[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE 2019 ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

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                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2020

  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2019 
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 re-commitment 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 county 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.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the good 
works of NECO and in congratulating all of the 2019 recipients of the 
Ellis Island Medal of Honor. I also include in the Record the names of 
the recipients:

              2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients

       Paula Abdul, Michael Ainslie, Dr. Nina Ansary, Duraid 
     Antone, Anthony Asher, Richard Ashooh, Ajay Banga, Monir 
     Barakat, David Beasley, Chief Carmen Best, Dr. Joel Bloom, 
     Peter Boyer, A'Lelia Bundles, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, 
     Elizabeth Cascio, Major General Michael Churn, Sr.--USA, Ali 
     Cinar, Michael Cohen, MD, Trammell Crow, Reza Dana, MD, Tan 
     Dun, Brigadier General Troy E. Dunn--USAF, Richard Edelman, 
     Claudia Edelman, Nader Engheta, PhD, David Fanning, Wendy 
     Federman, Henry Fernandez, Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, 
     Michael Franti, Douglas Freeman, Beth Friedman, Joshua 
     Friedman, Howard Gillman, Sanjay Gupta, MD, James Harpel, 
     Honorable Jane Hartley, Matthew Higgins, Herve Humler, Paul 
     Hutchinson, Vice Admiral Mary Jackson--USN, Sinan Kanatsiz, 
     Dr. Mehran Kardar, Muhtar Kent, Barry Kibrick, Justin Kim, 
     Steven Klinsky, Maureen Sheny Klinsky, Gene Lee, Hyeongno 
     Lee, Alison Levine, Brigadier General Lorna Mahlock--USMC, 
     Karol Mason, Honorable Juan Mattos, Jr., Patricia McDonald, 
     Dr. Roxana Mehran, Enrico Mirabelli, Esq., Dr. Simin 
     Mozayeni, Dr. Lawrence Najarian, Gregory Olsen, Chief 
     Kathleen O'Reilly, Carl Panattoni, Jane Panattoni, Jonghwan 
     Patrick Park, Sergio Pecori, William Popp, Teri Popp, Esq., 
     Honorable Anthony Portantino, Professor Yahya Rahmat-Samii, 
     Jason Rezaian, Ginni Rometty, Avishai Sadan, DMD, MBA, 
     Honorable Adam Schiff, Eric Schmidt, Chief Dermot Shea, 
     Howard Shecter, Esq., Donna Soloway, Richard Soloway, Bret 
     Stephens, Ken Sunshine, Michael Tadross, Will Tanous, Captain 
     Jason Tama--USCG, Dr. Prakasam Tata, Tony Thomas, Josie 
     Thomas, Frances Townsend, Clara Wu Tsai, Delia Viader, PhD, 
     Samuel Waxman, MD, Dr. Torsten Wiesel, Montel Williams.

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