[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1811-E1812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING NIU'S LEADERSHIP ON CAMPUS SAFETY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM KINZINGER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize 
Northern Illinois University from my district for its proactive 
leadership in creating safe, supportive living-learning communities by 
protecting all students from sexual assaults.
   I commend NIU President Doug Baker for convening a Task Force on the 
Violence Against Women Act to bring together students, faculty, staff, 
administrators, public safety officials, and the DeKalb community on 
this important issue. To illustrate this collaboration, I would like to 
insert a student perspective into the Record offered by the President 
of NIU's Student Association.
   Their hard work resulted in the Task Force Report which contains 
recommendations that enhance NIU's efforts in the prevention of sexual 
assault, provide support for sexual assault victims and survivors, and 
strengthen policies and processes related to student conduct and 
reporting. I am proud to say NIU is among the first universities in the 
nation to conduct such a comprehensive and public review.
   My constituents' health and safety is a top priority. Mr. Speaker, I 
appreciate the hard work of NIU's Task Force and look forward to 
continuing to work with NIU on our shared commitment to campus safety.
  Student Perspective
       One of the most memorable days in a parent's life is the 
     one in which they send their child off to college. Parents 
     can only hope the well-being of their child is in good hands. 
     It is our duty as decision makers in the university community 
     to make sure we have a safe environment for our students. 
     This is why as President of the Northern Illinois University 
     (NIU) Student Association, I reached out to groups across 
     campus, from the NIU Police to our Health Enhancement 
     Department, to collaborate on a White House-initiated 
     campaign called ``It's On Us''. The It's On Us campaign 
     mobilizes students and advocates for their awareness of 
     responses to and prevention of campus sexual assaults, a 
     pressing issue facing our nation today. I commend everyone 
     involved with the campaign for making a positive change to 
     our campus culture.
       It is exceedingly important to note this student-led 
     movement is the bottom-up companion to a top-down approach by 
     the university administration. I recognize and applaud the 
     efforts of NIU President Doug Baker and his administration 
     for their proactive approach to addressing sexual assaults on 
     campus, embodied in the work of the Presidential Task Force 
     on Violence Against Women Act. This task force and the report 
     created from it will play a crucial role in the health, 
     safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and 
     community members. It makes me a proud student to see NIU as 
     one of the national leaders paving the way on such 
     significant issues. Judging by the energy felt around campus, 
     I believe my fellow students agree.

                                                Joe Frascello,

                                   President, Student Association,
                                     Northern Illinois University.

[[Page E1812]]

                       IN HONOR OF RACHEL STANLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Rachel Stanley for her 
many contributions to the House of Representatives and specifically to 
my office. At the end of this year, Rachel will be leaving my office to 
pursue opportunities away from Capitol Hill.
   Rachel joined my staff in the fall of 2011 as my Legislative 
Assistant handling the tax and financial services portfolio. She hit 
the ground running and was invaluable from the start. Recognizing her 
growth in the office, she was promoted to Tax Counsel and will leave my 
office after serving for the past year as my Legislative Director. 
Rachel was particularly successful in working on the Cooperative and 
Small Employer Charity Pension Flexibility Act, which provides 
flexibility for multiple employer pension plans by allowing them to opt 
in or out of Pension Protection Act funding rules. This allows for more 
money to be invested into businesses and communities.
   Over the past year, Rachel has served as my Legislative Director. 
Under her tenure, my office has a number of legislative 
accomplishments, including awarding the Medal of Honor to Alonzo 
Cushing, advocating for greater rail safety, and pushing for a tax code 
that encourages American manufacturing.
   Next year, Rachel will join the staff of Principal Financial, where 
she will continue to work on tax and pension policy. While I am sorry 
to see her leave my staff, I wish her the best of luck in her new role. 
Rachel embodies the term public service and has worked tirelessly to 
make our nation a better place, which has not been easy given the 
current toxic environment. It is unfortunate that we are losing such a 
competent and dedicated public servant.
   Mr. Speaker, on my behalf, thank you to Rachel for her service and 
dedication to not only the constituents of the Third District of 
Wisconsin, but to all Americans.

                          ____________________