S10472 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 2, 2008 

ever, standardized tests offer frustrating assessments of progress, and 

dropout rates and graduation rates 

alike moved in the wrong directions. 

But, thanks to the hard work and commitment of over 1,000 current students 

and teachers, in the past few years 

Central has begun an impressive turnaround that is heartening to us alumni. 

I offer my congratulations on this 

150th anniversary and every hope that 

Detroit Central High School will continue to provide excellent education 

and imbue students with the skills and 

outlook to seize the day and find success in school and in the years that follow. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO JUDGE AVERN COHN 

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise 

today to recognize a great citizen of 

Michigan, the Honorable Avern Cohn. 

Avern has distinguished himself as a 

leader among leaders in Michigan’s 

legal community and the Michigan 

community at large. Later this month 

Avern’s synagogue, Congregation 

Shaarey Zedek, will offer a tribute to 

him and I am honored to join in recognizing his many accomplishments and 

contributions to our community life 

that he has so strengthened and supported. 

Professionally, for nearly three decades Judge Cohn has served on the U.S. 

District Court for the Eastern District 

of Michigan. He currently serves as the 

Senior Judge, a position he has held for 

the past nine years. His quick wit and 

sharp mind have left a lasting impression on the countless attorneys who 

have argued before him. Throughout 

his career, Avern’s guiding beacon has 

been justice, and his legacy is one of 

true independence and impartiality. 

Avern’s commitment to justice in 

Michigan has extended well beyond his 

courtroom. He is a past director of the 

Detroit Bar Association, a former 

trustee of the Detroit Bar Foundation, 

and served as director of the American 

Judicature Society. Before he was appointed to the court, he led a successful private practice that continues to 

flourish today. He also served the people of Michigan in an array of positions 

including as chairperson of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, chairperson of the Detroit Board of Police 

Commissioners, and as a member of the 

Michigan Social Welfare Commission. 

As a member of the board of trustees 

of Shaarey Zedek, a former president of 

the Jewish Welfare Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and a past vice president of the American Jewish Committee, Avern has used his intellect 

and drive to the great benefit of our 

Jewish community. He has also helped 

bring the focus and resources of these 

organizations to the fight for the poorest and most vulnerable among us. He 

is a mensch in the truest sense: his 

wholehearted dedication to a host of 

noble causes has marked his character 

and his life. 

I should mention as well that it was 

Avern’s father who introduced my parents to each other. I am proud to call 

Avern my cousin. 

Avern is recognized far and wide as a 

rarity. All who have known him, who 

have had the good fortune to work with 

him, or who have come before him are 

appreciative of his unique commitment 

to doing what is right. Many who have 

never heard his name have benefited 

and will continue to benefit from his 

lifetime of good deeds. Barb joins me in 

offering our thanks and congratulations to Avern. Mazel Tov! 

f 

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS 

SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS 

TRIPLE-A CHAMPIONSHIP 

∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am 

pleased to recognize the 2008 Minor 

League Triple-A baseball champions, 

the Sacramento River Cats. 

On September 16, 2008, the Sacramento River Cats, of the Pacific 

Coast League, PCL, defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, of the International League, 4 to 1 in the 

Bricktown Showdown to become backto-back Triple-A champions. Sacramento is the Triple-A affiliate of the 

Oakland Athletics. 

The Sacramento River Cats finished 

the regular season atop the Pacific 

Coast League Southern Division with a 

record of 83 wins and 61 losses. The 

River Cats were assisted this season by 

their always faithful fan base, which 

has led Triple-A in attendance for nine 

consecutive seasons. 

In the opening playoff series between 

the River Cats and the Salk Lake City 

Bees, the River Cats excelled by scoring 39 runs en route to a 3-games-to-1 

series victory. The series victory demonstrated the River Cats’ depth of talent as four starting pitchers, four relief 

pitchers, two infielders, and one outfielder were called up to the Oakland 

Athletics before the series began. 

In the Pacific Coast League Championship Series, the River Cats defeated the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Red Hawks, winning the series three games to one to 

repeat as PCL champions. During this 

series, the River Cats proved their ability to perform on the road by achieving 

two of their three victories in Oklahoma. The win also earned the River 

Cats their fourth Pacific Coast League 

Championship in the last 6 years. 

In the Triple-A championship game, 

River Cats manager Todd Steverson 

showcased his talented pitching staff. 

The River Cats used six pitchers who 

combined for nine strikeouts while 

only giving up a single run. The victory gave the Pacific Coast League all 

three of the Triple-A championships 

since the Triple-A championship game 

was reinstated 3 years ago. 

As the River Cats’ fans, players, and 

staff gather to celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, I would like to 

congratulate them on an outstanding 

season.∑ 

NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA 

FESTIVAL 

∑ Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I recognize 

the 62nd North Carolina Azalea Festival, NCAF, which will be held from 

April 1–5, 2009, in the Greater Wilmington area. 

The Azalea Festival is a showcase for 

Wilmington’s rich array of artwork, 

gardens, history and a testimony to 

the rich heritage of coastal Carolina. 

This year’s celebration marks the 50th 

anniversary of the Azalea’s Festival’s 

name being changed from the Wilmington Azalea Festival to the North 

Carolina Azalea Festival. 

The NCAF is Wilmington’s annual 

community celebration and the largest 

festival of its kind in the State. This 

festival encourages volunteerism and 

civic participation as it contributes to 

the region’s economy and promotes the 

unique qualities of Wilmington’s riverto-the-sea community. 

The festival’s concerts, fairs and special events are viewed by more than 1 

million people each year, in person and 

through media coverage. More than 

200,000 people are estimated to attend 

the annual 2-day street fair, while 

more than 100,000 gather to watch the 

festival parade. 

It takes an extensive volunteer network to run the NCAF. More than 1,000 

volunteers are needed to stage over 125 

events ranging from concerts to art 

shows, a street fair with interactive 

displays, home and garden tours, a parade, special exhibits, a circus, and a 

variety of other entertainment and 

events. 

The NCAF generates an additional 

approximate $5 million to the area’s 

economy and the Southeast Tourism 

Society selected the NCAF as one of its 

top 20 events for the second year in a 

row. 

I am pleased to recognize the unique 

cultural and historical contributions of 

the 62nd annual North Carolina Azalea 

Festival.∑ 

f 

RECOGNIZING GULFSTREAM 

AEROSPACE CORPORATION 

∑ Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I 

wish to acknowledge an important occasion in the history of Savannah, GA, 

and the business-aviation industry— 

the 50th anniversary of Gulfstream 

flight. 

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 

got its start in 1958 when Grumman 

Aircraft Engineering Company, a company known for military aircraft production, developed the first aircraft 

specifically designed for business travel. 

On August 14, 1958, Grumman test pilots Carl Alber and Fred Rowley took 

that aircraft—the twin-engine turboprop Gulfstream I—on its maiden flight 

over the company’s headquarters in 

Bethpage, NY. After 800 hours of additional testing, the G–1 received Federal 

Aviation Administration certification 

on May 21, 1959. 


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