Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it has become apparent that the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Package passed by Congress earlier this year has helped fuel the recent surge in the economy. The American economy grew at a rapid pace of 7.2 percent during the third quarter of this year, the best since 1984.

The seeds of economic growth are beginning to take hold. Our economy is rebounding. We have created strong economic policy built on a foundation of tax relief. The jobs and growth package that Congress passed has been responsible for putting taxpayers' hard earned dollars back in their own pockets.

This week we further our focus on jobs by passing an important comprehensive energy package and we will have an opportunity to strengthen our health care system by passing an important Medicare prescription drug bill

later today. These building blocks will continue to provide substantial stimulus over the coming months.

Most importantly, we must remember that America's strength comes from its workers, its small business owners, and its families dedicated to a better way of life. As a Congress, we must continue to assist our working men and women by removing the obstacles so they can capture the American dream.

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

Madam Speaker, this legislation deals with an issue which I have considered a priority for some time, our water resources and the ability of the Federal Government to provide our communities with effective solutions to their problems.

Our economy depends on our Nation's water resources. In fact, the United States economy base has grown both geographically and economically through its efficient and effective water system. We must realize that water is a precious resource, and we take steps to ensure its proper use.

This legislation establishes a 21st Century Water Commission to study and develop recommendations for a comprehensive water strategy to address future waters needs. This commission would assess our current and future water supply needs and consider

all available technologies for increasing water supply efficiently while safeguarding the environment. Additionally, this commission will suggest financing options and strategies to preserve existing water supplies.

Most importantly, the commission will pursue strategies that avoid increasing mandates on State and local governments. We understand that unfunded mandates take away from local decisionmaking. When the first withdrawal from a municipality's finances must go for an unfunded mandate, that community then has less discretion in paying for vital services and programs expected by its citizens. It is critical to the health of our local communities not to burden them with these types of mandates.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Chairman Duncan) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), and the entire Committee on Resources for all their hard work.

I support H.R. 135 wholeheartedly and ask that my colleagues do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Andrew Belser of Juniata College on receiving the prestigious Pennsylvania Professor of the Year award and to thank him for the dedication and guidance with which he has provided his students.

Since 1981, the United States Professors of the Year program has rewarded outstanding professors for their invaluable work. It is the only national program to recognize college and university professors for their teaching skills, and thus, this award is a testament to Dr. Belser's commitment to his students and the dedication to teaching upon which he prides himself.

Since 1997, Dr. Belser has inspired and directed Juniata College students to study and perform to the best of their abilities. He teaches the importance of maintaining tremendous discipline, technique and skill while making theater, which is a valuable lesson that will influence and guide these students in every endeavor. An experience in the arts, such as the

one that Dr. Belser provides, contributes greatly to one's personal growth as well as the growth of the community.

Dr. Belser commands a very influential and central role in the construction of the Regional Performing Arts Center, the new theater complex at Juniata College. He has used his expertise not only to teach and enliven his students, but to entertain and educate the surrounding community as well. Dr. Belser's dedication and loyalty to the arts is uncommon in the technologically focused world we live in today, but without such invigorating mentors people would lose the rich culture that influences every action and inspires every thought.

I congratulate Dr. Andrew Belser on this great honor and hope that he continues to spread his wisdom and passion for many years to come.

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

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

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of the conference report for the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act. Tomorrow, this body is poised to pass historic legislation that will provide millions of seniors access to a responsible and affordable prescription drug benefit. Almost 40 years ago, a promise was made to seniors, a promise that they could depend on Medicare for affordable, reliable, and quality health care.

With passage of this conference report, we will achieve numerous goals that will strengthen the current Medicare program and will protect the most vulnerable seniors. Low-income seniors and those with extremely high prescription drug costs are given specific consideration.

While at the same time bringing much-needed fiscal relief in the overall cost of prescription drugs to all seniors, by adding a voluntary prescription drug benefit and modernizing the program to give seniors more choice in their overall health plans, Congress has an opportunity to improve the quality of health care being provided in the Medicare program for millions of seniors.

As a Member that represents a rural district, I am also very pleased with many of the rural provider provisions contained in this report. Under this legislation, unequal payments for equal work will no longer be status quo for rural America's health care providers.

Hospitals are important to rural communities for three reasons. First and foremost, they provide health care services for the residents. Second, hospitals are an economic engine in rural communities, and in my district they are the first or second largest employer, providing good-paying jobs. Third, hospitals are an economic development tool. Without adequate access to health care, it is difficult for a community to retain and attract businesses. A strong health care system is vital to the strength and stability of any community.

I am also pleased that this conference report also contains a provision to establish health savings accounts. This will help not only seniors but all Americans to better afford their health care. Health savings accounts will allow individuals to save, grow and spend their hard-earned dollars tax free for necessary out-of-pocket medical expenses. These accounts will go a long way in helping to make health care more affordable for families and individuals of all ages.

Mr. Speaker, when I first ran for office 3 years ago, I committed myself to working toward adding a prescription drug benefit in Medicare. I am pleased to support this conference report which I believe will move Medicare into the 21st century, and I urge all my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Altoona Symphony Orchestra on its 75th Anniversary and to thank the organization for the high-quality music with which it has provided its community.

The Gearhart String Ensemble was founded in the early years of the twentieth century upon the tradition of the early railroad bands and orchestras that were abundant throughout central Pennsylvania at that time. In 1928, the then strictly volunteer orchestra compiled of 24 musicians made its debut under the direction of Russell Gearhart. Since then, it has grown to employ more than 75 musicians and was renamed the Altoona Symphony Orchestra.

Although 75 years have passed, the orchestra maintains its youthful fervor with its diverse repertoire and inspiring attitude. The constantly changing roster of nationally and internationally renowned guest artists renders a different sound for every concert, keeping the audience attentive and entertained. With this vast array of musical talent, the symphony orchestra provides an invaluable cultural experience to the communities of Central Pennsylvania through its mastery of classical music pieces.

The orchestra continues to produce music that rivals the masterful and highly acclaimed sound of the Boston Pops, and is recognized as one of the outstanding Pennsylvania symphony orchestras. As a result of the dedicated, hard work of its Board of Trustees, the orchestra has progressed immensely, and it will undoubtedly continue to do so under its guidance and leadership. I congratulate the Altoona Symphony Orchestra on a wonderful 75 years and look forward to its sounds of tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Huntingdon Lady Bearcats on their PIAA, Class AA volleyball State championship.

The Bearcats overcame the odds against them and handily defeated their competition in the tournament. United behind their strong coach, Priscilla Gibboney, the high school girls got everyone involved in each match, allowing the underestimated team to hand out losses to taller, more experienced opponents.

The Huntingdon Lady Bearcats have claimed two team State championship titles in the school's history, which is a great testimony to the unique character of this team. They fought through obstacles and kept their composure, and their unwillingness to quit led to their perseverance. I congratulate the Huntingdon Lady Bearcats on their State championship and I look forward to hearing of their continued success in next year's season.

Led by head coach Priscilla Gibboney and assistant coach David Kemp, the 13 members of this championship team include Seniors Tara McMinn (Captain), Megan Goss, Laura Madden, Meredith Orr, Katie Criswell, Jordan Rackley, and Sara Kylor; Juniors Hadley Hammers, Bethany Kozak, and Jenna Sheffield; Sophomores Olivia Hallahan and Emily Kemp; and Freshman Greta Gibboney. Congratulations one and all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Mountain Lodge No. 281, F.&A.M. and the Juniata Lodge No. 282, F.&A.M. on their 150th Anniversary and to thank them for their service and dedication to their community.

From its home town of Edinburgh, England, the Honorable Fraternity of Freemasonry came to Pennsylvania in 1730 on a mission to spread the Masonic vision of a ``Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God.'' Out of this need for brotherhood, the Mountain Lodge and Juniata Lodge were founded on December 8, 1853. Since that date these two lodges have consistently exhibited the qualities to which they are committed, sharing with their community a moral code based upon honesty, strength of character, and the highest standard of ethics.

The Freemasons lead their communities by the example that they set in their own lives as they work to uphold the very pillars of the American society. Each Freemason is taught to be true, the crucial attribute that provides the basis for all virtues of man, and to maintain a devotion to spirituality and intellectual growth. Additionally, they bear a strong commitment to artistic and cultural excellence. While cultivating all of the above characteristics, a freemason's family values remain strong and devoted. These organizations have not only enriched the lives of their members, but of those in the surrounding communities who have undoubtedly benefitted from the charity, education and service that they have repeatedly provided.

This nation was built by a group of men, bound by brotherhood under the direction of God, who believed in the natural rights of freedom and democracy. The members of these Masonic lodges have worked daily for 150 years to preserve that ``Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God,'' and the standard of excellence upon which it was founded. The growing and active memberships of these organizations are a symbol of the community's devotion to success and the promise that is to come. As a proud member of the Juniata Lodge, I congratulate these two Masonic lodges on their 150th Anniversary and thank them for all their hard work and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Energy Policy Act of 2003. In recent years, U.S. policy, or lack of it, has encouraged consumption and discouraged production. In response, Congress and the President have developed a national energy policy to promote dependable, affordable and environmentally sound production and distribution of energy for the future.

Most importantly, this bill will prevent the loss of jobs due to high energy prices and help create new ones. I am pleased with the provisions in this bill that affect rural America. Rural America has assisted the United States in its times of crisis and also in times of innovation. Our rural electric co-ops have been a huge part of that innovation.

I am pleased that this bill protects our rural cooperatives from unnecessary Federal costs and obligations and recognizes the unique role they play in our Nation's electric system.

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased that there are significant provisions to promote the use of coal.

Both Houses of Congress have worked tirelessly toward a comprehensive national energy policy that promotes conservation, reduces our growing dependence on foreign oil, and improves our economy. It is time we passed this legislation for the good of this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer congratulations to the National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary. For the last 100 years this Association and its many members have contributed to our Nation's economy and have greatly improved the quality of life of all Americans.

To put into perspective the vital role these elements play in each of our lives I would like to share some statistics with you. If we place usage on our population; incredibly each year, every man, woman and child would use about 10 tons of sand, stone and gravel. Many of us probably fail to realize that it takes 400 tons of crushed stone, sand and gravel to build the average home and 38,000 tons for each mile of interstate highway. Without these important elements our Nation would be without roads, streets, sidewalks and runways. Additionally, we often forget that pulverized minerals from rock touch our everyday lives in products such as plastics, paint, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, glass and chewing gum.

The aggregate industry also has tremendous impact upon our Nation's economy. The industry directly employs more than 120,000 individuals. For every million dollars that this industry outputs 19.5 jobs are created. In 2001 the aggregate industry contributed just over 14.5 billion in direct output to our economy. If we were to take into consideration the indirect benefits combined with direct output, this industry contributes $37.6 billion to the GDP and supports over 284,000 jobs. That is an awfully impressive record.

Mr. Speaker, as you can see, the aggregate industry's impact upon each of our daily lives and our economy is immense. I wholeheartedly congratulate the National Sand, Stone and Gravel association and its members on a most impressive 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in great anticipation of a historic action we will be taking tomorrow in this House. Tomorrow we will vote on a conference report that will ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abortion. With the passage of this conference report, we will finally eradicate a brutal practice that is inflicted upon the most innocent of our society, the unborn.

I am not going to outline the gory details of this practice, because others have done that; but I will say that medical experts have repeatedly testified that fetuses are fully able to feel pain after 20 weeks of development, the time at which most partial-birth abortions take place. Thus, these babies are fully able to feel the terrible pain that is being inflicted upon them.

Opponents of this bill argue that it is unconstitutional because it does not provide an exemption for when the health of the mother is at risk. I would point out that health experts have testified time and time again that a partial-birth abortion is never needed to save the life of a mother. In fact, the American Medical Association has stated that this procedure often poses a serious health risk to the mother.

Mr. Speaker, life is the most precious gift and opportunity we are given as human beings. Robbing children of that opportunity is wrong, wrong, wrong. Three times the House of Representatives has passed a ban on partial-birth abortions. President Clinton vetoed it twice, and last year the leadership in

the other body refused to take up the bill. We finally are presented with an opportunity to take a giant step forward in banning this gruesome practice. President Bush has said he would sign a ban on partial-birth abortion, and I encourage all Members to vote for the conference report tomorrow, and finally we will put an end to a violent attack on our most innocent citizens.

Almost 3 years ago when I started to run for office, I told the people of the 9th Congressional District of Pennsylvania that it would be a great day in America when we passed a bill banning partial-birth abortion. Tomorrow it will be a great day in America.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy) for putting this Special Order together, and God bless America.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and for putting this Special Order together.

Tonight we need to shine light on the facts, on the truth of what is really happening in Iraq today. It is not the real story. It is not the whole story. We are getting bits and pieces, and we know that it is still a dangerous place, and they are killing American soldiers, and that is something that we ought to be concerned about.

But, as we have talked about here tonight, there are positive things happening in Iraq. There are things moving forward. The Iraqi people are grateful that we have come to Iraq to liberate them.

As May 1 came about and we ended major combat operations over there, I, as most Americans did, would listen to the nightly news and hear stories of death and chaos and mismanagement. And then every week we would come to Washington and get a briefing, and the story was different. So I decided in May that I had to go over there and see for myself what was occurring in Iraq and see with my own eyes because I was hearing the administration tell us what they said was happening, and then of course the national media would tell a different story.

The good news is, as we have heard here tonight, when we traveled to Iraq, we did see positive things, and I was struck with three things.

First, I wanted to go over and see what the situation with our troops was. I heard morale was low, the troops were unhappy. Much to my surprise when we arrived and had the lunches and dinners that the gentleman spoke about, which were a highlight of the trip and we were able to gain much information from them, I found out that the morale was good, it was high. When we think about the dangerous situation they were in, 130 degrees plus, living in tents, sand, dealing with all those elements, these young men and women had high morale. These young warriors talked about how they were proud to be over there liberating the Iraqi people and protecting America and our freedoms and freedom for people around the world.

One of the things that I did when I came back, I was asked by several soldiers to call their families, and I did that. I can tell Members, as impressed as I was with the soldiers I met, it was inspirational to hear the parents and the wives when I called them, to hear them talk about how proud they were and how much support they were giving their son, daughter, husband or wife. It was really inspirational to me. They said not only were they supportive and proud of what they were doing, we were doing the right thing in Iraq.

I think it is imperative for the American people to hear the whole story so we have that support for our troops, we have that support for the effort we are undertaking over there, and that our Commander in Chief has that support. Because, without that support, we will not succeed. We have to have the American people strongly behind this effort, and that is the only way we will see success, if the American people support this effort.

The second thing that I saw while I was over there, and, as I mentioned, the national media would feed us a steady diet of death and destruction in Iraq and that picture was not the case as we talked here tonight about the many, many things that we saw in Iraq. For instance, the hospitals, they were not hospitals like we see here in America, but they were functioning hospitals. And many if not most of the major hospitals in Iraq are up and running today. The schools and universities are operating. Secondary schools are ready to take the kids on in the fall so they can begin that process, to continue to educate the young people of Iraq.

We talked about the security, the 56,000 trained Iraqis that are out there and walking the streets of Baghdad and Mosul protecting the borders. That was something to behold. We traveled to the headquarters and the training for the Iraqi police force; and we met Ali Kazon, who is now the head of the Iraqi police force. He told us the story how in 1979 he was head of the police academy, and when Saddam Hussein took over, he spoke out against Saddam, and he was imprisoned and almost on a daily basis for a year he was tortured. And now 20 some years later, he is back and ready to take up his role to build a stable and democratic Iraq.

We were told the story just 4 weeks before we arrived in Iraq there was an assassination attempt on a gentleman's life. He was shot in the leg. He was bandaged up, and 2 days later he was back on the streets going after the guys who tried to assassinate him.

And just 2 weeks after we left Iraq, there was a bombing at police headquarters, and it was another attempt on Ali Kazon's life. We were told that this man is somebody that the Baathists, the terrorists, want to eliminate because he will be a force for good in a free and stable Iraq.

He told us what he told his soldiers or his police as he recruited them. He talked about we do not know the Americans, they do not know us, but they came here and died to free us, so every day when we take to the streets of Iraq we need to honor the Americans for what they have done for us, giving us our freedom.

Madam Speaker, it truly was inspirational to meet someone at the founding of a nation. As we talked about, most of the major cities and most towns and villages had elected municipal councils, and this occurred just 2 weeks after major combat had ended in Iraq. Today, as I said, every major city and most towns and villages are directing local matters themselves. Iraqis are doing that work.

The third thing that we saw and something that surprised me, although I do not know that I should have been surprised, as someone who has studied history all my life, but we focus on Iraq, and it is all about the oil and they certainly have tremendous oil reserves, and that is going to provide the Iraqi people the wealth to rebuild their country and have a stable Iraq in the future. But, as the gentleman from Indiana talked about, the agriculture was surprising. I thought Iraq was a desert, but it is not. It is brown, and I think a lot of that is because of the heat, but they have vast wheat fields. Also, the water resources that Iraq has, not only do they have the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers, but they have miles of canals. They are able to irrigate much of the Iraqi countryside.

In the south, with a pick and shovel, they can dig down 10-12 feet and hit water because the water table is very shallow. In the north, as we flew over vast wheat fields, they were literally digging water wells horizontally, going in at an angle down 20-40 feet before they would hit water. So Iraq has oil and the ability to feed itself and the Middle East, and they have tremendous water resources that any successful nation needs to feed its people and take care of its people.

Finally, the Iraqi people themselves are a robust people; and proof of that is they have spent 30 years living under a Stalinist tyranny, living under terrible circumstances, but they have survived. Almost half the population is literate, so with the resources they have, with the personality of the people, what we are doing for them over there, giving them the opportunity to live free and to create a democracy, we are giving them hope. That is what any nation needs. Giving the people hope is going to take them off that path of strapping on a bomb to themselves and killing themselves.

We need to make sure that we are putting enough money into this situation. We talked about the $87 billion. It is a lot of money when we look at it as $87 billion, but when we look at the

losses that America suffered after 9/11 and the losses we could face in the future if we are not able to help build a stable and democratic Iraq, this is something we must do. We cannot fail in this endeavor. We need to move forward swiftly to make sure that the Iraqi people can build that stable, democratic country.

Absolutely. That was one of the best stories that I have taken away from Iraq. Not only did we see firsthand the commitment and the bravery, the courage of our young men and women, but the decency of the American soldier. The story we were told was that when they found the mass grave site, the Iraqi people as they do to celebrate or in anger when they come together is they shoot their weapons off into the air. It is very dangerous because when you shoot a bullet up, it has to come down, and when you have several hundred people doing that, there were people being killed. The Marines told these folks that were going up to the mass grave site that they could not celebrate in that way. They were not allowed to shoot guns off into the air, so it was a very heated exchange. The Iraqis were angry because they could not do what they typically do.

So they went to the mass grave site, they collected the remains of many of their family members, and as they came back into the village, they came face to face with a patrol of Marines. It was a tense moment. Without somebody from high up, some bureaucrat in Washington or some general in the Pentagon or some general in the field, a young sergeant decided the best thing to do was to order his men to stand aside, take their helmets off and bow their heads to pay respect to the families, to the people that had perished and to honor them as they passed.

I truly look at that, when I think about the American soldier and we think of, as I said earlier, how courageous they are, truly, how compassionate they are. That is a demonstration of that. It is really a touching story. It makes me very, very proud to be an American, to know that we not only train fierce warriors, but compassionate soldiers, compassionate people.

I think it was General Sanchez that said to us that the way for us to succeed, to win this, to finally win this, is not going to be militarily, it is going to be through the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, helping them to rebuild a country and giving them back their country.

As you mentioned earlier, the thing we do not hear about in the media, they say that there is no plan. As you mentioned and showed, one of the plans as I recall, we met with General Sanchez who is the head of operations in the Iraqi theater. Then we met with four of the five division generals, commanders in Iraq. Every time we sat down for a briefing with any one of them, they gave us a similar plan.

Even General Dempsey, who controls Baghdad, that is his area of control, he talked about when we were there at the end of August, they were already starting to make plans and starting to move toward taking our control, our base out of the center of Baghdad and moving it to the four corners of Baghdad. That was a month ago. I have not heard about that. I have not heard about it in the national media. I have heard about it in our briefings, that General Dempsey is starting to make those moves, so that we are looking into Baghdad, not looking out. They believe that that is going to be a better way for us to help the Iraqi people, so we are not sitting in the middle and the Iraqi people then can take control of the security of Baghdad.

So there is a plan. We know that, and we have seen that. That is why it is so important tonight for us here and to go back to our districts and talk about these plans, to talk about what we saw. I would encourage every Member of the House of Representatives, all 435 Members, to get on a plane, go to Iraq, see what is over there, because I think as you have pointed out tonight, they come back and tell a different story, or a full story of what is going on in Iraq. I would encourage all of the Members of the House to travel there and see it firsthand.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Our efforts are on track in Iraq. We do have a plan. But something that is very disappointing to me and, actually, I am angry about is that is in regard to the participation or lack of participation of the world's largest peacekeeping organization.

The United Nations is an organization that was founded on international cooperation and collective security, but it has failed to assist in efforts to remove a growing threat. The failure of this organization to support our efforts against a murderous and extreme dictator is unfortunate and, at times, unforgivable.

What I have done is I have drafted a piece of legislation that I am going to introduce tonight that will take $200 million of our annual dues, which is about $330 million every year, and it directs the administration to take that money and put it towards the humanitarian situation and our troops in Iraq, to improve their environment, whether it is food or shelter or whatever the case may be. But I am to the point that I have watched for years the United Nations talk and not act. In this situation it is quite evident, the situation that occurred in Iraq, and it is quite evident that they need to be there helping us and, to this date, they have done nothing.

So my legislation, as I said, would direct the administration to take $200 million of the $330 million, I believe it is, that we pay to the U.N. annually and send it over for our troops. So I would encourage my colleagues to sign on to this bill and support it as it moves forward. Just to let my colleagues know, there is a provision that if the United Nations decides to stand up and do what is right and support this effort, to go over and take their role in Iraq the way that they should participate, then there is a provision there that will let this legislation lapse. So I plan on introducing that tonight. Again, I would urge all of my colleagues to support this, to say to the U.N., stand up and be counted in this situation.

Finally, I just want to thank my colleague from Indiana for setting up this hour this evening. I think it is important that we not only here on the floor of Congress in the House of Representatives tell the whole story, but that as we travel through our districts, making sure that the people that we represent hear firsthand and unfiltered what is happening there, and that there is a positive plan in place, and that we have young men and women who are committed to doing what is right against sometimes terrible situations, but they are doing what is right and they are doing an absolutely fabulous job. The American people need to support them and need to support this effort. So I thank the gentleman for putting this together tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and highlight the heroic acts of one of my constituents who has taken a leading role in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

Sabrina Monn, a 1998 graduate of James Buchanan High School in the Mercersburg area, was among the reserves called up to serve with the U.S. Army's 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Afghanistan.

Sabrina made the most of her tour. Through e-mails to Mrs. Mary Stoner, a former teacher of hers at James Buchanan, Sabrina has brought to life what an amazing job our troops are doing in Afghanistan. Sabrina has also eloquently outlined to current students the hardships of what the citizens of Afghanistan endured while under the oppression of the Taliban.

Equally as important, Sabrina has highlighted the amazing work she and other members of our reserves are doing in Afghanistan to rebuild their country and to return freedom to the people.

In her correspondence, Sabrina rightly notes that the effort we are making in Afghanistan goes a long way in helping the country rebuild, not only with concrete and pavement, but with compassion and support.

The students at Sabrina's old high school have responded remarkably. Recently, they took up Sabrina's call to action and collected well over $1,000 to send to the village where Sabrina was stationed. They did not stop there, they also have sent more than 50 boxes of school supplies, clothing and toys. The efforts of Sabrina and the community have truly made a difference.

This is America at its best. The attacks of September 11th have shown to the world that the United States will act swiftly to rid the

world of terrorism. But the attacks also rallied the American people to display compassion for others.

Whether displayed through the incredible heroism exhibited by the firefighters and rescue workers in New York City, the Pentagon or a field in Somerset County, or the outpouring of donations from around the country for the impoverished people in Afghanistan, Americans have met the challenge.

Mr. Speaker, Sabrina Monn is a classic example of America at its best. She embodies the spirit that will allow us to overcome the challenges represented by September 11th and propel us to a brighter future. I commend her for all of her efforts and encourage others to take her and James Buchanan High School's example in making America and the world a better place to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer congratulations to John Czuczman upon his retirement from the Transportation Workers Union TWU. Before retiring, Mr. Czuczman served as International Vice President and Director of the Railroad Division for TWU representing employees throughout the Northeast and Midwest.

Mr. Czuczman began his career in the rail industry in 1955 as an employee of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and was a member of the TWU Local 1427. In 1968, he successfully ran for Local 1427 President and Grievance Chairman. He continued to serve the Local 1427 in those positions for the next 14 years. During his tenure as President, Mr. Czuczman was an active member of the union's Policy Making Board for railroad members.

In 1980, TWU's late president William Lindner appointed Mr. Czuczman to the International Union's staff as an International Representative. While on the International's staff, Mr. Czuczman was involved in most of the Union's key negotiations and arbitrations. He served as TWU's representative on the task force that put Conrail together in the early 1980's. Additionally, he participated in the crucial TWU negotiations that led to the takeover of Conrail's commuter lines by SEPTA, Metro- North and the New Jersey Transit in 1982. Mr. Czuczman also served as Chairman of the Conrail Screening Committee and participated in a number of Conrail's contract negotiations. Since 1982, Mr. Czuczman has negotiated every contract with Amtrak involving the Joint Council of Carmen and the Amtrak Service Workers Council.

A tireless fighter for the rights of rail workers, Mr. Czuczman has been a strong advocate for the protection and improvement of the benefits provided by the Railroad Retirement Board. He also served as a member of the Board of Governors for Amtrak's Red Block Program which offers assistance, education and rehabilitation to those with alcohol and substance abuse problems.

Mr. Speaker, for almost 50 years John Czuczman has been a tireless advocate for the right of railroad workers. From negotiating contracts, to lobbying, to advocating for better benefits, to just simply being a friend to his fellow workers, John has served his fellow rail workers with dignity and class. Mr. Speaker, I hope that you will join me today in wishing John a long and happy retirement.