Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the F&M Trust Company serving both Franklin and Cumberland Counties in Pennsylvania. On February 5, 2006, the F&M Trust Company will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

In America, numerous organizations have sprouted and grown upon the foundation of service to others in order to ensure a progressive society, creating communities committed to generosity and equality. In December 1905, a group of businessmen, lawyers, farmers, doctors, and merchants met in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to discuss the organization of a trust company. They wanted to form a corporation that would better serve the community by offering services such as personal guardianships, trusteeships, and title guarantees. One month later, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted the bank a charter under the name ``The Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg, PA.'' By February 5, 1906, the bank opened its doors for the first time.

Throughout the years, banks have been challenged from the depths of the Great Depression through the ongoing consolidation of financial institutions. F&M Trust has met these challenges head on. As banks began to emerge from the depression, our communities witnessed great growth; along with it, the traditional way of banking was changing. The F&M Trust Company began to grow in existing markets and developed new markets by progressively integrating new with traditional products and services. By 1993, F&M Trust became the largest locally owned and managed community bank in Franklin County.

The F&M Trust Company's growth and success can be attributed to many individuals throughout our company's history. While the men who formed the company established the foundation for success, the directors, management, and staff of F&M have been responsible for continuing their commitment to communities, customers, shareholders, and employees through the years.

For its commitment to the citizens of Franklin and Cumberland Counties throughout the last one hundred years, I am extremely grateful to the F&M Trust Company.

Happy Birthday F&M Trust Company, and best wishes for many more!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Northern Cambria High School Girls Volleyball team on their PIAA Class A volleyball State championship.

The Colts have demonstrated that strong dedication and teamwork will produce unexpected results. After narrowly missing the championship last year, the girls united behind their strong coach, Mike Hogan, and handily defeated their opponents in the State competition. Posting an undefeated season, the Colts also captured the Heritage Conference and District VI championships.

This is Northern Cambria Girls Volleyball first State championship title in the school's history, which is a great testimony to the unique character of this team. They fought through obstacles and their unwillingness to quit led to their success. The teamwork and the leadership skills the team developed will enrich their lives and serve them well beyond their high school years. I congratulate the Northern Cambria Colts on their State championship and I look forward to hearing of their continued success in next year's season.

Led by head coach Mike Hogan and assistant coach Jennifer Dumm, the 27 members of this championship team include Seniors Ashley Hogan (co- captain), Jaci Jones (co-captain), Sara Hoover, Jess Valeria, Jen Hassen, Shayna Butterworth, Christie Rocco; Juniors Becky Butterworth, Julie Paronish, Lexy Pawlowski, Jenny Eagler, Jacque Link, Carrie Shevock, Lisa McCombie, Tajia Stephens, Megan Long; Sophomores Briana Butterworth, Britteny Daisley, Stephanie Paronish, Courtney Zernick, Brittany Sedlock, Nikole Sherry, and Jennifer Valeria; and Freshmen Cassandra Kollar, Becky Petrisko, Samantha Rodgers, and Deanna Maurer. Congratulations one and all.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4324) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the predisaster mitigation program, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4324) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the predisaster mitigation program, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about a special aspect of a subject that has been in our news a great deal lately, emergency preparedness.

As a member of the Select Katrina Committee and as chairman of the subcommittee overseeing FEMA, I know that it is absolutely critical to prepare our Nation for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or any other catastrophe and the spread of disease that could come with it.

When disasters strike, the most effective method of prevention depends, in part, on effective respiratory protection for millions who may be exposed. This protection is available through careful use of respirators, the masks, mostly disposable, that we see in pictures of first responders, emergency personnel and health care workers who are treating the sick.

The World Health Organization, for example, specifies certain respirators for use in avian flu treatments. The United States has a number of companies that manufacture respirators that are in a number of States around this country. One, Mine Safety Appliances, is headquartered in Pennsylvania and manufactures respirators in the State.

These are high quality products, recognized by industry, health care authorities and other experts as efficient, cost effective. More importantly, these products are 100 percent regulated by an agency of the U.S. Government, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and health, or NIOSH, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control in the Department of Health and Human Services.

NIOSH prescribes design standards for respirators, tests respirators in its own labs by its own professionals and monitors respirator manufacturers to ensure their products consistently meet the standards for which they are approved.

It also approves the warning labels that go on respirators to indicate what uses are and are not appropriate to emphasize the need for users to be sure that these respirators fit well.

It regulates the respirator manufacturers, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, regulates employers and prescribes what level of approved respirators should be used to protect against a particular workplace hazard.

Respirator manufacturers do not interact with respirator users. They make their products according to government standards for their uses approved by NIOSH and described on the label, but employers make the decision about whether to provide a respirator and which one to provide based on OSHA rules.

Unfortunately, in our litigation-obsessed society that separation of responsibility has not protected our respirator manufacturers from being sued in literally thousands of cases. Workers allege that a respirator was defectively designed or contained an inadequate warning label, and they got sick, and that somehow it is partly the fault of the manufacturer.

As absurd as this may sound, it is the premise for up to 30,000 individual claims brought against each major respirator manufacturer in the United States. There has been much controversy over many of these claims, since they involve workers who claim to be sick with asbestosis or silicosis.

In one situation, a Federal judge in Texas, a former nurse, found that thousands of claims were essentially without any legal or medical merit. They were produced by collusion between plaintiffs lawyers, doctors paid by the claim, and the x-ray mills that produced the diagnosis that could not survive medical review.

This corrupts the legal system and hurts most those few who are truly ill. It also threatens otherwise strong American industries like respirator manufacturing.

Our American respirator manufacturers are faced with the cost of administering and processing tens of thousands of claims. Some of these will be thrown out and some will be settled for a few hundred dollars, but each one requires thousands of dollars of research and process.

None of these cases has resulted in a trial and a judgment against a respirator manufacturer. It is the administrative cost of millions of dollars each year that are now about to exceed the net income of many companies from making respirators.

In short, we are in danger of losing a vital American industry that we are going to need desperately if disaster strikes. Whether the spread of a virus or biological terrorist attack, we already need respirators for countless industrial applications and routine medical and other health-related needs. Respirators are already providing protection from the airborne hazards that are everywhere in the recovery efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

They also served thousands in the aftermath of September 11th. We cannot afford to have this vital industry torn down by inadequate claims with dollar signs at their hubs. That is why I am pleased to be the author, along with my original cosponsors, the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle) as well as the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith), of H.R. 2357, the Respirator Access Assurance Act of 2005.

This is a very simple bill. It says that if a manufacturer has the NIOSH approval for the design and labeling of a respirator, a manufacturer cannot be sued on the basis of the detective design or failure to warn.

It would apply to any case that has not gone to trial as of the enactment and to future cases. We need this legislation, and I am working with my colleagues and the House leadership to find an appropriate opportunity to bring it to the House floor for a vote soon.

I hope my colleagues will share my concern over the need to ensure that this American industry continues to produce these vital products for emergency preparedness, and will approve this and make it the law of the land.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sister Paula DelGrosso of the Carmelite Community of the Word, Altoona, Pennsylvania, as the recipient of the 2005 John Riley Human Relations Award for community service. This award is presented each year to an individual who has performed outstanding and meritorious service to the community of Altoona through personal efforts by enhancing the dignity and worth of its citizens. This award is presented by the Blair County Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and is now in its sixteenth year of giving this award. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has served the citizens of Pennsylvania faithfully since 1955 fighting the practice or policy of discrimination against individuals or groups by reason of their race, color, familial status, creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin or disability.

Sister DelGrosso is receiving this award in recognition for her lifelong commitment to the community of Altoona, but in particular for her special efforts over the past fourteen years as Director of the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen and Food for Families Food Bank in Altoona. Under Sister DelGrosso's guidance, the dining hall at St. Vincent DePaul's has been able to provide over 35,000 meals every year to needy people in the community. Thanks in large part to her steadfast leadership, the kitchen at St. Vincent DePaul's enjoys support from various segments of the community ranging from the religious to the financial and from the public to the private sector. These are people within the community of Altoona who share different philosophies, beliefs and opinions, yet Sister DelGrosso has been able to bring them together in support of a worthy cause.

Sister Paula has led a life filled with compassion and dignity. Born in the town of Altoona, the daughter of Thomas and Mary DelGrosso, Sister Paula graduated from Altoona Area High School and Mt. Aloysius, before going on to graduate with a B.S. in Education from St. Francis University, and a Masters Degree and Supervision Certificate in Guidance and Counseling from Duquesne University. Her passion for education has imbued her life as she has served in the field of education for thirty-four years, with sixteen being spent as an elementary and secondary school teacher and eighteen years as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Altoona/Johnstown Diocese.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Sister Paula DelGrosso for her lifelong commitment to the community of Altoona and I am proud to call Sister Paula a constituent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and distinguish one of America's finest--United States Marine Lance Corporal Joshua Butler of Altoona, PA. Butler, who dreamed of being a U.S. Marine since he was four years old, protected hundreds of his fellow comrades from suicide bombers mounting an attack with trucks, explosives and no regard for human life.

Butler was stationed in Iraq along the Syrian border, and while guarding the base's perimeter from a lookout tower his post was attacked. Butler sprayed the first suicide bomber with 20 or 30 rounds causing him to veer off at the last moment to miss his target. The truck, filled with explosives and manned by a suicide-mission insurgent, crashed through the improvised barrier the Marines had built up along the edge of the base. After being knocked down by the blast, Lance Corporal Butler remained focused, alert and ready. Through the smoke of the blast, he saw a red, suicide-driven fire engine coming toward the base. Butler fired 100 rounds onto the vehicle. After the truck was hit by a grenade, launched by Pfc. Charles Young, its explosives were detonated outside of the base but within 50 yards of Butler. Debris from this blast sprayed the length of 4 football fields and knocked down soldiers as far as 200 yards away. But no Marines were seriously hurt, including Butler.

Lance Corporal Butler's actions saved the lives of hundreds of his fellow Marines and marked a significant victory against the insurgents in Iraq. The suicide bombers mission was thwarted by Butler's courageous and timely reaction. An estimated 21 insurgents were killed that day while 15 were reported wounded.

Lance Corporal Butler--You are a U.S. Marine and a hero, and across the country Americans are proud of your leadership. Thank you for serving when your nation called.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commemorate Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart, a central Pennsylvanian who received the military's highest decoration--the Medal of Honor-- posthumously for his service in Mogadishu, Somalia. He is from Newville, Pennsylvania, and served as a Sniper Team Member under United States Army Special Operations Command. He was deployed with Task Force Ranger to Mogadishu and his heroic actions were highlighted in the movie ``Black Hawk Down.'' This bill will name a Newville post office after this American hero whose selfless duty cost him his life but saved another.

During a combat mission, a helicopter was shot down leaving critically injured soldiers vulnerable. Sergeant First Class Shughart and his team leader, without hesitation, volunteered to be reinserted to protect the four critically wounded personnel, despite knowing a growing number of combatants were closing in on the site. They were not granted permission, but knowing their fellow soldiers needed help, they continued to make the request. On their third attempt, they received permission for this volunteer operation and headed back into combat.

Shughart and his team leader were inserted one hundred meters south of the crash site. Equipped with only a sniper rifle and a pistol, Shughart and his team leader fought their way through a dense urban neighborhood to reach the critically injured crew members. Shughart pulled the pilot and the other crew members from the aircraft and established a perimeter. However, they were in a very vulnerable position as the insurgents continued their assault on the site. Shughart used his long-range rifle and side arm to kill an undetermined number of attackers to protect the downed crew. Randall Shughart continued his fire until he depleted his ammunition and was fatally wounded, but his actions saved the pilot's life.

Shughart's extraordinary heroism, commitment to duty and devotion to his fellow soldiers is just one example of the amazing work of the U.S. military--naming a post office after this American hero is the least we can do. The men and women of our armed forces are fighting abroad today so we do not have to fight them here. It is only appropriate that we honor their services and sacrifices. And today, we are moving forward in naming a post office in Newville, Pennsylvania, after this defender of freedom who volunteered for a dangerous mission to save his fellow soldier's life. Not every town is privileged to have a Medal of Honor recipient--in fact it is rare. Now, the entire Newville community will have a reminder of Randall Shughart, a recipient of the military's highest honor and an American hero to everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bedford Gazette, a daily newspaper serving Bedford County, Pennsylvania. On September 21, 2005, the Bedford Gazette will celebrate its 200th anniversary. A solid institution in Bedford, I grew up with the Gazette in our family's home.

While there is no definitive list of the oldest newspapers in the United States that are still published under their original names, it is believed the Bedford Gazette is among the 30 oldest newspapers in the country. The motto of the paper: ``Published continuously since 1805. One of America's oldest newspapers'' stakes its historical claim. What began as a four page weekly containing mainly political reports and stories has grown to publish daily since 1950.

As with so much of my district, Bedford, Pennsylvania has had a front seat to American history. The Bedford Gazette was there as eyewitness, recording the first steps of a new nation, and there are documented reports of Gazette editors as players in that history. One editor wrote of playing billiards with John Brown when he stayed in Bedford (under an assumed name) on his way to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, to carry out his infamous raid. Another Gazette editor announced to the country that Pennsylvanian James Buchanan would not seek re-election to the U.S. Presidency. The proximity of the famous Bedford Springs Hotel allowed the Gazette access to centuries of America's movers and shakers. Presidents James Polk, Zachary Taylor, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James Garfield, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan all spent time at the Hotel and the Gazette was there to record it.

The Frear family of Bedford has a long history with the Gazette. In 1935 Hugo Frear became editor of the paper, and when he volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, his wife Virginia stepped in and ran the paper herself. His son Ned would become editor, serving for 30 years and eventually his grandson Chris would take the reins for another 10. All in all, three generations of the Frear family were owners, publishers, and editors for almost 60 years.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the historical milestone of the Bedford Gazette, a newspaper found on all kitchen tables across the county, including my own. The Bedford Gazette is more than just a daily newspaper. It is an established tie connecting Bedford's rich history and promising future.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3649) to ensure funding for sportfishing and boating safety programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund through the end of fiscal year 2005, and for other purposes.

Madam 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 H.R. 3649.

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

H.R. 3649, the Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Amendments Act of 2005 makes several amendments to current law to ensure that funding is made available for States' recreational boating programs for the remainder of fiscal year 2005.

The bill designates approximately $14 million in funding from the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund to support recreational boating safety programs for the current fiscal year. The bill also makes funding available for education, outreach and communications programs to promote safe and responsible boating and fishing practices nationwide.

Recreational boating and fishing are some of the Nation's most popular pastimes and in many areas are critical components of our local economies, and that includes my own district in Central Pennsylvania, which is home to Raystown Lake, which is a key element to the economy of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary have taken the lead Federal role in promoting boating safety in conjunction with State and local authorities. As a result, recreational boating fatalities have declined by more than half over the past 30 years.

The Federal and State recreational boating programs that are supported by the funding in this bill help educate the public on the proper use of boating, safety equipment and on the responsible use of our Nation's sportfishing resources.

Lastly, the bill also makes several technical and clarifying corrections to the Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2005. This Act created a simpler and more equitable formula for Federal sportfishing restoration and recreational boating safety funding.

I thank my colleagues for their support on this important legislation and for their work to improve access and safety on our Nation's waterways. I would like to thank the sponsor of the legislation, the Chairman of the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo), for his hard work on this legislation, and the House leadership for bringing this bill to the floor in an expedited manner.

I would also like to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Thomas) and the gentleman from California (Chairman Pombo) for clearing the provisions in their jurisdiction of their committees so quickly. I am sure that recreational fishermen and boaters in California appreciate their efforts.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I include for the Record an exchange of letters between the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from California (Chairman Thomas) regarding H.R. 3649.

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, September 6, 2005.

Hon. Don Young,

Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Young: I am writing concerning H.R. 3649, the

``Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Amendments Act

of 2005,'' which is scheduled for floor consideration under

suspension of the rules on Wednesday, September 7, 2005.

As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has

jurisdiction over the Internal Revenue Code. Title III of

this bill amends the Internal Revenue Code by making

technical and conforming corrections, and thus falls within

the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. However,

in order to expedite this legislation for floor

consideration, the Committee will forgo action on this bill.

This is being done with the understanding that it does not in

any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the

appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives

on this or similar legislation.

I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 3649, and would ask

that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be

included in the Congressional Record during floor

consideration.

Best regards,

Bill Thomas,

Chairman.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation, H.R. 3649, the Sportfishing and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2005.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 26) honoring and memorializing the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93.

Madam 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. Con. Res. 26.

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

On Sunday, we remembered one of the most tragic days in our Nation's history, a day in which we lost 3,000 of our relatives, neighbors, friends and countrymen. These people were lost because of the actions of 19 terrorists who sought to inflict pain on our country and bring us to our knees. They did not.

Four of these terrorist found out firsthand that America and Americans are not to be taken lightly and that we are people of action.

Though the story of Flight 93 is well known by all, it is a story that bears repeating.

On that fateful day, the 40 passengers and crew of a hijacked airplane, made aware through phone calls of the fate of the three other hijacked airplanes, took action to protect lives on the ground.

They acted in a way that I am confident the passengers and crew of the three other planes hijacked that day would surely have acted had they been aware of what was happening. The passengers and crew of Flight 93 acted in a way that should make us all proud. They knew the risks they were facing, yet acted anyway.

It is a significant feat what these 40 patriots did, equal to the shot heard around the world in Lexington and Concord or the Alamo in Texas. The very place that Flight 93 went down, I

believe, is providence, because it is in proximity to another major event in our history.

It is a reminder to all Americans that freedom is not easy, and the event of which I speak of is the Whiskey Rebellion, which occurred in 1794, just the first year of George Washington's second term, when there was a rebellion in Pennsylvania. George Washington rode to Pennsylvania, to a town just 10 miles south of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to put down that rebellion and establish or continue to establish our democracy.

It is important for us in America to remember that it was hard 210 years ago to establish democracy, and it is hard today. So we all need to remember that story of Berlin, Pennsylvania, the Whiskey Rebellion, just 10 miles south of Shanksville, where the first counterattack on the war on terrorism occurred in the skies over Somerset, Pennsylvania. And those passengers of Flight 93 are an example for all Americans to live up to today and into the future.

This resolution authorizes the permanent memorial here in the Capitol to the passengers and crew of Flight 93, whose actions certainly saved lives on 9/11. Many, including the 9/11 Commission, believe they may have saved this very building and many of us who work here.

It is my expectation that whatever memorial is established will complement, not compete with the memorial that will be constructed in Shanksville, where Flight 93 eventually crashed.

I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to bring this appropriate recognition of heroism and bravery to this hallowed building. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewomen from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite.)

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).

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

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join today to pass this legislation that will establish a permanent memorial here in the Capitol to honor those 40 American patriots who undoubtedly saved lives on 9/11 by sacrificing their own lives. As we vote today, let us remember the final words of Todd Beamer and that is: ``Let's roll.''

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

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Louisiana for yielding this time.

I join my colleagues today to convey to the people of the gulf coast a very simple message: you are not alone.

Time and again, this Nation has banded together to overcome terrible challenges it has faced, and we will do so again to overcome the challenge that is Hurricane Katrina. I, like most all of my colleagues, have been inundated with phone calls from constituents offering their support and assistance to those in need during this terrible time; and at present, we are working through the gentleman from Louisiana's (Mr. Boustany) office to get those resources from Pennsylvania down to Louisiana and the gulf coast.

The people of the gulf coast need to know also that we in Congress will do whatever it takes to help them overcome this difficult time; and more importantly, we will be there in the long run to help them recover.

Recovery from this disaster will require not just the pumping of flood water and rebuilding of homes and businesses, the reconstruction of utilities, water and sewer, roads, levees and countless other activities. Recovery will also require the restoration of civic, educational, and social institutions. We will be with you during this process as well.

We will spend whatever it takes, implement any changes that are needed, and maintain rigorous oversight to ensure the process works well.

As the chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over FEMA, I wanted to also urge my colleagues to show restraint in making judgments about the response until all of the facts can be gathered. All of the facts need to be gathered, not just what we hear as the sound bite on the TV today.

This disaster is quite simply the largest humanitarian challenge the Nation has faced on its own shores. The hurricane devastated hundreds of miles of shoreline, disrupted power, water, energy sources in all of the gulf States, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. There are just no parallels in size, scope, or impact to what has happened.

Now is the time for helping people get the food, water, and medical attention that they need. Now is the time to begin looking forward to how we will help the people of the gulf States recover and return to their homes and places of business. Now is not the time to point fingers or cast blame or, even worse, to call for the removal of key officials, especially since the response and relief effort is still ongoing.

There will be plenty of time in the coming weeks and months to evaluate what happened in the days leading up to and during the storm, to meet with responsible officials, to go over who did what and when, and, if necessary, to make policy and legislative changes. It is both unseemly and inappropriate to try and do so now, while we do not have all the facts.

I again want to express my sincere condolences to the families of those that have lost loved ones and pledge my support and the support of my constituents to do whatever is necessary to overcome this terrible challenge.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because America's immigration problem has grown to be even more alarming to me than it was just 2 weeks ago. Three men were killed in Altoona, Pennsylvania, by an illegal alien who should have been deported years ago.

Miguel Padilla, the alleged killer, has been living in central Pennsylvania for 15 years. He has a driver's license, a registered car. He graduated from a Pennsylvania high school and has been arrested twice for assault with a knife and illegal possession of a gun, all after entering the U.S. illegally.

Al Mignogna, a beloved local businessman; Fred Rickabaugh; and Stephen Heiss, a Marine veteran, were killed in cold blood by Padilla last week.

It is terrible enough when a murder occurs, but to have it happen by someone who should not have been here adds to the despair. This is an example of what happens far too often in our country. When police had Padilla in custody during these arrests, they contacted the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE did nothing and they have no answers to this day. Three murders could have been prevented. It is outrageous for Padilla to go unnoticed by ICE for so long, especially with prior arrests. It is hard enough to find illegal aliens, but when they are handed over to Federal authorities, action needs to be taken.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor President Judge Thomas G. Peoples, Jr., who after 25 years of distinguished service is retiring from his prestigious responsibility as president judge. President Judge Peoples has had a very prestigious career with many achievements and recognitions. Completing a bachelor of arts from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Dickinson School of Law, Judge Peoples was admitted to the Bar of Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1965. Since 1965, he has practiced before all appellate courts of Pennsylvania and before the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

President Judge Peoples had a private law practice from 1965 to 1980 and he was first district attorney in Blair County from 1974 to 1980. From 1980 to 2005, he was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County and during this same time he was the president of Blair County.

He has been involved in many public service and community activities including coincorporator and member of the original Advisory Board of Blair County Legal Services Corporation. He has been the President of the Board of Trustees for Mercy Hospital, Altoona, PA, and Bon Secours- Holy Family Hospital, Altoona.

Judge Peoples is an advocate for children and is presently a member of the Board and former president of Child Advocates of Blair County. He is also the co-founder and former Advisory Board member of the Blair County Domestic Abuse Project. He was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award--Penns Woods Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Saint George Award of Scouting.

He resides in Altoona, PA, with his wife Maureen McManus Peoples. They have three children, Thomas G. Peoples III, Amy M. Dudukovich, and Jennifer A. Yourkavitch.

Mr. Speaker, President Judge Thomas G. Peoples, Jr. has been very active in both professional and personal activities throughout Blair County, PA. President Judge Thomas G. Peoples, Jr. is a great citizen of Blair County and we are honored to recognize him for all of his work and accomplishments. I congratulate him and wish him the best in his retirement.