to a good friend and 

longtime leader in my community, San 

Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis 

Hansberger, who is leaving office this year 

after more than 20 years in public service. 

While he was a young businessman in 

1968, Dennis Hansberger was selected as a 

field representative and executive assistant by 

then-County Supervisor Donald Beckford. 

When his boss decided not to run for re-election, Mr. Hansberger mounted a successful 

campaign and won election to the county 

board in 1972. 

Dennis Hansberger quickly revealed his 

strong leadership capabilities, and was chosen 

as chairman of the board by his fellow supervisors in 1974—becoming the youngest chairman in the state and the youngest in San 

Bernardino County history. When the legislature created the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Supervisor Hansberger became a founding board member of that 

ground-breaking agency. 

After 2 successful terms, Mr. Hansberger 

decided to take a hiatus from elected office 

and went into private business as a well-respected consultant on land management and 

mining issues. He remained extremely active 

in public service, however, serving for 3 years 

as Chairman on the Redlands Community 

Hospital’s Board, as well as on the Board of 

Counselors of the California State University in 

California, the Foundation Board of the San 

Bernardino County Museum, the Inland Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 

and the Capital Projects Committee of the Girl 

Scouts of America. 

Mr. Hansberger was again elected to the 

Board of Supervisors in 1996, and has been 

at the forefront of many of the major issues 

faced by the county in the past 12 years. 

Faced with the closure of Norton Air Force 

Base, Supervisor Hansberger has been a 

leader in seeking ways to replace the 12,000 

jobs lost. He served as chairman of the Inland 

Valley Development Authority, a joint effort of 

the county and cities surrounding the base. By 

working as a team, the communities have 

brought about a complete makeover of the 

former base into a new airport, supporting 

major businesses that have brought thousands 

of new jobs to the area. 

Five years ago, San Bernardino County was 

confronted with an even more dire problem— 

millions of trees were dying around mountain 

communities and creating a grave fire danger 

for tens of thousands of residents. As the supervisor representing the area, Dennis 

Hansberger pushed county officials to create 

the Mountain Area Safety Taskforce and work 

with residents on an evacuation plan. The 

plan’s effectiveness was demonstrated when 

nearly 50,000 residents were evacuated with 

no serious injury during terrible wildfires the 

following year. Mr. Hansberger has since led 

the county in cutting down more than a million 

trees and significantly reducing the fire danger. 

Madam Speaker, as you can see, Dennis 

Hansberger has been a leader in improving 

the economy and safety for San Bernardino 

County residents. Please join me in thanking 

him for his decades of public service, and 

wishing the best to him and his wife Karen in 

all of their future endeavors. 

f 

HONORING THE HONORABLE WILLIAM R. DYSON FOR HIS OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE 

HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO OF CONNECTICUT

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, I am 

pleased to rise today to join the New Haven 

Democratic Town Committee and all of those 

gathered this evening in paying tribute to one 

of New Haven’s most outstanding public servants and my good friend, State Representative 

William R. Dyson. After 32 years of dedicated 

service, Bill has decided to step down as 

State Representative from Connecticut’s 94th 

Assembly District. This evening, friends, family, community leaders, and colleagues extend 


wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS