Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor five distinguished gentlemen on the occasion of their induction into the Hall of Fame of the Norristown Area High School Hall of Champions Association.

The Norristown Area High School Hall of Champions Association was established in 1977 to honor and commemorate the accomplishments of distinguished alumni of the Norristown Area High School.

The 2005 Annual Hall of Fame inductees will be: James R. Caiola, posthumously; Salvatore P. Carfagno; Carl G. Sander; David G. Fry; and Guy Reinbold.

James R. Caiola, Class of 1926, was a Norristown area attorney for nearly sixty years. Additionally, Mr. Caiola was very active in his community and was instrumental in the founding of the Norristown Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, No. 31. He also prepared the first pension plan for police officers and was active with Camp Rainbow, a camp for underprivileged children. Mr. Caiola passed away in February of this year.

Salvatore P. Carfagno, Class of 1943, is also being honored for his notable accomplishments after graduation. Mr. Carfagno served as director of nuclear engineering and the head of the engineering department of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia from 1948 to 1989. Mr. Carfagno also served as a consultant to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and has published numerous technical papers and has given lectures throughout the United States and several foreign countries.

Carl G. Sander, Class of 1948, had an impressive career with Scott Paper Company where he served as a regional marketing manager. Therefore, he joined McCormick and Company where he served as managing director of a subsidiary in England. From 1976 to 1979, Mr. Sander continued his career in England with Country Kitchen Foods. Upon Mr. Sander's return to the United States in 1984, he demonstrated the spirit of entrepreneurship and started his own company, the Carl G. Sander Co., a food brokerage company in Jacksonville, Florida.

David G. Fry, Class of 1973, is the head of the structural chemistry department of Hoffman-LaRoche Company in New Jersey. He has published more than 35 research papers and is involved in numerous research programs for drugs intended to combat both hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.

Guy Reinbold, Class of 1974, has had an outstanding career in the hospitality industry. He has worked as the director of food and beverage services at the Marriot Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore and he has previously worked locally at both the Whitford Country Club and the Chadds Ford Inn. In 1999, he was appointed the director of culinary development for Marriot Hotels and, in 2000, he was named vice president of culinary for Marriot International.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise and recognize these remarkable and talented individuals who have all excelled in their respective fields and brought honor to the Norristown Area High School and Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Senior Companion Program, SCP, of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

The SCP of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania provides an innovative service for senior citizens in need of additional home care, but who are not yet ready to enter a nursing home. The Montgomery County SCP is the sixth of its kind in Pennsylvania and the 250th SCP in the United States.

The SCP of Montgomery County has been in existence since September 2003. Since that time, the SCP of Montgomery County has worked diligently to help senior citizens remain independent at home as long as possible by having their volunteers, or ``Companions,'' make visits to the seniors' homes and provide care and companionship.

The Companions of the SCP are usually low-income senior citizens, committing 20 to 40 hours a week to help other seniors who are frail and in need of additional help. The Companions receive a small, tax- free stipend for their time spent volunteering. During the visits, the Companions engage in all sorts of daily activities from helping seniors with correspondence, monitoring medications, playing games, exercising, helping with errands and appointments, and sharing meals. These activities help seniors continue to lead a regular, active life. The Companions of SCP can also provide much-needed relief for the caregiver in the seniors' home.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the Senior Companion Program of Montgomery County. The SCP Companions play a significant role in the Montgomery County community by giving back to its citizens in very important ways. They have worked to improve the overall quality of life for over 200 senior citizens by giving them the extra help they need in order to remain self-sufficient in their homes.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, October 17, 2005, I was unable to be present on the floor to vote on rollcall votes Nos. 521, 522 and 523. If I had been present, on rollcall vote 521 I would have voted ``yea,'' on rollcall vote 522 I would have voted ``yea,'' and on rollcall vote 523 I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe, Pennsylvania on the occasion of their 275th anniversary.

The Augustus Lutheran Congregation was founded with its first baptism on May 8, 1730. From there, the first church was built. Originally described by an early Church press release as a ``shrine of Lutheranism,'' the Augustus Lutheran Church has diligently served its community since 1743. The first church building was constructed by its first pastor, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. Its construction, according to church documents, marks the beginning of the Lutheran movement in America.

This unique church also stands as an extraordinary symbol that emphasizes the impressive 275 years that the Augustus' ministry has served its community in Pennsylvania. The Augustus Lutheran Church has always had a close and reciprocal relationship with its community. Prior to the construction of the Church, the Augustus congregation built the first schoolhouse in Providence Township, Pennsylvania, where Muhlenberg served as one of the teachers. Consequently, in 1743 when the congregation decided to build a church, men in the community donated their labor and materials by hauling stone and timber, while the women and children split and shaved shingles for the roof. The official dedication ceremony took place on October 6, 1745 when a dedicatory stone was placed in the wall over the main entrance. In 1751, the gallery was erected to house the newly purchased pipe organ that was brought from Europe. This pipe organ was unique in that it was one of first pipe organs in any country church in America.

As the congregation grew throughout the next one hundred years, so did the need for a new church that could adequately accommodate its members. In 1852, a new cornerstone was laid and a new brick church was constructed. Throughout the following years, extensive reconstruction was done on the new church. Sunday school facilities were created, the pulpit was refurnished, and the pipe organ was electrified and enlarged by the addition of an echo organ chamber and chimes. In 1960, a new parish house was added and in 1987, new stained glass windows were added. Today, the Augustus Lutheran Congregation has grown substantially to include 480 families with 1,000 baptized members.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the Augustus Lutheran Church for its rich and honored history and its exemplary contributions to the religious and community life of the Trappe area for the past 275 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Comcast Cable Communications for their contributions to community service and volunteerism as demonstrated in their unique one-day Comcast Cares Day volunteer community project.

Comcast Cable Communications has an impressive history of investing in the people and the communities that they serve. From its founding more that 40 years ago, Comcast has diligently given back to its communities through various community outreach programs. In 1997, Comcast employees and their families participated in the Philadelphia Cares Day. The Philadelphia Cares Day began as a day of city-wide community service in the Comcast headquarters' hometown. Over the next several years, Philadelphia Cares Day became what is now known as Comcast Cares Day. Today, Comcast Cares Day, the signature event of the company, is a national day of volunteer service for Comcast employees and their families in all the communities where Comcast operates.

The goal of Comcast Cable Corporation is to have 30,000 volunteers go into the communities the company serves and give back by improving the community aesthetically and by creating a stronger social presence for the company. At each event, Comcast goes out of their way to provide free manpower, supplies, and refreshment for each event. Most importantly, Comcast Cares Day unifies the company with the local community by working together towards a common goal.

In 2004, Comcast employees and their families volunteered to give back to their community during Comcast Cares Day. This inspiring group of individuals logged an estimated 180,000 hours worth of service in their respective communities. After such an impressive turnout in 2004, Comcast hopes to exceed their number of volunteers in 2005 by completing projects such as cleaning, painting, landscaping, preparing meals at food banks, and refurbishing community parks and recreation centers.

Specifically our area, the spirit of volunteerism and activities of Comcast employees' creates a positive impact on the Plymouth Township Community. One hundred and ninety volunteers will be recruited to work in Plymouth Township and they will address numerous community needs in a day of service to their fellow citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Comcast Cable Corporation for their commitment to volunteerism and community service, not only in Pennsylvania, but throughout the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lower Merion Conservancy during its 10th anniversary celebration. The Lower Merion Conservancy was formed in 1995 when the Lower Merion-Narberth Watershed Association merged with the Lower Merion Preservation Trust.

The Conservancy focuses on education, conservation and the preservation of historic resources and open space in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA. The Conservancy actively engages members of the community to participate in conservation through programs such as Stream Watch, in which individuals adopt a stream to monitor, and Bird Watch and Butterfly Watch, in which people identify and number species near their homes.

Additionally, the Conservancy has an easement program to protect Township properties and has forest restoration and native plant gardening programs. Folks from the Conservancy partner with school groups for educational programs with children, the highlight of which is the Children's Earth Day Forest. These projects emphasize to our young people the responsibility we all share to protect our natural resources.

I want to especially recognize the Conservancy's Executive Director, Mike Weilbacher. His leadership and efforts in educating the public about the environment and conservation have earned him awards from the Pennsylvania Resources Council, the Pennsylvania Wildlife Association and the Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education.

I am proud to represent an organization that has spent so many years in service of our environment and our community. I wish to extend my appreciation, and that of all those who have been helped by members of the Conservancy. I encourage my colleagues to join me in saluting the Lower Merion Conservancy on reaching this milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William F. Richardson on the occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service as the Executive Director of the Berks County Action Program in Pennsylvania.

As Executive Director of the Economic Opportunity Council and the Berks County Action Program (BCAP), Mr. Richardson has actively fought to mobilize the human and financial resources to combat poverty in the City of Reading and the County of Berks. Under Mr. Richardson's leadership, BCAP has initiated, coordinated, and implemented numerous social programs to fight against poverty. This organization is well known for its ability to stimulate activities within their local communities and for the services it continually provides for the low- income, financially distressed, and disadvantaged citizens in the area. These invaluable services include job training, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, housing, parenting classes, home management, child care classes, and substance abuse prevention.

In attempt to make a difference in the lives of the poor in his community, Mr. Richardson entered into community service as the assistant to former Mayor Victor Yarnell from 1968 to 1969. He then made the decision to leave City Hall and take a position as the assistant director for community liaison for the Reading Redevelopment Authority in 1969. In 1979, Mr. Richardson resigned from the Authority and came to his current position as the Executive Director of the Economic Opportunity Council.

Throughout the past 35 years, Mr. Richardson further proved his commitment to helping the less fortunate by participating as an active member of his community, serving on numerous boards, including those of the Reading Parking Authority and the Reading-Berks Human Relations Council. Mr. Richardson is also the president of the Greater Berks Food Bank.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this extraordinary gentleman and his selfless mission to help those in need and for the invaluable service he has so diligently provided. I wish him the very best of luck in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the East Brandywine Fire Company, Station 49, on the occasion of their 50th anniversary.

The East Brandywine Fire Company has a long and distinguished history of improving the quality of life within its community by providing the highest quality of emergency fire and medical service. Located in Guthriesville, Pennsylvania, the East Brandywine Fire Company proudly serves both East and West Brandywine Townships and a portion of Upper Uwchlan Township. The Company was formed out of necessity in 1955 when two devastating fires broke out and the existing fire companies didn't respond in a timely manner. Residents were upset by the slow response and decided to take matters into their own hands and form a fire company of their own. On April 12, 1956, a charter was drawn and the East Brandywine Fire Company had its first monthly meeting.

Today, the Company consists of 20 plus active members who are always on call. The members meet weekly for training and update themselves regularly on new fire training and rescue techniques so they can be prepared for any emergency situation they may be presented with. In total, the Company serves 26 square miles and approximately 14,000 people. Over the past 50 years, literally hundreds of men and women made significant contributions of time and effort to the Company.

An important asset of the East Brandywine Fire Company is the Ladies Auxiliary--an organization that has played multiple roles throughout the Company's history. The Auxiliary has brought in thousands of dollars by catering banquets, selling antiques, and hosting chicken barbeques in the community. Today, there are 90 members, 15 of which are active.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring the East Brandywine Fire Company, Station 49, for their invaluable service and contributions they have made to their community over the past 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Westwood Fire Company EMS in recognition of their dedicated service to the citizens of Chester County, Pennsylvania.

The Westwood Fire Company EMS was recently awarded the 2005 Pennsylvania State Ambulance Service of the Year Award. This prestigious award is given each year to an ambulance service that provides outstanding service to the residents and continued training and development for its community volunteers.

Founded in 1947, the Westwood Fire Company EMS provides fire, rescue, and EMS services to their local surrounding areas with competence and expertise. In the beginning, the Company had 13 original members. Today, they have expanded their numbers significantly with over 35 active firefighters, EMS personnel, and Fire Police officers.

The Westwood Fire Company EMT provides primary service to the Township of Valley and portions of East Fallowfield and Highland Townships. In these areas, the Company operates two pumpers, a pumper rescue, a brush unit, a traffic control unit, and a BLS ambulance. The Company responds to approximately 700 EMS calls per year and 350-fire/ rescue calls. Moreover, the Company further contributes to its community by providing automated external defibrillators at discounted prices for schools and community organizations. Additionally, in an effort to educate the community and keep themselves up to date on the latest rescue techniques, the Company frequently provides weekly training drills.

The services provided by the Westwood Fire Company EMS are free of charge and the Company depends solely on the countless volunteers who spend time away from their families so that they can help others in their community. In turn, the community frequently gives back to the Company by providing them with financial assistance that is used to help purchase supplies, apparatus, and essential equipment. This selfless attitude has helped the Company grow and prosper over the past 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the Westwood Fire Company EMS for its recognition as the 2005 Pennsylvania Ambulance Service of the Year and for the invaluable service they provide to their fellow citizens of Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and career of John Gurski. John was an outstanding father, teacher, and football coach who touched countless lives throughout his impressive career.

Coach Gurski began his career as a teacher and coach in the fall of 1964. He immediately established himself as one of the most well-liked and dedicated faculty members. During his first season coaching the football team, Coach Gurski took great interest in instilling drive, dedication, and spirit in the athletes he coached. Coach Gurski was often known to get on the football field with his team to teach the players particular tackling and blocking techniques. He was never afraid to get his hands dirty and be directly involved with his players and the coaching process. The football team took to his style of coaching and his personality immediately. They saw him not only as a great coach who could push them beyond their limits, but also as a dignified role model on which to base their own lives.

Coach Gurski had an impressive career at Wilson High School in Reading, Pennsylvania. He holds the Wilson High School coaching career record of 151-44-4 and a lifetime career record of 198-57-6. It is particularly impressive to note Coach Gurski's dedication to the sport of football and to touching the lives of students and athletes. He gave up a promising business career after graduating from the prestigious Wharton School of Business to coach football and he made an indelible impression on his athletes throughout his many years at Wilson High School.

The Wilson School District honored Coach Gurski on October 21, 1998, when the Wilson School Board of Education unanimously voted to rename its stadium the ``John Gurski Stadium.'' It was also decided that a monument would be erected inside the stadium in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Coach Gurski's leadership and coaching ability that positively shaped the lives of hundreds of young men that came through the Wilson High School. Unfortunately, Coach Gurski passed away on February 28, 2005. Nonetheless, his spirit and influence will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 3304.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Paoli Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America on its 94th birthday.

In 1911 at the Good Samaritan Church in Paoli, Pennsylvania, Paoli Troop 1 was established. Its name was derived from it being the first Boy Scout Troop in the Paoli area. The Reverend Horace A. Walton was the Troop's first Scoutmaster and he established two patrols within the Troop called the Wolves and the Lions. As the group grew in membership, three additional patrols were created. The Colour Patrol guarded and carried the Troop colors. Thereafter the Eagle Patrol was established and, most recently, the Fox Patrol was added in 2003.

At the outset, Paoli Troop 1 had significant challenges. They were poorly equipped in both uniform and camping gear. During World War I, Troop activity diminished due to the lack of available young men. Following the War, Colonel Clifton Lisle became Scoutmaster and the Charter was resurrected under a ``Group of Citizens'' as sponsor. In 1924, the Troop moved to Wayne, PA.

Tradition has always been the foundation of Paoli Troop 1. Adherence to the Scout Law and Scout Oath constitute the bedrock principles of the Troop, but other traditions play an important role in the Troop's daily life, such as giving a sailor hat as a memento of the first summer trip. The Troop also adheres to the tradition of military dress (the wool shirt and military press) as started by Colonel Lisle. For 20 years, Richard T. ``Dick'' Bensing led the Troop until his retirement in 2004. Today, Scoutmaster Mike Manotta heads the Troop.

Paoli Troop 1's approaching 94th birthday is a wonderful achievement. With a rich, long history, the Troop has maintained its core purpose of promoting, maintaining, and carrying out the principles of the Boy Scouts of America and to work for the best interests of its members.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Paoli Troop 1 on its 94th birthday. The Troop's efforts to create a positive environment to shape our youth into exemplary role models and citizens is a marvelous contribution to our state and nation and we commemorate them for this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Victim Services Center (VSC) of Montgomery County, Inc. on its 30th anniversary.

In 1974, a group of five women from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania organized VSC, then called Women Against Rape, due to concerns over the lack of a sensitive and uniform response to victims of sexual assault. As awareness of sexual assault grew, the need to recognize that both men and women are victims, and that both sexes can contribute to the solution, transformed the agency into what was known as the Rape Crisis Center. In 1985, additional services were added to support victims of other serious crimes, including a victim witness program. To reflect this expansion of services, the name of the organization was subsequently changed to Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, Inc. and it is thus known today.

Victim Services Center has become a comprehensive crime victims organization that provides free, confidential 24-hour crisis intervention, advocacy, and counseling service to victims of crime and safety education programs to schools from preschool to college. It likewise provides outstanding training services to professionals and law enforcement personnel.

Approaching nearly 30 years of service, Victim Services Center has achieved a exemplary reputation in Montgomery County for confidential, supportive services that have aided thousands of people seeking help. Without the presence of Victim Services Center in the community, crime victims would be left to fend for themselves through a maze of government agencies and court proceedings, while also having to cope with the trauma of criminal victimization.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, Inc. on its 30th anniversary. The VSC's tremendous efforts in aiding victims of sexual assault and other crimes have truly made a difference in our community.

Mr. Speaker, on May 19, 2005, during consideration of H.R. 2361, I was absent during rollcall number 196. Unfortunately, the vote occurred earlier in the evening than was expected and I was unable to make it to the floor in time to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for the Rahall-Whitfield amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Pine Forge Athletic Association on the occasion of its 35th anniversary.

In 1970, the Pine Forge Athletic Association was founded by Merle Harner and Robert ``Skip'' Trainer. Both men had young children who wanted to be involved in youth sports, but the neighboring area sports programs were overcrowded. Mr. Harner and Mr. Trainer took it upon themselves to create the Pine Forge Athletic Association in order to give the youth of the community an opportunity to play baseball and softball with their friends and neighbors.

The Association started with a philosophy and a mission to provide insightful instruction on the basic fundamentals of baseball and softball, while at the same time instilling the players with moral values and good sportsmanship. The Association also emphasized giving each team member an opportunity to play in each game.

The first team in 1970 had approximately 12-15 players and played at a small field at the Pine Forge Elementary School. Since the early 1970s, the Pine Forge Athletic Association has grown tremendously in size. Today, there are nine different divisions in the Association that accommodate players from the ages of five to nineteen. To accommodate the large number of participants, the Association utilizes at least fifteen different locations that host Little League, t-ball, softball, and a rookie league.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring not only the Pine Forge Athletic Association for the positive contributions it has made to the citizens of Berks County, Pennsylvania, but also Merle Harner and Robert ``Skip'' Trainer for helping with the positive development of the moral, physical, and emotional well-being of the young men and women who have participated in the Pine Forge Athletic Association over the past 35 years.