Floor Statements

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

I just want to commend the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), for acting so quickly on this legislation. Let me say, Mr. Speaker, that I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 53, authorizing the use of the Capitol grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

This annual event encourages all boys and girls ages 9 through 16 to construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. The principles of aerodynamics are combined with fun and excitement for all participants and their families in the greater Washington area.

Over the past few years, the Washington event has grown in size and has become one of the best-attended events in the country. In the past, the Washington event has produced winners who went on to national finals. As always, the derby organizers will work with the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police to ensure the appropriate rules and regulations are in place.

Mr. Speaker, I especially want to mention the diligence and dedication of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is the sponsor of this year's resolution and sponsors the resolution every year. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 53.

Mr. Speaker, while I have the floor, I would also like to thank the chairman of the subcommittee, as well as the

ranking member and all of the members of the committee, for the legislation that was just acted on concerning the police officers. As a former police officer, I want my colleagues to know that I appreciate holding this annual event every year to recognize those who have given their dedication and those who have paid the ultimate price in living their lives in the service to their communities and to this country.

So I thank the gentleman from Ohio for his leadership on both of these efforts, as well as the ranking member.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 866, the Wastewater Treatment Work Security Act of 2003. This legislation, which is virtually the same as legislation that was approved by the 107th Congress by voice vote, would authorize $200 million in grants from the Environmental Protection Agency to State and local governmental entities to conduct vulnerability assessments of wastewater treatment facilities and to take steps to reduce identified vulnerabilities.

This legislation is similar to the approach taken for the vulnerability assessments of drinking water facilities in the bioterrorism legislation that was signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of September 11 we have learned that the Nation's wastewater treatment plants are potentially vulnerable to terrorist attacks. While most plants have treatment redundancies, many plants have single points of failure, where two or more pipes feed into a common interceptor or have a large common pumping station serving the entire system.

Significant damage to one or more of the Nation's largest wastewater treatment plants or pumping stations would not only cause disruption to the normal community way of life, it would have serious environmental consequences.

While the largest impact might not be the loss of life, the discharge of millions and perhaps billions of gallons of raw sewage into the Nation's rivers and lakes would result in catastrophic environmental damage to the ecosystem and recreational economies, destroy commercial fish and shellfish industries, contaminate drinking water supplies, and lead to long-term public health problems.

In order to alleviate these concerns, under H.R. 866 the EPA would be authorized to provide grants for three purposes: One, to conduct vulnerability assessments at publicly owned treatment works; two, to implement certain preapproved security enhancements that have been identified in vulnerability assessment; and, three, to implement any other security enhancement measures identified in a vulnerability assessment.

This legislation would also authorize $15 million to provide technical assistance to small communities, those serving fewer than 20,000 individuals, and $1 million annually for 5 years for development and dissemination of computer software to aid in vulnerability assessment.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the funding provisions for vulnerability assessments and security enhancements contained in this legislation have been drafted as an amendment to the Clean Water Act with the intent of ensuring that the Davis-Bacon Act would apply to any federally funded work that meets the definition of construction.

This approach was confirmed through staff conversations with representative of the Environmental Protection Agency in the 107th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I urge passage of this legislation and commend the chairman of the committee for his leadership on this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation.

I ask unanimous consent that the balance of time on our side be controlled by gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown).

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 766, the Nanotechnology Research and Development Act of 2003. H.R. 766 authorizes $2.36 billion over three years for nanotechnology research and development programs at the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, this legislation establishes a research program to address societal and ethical concerns.

Nanotechnology can best be considered as a ``catch-all'' description of activities at the level of atoms and molecules that have application in the real world. A variety of nanotechnology products are already in development or on the market, including stain-resistant, wrinkle free pants and ultraviolet-light blocking sunscreens.

A unique feature of nanotechnology is that it is the one area of research and development that is truly multidisciplinary. Research is unified by the need to share knowledge on tools and techniques, as well as information on the physics affecting atomic and molecular interactions in this new realm. Materials scientists, mechanical and electronic engineers and medical researches are now forming teams with biologists, physicists and chemists.

Illinois is among the leaders in nanotechnology. During the last few years, success in the areas of nanotechnology at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIUC) has included patented technology for conversion of

carbon dioxide into methanol and sensors to detect corrosion and stress in highway bridges. SIUC has also developed industrial partnerships and collaborations with IBM, Proctor & Gamble, and Argonne National labs to further research and development at the atomic and molecular scale.

Increased understanding of nanotechnology promises to underlie revolutionary advances that will contribute to improvements in medicine, manufacturing, high-performance materials, information technology, and environmental technologies. I strongly support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the victims of one of history's most terrible tragedies, the Armenian Genocide.

On April 24, 1915, 300 Armenian leaders, intellectuals, and professionals were rounded up in Constantinople, deported, and killed. From 1915 through 1923, Armenians that lived under Ottoman rule were systematically deprived of their property, freedom, and dignity. In addition, one and a half million Armenians had been massacred and 500,000 more had been deported. The Armenian community saw its culture devasted and its people dispersed. This date is remembered and commemorated each year by the Armenian community.

In my district, there is a significant population of Armenian survivors and their families that showed heroic courage and a will to survive in the face of devastating obstacles and adversities. These survivors are an important window into the past and an invaluable part of our society. With faith and courage, generations of Armenians have overcome great suffering and proudly preserved their culture, traditions, and religion. It is through their unforgettable tragedy that we are able to share in their history and strong heritage. The history of the Armenian Genocide must never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, genocide is the most potent of all crimes against humanity because it is an effort to systematically wipe out a people and a culture as well as individual lives. Denying that genocide took place when there are recorded accounts of barbarity and ethnic violence is an injustice. Instead, we must ensure the lessons of the Armenian genocide are properly understood and acknowledged by paying tribute to the Armenian community on this solemn occasion. I am pleased my colleagues and I have this opportunity to ensure this legacy is remembered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 104, a resolution expressing the support and appreciation of the Nation for the President and the members of the Armed Forces who are participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many people have questioned the need for the United States to remove Saddam Hussein or the method in which this matter has been handled by the Bush administration. However, the time has come to end the debate and turn our complete and unified attention to supporting our troops.

I know there is no more important decision than whether or not to send our sons and daughters into armed conflict. Our President has made the decision to commit troops and with pride an resolve, the Congress stands solidly behind our troops. We will do whatever we can to make certain that they have everything needed for a quick resolution and their safe return home.

Mr. Speaker, the thoughts and prayers of all Americans are with the nearly 300,000 brave men and women who are currently putting their own lives in danger to carry out the orders of the Commander in Chief. Every one of us is proud of their service and their courage. We pray for their safety tonight and in days to come, and offer comfort and support to their families and loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5, the HEALTH Act. There is no question that medical liability insurance rates are out of control. These high insurance costs are threatening to put many doctors and other health care professionals out of business and limit access to health care. However, I cannot in good faith support legislation that limits the rights of patients, victims, and their families while protecting the health insurance industry. HMOs and big health insurers should not receive special treatment; they are not above the law and should not be exempt from responsibility through this legislation.

Under H.R. 5, insurance carriers can still raise rates any amount, at anytime. The Republican Leadership refused to allow free and fair debate by not allowing a substitute or any amendments to be debated and voted upon by the House of Representatives. The substitute would reform malpractice insurance carriers, which is essential in solving the medical liability crisis. It would also weed out frivolous lawsuits without restricting the rights of legitimate claims.

H.R. 5 is a one-size-fits-all approach that places caps on non- economic and punitive damages and does not address the issue of frivolous lawsuits. When a stay-at-home mother, child, or senior citizen dies or suffers irreversible harm, there is no economic loss because it is impossible to prove damages from loss of income. H.R. 5 takes away the rights of parents who lose children, husbands who lose wives, children who lose parents, and patients who have very real losses that are not easily measured in terms of money. These caps imposed in H.R. 5 unfairly take away the rights of victims of medical malpractice to receive compensation for their injuries.

H.R. 5 is modeled after the state of California's 1975 reform laws; however, my Republican colleagues give a false impression of the ramifications of that law. For more than a decade after California passed the 1975 law limiting damages in medical malpractice lawsuits, doctors' premiums continued to rise faster, overall, than the national rate of inflation. Once voters enacted Proposition 103, a measure to cap all insurance rates in California, premiums leveled off. The ballot initiative curbed the premiums, not the law implementing caps.

Physicians in Illinois and across the country are facing skyrocketing medical liability premiums, and for many providers, medical liability insurance is either unaffordable or completely unavailable. I believe something needs to be done to derail frivolous lawsuits and reform the insurance industry. Insurers' business practices for accounting and pricing have contributed sharply to the current problem. H.R. 5 does not reform the insurance industry, places unfair, restrictive caps on victims, and does not address frivolous lawsuits. For these reasons, I oppose H.R. 5.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the one-year Anniversary of President Bush's decision to impose temporary tariff relief on behalf of the domestic steel industry.

Since 1998, our domestic steel industry has been in crisis, with the worst year coming in 2001. The fundamental cause of this crisis was massive foreign overcapacity, which had caused the United States to become the dumping ground for world excess steel products. As a result of this, 35 steel companies have filed for bankruptcy, and over 50,000 American steel workers have lost their jobs.

In my home state of Illinois, the crisis has resulted in four steel companies filing for bankruptcy, including Laclede Steel and the parent company for Granite City Steel, which are in the Congressional District I represent. Approximately 5,000 steel workers have lost their jobs in Illinois alone.

In 2000, I joined my colleagues on the Congressional Steel Caucus in urging the President to implement a Section 201 investigation by the International Trade Commission to determine if our domestic markets had been harmed by illegal dumping. I also testified before the ITC to express my concerns regarding the steel crisis. The ITC ruled unanimously that the steel industry had indeed been harmed.

While the ITC's decision was welcome, it didn't guarantee relief for the domestic steel industry. That decision was left to the President to determine what type of remedy should be afforded to the industry. I was pleased that the President decided to impose the tariffs, rather than quotas, which would not have been as helpful to the industry.

Mr. Speaker, we have seen the positive results of the President's decision to impose tariffs. The steel industry is beginning to show signs of recovery. Prices are stabilizing and steel companies are returning to profitability. The industry is restructuring and consolidating. All of this has happened without hampering the availability of competitively priced steel products. In fact, steel imports were higher in 2002 than they were in 2001.

However, for the industry to continue its recovery, it is imperative that as the Section 201 tariff measures are reviewed, they remain fully enforced for at least three years as ordered by the President, and that exemptions to the tariffs are limited.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our domestic steel industry by supporting the existing tariffs on foreign steel. This support will allow for the continued recovery of this nation's domestic steel industry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Boilermakers Local 363.

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers was born on September 1, 1893. On that day, at a meeting in Chicago, representatives from the International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders, which had been organized on October 1, 1880, and the National Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, which had been formed in Atlanta in May of 1888, resolved to consolidate their organizations. It was further agreed that the new organization, to be known as the Brotherhood of Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders of America, would make its Headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas. Two and a half years later, on June 9, 1896, the Brotherhood affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.

In subsequent years, the Brotherhood continued to grow, and in 1902, the Helpers division was formed. Because helpers were barred from sitting in the lodge room with mechanics, this new division had its own local unions and was entirely separate from the Boiler Makers. This would change a decade later when the Helpers Division would be consolidated with the Mechanics Division.

In March 1906, at a special Convention in Kansas City, the name of the Union was changed to the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders and Helpers of America in order to incorporate the newest division. Also at this time, the term ``Boiler Makers'' was condensed into one word, ``Boilermakers.''

The Boilermakers affiliated with the National Building Trades Department of the American Federation of Labor in February 1931. At the turn of the century, total membership stood at about 8,500, but by 1944, due in part to dramatic increases in the shipbuilding, railroad, and fabrication shop industries during World War II, the Boilermakers numbered over 350,000. In 1954, the Boilermakers merged their organization with the International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Drop Forgers and Helpers. The International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths had been organized in 1889 and added Helpers to both their membership and their name in 1901. A 1919 merger with the Brotherhood of Drop Forgers created the Union that, on June 29, 1953, merged with the Boilermakers to create the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers. A year later, a new International seal was adopted to include all crafts.

On October 1, 1954, the Boilermaker National Health and Welfare Fund was established, on November 9, 1959, the Boilermakers National Joint Apprenticeship Fund began, and the Boilermaker-Blacksmith National Pension Trust became effective October 1, 1960. Delegates to the 1977 Convention voted to establish a Construction Division at International Headquarters for the purpose of servicing those members with employment in, or related to, the construction industry.

On March 15, 1984, the delegates to the Special Merger Convention of the United Cement, Lime, Gypsum and Allied Workers International Union voted to merge with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers. The merger of the CLGAW, formed in 1936, and its ten thousand members who dominate the building products and supplies industry, and the Boilermakers forged an organization with a greater ability to provide services to its members.

On October 1, 1994, a merger was consummated with the Stove, Furnace and Allied Appliance Workers International Union--a skilled trade union that was organized in 1891. The Stove Workers, with 5,800 members, became a Division of the International Brotherhood known as the Stove, Furnace, Energy and Allied Appliance Workers Division. The word energy was inserted to give special recognition to the coal miners within that Division. The Division had its members employed primarily in the manufacturing of stoves and various types of appliances.

During the same period, merger talks were also being carried out with an independent union known as the Western Energy Workers. This one- local union, formed in 1978 with members employed in the coal strip pits, signed a merger agreement with the Boilermakers effective December 1, 1994.

In October 1996, a merger agreement was made with the Metal Polishers, Buffers, Platers and Allied Workers International Union. This union was also an old line, skill trade union that was organized in 1892. This merger brought 4,000 new members to the Brotherhood. These members are employed primarily in plating and polishing shops within the United States and Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the past, present and future members of the Boilermakers International Union, Local 363 on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Special Children Incorporated of Belleville, Illinois.

Special Children Incorporated is a not-for-profit organization which began in 1953 as ``The Parent Group for Mentally Retarded Children, Incorporated'', when a group of parents came together to address their concerns over a lack of appropriate education for children with special needs. After developing and holding classes in local churches and homes, a permanent site was constructed in 1971 at 1306 Wabash Avenue in Belleville. A 10,000 square foot addition was completed in 1993 to meet the expanding needs of the agency. This building was constructed completely from the fundraising efforts of parents and community volunteers.

Special Children, Inc. continues to provide services for individuals in the St. Clair, Monroe, Randolph and Madison county area. The mission of Special Children, Inc., is to provide educational and early intervention services to children developmentally and or physically disabled from birth through 21 years of age and to provide education and support to the parent/guardian in hopes that these children can continue to reside in the most supportive and least restrictive environments.

Mamie O. Stookey School is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education as a Non-Public Facility in the State of Illinois to educate trainable mentally handicapped and severe profound handicapped students. Special Children develops an individual education plan, which provides a comprehensive assessment of the student's health, education, and social needs. An interdisciplinary team trained to provide specialized pediatric treatment is provided, as is a low pupil-teacher ratio. Special Children also provides for an adaptive physical education program including swimming, bowling, and adaptive therapescrotoscrotoutic playground. Daily progress reports to the family/guardian of each student are given as well as linkage and coordination to other community resources.

The program has eight self-contained classrooms that provide individualized instruction in the area of motor skills, language and communications, socialization; self help skills of daily living, and pre-vocational activities. The program focuses on a developmental curriculum, which include a variety of support services; Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy consultation, adaptive physical education, social services, and nursing.

The family has the primary responsibility for the child's early learning environment. What happens in these early years is crucial to the child's success during the school year. Born of this belief and commitment to help parents of young developmentally delayed children do their job more effectively and enjoyably, the PRIME/CARE program started in 1974. An Individual Family Service Plan (I.F.S.P.) provides a comprehensive assessment of the child and family's health as well as their education and social needs. An interdisciplinary team has also been trained to provide specialized pediatric treatment and case management. Special Children follows an interagency approach to treatment designed to enhance coordination and ease the transition between medical, social, and educational services in the community.

Special Children provides for comprehensive developmental assessment at referral and also schedules assessments by other professionals for coordination and individualized planning. They provide progress review and a program update every three months. All assessed, but not eligible, children are referred to appropriate community resources. Special Children Service teams represent these area disciplines; Special Instruction, Speech and Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Service Coordination

Additional Special Children Services include; PRIME (home based)-- Weekly home visits, CARE (toddler Classroom), Parent Support Groups and a Parent Education Group. Special Children Inc. also serves Newborns Through Two Year Olds, primarily infants at risk for developmental disabilities as the result of prenatal, perinatal and neonatal factors; such as: severe respiratory distress, prematurity, seizures and feeding problems. Special Children also treats infants and toddlers with diagnosed medical disorders such as; Rubella, Tuberous Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly and Down's syndrome. Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers with delayed development (25 percent or more) in one or more areas are also treated for analysis in: cognition, expressive language, receptive language, fine motor development, gross motor development and affective/social/emotional development.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 50th Anniversary of Special Children Incorporated and recognize the work that they do in the community to benefit the health, safety and welfare of children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 395, the Do-No-Call Implementation Act of 2003. This legislation authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to collect fees from telemarketers for the implementation and enforcement of a national do- not-call registry. This legislation also requires that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finalize its rules for such a list in coordination with the FTC to ensure there are no inconsistencies in the regulations.

Unfortunately, we have all experienced those annoying unsolicited phone calls as we sit down to enjoy dinner with our families. A national registry will help limit unwelcome phone calls and restore a sense of control over the telephone where it belongs, with the consumer. The FTC's decision to develop such a registry comes after nearly a year of analysis, in which more than 60,000 public comments were received, the overwhelming majority of which supported a national do-not-call list. A national list will provide consumers with a quick and efficient mechanism to remove their names from telemarketing lists. Consumers will be able to register for free online or by calling a toll-free number. This will be less burdensome than forcing consumers to make such requests on a company-by-company basis, and will work in concert with states such as Illinois that either have or are implementing such lists.

I have received numerous messages from my constituents in the 12th District of Illinois concerning their frustrations with telemarketers. A national do-not-call list will answer a long-felt consumer need for better control over telemarketing calls to the home. I urge my colleagues to support this pro-consumer legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues in remembering the seven extraordinary men and women aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia who gave their lives for the pursuit of science and discovery, and in expressing my condolences to their families. Until the tragic events of last Saturday, shuttle flights for many had become routine events; however, each mission is a high-risk endeavor. We are fortunate to have an astronaut corps comprised of highly trained men and women who regularly bear this risk. Their strong passion for space exploration has immeasurably benefited our nation and the world. We will never forget the dedication and sacrifice of the crew of the Columbia.

As a member of the Science Committee, I have followed the space program closely for many years. But its full impact was brought home for me and my constituents in April of 1996, when our hometown hero, Dr. Sandra Magnus, joined NASA. Sandy was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois where she attended Central Junior High School and Belleville West High School. I had the pleasure of accompanying the Administrator of NASA, Mr. Sean O'Keefe, to the Kennedy Space Center for Sandy's first launch on October 7, 2002. To witness a launch is to truly know that space flight is inherently dangerous. But it is also a vital part of the American spirit and the advancement of knowledge, and it is these elements that drive the men and women in the astronaut program to strive for the unknown. If we are to gain a greater understanding of our universe, we must continue the cause of the heroes we lost on Saturday and take every step we can to make future space travel as safe as possible.

We come together today in a period of national and international mourning. Our prayers are dedicated to the heroic crew of Columbia and their families. Their names--mission commander Rick Husband, pilot William McCool, payload commander Michael Anderson, mission specialist David Brown, mission specialist Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and payload specialist Ilan Ramon--will live forever in our hearts and minds as dedicated pioneers yearning to reach the stars and who never lost their sense of adventure. I again express my deepest condolences to the families of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 175th Anniversary of McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois.

McKendree College is the oldest college in Illinois. Founded by Methodist pioneers on February 20 1828, McKendree College will mark her 175th anniversary on February 20, 2003.

In recent years, McKendree has experienced remarkable growth in both quality and quantity. In academics, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has selected a McKendree College professor as the Illinois Professor of the Year for 2002, Dr. Nancy Beck Young. The college has welcomed its first group of students from France as part of a new exchange program in the Business Division. In addition, the college faculty has grown 65 percent and includes professors well- published and recognized in their fields of expertise. McKendree has a nationally ranked Debate and Forensics Squad and boasts and outstanding teacher education program, one that has recently received re- certification, and the only one among six institutions, to receive the certification fully and without provisions.

McKendree's student body has also excelled in its 175 years of history. With approximately 1,300 students currently enrolled at the Lebanon campus, the student body has grown 67 percent in the past 10 years and the residential population has increased more than 300 percent. The current freshman class is the third largest in the history of the college, includes 22 valedictorians and has an impressive 3.7 GPA and 24 ACT. Currently, students from 15 different states and five countries are enrolled at McKendree College.

McKendree also has an athletic program that is gaining in national prominence. This year the men's basketball team has been ranked #1 nationally in the NAIA, the first time in the history of the college that an athletic team has earned a first place ranking. The college football team, now in its seventh season since its return in 1996 after a 45-year hiatus, played in the NAIA semi-finals, with an 11-2 record. McKendree's athletic director and men's basketball coach has been inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, earning recognition as Coach of the Year and this year broke the record to become the winningest coach in NAIA history. In Track and Field McKendree athletes have won several national team championships.

McKendree College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college and is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a Top Tier Midwest Liberal Arts College. For the sixth consecutive year, McKendree has been recognized as one of America's 100 Best College Buys. McKendree College has been referred to as ``the fastest growing business in Southwestern Illinois''. Dr. James M. Dennis is the 32nd president of McKendree College, inaugurated in 1994.

McKendree College, founded in 1828, has the distinction of being one of the first colleges established in Illinois. Acknowledging pride of her Scottish heritage McKendree was also approved as the first institutional member of the Clan Henderson Society of the United States in 1997.

Each year, students from McKendree College contribute to businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations in the region as interns, teachers and employees. The college has participated significantly in regional programs to enhance diversity education and to help prepare students from lower income areas for college. The college provides a wealth of cultural events to the community, hosting distinguished speakers, exceptional performers, and nationally ranked competitive athletic contests. They partner with many community groups and assume a leadership role to promote and enhance the benefits of the region.

McKendree College provides a high quality academic program, at the heart of which is a values-centered liberal arts education. The mission of McKendree College is to include students in the joys and challenges of intellectual inquiry and its staff and faculty are devoted to nurturing this experience both inside and outside the classroom. The college has grown significantly in the past seven years and has brought esteem and recognition to our greater community. They enjoy the reputation of a high quality academic institution, with competitive athletic programs, and the diversity of social and co-curricular programs that meet and challenge a wide range of interests.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 175th Anniversary of McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois and to recognize its alumni both past, present and future for their contributions to the success of the University.