[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                   TRIBUTE FOR RITA AND STEVEN JEROME

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MAX ROSE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 15, 2019

  Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in honoring two of my constituents--siblings Rita 
and Steven Jerome. Their family represents the best that Staten Island 
has to offer, and now they are continuing their family's legacy of 
service, not just their fellow Staten Islanders, but the entire 
country.
   On Staten Island, a passion for public service is part of our DNA, 
and the Jerome family is the perfect example of that. Rita and Steven's 
father serves as a NYPD lieutenant and their uncle is a pastor. Their 
paternal grandfather acted as a judge in the New York State 
Compensation Board and ``in 1978 single-handedly apprehended a man 
threatening to blow up his courtroom in the World Trade Center.'' Now, 
Rita and Steven are choosing to follow in those family footsteps by 
joining the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and the U.S. 
Merchant Marine Academies (USMMA), respectively.
   Rita isn't just any Air Force Academy cadet, she's making history as 
part of an increasing percentage of women serving in the Air Force. 
According to the USAFA Admissions Office, Rita, who is majoring in 
astronautical engineering, is among the 28.2 percent of women in the 
Class of 2023. She is also the first alumna from her high school along 
with the first Staten Island women to be admitted to the USAFA.
   Her brother, Steven, recently completed a rigorous regime of 
academic, military, and physical training at the U.S. Merchant Marine 
Academy after his graduation from Monsignor Farrell High School. 
Steven, who is earning a four-year degree in maritime logistics and 
security, will be completing almost three years of classes along with 
spending a year at sea away from his family.
   As Rita and Steven embark on their new careers in service, I know 
that their entire family will be right there with them.
   So, Madam Speaker, today I ask my colleagues in the House to join me 
in commending Rita, Steven, and the entire Jerome family for the 
sacrifices they have made, and will continue to make for our nation.

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