[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IDAHO HOMETOWN HERO MEDAL

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I wish to acknowledge the 
second year of the presentation of the Idaho Hometown Hero Medal and 
congratulate the 2012 recipients of this esteemed honor.
  This award was established by Drs. Fahim and Naeem Rahim, who, in 
addition to their professional and medical service, have a belief in 
community service and a desire to give back to the community and our 
country. After receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, they decided 
to return to Idaho and start the Idaho Hometown Hero award to recognize 
and celebrate individuals who embody the spirit of philanthropy while 
showing remarkable commitment in both their personal and professional 
lives. Their efforts to recognize those working for the betterment of 
our communities play an important role in inspiring all of us.
  I am honored to be among the 2011 recipients of this medal, and I 
congratulate the 2012 award recipients and recognize the efforts of the 
Rahim brothers, the award's committee members, the cosponsors, 
volunteers, and other organizations supporting this honor. Ten 
extraordinary individuals are 2012 Hometown Hero award recipients: Don 
Aslett, a businessman, author, and builder of Pocatello's Museum of 
Clean; Cpl Phillip Baldwin, a marine veteran of Afghanistan now 
training for the Paralympics; Jonathan Cree, M.D., a physician and 
medical educator; Patti Farrell, a women's advocate and founder of the 
Drive for the Cure; Warren E. Nyer, a nuclear energy expert and last 
survivor of the Manhattan Project; Jody Olsen, a lifelong athlete and 
promoter of the Southeastern Idaho Senior Games; Rudolfo M. Pena, a 
teacher, coach, and advocate for Latino education projects; and Bonnie 
Stoddard, newspaper writer and expert in the history of Clark County. 
In addition to these awards, there were two honorary medals awarded 
posthumously to Steve Appleton, the past chief executive officer of 
Micron Technology and founder of the Micron Foundation, who is survived 
by his wife and four children, and SGT Ryan Sharp, an Army veteran of 
Afghanistan, who passed away in December 2011 from injuries received in 
Kandahar Province.
  Those honored through the 2012 Hometown Hero Medal have demonstrated 
a commitment to hard work, self-improvement, and community service. It 
is a great privilege to help recognize their outstanding talent and 
dedication to fellow Idahoans and Americans. I congratulate and thank 
all of the award recipients for your efforts to strengthen our 
communities and commend Fahim and Naeem and all those involved with 
this effort on the second anniversary of the award.

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