Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, May 28, 2020, Page E499
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A page of the Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, dated May 28, 2020, at page E499. It begins with a tribute to a Vietnam prisoner of war named Johnson, who recalled the Hanoi Hilton and said forty-two months were spent in solitary confinement, and who is survived by two daughters and 10 grandchildren. Mr. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma commemorates the 102nd anniversary of Republic Day in Azerbaijan. A statement on the Heroes Act says it provides an additional $20 billion to tribal governments. The page ends with praise for distinguished graduating high school seniors in South Dakota.
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“Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, May 28, 2020, Page E499.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-05-28-crec-2020-05-28-pt1-pge499-2-0cf7f73d37/
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May 28, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E499
Johnson recalled trudging through the jun- his adult daughters, Gini Johnson Mulligan The toll on tribal nations isn’t just affecting
gle before being surrounded by North Viet- and Beverly Johnson Briney, and 10 grand- those who are sick. Many Native Americans
namese soldiers who took him to the infa- children. His son, James Robert ‘‘Bob’’ John- work in service jobs that have disproportion-
mous Hoa Lo Prison, better known as the son, died in 2013 at age 61.
ately been lost, and many tribal governments
‘‘Hanoi Hilton.’’ He endured what he would f
later describe as 3-foot by 8-foot, rat-infested rely on income from business enterprises that
‘‘dark and filthy cell. COMMEMORATING THE 102ND AN- have closed their doors to comply with stay-at-
‘‘Forty-two of those months were spent in NIVERSARY OF THE AZERBAIJAN home orders.
solitary confinement with 10 other fine DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC The Heroes Act was written with these com-
American patriots because the Vietcong la- munities in mind.
beled us ‘die hard’ resistors,’’ Johnson wrote This bill represents the House of Represent-
in 2015. HON. KEVIN HERN atives’ commitment to fulfilling the trust and
He recalled tapping code on the wall to OF OKLAHOMA
communicate with other Americans being treaty responsibility of the United States gov-
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
held, and that ‘‘our captors would blare ernment to tribal nations across the United
nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Thursday, May 28, 2020 States.
Americans protesting back home.’’ Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam The Heroes Act provides an additional $20
While speaking on the House floor in 2003, Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the billion to tribal governments in the form of
Johnson said his faith only got stronger grants to help address the catastrophic impact
102nd anniversary of Republic Day in Azer-
through captivity. He recalled how one day of this virus and the economic toll it has taken
his captors put him against a wall and prom- baijan, which recognizes the establishment of
the first independent, secular democracy in on Indian Country and their surrounding com-
ised to execute him with machine guns.
‘‘I started praying harder than I have ever the Middle East in 1918. munities.
prayed in my life. In a few seconds, the guns While they spent much of the 20th century The Heroes Act expands the use of the
went click, click, click, click, click,’’ John- under Soviet control, their undying faith in de- funds provided by the CARES Act to account
son told the chamber. ‘‘It is only because of mocracy was rewarded in 1991 when the for lost revenue, which is critical to providing
the grace of God I survived.’’ Azerbaijan Democratic Republic reclaimed its effective relief for tribal governments.
He was released and flew out of Hanoi on It is important to note that unlike the portion
Feb. 12, 1973. He earned a master’s degree at
independence after the collapse of the USSR.
The United States swiftly established diplo- of the Coronavirus Relief Fund provided to
George Washington University in Wash-
ington in 1976. He retired from the Air Force matic relations in 1992. states and local governments, the fund for trib-
three years later and began a home-building A reliable American ally, Azerbaijani troops al governments explicitly does not prescribe a
business. He was elected to the Texas Legis- have fought side-by-side with Americans population-based formula for distribution to
lature in 1984 and went to Congress following against international terrorism in Afghanistan, tribes. Such a formula would be inappropriate
a special election in 1991, after Rep. Steve Balkans, and Iraq. They help secure inter- given that population is not a proper measure
Bartlett resigned to become Dallas mayor. national energy security of our allies through of economic impact that a tribal government
Representing Plano and other conservative and tribally-run businesses have experienced.
northern suburbs of Dallas, Johnson was
their support of Southern Gas Corridor and the
diversification of energy routes. A friend of This bill also does not codify the current In-
known for his work on veterans’ affairs and
for his efforts to bolster the financial stand- Israel, they provide 40 percent of Israel’s oil dian Housing Block Grant formula that the De-
ing of the Social Security program. He took consumption. Azerbaijan is a secular Muslim- partment of Treasury is using, because such a
office backing term limits, yet he stayed in majority country dedicated to religious plu- formula is not representative of the intent of
Congress more than double his promised ralism and home to thriving Christian and Jew- the program.
maximum of 12 years. ish communities. It is the intent of Congress that the Depart-
When Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992, ment of Treasury works with the Department
As an Oklahoman and member of the Con-
Johnson and other Republican military vet- of Interior and tribal governments to develop a
erans in Congress alleged that Russian intel- gressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I am proud that
ligence lured Clinton to Moscow during the Azerbaijan’s friendship with the United States new formula that accounts for the tribes’ ag-
Vietnam war when ‘‘I was sitting in a POW is celebrated in my home state through the gregate expenditures and the total economic
camp in Vietnam eating fish eyes and pig Oklahoma-Azerbaijan National Guard Partner- hit they have taken as a result of this pan-
fat.’’ Questions about Clinton’s patriotism ship. demic.
dogged him during his first campaign, but I once again wish to extend my sincere con- This is an issue that is critical for Indian
the allegations made by Johnson and the gratulations to our partners in Azerbaijan on Country. I am proud to have voted for the He-
others were largely soon forgotten. this worthy day. roes Act and look forward to seeing the pro-
As a prisoner of war, Johnson shared a cell gram implemented as Congress intended to
with McCain, who would later become a U.S. f
senator from Arizona. But the pair later
support tribal governments.
ADVOCATING FOR CRITICAL FUND- f
clashed on political issues—including
McCain’s efforts to eventually help nor- ING FOR TRIBAL NATIONS IN
malize U.S. relations with Vietnam. Still, THE HEROES ACT RECOGNIZING AND HONORING JON-
Johnson criticized Trump for suggesting ATHAN CORONADO, KATHERINE
McCain was no hero. HON. RAUL RUIZ PARDY, AND AINSLEY POWERS
‘‘Comments like those of Donald Trump, or
OF CALIFORNIA
any other American, suggesting that vet-
erans like Senator John McCain or any other IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. DUSTY JOHNSON
OF SOUTH DAKOTA
of America’s honorable POWs are less brave Thursday, May 28, 2020
for having been captured are not only mis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
guided, they are ungrateful and naı̈ve,’’ Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in
support of the Heroes Act and to address the Thursday, May 28, 2020
Johnson wrote in 2015.
In February 2018—marking the 45th anni- critical need for emergency funding for tribal Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam
versary of the operation that led to his re- nations. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor
lease—Johnson donated a chipped green tin Native Americans have been hit dispropor- Jonathan Coronado from Stevens Senior High
cup issued by his captors and tube of tooth- tionately hard by the COVID–19 pandemic. School, Katherine Pardy from O’Gorman High
paste he smuggled out of North Vietnam to The Navajo Nation has experienced nearly School, and Ainsley Powers from Brookings
the Smithsonian’s National Museum of
American History. Johnson recalled then
5,000 positive cases and the loss of more High School for their recognition as 2020 U.S.
how he and other prisoners would commu- than 100 lives. In addition, the Colorado River Presidential Scholars.
nicate by tapping on the walls and how he’d Indians Tribes on the border of my district and Jonathan, Katherine, and Ainsley have been
hold his cup against them to amplify sounds Arizona have seen a sudden rise in cases recognized for their impressive scholastic
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REMARKS
and better hear their messages. over the past weeks. achievements, leadership skills, and service to
In his autobiography, ‘‘Captive Warriors: A Native Americans remain at particular risk their communities. The U.S. Presidential
Vietnam POW’s Story,’’ Johnson wrote of because they face greater health disparities Scholars Program honors our nation’s most
the cup: ‘‘For me, it symbolized our war of and have higher rates of underlying health distinguished graduating high school seniors,
resistance for seven long years. It had been a
means of communication and, as such, a
conditions than the general population. In ad- and I am proud of each of these students for
means of survival.’’ dition, those living on rural reservations have bringing this high honor to the State of South
Johnson’s wife died on Dec. 3, 2015 at their reduced access to health services and pre- Dakota. They have graduated in an unprece-
home in Plano at age 85. He is survived by ventative care. dented time and I’m sure they will each find
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