[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15577]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN TOM LANTOS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Tom Lantos was a giant of 
a man, an inspiration to all of us who knew him, and greatly admired by 
his peers. Tom was a patriot, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom who championed justice, human rights, and human dignity across 
the globe.
  Tom Lantos was a Holocaust survivor, the only Holocaust survivor ever 
elected to serve in this esteemed institution. Coming to America as a 
penniless immigrant, Tom's life story is one of perseverance and 
fortitude, yet, a kinder, more loving man you would not ever find.
  Tom was the embodiment of the American Dream, building a wonderful 
life for himself, for his wife, Annette, and their two daughters. He 
made it his life's work to see to it that the horrors that he had seen, 
the horrors that he had lived through, would never be brought upon 
others ever again.
  His background as a survivor and a Member of Congress gave him a 
unique opportunity to forge an ever stronger relationship between the 
United States and our ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel and 
to guarantee that the Jewish people will always have a homeland.
  Now Tom's legacy and his memory are being honored on December 19 in 
Netanya, Israel, where a statue will be dedicated in his honor. I 
extend my most sincere and heartfelt words of admiration to Tom's 
family. I congratulate them all on this auspicious occasion.
  Tom Lantos was an honorable gentleman, Mr. Speaker, and few are more 
deserving of such a great honor.


  Honoring Brother Kevin Handibode, President of Christopher Columbus 
                              High School

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brother 
Kevin, president of Christopher Columbus High School, for his 45 years 
of service to this wonderful institution and for his 60th anniversary 
as a Marist Brother this upcoming year.
  Since arriving at Christopher Columbus High School in 1966, Brother 
Kevin has been an all-around champion for CCHS and its students while 
serving in many capacities, including teacher, dean of discipline, 
athletic director, varsity coach for over 18 years, developmental 
director, and principal.
  His legendary reputation has carried him through many recognitions 
and accolades, including the respect and admiration of his peers, his 
coworkers, and our loving community. In 2008, for his distinguished 
service to the church and devotion to the Catholic education system, 
Brother Kevin was bestowed the Cross, the highest medal that can be 
awarded by the Pope.
  So, again, Brother Kevin, congratulations on this magnificent 
milestone. As the heart and soul of Columbus High School, you have been 
a leader, you have been a role model, but, more importantly, you have 
given countless students the ability to pursue their dreams and reach 
their full potential.
  Go Explorers. Go Brother Kevin.


         Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Highpoint Academy

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great joy to recognize 
Highpoint Academy, a well-respected bilingual private school located in 
my community, on its 40th anniversary.
  Since its founding in 1976, Highpoint Academy has provided 
generations of students with an excellent education in a positive and 
nurturing academic environment. This prestigious institution is a model 
of academic excellence, imagination, innovation, and creative thinking. 
I am proud that, over the last 40 years, the gifted educators at 
Highpoint Academy have helped develop successful students who have gone 
on to become leaders in our south Florida community and, indeed, 
throughout our Nation.
  To Principal Alicia Casanova and the whole Highpoint Academy family, 
congratulations on this very special anniversary, and thank you for 
decades of outstanding educational contributions to our south Florida 
community.


                             World AIDS Day

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today is a milestone in the history of 
the fight against AIDS because we are celebrating the 28th World AIDS 
Day. For sure, we must continue to build upon a bipartisan commitment 
to ending AIDS by the year 2030, both here in the U.S. and around the 
world.
  I will remain deeply involved as the Republican co-chair of the 
Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus because south Florida, my community, is 
ground zero for the next phase of the battle against HIV/AIDS.
  Sadly, Florida is number one in the Nation for new HIV cases, and 
south Florida accounts for more than half of all new HIV cases in our 
State. Florida's growing struggle with HIV/AIDS mirrors a larger 
dynamic taking place across the South for which the region, as a whole, 
is not well-prepared. South Florida's issues, in particular, are 
exacerbated by the demographics of HIV, our magnetism as a tourist 
destination, and the international character of both our community and 
the AIDS epidemic.
  Next year is a big year for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The AIDS 
community and the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus will remain committed 
to putting an end to AIDS by the year 2030.

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