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 June 8, 2017

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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks

EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING VICTORIA MOYER ARDEN

HON. JARED HUFFMAN OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Victoria (Vicki) Moyer Arden on her retirement as the Fine Arts Program Coordinator at Oak Grove Union School District in Sonoma County after over 16 years of exceptional service. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania and raised in Madison, Connecticut, Ms. Arden received her Bachelor’s degree from Towson State University and a Master’s in Art Education from the University of New Mexico. In 2001, she and her family moved to Sebastopol where she has resided ever since. During her tenure at Oak Grove Union School District, Ms. Arden developed a robust and comprehensive Fine Arts program that is a model for elementary and middle schools everywhere. She is well-regarded by her colleagues, students and their families for her passion for instilling a meaningful love of art in her students. She dedicated her entire professional career to supporting and promoting quality education for Sonoma students, where the fundamental subjects always included a well-rounded fine arts program. Her skills, talent and energy helped Oak Grove Elementary receive two prestigious California Distinguished School awards during her tenure there, among other distinctions. Her philosophy that, ‘‘arts offer students a unique language to explore ideas, feelings, subject matter, and cultures’’ was realized by numerous students over the years, many of whom will be grateful for this influence for years to come. Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing deep appreciation for Ms. Arden’s extraordinary service to our public school children, and thank her for the indelible marks she has undoubtedly left on the thousands of students she has educated over the years, as well as her own two children, Paul and Gabe, and her husband John, and extend to her best wishes on her retirement. f

MCKENNA GUBANICH

HON. ED PERLMUTTER OF COLORADO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud McKenna Gubanich for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. McKenna Gubanich is a student at Faith Christian Academy and received this award because her determination and hard work have allowed her to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by McKenna Gubanich is exemplary of the type of achieve-

ment that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to McKenna Gubanich for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. I have no doubt she will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of her future accomplishments. f

TRIBUTE TO DOCTORS WILLIAM DESTLER AND REBECCA JOHNSON OF THE ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the service of two members of the Rochester, New York community, Rochester Institute of Technology President William Destler and his wife Doctor Rebecca Johnson, Associate of the University. The Rochester area is home to an intelligent and curious community, thanks to residents who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of higher education. Doctors Destler and Johnson are no exception and thanks to their efforts, Rochester continues to be home to some of the finest institutes of higher learning that have produced notable alumni for generations. Assuming the Presidency in 2007, Doctor Destler became responsible for a world-renowned university that includes nearly 19,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 foreign nations. One hundred and twenty one thousand alumni around the world are proud to call RIT their alma mater and, at one point, Rochester as their home. RIT is also the third largest producer of undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math among all private universities in the United States. During his tenure as President, Doctor Destler recognized the symbiotic relationship between RIT and the city of Rochester, serving on multiple civic engagement boards including the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the Golisano Family Foundation. Leading his students by example, Doctor Destler is an international authority on highpower microwave sources and is best known for his pioneering work in the collective acceleration of heavy ions. Under his watch, female enrollment has increased 25 percent and international enrollment has increased an astounding 120 percent. Forty-one percent of the freshman class is deaf and hard of hearing, international and African, Asian, Latino, and Native American. These numbers alone are a testament to the strength through diversity of RIT. Doctor Destler is one-half of an unparalleled team. He is joined by his wife, Doctor Re-

becca Johnson, Associate of the University. In a time when bipartisan discussion is often contentious, Doctor Johnson has served on the committee for the Gray Matter series, which aims to promote civil discussion of divergent views on important topics. She is also the former president of the Board of Directors of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and continues to serve on the board in leadership roles. Her passion also extends to civic engagement, best demonstrated through initiatives such as RIT’s 2016 ‘‘Roar the Vote.’’ Thanks to her efforts, RIT has made impressive strides toward energy sustainability though programs like the greenRITnetwork and FoodShare. Over the course of their ten-year term, Doctors Destler and Johnson have truly come to embody the mantra of RIT, ‘‘The making of a living and the living of life.’’ It is with sincere appreciation that we thank Doctors Destler and Johnson for their selfless dedication to higher education, RIT, and the proud city of Rochester. We wish them the best in their future endeavors and affirm that they will always be at home in our community. f

HONORING SERGEANT JOE MOSS

HON. JEB HENSARLING OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, June 8, 2017 Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Sergeant Joe Moss for his courageous service to our country. Sergeant Moss grew up in Kerens, Texas where he was drafted by the United States Army. Sergeant Moss grew up in the Fifth Congressional District of Texas, which I have the privilege of representing. After he graduated from Malakoff High School, he began his service in the infantry for the Army during the Vietnam War. During his brave and valiant service to our country he was severely injured. As the squad leader, Sergeant Moss’ platoon came in contact with a land mine while on a maneuver. Two of Sergeant Moss’ fellow soldiers were killed and several, including himself, were injured. Sergeant Moss lost both of his legs in the explosion, something that would dramatically change his life; it didn’t however, change who Sergeant Moss truly was. There is no doubt that his selfless service to our country saved many lives while in Vietnam. He has helped countless veterans returning from battle by selflessly giving his time and sharing his own experiences to mentor and support those who have fought for our country. While Sergeant Moss returned home in a wheelchair, he did not allow that to confine his tenacious spirit. Thirteen years after he returned, Sergeant Moss, along with a few friends who were also paraplegics, succeeded in climbing the rocky Guadalupe Peak—Texas’ highest mountain which reaches 8,751 feet above sea level. The next day, President Ronald Reagan called to congratulate Sergeant

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Sep 11 2014

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