Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sergeant Major Edward Brown, Jr., who has distinguished himself with extraordinarily meritorious service during his 30-year career in the United States Army, leading up to a commendable tenure at Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. A long-standing track record of superior and dedicated leadership proves that Sergeant Major Brown is the kind of leader that other soldiers try to emulate and that the Army recognizes as the exemplary soldier.

Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Brown has been an exceptional, active, and inspiring leader. His positions of leadership include those of squad leader, platoon sergeant, battalion motor sergeant and maintenance non-commissioned officer in charge, multiple tours as company sergeant, and most recently Sergeant Major at Letterkenny Army Depot.

In the past 10 years Sergeant Brown has served in extraordinary places, such as Germany, Bosnia, Ft. Campbell, Ft. Huachuca, and Letterkenny, and has made significant contributions to each. In each location he held positions of leadership, with a responsibility for the welfare of soldiers, units, installations, and civilian members of the defense workforce.

Notable in Sergeant Major Brown's career is his tour of duty at Letterkenny Army Depot. He served 4 years there, and personally made tremendous and direct contributions and changes to the Depot. When Sergeant Major Brown arrived on July 1, 2001, the Depot was in a state of decline and malaise due to the fact that it had already undergone three rounds of the Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) process. Sergeant Major Brown was instrumental in the mission of turning the depot around, bringing renewed vigor and a sense of purpose into the workplace.

Sergeant Major Brown began his tenure at Letterkenny at a most inauspicious time, just prior to the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. He immediately increased the Force Protection posture required by the attacks on the United States. Because of the open terrain and layout that characterize the Depot, the task of securing the mission and personnel at Letterkenny was made even more difficult. However, Sergeant Major Brown worked tirelessly with the organic guard assets of the Depot and with newly assigned troops from the National Guard and Reserve to ensure that Letterkenny remained secure until all immediate danger had passed.

Sergeant Major Brown, working as part of the Command Team, inspired and moved the workforce forward through post-modernization and beautification programs, LEAN implementation, and proactive leadership. As a result of his guidance, Letterkenny improved so much that the Depot has been selected to grow in the next BRAC round, an accomplishment that may be traced directly to his personal efforts.

During Sergeant Major Brown's career he has participated in Operation Desert Storm and Shield, Operation Joint Endeavor, and the global war on terrorism. Sergeant Major Brown has also been recognized by his peers for exceptional service and dedication, and has been awarded the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharp Medal; he is also a member of the Audie Murphy Club. Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Major Edward Brown, Jr. has played a crucial role in the defense of the United States and in the service of other citizens. It is because of this that I wish to acknowledge him today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5, the HEALTH Act.

This country's health care system and its providers are currently faced with a crisis in regard to medical liability coverage. Skyrocketing malpractice insurance premiums have taken an enormous toll on the physicians and hospitals in my district in Western and Central Pennsylvania. I have encountered many situations all over the communities that make up the 9th district where doctors have moved to lower-liability states, have reduced the scope of their practices, or have chosen to retire in the face of this growing malpractice crisis. This must not be allowed to continue.

I strongly disagree with those that would say there is no problem. Currently, only 4 percent of physicians practicing in Pennsylvania are under the age of 35 and students graduating from our medical schools are choosing not to stay and practice in State. As our older doctors retire or limit their practices there is no one to continue their important work. This real and increasing threat to patients' access to quality care cannot be ignored. The medical liability system in this country is in desperate need of reform.

We must act now to reverse a dangerous litigious trend that is eliminating doctors faster than we can replace them. I urge my colleagues to support and vote in favor of H.R. 5.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to voice my strong support for the President's Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts. His personal qualifications are exemplary and are more than befitting for a Supreme Court Justice.

Judge Robert's educational record speaks for itself. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard in only 3 years and also received his law degree there with high honors. Additionally, he served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review.

I believe that Judge Roberts will be fair and non-partisan and serve America's highest court well. According to The National Journal, ``John Roberts seems a good bet to be the kind of judge we should all want to have--all of us, that is, who are looking less for congenial ideologues than for professionals committed to the impartial application of the law.''

Likewise, his personal integrity is unquestionable. For example, in 1995, Judge Roberts argued the case of Barry v. Little in which he represented a class of the neediest welfare recipients free of charge before the DC Court of Appeals.

Republicans and Democrats alike have also acknowledged Judge Roberts' outstanding character. Democratic lawyers Lloyd Cutler and Seth Waxman and former Republic White House Counsel C. Boyden Gray have cited his ``unquestioned integrity and fairmindedness.''

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Judge Roberts offers everything we could ask for in a Supreme Court nominee. I therefore urge the Senate to hold fair and speedy hearings in order to fill this vacancy as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Bill Guinn, Commander of Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Colonel Guinn, hailing from San Bernardino, California has served for an unprecedented 3 years as Commander of the base.

July 29th 2005, will complete his command duty, after which he will undoubtably enter into yet another endeavor that will highlight his talents as a true patriot and courageous defender of freedom. He has commanded the 123rd Main Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division in Bosnia, Croatia, and Germany, and has been honored with the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

During his tenure Colonel Guinn supported NATO missions in Bosnia of utmost importance for the Implementation Force and Stabilization Force. During his time in Bosnia, Colonel Guinn was given the task of supporting and protecting units and outposts spread across the terrain assigned to Task Force Eagle, of NATO. This would prove a perilous job, as much of the land was still active with mines.

With unwavering courage and spirit, Colonel Guinn deployed his troops on numerous occasions through dangerous territory in order to defend and support others, all in the name of protecting freedom and liberty. After 26 months of tough command duty, Colonel Guinn was chosen to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He spent the year furthering his already vast knowledge and expertise in military service.

This education would come in handy in June of 1999, when he assumed responsibility of coordinating the United States' support in the fledgling nation of East Timor. A daunting task, the region was strife with civil unrest and armed conflict due to its newly found independence. In addition to the civil aggregation, matters were made more complicated due to the fact that National Command Authority did not want the United States to lead the mission. However, due to Colonel Guinn's impeccable diplomatic ability and statesman attributes, he was able to plan and execute the first major deployment of contracted support to military forces. The mission was a success due to the Colonel's personal involvement from inception to conclusion, and helped to create a more stable region.

In July of 2002, Colonel Guinn took command of Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. At the time of his entrance, Letterkenny was at a point of its lowest workload and staffing levels in history, due to his expertise, skill and command, Letterkenny's workload, efficiency and output as more than doubled. His superior military ability, strong patriotism, and unyielding sense of duty give me great pride in calling him one of my constituents. The citizens of Chambersburg would join me in giving him my proud congratulations on his vast accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Small Business Health Fairness Act, H.R. 525. This legislation is a prescription to provide quality, affordable health care to the Americans who need it most: 45 million people from working families across the country.

By lowering costs and strengthening bargaining power, Association Health Plans, AHPs, would allow small businesses to band together through associations and purchase quality health care for workers and their families at a lower cost. Small businesses currently have little buying power and few affordable options--five or fewer insurers control at least three-quarters of the small group market in most States, according to a GAO report in 2002. By banding together through bona- fide trade associations, AHPs would level the playing field and give participating small employers the exact same advantages Fortune 500 companies and unions currently enjoy.

It is important to note that this legislation does not make AHPs a mandatory program for employers. AHPs are about choice and healthy, competitive options for those seeking quality coverage. Each business would have the option of remaining with their current insurance provider, if they have one, or joining up with a legitimate, certified, and regulated association that is able to pool risk and offer small businesses a seat at the table when it comes to really being serious about providing health care for American workers.

Contrary to opponent's claims, H.R. 525 provides safeguards against fraud and abuse with a strict, new certification process that must be adhered to before any association can offer health benefits to employers. Included are strong solvency protections that go beyond what is required of single employer and labor union plans under current law. The bill requires self-insured AHPs to maintain reserves that are sufficient for unearned contribution, benefit liabilities, expected administrative costs, and any other obligations. With the reserve levels required to be recommended by a certified actuary who is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, AHPs are designed to protect the employer from fraudulent abuse and those who would seek to take advantage of the system.

Under this bill, regulated by the Department of Labor and current ERISA and HIPPA laws, AHPs would be prohibited from excluding high-risk individuals from their plans and AHPs would also be barred from charging higher rates for sicker individuals or groups within the plan.

The lack of current competition in the health care market contributes to double-digit rate increases for many small businesses and a resulting rise in the number of small business employees who are uninsured. Too many small business owners and employers are forced to choose between offering health care benefits to their employees and hiring, expanding, or even maintaining their business. With the adoption of AHPs, the door of opportunity is opened to millions who do not currently have access to the kind of quality, affordable health care America's working families deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I would strongly encourage my colleagues in joining me and voting in favor of H.R. 525.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Somerset County which has received the honorary title of ``America's County.'' This title, given to the county, recognizes its people whose hard work and determination made Somerset County the extraordinary place it is today.

To many Americans, Somerset County is known as the site of the United Airlines Flight 93 crash during the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Despite these sorrowful events, the people of Somerset have been looking into the future with enduring hope and pride. It is their patriotic determination to achieve American greatness that we commemorate today. It is their heroic determination that made Somerset County the ``America's County,'' the source of inspiration and hope to millions of Americans.

The people of this great county are viewed as having traditional values and a strong vision of the future. Because of their hard work, Somerset County is taking pride in its schools and its emergency providers; it is taking pride in its agriculture, in its recreation, and in its industry. Somerset County is a great place to live, work, and visit, not only because it is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and breathtaking beauty, but most importantly because it is blessed with dedicated and courageous people.

For decades now the people of Somerset County have been working together to accomplish common goals for the future, while respecting the history and heritage of the past. Always welcoming to visitors, always loyal to their friends, these people make Somerset County a shining example of American greatness. Today their hard work and determination are deservedly recognized, and I rise to honor Somerset County, as it will always be known as a little piece of Heaven on Earth, as the ``America's County.''

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the renewal of the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005 and strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important tool in the war on terror. It is vital that we continue to provide the resources and necessary tools that allow for our law enforcement agents in all communities to search out terrorists wherever they may hide among us.

The continued success of the war on terrorism strongly depends upon our law enforcement and counter-terrorism officers being able to adapt and improve as our ever evolving enemies present new threats. Al Qaeda has shown that they will use various tactics to kill innocent civilians, we must be able to effectively prevent each attack regardless of what form it is to come in. In order to do that, we must have numerous tools to track suspects and gather detailed information about possible attacks. Additionally, we must be able to effectively use this information to bring would-be attackers to justice before they have a chance to strike.

We must also remain diligent in dismantling the terrorist financial network. To date, many of the provisions of the PATRIOT Act have allowed our law enforcement agencies to designate 40 terrorist organizations, freeze $136 million in assets around the world, and charge more than 100 individuals in judicial districts throughout the country with terrorist financing-related crimes. Taking away their resources is an important method of decapitating and slowing the growth of many of these terror networks.

To date, the PATRIOT Act has been an extremely effective weapon in the war on terror. We cannot allow the terrorists to find any safe havens in this nation. This will continue to be a long and hard fight to protect and defend our homeland against this ruthless and fanatical enemy, but with the necessary tools to root them out wherever they may hide, I am certain we will continue to be victorious. I would again strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting the USA PATRIOT Act and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2864, the Water Resources Development Act of 2005. I want to begin by applauding Chairman Duncan for his continued effort to move this critical legislation forward. As a Member of the Water Resource Subcommittee, I have had the opportunity to see first hand his dedication to improving our Nation's infrastructure.

I also want to express my thanks to Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, as well as our Leadership on the Committee, Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar. They have always led our Committee in a bipartisan manner which places our Nation's interest ahead of politics.

Mr. Chairman, wastewater infrastructure is not the flashiest of issues, but it is absolutely fundamental to improving quality of life, protecting the environment and enhancing economic development. My staff frequently gives me a hard time as I like to point out that if you cannot turn on the spicket and get clean and flush toilets you do not have basic sewer infrastructure in place, you simply cannot have economic development. It may not be the prettiest of analogies, but I find it is one that rings very true. And Mr. Chairman, that is why the bill we have before is so important.

To emphasize this point, I would point to a project that took place in my home district in Pennsylvania. When I was first elected to this body, community officials came to me seeking funding for a small infrastructure project. A local creek, which flows into the Juniata River and eventually into the Susquehanna, was being filled with sewage from nearby houses because of lack of proper sewer lines. The health concerns, as well as the harm to the environment terribly hampered the quality of life for the local residents and prevented business from settling there.

For the last four years, I have worked with officials to equip the community with a proper sewer system. I am happy to report that now roughly over 200 homes located in Broadtop Township are now properly hooked up to sewer lines. That may not seem like a big deal to some, but to my rural Pennsylvania district it means a great deal. And it would not be possible if it were not for the bill before us today.

In short Mr. Chairman, the quality of life of the citizens of Pennsylvania and indeed throughout this Nation has been improved by the critical projects that are funded under this bill. Again, my congratulations to Chairman Duncan and the staff which has worked so diligently on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Matthew Truesdale, from Altoona, Pennsylvania, as one of 20 national winners in a new award program called The Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award. The award is sponsored by a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization, The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association (AHFA) of Seattle, Washington. Fourteen States were represented and amongst the 20 winners, Pennsylvania had three, all whom happened to be from Altoona Area High School. Over 200 candidates were considered for the award and it is a remarkable achievement for these three students and the Altoona Area school district.

The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association is a non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington. The AHFA's goal is to preserve Alexander Hamilton's legacy by recognizing and honoring young people who share Hamilton's strong sense of integrity, achievement, pragmatism, and service. For a student to win the award the student needs to exhibit a high degree of personal integrity and receive an outstanding rating in two of the five areas, which are: Community service, school-related extracurricular activity, entrepreneurial skill, scholastic record, and personal achievement. George Cox, president of AHFA said, ``The key question we asked ourselves was this: If a young Alexander Hamilton were placed in a situation like this student, would he have responded in a similar manner? In the case of our winners, we think the answer is yes.''

Mr. Matthew Truesdale is a sophomore at Altoona High School. Be started and completed a project to help the Blair County Wildlife Refuge of Blair County, Pennsylvania. This organization needed primate cages. Truesdale made and sold 38 food trays embellished with the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance, solicited other donations, negotiated material discounts, and organized and supervised a constructor crew. Over $1,150 was raised, and today the Refuge has four new large primate cages. Truesdale is an eagle scout and mentors at scouting activities in his region.

Mr. Speaker, we would like to congratulate Mr. Matthew Truesdale on his outstanding achievements in community service and we are proud to have him as one of our constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Miss Martha Harris, from Altoona, Pennsylvania, as one of twenty national winners in a new award program called The Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award. The award is sponsored by a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization, The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association, AHFA, of Seattle, Washington. Fourteen states were represented and amongst the twenty winners, Pennsylvania had three, all of whom happened to be from Altoona Area High School. Over 200 candidates were considered for the award and it is a remarkable achievement for these three students and the Altoona Area school district.

The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association is a non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington. The AHFA's goal is to preserve Alexander Hamilton's legacy by recognizing and honoring young people who share Hamilton's strong sense of integrity, achievement, pragmatism, and service. For a student to win the award the student needs to exhibit a high degree of personal integrity and receive an outstanding rating in two of the five areas, which are: community service, school-related extracurricular activity, entrepreneurial skill, scholastic record, and personal achievement. George Cox, president of AHFA said, ``The key question we asked ourselves, was this: If a young Alexander Hamilton were placed in a situation like this student, would be have responded in a similar manner? In the case of our winners, we think the answer is yes.''

Miss Martha Harris is a junior at Altoona High school. She is a editor and serves on the staff of the school newspaper, yearbook, a literary magazine. As a copy editor of the yearbook, she supervises more than 25 students. Harris who is totally blind, frequently speaks to parents of blind children and the sighted public concerning the need for Braille texts and blindness awareness. She is active in Young Life and helps read scriptures for services at her church.

Mr. Speaker, we would like to congratulate Miss Martha Harris on her outstanding achievements in community service and we are proud to have her as one of our constituents.

Mr. Chairman, it is with great regret that I rise in opposition to this amendment offered by my good friend from Ohio.

I would like to remind my friend who is the immediate past chairman of the Subcommittee on Public Buildings, which has jurisdiction over the Federal buildings fund, of the negative impact this amendment would have.

By cutting $750 million from public building projects, this amendment would endanger Federal workers nationwide by delaying and canceling fire and life saving projects, accessibility projects for disabled, perimeter and building security projects that protect against terrorist attacks, as well as preventing GSA from providing safe, secure, and functioning work space for Federal workers nationwide.

While I support his desire to increase funding for a reformed Amtrak, this is not the way to go about it. The gentleman's amendment cuts $570 million from the repair and alterations account. This means a cut in funding for the repair of the Old Executive Office Building, which is immediately adjacent to the White House. These repairs are desperately needed because nearly a third of the building has been closed since September 11 due to security concerns.

Of even greater consequence would be the $435 million cut from the general repairs and alterations account. This account provides funding for projects nationwide including buildings in nearly every State.

The amendment also cuts $150 million from the building operations account which, in addition to paying for cleaning service, pays the salaries of the men and women who keep our Federal buildings running.

My colleagues from New Jersey and New York are going to have to go home and answer to the senior citizens and the veterans that go to a Federal building to get their problems solved on why the air conditioning is not working, on why the ramps and the different projects to upgrade and make easier access are not in place. They are going to have to answer to the Federal law enforcement officials, the FBI, and our court systems on why we are not able to do the necessary security upgrades that are required and necessary to keep these buildings safe.

So while I applaud the gentleman for his dedication to ensuring continued operation of Amtrak, I must oppose this amendment which comes at the expense of Federal workers and their ability to provide services for our constituents all across this country.

I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the LaTourette amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I also rise in opposition to the gentleman from Indiana's amendment.

I applaud his work on drug control issues, but if this amendment is enacted, once again, it will cause serious problems for Federal workers nationwide and what we are able to do in the Federal buildings.

All day long, the GSA has come under attack. It is up to almost $1 billion we are trying to cut out of the GSA's budget, and I just want to remind my colleagues that when they go home and there are seniors and veterans and law enforcement workers and constituents that are going to these Federal buildings, when the air conditioning is not working, when different parts of the building are not up to standards, they are going to have to answer that question: Why is the air conditioning not working, or why are the ramps for access for the disabled folks not up to the standards?

It is because tonight there has been an onslaught of cutting money from the GSA. So I strongly oppose this amendment and would urge my colleagues to once again look at what they are doing to the Federal buildings and the ability to provide services to our constituents.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

This evening I intended to offer a bipartisan amendment with the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that would have reduced by $2 million the amount of money available to the administrator of the General Services and transferred that money elsewhere.

People are wondering why am I standing up now and wanting to cut GSA funding. It is because my amendment is going to hold GSA's feet to the fire and be responsive to the Congress because, over the past several years, the GSA has not delivered documents, information to Congress that is needed to authorize new projects on a timely basis.

Despite the fact these projects are included in the President's budget submission in February, there is actually no reason why GSA should take until May and sometimes even longer to forward detailed project information to Congress.

From fiscal year 1996 until 2001, 5 out of 6 years, GSA submitted a complete program before March 31. Since that time, the trend has been just the opposite; 4 out of 5 years, the program has not been submitted until after March 31. This year, it was the latest it had ever been. In fact, we did not receive a complete program until June.

In doing so, the GSA makes it difficult for the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, which I chair and the gentlewoman from the

District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) serves as the ranking member, to do our jobs and authorize before the Committee on Appropriations is able to act.

While there is no deadline in law for the submission of this information, practically speaking we have to get them by the end of March if we are to authorize these projects so that the Committee on Appropriations can do its work.

When they became aware of our amendment, I received a call from the administrator, Steve Perry, who has assured me GSA would do better in the future. And in fact has committed to me he would have that information to Congress by February for the fiscal year 2007 capital investment program, a deadline I plan to hold GSA to without exception.

I look forward to continuing working with the GSA and the subcommittee, as we have in the past, making sure we receive this information in a timely manner so that Congress may carry out its authorizing and appropriation functions as required by law.

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time I have left.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time, and I want to thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia for her support and also encourage the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, when we go to conference, to restore the almost $1 billion we have taken out of the GSA fund, because it is vital to the government buildings and to the services that those Federal employees provide to our constituents.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Miss Alyssa Wilson, from Altoona Pennsylvania, as one of twenty national winners in a new award program called The Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award. The award is sponsored by a new 501 (c)3 non profit organization, The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association (AHFA) of Seattle, Washington. Fourteen States were represented and amongst the twenty winners, Pennsylvania had three, all whom happened to be from Altoona Area High School. Over 200 candidates were considered for the award and it is a remarkable achievement for these three students and the Altoona Area school district.

The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association is a non profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington. The AHFA's goal is to preserve Alexander Hamilton's legacy by recognizing and honoring young people who share Hamilton's strong sense of integrity, achievement, pragmatism, and service. For a student to win the award the student needs to exhibit a high degree of personal integrity and receive an outstanding rating in two of the five areas, which are: community service, school-related extracurricular activity, entrepreneurial skill, scholastic record, and personal achievement. George Cox, president of AHFA said, ``The key question we asked ourselves, was this: If a young Alexander Hamilton were placed in a situation like this student, would he have responded in a similar manner? In the case of our winners, we think the answer is yes.''

Miss Alyssa Wilson is a junior at Altoona High School and has organized several charitable events including the MS Walk, and the Heart Disease Walk. She is involved in the student council and through it she has helped organize student functions such as the spring musical dance and is involved in peer mediation. She participates in marching band, concert band, and jazz band. She is also a member of the school drama team and is active at her church where she teaches at Vacation Bible School.

Mr. Speaker, we would like to congratulate Miss Alyssa Wilson on her outstanding achievements in community service and we are proud to have her as one of our constituents.

Offered By: Mr. Shuster

Amendment No. 13: Page 164, line 12, insert after the first

dollar amount ``(increased by $2,000,000)''.

Page 166, line 9, insert after the dollar amount

``(increased by $2,000,000)''.

Page 167, line 12, insert after the dollar amount

``(increased by $2,000,000)''.

Page 171, line 4, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced

by $2,000,000)''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Donald Ruggery, Sr., owner of Ruggieri Enterprises LLC of Altoona, who has been honored as the 2005 Small Business Person of the Year by the St. Francis University Small Business Development Center. The Center recognizes businesses that have participated in the University's small business outreach program whose primary goal is to educate new business owners on how to create a successful business plan as well as assist in locating proper financing for their fledgling businesses.

After serving for more than 30 years as the Regional Director for the State Job Services and Unemployment Compensation Office in Altoona, Donald Ruggery, Sr. retired from his duties to assume a responsibility as equally as altruistic. In January 1992, he founded a Spherion staffing services franchise which today has grown into a full-service staffing and human resource consulting company providing permanent and temporary employment to thousands in the area. The success of the Spherion franchise in Altoona has spawned 11 other Spherion locations throughout central and western Pennsylvania.

Today, Ruggieri Enterprises, LLC doing business as Spherion under Donald's helm, is one of the top franchisees of a publicly-traded, three billion dollar staffing and human capital consulting company.

Donald selflessly refuses to take the full credit for such achievements and insists that others beside him were responsible for accomplishing their success in finding jobs for out-of-work Pennsylvanians. Despite Donald's refusal to take full recognition, through his careful guidance and leadership, Spherion has developed from a small start-up with one Altoona office at its inception to a multiple location firm with over $34 million in revenue in 2004 alone.

The thousands of Pennsylvanians who now have jobs due to his continued hard work would certainly join me in thanking Donald for his contributions to the community and the economy, as well as serving as an inspiration for the spirit of chivalrous virtue.