Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono Mack), the author of this important bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, this is one of countless examples of Indian sovereignty that has in fact been put below the sovereignty of any other landowner, the sovereignty of any other city, municipality or county.

This is an important bill, but I think in passage today and tomorrow it is very clear that it marks a trend back toward recognizing that Native American tribes have had things taken from them in the past, had to go to court, in Federal Court win, and then find that they have to continue year after year in order to get these rights. Had this been a normal county or private landowner, I strongly suspect this would have been restored years earlier.

So I commend the gentlewoman, my colleague in an adjacent district, for bringing this important legislation, ending once and for all an injustice.

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill and I commend the gentleman from New York. I regret that I have to follow the gentleman from New York, because I too grew up listening to Sinatra wondering if the Rat Pack would be my future. Now I am in Congress; it could be that it came true.

But whether you admire Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, or Frank Sinatra, they all had one thing in common; they changed the world with their bigger than life behavior. They also changed the world with their generosity. Frank Sinatra was famous for his generosity. Even better than that, he was also famous for having problems with people, and then turning around and being overly generous to people that he had had difficulties with. He helped some years, many years ago give Buddy Rich, a famous jazz drummer, money to start a band even though only a few years earlier they had been arch enemies. He picked up the hospital bills of Bela Lugosi and many others. He funded hospital activities around the world. He lived his life big and he lived it every day. He stretched. He was in fact a great actor. He was in fact somebody who would act in parts that perhaps lesser men would have shied away from, wanting to preserve their image.

And certainly his music spanned not only generations and decades, but it spanned every genre. He was able to do that. He was able to reinvent himself from the forties, the fifties, the sixties, and even the seventies. In fact, even as his age increased and perhaps just a slight bit of that famous beautiful voice disappeared, he found ways to redo music, and his music lives on today. I am not surprised that a thoroughly modern man from New York would have 2,000 Frank Sinatra songs. My only question is, why don't you have more?

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time totally in support of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important resolution, and yield myself such time that I may consume.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Military Appreciation Month, which was first passed on May 1999. I might note that in May 1999, perhaps the reason for the Congress seeing fit to have a National Appreciation Month for our military was that in fact we were in a time of comparative peace. We were at a time in which we wanted to let our military know that we appreciated them standing guard in peacetime as well as in war.

For the last 7 years, though, we have been at war. Our troops have been deployed in Afghanistan since shortly after the September 11 attack on our Nation. In fact, this last weekend, as part of the Military Appreciation Month, I was in Oceanside in my own district where 44,000 Marines reside at Camp Pendleton. Except they don't get to reside at Camp Pendleton; they are on their third and fourth deployments throughout that region.

I didn't just thank the senior NCOs and the officers, who I appreciate their continued service because they have stayed in and reenlisted during this time of war, but I also thanked the incredible amount of young men and women and their families who showed up and who in fact joined after this war began, and many of them after this war had been going for many, many years.

It is in fact our military that is with us in good times and bad. They stay with us in the worst of times. They also enlist in the hardest of times.

Many people would say I never voted for this war. I wouldn't vote for this war. This war is wrong. Men and women of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard don't say whether the war is right or wrong. They make a statement about whether America is right or wrong. In their eyes, and in my eyes, America is right. We have a process which we observe in order to ensure that we do not easily go into war, we do not easily send our troops into harm's way.

However, our men and women are in harm's way today. And for this month, like every day that we are at war, we should honor our men and women in uniform. We should make that extra effort to try to do what we can for those returning home and for those who remain behind, the families, the children, the husbands, the wives, making sure that every day they are taken care of, that their special needs, because of the absence of the loved one, are observed. And when they come home, they don't come home from the first deployment, the parade is not as easy to recognize; they don't come home from the last deployment. It is not so easy to say, we are coming home for good.

So I urge my colleagues and I urge all of America to think about the appreciation we can show year round to in fact realize that a parade is just as important to a troop who has come home from their third deployment. Recognition, a picnic, or some other way of saying we care about your continued service, is just as important in the sixth and seventh year of a struggle that could in fact go on for many years in order to bring freedom and a way of life that is acceptable to the people of Afghanistan and Iraq and other countries throughout the world.

Today we can recognize where our men and women are fighting, but we don't often recognize where they are standing so that we don't have to fight. And I would like to close by recognizing the men and women who are in the Sudan, who are in fact trying to do what they can in Africa for some very troubled spots in which we don't recognize it as our fighting but we certainly have to recognize that we are trying to make a difference for those people who in their struggles every day realize that they are at war.

I join with the gentlelady from California in urging the support for this resolution. I join with the gentleman from Connecticut in recognizing that every day, every month, should be National Military Recognition Month.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of this resolution recognizing Arnold Palmer for his contributions to golf and to our society. How fitting it is that we honor him on the occasion of the opening of the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History in New Jersey since it is he who made this possible and he who has made golf history so many times.

You could, in fact, honor Arnold for his off-the-tee activities, if you wanted to. You could honor him for being somebody who proved that even with an unorthodox swing you could get to the goal.

You certainly could recognize him, as we are, for his 92 championships, 61 on the PGA Tour, including two victories at the Masters, two at the British Open and one at the U.S. Open. From 1960 to 1963 he won 29 tournaments. He won 10 more times in the Senior PGA Tour. He has had a long and successful career, one that continues to stand in its records in the American Golf Hall of Fame.

He is also, though, a celebrated course designer. His skill, his ability to, in fact, create constantly innovative and enjoyable places for America to golf has left a lasting legacy, both here in the United States and around the world. He even found a way to invent a golf- friendly drink, the Arnold Palmer, which consists of iced tea and lemonade.

There is no question this is a man for all seasons and all charities. He has raised millions for charities that fight cancer and other diseases. He has given of his time and money and energies for countless other causes.

He also has endeavored to promote golf and serve as one of our finest ambassadors of the sport.

We often, here in the House, do resolutions, and we say, this is special. But I don't think there's any question that as America hears today that we have honored Arnold Palmer for golf, they'll say, what took us so long? Of course we should do it.

I yield back the balance of my time and urge support of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. I had the opportunity to vote it out of our committee week before last. We did so with full expectation that it would be on the floor last week, as has been traditional when law enforcement leaders come from around the country for our peace officers gathering.

It's with great trepidation that I support this, but also note that the partisan nature of our body, which has always caused this bill, in the past, to be up for that week so that the men and women could sit in the gallery and observe our recognition of the important work they do, did not happen. I would hope this is the last time that resolutions like this are held because, quote, we wouldn't get to them with all the recorded votes. The men and women, the 56,000-plus who are assaulted every year, the 181 who died last year, up from 151 the year before, they deserve our recognition in a timely fashion. They deserve our constant support. They deserve not to be part of partisan infighting.

I believe that, in fact, most of us in the Congress, including the gentlelady from California, shares with me the nonpartisan support for our law enforcement people.

I might additionally recognize at this time, that law enforcement is not only around the country, but it's also right here in the Capitol. We in the Congress could not do our business in an orderly fashion if it wasn't for the Capitol Hill Police who stand vigilantly with large weapons against an attack and, on a daily basis, ensure that the tens of thousands of people who come to see the Capitol are able to do so without interfering with the operations of this body.

So in the jobs large and small I would like to join with the gentlelady in asking for this bill to be passed, but I'd also like to recognize the men and women of the Capitol Hill Police.

H. Res. 1132 supports the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor federal, state, and local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, and encourages the citizens of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and respect.

Law enforcement officers face dangers on the job every single day while fighting crime, violence and terrorism. On May 17, 1792, New York City's Deputy Sheriff, Isaac Smith, became the first police officer to be recorded as killed in the line of duty. Today, more than 56,000 officers are assaulted each year and just this past year, in 2007, 181 officers were killed while serving the American people.

Last year was one of the deadliest years for U.S. law enforcement in nearly two decades. The number of officers killed in the line of duty last year increased nearly 20 percent from 2006, when there were 151 officer deaths.

There is a quote by President George H.W. Bush engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, located at Judiciary Square here in D.C. that summarizes the mission of the 900,000 current sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. It states that it is their daily ``quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream.''

May 15 was Peace Officers Memorial Day, a holiday created in 1961, by Congress to pay homage to the fallen law enforcement officers who have dedicated their lives to protecting this country and its citizens. On this day the flag is flown at half-staff and thousands of people visit the National Law Enforcement Memorial, which currently has 18,274 names engraved on its surface.

Each of these names is evidence of the sacrifices these brave law enforcement officers have made to keep American citizens safe.

With gratitude for our law enforcement officers' devotion and dedication, I ask all members to join me in supporting H. Res. 1132.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1153. I think the gentlelady from Hawaii did a wonderful job of going through the highlights and contributions of Asian Americans, and I think, quite frankly, she did a very good job of recognizing some of the well-known and not-so-well-known examples of when we have failed the Asian Americans.

I support the United States Asian American Heritage Month. I also support many of the things that were commented on that we have, in fact, left undone. Very, very clearly, when it comes to the Philippine veterans, we stand in shame in this body. The Rescission Act was signed by Truman while Truman said, in fact, we didn't live up to a moral obligation, and made it very clear that this would be yet another example of America not being proud. That was a long time ago.

I am one of the cochairs of the Philippine Caucus and one of the authors of the underlying bill that is included in the Senate bill 1315, which is a package of noncontroversial U.S. benefit extensions for American veterans, but it's also an extension of a long-overdue benefit to people from the territory of the Philippines who fought with us in World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I would hope that this body would take note that these Asian Americans, and they were Asian Americans, had a governor, his name was MacArthur, at the beginning of the war. They fought to keep us from being driven off by an invading Army until, hopelessly, they had to withdraw; and yet these Rangers and Scouts continued fighting whenever possible in the jungles for years, even while MacArthur planned to return. MacArthur made this promise, America made this promise. We haven't kept that promise. As the gentlelady rightfully so said, there were over 200,000 Filipinos who fought with us for their country.

I take note that there are 4 million-plus Puerto Ricans today. I served in the United States Army from 1970 to 1980 and years beyond that in the Reserves. I was of the assumption that the Puerto Ricans who were in the service with me were Americans. I'm still of that assumption. Members of our territories are, in fact, Americans.

I might further note that Senator McCain, a U.S. Senator who could well end up being President, was born in the Panama Canal Zone. Is he less an American because he was born in a sovereign asset of the United States? Of course not. He's fully eligible to be President, and these veterans, these Philippine veterans, are American veterans, and they cannot and should not have to come before this body asking us to unstrip what we stripped away in shame 60 years ago.

So I join with the gentlelady in supporting this resolution, but I would like to emphasize as much as I can that we have an important vote this week, a vote about giving American veterans, veterans who are today Americans, veterans who, on that day, were Americans when they fought with us.

I yield to the gentleman from American Samoa.

Reclaiming my time, I might note that under our PAYGO rules, the bill that will come before the floor will even be less than that. It has been reduced below the mark that was set and passed 96-1 in the Senate in order to maintain a balance under PAYGO.

So the gentleman is absolutely right. This represents one or two days of the cost of what we're doing for our future veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan and, in fact, should not be controversial. And I hope when it comes to the floor on a bipartisan basis, it clearly shouldn't and wouldn't be controversial.

I reserve my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time and continue reserving.

Mr. Speaker, I would inquire of the gentlelady if she has additional speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I'll close by urging support for this noncontroversial bill but also reminding my colleagues that there are many things undone in the way of righting the wrongs to Asian Americans and in thanking Asian Americans for what they have done for our country for 150-plus years.

So with that, I would yield back the balance of my time and urge passage.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of this resolution. I certainly believe that 100 years of the attempts by spouses to have this body work together in a better, more collegial fashion is noteworthy.

Today, though, as we honor the work of our spouses, and particularly those who would say that if, in fact, you don't do what I'd like you to do, it could cause a great deal of domestic unhappiness--I believe was the line--in Washington, we should take note that this body is not operating in a collegial fashion. This body has, in fact, broken down. The concept of bipartisan behavior, including the long tradition of a motion to recommit, a long tradition of amendments and opportunities for ideas to be exchanged on and off the dais, has broken down.

So I do think it's important that we turn to recognizing an effort made 100 years ago at a time in which Members of Congress--House, Senate, Republican, Democrat--went to dinner together in each other's homes. Their children played together. They, in fact, lived here in Washington.

Living here in Washington has become sort of a term for misconduct. The idea that you would come and that you would work with 434 of your colleagues to make a better America, that you would walk across the Capitol and work with 100 Senators to make a better America seems to have fallen out of favor.

Today, unfortunately, we spend a lot of time meeting in our conferences on a partisan basis. In those conferences we ask, well, how can we beat them? How can we beat them now? How can we beat them in the election? We should be asking, how do we work together for a better government and a better America?

So I hope that the efforts of this club, which have been long, hard, and successful in many, many ways certainly in bringing our spouses together, certainly in activities for the community, will be a starting point today for us looking across the aisle and asking, why is it that we're afraid to have dinner together? Why is it that our meetings are Republicans with Republicans and Democrats with Democrats? We need to work together.

We have big problems in America today; some of them are obvious to Americans. We talk of the war and we talk of gas prices, we even talk of the Pelosi premium. Well, I believe it's a Pelosi premium, but it's a premium built on years of other people's mistakes and other people's watches.

Today, I use the opportunity given to me to talk about this important bipartisan resolution to say, let's solve gas and oil problems on a bipartisan basis. Let's deal with the challenges we face in Iraq and Afghanistan on a bipartisan basis. Let's deal with the immigration reform challenge on a bipartisan basis. Most of all, let's make sure that America's next 100 years is 100 years of success in competing worldwide. We can do this if we do it on a bipartisan basis. One hundred years ago, mostly women worked tirelessly to form an organization to help us do just that. Let's commit ourselves to doing just that today.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time and urge support.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation that codifies the 1996 executive order of President Clinton that was issued to promote the proper use of excess Federal computers and electronic equipment to schools of our Nation.

I might want to clarify, because I know a lot of people hear us on the House floor and they only know what they've heard. If you hear ``excess'' and ``surplus,'' you might think that, in fact, what we're doing is simply overbuying and letting it sit in warehouses and then giving it away. Virtually all of this equipment in the executive branch, as in the legislative branch, are equipment that we have used for 2, 3, 4 years. It is, in fact, past its prime for us, but very usable by many other institutions.

So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to support this bill. I would like to also make sure people understand that we're not just simply overbuying. And the term ``excess'' or ``surplus'' doesn't by any means indicate that we're not using America's dollars wisely, but rather, we're using America's dollars again by making them available to people who can use a slightly used computer, who don't need the latest version of Windows and might not need the latest version of Pentium software. But, in fact, this can help schools around America in poor neighborhoods and

even not so poor neighborhoods have a better opportunity and use their hard-earned and hard-given dollars in other areas.

So I support this resolution. I hope that the American public understands that this is a great way of causing these products not to go into landfills 3, 4, 5 years earlier than they otherwise would by making them available to those who can use them.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5787, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act, which was introduced last month by Representatives Dennis Moore of Kansas and John Duncan of Tennessee.

This legislation would expand the number of agencies allowed to retain the proceeds from the sale of surplus Federal real property and would expand the authority of the General Services. It is very clear that this is a good bill, and I support it. It is also very clear that it is a step in the right direction but does not get us to where we really need to be. In fact, this is simply the tip of the iceberg.

The Federal Government is the largest landowner in the country. As such, it is essential that the government manage its properties as efficiently and effectively as possible. More importantly, property which is no longer of use to the Federal Government should be removed from the inventory. Unfortunately, over the years Federal property disposal processes have become increasingly cumbersome and unwieldy, and agencies often decide it's easier to sit on property than to try to get rid of it. In fact, when we as a Congress have done rounds of BRAC, we have often had to do supplemental appropriations of dollars in order to give away property that has become surplus. In fact, OMB estimates a backlog of more than 21,000 properties in need of maintenance and repair carrying a price tag of more than $18 billion.

Under Republican control, the Congress spent a considerable amount of time working, mostly on a bipartisan basis, to reform the Federal real property disposal system. The proposals we put forward for substantial changes provided real reform. Although H.R. 5787 does not contain the kind of substantive reform put forward in prior Congresses, it is nevertheless an improvement on the current system.

I therefore ask my colleagues to strongly support this legislation as a step in the right direction.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, today we have handled a great many important resolutions on the floor and some laws. We've done this on a bipartisan basis.

As we finish our suspensions for the House Oversight and Reform Committee, I would simply ask my colleagues, the Speaker, to take note that this past week, prices rose once again on gasoline in America. Up 17 cents in a blink of the eye, up a dollar since this Congress switched hands.

It is very clear that we need to begin operating on a bipartisan basis to bring down the price of gas and diesel fuel. We can only do that if we work on as much of a bipartisan basis as we work on these resolutions.

So I would ask all of my colleagues to note that the real problem America cares about today is not the 100 years of the Congressional Club. It is not, in fact, Arnold Palmer's accomplishments. It is not even Frank Sinatra's doing it his way. It is, in fact, America's inability to cope with rising gas prices, staggering unemployment, and the inability to live in one's own home. I ask that my colleagues take note of that and that we work on a bipartisan basis to bring a real resolution to these problems.

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the efforts of the Welcome Home Troops, a Southern California based organization dedicated to ``Returning the Hearts of Our Soldiers to our Homeland.''

Welcome Home Troops is a non-profit organization based in Lake Elsinore, California. Its efforts extend beyond California to Texas, Kentucky, and future expansion to additional states. Dedicated to the reintegration of The Global War on Terrorism veterans back into the community, Welcome Home Troops provides support services to help servicemembers transition comfortably from combat to home, restore personal relationships, and encourage a productive and positive life after military service.

Welcome Troops sponsors job fairs, college fairs, financial aid counseling, relationship counseling, drug abuse counseling, Vets to Vets mentoring, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling. According to the National Center for PTSD, at least 18% of those serving in Iraq and at least 11% of those serving in Afghanistan will suffer from PTSD. Welcome Home Troops aspires to provide services that will lessen the effects of war time stresses.

In honor of Memorial Day, Welcome Home Troops will involve the community with a Military Appreciation night in Lake Elsinore, California on May 24, 2008. This full afternoon and evening will be filled with assistance outreach opportunities and family fun activities to be capped with an evening game of baseball.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to please join me in congratulating Welcome Home Troops for their dedication this Memorial Day and beyond to our returning servicemembers and their families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of United States Marine First Sergeant Luke J. Mercardante.

Luke Mercardante was the First Sergeant for Combat Logistics Battalion 24, the logistics element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Luke was 35 when killed in the line of duty on April 16th in Kandahar province of Afghanistan while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

First Sergeant Mercardante's position required him to serve as a leader, but leadership came naturally. He is remembered for his love for country and ability to inspire those around him. Other Marines described him as the ``picture-perfect Marine.''

Mercardante enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1992, graduating from Parris Island as the company honor graduate. He later served on a deserter apprehension team and was responsible for apprehending more than 130 deserters. As a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Mercardante trained more than 1,200 men, turning them from civilians into Marines. Later, he served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as the training chief and brig security for the base. He was assigned to the Virginia Military Institute as the assistant Marine officer instructor and was voted an honorary member of the class of 2007, as well as faculty mentor of the year in 2005.

First Sergeant Mercardante's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 gold stars in lieu of 4th award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 gold star in lieu of 2nd award, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Luke was engaged to Kimberly Hull and planned to marry when he returned from Afghanistan. He is survived by Kimberly, his mother Gertrude, father Patrick, brothers Patrick Jr., Frank and Mark, sister Bridget and his children Luke II and Cailin.

On behalf of the people of the United States whom he served with courage and valor, we honor and commemorate the life and service of First Sergeant Luke J. Mercardante.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians Chairman Vernon Wright. Chairman Wright passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2008, of liver cancer at the age of 53--far too soon for a man that had so much left to give to his tribe and community.

Born in San Diego, California to Vernon Hollis Wright and Beverly Wright, Chairman Wright was a lifelong resident of the area. After graduating from San Diego High School and Palomar College, he studied at the Gemological Institute of America and operated a jewelry shop in Escondido, California until becoming politically active with the Rincon tribe in the 1990s.

In 2006, he was elected chairman of the 650-member tribe, after serving as a council member and vice-chairman for several years. As chairman, he did a number of good things for the tribe and surrounding community. He worked hard over the years to heal internal strife that dwelled within the tribe and helped to mend disagreements with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He also brought the community together through his leadership and helped to usher in the tribe's current economic success.

Not long before his passing, some tribal members had begun calling him ``Chief,'' a title that hadn't been used on the reservation for decades. This informal honor was appropriate for Chairman Wright, because he worked tirelessly for the benefit of his tribe. Months before his passing, he devoted countless hours and effort to helping tribal members recover from the Poomcha Fire, which devastated the Rincon reservation last year.

Chairman Wright was a good man, an honorable man, who was taken from the world too soon and with much left to accomplish. While his passing is a tragedy, he truly touched the lives of those around him, and the Rincon Tribe has been left much better because of his leadership and guidance. He will be remembered and missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael J. Maher upon his receipt of the University of San Diego's Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill Service Award for 2008.

In honor of Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, the University of San Diego (USD) presents this award annually to an alumnus who personifies the spirit and philosophy of the University. Such a person must exhibit involvement, service enthusiasm and commitment well beyond what is expected of an USD alumnus; demonstrate support of, and service to the USD Alumni Association; and must exemplify in all aspects of his or her life an incorporation of honesty, loyalty, integrity and fidelity.

Michael J. Maher epitomizes these above mentioned qualifications. Graduating from the University of San Diego in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy, Mr. Maher returned to San Diego in 1976 to begin his 32-year professional career.

Maher has been a fervent supporter of the University of San Diego's athletic programs. He has been instrumental in the continued success of the University's golf program as well as the Torero Athletic Committee. He has dedicated hundreds of hours of mentoring to student athletes.

His continued support of the University has positively influenced associates and fellow alumni to become more involved.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to please join me in congratulating Michael Maher upon his receipt of this esteemed honor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and commemorate the service of Border Patrol Agent Jarod Dittman, who died from injuries sustained while on duty Sunday, March 30, 2008.

A Border Patrol agent since March 2007, Agent Dittman was assigned to the Brown Field Border Patrol Station in California. Agent Dittman's life-ending injuries were sustained in a vehicle accident while driving in the early morning to his assigned patrol area in Jamul, California.

Prior to joining the Border Patrol, Agent Dittman served 6 years in the Pennsylvania National Guard, where he achieved the rank of sergeant. While in the National Guard, Agent Dittman served in Kosovo and was deployed to Louisiana supporting relief operations following Hurricane Katrina.

Agent Dittman is the 18th U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent killed in the line of duty in the San Diego sector. His unfortunate death is a reminder of the danger and risks these officers face as they work to secure our Nation's borders.

Agent Dittman will be remembered for his commitment to his job and country through his service in the United States military and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. May God bring peace to his wife, Paveline, their daughter, Angela, his parents, brother, sister, grandparents, family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

On behalf of the people of the United States, we honor and commemorate the life and service of Border Patrol Agent Jarod Dittman.

Madam Speaker, Alexis Monroe, a 16-year-old, student at Glenelg Country School in Ellicott City, MD, raised over $5,300 to go toward ambulance purchases for the Lebanese Red Cross at her school's annual International Dinner and Fashion Show Fundraiser in 2007 and 2008. I would like to commend Alexis for her efforts as a young leader assisting a humanitarian cause that is supported by the American Red Cross. I would like to thank Alexis for her efforts, and I am submitting Alexis' speeches from 2007 and 2008 for the Congressional Record so that her work can receive recognition as example of U.S. philanthropy to aid those in a far away land who need assistance.

Lebanese Red Cross Presentation

(By Alexis Claire Monroe)

One of the great things about Glenelg is the sense of

community one feels. When crises occur outside our own

community, it's important to help and support the family and

friends across the seas--as they are really just an extension

of our own community. In planning this event, we learned that

there are no less than 8 families of Lebanese descent here at

tiny GCS--including 2 faculty--many of whom still have family

and friends in Lebanon. We had four generations in our family

touched by this crisis.

On July 1, 2006, my great-aunt and uncle visited our family

in Lebanon. Great-grandmother Fawaz had turned 97. They were

so happy to see how Lebanon had recovered from the civil war

and 28 years of occupation. The streets were safe, downtown

Beirut had been reconstructed, the hotels and restaurants

were filled with tourists.

On July 10th, they left for a short visit to Petra, Jordan

to see a 2000 year old temple that is still being excavated

by their friends from Brown University. They planned to

return to Lebanon on July 14th in time for my great-uncle's

birthday celebration which was to be at an elegant restaurant

on the harbor near Byblos.

Early July 13th, the Israelis bombed the newly finished

Beirut Airport along with more than 60 bridges, all

superhighways, and all ports. The combined naval, land and

air blockade made travel impossible.

My great-aunt and uncle were stuck in Jordan for 10 days

before they could get a flight out leaving most of their

belongings behind in Lebanon. During that time, they watched,

in horror, the TV broadcast of the destruction of Lebanon's

infrastructure and the displacement of 800,000 Lebanese

(almost 25% of the population) from their homes, half of

those being children; 1,300 Lebanese were killed and 3,200

injured.

The use of force against innocent Lebanese was excessive

and prolonged and destroyed over 10 years of reconstruction

and re-investment efforts. Many people are still homeless and

hungry and need assistance.

One of the primary sources of aid is the Lebanese Red Cross

which is a non-partisan humanitarian organization whose

volunteers provide medical treatment and relief services. The

American Task Force on Lebanon has a commitment from a

private foundation to match contributions dollar for dollar--

so GCS' gift will go twice as far.

On July 22, 2006, my great-grandmother died. My family was

unable to bury her in our ancestral home in Joun because the

roads and bridges had been destroyed. We hope that some day,

she will be able to rest there in peace.