Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1009 which seeks to promote greater public awareness of effective runaway youth prevention programs and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources and supports for youth in high-risk situations. I would like to thank the leadership for allowing this resolution to come to the House floor as it highlights a very tragic and important issue.

Runaway episodes among our Nation's youth are serious and widespread, with one out of every seven children and youth in the United States running away or being turned out of the home before the age of 18. A recent study by the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention estimates that nearly 1.7 million youth experienced a runaway or thrown away episode in a single year. The prevalence of runaway and homeless youth in the Nation is astounding; with studies suggesting that between 1.6 million and 2.8 million young people live on the streets of the United States each year. The primary factors of running away or being turned out of a home are severe family conflict, abuse and neglect, and parental abuse of alcohol and drugs.

In the district that I represent in southern Nevada, the statistics are similar. In the year 2003, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported 4,527 runaways. There were approximately 3,500 children who required emergency shelter. Eighteen hundred of these children were placed in foster care. In

addition to that, the Clark County School District estimates that 3,500 of our students were homeless. 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 leave or be turned out of their homes 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.

The National Network for Youth and the National Runaway Switchboard have collaborated since 2002 in cosponsoring National Runaway Prevention Month during the month of November. National Runaway Prevention Month is a public education initiative aimed at increasing the awareness of issues facing runaways as well as making the public aware of the role they play in preventing youth from running away. As a result of this collaboration, communities across the country have undertaken a range of activities to commemorate National Runaway Prevention Month.

Preventing young people from running away and supporting youth in high-risk situations is a family, community and national concern. Please join us in encouraging all Americans to play a role in supporting the millions of young people who have run away and who are at risk of doing so each year. H. Res. 1009 supports efforts to promote greater public awareness of effective runaway youth prevention programs and the need for safe and productive alternatives, resources and supports for youth in high-risk situations.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend Norman L. Dianda for his leadership as President of Q&D Construction.

Norm is a native Nevadan, having graduated from Reno High School and then serving 6 years as a machinist in the Nevada Air National Guard. Following his tenure with the Nevada Air National Guard, Norm founded Q&D Construction with his friend Lawrence Quadrio. Over the years, the business grew into the 1,000-employee company that it is today, and has added several divisions along the way.

Norm also believes that giving back to the community is necessary. Over the years he has served and continues to serve on numerous committees and boards. One of the projects that was special to Norm was the relocation and restoration of Huffaker Elementary School, which he attended as a youth. Norm also regularly donates to 10 non-profit organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Norman L. Dianda. His professional success with Q&D Construction and his philanthropic undertakings should serve as an example to us all of what constitutes good citizenship. I applaud him for his success and with him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my good friend Damon Ohlerking, who succumbed to cancer on July 5, 2006.

Damon was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa on September 23, 1945. A graduate of Iowa State University, with both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in landscape architecture, Damon worked in Iowa, California, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oregon and Illinois before coming to Boulder City 10 years ago as the City's urban forester. Under Damon's leadership, the City underwent numerous beautification projects, and his vision changed the face of Boulder City. Damon's efforts resulted in Boulder City winning the 2002 National League of Cities' James C. Howland Award for Urban Enhancement for all cities in the country under 50,000 population.

Damon, a Vietnam War Veteran, also sought to share his knowledge with future generations through his service as an adjunct professor of landscape architecture, at the School of Architecture, University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV).

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Damon Ohlerking. He was a man of vision who greatly enhanced the lives of the residents of Boulder City, and he will be greatly missed by the entire community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Jennifer Ritz for her outstanding work as a Clark County school teacher.

Jennifer currently holds three different certifications as a Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) at the elementary and middle school levels in elementary education, math and science. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

This fall, Jennifer is working as an educational computing strategist at Lied Middle School in Las Vegas, Nevada. She gained a computer application endorsement, giving her a total of five different education certifications in addition to her BA.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor Ms. Jennifer Ritz. Her dedication and enthusiasm has greatly enriched the lives of her students. I thank her for her continued commitment to enhancing the educational experiences of her students and wish her luck in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Walter Lloyd Bell, one of the founding fathers of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Known to his family and friends as Lloyd, he passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2006, at the age of 80.

After serving his country in the Navy during World War II, Lloyd returned to Las Vegas and began his career in law enforcement at the Clark County Sheriff's Office. In 1955, at the age of 29, Lloyd became the youngest person

to become County Undersheriff. Three years later, he graduated from the FBI Academy, the first member of the department to do so.

Lloyd served on the Nevada Gaming Control Board from 1961 until 1963, when he rejoined the law enforcement community. In 1968, he served on the committee that created the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department by uniting the Las Vegas Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

Lloyd retired from the Sheriff's Office in 1973 and moved on to the private sector, owning thirteen shoe stores and a beauty salon. The ambition and dedication that allowed Lloyd to make such a positive impact on the law enforcement community in Las Vegas made him a successful business owner, as well.

Lloyd was a devoted husband and a proud father who enjoyed spending time with his family. He and his wife Pamela raised two daughters, Ashley Bell and Courtney Bell Vincent.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Lloyd Bell for his accomplishments and his law enforcement service. I thank him for his participation in the ambitious task of creating the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and I applaud his long record of distinguished service. He has truly had a great impact on the safety and well-being of the Las Vegas community, and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Deborah Mary Lindemenn for her years of service as an Employment Specialist for the State of Nevada.

Deborah is retiring from her post as a Supervisor of the Employment Security Division staff located in the North Las Vegas JobConnect office. As the Division Supervisor, Deborah was responsible for the scheduling of staff duties and ensuring staff availability to provide required services. Deborah also managed the Career Enhancement Program Assistance Funds and wrote the evaluations for all the staff in the Employment Security Division. In her capacity as Supervisor, Deborah had to have an in-depth knowledge of intra-state, interstate, federal and military unemployment programs. Deborah also possesses exemplary communications skills which aided her in directing the activities of personnel in accordance with organizational policies.

In addition to her professional success, Deborah has completed a number of supplemental training programs that enhanced her over-all productivity in the workplace. Deborah completed; Total Quality Leadership Training, in April 1996; Facilitator Training, in July 1997; Employee Appraisal Training, in March 1998; as well as the Women in Leadership Forum in April 2000.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Deborah Mary Lindemenn. Her years of service to the State of Nevada are admirable and I wish her the best in her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Jodet-Marie Harris for her exceptional work as a Clark County high school teacher.

Jodet, a teacher at Mojave High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, holds certification as a Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act. She has obtained both a Master's degree in Special Education and a Doctorate in General Education studies. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher.

According to Mojave High School Principal, Charity Varnado, Jodet has a passion to take a child under her wings and work with them individually to focus on the needs of that child and what it is that will help them learn.'' Jodet has realized that, when working with special education students, patience and compassion helps each student to understand the material being covered.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor Ms. Jodet-Marie Harris. Her dedication and enthusiasm has greatly enriched the lives of her students. I commend her devotion to constantly looking for innovative ways to increase the learning opportunities of her students and I wish her luck in all of her future undertakings.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Ray Giunta for his compassionate support for families and victims in times of crisis.

Ray is an ordained minister of the Evangelical Church Association, has a Bachelor's Degree in social work from the California State University in Sacramento and a Bachelor's in Pastoral Studies from Borean University. Not too long after graduating, Ray co-founded We Care Ministries with fellow minister Jeff Jones. We Care Ministries is a nonprofit Christian social service organization that dedicates its time to helping individuals and communities cope with the trauma of crises, from slayings and accidental deaths to high-profile tragedies like hurricanes, school shootings, and terrorist attacks. Since its existence, approximately 15,000 people have been touched by the Crisis Intervention team with physical, emotional, and prayer support.

Most recently, Ray aided several displaced families of Hurricane Katrina by providing $11,000 in rental fares for the bus that brought the evacuees from Gonzales, LA to Henderson, NV. His congregation also supplied the families with toiletries, cell phones, gift cards to department stores, and shelter in homes of church volunteers.

Ray has worked with a number of agencies, including FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association), the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. He has worked to provide relief at a number of different disaster sites, including: earthquakes in San Francisco; the Oklahoma City bombing; New York after 9/11; and several hurricane disaster areas in Florida and Louisiana. Ray also has counseled families and friends at school shootings in Texas and California as well as corporate mass shootings throughout the Nation.

When he isn't aiding distressed families and friends, he serves as the Encouragement Pastor at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, NV, where he oversees a congregation of 8,000 members as well as the community outreach programs to the city. As pastor, he trains sympathetic, willing volunteers with the tools necessary to provide exceptional spiritual support for those in need.

Ray has received numerous awards for his compassionate care, including ``Investigator of the Year'' during his time as a criminal investigator. He also accepted the California Governor's ``Heroes in Health Care'' Award and the ``Good Samaritan'' Award from the American Red Cross. The California State Legislature also recognized him for his outstanding service in Oklahoma City and New York.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor Reverend Ray Giunta for his generosity and selflessness to numerous people during some of the most tragic events in today's world. On behalf of the Las Vegas community, I thank him for his caring attitude and wish him luck in all of his future deeds.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Esther Fried, who passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2006.

Esther was born October 16, 1919 in Denver, Colorado and was raised in Denver and Salt Lake City. Moving to Las Vegas with her husband in 1959, they opened what would become a Las Vegas institution, Freeds Bakery. Launched in 1959, this bakery grew from a mom-and-pop operation into a world-renowned business. Having seven locations in the 1970s when Las Vegas' population was one-fifth what it is today, Freeds Bakery eventually was consolidated into one location. Under her leadership the bakery grew exponentially and gained widespread recognition. In 1996, Bon Appetit named Freeds Bakery one of the top 10 places to eat in Las Vegas. The bakery was also featured in the April 2002 edition of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of Esther Fried. She will be dearly missed by the Las Vegas Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kirk V. Clausen for his leadership as the regional president of Nevada for Wells Fargo Bank.

Kirk has worked for Wells Fargo Bank in various capacities since he was 14 years old. In his childhood hometown of Sioux City, Iowa, Kirk worked for Norwest Bank, now Wells Fargo, delivering calendars and performing other odd jobs. During college, Kirk worked the night shift as a teller. By the time he graduated from college, Kirk was managing all three teller lines during all three shifts. Due to his adeptness, Kirk was asked to participate in the bank's management training program, and so began his bank management career. Today, Kirk is responsible for more than 11 Wells Fargo banks across Nevada.

Despite demands on his time, Kirk is also very active in the community and has served on numerous community boards, including the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, EDAWN.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Kirk V. Clausen. His combination 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 urge passage of H.R. 4382, the Southern Nevada Readiness Center Act. I would like to thank the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), as well as the Nevada National Guard and Clark County, Nevada, for their strong support of this legislation.

The purpose of H.R. 4382 is to convey 35 to 50 acres of land from the McCarran Airport Cooperative Management Area Boundary to the Nevada National Guard in the State of Nevada for the purpose of building the Nevada National Guard Readiness Center. This new center will reside in my district in southern Nevada.

The Nevada Army National Guard is an impressive group of soldiers whose work contributes to the United States military's overall mission of defending our homeland. More specifically, the Nevada National Guard maintains a three-part mission geared to the Federal, State and community. The underlying focus of each individual mission is for the safety, the protection and the well-being of the American people.

Under the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization for fiscal year 2005, over $12.8 million was secured to construct a new Nevada National Guard Readiness Center in southern Nevada. Additionally, during their 2005 legislative work period, the Nevada State legislature approved matching funds and has appropriated over $27 million for the construction of and projects associated with the Readiness Center.

The State of Nevada is firmly committed to ensuring that we do our part to defend our homeland and that our guard is prepared to respond to any national security threats facing our State and Nation.

The Southern Nevada Readiness Center is an essential link to helping the State meet its commitment to train guardsmen to respond to chemical, biological and other terrorist threats against Nevada and our Nation.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage of this very important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Reginald ``Reggie'' Knight for his outstanding service to his community.

Reggie graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit in 1954. Soon after, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam as a Recon Platoon Sergeant. He became senior enlisted Staff Assistant to the Commanding Officer of Fighter Attack Squadron 323 at the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, CA before he retired in 1974 as a Sergeant Major.

After Reggie retired from the Marines, he began working for the Veterans Administration (VA), serving as the representative at Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA, where he earned his associates degree in 1977. While earning his bachelor's degree at the University of Redlands in California, Reggie gained access to the VA's regional office in Denver as well as becoming health systems specialist at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda, CA. In 1986, he transferred to the Department of Army, eventually earning the position of senior employment development specialist for the U.S. Army Tank Auto/Command in Warren, MI. When he retired in 1994, he settled in Pahrump, NV, becoming a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE).

Within 5 years of his membership, Reggie helped triple the size of NARFE's Chapter 2276 by initiating a recruiting program, leading members in a highway cleanup, getting NAFRE signs raised on local highways, joining the local Chamber of Commerce, and launching a public relations campaign in order to allow easily-accessible information about the chapter in the local media. Throughout his membership, Reggie has served as chapter vice president (a position he currently holds), legislative officer, chairman of the public relations and membership committees, and, in 2000, he was elected the 10th president of the Nevada NARFE Federation. Recently, he chaired the host committee for two Nevada Federation conventions.

Reggie has also involved himself in a number of efforts to enrich the lives of the Pahrump community. He has worked with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service to offer programs such as 4-H, which help youths develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills. He also assisted in the establishment of the Big Brother/Big Sister program in his town. In 2001, Reggie was appointed Chair of a committee to lobby the State legislature to construct a high-tech center in Pahrump; that same year he was honored with the Golden heart Community Service Award from the United Way. He is also active in the Marine Corps League and Disabled American Veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Mr. Reginald B. Knight for his admirable efforts to improve the community of Pahrump, Nevada, and for his long record of public service as a Federal employee and retiree. I applaud his efforts and wish him luck in all his future endeavors,

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor both William Skivington, Sr., and William Skivington, Jr., for their service in the United States Armed Forces. William, Sr., and William, Jr., are being honored today at Nellis Air Force Base as part of the 2006 POW/MIA National Recognition Day ceremonies.

Private First Class William Skivington, Jr., or ``Skip'' as most referred to him, disappeared on Mother's Day in 1968 during a ground battle near the Laotian border. Thirty-eight years after being declared missing-in-action, his remains have finally been returned to his family. A graduate of Western High School, William, Jr., was presumed killed or captured after his observation post at Kham Duc was overrun by a brigade of North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong. For his bravery and service William, Jr., was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and a number of medals from the Government of Vietnam, he will be laid to rest with his fellow American heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.

William, Jr., learned the value and honor of service from his father, William, Sr., who served our country with bravery and nobility in the European Theater during World War II. For his valor, William, Sr., was highly also decorated. I applaud Bill not only for his service to this country, but also for his support for all prisoners of war and missing in action and their families, and his dedication to his son, William, Jr. He is currently raising money to preserve an olive tree, The Freedom Tree, which was planted in 1972 and dedicated to his son, and all POW/MIA.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor William Skivington, Sr., and William Skivngton, Jr. Their service in our Nation's armed services is admirable and shows that they are both true patriots and American heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Senior Center of Boulder City which will celebrate the Grand Opening of their new location on June 3, 2006.

Originally founded in 1975, the Senior Center of Boulder City enhances the quality of life and promotes wellness by providing social, educational, and health services to seniors in the community. Due to budget cutbacks that forced the elimination of city-funded senior programs, volunteers formed the Senior Center of Boulder City, Inc. in 1983, a private non-profit (501C3) corporation to maintain the services of the senior center. Since that time, the Senior Center has been maintained by volunteers who desired to give services to seniors when there was no other city funded programs available. Founding Director Bert D. Hildebrand, and the first Executive Director, Marilyn Moore were both instrumental in obtaining the Center's current site. The Senior Center is presently located in a historic building built in 1932 in the heart of historic Old Town and remains a center of civic and cultural life.

Thirty years after first opening their doors, they have outgrown their current site and plan to relocate to the building, once occupied by the library, at 813 Arizona Street, which is of equal historic value. This new building will approximately double their square footage and help them to better serve their six-hundred plus members as well as other members of the community with their rich variety of programs, activities, and services.

The Center has a very active Board of Directors led by President Don Meeks along with Vice-President Betty Smith, Secretary Sharon Lazar, Treasurer Larry Morris, and other members Jack Cummings, Starlene Jarvis, June Lobell, Robert Mayfield, Paul T. Ryan, Tom Shverha, Paul Stouterborough, and Bette Porter and Ede Zinn who are two long-time members and past Board members that serve as Emeritus Members of the Board. I would also like to recognize past President Karl Peddy who has recently past away and Alice Hagan for her devotion to the Senior Center since 1975.

Executive Director Anita Gant, who is celebrating her one year anniversary with the Senior Center, has been a tremendous asset to the center. She and her staff of nine consisting of Program Director Norma King, kitchen staffs consisting of Jane Shafer, Debbie Kittleson, and Steve Reteria, four part-time drivers Gene Crawford, Eric Kramer, Robert Zubrod, and Ted Zubrod, and a custodian Warren Britton, who all work very hard to ensure the seniors of Boulder City are very well cared for. They are looking forward to another plus twenty years of service to the community in their new facility.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Senior Center of Boulder City on the floor of the House. I commend them for their contributions to Boulder City and thank them for her continued service to the seniors of Southern Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend, Thalia Dondero, for her outstanding service to the Southern Nevada community. She will be awarded the Public Education Foundation's Education Hero Award on September 16, 2006.

Thalia moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942, and a few years later met and married her husband Harvey, a Las Vegas High School teacher. The newly married couple relocated to Carson City, Nevada in 1946 when Harvey went to work for the United States Office of Education.

In 1948, Thalia and her husband moved back to Las Vegas and she began her involvement in public education at the Mayfield Grade School. She was also active in the Service League, served as director of the Las Vegas Girl Scouts, and was appointed to the Nevada State Parks Commission.

Thalia was elected to the Clark County Commission in 1974 and served for 20 years, and was the first female Commissioner. During her tenure at the Commission, she served as Chairperson three times, and made the news when she refused to act as the secretary for the male members.

Her public service continued in 1996, when she was elected to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, where she fought to improve the education system in Southern Nevada. Thalia has served one term as Board vice chair and two terms as chair. Currently, she is chair of the Investment Committee and serves on several others.

Thalia continues to be a giving public servant and a true patron of education. She has been appointed to many committees and boards that help serve the community of Southern Nevada. Thalia and her husband have given a great deal to the community and are invaluable residents of Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Thalia Dondero on the floor of the House. I commend her for her contributions to Southern Nevada and thank her for her continued service to our education system.