Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tremendous sacrifice and bravery of the countless men and women who have fallen in service to this great country. This Memorial Day, let us stop to remember all of the American service men and women who have answered the call to defend our nation, many making that ultimate sacrifice for the peace and preservation of our union.

Since our country's founding, each generation has met the challenge of protecting our freedoms and way of life. Through the centuries, over 1.2 million brave men and women have given their lives for our nation. This final sacrifice was not only borne by those brave Americans who died, but also by their families and loved ones who personally suffered the loss of these heroes. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones in the service of America.

Today, our country is again engaged in battle. Fighting to maintain peace and security across the globe, American soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world continue to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure freedom and democracy. As the war on terror continues, Americans must honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for the protection of this nation and the hope of peace.

This Memorial Day I pay tribute to all of the soldiers who have fallen in service to our great nation and the immeasurable sacrifices they have made defending freedom and democracy throughout the world. It is with a humble heart and proud spirit that I honor the lives of America's fallen soldiers and remember with admiration their patriotism and dedication to our country in the face of adversity. Let us never forget their sacrifices.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joel M. Carp of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago for his outstanding contributions to the Federation, as well as to the community at large. After 28 years of outstanding service, I have this great opportunity to congratulate Joel in his retirement.

Throughout his professional career in social work, social planning, and advocacy, Joel has engaged in efforts to create sound public policies and sustain quality, comprehensive health and human services for all people throughout Chicago, the state of Illinois, and the United States. He has served as chairman of and/or represented the Chicago Jewish community on a number of governmental task forces charged with determining public policy including: the City of Chicago Mayor's Task Force on Hunger, the Task Force on Homelessness, and the Task Force on Neighborhood Land Use. Additionally, Chicago Mayor Daley and Cook Country Board President Stroger appointed him to their Task Force on Welfare Reform. At the state level, he has served on: the Governor's Task Force on Services for the Homeless; the Department of Children and Family Services Child Welfare Advisory Committee; and on the advisory boards of the Illinois Department of Public Aid on social services, public welfare, block grants, and allocation of funds for emergency food and shelter. At the Illinois Department of Human Services, he serves as a member of the Family Self Sufficiency Council, the Governor's Families and Children Leadership Sub-Cabinet, and the Lt. Governor's Ethnic Affairs Council.

Joel has published over 30 articles on various subjects in the field of social work, social planning, voluntarism, and refugee resettlement. His most recent work is a chapter entitled ``The Jewish Social Welfare Lobby in the U.S.'' in a two-volume work on the Jewish Polity & Civil Society, published in 2002. He has served a number of universities as a field faculty member in their graduate social work education programs.

I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to stand with me today and take this occasion to recognize Joel Carp for his many achievements, wishing him well in retirement. As Joel truly sets an example to all citizens, we acknowledge and thank him for his role in making our community a better place to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of America's 2.9 million registered nurses and recognize National Nurses Week, which is celebrated annually May 6-12 throughout the United States. The purpose of National Nurses Week is to raise public awareness of the value of nursing and to help educate the public about the vital roles registered nurses play in meeting the health care needs of the American people.

America's nurses comprise our nation's largest health care profession. They continue to meet the different, emerging, and challenging health care needs of the American population in a wide range of settings. Nurses enhance both primary and preventive health care and are an indispensable component in the safety and quality of care of hospitalized patients.

It is my honor to recognize registered nurses who care for all of us. Today, we celebrate registered nursing's accomplishments and efforts to improve our health care system and show our appreciation for the nation's registered nurses not just during this week, but at every opportunity throughout the year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Honor Arthur Kubic, Principal of John C. Dore Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. Principal Kubic recently announced his retirement following a career lasting nearly four decades.

Arthur Kubic was born and raised in the City of Chicago. He attended St. Simon the Apostle School and Thomas Kelly High School in Chicago's Southwest Side. He began his teaching career in 1968 after graduating from Northern Illinois University, and in 1977 he earned his Master's Degree from Roosevelt University.

Arthur Kubic, a champion for the hearing-impaired, taught sign language for twenty-five years in the Adult Education Department at Morton Community College in Cicero, Illinois.

In 1990, Arthur Kubic became the principal of Dore School. Since that time, he launched full-time kindergarten classes and the Full Inclusion Program which teaches students with disabilities in regular-education classes with their peers. His efforts on behalf of the children of Chicago Public Schools are truly appreciated.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the many achievements of Principal Arthur Kubic. It is my honor to acknowledge Arthur Kubic for his outstanding leadership and commitment to public service, in the City Chicago and the Third Congressional District of Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Harry ``Bus'' Yourell of Oak Lawn, Illinois, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District who is retiring after a long and distinguished career in the private and public sector.

Mr. Yourell served admirably in the United States Marine Corps during World War II earning the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with three stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation Award.

Born on February 19, 1919, in Hammond, Indiana, Yourell moved to Oak Lawn in 1956. He raised three children with his wife and established a popular Oak Lawn restaurant named ``Bus' Drive-in'' and was engaged in the insurance brokerage business.

Harry ``Bus'' Yourell served with excellence in community and civic affairs by participating in the Heart Fund, the Boy Scouts, the Lions Club, the Elks Club, the Holy Name Society, Rotary, American Legion Post 757, VFW Post 5220, and Catholic War Veterans.

He is a loyal and active Democrat who served his party as President of the Worth Township Regular Democrats for three years, was elected delegate to the 1964 State Nomination Convention, was six times elected Democratic Committeeman of Worth Township, was a member of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee, and was elected delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1968.

Yourell served nine terms as an elected member of the Illinois House of Representatives, where he served as Chairman of the Counties and Townships Committee, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative Procedures, Chairman of the Election Laws Commission, Chairman of the County Problems Commission, and was a member of the Executive Committee, the Cities and Villages Committee, the Financing of Education Commission, and the C-Selm Pollution Control Commission.

As an Illinois State Representative was chief sponsor of bills to raise the drinking age to 21 and to create the Joint Committee on Administrative Procedures; he also sponsored legislation creating one of the toughest narcotic bails in the nation, banning look-alike drugs, and the consolidated election law.

Citizens of our state who serve with distinction deserve to be recognized and honored for their accomplishments; therefore, it is my honor to recognize Harry ``Bus'' Yourell for his dedication and service to his family, friends, community, and country. I wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5143, the H-Prize Act of 2006, an innovative, forward-thinking bill that will spur the application of American ingenuity toward securing our energy future. I applaud Mr. Inglis for introducing this legislation, and I am proud to have joined him as a chief cosponsor of this bill.

Right now, every American is affected by high energy prices. Working families, small businesses and consumers across the country are feeling the pinch with no end in sight. People aren't just paying more to fill their gas tanks or when they pay for their heating bills for their home; they are paying more at the grocery store, on air travel and for many other daily expenses. Local economies are suffering as people spend more on fuel and less on consumer goods and travel.

The high prices also highlight the fact that the U.S. is too heavily dependent on fossil fuels that we import from unstable parts of the world. To protect our national security, we must become more energy secure.

As we explore ways to bring price relief and bolster our country's energy independence, one significant energy source has emerged as a potential solution, hydrogen fuel cells.

Hydrogen holds great promise to meet many of our future energy needs, and it addresses national security and our environmental concerns. Hydrogen is the simplest, most abundant element in the universe.

Hydrogen fuel cells have already been developed to power cars. Last week I had the opportunity to drive a hydrogen-powered car built by Honda. It did not drive much differently than any other car that we drive, a gasoline-powered car that we have right now, except for the silence of the engine, which I am used to, having driven a Ford Escape hybrid for a couple of years.

Although we do have this car that has been created, we could drive these few on the road, there are significant problems that must still be worked out before we can put a hydrogen car in every garage. For example, the weight of the fuel cells and batteries must be brought down. The range per fill-up must be extended. It is about 200 miles right now on the car that I drove. And most importantly, the price must be lowered very drastically. The car that I drove they told me cost about $1.5 million. So clearly, there are several significant technological advances that we must make. But these are within our reach.

And when these advances are made, hydrogen can fill critical energy needs beyond transportation. Hydrogen can also be used to heat and generate electricity for our homes. The future possibilities of this energy source are enormous.

By utilizing hydrogen, we can and will lessen our dependence on foreign fuels. Right now too much American time and resources are spent dealing with situations caused by our dependence on oil that we import from unstable countries. We must wean ourselves from these unpredictable energy sources while maintaining and strengthening our economy here at home. Hydrogen provides a way to achieve both.

The environmental benefits of hydrogen are also outstanding. When used as an energy source, hydrogen produces no emissions besides water. Zero polluting emissions, an amazing advance over the current sources of energy that we use.

H.R. 5143 seeks the development of needed advances in hydrogen technology by using our greatest national resource, our intelligent and creative workforce. To address our critical energy challenge we must bring our best and brightest to the task, and H-Prize does this.

An economy based on energy outside of fossil fuels is no longer implausible. But to get there, we must invest in research and development. Research grants are the basis of this process, but what we have is a responsibility to find creative and new ways to inspire researchers, business leaders, and our youth to solve the problems that society faces. The H-Prize will help expand the possibilities of hydrogen research,

promoting people not normally involved in Federal research and development to explore avenues for a more secure energy future.

Hydrogen has the potential to reduce our Nation's dependence on foreign oil, improve our air quality and maintain our economic competitiveness. And the H-Prize will help take us there.

I thank Mr. Inglis for his leadership on this important issue, and I am proud to have joined him in this effort. This legislation has involved much bipartisan cooperation on the Science Committee, which I appreciate, and it exemplifies the usual relationship on our committee under the leadership of Chairman Boehlert and Ranking Member Gordon.

I hope that we can continue this cooperation on other critical issues related to America's future technological competitiveness. We must work together to encourage the creative talents that have made our country the world leader in technology.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation which will provide some of the encouragement that will better our Nation and the world.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Miller).

Mr. Speaker, we have no more speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time.

Mr. Speaker, again I would like to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Our Nation's future depends on finding a solution to our critical energy needs.

America has always been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs. We have responded to great challenges, perhaps most famously John F. Kennedy's challenge to land a man on the Moon by the end of 1960s. And we have seen that prizes have a great effect to inspire technological advances. As Mr.

Inglis stated earlier, he talked about Charles Lindbergh, a prize was offered and Charles Lindbergh made that first solo flight across the Atlantic.

The X Prize was put out there and we had the team put together a private flight of a spaceship 100 kilometers above the Earth. Challenges and prizes help spark the imagination of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who invest blood, sweat, tears and large sums of money to achieve a great goal. But perhaps the greatest role that the H-prize may serve is in spurring the imagination of our most valuable resource, our youth.

Back in the 1970s there was great interest in solar power as an alternative energy source. This was largely brought in by the OPEC crisis of the early 1970s, the high oil prices, just as we see today. So there is a great demand. We need something different and solar energy was the big thing that we were looking at.

In my 8th grade science fair project I examined solar energy. I was excited about the thought of moving beyond oil and moving to something that would make us more secure and something that would be clean. I read about it, and I moved forward; I did the science fair project.

Now, my science fair project in my own career as an engineer did not ever find that solution to an alternative energy source. And unfortunately it seemed that we got into the 1980s and what happened? We lost that interest. Interest waned in finding alternative energy.

We cannot afford to let that happen again. All the focus today on energy prices has probably helped to facilitate bringing this bill to the floor for consideration today. Unfortunately, we often only act during crises, which means we do not take the time to think big, to make big plans and to dream big. America has been built on big dreams and hard work. That is what has made America the greatest Nation on Earth. That is why we need to think big in changing the energy that we use today before it is too late, for our environment and for our security. The H-Prize will help in doing this.

Perhaps there is a student out there today whose imagination will be sparked by the H-Prize and he or she may become an engineer and some day help develop the much-needed answers to today's energy problems. I hope that that opportunity is out there today and this H-Prize provides that inspiration to them.

So I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill today, and perhaps one day we will look back on this day when the House passed the H-Prize, look at it as a catalyst that led to a better, cleaner and more secure America and world.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, in less than 12 days, seniors face a critical deadline. By May 15, they must sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan. After this date, they will pay a permanent penalty of 1 percent for every month that they wait to join, a penalty they will pay on top of their premium for the rest of their lives.

I have held more than three dozen seminars across my district to help seniors navigate through the overly complex program, and they keep calling asking for more help. They are understandably confused by the more than 60 different choices that they have. The least we can do is give seniors more time to understand their options so that they can make their best choice.

To do this, Congress must pass the Medicare Informed Choice Act which would delay the late enrollment penalty, prevent beneficiaries from losing their employer-based coverage and allow seniors to switch plans if they make a mistake. More than 70 percent of seniors are asking for more time. It is long overdue for Congress to listen and make sure that seniors have a prescription drug plan that works for them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Daniel and Christina Finn, founders of the Patriotic Pillow Project, also known as Operation Comfort.

Daniel T. Finn is a Vietnam veteran who proudly served his country during the years of 1966 and 1967. Upon return to the United States, Mr. Finn received a teaching degree and currently teaches at Carver, the Nation's largest public military academy in Chicago.

Christina Finn serves as a medical health professional. In this career, she has observed that the healing process includes both emotional and psychological healing, as well as physical repair. For this reason, when Dan and Christina's oldest son was deployed to Iraq, the Finn's founded the Patriotic Pillow Project This project lovingly and respectfully collects pillows to send to wounded GIs to lift their spirits and honor the recipient.

United Airlines and an organization called C.A.R.C. in Chicago have provided the pillows. Then, anyone who can stitch a straight line and follow the pattern provided is encouraged to handcraft a pillow cover. The pillow covers are quilted replicas of our Nation's Flag.

Since September 2004, the Patriotic Pillow Project has received 4,350 pillows and delivered more than 2,350 finished gifts of gratitude. This is quite an accomplishment for a project that started out as a single page document distributed to friends and various organizations.

It is my honor to recognize Dan and Christina Finn, founders of the Patriotic Pillow Project for their many achievements in supporting our heroic American GIs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in staunch opposition to the outsourcing of American national security. In the current climate, our national security must be paramount and we have an obligation to our constituents to make every effort to protect our homeland. As the Bush Administration recently learned, outsourcing the operations of our ports is a dangerous path and poses serious security concerns and grave implications for the safety of our Nation. Fortunately, the proposed sale of American seaports to Dubai Ports World, the government-owned company based in the United Arab Emirates, appears to have been stopped. But we must remain vigilant to prevent this potentially dangerous outsourcing of America.

The haphazard attitude towards American security policy that was on display in the Dubai Ports debacle, takes America backwards in our fight with terrorists. In a post 9/11 world, handing over management and daily operations to a country that funneled money to the 9/11 hijackers, served as a transfer point of nuclear components to Iran, Libya, and North Korea, and continues to participate in the boycott against Israel, is unwise at best.

In the last few weeks, I received hundreds of emails, letters, and phone calls from extremely alarmed and angry constituents about this transaction. As I meet people all across my district, they are asking, ``Is American security for sale?''

It is clear to me that the Administration only gave the Dubai Ports deal a cursory look before approving it in January. We should institute a mandatory review of all foreign transactions that could impact national security, requiring the President to notify Congress; and ensuring that Congress has a role in vetting the proposed foreign takeover. The CFIUS review process is in need of major reform, especially if they intend to take America down this spiraling path.

This controversy also brings to the forefront the enormous concerns that surround port security in our country. Even after 9/11, only six percent of containers entering our ports are screened, and the Administration has failed to develop container security standards. The President's 2007 Budget eliminates port security grants and there are still no minimum security standards for containers entering the United States. Seventy-five percent of our ports do not even have the capacity to screen containers for weapons of mass destruction. We must build a comprehensive port security system that closes these loopholes and strengthens safeguards.

But it should come as no surprise that America has begun to outsource our national security, since we continue to promote policies that encourage businesses to ship jobs overseas. Outsourcing comes with substantial costs to the American public and is reflected in our record trade deficit of 725 billion dollars in 2005.

Hundreds of thousands of American jobs continue to be shipped overseas. From accountants and computer programmers to factory personnel, American workers are losing their jobs because companies are outsourcing their production so they can hire low-wage workers abroad and not have to follow meaningful labor laws or environmental protections.

Manufacturing has been particularly hard hit. My district has lost thousands and thousands of manufacturing jobs, and the losses continue. These are good-paying jobs that have built the middle class in our country, the middle class which is the backbone of America. Some say that these job losses are insignificant because these are old industries that should be allowed to disappear in America. I could not disagree more. We must act now to help manufacturers keep jobs in this country. When these jobs are lost, not only do families suffer, but our national security suffers because we lose the ability to manufacture goods that are critical to the defense of our country.

Today, many companies that ship jobs to other countries receive federal tax breaks. This means that the current tax code actually encourages companies to move their production centers out of the U.S. to cut costs. We must end these tax breaks and instead cut taxes for companies that keep American jobs here in the U.S. These cuts will encourage companies to maintain factories and preserve jobs here, and give them the capital they need to grow and fuel our economy.

Mr. Speaker, first it was manufacturing, then high tech, and now our security that is being sold to the highest bidder. We cannot allow this to continue. We must protect America's families by defending our national security and preserving and growing American jobs. America must not be sold out.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 681, supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. Engineers have helped make our country great, from their service in the American Revolution to developing key modern industries such as aerospace and energy. I would like to honor and recognize the more than 2 million engineers in the United States and the contributions that they have made to our country.

Engineers combine imagination and creativity with math and science training to solve problems. Engineers in the past have helped us to build boats to cross the seas, railroads to take us West, and the Internet to communicate with the world. Today, we need the innovative capabilities of engineers to confront the new challenges before us. Engineers will help America develop energy independence, find solutions to confront global climate change, and make our Nation more secure.

But there is a growing concern that America is falling behind other countries when it comes to engineering. U.S. students continue to score below international averages on math and science tests. In 2004, China graduated more than six times the number of engineers that graduated in the United States. The National Academy of Sciences recently released a report entitled, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm,'' which raised questions about America's future technological competitiveness. This report, echoed by President Bush in his State of the Union address, emphasized the need for government to take a number of actions, including addressing the potential shortage of engineers. We must act quickly to take up this challenge. We cannot afford to let our future falter, and that future requires that we continue to lead the world in technological innovation. This innovation is supplied by engineers.

National Engineers Week seeks to raise public awareness about engineers' contributions to our society and our quality of life and has inspired future engineers for more than 50 years. Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers, and including more than 100 society, government, and business sponsors and affiliates, including Boeing, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, National Engineers Week draws upon local and regional experts to promote high levels of math, science and technology literacy. Annually, it reaches thousands of parents, teachers and students in communities across the country. From national and regional engineering competitions, such as the Future City Competition, to events such as Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, this week helps inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

The Future City Competition is a great example of how National Engineers Week has touched students across the country. The competition encourages seventh and eighth grade students to use problem-solving skills, teamwork, research and presentation skills, practical math and science applications, and computer skills to present their vision of a city of the future.

The team from St. Barnabas Catholic School in Chicago recently won first place in the regional competition. This team included several students who come from my district. These students then went on to the national competition. At the national competition, they also won an award for their work in aerospace engineering.

These students had a great opportunity to learn more about the many factors that go into building a city. They then applied this knowledge to a real problem. Working with teachers and mentor engineers, they solved problems ranging from energy supply to waste removal to transportation needs. These students are the ones we will rely on in coming years to help us address these challenges in the real world.

If we are going to produce more American engineers, one step that we need to do is to improve our STEM education, that is, science, technology, engineering and math education, but we must also do more to inspire our children to become interested in engineering.

When I was a kid growing up in Chicago, I was fascinated by the way things worked, as most kids are. I had a physics teacher in high school at St. Ignatius. His name was Father Fergus. He took this fascination that I had and got me interested in engineering, just as I hope that the events of National Engineers Week will do for more children.

I went on to earn a bachelor's of science degree in mechanical engineering at Northwestern and a master's degree in engineering- economic systems from Stanford University. I am one of only nine Members of this body who has an engineering degree, but people come up to me often and ask me how does the training as an engineer help you. Certainly it helps in understanding science and technology issues, math and science education, and transportation and manufacturing issues.

But engineering is more than that. Simply put, engineering is problem solving. Training as an engineer teaches you how to analyze a problem and how to put the steps together to solve that problem, no matter what the problem may be. It helps teach the type of analytical and innovative thinking that has made America a world leader technologically, militarily and economically. We must do everything we can to encourage and inspire future engineers so that America continues to be a leader in this increasingly competitive world.

Finally, I would like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Inglis) for his involvement with the National Engineers Week resolution. I would especially like to thank the engineers who have contributed so much to America, to honor them for their commitment to their continuing work for the betterment of our society.

I ask my colleagues to pass H. Res. 681 in deserved recognition.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding resident of the Third Congressional District of Illinois, Josephine Cathrine Gajda, upon her retirement. Over the years, Josephine has been a distinguished contributor to the community, as well as an exemplary mother. Her love of nature, reading,

and visiting with her grandchildren embody genuine and honorable values.

After graduating from St. John of God Elementary School and Lourdes High School, Josephine's experience in child care, banking, and at Dominick's enabled her to serve the community and its residents. During this time, she also nurtured and raised five children (Cheryl, Stephen, David, Kristen, and Melissa) and is currently the grandmother of six grandchildren (Zack, Andrew, Dakota, Emily, Kristina, and Nicholas).

Josephine's patience, kindness, and ability proved to be invaluable in the workplace, but also at home. As an outstanding parent, she imparted these important values to her children and grandchildren.

I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to stand with me today and take this opportunity to recognize Josephine Catherine Gajda for her many achievements, and wish her well in retirement. As Josephine truly sets an example to the Third District, we also thank her for her role in making our community a better place to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Gerald R. Bennett of Palos Hills, IL. Mayor Bennett has given 25 years of public service to the Palos Hills community.

As a native of Chicago's southwest side, Mayor Bennett attended Brother Rice High School. He then continued his education at Lewis University of Joliet and graduated from the University of Illinois-- Chicago.

Mayor Bennett began his public service in 1979 by serving as alderman from the Second Ward of Palos Hills. Upon the completion of his term he was elected as mayor of Palos Hills in 1981, a position he has continued to serve for the past 25 years.

As mayor, Mr. Bennett has transformed the city of Palos Hills into a progressive community which seeks to unite all of Chicago's southwest suburban towns. Because of his exemplary leadership, Mayor Bennett has served as founder and president of the Southwest Conference of Mayors for the past 23 years. He is also the chairman of the Board of Southwest Central Dispatch, an intergovernmental police and fire 911 service.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the many achievements of Mayor Gerald R. Bennett. It is my honor to acknowledge Mayor Bennett for his outstanding leadership and commitment to public service, in the city of Palos Hills and the Third Congressional District of Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor WLTL, the radio station operated by the students of Lyons Township High School.

WLTL is a noncommercial radio station located at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, IL approximately 15 miles west of the Chicago Loop. The radio station is owned by Illinois School District 204 and is operated by the students of Lyons Township High School. For more than 100 years, LTHS has exhibited its motto of Vita Plena or the quest for the fulfilling life by servicing students from more than 10 communities.

The radio station was first established in 1922. However, it was not officially recognized until January 5, 1968. Each year, a team of student managers is selected to operate the station under the guidance of a general manager. All students attending Lyons Township High School are welcome to join the WLTL team. The various positions include on-air disc jockeys, engineers and news broadcasters. If a student has an interest in becoming an on air personality, he or she has to complete an audition.

As one of the largest academic clubs at Lyons Township High School, WLTL received numerous awards at the 2005 John Drury Awards Ceremony. In 2004, WLTL was again named the best high school radio station in the Nation by the John Drury Awards--the first award came in 2002. The radio station has also been the winner of the Crystal Award of Excellence by the Communicator Awards for the past 8 years, a major accomplishment for any radio station. Because of the student's diligence in providing quality journalism, WLTL continues to have an impressive reputation.

I ask my colleagues to join me in praising the many accomplishments of School District 204 and the faculty and students of Lyons Township High School for the professional manner in which they operate the programming of the WLTL radio. It is my honor to bestow best wishes for the continued success of WLTL programming.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor: Sarah Bush, Laura Carroll, Eileen Cullina, Sara Kochanny, Meaghan McArdle, Alexandra Nine, Jessica Perazzolo, and Patrick Vogt, all students of St. Barnabas Catholic School in Chicago. These students, competing against students from sixteen other schools, placed first in the Chicago Region of the National Engineers Week Future City Competition. They will compete at the national level in Washington, DC from February 18-22.

The National Engineers Future City Competition is a competition sponsored by Engineers Week, a consortium of major U.S. corporations, professional, and technical societies. The consortium is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated engineering work force by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers, as well as promoting precollege literacy in math and science.

The competition encourages 7th and 8th grade students to use problem solving skills, team-work, research and presentation skills, practical math and science applications, and computer skills to present their vision of a city of the future. St. Barnabas Catholic School, an elementary school stressing hands on learning, has participated in the National Engineers Week Future City Competition for the last 7 years. Previous St. Barnabas teams have won the Chicago regional competition 3 times, the national championship in 2001, and finished fifth in 2004. The team's current advisors include engineer mentor Timothy Cullina and teacher mentor Jeanne Conway.

As a member of the House Science Committee and one of only 11 Members of Congress with an engineering degree, I am especially proud to recognize these young engineers. Their interest in and commitment to math and science education is admirable and will help our country remain a global leader in science and engineering.

It is my honor to recognize these students and their mentors for these outstanding achievements. Additionally, I commend St. Barnabas Catholic School for promoting the sound leaning atmosphere necessary to foster academic success.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 657, honoring National Catholic Schools Week and the tremendous contributions that Catholic schools have made to our country.

Since 1974, Catholic Schools Week has celebrated the important role that Catholic schools play in American education, and their excellent reputation for providing a strong academic and moral education, as well as teaching social responsibility.

This year's theme of Catholic Schools Week is: ``Catholic Schools: Character. Compassion. Values.'' These words embody the mission of Catholic education beyond providing top-notch academic training. Compassion is at the heart of the Catholic faith. It teaches so many young men and women the strength of character and the strong convictions that they need to be successful adults and to contribute to our society.

My wife and I are each products of 12 years of Catholic elementary and secondary school: my wife in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, at Saint Patrick's grade school and Bishop McCourt High School; myself in Chicago at Saint Symphorosa Grammar School and Saint Ignatius College Prep. Like so many others, I understand how important Catholic schools are in providing a spiritual, moral, and intellectual foundation. My 12 years of Catholic education provided me with the knowledge, discipline, and the love of learning that enabled me to go on and earn my Ph.D. and become a teacher before I came to Congress.

As we recognize Catholic Schools Week, we must pay special tribute to the dedicated teachers and administrators who sacrifice so much, usually getting paid less than they could elsewhere, to dedicate their lives to teaching at Catholic schools. I have fond memories of my teachers, who taught me not only the value of a good education but also the values of faith and service. Although it was almost 35 years ago, I can still remember Sister Mildred, my first grade teacher; Miss Ivers, my second grade teacher. And the memories go on.

I will never forget Sister Diane, who was my student congress coach when I was in high school. To this day, when I speak in front of crowds, I still envision Sister Diane sitting there, nodding, giving me confidence when I was a nervous young kid trying to make my first public speeches. I related these memories while attending a celebration at Saint Richard's School last week. After the celebration, many people came up to me with similar memories, memories of teachers who gave their heart and soul and made such a big difference in the lives of their students.

To thank these men and women and their tireless contributions and service, I held a breakfast last week at Saint Lawrence High School during Catholic Schools Week. We talked about the successes of Catholic schools and also the challenges that they face. Nationally, more than 2.4 million young people are enrolled in nearly 8,000 Catholic schools. These schools have more than 160,000 full-time professional staff, boasting a student-teacher ratio of 15-1.

The Chicago archdiocese has had one of the most successful school systems. Today, more than 106,000 students attend 276 schools. In my district alone, there are 34 grammar schools and five high schools. The success of students in the Chicago archdiocese is phenomenal. The high schools have an amazing graduation rate of 99 percent, and about 95 percent of those graduates go on to college. This is clearly a record to be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, as an important complement to our public schools and other private institutions, Catholic schools contribute a great deal to America. They have made a big difference in my life and a big difference in the lives of countless others. They deserve our praise and our support; and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution, the Kennedy resolution, honoring Catholic schools during this Catholic Schools Week.