[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 199 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6270-H6271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE MEMORY OF BATOUL ALFADAWI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Tlaib) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the memory of Batoul 
Alfadawi, a resident of Dearborn Heights in Michigan's 13th District.
  Her life was tragically cut short at the age of 6 years old from a 
hit-and-run. Batoul was a sweet girl with a beautiful soul. She had a 
huge enthusiasm for life and a joyful spirit. Batoul loved learning, 
spending time with her family, and playing with her friends. I know her 
parents and six siblings will miss her immensely.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the memory of 
Batoul, and please say a prayer for her family.


            Honoring Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson

  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Lieutenant Colonel 
Alexander Jefferson whose heroic service as a Tuskegee Airman in World 
War II was recognized earlier this week in the rededication ceremony of 
Jefferson Field in our district.
  I was proud to be there in his presence. It was also his 100th 
birthday. He is a graduate of Detroit public schools, like myself. 
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson pursued a military career and 
completed pilot training at the Tuskegee Army Airfield.
  As a fighter pilot with the Red Tail, 332nd Fighter Group 301st 
Fighter Squadron, his unit escorted bombers headfirst into the action, 
bravely providing protection from vicious enemy aircraft. They never 
lost a single plane.
  Mr. Speaker, on August 12, 1944, Jefferson was shot down and captured 
by the Germans and kept as a prisoner of war for 9 months. Liberated by 
American forces on the 29th of April 1945 and discharged from Active 
Duty in 1947, he retired from the Reserves in 1969.
  After serving, Lieutenant Colonel Jefferson then became a science 
teacher in Detroit, where he then retired in 1979. At his ceremony, my 
teacher in high school came up to me and said he was very proud of the 
accomplishment I had. He said, Guess what, Lieutenant Jefferson was my 
science teacher and my elementary teacher, and now seeing you up there, 
I know that he was part of creating that seed and creating more 
leadership and really strength within the city of Detroit.
  Mr. Speaker, he has received numerous awards for his bravery, and I 
am

[[Page H6271]]

truly honored to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson on 
his celebration of service to our country. It was his 100th birthday. 
We sang happy birthday to him, and he danced along with many of us, 
even in the crisp cold in the city of Detroit, in the middle of the 
field.

                              {time}  1015


                        Recognizing Hassan Jaber

  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize numerous 
contributions of Hassan Jaber to the communities of Wayne County, 
Michigan, as he retires after more than 40 years of service to ACCESS.
  During his time in ACCESS, Hassan Jaber has been a leader in 
expanding its programming to include more than 100 platforms in 10 
locations to assist residents across the region.
  He has created partnerships locally and nationally to advocate for 
policy initiatives to fight bigotry, advance civil rights, and create a 
better quality of life for immigrants and other vulnerable populations.
  I know Hassan Jaber personally. With every obstacle, he never wavered 
in leading with compassion and keeping the community at the center of 
his work.
  Hassan Jaber's leadership and forward-thinking approach have 
solidified his legacy as a community leader. His mentorship helped me 
grow into the passionate advocate I am today.
  Please join me in recognizing Hassan Jaber's work on behalf of 
residents of Michigan's 13th Congressional District and southeastern 
Michigan as we wish him well on the next chapter in his life.

                          ____________________