Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to Dr. Annette Griffin, superintendent for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, as recipient of the 2007 Citizen of the Year Award presented by the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club. Her foresight and dedication to the students, the teachers, the parents, the administrative staff and the Carrollton-Farmers Branch community is unparalleled and worthy of recognition.

Dr. Griffin earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Master's Degree in Reading from Louisiana State University. In 1985, she received her Doctor of Education Degree in Administrative Leadership at the University of North Texas. Never known to rest on her laurels, she continually stays abreast of current activities in her field through post-doctoral classes at Harvard University and Columbia University.

Dr. Griffin began her career as a teacher in the Special Education Department of the Richardson ISD and after four years was promoted to principal within the Richardson ISD. In 1986, Annette joined the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD advancing to become an assistant superintendent until 1990. Dr. Griffin's career then led her to serve consecutively as superintendent of the Carroll ISD and then in the Duncanville ISD. But as fate would have it, in 1997, Annette was offered the superintendent position of CFB ISD where she remains a steadfast champion for education today.

Annette is an active member in community organizations such as the Rotary Club, the Irving Baylor Hospital Board, Texans CAN! Academy and the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce. Many accolades have been bestowed upon Dr. Griffin, most notably the Paul Harris Fellowship, the Texans CAN! Academy Mother of the Year, the University of North Texas alumni of the Year, the Texas Superintendent of the Year and the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. She especially enjoys volunteering at the Rotary International Four Way Test Speech Contest where she can hear what local high school students have to say about important issues.

Annette and her husband, Allen, have been married for thirty-five years and have a daughter, Alana, and a son, Tim.

Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD and the community are very fortunate to have Dr. Griffin leading our young people to a brighter future. She is a strong advocate for excellence in education and has continually enhanced the lives of many through her sense of commitment and progressive vision. It is truly an honor to represent Dr. Annette Griffin in the 24th District of Texas.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor North Lake College in celebration of its 30th anniversary of educational excellence.

North Lake College's main campus is set on 276 acres in Irving-Las Colinas business center. The college has expanded its facilities to provide diverse services and programs for its students. From the construction of an expanded Science and Medical Professions Building, a Workforce Development Center, and a General Purpose Building on the main campus to satellite campuses in downtown Irving, the South Irving Center and the Dallas-Fort Worth Education Center, North Lake is continually meeting the needs of its students and community.

Since opening its doors in the Fall of 1977, North Lake has increased its enrollment from 2,823 students to 9,415 credit students in the Fall of 2006. It is an accredited public community college with an open door admission policy. As part of the Dallas County Community College District, North Lake is committed to ``Closing the Gaps'' a Texas state initiative to continually increase enrollment goals for all population groups. Today, North Lake College serves approximately 23,000 credit students and 12,000 continuing education students.

North Lake College's expert planning and partnerships has contributed to its success in offering students a variety of occupational and degree programs preparing them for employment in the workforce or transferring to any Texas public university or college. North Lake offers degrees in Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Sciences in more than 24 areas of study. In addition to the degree programs, students can earn certifications in more than 60 career fields.

North Lake College's 30th anniversary is worthy of recognition. Its beautiful campuses, its diverse and growing enrollment, and its wide array of educational degree and certification programs are all a testament of educational excellence. I am honored to represent such a respected collegiate institution in the 24th District of Texas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Joe Hennig on the occasion of his retirement on October 1, 2007 after fifteen years of commendable public service. Prior to his appointment as Euless City Manager in 1999, Mr. Hennig began working in Euless as director of development services, assistant city manager and deputy city manager. He also spent twenty-three years with Texas Utilities.

A capable leader, Mr. Hennig has been a guiding force behind many businesses and economic developments in the City of Euless. He facilitated the transformation and improvement of the City's Main Street corridor as well as every major thoroughfare in Euless including Harwood Road, Industrial Boulevard, Pipeline Road and Glade Road. Mr. Hennig also brokered a deal with the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport securing millions of dollars in tax revenue, which in 2002, was used to construct a new police and courts building on Texas 10. Due to Hennig's strategic business foresight, numerous new businesses have opened along Texas Highway 121.

Mr. Joe Hennig has been involved with numerous civic organizations such as the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts of America, the Rotary Club and the YMCA. In addition, he has been an active member in many municipality associations, the most recent of which include North Texas City Management Association, Texas City Management Association, and International City Management Association.

He and his wife, Jan, have a daughter, Shay and a son, Brandon. He also has six beautiful grandchildren: Isabella, Ava, Jack, Carlie, Claire, and Clint.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to extend my gratitude to Joe Hennig for his numerous years of service and dedication to the City of Euless. His leadership will be greatly missed but his vision for a brighter future for Euless will live forever. I am proud to serve him in the 24th District of Texas.

Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Reclaiming my time, Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Madam Chairman, my amendment would reduce funding in the bill for the International Labor Affairs Bureau to the President's requested level of $14 million. This would save $58.4 million in this category.

The underlying bill provides $72.5 million for this account. This amendment would reduce funding for the International Labor Affairs Bureau by $58.4 million to match the President's request.

The bureau was originally responsible for the Department of Labor's overseas research projects and international labor workers' rights, primarily research and advocacy. However, in recent years the bureau has taken on grant-making activities. The bureau's grant assistance is already provided for by the Department of State, and this amendment would restructure the bureau's activities to advocacy and research only.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude to the contributions of the companies of the Safran Group and to commemorate the naming of Safran Drive in Grand Prairie, Texas.

The Safran Group companies of Turbomeca USA, Microturbo Inc. and Sagem Avionics have played a substantial role in providing resources, jobs and business growth in Grand Prairie and have shown tremendous commitment to the community. All three companies show strong growth potential and together they already employ more than 500 people from the surrounding area. Once named, Safran Drive will adjoin these companies' headquarters and will facilitate the sharing of resources and personnel.

Turbomeca USA has grown from a small, five-man operation in 1980 to a corporation that now employs more than 400 highly trained and dedicated people. It offers a wide range of overhaul and repair services for helicopter engines, modules and accessories and serves single aircraft operators and fleets of more than 100 aircrafts. Turbomeca has proudly provided the engines that power the U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 Search and Rescue Helicopter fleet and that of the U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter fleet.

Microturbo Inc. has also supported our armed services, shipping more than 1,000 turbojet engines to the U.S. Army and Air Force for their aerial targets programs. It also maintains, repairs and overhauls the gas turbine starting system installed in the U.S. Navy's T45 Hawk trainer aircraft and the Canadian Forces Hawk 100 NATO aircraft.

Sagem Avionics supplements the products and services of Turbomeca and Microturbo, especially in the commercial sector as it provides technical support, MRO services and marketing and sales of commercial aerospace products. Sagem will soon be headquartered adjacent to the other two Safran Group companies on Safran Drive, creating a powerful hub of aircraft resources and greatly supporting the people of Grand Prairie with its expanding workforce.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I honor and recognize these three great companies in my district for the economic opportunities that they create and the outstanding community presence they provide. I am privileged to commemorate Safran Drive as a symbol of the great things to come from these esteemed corporations.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude and praise to Officer Robert Hodges of the Southlake Department of Public Safety for his invaluable contributions to his community and for his bravery in times of turmoil.

Officer Hodges has loyally served as a police officer for more than 18 years. He began his career with a five-year stint at the Lake Worth Police Department, worked shortly for the Sansom Park Police Department and has spent his last 12 years with Southlake DPS.

In 1997 Hodges obtained his Instructor certification and began teaching other officers the skills necessary to be a Motorcycle Traffic Officer. Over the past 10 years, Officer Hodges has taught many of the Traffic Officers throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area such skills and his dedication has affected the lives of many officers in the region.

Throughout his career, Officer Hodges has also touched lives in many other roles. In 2003 he initiated the first-ever police ``Motorcycle Rodeo'' to raise funds for Special Olympics. Through Officer Hodges' efforts and the Motorcycle Rodeo, more than $12,000 was donated to the Special Olympics. The following year, Hodges organized a second Motorcycle Rodeo and managed to raise another $7,000 for the cause. And 5 years ago, Officer Hodges was awarded the department's Life Saving Award and is credited for saving the life of a two-year-old child. In the incident, Hodges responded to a drowning call involving the small child who had been retrieved from a pool and was non-responsive. Officer Hodges cleared the child's airway and began administering CPR. Through his quick actions, he revived the child and kept her stable until medical help arrived.

Madam Speaker, I am deeply honored to pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of Officer Robert Hodges. I would also like to recognize his wife, Beth Hodges, and his son, Bobby Hodges, for their immense courage during difficult circumstances. It is a privilege to represent the Hodges family in the 24th District of Texas and I pray for God's blessings upon them.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the Grapevine Rotary Club's 40th Anniversary. The Rotary Club organization was started in Chicago, Illinois in 1905 and currently has approximately 1.2 million members associated with 32,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide. In 1964, Grapevine Mayor, Ira E. Woods had the vision of starting a Rotary Club in the community. On June 22, 1967 a telegram was delivered from Rotary International with confirmation of their charter membership.

Grapevine Rotary Club is an organization who benefits many people both near and far. Locally, they assist needy students at Grapevine Middle School with a mentoring program and sponsor many events, including: a yearly essay contest, the Special Olympics at Grapevine High School, the annual banquet for the Special Olympians, and the yearly Senior Citizens Banquet. In years past they built a pavilion at a local park. And, for the past 15 years, the Rotary Club has put up American Flags on holidays along Grapevine's Main Street. They have also supported local charities such as GRACE and Nash Farm.

They have helped others across the country such as in New Mexico where they have worked with other Rotarians to purchase water rights at the St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School on the Navaho Reservation.

Globally, they have: helped donate fire trucks and ambulances to Acuna, Mexico, Grapevine's sister city; supported cataract surgeries and helped provide artificial limbs for the needy in India; assisted students at a school in Tanzania and helped drill water wells in Peru and Ghana. The club sponsors teacher exchanges throughout the world including Latin America, Eastern Europe and India. The Grapevine Rotary participates in the One World program with Russia to help promote world peace.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize the tremendous contributions to the individuals, organizations and communities that Grapevine Rotary Club has benefited for the past 40 years. It is an honor to represent this humanitarian organization in the 24th District of Texas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the United States Army's Personnel Assistance Point at DFW Airport, the North Texas Commission and to DFW Airport's dedicated staff and thousands of community volunteers for reaching the third anniversary of the ``Welcome Home a Hero'' volunteer campaign.

In June 2004, the DFW International Airport and the North Texas Commission organized the ``Welcome Home a Hero'' volunteer campaign to honor and serve the brave men and women of the U.S. Army who travel through the DFW Airport on leave for Rest and Recuperation (R&R). The campaign has developed into one of the largest and most respected on- going community initiatives in North Texas and the U.S. The campaign involves a wide array of business, civic and volunteer organizations, including the USO, churches, corporations, chambers of commerce, the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts of America and many veterans groups. ``Welcome Home a Hero'' has been so successful that it has been honored with the George Washington Honor Medal by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and it has received hundreds of messages of gratitude from our servicemen and women who appreciate the patriotism and hospitality of DFW Airport and its loyal volunteers in North Texas.

This year more than 500,000 U.S. soldiers will have passed through the airport and participated in the R&R program and ``Welcome Home a Hero'' campaign. When these courageous soldiers arrive they are greeted with a warm reception and the thankful words of fellow Americans who wish to honor the enormous sacrifices made by all of our men and women in uniform.

Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize all those who have made the DFW Airport and Texas an emblem of patriotism to countless troops from around the nation. I congratulate the ``Welcome Home a Hero'' campaign for three great years and I am proud to witness the raw emotion and thanksgiving that emanates from both the soldiers and those who come here to celebrate their resolve.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Mark Howe for receiving the 2007 Distinguished Friend Award from the Grapevine- Colleyville Education Foundation. This nonprofit foundation was created to help support the educational programs and activities for students and staff of the GCISD. Programs to assist students in skill and achievement development, acknowledge staff accomplishments and develop broader involvement within the community are all funded by the Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation.

Mr. Howe has served on numerous GCISD advisory committees and for more than 6 years he has been the director for the Education Foundation serving as the Foundation's President for 2\1/2\ years. Mr. and Mrs. Howe donated a $25,000 endowment to the foundation in honor of Mr. Howe's mother, Inez Cannon Howe, a retired teacher. The Howe's children have all graduated from the

Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Mark Howe on being recognized with the 2007 Distinguished Friend Award and thank him for his service, support and guidance to the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and Education Foundation. His numerous contributions to the GCISD have no doubt benefited many and it is an honor to represent him in the 24th District of Texas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Coppell High School Band for their accomplishments and commitment to the City of Coppell. The Coppell High School Band represents one of the finest organizations in Texas and in the City of Coppell. The band, which is composed of over 350 members, represents the school with pride and dedication that is shown through their hard work, perseverance, and achievements. The Coppell Band has received a variety of National and local awards and honors such as the Tournament of Roses Parade and has been a 7-year consecutive winner of the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Championship. I commend the Coppell Band of past and present for their dedication during challenging periods of growth and laud their accomplishments of becoming a premier north Texas organization for families and students to become involved in. I honor the Coppell High School Band on this milestone and look forward to the future as the city and this organization continues to be a shining example in north Texas. It is with pride that I serve such a distinguished city in my congressional district and give my sincere congratulations to the Coppell High School Band.

Madam Speaker, it has been said that a hero is someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with their freedom. Specialist Ryan A. Bishop, 32 years old, certainly understood that degree of responsibility.

Ryan enlisted in the United States Army out of a sense of service and duty to his country. As his wife of two years Melanie Bishop explained, ``He believed deeply in what he was doing, and he just wanted to do his part.'' The freedom we enjoy as Americans is due in large part to the patriotism of such humble citizens throughout our history.

On April 14, 2007, Ryan was dismounted on combat patrol in Baghdad when his unit came under the attack of an improvised explosive device. Ryan pushed forward with his fellow soldiers as they searched for insurgents, terrorists, and others who seek to deny Iraq democracy. On that day, our nation lost a genuine hero.

Ryan graduated in 1996 from Tyler Junior College and also attended Marshall High School where he was a member of the 1990 state championship football team.

He will be missed by a loving family and a nation forever grateful for his service and humbled by his sacrifice.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Barbara S. Austin Elementary, ``Home of the Austin Mustangs'' for its 20th anniversary of providing a superb education for the students of Coppell, Texas.

Barbara S. Austin Elementary School is proud to celebrate 20 years of excellence in education. Nestled in the center of Coppell, Texas, Austin Elementary is a neighborhood school that has provided thousands of students with an outstanding learning experience over the years.

Named after Barbara S. Austin, an actively involved community leader who served on the Coppell Independent School District Board of Trustees, Austin Elementary opened its doors in the fall of 1987 with over 500 students. Once a small community with one school housing kindergarten through twelfth grade, by August of 1987 Coppell had grown to include three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Austin Elementary was the first elementary school built with the new architectural plan that led the way for the additional seven elementary schools added over the next 10 years.

Mustang pride and the school motto, ``Just for today, I will do my bestl'', are part of Austin's heritage. It has a student body comprised of a diverse mix of energetic students, parents who are supportive and involved in their children's education, and a dedicated and committed staff who do everything in their power to ensure success for all students.

In honor of this special anniversary, Austin Elementary is creating a ``Thanks for the Memories'' personalized brick patio to commemorate the many teachers and families that have been a part of Austin Elementary over the past 20 years. On April 29, 2007 at 2:30 p.m., a dedication ceremony will take place and all current and former staff, students and parents are invited to share in this celebration.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to honor the 20th anniversary of Barbara S. Austin Elementary School.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to the Omega Environmental Technologies company. In today's corporate world, they have distinguished themselves as a thriving business that is passionate about helping others.

An eighteen year old company, Omega Environmental Technologies was built from the ground up to become a multi-million dollar corporation. Founded in 1989 in Texas, the company has grown to include a worldwide customer base for their distribution of automobile air conditioner parts. Although they routinely export A/C components to 75 countries, around 75 percent of their products come from the U.S. This helps to support the American economy and has provided a welcome boost to the Dallas/Fort Worth area marketplace. Using a 65,000 square foot warehouse, the business has grown 50 percent in the last 3 years. It is no surprise that Omega Environmental Technologies has been recognized twice as one of the 100 fastest growing companies in D/FW.

Although Omega Environment Technologies serves as a model to those in the business community, the life story and achievement of the company's founder and President, Grace Davis, is an example that all of us would do well to study. Born and educated in Panama, Ms. Davis strived for excellence early on, graduating from college after studying business. After time spent in the finance industry, she looked for a new challenge and attempted to get a job in the banking world. No matter her success or qualifications, Ms. Davis found only disappointment as employer after employer offered her only secretary jobs. In need of a paycheck, she eventually accepted a secretary position only to discover the grim truth of her circumstances later on. After hearing the commercial needs of clients who called the office, she approached her supervisor with a plan to improve their international sales. Regardless of her initiative, she was ignored and told to remember her place as a secretary. Grace Davis went on to leave that company and start her own international sales company. As one of her employees put it, she proved so trustworthy and talented a saleswoman that a company grew up around her.

Today, she serves as a proud role model for minority women who are looking to succeed in life and the business world. For her part, she has made it a point never to discriminate against potential employees because of their nationality or primary language. Omega Environmental Technologies currently employees 14 nationalities with several of them political refugees. They also rely on Catholic Charities as a primary source for employee recruitment and last year received the accomplishment of being a certified Minority Company.

I could not be more proud that Omega Environmental Technologies chooses to call the Dallas/Fort Worth area home, and I congratulate them on receiving this prestigious award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Coppell High School Lariettes Drill Team for earning the National Championship at the Contest of Champions in Orlando's Walt Disney World of Sports complex on March 3-5, 2007. This is the second National Championship in 4 years for the Coppell Lariettes.

The Lariettes competed against 50 schools from across the Nation and took first-place honors in all categories they competed in to earn the National Championship award.

Each of the 69 Lariettes worked tirelessly to perfect their intricate routines. Dedication, hard work and discipline were necessary for the dancers to achieve the standard of excellence required for a first- place finish.

Besides dancing, the Coppell Lariettes achieve high marks academically in addition to other disciplines such as singing, acting, video production, art, journalism and sports.

I would like to congratulate the Lariette director, Julie Jones on her exceptional work with this group of dancers and The Lariette Service Organization for organizing fund raising and team events.

Again, I offer my congratulations to the Coppell High School Lariettes Drill Team for an outstanding achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer a word of congratulations to the boys basketball team of Duncanville High School who captured the Class 5A Division I State Championship. Their 60-46 win over Humble Kingwood took place on March 10, 2007, at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX.

The boys made a promise from the start of the season to go undefeated and they kept it with an unblemished record of 39-0. The Duncanville Panthers are one of only 11 other Texas high school teams to have gone undefeated and win the UIL state title since 1970. HoopsUSA.com poll ranks Duncanville as No. 1 in the Nation.

The Panthers consist of 11 tremendous young men, including Seniors D'Walyn Roberts, Corey Johnson, and Brent Staton; Juniors Brian Talley, Victor Adewunmi, Marcus Gilmore, Jamal Lenzy, Josh Etheridge, and Kevin Butler; and Sophomores Shawn Williams, and Roger Franklin.

In Coach Phil McNeely's 23 year tenure at Duncanville, this is his third State championship. Coach McNeely said this team was his best defensively allowing an average of only 40.8 points in the final four playoff games.

Again, I offer my congratulations to the Duncanville High School boys basketball team for an outstanding and historic season.