Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel J. Motley, the Grand Worthy Patron of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation, Jurisdiction of Michigan. Mr. Motley is only the third person from the Royal Star Chapter No. 27 to hold this esteemed position

and he will be honored at an event in Flint, Michigan on Saturday, June 19th.

Colonel J. Motley was born the 7th child of 13 children. He graduated from CCTS High School in Alabama and moved to Michigan. He retired from General Motors after 35 years of service. He serves on the Usher Board #2 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and has been a member of the congregation for 46 years. He is a member of the Westwood High Block Club. Mr. Motley and his wife, Barbara, have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

He is a member of the Eureka Lodge No. 16 and has served as Worshipful Master for two years. He has served as Excellent High Priest with the Royal Arch Chapter No. 17, and he is the Past Patron of the Royal Star Chapter No. 27. He is also a member of the Saginaw Valley Consistory No. 71. In addition to his work with the Order of the Eastern Star, Mr. Motley helps senior citizens with their lawns, shovels snow in the winter, helps to keep our highways clean, does security watch in his neighborhood, and works with teenage boys through the Ushers Ministry.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to applaud the work of Colonel J. Motley. He is an individual dedicated to helping others in need. I congratulate him for the honor he has received from his peers and I commend him for his charity, fellowship and assistance to both friends and strangers. May he continue in his service to others for many, many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the House Page Board, I would like to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude to all of the pages who have served so diligently in the House of Representatives during the 111th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the vice chair of the Page Board, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, the pages have witnessed this House debate the great issues of war and peace and of justice and civil rights through a program called Close Up, which is a very good program.

You have seen this House close up more than any other group. You have seen us at our best and at our worst. You have seen democracy at work. You have enabled us to do our work.

Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the House Page Board, I would like to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude to all of the pages who have served so diligently in the House of Representatives during the 111th Congress.

We all recognize the important role that congressional pages play in helping the U.S. House of Representatives operate.

These groups of young people, who come from all across our Nation, represent what is good about our country.

To become a page, these young people have proven themselves to be academically qualified.

They have ventured away from the security of their homes and families to spend time in an unfamiliar city.

Through this experience, they have witnessed a new culture, made new friends, and learned the details of how our government operates.

As we all know, the job of a congressional page is not an easy one.

Along with being away from home, the pages must possess the maturity to balance competing demands for their time and energy.

In addition, they must have the dedication to work long hours and the ability to interact with people at a personal level.

At the same time, they face a challenging academic schedule of classes in the House Page School.

You pages have witnessed the House debate issues of war and peace, hunger and poverty, justice and civil rights.

You have seen Congress at moments of greatness and Congress with its frailties.

You have witnessed the workings of an institution that has endured well over 200 years.

No one has seen Congress and Members of the Congress as close up as have you.

I am sure you will consider your time spent in Washington, DC to be one of the most valuable and exciting experiences of your lives, and that with this experience you will all move ahead to lead successful and productive lives.

Mr. Speaker, as the Chairman of the House Page Board, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this group of distinguished young Americans.

They certainly will be missed.

I would like to thank the members of the House Page Board who have provided such fantastic service to this institution:

Congressman Rob Bishop, Vice Chair,

Congresswoman Diana DeGette,

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx,

Clerk of the House Lorraine Miller,

Sergeant at Arms Bill Livingood,

Ms. Lynn Silversmith Klein,

Mr. Adam Jones

Thank you for your service on the House Page Board.

Mr. Speaker, I again yield to the gentleman from Utah.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Harold McIntyre. Mr. McIntyre passed away on December 4, 2009 and will be honored at the 2010 Valley Area Agency on Aging Senior Power Day for his work with the veterans of Genesee County. Senior Power Day will be held tomorrow at Crossroads Village in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Harold McIntyre worked as a Surgical Assistant at Flint General Hospital and in the Public Relations Department of The Flint Journal prior to his retirement. He served on the Westwood Heights District Board of Education and was the past commander of the Leo P. Crow VFW Post. A veteran of the Vietnam War he formed the McFarlan Park Veterans Committee to ensure the names of service personnel killed during their service were added to the monument. He was committed to renovating McFarlan Park as a veterans' memorial. Harold was instrumental in organizing the Downtown Small Business Association's Annual Memorial Day veterans march. In 2009 he planned the first Veterans March for the Valley Area Agency on Aging Senior Power Day. The theme was ``A Tribute to World War II Veterans.''

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the memory to Harold McIntyre. His work on behalf of veterans reminds us of the great debt we owe to those that sacrificed so much so we could have freedom and I commend Valley Area Agency on Aging for keeping his memory and work alive.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Harold McIntyre. Mr. McIntyre passed away on December 4, 2009 and will be honored at the 2010 Valley Area Agency on Aging Senior Power Day for his work with the veterans of Genesee County. Senior Power Day will be held tomorrow at Crossroads Village in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Harold McIntyre worked as a Surgical Assistant at Flint General Hospital and in the Public Relations Department of The Flint Journal prior to his retirement. He served on the Westwood Heights District Board of Education and was the past commander of the Leo P. Crow VFW Post. A veteran of the Vietnam War he formed the McFarlan Park Veterans Committee to ensure the names of service personnel killed during their service were added to the monument. He was committed to renovating McFarlan Park as a veterans' memorial. Harold was instrumental in organizing the Downtown Small Business Association's Annual Memorial Day veterans march. In 2009 he planned the first Veterans March for the Valley Area Agency on Aging Senior Power Day. The theme was ``A Tribute to World War II Veterans.''

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the memory to Harold McIntyre. His work on behalf of veterans reminds us of the great debt we owe to those that sacrificed so much so we could have freedom and I commend Valley Area Agency on Aging for keeping his memory and work alive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in response to the Chamber of Commerce's recent claim that U.S. free trade agreements have supported 5.4 million jobs. I want someone to show those jobs to me because they certainly aren't in Michigan or my district. Michigan has the highest unemployment in the country. In my hometown of Flint, Michigan, the unemployment rate is nearly 30 percent. At one time, we had nearly 80,000 auto jobs. Now we have about 6,000.

With every free trade agreement, we continue to send more jobs overseas

and put American workers at a greater disadvantage. Come to my district and I will show you the empty fields that used to employ thousands of American workers before NAFTA, which I opposed. Our trade policy might help create jobs and improve the quality of life for workers in other countries but not in the United States.

Madam Speaker, on May 28 Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church will celebrate 135 years of Christian service in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Mrs. Nancy West opened her home for a prayer service in 1875 and Quinn Chapel was formed. Named after Bishop William Paul Quinn, the congregation dedicated their first sanctuary 2 years later. Over the years Quinn Chapel has occupied different structures, dedicating the current edifice in 1958.

For the past 135 years, Quinn Chapel has provided leadership, inspiration, guidance, and strength to individuals and families in the Flint area. The Ministries of Quinn have encouraged the priorities of higher education, healthcare, business and professionalism in the congregation. The Ministries include: The After School Program; The Young People's Department; The Scholarship Committee; The Commission on Christian Social Action, The Commission on Health; The Commission on Public Relations; The Commission on Christian Education; The Commission on Mission and Welfare; The Commission on Membership and The Debutante Cotillion.

The keynote speaker at the 135th Anniversary celebration is Roland Martin, award-winning journalist and nationally syndicated columnist. Named by Ebony Magazine in 2008 and 2009 as one of the 150 Most Influential African Americans in the United States, Mr. Martin is a commentator for TV One Cable Network, host of ``Washington Watch with Roland Martin,'' a CNN Analyst and Senior Analyst with the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He has authored several books, received numerous awards both in the United States and the United Kingdom and was inducted into the Texas A&M University Journalism Hall of Honor in 2008.

Madam Speaker, under the leadership of Reverend Stanley U. Sims, Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church continues the long tradition of Spirit-filled enthusiasm for worship, love, service, and ``assisting them to become all that God created them to be.'' I pray that the ministers, staff, and congregation of Quinn Chapel will continue their work and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ for many, many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating State Representative Andy Coulouris as he leaves the Michigan Legislature to become the public affairs manager for Dow Corning Corporation in Washington, DC. A farewell event will be held in his honor on May 24 in Saginaw, Michigan.

After graduating from Arthur Hill High School, Andy earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Active in public service, Andy served on the Saginaw City Council for 3 years and was an assistant prosecuting attorney for Saginaw County. He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for the 95th District. He recently resigned from his second term on April 30.

Andy has worked with the Saginaw County Domestic Assault Response Team, the Bridge Center for Racial Harmony, the Saginaw County Bar Association, the Saginaw Downtown Development Authority, and he is a Vestry Member at St. John's Episcopal Church in Saginaw. Andy and his wife, Natasha, have 2 daughters, Alexandria and Mia.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Andy Coulouris as he starts his new position. I wish him the best as he enters the next phase of his life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Donald Oetman as he retires as Director of UAW Region 1D. A celebration of Don's life and contributions to the UAW will be held on May 21st in Grand Rapids, MI.

Donald Oetman was part of the original group that organized Micromatic Textron in Holland, MI. In 1965 they formed Local 1502 when Don was only 20 years old. He served as Vice-President of the Local and two years later became its President. During this time he held the position of steward and ex-officio member of all standing committees at Local 1502 and served as vice-chairperson of the Allegan-Ottawa CAP Council for 12 years. Don remained the Local's President and its bargaining chairperson until he was appointed to the International Union staff by then UAW President Owen Bieber and Director Robert Fliearman in 1984. In June 1995 he was appointed Assistant Director of Region 1-D and elected Director at the 33rd Constitutional Convention in 2002. He was re-elected in 2006.

Committed to community involvement, Don serves on the Board of Directors and the Labor Participation Committee of Greater Kalamazoo United Way and the Holland United Way. He is co-chair of the Muskegon Area Labor/Management Joint Committee, he is on the Board of Directors of Blue Care Network, sits on the Blue Care Network Audit Committee, serves on the Economic Alliance of Michigan Board of Directors and the Board for the Alliance of Health, the Kalamazoo Area Labor/Management Committee, the Red Cross Board, sits on the Board of the Michigan State University Labor Studies Program, the Holland United Labor Building Corporation, the Michigan Association of United Ways, and the Private Industry Council of Allegan and Ottawa Counties. He is a lifelong member of the Coalition for Labor Union Women.

Don is a member of the Allegan County Democratic Party and the Michigan State Democratic Party. He was a delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention and was an Al Gore Elector for the State of Michigan in the Electoral College. Don and his wife Corlyn have two daughters, one son and six grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the work of Donald Oetman. From the age of 18 he has acted to improve the lives and working conditions in our factories and offices and many people have benefitted from his commitment to the ideals of labor. I will miss his counsel and camaraderie and I wish him the best in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark Spencer as he retires from teaching with the Flint Community Schools. A celebration will be held on May 21st in his honor.

As part of a long line of educators, Mark began his career teaching with the Swartz Creek School District in 1978. He taught in Swartz Creek Schools for 7 years and then moved to Flint Community Schools working first as a Community School Director then as a school teacher. Over 25 years, Mark worked at Doyle Ryder, Potter, McKinley, Whittier, Cody, and Neithercut Schools. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Central Michigan University and is considered a master teacher by Flint Community Schools.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Mark Spencer as he retires from Flint Community Schools. I commend him for his work developing the talents of children and wish him the best as he starts the next phase of his life.

Madam Speaker, today I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Senator James Barcia, former Member of Congress, and current Senator representing Michigan's 31st State Senate District. The Bay City Branch of the NAACP will celebrate Senator Barcia's service at their Freedom Fund Banquet on May 16th.

After Jim Barcia graduated from Bay City Central High School he went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree from Saginaw Valley State University in 1974. During his college career he was elected student body president and began his lifelong commitment to public service. Jim was elected to three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, and five terms in the United States Congress. He is now serving his fifth term in the Michigan State Senate. In this capacity he serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee he sits on the Human Services Subcommittee, the Community Health Subcommittee and is the Minority Vice-Chair of the Higher Education, State Police and Military Affairs subcommittees. He is also the Associate President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Senator Barcia is married to Vickie Bartlett; he has two stepchildren and six grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the career and life of one of its own. Jim Barcia is a dedicated, unswerving, public servant. He is a dear friend, and I have valued his insight over the years. I congratulate him for being honored by the Bay City Branch of the NAACP for his commitment to their goals and to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as cosponsor of H.J. Res. 76.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mark Madden as he retires as Superintendent of Atherton Community Schools in Burton, Michigan. A Mark Madden hour is planned at Atherton High School tomorrow to honor his work.

Mark Madden started working for Atherton Community Schools in 1969 as an English teacher. Over the years he taught English, French, and Drama at Atherton Middle School, Atherton Senior High School and in the Atherton Adult Education program. Outside the classroom, Mark worked as the Red Cross sponsor for the Freshman and Junior Classes, was the advisor for the Foreign Study League, the producer of the Atherton Senior High School plays, was an announcer, scorekeeper and crowd control technician for sporting events.

He initiated and coached the Varsity Tennis Team and the Junior Varsity Tennis Team. As a member of the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association, his commitment to the sport was recognized in 2002, when he was inducted into the High School Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame.

Mark spent 32 years as a teacher, 4 years as a principal and 5 years as superintendent. In addition to his work with Atherton Community Schools, he also found time to teach English and Education at Baker College. He also participated in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. He has been honored as Regional Tennis Coach of the Year, the Teacher of the Year and Northwood Institute Outstanding Influencer.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the outstanding work and contributions of Mark Madden. He has been a committed educator both in and out of the classroom and I wish him the best as he enters the next phase of his life.

Madam Speaker, starting on May 9 Bishop Isiah L. Qualls will be honored by Grace Fellowship Church International in Saginaw Michigan for 40 years of ministry. The congregation is planning to celebrate this milestone over several days.

Born in St. Louis Missouri, Bishop Qualls was ordained at the age of 16 and began conducting revivals. He received bachelor's degrees in business administration and biblical studies and has a master's degree in divinity.

From the beginning he went on to pastor two congregations and conducts conferences and seminars around the world. Bishop Qualls has been blessed by God with talents for Praise and Worship through music and teaching. He has joined his talents with other singers and musicians, appearing in venues across the globe. Among his gifts is a special call to minister to persons working in ministry with a rhema word of healing and refreshment. Together with his wife, Patricia, Bishop Qualls pastors Grace Fellowship Church International and he is the founding Chief Apostle of Global Ministries International Fellowship of Churches providing apostolic covering to ministries throughout the nation and world.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the ability, work and healing of Bishop Isiah Qualls. His ministry has blessed the lives of hundreds of people and he has brought countless converts into the love of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and I pray that he will continue to bless the community for many, many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of Bernice Booker Dean. Sadly, Mrs. Dean passed away on April 23, 2010 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, at the age of 86. Her funeral will be held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church on May 1.

A teacher with the Flint Community Schools for 35 years, Mrs. Dean taught at several elementary schools in the Flint system and was a reading specialist with the State of Michigan Chapter III and Title I reading programs. A passionate advocate for education, reading, social justice, the advancement of women, and physical health; Mrs. Dean mentored numerous youngsters over the years and helped them pursue advanced educational goals.

During her younger days she was a member of the first integrated all female band, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. During World War II the band was the first all female group to travel on a USO tour, made several records and appeared in movies. Mrs. Dean was also a member of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority--Gamma Delta Chapter and she volunteered in the dialysis department at Hurley Medical Center. She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church for 53 years. Mrs. Dean leaves behind her son, Robert Booker, and her daughter, Patsy O'Neal, several grandchildren, and numerous friends.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the life of Bernice Booker Dean. I pray that the children inspired by her life and example will work to carry on her legacy of enthusiasm, strength and positive action.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Illustrious Potentate Noble James E. Lynch and Illustrious Commandress Daughter Carlion J. Eldridge as they are honored at the 2nd Annual Oman Temple/ Oman Court Unity Ball on Saturday, May 1st in Saginaw Michigan.

James E. Lynch Graduated from Sophia High School in Sophia, West Virginia in 1966. He worked for General Motors Buick Motor Division for 39 years as a production worker. Married to the late Crystal Mae Johnson for 34 years, they had four children: Dawn, Felicia, Cassandra and James; and seven grandchildren. James has served as Junior Warden of the John W. Stevenson Lodge Number 56, as a member of the Saginaw Valley Consistory Number 71, and Illustrious Potentate of Oman Temple Number 72 for the year 2010.

Carlion J. Eldridge completed Charles Stewart Mott College Nursing Program and currently works at Maplewood Manor in Clio, Michigan serving the elderly. She is married to James F. Eldridge and their children are: Portia, David, Jamille, Isaac, Laetrile, Lakshea, Lovell, and Victor. The Oman Temple Number 72 has bestowed the title of Illustrious Commandress Daughter on her for this year.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the charity, enthusiasm and dedication of these two individuals. I pray their year of service to Oman Temple is a tremendous success.