Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, March 26, 2009, during the debate on the FLAME ACT, I inadvertently voted ``aye'' on rollcall 161, the Rep. Goodlatte Amendment. I meant to vote ``no.''

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the life of Mr, Michael H. Davis, a man I was honored to work with for many years serving the people of Baltimore County. A brilliant strategist, respected advisor, trusted friend and esteemed attorney, Mike's intellect and passion made a strong impression on everyone he met.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Mike always strived to better himself and the world around him. His mother, a homemaker, and father, a Baltimore police officer, instilled in him a great sense of civic duty and a conviction to never forget about the little guy.

Mike was someone who believed in the power of education and discipline. Until his graduation in 1978, he attended The Gilman School on Roland Avenue on scholarship. It was there he met Nick Schloeder, a tough coach and brilliant teacher, who spurred his passion and early interest in the political process. Mike went on to attend Harvard University, a true testament to his academic discipline, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science in 1982. From there, he returned to Baltimore to attend the University of Maryland Law School, while simultaneously working on Mayor William Donald Schaefer's reelection campaign.

Mike soon began his career as a lawyer with Smith, Sommerville & Case, and then with Venable LLP. His extraordinary work ethic and knack for problem solving soon earned him the position of Partner at Venable. Though he was leading a successful law career, Mike never strayed far from local politics. He worked on three of Senator Paul Sarbanes' successful campaigns in 1988, 1994 and 2000.

Shortly after my election to the office of Baltimore County Executive in 1994, Mike became my Executive Officer. Mike was instrumental in countless accomplishments for Baltimore County and was a gifted advisor. One award Baltimore County was especially proud to receive was Governing Magazine's selection of Baltimore County as one of the Top Four Best Managed Counties out of 3,000 counties nationally. He was also responsible for helping Baltimore County secure three Triple A Bond ratings during my term. A strong proponent of education, he was responsible for developing a volunteer program partnering county employees with elementary schools, and the School Resource Officers program. Mike's priorities and values were obvious in his work ethic and his accomplishments. After leaving my office, Mike went back to work for Venable, but remained active in politics, advising and sharing his wisdom.

Michael Davis achieved much in his short life but his greatest pride was his family. His wife, Ann, of 24 years was the love of his life and an incredible source of strength. His son, Robert, and daughters, Jessica and Blair, are a tribute to the values he cherished, and the type of father he was. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor the life of Michael H. Davis. His legacy as a brilliant political advisor will be matched only by the memory of his devotion to his friends and family. Even though Mike has passed from this life, the memory of his friendship will remain eternally in the minds and hearts of those he knew and the lives he touched.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Mr. Richard S. Udoff, the Joint Veterans Committee of Maryland 2009 Veteran of the Year. His years of service and dedication to our Nation and its Veterans are both admirable and inspiring to all.

Richard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in August of 1950, soon after the breakout of the Korean War. Upon completion of basic training, he spent 26 weeks training at the Aircraft and Engine School. After graduation he reported to Germany as a member of the 41st Troop Carrier Squadron of the 317th Troop Carrier Wing as a Flight Engineer on a C- 119 Flying Box Car. As a result of his military service Richard received the following awards and decorations; Army Good Conduct Medal; Army of Occupation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Air Crew Wings and two Presidential Unit Citations.

Richard and his twin sister were born in Medford, Massachusetts, along with another brother and sister. He followed his family to Baltimore in 1948, and graduated from Forest Park High School in 1950 where he played baseball, hockey, basketball and ran track. When the Korean War started Richard decided to enlist and serve his Country. Richard returned home in August 1954 receiving an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Staff Sergeant and soon started civilian life working in the insurance business until 1967.

Later in life, Richard began his service organization career with dual membership in the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He entered VFW Post 521 in Owings Mills, Maryland where his leadership skills were recognized and he was elected as Post Commander. He excelled with an All State Post Commander his first year and received numerous first and second place awards for VFW programs.

Richard then became District 7 Commander, a position he held for three years. Because of his leadership skills, he was the Captain of the District Commanders All State Commanders Team for two years. Among other accomplishments, Richard was instrumental in setting up a group of VFW members who met men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as they entered and departed from BWI Airport.

In his next role, Richard was the Chief of Staff for VFW State Commander Ron Dickens. He was responsible for heading a committee that provided catered lunches and dinners for the wounded veterans, their families and hospital staff at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Walter Reed Army Hospital and the Malone House. He was appointed a member of the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery Advisory Committee and eventually became its Chairman. Richard was the VFW State Junior and Senior Vice Commander and was elected as the VFW State Commander 2007-08 and became an All-American State Commander. He was elected as the Vice Chairman of the JVC and ran a very successful Veteran of the Year Banquet for George Creighton. Richard was elected as the Chairman of the JVC for the 2007-08 term. He received ``The Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion'' presented by the Chapel of Four Chaplains. This past October, he was recently honored and inducted into the ``Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, Inc. of Baltimore County''. He is a life member of the VFW, the American Legion, Jewish War Veterans, AMVETS, DAV, and a member of the Military Order of the Cooties. Richard has been Captain of the National VFW Honor Guard for the past four years.

Richard and his wife of 52 years, Shirley, reside in Owings Mills, Maryland. They have two children and four grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to recognize Richard S. Udoff for his dedication and loyalty as a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces, and as an advocate and a leader in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with several of my colleagues from Maryland to honor Mrs. Christine Sarbanes, and the impact her passing will have on the citizens of our great State of Maryland and on our country.

Mrs. Sarbanes is the wife of Senator Paul Sarbanes and the mother of John Sarbanes, who is a Member of the House of Representatives. Christine was the quintessential lady, polished, well-educated and warmhearted.

Many times, as lawmakers, our spouses chose to sit on the sidelines, but Christine was very much involved in her husband's career. In fact, political activism brought Senator Sarbanes and Christine together at Oxford in England. A champion for women's rights, she was trying to get women accepted into his all-male debating society.

On the occasions when she would represent her husband at events, Christine was very knowledgeable on the issues. She was a hearty campaigner for her husband, but was even more tenacious when her son, John, campaigned for this seat in the House of Representatives. She shared her love of politics and public service with her three children, and they each have taken her example to serve the greater community. She was the true matriarch of a great and distinguished political family.

In addition to finding time to raise three children and helping her husband's career, she managed a full-time job teaching Latin, Greek, and French at Goucher College and Gilman High School, all located in Baltimore, where she taught for more than 20 years.

In fact, one of my staffers, Walter Gonzalez, had the privilege of studying under her at Gilman. He described her as firm, but effective. She taught his 11th-grade speech class and advised him on his senior class speech. Laughing, he recalled yesterday how she coached him day after day. She would say, ``Speed up, slow down, enunciate your words, too loud, emphasize the points.'' He said Christine was a passionate teacher who communicated her respect for her subjects with grace and humor.

A lifelong lover of libraries and art, Christine also found time to serve on several cultural boards and talked the Walters Art Gallery into eliminating their admission fees. She wanted all people, and especially children, to have the ability to experience culture. But she also wanted them to have basic survival needs. She did this through tireless work with the United Nations children's fund.

Christine enjoyed high regard from important people. But I will always remember how she treated everyday people who crossed her path with dignity and respect.

Maryland has lost a truly admired political presence. And on behalf of the residents of Maryland's Second District and the State of Maryland, I would like to express my sympathies to the Sarbanes family and thank them for sharing a talented and giving woman with our State and our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Michael Weir, Sr., a longtime Maryland legislator and public servant who is celebrating his 85th birthday.

Mike Weir, Sr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 24, 1924. He attended Baltimore County Public Schools and continued his education at Essex Community College and the University of Maryland. After he finished school he worked as a Masonry contractor through his company Mike Weir and Sons.

Mike served with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during World War II, entering World War II in March of 1943 as a member of the U.S. Army with the 124th Infantry 31st Division. He was attached to the Reconnaissance Platoon as a medic and served in the South Pacific in New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies and the Philippines. Mike Weir, Sr. was honorably discharged in December of 1945.

Mike Weir Sr. served for 28 years in the Maryland House of Delegates representing communities from Essex in Baltimore County to Fallston in Harford County. He served in the House of Delegates from January 8, 1975 to January 8, 2003, representing first District 7 and then District 6 (Baltimore County & Harford County). He served as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas from 1984-2003, and as a member of the Tort and Insurance Reform Oversight Committee in 1993. He served on the House Environmental Matters Committee from 1975-2003 and as Vice-Chair of the committee from 1995- 2003. During his tenure he served on the agriculture, environment & natural resources, and health subcommittees. Mike also served as a member of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee from 1995-2003.

Mike served as a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission from 1984- 2003, a member of the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee since 1991, and the Maryland Recycling Advisory Group from 1995-1997. Mike is respected throughout the State of Maryland for his deep commitment to sportsman and environmental issues, especially those that relate to the Chesapeake Bay.

In honor of his years of service in the Maryland General Assembly, the Mike Weir, Sr. Scholarship Fund was established at the Community Colleges of Baltimore County to assist local college students.

Mike's enjoyment of the political world is evidenced by his memberships in the Fifth District, Fifteenth District, Riverside, Bird River, Norris, Deep Creek and East End Democratic Clubs. Mike is also a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Hawks and the Federation of Independent Business Men. Mike and his wife Clara have six children, many grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Mike Weir, Sr. has dedicated his life to the citizens and environment of the State of Maryland. Therefore, Madame Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor Mike as he celebrates his 85th birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor veteran broadcaster Richard Sher who is retiring from WJZ Television after 33 years.

Richard had a remarkable run in television news and worked as a news anchor and reporter in Baltimore. He anchored the popular political talk show ``Square-Off'' and co-hosted the morning talk show ``People Are Talking'' with then up-and-comer Oprah Winfrey.

In 2006, he graced the silver screen and played himself in the movie Man of the Year featuring Robin Williams. In his stories, Richard had the ability to capture the true heart of the people and places that make Baltimore so unique.

Richard is home grown Baltimore. He went to St. Paul's School and received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Richard began his broadcasting career as a radio disc jockey for WEAM in Arlington, Virginia. He moved to Baltimore to become a News Director for WCBM and made the move to television news a short time later when he joined WJZ in 1975.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate Richard Sher on his exemplary career as a journalist in Baltimore. I wish him well in his much deserved retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a veteran Baltimore journalist who has reached a very special milestone. John Patti is celebrating 25 years of service at WBAL Radio.

From anchoring WBAL's coverage from the Vatican when Archbishop William Keeler was elevated to the College of Cardinals to Cooperstown, New York where Chuck Thompson and Earl Weaver were inducted into the Hall of Fame to local election coverage in Maryland, John's professionalism, talent, and dedication to reporting the news are second to none.

In fact, John Patti has spent the past 37 years broadcasting in Baltimore. John's specialty has always been feature reporting. During his career, John earned nine prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards presented by the Radio-Television News Directors Association. In 2000, John captured the coveted Best of Show Award in the prestigious New York Festival in 2000 for his investigative journalism. As a sports reporter, John won the Eclipse Award, given out by the thoroughbred racing industry for excellence in reporting.

I am pleased to report John is home grown Baltimore. He graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School in 1973 and received his Bachelor's Degree from Towson State University in 1977. He and his wife Stephanie live with their three sons in Howard County.

John Patti began at WBAL in February, 1984. . . and he is still there reporting the news 25 years later. For that, he deserves our congratulations.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor David S. Bliden upon his retirement from the position of Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo).

Mr. Bliden holds a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and after earning a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1973, began his career in government as a legal intern at the State's Attorney's office in Prince George's County. By 1974, Dave was an Associate County Attorney, serving as a liaison to the Maryland Association of County Civil Attorneys. Serving as Deputy County Attorney in the Office of Law for Anne Arundel County form 1984-1991, Dave served as the County Executive's liaison to the General Assembly, Governor's staff, and the Maryland Association of Counties.

In 1991, Mr. Bliden was appointed Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties. As executive director, Dave managed the trade association which represents Maryland's twenty-four political subdivisions. He has served as MACo's primary representative to the Maryland General Assembly, the Governor's office, and the Local Government Insurance Trust. Throughout his tenure, he was a proactive communicator and was always conversant in emerging trends with local issues.

Dave's willingness to look at each county in Maryland individually, as well as part of one great state provided the backbone for Maryland's continued success. Although times are tough today in Maryland, they could be considerably worse were it not for the talents, persuasiveness, and dedication of Dave Bliden.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor David S. Bliden in his retirement from the position of Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties. His legacy as a brilliant and competent director will be forever remembered in his service to one of Maryland's largest associations. It is with great pride that I congratulate Dave Bliden on his exemplary legal career and his outstanding leadership at MACo.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Jessica Long, in celebration of her continued achievements at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.

Jessica Long was born in Siberia and was adopted from a Russian orphanage at the age of 13 months along with her brother Joshua by Steven and Beth Long of Middle River, Maryland. Because of lower leg anomalies, her legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. She learned to walk with prostheses and has been unstoppable ever since. Long has been involved in many sports including gymnastics, cheerleading, ice skating, biking, trampoline, and, of course, she loves to swim. She began swimming in her grandparent's pool before joining her first competitive team in 2002. The next year, Jessica was selected as Maryland Swimming's 2003 Female Swimmer with a Disability of the Year. Jessica made the international swimming world take notice at the 2004 Paralympic Games, winning three gold medals. Only 12 years old at the time, Jessica was the youngest athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Team.

Jessica had a phenomenal year in 2006 with a long list of impressive accomplishments. She set five world records and earned nine gold medals at the 2006 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships in Durban, South Africa in December. In addition to countless other gold medals and awards, Jessica was named U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympian of the Year. In 2007, Jessica set three world records at the GTAC Disability Open in Michigan and three world records at the Spring Can-Am Swimming Championships in Quebec. She also beat out many prominent amateur athletes for the prestigious 77th AAU James E. Sullivan Award. In 2008, Jessica set another world record at the Can-Am Championships in British Columbia and was the recipient of the Juan Antonio Samaranch IOC Disabled Athlete Award.

After all of the numerous world records Jessica has set, the awards she has received, and the medals she has won, at the age of 16 Jessica eagerly anticipated the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. There, Jessica won four gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze medal.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Ms. Jessica Long. She is an outstanding and dedicated member of the United States Paralympic Team. In spite of her disability, she has shown a unique and committed work ethic in sports training and competition. Jessica has shown the world that no limitation can prevent an individual from achieving great success. It is with great pride that I congratulate her on bringing six medals home from the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the memory of Lieutenant Jacob Beser, the only United States Army Air Force Officer to serve on both the mission of the Enola Gay to Hiroshima and Bock's Car to Nagasaki.

Jacob Beser was born on March 15, 1922 in Baltimore Maryland and graduated from Baltimore City College in 1938. He then studied mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins University but left the day after Pearl Harbor to enlist in the Army Air Forces. Because of his educational background and training, Beser was sent to Los Alamos, New Mexico to work on the Manhattan Project in the area of weapons firing and fusing.

Lieutenant Beser was the radar specialist aboard the Enola Gay on August 6, 1945, when it dropped the ``Little Boy'' atomic bomb on Hiroshima. ``Little Boy'', the first atomic bomb to be used in warfare, was to detonate over the city triggered by radar calculations that measured the bomb's distance from the ground as it fell. Lieutenant Beser's job was to monitor those calculations and also to ensure that no other radars interfered with the radar frequency, which could have caused a premature detonation.

Three days later, Lieutenant Beser was aboard Bock's Car when ``Fat Man'' was dropped on Nagasaki. He was the only person to have crewed the attack aircraft of both missions.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor the memory of Lieutenant Jacob Beser. It is with great pride that I recognize a fellow Baltimore City College graduate on being the only United States Army Air Force Officer to serve on the crew for both the historic missions of the Enola Gay and Bock's Car.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the memory of

W. Stuart Symington III, the Nation's first Secretary of the Air Force.

W. Stuart Symington was born in 1901 in Massachusetts. After graduating from Baltimore City College in 1918, Symington enlisted in the Army as a private and at age 17 became one of the Army's youngest second lieutenants. After World War I, Symington entered Yale University and graduated in 1923.

In 1938, after several years in the iron and electric manufacturing businesses, Symington accepted the presidency of Emerson Electric Company. During World War II, Symington transformed Emerson Electric into the world's largest builder of airplane gun turrets.

Symington resigned from Emerson Electric in 1945 to join the administration of President Harry S. Truman. When the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force was first created in 1947, Symington became the first Secretary of the Air Force. During his tenure, Symington worked hard to give the new United States Air Force (which had previously been part of the Army) respect, championing the United States Air Force Academy, and the success of the Berlin Airlift.

He served as Secretary of the Air Force from September 18, 1947 to April 24, 1950, after which Symington ran for and served four consecutive terms as a Senator from Missouri. -

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor the memory of W. Stuart Symington, III. It is with great pride that I congratulate a fellow Baltimore City College graduate on his significant contributions to the United States Air Force and the Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Marine Captain Jesse Melton, III, who died serving his country on September 9th, 2008. Captain Jesse Melton, 29, of Randallstown, Maryland, died as a result of multiple traumatic injuries sustained while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. Captain Melton was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Jesse graduated from Randallstown High School in Baltimore County, Maryland, where he played lacrosse and baseball. He then attended Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, where he studied communications. After his freshman year, however, Jesse decided to join the Marine Corps Reserve and attended Boot Camp in South Carolina, an experience his family says changed his life. Upon completion of his basic training, Jesse's drill sergeant recommended him for Officer Candidate School, training Jesse completed while earning his degree in communications from Messiah College.

Jesse was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June of 2000 and served two tours in Japan. He was promoted to the rank of captain and deployed for a tour in Iraq. In March, Captain Melton was deployed again, this time to Afghanistan. He was supporting combat operations in the Parwan province at the time of his death.

The Randallstown High and Messiah College alumnus is survived by his mother, Mrs. Janice Chance, his younger sister Jenine Melton and brother Joshua Melton, and stepfather Charlton Chance, all of Owings Mills, Maryland, as well as his stepsisters Christine and Laura Chance, and his grandmother Ethel Matthews of Baltimore.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today in honoring the life of a man truly dedicated to serving his country.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Pastor Kenneth L. Barney, Sr., upon the celebration on his 30th pastoral anniversary.

In July 1978, Pastor Barney and his wife, Sister Ellen Barney, accepted a pastorship at the Oakcrest Community Baptist Church in Laurel, Maryland. At the time, their congregation consisted of approximately seven members. As time went on, the membership began to grow, with worshippers coming from areas across the region. As an increasing number of members hailed from Baltimore, Pastor Barney and the congregation relocated to Randallstown in Baltimore County.

In March 1988, 10 years after becoming pastor at the Oakcrest Community Baptist Church, Pastor Barney and his congregation officially changed its name to the New Antioch Baptist Church. New Antioch Baptist Church is currently ministering to over 4,000 members through Pastor and Sister Barney and other church leaders.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Barney has delivered addresses at national councils and participated as a ``Discussion Leader'' in the 2008 Oxford Round Table held in Oxford, England. In addition, Pastor Barney traveled to Morocco as part of a 2004 U.S. delegation invited by King Mohammed VI. Along with his fellow delegates, Pastor Barney participated in a Muslim-Evangelical Christian dialogue with Moroccan heads of government and university students to help develop a friendship between the Muslim community in Morocco and the Christian community in the United States.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Pastor Kenneth Barney on the occasion of his 30th pastoral anniversary. The small congregation with whom he began his pastorship thirty years ago has multiplied into a membership of over 4,000 under his guidance. It is with great pride that I congratulate Pastor Barney on his significant contributions to the faith community in Maryland and around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6083, a bill to authorize the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

The Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina is the largest and most productive national training facility for prosecutors.

The National District Attorneys Association has provided training at the National Advocacy Center for over 23,000 State and local prosecutors since the center's inception in 1998.

The National Advocacy Center is a state-of-the-art facility for prosecutors to learn the art and science of trial advocacy from a faculty of experienced prosecutors.

At the National Advocacy Center, district attorneys learn about new trends in law enforcement and trial advocacy and are taught by experts in specific subject areas.

Authorizing the National Advocacy Center will help ensure that these important programs continue and that our district attorneys have the resources they need to get the job done.

I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the life of a soldier who died honorably serving his country in Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sergeant William Ryan Fritsche made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and we honor him for his service.

Staff Sergeant Fritsche joined the U.S. Army under the delayed entry program at the age of 17, two weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks. He was first stationed with the Old Guard, the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, the Army's official ceremonial unit and Escort to the President, which is based in Arlington, Virginia. In January 2007, Staff Sergeant Fritsche left the Old Guard and joined the 1st Brigade, 91st Calvary regiment, 173rd Airborne unit based out of Vinceca, Italy. With this new unit, he left in March for a 15 month deployment to Afghanistan.

In July of 2007 at the age of 23, Staff Sergeant Fritsche was killed in action while leading a dismounted patrol in Kamu, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, a NATO citation, an Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon and the Combat Infantry Badge.

I commend Staff Sergeant Fritsche for his commitment to our country and his courage to fight for freedom in an unsettled world. Without doubt, his bravery gives his mother, Mrs. Volitta Fritsche of Martinsville, Indiana, and his widow, Mrs. Brandi Nicole Fritsche of Maryland's 2nd Congressional District, great pride. In honor of Staff Sergeant Fritsche's commitment to preserving the freedom of our nation, friends and relatives have established an ongoing scholarship in his name, the SSG W. Ryan Fritsche Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor the patriotism and dedication of

Staff Sergeant William Ryan Fritsche. His love of country and willingness to serve will forever reverberate in our memories. It gives me great pride to honor one of our nation's fallen heroes.