Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1814) to amend section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an additional religious exemption from the individual health coverage mandate.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Just yesterday, a Washington newspaper headline read: ``Worst Congress Ever.''

The thrust of the article was an indictment against Washington partisanship for its failure to move significant legislation on behalf of the American people. Now, to some degree, I suppose we have all felt at times that Congress just isn't making any laws. Of course, there are times, however, when Congress must make no law if we are to honor the oath we have sworn, which is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Indeed, ``Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.''

Today, we have the opportunity to work together, across the aisle, to reaffirm this founding principle of our democracy. Together, we will reinforce the constitutional protection for sincere believers of all faiths against the unnecessary entanglement of government with their private religious expression. H.R. 1814 slightly expands the religious conscience exemption of the Affordable Care Act to include individuals with ``sincerely held religious beliefs'' among those eligible for an exemption from the individual mandate penalty.

In order to qualify for the exemption under the EACH Act, an individual must affirm on an annual tax return that he or she cannot purchase coverage due to a sincerely held religious belief. This term, as defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and as widely recognized by

the courts, is designed to protect various types of religious believers, not just those who belong to a traditional, organized religion.

Today's bill must become law. Among the many problems with the Affordable Care Act, the current conscience exemption only protects the religious exemptions of a few select faiths. Now, I am fully aware that not every organization purporting to defend religious liberty is in favor of today's measure. I am, nevertheless, thankful that my good friend from the other side of the aisle, Mr. Keating, joined me in this effort. His home State of Massachusetts incorporated a similar religious liberty exemption in their State law, and it seems to be working out just fine. Since the law passed, only 6,500 Bay Staters have claimed the conscience exemption.

This fact serves to reinforce the very principle of religious liberty we affirm today. The Constitution does not only protect the religious practices and beliefs of majority faith traditions, but, rather, the First Amendment protects even the smallest faith group and even the single individual against laws that infringe upon their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Yet H.R. 1814 isn't only about constitutional jurisprudence and legislative correctness. It is about real people in my district and in yours who feel that their free exercise of religion is encumbered under the current law. One of them is a constituent of mine named Andrew, who lives in Chillicothe, Illinois. Andrew is a sincere believer whose religious commitment leads him to pursue only nonmedical health care options. According to Andrew, under the current law, he will be required to pay a fine once the individual mandate penalty kicks in. Regrettably, Andrew's religious beliefs were not considered when the present conscience exemption was enacted.

Today, the EACH Act gives individuals like Andrew the ability to practice his religious beliefs without coercive government fining him for coverage he does not intend to use nor can he use and remain true to his most sincere religious beliefs. We recognize, however, that the immense unpopularity of ObamaCare among many Americans might entice otherwise law-abiding citizens to claim an exemption under the EACH Act in order to escape the law's penalty. In order to ensure that individuals do not game the system, this bill includes a strong provision that revokes the exemption and requires the individual to pay a stiff penalty if he or she seeks medical treatment at any point during that year.

H.R. 1814 walks that fine line between protecting the First Amendment for every American and safeguarding taxpayers against potential fraud. Congress has long sought to uphold both of these commitments, and, today, this bill affords us a bipartisan opportunity to do it once again. I urge my colleagues to support this important fix to the Affordable Care Act and to pass H.R. 1814.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my friend's comments from California. I would just remind the gentleman that this is a near carbon copy of language that was implemented in the State of Massachusetts. It has had a very minimal effect, and it has impacted and has helped a very small number of people. It is why this bill has received such bipartisan support and is on the suspension calendar here tonight.

With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from Tennessee (Mrs. Black), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), the distinguished gentleman from the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my good friend and neighbor from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I would just remind my good friend from Michigan that had regular order been used when ObamaCare was passed, perhaps we would not be attempting to try and fix it now that it is law.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld ObamaCare in a 5-4 ruling 2 years ago this summer. The Justices did so by affirming that Congress, contrary to the repeated assurance by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, had effectively created a tax that falls under the enumerated powers of article I of the Constitution, and, like a tax, compliance is mandatory, and enforcement is the job of the Internal Revenue Service.

Since the summer of 2012, we have learned some things about the IRS that raise concerns about the agency's ability to do its job fairly. Likewise, we have watched the Obama administration usurp congressional authority and refuse to enforce the law that bears the President's name.

Among the many ``executive fixes'' that seem to flow from the administration with increasing frequency, none have touched upon one of the most serious problems with ObamaCare, namely, current law will either force millions of Americans to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs or punish them for exercising those beliefs.

We are not likely to agree today--or any day--on the underlying law. ObamaCare is as controversial now--and perhaps even more so--than when it was passed, but we can agree on this:

Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of

religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Less than a mile from this Chamber, on the bank of the tidal basin, are inscribed in marble these words:

Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to

influence it by temporal

punishments or burdens are a departure from the plan of the

Holy author of our religion. No man shall suffer on account

of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be

free to possess and maintain their opinions in matters of

religion.

Those words, written by Thomas Jefferson, the first Democrat to be called ``Mr. President,'' capture the very essence of today's bill. It is our duty--even our oath that we take before God--to protect the religious freedoms of every American. ObamaCare does not do that. Today's bipartisan measure is a small but necessary step if Congress is to honor the great tradition of religious liberty enshrined in our founding documents and extended to succeeding generations of Americans by law.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 1814, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Palliative care focuses on relieving the pain, stress and symptoms of a serious illness while hospice focuses on caring for a patient based on his or her own unique needs and wishes. In 2012, an estimated 1.6 million individuals received hospice services including home based care, continuous home care, general inpatient care for pain control or complex symptom management or inpatient respite care.

Unlike care delivered at a hospital, the hospice team consists of a group of individuals whose goal is to provide support for both the patient and the patient's family. As the Safe Haven Hospice in Lincoln, Illinois says ``hospice is about adding life to [one's] days.''

The U.S. hospice movement was founded by volunteers who play an instrumental role in hospice care. In 2012, an estimated 400,000 hospice volunteers provided 19 million hours of service. One of those volunteers is a constituent of mine who became involved following the unexpected death of her son.

Hospice volunteers like this individual support and enhance the hospice care team. In fact, hospice is the only provider whose Medicare Conditions of Participation requires volunteers to provide at least 5 percent of total patient care hours.

I urge my colleagues to recognize the important work of hospice and palliative care providers and volunteers in their communities during National Hospice and Palliative Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the Rusty Keeble Foundation (RKF), which is dedicated to increasing gang awareness and reducing gang violence around the country. The RKF has launched an initiative entitled the GANGFREE America Campaign, which seeks to raise awareness by recognizing November as GANGFREE Illinois Month. This innovative initiative is aimed at fostering safe environments in communities across Illinois, including in Peoria, so that the children in those communities can continue to grow, learn, and reach their full potential free from the negative influences of gangs.

Gang violence has been a blight on our communities for far too long. Currently, more than 1.4 million young people are involved with gangs, up 40 percent since 2009. In many areas across the United States, gang violence accounts for almost 50 percent of all violent crimes, and in some cities and suburban areas, that percentage is even higher.

These staggering statistics are one representation of the effect of gangs on our communities and country, but the more potent manifestation of these numbers is the lost potential of the young people who get involved. Across our country, too many young men and women are seeing their future possibilities narrow into one act of violence, one drug deal, one prison term, after another.

Initiatives like the GANGFREE America Campaign are taking the steps needed to correct our nation's gang-related problems and working to ensure brighter futures for our youth. The GANGFREE America Campaign's community-focused approach employs schools as well as law enforcement to unify and empower citizens against the formation and spread of gangs in towns and cities across Illinois as well as the entire country. It is my hope that with the help of organizations like the Rusty Keeble Foundation, we can eradicate the gang epidemic in the United States, and I am honored to rise today to recognize their courageous efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Colonel Harold Arthur Fritz, who served in the United States Army and is a resident of the 18th District of Illinois.

Lieutenant Colonel Fritz served in Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary gallantry in action on January 11, 1969.

While in Vietnam, Lieutenant Colonel Fritz' armored unit was ambushed, and his vehicle took a direct hit. Despite being seriously wounded himself, he fearlessly ran from vehicle to vehicle, positioning, providing aid and resupplying his men. The enemy attackers charged twice, but under Lieutenant Colonel Fritz' leadership, the unit stood its ground. Following the second charge, he led a brazen counteroffensive, forcing the oncoming enemy to withdraw. With the unit free from attack, he selflessly made sure that all of his men were cared for before allowing his own wounds to be treated.

So I am honored to stand and to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Harold Arthur Fritz for his undaunted courage, extraordinary bravery and fearless leadership.

I thank the chairman.

Mr. Chair, the 10th Amendment of the Constitution vests the responsibility of free public education with the States; but recently, the administration and the Federal Government have been running headlong into establishing Federal standards through a common core set of principles at State levels.

H.R. 5 is an important step in reaffirming the fact that it is the States' rights and States' responsibility to determine what those students should learn within their States and, more importantly, reasserts the fact that locally elected school boards should be the sole determinants of what students should be taught and learn at local school districts.

As a former school board member myself, I know the importance of local control. H.R. 5 reestablishes that and makes certain that the Secretary of Education does not have the power to force in a dictatorial way local States to adopt common core principles.

For so many reasons, this bill should be passed, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. Chair, I thank my good friend and cosponsor of this amendment, Mr. Meehan.

I rise today in support of my amendment to strengthen the process by which local school districts can provide meaningful firsthand input in the development of rules and regulations issued by the Department of Education.

As a former school board member, I can tell you nothing is more frustrating to school board members, 96 percent of whom are directly elected by the voters in their community, than having to redirect limited resources that they have to unfunded mandates contained in rules and regulations issued by the Department of Education.

My amendment here today ensures that rules and regulations are educationally and operationally viable at the local level by ensuring that electronic exchanges of information and any regional meetings that are held by the Department of Education are public and notice of such meetings and exchanges are proactively provided to the interested stakeholders. This outreach is important for all sides and I believe will benefit the overall rulemaking process.

My amendment also prohibits the Department of Education from imposing additional requirements in rules, regulations, and nonregulatory guidance that have not been specifically authorized in the underlying legislation. This is an important step to ensure that education policy is implemented at the local level by leaders who are held accountable by the students, parents, and taxpayers they represent.

Nearly all States have delegated the power and authority to decide the direction of their school districts to the local school boards. My amendment reinforces the notion that local school board members can continue to exercise the power and authority they were given by the communities they represent.

Let's stop further unlegislated, unfunded mandates by the Federal Government and vote ``yes'' on amendment 44.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia.

Wow, I'm sure our listening audience at home wonders who to believe. We are hearing charges of politics. We are hearing claims of chutzpah.

My friends on the other side of the aisle, this isn't politics--this is lawmaking.

Has our Republic stooped so low that you would go out and raise millions of dollars and waste thousands of hours of your volunteer time to be elected to a body only to see that power which is given by the Constitution to do that which you were elected to do instead given to the executive branch--to the President?

If you believe as the President believes, which is that this law is not ready to be implemented--which is that, for various reasons, HHS and other agencies are not able to certify that the businesses are able to comply--then join us in doing what the President wants to do legally. Join us in giving the power to the President that which he is already claiming unilaterally, and do what your constituents have elected you to do, which is to actually do lawmaking.

Mr. Speaker, we heard claims earlier today that women were being discriminated against, that women's premiums were rising at a faster rate than men's. Let me tell you what this bill does to young people, who are really discriminated against because of ObamaCare.

Young people's premiums are going up over 400 percent because of a community rating provision in this bill. Young people are paying a disproportionate, growing cost of health care in this country because of a discrimination factor in this bill called ``community rating.'' Young people who have gone to college, who have busted their tails to get a degree, don't want to stay on their mom and dad's insurance until they're 26. That's not why I went to college. I don't think that's why you went to college. They go to college to get a job, and this ObamaCare legislation and so many others of the President's policies are killing jobs in America. It's why half of the people who graduated from college last May are still unemployed or underemployed.

For so many reasons, this bill needs to be postponed, which is what this legislation does. I urge its passage and a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a business in my hometown of Peoria, Illinois that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Muir Omni Graphics started as a small family-owned silkscreen printing business. Today, they provide decals and logos for some of America's most well-known corporations, including Caterpillar, Verizon, AT&T, and the Chicago Transit Authority.

Don Muir had a vision in 1963 when he started Muir Omni Graphics. He saw a trend developing, with companies moving from hand-lettered markings to printed decals on their trucks and machinery. His first customers were Caterpillar Tractor Co., Montgomery Ward, a garbage disposal company, and Grim Reapers Motorcycle Club. By 1971, Muir was printing over one million decals and emblems every year and was the largest producer between Chicago and St. Louis.

The late 1970s and early 1980s were a difficult time for many businesses, and for the City of Peoria. While many businesses closed their doors and people moved out of Peoria, giving rise to the phrase, ``Will the last one to leave Peoria please turn out the lights,'' Muir developed new business models to continue serving their clients. They not only weathered the economic downturn, but they thrived and were there in Peoria to welcome everyone back when prosperity returned.

Today, the great strength of Muir is that it is still run as a family business, and that family attitude extends beyond the Muirs themselves to their 42 employees. Muir is currently in the process of transitioning the business to employee ownership, demonstrating the great trust and confidence they have in their employees' abilities and knowledge.

I am honored today to be able to recognize this company for their half-century of service in Central Illinois. While they provide superior products and customer service to their clients, the story of Muir in a larger sense is a profoundly American story. The idea that a family in Peoria, Illinois can start a business that will then grow to become a part of the community and a profitable enterprise with global reach is the very essence of the American Dream.

Muir is not only a business presence in Peoria, however. Andrew Muir, the president of the company, has given back to his community in a variety of ways. As a member of the Peoria Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors, Andrew works to improve and enhance public education in Peoria through classroom grants. These grants have been used to purchase new technology, fund afterschool art programs, and institute a drum program for a primary school, among other things.

Under Andrew's leadership, Muir Omni Graphics sponsored the West Peoria Jamboree Family Fun Run, a community event that raises donations for the West Peoria Habitat for Humanity, West Peoria Volunteer Fire Department, Lion's Club and other organizations. Muir also donates wooden screen frames and kid-safe scrap products to local community art programs, allowing teachers to lead activities that encourage and stimulate creativity among their students. The company was awarded the Peoria County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award for their efforts to constructively reuse scraps and recycle unusable byproducts.

These examples of the community service Muir and its employees provide to Peoria are just the tip of the iceberg, but they are demonstrative of the philosophy of giving back that this extraordinary company exhibits.

I congratulate the team at Muir Omni Graphics for their sustained dedication to sound business practices and quality work. I am confident that the next 50 years will see more exciting developments from Muir and that they will continue to grow and thrive in Central Illinois. Businesses like Muir are what make

Central Illinois an attractive place to live and work, and I wish them all the best as they move forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate East Peoria School District 86 on being distinguished as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. This award recognizes excellence in ensuring that students have access to comprehensive music education, both inside and outside the classroom, and I applaud their efforts.

By making a deliberate decision to elevate diverse musical learning experiences to a priority, the teachers, faculty, and administrators of District 86 are embodying a principle that 94 percent of Americans agree with: that music is a vital part of a child's education. Study after study has shown that participation in music and arts advances student achievement in all areas of study, from math and science to English and language skills. Schools that put a priority on music education have students who are more motivated, resulting in lower dropout rates, higher standardized test scores, and thriving student body communities.

The benefits of music education go far beyond the four walls of school buildings. In a survey of top U.S. CEO's, one of the top five traits they are looking for in their workforce is creativity. Our economy needs innovative thinkers, problem solvers, and collaborative people with the ability to think outside-the-box.

Music education fosters those skills. In addition, a study by Columbia University revealed that participation in the arts boosts students' self-confidence and ability to express their ideas. In ensuring access to music education and experiences for their students, District 86 is giving the future leaders of our nation the tools they need for success in whatever career path they choose.

Albert Einstein once said, ``If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music . . . I get most joy in life out of music.'' The academic and economic benefits of music are numerous and important, but we also recognize the power of music in its own right. The sound of an orchestra or a favorite band can give us a measure of peace in a chaotic world. I commend District 86 for their commitment to make East Peoria a community where music is everywhere and where students achieve success in all their endeavors and congratulate them again on this prestigious award.

Mr. Speaker, in March, I had the honor to join my friends from Alabama in traveling to Birmingham as part of the 13th annual Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. I was joined by my esteemed colleague, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, who led the delegation to numerous landmarks that defined the civil rights movement at the time, including the tragedy that occurred at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.

The legislation we are considering today comes 50 years after the senseless death of four young girls when a bomb exploded in their church one Sunday morning in September of 1963.

Less than a month before this bombing, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial--not far from where I stand today in the House Chamber--and declared that he dreamed of a day where all people could coexist and thrive together in peace and justice. The echo of his call for peaceful protest was still fresh in the mind of millions when it was replaced by the violent explosion at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, which injured dozens and killed the four innocent girls. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley did not live to see Dr. King's dream realized, but their tragic deaths catalyzed the civil rights movement and produced a backlash against these unthinkable acts of violence across the country.

As we have seen in recent tragedies, acts of violence often produce the opposite outcome than that desired by the perpetrators. Less than 1 year after the bomb went off at the church, the Civil Rights Act passed out of this very Chamber and became law in 1964. A year later, in 1965, this Chamber passed and put into law the Voting Rights Act.

Today, the House continues to act. The legislation before us awards the Congressional Gold Medal--which is the highest civilian honor given by Congress--to the four girls whose sacrifice advanced the march of freedom in this country. Their memory is rightly recognized by those who love justice, and it is befitting that we should honor them with the highest recognition.

I am proud to support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the centennial anniversary of the Tazewell County Farm Bureau. Agriculture is a thriving industry and a way of life for many in Central Illinois, and the Tazewell County Farm Bureau continues to cultivate the traditional values of hard work and community involvement cherished by farmers for the past 100 years.

Much has changed since 1913 when the Tazewell County Farm Bureau was founded as the first organization in Illinois to use ``farm bureau'' in its name. Woodrow Wilson had just been elected president, and American agriculture was in the midst of a Golden Age with demand for farm commodities and land values both at high levels. While steam tractors were used by some more affluent farmers, horse- and oxen-drawn plows were still common on most farms, and would remain the dominant tools of the trade until the 1950s. The Future Farmers of America would not be founded for another 15 years.

Fast forward to today, 100 years later, and agriculture in Tazewell County is still thriving, led by the Tazewell County Farm Bureau. Tazewell County farmers have more than 166,000 acres of farmland in production, producing corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa. The Farm Bureau provides support services to farmers, including starting the organization that today is the Pekin Insurance Company, which provides farmers' insurance for producers across the area. The Farm Bureau also works to carry on the traditions and values of farming to future generations, as well as to ensure that older members of the agriculture community continue to have a voice, through their Young Leaders and Prime-Timers programs. Both programs have been recognized as among the best in Illinois.

The celebration of the centennial for the Tazewell County Farm Bureau is a time to reflect on the triumphs and hardships that agriculture in Central Illinois has seen over the last 100 years, but it is also a time to look forward. American farmers continue to feed the world, and the Tazewell County Farm Bureau ensures that they have a local partner in that effort. For all of the technological advances made in agriculture, nothing can replace the resilient spirit and strong community fostered by the Farm Bureau. I wish them fair weather and sustained success over the next 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of former mayor of Peoria, Illinois, Jim Maloof, who passed away at the age of 93 on January 19, 2013. There is no doubt that Peoria will sorely miss its greatest champion, but his legacy lives on in the city he rebuilt and in the hearts of all who were touched by his generosity. It is difficult to capture a life that was as impactful as Jim Maloof's, but many noteworthy tributes have been written. I want to share just some of the high points in the life of this extraordinary man.

Born in the back of his parents' Peoria grocery store in 1919, Jim would live his life as a true son of the city. Even as a child, his warm spirit and merry character drew people to him, and his legendary penchant for singing began in childhood. As he grew up, Jim became a successful businessman in Peoria, operating a dry cleaner and then a real estate firm that continues to thrive today.

One of Jim's most enduring and powerful legacies is his contributions to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. In 1971, he met Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude, and agreed to help raise funds for an expansion of the hospital. Jim proved to be a prolific fundraiser, and one of my favorite stories about him from this time was his use of song and dance routines in his pitches. Just one year later, in 1972, he became the national Executive Vice-President of St. Jude's and opened the first affiliated clinic in the country right in Peoria, Illinois.

The impact of Jim's work with St. Jude is difficult to overstate. St. Jude has given thousands of children a chance at long and healthy lives after receiving a diagnosis that was once considered a death sentence. The research done by St. Jude has advanced treatments and cures for dozens of diseases. But beyond the material, as in all things, Jim's most important contribution to the children and families of St. Jude was hope. Jim's passion for healing manifested itself in a different way in 1984 when he decided to run for mayor of Peoria. At that time, Peoria was experiencing a period of economic downturn, with thousands of layoffs, a diminishing population, and a dying downtown area. ``Would the last one to leave Peoria turn out the lights?'' was a common saying in the area at the time.

As with all great figures in history, from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jim Maloof was uniquely suited to his time. When most people looked around Peoria in 1985, they saw a dying city and little reason for hope. Jim Maloof looked around the same city--his city--and saw something worth saving. His vision looked past the boarded up downtown and the vacant houses to the people who, with just a little inspiration, could turn it all around.

And that is exactly what happened. After being elected, Mayor Maloof threw open the doors of government to the citizens and businesses of Peoria and gave everyone a role in revitalizing their hometown. Committees of volunteers developed and implemented projects to revamp the downtown area, including the addition of the Peoria Civic Center, draw new businesses to Peoria, and grow existing ones. Jim's faith in the city was boundless and infectious. Another of my favorite stories about Jim is the mugs he had made listing the great cities of the world: New York, Paris, London, and Peoria, and he affectionately referred to Peoria as the ``Little Apple''. In 1989, only four years after Mayor Maloof took office, Peoria was named an All-American City.

But the real gift that Jim gave to Peoria was pride. He was an unabashed champion for the city, using his gift for song and his limitless energy to revive the spirits of a dejected town. After serving three terms as mayor, Jim reentered the private sector, but his presence as a Peoria landmark remained undiminished as he hosted telethons for St. Jude, Christmas carol singing every year in the downtown he rebuilt, and participated in community events.

Jim Maloof played in Peoria. He inspired us and challenged us to do more and reach higher, and to do everything with a cheerful heart and a song. His music will live on in the lives of the children saved by his work with St. Jude and in the city he loved.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the election of Narendra Modi as third term Chief Minister of Gujarat, India. Running on a platform of economic prosperity for all, and having two terms of proven results behind him, Mr. Modi was elected by a diverse coalition of voters from every religion, education level, and class of society. His message cuts across dividing lines and highlights what unites, rather than what divides, those he represents.

In both the United States and India, every election is an affirmation, not just of those who the people choose to elect, but of the very foundation on which our societies are built--the idea that the power of government rests with the governed. Mr. Modi understands the great responsibility entrusted to elected officials, and he has used his position to advocate for sound economic policies that have grown the economy of Gujarat at an astonishing rate over his past two terms. Businesses flock to Gujarat, creating jobs and raising the standard of living for its citizens. The successes achieved through Mr. Modi's leadership have drawn praise from his countrymen and observers abroad, as well as from the Indian Diaspora around the world.

Indian-Americans who live and work in my district in Illinois and around the United States have contributed greatly to the culture and prosperity of our country. I join with them today in congratulating Narendra Modi on his election and extending my best wishes for his third term as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Community Foundations Week, and to recognize the millions of Americans who have joined together throughout our nation's history to support charitable causes in their communities. This spirit of generosity is a central tenet of the American spirit, and the good work done by the over 650 community foundations in the United States is evidence of the good that can be achieved when communities come together in support of a common cause.

Established in 1989, observation of Community Foundations Week has served to draw more attention to the work done by Community Foundations across the country. In my home state of Illinois alone, there are 26 community foundations. I would like to highlight some of the work done by just 2 of them in Central Illinois. The Galesburg Community Foundation, for example, funds a variety of programs that are strengthening their community and helping those who have nowhere else to turn. One of their most innovative projects is called KnoxCorps. This project teams with local Knox College to place graduates at local non-profits to provide human capacity for initiatives and causes that affect the greater Galesburg area. The placements last for one year, but the impact that has already been achieved is much more far reaching. This partnership has kept some of the best and the brightest in this small rural community, contributing to positive economic development, stronger communities, and a thriving spirit of service.

In the 18th District we have the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, which operates out of my hometown of Peoria. One focus for them is Community Needs Grants, given to local non profits to aid them in their service to the area. For example, in 2011, CFCI partnered with the American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter with a Community Needs Grant that allowed the continuance of free youth education classes. These classes have educated over 35,000 youth on how to prepare for emergencies, prevent injuries, and make healthy choices. With the help of the grant, the program was enhanced by the addition of a puppet show to better connect with the children and provide an interactive learning experience.

These two examples are just a small snapshot of the extraordinary work done by these two organizations, as well as organizations like them around Illinois and the nation. I am honored to recognize all Community Foundations this week for the outstanding work they do fifty- two weeks a year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mary Anna Meyer, of Peoria, Illinois on her 80th birthday, which she celebrated on October 4, 2012. Throughout her life, Mary Anna has exemplified the American values of civic duty, service above self, and love of family, which includes her 7 children, 30 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Mary Anna has been an outstanding Peoria citizen for the past 40 years, deeply involved in civic, church, and social causes far too numerous to list. She has been a leader in the Republican Party, serving as a delegate in the 1980 National Convention, as a precinct committee person for over two decades, and as a member of the Peoria County Republican Women. Because of her years of experience and valued insights, she has served as a mentor and guide to many in political office, promoting legislation to build strong families and protect the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Her service has crossed party and political lines, reaching the impoverished in Peoria by volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity and Sacred Heart Church programs. On a broader level, she has served many roles for the Catholic Diocese of Peoria--as a member and officer of the Respect Life Board and Council of Catholic Women, as a Director of Religious Education for over 30 years, and as a leader in the Catholic Women's Apostolate.

But her impact cannot be measured merely in terms of public leadership positions. Mary Anna has served as a role model and mentor to countless area citizens, working tirelessly to provide help for unwed mothers, counsel for troubled marriages, advice to confused youth, and recommendations to the Peoria City Council on many social issues. She takes Pride in Peoria to heart, and in turn, Peoria has much to be proud of in celebrating the achievements of her generous and selfless life. It is my honor to recognize her today, and to thank her for her decades of service to Central Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of the 113th Congress, the Illinois delegation in the House of Representatives will be missing a familiar face. Representative Jerry Costello, after over two decades of service to the people of southern Illinois, will retire at the end of this term. He leaves Congress with an exemplary record of accomplishments and a long list of friends on both sides of the aisle, and he will truly be missed.

Among the many issues that Jerry worked on during his tenure, he and I share a passion for infrastructure improvements. During my first term, I served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with Jerry, and his example and determination to work with both sides to get things done was invaluable to me. His spirit of putting the people he represented before partisanship is one that all of us, his colleagues, strive to embody as well.

Over the course of his time in the House of Representatives, Jerry earned the respect of his colleagues and staff, but his successes and achievements in Washington never made him forget where he came from. He and his family maintain their deep roots in Illinois, and every weekend he could be found somewhere in the 12th District holding a town hall, speaking at a local gathering, or participating in a media event.

Jerry's retirement means that Illinois has lost a great Representative, but it retains a great citizen. Whatever he decides to pursue in the coming years, I hope he finds time to get some well- deserved rest and relaxation with his wife and family. I wish him all the best.