Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Village of Oak Lawn and its commitment to honoring the heroes and victims of 9/11 with a monument to be dedicated on September 11, 2011--the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Located in my district, this community has come together to fund the construction of a monument to be built with four beams from the World Trade Center in memoriam of that tragic day and the brave first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Erik Blome, a Chicago native whose public works projects can be found throughout the nation, has unveiled a design that will include a ``forest of beams'' memorializing the first responders and the resiliency of the American spirit. The symbolism of beams from the World Trade Center coupled with the artistic skill of Mr. Blome will produce a lasting and poignant monument to help Oak Lawn residents remember our national loss and those heroes who responded for generations to come.

Led by the Oak Lawn Rotary Club, the residents of Oak Lawn, Illinois are coming together to raise money to fund construction of the monument. Through community fundraisers and generous donations by Oak Lawn citizens, businesses, and organizations, the local community will independently fund the Oak Lawn 9/11 Monument.

I am proud to recognize the Village of Oak Lawn for its strong history of philanthropy and community involvement. Please join me in celebrating the residents of Oak Lawn and the Oak Lawn Rotary Club for its leadership in ensuring that the lives of the September 11th first responders are not forgotten. I know the project will continue to be a great success and I look forward to visiting the memorial once completed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 190th anniversary of Greek independence. It is an honor to recognize a nation whose rich and vibrant history not only laid the foundation for democracy, but whose immigrants and descendants have enriched the cultural landscape of our nation.

The warm friendship that America shares with Greece is rooted in the indelible mark of democracy and self-determination that Hellenic culture has left on our country. Just as our founding fathers were guided by these principles in their fight for independence from a foreign empire, so too were the founders of modern-day Greece, who declared their independence from the Ottoman Empire on March 25th, 190 years ago. Since the birth of both nations, we have striven together to uphold the values of freedom, equality, and justice championed by the Ancient Greeks. We have joined together to promote peace and stability in the world, and Greece has allied with the U.S. in every major international conflict throughout the 20th century.

From architecture to the democratic ideals we cherish, Greek culture has had a continued influence on the way Americans live their everyday lives. Illinois' Third District is fortunate to have one of the largest and most vibrant Greek-American communities in America. And just as Greek citizens were integral in transforming Ancient Greece into a beacon of democracy and culture, Greek-Americans in Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, and throughout Southwestern Chicagoland have proudly contributed their strong cultural heritage and values into the patchwork that makes the Third District so distinct.

It is with great gratitude and pride that I rise to honor the independence of a nation that, from ancient times, has bestowed upon its citizens the fundamental rights of liberty and participation in the democratic process. Though rooted in ancient ideals, our strong allegiance with Greece continues to this day through a shared belief that freedom and democracy are the building blocks of peace. At home, I have witnessed firsthand the positive cultural heritage Greek-Americans bring to our local communities, and I trust that the bonds between our two nations will remain strong for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my most sincere congratulations and thanks to SFC Tammy Amaro, a constituent of mine, who retired on January 1, 2011 after thirty years of service in the United States Army. On behalf of the residents of Illinois' 3rd District, I am grateful to have the opportunity to thank her for devoting her career to the U.S. Army and the defense of our nation.

Recruited at the age of 17 by her future husband, then-PFC Frank Amaro, on December 10, 1980, she immediately demonstrated her potential and quickly advanced. Her two promotions during her first assignment in the Adjutant General's office demonstrated her outstanding leadership abilities. When she

reached boot camp in the summer of 1981, she served as Platoon Guide and was nominated and competed for Trainee of the Cycle, a highly competitive title.

During SFC Amaro's career, she has collected many honors for exceptional service. She received her first medal while serving at Fort Benjamin Harrison; this honor was followed by ten other awards. Her decorations, including the National Defense Service Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, show a rare level of dedication to our nation.

Shortly after returning from Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, SFC Amaro was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on November 1, 1982. She dedicated 13 years of service, eight active, in the 86th ARCOM before being promoted to Staff Sergeant and transferring to the 85th Training Division in Arlington Heights in 1993.

Not only has SFC Amaro been selfless in her service to this country, she simultaneously managed the competing demands of motherhood. In 1996, she transferred away from active duty to the Individual Ready Reserve so she could be home full time to care for her daughters Christina, Catherine, and Jacqueline. She then returned to the Army Reserves four years later to serve another ten years before retirement.

In that time, she served as the Senior Human Resource NCO for the 1st Brigade, 85th Division at Fort Sheridan, and as the Operations NCO for the Emergency Operations Center for the 416th Theater Engineer Command in Darien, Illinois. On December 10, 2010, exactly thirty years from her recruitment date, SFC Amaro completed her last day of service, marking twenty years of active duty and ten years in the reserves.

If SFC Amaro's military career were not enough of an achievement on its own, she has been a devoted mother of three, engaged in her community and children's schools, and remained an active parishioner at St. Leonard's church in Berwyn, Illinois.

Please join me in thanking SFC Amaro for a career of service to the United States and wishing her a long and happy retirement. She is truly an inspiration and a great American. I am proud to have SFC Amaro as a constituent and a fellow resident of the 3rd District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of PolTV, a new television service that will broadcast live news, entertainment, and sports programming straight from Poland into the homes of Poles living in America and abroad. The service, provided by Chicago-based Intercom Ventures LLC, will help connect Polish emigrant communities throughout the world with their native Poland.

PolTV will be the first platform to feature programming from both major Polish networks, TVN and TVP. The service will initially broadcast 15 Polish channels, including TVN International, and will offer over 20 channels within the first 60 days of launch. TVN International provides news and entertainment designed for Poles living abroad and features popular Polish films, TV shows, and documentaries. As Intercom Ventures' third ethnic television product, PolTV follows ShiqpTV, which provides programming for Albanians living abroad, and BosnaTV, which provides the same service for Bosnian emigrants. PolTV's innovative platform offers high definition television, video on demand, and various internet applications.

Founders Drilon Qehaja and Tony Hoti are two American immigrants from Kosovo who embody the American entrepreneurial spirit. Following the Kosovo War, Qehaja started a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) long distance phone company that enabled subscribers to connect with family and friends, providing a much needed sense of normalcy in the war-torn nation. At age 20, Hoti became the youngest financial advisor at the firm AG Edwards in San Diego and, after graduating from Roosevelt College in Chicago, opened a day spa in Chicago's Gold Coast at age 26. The two teamed up to found Intercom Ventures in 2006.

I have faith that the smart, consumer-driven PolTV service will have a unifying effect for the Polish-American community. By providing daily news from news channels operating in Poland, PolTV will increase Polish-Americans' access to personally relevant international news, thereby helping them to cultivate strong cultural, familial and community relationships. As a Polish-American and Co-Chair of the Polish-American Caucus, I am very excited about the possibilities for PolTV in the future.

Please join me in honoring Intercom Ventures for creating PolTV, a responsible community-driven company for the Polish-American population. I am confident that it will successfully provide excellent services for immigrants for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Polish and American freedom fighter Casimir Pulaski. Yesterday in my home state of Illinois, we celebrated Casimir Pulaski Day, which is observed on the first Monday of March. Prior to the Pulaski Day celebration at the Polish Museum of America in Chicago, I joined with Representative Mike Quigley and Senator Mark Kirk to announce the introduction of a new bill to push for Poland's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program. Certainly there is no better day than the one honoring Casimir Pulaski to promote the strengthening of America's ties with Poland.

Born in Warsaw, Poland, on March 6, 1745, Casimir Pulaski was a skilled commander who fought against Russian forces in Poland. Based upon his work fighting for freedom in Poland, Pulaski was recruited by Benjamin Franklin to join in the American Revolution. In his first correspondence to George Washington, Pulaski famously wrote, ``I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.'' In his first battle of the Revolution, the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, Pulaski helped alter the course of history by rallying a counterattack

against advancing British forces that afforded Washington and countless American troops the time needed to successfully retreat. As a result, Washington promoted Pulaski to brigadier general of the American cavalry.

His influence on American independence did not end there. Pulaski organized the Continental Army's first successful cavalry unit, often using his own money to finance equipment for his men. He introduced modern military tactics to the Americans and led troops in numerous battles and sieges up and down the eastern seaboard.

On October 9, 1779, during the Battle of Savannah, Pulaski was struck by grapeshot while attempting to lead a secondary charge against the entrenched British. He was taken aboard the USS Wasp and died from his wounds two days later. On October 15, he was buried at sea. Today Pulaski is remembered as the father of the American cavalry and one of the heroes of the American Revolution.

In 2009, on the 230th anniversary of his death, Congress honored Pulaski posthumously as an honorary citizen of the United States, marking only the seventh time in America's history that an individual has been granted such an honor. Today, I ask all Americans to remember a true Polish-American hero who devoted and ultimately sacrificed his life to the pursuit of freedom.

Madam Speaker, as one of only a handful of engineers in Congress, I am proud again to sponsor a resolution honoring our Nation's engineers during National Engineers Week. This is my seventh year introducing this resolution, and it has a special significance this year.

Next week will mark the 60th anniversary of Engineers Week, and with nearly half of the practicing engineers in our country eligible to retire over the next few years, the central goal of Engineers Week, attracting new students to engineering careers, has never been more important. That is why educating and inspiring America's youth about engineering and science needs to be a national priority.

Engineers design and build all of our everyday products, such as bridges, airplanes, roads, computers, medical devices, cars and power plants, just to name a few. But engineering is more than that. Engineering is problem solving. We have many problems to solve, from our dependence on foreign oil to our crumbling infrastructure. And as a recent National Academies report explained, while only 4 percent of our Nation's workforce is composed of engineers and scientists, this group disproportionately creates jobs for the other 96 percent.

America's 2.5 million engineers have helped make our country great by solving problems and turning dreams into reality, and America's future depends on them. Unfortunately, oftentimes their contributions, though, go unnoticed. National Engineers Week seeks to fix this problem through events aimed at educating youth and fostering public awareness of the vital contributions made by engineers to our quality of life and our economic prosperity.

Engineers Week promotes recognition among parents, teachers, and students of the importance of STEM education and literacy. This year's theme is ``Engineers Make a World of Difference: A Celebration of Engineer Volunteerism.'' It recognizes the more than 1 million hours annually that America's engineers contribute to public service.

The celebratory events include the Future City Competition, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and Discover Engineering Family Day, which all impart an appreciation of the wonders of engineering to our children of all backgrounds.

I can attest to my own childhood experiences with science and engineering and how they captivated me. I remember in high school at St. Ignatius my calculus and physics teachers, especially Father Thul and Father Fergus, helped mold my childhood fascination into an interest in engineering. These teachers, together with informal experiences at places like the Museum of Science and Industry and even at Brookfield Zoo, helped motivate me to pursue an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University and a degree in engineering economic systems from Stanford. One of the central goals of National Engineers Week is to provide this kind of inspiration for the next generation of students.

During Engineers Week in Chicago I will be attending the Engineers Week celebratory dinner, where they will give the Washington Award to a professor from Purdue University and will be honoring students who have made contributions in engineering through the Future Cities projects.

I would like to encourage all of my colleagues to cosponsor this resolution and go home and find some Engineers Week celebrations that are going on and participate in them in your districts. This is a great opportunity for us to thank the engineers who have contributed so much to our country and inspire that next generation of engineers that our country so terribly needs to solve the problems that face us today.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I rise today to discuss an amendment that I filed with Mr. Wu of Oregon but will not be offering. Instead, in a minute, I will be engaging Chairman Wolf in a brief colloquy.

Our goal is simple: to preserve funding at fiscal year 2010 levels for two critical National Weather Service programs. We drafted this amendment because these are two programs that save lives.

Many Americans might not realize it, but the weather forecasts we all get from the Internet, the Weather Channel, or from local TV or radio are all built on the raw data provided by the National Weather Service. These are the same weather reports that are relied upon every day by emergency responders, pilots, and sailors.

My goal is to protect local warnings and forecast centers around the country, along with the Severe Storms Center, the National Hurricane Center, and the Aviation Weather Center. Without these centers, we wouldn't have daily forecasts or flood warnings, and air travel would be significantly more dangerous.

The National Weather Service has been essentially flat funded since 1995. Much of their equipment is in need of repair or replacement. As a country, we simply cannot afford to cut back any further on the service that saves lives, allows us to plan for and respond to weather emergencies, and enables air travel. I am concerned about the adverse impact that this cut could have on essential services.

I understand that my colleague from Virginia, Chairman Wolf, shares some of my concerns, and I'd like to engage in a brief colloquy on this topic.

Mr. Chairman, I know that this legislation requires the Department of Commerce to produce a spending plan that explains how they will implement these cuts. Would you be willing to work with me to make sure the plan NOAA produces reflects the important work done by the National Weather Service and does not adversely affect critical services.

I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

Reclaiming my time, I thank Chairman Wolf, and I appreciate your willingness to work with me on this important issue.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered By: Mr. Lipinski

Amendment No. 121: At the end of the bill, before the short

title, insert the following:

Offered By: Mr. Lipinski

Amendment No. 122: At the end of the bill, before the short

title, insert the following:

Offered By: Mr. Lipinski

Amendment No. 123: Page 201, line 12, insert ``: Provided,

That no less than $710,614,000 shall be available for

`National Weather Service Local Warnings and Forecasts' and

no less than $79,525,000 shall be available for `National

Weather Service Central Forecast Guidance' '' before the

period.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Liz Burns, who will receive the 2010 Western Springs, IL Citizen of the Year Award on January 30, 2011. A resident of Western Springs for 47 years, Mrs. Burns has been an invaluable asset to her community in large part due to her contributions to the local library system.

Mrs. Burns was first appointed to the board of the Thomas Ford Memorial Library in 1991 and solidified her status as a permanent fixture on the board in 1993 with an election to a four-year term. She served as president of the board from 1995 to 1997 and oversaw the $3.1 million library expansion project during her tenure. In 1997, she led efforts to produce and implement the Library's long-range plan, preserving a high-quality learning environment for generations to come.

Since the end of her term as president of the board, Mrs. Burns has served as a trustee at the Thomas Ford Library Foundation. She became chair of the Foundation's board of trustees in 2004, and has worked to build an endowment for the Friends of the Library's continuing educational programs and activities. Liz continues to serve her community as a volunteer reading tutor at the St. Gregory Episcopal School for Boys.

Born and raised in Charleston, IL and the youngest of six children, Mrs. Burns attended the University of Illinois, Urbana where she earned a degree in English. She taught English and Journalism at Riverside- Brookfield High School before starting her family. She later became licensed as a Certified Financial Planner and went to work at the Western Springs Federal Credit Union. Mrs. Burns moved on to Merrill Lynch in 1987 then to Charles Schwab in 1991 where she worked as a securities specialist until her retirement in 2002.

I ask you to join me in honoring Mrs. Liz Burns on her selection as a 2010 Western Springs Citizen of the Year, and may she continue to enjoy educating through her work as a tutor and a trustee of Thomas Ford Memorial Library.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Pete Caris, who will receive the 2010 Western Springs, IL Citizen of the Year Award on January 30, 2011. Born and raised in Western Springs, Mr. Caris has been selected for this award in large part due to his accomplishments with the Western Springs Historical Society.

Mr. Caris was the president of the Western Springs Historical Society Board from 1999 to 2006. During his tenure, he has worked hard to raise funds for the Ekdahl House project to preserve and showcase one of the oldest houses in Western Springs. He has also volunteered at the Tower Museum where visitors can learn about the rich history of Western Springs. Mr. Caris stood out as a nominee for his award not only because of his position on the board, but also because of his hard work increasing the visibility of the Historical Society. He consistently leads public events including the Gathering on the Green and the Christmas Walk in his hometown.

In addition to being active with the Historical Society, Mr. Caris has been involved with the First Congregational Church of Western Springs for many years. He has also acted as a mentor to many young citizens while coaching church league basketball for 23 years. All of Mr. Caris' work in Western Springs, whether leading youth teams or ensuring the preservation of local historical treasures, makes him a deserving recipient of the 2010 Citizen of the Year award.

I ask you to join me in honoring Mr. Pete Caris on his selection as a 2010 Western Springs Citizen of the year, and may he continue to happily serve the citizens Western Springs, IL, young and old.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the residents of Western Springs, Illinois, a village in my district and my hometown, which will celebrate its quasquicentennial anniversary on January 30, 2011.

Western Springs enjoys a long and colorful history beginning in the early 19th century. The area, originally consisting of swampland and flat plains, was settled by a small population of farmers in 1834. These rural families enjoyed a very quiet life until the CB&Q Railroad arrived in 1863. New construction filled the swamps and the Western Springs Land Association purchased the three tracts of land on which Western Springs now sits for $105,000.

Many of the area's earliest inhabitants were Quaker, so the town adopted a personality that included a simple lifestyle and a prohibition of alcohol. Eventually, developer Thomas Clarkson Hill moved to the area and helped to organize the community to attract more residents. Area inhabitants built a school house in 1872 and a post office in 1873 and as more new immigrants arrived, Quaker influence dwindled. After several more community projects, the Village of Western Springs incorporated in 1886, named for the mineral springs to the southwest of the town.

In 1890, the Village hired Edgar and Benezette Williams to design and build a waterworks system after the local water springs were depleted. The famous Western Springs Water Tower was part of that project and still stands 112 feet tall as a National Register Historic Place.

Western Springs' other most historic site is the Ekdahl House, built by August Ekdahl as a general store. The general store was one of the town's first businesses and later served as a post office. The building is now a museum where local residents can learn about the history of their village. The preservation of the Water Tower and the Ekdahl house can be attributed to the efforts of the determined members of the Western Springs Historical Society.

Although Western Springs has come a long way since its days as a Quaker farm settlement, it is still a safe and quiet town as demonstrated by its being named by Business Week a ``Great Place to Raise Kids'' and one of CNN Money's ``Best Places to Live.'' My wife Judy and I are proud to be counted among the Village's 12, 493 residents. I will gather with my fellow Western Springs residents at McClure Junior High on January 30th to celebrate the Village's 125th year. We will enjoy festivities including a giant tower cake, ice skating, and a bonfire, along with honoring the 2010 Citizens of the Year.

I ask you to join me in honoring the residents of Western Springs, Illinois on their 125th anniversary as a village. May they enjoy this weekend's celebration and may the Village continue to thrive as a close community.

Mr. Speaker, as a proud graduate of St. Symphorosa Grammar School and St. Ignatius College Prep, and as a strong supporter of Catholic education, I am again introducing a resolution to honor Catholic Schools Week and highlight the contributions to our Nation made by America's Catholic schools. Unfortunately, changes in House rules would like to prohibit this resolution from being brought to the floor, so I'm going to speak about it tonight.

Since 1974, the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have provided exemplary leadership in conceptualizing and organizing Catholic Schools Week. This year, it is celebrated from January 30 through February 5. The theme this year is ``Catholic Schools--A Plus for America,'' which celebrates the fact that Catholic schools are an added value, a plus for our Nation.

By always emphasizing the necessity of a well-rounded educational experience and instilling the values of giving back to the community and helping others, America's Catholic schools produce graduates that have the skills and strength of character needed by our businesses, governments, and communities. Nearly 95 percent of Catholic schools have a service program, and in 2009 their students contributed about half a million hours of service to their communities and parishes. My own desire to serve was fostered by dedicated teachers throughout my formative years at Catholic schools.

Today, over 2.1 million elementary and secondary students are enrolled in over 7,000 Catholic schools. Catholic school students, on average, surpass other students in math, science and reading in the three grade levels tested by the NAEP test. The graduation rate for Catholic high school students is 99 percent, with 97 percent going on to college or technical school. As we continually hear disturbing reports about our national test scores, these statistics are truly remarkable and should be commended.

Catholic schools are also known for embracing students from all walks of life and are highly effective in providing educational opportunities for minority students and disadvantaged youth. Almost 15 percent of students at Catholic schools are not Catholic. Over the past 30 years, the percentage of minority students enrolled in Catholic schools has more than doubled. Despite exceptional results, the success of Catholic schools does not depend on selectivity, as they accept nine out of every 10 students who apply.

Now in addition to producing well-educated students, Catholic schools save American taxpayers billions of dollars every year by lowering the number of students in already overburdened public schools. In fact, it is estimated that taxpayers in the Chicago area alone save over $1 billion because of Catholic schools and approximately $20 billion nationwide. The importance of these savings is undeniable to American taxpayers, especially now, while many State and local governments are struggling with budget gaps.

I was born and raised and lived in the Chicago archdiocese, which still has one of the most successful school systems in the country. More than 93,000 students attend 258 schools. In my district alone, there are seven Catholic high schools and about 50 grammar schools, including one of the best in my

home parish of St. John of the Cross in Western Springs.

My own Catholic education in Chicago gave me the knowledge, discipline, desire to serve and love of learning that enabled me to earn my doctorate degree and become a teacher before being elected to Congress. In recognizing Catholic Schools Week, we pay a special tribute to dedicated teachers and administrators who sacrifice so much, in many cases working for less than they could earn elsewhere. Many of my favorite memories are of teachers, including many nuns who taught me the value of faith and service. Throughout the United States, millions of others have similar memories of their dedicated sisters, priests and lay teachers who gave their hearts and souls to touch the lives of their students.

Mr. Speaker, next week I look forward to attending Catholic Schools Week events in my district to deliver the praise, support and gratitude that they deserve. I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Amendment Seven: ``In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed $20, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.''