Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pastor Rufus Bradley, Sr. and New Life Ministries as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. A Silver Year Anniversary banquet will be held on September 25th in Saginaw Michigan to commemorate the event.

Pastor Bradley has been ministering for over 30 years. He graduated from the United Theological Seminary and the Beeson Institute for Advanced Church Leadership. He has studied under several mega church pastors and is well versed in the Purpose Driven Church Concept. As the author of ``Learning My Finances,'' Pastor Bradley conducts seminars to teach day to day budgeting for God's people. He serves on the vision casting team of the Lutheran Association and he is a board member of the Saginaw Clergy Community Development, Inc.

As the founding pastor of New Life Ministries, Pastor Bradley has watched the congregation grow to 450 members. In 1999 New Life became a Purpose Driven Ministry with a vision based upon Luke 2:52: ``Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.'' In keeping with this passage, Pastor Bradley guides people to grow intellectually, physically, spiritually and socially. In his continuing call to minister, he founded the ``Mission in the City Movement'' to rebuild Saginaw and to connect people to the Vision, to God and to a Better life. He believes in ministering to the whole person and to grow a healthy, balanced church.

Pastor Bradley is joined in his ministry by his wife, Relinda Bradley. She serves as the Teens Ministry overseer. They have two children, June and Rufus, Jr.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the work of Pastor Rufus Bradley, Sr., and New Life Ministries. I pray they will take the words of the prophets Habakkuk and Isaiah to ``write the vision'' and ``do a new thing'' and go into the community with enthusiasm to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Madam Speaker, today I would like to remember my good friend, Gary Alter. Gary passed away on May 18th, a victim of cancer and will be honored tonight at the Flint Jewish Federation's 21st Annual Donald Riegle Community Service Awards ceremony.

Born in 1936 at Steubenville, Ohio, Gary Alter came to Flint 11 years ago to assume the post of Executive Director of the Flint Jewish Federation. He said he came to Flint because it was ``a community that was active and had people who cared.'' The love and respect Gary had for Flint was reflected back to him by the community. He was passionate about developing the community into a place of strength, vibrancy, and diversity. He believed that people could get past their differences and work for the common good. Gary was an active participant in Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Beth El, Rotary Club of Flint, 100 Club of Flint, Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, Genesee County Census 2010 Committee, Michigan Jewish Conference, Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, Urban League of Flint, the Hate Crimes Task Force, Flint Golf Club, and Professional Golf Teacher's Association of America.

Gary was deeply committed to maintaining Jewish traditions and heritage. He was involved in bringing Soviet Jews to the United States, he established the Karen Schneider Jewish Film Festival in Flint, and he was a passionate supporter of Israel. He leaves behind his wife, Emily Alter, and children: Dr. Carol Alter, Karen Jacobson, Alison Bank, and Andrew Bank to cherish his memory.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and remember the life and work of Gary Alter. I considered Gary a wonderful friend and an outstanding humanitarian. His compassionate, insight and enthusiasm are deeply missed by all that knew him. May his memory be a blessing and to the Jewish community, ``May God console you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, Ha'makom yenahem etkhem betokh she'ar avelei Tziyonvi'Yerushalayim.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pastor Ira G. Edwards, Sr., pastor of Damascus Holy Life Baptist Church. Pastor Edwards is being honored on August 22nd for his work in the Flint community.

Pastor Edwards has been pastor of Damascus Holy Life Baptist Church for the past nine years. He also serves as an instructor for the Great Lake Congress of Christian Education and is an Associate Dean for the Great Lakes Congress of Christian Education. As pastor he has established several programs to help the people of the Flint community. Pastor Edwards started summer feeding programs for youth, established community gardens, and took the lead in the purchasing of a local bar and converting it into a Training Center.

He is a member of Concerned Pastors for Social Action, and cochair of the Flint Area Congregations Together. He is on the National Steering Committee and Clergy Caucus for People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO) National. He was instrumental in bringing CEASEFIRE/ LIFE LINE to Flint. He has devoted his life to assisting with health care, education, financial peace, nutrition, and home foreclosure recovery. Pastor Edwards strives to help the youth of the community to reach their full potential by developing social, economic and academic skills. He works diligently with local, state and federal officials to improve education, housing, and to curb violence and crime.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me today and applaud the work of Pastor Ira G. Edwards, Sr. as he is honored by his congregation and his community. I pray that he will continue to spread the Gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, for many, many years to come.

Madam Speaker, the Genesee Charter Township Fire Department will honor Chief Roger T. Bobb for 45 years of service to the community at their 7th Annual Picnic. The Picnic will be held at the Township Fire Station Number 1.

After graduating from Kearsley High School in 1959 and attending Michigan State University, Chief Bobb was hired as a firefighter on June 7, 1965. During this time, Roger Bobb was also a member of the Michigan National Guard, and began working as an insurance agent. In 1973, he was promoted in the Fire Department to Captain. The following year, he was a member of the first graduating class of the Genesee County Michigan Firefighters Training Council Basic Firefighter Training program. He has also completed the Michigan Firefighters Training Council Fire Officer I Training Program. He was promoted to Assistant Chief in 1977 and became Fire Department Chief on January 6, 1985.

As part of the Genesee County Association of Fire Chiefs, Chief Bobb was elected a Trustee in 1985, elected Vice President in 1986, and elected President in 1987. He received the President's Award for Exemplary Service in 1999. He has also served as Chairman of the Radio Committee.

Chief Bobb and his wife, Carol, have a daughter, Jennifer, and a son, Brian. As part of a firefighting family, his brother served with the Fire Department for 35 years and his late father was a charter member of the Fire Department and served 22 years.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Chief Roger T. Bobb for 45 years of service to the Genesee Charter Township Fire Department. He is to be commended for his commitment to the safety and welfare of the community and I wish him the best in the future.

Madam Speaker, on August 12th the Hoyt Library in Saginaw Michigan will celebrate their 120th anniversary as a Federal Depository Library. One of the oldest Federal Depository Libraries in the United States, the Hoyt Library is the only Federal Depository Library in Saginaw County and one of three Depository Libraries in Michigan's 5th Congressional District. The Hoyt Library is one of five branches in the Saginaw Public Library system.

Saginaw native, Congressman Aaron T. Bliss, initiated the designation and the first publications started to arrive from the Government Printing Office during the summer in anticipation of the Library's opening on November 1, 1890. Congressman Bliss's correspondence regarding the designation is available for viewing at the Library. Harriet Ames was the first Head Librarian and the first Government Documents Librarian. A representative of the Government Printing Office will attend the open house to celebrate their 120 year partnership.

The Library has copies of documents from all three branches of government: the legislative, the executive and the judicial. Copies of the Congressional Record, federal statutes, federal court decisions, Department publications and the documents of independent agencies can be found at the Library. For the past 120 years, the Hoyt Library has provided the public with the opportunity to view and read historical documents. The Hoyt Library contains some of the oldest documents available at a Federal Depository Library.

Madam Speaker, Hoyt Library has continuously provided service to the residents of Saginaw since 1890. Under the leadership of current Head Librarian, Trish Burns, and Anne Birkam, Depository Librarian, library patrons are able to read about the proceedings of Congress, and Supreme Court decisions, and obtain information, and forms for government programs. The Federal Depository at the Hoyt Library is a valuable community asset and I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding their work of the past 120 years.

Madam Speaker, Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the installation of Rev. Dr. Mark Anthony Jones, Sr., as their new pastor on Sunday, August 8 in Flint, Michigan.

Rev. Dr. Mark Anthony Jones, Sr., is the son of Leora Yvonne Jones and the late Rev. Dr. Charles William Jones. He was licensed at the age of 16 and ordained the following year. He was the pastor of a church in Alabama when he took over his father's church in Chicago, the Mount Union Missionary Baptist Church. In what he considers one of his greatest accomplishments, Reverend Dr. Jones and his wife, Valda, founded the Mount Union Missionary Baptist Church of Grand Rapids in 2007. A nationally known evangelist, Reverend Dr. Jones has preached across the United States and in Seoul Korea.

In addition to his ministerial work, Reverend Dr. Jones found time to earn his associate of arts in religious education degree, his bachelor of arts in theology degree, his master of divinity degree and his doctorate of divinity degree.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Rev. Dr. Mark Anthony Jones, Sr., and Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church as they celebrate this milestone. Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church has been bringing the reality of God's love and His plan for salvation through Jesus Christ to the people of Flint since the 1920s. Continuing in this tradition, the congregation may rejoice in the work they have already accomplished and under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Jones embark upon a new era of enthusiasm and spiritual growth. I pray God will bless and guide him as he brings the message of God's assurance of eternal life to the people of our community.

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today and pay tribute to a man that I consider a father, a brother and a friend. Sadly, Herman Neurohr passed away on July 15th at the age of 86. I have worked with Herm for most of my adult life and I will miss him immensely.

Herman Neurohr was born on September 21, 1923 in Flint, Michigan. At the beginning of World War II, he joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in the Pacific Theater. At the conclusion of the war, Herm returned to Flint and worked for many years at Buick Motor Division of General Motors before retiring.

It was during this time that I became acquainted with Herm. Herm's son, Neil, was one of my students when I ran for a seat in

the Michigan House of Representatives in 1964 and both became active in my campaign. Herm has been an integral part of my life since that time. He quickly became my number one volunteer and the ``go to guy'' to get any job done. I have fond memories of Herm and his wife Hazel helping out not only with campaign work but daily tasks and babysitting my children. I still have the letter Neil wrote to me in 1969 asking that I make Herm the campaign manager. It is a decision I have never regretted.

In 1976 when I was elected to Congress, the first person I hired to be on my staff was Herm and he ran my district office for 7 years. He loved politics and government and he was loyal and inspired loyalty in others. He helped me lay the framework for my district office, a framework that has functioned successfully for more than 30 years.

As a member of VFW Post 4139, Herm helped construct the building. He loved working with his hands and built 3 homes over the years. He traveled to Arizona in the winter and made 7 trips to Germany to visit relatives. Neil, and his daughter-in-law, Carol, were able to accompany him on 2 of his trips.

Left to treasure his memory are Neil and Carol, his daughter Kelly, special friend Shirley Wager, many relatives and friends. Herm was deeply devoted to his family and loved to spend time with his grandsons, Nick and Dustin Stevens, and his great-granddaughter, Asia.

Madam Speaker, it is a profound honor for me to ask the House of Representatives to join me in a moment of silence to remember the life of Herman Neurohr. He changed the way I viewed the world and I often remember his advice when I am contemplating a problem today. His wisdom was pragmatic, direct and grounded in common sense and I always welcomed his input. Even after he retired, I would talk to him about critical issues. Even though I am saddened by his passing, my memories of Herm warm my heart and I will cherish the time we spent together.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Duane Zuckschwerdt on his retirement after 46 years of service to the UAW. A dinner will be held in his honor tomorrow to celebrate his life and work.

Duane Zuckschwerdt began his affiliation with the UAW in 1964 at Local 652 in Lansing. One year later he was hired at the Flint Chevrolet Manufacturing complex and he became a member of Local 659. Over the years he was elected to several positions with the Local including 1st Vice President in 1990 and President in 1996. He served as Chairman of the Greater Flint Area President's Council, and President of the Flint Area Community Action Program Council.

Appointed the UAW International Staff in 1998, Duane was selected to be the Assistant Director of UAW Region 1-C in 2002. In 2006 he was selected by the delegates at the UAW Constitution Convention as Regional Director leading the 90,000 active and retired UAW members in an 11 county area.

Recognized for his achievements by his peers, Duane is a recipient of the Walter Reuther Award. He has attended every Constitutional Convention and Bargaining Convention, except two, since the early 1970s. Duane and his wife, Connie, have two sons and four grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Duane Zuckschwerdt for his friendship, his counsel, and his service. Duane works to benefit people and has set an example of compassion, enthusiasm, and goodwill for others to emulate. I wish him the best as he moves into this new phase of his life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Deacon Thomas Williams as he celebrates his 100th birthday. Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle in my hometown of Flint, Michigan is planning a celebration on Sunday, July 25 in honor of the occasion.

Deacon Williams was born in Newton, Mississippi on July 20, 1910. He relocated to Michigan and worked for General Motors for 35 years. He was one of the first black males hired to work at General Motors. He is a charter member of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle and has been a faithful member for 72 years attending services every Sunday. Deacon Williams is a former Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent and president of the Young Adult Choir. He continues to be active in the Vacation Bible School and the church's annual picnic. For his continuous service, Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle gave him the Albert Fleming Award. Deacon Williams has been a member of the NAACP and the Urban League.

Of late, Deacon Williams fills his time cooking, making homemade ice cream, watching TV, and being surrounded by his two daughters, 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, his nephew and his 3 goddaughters.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud Deacon Thomas Williams as he celebrates his 100th birthday. His deep trust in Jesus Christ has brought him through the past 100 years and I pray that he will continue to prosper in Our Lord and Savior.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of the Tribal Law and Order Act as an amendment to H.R. 725, the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act. I applaud the hard work and diligence of my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin, for introducing this legislation; and I thank my good friend, Tom Cole, who has been working hard and well on this legislation.

As co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I know that this legislation is desperately needed. The Federal Government is obligated through various treaties with Indian tribes to provide public safety, yet it has failed in this duty for far too long.

Mr. Speaker, violence on Indian reservations is 2.5 times higher than the national average. It is estimated that one in three native women will be raped or sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Only 3,000 tribal law enforcement officers cover over 56 million acres of land in Indian Country.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation will impose enhanced sentencing guidelines, provide for more evidence-sharing between Federal agencies, and enhance Federal accountability. It will also provide for more law enforcement officers and increased access to training at State and tribal police academies.

Mr. Speaker, finally, this legislation will reauthorize funding for tribal courts, jails and juvenile detention centers. The Senate passed the same legislation through with bipartisan support. I strongly urge my colleagues to do the same and pass this critical piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, today I am honoring Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr. Bishop Stewart is the Presiding Prelate of the Michigan- Indiana Region, Third Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The 52nd Session of the Michigan-Indiana Regional Annual Conference and Leadership School of the Mighty Thriving Third Episcopal District Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is being held in my hometown of Flint, Michigan this week. St. Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of Reverend William H. Bell, Jr. is hosting the event.

Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr. was elected the 50th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 1998. Upon his election and consecration he was assigned to the Fifth Episcopal District covering the states of Alabama and Florida.

In 2002, Bishop Stewart was assigned to the Third Episcopal District, presiding over the Southeast Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin Region, the Michigan-Indiana Region and the Kansas-Missouri Region covering 10 Midwestern States. He has provided the leadership to erect six new churches, purchase six parsonages, renovate numerous churches, enable eight ministers to obtain their Masters of Divinity Degrees, enable three ministers to obtain their Doctor of Divinity Degrees, employ a part-time Director of Evangelism and increase the growth and development of Church Ministries. Bishop Stewart is the Chaplaincy Endorsing Agent of the CME Church; the Chair of the Phillips School of Theology Board of Trustees; Chair of the CME Pastors' Conference; Chair of the CME Annual Convocation; Chair of the Board of Personnel Services; Vice Chair of the Conference of National Black Churches and active with many religious and civic organizations. Married to M. Earline Stewart, they are parents to three children and have three grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, the conference theme this year is, ``From Good to Great: The Jesus Challenge to Make Christian Discipleship a Top Priority.'' I welcome the Presiding Elders, clergy, staff, congregants, family and friends of the Michigan-Indiana Region to Flint and I pray that under the leadership of Bishop Stewart, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church will continue to thrive and grow in the blessings of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today and pay tribute to a good friend, John ``J.J.'' Horgan. J.J. passed away on Monday, July 12th in Saginaw, Michigan, at the age of 72.

Born in New York, J.J. served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. He moved to Bridgeport Township and was active in the community. He served as Chair of the Bridgeport Festival Committee, the Bridgeport United Community Task Force, and as Director of the Bridgeport Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a longtime volunteer, member and past Chairman of the Saginaw County Democratic Party. J.J. was an active member of St. Christopher Catholic Church. He functioned as the President, past Treasurer and member of the Administration Commission and he served as the President of the Men's Club.

He ran for a seat on the Bridgeport Board of Trustees and he was a candidate for the 95th Michigan House of Representatives when he was diagnosed with cancer. After having won two battles against cancer in 2001 and 2007, J.J. was upbeat until he succumbed to the disease. He leaves behind to treasure his memory his wife, Geri, his daughter, Frances, sister, Maureen, brother, William, a large extended family and numerous friends. J.J. touched many lives and everyone has fond memories of his kindness, his intelligence and his decency.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and take a moment to remember John ``J.J.'' Horgan. He was a thoughtful, kindhearted, forthright man, full of enthusiasm for life, his family, his church, his community and his country. I valued his friendship and wisdom, and I will miss his cheerfulness, his integrity and his optimistic spirit.

Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to Army SPC Joseph Dennis Johnson. Specialist Johnson was killed on June 16, 2010 in Kunduz, Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Funeral services will be held on June 26 at Flint Central Nazarene Church.

After graduating from Carmen-Ainsworth High School in 2004, Specialist Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2006 and served as an Airborne Engineer disarming improvised devices. He had been stationed in Afghanistan since December 2009. Specialist Johnson considered it a privilege and honor to serve his country. I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Specialist Johnson when we flew from Washington, DC to Michigan together several years ago. I was attending the funeral of a friend, Jack Maxwell, and Jack was Specialist Johnson's great- grandfather. As I sat next to him on the airplane and again at the funeral, I was impressed by his deep love for our country, his passion for his work and his devotion to his family.

Specialist Johnson will be deeply missed by his parents, Dennis and Teri Johnson, his sister Jennifer Pollak, grandparents Eugene and Lois Johnson and Glenna Maxwell; his special friend Amanda Gauthier, many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to stand and take a moment of silence to remember SPC Joseph Johnson. He has made the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved deeply and our nation is grateful for his steadfast duty. His enthusiasm for life is an inspiration to all that knew him and his integrity is a credit to his parents and family. I extend my condolences to his parents, family and friends and I mourn his passing.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Steve Schmidt for being a 2010 inductee into the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Coach Schmidt serves as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. There will be a salute to his achievements at the college tomorrow.

Steve Schmidt became the Men's Head Basketball Coach at Mott Community College in 1991 and over the past 19 years he has led his team to 3 national championships in 2003, 2007, and 2008. During this time they have never posted a losing record and have won 25 or more games in the last 15 seasons. Under Coach Schmidt's leadership his teams have won 12 conference titles, 7 state championships, and 6 regional championships. At the end of the 2009-2010 season Coach Schmidt's career record is 504-119. He has been named the National Junior College Athletic Association Coach of the Year 3 times, has coached 3 NJCAA Players of the Year and 15 All-Americans.

Coach Schmidt began his coaching career at Lansing Waverly High School and Lansing Community College working without pay. At the age of 28 he was given the job as Men's Head Basketball Coach at Mott Community College and his success with the team has been recognized throughout the community. Three years ago he was inducted into the Greater Flint Sports Hall of Fame and a year ago the gymnasium at Ballenger Fieldhouse was named in his honor.

He credits teamwork as an integral part of his success and has said, ``The fact of the matter is I've not won a single game by myself. I've been part of a team. All of this is possible because of the efforts of all these players. That's a perspective I've never lost.''

Madam Speaker, please join me in applauding the work of Coach Steve Schmidt's work and dedication to his players. I commend him for his skill, his enthusiasm, and his respect for the players. I wish him continued success in his career coaching men's basketball.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Ron Gettelfinger on his leadership of the United Auto Workers for the past 8 years and to wish him all the best in his retirement.

Since 1964, when Ron joined the UAW as a chassis line repairman in Louisville, Kentucky, he began a lifetime of service that led him to become the international president of the UAW in 2002. As president, Ron's leadership has helped guide the organization through some of the most difficult times the auto industry has faced. With his characteristic straight talk and common sense, he has worked with a broad range of stakeholders and has been willing to negotiate to try to find solutions to the recent downturn in the domestic auto industry and help protect our auto communities.

This has helped lead to an American auto industry that is well positioned to once again be the economic engine that drives the American recovery. Ron Gettelfinger has been a tireless advocate for American workers and has fought every day to keep American manufacturing jobs from being shipped overseas.

I congratulate Ron on his retirement and thank him for his years of advocacy on behalf of American workers. God bless you, Ron. Thank you for all you have done for the UAW, for all you have done for this country.