Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I honor Mrs. Bonnie Schofield for her dedication to the community and families she served.

Bonnie has been serving 79 families in Hiko, NV, as a postmaster since 1973, 6 hours a day, 6 days a week. Bonnie's families picked their mail up at the Post Office in front of her house in an old- fashioned way. Instead of using the modern-day post office boxes, the mail was sorted into old-fashioned sacks

Bonnie handmade herself and then hung onto pegs. Families would then pick up their mail while the traditions of past generations stayed intact.

For the 30 years prior to her appointment as postmaster, Bonnie's mother-in-law held the position. Her daughter also continues the family tradition, for she was named postmaster for 2004 in Alamo, NV. Bonnie also has served the National Association of Postmasters of the U.S., NAPUS, as State president, on its State council, and representing Nevada in Washington, DC.

On December 1, 2006, Bonnie retired from her position as postmaster and, with her, lay to rest the traditions of Hiko' s community. What she will miss the most is the customer interaction and personalized service. Now that she is retired, she plans on nurturing her garden and traveling with her husband of 49 years. Bonnie also plans on spending more time with her 4 children, 18 grandchildren, and 8 great- grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize the gracious efforts of Mrs. Bonnie Schofield. Her diligence and dedication are those to be admired. I wish her luck with all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I was unduly delayed for the vote on H. Con. Res. 5, Expressing the Support for the designation and goals of ``Hire a Veteran Week.'' Had I been able to vote, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Con. Res. 5.

The Armed Services provide invaluable experience to the men and women who serve this great nation. With this experience, veterans are an extremely valuable asset to our workforce in Southern Nevada and throughout the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition of H.R. 4, the Democrat Drug Price Control.

Simply put, this measure will limit choice and access to prescription drugs for seniors in Medicare. H.R. 4 changes the new Medicare prescription drug benefit program by requiring government employees to directly negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, instead of retaining the current system that gives seniors wide choices and uses multiple competing health plans and drug benefit managers to deliver benefits. This is not what is best for our seniors.

Though Democrats are promising lower drug prices, the potential trade offs for Medicare beneficiaries are too risky to gamble. By stripping the Medicare Modernization Act of the non-interference language, we would put the current choice and access that seniors deserve and enjoy in jeopardy. Instead, this bill opens the door to government bureaucrats picking and choosing what drugs and which pharmacies seniors could use.

Because of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, thousands of seniors currently don't have to choose between groceries and the life saving medicine they need. In my district alone, roughly 87,000 seniors have enrolled and are saving an estimated $1,100 per year according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

The Veterans' Administration, VA, which relies on direct government negotiation, currently excludes nearly 30 of the top 100 drugs used by seniors from its one national formulary. By comparison, the most popular Medicare Part D and Federal Employee Health Benefits Program plans provide coverage for more than 99 percent of the most widely used drugs. Similarly, Medicare and FEHBP enable patients to obtain prescriptions at nearly all private pharmacies while the VA requires patients to either go to VA facilities to get their drugs or obtain them through mail order. Currently, more than 75 percent of VA prescriptions are fulfilled via mail.

Additionally, in 1990, the Democratic 1991 budget reconciliation measure which passed Congress gave the Medicaid program access to the low prices achieved by VA. Drug manufacturers, faced with mandated discounts to Medicaid, 15 percent of the market, decided to end deep discounts to VA, 1 percent of the market. In some cases the VA saw 300 percent price increases. Congress had to pass legislation to correct this problem in 1992. Let's not make the same mistake twice.

I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 4, Democrat drug price control.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3, Expanding Stem Cell Research.

I believe stem cell research holds enormous promise for easing human suffering for people like my constituents Judy Reich and Jake Page, both of whom suffer from diabetes. Embryonic stem cell research could lead to a cure that could dramatically improve their lives. Federal support is critical to its success which is why I was pleased when President Bush announced his stem cell policy in August 2001.

Scientists have learned a great deal about stem cells in the five and a half years since that announcement. Medical researchers believe that embryonic stem cell research has the potential to change the face of human disease. A number of current treatments already exist, although the majority of them are not commonly used because they tend to be experimental and not very cost-effective. Medical researchers anticipate being able to use technologies derived from stem cell research to treat cancer, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, and muscle damage, amongst a number of other diseases, impairments and conditions.

Current federal policy on human embryonic stem cell research allows federally funded research be conducted on those stem cells derived before August 9, 2001. Today, only 22 stem cell lines are available to federally funded scientists. The United States Congress has passed legislation which would lift the date restriction and allow federally funded scientists to research a greater number of stem cell lines; however, the President has vetoed this legislation. The legislation would also provide stronger ethical requirements on those stem cell lines eligible for funding including donor consent, certification that embryos donated are in excess of clinical need, and that the embryos would be otherwise discarded.

While I disagree with the creation of human embryos for scientific purposes, I agree that embryos created as a by-product of in vitro fertilization, which would otherwise be destroyed, should be allowed to provide greater insight into the myriad afflictions that can potentially be alleviated through stem cell research.

As with all scientific endeavors, we must ensure that the limitless bounds of science do not infringe on the beliefs that we hold as ethical human beings. For this reason, I categorically oppose the harvesting of embryos for scientific research as well as any attempt to use our scientific knowledge to clone human beings.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3, Expanding Stem Cell Research.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition of H.R. 2, the Minimum Wage Increase Without Assistance for Small Business.

In Southern Nevada, we are fortunate to experience an extraordinary situation in regard to wage earnings and job growth. Since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, our economy has undergone a massive rebound with unemployment far below the national average and wages far exceeding the current federal minimum wage. The primary engine of this economic growth has been our small business community.

As a representative of a state who mandates a dollar above the federal minimum wage, the small business community in Nevada will feel the effects of this increase stronger than most states. The Republican alternative to H.R. 2 would provide the incentives our small businesses need to absorb the economic impact of a federally mandated increase in wages. Small businesses in my district, like Metro Pizza, operate on the smallest of profit margins. Sam Facchini, who has co-owned the business since 1987, had this to say about an additional increase to the minimum wage; ``Our business is still adjusting to the most recent minimum wage increase. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. We cannot continue to face unprecedented labor costs and be expected to prosper.''

To meet an increased federal wage standard small businesses need the kinds of incentives for growth that the Republican alternative to H.R. 2 provides. I would like to remind my colleagues that we can only create new jobs through growth in the private sector. To limit this growth for the sake of a sound bite is tempting, but will have a devastating impact on an economy.

Certainly, our workers deserve the fairest compensation for their valuable labor. In Nevada, the State Constitution mandates that our minimum wage is one dollar above the federally prescribed level. Increases, however, must be carefully balanced with the ability of the business community to pay these increased wages. For these reasons, my voting record has remained clear, on July 29, 2006 I voted in favor of a similar bill that included a minimum wage increase as well as growth incentives for small businesses.

While the vast majority of American workers deserve higher wages, we must ensure that no jobs are lost as a result. I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 2, the Minimum Wage Increase Without Assistance for Small Business.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Harold Lee Meyer who passed away on December 14, 2006.

Born in Paullina, Iowa on January 1, 1927, Harold settled in Littleton, Colorado with his wife of 55 years, Natalie Meyer. After spending his career in the savings and loan industry, Harold used his retirement to give back to his community. Harold was active in both local and state pursuits, having served as a member of the Denver General Hospital Board and as director of Good Shepherd Lutheran Home of the West. As a member of the Littleton City Council and as mayor of the City of Littleton, Harold enriched and improved countless lives. His other philanthropic pursuits included being a member of DRCOG, a volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, a driver for the Red Cross, and being an active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church community.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life and legacy of Harold Lee Meyer. His professional success and dedication to community should serve as an example to us all. Harold dedicated his life to enriching the lives of those around him. I applaud all his efforts; he was truly a distinguished humanitarian and will be profoundly missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Tom Stone for his many years as a dedicated public servant.

For the past eight years Tom has represented the citizens of Eagle County, Colorado as County Commissioner. Tom has proved to be a champion for the environment through his appointments to the Colorado River Water Conservation District, the Wildland Urban Interface Fire Committee, the National Association of Counties Public Lands Steering Committee, the Colorado State Forest Advisory Board, and Colorado Counties, Inc. Committees for Public Lands, Agriculture & Wildlife, and Land Use & Natural Resources. Most notably, Commissioner Stone created and implemented the Eagle County Youth Conservation Corps, a program of education, funding and service projects in our National Forests by Eagle County youth.

Tom worked tirelessly to develop the infrastructure necessary for the future health, safety, welfare, economy, housing and care of the citizens of Eagle County. Tom created the first of its kind public/ private partnership to construct 282 affordable homes for the local workforce at Miller Ranch. He also spearheaded the building of a joint Veterans and Emergency Service Personnel Memorial on the banks of the pond to honor those who have given the greatest measure of devotion to their community and their country.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Eagle County Commissioner Tom Stone. His amalgamation of professional success and community activism is exemplary. I applaud his efforts and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeanette Robinson in recognition of her multiple accomplishments as a professional bowler.

Jeanette has been inducted into seven bowling halls of fame and is the only person to have attained this great honor. Her competition and coaching endeavors have allowed her to travel the world and work with the best players internationally. Jeanette has also bowled a competitive frame in 49 of 50 states.

Jeanette grew up in Flint, Michigan and picked up her first bowling ball in 1956 at age 28. By 1957, Jeanette was coaching youth and seniors in addition to running leagues and tournaments full-time. As the first known person to organize and promote national bowling tournaments for the deaf and the blind in 1958 and 1959, she laid the foundation for making bowling a sport for everyone.

As more coaching opportunities became available, Jeanette's travels increased, and she was chosen president of the Professional Women's Bowlers Association in 1965. She held this position for 10 years until stepping down in 1975. Under her leadership, the women's professional bowling tour grew exponentially.

Although Jeanette still bowls today, her true love is coaching and she currently holds the position of resident professional at The Orleans Bowling Center. Her work with the local Las Vegas high school leagues, professional tours and family bowlers at The Orleans is most rewarding because it is the legacy of her sport that she hopes to see passed on from generation to generation.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Jeanette Robinson. Her lifetime contributions to the sport of bowling are truly commendable. I wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor American Legionnaire Emeritus Clayton Glenn for his lifetime of service and dedication to this nation and its veterans.

Mr. Glenn was born 86 years ago in Brockton, MA, and has served this country since late 1941. It was the attack on Pearl Harbor nearly 65 years ago that spurred his enlistment into the U.S. Armed Forces. This path of service took him to military bases all across the United States and abroad for the ensuing 23 years.

Mr. Glenn's first stop was Ft. Devins, west of Boston, MA, where he served as infantryman, and then he moved on to the Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, MO. He soon endeavored to join the U.S. Army Air Corps, which was to be the predecessor to the U.S. Air Force. There he served as an aircraft mechanic until 1948. Mr. Glenn desired to be stationed in New England, and so landed at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts.

Over the next 2 years, he worked as a floor man--sanding and refinishing floors, laying tiles and linoleum. This occupation allowed him the adventure of even flooring inside the Kennedy home while in Massachusetts. By 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves and got recalled to active duty for Korea. Although Mr. Glenn never made it to Korea, he did get sent to Tooele, Greenland. His return to the States brought him from Wichita Falls, TX to Mobile, AL. From Mobile he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada for a short span of time where he purchased a home in Boulder City. Mr. Glenn's final military stop was at Rantoul Air Force Base just south of Chicago, IL, in 1960 where be finished his military journey and retired 4 years later in 1964.

From Rantoul, Mr. Glenn and his wife, Theo, returned to Boulder City where he has resided ever since. Having been a member of the American Legion for over 60 years and an active leader at the Boulder City's Post 31 since his time at Nellis Air Force Base has earned him the title ``Mr. American Legion'' by fellow members and friends. Mr. Glenn has served as post commander three times--something accomplished by only two other persons, and he served as district commander from 1991- 92 where he oversaw 15 State posts and over 6,000 members.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Mr. Clayton Glenn today. His service and loyalty to the community, our country and our veterans has earned him many accolades. I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Walter Casey for his numerous contributions to his community.

Walter moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1951 under the advice of his doctor. He started out working for a maintenance company and eventually started a water conditioning and purification company called Walt Casey Water Conditioning and later Walt Casey's Culligan in the 1950s. Walt Casey's Culligan is now known as the largest water conditioning company in the state.

Walter also dedicated his life to enriching the lives of others in the community. He was a founding board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas and served as the vice chairman of the Colorado River Commission. According to his son, Walter's optimism helped him to devote his time and effort to developing promising ideas into large successes.

November 30, 2006, just 2 days after Walter and his wife, Peggy, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, Walter passed away from a heart attack. He was 88 years old.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Mr. Walter Casey for his outstanding efforts to improve the state of Nevada. He will be greatly missed by the entire community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend Mitch Fox for his outstanding career and innovative contributions in broadcast and print journalism.

Mitch began his broadcasting career at KABC-TV Los Angeles as an intern and later apprenticed there as a cameraman. Less than 2 years later in 1976, Mitch relocated to Las Vegas where he began his first on-air reporting position with KTNV Channel 13. During his tenure in Las Vegas he has also served as a freelance writer for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Las Vegas Sun, Newsweek and Nevada Magazine.

Mitch began covering the Nevada State Legislature in 1979 and currently produces a weekly series entitled ``Capitol Issues'' during Nevada's biannual legislative session. He has also moderated several candidates' debates, some of which air nationally on C-SPAN. Mitch initiated collaboration with the Las Vegas Review-Journal where RJ readers were able to post candidate questions on the newspaper's website for use during Channel 10's election debates and since 1996, he has brought KLVX and the NBC affiliate KVBC together to produce prime- time election coverage.

It was 1978 when Mitch embarked on his long broadcast career in public television at KLVX Channel l0. He began as senior news and public affairs producer and was later promoted to news and public affairs manager in November 1997. Five years later, in June 2002, Mitch was further promoted as director of production services at KLVX where he supervised the entire programming department, including the oversight of 30 full-time and part-time employees. In this position he has also managed oversight of Channel l0 and Cox Cable Channel 70 programming schedules. In July of 2005, Mitch became director of programming at KLVX and has helped to ensure that the station remains well-versed in use of digital media such as video-on-demand, multicasting, podcasting and online streaming.

For 11 years Mitch produced the award-winning documentary series called ``Real to Reel'' and won an Emmy nomination in 1993 for a documentary on nuclear waste. And now for nearly 20 years Mitch has been host and producer of the popular public affairs talk show, ``Nevada Week in Review'' providing viewers with insightful debate, discussion, and analysis of the most important Nevada news stories of

the week. One of his goals in serving as a leader in public television has been to creatively provide a quality alternative to commercial television. Not only has Mitch Fox worked to build bridges within the broadcast community, but he has also helped lower the high school drop- out rate over the past 20 years by assisting the Clark County School District in developing distance learning programs for K-12 students.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to pay tribute to my friend Mitch Fox for his longstanding service and dedication to the public broadcasting system and to the communities of Nevada. I wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael and Valorie Williams in celebration of their 25th anniversary on December 18, 2006.

Michael and Valorie, both native Nevadans, were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ by the late Bishop E.N. Webb. Since that time, they raised their blended family of four children--Jason, Shawn, Jamaal, and Courtney--with unending love and support and have taught them to have respect for God and their country.

Valorie, a graduate of Rancho High School and veteran of the United States Army and Michael, a graduate of Valley High School and retired employee from the Department of Energy, share a view of life that makes their union special--God is first in everything that they do and everything they are and from that realization, true love exists. They translate this view either to the children they minister to as youth pastors and advisors for their church or with the children they work with on a daily basis as employees of the Clark County School District.

Their home is a place of peace and refuge for the families they have adopted, fed, or cared for as their own and it can never be said that when you enter their home that you did not feel love and happiness from the many laughs and fellowships they have shared with so many throughout the years. Some come to them for advice. Others come to them for support. But all recognize that their marriage is one to admire-- for it is built upon a foundation of mutual respect, truth, love, admiration, laughter and faith in God.

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor to celebrate Michael and Valorie today as they prepare to celebrate their anniversary of 25 years. I wish them all the best this year and hope they are able to celebrate another twenty-five.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Dr. George Ann Rice, for her outstanding service and continued contributions to our society.

Dr. Rice has been an invaluable asset to the Las Vegas community throughout the years. Throughout her many years of service, she has committed herself to improving our schools as the Associate Superintendent of the Clark County School District. Her responsibilities included recruiting and selecting licensed teachers, administrators and support staff as well as securing changes in Nevada Law and Nevada Administrative Codes related to employment and licensure issues. Dr. Rice served on the Clark County School District Investment Committee for 15 years and as Executive Board Director to the Silver State

Schools Credit Union for 9 years. She has also judged regional and state debates for We The People, a national high school government competition promoting civic competence and responsibility.

Dr. Rice received the Council of Great City Schools Annual Award for Distinguished Service in February of this year. She chairs the Nevada Governor's Commission on Educational Excellence, serves as a member of the Nevada Teacher Quality Task Force and as a member of the Workforce Housing Taskforce Subcommittee. She implemented the first national Board for Professional Teaching Standards effort in Nevada as well as created a special department of the Strategic Plan called Human Resources Development Department, which focuses upon pre-service development for teachers, administrators, and support staff as well as provides support and in-service development opportunities.

Dr. Rice has also aided the U.S. House of Representatives in passing H.R. 2649, Schools Safely Acquiring Faculty Excellence Act, a bill which I sponsored that prohibits the Secretary of Education from making funds available to a State under any educational program unless the Secretary determines that the State has in place a criminal information sharing system. It aims to make public the identity of any individual in an educational setting who has been arrested, charged, or convicted of a felony involving violence, statutory rape, or any type of sexual abuse. Dr. Rice participated in a hearing held by the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness under the Committee of House Education and the Workforce.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor my friend, Dr. George Ann Rice, for her years of dedication and hard work. Her commitment and energy will be missed after her forthcoming retirement. I thank her for all her service and I wish her luck with all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rick Harlow in recognition of his heroic act in 2001 of saving a neighbor who was being attacked by three dogs.

During the harrowing 2001 incident, Rick was injured and subsequently spent 3 years in a care center. Mr. Harlow made the best of his tenure in the care center by playing his guitar for the elderly and even playing at an in-house wedding for a couple who met and married in the nursing home.

Mr. Harlow was born and raised in Washington State and initially came to Nevada in 1990 on assignment to construct architectural aerial maps of the Hoover Dam area. What originally began as a mere job appointment has evolved into a long term living arrangement, as Rick has been a proud Nevada resident for 16 years now.

Mr. Harlow has always been active and held a love for nature and the outdoors. In 1994 he suffered an unfortunate rock climbing accident where he fell 35-40 feet and sustained a compression fracture to his back in addition to a lacerated liver and ruptured spleen. Mr. Harlow underwent 3 years of recuperation and physical therapy to walk again. He is a proven fighter both for himself and others as he quite valiantly demonstrated by rescuing his neighbor from that brutal dog attack 5 years ago.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Rick Harlow. His passion for life is inspirational. I applaud him for his heroism and wish him the best with his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. David Hughey for his continued dedication and volunteer work to his community.

This year, David was named Volunteer Supervisor of the Year at the Interagency Volunteer Recognition Program Ceremony. He was nominated for the award by Lake Mead National Recreation Area Superintendent Bill Dickinson for his dedication to the volunteer program, park visitors, and the recreation area in general. The program is coordinated by employees from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service, aimed at improving and maintaining public lands in Southern Nevada.

David supervises about 25 volunteers and has helped the volunteer program grow throughout the years. He is known for treating his volunteers with respect and kindness while maintaining his post. He holds weekly staff meetings in order to keep everyone informed, organizes monthly recognition barbeques for the volunteers, ensures that they have the proper training and tools necessary, and allows himself to be available to his volunteers at all times.

Maintenance around the park is a high priority for David. He's involved with several of the beach and park clean up events, including the Great American Clean-Up, National Public Lands Day, Eagle Scouts Projects, and other corporate and civic group sponsored public service works. David and volunteers also help rake the campgrounds, work on irrigation systems, plant and prune trees, and provide information to visitors about the park. Not only does he do this, but he also coordinates the day-to-day maintenance work of paid employees and volunteers. ``We are fortunate to have dedicated employees like David Hughey on our staff,'' said Superintendent Dickinson.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor Mr. David Hughey for his selfless devotion and undying enthusiasm to his staff and to the community that frequents his park. I commend him for all his efforts and wish him luck with all his future endeavors.