[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 50 (Friday, March 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E223-E224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE 2022 ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 17, 2023

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2022 
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.
  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. 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 
Ellis Island Honors Society and its Board of Directors headed by 
Chairman Nasser J. Kazeminy, for honoring these truly outstanding 
individuals for their efforts to promote a sense of common purpose in 
our nation.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the good works of the 
Ellis Island Honors Society and in congratulating all of the 2022 
recipients of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. I include in the Record 
the names of this year's recipients.


              2022 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients

       Pouria Abbassi, Cyrus Ansary, Esq., Dr. Brahim Ardolic, 
     Maestro Igor Babailov, Hon. RAA, MFA, KStA, D.Littl, Dr. 
     Robert Bard, Dean John Belcher, Nazanin Boniadi, Honorable 
     Denis Boyle, Ambassador Nancy

[[Page E224]]

     Brinker, Sarah Beth Brown, Kathy Buckley, Honorable Salud 
     Carbajal, Martino Cartier, Dr. Tom Catena, Lieutenant General 
     Brian Cavanaugh, Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, Bonnie 
     Comley, Chief Robert Contee, Wendy Bingham Cox, Howard Cox, 
     Administrator Deanne Criswell, Eduardo Del Riego, Shahla 
     Ettefagh, John Farahi, Ambassador David Fischer, Jennifer 
     Fischer, Chief Joseph Gallucci, General Michael Garrett, 
     Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Chief Rodney Harrison, David, 
     Hryck, Dr. Joseph Jabbra, Craig Jackson, Carolyn Jackson, 
     Honorable Jeh Johnson, Sun Yup Kim, Liz Koch, Charles Koch, 
     Frank LaFerla, George Liu, Eduardo Martinez, Professor 
     Michael Massimino, Margie McHugh, Flint McNaughton, Doris 
     Meissner, Dr. Reza Mohajer, Edward Montero, Monica Morales-
     Mayer, Joseph Morrone, Professor Cherry Murray, Dr. Souhel 
     Najjar, Larry O'Connor, Gholam Reza Odabaee, Ronald Offutt, 
     Dr. Demetrios Papademetriou, Nicholas Peppas ScD, Chief 
     Thomas Richardson, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Reza Rofougaran, Dr. 
     Martine Rothblatt, Commissioner Patrick Ryder, Kamil Salame, 
     Henry Samueli, Susan Samueli, Justice Patricia Satterfield, 
     Honorable Stephen Scalise, Adnan Sen, Dr. Michael 
     Shahnasarian, Vlad Shmunis, Dr. Greg Simonian, Dr. Greg 
     Thomopulos, Rear Admiral Andrew Tiongson, Lieutenant General 
     Giavani Tuck, Elizabeth Weymouth, Dean Michelle Williams, 
     Alan Willner, Richard Wilson, George Xu.


          International Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient

       Dr. Segenet Kelemu.

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