Efforts to Modernize (Cong. Rec., Feb. 23, 2021)
Summary
These pages of the Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, dated February 23, 2021 (from page E154), print statements by Members in the House of Representatives. Davids of Kansas thanks a colleague for the Butch Lewis Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021 and says retirees in the Central States Plan face a severe reduction in retirement income, adding that without relief the fund would have become insolvent in 2026. Other entries honor Gary Creed, mark the career of Tiffany D. Green in the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, remember a longtime editor of the Sanger Herald, and celebrate the life of Dr. Banks. One Member describes reintroducing a resolution condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment related to COVID-19.
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“Efforts to Modernize (Cong. Rec., Feb. 23, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-02-23-crec-2021-02-23-pt1-pge154-3-0f44e6cd56/
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E154 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 23, 2021
before joining the local Sanger newspaper as (including command and support vehicles) health and safety programs for their personnel
editor. He remained as editor for the Sanger with 266 specifically outfitted for fire suppres- that are based on the 16 Firefighter Life Safe-
Herald until his retirement in 2019. Dick also sion, rescue, or emergency transport. ty Initiatives established at the 2004 Tampa
served his country in the U.S. Army Security Tiffany D. Green, a native Prince Georgian, Summit.
Agency and the U.S. Navy Reserve in Dinuba. began her career as a firefighter with the Congratulations to Chief Green on this mo-
He enjoyed spending time with fellow veterans Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department mentous occasion, and much appreciation to
at the Sanger Post 7168 Veterans of Foreign in March of 1999, after serving as a volunteer her husband Alfred, and daughter Talore, for
Wars and the Sanger Post 98 AMVETS. for the Oxon Hill Volunteer Fire Department sharing her with Prince Georges County.
Renowned for his volunteer work and com- for four years. As an almost 26-year fire serv- f
munity involvement, Dick’s legacy will not ices veteran, Tiffany holds dual bachelor’s de-
soon be forgotten. He organized an annual grees in Public Safety and Biology and a mas- EFFORTS TO MODERNIZE AND
golf tournament fundraiser as a Golden Valley ter’s degree in Emergency and Disaster Man- STRENGTHEN MULTIEMPLOYER
Girl Scout Council Board Member, conducted agement. Climbing up the ranks, she has PENSION PLANS
career preparation seminars for Workforce served in the following capacities prior to her
Connection, and served as a Family Self Suffi- role as a Command Staff member: Firefighter, HON. SHARICE DAVIDS
ciency Board Member to help struggling fami- Paramedic, Station Commander, Executive OF KANSAS
lies achieve economic independence. Dick Assistant to the Deputy Chief Administrative IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
was involved in several other organizations Officer for Public Safety, Chief of Staff for the
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
serving the Sanger and Fresno area commu- Director of Homeland Security, Special Events
nities: the Kiwanis Club of Dinuba, the Down- Coordinator and Stadium Commander for Fed Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker,
town Kiwanis Club of Fresno, the Rotary Club Ex field. I’d like to thank my colleague, Chairman RICH-
of the Fresno Airport, the Rotary Club in San- As Deputy Fire Chief she was responsible ARD NEAL for his tireless work on the Butch
ger, the Sanger Unified School District Classi- for Human Resources, Fiscal Affairs, Informa- Lewis Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of
fied Employees Personnel Commission, the tion Management, Risk Management and the 2021 and for providing retirement income se-
Sanger High School Athletic Hall of Fame Office of Service Excellence, Accreditation & curity for pension recipients in endangered,
Committee, the Sanger Veterans Parade Research. As Director of the Prince George’s critical or critical and declining status multiem-
Committee, and the Fresno Radio Advisory County Fire/EMS Training and Leadership ployer pension plans.
Committee. Academy, her primary responsibilities were In Kansas, thousands of retirees currently
Dick was awarded several recognitions dur- training and professional development for over receive pensions through the Central States
ing his lifetime including the American Legion 900 sworn personnel and 1,200 volunteer Plan and they face a crisis—a severe reduc-
Medal for Character, the Sanger Chamber of members of the department. She also man- tion in retirement income through no fault of
Commerce Hall of Fame, the Gold Seal award aged the High School Fire Science (Cadet) their own.
for community service presented by the San- Program, a program for high school students Without the direct relief provided in this leg-
ger Chamber of Commerce, and several jour- who are interested in working in the Fire Serv- islation, the Central States Pension Fund
nalism awards. Beloved by the Sanger com- ices profession. would have become insolvent in 2026 and the
munity, Dick was also honored as the Grand On January 15, 2020, Chief Green’s nomi- Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation would
Marshal for both the Sanger Veterans Parade nation was unanimously approved following a have to reduce 360,000 participants’ pensions
and Sanger Christmas Parade in 2019. review of her exemplary over 20 years of serv- to pennies. This is unacceptable. As Chairman
Dick is survived by his wife Nadine; their ice, her impressive record and support from NEAL is all too aware, many of the participants
children Mark, Cassandra and her husband many public safety and government officials. of Central States are frontline workers who
Jack, and Christopher and his wife Petra; and Chief Green made history as Prince have served our country tirelessly and fear-
stepson Michael and his wife Jessica. Dick is George’s County’s first woman, first dual fire lessly in the face of the pandemic.
also survived by nine grandchildren and nine fighter/paramedic and youngest fire chief. The present structure of these plans is
great-grandchildren. County Executive Alsobrooks, in her nomina- unsustainable and in need of reform.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the tion, made sure to emphasize Green’s wealth Without modernization of these plans and
United States House of Representatives to of experience and high ranking on each and addressing employer liabilities, I am con-
join me in honoring the life of Mr. Richard every promotional exam—the lieutenant’s test, cerned that multiemployer pension plans and
‘‘Dick’’ Franklin Sheppard. Our thoughts and the captain’s exam, and battalion chief’s their retirees will certainly face similar cir-
prayers are with his family and friends during exam. According to County Executive cumstances in the future and require addi-
this difficult time. Alsobrooks, Chief Green is far and away the tional federal funds. This much needed relief
f most qualified person to lead the Prince to the plans is designed to forestall insolvency
George’s County Fire/EMS Department at this leaving important work that must follow. I be-
CHIEF GREEN 1 YEAR time. lieve we must seize this opportunity to reform
ANNIVERSARY According to Chief Green, her decision to these plans and take insolvency off the table.
serve her community as a volunteer fire fighter I understand the Chairman is committed to
HON. ANTHONY G. BROWN ‘‘changed the trajectory of [her] life.’’ She rec- working with me to modernize and strengthen
OF MARYLAND ognizes the women whose shoulders she is multiemployer pension plans with the intent of
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES standing on today. ‘‘Pioneers’’ like Maureen bringing a reform package to the floor in this
Hennessy, Angela Peden and the late Carla Congress. Could the Chairman confirm that is
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Blue who gave Chief Green their Keys to Suc- the case?
Mr. BROWN. Madam Speaker, I rise in rec- cess. And, Chief Green has vowed to ‘‘lead f
ognition of the one-year anniversary of Chief this department forward, to continue to be ac-
Tiffany Green, Chief of Prince George’s Coun- countable, professional and community-cen- EFFORTS TO MODERNIZE AND
ty Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) tered.’’ STRENGTHEN MULTIEMPLOYER
Department. In November 2018, County Exec- Her leadership of the 1,062 Sworn and PENSION PLANS
utive Angela Alsobrooks made history as the 1,500 volunteers has already proven to be a
first African American woman elected to lead success on a national level. The Congres- HON. RICHARD E. NEAL
a county government in Maryland. Upon sional Fire Services Institute and National Fall- OF MASSACHUSETTS
Prince George’s County’s Fire Chief Benjamin en Firefighters Foundation selected the Prince IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Barksdale’s announced retirement, County Ex- George’s County Fire and Emergency Medical
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with REMARKS
ecutive Alsobrooks appointed Chief Green Services Department as the combination fire Tuesday, February 23, 2021
who became the First African American department recipient of the 2020 Senator Paul Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, too many work-
Woman to lead a fire department in the history S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership ers in this nation reach retirement age without
of the State of Maryland and only the 9th Afri- Award, named in honor of the late former the savings they need. The retirement crisis in
can American Woman to hold the position of Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes. The award America is real and will only worsen unless we
fire chief in the United States of America. She recognizes fire departments and organizations make saving easier and do more to encourage
inherited a department with a call volume of for leadership in advancing firefighter health workers to begin planning for retirement ear-
152,000, a total of 638 pieces of apparatus and safety, who have developed important lier. And that’s why I’ve committed as the
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February 23, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E155
Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee to Madam Speaker, I was proud that in the last New Mexico Cattle Growers Association’s
addressing this crisis. Congress, the House passed this resolution King Service award, Dina Chacon-Reitzel.
For example, about 50 percent of American 243 to 164. However, in light of the recent This award is given to New Mexicans that
workers work for an employer that does not dramatic increase of anti-Asian hate incidents have exhibited long standing dedication to the
offer a retirement plan at work. To make a sig- across our country, we must coalesce and state’s agricultural industry and those who
nificant dent in this coverage gap, it’s critical renew our efforts to condemn all manifesta- work within it. Born into the agricultural life,
that we enact legislation that requires employ- tions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, Dina grew up on a cattle ranch that has been
ers that don’t currently offer a retirement plan and anti-Asian sentiment and scapegoating. in her family for hundreds of years. She has
to at a minimum provide their employees with We must denounce any and all anti-Asian spent most of her career with the New Mexico
an auto IRA option. sentiment of any form. Beef Council, where she fought to protect the
I’m also pleased that the American Rescue Madam Speaker, the House must remain cattle industry and pioneered implementations
Plan Act includes the Butch Lewis Emergency strong, and stand against the sickening intoler- of consumer information programs, as well as
Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021, which would ance, bigotry, and violence that is leaving a additional research within the beef industry.
create a special financial assistance program terrible stain on our nation’s history, especially Dina’s advocacy spans from local entities,
under which cash payments would be made during this moment of an unprecedented pub- where she is involved with the New Mexico 4–
by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation lic health crisis. I urge my colleagues to join H Foundation, all the way to the Federal gov-
to financially troubled multiemployer pension me in this effort to keep all Americans safe. ernment. She currently braves the Washington
plans to ensure that such plans can continue f bureaucracy to advocate for the New Mexico
paying retirees’ benefits for the next 30 years. HONORING GARY CREED State University College of ACES, where she
What we have here is a national emergency serves as a citizen advocate for the USDA
that we need to address immediately. If Con- Council for Agricultural Research, Extension
gress doesn’t act, the multiemployer pension
HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH and Teaching.
OF VIRGINIA
system could collapse entirely, leaving retirees This is not the first time Dina’s efforts have
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
in poverty, businesses in bankruptcy, and been recognized. As a chairwoman on the
communities in crisis. Tuesday, February 23, 2021 New Mexico State University’s Board of Re-
Reform for both the multiemployer and sin- Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in gents she was awarded the New Mexico Out-
gle employer retirement plan system is a pri- honor of Gary Creed of Shawsville, Virginia, standing Leadership Award for significant
ority for the Ways and Means committee and who passed away on January 28, 2021 at the leadership towards agriculture. She was also
we plan on addressing these issues this year. age of 74. Gary was a member of the Mont- given the Friend of Extension Award and was
I commit to working with Ms. DAVIDS on this gomery County Board of Supervisors for sev- the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni
as we move forward. eral terms who worked hard for the people of Award by the New Mexico State University.
f the county. She was also recognized by the New Mexico
Gary was the son of Melvin Lewis and Ada Department of Agriculture with the Industry
RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ANTI- Mae Moore Creed. He was elected to the Partner Award.
ASIAN SENTIMENT AS RELATED Board of Supervisors in 2001 as the rep- Dina have exhibited the upmost dedication
TO COVID–19 resentative of District C. He promoted the and leadership to the state of New Mexico and
Meadowbrook Montgomery-Floyd Regional Li- its agricultural industry, and I congratulate her
HON. GRACE MENG brary and the Meadowbrook Community Cen- on this award.
OF NEW YORK ter, supported first responders, and success- f
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fully pushed to reduce the merchants capital
tax, a move that eased a burden on local busi- CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 nesses without depriving the county of rev- LEGACY OF DR. MELVIN BANKS
Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, it has been enue. Gary served as Chairman of the Board
over a year since we have seen continued in 2004. He retired in 2017. In the town of HON. BOBBY L. RUSH
COVID–19 related threats and attacks against Elliston, part of District C, a park currently OF ILLINOIS
the Asian American and Pacific Islander com- under construction has been named after him IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
munity. As millions across our nation continue in honor of his service.
to be impacted by the coronavirus, many con- Gary was a longtime employee at the Tuesday, February 23, 2021
tinue to live in fear following the dramatic in- Shelor Motor Mile auto dealership and had Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to
crease of threats and attacks against those of also worked as an auctioneer and real estate celebrate and commemorate the life and
Asian descent. Recently, we have seen further developer. He loved the sport of basketball works of Dr. Melvin Banks, the founder of
escalation of horrific incidences of elderly and coached Amateur Athletic Union girls bas- Urban Ministries, Incorporated. A prodigious
AAPIs assaulted—resulting in even death. ketball. soul, by the age of 12, Dr. Banks was already
Due to perpetuating anti-Asian rhetoric, mis- Gary is survived by his wife, Linda Creed; spreading the word of the gospel throughout
information, racism, discrimination, and un- son Tim Creed and wife Barbara; daughter his native state of Alabama, sharing stories of
founded blame for the spread of COVID–19, Niki Shumate and husband John; brothers the Bible with younger children. It was when
there has been over 3,000 reported incidents Wilford Creed and Clyde Creed; sister Eliza- he was preaching in Birmingham that Dr.
of anti-Asian hate crimes, including AAPIs beth Brammer; granddaughters Bridgette Banks heard a verse from the Book of Hosea
being threatened, harassed, or assaulted, or Bradley and husband James, Karalee that would change his life ‘‘My people are de-
having had their businesses vandalized. Just Boggess and husband Mark, Karli Shumate, stroyed for lack of knowledge.’’ Hearing this
recently, in my district of Flushing, New York, and Lauryn Shumate; and great-grandchildren verse caused Dr. Banks to even further dedi-
a 52-year-old Asian woman was attacked and Jaxon, Jacob, Holt, Boone, and Allie. I offer cate himself to spreading the gospel across
forcefully shoved while waiting in line outside them my condolences on their loss. Our sys- the country and the world.
of a bakery—resulting in her needing ten tem of government depends on citizens such Dr. Banks’ study of the Bible would take him
stitches on her head. Additionally, a 61-year- as Gary Creed, who take on the tasks of local to Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute, where he
old Filipino man was viciously attacked and government in order to improve their commu- was one of the institution’s few Black students,
slashed across his face on a New York City nities. graduating in 1955. However, Dr. Banks’ edu-
subway. f cation as a Christian in Chicago would not
It breaks my heart that, for over a year, in RECOGNIZING DINA CHACON- revolve solely around the classroom. At the
the midst of the COVID–19 crisis, Asian Amer- REITZEL urging of a chapel speaker, Dr. Banks visited
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with REMARKS
icans have been left fighting an additional a Brethren church on the city’s South Side.
front—that of hate and bigotry. This experience led him to the vital realization
That is why I am reintroducing my resolution
HON. YVETTE HERRELL that he didn’t need to diminish his blackness
OF NEW MEXICO
condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment to live the fullest Christian life that he could.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
as related to COVID–19. This resolution de- There, Dr. Banks would also meet and marry
nounces the anti-Asian sentiment and recog- Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Olive Perkins, who would remain his partner
nizes the safety and well-being of all Ameri- Ms. HERRELL. Madam Speaker, today I throughout his life. He then continued his
cans during these unprecedented times. rise to acknowledge this year’s winner of the theological education in the Chicagoland area
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