Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Barry Purvis, who was named the 2006

Pennsylvania High School Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals. Dr. Purvis has served diligently for 3 years as the principal of Chambersburg Area Senior High School.

Dr. Purvis has taken a pivotal role in changing the morale at Chambersburg Area Senior High School by improving the school atmosphere and reducing discipline problems. His vision for the school, which rests on a foundation of character-building, has vastly improved the success of Chambersburg Area Senior High School students. Regarded as a forward thinker, Dr. Purvis made major adjustments to the academic curriculum, resulting in the considerable rise of state testing scores and the graduation rate.

Prior to working as principal of Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Dr. Purvis served as principal of Chambersburg Area Middle School, which he led to earn the National Blue Ribbon School designation. He carried his success and experience over to the high school, overcoming significant challenges and earning an even more prestigious award. As the Pennsylvania High School Principal of the Year, Dr. Purvis will compete for the title of National High School Principal of the Year.

Dr. P, as he is endearingly known by his students, has made a great contribution to the betterment of our youth and will continue to enhance the education of many. The Chambersburg Area Senior High School faculty and student body are fortunate to have such a devoted leader. The citizens of Chambersburg and I would like thank Dr. Purvis for his service and dedication to the education system and the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert A. Frey, the 2006 Boy Scouts of America Frontier District Honoree. Robert Frey has dedicated over 30 years of service to Boy Scout Troop 127 and served for 29 years as chairman of the Troop Committee. Robert will be recognized at the Boy Scouts of America Frontier District Annual Fundraising Breakfast for his contributions to the organization and his community.

Robert has dedicated his life to serving his community and his country. He served as a member of the U.S. Army in the Southwest Pacific for nearly 3 years, followed by 31 years of employment at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA. He has also taken an active role in the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, serving as a deacon, ruling elder, Sunday school teacher, and youth group advisor.

In addition to his contributions to the U.S. Army and his church, Robert devoted much of his life to guiding hundreds of Boy Scouts, leading backpacking trips and teaching them about the outdoors. Robert served as chairman of the Troop Committee from 1976 until 2005, an almost unheard of length of service in which he provided direction to Scouts, counseling them through the Eagle Scout process and teaching them life skills.

Known as ``Pop'' to the hundreds of kids he has led, Robert Frey illustrates the important and rewarding role community members play in the lives of children. He has been recognized for his exceptional service with the Frontier District Award of Merit, the Keystone Area Council Silver Beaver Award, and the National Council/Presbyterian Church USA God and Service Award.

Robert has enthusiastically committed his life to helping others, serving his country, his community, and his church. The citizens of Chambersburg, the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, and the hundreds of boys he has guided throughout his service as a Scout leader would like to join me in thanking him for his outstanding service and devotion to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Andy's Army, a children's volunteer organization in Connellsville, PA. During their last week of school vacation, members of Andy's Army sacrificed swimming in the pool and playing outside to raise $10,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Andy's Army, formed after the death of Andrew Peperak, a 26-year military veteran, performs community service in the Connellsville area. In late August, the members collected money to donate to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The group sold bottled water at a community parade and collected money at two busy city intersections for three days. They set their goal at $10,000 and did not give up until they achieved it.

After accomplishing their goal, Andy's Army was invited to Heinz Stadium to present the donation to Red Cross representatives. The kids were greeted by members of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. Inspired by their enthusiasm and hard work, Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Hines Ward matched their contribution and donated another $10,000 to the relief fund.

The kids of Andy's Army have exhibited compassion and determination to help others who are less fortunate than themselves. Andy's Army participants Alex Peperak, Charles Peperak, Luke Peperak, Elizabeth Sparks, Andrew Sparks, Nicole Sparks, Tyler Sparks, Ray Craig, John Eutsey, Ashleigh Eutsey, McKenzie Wildey, Cassie May, Courtney McClain, Katie Wilbur, Ashleigh Hawk and Tiffany Sherbondy all deserve our thanks and congratulations on their hard work to give an extraordinary $10,000 contribution to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2116) to transfer jurisdiction of certain real property to the Supreme Court.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 2116.

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

S. 2116 transfers jurisdiction of a small parcel of land from the Architect of the Capitol to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Most of my colleagues will recognize this property as the small triangular piece of land between the Hart Senate Office Building and the Supreme Court. For the past few years it has been surrounded by security fencing and covered by construction trailers and equipment supporting the Supreme Court Modernization project.

The small parcel of land is bordered by Constitution Avenue on the north, Maryland Avenue on the west and south, and by Second Street on the east.

This transfer also includes realigning the jurisdictional boundaries of the United States Capitol Police and the United States Supreme Court Police to reflect this land transfer.

The transfer will also enable the Supreme Court Police to have control over the grounds within the bollards that are currently under construction.

The Supreme Court Land Transfer Act of 2006 is a simple and sensible solution that provides a more distinct boundary between the Capitol grounds and the Supreme Court.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this commonsense piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4979) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify the preference for local firms in the award of certain contracts for disaster relief activities, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4979.

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

H.R. 4979, introduced by Mr. Pickering of Mississippi, amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify the preferences for the local firms in the award of contracts for disaster relief activity.

The Local Community Recovery Act of 2006 makes it clear that the government can limit contracts to local communities devastated in disasters.

The Stafford Act has a preference for doing business with local firms because putting communities back to work is an important strategy for helping them rebuild their economy.

In the areas hardest hit by Katrina, the job market, local economy and tax base have been devastated. This legislation will put people back to work rebuilding their communities while simultaneously strengthening the local economy and tax base. Another common advantage of contracting locally can be lower cost and faster job completion.

I would like to recognize my colleague, Mr. Pickering, for his dedication to bringing this legislation to the floor. Mr. Pickering has been a champion of this issue and has worked to help the people of the entire gulf coast region. This bill is further proof of his dedication and efforts. Since Katrina ravaged the gulf coast, Mr. Pickering has worked tirelessly with me and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to resurrect his district and all of the gulf coast region.

I would also like to thank Ranking Member Oberstar and Ranking Member Norton for working with us to develop a compromise bill that encourages the Army Corps to move forward with its local contracts.

The amended version of the bill does not limit judicial review of any contracts. As a result, the bill we are considering enjoys bipartisan support, I repeat, bipartisan support, and I encourage Members to support final passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Pickering).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for those kind words.

The Local Community Recovery Act makes sense. As the ranking member pointed out, it clarifies and reaffirms the language in the Stafford Act. It also directs the corps to move forward quickly so we can see the cleanup continue to make progress in the Mississippi and in the gulf coast region.

I want to again thank Mr. Oberstar for his cooperation on this issue. Once again, the T&I Committee has come together in a bipartisan manner and moved forward for the betterment of this Nation. I also thank Mr. Pickering for his leadership and in working so closely with the T&I Committee to put this together for what I think is going to be a very positive outcome.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Harold Brake, who has played a vital role in the development of the Charles E. Brake Company of St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, since he joined them in 1954. Started by his father, Charles, in 1924, Harold has carried on the company's excavating duties until this day.

I have had the privilege of watching the Charles E. Brake Company succeed in expanding their business operations into other areas of Pennsylvania, and even into Maryland. Today, the company has over 100 employees who have contributed to their community for over 75 years. Mr. Harold Brake saw the company develop through its most profitable years, as it grew from only six employees in 1954 to the 120 workers who are a part of the company today.

After serving for more than 50 years in the family-owned corporation, Harold Brake will soon retire from his duties as the Chairman. Although Harold will no longer be the official head of operations, his son, Randy Brake, is certain that Harold will always be involved in the family business. I owned a small business for years and I understand, along with many others across Pennsylvania, the day-in and day-out work it takes to succeed. I applaud Harold for his commitment to his community and his business.

As our economy continues to move in the right direction, our small businesses are the driving force. These businesses make up our communities, neighborhoods, and towns. The Pennsylvanians who have benefited from the efforts of the Charles E. Brake Company as a result of Harold's continued hard work would certainly join me in thanking Harold for his contributions to the community and the economy, as well as serving as an inspiration for the spirit of chivalrous virtue.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of March 1, 2006, I call up the Senate bill (S. 1777) to provide relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1777.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 1777, as amended, extends the disaster unemployment assistance for those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Unfortunately, the economy in the gulf coast area remains devastated and re-employment opportunities are greatly limited.

Currently, disaster unemployment assistance is only available for 26 weeks following a disaster declaration. March 4, 2006, is the current deadline for program assistance as a result of Hurricane Katrina disaster declarations for Louisiana and Mississippi. Unless we act, unemployment benefits will expire this Saturday. This bill would extend that period for an additional 13 weeks, making disaster unemployment assistance available for 39 weeks total. This assistance is only available to those persons who are not eligible for regular unemployment assistance.

By extending these benefits, we are helping those most in need in the gulf coast region as they continue to recover and rebuild. We extended disaster unemployment assistance benefits after September 11 in the same fashion as we are extending these benefits today. I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer).

(Mr. NEUGEBAUER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to the comments of my good friend from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer). I certainly understand his concern about some of what has gone on in the gulf coast region, things that have not been efficiently moved forward. There have been cases of money being spent unwisely.

But on this bill, S. 1777, with the disaster unemployment assistance, this is important, to go to people that do not get normal unemployment. This goes out to people that are self-employed, small business owners. It is critical to the recovery that they have income until they are able to get their businesses back up, or if they are a professional, to get their operations running again.

So again I understand the concern of my colleague, but this bill is about disaster unemployment assistance. It is critical to get it back on line. It expires on Saturday. So I would urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, responding to the gentleman, we are not a day late and a dollar short. We are responding in a timely fashion. We certainly would have liked to have done this a couple of weeks earlier, but we are here on the floor today. We are going to respond to this situation in time.

I think it is important. As we move legislation forward in a situation like this, I think the folks in the gulf coast know that those of us in Congress are concerned about their situation; and that is why we are acting in time for this to be extended. I don't believe that responding 6 months prior to the need is something that is wise policy.

Let's move forward, let's study the situation and when it gets to a point where we have to extend, where we have to act, I think it is prudent that we do that.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Ohio's support on this piece of legislation today. But I want to remind my friends on the other side that Congress does have a role. And we took it very seriously when we set up the Katrina committee. It was the Democratic leader who refused to appoint Members from the minority to the Katrina committee.

But there were courageous Members on your side, I see Mr. Jefferson here today, who defied the leadership and who came to the committee hearings for the last 4 or 5 months. We did the hard work. We put forth a document that pointed out some serious problems that we had. It was critical of this administration. But the minority was MIA, missing in action from the Katrina committee.

So Congress does have a role. We took it very seriously.

And once again I just want to applaud Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Melancon, Ms. McKinney. I hope I am not forgetting anybody. But as I said, they defied their leadership and came to these important Katrina committee hearings, and they were a big part of, I believe, the hearings and had great input into what we produced.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments about the press talking about some positive stories coming out of Louisiana, but we should not forget there are also positive stories in Mississippi. The gentlewoman has traveled to the Gulf Coast on a couple of occasions, and the people of Mississippi were devastated as well.

The gentleman from Louisiana talked about the hard work. There is a lot of hard work left to do in rebuilding the Gulf Coast, but it is important that we at the Federal level do it in a fiscally responsible way in conjunction with the State and local governments in the Gulf Coast. But we also have hard work ahead of us in fixing the emergency management system, and that is something we are already starting to engage in. And we are going to have, I think, a significant debate on how we move forward.

This legislation today is important. The extension of the disaster unemployment assistance, it is money that, as I said earlier, is going to people that traditionally are not eligible for normal unemployment. These are small business owners, many of them. I think the gentlewoman from the District used the example of the hot dog stand owner, people working hard, small businesses. They do not have any income, and this is going to give them that income they need to get them back on their feet.

I want to also remind my colleagues that there is not an additional appropriation required for this. This has already been appropriated. The funds are in the disaster relief funds and CBO has scored this as no net increase in spending.

So as we move forward, I think it is responsible for us to do this. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I also want to thank my colleague from the District for the work she has put into it.

This has been a bipartisan effort. I also want to thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar. I also do not want to forget members of the committee from the Gulf Coast, Mr. Boustany and Mr. Baker, for their leadership, and Mr. Pickering for his leadership.

I want finally to thank the majority leader for working with us to get this legislation on the floor today.

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

Mr. Speaker, On Wednesday, February 8, 2006 on the Motion to Instruct Conferees regarding the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act (H.R. 4297) I meant to vote ``No'' on the motion but inadvertently voted ``Yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for yielding.

First I want to start off by saying thank you to the city of Detroit for hosting the Super Bowl. I attended the Super Bowl with my 14-year- old son, and I can tell you it felt like we were in Pittsburgh. Not only were there Terrible Towels everywhere, but the weather felt like Pittsburgh weather, cold blustery weather. So I thank Detroit for making us feel so welcome and so at home, and thanks for ordering up that western Pennsylvania weather for us.

But I rise today to congratulate the Pittsburgh Steelers on an incredible season, an exciting road through the playoffs and a fantastic Super Bowl victory. I want to applaud the hard work of everybody on the team. They deserve that applause and respect.

I also want to congratulate the entire Rooney family. They are a great football family, and today they carry that tradition not just as one of the founding families of the National Football League, but as one of the leading families in western Pennsylvania who continue to give back to their community.

I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the hard work and dedication and achievement of one of the unsung heroes of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that is Coach Dick Hoak. Dick Hoak's name is not a household name, but he is one of the keys to the success of the Steelers over the years. Dick Hoak is the longest-tenured coach in NFL history, I might add. For the last 35 years, he has been a fixture on the Steelers sidelines and on the practice fields. In 1992, Bill Cowher named him the running backs coach, and he was the only coach retained from the previous staff. Over his 13 seasons under Cowher, Hoak's backfield has been able to compile over 28,000 rushing yards, which is the most in the NFL, and puts the Steelers alone at the top again as the only team to surpass the 28,000 rushing yard threshold.

Hoak's history with the Steelers started even earlier, though, growing up in the shadows of Pittsburgh in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. In 1961, he was the Steelers seventh-round draft pick as a Nittany Lion from Penn State. He went on to spend 10 seasons in Pittsburgh's backfield, earning a spot on the Pro-Bowl. Dick has been producing for the Steelers for over 45 years.

This Super Bowl victory is a great accomplishment for all those involved, and we are proud of our Steelers. Western Pennsylvanians can be proud of their native son Dick Hoak. And I know of three little guys who are especially proud of Dick Hoak, and they are my nephews and Dick Hoak's grandsons, Michael, Jonathan, and Daniel Shuster. Now they can all look to their grandfather, and he can literally put five rings on that one hand and get ready for the sixth one next year, because Dick Hoak literally does have five Super Bowl rings and one for the thumb.

So to the Steelers organization, congratulations. We are all very proud of everybody on that team and in the organization.

Mr. Speaker, on Christmas Eve, Ann Eppard, long-time chief of staff to Congressman Bud Shuster, passed away from complications from Barrett's disease. The following tribute to her by Bud Shuster, M.C., ret., appeared in several papers throughout Pennsylvania:

A Tribute to Ann Eppard

(By Congressman Bud Shuster, Ret.)

Once upon a shining time there was a team that had a 35-

year winning streak. I was the coach and Ann Eppard was the

captain of the team. Over the years we had all-star teammates

who became lifelong friends.

It all began when I instructed a manager at Datel Corp. to

find me an executive assistant. After I nixed several who

didn't quite fit, he said he located an outstanding gal at

Computer Sciences Corporation who although only 26, was

managing 28 people. ``She's smart, personable, energetic,

knows computers and she's good-looking. I said I preferred a

man, and the last thing we needed was a good-looking babe to

distract the salesmen. Just interview her, he pleaded.

Reluctantly, I agreed, and she was impressive. When I asked

her to take a test she asked if I had taken it. When I said

``no'' she smiled, ``Then I'll take it after you do.''

``You've got spunk. You'll do,'' I laughed. ``But I'd like

to talk to your boss at Computer Sciences.'' After he

confirmed her capabilities I asked if she had any weaknesses.

``Oh yes,'' he said, `` Overload her with work or she'll

pester you.'' So I did. For nearly 35 years!

When I announced for Congress, Ann volunteered along with

some Sigma Chi brothers. She moved into an old converted

smokehouse at the farm with my daughter, Peggy, and our team

campaigned 24/7 for several months. My wife, Patty, and I

went door-to-door with Ann, my daughter, Gia, and others

advancing us. Ann's sister, Karen, and her mother did nightly

polling to measure our progress. Ann helped design a superb

computer system to mail thousands of personalized letters on

the weekend before the election. Campaigning at the railroad

shops, she wore a red miniskirt and white boots. The guys

didn't pay any attention to me, and for years afterward when

we went through the shops they would yell, ``Hey, Annie,

where's your white boots?'' We surprised everyone by winning,

and as they say, the rest is history.

Ann loved political combat. Once when she was deeply

involved in reapportionment, she had a Democratic legislator

make a last-minute change to the map, putting an opponent's

residence a few yards outside the district. The opponent

insisted that a Republican had changed the map, for no

Democrat would do that. He was wrong! Another time, when an

opponent's petitions were being circulated at a Democratic

hangout, they suddenly disappeared. On election night, a

Democratic leader proudly produced the purloined petitions

but Ann whisked him across the room to the bar before I saw

them.

Ann loved the people of the District. She had Pennelec

relocate a light pole because an elderly lady couldn't sleep

with the light shining in her window.

The story behind creating the Loysburg bypass exemplified

her dedication. Still in the minority, I worked for months to

get District projects in a transportation bill, through the

House, the Senate Conference. On the last day of the

Conference she whispered that we should put in a project to

build a Loysburg bypass. I said it was impossible, the

Conference was ending.

``But the people need that dangerous hairpin curve

eliminated,'' she pleaded. ``Get away,'' I ordered.

``What if I can get Chairman Howard and Senator Moynihan to

agree?''

``Don't you breathe my name to them,'' I hissed.

``I won't.'' She went over and whispered to Howard and

Moynihan. A few minutes later, Howard said, ``If Senator

Moynihan agrees, I'd like to add a project to replace a

dangerous curve in Loysburg, Pennsylvania, with a bypass.''

Moynihan replied, ``Absolutely! I agree!''

When I'm on the bypass I think, this is really the Ann

Eppard bypass.

Ann may be the only person to ever hang-up on the President

of the United States. One day she answered my private line

and a voice said, ``This is Ronald Reagan. Could I please

speak to Bud?''

``Quit fooling around, Ralph,'' she slammed down the phone.

It rang again and the White House operator said, ``President

Reagan was trying to call the Congressman but got

disconnected. Could you please put him on?''

When I was going through several operations at Bethesda

Naval Hospital to repair my broken neck, she practically took

over the ward, making sure I got my pain medicine on time.

When she discovered a lost sailor hobbling through the hall

pushing his I-V, searching for the X-ray lab, she chewed out

the attendants and got him help. ``Harrisburg: Online''

recently wrote, ``She was the epitome of the self-made,

tough-as-nails kid from Pennsylvania's hard coal region.''

Ann loved coming to our farm, pestering me to let her work.

One spring when we were going to move the cattle into the

barnyard, she showed up in her designer jeans and red cowgirl

boots. I explained to everyone that we had to walk slowly

behind the cattle, arms outstretched, pushing them toward the

barn. If one cow broke away, they all would and we would have

to start over. Finally we got them in. Losing her balance in

the mucky barnyard, she cried, ``I fell in the mud!'' My farm

manager replied, ``Miss Annie, that ain't mud.''

Few knew of Ann's many charities. Father Paulko in

Hollidaysburg called her when a deserving family needed

financial help. She quietly responded.

When troubles came, as they sometimes do in her life, her

grace under pressure epitomized class, as she ultimately

prevailed.

When she retired, the accolades poured in. The entire

Pennsylvania delegation published a letter praising her as

``a straight shooter whose word was trusted and advice was

much sought after . . . you also served as a pathfinder for

the now increasing number of women assuming leadership

positions on Capitol Hill. Your dedication . . . helped this

delegation achieve legislative prodigies.'' A lecturer at the

Library of Congress stated: ``Ann Eppard was the most

effective Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill.''

Forming Ann Eppard Associates, she established a highly

respected lobbying firm. Congressman Jim Oberstar publicly

credited her efforts with helping pass the historic ``Truth

in Budgeting Act,'' to unlock the Highway Trust Fund.

But above all, she loved her family, especially her two

darling granddaughters, Kelly and Shannon. They, need to know

that their ``Annie'' was a larger-than-life super-lady:

dedicated, smart, energetic and compassionate. Ann was devout

and there is little doubt that she is in God's arms. She's

probably telling St. Peter how to better organize the place.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, she may have had the body of a

tender woman, but she had the heart of a lion. And we might

add, the soaring spirit of the indomitable American eagle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and accomplishments of J. William Stover, of Chambersburg, PA. Mr. Stover was a committed citizen to his community and his country. William spent the majority of his life serving the public--in the Army, as a member of the Town Council, as mayor of Chambersburg or as District Justice.

Mr. Stover is remembered as taking his responsibilities as a public servant with the utmost seriousness and always weighing heavily the consequences of his actions. Well respected and admired by those he worked for and with, William's work will have a lasting impact. He will be sorely missed.

J. William Stover, born April 27, 1925 to Andrew S. and Mary Cook Stover in Chambersburg, began his life of service in the Army Air Force during World War II as part of the Greatest Generation. Upon his return to civil life he began what would become a long and distinguished line of public service to Chambersburg residents. He started as a member of the Civil Service Commission, then moved on to become a member of the Town Council and was elected Mayor of Chambersburg in 1970. Ten years later William was appointed District Justice for the Borough of Chambersburg and Hamilton Township, a post which he held until 1994. In retirement he took on a substitute role as Senior District Justice. Truly a tremendous life dedicated to public service and the people of his community.

William Stover was also an active member and former deacon of the Zion Reformed Church of Chambersburg. Mr. Stover took great pride in his service and he will always be remembered for the great impact he left on the community of Chambersburg during his nearly half-century of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Specialist Eric McGonigle of the United States Army. Specialist McGonigle was on active duty in Iraq for 3 years, serving in Kuwait, Camp Spearhead, and Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2003 to April 2004. Not only has Specialist McGonigle served his country abroad, he has protected his community serving as a firefighter for the Duncansville Volunteer Fire Department for the past 5 years.

While serving in Iraq, Specialist McGonigle worked as a truck driver and ran convoys for the Army. He acknowledged the appreciation of the people of Iraq for our continued help. McGonigle continues to serve our country as a member of the Army Reserves in the E-4 332nd Engineering Company of Kittanning, PA.

Now back home in Duncansville, PA, Specialist McGonigle is dedicated to his family and his community. He has been a truck engineer for the Duncansville Fire Department for the past 2 years. His fellow firefighters regard him as a community-oriented man, helping the people around him as much as possible.

Prior to volunteering at the Duncansville Fire Department, Specialist McGonigle volunteered with the Cresson Fire Department. His current fire department chief, Dave Boland, remembers meeting him as a young member of the Cresson Fire Department and hearing what an asset he was to the department. Chief Boland was pleasantly surprised when he moved to Duncansville and began volunteering at the Duncansville Fire Department.

Mr. Speaker, Specialist McGonigle has dedicated much of his life to serving his country and his community, and the citizens of Duncansville and I would like to thank him for his courage and devotion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor CPT Michael Gonsman of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Captain Gonsman of Altoona, PA, served in Beiji, Iraq for 11 months. In addition to serving our country on the streets of Iraq, Captain Gonsman serves his home community as a member of the Duncansville Volunteer Fire Department.

Captain Gonsman has dedicated 19 years to the fire department, serving as a truck foreman and a line officer. His fellow firefighters were like family to him, and while it was difficult for him to leave them and his wife and three children, he courageously moved forward to serve his country.

His fellow firefighters have said that he has always been dedicated to serving his country, and he has done just that. Captain Gonsman, who served as company commander, bravely led his soldiers to help the people of Iraq. He loved serving, and felt that the local people appreciated their presence.

Mr. Speaker, Captain Gonsman's fire department chief regarded him as a person who worked to better himself while helping others, and was willing to do anything he can for people in need. Through his service in Iraq and on the Duncansville Volunteer Fire Department, he has proven that he is still that way today. The citizens of Duncansville and I would like to thank Captain Gonsman for his service and dedication to his country and community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4568. This legislation will put in place a 1-year delay of a problematic cytology testing program and will allow HHS to review and revise the program in order to better reflect current medical practice.

Numerous pathologists from my district in central and western Pennsylvania have expressed great concern over this testing program. I would like to share a portion of a letter I received from a well- respected pathologist from Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania, Dr. Bill Kirsch, regarding this issue. And I think it is extremely important to hear the words of a practicing pathologist and not just legislators on the floor of the House.

Dr. Kirsch first contacted me in August of this year saying the following:

``Although I have not received the survey material at this time, it was apparent when I read the initial introduction of this new testing procedure that it had little merit and was only vaguely related to the actual practice of cytopathology.

``My contention is this supposed proficiency examination will do little or nothing to improve the quality of the cytopathology services and only add to hospital expenses through fee and the paid time for the cytology tech staff and the pathologist forced to participate. There are other proficiency tests that I have subscribed to for a number of years and have helped me to become a better cytopathologist.

``The current proficiency testing by MIME has, in my opinion, no merit and does not deserve to be continued. It does not have the support of pathology or cytopathologist professionals and should not have even been initiated.''

Mr. Speaker, I respect the wisdom and experience of many of the doctors and laboratory professionals that have contacted me asking that we please ask HHS to step back and review this testing program. A vote for the commonsense legislation is just what the doctor ordered.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4437. This legislation is long overdue, and I want to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner and Chairman King of New York for their great work in bringing this bill to the floor.

My constituents are fed up with porous borders, lax enforcement, and excuses about why the Federal Government is unable or unwilling to ensure that immigrants entering our country are legal.

This measure provides genuine solutions such as state-of-the-art surveillance technology, 8,000 new border agents, and widespread physical barriers.

The citizens of Altoona, Pennsylvania, experienced the sobering realities of a poorly enforced immigration system when this last August an illegal alien with a prior criminal record of assault, reckless endangerment, and a weapons violation murdered three innocent people. Had the catch and release practice been eliminated and mandatory detention been in place, perhaps this painful tragedy could have been prevented.

Mr. Chairman, this bill's time has come. We cannot continue to allow overwhelming numbers of illegal immigrants to flood our communities without any scrutiny. I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense approach that will combat illegal immigration and strengthen our Nation's security.