Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Saginaw Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute as they mark 27 years of service to the community. A testimonial banquet will be held on Saturday, April 19th in Saginaw celebrating the anniversary.

A. Philip Randolph stands at the vanguard of 20th century labor leaders. Together with Bayard Rustin, a leading civil rights and labor organizer, they forged an alliance of the civil rights movement and the labor movement to fight for the rights, privileges and freedoms of all people. After the passage of the Voting Rights Act they joined together and founded the A. Philip Randolph Institute to continue this fight. From its founding in 1965 as an organization of black trade unionists, the A. Philip Randolph Institute has been at the forefront of the continuing struggle to bring equality and economic justice for workers throughout our country.

Madam Speaker, the Saginaw Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute is the cornerstone of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the lives of everyday citizens in the Saginaw area. They are steadfast in their resolve that we can achieve social, political and economic integrity for all persons no matter what their color or background. I commend them for their hard work and resolute spirit and wish them continued success for many, many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, for organizing this Special Order.

Improved funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start are integral to every child having the opportunity to succeed in school and in life.

The Child Care and Development Block Grant enables 1.8 million children from more than 1 million families to receive child care and provides essential resources to help states improve the quality of that care. Reliable, high-quality child care supports parents' productive employment and helps children enter school ready to learn.

Head Start is our country's model for a successful comprehensive early learning program for low-income children. It combines early education, health care, social services, and nutrition services with a strong focus on parent involvement and support and builds on the strengths of local communities.

The bipartisan 2007 Head Start reauthorization, which I was proud to have introduced, included many positive provisions that will move the program forward by expanding access and enhancing quality. But, increased investment is critical to meeting those goals.

More than 100 of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, recently joined me to urge the Appropriations Committee to reverse the Administration's funding policies that have led to thousands fewer children attending Head Start than in 2002 and put 200,000 children at risk of losing child care assistance by 2009 without increased funding.

Whether or not America's most vulnerable young children and their families will reach their potential depends in large part on our investment in these programs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Henry Fuller, Jr. on his 10th anniversary as Pastor at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan. The congregation is holding a celebration of the 10th anniversary of pastoral service on Saturday, April 12th and April 13th.

Pastor Fuller received his bachelor's degree from the United Bible Institute of the United Theological Seminary--Flint Branch. He received an honorary doctorate from United Bible Institute of the United Theological Seminary in Monroe, Louisiana. He preached his first sermon on December 12, 1971 at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He was inspired to organize a mission in Holly, Michigan in 1973. The mission became Faith Baptist Church. Between the years 1983 to 1998, Pastor Fuller headed the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana.

On April 18, 1998, Pastor Fuller returned to his roots and became the Pastor at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. In addition to leading the congregation, Pastor Fuller has held several positions with the church and in the community. He has served as president of the Northeastern District Sunday School and BTU Congress of Christian Education of the Northeastern District Missionary Baptist Association in Muncie; president of Indiana Consolidated Congress of Christian Education of the Indiana Consolidated State Convention; served on the finance board of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; was a writer with the Publishing Board Sunday School and BTU Literature National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; as an instructor at the Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Indiana; and served as moderator of the Great Lakes Baptist District Association, 2000-2007.

He currently serves as the president of the Wolverine State Missionary Baptist Convention; member of the board of trustees of American Baptist College of ABTS Nashville; Chairman, Wolverine State Baptist Convention Constitution Committee in Saginaw; President, United Bible Institute of UTS, Flint Branch; Instructor, United Bible Institute Flint; Instructor, Great Lakes Baptist District Leadership and Education Congress: Instructor, Wolverine State Baptist Congress; Instructor/Preacher, Baptist Ministerial Alliance in Flint; Chairman of the Clergy Division, United Way of Lapeer and Genesee Counties; Executive Board Member At-Large, National Baptist Convention USA; Treasurer, Todd-Phillip Children's Home, Wolverine State Baptist Convention. Pastor Fuller also serves on the Strategic Planning Committee with the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education; and on the Mayor's Community Advisory Board in Flint. He received the ``Moderator and Builder of the Year'' award from the Wolverine State Baptist Convention Women's Auxiliary.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the work of Pastor Henry Fuller, Jr. and congratulating Pastor Fuller, his wife, Marilyn W. Fuller, and their four children. Pastor Fuller inspires his congregation every day, provides leadership to the Baptist community, and strives to improve the lives of the people of Flint. I pray that he will continue his work for many, many more years.

Madam Speaker, earlier this month, the Michigan Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission announced that the General Motors Corporation will receive the Richard H. Austin Long-Term Traffic Safety Award, ``for being a corporate and auto industry leader in promoting traffic safety issues,'' in the State and nationally. The award was presented at the group's annual awards luncheon on March 13, 2008, in East Lansing, Michigan.

This prestigious award is named after a true leader in traffic safety, the late Richard H. Austin, who served as Michigan Secretary of State from 1971 to 1994. Secretary Austin, who was known as, ``Mr. Traffic Safety,'' was a pioneer in promoting passage of State seat belt use laws and in promoting measures for child passenger safety, drunken driving prevention, and motorcycle safety.

The commission's announcement notes that GM, ``has made significant contributions in addressing key traffic safety concerns including safety belt use, child passenger safety in and around vehicles and drunk driving through partnerships and collaboration, advocacy, financial support and voluntary time commitments to traffic safety organizations by company executives and employees.''

The announcement states that when, ``efforts were underway to upgrade Michigan's seat belt law from a secondary to a primary law, GM led the collaborative efforts,'' to support it. I am pleased to note that as a result of this upgraded law Michigan has one of the highest State belt use rates in the Nation at 94 percent.

Among the other specific activities for which GM is being recognized is its Safe Kids Buckle Up partnership with Safe Kids Worldwide. Under this program, child safety seats are checked by trained experts for proper installation; safety seats are provided to families in need; and education is provided to help assure that children are not left alone in vehicles and they are not allowed to play in trunks. Further, adults learn to walk around a parked vehicle to check for children before they start the engine and children are taught that it is never safe to play in driveways, parking lots or on sidewalks when vehicles are nearby.

There are 25 Safe Kids coalitions and chapters in Michigan, and, over the last 10 years under the GM-Safe Kids program, approximately 45,000 child safety seats in the State have been inspected and another 13,500 have been provided to families in need free of charge. In addition, several permanent child seat inspection stations have been set up, run by Safe Kids, and four mobile car seat checkup vans donated by GM are operating in the State.

Madam Speaker, I have had the opportunity to witness the work of Safe Kids Flint, which is part of the Hurley Medical Center. The dedicated men and women who work at these events volunteer a significant amount of their time and talent to assure that children are riding safely in vehicles, and they provide very valuable information to parents. Safe Kids Flint has reported that 19 lives have been saved after families who attended one of the organization's events were involved in crashes.

I am pleased to join in congratulating General Motors for this recognition of its exceptional corporate citizenship in working to protect the citizens of Michigan through the Safe Kids partnership and many other safety activities.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the second annual Cesar Chavez Citizens March in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. The March will be held on March 29th to coincide with the 81st birthday of Cesar Chavez.

The Hispanic Latino Collaborative of Genesee County is sponsoring the Citizens March. The March will start on the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint, proceed down Chavez Drive, and conclude back on campus with a luncheon and reception. A fundraiser to help the United Farm Workers will be held in conjunction with the March.

Flint Michigan was the first community in the Nation to pay tribute to Cesar Chavez by naming a street in his honor 21 years ago. Cesar Chavez was an indefatigable fighter for the rights of migrant workers. He founded the National Farm Workers Association and the United Farm Workers. His 5-year nonviolent boycott against California grape growers attracted international attention and led to the signing of the first union contract with the United Farm Workers. In 1994, one year after his death, Cesar Chavez was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Hispanic Latino Collaborative of Genesee County for bringing to the forefront the life and work of Cesar Chavez, and keeping his memory alive for future generations. Cesar Chavez changed the world for the better and his life is an inspiration to all persons seeking justice, parity, and enhanced working conditions for everyone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Cleora Magee as she retires as the executive director of the city of Flint Human Relations Commission. A celebration will be held in her honor on Saturday, March 15 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Cleora Magee has served the people of the Flint area for many years. After working in the registrar's office at Mott Community College, Cleora became a community organizer at the Urban Coalition of Greater Flint. She went on to work at the Flint Neighborhood Improvement and Preservation Project, Incorporated, as a Community Organizer, and a Neighborhood Service Center manager. In 1996 she became the executive director of the city of Flint Human Relations Commission.

In her capacity as the executive director, Cleora has touched the lives of thousands of people. She serves many organizations and is affiliated with the following: secretary for the board of the Fair Winds Girl Scout Council; secretary of the board of the Flint Neighborhood Improvement and Preservation Project, Incorporated; secretary for the board of the Flint Neighborhood Coalition; a member of the board of directors and chairperson of the Michigan Outstate Chapter of the National Association of Human Rights Workers; member of the board and mediator with the Community Resolution Center; Member of the Advisory Board of YouthBuild; the Mayor's Representative on the Emergency Food and Shelter Program Local Board and Allocations Committee; a member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; a member of Flint Rotary; the chairperson of the Sponsorship Committee for the National Multicultural Diversity Institute; co-chairperson of the Community Response Committee with the Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes; a member of the Hurley Medical Center Bioethics Committee; a member of the M.L. King, Jr. Annual Tribute Planning Committee; a member of the Genesee County Committee for Community Peace; a member of Community Challenge Visual Change Group; a member of the city of Flint Threat Assessment Team; the coordinator of the city of Flint Employee Combined Charitable Campaign; a member of the United Way of Genesee County Strengthening Families System of Care; a member of the New Immigrant Services Coalition of MidMichigan; a member of the Kwanzaa Committee; the secretary for Unification for Urban Equality; a member of the Donald Riegle Annual Service Award Event Committee; a member of the Community Outreach for Family and Youth Steering Committee; a member of the McCree Special Groups Committee; the African American Heritage Collaborative Committee; the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition; and the city of Flint Emergency Evacuation Committee.

Cleora is married to Percy Magee. She has four children and three stepchildren. She received her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in Community Development. Cleora attends True Gospel Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as deaconess.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating

Cleora Magee on her career of service to the people of Flint, Michigan. The community is losing a great advocate and I wish her the best as she enjoys her well deserved retirement.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Roslyn McCallister Brock, vice chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People board of directors and a member of their National Board of Trustees. Roslyn will be the keynote speaker at the Flint Branch-NAACP's 27th annual Freedom Fund dinner on March 1, 2008.

After graduating magna cum laude from Virginia Union University, Roslyn earned her master's degree in health services administration from George Washington University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She worked with the health programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for 10 years and is currently the director of system fund development at Bon Secours Health System, Incorporated.

Roslyn McCallister Brock is the youngest person and first woman elected to the vice chair position in the history of the NAACP. After holding several leadership positions with the NAACP, she was elected unanimously to this position in February 2001 at the age of 35.

In addition to this honor, Roslyn has received substantial recognition for her community service. She received the Network Journal's 2004 ``40-Under-Forty Achievement Award''; Ebony Magazine's 1989 ``Future Leader Award''; the 1987 Good Housekeeping ``100 Young Women of Promise'' Award. She

was recognized in 2003, 2004, and 2005 as a Young Leaders Fellow for the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. She has been recognized by the nominating committee of Catholic Health Association and as honorary chairperson of the National Black Family Summit. George Washington University has presented her with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal for Human Rights and Virginia Union University has named her an outstanding alumna.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Roslyn McCallister Brock. Her motto is an African proverb: ``Care more than others think is wise, Risk more than others think is safe, Dream more than others think is practical and Expect more than others think is possible.'' She embodies these words every day as she strives to enhance our society and bring about a better life for our most vulnerable citizens.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Flint Scottish Pipe Band. The Flint Scottish Pipe Band has won several competitions in the United States and Canada over the past year and will celebrate their victories at the annual Ceilidh on February 16, in Davison, Michigan. The Ceilidh will feature traditional music and Scottish food.

Scottish immigrants to the Flint, Michigan, area founded the Flint Scottish Pipe Band in 1916. The Band's Gaelic motto is ``Cuidich `n Righ'' which means, ``Help the King.'' Their emblem is the stag's head of the MacKenzie Seaforth Highlanders. Composed of both pipes and drums the band is under the direction of Pipe Major Dennis Lowe and Drum Sergeant Teddy Barr.

In 2007, the Flint Scottish Pipe Band won the U.S. championship in grade 5, the Canadian championship in grade 5, the southern U.S. championship in grade 5, and they are the eastern U.S. champions in grade 5. Over the past season the pipe section took first place 9 times, the mid section took first place 3 times, and the drum section swept first place in all competitions.

The members of the Flint Scottish Pipe Band gather every Thursday in Flint to practice and they are preparing to travel to Scotland in 2009 to compete in the world championships. Their membership comes from all over Michigan and is open to persons with a love for the traditional pipe and drum music of Scotland.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the Flint Scottish Pipe Band for their achievements over the past year. I wish them the best success in the upcoming competitions and the world championships. They are to be commended for preserving the traditions of Scotland in the heart of Michigan and bringing the music of the pipes and drums to thousands.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Margaret Mary Gallagher-Zelley-Schmit as she celebrates her 90th birthday. Her family and friends will gather on Sunday, February 24, in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Born on February 21, 1918, in Boyne City, Michigan, Margaret Gallagher graduated from St. Joseph High School in Escanaba, Michigan, in 1936. She attended the Chicago Business School and married LeRoy Zelley. LeRoy became a licensed funeral director in 1938 and the couple started Zelley Funeral Home on the east side of Flint, Michigan in 1953. The funeral home quickly became an institution and landmark in the Flint community. The couple had four sons: LeRoy III, Glen, Michael and Joseph.

Margaret obtained her college degree from Wayne State University and funeral director's license in 1967. Margaret and LeRoy provided funeral services to over 4,000 families before LeRoy passed away in 1976. Margaret retired in 1987 and married Roy ``Bud'' Schmit in 1989. In 2004, Bud passed away.

Margaret spends her time organizing her photos and memorabilia for a book she is planning to write about her life. She also celebrates and promotes her Irish heritage and in 2006 was the Flint St. Patrick's Day Irish Mother of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Margaret Mary Gallagher-Zelley-Schmit as she turns 90 years old. I would like to extend best wishes for her upcoming birthday and for many, many more. May her coming year be filled with happiness and good health.

Madam Chairman, I want to thank Chairmen Miller and Hinojosa and Ranking Members McKeon and Keller for reporting this fine bill out of committee by a vote of 45-0.

It was 10 years ago that Mr. McKeon and I managed the reauthorization of this bill, and that was a labor of love during that time, and I think we are going to have a great bill here again today. I remember those 10 years ago very fondly.

This amendment clarifies that the Secretary of Education may continue to set aside a percentage of the funds appropriated for tribally controlled colleges and universities for a competition for grants for facilities at TCCUs. Since 2002, the secretary has conducted this competition pursuant to appropriations language.

My amendment will ensure that these colleges have the resources they need to invest in their infrastructure. That is why this competition has been so important to all the TCCUs. My amendment is strongly supported by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and the National Education Association, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

At this time I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda).

I am controlling the time at this time and I yield to her such time as she may consume.

Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones) for a unanimous consent request.

(Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Again, Madam Chairman, I urge support for these amendments en bloc, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to William J. Winiarski as he retires from Rowe Incorporated. A dinner was held in his honor on January 11th in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

William Winiarski started working for Rowe Incorporated in 1971. He received his bachelor of science in civil engineering degree from Michigan Technological University in 1973. He was promoted to project manager in 1976, the same year he became a professional engineer. His career with Rowe continued and he was named a vice president in 1978 and became the president/chief operating officer in 1986. During this time William was licensed as a professional surveyor. He assumed the position of chief operating officer in 1991 and 10 years later became the marketing principal. This enabled him to focus on the marketing and client side of the business.

Working at the helm of several significant projects, William has put the Rowe stamp on many communities in Michigan. He led the team that worked on projects for the City of Flushing, City of Niles, City of Linden, Village of Byron, Village of Chesaning, Village of Holly, Village of Oxford, Charter Township of Flushing, Genesee County Road Commission, Shiawassee County Road Commission, Shiawassee County Drain Commission, Flint Downtown Development Authority, Genesys Health Systems, and Venice Park Landfill.

He is affiliated with several professional and community organizations and has held leadership positions with many. He is the past national director and past president of the American Council of Engineering Companies. He is the past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, East Central Michigan Chapter. William is the past president of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, Flint Chapter. He is a member of the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, a Genesee/Lapeer/Shiawassee Region V planning commissioner, the Chairman of the Genesee County Brownfield Redevelopment Board, and the vice chairman of the Flint River Corridor Alliance. He has served as the chairman and acting president of the Flint/Genesee Economic Growth Alliance and the chairman of the Genesee Area Focus Council. He is on the board of directors of Genesee County Mental Health Facilities, Genesee County Mental Health, and the ``Ready-Set-Grow'' Program for Genesee County. William is a past board of directors member of the Flint Industrial Mutual Association and the past chairman of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.

William continues his association with his alma mater by serving on the board of directors for the Michigan Technological University Fund, the Civil Engineering Advisory Board and as a member of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Academy.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to William J. Winiarski as he retires from Rowe Incorporated. Through his work he has left a permanent mark upon the communities of Michigan and has enhanced the quality of life for its citizens.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of Hurley Medical Center in my hometown of Flint, MI. Hurley Medical Center kicked off a yearlong celebration on January 11.

In 1908, James J. Hurley left $55,000 and property to the city of Flint to establish a hospital to treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. The first Board of Managers, J. Dallas Dort, Charles A. Lippincott, Edward D. Black, William E. Martin, and George L. Walker, implemented his vision. Mrs. Flint P. Smith organized the first auxiliary to raise money for the fledgling hospital. Their vision and hard work paid off and the hospital opened its doors on December 19, 1908.

Today Hurley Medical Center is a 443-bed teaching medical center annually treating over 20,000 persons for inpatient care and 76,000 emergency room cases. It is the only Level I trauma center and Level III neonatal intensive care unit in Genesee County. In addition to these two services, Hurley Medical Center offers the region's only care centers in the following specialties: burn center, maternal and fetal care center, pediatric intensive care unit, pediatric emergency room, fertility and reproductive medicine center, and kidney transplantation center.

The 2,500 employees of Hurley Medical Center work very hard to provide quality healthcare to their patients. The medical center has received the 2007 HealthGrades Critical Care Excellence Award, and the 2007 ``Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Organ Donation'' from Michigan Gift of Life. In 2005 they received the Governor's Award for Quality in Inpatient Setting, Ambulatory Setting, and Emergency Department. The Hurley Asthma Center has also received the MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Hurley Medical Center for providing outstanding healthcare to the Flint community for the past 100 years. Their mission statement is ``Clinical Excellence, Service to People.'' Every person living in Genesee County has been touched, either directly or through a loved one, by the commitment of the employees, affiliated healthcare providers and volunteers of Hurley Medical Center to live up to their motto. They continue to exemplify James Hurley's vision to provide quality healthcare to everyone regardless of their income. I am grateful for their compassion and wish them the best for the next 100 years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Brad L. Harnick upon his retirement from Michigan State University Extension for Genesee County. A reception for Brad was held on January 11th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Brad began working for the Michigan State University Extension Service in 1978. He worked as the Genesee County 4-H Youth Development Program associate until 1990. At that time he became the 4-H Youth Development agent and Extension educator.

During his tenure he developed several programs to promote leadership, citizenship, achievement, and community service in young people and adult volunteers. He created the Citizenship Academy, the Adolescent Mentoring Program, and the Genesee After-School Program. He was a significant contributor to the development of the Capitol Experience Program, Exploration Days, and the Great Lakes Environmental Camp.

As the 4-H coordinator for Genesee County, Brad has instilled the four values of 4-H: head, heart, hands and health, into thousands of young people. He has brought the resources of Michigan State University Extension and the 4-H program into partnership with schools, churches, community groups and youth-serving organizations to enhance the advancement of young persons throughout Genesee County.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in thanking Brad L. Harnick for his service to our youth. His innovative programs have educated, his creativity has inspired, and his leadership has enhanced the lives of countless children. I am grateful that he devoted his life to giving life skills to the young people of Genesee County and I wish him the best for the future.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2768, to include corrections in spelling, the table of contents, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lois Corba as she celebrates her birthday. A party will be held in her honor on December 29th in Frankenmuth, MI.

Lois was born in Tecumseh, MI, one of nine children. The family moved to Flint and after her father purchased a farm, the family moved to West Branch. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in West Branch and graduated the salutatorian from the high school in 1951. After graduation she returned to Flint and worked for an insurance agency for 7 years. She married Paul Corba in 1957. The couple had 7 children, Michelle, Paul Michael, Jon, Marsha, Bernadette, Angela and David. Paul passed away in 1987.

Continuing to work, Lois spent 17 years working as a secretary with the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors. She retired from this position in 1992. After two years Lois decided to return to the workforce and became the assistant to the director of the Frankenmuth Historical Association. From there she took her current position as the receptionist with Independence Village in Frankenmuth. She is active with the Widow's Group in Frankenmuth and Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Lois Corba as she celebrates her birthday and I wish her many, many more.