Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth Zubitis, who will retire on January 5, 2011 after 47 years of active membership and leadership in the Washington State Democratic Party. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Ms. Zubitis for her commitment to public service, civic engagement, her extensive accomplishments within her community, and her undertakings as a local leader of the Democratic Party.

Born in Alberta, Canada, Elizabeth Zubitis and her family moved to Moscow, Idaho where she became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Soon after, she became an active member of the Democratic Party. She began her career in the party as a Democratic Precinct Committee Officer in 1964. Over the course of her career, Ms. Zubitis has been the treasurer of the Pierce County Democratic League in the Washington State Federation of Democratic Women, the chair of Washington State's 2nd Legislative District Democrats, the chair of the State's 29th Legislative District Democrats, and served a four-year term as the chair of the Pierce County Democrats.

Additionally, Ms. Zubitis has been an active member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Lady Garment Workers Union, which was later incorporated into the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. She became and served for many years as a full-time union representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, and retired from this post in 1999.

Having been recognized by several organizations as a noteworthy person, Ms. Zubitis has proven to be an inspiring role model for girls and women in the community. Among her many accolades, she has received the Warren G. Magnuson Award for State Committee Woman of the Year in 2001 and the Glass Ceiling Award. Ms. Zubitis's retirement will mark the end of her two-year term as Chair of Washington State's 30th Legislative District Democrats. Her long list of accomplishments is made more impressive by her success as a mother of five children and a loving grandmother.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Elizabeth Zubitis on her many remarkable achievements, her venerable service to her community, and her retirement after 47 years of committed involvement with the Washington State Democrats.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Seattle Mariners' broadcaster Dave Niehaus for his devotion to baseball and the Pacific Northwest region. Dave passed away on November 10, 2010 at the age of 75.

Baseball fans from Washington State to Washington, DC are mourning the loss of the voice of the Mariners. Mr. Niehaus connected fans to the program from the Mariners' inaugural pitch in 1977 to the conclusion of the 2010 season. His voice represented the franchise, and kept the Pacific Northwest following the team through the good days of Mariners baseball as well as the less memorable.

Arguably, the seminal moment in Dave Niehaus' announcing career came on the winning hit by Edgar Martinez in the decisive fifth game of 1995 American League Division Series, also known as ``the double.'' The double scored both Joey Cora and Ken Griffey, Jr. to give the Mariners a 6-5 victory over the New York Yankees, and propelled them to the American League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history. In that moment, Mr. Niehaus announced:

``Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball, they would love a base hit into the gap and they could win it with Junior's speed. The stretch . . . and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martinez swung on and lined down the left field line for a base hit! Here comes Joey, here is Junior to third base, they're going to wave him in! The throw to the plate will be . . . late! The Mariners are going to play for the American League Championship! I don't believe it! It just continues! My, oh my!''

Dave Niehaus' interest in broadcasting began at the University of Indiana, where he graduated in 1957. He then entered the military and started his broadcasting career with the Armed Forces Network in Los Angeles and New York City. After serving in the military, he settled in Los Angeles and became a broadcaster for the California Angels and the University of California, Los Angeles football and basketball teams. It was in 1977, when the Mariners started their first Major League Baseball season, that Dave Niehaus became the Mariners' play-by-play announcer. Mr. Niehaus called his 5,000th Mariners broadcast on May 7 of this year.

Of the many honors that Dave Niehaus was awarded during his career, three best characterize his untiring enthusiasm and genuine love for Mariners baseball. Mr. Niehaus received national acclaim when the National Baseball Hall of Fame awarded him the Ford C. Frick Award in 2008. Mr. Niehaus believed the One World Award from the Washington Council of the Blind he received in 2004 was the most meaningful, as he was able to draw more baseball lovers into the drama of the game. He also was named one of the Seattle Times' Top 10 Most Influential People of the Century. In 1999, Mariners fans, as a testament of their affection, chose Mr. Niehaus to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the inaugural game at Safeco Field, an honor that brought him to tears.

Mr. Niehaus will be remembered by his wife Marilyn, his children Andy, Matt and Greta, his six grandchildren Zach, Steven, Madeline, Alexa, Audrey and Spencer, and the greater Mariners community.

Madam Speaker, this evening, Wednesday, September 29, 2010, I recorded an incorrect vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3421, the Medical Debt Relief Act of 2010. I intended to vote ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 557.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I support the passage of H.R. 2071, the Intelligence Authorization for Fiscal Year 2010. This important legislation addresses many critical issues for our intelligence community and provides essential resources for the men and women of the intelligence community to do the hard work to combat our ever emerging threats. It provides necessary guidance and oversight, especially in key areas of notification and accountability to Congress. I am also very pleased about the improvements made in several key areas of importance to our national security including counterterrorism, acquisition reform, cybersecurity, and satellites.

H.R. 2071 advances our counterterrorism work by strengthening the ability of the National Counterterrorism Center to share information with State and local law enforcement officials without the risk of that information being exposed. The bill also ensures that Congress continues to receive reporting on intelligence concerning terrorist financial assets.

Mirroring the crucial cost control work my colleagues and I implemented in the House Armed Services Committee, this measure includes a number of provisions that bring our Intelligence community acquisition procedures closer in line with recently enacted Department of Defense acquisition reforms. These represent signifilant reforms to the way the intelligence community conducts acquisitions. Among other things, the provisions would create a notification system similar to the Department of Defense's ``Nunn-McCurdy'' system, which requires the community to report to Congress and restructure programs when costs for major systems grow beyond established thresholds.

The bill also makes important strides toward securing our cyber resources. The Intelligence community needs the ability to stop threats posed by hackers, cyber-criminals, and hostile governments. Our Intelligence community must be able to respond to these cyber threats quickly and with our best technologies.

H.R. 2071 increases resources for critical cybersecurity programs to protect vulnerable infrastructure and requires reporting on the effectiveness of current cyber-threat information sharing and distribution.

Finally, this bill makes important investments to maintain current satellite manufacturing capabilities and encourages the Intelligence community to continue to work with the commercial imagery industry.

The Fiscal Year 2010 Intelligence Authorization Act advances a number of issues critical to protecting our national security and will improve the ability of our intelligence community to do the hard work to keep our nation safe. As the first Intelligence Authorization bill in six years, this legislation makes essential reforms and provides vital tools that apply not just to Fiscal Year 2010 but continue for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Auburn, Washington's Little League Baseball team, the Auburn All-Stars, for their performance in the Little League World Series.

The 646th Little League World Series began August 20, 2010 and the Auburn All-Stars advanced to within one game of the United States Championships. The tournament hosts 16 national teams comprised of our country's top young baseball players. The Auburn All-Stars achieved a great accomplishment by reaching the Little League World Series, and even more so for coming so close to advancing to the United States Championships.

Mayor Peter Lewis of Auburn has recognized the team's success in the 2010 tournament. Mayor Lewis has also praised the Auburn All-Stars for bringing the Auburn community together. During the tournament, the Auburn Avenue Theater opened its doors to the public and showed the game free of charge. Many other local businesses supported the team in several ways such as contributing to the players' travel and other expenses. It is clear that the entire community embraced their team through immense pride.

Together, the Auburn All-Stars advanced further than any other team from Washington State since 1982. They should be extremely proud of what they have accomplished through each team member's hard work and dedication.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in congratulating the Auburn Little League Baseball team and their outstanding success in the Little League World Series.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Seattle Storm for their incredible season and their victory in the Women's National Basketball Association Championship.

The Seattle Storm joined the WNBA in 2000 and has since been a remarkable team, a source of immense pride for the State of Washington. Their 2010 championship was their second, and the first under Coach Brian Agler. They were consistently the WNBA's best team, ending the regular season with a 28-6 record. The team's success continued into the post-season, where they went undefeated and became the first team in WNBA history to go 7-0 in the playoffs. By the end of their impressive run, the Storm had not been defeated at home.

The women of Seattle Storm play the game with great dedication and sportsmanship, and act as role models for our community's girls and boys. The team is also one of three WNBA teams that is not owned as a companion or ``sister team'' to an NBA team. Rather, they are independent and reflect the value of local-owned organizations.

Their championship was earned with hard work and commitment. Team members include Svetlana Abrosimova, Sue Bird, Abby Bishop, Swin Cash, Lauren Jackson, Allison Lacey, Camille Little, Ashley Robinson, Jana Vesela, Le'coe Willingham, and Tanisha Right. The enthusiastic and loyal Washington fans have also aided to the team's success and over 5,000 fans came to celebrate the championship at the Key Arena.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives please join me in congratulating the Seattle Storm for their undefeated playoff run and their 2nd WNBA Championship.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 5th Stryker Brigade,

2nd Infantry Division for their service and recognize their achievements after returning home from a 12-month deployment in Afghanistan. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the men and women of this Stryker Brigade and thank them for their service.

After 2 years of training in preparation to deploy to Iraq, the 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division received a change in orders and was directed to deploy as the first Stryker brigade in Afghanistan. The brigade began its operations in Kandahar Province, where they quickly encountered a determined enemy. Over the course of their year in Afghanistan, the brigade went on to lead the assault on Marjah, fight against the Taliban in Arghandab River Valley, help secure President Karzai in Daykundi, and secure highways and lines of communications, all while fighting enemy combatants. Under the leadership of Colonel Harry D. Tunnell, the soldiers performed their duty with honor and courage.

While the brigade performed admirably in challenging circumstances, the deployment did not come without sacrifice. Thirty-seven members of the brigade died in combat operations with another 239 wounded over the course of the deployment. Their sacrifice in defense of our nation, and in an effort to establish a more stable Afghanistan, should be acknowledged and their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

After 12 months in Afghanistan, the brigade began redeploying in June 2010 and held their homecoming ceremony on July 22, 2010 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. During the ceremony, the brigade was also formally reflagged as the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Though the brigade may have a new designation, the service and sacrifice during their deployment as the 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division will not be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the men and women of this brigade, who have displayed venerable service to their country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Megan Johnson of Federal Way, Washington for winning the 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Award.

Every year, Prudential Financial, Inc. chooses two people from each State and the District of Columbia as winners of the Spirit of Community Award. Megan Johnson was chosen for her outstanding community service. As a state honoree, Megan will receive a $1,000 cash award and a trip to Washington, DC. A senior at Highline CHOICE Academy in Burien, Megan was Washington State's top high school volunteer and one of ten national honorees. She initiated philanthropic programs for hospitalized children, the homeless, and substance-addicted babies. Her goal is to provide the underserved with the necessary resources to improve their situations.

At the age of 10, Megan Johnson established a non-profit organization named ``Megan's Mission,'' making blankets for the homeless and soliciting donations to buy the homeless scarves, hats, and other warm clothing during the winter. In the following years, Megan joined ranks with community groups, schools, churches, and prisoners from Monroe Correctional Complex to make blankets for infants born of addicted mothers and collect DVDs for children's hospitals. Megan has aided four homeless families in finding a home; a remarkable feat for such a young woman. Currently, Megan raises money for Shriners Hospital for Children by writing and illustrating children's books, selling hot cider during Christmas, selling jewelry, and soliciting donations from corporations.

In addition to being invited to speak at the Prudential Spirit of Community Service Awards in South Korea, Megan has also been asked to be a National Patient Ambassador for Shriners Children Hospital.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Megan Johnson for her selfless commitment to others and her dedication to help her community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Navy Reserve Captain Steven M. Carley, who retired after 39 years of service in August 2010. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Captain Carley for his commitment to our Nation.

Captain Carley enlisted in the Navy Reserve in 1968 and began his career at Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle, WA. After 13 years of enlisted service working in intelligence, Captain Carley was commissioned in November 1984 and became an Intelligence Officer in the Navy Reserve. Over the course of his career, he was assigned to multiple units where he served in a range of roles from Intelligence Analyst to Executive Officer. Additionally, Captain Carley participated in five major joint exercises in Korea as well as annual overseas training in Germany and Japan.

Captain Carley's achievements are remarkable and plenty. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Captain Carley currently resides in Olympia, WA where he serves his community through various community service projects and his position with the Washington State Department of Ecology, where he manages the water pollution control grant program.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Captain Steven M. Carley on his many remarkable achievements, his venerable service to his country, and his retirement after 39 years with the United States Navy Reserve.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Federal Way, Washington for being selected to host the 2012 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials.

It was recently announced that the USA Diving and the United States Olympic Committee selected Federal Way to hold the 2012 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials. This prestigious event will be made possible through the partnership with the Seattle Sports Commission, the City of Federal Way, and King County Parks and Recreation with USA Diving and the United States Olympic Committee. Federal Way also hosted the diving trials in 2000, in advance of the Summer Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia.

The 2012 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials will highlight our country's 100 best divers as they compete to advance to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England. Taking place from June 18 to 24, 2012, the trials will be broadcast by NBC from the Weyerhaeuser King County Athletic Center, a world-class facility that was first constructed for the swimming and diving events of the 1990 Goodwill Games and hosts more than 50 competitions annually.

In addition to bringing many of our nation's top athletes together in preparation for the 2012 Summer Games, the Diving Trials are also expected to bring increased tourism to the region and will spotlight the City of Federal Way and the greater Puget Sound Region. In total, USA Diving expects the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials to have an economic impact of $3.5 million on the Federal Way area.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the City of Federal Way, Washington on this impressive opportunity, and to wish our athletes the best as they prepare for this competition.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Tacoma artist Lisa Kinoshita for being awarded the 2010 Foundation of Art Award by the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. This impressive achievement speaks to her individual talents, as well as those of the entire art community in the greater Tacoma, Washington region.

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation has long fostered the arts as a necessary component to a vibrant and successful community. The foundation established the annual Foundation of Art Award to honor professional artists living and creating in Pierce County. The award honors artists' talents and recognizes the community's creative culture.

In addition to being recognized for her work by the Community Foundation, Lisa Kinoshita's art has also been the focus in many widely read publications, including Seattle Magazine, Elle Magazine, and the New York Times. She founded Mineral, an art gallery and studio in Tacoma, which features many works that blend art and fashion through jewelry, visual art, photography, and mixed media.

In addition to the Foundation of Art Award, the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation will commission an original piece of art by Lisa Kinoshita, which will be unveiled in the autumn of 2010.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Lisa Kinoshita on this impressive achievement, and celebrate her talent, creativity, community involvement, and contribution to the arts and culture of the Tacoma community and Washington State.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kim Ebert-Colella for promoting peace and understanding in her local and global communities.

On the evening of May 22, Ms. Ebert-Colella received the 2010 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize at Pacific Lutheran University for her life long commitment toward peace and the wellbeing of others.

The Tacoma News Tribune has called Ms. Ebert-Colella a ``walking, working proof of what kindness can mean.'' Following the Catholic teachings of social justice, Ms. Ebert-Colella joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps after graduating from the College of St. Benedict. Over the next few years, she served in the L'Arche communities working with developmentally disabled people. When she turned 30, Ms. Ebert-Colella decided to volunteer at the L'Arche home in Calcutta where she worked directly under Mother Teresa. After her return to the United States, she worked as a youth minister at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Gig Harbor, married Niko Colella, and had their son, Sam Colella, who attends Bryant Montessori School.

Ms. Ebert-Colella followed her son to Bryant Montessori where she is a volunteer adviser for the school's Peace Committee, which encourages philanthropy and awareness of indigent areas of the world, and provides students a chance to work toward peace in their daily lives while they revitalize their local communities.

Under Ms. Ebert-Colella's leadership, students from Bryant Montessori School choose an annual theme to implement projects dedicated to peace. For example, during the 2009-2010 school year, students decided to focus on water. Under Ebert-Colella's oversight, students raised money to buy four rain barrels to collect water to use on the school's garden. They also have a goal of raising $6,000 to give a clean water system to Las Maratos, a small town in Bolivia.

Ms. Ebert-Colella motivates students to complete philanthropic projects and fundraisers, which have since become known as peace projects. Through these peace projects, Ms. Ebert-Colella emphasizes the importance of working toward peace while living peacefully in one's everyday life. The Peace Committee also instituted a kindness campaign at the Bryant Montessori School in which the students report and recognize other students for doing kind and selfless acts.

Ms. Ebert-Colella has led several other philanthropic projects such as designating the school as an international peace site and organizing a Disco for Peace dance, which raised over $9,000 to build a school in Pakistan.

The Greater Tacoma Peace Prize was created as a gift the from the Norwegian-American community to the people of the region in 2005 on the 100th year anniversary of Norway's peaceful separation from Sweden. The prize is award to an individual, group, or organization each year to recognize, honor, and encourage peace building, education, and awareness in the Tacoma community and beyond. Ms. Ebert-Colella has made an impression on several people in the region by working for good and touching the lives of numerous families and individuals.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives please join me in congratulating Kim Ebert-Colella and her outstanding work to promote peaceful understandings throughout the Tacoma community and throughout the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Air Force Reservist Adam Torem, whom the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce has honored as the 2010 Howard 0. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Mr. Torem for this commendable recognition.

Madam Speaker, the Air Force Reserves of the United States Armed Forces have long played an important role in the defense of our country. Originally conceived as a standby force for emergencies, the U.S. Air Force Reserves has been a Major Command of the United States Air Force since 1997. The 67,000-member force has evolved into the Air Force's Wingman, performing the same missions as the Air Force and working side-by-side on the same equipment.

Currently, thousands of reservists are risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their service should be acknowledged with gratitude and immense respect. In many instances, Air Force Reservists maintain full-time professional positions while serving their country as active citizen-soldiers. It is laudable when reservists' contribute to their communities further through additional volunteerism and public service. Unfortunately, reservists' contributions to their communities are often overlooked.

Adam Torem, a U.S. Air Force reservist from University Place, Washington, has successfully balanced his career, his commitment to the Air Force Reserves, and considerable community service. His admirable community involvements have included mentoring young people at his synagogue and coaching young, future engineers in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge.

In addition to his work in shaping future generations, Mr. Torem advocates for service men and women in his community. As a former Chair to the Washington State Bar Association's Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Section, Mr. Torem volunteers for programs that provide free legal advice and counseling on housing and other issues to other members of the Reserve and National Guard. Mr. Torem also uses his experience as an attorney to assist in state legislation, advocating for Washington State's active duty service members. When not on military duty, Mr. Torem serves as an Administrative Law Judge for the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission.

The 2010 Howard 0. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year award was presented in partnership by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee and the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Adam Torem on his many remarkable achievements, his venerable service to his country and community, and the recognition of his many efforts as the 2010 Howard 0. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Northwest Physicians Network for receiving the Health Care Champions 2010 Business Award for providing excellent health care and treatment for patients.

In 1995, a group of physicians came together under the common goal of providing better and more coordinated health care for their community. With this goal in mind, they created the Northwest Physicians Network. Since its founding, the network has since grown to include over 500 independent physicians and numerous practices rooted in communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. The network strives to offer the best health care possible, starting with building lasting physician-patient relationships.

On May 25, 2010, the Health Care Champions program, a partnership between the Business Examiner and the Pierce County Medical Society, presented the Northwest Physicians Network with the 2010 Business Award. The Health Care Champions recognize the Northwest Physicians Network's Fit Futures Employee Wellness Program and the organization's dedication, exceptional service, and professionalism in medical practice. The award was presented at the Pierce County Health Care Champions annual awards ceremony held at the Tacoma Museum of Glass in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Northwest Physicians Network on receiving the Pierce County Health Care Champions 2010 Business Award and the outstanding work of the entire Northwest Physicians Network staff.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen for his contribution to the growth of international trade in Washington State.

Brad Owen has served as Washington State's 15th Lieutenant Governor, first elected to the position in 1996. Since taking office, Lieutenant Governor Owen has been a leader on trade, conducting many foreign trade missions and advocating for stronger economic and international ties for Washington State.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce presented Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen with the 2010 George Francis Train International Business Commemorative Award on June 2, 2010. Given at the annual Tacoma Globe Awards Dinner, hosted by the World Trade Center Tacoma, this award is presented annually to honor businesses' and individuals' contributions to the region's strong international economy.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen on this impressive achievement, and celebrate his many contributions to growth of international trade in Washington State.