[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 34 (Monday, February 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E205-E206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE 2018 ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2019

  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2018 
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 National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and 
its Board of Directors headed by 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 2018 recipients of the 
Ellis Island Medal of Honor. I include in the Record the names of this 
year's recipients.


              2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients

  Ziauddin Ahmed, MD, Nancy Anschutz, Phil Anschutz, Dr. Bahman Atefi, 
Maryam

[[Page E206]]

Banikarim, Michael Barnard, Marta Batmasian, Diana L. Bennett, Nicolas 
Berggruen, John P. Bilezikian, MD, Lieutenant General Gwen Bingham, Dr. 
Ed Bosarge, Vanu C. Bose, Denis A. Bovin, Kay Buck, Sanford R. Climan, 
William A. Colon, Armand C. Dellovade, Peter P. Dhillon, Robert 
Dilenschneider, General Larry R. Ellis, USA (Ret), Akram Elias, Adam S. 
Falkoff, Farnaz Fassihi, David S. Ferriero, Captain Liam J. Flaherty, 
Honorable Albert A. Frink, Honorable Edward M. Gabriel, Larry Gagosian, 
Professor Henry Louis Gates, Major General Cedric George, Charles M. 
Ghailian, Barbara Grapstein, Murat Guzel, Rosemary Hanley, Franco 
Harris, Dottie Herman, Dave A. Isay, John W. Jackson, Susan G. Jackson, 
Naveen Jain, Francisco S. Jin, Dean Kamen, Farooq Kathwari, Bibiji 
Inderjit Kaur Khalsa, James K. Kim, General Joseph Lengyel, Sheriff 
Joseph M. Lombardo, Jacob Lozada, PhD, Mun Y. Lum, Colonel Patrick 
Mahaney, USA, Commissioner Robert Manfred, Honorable Michael McCaul, 
Scott L. Menke, Rita Moreno, Chief Terence A. Monahan, Jeanne D. 
Mrozek, MD, Angella Nazarian, David Nazarian, Steven D. Nerayoff, Esq., 
Hadi Partovi, Rear Admiral Steven D. Poulin, Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael 
Rogers, USN, Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, MD, Albeti I. Salama, Qiongzhao E. 
Schicktanz, PhD, Jeff Schottenstein, Khosrow Semnani, Vicken P. 
Sepilian, MD, FACOG, Sir Bruno Serato, Rahmat A. Shoureshi, PhD, Mark 
Solazzo, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Shari Staglin, Garen Staglin, Philip E. 
Stieg, PhD, MD, Richard W. Stocks, Daniele C. Struppa, PhD, Jon 
Stryker, Dennis W. Sullivan, Ardeshir Tavangarian, Dr. Masoud Tayebi, 
Anthony K. Tjan, Major General Hugh Van Roosen, Marica F. Vilcek, Jan 
T. Vilcek, Josef H. von Rickenbach, Vincent Wang, DO, MD, Arieh 
Warshel, PhD, Honorable James W. Ziglar, Anita G. Zucker.


          International Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients

  Stefan W. Hell, Hinduja Foundation, Albert II Prince of Monaco.

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