Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, my constituent Steve Grandstaff is shop Chairman of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 651, which represents hourly workers at Delphi East in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

For the Record I would like to read an excerpt of the electronic testimony that Steve wrote for the Education and the Workforce Committee e-hearing on the impact of the Delphi bankruptcy filing:

I am the Shop Chairperson of UAW Local 651 in Flint,

servicing Delphi Flint East and representing 2800 hard

working people. Early on in this whole saga I had a

realization what the whole issue boils down to.

I refer to it as the promise; the promise was part of the

deal. The deal was that you came to work and did your job for

30 years and at the end of that time you could have the

opportunity to go on your way with a somewhat comfortable

pension to see you through your later years.

The workers end of the promise was that they worked the off

shifts for the first decade of employment. This meant working

the hot days in the summer and the cold ones in the winter.

That in itself meant that you were at work when your family

and your friends were working normal hours and enjoying life.

The promise meant that you worked in the grimy, dangerous

conditions. You did boring monotonous jobs. You suffered the

labeling by society because you worked in a factory.

You would work the extra hours so that you could get the

nice things that life offered. The things that seemed to come

easier to other people but in your case you had to do a

little extra to get them. . . .

Over the years many of us had the opportunity to make a

decision, should I stay or should I move on to something

else. Many, many people stayed on because of the promise.

They made decisions not to go to a new career because they

were many years into the equation of which the promise

weighed oh so heavily.

The promise was always out there.

The company always reminded anyone that would listen about

how they were funding our pensions and used that as a

bargaining chip when our wages or benefits were on the table.

It was always figured in as a benefit cost even though now

some wonder if the company ever really intended to fulfill

the promise.

Now here we are near the end of our careers, not as young

as we used to be, many of us broken. When so many of us are

so close to being able to cash in on the promise the company

is attempting to take it away from us. . . .

Mr. Speaker, this Congress has failed to protect American workers while focusing on protecting the privileged few.

It is time for these workers' stories to be heard and I am pleased to have this opportunity to share one of these stories.

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 rise before you today with a heavy heart, as I ask my colleagues in the 109th Congress to join me in honoring the life and accomplishments of a remarkable man and a dear friend, Mr. John Hightower. Mr. Hightower passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, April 25, after a long illness. I am deeply saddened by this loss, for John and his family have been inspirations to many throughout the City of Flint, as well as the county, state and nation.

It is difficult to imagine what the landscape of my hometown of Flint, Michigan, would be like, had John Hightower not moved here from St. Louis in 1952. An Army veteran, John started working at the Buick Foundry, where he also served as committeeman at UAW Locals 599 and 659. His relationship with Buick was shortlived, as he lost his job after confronting a supervisor who had made a racial slur. For John, this became a new opportunity rather than a setback; following the incident, he opened Hightower Electronics and Construction Company. This also served as the catalyst to his becoming one of the area's foremost civil rights proponents. He joined others across the country in the March on Washington and the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. He brought the lessons he learned from those experiences home and fought for racial equity in the local job market, against unfair housing practices, and increased funding for the Flint Public Library.

Mr. Speaker, the impact John Hightower made in the City of Flint is one that will be felt by its residents for generations to come. His loss will leave a great void, but his legacy will endure forever. I personally am grateful to have had the opportunity to call John my constituent, my colleague, and my friend. I am a better Congressman, a better citizen, and a better human being for having known him. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to please join me in paying tribute to his legacy.

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, my constituent Steve Grandstaff is shop chairman of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 651, which represents hourly workers at Delphi East in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

For the record I would like to read an excerpt of the electronic testimony that Steve wrote for the Education and the Workforce Committee e-hearing on the impact of the Delphi bankruptcy filing:

I am the Shop Chairperson of UAW Local 651 in Flint,

servicing Delphi Flint East and representing 2,800 hard

working people. Early on in this whole saga I had a

realization what the whole issue boils down to.

I refer to it as the promise; the promise was part of the

deal. The deal was that you came to work and did your job for

30 years and at the end of that time you could have the

opportunity to go on your way with a somewhat comfortable

pension to see you through your later years.

The workers' end of the promise was that they worked the

off shifts for the first decade of employment. This meant

working the hot days in the summer and the cold ones in the

winter. That in itself meant that you were at work when your

family and your friends were working normal hours and

enjoying life.

The promise meant that you worked in the grimy, dangerous

conditions. You did boring, monotonous jobs. You suffered the

labeling by society because you worked in a factory.

You would work the extra hours so that you could get the

nice things that life offered. The things that seemed to come

easier to other people but in your case you had to do a

little extra to get them . . .

Over the years many of us had the opportunity to make a

decision, should I stay or should I move on to something

else. Many, many people stayed on because of the promise.

They made decisions not to go to a new career because they

were many years into the equation of which the promise

weighed oh so heavily.

The promise was always out there.

The company always reminded anyone that would listen about

how they were funding our pensions and used that as a

bargaining chip when our wages or benefits were on the table.

It was always figured in as a benefit cost even though now

some wonder if the company ever really intended to fulfill

the promise.

Now here we are near the end of our careers, not as young

as we used to be, many of us broken. When so many of us are

so close to being able to cash in on the promise, the company

is attempting to take it away from us . . .

Mr. Speaker, this Congress has failed to protect American workers while focusing on protecting the privileged few.

It is time for these workers' stories to be heard and I am pleased to have this opportunity to share one of these stories.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, April 8th, the Flint Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Incorporated will present Representative Brenda Clack with the Sojourner Truth Award at the 45th annual luncheon in my hometown of Flint, Michigan.

Founded in 1935 the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Incorporated seeks to provide a forum for the development of women in the business community and professions. The members come together to provide a place for the exchange of ideas and to encourage new entrepreneurs to succeed in their dreams. They embody the sentiments expressed by Sojourner Truth before the 1851 Women's Rights Convention, ``If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back and get it right-side up again.''

At the annual luncheon, the Flint Club honors a member of the community that has exemplified the commitment to the ideals of the association and the persevering spirit of Sojourner Truth. This year the Flint Club has chosen Michigan State Representative Brenda Clack to receive this prestigious award.

Brenda moved to Michigan after attending Tennessee State University. She quickly made her mark in the Flint community through her involvement with the NAACP, Urban League, the United Teachers of Flint, the Michigan Education Association, and as a member of Vernon Chapel AME Church. A lifelong educator, she spent 32 years teaching History and Economics in the Flint Public School System before being elected to public office.

In 1995 she was selected as Michigan's Economic Teacher of the Year, the following year she received the Flint Optimist's Outstanding Achievement in Education Award and she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa's Hall of Fame. Elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2002, Brenda serves the constituents of the 34th House District. Besides serving on several House Standing Committees, she founded the ``Flint Speaks Out Against Violence'' task force and was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve with the National Governors Association Policy Academy. Brenda's community involvement is highlighted by her work mentoring students, celebrating grandparents raising their grandchildren, and collecting blankets for the needy. Brenda is married to Floyd Clack, a former State Representative and former Genesee County Commissioner. She is mother to Michael and Mia.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the accomplishments of Representative Brenda Clack as she is honored for her kinship and inspiration to the Flint area.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Olivia Maynard as she receives the Eleanor Roosevelt Award from the Michigan Democratic Women's Caucus. Olivia will be honored at a luncheon on Saturday, April 8th in Detroit.

Olivia Maynard, also known as Libby, has served the people of Michigan in numerous capacities since graduating from the University of Michigan in 1971 with a Master of Social Work degree. After serving as the director of the Office of Services to the Aging, she ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1990 with Governor Jim Blanchard. President Clinton appointed her to the Federal Council on Aging, and she served as a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging.

Elected in 1996 as a Regent of the University of Michigan, she was re-elected in 2004 and continues in that capacity at the present time. Deeply committed to Michigan and its people, Libby was a founding member of Michigan Prospect an organization committed to connecting government to its citizens and creating a caring democratic society. Currently serving as President of Michigan Prospect, Libby devotes her time and energy to bringing about a diverse, just, humane state of Michigan.

Libby also serves as a trustee of the C.S. Mott Foundation, on the boards of the Nature Conservancy of Michigan, McLaren Regional Medical Center, the Council on Michigan Foundations and the Council on Foundations. She is the past chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Along with her husband, S. Olof Karlstrom, an attorney in private practice, they have generously supported Michigan establishments. Their gift of $2.25 million to the University of Michigan School of Social Work is just one example of their commitment to supporting the institutions and ideas that will make the future of Michigan brighter.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to stand with me and applaud the tremendous contributions Olivia Maynard has made to the promotion of dignity, justice, education, and social well-being. Her lifelong commitment to all segments of society has made a positive impact on the lives of countless persons. I value her support, counsel and common sense. Olivia Maynard is one of the giants of the Flint Michigan community and I am honored to call her my friend.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I do not intend to oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment is certainly thoughtful, realistic and sensitive, and I urge everyone to support it.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like to claim the time in opposition, although I do not oppose it.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas for offering this amendment. It is a step in the right direction on some of the provisions that I expressed concern over yesterday, and I have no objection to its adoption, urge its adoption.

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

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I really think this would lead to a violation of privacy and have a chilling effect upon that which the Supreme Court has permitted in the case against Bollinger from the University of Michigan where I attended.

It was a very narrow decision of the Supreme Court. I and my two sons attended the University of Michigan; and we, as members of the majority, benefited from a very sensitive, sensitivity to minorities. We benefited from that because we had a larger universe in which to study. So we gained from the fact that we were broadened out by the fact that there was a certain sensitivity towards minorities, very narrowly construed now by the Supreme Court.

So I think it is a win-win situation. We should leave it alone. The Supreme Court has made its decision. It is very clear that colleges are following this, and I think to have all this reporting serves no useful purpose and would also, I think, lead to a violation of privacy and would, because of the reporting, even have a chilling effect upon the use of this.

Mr. Chairman, as I said yesterday, I would like to be down here on the floor to say that H.R. 609 is a genuine bipartisan reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. That is really not the case. Two months after the $12 billion heist on student aid, we are considering another bill that is a missed opportunity. I am proud to join Ranking Member Miller, along with Representatives Bobby Scott, Danny Davis, and Raul Grijalva in offering a higher education bill that is in touch with the needs of everyday Americans.

Instead of missing another opportunity to expand college access, this substitute seizes this opportunity to make college more affordable by slashing interest rates in half for the next year. This is a down payment on reversing the raid on student aid. Additionally, it will expand college participation rates for minority students by establishing a graduate Hispanic-serving institution program and a predominantly black institution program and by providing additional assistance for tribal colleges.

Instead of supporting the Missed College Opportunity Act, I ask my colleagues to seize this opportunity to act in the interest of students and families. America's students and families deserve better. Vote ``no'' on H.R. 609. Vote ``yes'' on the Democratic substitute.

Mr. Chairman, after a highly contentious debate over a $12 billion raid on student aid, I was hoping to build some bridges and work together with the rest of the higher education reauthorization. Unfortunately, after countless hours of negotiations, we reached an impasse, and we are considering another bill that falls short of my hopes.

We were able to reach agreement on year-round Pell Grants pilot program, student aid application simplification, loan forgiveness in areas of national need and minimum grants for tribal colleges. I am pleased that Chairman McKeon was willing to work with me on these important improvements, but my concerns in the bill still outweigh these improvements.

Additionally, it is incumbent upon me to both lead and serve the members of my committee, and my Democratic colleagues on the Education and Workforce Committee have spoken loud and clear. They cannot support this bill. They, too, are pleased with the modifications I mentioned, but it just is not enough to call this a bipartisan bill.

In truth, H.R. 609 does little to help make college more affordable for students and families already struggling to pay increasing tuition costs.

H.R. 609 does not increase student aid; does not lower interest rates to make loans more manageable; does not promote greater State investment in higher education. It freezes the authorized level of the maximum Pell Grant scholarship, at just $200 above current levels, through 2013 and it does not include any mandatory increase in Pell.

H.R. 609 establishes a troublesome standard for transfer of credit, creating an unprecedented Federal role in college curriculum standards which discourages schools from setting high academic standards.

At a time when America's workforce is facing fierce global competition, the Federal Government should not be encouraging our colleges to reduce their academic standards.

H.R. 609 many puts forth a drastic plan to allow States to act as accreditors. Colleges currently have to meet three independent standards: one set for eligibility for Federal aid; the second one for State licensing; and another for regional or national accreditation.

A classic example of consolidation of power, H.R. 609 would allow States too much control over accreditation. The current trinity of independent standards is key to maintaining America's high quality higher education. Here, too, undermining such standards will undermine America's global competitiveness.

It is unsettling for me to know that we are missing a real opportunity to make college more affordable and accessible, to boost America's economic competitiveness and to invest in America's continued prosperity. But that is what we have here today, a missed opportunity.

With major national student groups, unions and countless colleges, including my own University of Michigan, opposed to the bill, it has become clear that this is not a bill we should send to the Senate. Fortunately, Mr. Chairman, this debate is not over after today's vote.

I hope we can revisit our attempts at bipartisanship once this bill goes to conference. I wish I was down here on the floor to say great things about this bill, but I have to oppose H.R. 609, and I would ask my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment and urge its adoption.

Mr. Speaker, today I am paying tribute to Robert V. Jewell, as he is honored by the University of Michigan-Flint alumni society. The Alumni Society is presenting their Campus Service Award to Rob at a ceremony on March 23 in Flint, Michigan.

The Campus Service Award is given to a volunteer making a significant contribution of time, talent, and service to the University of Michigan-Flint. Rob was chosen to receive this award for his work on the Alumni Society Board of Governors. He has served on the board for over 15 years and has completed two stints as the chairperson. In addition he has played a vital role in the development of the University's School of Education and Human Services Alumni Affiliate.

After graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology with a minor in social work in 1978, Rob began his career of service to the Flint community. He has worked or volunteered for numerous community- based organizations, educational institutions and religious groups. Blending the fresh with the practical he has established a reputation in the community for energetic, enthusiastic problem solving.

Currently working as development coordinator for the Hurley Foundation, Rob works to bring together the people and funds to improve Hurley Medical Center and the Flint area. For many he is known as ``Mr. Hurley.'' He brings that same commitment to his work on behalf of the University of Michigan-Flint as he strives to improve the lifelong educational experience of its students and alumni.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to congratulate Robert V. Jewell as he receives the Campus Service Award from the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni Society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Bobby Crim, an outstanding legislator and humanitarian. Bobby is a dear friend and will be honored by the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni Society with the Distinguished Alumni Award at a ceremony on March 23 in my hometown of Flint, MI.

The Alumni Society presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to graduates of the University of Michigan-Flint earning noteworthy regional or international recognition for his or her accomplishments.

Bobby Crim started his post secondary education at Flint Junior College. After receiving the first CS Mott scholarship he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan-Flint in 1960 graduating with a bachelor of arts degree. He went on to receive a master of arts degree in 1986 from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. In the interim he started on an illustrious career in teaching, business, and public service.

Elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, Bobby served 8 years as the speaker of the House. In 1977 he organized the Crim Road Race for Michigan Special Olympics. He had three goals: to run a first class road race in Flint; to raise money for mentally handicapped athletes; and to foster community pride among the residents of the Flint area. The Crim Festival of Races has accomplished all three goals. Over the intervening years the festival has gained an international reputation as one of the top world-class races, has raised millions of dollars for six charities and is an annual event celebrated the fourth weekend in August throughout Flint.

Everyone in the community knows the painted blue stripe at the side of several roads in Flint marks the route for the Crim Race.

Mr. Speaker, the Crim Festival of Races stands as a lasting, tribute to the dedication of Bobby Crim. The skills he gained through his education at the University of Michigan-Flint enabled him to envision Flint as a better place and to turn that vision into reality benefiting thousands. I ask the House of Representatives to join with the Alumni Society in congratulating Bobby Crim as he receives the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Mr. Speaker, the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni Society is bestowing their Community Service Award on Gregory Gaines of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addictions. The award will be presented to him at the 2006 Annual Alumni Leadership Awards ceremony on March 23. Greg was chosen to receive this award because of the selfless amount of time and energy he has devoted to running the Mr. Rogers ``Say No'' Program in the Flint community.

After earning a bachelor of applied science degree in 1989, Greg has worked with at-risk young men in our community to instill them with discipline, hardwork, and pride. Through his program over 1,800 boys have benefited from his training. His innovative approach, to have the boys grow the produce they sell at the Farmers' Market, teaches them the value of hard work, responsibility, working together, patience, problem solving and self-control. Greg works with boys that come from inner city, single parent homes and are prime targets for the lure of alcohol and drugs. With his guidance these boys are able to see the benefits of education and hard work. They develop the skills and patience to work toward long-range goals instead of succumbing to the immediate gratification of substance abuse.

The Mr. Rogers Program has proved to be so successful that for the first time girls will be brought into the program starting in the summer of 2006. Last year Greg won the Genesee County Children's Champion Awards Caring Adult prize and the Mr. Rogers Program was a finalist for the Outstanding Business/Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, day in and day out, Greg Gaines makes the Flint community a better place. His hands on approach to helping our children requires enthusiasm, tolerance, and persistence. Greg has proven he is equal to the task and his devotion to our greatest resource, our children, is to be commended. I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me today and applaud the accomplishments of Gregory Gaines as he receives the Community Service Award from his alma mater, the University of Michigan-Flint.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 4911, a 3-month extension of the Higher Education Act. And I extend my congratulations to Mr. Keller in his new role as subcommittee Chair.

This, 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 in crafting a bipartisan bill. Despite a rocky reauthorization process so far this Congress, I still hope we can build on our previous partnerships.

Most of the damaging changes to the Higher Education Act in 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 already struggling to pay for college.

With this highly contentious and misguided portion no longer connected to the reauthorization, I hope we can now move forward in a bipartisan way as we reauthorize the few remaining items of the Higher Education Act.

Several good-faith compromises were made in the nonstudent aid portions of reauthorization when we marked up H.R. 609 this past summer. Yet the bill was far from bipartisan when the Committee on Education and the Workforce reported H.R. 609 in July by a party-line vote.

As we move forward this year with my good friend Mr. McKeon as the new committee Chair, I hope we can build on the bipartisan spirit of the 1998 reauthorization that we worked on together.

Again, I would like to thank Chairman McKeon for offering H.R. 4911, the 3-month extension of the Higher Education Act, and I am pleased to offer my support and cosponsorship. I hope that this extension will allow the Republican leadership time to work with us to move forward in a bipartisan way as we finish our work on the higher education reauthorization.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).

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

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

I join my colleague in supporting S. 2363, a bill to extend the current Ed-Flex authority.

The Ed-Flex program was first established in 1994 through the Goals 2000 Act. I was chief sponsor of the bill and Bill Goodling of Pennsylvania was the author of the Ed-Flex language. This was part of an early effort to provide States with greater flexibility as they begin to implement education reform initiatives.

Ed-Flex addressed criticism that certain Federal education requirements stymied local education reform and allowed local school districts to apply to waive select education requirements.

In exchange for greater flexibility, the local school district must demonstrate improved academic performance. Twelve States were granted Ed-Flex authority in 1999. Ten States continue to have the authority: Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont.

S. 2363 would extend Ed-Flex for these 10 States until Congress reauthorizes No Child Left Behind.

By extending this authority for these 10 States, local school districts in these States will not have to interrupt the measures they currently have in place.

In Maryland, this includes allowing school districts that receive title I funds to allow all the students in the school to take advantage of title I services, such as extra attention in reading, in writing for elementary school students.

In Massachusetts, seven school districts are using Ed-Flex authority to provide title I service to schools that previously had access to these services; but due to shifts in school populations, these schools were no longer eligible for these funds, even though the need still existed.

I am pleased that States have been responsible in approving waivers requested by the school districts. States have adhered to the law which prohibits certain waivers such as those affecting civil rights and maintenance of effort. These provisions are important and exist to maintain necessary protection for students and funding.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me also mention that the Department of Education has provided assurances that it will not allow States to waive compliance with a highly qualified teacher provision in No Child Left Behind. All States must be in compliance with this provision by the end of this school year.

The highly qualified teacher provision is critical to improving student academic performance. All children should have the benefit of a teacher who is certified in the subject area they teach. The highly qualified teacher provision in No Child Left Behind ensures that that will happen, and I appreciate the Department's oversight on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is well thought out and deserves the support of this House.

Mr. Speaker, 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today with a heavy heart, as I ask my colleagues in the 109th Congress to join me in honoring the life and accomplishments of a dear friend of mine, Bishop Walter Emile Bogan, Sr. Bishop Bogan passed away at his residence on Sunday, January 8, at the age of 57. I am deeply saddened by this great loss, for Bishop Bogan was an inspiring and positive force for Genesee County, the State, and Nation. He was a true friend, and I shall miss him greatly.

Born to the union of Norma L. Bogan-Burrell and the late William Bogan in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, Walter Bogan attended and graduated from Flint Community Schools, and later went on to schools such as Saints Academy College in Lexington, MS, Moody Bible College in Chicago, and Moorhouse College in Atlanta. He also attended Flint's C.S. Mott Community College, and the University of Michigan-Flint. On July 25, 1980, he answered the Lord's call and succeeded his grandfather and mentor, Rev. Theodore Harris, as Pastor of Harris Memorial Church of God in Christ.

Over the years, Rev. Bogan became more than just a Pastor, but a spiritual leader whose guidance, vision, and commitment to spreading the Word of God helped make the Flint area a better place in which to live. Pastor Bogan constantly and selflessly gave of himself, hosting Christmas parties for neighborhood children and providing gifts for them all. In recent years, he would offer college scholarships for several young members of his congregation, in hopes of granting them opportunities they otherwise may not have had the chance to take.

In 2000, Pastor Bogan became Bishop Bogan, as he was appointed Chief Servant and Presiding Bishop of the Great Lakes Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan, Church of God In Christ. Bishop Bogan admirably balanced his new leadership duties with powerful sermons each Sunday, which for him was a labor of love.

Bishop Bogan leaves to cherish and carry on his legacy his beautiful and devoted wife of 35 years, Dianne, sons Walter and Eric, daughter- in-law Karleen, three grandchildren, and of course the many people whom he loved and loved him in return.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in offering condolences to the family of Bishop Bogan, and in thanking them for sharing him with our community. My message to his congregation is as follows:

``Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart.'' [Matthew 11:29]

It takes a strong person to be meek, a strong person to be in charge of his passions and emotions.

Bishop Walter Emile Bogan was such a person. He was strong in his love of God. He was strong in his love of the Church. He was strong in his love of family. He was strong in his pursuit of justice. He was strong in his effort to eliminate injustice. And all this deep strength, he exercised humbly, as an instrument of God's Holy Will.

Because of Bishop Bogan's strength, anchored in humility and meekness, this community is a better community. This Church is a stronger representation of the Mystical Body of Christ. All of us here in this Church are better people because of that strength of faith and action of Bishop Walter Bogan.

The greatest tribute we can render to Bishop Bogan is to emulate his love, his dedication, his humility, and his Christ-centered strength.

Bishop Bogan, as a triumphant member of the Communion of Saints, please ask Almighty God to shower His Blessings upon us that we might use our strength to carry out God's Holy Will.