Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleague, Congressman Robert Wittman, to recognize the 75th anniversary of Prince William Forest Park.

In 1936, the National Park Service opened the gates to Prince William Forest Park, then known as Chopawamsic Recreational Demonstration Area. Chopawamsic was the model for a new National Park Service program that provided low-income families with easy access to the outdoors during the Great Depression. Chopawamsic represented the ideal that all Americans should have access to the fresh air and serenity found in our nation's parks.

At Chopawamsic, the National Park Service focused particularly on providing the overnight, outdoor recreation opportunities for impoverished urban children. As often happens, the youth of our nation bore the brunt of our national suffering during hard times of the Great Depression. In segregated camps, the children of the Great Depression found health care in their camp's infirmary, nutritional food in their camp's mess hall, and a peaceful night's sleep beneath the stars in sleeping cabins.

These cabin camps were built through the sweat and labor of Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration workers. For 8 years, more than 2,000 relief workers constructed summer camp ``havens'' for kids while earning sustenance for their families. That these cabins continue to welcome Americans today, 75 years later, is a testament to the superior construction and hard work of those public works programs.

As our nation left behind its fight against the Great Depression, it joined the new national fight--World War II. Chopawamsic joined the war effort by becoming the Advanced Special Operations and Communications training schools for the fledgling Office of Strategic

Services, OSS. The OSS was America's first centralized intelligence agency and the foundation of our nation's Special Forces units. In the cabins, the laughter of children was replaced by the booms of demolition ranges and the tapping of Morse Code. At Chopawamsic, the art of spying and enemy infiltration was honed by a new agency that helped America succeed in World War II.

In 1948, Chopawamsic was renamed Prince William Forest Park. Since its inception the park has been a magnet for outdoor recreation for young people and adults alike and a true asset to our community and nation. The park's 375,000 annual visitors enjoy 37 miles of hiking trails, 21 miles of bicycle accessible roads and trails, 4 campgrounds, 5 historic cabin camps, and 15,000 acres of pristine Piedmont Forest.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the 75th anniversary of Prince William Forest Park, and I urge all residents of Northern Virginia to explore this gem of the Park Service in our own backyard.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleague, Congressman James Moran (VA 08), in congratulating the Reston Children's Center on the occasion of its 45th anniversary.

The education and well being of our children are among the highest priorities that we as a community share. The Reston Children's Center provides a safe, nurturing, instructional atmosphere that promotes creativity, curiosity, independence, and cooperation.

The Reston Children's Center, RCC, is a nonprofit, parent-owned cooperative. This structure creates a strong bond and partnership between the staff and the parents. Parents are required to contribute at least 2 hours per month to the school by serving on the board of directors or a committee, providing office support, chaperoning field trips, or assisting with fundraising activities.

Because of this holistic approach and the communal efforts to benefit the children, many of the teachers have been at RCC for more than 10 years. In addition, many parents who once attended RCC themselves have now entrusted the care of their own children to this center.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join us in congratulating the Reston Children's Center on its 45th anniversary and in commending the leadership of Executive Director, Fahemeh Pirzadeh, as well as the staff and parents for their unwavering devotion to our children.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, this important amendment will help small and emerging growth businesses address a significant cost they incur--the rising price of gasoline. According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, 10 percent of businesses say energy costs are their single largest cost, and 25 percent cite it as the second or third largest.

Although some argue for increased domestic drilling, at best it will take 5 years before new supplies are brought to market and have any effect on the current price of gasoline. Meanwhile, oil companies are producing more oil in America right now than at any point in the last 8 years; but since they're also exporting more oil, consumers aren't realizing the benefits of that production. Approving the Keystone XL pipeline, as some have proposed, actually would make gas prices even worse. The oil company TransCanada said in its pipeline application that Keystone will raise American oil prices by $3 a barrel. The price of a gallon of gasoline has risen 30 cents per gallon in the last month, and we need to drive down prices, not allow them to increase.

There are a number of factors involved in the rapidly increasing price of gasoline; however, one of the significant causes is the proliferation of financial market speculation on oil and gas products. During the last gas price spike, Goldman Sachs estimated that speculation added $27 to the price of a barrel of oil. Just last week, oil State Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, on which I sit, the speculation is adding 13 to 15 percent to the price of a barrel of oil right now. And citing Goldman Sachs data, a recent Forbes news report said that excessive speculation leads to a 56-cent premium per gallon at the pump.

We cannot have financial institutions bidding up the price of oil solely to further line their own pockets and needlessly drive up cost to consumers. Domestic demand for oil is at its lowest point in the last 15 years, but the price of gasoline is hitting new highs.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is working to address oil and gas speculation, but they need to be more aggressive. I joined 44 Members of this House and 23 Senators in sending a letter to the CFTC to exercise its full authority to eliminate excessive speculation, as directed under the recently passed Dodd-Frank Act. This amendment will provide valuable information on how such speculation affects the ability of emerging growth companies to raise capital.

Access to capital remains a challenge for most entrepreneurs, and uncertain and often rising energy costs represent a potential impediment for start-up companies trying to convince prospective investors that they have in fact a competitive business model.

My simple amendment requires the Securities and Exchange Commission, in consultation with the CFTC, to study the effects of oil and gas speculation in financial markets on the ability of emerging growth companies to access capital. This will enable the CFTC to better address such speculation and to better protect the ability of American entrepreneurs to raise the capital necessary to innovate and succeed in the competitive global market.

I urge my colleagues to join me in the simple effort to study the excessive speculation and hopefully reduce energy costs for American innovators and consumers.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

I would inquire of the Chair how much time is left on our side.

Well, I'm saddened, but of course not surprised, that my friend on the other side would not want a simple amendment to study the effect of oil speculation on the price of oil because it doesn't fit the political narrative. So while we're trying to have a very narrow narrative that somehow it's the responsibility of a particular administration in terms of the rise in the price of oil, I think the American consumer and American innovators and American start- up companies and entrepreneurs are actually entitled to know what percentage of the increase in a barrel of oil and at the pump is in fact due to oil speculators and financial institutions that the other side of this House wants to protect.

With respect to the Keystone pipeline--with all due respect to my colleague--it's 5,000 jobs, not 20,000 shovel-ready jobs. The Washington Post did an exhaustive study of the number of jobs that would be created, and they were all temporary. At most, 50 to 60 permanent jobs would be created.

The other thing my friends on the other side of the aisle don't want to talk about about Keystone is that almost all of that oil is going to go to Port Arthur, Texas, for export, not for domestic consumption. If my friends on the other side of the aisle want to contend otherwise, then let's support an amendment right here and now that says that pipeline can be produced and built so long as all of that oil is for domestic consumption.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the nominees for the Prince William County Teacher of the Year/Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.

The Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award program was established by ``The Washington Post'' to ``recognize excellence in teaching, to encourage creative and quality instruction, and to contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the Washington metropolitan area.''

The annual recipients are comprised of one representative from each of the 19 metropolitan public school systems and a single representative from the area private schools. The winner selected from the Prince William Public School Division is also named the Prince William County Teacher of the Year. Teachers who meet the criteria for the award are those who instill in students a desire to learn and achieve, understand the individual needs of students, and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and have the ability to share it effectively with students.

I extend my personal congratulations to the 2012 Prince William County nominees for the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award:

Mrs. Anita Al-Haj--Osbourn Park High School; Ms. LaTicia Anderson-- Coles Elementary School; Mrs. Jenny Bates--Henderson Elementary School; Ms. Spring Byard--New Directions Alternative Education Center; Lt. Col. Ronald Cartee--Battlefield High School; Ms. Sharon Christner--Hylton High School; Mrs. Jessica English--Hylton High School; Mr. Aaron Finney--Victory Elementary School; Mrs. Kelly Haynes--Ashland Elementary School; Mr. Philip Keirstead--Marstellar Middle School

Ms. Hess Moore--Beville Middle School; Ms. Rebecca Patonetz-- McAuliffe Elementary School; Mrs. Ingrid Perry--Gar-Field High School; Mrs. Ramona Richardson--Coles Elementary School; Mr. Richard Scavongelli--Brentsville District High School; Ms. Lydia Stewart-- Osbourn Park High School; Mrs. Patricia Swanson--Ashland Elementary School; Ms. Kendra Yount--Battlefield High School; Mrs. Ruthann Zalewski--Loch Lomond Elementary School.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the nominees for the Prince William County Teacher of the Year/Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award and in thanking them for their dedication to our children. Their continued service will ensure that Prince William County students are provided with a world class education in a more vibrant learning community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fairfax County Youth Football League and to congratulate the 2012 Fairfax County Football Hall of Fame honorees.

The importance of youth sports cannot be overstated. Participation in organized sports instills in our youth many values that will serve them well throughout life. These values include sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty, a sense of belonging, and maybe most important, the work ethic developed by striving for success and working to achieve a common goal. Organized youth sports also contribute to our society. Studies have shown a correlation between participation in sporting activities and increased academic performance. Some studies indicate that a reduction in gang activity can be partially attributed to refocusing at-risk children into organized, supervised activities such as youth sports.

I commend the Fairfax County Youth Football League for providing opportunities for our children to succeed and be a part of a team. I also congratulate the following students, coaches and community leaders who are being recognized at the 22nd Annual Fairfax County Football Hall of Fame:

Fairfax County Football Hall of Fame 2012 Inductees--Owen Schmitt (NFL Philadelphia Eagles, West Virginia University, Fairfax High School), Tom Verbanic (Fairfax High School and Westfield High School), and Angela Hay and Adam Wiles (Founder, Prince William County Clubs in

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a select group of math and science teachers from Fairfax County Public Schools. They recently participated in the Sally Ride 2011 Science Academy in San Diego.

The Academy is an intense one-week professional development program in which elementary and middle school teachers learn new skills for introducing students to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and educating their students about the diverse education and career opportunities in those fields. The Academy uses a train-the- trainer model, in which participants return to their school districts to train other teachers during the school year. Sally Ride Science, founded by the first American woman in space, operates the Academy in partnership with ExxonMobil, which has one of its corporate headquarters in Fairfax County.

With only 29% of American 4th graders and 33% of 8th graders performing at proficient levels in science, we need to redouble our efforts in the STEM fields, particularly to recruit more girls and minorities. In today's economy, 8 of the 10 fastest growing jobs require proficiency in math and science, yet American universities rank 27th among developed nations with respect to the number of students graduating with science or engineering degrees.

Thanks to the work of the Sally Ride Science Academy, these and other teachers now have additional training and skills to assist them in encouraging more of our young people to become excited about science and math. I am pleased to recognize the following Fairfax County Public Schools teachers for participating in the Academy: Heather McCarthy, Lynnette Harris, Luann Hoyseth, Lauren Bello, Jodi Hepner, Danielle Heffron, Alane Peragallo, Shannon Waite, and Holly Eelman.

To date, the Sally Ride Science Academy has successfully trained more than 650 educators spanning 16 States, and they have returned to their perspective districts to train an additional 4,400 teachers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these remarkable teachers for their efforts to change the way math and science are taught in our classrooms and for improving the quality of education for youngsters in our community.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise today and recognize the Peace Corps on the 51st Anniversary of its inception. Since President John F. Kennedy's inspirational call to service in the 1960s, the Peace Corps has played an integral role in the journey toward world peace and understanding.

The Peace Corps is vital to our strategies for diplomacy and development assistance. This year alone, approximately 9,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have made significant contributions in more than 75 countries. Volunteers learn more than 175 languages and dialects with placements in Asia, Africa, Europe, Central and South America, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

The effects of service ripple across a wide variety of communities. The Peace Corps not only provides invaluable assistance to the developing world, but also returns effective cross-cultural leaders to the American workforce. Through their service, volunteers develop steadfast creativity and determination that permeates through everything they do.

It is with great pleasure that I recognize the 28 residents of the 11th District of Virginia who have met this extraordinary call to service: Daniel Beale, Michael Burke, Megan Bush, Michelle Carr, Jennifer Cook, Kevin Dansereau, Emily Forsyth Queen, Carolyn Glidden, Kendall Gordon, Salwan Hager, Molly Jacobson, Brittany Kennell, Shantonu Kundu, Catherine Leitch, Laura Lloyd-Braff, Douglas Mann, Patricia Marks, Ryan Mcgibony, Laura Olsen, Kristin Powers, Eric Reeder, Kristopher Reinertson, Ashley Studholme, Anh-Minh Tran, Anastasia Tucker, Emily Vallowe, Peter Weems, and Priscilla Yu.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Peace Corps for 51 years of invaluable service to our Nation and our world. Through its diplomatic and development service, the Peace Corps has established valuable cross-cultural understanding. Virginia's 11th District is especially proud to recognize the service of our 28 residents abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 2012 Dale City Civic Association Community Awards.

The Dale City Civic Association was founded in 1967. Citizens formed the organization to give a voice to community initiatives and

collective action in Dale City. Today, the organization's purpose is to represent the interests of the residents of Dale City in a manner that benefits the entire community. Members do this with robust beautification efforts, land use advocacy and volunteer responses to community needs.

The Association hosts an annual awards banquet to honor individuals and organizations that show an exceptional devotion to their community and public service. It is my honor to enter into the Congressional Record the names of the recipients of the 2012 Dale City Civic Association Community Awards:

High School Teacher of the Year: Ingrid Hoffman Perry;

Middle School Teacher of the Year: Mary Lynn Thurman;

Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Margie Norman;

John D. Jenkins Youth Citizen of the Year: Donald E. Jones, Jr.;

Dale City Youth Environmental and Conservation Award: Ann Nguyen;

Kathie Feeney Nurse of the Year: Rosey Espiritu;

Prince William County Police Department, Police Officer of the Year: Officer David C. McKeown;

Dale City Volunteer Fire Department, Officer of the Year: Lieutenant Christopher Gardner, Jr.;

Dale City Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Medical Service Provider of the Year: Technician Danielle Miller;

Dale City Volunteer Fire Department, Firefighter of the Year: Technician Tinashe Banda;

Dale City Volunteer Fire Department, ``Second to None'' Volunteer Community Servant Award: Irene Dell;

Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, Firefighter of the Year: Captain Steve Barr;

Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Service Provider of the Year: Lieutenant Leif Ericson;

Deputy Sheriff of the Year: Deputy Jack Richards;

Catherine Spellane Citizen of the Year: Ellen Carleton;

Kathleen K. Seefeldt Community Service Award: Jo-Ellen Benson;

Ernestine S. Jenkins Lifetime Volunteer Award: Janice Carr; and

Business of the Year: Amici's Restaurante.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the winners of the 2012 Dale City Civic Association Community Awards for their dedication to building and maintaining a healthy community. Each recipient has made a tangible imprint on Dale City, and, with these awards, we hope to show them that their contributions have not gone unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2012 Officers of the Occoquan Woodbridge Lorton Volunteer Fire Department.

The 2012 officers and members of the board of directors are taking leadership roles in one of Northern Virginia's longest standing volunteer fire departments. The O.W.L. Volunteer Fire Department was created to address the need for organized fire response capabilities in the growing suburbs of Northern Virginia. In 1938, the Department officially formed to become the only fire department between Fredericksburg and Alexandria. In the subsequent decades O.W.L. has expanded to staff three stations and provide emergency medical services.

The members of O.W.L. are dedicated community volunteers, and the 2012 officers and directors will be diligent stewards of this tradition of service. The 250 active O.W.L. members answer 14,000 calls and serve 60,000 people each year. Their job is demanding and the hours are long, but these brave men and women are driven by their dedication to public safety and the communities that they serve. We would all do well to follow their example.

I congratulate and commend the following 2012 incoming officers:

Department Chief: James F. McAllister;

Fire Assistant Chiefs: Karl F. Fippinger, Wayne A. Haight, David S. Halman, John M. McGovern III, and Richard C. Slusher;

EMS Assistant Chief: Edward A. Craig;

Fire Captains: Kurt E. Bolland, Steven R. Godin, Michael Nazionale, and Brian J. Smith, David P. Williams, and Justin W. Witt;

EMS Captain: Richard T. Ruggieri;

Fire Lieutenants: Jonathan W. Baldwin, Robert L. Brown, Mark A. Chandler, Jon R. Colpitts, Joshua Culp, Ernie M. Firkin Jr., Harold F. Griffith, Jamieson H. Jewett, Alexander R. Moody, Richard P. Moore, Derick N. Ondra, and John M. Roberts;

EMS Lieutenants: Tara S. Gallant, Tammy L. Hill, James M. McCue, Scott A. Schneider, Kelly Shaw, and Cynthia M. Young;

Executive Vice President: Ronald D. Miller;

Admin Vice Presidents: William L. Carter, Michael W. Clark, Henry J. Neyhouse, and George W. Smith;

Membership Secretary: Melissa L. Payne;

Treasurer: George J. Nazionale, Jr.;

Election Officer: Valoree A. Brown;

Sergeant at Arms: Timothy S. VanDeusen;

Board of Directors: Jonathan D. Karnbach, Thomas S. Sullivan, and Lenny G. Peters Jr.;

New Life Members: James F. McAllister, Joseph J. Zarkauskas Jr., Derek D. Dove, and Phillip L. Hughes Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these remarkable volunteers on their new positions and in thanking all members of the Occoquan Woodbridge Lorton Volunteer Fire Department for the vital service they provide to the Prince William community. Stay safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 21 Prince William County

Public Schools teachers who recently received certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The National Board is an independent nonprofit organization governed by classroom teachers, school administrators, school board leaders, governors and state legislators, higher education officials, teacher union leaders, and business and community leaders.

These teachers have met the standards established by the National Board and have undergone a rigorous application process that required they demonstrate the knowledge, skills and accomplishments that comprise teaching excellence. A Board Certified teacher supports a vision of teaching based on the following five core principles:

1. Teachers are committed to students and their learning;

2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students;

3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning;

4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience; and

5. Teachers are members of learning communities.

I extend my personal congratulations to the recent class of National Board Certified Teachers:

Ms. Laura Deering--Battlefield High School;

Ms. Susan Dommer--Stonewall Middle School;

Ms. Michelle Esmacher--Lake Ridge Middle School;

Ms. Amanda Esteban--Battlefield High School;

Ms. Crystal Figueroa--Triangle Elementary School;

Mr. Jason Fox--Hylton High School;

Mr. Mark Groom--Swans Creek Elementary School;

Ms. Erica Ippoliti--Rosa Parks Elementary School;

Ms. Michelle Marrero--Freedom High School;

Ms. Megan Martin--Henderson Elementary School;

Ms. Kristin McKitrick-Rojas--Benton Middle School;

Ms. Catherine Naujoks--Coles Elementary School;

Ms. Diana Pool--Battlefield High School;

Ms. Kelly Pratte--Rosa Parks Elementary School;

Ms. Ann Reighard--Rosa Parks Elementary School;

Mr. Mark Rendell--T. Clay Wood Elementary School;

Ms. Ramona Richardson--Coles Elementary School;

Ms. Karen Roth--Antietam Elementary School;

Ms. Amanda Shaw--Signal Hill Elementary School;

Ms. Amanda Taylor--Gainesville Middle School; and

Ms. Jacquelynn Zanghi--Ellis Elementary School.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending these teachers for their commitment to education and professional development. Prince William County Public Schools delivers a world class education due to the tireless efforts of teachers who make excellence the standard.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition hosted by the Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and its Education Foundation.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left an indelible mark on our nation in his pursuit of civil rights through civil dialogue. Despite the violence perpetrated against Dr. King and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King responded with reverent oratory and nonviolent resistance to condemn the injustice of social inequality. His legacy is one of tolerance and steadfast commitment to principled and peaceful communication.

Contestants in the MLK Youth Oratorical Contest pay tribute to Dr. King's legacy with their ability to exercise the strength of the spoken word. This skill will serve them well as they seize future leadership opportunities and forge the personal relationships necessary for effective community engagement and organizing.

I congratulate and applaud the following contestants of the 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Competition:

Middle School Contestants

Jonathan Adrien--Porter School;

Jacob Gonzalez--Parkside Middle School;

Nicolas Smith--Benton Middle School.

High School Contestants

Sadiyah Faruk--Gar-Field High School;

Ebonee Johnson--Manassas Park High School;

Seth Opoku-Yeboah--Osbourn Park High School.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for recognizing the benefit that Dr. King's teachings bring to the development of our youth. We lay the foundations of a more tolerant society when we nurture the ability to engage and communicate with one another in a way that respects our common humanity.

Madam Speaker, last month, the House Republican leadership commemorated Valentine's Day by planning a shotgun wedding between transportation reauthorization and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; between highway funding and Federal pension cuts. Many Members of this House spoke for and against this troubling bill, but I think it's time Congress started listening to the people.

Consider what my constituents wrote me when they asked me to oppose this transportation disinvestment plan. One concerned citizen in Vienna said:

I'm writing to urge you not to support the proposed

American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act. This bill is

anti-jobs, anti-business, anti-transit, and anti-environment.

It slashes funding for transit, guts our Nation's

environmental laws, and green-lights a set of controversial

and damaging new drilling projects, including in the Arctic

National Wildlife Refuge.

The director of a nonprofit in Dumfries, Virginia, worried about the utter lack of transit support in the proposed legislation, wrote:

I can tell you from firsthand experience that this proposal

would have a profoundly negative impact on the ability of our

clients to go about their daily lives. Many clients use

public transportation to access our services, seek and hold

employment, and remain independent. This legislation puts

jobs and the services this agency provides to vulnerable

populations at risk.

A constituent from Prince William County bemoaned the dearth of transit investments and commented:

For nearly 30 years, beginning with President Reagan, a

portion of Federal motor fuels tax revenues has been

dedicated to public transportation investment under Federal

law. These revenues are a dependable and predictable source

of funding and should remain dedicated to public

transportation. The House Ways and Means plan would eliminate

this reliable funding source and provides no funding for

public transportation after 2016.

A senior citizen from Springfield, Virginia, worried about the impact of this legislation on alternative transportation options, said:

I strongly encourage you to vote ``no'' on H.R. 7. I am 65

years old and have spent the last 10 years of my life

utilizing the paths and trails around Fairfax County and this

area of the country for safe biking and exercising. Their

existence has been critical to my efforts to improve my

personal health. These trails cost so little compared to

building highways and using automobiles and have tremendous

benefits to all of us. Please do not allow this bill to halt

the great progress that this country has made in its trails.

Please vote ``no'' on H.R. 7.

A constituent from Gainesville, Prince William County, Virginia, where they have one of the longest daily commutes in America:

I am writing in opposition to the proposal to pay for any

of H.R. 7 through cuts to Federal workers' pay and benefits.

I urge you to vote against any plan that unfairly targets

Federal workers and retirees to pay more for their fair

share. Our nation's Federal workers are already doing their

part to address America's deficit problem, which they did not

cause. Their pay freeze will have contributed over $60

billion to debt reduction.

A constituent from Fairfax echoed those concerns:

Congressman Connolly, I am contacting you about H.R. 7. I'm

disgusted and appalled that those in public service are being

targeted yet again to fix Federal budget shortfalls they

didn't cause. As a Federal employee, I'm acutely aware of the

shared sacrifices Federal employees have made in these

turbulent times. I appreciate your support and representation

in defeating this bill.

Madam Speaker, my constituents make a compelling case. Americans are looking for a long-term solution to transportation. Like any successful relationship, this one must be balanced, with sustained investment in highways, transit, and non-motorized transportation. We can't slash funding in 45 of the 50 States, including my home State of Virginia, while eliminating all dedicated funding for transit and hope to solve our transportation problems.

I urge my Republican colleagues, junk this bill. Let's start over again and work in a bipartisan fashion for transportation in America for the benefit of all of our citizens.

Madam Speaker, a silent movie won this year's Oscar for Best Picture. That award just as easily could have gone here to the House, because the House Republicans continue to be silent on job creation and seem intent on dragging America back to 1929 when the last silent film won the Oscar.

When Republicans recently held a hearing on contraception, they did their best to silence female voices, inviting five men and zero women to testify on the topic of female reproductive health.

Since they gained the majority, House Republicans have been painfully silent about actually creating jobs. In 2011, they voted for a budget that would have cut 700,000 of them. This year, they proposed a transportation bill that would cut another 550,000 of them. As Americans ask for real job proposals, Republicans remain silent.

It's time that someone actually started speaking up for the American people. Despite 23 straight months of job growth, there are still almost 8 million people trying to reenter the workforce. Unlike this year's Best Picture winner, this continued silent treatment from the Republican majority offers Americans no entertainment and, sadly, no employment.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to include an article in the Fairfax Times from May 6, 2011, recognizing the tremendous service Janet Ball has given to the Fairfax County community for 30 years. I have known Janet for years, and have seen her dedication to helping others firsthand. She is an unbelievable example of the value of volunteerism.

Greenspring Resident Honored for 30 Years of Volunteer Service

(By Kali Shumitz, Staff Writer)

During her 29-year career working for the Department of

Defense, Janet Ball said she never did much to give back to

her community.

So, soon after retiring, she responded to an ad in the

Golden Gazette that said the Fairfax County Juvenile and

Domestic Relations Court was looking for volunteers.

Now 90, Ball is still going strong as a volunteer office

assistant for the court system. She also volunteers to sort

mail at the Greenspring Retirement Village in Springfield,

where she now resides, and helps out at her church.

``I'm one that likes to keep busy,'' she said. ``If I had

to sit around doing nothing, I would be going to St.

Elizabeth's,'' referring to the psychiatric hospital in

Washington, D.C.

Last month, the court staff honored her for 30 years of

volunteer service.

Her supervisor at the courthouse, Loida Gibbs, described

Ball as ``the admin assistant of the century.''

Ball also used to volunteer to do office work for U.S.

Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Dist. 11) when he represented the

Providence District on the Fairfax County Board of

Supervisors.

After he was elected board chairman, she asked him, ``Do I

get a promotion?'' Indeed, she continued to volunteer for

Connolly doing office work until he was elected to Congress.

When Ball began volunteering for the court, there were

only two judges and the juvenile court operated out of a

small building behind the historic county courthouse

building. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court now has

eight judges and recently moved into the remodeled main court

building.

Her first volunteer job was collecting contact information

and other details from families as they exited the courtroom,

a task designed to save probation officers time.

For the past decade, Ball has volunteered for the

Volunteer Interpreter Program, logging the hours and types of

cases for which interpreters are requested, and producing a

monthly report on volunteer contributions.

``In the courthouse, there is more work than even staff

can do,'' said Gibbs, coordinator of the Volunteer

Interpreter Program. ``Without [volunteers], it would get

done, but it would take double the time.''

Ball said the mostly Spanish-speaking volunteers tease her

sometimes because she is the only person involved with the

program who is not bilingual. But Gibbs sees that as an

asset, because her skilled volunteer interpreters often get

pulled to other tasks.

``I have told her she's not allowed to learn any other

language,'' Gibbs joked.

When Ball had double bypass surgery about five years ago,

Gibbs recalled, court staff and volunteers visited her at the

hospital every day. They also threw a big surprise party for

her when she turned 90.

``It's my family away from home,'' Ball said.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Jeremy Hilton, of Burke, a U.S. Air Force finalist for the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year. Mr. Hilton is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and a Navy veteran. In 2002, Mr. Hilton was stationed in Navy Yard Washington, D.C. when his daughter, Kate, was born with significant medical issues. Given the longer deployments required of naval officers, Mr. Hilton chose to separate in order to care for Kate, his two-year-old son, Jack, and support his wife, Renae, who is stationed at Andrews AFB.

Mr. Hilton has made it his mission to advocate for military families impacted by a disability, and he has taken on several leadership roles to help military and non-military families on issues including medical care, long-term care, Medicaid, and special education. He spends much of his free time speaking and advocating for legislation. Mr. Hilton has become a respected authority on issues involving military families with special needs and disabilities. He has briefed the White House, the Congressional Military Family Caucus, and the staff for several Congressional committees.

Mr. Hilton was instrumental in bringing attention to major inadequacies in the U.S. Air Force Exceptional Family Member Program. He and fifteen other Air Force families organized support for a Department of Defense Inspector General report that played a major role in reforming the program. Mr. Hilton also worked with Congressional staff on provisions in the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act to institute feedback from disability-impacted military families to the Department of Defense, establishing the Military Exceptional Family Member Panel. Currently, Mr. Hilton is working to gather support on H.R. 2288, the ``Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act.''

When not caring for his family or working to improve the lives of other families, Mr. Hilton spends the remaining hours of the day working toward a graduate degree at the George Washington University and producing a video series titled Creating Access for All, which encourages churches to start disability ministries.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jeremy Hilton and his sacrifice, service and passionate advocacy for both military and non-military families impacted by disabilities. I believe there to be few others more deserving of the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year.