E2302 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 20, 2008 

CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION 

FOR MEMBERS OF THE SOLAR 

ENERGY ADVISORY COUNCIL 

HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS OF ARIZONA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to honor the forward-thinking men and 

women of Southeastern Arizona who for the 

past two years have served as members of 

my Solar Energy Advisory Council. 

Arizona is known throughout the world as a 

place of abundant sunshine. Harnessing the 

power of the sun and putting it to use as a 

source of energy has been among my top priorities as a member of the United States 

House of Representatives. Great strides have 

been over the past two years in advancing this 

goal, the most significant of which has been 

the extension of the investment tax credit. 

Many individuals across our country played 

a role in this achievement. Among them are 

the twelve determined members of my Solar 

Energy Advisory Council. Each and every 

council member played a crucial role in helping expand the availability and use of solar energy in our nation. 

The Members of my Solar Energy Advisory 

Council are: 

Tom Alston, Roger Angel, Kendall Burt, 

Dennis Dickerson, Prabhu Dayal, Richard 

Elias, Steve Farley, Tedra Fox, Michael 

Gering, Britt Hanson, William Harris, Scotty 

Johnson, Katharine Kent, Leslie Liberti, Mayor 

Paul Loomis, Jacquie McNulty, Tom Peterson, 

Bruce Plenk, Luther Probst, Valerie Rauluk, 

Denise Richerson-Smith, David Rousseau, 

Joaquin Ruiz, Shirley Scott, Joe Simmons, 

Denise Smith, Mayor Bob Strain, Leslie 

Tolbert, Nina Trasoff, Karin Uhlich, Mayor 

Robert Walkup, John Waszczak, John Wesley 

Miller. 

I commend them for their hard work and 

dedication and look forward to their ongoing 

advice and counsel as we continue to make 

solar energy more available to the citizens of 

my District, the state and the nation. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO THE KANSAS CITY, 

KANSAS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S CONGRESSIONAL 

FORUM 

HON. DENNIS MOORE OF KANSAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I 

rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of 

the Congressional Forum luncheon group 

sponsored by the Kansas City, Kansas, Area 

Chamber of Commerce. Forty years ago in 

1968, this group was founded to be a link between the elected congressional representative and the business community served by 

the Third District of Kansas. It has continued 

to the present day, and shows no signs of 

slowing down any time soon. 

At that time, Congressman Larry Winn represented the Third Congressional District of 

Kansas in the United States House of Representatives. Budgets for travel between 

Washington and Kansas were limited. Congressman Winn and his chief of staff, Dick 

Bond, wanted to find a way for Congressman 

Winn to return more often to his home district. 

The Congressional Forum luncheon group 

was founded to help cover those travel costs, 

and to give its members a monthly report from 

their Member of Congress. 

Even after Larry Winn retired, the group and 

its traditions have continued. For 40 years, the 

scheduled speaker at Congressional Forum 

has been the Member of Congress for the 

Third Congressional District, unless he or she 

was unable to attend. If that was the case, 

then the Member of Congress made arrangements for a substitute speaker. 

Although the representation of the Third District has changed over the years, the Member’s commitment to this unique group has 

not. Every Member of Congress elected since 

1968 has agreed to attend and speak to this 

group on a regular basis. 

Those Members of Congress include: 

Congressman Larry Winn, who served in 

Congress from 1967 to 1985; 

Congresswoman Jan Meyers, from 1985 to 

1997; 

Congressman Vince Snowbarger, from 1997 

to 1999; 

And me, Congressman Dennis Moore, from 

1999 to the present. 

For some time, the group actually held their 

meetings across the state line at the Golden 

Ox Restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri, because a portion of the parking lot of that venerable restaurant was actually in Kansas City, 

Kansas. At the present time, the group meets 

once again in the heart of downtown Kansas 

City, Kansas, at the Reardon Convention Center. 

It is a testament to this group that an organization founded by Republican business leaders has continued even when a Democratic 

congressman like me was elected. I have 

found that this group gives me a great sounding board on the thoughts of my home district. 

While not every member of Congressional 

Forum supports me at the ballot box, I know 

they will express their views to me with candor 

and courtesy. 

For most of its history my good friend, Dr. 

Fred Bosilevac presided over the Congressional Forum luncheons as its President. For 

most of us, Dr. Fred remains the heart and 

soul of the Congressional Forum luncheons. 

Now age 92, Dr. Fred is still an active and interested member of Congressional Forum, although Bill Eppenheimer has taken over the 

gavel (or rather the cowbell) as President 

since Dr. Fred’s retirement in 2006. 

It is a distinct honor for me to express my 

affection and high regard for this unique 

group. A copy of my remarks will be presented 

at the Congressional Forum’s December 

meeting, which hopefully will include many 

former Members of Congress from the Third 

District, as well as Dr. Fred; Bill Eppenheimer; 

Cindy Cash, the current President of the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce; and many other important leaders to 

this group and our community. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to share the story of the Congressional 

Forum with our colleagues. 

TRIBUTE TO THOMAS WOLFF 

HON. JOE COURTNEY 

OF CONNECTICUT

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, for nearly 6 decades Thomas Wolff built a legacy in 

Connecticut that included a prolific business 

career, leadership in academic and political 

communities, authorship of countless books 

and articles, and extensive philanthropic endeavors. His legacy has touched countless 

lives and will continue to inspire generations to 

come. While his passing brings great sadness 

to our community, reflecting on the memories 

of this extraordinary man brings solace to 

those in mourning. 

Thomas was born in New York City in 1928. 

In 1949. he moved to Vernon, Connecticut, 

and married his high school sweetheart, Bette. 

Following service in the Korean war, Thomas 

attended the University of Connecticut and 

graduated cum laude with a degree in economics. Shortly after, he would translate these 

studies and an uncanny business sense into a 

lifelong, successful business career. 

In the late 1950s, he launched Wolf-Zachin 

and Associates, a successful insurance firm 

that has remained a fixture in Connecticut’s 

business community. The firm, now called the 

Wolff Group, is currently headed by his three 

children, Gary and Greg Wolff and Debi Davis, 

as well as his grandson, Keith Wolff. In 1969, 

Thomas launched Vernon Publishing Services, 

Inc., a publishing company that created training manuals and presentation binders for professionals in the insurance industry. 

His work in the insurance industry would define him as one of the most respected and 

knowledgeable leaders in the field. Highlights 

of his career include president of the Connecticut Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advsors, 

chairman of the board of Life Insurance Underwriters Training Council, and recipient of 

the International Insurance Society Gold 

Medal for Excellence. 

Additionally, Thomas served on the Vernon 

Board of Education, UConn’s University Foundation Board, and was a member of Vernon’s 

Town Council. He also brought the Big Brothers and the YMCA to Vernon, was the president of the Rockville Rotary Club, and endowed countless UConn programs and campus amenities. 

Beyond these numerous accolades, contributions, and achievements, Thomas was a 

devoted family man and friend to many in our 

community. His wife, Bette, whom he married 

in 1949, was his closest confidant for nearly 6 

decades. The outpouring of love and support 

from his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family reflects the strong bond that 

they shared. 

Thomas lived an extraordinary life, filled with 

personal and professional vigor and he will be 

greatly missed. I ask my colleagues to join 

with me and my constituents in honoring his 

life and offering condolences to his family. 


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