Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a principal in the 8th District of Washington, Dr. Shannon Harvey, who earned the National Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation and a prize of $25,000 for showing exceptional educational talent and great leadership. The prize was awarded to her in October, and she was the only educator in Washington to receive the distinction.

Dr. Harvey is the principal at Cascade Elementary School in Renton, WA, and has been since 2004. She started at Cascade as a teacher and has worked with the district for 16 years. Under her leadership, Cascade involved community leaders and parents in developing a comprehensive learning environment that benefited students and teachers. She instituted such innovative ideas as giving her staff more time for professional development and posting test scores on a wall within the school for teachers and students alike to track academic progress.

The overall effect of Dr. Harvey's efforts has led to a wonderful balance of teacher intervention and student independence. Outside of clear anecdotal effects, her changes have led to a large jump in students' test scores on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. When Dr. Harvey began as principal, 48 percent of students at Cascade were passing the reading portion of the test. Now, the percentage has jumped to 81.

When Dr. Harvey learned she won the award, she was quoted in the Seattle Times as saying, ``It seems unfair to be honored for something I love.'' Dr. Harvey truly possesses a servant's heart, and I believe it is appropriate for this body to acknowledge her selfless dedication to the future leaders of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in acknowledgment of the wonderful and continuous success of the Weyerhaeuser Corporation, located in my home state of Washington. This past October, Weyerhaeuser was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index--an index that tracks North American companies in terms of their environmental, social and economic performance--and is the only North American company named in the category of forestry and paper products.

Weyerhaeuser, one of the largest pulp and paper companies in the world, and the world's largest private owner of softwood timberland, is indeed a global leader in terms of sustainability. Along with many other innovative environmental initiatives, they have committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by the year 2020 based on their 2000 levels and have already made great strides. They also employ over 40,000 people all over the world who contribute positively to each community they reside in and, in 2007, sales at Weyerhaeuser totaled more than $16 billion.

As a staunch supporter of conservation and the innovative environmental leadership of businesses both big and small, I congratulate Weyerhaeuser as a whole for the most recent acknowledgment of their environmental, social and economic success. Specifically, I salute Weyerhaeuser Chairman and CEO Steve Rogel, COO Richard Hanson and the Board of Directors for their fantastic leadership and vision.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the city of Auburn, WA, the Auburn City Council and Mayor Pete Lewis for exemplary and steadfast support of the Washington National Guard. They demonstrated their patriotism and support for the military in their quick and sincere actions to create an event to honor the deployment of the 81st Heavy Combat Brigade of the Washington National Guard on August 19, 2008.

Auburn, located in the 8th District of Washington, the District I represent, is not unlike many communities around the country where budgets are tight and funds are allocated only after careful consideration. However, in this case, Auburn and its able leadership approved, without any hesitation, city resources to secure a location and provide funds to support a family BBQ with a festival-like atmosphere for deploying Guardsmen and their families. Hundreds of Guard families and Auburn residents showed up to participate in the event and enjoy the send off activities.

Auburn's action in this instance reflects a deep and great respect for service members and veterans and is the latest example of their steadfast commitment. Every November, Auburn hosts one of the largest Veterans Day parades on the west coast of the United States. Their Veterans Park is a permanent reminder of the city's dedication and affection for veterans. Under Mayor Lewis and the current City Council, Auburn is taking the lead in Washington in supporting the military and our many brave veterans and I applaud their efforts.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of American Legion Post 161 of Redmond, Washington, for its exemplary and steadfast support of the United States military and the Washington National Guard. When pressed into duty, the members of Post 161 responded and worked tirelessly to create an event on August 19 in Auburn, Washington, to honor the deployment of the 81st Heavy Combat Brigade of the Washington National Guard. The event proved to be a wonderful moment for all who attended.

Post 161, of which I am member, is located in the eighth district, the district I represent. The post is not unlike many veteran service organizations around the country where budgets are tight and funds are allocated only after careful consideration. However, in this case, the post dedicated the appropriate monies, without hesitation, in order to support a family barbecue with a festival-like atmosphere for deploying Guardsmen and Guardswomen. Hundreds of Guard families and Auburn residents came out to participate in the event and enjoy the send off activities. Additionally, the post generously allocated $10,000 as seed money toward an emergency family fund that will help support Washington's military families while their loved ones are deployed.

Post 161's actions reflect its deep and great respect for military service members and their families and this is just the latest example of their continued commitment. It is my hope that American Legion Post 161's leadership is recognized and mimicked by Americans everywhere. My thanks and deep appreciation to the members of Post 161.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of a committed philanthropist, an exemplary public servant and an honorable veteran, William H. Gates, Sr. Through a lifetime of work and leadership, Mr. Gates has accomplished extraordinary good; changing millions of lives for the better. Although he cares little about personal accolades and awards--of which he has received many--I believe he is the living embodiment of the spirit of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is an award he richly deserves.

An Eagle Scout from Bremerton, Washington, Mr. Gates served 3 years in the U.S. Army during World War II before earning his bachelors and law degrees from the University of Washington in 1949 and 1950, respectively. His law career led to the establishment of one of the largest and most successful law firms in Seattle.

No matter his professional aspirations, Mr. Gates never wavered in his philanthropic spirit. As president of both the Seattle/King County and the Washington State Bar associations, he focused his efforts on equal justice for the poor and disadvantaged, ultimately prompting the Washington Supreme Court to create an Access to Justice Board, now a national model.

Additionally, he and his late wife, Mary Maxwell Gates, served admirably with the United Way of King County, Washington, beginning in the 1960s and spanning several decades. Mrs. Gates became board chair of the United Way in 1973, a position Mr. Gates presently occupies. In all, Mr. Gates has served as a trustee, officer and volunteer for more than two dozen organizations in northwest Washington.

Perhaps his most lasting and indelible legacy will be his work as the co-chair and CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropy with an endowment of more than $24 billion, the largest in history. With the help of his son, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft Corporation, the Gates Foundation has provided an outlet for Mr. Gates to continue his lifelong quest for equality in every aspect of life-- especially education.

Most are aware of the inspirational work the foundation has done around the world to combat crises in health and education in some of the most impoverished nations in the world. What is less known is the ``smaller'' help the foundation provides to local school districts and townships to help spur a promising educational program or fill a gap in technology funds. Countless examples exist nationwide of significant progress made in all areas of education because of a gift from the Gates Foundation.

The incredible vision of Mr. Gates, his son Bill and wife Melinda, is truly a blessing to the entire world and it is a vision Mr. Gates cultivated and perfected over many decades.

The tireless work of Mr. Gates on behalf of the less fortunate in the United States and around the world is well documented. The impact of his lifelong ambitions is legendary. Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom have, among other things, ``been leaders in their chosen fields, have led lives of vision and character, and have made especially meritorious contributions to our nation and the world.'' I can think of no one who fulfills that description better than William H. Gates, Sr.

Madam Speaker, on September 15, 2008, I missed three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 1200, ``yea'' on H. Con. Res. 390 and ``yea'' on H.R. 6889.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of David Cutler, an employee of the Microsoft Corporation and a recipient of the 2007 National Medal of Technology and Innovation. His accomplishments, and the accomplishments of the other winners, are reason to celebrate the technological innovation happening in the United States. It is also a reminder that our national well-being

depends on the technological advancements made by future American innovators in a global marketplace.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation honors America's leading innovators of technology products, processes and concepts. Mr. Cutler and the other winners deserve our heartfelt congratulations and thanks for inspiring future American innovation.

The 8th District of Washington, the district I represent, includes the headquarters of Microsoft, a corporation at the forefront of technological innovation and the push for educating our young people in the intricacies of science, technology and mathematics. No doubt Mr. Cutler, a senior technical fellow at Microsoft and an enduring figure in the world of technology and innovation, also recognizes the importance of educating our young people to compete in a global marketplace. Nothing can replace a world-class math and science education; an invaluable key to our Nation's economic success and our Nation's national security.

Once again, congratulations to Mr. Cutler for his prestigious honor. His work and the work of others like him inspire brilliant young minds around our country to do great things in math, science and technology. It is the job of this body and Americans everywhere to ensure those young minds have all the tools necessary to achieve greatness.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Seattle- Tacoma International Airport, Sea-Tac, as the winner of the 2008 Environmental Achievement Award from Airports Council International-- North America, ACI-NA. Sea-Tac, operated by the Port of Seattle, was recognized by ACI-NA for their Comprehensive Stormwater Management Program, CSMP.

The CSMP focuses on surface-water runoff quality, regional basin planning, and endangered salmon. According to officials at the Port of Seattle, not only did the CSMP at Sea-Tac strengthen the environmental sustainability of the communities surrounding Sea-Tac and the Pacific Northwest as a whole, it also saved taxpayer's an estimated $250 million. The Port of Seattle and Sea-Tac also worked cooperatively with local cities and government agencies to implement a $4.2 billion capital improvement program at Sea-Tac to adhere to storm water regulations and show the type of environmental leadership that reflects the values of the people of the region.

The Port of Seattle's determination to be the greenest port in the Nation should be commended. I applaud port CEO Tay Yoshitani and the five port commissioners for their innovative leadership in lessening their environmental impact and showing conclusively that green policies and economic stimulation are not divergent values. I urge the port to continue on their conservation path and I pledge to also continue pushing pro-environment legislation and ideals in the House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an extraordinary young woman from my District whose unyieldingly positive spirit in the face of a horrendous challenge is a true inspiration at any time, but especially leading up to the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Marin Morrison, 17, of Sammamish, Washington, was one of the top swimmers in the country as a 14-year-old. She was just 1.5 seconds away from qualifying for the Olympic time trials. She received recruiting letters from some of the top schools in the country. She was a natural and earned medal after medal. However, fierce headaches and double vision turned her world upside down. An MRI revealed a tumor on her brain and doctors gave her 4 to 6 months to live. As a result of surgery in 2005, she was left partially paralyzed. She was forced to relearn some basics such as reading, writing and walking. It appeared her Olympic dreams were dashed.

Although she sometimes struggled mightily, she swam nearly every day. She refused to give up and started a new type of Olympic journey. She battled fatigue and her other physical ailments like a heavyweight boxer and never stopped fighting. Classmates at Eastlake High School, family, friends, former Olympians and countless others rallied around her. Then in April, Marin flew to Minnesota for the paralympic trials and earned a spot on the 37 member swim team, realizing her Olympic dream.

Marin's story is beyond inspiring. The circumstances she has overcome are truly humbling. She is a true American hero and we wish her all the best in Beijing and in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Chief Dan Packer, the former Chief of East Pierce Fire and Rescue who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty Saturday, July 26, 2008, in Northern California.

Packer, the only chief of the East Pierce district and the past president of Washington Fire Chiefs, arrived in Northern California on June 25, 2008, to assist in the Panther Creek fire as a Division Supervisor. He was called to duty by the U.S. Forest Service and immediately leaped at the opportunity to serve and protect in another community.

Chief Packer began his career as a firefighter in Burien, Washington, in 1981. In 1995, he took over as the fire chief of Bonney Lake, Washington, and transformed the department of six firefighters into East Pierce Fire and Rescue. The district now serves nearly 75,000 people in the areas of Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lake Tapps, South Prairie and Wilkeson; about 142 square miles total. Aside from his duties as a day-to-day leader at East Pierce Fire and Rescue, Chief Packer argued patiently, eloquently and reasonably before the State Legislature in order to make the people he served in Pierce County safer.

During a time of reflection such as this, many phrases continue to appear while describing the kind of servant Chief Packer was. I read Chief Packer was ``a firefighter's fire chief,'' a ``visionary leader,'' and a ``great and exceptional man.'' The residents of East Pierce County have lost a wonderful leader and I grieve with you. To the fire personnel who worked under and alongside Chief Packer: I understand your pain. I have experienced losing a partner in the line of duty.

Most of all Madam Speaker, we grieve with the family of Chief Packer. He was a son, a husband, father and grandfather; his sacrifice was also their sacrifice and their loss. But they can live with the comfort in his spirit and the hope that his spirit lives on to inspire others with his true heroism and willingness to serve to protect all of us. That is the spirit of a first responder and the memory of Chief Packer we must always honor and never forget.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of two heroic brothers, Ryan and Aaron Job, constituents of the 8th District of Washington State, whose time spent in defense and service of our Nation are both inspirational and incredible. Both served under harrowing conditions in Iraq and are two fine examples of the young men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.

Aaron, who signed up for the Marine Corps before his senior year at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington, in 2001, served two tours in Iraq. He participated in the invasion of Iraq in early 2003 and he, along with his Marine Corps comrades, renovated schools and medical clinics, dredged water canals and helped build six new markets. Before returning home from his second tour of duty, he helped oversee the first free elections in Iraq in early 2005 while in Najaf. Najaf is also where he suffered shrapnel wounds to his hand and narrowly escaped insurgent sniper fire. Once home, he served in Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with his fellow Marines.

Ryan, who was nearing the end of Navy Seal training when Aaron was ending his second tour, was on patrol in Ramadi in 2006 when sniper fire hit the rifle he was holding and severely damaged both of his eyes, leaving him permanently blind. His lack of sight did not stop him from recently climbing Mt. Rainier, a 14,441 foot mountain.

Throughout their service, Ryan and Aaron's commitment to God and Country never wavered. With selflessness, courage and resiliency, Ryan and Aaron served our country admirably and this entire body is grateful for their sacrifice.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a military ceremony taking place in Seattle, Washington, from July 24-26. This ceremony will finally mark the official end to an injustice thrust upon 28 members of an African American unit at Seattle's Fort Lawton in 1944.

On August 14, 1944, an Italian prisoner of war was lynched at Fort Lawton following a nighttime confrontation between members of three all-black Army port companies, a company of prisoners in an Italian Service Unit and many other Army personnel. Subsequently, 28 of the 43 African-American soldiers charged in the melee were convicted of rioting; two soldiers were also found guilty of manslaughter. Although the sloppiness of the investigation, coupled with clear racial discrimination, tainted the entire court-martial proceeding, the ruling and the dishonorable discharge of the 28 convicted soldiers stood for more than six decades.

However, following the publication of a scrupulously researched account of the clash and courts-martial by a Seattle author, and the interest of my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Congressman Jim McDermott, the U.S. Army overturned the convictions of the 28 soldiers and granted them honorable discharges. Although the wheels of justice turned painfully slow for 28 African-American veterans, July 24-26 will be a wonderful celebration of their dedicated service to our country and the final corrections of their military records.

Unfortunately, only two of the original 28 soldiers are alive today, meaning 26 Army veterans passed away before an extreme personal injustice was rectified. My hope is that the families of the deceased veterans can find some kind of peace knowing their loved ones service is truly appreciated and honored.

Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Madam Chairman, as we all know, skyrocketing gas prices and the pain they cause is one of the most daunting issues facing this Congress and our Nation.

Today in the State of Washington, the price per gallon of regular gas was $4.34, while a month ago it was $4.02 and a year ago it was $3.11 in the State of Washington. It is hard to believe we are now in the position to yearn for the days of $3 gasoline.

My constituents are looking for some form of relief, an option to paying outrageous prices to fill up their cars only to sit in gridlock traffic. Mass transit offers relief; however, mass transit does not succeed if the public is not convinced that it is a convenient alternative to driving their cars.

The Transportation Research Board studied the accessibility of transit services to suburban commuters, and has identified strategies that improve customer acceptance and the use of transit services. The study found that acceptance and use of transit services are clearly influenced by the availability, convenience, and the cost of commuter parking at rail stations and at park-and-ride lots for commuter buses.

Increasing commuter bus park-and-ride availability directly increases transit ridership in these routes. According to Sound Transit, a local transit agency in my district, once parking lots are 80 percent full at commuter bus stations, the public perceives them to be completely full and they continue to drive by, bypassing an opportunity to ease the pain of high gas prices in an environmentally friendly way.

Expansion of these facilities incentivizes transit systems and the communities they serve by increasing their suburban park-and-ride lot capacity and increases the use of transit.

Like every community, people in the Puget Sound region of Washington State are parking their cars and taking transit more often. In my district alone, the number of people who rode Sound Transit's buses and trains in 2007 increased by nearly six times the nationwide increase.

A few bus ride examples. In the first quarter of 2008, the express bus service connecting two suburbs of Seattle, Lynnwood, Washington and Bellevue, Washington, grew by more than 31 percent over the first quarter of 2007. Ridership on Sound Transit service between Everett, Washington and Bellevue, Washington is up 24 percent. And between Federal Way, another suburb of Seattle, and the Microsoft campus in Redmond, it is up 12 percent. Those are some great examples of mass transit working in my district.

I urge you to support my amendment. My amendment will simply allow bus park-and-ride lots the same Federal funding as commuter rail park- and-ride lots receive in this bill.

Join me in giving Americans a choice on how they go to work, go to the grocery store, or move about town other than painfully paying at the pump to fill up their cars. This amendment will ease congestion, help the environment, and save commuters from high gas prices.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to my good friend from Florida, the ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Mr. Mica.

In conclusion, I would just like to thank the chairman

and ranking member for their support, and the gentleman's kind suggestions and thoughtful suggestions. I would urge passage of this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in order to congratulate my constituent, Melanie Roach, for her resiliency while earning a place on the United States weightlifting team for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. Her story is a wonderful example of the power of the human spirit and she will no doubt represent her family, community and country well throughout the entire 17-day competition.

Before qualifying for the games this summer, Melanie was on the verge of making her way to Sydney, Australia for the 2000 Olympic Games when an injury shattered her Olympic aspirations. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Melanie threw herself into the role of mother to her three children, supportive spouse to her husband, a State legislator in Washington, and started a business. However, she could not shake the desire to compete athletically and worked tirelessly to get back to an Olympic level and compete with the best lifters in the world.

She is one of only four women to qualify for the team and at 33 years old, she is the oldest member of the U.S. weightlifting team, and yet the youngest at heart. She will travel to Beijing prior to the August 8, 2008, opening ceremonies and will bring the pride of her family and friends, her community and the State of Washington, and all the people of the United States of America. Melanie is an inspiration to all and I wish her the best in Beijing and safety in her travels.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Harborview Medical Center, a premiere hospital in the Pacific Northwest, for receiving the 2007 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service from the American Hospital Association (AHA). Every year, the AHA presents this prestigious award to a U.S. health care organization that displays a strong commitment to the health and well-being of its community.

Harborview was chosen as the recipient of this year's award because of its outstanding record of providing services to the surrounding community. The medical center has made great strides in handling major public health concerns including mental illness, homelessness, cultural and linguistic barriers to health care, childhood safety, and chronic illness. Harborview is our region's Level I trauma center, and continues to provide exceptional emergency care for people across the Northwest.

Harborview is a deserving recipient of recognition for its outstanding commitment to public health and quality care. I offer my sincere congratulations to Harborview Medical Center for receiving this honor and their continued dedication to Washington State.