Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor centenarian Mary Altman of Lake Linden, who has served her county honorably and was a trailblazer for women in the Armed Forces as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mary is being honored on May 15 as Grand Marshal in the 5th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade of Thanks in Hancock, Michigan. As the community pays tribute to Mary, I ask that the U.S. House of Representatives join me in honoring her service.

Mary was born Mary Baril on March 10, 1907 in Lake Linden, located in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. After graduating from Lake Linden High School in 1927, Mary attended nursing school at Hurley Hospital in Flint, Michigan, graduating in 1931.

Her nursing skills were put to good use when Mary joined the U.S. Army in 1942, following in the footsteps of four of her brothers, two who served in World War I and two who served in World War II. In her rank as First Lieutenant, Mary took charge as chief nurse, leading a group of 18 other nurses in tending to the critically wounded, including amputees, during their rehabilitation at a field hospital in California's Mojave Desert. Following three years working with wounded soldiers, Mary was honorably discharged in 1945.

Mary's dedication to the well-being of others continued after leaving the Army. She served as superintendent of a children's home in Flint and cared for her husband Otto through his illness, until his death.

It is fitting that Mary be honored in the Armed Forces Day Parade of Thanks given her service in the U.S. Army and her devotion to helping improve the lives of those around her. Her personal and professional accomplishments over the past 103 years are a testament to trademark spirit and determination found throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Madam Speaker, the Parade of Thanks is a chance to honor the men and women who have answered the call to serve our nation with honor and with dignity. Without their courage and sacrifices, the United States could not be the great nation we are today. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in thanking Mary Altman for her commitment, recognize her service and applaud her on being named Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces Day Parade of Thanks.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Eloise Greenlee of Hancock, who has served her country honorably and her community admirably. Eloise is being honored on May 15 as Grand Marshal in the 5th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade of Thanks in Hancock, Michigan. As the community pays tribute to Mary, I ask that the U.S. House of Representatives join me in honoring her service.

Born in Ohio in 1922, Eloise discovered her love of music at an early age. As a young girl she loved to play the trumpet. Following the United States' entrance into World War II, Eloise enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 9, 1942 and put her musical skills to work. While stationed at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, Eloise was recruited to be a travelling member of the U.S. Army Women's Army Corps Band, playing her beloved trumpet.

The band instilled a patriotic spirit, entertaining those serving in the Armed Forces during the war. Eloise could often be found playing trumpet for the wounded military personnel aboard Red Cross medical ships returning home from the frontlines. She played her music and boosted morale for three years before being honorably discharged on November 9, 1945.

Her time in the Army was just the start of Eloise's service and adventures. In addition to becoming a licensed pilot and writing a book on her travelling experiences, she has volunteered at two local hospitals and continued her love of music forming the Keweenaw Swing Band with her husband Robert. She and Robert have also raised three sons.

The Parade of Thanks is a celebration of those who have served their country. Therefore it is appropriate that Eloise, a woman who has spent the past 88 years celebrating life and service through music, has been given the honor of Grand Marshal.

Madam Speaker, the Parade of Thanks is a chance to honor the men and women who have answered the call to serve our Nation with honor and with dignity. Without their courage and sacrifices, the United States could not be the great Nation we are today. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in thanking Eloise Greenlee for her commitment, recognize her service and applaud her on being named Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces Day Parade of Thanks.

During consideration of the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act in the Energy and Commerce Committee, I raised concerns that Home Star funding might encounter the same delays we have seen with the ARRA- funded weatherization projects due to the State Historic Preservation Office review required by the National Historic Preservation Act. Since committee markup, I have worked with Chairman Waxman and Chairman Rahall to ensure no historic preservation review will be required for Home Star rebates.

I have a letter from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation providing a legal opinion that this program would not trigger a review under the National Historic Preservation Act. I will submit this letter for the Record.

Advisory Council

on Historic Preservation,

Washington, DC, May 5, 2010.

Hon. Bart Stupak,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Stupak: At the request of your Legislative

Assistant, Justin Hagel, we are providing the following

opinion regarding the applicability of Section 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106), 16 U.S.C.

Sec. 470f, to the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program that

would be established under H.R. 5019 (Home Star). As the

agency responsible for issuing and interpreting the

regulations implementing Section 106, we take the position

that Home Star would not trigger Section 106 responsibilities

for the Department of Energy, Environmental Protection

Agency, Department of Commerce, or any other federal agency.

The purpose of Section 106 is to inform federal agency

decisions about undertakings that may affect historic

properties before such effects take place. The way that

Congress has structured the Home Star Retrofit Rebate

Program, any effects to historic properties would have

already taken place before a federal agency would even be

aware of a retrofit project. The Federal Rebate Processing

System, as proposed, will not acknowledge that a retrofit has

been implemented until after the project has actually

occurred.

The contractor will have given the homeowner a discount

based on the expected Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program,

submitted a request for a rebate to a Rebate Aggregator, and

then submitted the claims to the Federal Rebate Processing

System. Under such circumstances, a federal agency would not

have the slightest modicum of discretion to exercise

regarding effects to historic properties when it makes a

decision to reimburse a Rebate Aggregator. Likewise, as

explained above, the effects to historic properties, if any,

would have already occurred.

The reimbursement decision by the Federal Rebate Processing

System is arguably ministerial, therefore, not subject to

Section 106, since Congress specifically requires

reimbursement upon the filing of claims, subject only to

random quality assurance verifications. This is similar to

the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) processing of tax

deductions and credits claimed on income tax returns. Due to

the ministerial nature of the IRS's decision making in their

review of those returns, the ACHP does not consider such

reviews as triggering Section 106 compliance responsibilities

for the IRS.

We appreciate the Committee affording the ACHP an

opportunity to review the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program

legislation. If you have any further questions, please

contact me.

Sincerely,

John M. Fowler,

Executive Director.

Congress does not want the Home Star program to trigger reviews that would delay energy efficiency improvements that benefit consumers, manufacturers, and contractors. I want to thank Chairman Waxman and Chairman Rahall for working with me to address this concern.

I also want to thank Chairman Waxman for working with me to include the eligibility of energy-efficient wood products in the manager's amendment. This provision strengthens the underlying bill and will help one of the hardest hit sectors of our economy.

I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased health care reform passed the House of Representatives and the Congress on March 21 so 32 million more Americans will have access to health insurance.

Americans are already realizing the benefits of this legislation. For instance, for the past few years, as chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, we have investigated the industry practice of rescission. Rescission occurs when the insurance company pores through your policy application to find any excuse to drop you from coverage when you become ill. So when you need the insurance the most, they look for an excuse to abandon you. This rescission practice used by insurance companies employ up to 1,400 different computer entries to kick out claims of people who may become seriously ill, to drop them when they are sick, and will cost the insurance companies some money.

As chair of Oversight and Investigations, I have written to the largest insurance companies to stop this practice of rescission now. Under the health care legislation we passed, it says rescission practice will stop in September, but I urge the insurance companies to stop this unconscionable practice now. In America health care is a right; it's not a privilege.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Schoolcraft County Sheriff Gary Maddox of Manistique, Michigan on his retirement after 30 years of dedicated law enforcement service. Sheriff Maddox's commitment to the citizens of Schoolcraft County reflects the enthusiasm and work ethic that embody the spirit of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Gary has remained close to his roots throughout his career in law enforcement. He was named Schoolcraft County Deputy Sheriff on February 22, 1979 and went on to be appointed Schoolcraft County Sheriff on January 1, 1986. Over the years he was reelected by the people of Schoolcraft County five times before retiring at the end of 2009.

Under his leadership, Schoolcraft County has implemented many important public safety programs. Gary launched the first D.A.R.E. program to provide area youth with skills to avoid involvement with drugs. He also coordinated the county's first taser program, established the county's 911 service, developed training programs for corrections officers and led an incident command school for law enforcement officers. As sheriff, Gary coordinated and managed countless search and rescue operations effectively and with composure. Over the years he has demonstrated both professionalism and concern while working to consistently improve public safety in the community.

Gary has never been one to rest on his laurels; he has always taken advantage of opportunities to improve his training and expertise. He has participated in the National Drug Court Institute Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative Training Program, completed Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance Training and Level II Law Enforcement Training for the Federal Forest Service, among others. He has also helped to inspire and educate others looking to enter the field of law enforcement serving for 21 years as an executive board member and instructor of Northern Michigan University's Law Enforcement Training Consortium.

As sheriff, Gary has demonstrated a commitment to his profession serving as a District I Upper Peninsula representative to the Michigan Sheriffs' Association. He also served as President of the Upper Peninsula Law Enforcement Association in past years. Outside of law enforcement Gary has made community service a priority in his life. He has volunteered time working with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Voice of Democracy Broadcast Scriptwriting Program and served as chairman of the local C.B.C. radio telethon to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, Bay Cliffs Health Camp and the Easter Seals Society of Michigan. He also serves on the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Committee.

I know Gary well and over the years he has been an honorable public servant and a good friend. Gary embodies the unique character of the Upper Peninsula through his courage in the face of danger, his forward- looking vision and his willingness to lend a hand to help those around him.

Madam Speaker, Gary devoted 30 years of his life enforcing the law and protecting the citizens of Schoolcraft County. His career as sheriff and his commitment to his community should be commended. I ask Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives, join me in recognizing Sheriff Gary Maddox for his courage, his dedication, and his years of service on his retirement from the Schoolcraft County Sheriff's Department.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, April 26, 2010, I was absent for three votes for medical reasons. I rise today to enter into the Record how I would have voted had I been able to vote.

House rollcall vote 221. I would have voted ``yes.''

House rollcall vote 222. I would have voted ``yes.''

House rollcall vote 223. I would have voted ``yes.''

I thank the gentleman for yielding as it is an honor for me to join my colleagues in honoring Father Daniel Coughlin on his 50th year in the priesthood and 10 years as our House Chaplain.

Father Daniel Coughlin was honored last weekend by the Archdiocese of Chicago marking 50 years since his ordination, the last 10 years of which he has served as Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives. I am pleased to join as a cosponsor with Mr. Lipinski and the rest of my colleagues in the House to recognize Father Coughlin on this achievement.

Father Daniel Coughlin is the first Roman Catholic House Chaplain since the position was created in 1774. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 3, 1960, and for the next 5 years served as an associate pastor for St. Raymond Parish in Mount Prospect, Illinois, before becoming an associate pastor at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral. In 1969, he was appointed as the first director of the Archdiocese's Office for Divine Worship.

In 1984, Father Coughlin took a year-long sabbatical, as my colleagues have noted, which sent him to serve with the Trappist monks in Kentucky, counsel the poor in Calcutta, and serve as a scholar-in- residence at North American College in Vatican City in Rome.

Following his sabbatical, Father Coughlin served as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Grange, Illinois, and became Director of the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein, Illinois. Father Coughlin worked as Vicar for Priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago under both Cardinal Bernardin and Cardinal George, a position he held until he became House Chaplain.

When former Speaker Dennis Hastert looked to Cardinal George as he searched for the next House Chaplain, one of the names that Cardinal George kept mentioning was Father Coughlin. First interviewed on March 13, 2000, Father Coughlin was sworn in just 10 days later.

Just as there were those who questioned whether President Kennedy, as the Nation's first Catholic President, could govern without forcing his Catholicism on the Nation, there were those who questioned whether a Catholic Chaplain could appropriately serve the House. Father Coughlin has proven through his counsel of Members and the staff of many different faiths and varying degrees of spirituality that those concerns were and are unfounded. Many have benefited from his ecumenical approach as House Chaplain. Father Coughlin goes beyond the requirements of House Chaplain to make sure the spiritual needs of all Members, regardless of their faith, are met.

In addition to the Members of this Chamber, Father Coughlin has provided support to countless House Members, their staffs, and families during their time of need. In fact, right after Father Coughlin was sworn in as the House Chaplain, unfortunately, I lost my son, and Father Coughlin, who really didn't know me or my son that well, certainly provided great comfort to us in a great time of distress for us. And a few years ago, my Chief of Staff's mother was battling cancer, which took a toll on him and their family. Father Coughlin not only kept Scott and his mother, Pat, in his prayers but went above and beyond that, often writing heartfelt notes to both of them. Neither of them Catholic, the gesture from Father Coughlin meant a great deal to Pat in her final days and still means a great deal to Scott to this day.

Father Coughlin has offered insightful counsel to Members of this Chamber through some of the most difficult events in our recent history. He has provided spiritual guidance to those who sought it as they grappled with some of the biggest issues facing our country.

Therefore, I am pleased to join my colleagues today in supporting this resolution to honor the contributions and service of Father Daniel Coughlin as House Chaplain, as a spiritual leader, and congratulate him on his 50 years of service to the church and to the members who make up the church.

I wish to engage the chairman in a colloquy, if I may.

Throughout the debate in the House, Members on both sides of the abortion issue have maintained that current law should apply. Current law with respect to abortion services includes the Hyde

amendment. The Hyde amendment and other similar statutes to it have been the law of the land on Federal funding of abortion since 1977 and apply to all other health care programs--including SCHIP, Medicare, Medicaid, Indian Health Service, Veterans Health Care, military health care programs, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

The intent behind both this legislation and the Executive order the President will sign is to ensure that, as is provided for in the Hyde amendment, that health care reform will maintain a ban on the use of Federal funds for abortion services except in the instances of rape, incest, and endangerment of the life of the mother.

I thank the chairman.

I'm seeking the chairman's commitment that our conversations on this issue, the abortion issue, will continue.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

The motion to recommit purports to be a right-to-life motion, in the spirit of the Stupak amendment. But as the author of the Stupak amendment, this motion is nothing more than an opportunity to continue to deny 32 million Americans health care. The motion is really a last- ditch effort of 98 years of denying Americans health care.

The motion to recommit does not promote life. It is the Democrats who have stood up for the principle of no public funding for abortions. It is Democrats, through the President's executive order, that ensures the sanctity of life is protected, because all life is precious and all life should be honored. Democrats guarantee all life from the unborn to the last breath of a senior citizen is honored and respected. For the unborn child, his or her mother will finally have pre-and postnatal care under our bill. If the child is born with mental problems, we provide medical care without bankrupting the family.

For the Republicans to now claim that we send the bill back to committee under the guise of protecting life is disingenuous. This motion is really to politicize life, not prioritize life. We stand for the American people. We stand up for life. Vote ``no'' on this motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and achievements of Venetia Bryers of Gladstone, Michigan. Venetia devoted her life to developing and improving emergency medical services in Delta County and throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. As an entrepreneur and advocate, Venetia often travelled to Washington, DC to advocate for emergency medical personnel and medical services across our Nation. Venetia was also a close personal friend going back 40 years to when we were classmates together at Gladstone High School.

Venetia's devotion to public service began with her career choice to study criminal justice at Northern Michigan University. In 1974, Venetia began working for the city ambulance service in Escanaba, and within a year she had become a full-time partner in the business changing its name to Rampart EMS. Venetia became the sole owner of Rampart in 1979, eventually selling it to Marquette General Health Systems in 1998, but staying on as director of emergency medical services.

Under her leadership and vision Rampart EMS grew into a successful company that

blazed the trail in providing emergency services for residents across Delta County. Venetia was instrumental in upgrading Rampart's ambulance services to advanced life support services which enabled Rampart to provide vital life-saving care including defibrillation, airway management and medication. In a rural area like Delta County these life support services often make the difference between life and death in emergency situations.

Emergency medical service was more than just a business for Venetia, it was her passion. She was always eager to learn more and to advance the field farther. She was the director for Rampart, but was also a paramedic for the company. She was an assistant to the Delta County medical examiner and taught emergency medical technician and paramedic courses throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Venetia's hard work can be found throughout the community. She implemented code alert teams in area schools--one of the first communities in the state to do so--and taught CPR training and emergency response tactics. She was a founding member of the Delta County Emergency Preparedness Committee and served on the Upper Peninsula EMS Board of Directors. She initiated and financially supported the Save-a-Heart Foundation, which put automated external defibrillators, AED, in every fire truck, police car and school in Escanaba.

Given all her work it is only fitting that Venetia was the first recipient of the Extraordinary People/Extraordinary Service EMS Leadership Award from the Michigan Emergency Medical Services System and Trauma System.

Venetia's involvement in the community extended well beyond her EMS work. She supported the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, participated in the Rotary Club and the Public Health of Delta and Menominee Counties and was an active member of All Saints Catholic Church.

Madam Speaker, Venetia has touched the lives of countless people around her and her absence will be felt by many. She built Rampart EMS into a successful business all while creating a close family atmosphere. She dedicated her life to improving emergency services and saving lives in Delta County, across Michigan and our Nation. I have seen first hand her warmth, her generous spirit and her enthusiasm for her work. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in honoring the work and the life of my friend Venetia Bryers.

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26, 2010, I was absent for eight votes for medical reasons. I rise today to state how I would have voted had I been able to vote.

House rollcall vote 67, I would have voted ``no.''

House rollcall vote 68, I would have voted ``yes.''

House rollcall vote 69, I would have voted ``yes.''

House rollcall vote 70, I would have voted ``yes.''

House rollcall vote 71, I would have voted ``yes.''

House rollcall vote 72, I would have voted ``no.''

House rollcall vote 73, I would have voted ``yes.''

House rollcall vote 74, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, the insurance industry and Major League Baseball are the last industries in our country not subject to Federal anti-trust laws.

The insurance industry can collude to set rates, resulting in higher premiums than true competition would achieve.

Because of the exemption, rate increases are not reviewed by the Federal Government.

Today I held a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations evaluating the most recent and egregious example of this. In California, WellPoint's Anthem Blue Cross plan recently raised premiums by an astounding 39 percent.

One of the most effective actions Congress can take to lower health care costs is to remove the health insurance industry's anti-trust exemption.

This legislation would create competition in the health insurance market and lower the overall cost of health insurance for consumers.

According to the American Medical Association, 94 percent of insurance markets in the United States are now highly concentrated. In my state of Michigan, one company controls 63 of the health insurance market.

Insurers are thriving in the anti-competitive marketplace, raking in enormous profits and paying out huge salaries to top executives.

Meanwhile, American families are struggling to pay their mortgages, credit card bills and medical expenses. Many are losing their health insurance altogether with the loss of their jobs.

Yet health insurance companies continue to thrive, at the expense of struggling Americans.

It is about time that insurance companies play by the same rules as every other American industry.

I urge Members to support this legislation, to a establish a fair insurance market that encourages competition and lower costs.

Madam Speaker, I will be brief. I have been tied up most of the afternoon and never thought I would have an opportunity to come down and join in this special order to our friend and our colleague, Jack Murtha. I am very pleased and heartened by all of the outpouring of Members who have come down here for the last few hours, and it has also given me an opportunity to say a few things about my friend, Jack Murtha.

Jack would be embarrassed about all of the attention being shown to him tonight, but for those of us who knew and love and respected Jack Murtha, it's been an especially hard week, especially those of us who hang out, as we say, in the Pennsylvania Corner. When we always look on the corner to see Jack there, we see a folded American flag. I guess it's appropriate for Jack's service to his country, not only as a soldier, but also as a Member of this House of Representatives.

If you want to know more about Jack Murtha, his courage, his love for this country, I would urge you to read the book that he wrote, ``From Vietnam to 9/11: On the Front Lines of National Security.'' He really traced the history of this country, policy and military involvement of this country since Vietnam to September 11. It is written by a true patriot who lived it and urged all of us to also see the world and our commitment and our dedication to the men and women in uniform through the eyes of Jack Murtha in a book.

I said it's been a hard week, and I think everything that needs to be said about Jack Murtha has probably been said. I am thankful for having known him, and I am thankful for the opportunity of being able to come down here tonight and just say a few words and to express our love and condolences for Joyce and the entire Murtha family.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 2009 Tawas Area High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team and coach Ken Cook on capturing the team's eighth straight district championship title and their first regional championship. Throughout the season these young men worked together as a team, displaying exemplary athletic skills along with determination and focus.

The team ended their season with an impressive 20-3-1 record, winning their first ever regional championship in a 3-0 victory over the Newaygo Lions. Despite playing in tough conditions, the Braves were able to dominate the offense while maintaining a strong defense, led by a shutout performance by goalkeeper Nick Hulea. The team also defeated the Roscommon Bucks, 3-2 in the district championship game. This was the 8th consecutive district championship for the Braves and the 11th district title in 13 seasons.

In addition to their talent on the field, I commend the entire team and coaching staff for their excellent display of teamwork throughout the season. Every one of the Braves saw playing time, and each individual was able to contribute to the team's championship season. This hard work and team spirit is a reflection not only on these young men and their coaches, but also the entire Tawas community.

In addition to the teams winning record, senior Cody Jordan set a Tawas record 45 goals in the 2009 season. With 12 seniors on the team it is especially fitting that they ended their high school soccer career achieving the long sought after goal of a regional championship.

Local sports play a key role in schools and communities throughout Northern Michigan. I congratulate each member of the 2009 Tawas Area High School Boys Varsity Soccer team: Seniors Kurds Branham, D.J. Decker, Aran Freel, Nicholas Hulea, Cody Jordan, Ryan Kaschner, Braden Kauffman, Derek Keim, Dylan Loga, Antoine Mauron, J.D. Putz and Travis Simmons; Juniors Talal Abdallah, Joseph Boensch, Andrew DiFilippo, Benjamin Enzenberger and Kyle Hewitt; Sophomores Dylan Gotcher and Tyler Jordan; and Managers Ali Jungquist and Audrey Thoryk.

I also applaud the leadership of head coach Ken Cook and assistant coaches Matt Friedemann and Dan DiFilippo. Their diligence on and off the field, and post-season vision and strategy guided the team through a successful season, culminating in an impressive series of post-season victories.

Madam Speaker, the 2009 Tawas Area High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team has won an impressive eight straight district titles and capped off another successful year with their first regional championship. These young men and their coaches set high goals for the season, played each game with power and passion, and delivered a memorable season for both the players and the Tawas community. Therefore I ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in cheering on the players and coaches of this championship team. Go Braves.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Gwinn United Methodist Church, UMC, during its centennial celebration. For 100 years, the Gwinn UMC has been a gathering site for worship, teaching and fellowship in the Gwinn community. Its rich history can be traced through families who have been members of the church for generations, while its welcoming atmosphere continues to attract new members.

Just a short drive south of Lake Superior, Gwinn United Methodist Church is bound tightly to the history of the Upper Peninsula. The community of Gwinn was built to support the iron mines of Cleveland- Cliffs Iron Mining Company, which still operates in the Marquette County today. As Cleveland-Cliffs president William G. Mather began to build his ``model town,'' a group of settlers in nearby Princeton organized a church group and began plans for a Methodist church.

Land for the Gwinn United Methodist Church was deeded to the congregation by William Mather in 1909, and on October 15, 1909, the cornerstone of the church was laid by Mather himself. The church was formally dedicated on February 20, 1910, by its first pastor, Reverend Simon Hocking.

As the community of Gwinn grew and prospered, so did Gwinn UMC. Over the years, modifications have been made to the building, including the addition of an education wing, a remodeled chancel area in the sanctuary, and the construction of a parsonage on property adjoining the church. Gwinn UMC also welcomed its first full-time minister in 1984, having previously shared pastors with several nearby communities. Even as the church has grown, it has also stayed connected with its roots; today's congregation still worships in the original 1909 pews.

While its history is impressive, Gwinn UMC's most inspiring attribute is the outpouring of support and assistance it provides to the Gwinn community. The church has opened its doors to be used by groups including Head Start, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and Alcoholics Anonymous. On the second Wednesday of each month, members of the congregation prepare a free evening meal for the community, serving 707 people in 2009, fostering a sense of fellowship and camaraderie between neighbors and friends. The church also provided 344 bags of groceries to 235 families last year through its weekly food pantry.

Through its Children's Love Fund, Gwinn UMC provides assistance to families of area children needing extensive medical treatment; and through its Endowment Fund, the church provides gifts and grants to individuals, organizations and missions locally, regionally and globally. Since 2002, $11,300 has been provided to missions through the Endowment Fund.

Madam Speaker, from its earliest days Gwinn United Methodist Church has been connected to the Gwinn community through history and tradition. The spirit and principles

that are intrinsic to the Upper Peninsula can be found throughout the history of the church and the actions of its congregation. Over the past 100 years, Gwinn United Methodist Church has shared the joy of the Lord with the community of Gwinn and with open arms has reached out to those in need. For these many blessings, Madam Speaker, I ask that you, and the entire U.S. House of Representatives, join me in recognizing Pastor Geri Hamlen and the members of the Gwinn United Methodist Church on the church's centennial anniversary.