December 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2357 

Stanislaus Area Association of Governments 

(1992–2000) and the Tuolumne River Regional Park Policy Board (1992–2002). 

Outside of the political arena, Mrs. Friedman 

has been involved in many community activities. From 1997 to 2006 she served on the 

Sutter Health Board of Directors. Since 2003 

she has worked with the Salvation Army in 

various capacities. In 2003 she worked on the 

Christmas Angel project and from 2004 to 

2006 she co-chaired the ‘‘Grassroots’’ campaign. Since 2006 she has co-chaired the Salvation Army ‘‘One Night Out’’ dinners and has 

been an honorary Advisory Board member 

since 2002. Mrs. Friedman is currently serving 

on the Gallo Center for the Arts Advisory 

Board, the Valley Business High School Advisory Board and the University of California at 

Merced Foundation Board. In May 2008 she 

received the ‘‘Children’s First Award’’ from the 

Center for Human Services for her dedicated 

service to the community and children. 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend 

and congratulate Kenni Friedman upon her accomplishments and for being honored as the 

2008 ‘‘Citizen of the Year’’. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Friedman 

many years of continued success. 

f 

HONORING SEAN PATRICK 

MCCALMON 

HON. SAM GRAVES OF MISSOURI

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly 

pause to recognize Sean Patrick McCalmon of 

Kansas City, Missouri. Sean 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 1495, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. 

Sean has been very active with his troop, 

participating in many Scout activities. Over the 

many years Sean 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 Sean Patrick McCalmon 

for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts 

of America and for his efforts put forth in 

achieving the highest distinction of Eagle 

Scout. 

f 

60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE UNITED NATIONS 

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF 

HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDEMN 

THE ONGOING ATTACKS ON 

HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA 

HON. ALBIO SIRES OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 

Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, I rise today, 

the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the 

United Nations Universal Declaration of 

Human Rights, to condemn the ongoing attacks on human rights in Cuba. 

It has been reported that possibly a dozen 

people in Cuba have been rounded up and 

detained by the regime to thwart their efforts 

to attend Human Rights Day events on the island. I was outraged, but not shocked to hear 

of this most recent action by the brutal Cuban 

regime to deny the Cuban people their basic 

human rights, which are guaranteed in the 

U.N. declaration. Dissident groups throughout 

Cuba have attempted to organize protests, 

and government attacks on protesters will likely continue. 

This blatant disregard for the rights of all 

peoples on this symbolic day so accurately 

represents the true nature of the oppressive 

Cuban regime. I will continue to fight for a day 

when the voices of all Cuban people are respected. 

f 

HONORING SENIOR AIRMAN AARON 

RATH 

HON. JOHN SHIMKUS OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, today I rise 

to pay tribute to a great American, who was 

recently honored by the Illinois Air National 

Guard. 

Senior Airman Aaron Rath of Springfield, Illinois, has been chosen as the 183rd Fighter 

Wing’s Airman of the Year. Airman Rath 

earned this honor after two tours of duty in 

Iraq in 2006 and 2007. He serves as a life 

member of the National Guard Association of 

Illinois, senior vice commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 755, a member of 

the Enlisted Association of the National Guard 

of the United States, and vice president of the 

Defendors Association. Locally, he has been 

active in Big Brothers Big Sisters, and in the 

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. 

Airman Rath enlisted in the Illinois Air National Guard at the age of 29, after the September 11 terrorist attacks on our Nation. He 

told the local newspaper that he felt it was his 

‘‘utmost duty as an American to enlist and 

serve, and give a little back for what so many 

before me had sacrificed.’’ 

I want to congratulate Senior Airman Aaron 

Rath on this much deserved recognition, and 

to thank him and so many other brave young 

Americans for their service to our Nation. It is 

through their dedication and their sacrifice that 

we are able to enjoy the liberties we all hold 

dear. 

f 

BUT I 

HON. WALLY HERGER OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 

Mr. HERGER. Madam Speaker, this poem 

was penned by Albert Caswell in honor of a 

great American hero, Christopher Frost from 

Chico California. Tech Sergeant Frost lost his 

leg during an IED explosion in Samara, Iraq. 

His courage and positive attitude is an inspiration to us all. He was part of the Weapons Intelligence Team/Air Force. 

But I . . . 

Went off to war . . . 

And, I will not give up, nor give in for sure! 

For my heart, will fly once more . . . for I 

will rise, and I will soar! 

Wearing my Nation’s Wings, I’ll reach for 

the stars . . . once again . . . once 

more! 

Until, that very end . . . America, and The 

United States Air Force . . . I will defend . . . 

Is but my life’s passion, my life’s force . . . 

all in my heart as my course, I’ve fashioned . . . 

For we all have mountains to so climb . . . 

For we all have stories, to so write and so 

rhyme . . . 

Answers, to the hardest of all questions to 

find! 

All about what we have so left inside, all 

about our short lives . . . which so 

come to mind . . . 

All those moment’s which test our metal, all 

in our pain and woe . . . 

As this is mine . . . all for Country Tis of 

Thee, I was ready to die and bleed . . . 

And gladly, pay the greatest of all costs indeed . . . 

All in what I’ve found, and so believe . . . all 

in what I’ve lost and do not need . . . 

As on this day my life, takes me to new 

heights . . . 

Look into my heart, as it’s there you’ll find 

inspiration taking flight . . . 

As this Airman’s heart, soar’s so high above 

. . . 

Burning bold, burning bright . . . all in my 

love . . . 

A work of art, which make’s souls fly . . . 

Showing us all, how a heart faith and courage can so soar so high . . . 

Bring hope, and bringing light . . . speaking 

long and loud this night . . . 

Who on battlefields of honor once seen . . . 

Or home once again, rebuilding from such 

heartache and pain . . . 

As Chris your heart of courage full, so 

astounds . . . 

For when all seemed lost, Chris somehow 

you found . . . 

The Strength, The Courage . . . to not be discouraged . . . 

The Light, that flows through your eyes 

which does nourish . . . 

Teaching us all so how . . . To bare that burden, to bare that cost . . . 

Even, with your fine leg lost! Mountains you 

so cross . . . 

To reach for the stars, in all your loss . . . 

All in that smile upon your face, all in that 

mantle of a hero heart that’s yours 

portrays . . . 

As we see such a fine heart that will not look 

down . . . 

Teaching us all, what God has made! As your 

fine heart so sounds . . . 

Reminding us all, not to waste not even a 

single day . . . 

Bringing tears to eyes, as we kneel down and 

pray . . . 

But I . . . 

If I could but be like you . . . 

Then, I would but teach every women, child 

and man so too! 

Where faith and courage, and service to 

country begins . . . 

And if ever I have a son . . . 

I but hope and pray . . . he could but soar, as 

far and as high . . . as you have my 

fine son! 

And, be like you the one . . . But I . . .