Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Dixie Sue Allsbrook who has voluntarily served the National Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESRG) for twenty years, and serving the past five years as the Chair of the Nevada ESGR.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESRG) is a grass roots volunteer organization working with the Department of Defense. ESGR provides free education, consultation, and mediation as necessary for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. ESGR's goal is to support America's employers who share their employees with the nation to ensure our national security.

In her twenty years volunteering with the ESRG, Dr. Dixie Sue Allsbrook has served in many different areas of the organization. She began in California as an Area Chair, Ombudsman, and ultimately she served as Executive Director there. When she moved to Nevada she continued to serve ESGR as an ombudsman until she was appointed as Chair in 2002. Her amazing work in the community extends beyond that of the ESGR and includes the Equal Opportunity Board of Clark County, the Susan B. Komen Foundation, and the Wardley Charity Foundation.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Dr. Dixie Sue Allsbrook. Her commitment to supporting Nevada's Guard and Reserve through her work with the ESRG is outstanding, and I thank her for continuing efforts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Margaret McMillan for greatly enriching the community of Southern Nevada with a lifetime of service as an exemplary leader and businesswoman.

Margaret is retiring after having served the telecommunications industry for over 47 years. Throughout her tremendous career she served as a pioneer for women in business. In 1972 she became the first woman to hold the position of Outside Plant Engineer, a position that is now staffed approximately 20% by women. During her time as Staff Engineer of Centel in Chicago she participated in the design of the company's first fiber optics system which was run from the Las Vegas central office to the MGM Hotel and Casino. In 1979 she was promoted to Outside Plant Engineer Manager in Las Vegas where she supervised the design and installation of all outside plant facilities in the Las Vegas area.

Along with being a pioneer for women in the telecommunications industry, Margaret's immense talents and work ethic were recognized and she rose through the ranks of several companies, eventually becoming the Director of Governmental Affairs in Las Vegas for the EMBARQ Company. In that position she has been instrumental in the development of many prominent pieces of legislation, including both the state and federal versions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Margaret's accomplishments as a professional are bolstered by her contributions to the Las Vegas community. She has served two terms as president of the Nevada Telecommunications Association, is a member of the Las Vegas Southwest Rotary Club, has served as area Governor of Toastmasters International and is a member of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Her work with these organizations has been extremely well recognized and she has been the recipient of many awards such as the Chamber of Commerce's Community Achievement Award. Margaret also received the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow Citizen of Distinction Award in 2007. She is also listed in the book ``Distinguished Women of Nevada.''

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Margaret McMillan. Her aptitude and work ethic have made her a beloved fixture in the Las Vegas community and her reputation as a pioneer for professional women is well deserved. I wish her the utmost happiness in her retirement and thank her for a lifetime of service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my friend Yaffa Dahan, who passed away on July 26th, 2007.

Yaffa Dahan was born December 29th, 1954, in Morocco. Shortly after her birth, she moved to a small town in Israel where she was raised. In a large family with nine brothers and sisters, she was brought up in traditional Jewish culture where music, love, and laughter were an integral part of her home. At age 20, she married David Dahan and moved to Las Vegas to start a family and a new chapter in their lives together.

Yaffa was a spiritual woman with an amazing personality, grace, intelligence and a sincere love for her family, friends, and our community. Yaffa was dedicated to education and eventually learned five languages, including Hebrew, Yiddish, French, Arabic, and English. She then went on to earn her MBA in business management and a Ph.D. in administrative healthcare. She then became a registered nurse, which she practiced for 28 years, touching the lives of many in southern Nevada. She was also a member of the Honors Society in Nursing at UNLV, and recently was honored as an outstanding alumna. She was a dedicated member of the Jewish community, being active in AIPAC and the Jewish Federation in Nevada.

Through all of these accomplishments, what strikes me most is the great number of people whose lives she touched. Her obituary, posted online through a local newspaper, gave an opportunity for well-wishers to leave comments. She received comments from former employees stating how she was a favorite manager who was admired for her talents as well as her passion. Included in these postings were comments from her local Rabbi, from family in Israel, and from friends from California to Wisconsin to North Carolina and many places in between. She was truly an incredible woman who will be remembered by all.

Madam Speaker, I am sincerely proud to honor and celebrate the life of Yaffa Dahan. I would like to take this time to give my deepest condolences to Yaffa's family and friends.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for celebrating their 65th anniversary serving the Las Vegas community.

The Las Vegas Fire & Rescue got its start in 1906 as the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department located in downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street. Through the 1920s, the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department was the only department in southern Nevada to serve the construction of the Hoover Dam and the newly constructed army base, now known as Nellis Air Force Base. In 1942, volunteer firefighters petitioned at City Hall to create a full-time fire department. On August 1, 1942, the first 16 full-time employees of the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue began their shift.

Today, the department has 16 stations across the Las Vegas valley and oversees more than 650 employees. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue is one of eight departments in the country to be accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and to hold a Class One rating from the Insurance Services Offices, Inc., making it one of the safest departments in the country.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the men and women who make up the department. To risk their own lives on a daily basis for the safety of others is truly commendable. I applaud Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for its leadership and wish the department continued success for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Vida Chan Lin for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Las Vegas community.

Vida Chan Lin has been an outstanding member of the Asian Community in Nevada for more than ten years. She currently serves as the vice- president for both the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Organization of Chinese Americans. In addition to these prestigious roles Vida also has the honor of being a founding member of the Nevada Asian American/Pacific Islander Leadership Council, and in 2002 she worked on the fundraising committee of the Japanese American Citizens League national convention. She has also served on the Clark County Business Development Advisory Council, and was a member of the Clark County Library District Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Advisory Committee.

Vida's positive attitude and passion for service in the Asian community has made her a well respected leader and role model for younger generations. Members of her chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans have characterized her as the ``Queen Bee'' of their growing family and state that without her, they would not be where they are today. Vida's efforts and accomplishments provide an atmosphere for others to learn and benefit from her exceptional leadership.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Vida Chan Lin. I would like to personally thank her for her dedicated service to our community, as well as for her support of the Asian Pacific Islander community in Las Vegas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my fellow Nevadan and dear friend, Henrietta Fore, for her professional success and service to our country.

Henrietta H. Fore was designated by President George W. Bush as Acting Administrator of USAID and designated by Secretary Condoleezza Rice as Acting Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance on May 7, 2007. While serving in these capacities, she remains Under Secretary of State for Management, a position she has held since 2005. Prior to her roll as Acting Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance and Acting Administrator of USAID, Henrietta served as the 37th Director of the United States Mint in the Department of Treasury from 2001-2005. In this capacity, she managed the world's largest manufacturer of coins, medals, and coin products. Henrietta has also served in the State Department as the Assistant Administrator for Private Enterprise in the U.S. Agency for International Development and then Assistant Administrator for Asia between 1989-1993.

Prior to her career in government, Henrietta was an extremely successful businesswoman and served on numerous public boards and held leadership position in a number of non-profit organizations. Henrietta has also enjoyed a variety of academic successes. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Wellesley College and a Master of Science in Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. She has also studied International Politics at Oxford University and studied at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

In addition, over the course of her long and distinguished career, Henrietta has earned a number of accolades. In 1997, the State of the World Forum recognized Henrietta with the Women Redefining Leadership Award. In 2004 she was honored with the Alumnae Award from the University of Northern Colorado and in 2006 she received the Alumnae Award from the Baldwin School.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor my good friend Henrietta Fore. She has truly made the great state of Nevada proud. I congratulate her for her personal and professional success and wish her the best with her new appointment as Director of the United States Agency for International Development.

Mr. Speaker, I support extending import sanctions against Burma. Import sanctions have been in place for 4 years and, unfortunately, the Burmese military junta has shown no progress in improving its egregious human rights records. The actions of this regime in Burma are inexcusable.

The U.S. State Department's annual report on the effectiveness of the sanctions observes that Burma's already poor human rights record has only worsened. This regime continues to use forced labor, deny participation in democratic processes, and commit killings. Inexcusable.

Despite the regime's promised road map to democracy, no meaningful progress has been made to create a democratic system of governance. The regime continues to exclude pro-democracy groups from the national convention and to jail pro-democracy opposition leaders. Aung San Suu Kyi has been living under house arrest for 4 years. Therefore, I believe it is necessary and it is appropriate to continue these sanctions to send an important message to Burma leaders that their violation of basic human rights is inexcusable.

I generally approach unilateral trade sanctions with skepticism. Sanctions can have the unintended consequences of harming the people we seek to help. The State Department acknowledges that some opposition figures in Burma, academics, and exiled Burmese question whether U.S. unilateral sanctions have any chance of success without the participation of Burma's major trading partners, including ASEAN members China, India, and other regional countries. I do share their concerns. However, various aspects of the Burmese sanctions system mitigate my concerns to some degree.

The important sanctions will sunset after 1 year unless Congress votes under a privileged resolution to maintain their sanctions and are completely terminated in 2009. Furthermore, the administration is required to submit an annual report on whether the sanctions have effectively improved conditions in Burma and furthered U.S. national security, economic, and foreign policy objectives, along with impact of sanctions on other U.S. national security, economic and foreign policy interests.

Moreover the law grants the President the authority to waive the sanctions if it is in the national interest and also directs the President to craft a multilateral sanctions regime to pressure Burma to improve its human rights.

If we are to be successful inducing change by the Government of Burma, sanctions must be multilateral. There have been high-level international discussions on Burma over the past year. In September 2006, the U.N. Security Council discussed Burma; in December of 2006 the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution expressing its grave concern over human rights violations in Burma and calling on the regime to take urgent measures to address these violations. Separately, the ASEAN countries called for the release of those placed under detention and for effective dialogue with all parties concerned. I hope these words will be followed by tangible actions. Continued efforts to build multilateral pressure on Burma are critical to my future support for these import sanctions. I urge support of H.J. Res. 44.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments of my friends and colleagues across the aisle.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate many Members of this body that are looking for ways to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, but I'm extremely disappointed that they've chosen this project.

I must say that I'm afraid some of my colleagues haven't really done their homework. And I appreciate my friend and colleague from Nevada, Congresswoman Berkley, for stating some of the obvious.

This particular program is what we need in America. And there is even a Web page today that shows this as an example of what's wrong with America. I want to stand here today and say this is what's right with America. We need to encourage public/private partnerships. Here is an individual that has adopted a charter school, a strong platform with the Republican Party, charter schools. It is a public charter school that he has adopted and writes a check for close to $3 million a year to keep it operating.

Quite frankly, Mr. Chairman, I'm embarrassed. This is what's right about America, not what's wrong about America. This particular school is serving a population that needs our help

and assistance. We admit here day after day that we're not funding special needs kids enough, and we are not. This is another example of how we can help this very important population.

And again, as my colleague said from Nevada, this is an example of an individual that is giving of his time, of his life to support our community, close to $60 million a year. He is giving to the community $3 million of his own money into this school.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose this amendment. And I personally am very disappointed. This is an example of what's right about America. Mr. Agassi has done everything he can to help kids. He helps needy kids at our child welfare program, Boys and Girls Clubs across the community. He's not standing there with his hand out, he's standing there with support.

So Mr. Chairman, I ask this body to oppose this amendment, and I am extremely embarrassed.

Mr. Chairman, I just want to respond to my colleague's comments about charter schools.

Having been the co-author of charter school legislation in Nevada in the late 1990s, it truly is a Federal program. We do have funds available through grant processes that help charter schools. Unfortunately, we needed help immediately and this was the way to do it. As a matter of fact, this earmark isn't even in my district, it's adjacent to my district in Nevada. But it is traditional, it is what we do as a Congress. Another example of why I think Members understand their districts better than this full body, which is why we are here today in opposition to this amendment.

I would like to ask this body to take 2 minutes and listen to something very compelling. This bill does not matter on its face if our children are not safe. This body, with an amendment that I passed last year, has helped protect 27 million more children across this country by providing for school districts that could not in the past do criminal background checks. In this session alone, we passed additional legislation to help kids that are in Head Start by giving them additional protection for 1 million children who did not have that before.

An example of what is happening in this epidemic nationwide is we have teachers, we have professionals, we have individuals that are predators, sexual predators following our children. We need to make sure we add one additional tool, and that eliminates barrier to help fund these programs that we passed last session and this session. Head Start alone, one particular program had 660 teachers; of that, they were not inspected for 5 years. They discovered, out of 660 teachers, 100 teachers and support staff had criminal backgrounds. Of that, 50 had serious offenses from first-degree murder to child predator to domestic violence.

What I am asking this body to do is to use common sense, allow for these school districts to eliminate one more barrier to help them pay for these backgrounds checks. It is common sense. It is a way to provide protection. It is something that we can do to ensure and add one additional guarantee for our families and our children that they will be safe within our schools.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of PFC Joshua S. Modgling who died on Tuesday June 19, 2007, of injuries sustained in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Private First Class Modgling had been in Iraq since May and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia. PFC Modgling was killed while conducting missions out of Forward Operating Base Falcon when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Muhammad al AIi, Iraq.

PFC Modgling was raised in Las Vegas Valley and attended Manch Elementary School and Silverado High School. During his youth, Joshua played Pop Warner football and set a record for the most sacks. Private First Class Modgling was a hero whose desire to serve his country will forever make an impact on his family, his community and his country. He joined the United States Army to serve his country in the Global War on Terror. He will not only be remembered for his sacrifice and willing service, but for the extraordinary person that he was. His warmth and optimism brightened the lives of his family and friends.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of PFC Joshua S. Modgling. His heroism and sacrifice for his country while fighting the Global War on Terror are the highest tribute to the democracy and freedom we hold so dear.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of a great American, Mark Thomas Keeton. As a 19 year veteran of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Mr. Keeton dedicated his life to serving the City of Las Vegas, and it is a distinct honor to recognize his service to the Southern Nevada community.

Mark Keeton, a Nevada resident for 42 years passed away on May 8, 2007, at the age of 44 after a battle with brain cancer. Mr. Keeton served the Las Vegas community as a firefighter for 19 years, facing not only the immediate dangers of fires inherent to the profession, but also the hazards posed by the chemicals and smoke to which firefighters are frequently exposed. In addition to Mr. Keeton's 19 years of service as a firefighter of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Mark was also a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in the Persian Gulf War. Mr. Keeton was a member of the International Association of Firefighters and will be honored this year on their Wall of Honor, which recognizes the great sacrifices made by firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.

Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and deep appreciation that I honor the life of Mark Thomas Keeton. His commitment and dedication to the Las Vegas community will never be forgotten. I give my sincere condolences to his wife, Lerma and their children, Sean and Sharon, and thank him for his honorable service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my good friend James `Skogie' Lenon, who passed away on May 5, 2007. Skogie was a dear friend who was instrumental in helping me get established early in my career.

A longtime resident of Boulder City, NV, James `Skogie' Lenon made a huge impact on the life of his community. Skogie earned his nickname from a t-shirt he often wore, which read, ``Muskogee YMCA''. Skogie was a caring man, who worked often to uphold the small-town, family- oriented feel of Boulder City. In 1955, Skogie was on the original committee to help raise funds for the Boulder City Hospital. During World War II, unable to join the military due to a childhood illness, he became Assistant Director of the Boulder City United Service Organizations. After the war, he became a Naval Reserve Officer. Skogie helped in building and operating the first skating rink, as well as the first city swimming pool in Boulder City. He was President of the Boulder City Recreation Association and a member of the Boulder City Golf Association. He spent much of his time enjoying golf, and played a large part in adding nine holes at the Boulder City Municipal Golf Course.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life and service of James `Skogie' Lenon. Skogie was a true patriot, having devoted his life to his community and country. His dedication to service should serve as an example to us all.

Madam Speaker, I was required to be back in my home district to assist my mother, who recently had surgery. For this reason, I was unable to attend recorded votes for yesterday, Wednesday, July 11, 2007.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 527, which seeks to promote greater public awareness of effective homeless youth prevention programs and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources, and support for youths in high-risk situations. This resolution designates November as ``National Homeless Youth Awareness Month.'' I'd like to thank the leadership for allowing this resolution to come to the House Floor as it highlights a very tragic and important issue.

In the district that I represent in southern Nevada, Dr. Fred Preston of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, conducted homeless enumerations in 1999 and 2004. In 2004, Preston reported an estimate of 7,887 homeless people, up from the 6,700 counted in a 1999 survey. A Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth study released last year estimates that there are 1,700 homeless youths in the valley. According to figures provided by the Clark County Department of Family Services, 483 youth a month, on average, received placements at the temporary emergency ``Child Haven'' facilities during 2005. That figure represents a 61.5 percent increase in average monthly referrals since 2000. These astonishing statistics highlight the need for our support of those important programs that seek to prevent these types of incidents.

Many of the conditions that lead young people to become homeless are preventable through interventions that can strengthen families and support youth in high-risk situations. Successful interventions are grounded in partnerships among families, community-based human service agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, and businesses.

Preventing young people from becoming homeless and supporting youth in high-risk situations is a family, community, and national concern. Please join me in encouraging all Americans to play a role in supporting the millions of young people who are homeless or who are at- risk of being so each year. H. Res. 527 supports efforts to promote greater public awareness of effective homeless youth prevention programs and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources, and support for youth in high-risk situations.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Joan Lolmaugh for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Clark County community through her work with Clark County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Joan started her career with Clark County in 1992 as Manager of Clark County's Cultural Affairs Division. Over the course of her tenure with Clark County, Joan has overseen Winchester Cultural Center, the Clark County Museum and Aviation Museum, the Special Events unit which produces large community events such as the Renaissance Festival; the Summer Concert Series at the Government Center Amphitheater; the Galleries and Art Education Program and the Wetlands Interpretive Program, among other functions. Furthermore, Joan was appointed by former Governor Kenny Guinn to the board of the Nevada Arts Council, and in 2002 was honored by the Governor, receiving the Governor's Art Reward for service to the arts.

Prior to her time in Las Vegas, Joan served as assistant director at the Oregon Arts Commission and Director of the Idaho Commission on the Arts. She was director and assistant professor of a graduate arts program at the University of Illinois-Springfield. She has served on the boards of the Western States Arts Federation and National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, and is currently a member of the Death Valley National Park Advisory Commission. She has also been involved in a number of statewide arts organizations across the country.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Joan Lolmaugh. Her dedication to enriching lives through the arts is laudable and has enriched countless lives. I applaud her efforts and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Alan P. Mintz, M.D. who passed away on June 3, 2007.

Born in Chicago, Alan P. Mintz graduated from the University of Chicago and earned a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Illinois--School of Medicine. Prior to his postgraduate training in radiology, in which he later specialized, Dr. Mintz served as a physician in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Mintz was a highly respected professional in the field of radiology and served as a Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology, was board certified in radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy, and was also appointed chairman of the Department of Radiology for several Chicago-area hospitals.

Motivated by his passion for health and wellness, Dr. Mintz pioneered a new medical specialty with his work in age management medicine. He has become famous within the field for his controversial promotion in the use of steroids and human growth hormone as an anti-aging therapy for patients. Dr. Mintz confounded and served as CEO and President of Medicon, Inc., the world's largest radiology management company. His inventive thinking stimulated the creation of Cenegenics Medical Institute, the largest age management medicine organization in the world. Although headquartered in Las Vegas, Cenegenics Medical Institute has offices in South Carolina, Florida, Hong Kong, and South Korea with service reaching more than 12,000 patients.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life and memory of Alan P. Mintz, M.D. Dr. Mintz lived his life according to his favorite maxim by Henry David Thoreau, ``Go confidently in the direction of your dreams . . . Live the life you have imagined.'' Dr. Mintz clearly fulfilled this statement and will be missed by the many lives he touched.