E76 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 13, 2009 

Rollcall Vote No. 9: On Passage of the Lilly 

Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009—‘‘nay.’’ 

Rollcall Vote No. 10: On Motion to Suspend 

the Rules and Agree to Recognizing Israel’s 

right to defend itself against attacks from 

Gaza, reaffirming the United States’ strong 

support for Israel, and supporting the IsraeliPalestinian peace process—‘‘yea.’’ 

f 

HAL ELLIS JR. 

HON. BARBARA LEE OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I 

rise today to honor the extraordinary life and 

accomplishments of Mr. Hal Ellis, Jr. Mr. Ellis 

contributed immeasurably to the development 

and economic growth of the 9th Congressional 

District. He was a devoted community leader, 

creative and innovative entrepreneur, and a 

great source of support and encouragement to 

those who knew him. Our community said 

goodbye to Hal on January 6, 2009, after a 

courageous five-year battle with metastatic 

melanoma. 

Hal Ellis was born on August 4, 1931 to 

Harold and Bertha Ellis in Portland, Oregon. 

However, his family moved to Oakland, California just two years later in 1933. For this 

reason, and as a result of the endless dedication and compassion Mr. Ellis exhibited for the 

Oakland community throughout his life, everyone considered Hal a native ‘‘Oaklander.’’ 

Hal graduated from Piedmont High School 

in 1949 and received a Bachelors Degree 

from the prestigious University of California, 

Berkeley in 1953. He was a member of the 

legendary 1951 and 1952 Cal Bears football 

teams under the leadership of Coach Pappy 

Waldorf, affectionately known as ‘‘Pappy’s 

Boys.’’ While at Cal, Mr. Ellis also served as 

President of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 

1955, Mr. Ellis graduated from the Stanford 

Graduate School of Business and then went 

on to serve his country for two years in the 

United States Air Force as an intelligence officer stationed in Morocco. 

Mr. Ellis was ambitious and driven from a 

very young age. In 1958, at the age of 27, Mr. 

Ellis co-founded Grubb & Ellis Co. along with 

his business partners Don and John Grubb. 

Mr. Ellis guided the company as its Chairman 

and CEO, bringing others up with him as he 

led the company through countless successful 

ventures. In the following decades, Mr. Ellis 

would become one of the most prolific and 

iconic real estate developers in the Greater 

Bay Area. 

Mr. Ellis directly oversaw the growth of his 

company from a small Oakland development 

firm into a national diversified real estate company. Most influential to the lives of residents 

in my district, the work that Mr. Ellis’ company 

performed and the vision Mr. Ellis had for the 

architectural and urban integrity of our area 

dramatically reshaped downtown Oakland, 

California. Nationally, his company would grow 

to such influence that it was listed on the New 

York Stock Exchange. Mr. Ellis’ keen business 

sense and tireless dedication elevated his 

company to the prominent position as the largest independently owned, publicly traded real 

estate firm in the United States. Today, the 

company boasts 130 offices world-wide. 

Sixteen years ago, Mr. Ellis co-founded Ellis 

Partners LLC with his daughter, Melinda and 

his son, James. Ellis Partners LLC has, in its 

own right, become one of California’s largest 

commercial developers and investors. Hal also 

formed Catalist Homes, which reflected his vision for the future of the residential real estate 

industry by creating a model of technical intelligence and efficiency. 

Although Mr. Ellis’ influence and impact was 

truly phenomenal in scope, his true contribution was the indelible imprint he left on the 

landscape of Oakland, California. His efforts 

led to the development of the Oakland City 

Center and Oakland’s Jack London Square. 

Both of these developments have been and 

are critical to the vibrancy of a diverse and 

complex urban area whose residents deserve 

the opportunity afforded by a healthy local 

economy where small businesses can thrive. 

Mr. Ellis was extremely involved in his community and professional organizations. He was 

an excited and inspiring individual, always 

ready to share his vision for the future and 

work on creative collaborations to bring innovation and growth to the development industry. Hal was a member of the Pacific Union 

Club, the Claremont Country Club, the World 

Presidents Organization and several additional 

real estate industry organizations. 

A gentleman with endless optimism and 

strength, even Mr. Ellis’ illness produced in 

him a sense of urgency to make a difference 

and advocate on behalf of others suffering 

from this devastating form of cancer. With the 

support and partnership of his family members, the University of California, San Francisco and Bain & Company, Mr. Ellis led the 

efforts to form the Melanoma Therapeutics 

Foundation. In the hopes of expediting the discovery of a cure for this disease, his family 

continues to remain involved and encourage 

support of this important organization in memory of Mr. Ellis. 

On behalf of the residents of California’s 9th 

Congressional District, I would like to thank 

Hal Ellis’ family for sharing this wonderful spirit 

with us, especially his loving wife of 22 years, 

Marian Ellis, his sister, Jackie Ellis Leisz, his 

sons Stephen and James Ellis, his daughters 

Melinda Ellis Evers, Chantal Lamberto, and 

Jackie Lamberto, his daughters-in-law Karen 

and Melissa, sons-in-law Will and Eli, and of 

course his beloved grandchildren, Katherine, 

Audrey, Elizabeth, Ryan, Tyler, Gracie, Morgan, and Braydon. Mr. Ellis’ legacy will live on 

through his devoted family and a host of loving friends. May his soul rest in peace. 

f 

EXTENDING THE NEW MARKETS 

TAX CREDIT TO THE TERRITORIES 

HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO OF GUAM

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I 

have reintroduced a bill to amend the Internal 

Revenue Code of 1986 to extend eligibility of 

the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) to Community Development Entities (CDEs) created 

or organized in American Samoa, Guam, the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin 

Islands. This bill would make a technical correction to existing law governing the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program and specifically authorize the Secretary of the Treasury 

to certify corporations or partnerships organized in one of the four U.S. territories as entities qualified to participate in the competitive 

application process for the New Markets Tax 

Credit. 

The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 

2000 (Public Law 106–554) authorizes the 

NMTC Program for the purpose of increasing 

incentives for investment in low-income communities across the country. Under the NMTC 

Program, certified Community Development 

Entities (CDEs) are eligible to apply for a New 

Markets Tax Credit from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund at the 

Department of the Treasury. Taxpayers who 

then invest in the CDE are allocated some of 

those credits in return for their investment. 

The CDE must invest those funds in low-income communities, and the taxpayers are 

able to claim, over a seven-year period, credits equal to 39 percent of their investment. 

CDEs act as intermediaries for the provision of 

loans, investment funding, or financial counseling in low-income communities and are 

able to legally operate anywhere in the United 

States, including in the territories. 

Despite the ability of a CDE under current 

law to legally and practically operate in a U.S. 

territory, a corporation or partnership that is 

created or organized in a U.S. territory applying for CDE certification cannot qualify for 

such certification under current law. This ineligibility stems from such organizations being 

deemed ‘‘foreign’’ and not ‘‘domestic’’ under 

other relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This nuance in law effectively prevents local CDEs in the territories, 

that is, entities who would otherwise be recognized as such by the Department of the Treasury, from investing in their own communities. 

The bill I have reintroduced today would 

rectify this situation, which I recognize to be 

an oversight of Congress in the enactment of 

the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 

2000. The bill would allow for the certification 

of CDEs created or organized in a U.S. territory thereby enabling them to operate and invest in their own communities. CDEs organized and operating in any one of the several 

States or the District of Columbia could continue to invest in low-income communities in 

the territories under this arrangement. 

I am joined by Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA of American Samoa, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN of the U.S. 

Virgin Islands, Mr. PIERLUISI of Puerto Rico, 

and Mr. SABLAN of the Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands in introducing this 

bill. We look forward to working with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee 

on Ways and Means to advance this bill and 

to support increased investment opportunities 

for our own communities. Ultimately, this bill is 

about making the New Markets Tax Credit 

Program work for the territories and ensuring 

Congressional intent behind the New Markets 

Tax Credit is fully realized and fulfilled in our 

communities. 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with REMARKS
January 13, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E77 

TRIBUTE TO U.S. SENATOR MITCH 

MCCONNELL OF KENTUCKY 

HON. HAROLD ROGERS 

OF KENTUCKY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, 

I rise today to pay tribute to U.S. Senator 

MITCH MCCONNELL, a true statesman, who 

now holds the prestigious record as Kentucky’s longest serving U.S. Senator. It is truly 

an honor for the Commonwealth of Kentucky 

to be served by such an accomplished and 

determined leader. 

I remember the early days when MITCH first 

arrived in Washington, D.C., wandering the 

halls of Congress, but leaning on his experience as a local Judge-Executive in Jefferson 

County seeking compromise and working to 

solve problems. Today he is the Republican 

Leader in the United States Senate and is 

known for his mastery of parliamentary procedure, his ability to unite the Senate Republicans—which is no small feat—and standing 

firm on his conservative principles. 

An advocate for Eastern Kentucky families, 

MITCH is a great friend of mine who understands the needs of the Bluegrass State and 

does everything he can to help those who 

need it most. MITCH is rightly credited for 

being an integral part of one of the greatest 

legislative achievements in Kentucky history, 

which were his efforts to pass the tobacco 

buyout. Many observers said the buyout would 

be impossible to arrange; however, MITCH

dived in head first and with great focus was 

able to successfully push forward legislation 

that has allowed Kentucky farmers to transition to other crops and properly reimbursed 

quota holders. He should be proud of his efforts as he saved thousands of farmers and 

their families. 

Always wanting to move Kentucky forward, 

MITCH has worked tirelessly to strengthen 

higher education which has benefitted millions 

in the Bluegrass State. By improving our universities, MITCH has not only helped our students succeed but has helped to bolster communities, create new jobs and build a strong 

workforce for the Commonwealth. Kentucky’s 

future leaders have been awarded many new 

opportunities thanks to MITCH. 

In addition to all he has done for the Commonwealth, MITCH is known as a fierce campaigner who did the seemingly impossible 

when he first defeated an incumbent Senator 

in 1984, and then went on to lay the foundation for the resurgence of the Kentucky Republican Party. Republican success within 

Kentucky is due in large part to MITCH’s vision 

and hard work. 

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join 

me in honoring Senator MITCH MCCONNELL

and his accomplishment as Kentucky’s longest 

serving Senator. He is truly a legend in the 

Commonwealth and I look forward to his continued successes. 

A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF 

WAYNE C. THOMPSON 

HON. DIANE E. WATSON 

OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, it is with 

profound sorrow that I learned of the passing 

of my associate and colleague, Wayne 

Thompson, in December. Over the past two 

years, Wayne had become a trusted advisor 

to me on the Freedmen’s efforts to secure full 

citizenship in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. I will deeply miss Wayne’s knowledge, 

wisdom, and sage advice. I have prepared the 

following resolution in honor of a man who defined the meaning of a purpose-driven life. 

RESOLUTION

Whereas Wayne C. Thompson was born 

January 15, 1946, in Spencer, Oklahoma, the 

fourth of nine children of Tasso and Daisy 

Lee Thompson; 

Whereas Wayne Thompson completed his 

secondary education in Spencer, Oklahoma 

and received a BSC in Social Psychology 

from Makerere University in Kampala, 

Uganda; 

Whereas Wayne C. Thompson served in the 

United States Army with tours of duty in 

Vietnam and Germany; 

Whereas Wayne C. Thompson dedicated his 

life to the promotion of human and civil 

rights around the world, including his participation in numerous marches and sit-ins 

during the Civil Rights Movement and service to the international wing of the Black 

Panther Party; 

Whereas Wayne C. Thompson was the longstanding Executive Director of the Oklahoma Health Care Project through which he 

was involved with the Community Health 

Centers movement, Responsive Intervention 

Prevention Program for Community Organizations, the Young Black Men’s and Women’s 

Forums, Agent Orange Class Assistance Program, Developmental Outreach Program for 

Minority Communities, the Seminole and 

Cherokee Freedmen, World Health Organization, numerous delinquency prevention and 

youth violence intervention programs, All of 

Us or None, and the defense of political prisoners and the San Francisco 8; 

Whereas Wayne C. Thompson was a founding member of the Institute of the Black 

World 21st Century and a coordinator of the 

Haiti Support Project and had an abiding 

and profound interest and commitment to 

eradicating social and economic injustice in 

Central America, Mozambique, Haiti, and 

the developing world; 

Resolved, 

(1) That Wayne Thompson led an exemplary and selfless life in service of those less 

fortunate; 

(2) That Wayne Thompson was a fighter for 

justice who sought no notoriety for his efforts to help oppressed people around the 

world; and 

(3) That Wayne Thompson was a warrior 

with the biggest heart, one of the greatest 

civil rights soldiers the world has known, 

whose good deeds and works have left the 

world a better place, and whose memory will 

be carried forward by the legions of people he 

touched with his remarkable human spirit. 

RETIREMENT OF SENATOR 

GEORGE VOINOVICH 

HON. JEAN SCHMIDT 

OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, this past 

Monday, Senator GEORGE VOINOVICH announced that he will not be seeking re-election 

to the United States Senate in 2010. Senator 

VOINOVICH has dedicated the last 40 years of 

his life to public service. I look forward to continuing to work with him over the next 2 years, 

but would be remiss if I did not acknowledge 

that he will be sorely missed when he leaves. 

Since 1967, GEORGE VOINOVICH has been a 

fixture in Ohio politics. Ohio has been blessed 

to have such a tireless advocate so dedicated 

to serving others. Although Washington, DC 

will be losing a respected voice on so many 

pressing issues, I congratulate him on his 40 

years of distinguished and outstanding service 

to the citizens of the State of Ohio and wish 

him, his wife, Janet, and his entire family the 

best in the coming years. 

f 

CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE HONORING LINDA CHAVEZ-THOMPSON 

HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ 

OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, we rise 

today to honor the life and accomplishments 

of Linda Chavez-Thompson, a San Antonio 

resident who will be honored this Friday by the 

San Antonio AFL–CIO for her achievements 

and contributions to our community. 

A native of Lubbock, Ms. Chavez-Thompson 

has been an integral part of the American 

labor movement for 40 years. In 1995, she 

made history when she was elected Executive 

Vice-President of the AFL–CIO, the first Hispanic to hold one of the organization’s three 

highest offices. She currently serves as executive vice-president emerita and remains committed to delivering economic and social justice to all Americans. 

Over the course of her life she has 

partnered with many organizations on behalf 

of civil and human rights, including those of 

women, immigrant Americans, and the LGBT 

community. And as she continues to work to 

better the world around her, her current 

projects include starting a scholarship fund for 

children of union members and developing a 

future leadership initiative. 

The city of San Antonio, the State of Texas, 

and our entire country have reaped the benefits of her hard work and lifelong commitment 

to justice and equality, and we could not be 

more grateful for her contributions. Congressman CIRO RODRIGUEZ and I are honored to 

know her as a friend, and we congratulate Ms. 

Chavez-Thompson for all of her achievements 

and this well deserved recognition. 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with REMARKS