Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mrs. Susan Wallace Leavitt, who has been awarded the 2004 Nevada Mother of the Year Award. The Mother of the Year Award honors women who are committed to strengthening the moral and spiritual foundations of the family and home.

As a mother of four, Mrs. Leavitt has demonstrated the great responsibility of motherhood and dedication to living and teaching her children outstanding qualities, such as love, understanding, courage, service, and compassion. As a recipient of this award, Mrs. Leavitt will help deliver this message about motherhood to community organizations in Southern Nevada. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors and congratulate her on this well-deserved award.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 420) applauding the men and women who keep America moving and recognizing National Transportation Week.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 420, introduced by the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), recognizes the week of May 16 through the 22 as National Transportation Week and applauds the men and women who keep America moving.

Every Member of this body is well aware of the importance and the significance of our Nation's transportation system and its direct impact on the lives of everyone. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics,

the U.S. transportation system is composed of 46,747 miles of interstate highways, nearly 600 million airline passengers, 97,631 miles of class-one freight railroads, over 160,000 route-miles by bus, 26,000 miles of navigable waterways and over 69,000 miles of oil pipelines.

Mr. Speaker, our transportation system is so important to our Nation's economic activity and to our Nation's global competitiveness as a service, an industry and an infrastructure that it is more than appropriate that we recognize and applaud the men and women who keep America moving.

Our transportation sector accounts for 11 percent of the United States' gross domestic product and employs over 11 million Americans.

In my home State of Nevada, we are absolutely dependent on transportation for our economy. Tourism is the number one employer in my district, and the number one, two or three employer in every district in the country. Without the 30 million people who travel through McCarran International Airport each year, or the millions more who drive to Las Vegas and Laughlin down I-15 and US-95, we would not be experiencing the unprecedented growth in our community that we currently enjoy today.

I could go on, but I will conclude by saying I am encouraged every day by the new technologies that are constantly being developed to move us in ways that are faster, more efficient and environmentally sensitive. In Las Vegas, we are seeking to become the first community to deploy high-speed Maglev rail technology to better link us to southern California. We are also deploying Intelligent Transportation System technology known as the FAST system to warn us of traffic delays and Amber alerts.

Again, it is important that we recognize the significance and enormous contributions that transportation makes to our Nation's economy. I urge the adoption of this resolution.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, a little more indepth history of the southern Nevada challenge in transportation, I think, today with Transportation Week it would be appropriated.

As you know, Nevada is one of the fastest growing States in the Union. We are growing at 5 to 7,000 people a month into the southern Nevada area. You can imagine the challenges that we have before us as a community that has almost doubled in the last 10 years, literally creating communities the size of 60 or 70,000 people every year.

Fortunately, over a decade ago, members of the Clark County Commission, local governments across the valley, decided to get together and create what is called the Regional Transportation Commission. The Regional Transportation Commission in concert with five local communities in southern Nevada worked together for the betterment and improvement of the southern Nevada area. As I mentioned, with the massive growth, the transportation needs are extreme. Fortunately, with the passage of this bill we will see additional funds to help us with this growth. And I applaud leadership and I applaud the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 423) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for activities associated with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 423, introduced by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), permits the use of the Capitol grounds for an overflow audience from the National World War II Memorial dedication ceremony.

This ceremony, which will occur at the National World War II Memorial, dedicates the memorial in honor of hundreds of thousands of men and women that gave their lives in the cause of freedom from 1941 through 1945.

Mr. Speaker, much has been said and written about the Greatest Generation, about the economy and country they built when they returned from the war. We are honored to have a number of those veterans serving in this body, and I am certainly personally grateful to have been able to work with each and every one of them. It is important that we as Congress do all we can to facilitate this very important ceremony,

and this concurrent resolution will allow more veterans to participate, albeit from a distance.

In my home State of Nevada, we have one of the fastest-growing veteran populations in the Nation with an increase in 30 percent with the veteran population in the 1990s. More than 18 percent of the approximately 240,000 veterans living in Nevada served during World War II, and I am honored to support this resolution on their behalf.

I support this resolution and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I also would like to recognize my father who served in World War II, what a great tribute to him and his friends and all those other folks that served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to my uncle who was in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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. 420 and H. Con. Res. 423.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 600) congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contribution to education, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 600.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 600. This resolution honors and congratulates our Nation's charter schools and the students, parents, teacher administrators, and other individuals involved for their hard work and dedication to providing a quality public education. This week, May 3 through May 7, has been designated National Charter School Week. It is during this week that charter school organizations and others around the United States honor these schools for their continued contributions to education.

The Nation's charter schools deliver high-quality education and challenge students to reach their potential. Forty-one States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have passed laws authorizing charter schools. Since the first charter school law was passed in 1991, almost 3,000 charter schools now serve nearly 750,000 students in 37 States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Specifically, I am honored to mention the 14 charter schools in Nevada that serve nearly 3,000 students. Nevada first passed charter school legislation in 1997, with our first charter school opening in the 1998-1999 school year. The State charter school legislation was revised again in 1999, lending teachers more room for creativity in allowing charter schools the ability to offer an extended school day, as well as an extended school year.

I commend the charter schools in the State of Nevada and across the Nation for recognizing the immense need for improved education and for their commitment to improving student achievement for students who attend these schools. At charter schools nationwide, almost half the students are considered at-risk or are former dropouts. Charter schools serve significant numbers of minority students, students with disabilities, and students that are from lower-income families. These schools give opportunity and freedom to students and parents who otherwise might not have had the chance to receive a quality education.

Nearly 40 percent of charter schools report having a waiting list, and the total number of students on all such waiting lists is enough to fill another 1,000 average-size charter schools across the country. By allowing parents and students to choose their public school, charter schools can stimulate change and improvement in all public schools and benefit all public school students.

In exchange for flexibility and autonomy, public charter schools are held accountable by their sponsors for improving student achievement and for their administration. Charter schools respond to the needs of America's communities, families, and students while promoting the principles of quality, choice, and innovation. Charter schools must meet the same No Child Left Behind student achievement accountability requirements as other public schools and often set higher and additional individual goals to ensure that they are of high quality and truly accountable to the public.

Charter schools have enjoyed broad bipartisan support from the administration, the Congress, State Governors and legislatures, educators and parents across the Nation. The fifth annual National Charter Schools Week held this week, May 3 through May 7, recognizes the significant impacts, achievements, and innovations of our Nation's charter schools. Through this resolution, Congress today acknowledges and commends the charter school movement and charter schools, students, teachers and parents and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening our Nation's public school system.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green).

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 380) recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 380.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 380 which highlights the benefits and importance of school-based music education. I would like to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) for their leadership on this issue, and for introducing the resolution we are considering today.

Research has shown that students' involvement in their school music program is critical to a complete education. Musical study develops critical thinking and self-discipline skills, and improves a child's early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self- esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills, and school attendance.

In an analysis of United States Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students, researchers found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show ``significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12,'' regardless of a student's socioeconomic status.

A 1999 report by the Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse found that individuals who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest levels of current and lifelong use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. So it is not surprising that children involved with music education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse.

In fact, many colleges and universities view participation in the arts and music as a valuable experience that broadens students' understanding and appreciation of the world around them.

For these reasons, I support H. Con. Res. 380, which recognizes the benefits and importance of school recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education. The resolution before the House today is simple and straightforward. It states that it is the sense of the Congress that music education grounded in rigorous instruction is an important component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should be available to every student in every school.

It also recognizes the International Music Products Association for their efforts to designate a Music in Our Schools Month in order to highlight the important role that school music programs play in the academic and social development of children.

Music in Our Schools Month began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has run over the decades to encompass a day a week; and in 1985, March was designated as a month-long celebration of music in our schools.

I would like to thank two organizations that have played an important role in promoting the benefits of music education, the International Music Products Association, commonly called NAMM, in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows. It is a not-for-profit association that unifies, leads, and strengthens the $16 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages.

The National Association For Music Education, the world's largest arts education organization, addresses all aspects of music education. Nearly 90,000 members represent all levels of teaching from preschool to graduate school. Since 1907, the Association has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers.

Music education is important to our children. It can broaden and strengthen their education and improve their lives. I commend music educators and music organizations across the country for the key roles they play in helping our children succeed in school and throughout life.

As former President Gerald Ford said, ``Music education opens the doors that help children pass from school in the world around them, a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our Nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.''

I urge my colleagues to support music education in our schools and H. Con. Res. 380, which highlights the benefits and importance of school- based music education.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the State of Israel on the 56th anniversary of its establishment. The brave men and women who fought against all odds for the establishment of the State of Israel were determined to build a prosperous, democratic land where western ideals of freedom and tolerance could live. Now, in 2004, Israel stands out more clearly than ever as the ideal its neighbors should aspire towards.

I am proud to have visited Israel, and to have seen firsthand the bravery and steadfastness of its people. I look forward to the day when Israel's independence day is celebrated around the world as a celebration of the values all people of good will share, and a tribute to the Israel of yesterday, today, and the future.

Mr. Speaker, I also ask my colleagues to join me in commending the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas for sponsoring Las Vegas' Israel Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, May 2, 2004. It is my hope that America's citizens will mark this occasion and demonstrate their support for the U.S.-Israeli relationship with similar events across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the efforts of all those in Southern Nevada, particularly Clark County School District high school students, teaches, and administrators, involved in projects dedicated to maintaining a sufficient blood supply to meet local and at times national demands and contingencies.

Clark County high school students are crucial donors of blood products for twenty-one area hospitals, providing over 6,000 units of blood annually. They provide a significant volume of the community's blood supply in their commitment to community service and humanitarianism. In addition, high school junior and senior classmen from thirty-three schools perform life-saving services by recruiting blood donors, volunteering at on-campus blood drives, and soliciting media support for United Blood Services, a provider of blood products for area hospitals for more than 50 years.

In a show of their dedication and support, the Clark County School District has invested significant resources to provide for adequate space and class time that ensure an adequate blood supply to meet the daily demand of 250

to 300 units of life saving blood for area hospitals. As the single- largest source of blood in the Las Vegas valley since the 2000 school year, the school district's principals, superintendents, and class leaders have also responded to the needs of cancer patients and burn victims by facilitating an ample supply of platelets and plasma.

I am proud to represent such conscientious and dedicated volunteers and wish them continued success in their work for the people of Southern Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand here today and honor an individual that has been dedicated to her community for over 50 years. Selma F. Bartlett has been a resident of Henderson Nevada since 1954, when she began working as a banker. In 1958 Selma became one of Nevada's first female bank officers, in which she served in many capacities.

Selma Bartlett has given of her time freely and without reserve to the many business and civic organizations surrounding her in Southern Nevada. She has helped Henderson, Nevada to become what it is today through her service and dedication to the people there. Through continually striving for the progress, success, and growth of Henderson through her support of educational needs within the community, she has been able to win many friends and the respect that only those like her can achieve. Her example will be a lasting one in which all will be able to look to for the future. Children will have the opportunity to attend a school named after Selma in which her example will be a lasting impression upon those that attend the school.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Selma Bartlett on her successes and on her dedication to her fellow neighbors and colleagues. I know that she will continue to give to those in her community and I sincerely hope that those around her will see her as an example and learn from her teachings.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mike Pacini. Mike Pacini is currently a Boulder City Council Member and has sat on the council since 1997, when he was the youngest candidate elected to that position. In 2003 Mike Pacini was elected President of the Nevada League of Cities and received the Honor of Nevada's 2003-2004 Public Official of the Year. I urge the House to join with me in congratulating him on his recent honors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pleasure to pay tribute to Bill Ferrence as he celebrates his 30th Anniversary as manager of Boulder Dam Credit Union in Boulder City, Nevada. Bill came to Boulder City in 1974 and has been contributing to his local community ever since. When Bill first started at the Credit Union in 1974, he saw a challenge and tackled it. Using his ingenuity and his true belief in the ``Golden Rule,'' he was able to turn the small 3,000 member Credit Union into a thriving 20,000 member Credit Union with almost 90 percent of all residents located within the Boulder City limits holding a membership. He treats his customers and employees like he does his family; in fact, many of those that live and work with him consider him to be a member of their family.

I applaud him in his example to others of what hard work and dedication can achieve. He is an example to all as he has demonstrated that it requires caring and a desire to better oneself and one's surroundings to achieve true successes in life.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Bill Ferrence in his dedication and efforts. I wish him another thirty years of successes in his life and career and congratulate him on his wonderful achievements and dedication to the Boulder City residents and his example to fellow Nevadans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the achievement of an outstanding young man, Sean Butler. Through hard work and dedication he has achieved his goal, a goal that few young men have the courage, dedication, and character to achieve.

Sean's dedication has given him the title of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America. This program has long been recognized as a program that builds strong minds upon sound morals. Achieving an Eagle Scout status shows that this young man has participated in projects and activities that will help him become a strong man in life. It has shown him how to set reasonable and accomplishable goals, a value that will put him considerably ahead of his peers.

The Boy Scouts of America is a great building block for our youth and it is quite an achievement, with so many other activities available, for young men to receive their Eagle Scout Award. It is my hope that he will hold this award as a special honor; to always remember the principles and teachings he has learned, and to use this award as a tool in his future.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize the achievements of Joan Kerschner, director of the Henderson District Public Libraries in Henderson, Nevada. It is a great honor to publicly recognize the achievements and contributions of this exceptional woman.

Joan Kerschner has been a leader in the library sciences field for many years. In 1972 she graduated with a master's degree from Indiana University in Library Science. Since her first job as a librarian she has helped both the young and old, using her skills and knowledge to provide the vast amount of information that can be found within our libraries for research projects, practical questions, and personal knowledge seekers.

Since her graduation in 1972 she has served on many councils and committees to help promote and further the use of libraries and library services. She, along with myself, is a firm believer in promoting the use of available knowledge to all those that seek it. She discovered the advantages of seeking knowledge through her job, but wanted to help those around her to discover it as well.

Since Joan's arrival in Henderson, she has helped bring about the opening of the first new public library since 1989. In 2001 she received the Henderson Economic Development Award for Public Person of the year. She has been a member of the Education Committee of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and the Issues Committee of Henderson Development Association. This past year she served as president of the Henderson Rotary.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Joan Kerschner on her achievements and her community contributions. I hope that all of my colleagues will support me in giving thanks to her for her contributions and example of what knowledge and information can accomplish for those that seek it in their lives.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor that I stand before you today to recognize the achievements of a fine college professor, Mark Peplowski, in Henderson, NV. He has dedicated himself to the service of Henderson students through his loyalty to the Community College of Southern Nevada. Beginning with his appointment as an adjunct professor in 1976 he has been determined to make Henderson, NV a better place by dedicating his career to Community College of Southern Nevada.

During his career as an adjunct professor and a professor, he has created programs to bring his students into the political world by providing ways for them to travel to our Nation's Capitol to work and meet with the many leaders of our Nation. He has been there as a mentor and counselor to his students in helping them accomplish their career goals in politics.

Mark Peplowski has also had a long-term goal of creating a Grass Roots Institute of Politics at the Henderson campus to give students from all backgrounds a chance to participate in and understand the political process with the opportunity to get involved in government.

I commend Mark Peplowski for his dedication to his students and his loyalty to his country. He has demonstrated that he is an effective teacher and has continuously taught his students the meaning of good government through his example and dedication to learning.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. James ``Jim'' Vanderford for his many years of service to Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA). Mr. Vanderford is both an amazing ambassador for the National Park Service and Lake Mead NRA and a dedicated public servant. I have worked with Jim throughout my career and am also proud to call him one of my good friends.

After serving our Nation in the U.S. Marines from 1960-1963, Mr. Vanderford began his civilian Federal career with the Bureau of Land Management in 1971. In May of 1974, he accepted a position at Lake Mead NRA and began his long career of service at one of Nevada's most important natural resources. He has served as the Chief of Maintenance and Engineering since August of 1994.

During his 30 years of service at Lake Mead NRA, Mr. Vanderford designed and supervised the construction and upgrade of many of the park's facilities, including picnic areas, launch ramps, courtesy docks, restrooms, and water and wastewater treatment facilities. He also supervised millions of dollars in Federal Highway Administration road construction projects.

The work Jim Vanderford did during his time at Lake Mead NRA has impacted each one of the more than 9 million people that visit Lake Mead each year. His work ethic and institutional knowledge will be greatly missed.

I wish Jim the very best in his retirement and look forward to seeing him and his wife Jeri Lynn as they continue to reside in Boulder City, Nevada. I am proud of all that Jim has done for Southern Nevada and commend him for all his years of service.