[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E48]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE 2017 ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2018

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2017 
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 recommitment 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 country 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.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the good 
works of NECO and in congratulating all of the 2017 recipients of the 
Ellis Island Medal of Honor.


              2017 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients

       Ken Aagaard, David B. Agus, MD, The Honorable Dr. Buzz 
     Aldrin, Hormoz Ameri, Loreen Arbus, Dr. Abbas Ardehali, Nadim 
     C. Ashi, Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey, Sook Ja Bang, 
     Herb Baum, Ruth Bedevian, Kurken Yetvart Berksanlar, Mollie 
     Ann Bracigliano, Susan Burchard, Thomas L. Cantone, Robert E. 
     Carlucci, LTC Daniel L. Cederman, Heather Won Choi, Winn 
     Claybaugh, Konstantine Costalas, Peter Cuneo, Robert Currie, 
     BS, MA, PhD (Hon.), FSA Scot, Captain Michael H. Day, Ronald 
     A. DePinho, MD, Joseph D'Urso, Suzanne El Sayegh, MD, FACP, 
     FASN.
       Dr. Hossein Eslambolchi, Mohammad Farzaneh, Commander 
     Jonathan A. Forsberg, MD, PhD, Michael Greco, Mindy Grossman, 
     Emile K. Haddad, Adil H. Haider, MD, MPH, FACS, Lieutenant 
     General Stayce D. Harris, Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Lucine 
     Mardirosian Harvey, Yumi Hogan, Rachel S. Howitt, Ming Hsieh, 
     Soo-ll Jung, Governor John Kasich, Mumtaz A. Kazim, MD, 
     Thomas A. Keller, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, ESQ, Alsun Keogh, 
     R. Gil Kerlikowske.
       Olga Kern, Annapoorna S. Kini, MD, Murat N. Koprulu, Sven 
     Kraemer, Honorable Darin M. LaHood, Sherry Lansing, Noel 
     Lateef, Andy Andranik, Madadian, Bill McMorrow, Frank 
     Melkonian, George Fouad Mobassaleh, Sebastian Paul Musco, 
     Francois Nader, MD, MBA, Daniel A. Nigro, Indra K. Nooyi, 
     Jeffrey S. Olson, Eleni Paliros-Bousis, Dinesh Paliwal.
       Harris Pastides, PhD, Mohan H. Patel, Yashvant Patel, Joan 
     Agajanian Quinn, Honorable Azita Raji, Brigadier General 
     Austin E. Renforth, Commanding General, Marine Corp, Dame 
     Tadia Rice, Ihor S. Sawczuk, MD, FACS, Richard C. Shadyac, 
     Jr., Major General Larry W. Shellito USN (Ret.), EdD, James 
     P. Sherlock, Anne Shih, Assistant Chief Theresa J. Shorten, 
     Maggie Soleimani, Esq., Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Ret.), 
     Carol Gomez Summerhays, DDS, Mary-Christine (M.C.) Sungaila, 
     Esq., Ara Tekian, PRD, MHPE, Dr. Sean Shaheen Tedjarati.
       Garo M. Terzakian, MD, Rear Admiral Cynthia M. Thebaud, USN 
     (Ret.), Alvin S. Trenk, Veronica Tsang, Cumrun Vafa, 
     Brigadier General Suzanne P. Vares-Lum, USA, Charlie Woo, 
     Chun B. (Charlie) Yim, D.B.A, Ma Cheol Yim, Dr. Fareed 
     Zakaria.


          International Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients

       Emmanuelle Charpentier, PhD, Amir A. Dossal, FCA, Hamdi 
     Ulukaya.


       Global Humanitarian Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient

       Malala Yousafzai.

                          ____________________