Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and include my statement for the Record:

I want to thank the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Sensenbrenner, for bringing this bill to the House today. It is an important bill that will help protect children and our community's safety.

One section of this package includes H.R. 4894, legislation I introduced, that will provide our school districts with another tool in their extraordinary efforts to bring highly qualified staff to our classrooms and schools.

By providing our school districts with direct access to criminal information records, we can help ensure timely and complete information on prospective school employees. This provision will allow local and state educational agencies to access national criminal information databases and will ensure that schools have the information they need when hiring teachers entrusted with our children and our classrooms.

Teachers are unparalleled in the role they play in children's lives. Most teachers uphold the highest standards of conduct, and they deserve the trust they have earned in educating our children. However, particularly in rapidly-growing communities, a lack of good information may leave schools vulnerable and could endanger our students. This is a common sense opportunity to give states and local schools the tools they need to ensure safety in our schools.

This package also includes legislation I introduced, H.R. 4732, The Sergeant Henry Prendes Memorial Act of 2006. This legislation states that whoever kills, or attempts to kill or conspires to kill, a federally funded public safety officer while that officer is engaged in official duties, shall be imprisoned for no less than 30 years, or life, or, if death results may be sentenced to death. A `public safety officer' in this legislation means an individual serving a public agency in an official capacity, as a judicial officer, law enforcement officer, firefighter, chaplain, or as a member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.

This is a common sense legislative package that will help keep our children and those who protect our communities safe. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and, again, applaud the Chairman for his leadership on the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, insert the following article on Sergeant Prendes into the Record.

`Our Worst Nightmare': LV Officer Slain in Gunbattle

(By Brian Haynes, Review-Journal)

What was to have been a proud day for the Metropolitan

Police Department on Wednesday ended as one of its darkest.

Fourteen-year police veteran Sgt. Henry Prendes was shot

and killed during a domestic violence call, becoming the

first Las Vegas police officer in 17 years to be slain in the

line of duty.

``I can tell you, for the men and women of the Metropolitan

Police Department this is a very sad day,'' Sheriff Bill

Young said. ``It's our worst nightmare as an agency.''

Prendes, 37, was ambushed as he approached the front door

of a house in southwest Las Vegas. The gunman then held

police at bay by firing more than 50 rounds from a

semiautomatic assault rifle before officers shot and killed

him, Young said.

A second officer was shot in the leg during the gunbattle.

Police identified the gunman as Amir Rashid Crump, 21, an

aspiring Las Vegas rapper who went by the nickname

``Trajik.''

The incident began about 1:20 p.m., just as Young was about

to start an awards ceremony at the Clark County Commission

chambers. Young told the audience of police officers and

their families that he had to leave and explained that an

officer had been shot. He didn't know that Prendes was dead

until he was en route to University Medical Center.

Police had responded to the home at 8336 Feather Duster

Court, near Durango Drive and the Las Vegas Beltway, after

several 911 calls about a man beating a woman with a stick in

the front yard and breaking windows on vehicles and the

house.

Prendes and several officers arrived and found the woman,

who was Crump's girlfriend. Her mother and her brother were

with her. Crump had gone inside the home.

Prendes ``cautiously approached'' the door when he was met

with gunfire, Young said. An officer nearby saw Prendes

``reeling out of the house, saying, `I'm hit,' '' Young said.

Prendes fell on the sidewalk, but other officers could not

reach him because Crump continued firing with his gun, which

was similar to an AK-47, Young said.

Crump fired about 50 rounds and kept the officers pinned

behind cars, walls and whatever cover they could find, he

said. He went upstairs and fired down upon the officers, he

said.

Investigators found several empty ammunition clips at the

scene.

``He was prepared for this,'' Young said. ``He was ready,

waiting and willing to kill a police officer.''

As the gunbattle continued, officers from across the valley

sped toward the area and swarmed the neighborhood. Several

roads were closed as police locked down the scene and

surrounding neighborhood.

Joe Anello, a Manhattan Beach, Calif., resident who was

visiting a relative, watched the incident unfold from a

backyard looking toward Feather Duster Court. He said he

heard a burst of eight to 10 shots, followed by about 15

seconds of silence, then another 15 or 20 gunshots.

Another neighbor, Anthony Johnson, said it sounded like a

gunbattle.

``It sounded like someone was shooting, and then someone

shooting back,'' he said.

Aaron Barnes, who lives on Feather Duster Court, said he

came home from work and saw the police helicopter. He heard

gunfire and looked up the street to see his neighbor, Crump,

firing a gun.

He said his neighbor, a member of the rap group Desert

Mobb, was usually quiet, except for occasional loud music in

the middle of the night.

Despite the barrage of gunfire, police officers tried to

rescue Prendes. A plainclothes officer with the gang unit was

armed with an assault rifle and helped turn the tide.

``His weapon probably saved the day,'' Young said.

That officer was shot in the leg during the rescue attempt.

Police shot and killed Crump outside the front door.

About five or six officers fired their weapons during the

incident. Their names will be withheld until 48 hours after

the incident, which is department policy.

``This could have been a lot worse,'' Young said. ``We are

extremely fortunate that other police officers were not

killed in this incident.''

At UMC, dozens of somber uniformed and plainclothes

officers gathered in front of the Trauma Unit to show their

support for the wounded officer. Police sealed off the Trauma

Unit entrance for hours, allowing only authorized personnel

to use that entrance. Nearly all visitors were told to use a

different hospital entrance.

The last Las Vegas police officer to be shot and killed in

the line of duty was 34-year-old Marc Kahre. He was shot in

October 1988 while responding to a domestic violence call in

east Las Vegas.

Young said domestic violence calls can be the most

dangerous for a police officer, but Las Vegas police officers

handle thousands a year without incident.

``Today, unfortunately, our luck ran out,'' Young said.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Peter I. Breen for his service as a District Court Judge in the great State of Nevada.

Peter was born in Reno, Nevada, November 8, 1939. His mother, Gwendolyn (Ingram), was born in Sparks, Nevada, in 1908. His father, Peter, was born in Eureka, Nevada, in 1901, was District Judge of the Fifth Judicial District from 1956 to 1967. His grandfather, Peter Breen, was District Judge of the Third Judicial District from 1901- 1923.

Peter was raised and educated in Goldfield and Tonopah, Nevada, where he graduated from Tonopah High School in 1956. He graduated from the University of Nevada in 1960 and the University of Santa Clara Law School in 1963.

Peter practiced law both in Reno and Carson City from 1963 to 1973. From 1967 to 1970 he served as Deputy Attorney General. Following that, he was a partner with Emerson J. Wilson in the firm of Wilson and Breen, Ltd. at the time of his appointment to the bench. Governor O'Callaghan made his appointment to fill the newly created Department Seven effective January 2, 1974. Peter has been elected six times to the post without opposition.

The Washoe County Courthouse Historical and Preservation Society was formed in June 1999 by Peter for the purpose of restoration and preservation of the historical courthouse and its history. The Society instituted the Flag Day Celebration in 2000 and holiday lighting of the courthouse, and they have become popular traditions. Peter continues to serve as the Society's President. A commemoration of the recently restored historical courtroom is to occur in 2006.

On July 1, 1999, Peter instituted a Probate Court in the District Court and presides over its operation.

Peter instituted the Washoe County Adult Drug Court on July 1, 1995. He also created and presides over a Diversion Court for criminal offenders whose crimes are attributable to drug addiction or alcoholism. He has participated at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, and National Association of Drug Court Professionals in several programs concerning the Drug Court movement. In November 2001, he established the first Mental Health Court in Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Honorable Peter I. Breen on the floor of the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Lance Cpl. John Joshua Thornton, who was killed on Saturday, February 25, 2006, at the age of 22, while serving in Iraq. I recognize him today for his dedicated service to this country for the cause of freedom in a global community.

Throughout his life, Josh did everything 100 percent. As a child, he took over the role as head of the household, after his father, Robert, died in a work-related accident. He was always a great son, but became a man overnight. Josh always enjoyed weightlifting and martial arts, and by the age of 7, he received his first black belt. He loved to help people, and he taught at an after-school program for underprivileged youth. Josh was always very outgoing and brought joy to those who knew him.

It was Josh's dream to be a Marine since he was very little. In November 2004, he joined the Marine Corp, 2 years after graduating in the top of his class at Tolleson Union High School. Josh was assigned as a rifleman to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment and deployed to Iraq in September. As a Marine, he received the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Tragically, on Saturday, February 25, he died of wounds received during an enemy mortar attack while serving in Ramadi, Iraq.

Joshua is survived by his mother, Rachel, brother, Kyle, and sister, Brianna.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity I have today, to recognize and honor Lance Cpl. John Joshua Thornton in front of my colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives. I have been a longtime friend with his great, great grandmother Nita Andrews and her recently deceased husband, Ed Andrews.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Timothy Burris, who retired on January 3rd of this year, after 26 years of dedicated service to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, his last 8 years serving in the Laughlin Substation as Detective.

Tim began his career in 1979 as a patrol officer in Las Vegas, and started the Bicycle Patrol Unit there. He moved up to work in the Detective Bureau, an assignment he has maintained for the last 15 years. Tim also served on the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association and before joining Metro, he served 3 tours in Vietnam in the U.S. Navy as a crewman on the U.S.S. Kawishiwi, affectionately referred to as the ``Special K'' by the crew.

Demonstrating that his job is something he does, not who he is, Timothy's fondest memories are not necessarily the ones from being on the force, but rather memories of his family. The detective has 3 sons that he is very proud of; Timothy, 30, a high school art and theater teacher; Matthew, 27, a member of Metro's Mounted Patrol Unit; and James, 12, a middle school student and promising young bow-hunter.

Tim has spent much of his career downplaying his efforts while serving on the force. When approached with a recommendation for an award or medal, with his typical humble demeanor he will tell you that he doesn't see the need for medals or honors. He feels that he is just doing his job. That unassuming attitude is exactly what makes Tim so loved and respected.

His fellow police officers describe him as a real professional and a long-time solid police officer of the highest caliber. His outstanding record shows that he is the go-to-guy on any difficult case. His knowledge and experience will be greatly missed in southern Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Timothy Burris on the floor of the House today. I congratulate him on a great career and wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Gary Hood who retired on January 3, 2006, after 24 years of service on the force.

Sgt. Hood began his career with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (Metro) in 1976, after serving in the Air Force for 8 years. He was a crew member of the USAF Thunderbirds before leaving the service. At Metro, Sgt. Hood started as patrol officer and remained so by choice for 15 years. He also served in the Special Investigations and Concealed Weapons units for about 2 years and 6 years respectively. Sgt. Hood has been a sergeant for 14 years.

He and his wife, Sue, are the parents of two beautiful daughters, Christina, 26, and Erin, 21. They also have one granddaughter, Rhianna, 5. All are residents of Henderson, NV.

The more notorious cases that he was involved with during his career include the shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur and the violent fight between the rival Hells Angels and Mongol outlaw biker gangs during the Laughlin River Run in 2002. Three people were killed and 13 others were shot or stabbed in the confrontation.

Sgt. Hood received the 2002 Medal of Valor for his efforts in the shoot-out, the highest honor issued by the department. He also gives of himself by being a member of the Laughlin Town Advisory Board, a volunteer position. He can be described as a dedicated man, dedicated to the community, the police department and his family.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Sgt. Gary Hood on the floor of the House today. I congratulate him on his retirement. He has been an honorable and valuable public servant and he will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Laughlin Town Constable Patrick Ketterer for his outstanding service to the community of Laughlin and his dedication to making that community a safer and more pleasant place in which to live and visit.

Patrick Ketterer has been a Laughlin resident since 1988, moving there from Rochester, Michigan. He serves in one of two elected positions in the Laughlin Township. He was initially appointed to the position to fill a vacancy and has since been reelected to the position four times. He is the longest serving elected official in Laughlin.

Along with serving as the town Constable, Patrick Ketterer has given countless hours of service to the community through volunteer work. Some of his activities include serving with the Metro Volunteer Police (MVPs), volunteering as a Homeland Security reserve officer and working for the local Community Emergency Response Team as Team Trainer. He is also a member of the Kiwanis and Lions clubs, as well as the American Legion Post 60. On January 10, 2006, He received the Citizen of the Year award for 2005 from the Laughlin Town Advisory Board.

To the children of Laughlin Patrick Ketterer is known simply as ``Santa.'' Usually arriving at holiday events by police car, fire truck, or even a horse and buggy, he has thrilled the children of the community for years by playing the role of Santa Claus.

Mr. Speaker, It is a privilege to honor Patrick Ketterer for his community service in the great state of Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief William Turk of the Boulder City Police Department, who has retired after twenty years of dedicated service.

Bill began working for the Boulder City Police Department in 1986. He started as patrol officer and worked his way through the ranks as a Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and finally, as Chief of Police. Even though he was Chief of Police, he was always ready to serve as backup if needed. He learned this philosophy from the much larger Oklahoma City Police department where he served for ten years prior to coming to Boulder City. One night, he was responding to a call and requested another officer to assist him. When the dispatch said no units were available, he was stunned when the city's police chief himself showed up minutes later. The Chief had been listening to the radio traffic from his scanner at home.

Bill left Oklahoma City seeking a department where he could actually have time to solve problems he was called out to. Boulder City, with its low crime rate, fit the bill. Many officers have the belief they need to make as many arrests and citations as possible, but not Bill Turk. He believed in Community Policing. Boulder City residents would often notice pink slips on their cars, warning them of a parking violation, instead of tickets. Cars also received courtesy reminders if their doors were left unlocked. Once, several businesses were repeatedly complaining about kids leaving their bikes all over the sidewalk by a pizza parlor they frequented. The problem was the kids had no other place to put their bikes. Sitting behind the police station was a bike rack that never got used. The department donated the rack to the pizza parlor. Problem solved. These are just a few examples of how Bill worked hard not only to make the town safe but also to make it a better community.

Mr. Speaker, Bill Turk is a well-respected model of honesty and integrity. His career will stand as an example to all those who set forth to protect and serve. It is an honor to recognize him on the floor of the House and I wish him the best with retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Aldeane Comito Ries, who served as a teacher and principal in the Clark County School District for 38 years. She will be recognized at the formal dedication of Aldeane Comito Ries Elementary School, which was named in her honor.

Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Aldeane graduated from Roosevelt High School and then attended the University of Iowa. She went on to earn an undergraduate degree in elementary education, with a minor in Italian. She subsequently earned a master's degree in elementary education and is certified in counseling, administration, secondary education and vocational education.

Aldeane began her distinguished teaching career in 1962 at J.E. Manch Elementary School in Las Vegas. After teaching elementary school for 5 years at both Manch and Ruth Fyfe Elementary Schools, she moved to Farside Middle School where she taught for a year. In 1968, she was appointed as the Dean of Students at Garside and K.O. Knudson Middle Schools. After 2 years as a middle school administrator, she moved to Valley High School where she served as the Dean of Students. Following her time at Valley High School, Aldeane spent 6 years as the Dean at Chaparral High School. In 1981, she was appointed as the Assistant Principal at Chaparral and held that position for 9 years. In 1990, she was appointed to her first principalship at Valley High School. In 1993, she was the first woman to be selected to open a new metropolitan high school when she was appointed as principal of Silverado. She served there until her retirement. Since retirement, Aldeane has remained active in education by mentoring new principals. Additionally, she touches the lives of the students at Ries Elementary School by volunteering to participate in the Clark County Reads Program.

Throughout her thirty-eight years in the Clark County School District, regardless of her position, Aldeane held fast to the belief that schools should always act in the best interest of their students. Her ``students first'' philosophy won the hearts of the students and staff with whom she served. Her steadfast commitment to her students and the courage with which she advocated for them serve as an outstanding example for all educators.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mrs. Aldeane Comito Ries today on the floor of the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph E. Thiriot for 33 years of teaching in Nevada and a lifetime full of goodwill and service to the community. Joseph is recognized today at the dedication of Joseph E. Thiriot Elementary School which opened September 19, 2005.

Joseph was born August 20, 1906, in Provo, UT. When he was 13 he moved to Nevada and graduated from a one-room schoolhouse in Pahranagat Valley in Lincoln County. He earned a teaching degree from Brigham Young University in 1930 and a masters of arts from Northwestern University. He then taught school in Lincoln County from 1932 to 39. The following year, Joseph and his wife, Ellen, also a longtime Las Vegas High School teacher, moved to Las Vegas, where they raised three children, all Las Vegas High School graduates. He finished his teaching career in 1966, after 26 years at Las Vegas High School. Some of the subjects that Joseph taught include drama, english literature, grammar, stagecraft, play production, debate, public speaking, chorus and typing. He also headed the Debate team and the Glee Club.

Joseph's students remember him for the fun and exciting classes that he taught and the long hours he put in after school to direct large productions, have extra rehearsals for the next choir concert or to help prepare for an upcoming debate. During these long hours students not only received help for their respective activity but benefited from the example he showed as an outstanding educator and citizen. He had a dedication to educate his students both in and out of the classroom that will not be forgotten.

Outside of school, Joseph is very active in the community. He and his wife were longtime costume and makeup directors for the Helldorado parade and other local events. He also cofounded the Las Vegas Little Theater in 1945, helped to form the Las Vegas Classroom Teacher Association, and championed the construction of the old Las Vegas High School auditorium in 1953, where the first classes of what is now University of Nevada, Las Vegas were held. Joseph long performed as a member of the Westerner Quartet and was, for 11 years, a member of the internationally renowned Desert Chorale. An avid collector of rocks and gems, even at the age of 99, when he visits area schools to talk to students on behalf of the Las Vegas Gem Club, he at times meets youngsters whose grandparents were his former students.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Joseph E. Thiriot. He has lived his life full of integrity, enthusiasm, and hard work, dedicating it to education, family, students, and the community. He has been a mentor and inspiration to hundreds of students and to his family and I congratulate him today at the dedication of Joseph E. Thiriot Elementary School.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. James Shore for his devoted service as the first chancellor of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center (UCDHSC). Dr. Shore has provided unwavering leadership to the UCDHSC campus through a period of significant transition.

Since 1985, Dr. Shore has committed his considerable skills, time and energy to the University of Colorado in a variety of leadership posts, including interim executive vice chancellor for the Health Sciences Center, interim director of the University of Colorado Hospital, superintendent of the Colorado Psychiatric Hospital, and chairman of the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Shore has also served as chair of the University of Colorado Hospital Board, and is a member of the board of directors for the Children's Hospital and the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority.

I would like to recognize Dr. Shore for his tireless efforts to positively affect campus culture and environment, as well as for his significant influence on its current and future leaders by modeling management skill, civil discourse, active listening, time management and a keen sense of timing. As chancellor, he actively supported diversity by reorganizing the Health Sciences Center's Diversity Program, securing additional scholarship funds and encouraging all schools to increase the recruitment of a more diversified student body, faculty and staff. He also received the United States Public Health Service Commendation Medal for his work with American Indians.

Dr. Shore's contributions to the development and building of the formidable Fitzsimons campus cannot be overstated. He was instrumental in securing legislative authorization for $202 million in certificates of participation, led the development of the initial Fitzsimons master plan, and has played a key role in accelerating the move process. Dr. Shore championed the raising of $2.3 billion in capital resources from multiple sources, including State, Federal, gifts, campus cash, and partner allocations. He also worked tirelessly to secure the move of the Children's Hospital to Fitzsimons.

With Dr. Shore at the helm the growth of total institutional revenue of the Heath Sciences Center increased from $330 million in fiscal year 1997 to more than $602 million in fiscal year 2004. Most recently, his leadership in chairing the consolidation feasibility process has led to the establishment of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, creating the leading research university in the Rocky Mountain region with over $350 million in extramural funding.

Dr. Shore and his wife Chris truly believe in the role of the new Fitzsimons campus and generously contributed to the Fitzsimons Development, helping to build the Shore Family Forum, a state-of-the- art auditorium located in the Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Dr. James H. Shore for his extraordinary leadership and distinguished service to the University of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my good friend, Marci Berka Reimers.

Marci was born on May 21, 1957 at Crawford County Hospital in Denison, IA. She was the second of four children born to Marvin and Donna Berka. Marci had two sisters and a brother named Randy, who I am proud to call my best friend.

After graduating from Humboldt Community High School in 1975, Marci married Brian Reimers on November 29 of that same year. As a young couple they lived in Maryville, MO while Brian attended Northwest Missouri State University. Marci worked in retail while Brian was in college. In 1977, Brian accepted a teaching position at Riceville, IA and they lived in that community for two years. In 1979 they moved to Ogden, IA where Marci was instrumental in helping her husband build a first-time wrestling program for that community. Brian has been a teacher, coach, and athletic director at Ogden High School for 26 years, and he will be inducted in the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame this month. Marci and Brian were blessed with two sons, Luke and Seth.

Luke was born November 7, 1978. He graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, IA. He and his wife Kara, who live in Waukee, IA, gave Marci and Brian the gift of a granddaughter on February 10, 2005. Ella Grace has been the joy of her grandmother's eyes.

Seth was born April 18, 1982. He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2004. While attending NWMSU he was in Army ROTC and received the George C. Marshall ROTC award in 2004. Following graduation, Seth became a U.S. Army Ranger and is currently a 2nd Lieutenant stationed at Fort Drum, NY where he is awaiting deployment to Iraq sometime this year.

Marci was Vice President of City State Bank in Ogden, IA where she was employed for 26 years. She was also a real estate loan officer. In addition, Marci served as treasurer for the Ogden Scholarship & Loan Foundation, which is a private loan foundation providing over one-half million dollars in scholarships to Ogden community members.

Mr. Speaker, Marci was a role model and mentor for many children and adults in Ogden. She served as an advisor, friend, and pillar of support to people of all ages. She was loved for her kind spirit, her strong sense of patriotism, and her ability to clearly live her life based on the principles of respect and dignity for others. Marci worked side-by-side with Brian to build one of the most successful wrestling programs in the state of Iowa. She worked hand-in-hand with Ogden parents and athletes to promote the true spirit of athletics and helped shape many young athletes into responsible American citizens.

Education held a high priority in her life and she encouraged many young men and women to further their education and make a difference in the world. A scholarship has been established in her honor for one young woman each year through the Board of Directors at City State Bank. Marci was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden, IA, where she taught Sunday school and served on numerous church committees throughout her life. Her faith in God was remarkable and she demonstrated a life example for all those she touched.

Mr. Speaker, as one of two boys, I always considered Marci the little sister I never had, and regarded her as a member of my own family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Carlotta Walls LaNier for her contributions to the American human rights movement and her continued service as a role model and educator for the youth of this country.

Carlotta is truly a woman of living history. She was born on December 18, 1942, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was one of the nine African American teenagers who integrated Little Rock Arkansas' Central High School in 1957, following the U.S. Supreme Courts' ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. Implementing such a ruling required a presidential order to provide troops to protect Carlotta and the other students breaking through the racial barrier. Despite threats on her and her family's life, and countless other incidents of intimidation and prejudice, Carlotta graduated in 1960.

History would later call these brave Americans the ``Little Rock Nine.''

Inspired by Rosa Parks, Carlotta had the desire to get the best education available, Carlotta enrolled at Michigan State University. She attended Michigan State for 2 years before moving with her family to Denver. In 1968, she earned a B.S. from Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado) and began working at the YWCA as a program administrator for teens.

Carlotta was awarded the prestigious Spingarn Medal by the NAACP in 1958. She has been a member of the Colorado Aids Project, Jack and Jill of America, the Urban League and the NAACP, as well as the president of the Little Rock Nine Foundation, a scholarship organization dedicated to ensuring equal access to education for African Americans. She has also served as a trustee for the Iliff School of Theology. In 1999 at the White House, members of Congress and the President bestowed upon Carlotta and the other members of the Little Rock Nine the nations' highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal, for their sacrifice and contribution to the cause of equality.

Mr. Speaker, Carlotta Wells LaNier continues to spread her influence by speaking today, to the students of Cornerstone Christian Academy in Henderson, Nevada, as part of a Black History Month Celebration. I am honored to recognize this great woman.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 300) paying tribute to Shirley Horn in recognition of her many achievements and contributions to the world of jazz and American culture, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 300, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 300, which pays tribute to Ms. Shirley Horn, one of the leading jazz musicians of her generation. Ms. Horn passed away this past October, leaving behind a legacy of unsurpassing musical achievement and a family thankful for her dedication as a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. I thank the resolution's author, Mr. Conyers, for drawing our attention to Ms. Horn's accomplishments and her status as one of America's artistic treasures.

Ms. Horn's talent was evident in early life. She began playing the piano at age 4 and started formal musical training at age 5. At the age of 12, she studied composition at Howard University in Washington, DC and received a scholarship to the Julliard School in New York at the age of 18. Unable to afford the high costs of living in New York, Ms. Horn instead remained in Washington, again studying music at Howard University.

Ms. Horn released her first album in 1961. The record, entitled ``Embers and Ashes,'' established her as a gifted jazz musician and attracted the attention of such musical luminaries as Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. Following the release of ``Embers and Ashes,'' Ms. Horn recorded two more albums and spent several years touring major jazz clubs throughout the United States.

However, Ms. Horn struggled with the travel demands of an active tour schedule and chose to spend the bulk of her time at home with her husband and daughter, occasionally playing at local jazz clubs in the Washington and Baltimore areas. Then, in 1980, while attending a musicians' convention in Washington, she was rediscovered while playing at a hotel piano with a group of old friends.

This rediscovery led to several years of touring and recording, with audiences and critics alike responding enthusiastically to her resurgence. Ms. Horn received nine Grammy nominations during this period, culminating in her 1998 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for ``I Remember Miles,'' her tribute to Miles Davis.

Ms. Horn's awards also include a 2003 Jazz at Lincoln Center award for Artistic Excellence, and being named the

2005 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, this country's highest honor for jazz, composers and musicians. In 2004, Ms. Horn was honored during a star-studded tribute and concert at Washington's Kennedy Center.

Musically, Ms. Horn will be remembered for the interaction between her voice and the piano and her slow, intimate ballads that have influenced the new generation of jazz artists. She will also be remembered for her dedication to family and the sacrifices she has made to be a good wife, mother and grandmother.

Mr. Speaker, as a musician myself, certainly nowhere near the accomplished musician as Ms. Horn was, I would like to also state from the personal side that I truly believe that the avenue to world peace is through music. I think she played a major role in bringing different cultures, different groups together for generations. I applaud her for that.

I would like to thank Mr. Conyers for bringing this national treasure to our attention today and providing this opportunity to pay tribute to Ms. Horn's accomplishments. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I again appreciate having the opportunity to speak on this resolution today, and my strong feelings that we should recognize her for her many accomplishments. I would ask that my colleagues support this resolution as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Army Pvt. Joshua Michael Morberg, who was killed on Tuesday, December 27th 2005, at the age of 20, while serving in Iraq. I recognize him today for his dedicated service to this country for the cause of freedom in a global community.

Pvt. Joshua Morberg came from a long line of military veterans. His grandfather had been in World War II and Korea and he had many other family members who have served in every military branch.

As a child Joshua was described as ``curious'', always asking questions and desiring to gain more knowledge. His uncle stated that he could never own a radio because Josh would always take it apart and never quite put it back together again. Growing up he learned to play the violin and in high school he learned to speak Japanese.

Ever since he was a little boy Joshua wanted to be a soldier. So, in 2004, he graduated early from Washoe High School to join the military. Joshua had only been in Iraq for a few weeks. On Tuesday, December 27th, while on duty in Baghdad, another patrol came under attack. Despite the clear danger, Joshua led the effort to help his fellow soldiers. Tragically, Joshua was killed, along with another soldier, when an improvised explosive device was detonated.

For his brave service and individual act of courage Joshua was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with Valor device, the Purple Heart and a Good Conduct Medal.

Joshua is survived by his parents, sister Grayce and ``The Rat Pack'', who had been his lifelong friends.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity I have today, to recognize and honor Pvt. Joshua Morberg in front of my colleagues on the floor of the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American, Sergeant Henry Prendes of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday February 1, 2006. Sgt. Prendes was shot as he approached the front door of a house in southwest Las Vegas, while responding to a 911 call, at the age of thirty seven.

Sgt. Henry Prendes joined the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on February 26, 1991. He spent his first years patrolling the east Las Vegas neighborhood surrounding Charleston and Lamb Boulevards and was quickly promoted to Field Training Officer. On January 2, 1999, after working one year for the narcotics office as a detective, Henry Prendes was promoted to Sergeant. As a Sergeant he worked for the Crimes against Youth and Family Department, and later as Patrol Sergeant in the South West Area Command.

Sgt. Prendes was a native of Nevada and graduated from Las Vegas High School where he was Vice President of his senior class and captain of the football team. He is survived by his wife Dawn and two daughters from a previous marriage, Kylee and Brooke. Sgt. Prendes, along with his family, was a devoutly religious man. He engaged in bible study at home with his wife and mentored children in his spare time. Before he died, he was in the process of building a 17 acre youth camp in Montana called, Creation Camp Jesus.

Sgt. Henry Prendes could be described as everyone's friend, always having a smile on his face, and always helping those in need. Some help people because they are police officers, but Henry was a police officer to help people.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to honor the memory of Sgt. Henry Prendes.