Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H. Res. 15, a House Resolution mourning the passing of former President Gerald Ford of Michigan.

Throughout his life and his career, Jerry Ford exhibited the highest standards of courage, wisdom, integrity, and civility.

I had the honor of serving with President Ford's brother, Thomas, in the Michigan legislature before I was elected to Congress in 1976.

Mr. Speaker, I must admit that I was one of those who questioned President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon at the time he did it.

But by the time Ford gave his final State of the Union speech in January 1977, I, and most of the Nation, had come to realize the rightness of his decision to pardon Nixon.

I vividly remember the sustained and prolonged applause, from both sides of the aisle, for President Ford during his January 1977 State of the Union Address to the Congress.

He took the Office of the Presidency at a very difficult and troubled time for our Nation and for our world.

He had previously served his country with honor as a naval officer during World War Two, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the State of Michigan, and as the minority leader of the U.S. House.

But when his country needed him the most, he served in the highest office in the land, as President of the United States of America.

He was the right person, at the right time, in the right office.

He guided our Nation through a very difficult time and he helped in the healing process which our Country so deeply needed at that time in our history.

Mr. Speaker, Jerry Ford loved this Country, he loved his house, he loved his State of Michigan, and he certainly loved his wife Betty and their children and grandchildren.

Our thoughts and our prayers are with them as we honor Jerry Ford today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Patrick McCarty on his retirement as Executive Director of the Michigan Community Action Program. Patrick will be honored at a dinner on November 30th in Livonia Michigan.

Patrick began his career with the UAW in 1973 at Ford Motor Company. After serving as a bargaining committee representative for Local 723, Patrick was appointed by Stephen P. Yokich to be his plant's Quality Liaison Representative. During this time he was responsible for implementing the ``Working Together for Quality Program'' working with both management and employees at the Monroe, Michigan Ford Plant. In February 1992 his efforts were recognized and the Monroe Plant received the first National Recognition of Innovation, Support and Excellence Award for the ``Customer Commitment Quality Team'' created at the plant.

As a result of his leadership Stephen Yokich appointed Patrick as the Executive Director of the Michigan Community Action Program in 1995. In this capacity, Patrick was the head of the political and legislative arm in Michigan for the UAW. He has served in this position until his retirement.

Active in the Democratic Party, Patrick is an officer of the Michigan Democratic Party, a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, the 11th Congressional District Democratic Party, and a precinct delegate. He is also a lifetime member of the NAACP and the Detroit

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to an outstanding public servant and a close friend, Fred J. Shaltz. Fred recently retired as a Genesee County Michigan Commissioner after serving seven consecutive terms in office.

Fred's career in public service started long before he was elected to office. After attending the University of Michigan, Fred passed the State of Michigan examination and was licensed as a land surveyor in 1963. Two years later he founded Delta Land Surveying and Engineering, Inc. and Delta Aerial Photography. At the same time his career in community service began.

He has served as either a current or former board member of the following organizations: Flint Jaycees, Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan, Rubicon-Odyssey House, Eastern Michigan Mortgage Banker's Association, Builder's Association of Metropolitan Flint, Fenton City Local Development Finance Authority, Fenton Chamber of Commerce, Mott College Foundation Board, Valley School Trustee, and served as the vice president of the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce.

During his tenure as a Genesee County Commissioner, Fred carried out his duties by serving in the following capacities: member of the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission, as chair of the Public Works Committee, member of the Lobdell Lake Board, chair of the Courthouse Square Committee, member of the 911 Consortium, the Valley Area Agency of Aging, the Genesee County Mental Health Board, Genesee County Recycling Coalition, chair of the Finance Committee, a member of the Leadership Committee, member of the Genesee County Mass Transit Authority, Greater Health Coalition, Genesee County Retirement Board, New Paths, County Park and Recreation, Chair of the Community Economic Development Committee, the Genesee County Board of Review, and the Flint City Planning Commission. Fred also served as the vice chair of the board of commissioners from 1995-1996 and 2000-2004. He was the chairman of the board during 1997 and 1998.

Recognized by his peers, Fred has received the following awards: Young Democrat-of-the-Year Award, Knight of the Month K of C Council 695 Flint, the 1966 Speak-Up and Spoke Award Flint Jaycees, Michigan's Community Leader, Flint Beautification Commendation, Women's Council of Flint Board of Realtor's Award, Feat Foundation Award, American Congress on Surveying and Mapping Fellow, Michigan American Legion Appreciation Award, Outstanding Service Award Greater Flint Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Mental Service Award, Flint City Council Appreciation, City of Fenton Community Service Award, Life-Member Award from Michigan Association of Realtors, Key to City of Flint, 2000 Dare Program, Burton Health Center Leadership Recognition, 1986 Associate of the Year from Home Builder's Association of Metropolitan Flint, Appreciation Award from Bureau of Business Practice, Patriotic Citizen Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Dedicated Service Award from Genesee County Park and Recreation, Appreciation Award from the County Board of Health, Award from Valley Area Agency of Aging.

Between the years 1968 to 1992 Fred was appointed by different mayors to serve on 11 city boards. He was also appointed by three different Michigan Governors to the board of licensing for architects, land surveyors, and Michigan's Small Business Council. He was the second vice president of the Home Builder's Association in 1985, and repeatedly recognized by the National Engineering Society on Education, Qualifications and Examiners. Fred was a founding member of the Fenton Rotary Club and a founding member of the Fenton Township Service Club. His article on excellent business practices appeared in a 1988 issue of Inc. Magazine and he was a contributor to the magazine's book ``301 Great Management Ideas'' published in 1991. He contributed an article to a University of Michigan textbook on business, management, and leadership. In 2004 he was inducted into the Builder's Association of Metropolitan Flint Wall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be able to congratulate my friend, Fred Shaltz, as he retires undefeated in office after 7 terms with the Genesee County Board of Commissioners and 43 years of public service. I wish him the best as he embarks on this new phase of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Norma R. Hagenow as she is honored by the Boy Scouts of America Tall Pine Council. The Tall Pine Council has named Norma their Distinguished Citizen of the Year and held a banquet on November 30 to express their appreciation for her support over the years.

Norma Hagenow is a graduate of the Trinity Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, received a bachelor of science in nursing from Milton College, and has a master's degree in business administration from Indiana State University.

After serving as the vice president of Care with Carondelet Health System in Tucson, AZ, Norma also was vice president of operations for the Mercy System in Des Moines, IA. She came to Genesys Health System in January 1999 as the executive vice president and chief operating officer and assumed the presidency in May 2001. In addition to her position with Genesys, Norma is also the president and senior partner of CenterPoint, LLC, a healthcare consulting firm in Arizona; serves as adjunct faculty with several universities; and has written course curriculums at these schools.

She has had several articles published in national journals, contributes to the National Public Policy dialogue at the Brookings Institute, serves as chair of the Certificate of Need Program for the State of Michigan, was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to the State of Michigan Council for Labor and Economic Growth, and was a health care expert on the United States Secretary of Labor's Committee on Changing Demographics in the Workforce from 2002 to 2004. As a member of the national level Clinical Excellence Team for Ascension Health, Norma has direct input into the operations of the largest non- profit healthcare delivery system in America.

Since her arrival in the Flint, MI, area she has been very supportive of the Tall Pine Council, the Boy Scouts of America and the Annual Friends of Scouting Campaign. The Tall Pine Council serves over 16,000 youngsters in Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee Counties.

Mr. Speaker please join me in congratulating Norma Hagenow upon receiving the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from the Tall Pine Council. I commend her for her service to the community and wish her the best in the coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to Richard Grovom as he prepares to donate his 307th pint of blood to the American Red Cross.

Richard began donating blood in 1945 when he was in the U.S. Army. One of his fellow soldiers needed emergency surgery and Richard stepped forward and donated blood. He continued donating on and off over the next 10 years until 1955. At that time his oldest daughter was born with a peptic ulcer. She was 2 days old, bleeding, and was given donated blood. The kindness of that anonymous person inspired Richard and he decided to make donating blood an ongoing part of his life. His motto is ``It is better to give than receive.''

When Richard had donated his 36th gallon of blood the Red Cross presented him with a case to hold the gallon pins he had earned over the years. He has now earned both his 37th and 38th gallon pins and the blood he donated when stationed at Camp Roberts in California is not included in this amount. A resident of Grand Blanc, Michigan, Richard is a retired tool and die foreman with Chevrolet. He is part of the elite group of Americans that donate blood. The American Red Cross estimates that 5 percent of our population donates blood, but 95 percent of Americans will need blood at least once in their lifetime.

Mr. Speaker please join me in congratulating Richard Grovom for his immense achievement and may God bless him for his generosity to his fellow citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church as they celebrate 100 years of worship. The church is holding a banquet on December 9 to kickoff a yearlong celebration of the centennial anniversary.

In 1902 several members of Flint, Michigan's African-American community gathered with the Reverend William Lyons at the home of Mrs. Sarah Howard and held worship services. They aspired to organize an official church and in 1907 their dream was realized. A church home was established on Ward Street, now Twelfth Street, and Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church was born.

Over the years the church moved twice until it found a permanent home at 424 Kennelworth Street in 1950. Under the guidance of Reverend Robert T. Turpin the church grew. Reverend Turpin led the congregation for 33 years and made many improvements to the property including the construction of Turpin Fellowship Hall.

Reverend Roy I. Greer became the pastor in 1972. Reverend Greer has directed the sanctuary renovations, installed a new baptistery, refurbished the offices and classrooms. In 1999 the Family Life Center was constructed. The basketball court, kitchen, and classrooms are the cornerstone of the community outreach spearheaded by Reverend Greer. The recreation center has provided a place for young people to gather in a safe, loving environment.

As the first African-American Baptist Church in the Flint area, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church has fostered many persons that went on to become ordained ministers of the Word of God. It has stood as a beacon of light for every social justice movement over the past 100 years and continues to provide solace and help for the most vulnerable in our community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church as they celebrate 100 years of consecrated service to Our Lord, Jesus Christ. May they continue to act in the Name of the Lord for another 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pastor Arthur Lee of the Rock of Asia Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Lee and his pastoral staff will be honored by the congregation at a celebration on December 10th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

After serving in the United States Army from 1963 to 1975, Pastor Lee was honorably discharged and worked as an offshore oil rigger in Singapore. He moved to Michigan in 1986 and served as a deacon at 1st Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church. He became an assistant pastor acting together with his brother, Pastor Henderson Lee. Arthur Lee was called to the ministry in 1990 and was ordained at 1st Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church in 1993.

He became the pastor of Rock of Asia Missionary Baptist Church and has faithfully served the congregation for the past 12 years. In addition to Sunday morning worship services, Pastor Lee also holds Sunday School and a Wednesday Bible Class. In keeping with the church's motto, 2nd Corinthians 5:7 ``We walk by faith, not by sight,'' the congregation goes out once a month and witnesses to the community. They distribute food to the needy at the holidays. During the past 12 years the congregation has grown from 8 members to 80 members. Pastor Lee organized the drive to extend the sanctuary and install new pews to accommodate the growing number of faithful. During this time Pastor Lee also worked at MTA, and was a loving husband and father. He retired from MTA in 2001 to assume fulltime pastoral duties.

Taking his ministry beyond the church walls, Pastor Lee is active in several local and national groups. He has served with Concerned Pastors for Social Action since 1993 and is a member of Concerned Pastors of Genesee County. For 20 years he has served as a chaplain at Hurley Medical Center and he took on the role of chaplain at Genesys Hospice 18 months ago. He is the spiritual coach for Hamady High School Athletic Department. As a veteran, Pastor Lee understands the problems of veterans in our community and has worked for the past 7 years tending to the spiritual needs of the disabled veterans at the DVA Post 122. Pastor Lee has attended Mott Community College and continues to find new ways to improve his ministry. He recently completed a series of enrichment classes sponsored by Genesys Health Systems.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Pastor Arthur Lee, his pastoral staff and his congregation for 12 years of consecrated service to Our Lord, Jesus Christ. I wish them the best as they continue to spread the Gospel through the Flint area.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the organizations and individuals honored by the Child Advocacy Center of Genesee County for their service to the youths of our community that are the victims of child abuse. Genesee County will express its gratitude to these persons at a dinner today in Flint, Michigan.

The Child Advocacy Center of Genesee County was founded to react to allegations of chi1d abuse. A multidisciplinary team responds by providing forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapeutic intervention, and victim support/advocacy. Their goal is to provide these services to children and families in a safe and consistent manner.

This year the Child Advocacy Center is honoring the following Stars for Children. Four individuals will be recognized as Multi-Disciplinary Team Members: Detective Matthew Bade of the Burton Police Department, Detective James Santa of the Flint Township Police Department, Lieutenant Timothy P. Johnson of the City of Flint Police Department, Detective Diana Mills with the Mt. Morris Township Police Department.

Three persons have been nominated as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Trooper Ryan Pennell with the Michigan State Police, Detective Diana Mills of the Mt. Morris Township Police Department, and Detective Matthew Bade of the Burton Police Department.

There are three nominees for the Department of Human Services Worker of the Year: Jana Carroll, Adriane Laugavitz and Marie Putnam. All three are with the Genesee County Department of Human Services High Risk Unit.

Three Genesee County Assistant Prosecutors are nominated for the Prosecutor of the Year Award. They are Gerald Snodgrass, Andrea Legendre, and Gladys Christopherson.

Receiving the Board of Directors Award is Sheryl Thompson, Director of the Genesee County Department of Human Services. Detective Sean Murphy is the recipient of the CEO Award. Nancy Walsh-Clifford of the McLaren Specialty Clinic is the Social Worker of the Year. Marie Putnam of the Genesee County Department of Human Services High Risk Unit will receive the Outstanding Service to Children Award. The Ruth Mott Foundation is being honored as Foundation of the Year. The Corporation of the Year Award is being given to Genesys Regional Medical Center. The Child Advocacy Center Award will go to McLaren Specialty Clinic, Dr. Edwin Gullekson and Dr. Mischa Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating these individuals and organizations for their service to the most vulnerable of our society, our children. They are to be commended for their work in providing on a daily basis, a safe, nurturing environment for children victimized by abuse and neglect.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Prasad Kommareddi as he completes his term as President of the Genesee County Medical Society. Dr. Kommareddi was honored at the annual President's Ball held on November 4th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

After attending Guntur Medical College in India, Dr. Kommareddi completed a residency in Pediatrics at St. John's Episcopal Hospital and a residency in Internal Medicine at Hurley Medical Center. After adopting Flint as his new home, Dr. Kommareddi went on to become board certified in three areas, Internal Medicine, Addiction Medicine, and Quality Assurance and Utilization Review.

Dr. Kommareddi has been active in enhancing the relationship between physicians and third party payers. He served as a medical advisor to MCare, Blue Care Network, and served as a member of the Michigan State Medical Society Committees on Licensing and Regulation and Third Party Payer Liaison.

Recognized by his peers for his leadership, insight, and focus, Dr. Kommareddi has been elected to several positions by his fellow physicians. He is the past president of the Physicians of India Association, has served on the Genesee County Medical Society Board of Directors, and as a delegate to the Genesee County Medical Society House of Delegates, and president of the Genesee County Medical Society Affiliated Companies. He is currently a Member of the Board of Genesys PHO, Chair of its Finance Committee and serves as its Administrative Medical Director.

Prasad Kommareddi's term as the President of the Genesee County Medical Society was underscored by his excellent guidance and concentration on implementing major components of the Medical Society's Strategic and Long Range plan. He worked to increase cooperation and involvement by the members and spotlighted the need for quality and evidence based initiatives.

Compassion is an integral part of being a good medical doctor and Dr. Kommareddi has worked over the years to educate patients about maintaining healthy lifestyles. Conducting weekly group meetings to explain the repercussions of diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and obesity. He provides these meetings free of charge. The Michigan Surgeon General has acknowledged his motivational efforts. He is the recipient of the Michigan Steps Up Award from the State of Michigan and the Health Plus Award for 25 years of service. In addition to being an outstanding physician, Dr. Kommareddi and his wife, Jay, are the proud parents of two daughters, Malika and Madhuri.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Prasad Kommareddi for sharing his skill with his patients, his co- workers, fellow medical doctors, and the people of Michigan. The Flint area is a better place because of his commitment to improving the health of its citizens. I wish him the best as he continues to serve to community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop and Mrs. Odis A. Floyd as they celebrate their 37th Pastoral Anniversary. The congregation is planning several events to commemorate this anniversary throughout the month of November starting with a banquet on November 4 and ending with a day of celebration on November 26.

Bishop Floyd accepted his call to ministry in April 1964. Working with his grandfather, Reverend L.W. Owens, he helped organize the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and in November 1969 was unanimously elected as pastor. In 1991 he changed the church's name to New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church.

Over the years New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church has grown under Bishop Floyd's guidance. As a ``Church on the Move for Christ'' the congregation has answered the Bishop's call to expand the ministry beyond the sanctuary doors. The church operates several outreach programs including the New Jerusalem Intervention Ministry Team, Operation Blessing, Nurses and Health Team, Philadelphia Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Singles Ministry. Mrs. Floyd heads the United Women of New Jerusalem. Bishop Floyd's message of salvation is broadcast throughout the week through several media outlets. The New Jerusalem Tape Ministry makes available copies of church services, special programs and Bible Study. The Christian Education Department runs the vibrant Children's Church, Sunday School, Adult Bible Class and the Upward Bound program. As part of the foundation of church life, the Prayer Ministry is at the forefront of the Wednesday Night Intercessory Prayer services and the 24-hour prayer vigil, ``The Jerusalem Watch.'' The church moved into the present worship complex in 1994.

Bishop Floyd is the 2nd Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, a board member of Concerned Pastors for Social Action, the Visually Impaired Center, and Gospel Today Magazine. He is the Past President of the Baptist Assembly of Free Spirit Churches, the Past Youth Director of the Great Lakes District Congress of Christian Education, he has received the Good Scout Award, and he was a nominee for the Soul Train Award, the Gospel Music Workshop of America Excellence Award, and a Grammy nominee for Best Soul Gospel Male Performance. Music has played an important part in the church ministry and Bishop Floyd can be heard performing on several albums.

His participation in the Flint community goes beyond New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church. Bishop Floyd has served on the boards of several organizations and is involved in improving the quality of life in the Flint area including the Bishop International

Airport Authority Board and the Flint Urban Insurance List Steering Committee with the Governor's Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives. In addition to their service to Our Lord, Bishop Floyd and his wife Brenda are the devoted parents of Anthony and Nikki.

Mr. Speaker I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Bishop Odis and Brenda Floyd as they celebrate their 37th Pastoral Anniversary. May Our Lord bless them and bless New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Darlene Hunter Davis, the Illustrious Commandress of Oman Court Number

132, Daughters of Isis Auxiliary, to the Imperial Council Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Darlene was honored at the 46th Annual Commandress Ball on October 28th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

The Daughters of Isis Auxiliary was formed in 1910 as an auxiliary of the family members of the Prince Hall Shriners. The purpose was to unite the relatives of A.E.A.O.N.M.S. Inc. members together under one bond of friendship, charity, benevolence, honor and integrity as symbolized in the legend of the Egyptian queen, the goddess Isis.

Darlene Hunter Davis embodies these qualities. After graduating from Flint Central High School she attended Detroit College of Business and started working for Hurley Medical Center. She went back to school after 20 years and obtained her Associate's Degree in Business Administration/General Management from Detroit College of Business.

She is active with Mount Pisgah Church, her family and friends and serves on various committees at Hurley Medical Center. Married to Emery Davis, she is the mother of Gaquilla H. Skinner, the grandmother of three and has several great-grandchildren. Darlene is a member of the Royal Star Chapter 27 O.E.S., P.H.A. Jurisdiction of Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Darlene Hunter Davis on her service to the Oman Temple and the Flint community and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise today in support of the Higher Education Extension Act.

First, I would like to recognize that there are items in here that we all agree are important and that will help students, including changes to the Hispanic-serving institutions program and

loan forgiveness for 9/11 survivors and their families. These changes will ensure that Hispanic-serving institutions can continue to serve their important role in educating minority students and that families who fell victim to the terrible attacks of September 11 will have welcome financial relief.

Unfortunately, however, this extension is a reminder that we have failed to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, and H.R. 609, passed earlier this year, was only another missed opportunity to help students and families. H.R. 609 failed to restore the $12 billion raid on student aid that was included in the Budget Reconciliation Act.

These cuts come at a time when college costs are on the rise. At 4- year public colleges and universities, tuition has skyrocketed by 40 percent between 2001 and 2005. Additionally, this is really the first time that we have asked an entire generation to go deeply into debt in order to get a higher education. The typical student leaves college today with $17,500 in Federal loan debt.

Democrats would also boost the Pell Grant scholarships for students most in need. The value of Pell Grant scholarships are now worth nearly $1,000 less in inflation-adjusted terms than they were 30 years ago. My friends on the other side of the aisle may say that they have increased Pell Grants, but the only reason there is more appropriated for Pell Grants is because there are more and more students that qualify for those grants.

The only way to ensure that students receive meaningful aid through the Pell Grant program is to restore the purchasing power of the Pell Grant and significantly increase the maximum award.

Mr. Speaker, oftentimes I believe we have lost sight of what the Federal role is for higher education. It is to provide access to any and all qualified students to ensure they can get into higher education if they want to. I urge that we work together to provide real relief to students and families and reverse the raid on student aid.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. I thank Mr. Keller for his fine work working with us on this extension and look forward to continuing to work with him.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4766, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006, introduced by my colleague from New Mexico, Mrs. Heather Wilson.

Language scholars estimate that there were approximately 300 languages spoken in North America prior to the arrival of Columbus. Some project that without intervention, only 20 indigenous languages will remain viable by the year 2050. This bill will help save Native languages, whose very survival depends upon our intervention.

Native languages are one of the treasures of this country's heritage, history, and diversity. The names of many States, cities, towns, streets, rivers and other geographical names in our country are derived from Native words. It would be a dishonor to continue to lose the languages to which we owe their origin.

Native languages have played a vital role in protecting our country in times of war, Mr. Speaker. In World War I and World War II, many brave Native Americans performed the role of ``code talkers'' to help protect this great country.

We owe much of this language preservation assistance to the legacy of our heroic code talkers. The key to stemming the loss of our Native American languages is by significantly increasing support for Native American language immersion programs. In addition to developing fluent speakers, language immersion programs have other remarkable benefits. Studies are showing that native language immersion programs decrease native dropout rates and increase educational attainment compared to their counterparts without such opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, these programs are valuable in fostering self-awareness, self-esteem, social growth, and problem-solving skills which are crucial in developing confident individuals who can tackle life's challenges in developing the next generation of Native American leaders.

H.R. 4766 allows the commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support and strengthen Native American language immersion programs, including language and language restoration programs. H.R. 4766 takes an important step forward in recognizing that vital importance of the Federal Government proactively working to save an important part of our heritage.

I would be remiss if I did not point out that the allowance for this grant program is just a promise, and this promise cannot be realized without a real increase in funding from the Administration for Native Americans which has been level funded at $44 million for the last 3 years. I pledge today that if this bill should become law, I shall send a letter to the Appropriations Committee supporting the increased funding necessary to support this program. I invite Chairman McKeon to join me in this effort. And I know that Mrs. Wilson is also concerned with this.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4766. And if this bill should become law, I invite all Members to join me in supporting appropriations necessary to fulfill our promise made today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall).

(Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).

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

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support S. 2430, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, companion legislation to the House bill introduced by myself and Congressman Mark Kirk.

The changes made by the Senate in S. 2430 are very positive, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support passage of the bill.

Madam Speaker, the Great Lakes are at a tipping point. These lakes, which comprise 20 percent of the earth's fresh water and 95 percent of North America's fresh water, are nothing less than in peril. It is vital this Congress do everything we can to ensure their protection and restoration.

There are thousands of different species of fish and wildlife and 130 globally endangered or rare plants and animal species that have been identified within the Great Lakes ecosystem. S. 2430 will reauthorize and improve research and conservation programs aimed at protecting and restoring this fragile ecosystem.

Our bill is the product of a long and collaborative process, and this bipartisan legislation is supported by a wide range of groups and organizations working to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Our bill increases the authorization level for fish and wildlife restoration projects and makes legislative changes that improve upon the Act.

Madam Speaker, while I certainly support passage of S. 2430, I believe this should only be the beginning of our efforts on behalf of the Great Lakes. This Congress must fulfill its commitment by increasing appropriations for Great Lakes' restoration and other important activities.

If funding were increased for projects under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, our local communities and their partners could really make a difference in reversing the downward spiral of the Great Lakes.

With just a small amount of money through this program, we were able to restore the walleye population in Saginaw Bay in my congressional district. This project was a success story, and we could have many more with increased dollars from this Congress and administration.

Madam Speaker, the Great Lakes are our national treasure, and we must treat them as such. This bipartisan effort that has brought S. 2430 to the floor today shows us that many Members of Congress care about what happens to our Great Lakes.

I have enjoyed working with Representatives Mark Kirk, Sherrod Brown, Vern Ehlers, Marcy Kaptur, David Hobson, Rahm Emanuel, Steve LaTourette, and Ron Kind, just to name a few.

Let us pass S. 2430 so we can move forward in our efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Jones has explained very well this bill. We have no objection to passage of S. 1025. The Committee on Resources approved similar legislation in the 108th Congress. The Federal cost-share for this project is not excessive, and the project itself will have a beneficial effect on local groundwater supplies.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.