Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), S. 3406. I want to commend Majority Leader Hoyer and Chairman Miller for moving this bill so quickly after Senate passage late last week.

As the Education and Labor Committee said in its report on H.R. 3195, this bill provides ``an important step towards restoring the original intent of Congress. The scope of protection under the ADA was intended to be broad and inclusive. Unfortunately, the courts have narrowed the interpretation of disability and found that a large number of people with substantially limiting impairments are not to be considered people with disabilities.''

Unfortunately, the ADA has been misinterpreted by the courts resulting in a narrow view of those eligible to receive certain reasonable accommodations including individuals with learning disabilities. Historically, certain individuals with learning disabilities seeking accommodations in higher education--including high stakes exams--have seen their access to testing accommodations severely undercut by testing companies not willing to consider and support that learning disabilities are neurologically based, lifelong disabilities that may exist in students with high academic achievement because the individual has been able to cope and mitigate the negative impact while simultaneously being substantially limited in one or more major life activities.

Too many individuals with documented learning disabilities, including dyslexia, are denied access to easily administered and often low-cost accommodations that would make the critical difference in allowing them to demonstrate their knowledge. These amendments to the ADA do not provide any special treatment, but rather, ensure that each individual with a learning disability has every opportunity to apply for and receive a reasonable accommodation so he/she can move forward in his/ her chosen educational and career paths.

This bill continues to reinforce what we stated in our bipartisan committee report, that ``the determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity is to be made on an individualized basis.'' There should be no attempt to discriminate against a class of individuals based on any one disability. For example, people with dyslexia are diagnosed based on an unexpected difficulty in reading. This requires a careful analysis of the method and manner in which this impairment substantially limits an individual's ability to read, which may mean a difference in the duration, condition or manner of reading--for example, taking more time--but may not result in a less capable reader.

Together, we can ensure that the ADA is accurately interpreted to provide access to accommodations for those that have appropriately documented disabilities. By supporting and fostering the academic potential for these individuals, we reap the benefits when talented, ambitious and creative individuals are able to fulfill their education dreams and contribute in a meaningful way to our society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 1335, introduced by my friend and colleague Mr. Hodes, which rightly celebrates the 120-year partnership between Government and State veterans homes.

State Veterans Homes are a critical part of the care our veterans receive after serving our country. In my State of Connecticut, the State Department of Veterans Affairs has provided care for Veterans and their dependents for 144 years, since the opening of Fitch's Home for Soldiers and Their Orphans in Darien, Connecticut on July 4, 1864--the first such facility in the Nation. In 1940, the Fitch home became the Connecticut State Veterans hospital and was relocated to Rocky Hill, Connecticut, where Connecticut veterans today continue to receive a spectrum of care and assistance they so urgently need from dedicated professionals and volunteers.

In just a few weeks, Connecticut veterans will benefit from the opening of the first major new facility in Rocky Hill in over 65 years. The new veterans care facility will provide modern, state of the art care for Alzheimer's and hospice patients. From the new rooms that provide patients with long-needed privacy, to expanded lounge areas and family dining facilities that allow veterans to spend time with their families in a private and comfortable setting, the new facility will ensure that Connecticut veterans receive the dignified treatment they deserve. This exciting improvement was made possible by a strong Federal commitment to the State Home Construction Grant Program, which for 44 years has helped States like Connecticut meet the ever- increasing needs of our veterans by investing in long-term capital improvement projects.

I had the honor of visiting the Rocky Hill facility just this past weekend, where I attended Stand Down 2008. This one-day event is an annual outreach and support program that helps needy and homeless veterans to receive services and information from over 30 State, Federal and private organizations all assembled in one location. During my visit, I observed countless volunteers from organization across the State helping needy and struggling veterans receive a variety of services, including medical screenings, dental exams, legal assistance, housing referrals, assistance with Federal VA benefits and disability claims, job counseling and training, financial assistance and debt counseling; education programs and services and everyday necessities such as free haircuts, clothing and supplies.

At last year's Stand Down, 750 needy veterans came to Rocky Hill to receive assistance. This year, that number is expected to reach 900 or more, an increase largely fueled by the growing needs of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the impact of the economic downturn on our neediest veterans. Our State Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Dr. Linda Schwartz, has helped bring new life into this yearly event, making it an effective way to ensure that veterans have access to the services and care they need. Under her leadership, Connecticut is stepping up to ensure that no veteran who has served their Nation is left behind. Yet, as gratifying as it was to see veterans being helped at Stand Down, the growth in the number of veterans taking advantage of the event is a stark reminder of how much more our Nation must do to ensure that our promise to those who have served is fulfilled.

I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking the countless professionals at the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, volunteers and organizations that came together at Connecticut's Stand Down in helping to make a difference in the lives or our veterans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the leaders of the Energy Efficiency Caucus, Representatives Mark Udall and Zach Wamp, for spearheading the Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo. More than 50 businesses from around the country will demonstrate their sustainable energy technologies.

Energy efficiency must be the cornerstone of our energy policy because it affords our country the ability to decrease demand for oil and other energy sources, thus reducing our overall energy consumption and increasing our national security. Congress must enact incentives to make sure that these technologies flourish.

As I travel across Connecticut's Second Congressional District, I have seen first-hand the innovation that businesses, school districts and families are employing to reduce their energy costs and reduce energy emissions.

Earlier this week, I attended a House field hearing in Hartford, Connecticut, at which the leaders of General Electric and United Technologies Corporation, both headquartered in Connecticut, discussed their energy efficient technologies. These two companies, like the ones exhibiting at the EXPO, have developed a variety of products for all sectors of the economy. At the same time, these companies are also seeing their own energy consumption and costs lowered as they embrace energy efficient technologies internally.

I encourage my colleagues to stop by the EXPO in the Cannon Caucus Room on Thursday anytime between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It is an opportunity to see innovation first-hand.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Montville Polish Club. On August 30, 2008, the club will commemorate 75 years of history with a night of celebration including traditional pierogi, kielbasa, and kapusta and Polish dancing.

In the midst of the Great Depression, John J. Smith, Sam Onuparik and John Emilyta, conceived the idea for a regional Polish-American club to help connect and empower citizens of Polish descent in Montville, Connecticut and surrounding communities. In 1932, with the help of Walter Walenczyk, these men were able to garner support from 33 additional members of the community. In October of that year, the Montville Polish Club convened their first meeting in the Papyis Hall in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In a time of great financial uncertainty, the Montville Polish Club offered hope and opportunity through continuity for members of the Polish community in eastern Connecticut. For newly arrived Polish immigrants, the club offered opportunities to acclimate to American life, providing English lessons, assistance with employment, and fellowship. For established Polish-American families, the club offered opportunity to preserve native cultures and traditions.

Today, the club remains an integral part of the eastern Connecticut community, hosting picnics, plays, parties, and dances. The club has also proven a civic leader, sponsoring countless youth organizations.

Madam Speaker, 75 years ago the Montville Polish Club was founded by a few Polish men with great hopes of bringing their community together. Today, with over 500 members, the club's continuity remains as strong as ever. I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in recognizing and celebrating the Montville Polish Club's 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, from 2001 to 2006, the cost of higher education exploded in this country. It went up 40 percent, destroying the dreams of too many young people and damaging our economy. During that time period, the Congress turned a deaf ear to that issue. The Pell Grant program had been basically frozen, and the interest rates for the Stafford Student Loan Program incredibly was increased.

Last year, under Mr. Miller's leadership, we passed the College Cost Reduction Act which addressed those two problems. This year we are finally addressing a piece of legislation that was 5 years overdue, the Higher Education Reauthorization Act which, as the prior speakers have said, will do many good things in terms of holding colleges and universities accountable for high costs, and also cleaning up unethical lending practices which had cropped up, and many students, so desperate to find access to money, fell victim to.

I urge support for this conference report which, again, has been long overdue for 5 years, and applaud the leadership of Mr. Miller, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Hinojosa in leading the Congress in a new direction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6578, the Consumer Energy Supply Act, which would require a 70 million barrel exchange of light oil from the SPR in exchange for heavier crude at a later date. I introduced similar legislation in May 2008 to exchange 50 million barrels of light crude oil.

I believe, it is critically important to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, SPR, to address our national energy crisis. The SPR was created to protect the United States from oil supply disruptions and is now more than 97 percent full, its highest level ever. Unfortunately, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration announced on July 23, 2008 that non SPR crude oil stocks are down more than 55 million barrels from a year ago and distillate stocks are only a few million barrels above last year's levels.

As I travel around Connecticut's Second Congressional District and meet with my constituents, I hear from families, school administrators and businesses about their concerns with high energy prices. While gasoline prices continue to hover above $4 per gallon in eastern Connecticut, residents and heating oil dealers are also concerned about the price and supply of heating oil this year.

At an April 2008 hearing before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, Melanie Kenderdine, with MIT and formerly of the Energy Department, testified that an exchange of 50 million barrels of light crude from the SPR ``could be expected to temporarily drive down oil prices without appreciably reducing the insurance value of the SPR in the near term.''

In 2000, when heating oil stocks were low, the Administration undertook an exchange of 30 million barrels of oil from the SPR and the impact on prices was immediate. All of the oil was refined, despite worries about refining capacity, and crude oil prices dropped almost 20 percent. In addition, there were sufficient heating oil supplies that winter.

We need more oil on the market now to bring down the price of crude oil and gasoline and before the cold New England winter sets in. That is why I introduced my legislation and why I recognize that even more oil is needed on the market than my bill required. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6578.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding academic leader from my district, Randall Collins, Superintendent of Waterford, Connecticut public schools. On July 24, he will be inducted as the 2008-2009 President of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in a ceremony to be held in St. Louis, Missouri.

For the past 18 years, Randy has dedicated his personal and professional life to the children, teachers, and faculty of the Waterford public school system in eastern Connecticut. Prior to joining the Waterford public school system, he was Superintendent of Easthampton, Massachusetts public schools. Over the course of his career, Randy has served as the President of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, Co-president of the New England Association of School Superintendents, and has been awarded with numerous accolades including Connecticut's 2002 Superintendent of the Year. Under Randy's leadership, four Waterford schools will also undergo a ``green overhaul'' to integrate green technologies such as geothermal heating and cooling pumps in the schools' infrastructure.

The AASA is a national association of educational professionals that advocate for improvements in our public education systems as well as for the advancement of children's issues. As President of the AASA, Randy will guide these objectives in a national context. Over the coming year, he will serve as Chairman of the AASA's national convention in San Francisco, travel to Peru to speak with the country's Ministers of Education, and discuss national educational priorities with members of Congress.

Madam Speaker, the success of our education systems relies on the strength and passion of our academic leaders. Mr. Collins has exemplified these traits and I remain confident that he will spark the same passion for children's education in his colleagues at the AASA. I ask my colleagues to join with me and my constituents in recognizing his significant contributions to public education and welcome him as the new AASA President.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of an outstanding citizen and constituent. Margaret Sullivan Wilson of Norwich, Connecticut passed away on Saturday July 12th. I want to take this opportunity to express my condolences and offer my prayers to her family, as well as honor her service to her community.

After graduating from Willimantic State Teachers' College and getting her Masters in Education from the University of Connecticut, Peg Sullivan returned home to Norwich, Connecticut to begin a teaching career. After 44 years of dedicated instruction--from elementary school to college--she retired as an Executive Dean at Eastern Connecticut State University, where she was honored in 2006 by the dedication of the Margaret S. Wilson Child Family Development Complex.

Her retirement from teaching did not end her tireless commitment to helping others. Peg was the President of the Thames Valley Council for Community Action; President of the Connecticut Mental Health Association; founder of Norwich, Connecticut's Head Start program; and in 2004, she founded the Norwich Historical Society. She also served on the Blue Ribbon Commission for the University of Connecticut Health Center, the White House Conference on Children and the National Commission to Reduce Infant Mortality.

She also dedicated herself to the change she believed would help her compatriots. She served on the Norwich Board of Education, the Democratic Town Committee and as a delegate to the 1968 and 1972 Democratic National Conventions.

Her dedication to early childhood education and educational reform of all kinds did not go unnoticed. She was honored by the Norwich Citizen of the Year Award in 1970 and Natchaug Hospital Lifetime Achievement Award in May of this year.

Peg Wilson will live on through the memory of her achievements and the achievements by those she inspired. Peg, we in Congress honor your great service and you will truly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1067) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the crossing of the North Pole by the USS Nautilus (SSN 571) and its significance in the history of both our Nation and the world.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, as the author of House Resolution 1067, I rise today in strong support, which honors an important anniversary not only to my district but to our Navy and our country.

In June 1958, the USS Nautilus (SSN 571), the world's first nuclear- powered submarine, departed Seattle, Oregon, as part of a top secret operation called Operation Sunshine. Unknown to many at the time, the Nautilus was embarking on a historic mission that took it on a course north to the arctic ice cap. At 11:15 p.m. on August 3, 1958, the boat became the first vessel to cross the geographic North Pole when Commander William Anderson, Nautilus' commanding officer, announced to his crew: ``For the world, our country, and the Navy--the North Pole.''

This historic crossing of 90 North took place at a critical time in our Nation's history: the Cold War was heating up; the Soviet Union had seemingly laid claim to space with the launch of Sputnik; and many Americans and many around the world were looking for something to rally around, a sign that we were not ceding big ideas and notable achievements to others. Nautilus' sonar man, Al Charette, one of my constituents, described their journey as an effort to out-Sputnik the Russians and they did it.

Few on board the Nautilus realized the scope of their achievement. They were simply sailors doing their job and doing it well. However, on reaching the North Pole, the Nautilus clearly demonstrated our undersea superiority and opened the region to decades of scientific research and exploration.

The crossing of the North Pole was praised by numerous world leaders at the time, being described by President Eisenhower as a magnificent achievement from which the entire free world would benefit. A ticker tape parade was held in honor of the crew in New York City. The Nautilus became the first naval vessel in peacetime to receive the Presidential Unit Citation for its meritorious efforts in crossing the North Pole, and Commander William R. Anderson was awarded the Legion of Merit.

In the 50 years since, the United States Navy and Coast Guard have repeatedly followed in the footsteps of this historic voyage. Dozens of U.S. submarines, in addition to specially fitted vessels and general aircraft of the United States Coast Guard, have journeyed to the top of the world in service to their country and to reinforce our Arctic presence. These submarines and their intrepid crews have broken through the surface, charted new courses, and expanded our knowledge of the Arctic.

I myself have had the unique opportunity to see this work firsthand when I traveled aboard the USS Alexandria, a Groton-based submarine, to observe the 2007 Ice Exercises in the Arctic Circle. While the technology and capabilities of our submarines has changed in the 50 years since the Nautilus' journey, the unmatched skill, the dedication and the talent of our submariners continues to allow our Nation to retain an important presence in this critical part of the world.

I just want to add, Mr. Speaker, having the opportunity again to be onboard a submarine under the ice just reinforces to me anyway the incredible accomplishment of the Nautilus. At

the time, scientific opinion believed that it was physically impossible for a submarine to pass under the North Pole because of blockages by the ice and the shifting movements of the ice under the North Pole. This was a vessel which was completely and utterly alone at the time. If there was any accident, if there was any problem, basically they were completely on their own and had no means of any type of rescue or support.

Built and launched at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, on January 21, 1954, the Nautilus was the first vessel in the world to be powered by nuclear power. After claiming their historic milestone at 90 North and returning home to Naval Base New London, the Nautilus continued to establish a series of naval records in her distinguished 25-year career, including being the first submarine to journey 20,000 leagues under the sea.

The history and legacy of the Nautilus is not the only meaningful story to my congressional district but to the entire submarine force and to our Nation. Today, the Nautilus proudly serves as a museum where visitors from around the world come to learn about both her history- making service to our country and the role of the submarine force in securing our Nation. The Nautilus truly helped set the tone as the standard bearer for the submarine force, and achievements like the crossing of 90 North both proved the capabilities of our Nation at a critical time in our history and raised the bar for all who came after her.

Too often the critical achievements of our submarine force, our silent service, go unnoticed. The resolution today rightfully honors not only the officers and crew of the Nautilus but all those who played a part in her success, from the highest levels of our government, to the countless support ships and personnel who helped her along the way, and finally, the talented workforce at Electric Boat who gave us the first and finest submarine in our history.

I would like to enter two articles from the New London Day into the Record, one highlighting the opening of the new exhibit at the Submarine Force Museum in Groton and an editorial praising the achievements of the Nautilus and her crew.

I will also enter into the Record at a later date a list of the crew who journeyed to 90 North so that their names will be tied to the historic achievements in today's resolution.

I want to thank the Commander of the naval submarine base in New London, Captain Mark Ginda, who first planted the idea for this resolution in my staff's mind. And in addition, since I introduced H. Res. 1067, my office has received nearly 50 e-mails from individuals all across the country who served or whose loved ones served aboard the Nautilus' journey to 90 North. I want to thank them for their comments and their strong support. In particular, I want to thank Captain Anderson's widow, who I met at the Farragut Square anniversary service for the submarine force earlier this year, who was just an incredibly gracious, wonderful person who has done everything that she can to make sure that the memory of this incredible achievement is brought forth to young people all across the country and is a strong supporter of our Navy.

And most especially, I want to recognize the veterans of the Nautilus' journey to 90 North that I am privileged to represent here in Congress. We are all proud of them and the legacy they have established for our submarine force and our Nation.

H. Res. 1067 is a much-deserved recognition of the important role the submarine force plays in the security of our Nation, and I urge its passage.

[From the New London Day, June 30, 2008]

50 Years Later, ``Nautilus'' Crew Still Feels It Could Repeat Polar

Feat

(By Jennifer Grogan)

Groton.--Former USS Nautilus crew members say it does not

seem like 50 years have passed since they made their historic

crossing of the North Pole under the ice cap, and that if the

Navy would kindly give them another nuclear power plant, they

could man their ship and head back out to sea.

``When you first join the Navy and look forward to 20 years

and retirement, you say, `That's forever.' I put 28 in and it

seems like it all happened just yesterday,'' said Al

Charette, a sonarman on board for the North Pole trip.

``Every time we have a reunion, the crew thinks we should go

out and get that ship underway. We're ready. We're still a

crew.''

``We remember each little feature of rigging it for dive.

We feel very confident we could do that again,'' said Jack

Kurrus, an engineman also on the trip. ``Wouldn't it be nice

to go to sea one more time?''

Nautilus (SSN 571) left Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on July 23,

1958, under top-secret orders to conduct Operation Sunshine,

the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship. About 10

months earlier, the Soviet Union had launched the first

artificial satellite into space.

``We wanted to out-Sputnik the Russians,'' Charette said.

The crew of 116 men reached the North Pole at 11:15 p.m. on

Aug. 3, 1958. They received the Presidential Unit Citation,

the first ever issued in peacetime.

Charette, Kurrus and another former crew member, Joe

Degnan, were at the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum Friday

for the unveiling of a new exhibit that commemorates the 50th

anniversary of their voyage. The exhibit, which includes

artifacts and previously unpublished color images, runs

through March 2009.

The successful 1958 trip was not the Nautilus' first

attempt to cross from the Pacific to the Atlantic over the

top of the world.

The crew was in the Arctic a year earlier to see how the

submarine would operate under the ice. When the ship lost

power to its gyrocompasses, Cmdr. William R. Anderson gave

the order to turn back because there was no way to fix the

ship's position.

``We spent 72 hours trying to find our way out and that was

really, really scary,'' Kurrus said.

Nautilus visited the Pacific in 1958, under the cover of

teaching those in the Pacific Fleet about nuclear submarines.

The submarine headed to the North Pole but encountered heavy

ice and shallow water on the way. At one point, the 320-foot

submarine had just a few feet of water over its sail and

about 20 feet below the keel.

The crew returned to Pearl Harbor and waited a month for

the ice to break up and melt before making another attempt to

go to Portland, England, by way of the North Pole.

Kenneth Carr, who was then a lieutenant and later retired

as a vice admiral, said it was ``pretty routine on board'' as

they neared 90 degrees North on Aug. 3, 1958.

Carr said he asked the scientist on the trip, ``how will we

know we crossed the pole?'' Dr. Waldo K. Lyon pointed to a

machine with a green dot going around in a circle.

``He said the dot would stop and go in the other direction,

and it did,'' Carr said. ``It wasn't anything dramatic.''

Once the Nautilus surfaced, Anderson sent a message to the

Navy--``Nautilus 90 North.''

``I'm not sure we really appreciated the depth of what had

just happened, and I think it was a long time before any of

us realized it,'' Charette said. ``All we knew was when we

ended up in England, everyone and their brother wanted an

autograph.''

Those on board nicknamed themselves PANOPOs, an acronym

from the phrase from the Pacific to the Atlantic via the

North Pole. A ``Welcome Home PANOPOs'' banner is one of the

artifacts on display in the new exhibit. Sarah Martin, who

works at the Naval Submarine Base, was the graphic designer

for the exhibit.

Several events are planned at the museum leading up to the

anniversary, including a book signing and lecture by Alfred

McLaren about the USS Queenfish on July 12 and by Don Keith

about the Nautilus on Aug. 2, and a ceremony on the Nautilus

Aug. 3.

The Nautilus Alumni Association is planning a reunion Sept.

25-28 at the Groton Inn and Suites.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for his strong support for this measure, and just for the record indicate that on August 3 the Nautilus Museum will be holding a formal event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this, again, incredible scientific and historic achievement by the U.S. Navy. Again, I just want to salute the efforts of all those people involved and urge passage of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1080) honoring the extraordinary service and exceptional sacrifice of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), known as the Screaming Eagles, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1080, honoring the extraordinary service and exceptional sacrifice of the 101st Airborne Division, more commonly known as the Screaming Eagles.

On August 16, 1942, the day the 101st Airborne Division was activated, Major General William C. Lee observed that ``The 101st has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny.'' Since that day over 60 years ago, the 101st Airborne Division has distinguished itself time and again.

Currently headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the 101st Airborne Division has faithfully answered America's call to service and has a distinguished history as the only air assault division in the world. The division cleared the way for the 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions at Omaha and Utah Beach on D-day in Normandy.

One of the most notable of the Screaming Eagles' achievements was the defense of Bastogne, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, where the division was surrounded by advancing enemy forces who demanded their immediate surrender. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe led the 101st through the siege, which was broken on December 26, 1944.

The division again proved its laudable skill and courage fighting bitter battles in Vietnam. The 101st established an extraordinary helicopter force of troops trained and ready for combat in Vietnam. Dense jungle and uneven terrain made the use of helicopters highly desirable for maneuverability and aided in the Tet Offensive.

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Mobile) was designated the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in October 1974. The Screaming Eagles continued their rendezvous with destiny by faithfully completing combat missions in the Middle East, and humanitarian and peacekeeping missions in Rwanda, Somalia, Haiti, and in Bosnia. During the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the division

conducted the largest air assault in history.

Today, the 101st continues their history of exemplary combat service to our Nation in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of men and women proudly wear the patch of the Screaming Eagle on their right shoulder as they deploy to defend the liberties that we enjoy here in the United States. Today, we recognize the Screaming Eagles and the hundreds of thousands of their brethren in uniform who volunteer to defend our Nation each and every day.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again, I just want to salute Mr. Whitfield's and Mr. Rogers' fine comments. They've said it all.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 295) expressing the deepest appreciation of Congress to the families of members of the United States Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Current Resolution 295, which expresses the deep appreciation of Congress to the families of members of the United States Armed Services.

Over 2 million American men and women are serving in the Armed Forces today. These military men and women have parents, spouses, and children who are being asked to sacrifice their time with their loved one. Given the high operational tempo, these families have faced continued and sustained separation from their servicemember, many of whom have been deployed more than one time.

Living without the support of a beloved servicemember can be a daily struggle, and especially so for young children. Even so, our military families rise to the challenge with incredible strength and perseverance. These families are proud to know that the sacrifices that they and their loved one makes are to serve the country they love.

When a member returns home, it is our military families who are there for warriors. They provide our first line of defense to ensure that warriors who are wounded or need assistance receive the help that they have earned and deserve. Families are often the first to identify the needs of their loved one and to help ensure that those needs are met. Many families have made tremendous sacrifices to support their wounded warrior, often giving up their own personal goals to ensure that our wounded warriors are well cared for.

Military families are also unsurpassed in their devotion to their military communities. We depend on military family members who volunteer to support units and other families. As the demand has only increased over time with repeated deployments, the responsibilities that these family members have undertaken has also increased tenfold. These are Americans who answer the call in their hearts to serve the men and women who protect our homeland. Their strength, compassion, and unselfish sacrifice truly epitomize all that is good about the American spirit.

House Concurrent Resolution 295 is our way in the Congress of expressing our sincerest appreciation to our military families for the unwavering support that they give to the men and women who serve to keep the United States safe. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this very important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague and leader, the distinguished chairman of the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 297) recognizing the 60th anniversary of the integration of the United States Armed Forces, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 297, which recognizes the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the integration of the Armed Forces.

Our military men and women are representative of the fabric of American society. They originate from every region of the world and represent the beautiful diversity of our planet. They bring forth with them a wide array of diverse talents and skill sets that has long made the U.S. military the superpower it is today.

House Concurrent Resolution 297 celebrates the 60th anniversary of President Harry Truman's 1948 executive order declaring that the equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the Armed Forces was the policy of the President. We celebrate this seminal event in our Nation's history for installing the democratic ideals of equality in our military and our country.

During the Second World War, the Tuskegee Airmen broke the color barrier within the Armed Forces to become the first black pilots, navigators, and bombardiers. It was the impenetrable code created from the Navajo language and utilized by the Navajo Code Talkers that helped save lives in the Pacific. Japanese American soldiers volunteered to serve in uniform while their families were held in concentration camps in the United States. It was the ingenuity of refugee scientists escaping anti-Semitism in their homeland that led to the American acquisition of nuclear technology. Diversity has made our Armed Forces and our Nation safer and stronger.

Unfortunately, our Armed Forces was once a place of discrimination and segregation. Many Americans of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent who served in the Armed Forces struggled against frequent episodes of racism and bigotry. Often these American servicemembers felt that they were fighting two wars, one against a foreign enemy and the other against racism from within their own ranks.

Despite great adversity, Americans of minority descent proudly served with honor and bravery, above and beyond the call of duty. We in Congress recognize their contributions and honor them for their sacrifices. The bravery and sacrifice of all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of race, color, or creed, will always be a matter of national honor.

Today the multi-racial makeup of our troops is a testament to the democratic ideals that all Americans hold dear, that all men and women are created equal. Our diverse forces serve as a proud example for the rest of the world in these times of racial and religious intolerance.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague, the distinguished chairman of the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from the State of Missouri, the same State that brought us President Harry Truman, Mr. Ike Skelton.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey who serves on the Education and Labor Committee, Mr. Payne.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act, a wonderful piece of legislation which will preserve both our country's rich history but also its unique environment.

In the spring of 1781, French General Rochambeau and his army of nearly 5,300 men embarked on an expedition from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, Virginia, to aid General George Washington and the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. After traveling through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, General Rochambeau joined forces with General Washington in Philipsburg, New York, forming a

Franco-American alliance. The Franco-American forces then traveled through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, eventually arriving at Yorktown. At Yorktown, General Washington and the Continental Army, with the aid of General Rochambeau and his men, secured a decisive victory against General Cornwallis, effectively igniting a successful end to the American Revolutionary War and laying the groundwork for the creation of our new Nation.

Mr. Chairman, the Newport to Yorktown route that General Washington and General Rochambeau led their forces through reflects an indispensible piece of American history. Today, we have an opportunity to preserve this historically and ecologically significant route by passing the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act. The legislation, introduced by my esteemed colleague, Representative Maurice Hinchey, will amend the National Trails System Act to designate the route as a national historic trail. Under this legislation, the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail will preserve a corridor approximately 600 miles long, from Newport to Yorktown in nine States and the District of Columbia. The Washington-Rochambeau Trail will include a section in my district in eastern Connecticut.

During General Rochambeau's journey to Yorktown, communities in Connecticut served an invaluable role with ensuring the success of General Rochambeau's mission, supplying necessary supplies to his troops. In June of 1781, General Rochambeau and his men began their march through Connecticut before joining forces with General Washington in Philipsburg, New York. In eastern Connecticut, the army established camps in Plainfield, Windham, and Bolton before arriving in Hartford. On the return trip, in October 1782, the Franco-American force again marched through the State after victory in Yorktown. In total, General Rochambeau's army made 47 stops in the State between the journey to and from Yorktown. The Washington-Rochambeau Trail will preserve these sites and educate residents and visitors on the significance of this piece of American history.

Mr. Chairman, as urban sprawl continues to threaten the integrity of this route, the passage of this legislation is needed now more than ever. Many of Connecticut's avid historians and devout naturalists are anxious to celebrate the bill's passage. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act, to ensure this historic route is preserved for current and future generations.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday on the ``Lee Elci Show,'' in New London, Connecticut, Bill from Groton called in while I was on and informed us that to lock in for next winter in Connecticut, it costs now $5.80 a gallon.

Mr. Speaker, we've heard a lot about the hardship of high gas prices. If home heating oil stays at those levels, there will be a catastrophe this winter in terms of keeping people alive because they cannot afford those prices. All of the proposals we've heard from the other side are going to take 20 years, even if it goes perfectly according to plan. People need relief now.

President Bush, with one stroke of the pen, could release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. We would have more oil into the market in 13 days. That's the type of short-term relief that consumers, particularly in the northern parts of this country, need if they are going to survive this winter.

We doubled the size of energy assistance in the Democratic budget. The Bush plan would have cut energy assistance incredibly given the fact that these prices are going through the roof. We need Democratic priorities to provide short-term relief and long-term solutions for the American consumer.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation today that will restore fairness for our military technicians, who work every day in Connecticut and across the Nation to support our National Guard.

If the National Guard serves as the backbone of our military, then our military technicians serve as the backbone of our National Guard. They play a critical role in ensuring that our National Guard is ready to respond and deploy in support of military operations abroad by supporting the training, equipment repair and restoration, logistics and other critical functions.

Military technicians are known as ``dual-status'' employees, through which they must retain membership in the Air or Army National Guard in their State in order to maintain full-time employment as a technician. Dual-status military technicians are subject to the restrictions of the Technician Act of 1969, 32 USC 709, and other provisions of the law under which they are specifically prohibited from receiving certain benefits and rights available to them as members of the National Guard, such as reenlistment bonuses and student loan repayment assistance. In addition, if a member of the National Guard becomes a technician within 6 months of receiving an enlistment or reenlistment bonus, the Department of Defense can, and often does, require them to pay back those bonuses.

The law also fails to fairly compensate technicians for the increased overtime hours that technicians must work to fulfill their mission by providing technicians compensatory time, rather than monetary compensation, in return for overtime work. Many technicians cannot use the compensatory time without impacting time-sensitive military work schedules and, with the military's current ``use it or lose it'' policy under which such time is lost if unused within 21 pay cycles, many technicians face the prospect of losing the time off they have earned.

Last summer, I had the chance to visit the 1109th Aviation Classification and Repair Depot, AVCRAD, in Groton and see first hand the work they were doing to support of our National Guard. There, nearly 300 military technicians provide maintenance and logistics for aircraft and equipment for 14 States across the northeast and supports Connecticut's fleet of Black Hawk helicopters. During my visit, the leadership of the unit described how busy the facility has been over the past several years. They've literally been burning the midnight oil in trying to keep up with the demand of keeping equipment repaired and ready to deploy. It's an incredible operation, and one that is

just so important to our military serving in harm's way.

Just recently, about 150 members of the AVCRAD--many of them military technicians--deployed just last week in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Yet, as these technicians deploy abroad side by side with their fellow guardsmen, they are not treated equally because of their full time employment as a military technician. At a time when we rely on military technicians more than ever to ensure that our Armed Forces are ready to serve, I strongly believe that we must do more to support, recruit and retain both our skilled military technicians and dedicated members of the National Guard. We must update outdated 30-year-old laws to ensure that they adequately reflect the challenges and needs of today's military technician.

The bill I am introducing today, the National Guard Technician Recruitment and Retention Act, would restore fairness for our National Guard technicians. The bill ensures that no military technician is denied the opportunity to receive an enlistment or reenlistment bonus for their service in the National Guard, that they are given the opportunity to participate in a student loan repayment program and are not required to repay bonuses they receive for their service in the National Guard if they accept a position as a military technician. And, the bill will repeal the overtime prohibition against overtime pay for National Guard technicians and instead provide for flexibility in overtime compensation by allowing military technicians to chose between compensatory time or overtime pay at one and a half times their basic rate of pay--whatever suits their individual situation and needs.

Madam Speaker, if a military technician can train, serve and deploy as a member of the National Guard, I do not think it is too much for them to ask to keep the benefits they deserve for their service in the National Guard. With all we ask of them today, I simply disagree with the notion that a member of the National Guard has to give up the benefits they are entitled to because they chose to serve their Nation as a military technician. Military technicians are the ones that keep the National Guard ready to serve--and it is time that we serve them.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.