Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the courageous men and women of the Michigan State Police. Day after day, these brave individuals work together to ensure safe streets for the citizens of Michigan. On November 9, 2003, the Michigan State Police will gather to celebrate the retirement of F/Lt Victor A. Martin for 26 years of dedicated service to the force.

Victor Martin was born September 9, 1954 in Alma, Michigan. He graduated from St. Louis High School in 1972. He obtained his Law Enforcement and Police Administration degree from Ferris State University in 1976. Upon completion of college, Victor was accepted into the Michigan State Police Training Academy. In 1977 he was assigned out of the 91st recruit school to Niles Post as a Trooper. For 11\1/2\ years Victor was attached to the MSP K-9 unit as a First Dog Handler. He was charged with the duty of handling coverage for Governor conferences, Presidential and dignitary visits. In 1990 he was promoted to Sergeant at the Sandusky Post where he remained until 1993 when he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Flint Post as Assistant Post Commander. In 1998 he became the Lapeer Post F/Lt 15 (Post Commander) and than in 2001 was assigned to the Bay City and East Tawas Post where he is currently serving as F/Lt 1511 (Post Commander).

During his career, F/Lt Martin received numerous accolades for his heroism. In 1979 he received the Lifesaving award. He maintained the status of ``Trooper of the Year'' Manistee Post from 1984-1986 and again for the Lansing Post from 1988-1989. He received the 1994 Professional Excellence award for coordinating a multi-agency response to an incident involving the U.S. Presidential Motorcade.

F/Lt Martin is also a faithful family man. His wife of 26 years is Christy. They have two wonderful sons, Chad and Kyle.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in honoring First Lieutenant Victor A. Martin and wishing him the very best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the citizens of Davison, MI, to recognize an outstanding leader in the community. On November 10, 2003, the council members of Davison will honor Mayor Kay Ann E. Adair for 18 years of dedicated service to the people of Davison.

Kay Ann E. Adair was born in my hometown of Flint, MI, on October 16, 1943. She graduated from Swartz Creek high school. Her political career began in 1985, when she became the first female to serve on the Davison City council. During that time she also became a member of the Davison Planning Commission, where she served until 1987, and then subsequently became an active member on the Senior Citizens Authority as chairwoman. In 1993, Kay Ann E. Adair made her mark in history, she became the first elected female mayor of Davison, she has maintained the post every since. During her tenure she has sustained membership on several boards, including the Genesee County Growth Alliance. In 1999 she had the honor of chairing the Small Cities and Villages gathering. Mayor Adair can also be credited with founding the Davison Beautification Committee. As mayor, she has become a beacon of hope for Davison. Her exceptional enthusiasm, strength and leadership skills have helped to make this city a better place. Mayor Adair is a tremendously respected individual. She is always willing to lend a helping hand or advice whenever needed. Her love for the community shows through her countless efforts. Upon retiring Mayor Adair will continue to work with the community, but as a spiritual leader. She is the Lay Pastor for the Mundy Church, located in Mundy Township.

Aside from being an outstanding leader and role model, Mayor Adair is also a devoted wife to her husband, Gary and a supportive mother to her daughter Sarah.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in congratulating Mayor Adair for service well done. Mayor Adair has been a positive influence on the city of Davison for the past 18 years. She has served her community with zeal and compassion. I wish her all the best as she begins this new phase of her life.

Mr. Speaker, international education and Federal support for it is critical as we work to strengthen our economy and expand our diplomatic efforts around the world.

International education programs are vital in building and maintaining the nation's supply of experts in foreign languages, international affairs, and international business. Providing high quality, useful opportunities for students to become knowledgeable in international issues and foreign languages has become increasingly important. America's interests are tied to our knowledge and understanding of the rest of the world.

This legislation strengthens and reauthorizes the existing Title VI programs related to the study of international affairs, world regions and foreign languages in higher education. In addition, this bill makes significant improvements to the International Business Education program by reducing the match that Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic

Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges must make to participate in this program. This provision alone is likely to spur new ideas and perspectives in this area.

One provision I do want to express caution on is the International Advisory Board created by this legislation. This board has been created to provide recommendations to the Secretary in the area of international education. While I support this legislation, we should continue to refine the purpose and scope of the Board's responsibilities. As this bill moves to conference later this Congress, I will work to ensure that the role of this Board reflects a true need in the area of international education.

Mr. Speaker, as cochairmen of the Congressional Native American Caucus, my colleague Congressman J.D. Hayworth and I would like to ask our colleagues to join us in paying tribute to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Mashantucket Pequot Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. This landmark legislation settled the Tribes' land claim and granted federal recognition to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Mr. Speaker, for thousands of years, this land has been home to the Mashantucket Pequots and their ancestors. Centuries before the arrival of Columbus, the Pequots had a sophisticated understanding of their land, which stretched across present-day Southeastern Connecticut.

Like other northeastern Tribes, the Pequots had developed a rich and complex culture. Their language, medicine, rituals, horticulture, trade, government, and social organization defined what it meant to be a Pequot. Within two decades of contact with the white settlers, smallpox and other diseases killed more than half of the Pequots and devastated the social structure of those who survived. Then, in 1637, the settlers in colonial Massachusetts

and Connecticut waged war on the Tribe. In a little more than an hour, hundreds of Pequot men, women and children died. The survivors were dispersed, and the settlers took their land.

As a testament to the bravery and resiliency of the Pequot people, these tragic events did not bring about the end of the Pequot Tribe. Rather, the past three centuries has marked a period of strife, conflict, and a determination to regain its land and bring its people home.

Mr. Speaker, two important themes run through the Pequot history: a persistence to maintain a tribal identity and a struggle to hold onto tribal land. By the mid-17th century, the Mashantucket Pequots had already returned to the land from which they had been banished. In the decades that followed, they were relocated to an area within their historic territory, but then were slowly and wrongfully deprived of most of that land as well. Throughout the centuries, the reservation's population dwindled as Tribal members were forced to seek jobs and housing elsewhere. For many years, the State of Connecticut blocked the return of Tribal members to their land. Still, the Tribe endured.

Finally, in 1983, after years and years of struggle, the Congress enacted the legislation that settled the Tribes' land claim and provided federal recognition to the Tribe. The legislation transformed all aspects of the Tribe's existence and was critical in the Tribe's dramatic economic resurgence. Through the years, Tribal members have worked to re-establish a community and are achieving self-sufficiency by providing employment, health care, social services, education and infrastructure to their people.

A primary concern of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation continues to be the preservation of Pequot history and culture. To accomplish this, the Nation maintains a Cultural Resources Department and a Historical and Preservation Committee made up of Tribal members. The Tribe has also worked to protect important archaeological sites within its territory.

Mr. Speaker, in a short twenty years, the Mashantucket Tribal Nation, led by their elected leaders, have done so much to protect and enhance the tribal sovereignty of their people. They have persevered as a Tribe for centuries under the harshest of conditions and their status as a federally recognized Tribe has been long overdue. Today, the Tribe is an economic catalyst in their community and they employ over 13,000 people, mainly non-Indians needing jobs and opportunity.

The Mashantucket Pequots are also responsible neighbors. Over the last 20 years, the Tribe has generously donated to the Connecticut Special Olympics, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Mystic. Marine Life Aquarium, the United Way and many other organizations. Additionally, their revenue sharing agreement with the State of Connecticut has provided State coffers over $1.5 billion in additional revenue.

We ask our colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join us in congratulating the Mashantucket Pequots on the 20th anniversary of the passage of this legislation and wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, this week more than 5,000 diverse communities across the country will rally for afterschool by participating in the fourth annual Lights On Afterschool! This national event will call attention to afterschool programs and the resources required to keep the lights on and the doors open for children who need a safe place to go during the hours immediately after the school day ends. Lights On Afterschool! is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to afterschool programs by 2010.

This year's Lights on Afterschool! celebration will be its largest yet. The Alliance estimates more than 600,000 individuals will acknowledge and celebrate the benefits of afterschool programs by participating in over 6,000 events which are taking place in a variety of settings. I am especially proud of all the activities taking place in my own district with events being sponsored by a wide variety of afterschool providers including the Flint Community Schools; the National Center for Community Education; Boys & Girls Clubs in Saginaw County, Longfellow, Bay County, and Saginaw County; Partners in Progress; the International Academy of Flint Partners in Progress; Carman Ainsworth Community Education Center; and the Saginaw YMCA. These organizations are wonderful examples of the depth and breadth of afterschool programming in this country.

I have long been a supporter of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, which provides federal support for local afterschool centers, in addition to other comprehensive afterschool initiatives. This is because these programs keep kids safe, help working families, and improve academic achievement. America's children are our most important resources and their health, safety, and quality of their education are all responsibilities we share. That is why we must ensure the availability of afterschool programs to all children, especially those who go to an empty house on any given day. The Urban Institute estimates that at least 7 million and as many as 15 million ``latchkey kids'' find themselves in this situation. An empty house should not be their only option.

Youth today need safe, stimulating places to go after school. As documented by a 17-year study that followed 1,800 6th graders in 10 Michigan schools through high school and college, students who participate in extracurricular activities have better grades, feel greater attachment to school, have lower truancy rates and reach higher levels of achievement in college. Other studies have shown that teens who do not participate in afterschool programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes than teens who do participate. They are also three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and they are more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity.

Today's events across the country provide an opportunity to showcase the excellent afterschool programs that do exist and build support for their expansion. Last year I urged my colleagues to visit afterschool programs in their districts, and once again I do the same. Turn the lights on in your community and urge business and civic leaders to do the same! We owe it to America's children to do so!

I thank the Afterschool Alliance for all their work, and I congratulate the many Lights On Afterschool! partners and programs who make this event a success, in particular 4-H Afterschool, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Junior Achievement and the YMCA of the USA. In addition, congratulations to the supporters of this event including the National Presenting

Sponsor of Lights On Afterschool!, the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, with additional support from the C.S. Mott Foundation, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Open Society Institute.

Mr. Speaker, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is indeed a treasure. Located on Michigan's western shoreline of Lake Michigan, it is a splendor unto itself. This is why I strongly support H.R. 408, introduced by my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp).

This bill would authorize the acquisition of approximately 105 acres of pristine land for addition to the Lakeshore.

Since its establishment by Congress in 1970, Sleeping Bear Dunes has been enjoyed by many in Michigan and people from around the world. Thousands visit every year to experience its wonderful beaches, see its many wildflowers, birds and animals, and hike its trails.

Through the hard work of former Representative James O'Hara and former Senator Phil Hart, we protected this beautiful land. Now, through the hard work of a bipartisan group of Members, including the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak), the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) and myself, as well as Senators Levin and Stabenow over in the Senate, we have an opportunity to protect further these magnificent lands.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore comprises roughly 64 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and a combined 72,000 acres of Federal and non- Federal land. I have visited Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore many times and can testify to its majesty and uniqueness.

Acquiring this land along the Crystal River, adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, has been an ongoing struggle to help preserve the scenic beauty of this area. H.R. 408 represents a hard- worked compromise between the private landowners, the National Park Service and many others who were involved. Its passage will be a large step forward in bringing this issue to a close.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay special tribute to Superintendent Reverend A. C. Lee of the Greater Bible Way Church of God in Christ in Flint, Michigan for providing continuous leadership and support to the church and community. On September 26, 2003 the Greater Bible Way Church family will salute and honor their pastor during a special celebration.

Superintendent Lee was born in Houston, Texas to John and Minnie Lee. He graduated in 1951 from Charlton Pollard High School in Beaumont, Texas. In 1952 he enlisted in the U.S. Military and was stationed in Germany as an instructor and recreation specialist. After serving in the military, Superintendent Lee returned to the Flint area in 1955 to study Business Administration at Mott Community College. He was employed as a welder at the Chevrolet Frame and Stamping Plant from 1957 to 1964, after which he returned to Houston, Texas for a period of two years. Upon returning to Flint, Michigan he was hired by Buick, where he remained until retiring in November of 1981.

In 1966, Superintendent Lee re-established his membership with the Macedonia Church of God in Christ. He also, during that same year received his ordination from the Holy Convocation of Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction, where the Bishop C.J. Johnson was the presiding prelate. On the first Sunday in June of 1970, Superintendent Lee stepped out on faith and founded the Bible Way Church of God in Christ, located at 801 E. Pasadena Ave., in Flint. The Church blossomed and the vision of the Lord became clear to Superintendent Lee that was time to expand, thus the church relocated to its present place of worship at 1602 Montana Avenue on the East Side of Flint. Superintendent Lee serves on numerous boards and community-based organizations, i.e. Job Central Advisory Board, Metro Housing, Salem Housing and the Genesee County Health Department. His service has not gone unnoticed; Superintendent Lee has attained many accolades for his dedication. These awards include the 2001 Faith Community, Business and Education Leadership Award, 2002 Senator Robert Emerson Award for Volunteer Leadership in Health Care Greater Flint (Michigan) Health Coalition; and the 2003 Certificate of Emeritus in recognition of honorable and distinguished service to the north central jurisdiction as Executive Secretary. In 2000 Superintendent Lee established the Reverend A.C. Lee & Dorothy M. Lee Scholarship fund--Mott Community College.

In addition to being an outstanding leader and role model Superintendent Lee is also a devoted husband to his wife Dorothy M. Lee, affectionately known as ``Lady Lee'' and a supportive father/ grandfather to his five children and five grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask that my colleagues in the 108th Congress join me in saluting Superintendent Reverend A.C. Lee for his undying support and leadership to the populace of Flint, Michigan.

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

the Greater Holy Ministries Church of God in Christ as they celebrate 40 years guiding the people of Flint in the worship of the Lord.

In 1963, now Bishop Roger Lee Jones came to my hometown of Flint at the invitation of the late Bishop John Seth Bailey and organized an additional congregation for the members of the Church of God in Christ living in the area. The first service was held in a building on Genesee Road. The congregation settled on the name of Greater Holy Temple and shortly after, Elder Jones moved the congregation to a location on Mildred Street. Under his spiritual and apostolic direction, the congregation grew. Through their baptism in the Holy Spirit the members were inspired to spread the Word of God as revealed in the Bible throughout the area. The expanding membership required a larger home. In September 1978 the grand opening of the permanent sanctuary was consecrated.

Taking encouragement from the words in Zechariah 4:6 ``Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts,'' the members of the Greater Holy Temple Ministries have worked tirelessly to help those with physical and spiritual wants. Their belief in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit sustains them through the task of providing for the less fortunate. Through their efforts they reflect the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Bishop Jones has provided guidance to his flock and he has been called upon to lead at the national and state levels. In 1968 he was elected to serve as Chairman of the national board of Trustees. He was appointed Bishop of the Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southwestern Michigan in 1985.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the work of the Greater Holy Temple Ministries Church of God in Christ as they celebrate 40 years of enthusiastic and motivating labor on behalf of the Lord.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Mayor Wilmer Jones-Ham as she is honored with the Woman of the Year Award by the Dr. Marie Wright Tolliver Cultural and Civic Club of Saginaw, Michigan on Sunday, October 5th.

The Dr. Marie Wright Tolliver Cultural and Civic Club is an associated club of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Incorporated. The Woman of the Year Award is named in honor of Dr. Tolliver and the work she has done over the years to improve life in the Saginaw area.

In keeping with the motto of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, ``Lifting as we Climb,'' Mayor Ham has devoted her life to her church, her family and her community. Bom and raised in Saginaw, she graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Supervision and Administration. She then returned to her roots in the Saginaw School System and taught 7th and 8th grades for 24\1/2\ years.

As a devoted proponent of Saginaw her civic involvement is extensive. As an active member of numerous organizations including the NAACP, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, SIGMA, MBS International Airport, Downtown Development Board, New Perspectives, League of Women Voters, National Education Association, Habitat for Humanity, Agape Home for Social Change, Saginaw International Mahogany Models, Boys and Girls Club, Saginaw Soul Children, Saginaw Orchestra, the Mayor's Ball and Scholarship Foundation, and Restoration Community, Mayor Ham has contributed insight, leadership, and direction to every organization fortunate to have her as a member.

Through her position as Music Minister with Tabernacle Baptist Church she has expanded the ministry and founded several organizations devoted to praising God. With her personal motto of ``I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me'' (Philippians 4:13), Mayor Ham has developed the 100 Voice Boys Choir, and Women and Men in Praise. Mayor Ham also serves as a member of the Saginaw Interdenominational Ministries and the board of St. John Trinity.

Mayor Ham was married to the late Howard Leon Ham, is the mother to DeRonnie, DeToya and Darvin and the grandmother to Darvin Jr., Donovan, Dominic, Dominique, DeRhonda, and Alexis. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me today and join in congratulating Mayor Wilmer Jones-Ham as she is honored by the members of the Dr. Marie Wright Tolliver Cultural and Civic Club of Saginaw.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Maestro Enrique Diemecke as he begins his fifteenth year as the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Flint Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Diemecke will be honored for his service at a dinner on October 4th.

Enrique Diemecke became an integral part of the Flint musical community in 1988. An internationally recognized musician and maestro, he is considered to be one of the best young maestros working in the world today. His list of accomplishments is extensive. After studying at Catholic University in Washington, DC. and the Pierre Monteux School for Advanced Conductors he embarked upon a musical career that spans several continents. He has served to the delight of audiences as the conductor for orchestras in North America, Europe, New Zealand and South America. His sublime interpretation of both classical composers and emerging talents have won rave reviews everywhere he performs.

His musical endeavors have not been limited to live performance. Maestro Diemecke has recorded several pieces of music. He won

the Bruno Walter Orpheus d'Or Prized for Best Opera Conductor by the Academy of Lyric Recordings for his live recording of Mascagni's Parisina. His 1993 recordings of the music by Revueltas, Chavez, and Moncayo was honored with the Golden Record Award and was a top ten seller in Mexico for over a year.

As a composer, Enrique Diemecke's work commands international respect. During the 1998 World Cup, he was commissioned by Radio France Festival to compose a work in honor of the soccer spectacular. His composition, Die-Sir-E, was heard around the world and has been performed at other venues since the World Cup. His compositions are increasingly presented to the public by orchestras in several countries.

It is an honor to ask my fellow members of the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Maestro Enrique Diemecke for his collaboration with the Flint Symphony Orchestra. During the past fifteen years, Maestro Deimecke has inspired a spirit of joy and enthusiasm with each performance, enriching the life of the greater Flint area with his talent and blessing our community through his continued association with the Flint Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the Michigan State Polka Music Hall of Fame to honor Mr. Tommy Reder of Bay City, Michigan for his musical contributions to the Polka music industry. On October 5, 2003 Mr. Tommy Reder will be inducted into the Michigan State Polka Music Hall of Fame.

Tommy Reder was born in Bay City, Michigan on February 2, 1939 to Louis and Frances Reder. He graduated from St. Stanislaus School. In 1962, he graduated from Central Michigan University. Tommy adapted a love for music at an early age. In 1947 at the age of 8, Tommy was awarded first chair in the clarinet section of the St. Stanislaus school band. By fifth grade Tommy had mastered the saxophone and began playing at various social events. His first major performance was with the Ted Dzrewicki Orchestra; it was with this group that Tommy was able to sharpen his vocal, music writing and arranging skills. In 1963 Tommy assumed leadership of the Tommy K'Orchestra, which was later renamed the Polka Towners Orchestra. The group performed at Polka Festivals throughout the country, and was the sponsor of the Polka tours to Hawaii, Toronto, Seven Springs,

Pennsylvania and Las Vegas. In 1978 Tommy and his group had the privilege of performing back up for Bobby Vinton at the Riviera during the PLAV convention. The Polka Towners recorded six 45's, eight LP's, four 8 tracks, three cassettes, and one CD. Aside from performing, Tommy co-hosted the Polka Show on WKCQ and WSAM from 1974 to 1999. Presently Tommy performs with the Bay Area Concert, Midland Concert and the Vassar City Bands.

In addition to being a musical icon, Tommy is an outstanding father and husband. He has three children, Becky, Edward, and Mary. Tommy married Barbara, his wife and mother of his children in 1965. Barbara passed away in 1996. Tommy remarried in 2002, and his new bride is Dollene.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues of the 108th Congress to please join me in congratulating Tommy Reder on obtaining the State's highest honor for contributions made to the Polka Music Industry.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 1409, a bipartisan land exchange bill, which will allow the Eastern Band of Cherokee to build new schools for their children.

This bill passed out of the Committee on Resources on July 15, 2003, by a voice vote. During the markup, several Members from both sides of the aisle expressed strong support for the bill to move forward.

I am aware of the environmental concerns that the gentleman from West Virginia has raised about this bill. I am a strong supporter for the National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA. I am a strong supporter of that process, and I do not believe that passage of this bill circumvents that process. The public comment period on the land exchange ended last month, and the National Park Service will complete review of this environmental impact statement regardless of this legislation.

In addition, in its draft environmental impact statement, the Park Service determined that the exchange will have no impairment on the experience of visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains and determined there will be no impairment to the biodiversity based on mitigation efforts. The Park Service will receive pristine land that it selects, which will result in a net increase of national parklands.

Mr. Speaker, the Eastern Cherokee face an educational crisis of having condemned, overcrowded classrooms we would not house criminals in. I have traveled throughout this country, and I have seen schools that are horrible, and these buildings are not fit for human habitation.

The tribes' mountainous reservation has no more available flatland suitable

for building new schools. This is the kind of environment which many of our Indian children have been forced to learn in. This is unacceptable. Through this legislation, we can help the Eastern Band of Cherokee move forward with its commitment to educate its children.

In my years of elected office, Mr. Speaker, I have enjoyed the support of the environmental community. I have one of the highest environmental records in this Congress because of my commitment to protecting our Nation's precious resources. That is something of which I am very proud. I know that some of my environmental friends have concerns about this legislation and feel that no land should ever be exchanged for the National Park Service, but in this instance I must disagree. The Park Service will get more land and will get better land, and the land of their choosing. I believe that this bill is consistent with proenvironmental principles and with Indian sovereignty.

Congress is the one that makes this decision. Article I, Section 8, all of which we have taken an oath to uphold, says the Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the sovereign States, and with the Indian tribes. This Cherokee Nation, this sovereign nation, all they want is some land to educate their children. The Park Service has selected more land, land of their choosing in exchange. I urge the passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1409. a bipartisan land exchange bill which will allow the Eastern Band of Cherokee to build new schools for their children.

This bill passed out of the Resources Committee on July 15, 2003, by voice vote.

During the markup several members from both sides of the aisle expressed strong support for the bill to move forward.

I am aware of the environmental concerns that the gentleman from West Virginia has raised about this bill.

I am a strong supporter of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and do not believe that passage of this bill circumvents that process.

The public comment period on the land exchange ended last month. And the National Park Service (Park Service) will complete review the environmental impact statement (EIS) regardless of this legislation.

In addition, in it draft EIS, the Park Service determined that the exchange will have no impairment on the experience of visitors to the Great Smokey Mountains and determined there will no impairment to the biodiversity based on mitigation efforts.

The Park Service will receive pristine land that it selected which will result in a net increase of national park lands.

Mr. Speaker, the Eastern Cherokee face an educational crisis of having condemned, overcrowded classrooms we would not house criminals in.

The tribe's mountainous reservation has no more available flat land suitable for building new schools.

This is the kind of environment in which many of our Indian children have been forced to learn.

That is unacceptable. Through this legislation we can help the Eastern Band of Cherokee move forward with its commitment to educate its children.

In my years of elected office, I have enjoyed the support of the environmental community for my commitment to protecting our nation's precious resources. That is something for which I am very proud.

I know that some of my environmental friends have concerns with this legislation and feel that no land should ever be exchanged from the National Park Service.

But in this instance, I must disagree. I believe that this bill is consistent with pro-environmental principles, and with Indian Sovereignty--two principles dear to me.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the problem of civic illiteracy and the ever-diminishing level of public engagement in our representative form of government must be confronted.

I am pleased to report that a new national project, Representative Democracy in America: Voices of the People, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, was created by an Act of Congress to tackle this problem. The project is directed by the Alliance for Representative Democracy, a collaboration of three fine organizations: the Center for Civic Education, The Center on Congress at Indiana University, and the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The Alliance is holding an important conference here in Washington, D.C., from September 20 to 22. The joint bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Congress is serving as the honorary hosts for the conference.

The Conference will bring together key decision-makers on education policy from every state and representatives of professional and civic education organizations. Their common goal will be to create an initiative to encourage our schools to undertake the civic mission of preparing students for effective citizenship. The conference will encourage the establishment of state delegation working groups to improve the status of civic education in their state. I am pleased to note that Linda Start, who is the Executive Director of the Center for Civic Education Through Law, will be the state facilitator for the Michigan delegation.

Student achievement levels in civics simply must improve. I know we all share the hope that out of this conference will come a renewed commitment to make that happen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Ennis Center for Children, Inc., for 25 years of dedicated service to six counties throughout Southeast Michigan. On November 13, 2003 Ennis Center will celebrate their anniversary with the community.

Ennis Center for Children is a non-profit, multi-service agency, providing community based in-home foster care, adoption and group home services to children and families. The center helps children from birth to age 19 by providing stability and permanent homes. Most children who utilize the center's services are poor, minority and have at-risk backgrounds, many of them abused, neglected and abandoned. Each year the center assists more than 2,500 children within the Southeast Michigan area. In 2002, they placed 640 children in foster care with 263 foster families, 130 children were adopted, 99 of which were by their foster families, 26 by relatives or

guardians, and 5 by recruited families. The center also assisted more than 900 juvenile delinquents through counseling, mentoring and reintegration services. The center had operating revenues of approximately $12 million in 2002, and over 85 cents of every dollar received was spent on program services. Currently the center employs 200 people.

The center was founded in Flint, Michigan, in 1978. The founder is child advocate Robert E. Ennis. Mr. Ennis started the center with $6,000, which he borrowed from a friend, and a responsibility to 33 foster children. Today the center is operating in four locations, 20100 Greenfield Rd., Detroit; 2921 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 3650 Dixie Highway, Waterford; and 129 E. Third Avenue, Flint, Michigan. Ennis Center for Children has been noted as one of Michigan's largest minority-led non-profit organizations of its kind.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask that my colleagues in the 108th Congress join me in recognizing Ennis Center for Children on their 25th anniversary for dedication and service to the children and families of Southeast Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me to pay tribute to the members of the Third Army veterans 864th Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company on the occasion of their 48th annual reunion. They gathered together in Lapeer, Michigan on August 31st.

During World War II the 864th HAM Company was instrumental to the success of D-Day and the allied victory. These veterans of the Third Army were originally stationed at Fort Ord in California. During their stint at that post they worked with local authorities to defend the California coastline against a possible invasion by Japanese forces. The mobilization of troops during the first days of World War II was very rapid and troops were often barracked in makeshift quarters. The 864th HAM Company was no exception. When the Company was detailed to the community of Pomona California they were provided temporary barracks at the Sears and Roebuck store.

In 1943 the Company was transported from the United States to the South Hampton Naval Yard outside Portsmouth, England. For the next eight months the 864th HAM Company prepared the vehicles that were going to be a part of the D-Day invasion. In addition to this work they also trained as part of the invasion force.

The Company landed at St. Mere-Eglise France and immediately began the awesome task of supplying rations, ammunition, and medical supplies to the front lines. Under the leadership of General George S. Patton, the statistics for the Third Army during this time are staggering. 2,186,792 tons of supplies were transported. The Third Army had over 99,000 general purpose vehicles and over 21,000 combat vehicles. The veterans of the 864th HAM Company risked their lives to retrieve and repair damaged vehicles. Never shying away from the danger involved, the members of the 864th HAM Company were an integral part of General Patton's march to Berlin. Their versatility was demonstrated during the Battle of the Bulge as they quickly moved from Verderonne to help repel the German counter-attack.

Once the war in Europe ended, the 864th came home and were mustered out of the military in November 1945. As the members of the company scattered throughout the United States and began their civilian lives, they maintained contact with each other. In 1957 they gathered together for the first reunion and the tradition of getting together to remember their fallen fellow soldiers, to reminisce, and share the civilian experiences was born. We as a nation are better for the sacrifices these veterans made so we could all be free. I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me today and honor the members of the 864th HAM Company. Again and again they have earned our respect and admiration and I am deeply grateful for their service to our country.