Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5638.

Mr. Speaker, in the past, I had considered supporting legislation that would exempt the first $5 million per individual and $10 million per couple from the Federal estate tax.

I believed that to be a reasonable compromise to a complete repeal of the Estate Tax.

But I supported that figure of $5 and $10 million exemption before other tax cuts had driven us into huge deficits.

This Congress has already approved seven tax cuts.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, our Nation is currently engaged in two wars, two very costly wars in terms of human lives and Federal tax dollars.

Seven tax cuts and two wars make it difficult for me to support this reform of the Federal estate tax.

I also wish the House Republican leadership had allowed us to offer the reasonable democratic substitute amendment.

Our amendment would permanently raise the exemption on the estate tax to $3.5 million per person and $7 million per couple.

An exemption at that level would protect over 99 percent of all Americans from ever having to worry about paying the estate tax.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 5638.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 5603, a 3-month extension of the Higher Education Act. I have enjoyed working with the new chairman of the subcommittee Mr. Keller on this bill.

This bill, in essence, temporarily extends the last portions of the Higher Education Act not reauthorized in the reconciliation package.

During the 1998 reauthorization, I had the opportunity to work closely with Chairman McKeon, now chairman of the full committee, in crafting a bipartisan bill. Our reauthorization attempts this Congress have been a little more rocky than in 1998. Most of the hard-hitting changes to the Higher Education Act and student aid have already been passed in reconciliation, which I opposed. That action forever removed nearly $12 billion from student aid programs and missed an opportunity to reinvest in students who are already struggling to pay for college.

In response, along with Representative Miller, I recently introduced a bill called the Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act, H.R. 5150. This bill would have cut interest rates in half for students and parents taking out subsidized loans, the borrowers most in need. This bill would save the average borrower already saddled with $17,500 in debt $6,600 over the life of their loan.

The consideration and passage of the Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act is a critical investment in our global competitiveness and would offer real relief to students and families in need.

Let's set the record straight on Pell. Today we will hear about Republican support of Pell Grants. Yes, overall, spending on Pell Grants is on the rise, but Pell Grants are semientitlement programs, which means that if eligible students apply for Federal financial aid, they automatically get a Pell Grant. The increased spending they referred to is not because we are doing more to help individual students struggling to pay for college; this is because more students qualify, and more students are going to college. In other words, Mr. Speaker, we have more poor students that need our help.

In reality, the individual Pell Grant has seen no meaningful increase in the last 5 years. In fact, Pell Grants today are worth $900 less in inflation-adjusted terms than they were in the 1975-1976 school year.

Until the appropriators restore the actual buying power of the Pell Grant to the $5,100 level promised by our President 6 years ago, we have not done anything meaningful in helping the students and families struggling to pay for college.

As we worked towards reauthorizing the remainder of the higher education through H.R. 609 in March, I had hoped we could change the tone of debate and act in the interest of the students that the Higher Education Act was intended to help. Unfortunately, in the end, my concerns in the bill still far outweighed any benefit. The bill that was considered was not something I considered comfortable to support, and, for that reason, opposed it.

Again, I would like to thank Chairman Keller and Chairman McKeon for offering H.R. 5603, the 3-month extension of the Higher Education Act. And because we still have time to work on this, and hopefully things can change, we can achieve some repair work, repair of the reconciliation act. I will support this and have cosponsored the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

(Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, let us be very clear on the points we can agree.

Every Member of this House was horrified by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Every Member of this House believes we must do what is necessary to defend our country and our people from future attacks and to eliminate the threat of terrorism.

And every Member of this House supports our troops and their families, and we commend them for their honorable service under very difficult and stressful circumstances.

But today, Mr. Speaker, this House debates the ongoing war in Iraq, not the struggle against terrorism.

I voted no when the House considered the Congressional Resolution authorizing the President to Invade Iraq.

At that time, I had several crucial questions that needed clear answers:

1. What is the nature and the urgency of the Iraqi threat to the United States?

2. What is the mission of our troops?

3. How much international support will we have?

4. Will this military operation in Iraq increase terrorism or decrease terrorism?

5. What is the exit strategy to withdraw our troops from Iraq?

Despite my questions on the rationale for the war, I have consistently supported the funding for our troops.

They deserve our full support, and they deserve to have everything necessary for their mission.

And as the father of two sons who have served in the military, I would want no less.

Mr. Speaker, we now know that Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction.

President Bush has publicly acknowledged that there was no link or connection between Saddam Hussein and the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

The mission of our troops seems to change and expand daily.

As for international support, the American taxpayer has foot the vast majority of the costs to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars.

And American fighting men and women, and their families, have borne the vast majority of the deaths and injuries to coalition troops, over 2,500 killed and 18,000 wounded.

Moreover, many of the original members of our coalition have withdrawn or are withdrawing their troops from Iraq, leaving the U.S. to shoulder the burden almost alone.

Are we safer today than we were before the invasion of Iraq?

According to U.S. State Department data, there were 175 international terrorist attacks in 2003, and that was a 20-year high.

In 2004, the number jumped three-fold to 650 attacks.

In 2005, 11,111 terror attacks were reported by the state department.

Finally, the Bush Administration does not now nor ever has had a viable exit strategy for our troops in Iraq.

Saying, ``we will stand down as the Iraqis stand up'' puts the fate and future of American troops completely at the mercy of the competence of the Iraqi government and its security forces.

I agree with the resolution before us, we should not set an ``arbitrary'' date for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

But we should set intelligent, well-thought out benchmarks that make the most sense for American national interests.

Setting reasonable benchmarks for the departure of our troops would send several important messages.

To the Iraqi national government--get your house in order now!

To the Iraqi Sunnis opposing our occupation now is the time to cut your best deal with the Shiite and Kurdish factions while the U.S. is still able to act as an honest broker.

To our American military leaders--here is a date to which you can plan, knowing when the rebuilding of our military capabilities can begin.

To the American people we have done what we could.

From this point on, it is now up to the Iraqi people to find their way, with the support of the international community.

And finally, to the terrorists the Iraqi people will deal with you now if you remain in Iraq.

For all the other terrorists outside of Iraq, the United States can now shift the full force of its military, diplomatic, law enforcement, and economic resources to the single task of hunting you down and bringing you to justice.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Judge Lawrence Bielawski as he retires from his seat on the Michigan 18th Judicial Circuit Court in Bay County. His retirement will be celebrated at a dinner on June 23 in Bay City, Michigan.

Lawrence Bielawski is a lifelong resident of Bay City. After graduating from St. Stanislaus High School in 1964, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor Degree from Detroit College of Law. His first position in the legal field was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Bay County. He went on to private practice until Judge Bielawski became an Administrative Law Judge in the Bureau of Workers' Disability Compensation starting in 1984.

He went on to become a member of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board and a Workers' Compensation Magistrate before being appointed to the 18th Judicial Circuit Court by Governor James J. Blanchard in 1988. Ten years later he became the Chief Judge of the Court and has served in that capacity since that time.

Staying true to his roots in Bay County, Judge Bielawski is a member of St. Stanislaus Church and is active in the St. Stanislaus Usher's Club and the Athletic Club. He served as the Vice President and Advocate with the latter organization until his appointment to the bench. His father served as the Chair of the Bay County Democratic Party for over 26 years. Judge Bielawski followed in his dad's footsteps and is a lifetime member of the Michigan Democratic Party. Larry Bielawski was the Vice President of the Bay County Democratic Party and the Chairman of the James Blanchard Election Committee for Bay County.

Always serving the community, Judge Bielawski is also affiliated with the Salvation Army Advisory Board, St. Hyacinth Athletic Club, Knights of Columbus, St. George Society, the Lion's Club, and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. He married his wife Patricia in 1969 and they have three wonderful children.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be able to stand before the House of Representatives and ask you to join me in paying tribute to a dedicated public servant, Judge Lawrence Bielawski, as he embarks upon a new phase in his life. I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to a man of monumental significance in my hometown of Flint Michigan, Lawrence P. Ford. Larry is retiring as the President of the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce after 30 years of service and will be feted at a dinner on June 16 in Grand Blan, Michigan.

When Larry Ford became the Chief Executive Officer of the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce the organization had 435 members. During his tenure the membership has grown to 1900. He was instrumental in starting several organizations entrusted with the advancement of business interests and economic growth in Genesee County. These organizations include the Women's Business Council, the Powerlink Program, the ATHENA Program, Business Education Council, Leadership Flint, Visitors and Convention Bureau, Economic Growth Alliance, Inventor's Council, Young Inventor's Program, the SCORE program, the Small Business Development Center, Katherine Stevens Foundation, the first business Trade Show, and the Business Awards Program including the C.S. Mott Citizen of the Year Award and the Mass Mutual Blue Chip A ward.

Interspersed with these activities, Larry guided the Chamber and business community to take action on significant events that occurred in the community over the past 30 years. Larry has been a true visionary for the mid-Michigan area. He has been at the forefront to develop partnerships between the business, government, education, labor, and consumer sectors of Flint and illuminating our common stake in our community's future development. Through his hard work the Flint area has made an in depth examination of its potential and scrutinized ways to build on its existing strengths. Among the many successes he has helped achieve over the years, the growth and modernization of Flint Bishop International Airport stand out.

The article written by Larry titled ``Don't just survive--thrive!'' appearing in the Winter 2004 Execlink, outlines a program for success as the President/CEO of a Chamber of Commerce. His advice includes learning from others, never coasting, always look for a way to accomplish the goal, do not believe your press clippings, and enjoy what you do. Larry Ford lives his own philosophy. His wisdom can be applied to life in general and is essential for anyone seeking to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to one of the giants of the Flint community. His influence and impact on my hometown is enormous. During the many years I have known Larry he is always civil, patient, analytical and incisive. I value his counsel, and his commitment to the people of Flint. As a lifelong resident and business leader, his insight has helped me over the years. I hope that he has as much joy from his retirement as he has had from his work and I wish him the best for the future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ as it celebrates 65 years of fellowship and worship in my hometown of Flint Michigan. Jackson Memorial will commemorate this event with two days of festivities on August 12 and 13.

Founded in December 1941 by Reverend Leo J. Jackson as the Pilgrim Temple Church of God in Christ, the first services were held on the same day Pearl Harbor was bombed. After Reverend Jackson passed away the church was re-named in his memory. Bishop H. J. Williams is the current pastor and along with First Lady, Mother Iola Williams, he provides the leadership, inspiration and example of a life in Christ to the congregation and community.

Dedicating their lives to Jesus Christ, the congregation is pledged to the following beliefs: That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the Blessed Hope, which is the Rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return. That the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ. That regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation. That the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing for the human body, in answer to believing in prayer. That the baptism in the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:4 is iven to believers who ask for it. In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in this present world.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ as it celebrates their 65th anniversary. I commend them for 65 years of joyful service to the community and pray they will continue to provide spiritual guidance to the residents of Flint for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to South Flint Tabernacle as it celebrates 75 years of worship. The Tabernacle will come together on Sunday, May 21st to pray and rejoice in the blessings be stowed by God for the past 75 years.

Reverend John McLaughlin founded South Flint Tabernacle in 1931. The original worship services wire held at Lincoln School in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. A few years later the congregation purchased the land now occupied by the current church in Burton Michigan and embarked upon building a permanent

house of worship. After several building and remodeling projects the church has grown to its present size.

The Reverend Robert E. Henson has been the loving and charismatic pastor since 1979. A vibrant, dynamic congregation supports several ministries including Alcohol Chemical Treatment Ministry, Bus Ministry, Convalescent Ministry, Follow-up Visitation, Home Bible Studies, Home Friendship Groups, Inner City Evangelism, and Jail Ministry. The congregation and clergy live and pray their stated beliefs: The Bible is the inspired Word of God; There is only one God; Jesus Christ is God manifested or revealed in the flesh; The plan of salvation is clearly stated in the Holy Bible; The believer should live his or her life consecrated to the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ is coming again; There will be a final judgment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the South Flint Tabernacle as it celebrates 75 years of prayer, adoration, fellowship, and outreach. The clergy, congregation and staff are to be commended for their pledge to bring about positive changes in their community and to support each other in the everyday struggles of human life. Their commitment to their faith is an inspiration to all privileged to witness their actions.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Whaley Children's Center as it celebrates 80 years helping children in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Whaley Chlldren's Center will hold an open house on May 18 to showcase their services and commemorate their anniversary.

Robert J. Whaley, then President of Citizens Bank, decided to organize a home for neglected, forgotten children during the 1880s. He made his decision to honor the memory of his deceased I son, Donald M. Whaley. At the time of his death at the age of eleven, Donald was saving money to send to an orphanage in the Detroit area. His father conceived of the idea to create a home for less fortunate children and bequeathed in his will the funds to build the Donald M. Whaley Home. On January 26, 1924 the Whaley Foundation was organized under the trusteeship of the wardens and vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. After consulting with the Child Welfare League, the Memorial Home was built in 1926.

The Memorial Home has metamorphosed into the Whaley Children's Center, dedicated to helping troubled children achieve self-sufficiency at the same time meeting their everyday needs. Using the four pillars of the ``Circle of Courage'' model: Independence, Generosity, Mastery, and Belonging; Whaley Children's Center strives to serve the whole child. At the present time the Whaley Children's Center can serve 51 children through their 18th birthday and high school graduation. They have a separate unit, the McDonald Cottage, for children ages 6 through 10.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the outstanding efforts of the community, volunteers, board and staff of the Whaley Children's Center. Their steadfast devotion to the children they serve is to be commended. I am glad that I have had this opportunity to recognize their hard work and their exceptional achievements helping our troubled youth attain a better future.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Zilwaukee Lions Club as it celebrates 50 years of service to the community of Zilwaukee, Michigan. The Lions Club will gather on June 9th to mark the occasion with a banquet.

The Zilwaukee Lions Club was founded in March 1956 by a group of men looking to fulfill the Lions motto, ``We Serve.'' Lions Clubs offer their associates the opportunity to give back to the community and the members of the Zilwaukee Club have embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly.

That same year, the members built the first boat dock in Zilwaukee. Not content to be limited to one endeavor, the Zilwaukee Lions Club has spent the past 50 years providing such diverse services as arranging eye exams and glasses for the needy; taking blind men fishing; expanding the tape library for the blind; building a pavilion in the Zilwaukee City Park; holding an annual Christmas Dinner for the senior citizens of Zilwaukee; and many other worthwhile projects too numerous to name.

Lions Clubs International has 1,300,000 members in 196 countries all contributing to the Vision Program. The Zilwaukee Lions Club participates with its fellow clubs to achieve the goal of bringing sight to the world's blind as well as improving their individual communities. The Zilwaukee Club has continuously maintained this commitment throughout its 50 year history.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives, please join me in congratulating the Zilwaukee Lions Club on the wonderful job they have done over the past 50 years serving the residents of Zilwaukee, Michigan and the surrounding area. They are to be commended for their good work, their dedication to others and their pledge to continue to serve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Judge Leopold Borrello as he retires from an illustrious career as a Saginaw County Michigan jurist. Judge Borrello will be honored at a reception on May 23 in Saginaw by the community.

A native of Saginaw, Judge Borrello started working when he was in the third grade at his father's grocery store. After graduating from Saginaw High School in 1951, Judge Borrello received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albion College and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1958. He returned to the Saginaw area and opened a practice of law. He worked in solo practice and for several firms before heading up his own firm of Borrello, Thomas and Jenson.

In 1987 Governor James Blanchard appointed him to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court. Judge Borrello became Chief Judge of the 10th Judical Circuit Court in 1992 and has continued to serve in that capacity until his retirement on April 14th of this year. He ran unopposed in 1988, 1994 and 2000 to be returned to his place on the bench. During his tenure Judge Borrello presided over three one-man grand juries and numerous criminal and civil cases.

In addition to his work on the bench, Judge Borrello is also active with the Saginaw County Crime Prevention Council and the American Kennel Club, where he also serves as a show judge. Judge Borrello and his wife Audre have passed on their work ethic to their three sons: Stephen, an appellate court judge; Andre, a Saginaw attorney; and Murray, a professor at Alma College.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the career of a hardworking, dedicated public servant, Leopold Borrello. His intelligence, common sense, and consideration for the public welfare have earned the well deserved respect of his fellow jurists and the esteem of the Saginaw community.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the accomplishments of Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan as it celebrates its 75th anniversary of employing persons with disabilities. Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan will celebrate this milestone at a party on May 23 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Reverend John E. Martin, pastor of the Oak Park Methodist Church, brought Goodwill Industries to the Flint area in April 1931. Originally started as a program to assist immigrants, Goodwill Industries soon became a service for persons with disabilities. The focus shifted to employment, training and rehabilitation. The emphasis is on giving all persons with disabilities the dignity that comes from work and economic self-sufficiency.

In the 1950s Goodwill Industries became a subcontractor for General Motors and other area businesses. The expanded services and training mandated a need for additional space, and through the generosity of C.S. Mott, Goodwill Industries was able to move to its present location. In 1986 the name was changed to Goodwill Industries of Mid- Michigan to reflect the organization's expansion into the areas surrounding Flint.

Currently serving clients in six Michigan counties, operating 11 retail stores, a business services unit and employing over 200 workers, Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan offers rehabilitation programs designed to enhance interpersonal relationships, leadership development, vocational training and computer skills. They provide services to over 500 individuals while maintaining a high level of competence, customer satisfaction and effectiveness.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan as it celebrates 75 years providing efficient, professional assistance to persons with disabilities and the communities of Mid-Michigan. They are to be commended for their dedication to teaching every segment of our society the satisfaction that comes from succeeding in the workplace.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Flint Olympian Games as it celebrates 50 years of promoting physical fitness and sportsmanship. Events commemorating this anniversary will be held throughout the summer in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Conceived 50 years ago as a finale to the summer athletic program for Flint students, the Games have grown into a community wide experience. Frank Manley and the Flint School District Community Education Directors held the first planning meeting to organize the Games in 1956. The following year 1500 students participated in 6 sports. Today the Games involve 11,000 contestants active in 22 sports. Encompassing the entire family the Games have become a tradition among generations of Flint residents.

The opening ceremonies will be held on July 11 at Flint Central High School followed by a fitness walk and field day. The competitions will commence on that date and continue through July 22 at locations scattered throughout the community. An awards dinner will be held on July 27 to honor the participants and volunteers that have organized and sponsored this event. The amateur athletes will go on to participate in the 49th annual CANUSA Games. The CANUSA Games is a competition held between the residents of Flint and its sister city, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The CANUSA Games foster goodwill between the citizens of both communities. Held on alternate years in each community, this year the CANUSA Games will take place in Flint on August 11, 12 and 13. For many of the participants this is their first exposure to persons from another country.

In addition to the actual sports competitions, the organizers have also planned a banquet to be held in June and a golf outing for July. The 50th Flint Olympian Games Celebration is a joint celebration sponsored by the Flint Community Schools, Citizens Blue Ribbon Committee, Greater Flint Olympian-CANUSA Association, City of Flint, the Ruth Mott Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The 50th Anniversary Games will be dedicated to the founders, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stewart Mott and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Manley.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding the dedication of the many volunteers and contestants that come together each year in the atmosphere of camaraderie to promote the ideals of sportsmanship, physical well being and friendly competition. Their vision of families playing and working together to accomplish goals is to be commended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable woman, Sybyl Atwood. For the past 40 years Sybyl has been the linchpin of the social services community in my hometown, Flint, Michigan. On May 11 she will be honored for her selfless work on behalf of the less fortunate at a dinner hosted by the Resource Center in Flint.

Relocating to the Flint area after earning her Baccalaureate Degree in Community Development from Central Michigan University, she gathered together a group of volunteers on February 14, 1966 and founded the Volunteer Bureau. Serving as the chief executive officer of the Bureau for more than 20 years, Sybyl defined its direction as an organization promoting volunteerism, grassroots community involvement and expanded delivery of social services in the Flint area. The Bureau evolved into the Voluntary Action Center in 1989 and Sybyl continued at its helm. After merging with United Way, the Voluntary Action Center became part of the Resource Center. Sybyl continues to head the Volunteer Services at the Resource Center.

Thousands of volunteers have benefited from her training and guidance. She compiled the Genesee County Community Sourcebook, a reference book listing over 400 service agencies in Genesee County. Sybyl is also responsible for assembling the information and the publishing of the ``Emergency Assistance Directory,'' the ``Youth Volunteer Opportunities Directory,'' and the ``Reduced Income Planning Guide.'' She also coordinates the weekly ``Volunteer Here'' column in the Flint Journal and runs the Information and Referral Program. This program receives about 350 calls per month from persons seeking emergency assistance.

For her service to the community Sybyl has received the American Society of Training and Development Chapter Award for Service, City of Flint Human Relations Commission People's Award, Genesee County Bar Association

Liberty Bell Award, Toastmaster International Regional Communication and Leadership Award, the YWCA of Greater Flint Nina Mills Women of Achievement Award, the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Award, Citizen of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers, and earlier this week Michigan State University named her the 2006 Outstanding Field Educator for the Flint Program.

In addition to her work with Volunteer Services, Sybyl is also a founding member of the Emergency Services Council, the Genesee County Service Learning Coalition, the local Americorps collaborative, and has found time to work toward a master's degree in Public Administration. As a member of the Committee Concerned with Housing, she is currently studying the gaps in service in the emergency housing sector. Sybyl works within her neighborhood promoting the historic Carriage Town area and the propagation of Michigan's indigenous plants and grasses.

Mr. Speaker, Sybyl Atwood embodies the sentiments in her favorite quotation, ``While there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.'' She is a champion of the poor, the helpless, and the innocent. I am proud of my association with her, grateful for the good that she does, and treasure her inspiration, commitment and wisdom. The Flint community is a more humane place because of Sybyl Atwood. I ask the House of Representatives to rise today and join me in honoring this exceptional woman.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the Bay City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as it celebrates 50 years as a dedicated champion of civil rights. On June 2, 2006 the members of the Bay City Branch will come together to revere its founding members and renew its commitment to justice for all.

Roy Wilkins chartered the first branch of the NAACP in Bay City in 1918. This was at a time when the NAACP was instrumental in convincing President Woodrow Wilson to publicly denounce lynching. The Branch was disbanded but it was re-chartered in 1938 by Attorney Oscar Baker Sr. and chartered a third time in 1946.

In 1955, NAACP member Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery Alabama bus and one of the largest grassroots civil rights movements was born. The NAACP was at the forefront of this struggle and Reverend Obie Matthew, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church, organized the present Bay City Branch the following year on October 8, 1956. 50 years later the Branch is still fighting for equality of all citizens.

The Bay City Branch has led the fight against discrimination in housing, education, employment, healthcare, and the criminal justice system. Some of its notable fights were the Migrant Negroes from Georgia Case, the Bay County Skating Rink Case in the 1960s, the Woolworth 5&10 Store Sit-in, the hiring of the first African American teachers by the Bay City School District, and the inclusion of a Black History Class in the Bay City Central High School curriculum. The Branch has given away more than 70 scholarships to high school students. They have supported CORY Place, sponsored a summer USDA Food and Activity program for children, and worked with other local agencies to improve the living conditions in Bay City.

The hymn, Lift Every Voice and Sing, was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900. In it he wrote, ``Sing a song full of hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.'' Under the current leadership of President Idella White, the Bay City Branch is marching on in the fight to remove barriers to racial equality. The Bay City Branch remains committed to educating citizens about their constitutional rights, and the adverse effects of racial discrimination.

Mr. Speaker, I am asking the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Bay City Branch of the NAACP for 50 years of commitment to social justice. The members are to be commended for their steadfast fight against racial hatred and I pray that together we will eliminate this scourge from our nation and the world.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my Congressional colleagues from Michigan to pay tribute to the life and service of former Congressman Elford Albin `Al' Cederberg. Congressman Cederberg, a Republican who represented mid-Michigan in Congress from 1953 through 1978, passed away on Monday, April 17, 2006 at the age of 88.

Born in Bay City, Michigan, March 6, 1918, Congressman Cederberg attended public schools and Bay City Junior College from 1935-1937. He entered the United States Army in April 1941 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in July 1942, and later a captain in 1943. Assigned to the Eighty-third Infantry, Cederberg participated in the Normandy invasion and fought in France and Germany.

After returning home from Europe at the end of World War Two, Congressman Cederberg served as manager of Nelson Manufacturing Co. of Bay City, Michigan from 1946-1952, and he was elected mayor of Bay City from 1949-1953.

In 1952, Cederberg was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to the Eighty-third Congress and to the twelve succeeding Congresses. During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, he rose to the distinguished position of Ranking Republican Member of the Appropriations Committee. He and former President, and former House Minority Leader Gerald Ford, were close personal friends who stayed in contact long after both had left public service.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have known and served with Congressman Cederberg here in the U.S. House of Representatives. His integrity and his sense of decency were admired by all who came in contact with him. His love for his country, for his State of Michigan and for his hometown of Bay City were well known. Without a doubt, Mr. Speaker, our nation, our state, and our communities are better places in which to live because of the stellar public service of Congressman Elford Albin `Al' Cederberg. The Members of this Congress could greatly benefit from the shining example of Elford Albin `Al' Cederberg.