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 


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