Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the AbilityOne Program for its success this past year in helping 43,000 blind and disabled Americans gain skills and training necessary to be successful in the workforce.

The AbilityOne Program provides much-needed employment opportunities by using the purchasing power of the Federal Government to buy products and services from participating community-based nonprofit agencies that are dedicated to training and employing individuals with disabilities. New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc., a community partner in the AbilityOne program within my own district, stands as a shining example of why this program is a winning proposition for all parties involved.

This past year, New Horizons employed over 70 individuals with severe disabilities through AbilityOne contracts. With the help of AbilityOne and other programs, New Horizons supported over 2,500 individuals in the community.

The direct impact of these organizations on the lives of disabled Americans cannot be overstated. For an individual with a severe disability who has never had the opportunity to

hold a job, be independent, participate in the community, or play an important role in society; the AbilityOne program and organizations like New Horizons are invaluable.

Madam Speaker, I commend the efforts of the President and CEO of New Horizons Stan Gramke, his staff, and the AbilityOne Program for their dedication and commitment to helping blind and disabled citizens find employment, live fuller lives, and become active members of society. I would also like to commend every AbilityOne Program on a job well done.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009. The information provided for each earmark consists of the recipient, name of the project, account, funding level, and the justification for the use of taxpayer dollars.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 33.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages Case Resolution Program-- $2.4 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Automation Alley, 2675 Bellingham, Troy, Michigan 48083.

Earmark Description: The program will significantly reduce the Tank- Automotive and Armaments Life Cycle Management Command's (TACOM LCMC) total ownership costs for weapons systems sustainment by using a center for directing the researching of diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS) cases affecting TACOM LCMC, designing engineering solutions for cases, and testing alternatives for obsolete parts and higher-level assemblies. Automation Alley will research and develop a new process of alleviating the DMSMS problem by providing an efficient location of companies willing and able to re-engineer, test, evaluate, and manufacture obsolete components and thereby reduce cost to TACOM LCMC who must resolve these issues. This work will be managed daily in the form of an off-base industry outreach office with Automation Alley engineers and members of the TARDEC DMSMS team interacting with industry on a five-days-a-week basis for approximately five years based on funding levels. The funding will be used for engineering personnel, engineering research, and operations and overhead.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 33.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: End-to-End Vehicle Survivability Technology--$1.6 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Badenoch, LLC., 1040 East Maple Road, Suite 101, Birmingham, Michigan 48009.

Earmark Description: The focus of the program is to build a lightweight, survivable tactical wheeled vehicle demonstrator showcasing advanced materials and manufacturing techniques that will enable low-cost, high volume production of future systems. In addition to addressing all seven forensic causes of death and serious injury, the demonstrator will be difficult to see or hear, have a low acquisition signature, and be highly maneuverable. The vehicle will comprehensively address the challenge of tactical vehicle survivability. Non-traditional techniques and personnel from the automotive and motor racing world will be employed to optimize solutions to this complex problem. Common threat modalities will be evaluated along the end-to-end chain from the energetic event to the human physiology using best practices in modeling and physical testing. Thus, the program will leverage the best techniques available and establish a generalized, comprehensive, durable methodology for evaluating vehicle survivability. The funding will be used for engineers and material and other development costs.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 30.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: National Oncogenomics and Molecular Imaging Center--$3.2 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R., Detroit, Michigan 48201.

Earmark Description: This project will develop technology to diagnose human cancer by defining oncogene signatures which characterize cancers in patients. Karmanos Cancer Institute will provide imaging technology capable of greatly improving detection of genes that cause cancer and measure treatment response. The goal of this collaborative research under the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command is to develop and implement the technology to perform sophisticated molecular- etiologic diagnostics in human cancer tissue, and to use that information to identify new cancer targets and make far better predictions regarding a cancer patient's response to molecular targeted therapies. The funding will be used for genomics equipment, model costs, computing and bioinformatic, salaries for lead scientists and research support personnel, patient imaging equipment, and animal imaging equipment.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 33.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles (HHV) for the Tactical Wheeled Fleet--$800,000.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Bosch Rexroth Corporation, 2730 Research Drive, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309.

Earmark Description: This program will significantly reduce target vehicle consumption with consequent cost savings and reduction logistic footprint. Reduction in brake wear will reduce maintenance, replacement costs and vehicle downtime. Improved acceleration will improve performance, mobility and load capacity, particularly when TWVs are fitted with improved crew protection. Concept demonstration tests indicate fuel savings up to 60 percent can be achieved. Targeted end result is implementation into full range of TWV including JLTV variants. The funding will be used for design and development of a hybrid system, engineering and labor, operations and overhead, materials including hybrid system hardware, and testing.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Navy RDTE Line 5.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Standoff Explosive Detection System (SEDS)--$1.6 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: BOSSdev, Inc. 700 Tower Drive, Suite 500, Troy, Michigan 48098.

Earmark Description: This program will support a U.S. Navy/Marine Corps research and development project to develop a mobile, vehicle- mounted, improvised explosive device (IED) detector that will be able to quickly and safely detect the explosives in a buried IED from a standoff distance of 20 meters or more in front of a moving vehicle. This project, called the Standoff Explosives Detection System (SEDS), is based on a proven sensing technology known as Thermal Neutron Activation Analysis. In summary, the system will utilize a scanning thermal neutron beam to stimulate the nitrogen in buried or concealed explosives causing the nitrogen to emit gamma

rays. In turn, the gamma rays emitted from the explosives will be detected by a gamma ray telescope that is incorporated into the detector system. The SEDS will also include advanced safety technologies such as smart video to protect bystanders and U.S. military personnel from effects of the neutron beam.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Navy RDTE Line 16.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Mobile Manufacturing and Repair Cell/Engineering Education Outreach Program--$2.4 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Focus: HOPE, 1355 Oakman Blvd., Detroit, MI 48238.

Earmark Description: The purpose of this program is to attract, train and educate technicians and engineers capable of deploying new critical technologies in support of Navy forces. The funding will be used for research, recruitment, curriculum development, demonstrations, outreach, and administrative costs.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 28.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Nanofabricated Bioartificial Kidney, Pancreas and Liver--$3.2 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Innovative BioTherapies, 401 W. Morgan Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108.

Earmark Description: There is a need within the combat theater to provide kidney replacement treatment to casualties that are unstable for transit out of the combat area. Recent technology developed at the University of Michigan and Innovative BioTherapies, Inc. (IBT, Ann Arbor, MI) is miniaturizing renal cell therapy devices which have been demonstrated in Phase II clinical studies to reduce mortality of intensive care unit patients with acute renal failure by 50 percent. This program will lead to a completely portable bioartificial kidney for complete kidney replacement therapy in military field hospitals and fixed-wing aircraft for the treatment of severe combat casualties. This program will also develop miniaturized liver cell devices for the acute and chronic treatment of liver failure with bioartificial liver devices. The funding will be used for research operations and medical equipment.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 33.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Electrification Program--$3.2 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: NextEnergy Center, 461 Burroughs, Detroit, Michigan 48202.

Earmark Description: The NextEnergy Center will work with the U.S. Army National Automotive Center to develop and deploy Smart Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) technology that provides new capability to manage power distribution and reduce Department of Defense (``DoD'') fuel consumption using both conventional generation, renewable generation, and vehicles with exportable electric power. A smart PHEV will supplement electrical power generation and reduce emissions by the vehicle fleet. Funding will support initial development and testing of two systems, components and infrastructure, as well as demonstrate PHEV capability for vehicle to building/grid communication. The funding will be used for laboratory expenses, testing and reports, prototype (Vehicles and systems), labor and overhead, and equipment and material.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 14.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Globally Accessible Manufacturing and Maintenance Activity--$1.6 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: POM Group, Inc., 2350 Pontiac Road, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326.

Earmark Description: The program entitled ``Globally Accessible Manufacturing and Maintenance Activity (GAMMA)'' will develop rapid, precision Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) technology, combined with current materials removal technology, using the same (single) laser platform which will provide a quantum leap in force readiness and significantly impact the U.S. economy by greatly reducing the time of making complex, 3-D shaped components for dual-use applications. In addition, GAMMA will greatly enhance the currently fielded U.S. Army effort called the Mobile Parts Hospital (MPH) where modules are deployed to remote locations to fabricate metal parts on site from bar stock. Incorporation of the DMD technology would eliminate the need for the bar stock $60 billion inventory. The funding will be used for design, factory testing, and validation practices.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 33.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Light Weight Medical Evacuation Vehicle--$1.6 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Rae-Beck Automotive, 1200 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309.

Earmark Description: The project will design and develop an internally transportable vehicle which provides a fully integrated medical support system designed to accommodate three-four litters to assist our troops. The vehicle will provide force protection capability, via armoring, and/or supply add-on armor, which is currently a critical need. The vehicle will be engineered, built ready for testing within 12 months and answers the requirement document of Family of Internally Transportable Vehicles ORD. The medical variant vehicle will be suited for missions requiring speed, cover, concealment, and agility. The funding will be used for the construction and build of a full working demonstrator, engineering cost, and program management and administrative cost.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division C).

Account Information: Army RDTE Line 13.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Condition Based Maintenance for Mission Assuredness for Ground Vehicles--$2.4 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Ricardo, Inc., 40000 Ricardo Drive, Van Buren Township, Michigan 48111.

Earmark Description: The program will develop computer co-simulation tools for computer testable ``virtual'' vehicle designs for optimized ground vehicles. It will also provide military tools to optimize performance, using outputs for true computer based development of prognostics to predict mission success. This research will provide a wider range of ``virtual tests'' and optimize systems' interaction. Using developments from the co-simulation agenda, the development of a computer based on-board prognostics system will save the military billions of dollars by enabling condition based maintenance and being able to know if a vehicle can complete a definable mission successfully and safely. The funding will be used for simulation tools and computer based prognostics.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division E).

Account Information: Army, National Guard.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Barracks Replacement Phase I, Camp Grayling--$16.943 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Michigan National Guard, Camp Grayling.

Earmark Description: The funding will replace outdated and substandard barracks. The soldier billeting areas of Camp Grayling were built in increments beginning in the 1950s. These facilities are substandard in terms of construction, function, efficiency, and space. The current facilities do not meet existing fire protection standards, have numerous safety violations and provide inadequate sleeping accommodations for deploying personnel

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638 (Division E).

Account Information: Army, National Guard.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Infantry Squad Battle Course, Camp Grayling--$2 million.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Michigan National Guard, Camp Grayling.

Earmark Description: Funding will be used for combat leaders to train and evaluate their unit in an outdoor squad tactical movement engagement scenario.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the appropriations package before us. It includes money that is very important to Michigan and to the domestic auto industry.

I want to thank Mr. Obey, I want to thank Mr. Lewis, and I want to thank our colleagues from Michigan for coming together on this important issue. This is a big step toward the successful turnaround of the American auto industry.

Some will lump this in with the other bailouts this Congress is considering. They would be wrong. This is about building a partnership, about working together toward an end goal that we all seek, which is more fuel efficient vehicles.

Automakers are now going to receive a partnering hand from Washington and not just a burdensome mandate. This will help create good jobs in Michigan, especially in the high tech field of alternative energy research.

Michigan first put the world on wheels, and Michigan can put the world on wheels propelled by the next generation of alternative fuel vehicles.

I strongly support the bill and urge passage.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the RARE Foundation in Troy, Michigan as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary on September 16, 2008. The foundation's work for Michigan's youth has changed lives and inspired future generations of leaders.

The RARE Foundation was founded in 1998 by Gilbert Cox, Jr. with the mission to inspire Michigan's youth to see possibilities through the real-world examples of everyday heroes. RARE highlights the lives and life lessons of everyday people in the workplace who, through extraordinary commitment, integrity, selflessness, and courage, are changing lives and inspiring others. In addition, the foundation provides a forum for these extraordinary individuals to reach out to Michigan's youth and teach, by example, their compelling lessons for life's venture.

Throughout the years, the foundation's programs have engaged young people in the process of discussion, discovery, and writing about everyday heroes in their communities to help them see possibilities and make the connection between fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. They have done so by providing grants for teachers and mentoring programs to reinforce character education and strengthen the basic curriculum at a time of severe program, cutback and budget reductions in our schools. The foundation has also started an At-Risk Community Outreach program in collaboration with educational, business, community, and mentoring organizations designed to bring certainty of opportunity to urban youth.

At a time when material things have replaced character as the currency for measuring success, the RARE Foundation has stepped in to reinforce the idea strong morals and character are imperative to achievement. In fact, their programs have proven to be so successful that they should serve as a model to be followed by other communities.

Madam Speaker, the RARE Foundation continues to educate and enrich the lives of young people in Michigan. I wish to congratulate them and the many volunteers on their 10th Anniversary and hope for many years of prosperity.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI as they celebrate their 50th anniversary on September 14, 2008. The school continues to be a beacon of academic excellence that nurtures future generations of leaders.

Marian High School is a Catholic, college preparatory high school for young women founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1959. The congregation continues to sponsor the school and is still an active part of the administration. The school's mission is to ensure, within a Christian environment, an excellent education built on a strong academic curriculum, which will enable young women to value human diversity and live responsible lives of leadership and action based on gospel values.

Marian's philosophy of melding Christian values with scholastic achievement has proven to be one of success. This is exampled by the fact that Marian students have consistently performed above the state and national averages on the SAT and ACT. In addition, Marian offers 20 honor level courses and 12 advanced placement courses, which allow students to earn college credits. The faculty has also shown a commitment to improving the quality of the education students are receiving with over 60 percent of them holding an advanced degree.

Madam Speaker, Marian High School continues to be one of the finest educational institutions in Michigan. I wish to congratulate the administration, faculty, students, and alumni on their 50th Anniversary and hope for many years of prosperity.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the Oakland Composite Squadron Color Guard Team for their excellent performance at the National Cadet Competition last month. The members of the team have and continue to represent the Civil Air Patrol with honor, distinction, and professionalism.

The Civil Air Patrol, CAP, was established on December 1, 1947, as the all volunteer

auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Today there are more than 56,000 members in the 50 States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The membership of the CAP is comprised of cadets between the ages of 12 and 18, and senior members, who are 18 or older. The Michigan Wing of the CAP currently has 487 cadets and 740 senior members. The CAP has three missions; to run cadet programs to build character, leadership, patriotism, and honor; to promote aerospace education; and to serve as a primary resource for the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.

The Oakland Composite Squadron, which is located in Waterford, Michigan, has 57 members, 29 of whom are cadets. Earlier this year, five of those cadets stepped forward to serve as members of the squadron's Color Guard Team. The team appears at public events like parades and veterans' ceremonies presenting and posting colors. They also participated in Color Guard competitions which require dedication, team work, and exceptional academic success.

After embarking on a rigorous training regimen that required physical and mental discipline, the Oakland Composite Squadron Color Guard went on to win first place overall at the Michigan Wing competition after sweeping all seven events on March 30. Then, on May 4, the team once again won first place overall at the Great Lakes Regional competition. They would go on to represent the entire region, consisting of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin in the National Cadet Competition on June 30. At the National Competition, the team took second place in the Academic Panel Quiz and tied for third place overall.

Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate these cadets for their hard work and dedication. I am proud to represent these young men and women who have shown such character in competition. Theirs is a shining example of what we are all capable of achieving with dedication and hard work.

Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank the gentleman for yielding to me this morning. I also wanted to, in fact, thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon for working together to bring a bill to the floor that makes certain that every student in the Nation has access and receives the highest quality college education.

Currently, college tuition, no surprise to most of us, continues to rise at

a rate that prevents individuals from even attending college. Over the past 5 years, the cost of obtaining a college education has increased by 34 percent. The expense is staggering, but the financial burden of college should not prevent individuals from seeking and receiving an advanced education.

Furthermore, to remain an economic leader, America must ensure that we are leaders in the fields of math, science, engineering and health care. America has always been a leader in technology and innovation, and must continue to put a renewed focus on this type of education. Our kids must learn the skills necessary to compete for the high tech, high paying jobs of the future.

And that is why I am so pleased that this bill, the Henry Ford Scholarship Program Act, has been incorporated into the higher education bill. This program establishes scholarships for high achieving students who pursue undergraduate degrees in mathematics, in science, in engineering and health-related activities. These are the areas that will be critical for our future economic success. And I am pleased to stand here today knowing that the children of America have an extraordinary opportunity now to lead the world in these highly skilled fields.

In my home State of Michigan, for example, this is as important as anywhere as we work to transition to a new, high tech, cutting edge economy.

And once again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to benefit the students of this Nation. And I am personally very proud of this scholarship, one that I believe in strongly, and that I fought hard for to move it toward becoming law and helping our students succeed.

Madam Speaker, consistent with New Republican Earmark Disclosure Requirements, I hereby submit the following information regarding earmarks listed in the Fiscal Year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which to my knowledge, have my name listed as a sponsor of the given earmark. The information provided for each earmark consists of the name of the project, account, funding level, and the justification for the use of taxpayer dollars.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 6599.

Account Information: Army National Guard, Military Construction.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Urban Assault Course.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Michigan National Guard, Camp Grayling.

Earmark Description: The funding will be used for combat leaders to train and evaluate their unit during urban assault practice scenarios.

Requesting Member: Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Bill Number: H.R. 6599.

Account Information: Army National Guard, Military Construction.

Name of Earmark and Amount Listed in the Report: Live Fire Shoot House.

Legal Name and Address of Receiving Entity: Michigan National Guard, Camp Grayling.

Earmark Description: The funding will be used for combat leaders to train and evaluate their unit during live fire practice scenarios.

Madam Speaker, today marks the 34th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and I want to remind all of my colleagues of the ongoing Turkish occupation.

We cannot let the passage of time diminish the events of 1974, nor can we ignore the human rights violations by Turkey that continue today. For more than 34 years the United States and United Nations, as well as European nations, have lamented Turkey's 1974 invasion and subsequent occupation of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey's poor treatment of Greek-Cypriots living in the occupied area, and its desecration of Christian churches, is without justification.

In July, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus in complete violation of international law and is currently occupying approximately 37 percent of Cyprus' territory. Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forced from their homes, making them refugees in their own country. A large portion of those homes were unlawfully given over to thousands of illegal settlers from Turkey, whom are still there today.

During the Turkish invasion, Cyprus's main town in Famagusta was bombarded and the entire population was forced to flee their homes in fear, never to return again. The Turkish forces sealed off the city with barbed wire fences and this is how it remains today. Since 1974, more than 75 resolutions have been adopted by the U.N. Security Council and more than 13 by the General Assembly, calling for the return of the refugees to their homes and properties. These resolutions are being ignored by Turkey, which continues to violate the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Greek Cypriots.

Since 1974, U.N. Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, as well as resolutions adopted by numerous other international organizations, and resolutions we in Congress have passed, reflect the universal condemnation of Turkey's invasion and all subsequent acts of aggression against Cyprus.

The United States and Cyprus share a deep and abiding commitment to upholding the ideals of freedom, democracy, and human rights. The international community has a moral and ethical obligation to stand with Cypriots to reunify their island and end the military occupation.

Cyprus's goal is the reunification of the island as a bicommunal and bizonal federation with a single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots and the withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces. President Demetris Christofias is committed to negotiating in good faith in order to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of U.N. Security Council Resolutions, and the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 and the values and principles on which the EU is founded.

It is my sincere hope that as we honor the 34th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus that we are closer to the end of the occupation than to the beginning.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution which honors David and Carole Cameron and the organization they started in Michigan, Honor Flight Michigan.

Sadly our greatest generation is growing older and passing on. Many of those who fought in World War II never have had the chance to see the World War II Memoria erected in their honor. Madam Speaker, approximately two years ago David and his wife Carole Cameron, founded Honor Flight Michigan in order to remedy that.

This non-profit organization seeks to provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for World War II veterans, in order for the veterans to see the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. The Cameron's built up the organization by private donations and since its inception it has paid for hundreds veterans from our greatest generation to see the Memorial erected in their honor.

David and Carole Cameron, and everyone associated with Honor Flight Michigan represent the very definition of patriots. Each year, between April and October, Honor Flight Michigan flies a group of veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II memorial and lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is truly a remarkable experience for not only the veterans but also the volunteers who assist the veterans on the trips.

Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, David Cameron passed away earlier this year. While I and the organization he founded certainly miss him, his legacy lives on through his family and Honor Flight Michigan. The resolution I am introducing today honors the life of David Cameron and the work he and Carole did to found Honor Flight Michigan. I ask all my colleagues to cosponsor this resolution as a way to pay tribute to the veterans of World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate an organization that has contributed to our community in my district in Michigan for something like 40 years, and has inspired us in many ways.

The Special Olympics is a beacon of opportunity and support for people with intellectual disabilities, providing training and athletic competition in over 100 countries.

Michigan's 9th district, my district, is no exception. We have been blessed with a dedicated and vigilant local organization there that has established a successful program with amazing results.

More than 400 athletes participated in this year's Oakland County Spring Games this past May, including Charles Howard from Farmington and Jaime Bonneau from Clarkston, who have been selected to compete in the World Games in 2009. I extend my best wishes to their respective competitions.

On the 40th anniversary of this extraordinary organization, I wish to honor them for their efforts and their contributions to our community and the communities around the Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Gerson I. Cooper for his 50 years of service as President and CEO of Botsford Health Care, located in Oakland County, Michigan.

Mr. Cooper has spent the majority of his life working for Botsford Health Care. After 26 years of strong commitment to patients in the community, Mr. Cooper became President and CEO of Botsford Health Care. Following his retirement, Mr. Cooper will take on a new challenge as a leader of a capital campaign in support of Botsford Hospital's new cancer center.

Throughout the years, Mr. Cooper has dedicated his time to improving the community through the Foundation of Youth and Families, a group he helped organize to assist families in need. On a statewide level, he has served on numerous councils and committees, including the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, which advocates for hospitals and patients.

I also want to commend Mr. Cooper on the many awards he has earned recognizing commitment to public service. Just to name a few, Mr. Cooper earned the ``Award of Merit'' from the American Osteopathic Hospital Association, the ``Distinguished Service Award'' from the College of Osteopathic Healthcare Executives, and the ``Meritorious Key Award'' from the Michigan Health and Hospital Association.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize and thank Mr. Gerson I. Cooper for his many years of dedication to serving Oakland County residents and extend my best wishes.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the Village of Beverly Hills, in Oakland County, Michigan, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary on June 14, 2008. The village's tree-lined streets and well-planned community live up to its reputation as a lovely place to live.

The Village of Beverly Hills can be traced back to 1830. A thirty-six square mile area from present day 8 Mile to 14 Mile Roads and from Greenfield to Inkster Roads was organized as Ossewa Township on July 12, 1830. Seventeen days later, Ossewa Township was renamed to Southfield Township. Throughout the 1800's and the early 1900's, the area was primarily farmland, with sawmills, gristmills, and cider mills dotting the landscape.

In the 1920's, a subdivision called Beverly Hills was developed on Birchwood and Kirkshire Streets, and was quickly populated through the 1950's. Beginning in 1953, Southfield Township slowly broke apart with the incorporation of Lathrup Village, Franklin, and Bingham Farms. When the City of Southfield was incorporated in 1957, the residents of what is now Beverly Hills felt the need for more home rule and local control. On September 23, 1957, the Village of Westwood was incorporated, and in March 1958, the village adopted the more popular name Beverly Hills.

Today Beverly Hills is the largest Home Rule Village in Michigan, with a statewide reputation as a leader in municipal management and fiscal stability. The Village also has the distinction of being one of the safest communities in Michigan, due in large part to the efforts of their Department of Public Safety, police and fire departments, and emergency medical services.

Madam Speaker, Beverly Hills is a forward thinking community aimed at improving the already sterling quality of life that their residents expect. I congratulate them on their 50th anniversary and wish the residents many more years of prosperity.

Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Timothy Zako, Enzo Fantin-Yusta, and Ahsan Mahmood for their outstanding performance in the 2008 ExploraVision Award. These seventh graders from West Hills Middle School in West Bloomfield, Michigan, along with their coaches Paul Sanchez and Amy Burke embody the innovative spirit of America. Together this team succeeded in capturing second place in this prestigious regional competition.

The ExploraVision Awards, which are sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association, are awarded to students of all ages for combining their imaginations with the tools of science to create and explore a vision of tomorrow's technology. Students of different interest, ability, and skill levels develop new technologies utilizing their creative thinking and problem solving skills.

The students from West Hills Middle School sought out to find a new method for treating lazy eye and strabismus, a condition where ones' eyes are misaligned. These conditions, which affect roughly four percent of children in America, are often treated with eye-patches or in some instances surgery. These treatments limit the activities that children can participate in, can lower the child's self esteem, and in the most severe cases require extremely invasive surgery.

Utilizing existing technologies, the students were able to develop a prototype that could be worn like eyeglasses, and could be turned on and off as needed so that the child could use both eyes together and see in three dimensions at least some of the time. The Strabismus Glasses, as they named them, would help a child's self-esteem by allowing them to treat their condition without having to use an eye- patch.

Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate these students for their amazing and creative work. I am proud of the initiative these young people have shown. Theirs is a shining example of what we are all capable of achieving with just a little imagination and some hard work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pontiac Veterans Memorial Corporation as they dedicate the Pontiac Veterans Memorial on June 7, 2008. This memorial is the culmination of countless hours of hardwork and dedication shown by the Pontiac Veterans Memorial Corporation.

In 1998, the Pontiac Veterans Memorial Corporation started their memorial project by collecting the names of every Pontiac resident that had served our country since the Revolutionary War. Two years and over 3,800 names later, the Pontiac Veterans Memorial Corporation was ready to design a memorial to honor these brave individuals. Understanding the importance of involving the community, the members asked students from the local schools to create designs for the memorial. The ultimate selection was designed by William Holland, a student at Notre Dame High School in Pontiac.

With a design in hand and a location overlooking veterans' burial plots, which was donated by the Perry Mount Cemetery, the corporation sought out funding for the memorial. The community heard their call and answered with an outpouring of support, from individual donors to group donations from organizations like the Disabled American Veterans of Pontiac, The Chrysler Foundation, and General Motors Corporation. The memorial stands as a living tribute bearing the names of everyone who has served this great country.

In addition to recognizing the tireless efforts of the Pontiac Veterans Memorial Corporation, I would like to highlight the work of their president, Jack Bressler. A veteran himself, Jack spearheaded the project, and I commend him for the countless hours he has invested to turn this dream into a reality.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the Pontiac Veterans Memorial Corporation for all they have done to honor our brave and selfless veterans. I congratulate them as they dedicate this memorial and commend the entire community for all the support they have shown.