[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 108 (Monday, July 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1055-E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PATRICIA APY: AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S 2015 GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY AWARD 
                                 WINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call attention 
today to the great work and humanitarian achievements accomplished by 
Patricia Apy, who recently received the American Bar Association's 2015 
Grassroots Advocacy Award.
   A partner at Paras, Apy and Reiss, P.C. in Red Bank, New Jersey, Ms. 
Apy was selected for this extraordinary honor by the Board of Governors 
of the 400,000 member ABA--for her ``outstanding support of legal 
protection and assistance to members of the military.''
   In announcing the award, the ABA noted that Ms. Apy is ``recognized 
as one of the nation's leading experts in family law'' who has

[[Page E1056]]

``focused her career on the needs of military families, serving as a 
teacher, advocate, lecturer, consultant and commentator on the 
complexities of international family law.'' The ABA also cited the 
countless pro bono hours, Ms. Apy has dedicated on Capitol Hill and at 
the New Jersey state legislature. They highlighted her equally 
effective advocacy on behalf of victims of international parental child 
abduction.
   I first met Patricia Apy ``Tricia'' when she was serving as the lead 
American attorney for David Goldman, a New Jersey resident who fought 
five years for the return of his son Sean who was abducted by David's 
ex-wife to Brazil. Tricia delivered expert advice and counsel in 
David's long, arduous, but ultimately successful case.
   As the chairman of the subcommittee that oversees human rights, I 
authored legislation to help bring an end to David and Sean's nightmare 
and I held--and continue to hold--Congressional hearings to ensure that 
other Americans are spared this pain. Tricia Apy has provided 
comprehensive, world-class testimony and analysis on the myriad of 
problems left behind parents face. Her insights were key as we drafted, 
the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction and Prevention 
and Return Act (The Goldman Act--PL 113-150), my law to help prevent 
international parental child abduction and secure the return of those 
children who have been abducted and remain separated from their left 
behind parent.
   At the ABA award ceremony in her honor--hosted at the U.S. Supreme 
Court--Patricia Apy paid special tribute to the inspiration she draws 
from her parents, Joseph and Gloria McHale. Having served our Nation 
valiantly, decorated WW II hero Joseph McHale died at a young age in a 
VA hospital leaving Gloria to raise three children including Tricia who 
was only nine at the time. She credits their love and hard work with 
her success and it is with great pleasure that I share with my 
colleagues her moving comments and acceptance speech.
        Patricia Apy, American Bar Association's 2015 Grassroots 
     Advocacy Award Winner: ``Freedom, Justice, Liberty . . . 
     without Lawyers they're just words . . .'' Nearly 20 years 
     ago this was the theme of the American Bar Association annual 
     meeting. At the time, we were accused of hyperbole, I don't 
     believe that anyone would accuse us of hyperbole today. I am 
     a member of an association of 400,000 professional advocates, 
     to be distinguished in that number is a remarkable honor, and 
     I am humbled by this recognition. I wish to express my 
     appreciation to the Governmental Affairs Office and the Board 
     of Governors of the ABA.
        I believe that real advocacy, is evidence of what inspires 
     you, the experiences you share and the opportunities you have 
     had. I am a person of faith, and my faith informs me that 
     nothing happens to us by accident. Which is why I should not 
     have been surprised to find myself the newest liaison to the 
     Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel 
     for exactly one month on September 11, 2001. On that day, I 
     went (as my brother Michael has coined it) from being a 
     ``mere lawyer'' to a ``protector of heroes''. I like that 
     moniker, understanding that it is one I can only aspire to.
        I am so proud of the work that has been accomplished by 
     the LAMP committee during my tenure on it, and by my 
     colleagues, many of whom are in this room who have shared 
     that laboring oar. The LAMP committee is chaired by General 
     Officers, they are all spectacular lawyers and American 
     heroes. But the three men with whom I worked most closely, 
     the incomparable Gen Earl Anderson, Brig Gen David Hague and 
     my own ``true north'' Rear Adm. John Jenkins, former T-Jag of 
     the Navy, taught me so much more than how to be a great 
     advocate. They taught me about duty and honor, in doing so.
        My opportunities for public advocacy, whether on behalf of 
     the United States at the Hague, or consulting with or for our 
     warfighters at the Pentagon, or on behalf of disenfranchised 
     and marginalized women at the UN and the White House, or with 
     my hand in the air testifying before the Congress have in 
     large measure been opportunities afforded me because of my 
     affiliation with the ABA. The people with whom I have worked, 
     whether in the military, diplomacy or governance have 
     typically devoted their personal and professional lives to 
     the service of their country, usually in anonymity. I don't 
     know why anyone would do so in this age of cynicism and 
     partisanship. But they do, and we should all be proud and 
     deeply grateful for the continued commitment to justice that 
     ABA has afforded.
        On the wall of my home hangs the Silver Star, and two 
     Bronze Stars, the second with Oak leaf cluster in lieu of a 
     third Bronze Star. My father died in a VA hospital when I was 
     nine years old. I was raised and educated by the heroic 
     efforts my mother, Gloria McHale, in extraordinarily modest 
     means. It is not lost on me, how very improbable it is to be 
     standing here in the Supreme Court of the United States, as 
     the child of a deceased war veteran. I thank my husband David 
     Apy, my family, my law partners and longtime paralegal, and 
     many colleagues and friends in accepting this national 
     recognition. My experience, my inspiration and my faith serve 
     as the motivation for my advocacy.
        I have closed each and every one of the over one thousand 
     hours of continuing legal education that I have conducted 
     with and for our military lawyers exactly the same way, never 
     wanting any of them to go into harm's way without knowing for 
     certain and for sure, that on behalf of my family we know 
     that we sleep in peace at night only, due to their service 
     and sacrifice. For that, and for this honor . . . I remain 
     profoundly grateful.

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