Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of NASA Glenn Research Center's annual observance of Hispanic Heritage

Month, which was organized by the Hispanic Advisory Group at NASA Glenn. As employees at NASA celebrate the heritage, culture and numerous contributions of Hispanic Americans in Greater Cleveland and throughout our country, we reflect on this year's theme: ``Heritage, Diversity, Integrity and Honor; The Renewed Hope of America.''

Americans of Hispanic descent have served our country in numerous ways. Their rich and diverse culture has touched the life of every American and has been an invaluable component of Cleveland's diverse social fabric.

I also rise in honor of this year's keynote speaker, NASA astronaut Jose M. Hernandez, who was part of the crew aboard the space shuttle flight, Discovery, from liftoff on August 28, through touchdown on September 11, 2009. His leadership and expertise in the fields of chemical, computer and electrical engineering have promoted great strides in several areas of scientific study.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, of the NASA Glenn Research Center and of Astronaut, Jose Hernandez. The innumerable contributions made by Hispanic Americans have added immeasurably to NASA Glenn's unparalleled global record of success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Dr. Robert Muller, a lifelong champion for peace who served humanity tirelessly throughout his life.

Born in Belgium in 1923, Dr. Muller was raised in the Alsace- Lorraine region of France where he experienced unrelenting political and cultural turmoil. During World War II he was a member of the French Resistance and was imprisoned by the Germans during the Nazi occupation. In 1948, he won an essay contest with his entry about how to govern the world. The prize was an internship at the newly created United Nations.

The internship set him on a life path that led to 38 years of work behind the scenes at the United Nations where he rose to the official position of Assistant-Secretary General, serving three Secretaries General.

In 1986, Rodrigo Carazo, the President of Costa Rica, proposed that Dr. Muller become the chancellor of the U.N. University of Peace in Costa Rica of which he was the co-founder.

His deeply spiritual understanding of our planet and the life that graces it led him to create a ``World Core Curriculum'' which is taught at 34 Robert Muller Schools around the world. The Curriculum earned him the UNESCO Peace Education Prize in 1989 and the honorary title of ``father of global education.'' He also received the Albert Schweitzer International Prize for the Humanities and the Eleanor Roosevelt Man of Vision Award.

He was a prolific writer, having published fourteen books in various languages, including ``2000 Ideas and Dreams for a Better World'', in which he proposed concrete, visionary ideas designed to create a peaceful and harmonious planet.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Dr. Robert Muller, who will be deeply missed. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his entire family and to his many friends. Dr. Muller's life is one to celebrate, as he lived it with a generous heart, a true joy for living and unwavering love for his family, friends, colleagues and our beautiful planet.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Margaret Wong, internationally known immigration attorney from Cleveland, Ohio, as she is honored by the Cleveland Public Library as the first recipient of the ``Saluting the Dreamers'' Award.

As a young woman, Ms. Wong settled in Cleveland, Ohio, journeying here from her Chinese homeland. She studied in Cleveland and eventually became a practicing attorney. For more than twenty-five years, Ms. Wong has developed Margaret W. Wong and Associates, LPA, into a law firm known throughout the United States and the world for its expertise in immigration law. Currently, she co-chairs the Immigration Law Committee for the National Asian Pacific Bar Association, and she is chair of the Cleveland Bar Association's Immigration Law Section.

Ms. Wong has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including Cleveland Magazine's ``Most Interesting People'' award and the 1997 Creative Philanthropy Award from the Women's Community Foundation. Ms. Wong was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Ms. Margaret W. Wong of Margaret W. Wong and Associates, LLP, upon being named the first recipient of the ``Salute the Dreamers'' Award presented by the Cleveland Public Library. Ms. Wong's great success as attorney and business owner continues to inspire us to follow our dreams, and to achieve our dreams.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act. It is estimated that approximately 46 million Americans suffer from arthritis or chronic joint symptoms. Of those, 19 million suffer enough to limit their activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by the year 2030, 25 percent of the population in the United States will have physician-diagnosed arthritis. Those projections are likely to be low since they do now account for an expected increase attributable to rising obesity rates.

Arthritis affects the daily lives of its victims in powerful ways. The pain is often chronic and relief can be rare. The inability to kneel or even walk more than a few hundred yards requires profound changes in almost every aspect of lifestyle. Those stricken might risk losing their job, and their ability to provide for loved ones. It is a devastating disease with no known cure.

The Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act, would establish the National Arthritis Action Program. This program will help in the research and identification of ailments, possible treatments, and preventative methods of Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. It will also allow the CDC to access more grant money, permitting them to further their research. Those already suffering from arthritis will be assisted with control and prevention programs along with opportunities for patients

to learn self-management. It would also provide education of the public and education and training for physicians.

I am proud to support this bill as an important first step toward a day when we can prevent, treat, and cure Arthritis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 2010. As a stalwart supporter of NASA and with the privilege of representing the world-class workers at the NASA Glenn Research Center (NASA Glenn), I strongly support the vital workforce protections included in the Senate bill. My opposition to this legislation stems from my concern for the NASA's long-term health. I am concerned that the language in the underlying bill sends the agency on a path toward privatization, and privatization undermines the agency and its workers.

I unequivocally support language in the underlying bill that provides NASA's unparalleled civil-servants with three years of protection from layoffs under a Reductions-In-Force (RIF) moratorium. For years, NASA employees have been caught in the cross-hairs of repeated program reorganizations and major cuts in in-house R&D funding--and they have paid for it with job loss and insecurity. The compromise language proposed by Chairman Gordon does not have the RIF moratorium I wanted. But it does include a RIF moratorium for a year and a half. Chairman Gordon was making progress toward a viable alternative and I believe that provisions in this bill under consideration today leave NASA employees vulnerable in the long-term and could force the agency to continue down the unsustainable path it currently finds itself on.

NASA research centers such as NASA Glenn--and the agency as a whole-- will benefit more from increased investments in Solar-Electric Propulsion, High Efficiency Space Power Systems, Green Aviation and Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer within the Aeronautics, Space Technology and Exploration programs. These programs are critical in the development of next generation technologies to support future key NASA missions over the next decade. These programs need to be funded. And they are often the first to be cut. In fact, this legislation includes a $500 million unfunded mandate to extend Shuttle operations through Fiscal Year 2011, which means that Shuttle funding will have to come from somewhere else within NASA.

The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 privatizes two key functions for NASA; transporting crew and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). Commercial providers have been given the opportunity to provide cargo to the space station and, according to Government Accountability Office (GAO), they have failed to meet the required safety benchmarks. The GAO also raises serious concerns about the lack of expertise at the Federal Aviation Administration to oversee the commercial space launch industry. This bill not only furthers the outsourcing of cargo transportation, but expands it to include transporting crew.

The results of privatizing government services frequently follow a pattern in which a company assumes control of a service from the government by promising lower costs. After winning the contract, the company requests more funding to do the job, and then attempts to save its own money by cutting corners through cuts in pay, benefits and safety. Our astronauts deserve better than to have their lives put at risk.

Further, if the services are privatized, those competencies among the expert staff at NASA would be effectively irreversible because it would take so much time to rebuild them. We must preserve and leverage ongoing technical work on Service Module for human spaceflight beyond Low Earth Orbit. This work will be critical to maintaining jobs and core-intellectual competencies embodied within the agency.

This legislation also fails to provide the agency with the option of a government-vehicle back-up should the commercial sector be unable to satisfactorily provide the services for which they were hired. The Augustine Commission--the Commission President Obama tasked with reviewing future human space flight plans--believed it would be too risky to rely solely on the commercial sector and suggested including a government back-up option.

Providing more money to the commercial sector without the necessary safety and regulatory safeguards could come at the expense of other in- house, long-lead research and development programs.

I cannot support legislation that provides the government with no other option than to rely exclusively on the commercial sector. I will continue to work with appropriators to preserve and protect civil servant jobs at NASA and I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3081 and the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011. This bill is necessary to keep federal agencies running and I support a number of provisions contained in it. These programs provide vital assistance to American families across the country as we continue to experience the worst economic downturn in recent history.

However, I cannot support any bill that provides funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Vice President Joe Biden was recently quoted in The Washington Post as telling President Obama that we were ``locked into Vietnam'' with the war in Afghanistan. The expose on the war by veteran journalist Bob Woodward showed a military that was unwilling to provide our Commander in Chief with a way out. We are stuck in a seemingly endless war in Afghanistan.

The Obama Administration also wants us to believe that combat operations in Iraq have ended. The reality is that the remaining 50,000 U.S. troops in the country continue to conduct joint combat operations with Iraqi military forces. This number does not reflect the 11,000 private security contractors currently operating in Iraq. Innocent Iraqi civilians and U.S. troops continue to be killed.

I also oppose funding in this bill that provides counterinsurgency assistance to Pakistan. These funds go toward their military, police and Frontier Corps forces--and toward U.S. military personnel operating in the country. I have long expressed concern over the growing presence of U.S. military personnel in Pakistan and the implications it has for our own national security.

We cannot afford to continue the status quo in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. Our counterinsurgency strategy places our troops and our national security in great peril. The truth is that we cannot afford these wars. We cannot afford an open-ended commitment to wars that have done nothing to further our security or moral standing in the world. The American people cannot afford to have Congress allocate vital resources under the facade of nation-building overseas, especially while people here at home have such urgent unmet economic needs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Sol Siegal on the occasion of his being named the recipient of the Tree of Life Award by the Jewish National Fund, Northern Ohio Chapter and in recognition of his leadership, achievement and dedication to making a difference in our community.

Mr. Siegal's commitment to faith, family, community and country continues to guide his life and his work. He served in the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1950. After the war, he worked in sales in the steel industry and then became a steel broker in 1952. In November of 1954, Mr. Siegal founded Olympic Steel in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Siegal made it a priority to emphasize the welfare of his employees and the environment. The elements of respect, teamwork, safety, employee development and integrity were incorporated in Mr. Siegal's original mission statement and their implementation remains a top concern today. Through Olympic Steel, Mr. Siegal has led numerous philanthropic efforts that have impacted the lives of countless individuals and families in Cleveland and across the country. Olympic Steel awards ten annual renewable college scholarships to children of employees.

Mr. Siegal's generosity and commitment to the community originates with family. He is a devoted father to Lynn, Michael and daughter-in- law Anita, and he is an adoring grandfather and great-grandfather. Mr. Siegal's dedication to his Jewish heritage is visible within the Cleveland's Jewish community. He's been a longtime board member with the Jewish National Fund and a past board member with the Jewish Community Federation. He is a 62-year member of the Deak Lodge and a 40-year member of the University Heights Free Masons. His charitable vision is shared by the people of Olympic Steel, where employees donate their money, time, clothes and food items to local agencies and causes, including the Make a Wish Foundation, Cell Phones for Soldiers, Coats for Kids, Harvest for Hunger and Women in Need.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor of Sol Siegal as he is honored with the Tree of Life Award by the Jewish National Fund. Mr. Siegal's leadership, vision and dedication to strengthening the lives of others through the integrity of Olympic Steel continue to enhance the economic, cultural and social foundations of our entire community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Gerald A. ``Jerry'' DePiero, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, mentor, retired firefighter, business owner and active citizen.

Mr. DePiero served the Parma community and our nation with honor and dedication. He served in the National Guard for 6 months and protected the people of Parma as a firefighter for 25 years. He combined his street smarts with business savvy and founded one of the largest real estate offices in Ohio; a branch of Century 21, DePiero and Associates, Inc.

Mr. DePiero was known for his kind, giving and generous nature. For 49 years, he was a devoted husband to Roberta. Together they raised four children: Lisa, Chris, Matt and Dean. His devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchild was unwavering. He was the treasured grandfather of Nick, Jenni, Cory, Jake, Luke, Melissa, the late Erin, the late Andrew, Sean and Blake. He was the beloved great- grandfather of Isabela, and father-in-law of Laura, MJ and Kathleen. He was the beloved brother of Ray, brother-in-law of Dorothy, and caring uncle and cousin to many. Mr. DePiero was a devoted friend and mentor to many.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Gerald A. ``Jerry'' DePiero. I offer my condolences to his family, friends and to everyone who knew him well. Mr. DePiero lived his life with a generous heart and an unwavering love for family, friends and community. His service and generosity will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Sister Catherine Pinkerton, whose unwavering advocacy on behalf of numerous social justice issues provides strength, hope and a powerful voice to the most vulnerable citizens of our society.

Sister Catherine's life and work continues to reflect a lifelong passion for raising the lives of others through teaching, lobbying and organizing. She began turning her faith into action early on, as a student at St. Joseph Academy high school in Cleveland, where she volunteered to assist the poor and disadvantaged at the Dorothy Day Catholic House of Hospitality. After graduating from St. Joseph, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph convent in Cleveland, where she began her journey as a Sister in the Roman Catholic faith. She taught at St. Joseph's, and eventually became an administrator within the Order. Sister Catherine was soon elected President of the St. Joseph community. Her focus on issues of poverty, racism, sexism and other social justice issues, combined with her strong intellect and excellent leadership skills, guided her through numerous trips to Washington DC, fervently lobbying for legislation to elevate and empower women, minorities and the poor.

On Capitol Hill, Sister Catherine's work focused on fair housing, health care reform, civil rights initiatives, and family and medical leave legislation. In meeting rooms and on the House floor, Sister Catherine promoted NETWORK--a women-led Catholic social justice lobby that collects and analyzes critical data about how our Nation's laws affect the poor and disenfranchised. She also made numerous trips to Rome, as the official representative of sisters in the United States. Sister Catherine's work has been recognized with numerous local and national honors. She was awarded the Centennial Education Medal by John Carroll University; named as Cleveland's 100 Most Influential Women; and, she was honored by the National Institute of Women with the Today's Woman of the Year Award.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor and recognition of Sister Catherine Pinkerton, whose faith in action continues to give a voice to the silent, strength to the weak, and power to the powerless--thereby making our Cleveland community, our Nation, and our world, a better place.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Mr. Donald Lee Bean, a devoted husband, father and friend. His life reflected his love for family and friends and an unwavering dedication to journalism.

Mr. Bean grew up in Northfield as one of five boys. He served for four years in the U.S. Air Force, and then he enrolled at Kent State University, where he graduated in 1954. He worked for several Cleveland news outlets, including the Cleveland Press, Cleveland News and a number of radio stations before joining the Plain Dealer in 1961. As a reporter for the `PD,' Mr. Bean covered all sections of the paper, including crime, City Hall happenings, courts, feature articles, general assignments and obituaries. He also held the title of Assistant City Editor and for decades was deeply connected to the inner circles within Cleveland's political and social scenes. Thanks to his experience and knowledge, Mr. Bean was the reporter who uncovered stories that no one else could break.

Mr. Bean was a colorful character known for his humor, wit and kindness. He was also known as a great mentor and friend to colleagues. Mr. Bean covered the major stories that helped shape the history of Cleveland, including the Hough and Glenville Riots and the Dr. Sam Sheppard murder trial. Mr. Bean was relentless in his pursuit of the truth; his reporting consistently demonstrated honesty, integrity and fairness. In 1983, he selflessly shared his own personal struggles with alcohol in a piece he wrote for the Plain Dealer, giving hope and inspiration to countless readers. He was also a lifelong blood donor.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of Mr. Donald Lee Bean. I offer my condolences to his wife, Olga; to his daughter, Nadine; to his sons, Matthew and Scott; to his six granddaughters and one great-granddaughter; and to his many extended family members and numerous friends. Mr. Bean lived his life with a generous heart and love for family and friends. He will always be remembered by those who knew and loved him, and I count myself as one those who loved him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of James M. Andrews, Sr., a loving husband, father, grandfather, veteran and protector of the people of the City of Cleveland as a firefighter for thirty years.

Mr. Andrews joined the Cleveland Fire Department on July 1, 1960. He was committed to the safety and wellbeing of Cleveland residents as well as his fellow firefighters. He was a thirty-year member of the Cleveland Firefighters Union, Local 93 and served on the Executive Board from 1970 to 1990. He served as Secretary from 1970 to 1979, as President from 1980 to 1989 and was named President Emeritus in 1990.

In addition to his devotion to serving our community, Mr. Andrews' devotion to family was unconditional. He was the beloved husband of Joan and loving father of Anne, James Jr., Katherine, Joseph and Ellen. He was the cherished grandfather of Jennifer, Elizabeth, Emily, Mary, James III, Angela, Claire, Joseph and Nicholas and father-in-law of Terrance, Mary Brigid, Robert and Stephen. He was also the beloved brother of Sister Mary Ann and uncle, friend and mentor to many.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance of firefighter James M. Andrews, Sr. Mr. Andrews served our community and our nation with commitment and excellence. Mr. Andrews lived his

life with great love and devotion to his family and his service has made our community a better place for all residents.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Ronald Taylor, a devoted father, grandfather, mentor, friend, entrepreneur, and United States Veteran, whose joyous life continues to be focused on family, faith, and service to community.

Born in Wichita, Kansas on February 10, 1930, Mr. Taylor was the only child of parents Russell and Mildred Taylor. He moved frequently with his family until settling in Cleveland, Ohio. His parents taught him the importance of hard work, family and faith. They guided him toward a solid education and supported all of his athletic endeavors. While attending Central High School in Cleveland, Mr. Taylor excelled in athletics and broke Jesse Owens' high jump record. Mr. Taylor's record still stands today. He continues to use the experiences of his youth to teach and guide his own children and grandchildren.

Mr. Taylor blazed a path of independence and achievement. He attained the level of Eagle Scout, only the second African American in Ohio to do so at the time. While attending Miami University of Ohio, he was a member of the U.S. Air Force ROTC. He was drafted into the U.S. Army, and served honorably during WWII. He later continued his studies and became an attorney and real estate broker. He owned several successful law, tax and real estate businesses in Chicago, Cleveland and Las Vegas. He continues to run a successful law practice, Ron Taylor & Associates, in Oak Park, Illinois.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of Ronald Taylor, who continues to serve as a leader and the foundation of his family. Mr. Taylor will join this Labor Day weekend with his children, Kevin, Rennie, Reginald, Leah, Michael, Ron Taylor, Jr., Ron II, Ronnetta, and Robin; his grandchildren; and his extended family to celebrate faith, family and tradition. Mr. Taylor continues to be a source of strength and inspiration to his family and friends, and I wish him and the entire Taylor family continued blessings of peace and joy.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, I rise today in honor and recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the Carnegie West Library, a cornerstone of the Cleveland Public Library system, located in the heart of Cleveland's historic Ohio City neighborhood.

Named after American visionary and leader in the advancement of libraries, Andrew Carnegie, the ornate building was designed by internationally renowned architect Edward Tilton. Built by artisans, craftsman and stone experts, the restored exterior of the building is graced with the beauty of terracotta, red brick, limestone, intricate floral motifs and medallions. The interior is highlighted with original painted murals that reflect scenes from classic children's literature.

Throughout the past century, the programs and services have expanded, yet the mission of the library has remained the same: to provide a creative environment where imagination is inspired and where learning flourishes. The Carnegie West Library offers numerous programs and services to patrons of all ages--including computer classes, film festivals and workshops. Additionally, the Library has a legacy of strong neighborhood bonds and community outreach. The Carnegie West Library provides free lunches and reading clubs for children after school and during the summer months.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the founding members, dedicated staff, volunteers and every patron of the Carnegie West Library. For an entire century, this library has inspired and enriched the minds and hearts of tens of thousands of visitors of all ages. Their vision ``to be the learning place for a diverse community, inspiring people of all ages with the love of books and reading, advancing the pursuit of

knowledge, and enhancing the quality of life for all who use the library'' continues to enrich our community--and is a critical part of the educational and social advancement of our entire society.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Hispanic Heritage honoree of 2010, Manuel ``Manny'' Acta, Manager of the Cleveland Indians and keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies at Cleveland's Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.

Manuel Elias Acta was born on January 11, 1969 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. His career in Major League Baseball began at the young age of 17 when he was signed by the Houston Astros as a first baseman. Also a talented outfielder, he played with the Astros organization for six years and then began his coaching career. Before signing to manage the Cleveland Indians in 2009, he was manager of the Washington Nationals. He also managed the Tigris del Licy of the Dominican Winter League, leading them to victory in the 2003 Caribbean Series. He has also worked for the New York Mets and the Montreal Expos as third base coach.

Beyond his successful career in professional baseball, the foundation of his life continues to be his family, faith and community. A devoted husband and father to two daughters, Mr. Acta and his wife Cindy continue to volunteer their time and efforts in reaching out to the children of our Cleveland community and to the people of his Dominican homeland. Mr. and Mrs. Acta founded the ImpACTA kids Foundation, which provides children with opportunities to achieve their dreams through college scholarships and outreach programs. ImpACTA has also funded and organized the development of an athletic/education facility for youth in Consuelo, Dominican Republic.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the 2010 Hispanic Heritage honoree, Manuel ``Manny'' Acta. Mr. Acta's integrity, professionalism and willingness to help others in need, especially our children, continues to make a positive impact within the lives of children from Cleveland, Ohio to Consuelo, Dominican Republic.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of the founders, staff, volunteers and clients of ORCA House, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, which celebrates 60 years of healing, hope and renewal for thousands of individuals and their families seeking to break free from the chains of drug and alcohol addiction.

Established in 1950, ORCA House was founded by a small group of individuals who came together with a shared vision of providing help and hope to those who had neither. Basil F. Bailey, John L. Bailey, Johnnie Marshall, Ruth Hawkins, Gertrude Overton and Alfonso Holman became trustees of one of the first adult chemical dependency centers in the Nation to be founded by African Americans. The dedicated, compassionate and professional staff at ORCA House continues the mission they began 60 years ago: to provide comprehensive treatment to individuals and their families. Treatment programs at ORCA House are based on several phases of assessment, treatment and after care, and are reflective of highly successful programs implemented locally by United Way and other national organizations.

Moreover, ORCA House exists as a live-in sanctuary of recovery and hope for impoverished and homeless women and men, struggling to become healthy, productive citizens. Residential treatment programs, which can last up to 30 days, include in-depth assessments, and at least 30 hours of weekly alcohol and drug treatment services. These services include individual, group and family therapy, job development classes, anger management sessions, HIV/AIDS education, nutrition and health classes, and a 12-step group program.

Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the founding members, staff and volunteers of ORCA House, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio--past and present--whose unwavering dedication to lifting the lives of thousands of individuals and families onto a platform of safety, strength, recovery, hope and peace have strengthened our entire community.