Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO THE 2019 ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
______
HON. DARIN LaHOOD
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2019
recipients of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Presented annually, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to
our Nation's immigrant heritage, as well as individual achievement. The
Medals are awarded to U.S. citizens from diverse ethnic backgrounds who
exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional
lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular
heritage and culture. We honor these outstanding individuals because
the important work they do today, creates a better world for all of us
tomorrow. This momentous occasion was celebrated with a patriotic
ceremony on Ellis Island and a re-commitment by the leaders of the
organization to their mission of honoring diversity, fostering
tolerance and promoting religious and racial unity across America.
Since the Medals' founding, more than 2,500 American citizens have
received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, including seven American
Presidents, numerous United States Senators and Congressmen, two Nobel
Laureates, and many athletes, artists, clergy, and military leaders.
This Medal is not about material success, nor is it about the politics
of immigration; it is about the people who have committed themselves to
this nation, embraced the opportunities America offers, and most
importantly, who have used those opportunities to not only better their
own lives but make a difference in our county and in the lives of its
people.
Citizens of the United States hail from every nation known to man.
The iconic metaphor of this nation as a veritable melting pot of
cultures continues to ring true, and it is this diversity that adds to
the unique richness of American life. It is the key to why America is
the most innovative, progressive and forward-thinking country in the
world. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor not only celebrate select
individuals but also the pluralism and democracy that enabled our
forbearers to celebrate their cultural identities while still embracing
the American way of life. This award serves to remind us all that with
hard work and perseverance anyone can still achieve the American dream.
In addition, by honoring these remarkable Americans, we honor all who
share their origins and we acknowledge the contributions they have made
to America. I commend NECO and its Board of Directors headed by my good
friend, Nasser J. Kazeminy, for honoring these truly outstanding
individuals for their tireless efforts to foster dialogue and build
bridges between different ethnic groups, as well as to promote unity
and a sense of common purpose in our nation.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the good
works of NECO and in congratulating all of the 2019 recipients of the
Ellis Island Medal of Honor. I also include in the Record the names of
the recipients:
2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients
Paula Abdul, Michael Ainslie, Dr. Nina Ansary, Duraid
Antone, Anthony Asher, Richard Ashooh, Ajay Banga, Monir
Barakat, David Beasley, Chief Carmen Best, Dr. Joel Bloom,
Peter Boyer, A'Lelia Bundles, Marilyn Carlson Nelson,
Elizabeth Cascio, Major General Michael Churn, Sr.--USA, Ali
Cinar, Michael Cohen, MD, Trammell Crow, Reza Dana, MD, Tan
Dun, Brigadier General Troy E. Dunn--USAF, Richard Edelman,
Claudia Edelman, Nader Engheta, PhD, David Fanning, Wendy
Federman, Henry Fernandez, Sergio Fernandez de Cordova,
Michael Franti, Douglas Freeman, Beth Friedman, Joshua
Friedman, Howard Gillman, Sanjay Gupta, MD, James Harpel,
Honorable Jane Hartley, Matthew Higgins, Herve Humler, Paul
Hutchinson, Vice Admiral Mary Jackson--USN, Sinan Kanatsiz,
Dr. Mehran Kardar, Muhtar Kent, Barry Kibrick, Justin Kim,
Steven Klinsky, Maureen Sheny Klinsky, Gene Lee, Hyeongno
Lee, Alison Levine, Brigadier General Lorna Mahlock--USMC,
Karol Mason, Honorable Juan Mattos, Jr., Patricia McDonald,
Dr. Roxana Mehran, Enrico Mirabelli, Esq., Dr. Simin
Mozayeni, Dr. Lawrence Najarian, Gregory Olsen, Chief
Kathleen O'Reilly, Carl Panattoni, Jane Panattoni, Jonghwan
Patrick Park, Sergio Pecori, William Popp, Teri Popp, Esq.,
Honorable Anthony Portantino, Professor Yahya Rahmat-Samii,
Jason Rezaian, Ginni Rometty, Avishai Sadan, DMD, MBA,
Honorable Adam Schiff, Eric Schmidt, Chief Dermot Shea,
Howard Shecter, Esq., Donna Soloway, Richard Soloway, Bret
Stephens, Ken Sunshine, Michael Tadross, Will Tanous, Captain
Jason Tama--USCG, Dr. Prakasam Tata, Tony Thomas, Josie
Thomas, Frances Townsend, Clara Wu Tsai, Delia Viader, PhD,
Samuel Waxman, MD, Dr. Torsten Wiesel, Montel Williams.
____________________