Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the House Page Board, I would like to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude to all the pages, some of whom we have here tonight, for all they have done to serve so diligently in the House of Representatives during the 110th and 111th Congresses.

I have attached a list of the fine young men who have served this House as pages, along with the young ladies, who when I first came here were not pages. You have seen the progress of this country also.

I have attached a list of the fine young people who have served this House as pages, and their names will be made part of the Congressional Record.

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, Mr. Speaker, 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 their 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 who are here tonight, and those who may be listening, have witnessed the House debate issues of war and peace, hunger and poverty, justice and civil rights. And between the 110th and the 111th Congress, you have seen the occupant of the White House change.

You have lived through history.

You have seen Congress at moments of greatness and you have seen 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 Congress as close up as have you. I am sure that you will consider your time spent in Washington, D.C., 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 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.

As I walk by the desk on both sides, I like to say hello to you. And I'm proud of you, and you have given the Page Board much to be proud of this year. You certainly will be missed.

And before yielding, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the members of the House Page Board who provide us such fantastic service to this institution:

Congressman Rob Bishop, the vice Chair of the Page Board; Congresswoman Diana DeGette; Congresswoman Virginia Foxx; Clerk of the House, Lorraine Miller; Sergeant at Arms, Bill Livingood; Ms. Lynn Silversmith Klein and Mr. Adam Jones. I want to thank them for their service on the House Page Board.

I thank you all, our departing pages.

And, Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield my time to the vice Chair of the Page Board and my friend, Mr. Bishop of Utah.

If I might add, that among all of your accomplishments here, one thing the pages have done, you and your predecessors have really seen at least one unit of the House that is totally nonpartisan. We work together so closely because of our concern for you that we always arrive by consensus at the decisions we make in the Page Board. Our concern for you is that great.

I consider Rob Bishop one of my very special friends. We don't always vote alike on other things, but we always reach agreement when it comes to the pages to help us realize that we should come together on those things that are extremely important, and there are probably some other things we can probably do that on, too.

Thank you very much. God bless all of you.

Fall 2008 Session Pages

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to Judge Paul V. Gadola. The Greater Flint Branch of the American Civil Liberties Union bestowed the 2009 Thomas A. Baltus Civil Libertarian of the Year Award upon Judge Gadola at a dinner held last Thursday, May 28, in my hometown of Flint Michigan.

Paul Gadola graduated from Michigan State University in 1951 and received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1953. After serving in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, he returned to his home in Flint and started a private practice. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment in October 1988, and on January 6, 1989 he took office. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 2008.

Judge Gadola is certified as a Diplomat in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Lifetime Fellow of the American Trial Lawyers Foundation, served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, a mediator for the Circuit Courts of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties, and is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. Judge Gadola is a member of the Executive Board of the Federal Bar Association--Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, the Board of Directors of the Historical Society for the U.S. District Court of Eastern Michigan, the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies and the Advisory Committee of its Michigan Chapter. He is a member of the Philadelphia Society, the Economic Club of Detroit, Committee of Sponsors of the Flint College and Cultural Development Fund, the Hannah Society, and he has served as the President of the Incorporated Society of Irish/American Lawyers. As an alumnus of Michigan State University he has served the school's President's Club, the Board of Directors of the MSU Development Fund, and as a member of Directors of the school's Alumni Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Mott Community College Foundation.

Over the years he has served the Urban League of Flint as President, the Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation of Genesee County as President, the March of Dimes of Genesee County as Chairman, Genesee County Legal Aid Society as Vice-President, he has been a Director of the Flint Environmental Action Team and the Flint Area Convention and Tourist Council. Preceding his time on the bench, Judge Gadola was elected to the Board of Trustees of Mott Community College from 1969 to 1989. He served as Chair from 1983 to 1989.

Madam Speaker, Judge Paul Gadola was a founding member of the Flint Branch of the American Civil Liberties Union when the organization formed in 1963. The American Civil Liberties Union gave this award to him because of his hard work on behalf of the right to free association, the right to equal protection of the laws, the right to free speech, and the right to effective assistance of counsel. I have known Judge Gadola for many years and have benefited from his legal counsel and sage advice. I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating him as he is honored for his work on behalf of our civil liberties.

Madam Speaker, I stand before you today on behalf of one of our country's most honored and respected organizations, the American Red Cross. Each year, the Genesee-Lapeer Chapter of the Red Cross acknowledges individuals who have shown tremendous courage, kindness, and selflessness through acts of goodwill and heroism. 14 individuals will be honored at the annual ``Salute to Everyday Heroes'' on Friday, May 29th in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Everyday Heroes are selected for acts of bravery related to fire, rescue, and lifesaving, and are awarded to those who live in Genesee or Lapeer Counties, or if the rescue occurred in one of the two counties.

This year Trooper Bradley Ross and Trooper David Stokes will receive the Law Enforcement Award. Robert Elliott and Timothy Knott will be recognized with the Emergency Medical Response Award. Firefighters Jason Abbey, Dustin Lucius, Al Morea, Nick Schulz, Josh Sturgis, and Pat Whalen will be honored for their work. The Youth Good Samaritan Award will be given to Brandon Howe and the Adult Good Samaritan Award will be given to Jack and Jean Seibert. Myla Swanson will be recognized with the Workplace Good Samaritan Award. Judge Robert E. Weiss will be posthumously honored with the Community Good Samaritan Award.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the courageous, altruistic accomplishments of these 14 persons. They have generously acted without thought to their own safety to assist others in danger. They have earned the title of ``hero'' and I am grateful for their service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the employees of Genesys Regional Medical Center for their quick action during a fire at the hospital on March 22, 2009.

On that morning a fire started in a patient room at the Medical Center. A nurse sounded the alarm and escorted the patient from the room. The nursing staff mobilized and moved 36 patients from the area of the fire. The patients ranged from the wheelchair-bound to the non- ambulatory and many were on oxygen. Security staff, other employees and physicians moved in with fire extinguishers. The oxygen supply to the area was cut off, the sprinkler system activated and the fire was contained to one room.

The Grand Blanc Fire Department noted that not one patient or employee was injured during the entire incident. Due to the quick response by the Genesys staff, patient care was not compromised during the evacuation. Fire Chief James Harmes has complimented the Genesys team for their great work during the crisis.

Madam Speaker, the Genesys Regional Medical Center staff put the well-being of their patients first and they worked together to ensure each and every patient was moved to safety, the fire was extinguished expeditiously, and the security of the Medical Center was not compromised. I ask the House of Representatives to join me in commending the employees for their unwavering dedication and quick action.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2187, to include corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mark Hawkins as he retires from the General Motors Truck Assembly plant after 37 years of service. Mark was the Shop Chairman of UAW Local 598 for the past 20 years and a member of the UAW Local 598 bargaining committee for the past 31 years. A celebration will be held on May 15 to recognize his achievements and life.

A graduate of Beecher High School, Mark has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the employees of General Motors. His skill as a negotiator has earned him the respect of GM Management, UAW Local 598 membership and the UAW international leadership. The National Bargaining Committee elected him to chair the National Negotiations in 1993, 1996 and 2003. Mark negotiated a Living Agreement between UAW Local 598 and GM Flint Assembly in 1997. This unprecedented agreement secured new work for the plant and a $500 million investment from the company. He was elected without opposition in his 7th bid for Local 598 chairman. Earlier this year he negotiated a new Local Living Agreement that is serving as the role model for other plants in the United States.

Over the years, Mark has gained a reputation for helping those less fortunate. Starting in 1994, UAW Local 598 membership has donated over $1 million to feed and clothe needy children. Mark has organized the building of 8 playgrounds at local elementary schools and parks. Responding to the tragedy of September 11, he spearheaded the drive to build two trucks with donated labor and GM components for the New York Fire Department. Across the Nation the UAW and General Motors followed his example and a total of 60 trucks were given to the Fire Department.

The community has recognized his contributions and Mark has received the following awards: 2000 Walter Reuther Award, 2000 Liberty Bell Award, 2001 American Red Cross Hero Award, 2002 Martin Luther King Award, and in 2003 he received the Michigan Parks and Recreation Committee Award.

Mark and his wife, Shelley, have been married for 19 years and have 3 children Joseph, Brandi, and Richard and four grandchildren Brooklyn, Olivia, Chace, and Emma.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the life of Mark Hawkins. He has been diligent in fighting for the rights of the UAW membership. Gifted with vision, tenacity, and mediation he has brought a deep comprehension of both sides of a problem to the negotiating table. Deeply engaged in the struggle to bring dignity to the workplace, Mark Hawkins has been a true friend to workers everywhere. I consider him a friend and have valued his insight and wisdom over the future of the U.S. auto industry. I am a better Congressman for having known Mark and I wish him the best as he starts this new phase of his life.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the 21st Century Green High-Performing School Facilities Act.

I was very pleased to join Congressman Chandler, the chief sponsor of this bill, my committee chairman, Chairman Miller, and Congressman Loebsack, an effective and creative member of the Education and Labor Committee, to cosponsor this bill.

This legislation will bring critically needed resources to schools around the country, to provide students and teachers with safe, healthy, modern energy-efficient and environmentally friendly learning spaces. And it would help our local, State, and national economies by creating jobs for thousands of workers to build these improvements.

Mr. Chairman, some years ago in Flint, Michigan, my hometown, a judge ordered a jail to be torn down because it was unfit for human occupation, yet many local educators at that time told me that that jail was in better shape than some of the schools in which they work hard every day.

Last Congress, we passed this bill out of the House with strong bipartisan support. I am confident that we will do the same today, and I look forward to working with my colleague to see it become law.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to support this amendment.

We accept this amendment. It is really saying that if you take money under this program, you have to follow the standards that Congress has already adopted for ESEA. It is a logical amendment. We have debated these things before. We decided that these things were valid under ESEA and, therefore, to accept money under this program, you would have to abide by those same standards under ESEA. Therefore, I would urge my colleagues to accept this amendment.

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

I will yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis).

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment calls for the Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences to study the impact of projects funded by this bill on student achievement.

Student achievement is one of the benefits of this bill. It will also bring health, economic, energy and environmental benefits. I believe it is clear that students learn better when they are in better facilities, but I certainly have no objection to a regular study of the issue.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

We have no objection to this amendment on this bill, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I will not oppose it.

Mr. Reichert and I have done this similarly before.

I think a few months ago, I accepted one of your amendments.

I believe this is a good amendment that will contribute to our children's and their teachers' safety, and I urge support of the amendment.

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

Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I arise today and pay tribute to the life of Reverend Dr. LeRoy Shelton. Dr. Shelton passed away suddenly on Monday, May 4th. The Flint community has lost one of its greatest leaders and I have lost a dear friend. His funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12th at Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Flint.

Dr. Shelton became the pastor of Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in 1987. During this time the congregation grew in numbers and strength. A committed member of Concerned Pastors for Social Change, he was a vocal activist for those in need. He understood the challenges faced by individuals and advocated at all levels of government to improve the lives of our citizens. He served as a delegate to the 1992 Democratic Convention and attended the Inauguration of Bill Clinton to the Presidency. In 1995 President Clinton invited Dr. Shelton to dinner at the White House.

He viewed his political involvement as an extension of his ministry to be Christ's representative in a needy world. His love and concern for others knew no bounds. Dr. Shelton loved his congregation and they loved him. He said about being the pastor of Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church:

To have shared twenty-three years in the life of the 80

years of this church . . . Canaan to Christ Fellowship

Missionary Baptist Church. In the interim before my pastoring

began, I was impressed with the commitment, dedication, and

love the members demonstrated towards one another. My mentor,

the late Alfred L.C. Robbs afforded me every opportunity to

grow, develop, and above all study formally to prepare myself

spiritually.

Fortunately, I earned the opportunity to become his

successor. Realizing that no one can ever fill the shoes of

anyone, not even by following in the path trod before, the

congregation enveloped me and has worked with me in a

Christian manner. In the midst of hills and valleys, there

has been much love. As great as the past has been, we have

not ceased. We are striving to make the next years a journey

upon which our Lord will be able to place a stamp of approval

and say: ``Well done, my good and faithful servants.'' It is

our hope that you will have an opportunity to visit our

church, ``Where Christian Fellowship Is Real.''

Madam Speaker, Reverend Dr. LeRoy Shelton has traveled home to be with Our Lord, Jesus Christ. During his time with us, Dr. Shelton touched lives, healed spirits, empowered the poor, and brought Christ's abundance to disheartened. He traveled the road to salvation with many people. My life is better for having known him and I share in the sorrow felt by the Christ Fellowship family. My condolences go out to his wife, Claudia, his children and to the members of Christ Fellowship. Dr. Shelton was a truly great Christian. I ask the House of Representatives to stand with me and applaud the life, charity and legacy of Reverend Dr. LeRoy Shelton.

Madam Speaker, on April 17 the University of Michigan- Flint will install Dr. Ruth Person as their new chancellor. The inaugural ceremony and a public reception will be held on campus that day to celebrate this event.

Dr. Ruth Person received her bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, and her master's and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She also earned a master's

degree in administration from George Washington University School of Business and Public Management. She also attended the Harvard University Institute of Educational Management.

Prior to coming to the University of Michigan-Flint, Dr. Person was the Chancellor of Indiana University at Kokomo; and she was Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of Business Administration at Angelo University in San Angelo, Texas. She has also held positions as Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Missouri- St. Louis, dean of the college of Library Science at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, associate dean and faculty member of the School of Library and Information Science at the Catholic University of America. She was an American Council on Education Fellow and served as chief academic officer with the Arizona Board of Regents. Dr. Person is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, Beta Phi Mu, Pi Lambda Theta, Psi Chi, Kappa Delta Pi, Beta Gamma Sigma and is listed in a number of Who's Who publications. The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved her appointment as Chancellor of the Flint campus on June 19, 2008.

Madam Speaker, under Dr. Person's leadership, the University of Michigan-Flint is a vibrant, expanding campus of 7,200 students. The faculty, staff and students are integrating the academic and urban landscapes to develop a unique, unparalleled educational experience. Her vision of the campus-community synergy promises to enhance the quality of life for everyone involved and Dr. Person is guiding the school to be a cornerstone of development and revitalization in the Flint of tomorrow. I ask the House of Representatives to join me in welcoming her to this position and wish her the best as she shapes our future leaders.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend Dr. Henry L. Fuller, Jr. as he celebrates his 11th year as pastor of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. A banquet was held on Saturday, April 18th to celebrate this occasion.

In 1999 and 2002, Reverend Dr. Fuller was elected Moderator of the Great Lakes Baptist District Association and held this post until 2007. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Baptist College of A.B.T.S., Nashville; a member of the Strategic Planning Committee of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education; President of the United Bible Institute of Flint; Member At-large of the Executive Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated; Treasurer of the Todd-Phillip Children's Home; a member of the Mayor's Community Advisory Board in Flint; and Governor Jennifer Granholm named him to the State of Michigan Faith Based State Wide Steering Committee. In 2007 he was elected President of the Wolverine State Baptist Missionary Convention at its 88th Annual Session.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the work of Reverend Dr. Henry L. Fuller, Jr. I pray that he will continue to bring the good news of Our Lord, Jesus Christ to the Flint community for many, many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment in President Obama's decision regarding General Motors and Chrysler. Personally, I feel that Rick Wagoner was treated shabbily.

Financial institutions were provided with hundreds of billions of dollars--significantly more than the recent GM and Chrysler requests for new loans totaling $21.6 billion, at most.

The people primarily affected by yesterday's decision in the auto industry are those whose greatest daily concerns are their mortgage payments, their children's college tuition, and medical bills. Financial executives are concerned primarily with their own bonuses, awarded for what can only be described as massive failure.

The President has joined the chorus of caustic critics of the automobile industry while only giving faint praise to the high-quality vehicles produced by the American manufacturers like the Buick LaCrosse, which this year matched the Jaguar in J.D. Powers and Associates' rating for the world's most reliable car.

This double standard is offensive, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the H.R. 1586, a bill to impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients. Financial firms such as AIG, who have accepted government assistance, need to recognize that the days of lavish travel, million dollar bonuses and golden parachutes are over.

When bridge loans were granted to General Motors and Chrysler, they were required to reduce wages and salaries. Auto workers are being asked to accept lower wages and stock contributions to their benefits account--which funds their healthcare--rather than cash.

What are executives at banks and financial institutions asked to do? Maybe spend fewer afternoons at the spa. Those firms should be subject to the same requirements imposed on GM and Chrysler and on their employees. My constituents have had enough of the double standard that rewards greedy executives and punishes working families.

After accepting $170 billion from the federal government, AIG is responsible to the American taxpayer.

Before I ran for elected office, I was a high school Latin teacher. And I can tell you that in Latin, ``bonus'' translates to ``good.'' A bonus is supposed to be a reward for something good--for excellent performance, not for running your company into the ground and sending the economy into a tailspin.

AIG's performance warrants a pink slip, not a paycheck.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sister Patrice Coolick, Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet, as she celebrates the Golden Jubilee of taking her vows. Her family and friends will celebrate this anniversary with her on March 21st.

Since taking her vows on March 19, 1959, Sister Patrice moved from Flushing, Michigan to Missouri and attended Fontbonne University. She received her Bachelor Degree in Nursing from the College of St. Catherine in 1967 and one year later began working in Lima, Peru at the Military Hospital. She came back to the United States and completed a physician's assistant program at Saint Louis University. Upon receiving her degree she returned to Peru. In 1983 she became part of a medical team working in refugee camps in Thailand and Sudan.

Sister Patrice returned to the United States and earned a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from the Santa Clara University-California. She joined the O'Connor Hospital staff working in the oncology department and she became a member of the staff at Santa Clara Catholic Charities.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the life of Sister Patrice Coolick. Throughout her life she has worked to bring physical and spiritual healing to the destitute, the displaced and the discouraged. She has taken her God-given gifts of nursing and empathy and given back to the disheartened of our world. Above all Sister Patrice demonstrates in small everyday acts of love, her commitment to following the words of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, contained in Matthew 25:40, ``Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.'' May God continue to bless Sister Patrice and inspire her in her work.

Madam Speaker, I would like the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Gary Shepherd as he retires after 33 years of service from General Motors and the UAW. A retirement party will be held in his honor on March 27th in Saginaw, Michigan.

A native of Saginaw County, Gary was hired by General Motors in 1976. He worked at the Saginaw Steering Gear facility and worked his way from the production line to journeyman status as a machine repairman. In 1985 he was elected an Alternate Committeeman at UAW Local 699. From this position he went on to serve as the District Committeeman on the Bargaining Committee, as Chairman of the Bargaining Unit for Local 699, and Top Negotiator of GM Sub-Council 5. Gary has also served on the CAP and Recreation Committee of the Local. Local 699 was featured in a 1999 Industry Week article entitled, ``A Perfect Union,'' outlining the cooperative relationship between the UAW and the auto manufacturer. Gary continued his career with the UAW and in 1998 he was appointed as a Region 1-D International Representative and as the Skilled Trades Representative. He rounded out his career by serving on UAW President Ron Gettelfinger's staff as Coordinator for Michigan CAP in Region 1-D.

In addition to his work on behalf of UAW workers, Gary has worked extensively in the community. He is the president of the Saginaw Area Fireworks, served as co-chair of the Saginaw County Vision 20/20, and on the Boards of Saginaw Future, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works, and Saginaw County United Way. He received the Chamber of Commerce President's Award for his work. Gary also finds time to be a read volunteer and he is a lifelong member of Second Presbyterian Church.

Gary is the past Chairman of the Saginaw County Democratic Party, a member of the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, was elected as a John Kerry delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention and was the 2008 Electoral College Delegate for the Michigan 4th Congressional District, casting his ballot for President Barack Obama. He has 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Gary Shepherd as he retires from the UAW and General Motors. I wish him the best as he starts this next phase of his life and continued success in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend Dr. F.O. Hockenhull as he celebrates 40 years as pastor of the First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. A banquet in his honor was held last Friday in honor of this occasion.

Reverend Dr. Hockenhull was educated at Arkansas State AM&N College, Wayne State University and Detroit Bible College. He has received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Arkansas Baptist College, an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Selma University and an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Selma University.

He worked as a Chaplain in the Wayne County Jail and as a contact representative for the W.J. Maxey Boys Training School. After spending 6 years as the pastor of the Jehovah Baptist Church in Detroit, Reverend Dr. Hockenhull became the pastor at First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. He has remained in this position for the past 40 years.

Reverend Dr. Hockenhull is the past-President of the Great Lakes Baptist District Leadership and Educational Congress to the Great Lakes Baptist District Association; the Associate Director General of the National Congress of Christian Education-National Baptist Convention USA, Incorporated; past-Vice-President of the Wolverine State Congress of Christian Education; a member of the Board of Directors at the Montgomery Bible Institute and Theological Center; a former member of the National Baptist Convention USA, Incorporated Publishing Board; a former instructor at the National Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress-National Baptist Convention USA; past Supervisor of the Administrative Leaders Division-National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, National Baptist Convention USA, Incorporated; past Instructor with the Great Lakes Baptist District of Christian Education; a member of the Board of Directors of the National Baptist Convention, USA Incorporated; a member of the Stewardship Commission of the National Baptist Convention, USA Incorporated; a Trustee of the Retirement Commission of the National Baptist Convention, USA Incorporated; and a delegate to the World Christian Conference in Australia.

In addition to his work, Reverend Dr. Hockenhull is a world renowned lecturer, a member of the NAACP, and a member of Concerned Pastors for Social Action. His wife of over 50 years, Marian, is the National Director of the Young People's Department. They have one son, Franco, and two granddaughters, Vanessa and Victoria.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the life and work of Reverend Dr. F.O. Hockenhull. He has spent his life in devotion to Our Lord, Jesus Christ, by fulfilling God's Great Commission. His compassion, patience and love for humanity are recognized throughout the Flint community. Through his example, he inspires passion, spirituality, and service in his congregation and he carries the message of God's love beyond the walls of the church building. I have known Reverend Dr. Hockenhull for many years and have always been touched by his wisdom, his zeal and his piety. I pray that he will continue to serve for many, many years to come.