Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the Honorable William J. Caprathe, Judge with the 18th Circuit Court of Michigan, is retiring after serving on the bench since 1981. A celebration will be held in Bay City Michigan on November 19th in his honor.

Judge Caprathe became a member of the State Bar of Michigan in 1966. He worked as a trial attorney before beginning his career as a circuit court judge serving as Chief Judge from 1984 to 1997. He has served as chair of the Executive Board of the National Conference of State Trial Judges, co-chair of the Judicial Division's Judicial Clerkship Program, president of the Michigan Judges Association, and chair of the Michigan Judicial Conference. He has also served as chair of the Michigan State Bar Standing Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions, and is a past member of the Equal Access Initiative and the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. As a regular faculty member of the Michigan Judicial Institute he oversaw the production of several bench books. He also served on the American Bar Association's American Jury Project.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to be able to recognize the achievements of Judge William J. Caprathe and ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating him on his retirement. I wish him the best as he enters this phase of his life.

Madam Speaker, on Friday October 22, the Association of Community College Trustees awarded the 2010 Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Award to Dr. M. Richard Shaink, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. At their Annual Community College Leadership Congress the Association named him the best community college president/CEO in North America. The citizens of Flint will hold a reception in his honor tomorrow to celebrate this achievement.

Dr. Shaink has served as President of Mott Community College since March 31, 2000. When he assumed the leadership position at the school, Dr. Shaink was faced with stabilizing the school and improving its financial position. He led the fight to bring increased revenue to the school, fought for federal, state and private foundation grants and at the same time instituted cost saving measures across the campus. A proponent of economic development, he identified the needs of employers in the community and spearheaded the construction of the college's Regional Technology Center to prepare students to enter the workforce. Prior to winning this award, Dr. Shaink was named the 2010 Central Regional Chief Executive Officer for the Midwest and Canadian Provinces.

Madam Speaker, the Association of Community College Trustee Awards are given to those educators that have made extraordinary contributions to their colleges and higher education. The selection of Dr. Shaink as the best community college president in North America is a testament to his leadership, innovation, enthusiasm and commitment to making Mott Community College a powerhouse of learning. Flint is fortunate to have Dr. Shaink and his wife, Sally, live in the area and provide an example of excellence to the next generation. I congratulate him for receiving this award and ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding his work in the field of education.

Madam Speaker, on October 28, the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives at the University of Michigan-Flint celebrated its 15th year.

The Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives was established in 1995 as part of Student Support Services. Its Mission statement is: The mission of EOI is to foster changes in institutional services and climate enhancing the ability of the University of Michigan-Flint to identify, recruit, serve and graduate students of diverse backgrounds with a particular emphasis on students from under-represented groups including non-traditional, educationally and economically disadvantaged, and those from urban and rural areas where college access and completion rates are significantly below the national average.

The Office operates 5 pre-college programs, 5 college programs and a diversity unit. Over the past 15 years the Office has expanded and now serves over 2,000 students annually.

Mr. Tendaji W. Ganges serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives. A product of the ``Upward Bound'' program implemented by the Higher Education Act of 1965, Mr. Ganges credits early college exposure to his success. He works tirelessly to enhance the access, impact and achievement of underrepresented groups in higher education. Mr. Ganges is an active participant in over 30 local and regional organizations. He is deeply committed to creating a gateway to higher education for all.

Madam Speaker, it gives me great honor to recognize the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives and Mr. Tendaji W. Ganges for their work with the educationally and economically disadvantaged. Mr. Ganges and his staff are deeply committed to turning the dream of higher education into reality for thousands of students. I congratulate them on 15 years of successful work and hope they continue assisting students for many, many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 18th Annual National Multicultural Diversity Day celebration that was held in my hometown of Flint Michigan. A multicultural dinner and program were held on October 11th to kick off events celebrating diversity in our country.

Cleorah Scruggs presented the idea of creating a National Multicultural Diversity Day to the National Education Association 1993 Representative Assembly. Cleorah developed this proposal to teach students about the contributions of persons from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Her proposal was adopted and educators across our nation use the third Monday of October to kickoff diversity programs. Now retired, Cleorah was honored by the National Education Association in 2000 with the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award for her ongoing efforts to advance the teaching of multiculturalism in our schools. She continues to make presentations and visit schools, spreading the idea that diversity is strength, not weakness.

Madam Speaker, the celebration held last month was themed, ``Valuing Multicultural Diversity,'' and was highlighted by ethnic displays, performances, foods and speakers. I commend Cleorah Scruggs and the National Multicultural Diversity Institute for their work promoting understanding, appreciation and acceptance of persons of different ethnic backgrounds. Through their efforts students, parents and educators will have increased insight into our world and a deeper understanding its people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop-Elect Reverend Urundi B. Knox. Bishop-Elect will be ordained and consecrated as a Bishop at a service to be held on Friday, October 1 at Ebenezer Ministries in Burton, Michigan.

Bishop-Elect Knox graduated from Flint Central High School in 1981. He earned an Associate's Degree from Mott Community College, and a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Michigan. He received a Master of Arts from Eastern Michigan University and completed his doctoral studies at Wayne State University in 1996.

During this time he was teaching at Mott Community College and Detroit College of Business. In September, 1993 he became a full-time professor at Mott Community College. Bishop-Elect Knox served as assistant pastor at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church until the retirement of Pastor Clarence Knox in September 1994. Bishop-Elect Knox succeeded his father and became the pastor. In a testament to his leadership, the congregation has grown to over 1000 members and a new sanctuary was erected two years later.

Bishop-Elect Knox saw the need for spiritual and temporal guidance in the community and he embarked upon the ``Take Back the City Crusade'' providing worship services and feeding the hungry in downtown Flint. Drawing inspiration from 1 Samuel 7:12 ``Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us'' Bishop-Elect Knox decided to change the name of the church to Ebenezer Ministries reflect the mission of reaching out to those in need. Because of his work in the community, Bishop-Elect Knox has been recognized numerous times as one of the unsung gems in the Flint area.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the work of Bishop-Elect Urundi Knox. He has inspired his congregation with a zeal for spreading the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ and I congratulate him as he is consecrated a Bishop. I pray that he will continue his work with love, enthusiasm, and determination for many, many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Thomas Svitkovich on his retirement as Superintendent of the Genesee Intermediate School District. A reception in his honor will be held tonight in Flint Michigan.

Dr. Thomas Svitkovich has been an educator for 46 years, starting in 1964. He started as a mathematics teacher, and has served as a junior high principal, a high school assistant principal, a high school principal, an associate superintendent, a deputy superintendent, and as a superintendent. In his capacity as the GISD Superintendent, he led the development of the Genesee Early College, GISD's Transition Center for adult students with disabilities, the Genesee County Great Start Collaborative, the statewide Seat-Time Waiver, and implementation of shared-services programs with local school districts. Under his leadership, Genesee Intermediate School District has gained a reputation for excellence and has received numerous state and national awards, including in the areas of overall administration, technology, and distance learning. Dr. Svitkovich has shared his knowledge of the education field by writing articles, making presentations and advocating on both the state and national level.

An active member of the community, Dr. Svitkovich has strengthened the bonds between education and the community to better prepare students for their future role in our society. He has established strong relationships with non-profits, health and human services agencies and the business community.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Dr. Thomas Svitkovich on his retirement from the Genesee intermediate School District. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2378, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act.

For years, China has unfairly pegged its currency to the U.S. dollar at a fixed exchange rate. It is estimated that this undervalues Chinese currency 20 to 40 percent, allowing them to offer significantly cheaper products for export. American workers are playing by the rules, but they are struggling to compete on the unfair playing field Chinese currency manipulation has created.

Cheap exports from China have contributed to hundreds of thousands of American job losses. In my hometown of Flint, Michigan, unemployment is more than 25 percent. However, currency manipulation is not currently considered when determining export subsidies to assist American businesses. This has to change. We must stand up for our workers and their livelihoods.

H.R. 2378 will make currency manipulation a factor when the Commerce Department awards export subsidies. I have long advocated for fair trade policies that protect American workers. This bill will go a long way toward achieving that goal.

I urge passage of the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the members of the U.S. Coast Guard stationed at the Saginaw River Coast Guard Station. The Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Bay City, Michigan will hold a program and reception on October 3rd to recognize these dedicated service members.

The United States Coast Guard established a presence in the Saginaw River in 1842 when a lighthouse was constructed. Over the years the Coast Guard has maintained a light range system and expanded to now include 8 boats, and is staffed by 27 active duty personnel and 5 reserve personnel. Its area of responsibility stretches from Point Lookout to Oak Point on the Saginaw Bay and from the mouth of the Saginaw River to Green Point in Saginaw. The station is responsible for servicing 134 aids to navigation. On the average, the station runs 110 search and rescue missions a year. The Station has been designated as the Ice Capabilities Center of Excellence, which is the formal training site for the ice rescue procedures for the United States Coast Guard. The crew is considered the specialists in ice rescue and fulfills the role of instructors in the field.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the work for the Saginaw River Coast Guard Station. Their dedication to ensuring the safety and security of persons traveling the waters of the Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River is exemplary. I commend them for their service, enthusiasm, perseverance and I pray they will continue to do their job in safety for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague from Michigan, Dave Camp, to honor the Saginaw Valley Babe Ruth 13-15 All- Star Team as the National Runners-up at the Babe Ruth World Series. The Saginaw Valley team was crowned this title on August 25th in Monticello, Arkansas.

Hailing from across Mid-Michigan, the Saginaw Valley Babe Ruth 13-15 All-Stars completed the year with a 16-3 record including the Michigan State Championship and the Ohio Valley Regional Championship. They played against teams from across the Midwest and East Coast to earn their spot at the World Series tournament playing against 11 teams from across the United States.

The players are: Connor Foley, Grant Bridgewater, Grant Miller, Sam Brooks, Zach Olszewski, Brandon Vittitow, Chase Krager, Ryan Jankowski, Luke Scharich, Jordan Stainforth, Tyler Palm, Jake Warren, A.J. Rubio, and A.J. McInnis. The team was coached by Howard Miller, and Matt Jankowski. Mark Krzysiak serves as team Manager. During their World Series run, Grant Bridgewater and Brandon Vittitow were named to the All Tournament Team. A.J. McGinnis was named to the All Defensive Team as a pitcher.

Madam Speaker, we are very proud of the team members, their manager and coaches and congratulate them on earning this title. They are a credit to their families, and their communities, and they are a testament to discipline, dedication and perseverance. We wish them the best as they continue to pursue their goals and in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Venkat Rao. On Saturday, October 30th, the Genesee County Medical Society will honor its outgoing president, Dr. Venkat Rao, at their annual Presidents' Ball to be held in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Dr. Rao graduated from Guntar Medical School College and completed his residency and pulmonology fellowship in Chicago. After serving on the faculties of Loyola University School of Medicine and at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Dr. Rao practiced medicine in Peoria, Illinois from 1986 to 1992. He relocated to the Flint area and now specializes in pulmonology-critical care and sleep medicine.

Active with the Genesee County Medical Society for many years, Dr. Rao is a member of the Board of Directors, represents Genesee and Shiawassee Counties on the Michigan State Medical Society Board of Directors, serves as a delegate to the Michigan State Medical Society House of Delegates and has served on several American Medical Association committees. Deeply committed to enhancing the overall health of people, Dr. Rao works to end the morbidity triangle of obesity, diabetes and smoking.

Married to Dr. Rama Devi Rao, the couple has two children. Daughter, Hima, and son, Bharat, are both pursuing careers as physicians.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the work, dedication and enthusiasm of Dr. Venkat Rao as he steps down as president of the Genesee County Medical Society. I admire his commitment to improving the lives of physicians and his compassion for his patients. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, on Saturday, October 2nd, the Genesee County Committee for Community Peace will dedicate a statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint. The statue, the first of its kind in Michigan, will be installed in the Peace Park in celebration of Peace Day.

The Genesee County Committee for Community Peace has been celebrating Peace Day in Flint Michigan for over 15 years. The Committee is part of the Chinmaya Seva Samiti of Flint. Over the years they have sponsored several events including essay writing competitions, building of a sports field for the underprivileged, painting a peace mural, honoring a Peace Maker annually, and the creation of the Peace Park. Their goals are promoting peace, teaching ways of harmonious co-existence, and educating future generations on the principles of peace and nonviolence. The University of Michigan-Flint, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Dr. and Mrs. M. Nagaraju, the Genesee Intermediate School District and the Genesee County Medical Society Alliance are represented on the Committee.

Mahatma Gandhi said, ``I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.'' In keeping with his sentiments, the Committee believes in embracing the unifying features of all different beliefs and ethnicities and strives to pass on this wisdom to the next generation.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the dedication, efforts and enthusiasm of the Genesee County Committee for Community Peace to promote unity, and enhance peace in Flint and Genesee County. I pray that their work to create a more harmonious world is successful.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Beagle family as they are honored by the Genesee County Bar Foundation on October 7 in Flint, Michigan.

The Beagle family's contributions to the Flint community span the past century. Charles D. Beagle graduated from Minnesota Law School in 1904. After practicing law in the State of Washington, he moved to Genesee County in 1920. He was elected Genesee County Prosecutor in 1928. He served as president of the Genesee County Bar Association in 1937-1938. When he passed away in 1958, Charles Beagle had practiced law for 54 years.

His son, John S. Beagle, received his law degree from Washington and Lee University in 1936. He served as a Genesee County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and a Michigan Assistant Attorney General. He enlisted in the Army at the beginning of World War II and served in the Navy Air Corps until his discharge. He joined his father and Van H. Stewart and formed the law firm, Beagle, Stewart and Beagle. He served on the governing body of the local bar. He retired in 1986 after 50 years of practicing law and passed away in 2000. The John S. Beagle Scholarship was established through his bequest to help Genesee County law students defray the cost of their schooling.

Duncan M. Beagle has carried on the tradition started by his grandfather and father. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1975. He served as the youngest president of the Genesee County Bar Association in 1983-1984. He has served as the court administrator for 67th District Court, assistant prosecutor for Genesee County, Friend of the Court referee, and as a private practitioner. Appointed to the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in 1991, he continues to serve in this capacity.

Madam Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Judge Beagle and the Beagle family as they are honored by the Genesee County Bar Foundation. The Beagle family represents the best traditions of service to community, their clients and the legal profession and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, on September 25th through September 30th the Northeast Michigan (Historic First) Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ, Incorporated is holding its 59th Jurisdictional Women's Convention at Civic Heights Church of God in Christ in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. The host will be Mt. Zion District Superintendent Samuel Marsh, District Missionary is Jessie Wortham and Bishop P.A. Brooks is the Jurisdictional Prelate, First Assistant Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ Worldwide.

Presiding at the Convention is Mother Norma L. Burrell, Jurisdictional Supervisor. Mother Burrell has an extensive history of church service going back to 1955 when she received her Missionary's License. She has served under and received appointments from each successive Supervisor of Women in the Historic First Jurisdiction of Michigan since that time. Mother Burrell is the 7th Supervisor in the Succession. She has also held appointments in the National Women's Department of the Church of God in Christ for more than 50 years.

Mother Burrell attended Baker Business College, Cortez Peters College of Business and Northwestern University. When she retired from Child and Family Services after 29 years of service, she was the Comptroller of Finance. She was married to the late Pastor Arthur George Burrell and has three children from a previous marriage.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mother Norma L. Burrell as she presides over the 59th Jurisdictional Women's

Convention. I pray that the attendees benefit from her spiritual guidance, her deep faith in Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and draw inspiration from her enthusiasm for spreading the Gospel.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Michigan Economic Developers Association as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. The year-long celebration will culminate during their annual meeting this week in Traverse City Michigan.

The Michigan Economic Developers Association was formed in 1960 to assist local economic development organizations. Over the years they have provided education, information and training to local economic development leaders. Currently 470 members representing all parts of Michigan form the leadership team committed to training economic development practitioners and advancing the economic climate of the State.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to be able to congratulate the members of the Michigan Economic Development Association as they celebrate 50 years of leadership in the economic development arena. The men and women of the Association have volunteered their time, energy, resources and insight to improve the economic climate of the State of Michigan and I wish them the best as they develop new, innovative ideas for our communities.

Madam Speaker, on August 27, 2010 the Rotary Club of Flint, Michigan paid tribute to Richard Cordell for 47 years of service to the club. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Flint from 1963 to 2010.

Richard Cordell has served the Rotary Club of Flint as its president from 1974-1976, club secretary/treasurer from 1980 to 2008, and club secretary/treasurer emeritus from 2008 to August, 2010. He was District Governor of Rotary International District 6330 from 1984-1985. He served as a club ambassador attending numerous Rotary events and international conventions.

In addition to his service to the Rotary Club of Flint, Richard is the past-president of the Greater Flint YMCA, a leader of First Presbyterian Church of Flint, and as ambassador to Flint's sister city Togliatti Russia. A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Richard served our country during World War II as a Lieutenant Colonel as a B-26 pilot flying 62 missions including two on D-Day.

Richard will turn 93 years old on September 30th and will soon be leaving Flint to join his son Richard, daughter-in-law Anita and two granddaughters Chelsea and Katie in California.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the contributions of Richard Cordell to the Rotary Club of Flint, and the greater Flint community. He has spent his life serving with enthusiasm, living the Rotary motto of ``Service above Self'' and incorporating the principles of the Rotary ``Four-Way Test'' in his everyday life. I wish him the best as he enters this next phase of his life close to his loving family and cherished by his friends.