President of Government and Community Affairs at the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), on his retirement. For more than 34 years, Gary has been a tireless advocate for thousands of students and adults who are blind or visually impaired.
Gary has been the face of APH on Capitol Hill for decades. His approach to educating Members of Congress and their staff was to emphasize the importance of increased funding for the blind and visually impaired; demonstrating the many technologies developed by APH; and making clear how that investment helps expand educational opportunities for those without sight. Gary’s determination, both personally and professionally, proved to all who know him that a blind man can achieve great success. Gary is a proud graduate of the University of Louisville where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology.
Gary was known to many on Capitol Hill, and his guide dogs were often more recognizable than their owner. When Gary called for an appointment, the first question was: “Is the dog coming?” Heathcliff was his first companion. When he passed away, Denver filled the coveted position. Not that we weren’t pleased to see Gary, but his companions were always a highlight of the day. Gary was a valuable resource for members of the Capitol Hill community and was always available to answer any questions about educating the blind and visually impaired.
Gary’s accomplishments are many: he played a key leadership role on the APH executive board; helped establish the National Prison Braille Network—a partnership with the APH and prisons across the United States to learn braille to transcribe textbooks for blind students; and played an integral role at the APH Museum, the InSights Arts Competition, and the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Center resources services team. Gary was not only instrumental in ensuring that the APH facility was an accessible workplace for all, but also led the team to include accessibility for the blind for the Louisville Metro region to expand accessibility and technology for transit, buildings, and streets, and he worked tirelessly to help incorporate changes into city planning documents for our city.
As Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
Gary’s work at the APH demonstrated more than vision. He inspired others to join in his quest to provide the best for blind students, adults, and the visually impaired all over this great nation.
I wish Gary the very best in retirement and send my good wishes to him, his wife Susan, daughters Kelly and Rachel, and grandchildren Cate, Carter, Davis, and Kase.
IN HONOR OF THE LATE MR. ANTONIO DIAS CHAVES
HON. LORI TRAHAN
OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Mrs. Trahan. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions and legacy of Mr. Antonio Dias Chaves, a proud Portuguese immigrant who made Hudson, Massachusetts his home and dedicated his life and career to public service and the prosperity of the Portuguese community in Massachusetts. He tragically passed away due to COVID–19 on December 31, 2020.
From 1967 when Antonio immigrated to the United States from the Azores until his death, he worked tirelessly to make his country and community a better place. Shortly after his arrival, he enlisted in the Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. His public service did not end there. Rather, it was just the beginning. In 1978, Antonio became the first Portuguese-American elected to the Hudson Board of Selectmen and just the second elected Portuguese-American in all of Massachusetts. His passion for politics blossomed and he developed friendships with many political leaders throughout the Commonwealth and beyond—all to give back to his country, support his community, and most importantly, help others.
Antonio’s impact on the Portuguese diaspora in Massachusetts cannot be understated nor can his commitment to helping other immigrants achieve the American Dream. Antonio helped thousands of people make a life for themselves and their families in America as both an immigration consultant and a public servant with the Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants. As a former congressional staffer and member of Congress, I had the opportunity see first-hand Antonio’s determined advocacy for helping others, his devotion to his community, his pride in his heritage, and of course, his passion for the Hudson Portuguese Club. I will miss seeing him among families and friends during dinners or feasts at the Club, where he could usually be found as the resident Master of Ceremonies, hosting in the restaurant, cheering on his favorite team (Sporting Clube de Portugal), having a toast with friends, or tending to duties as the president of the general assembly.
For his contributions and accomplishments, he was awarded one of the highest civilian honors bestowed by the Portuguese Government, the Order of Merit and the title of “Comendador”. Throughout his life, Antonio would receive numerous recognitions from State and local government and other distinguished organizations for his work in the community through the Hudson Portuguese Club and Portugal 73, one of the oldest continually running Portuguese radio shows in the world. Recently, Antonio authored and published “Os Meus Imperios”, a memoir of establishing the Holy Ghost Festival or “Imperio” in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Antonio will be remembered for his love for his family, our great nation, unparalleled friendship, passion for helping others, and pride in his Portuguese heritage. His contributions to our community and grateful nation will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to Zelia, Derek, and the entire Chaves family during this difficult time. Antonio’s legacy will live on through his loving family and all of us who had the honor of calling him a friend.
HONORING AUGUSTUS BENTON “BEN” CHAFIN, JR.
HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH
OF VIRGINIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Mr. Griffith. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Virginia state Senator Augustus Benton “Ben” Chafin, Jr. of Lebanon, Virginia, who died on January 1, 2021 at the age of 60. Ben was a dedicated and effective state legislator and a kind and decent man.
Ben was a true son of Southwest Virginia. He was born on May 18, 1960 in Abingdon, Virginia. He earned a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University and a law degree from the University of Richmond. Ben practiced law in Lebanon as a principal of the Chafin Law Firm. He also served as a board member of the First Bank and Trust, which his father had helped to found, and ran a beef cattle farm.}}
In 2013, Ben won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. A year later, he won a special election to represent the 38th District in the Virginia Senate. The 38th District includes all of the Counties of Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Tazewell, and Pulaski, parts of the Counties of Smyth, Wise, and Montgomery, and the Cities of Norton and Radford. He was a great representative for the citizens of these jurisdictions, focused on listening to their concerns and addressing them with compassion and integrity. He was a voice in Richmond for the region he had long called home and the people he had known as his friends and neighbors.
Ben was my friend and a good friend to all of us in Southwest Virginia. He and I knew each other well as we often campaigned together across our region. The wide respect and affection Ben earned is indicated by the statement of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam: “With the passing of Senator Ben Chafin, Southwest Virginia has lost a strong advocate—and we have all lost a good man.” A similar sentiment was expressed by Virginia Delegate Terry Kilgore, a close friend of Ben: “Ben was a fighter, both in the Virginia Senate and in the courtroom as an attorney. I am honored to have been able to know and work with him. Ben is one of the most honorable and genuine individuals I have ever known, and his passing is a tremendous loss for our region.”
Ben is survived by his wife Lora and his children Audra, Sophie, and Gus. I offer my condolences on the loss of this good man and great legislator.
WUHAN VIRUS CHRONICLER JAILED
HON. JOE WILSON
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Mr. Wilson of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, December 29, Chun Han Wong reported that Wuhan Chronicler Zhang Zhan was convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble with her posts” jailing her for four years.}}
“Zhang Zhan, 37 years old, was convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” after a roughly 2½-hour trial… where prosecutors accused her of spreading falsehoods about the pandemic through social-media posts…
“Her detention dovetails with Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s campaign to recast the