Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1641) celebrating September 30, 2010, as the 60th Anniversary of Impact Aid.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1641 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am the sponsor of House Resolution 1641, celebrating September 30, 2010, as the 60th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. Hawaii schools received $55.5 million in Federal Impact Aid for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the most recent years for which data is available.

The majority of public school funding in America comes from local property taxes. Unfortunately, in school districts where the Federal Government controls part of the land, districts cannot collect revenue in local property taxes. Hawaii, for example, hosts many large U.S. military bases where thousands of our brave men and women and their families live and work. These bases do not generate property tax revenue to help educate Hawaii's military children and all of our children in Hawaii's schools. In Hawaii, as in other States, our national parks, Federal prisons, Indian lands, and low-rent public housing also decrease the property tax revenue available for schools.

Left uncorrected, our children in federally impacted areas would have less funding for education than their peers in areas with no Federal impact. This is patently unfair.

In 1950, Congress recognized the need to address this inequity and created Impact Aid, the original civil rights education law. Impact Aid reimburses the school districts for the costs of hosting Federal property and educating federally connected children.

Today, just as in 1950, we recognize the Federal obligation to support high-quality education for all children. No matter what type of land you live on, and especially if your family serves our Nation, all our children deserve a high-quality education.

Our Impact Aid community crosses all partisan and geographic divides. We have the military community, Indian land school districts, urban and rural communities, Democratic and Republican districts, districts large and

small. Today Impact Aid payments support over 11 million children in nearly 1,500 school districts.

The need for Federal Impact Aid is especially important now, as Hawaii and school districts nationwide continue to recover from the greatest recession since the 1930s. Impact Aid funds come with few strings attached and help districts support a wide range of vital services, including teacher salaries, tutoring, after-school programs, textbooks, utilities, and other local needs.

Today we celebrate Impact Aid for advancing educational equity and recognize that we still have much to do to give all our children a truly world-class education.

I reserve the balance of my time.

With that, I urge my colleagues to support the resolution and continue to support Impact Aid, which truly represents equal educational opportunities for our millions of children across our country. Happy 60th anniversary, Impact Aid.

I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1655) expressing support for designation of October as ``National Farm to School Month,'' as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1655 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1655, celebrating National Farm to School Month, which was observed in October of this year.

Farm to School programs bring nutritious products from local farms into the cafeterias of schools in our area. The result is healthier meals, improved student nutrition, and a link to firsthand education in agriculture, health, and nutrition. Exceptionally popular with children, Farm to School programs operate in over 9,700 schools in Hawaii and all 50 States. In schools with a Farm to School program, there is a 3 to 16 percent increase in school lunch participation.

Farm to School programs provide better food options for our kids at school. Since 1980, obesity rates in 6-to 11-year-olds have quadrupled, and for 12- to 19-year-olds they have tripled, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Tragically, over one-third of our children are now obese or overweight. Increasing one's consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is one of six major strategies to prevent and control obesity. Studies have demonstrated that children in schools with an active Farm to School program increased their average consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by one or more servings per day.

Farm to School programs also have an important educational component. They allow for taste tests, school gardens, composting, and farm tours, which helps children to clearly connect the food that they eat to their body, communities, and environments.

From an economic standpoint, the program helps local family farms and stimulates the local economy even during these difficult times. Farm to School programs help farmers find a local economy for their produce. Local farmers receive 60 to 70 cents per dollar of the sale price under Farm to School, whereas the average intake a farmer receives from traditional distributors is often less than 20 cents per dollar.

Farm to School products which reach the cafeteria are likely less costly to pack and ship and may have a reduced impact on the environment. In Hawaii, our high costs of land and remote geography require us to import over 85 percent of our food. Farm to School programs can have a major impact on providing Hawaii farmers with an institutional market for their produce and reducing transportation costs.

I have had the privilege to visit several of Hawaii's growing number of Farm to School programs to see their impact firsthand. In August, I visited Ka 'Umeke Ka'eo Hawaiian Immersion Charter School on Hawaii Island. The proud fourth- and fifth-grade students showed me the school garden, which is integrated into class lessons. Most memorable was watching the worm composting process, which, by the way, the kids really liked. I again say mahalo for the tour to the students, Director Alapaki Nahale'a of the Hawaii Charter School Network, School Garden Instructor Pua Mendoca, and Nancy Redfeather of the Hawaii Island School Garden Network.

I also visited the school garden at Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School in Kona. I would like to thank Dr. Guy Kaulukukui of the Kohala Center for assisting with the visit. Last year I went to a garden party at Aikahi Elementary in Kailua, sponsored by the Kokua Foundation. At the garden party, we weeded and mulched the gardens for the kindergarten, first, and fifth grade classrooms. In Hawaiian, 'aina means ``land'' or ``earth.'' The Kokua Foundation's 'AINA program stands for Actively Integrate Nutrition and Agriculture in Schools. The program works to foster healthy eating habits, improve children's health, and encourage environmental stewardship.

Since its inception in 1996, Farm to School programs nationwide have been making healthy eating a priority in our schools and building strong community connections. For these reasons, we celebrated and honored Farm to School programs this past October. I congratulate the efforts of Farm to School programs in Hawaii and nationwide.

I want to thank Representative Holt for introducing this resolution and, once again, express my support for House Resolution 1655.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Once again, I would urge all my colleagues to support this resolution. As I mentioned, one of the fun things that I got to do in Hawaii was to visit these school farm programs, their agriculture programs. They really do work because the kids definitely do begin to eat their vegetables.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1715) congratulating Joe Paterno on his 400th win as Penn State Nittany Lions football coach.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1715 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1715 which congratulates Joe Paterno for his 400th win as head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Coach Paterno achieved this milestone win on November 6, 2010, when the Lions beat out the Northwestern Wildcats. This victory gave him more career wins than any other coach in NCAA Division I-A history.

For 60 years, Coach Paterno has served Penn State, first as an assistant coach for 15 years and then head coach for the past 45 years. In his tenure as head coach, Joe Paterno has garnered two national championships, seven undefeated seasons, 23 finishes in the Top 10 rankings, and three Big Ten Conference championships. His 73.6 percent career winning percentage is second-best among all active Football Bowl Subdivision coaches.

These tangible accomplishments mirror the accomplishments of Paterno's players off the field, which he has facilitated by bolstering Penn State's educational facilities. Coach Paterno emphasizes the importance of education for all of his players. In 2009, the Lions had a Federal graduation rate of 89 percent and graduation success rate of 85 percent, according to the Department of Education, the top rates for any college football team that year. His tutelage has helped Penn State cultivate 15 Hall of Fame scholar athletes, 44 academic All-Americans, and 18 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winners.

Coach Paterno is also a winner off the football field. He contributes immensely to the Penn State community through charitable donations and volunteering. He and his wife Sue have personally contributed over $4 million to various departments and colleges within Penn State.

Many of you may not know that his love for sports extends beyond football. Coach Paterno and his wife have been adamant supporters of the Special Olympics and, in fact, are in the Special Olympics Hall of Fame.

He is also the national spokesperson for the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, a group that raises awareness of CMT, a neurological disorder which affects more than 2 million people worldwide. Paterno uses his star power to encourage donations to this worthy cause. At the ``Honor a Star, Be a Star'' Gala in 2009, Coach Paterno raised a record $350,000 for CMT research.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution and once again congratulate Coach Paterno on his 400th win as Penn State Nittany Lions' head football coach. Coach Paterno has excelled as a well- rounded mentor to young players who continue to translate their skills on the football field to rewarding lives after college.

I thank Representative Thompson for his leadership in bringing this resolution forward.

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

It is clear that Coach Paterno is not only an exemplary coach, but he is an exemplary human being and a model to us all. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 329) recognizing the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 329 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 329, which recognizes the 35th anniversary of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This historic statute guarantees that all children, regardless of the nature of their disability, have the right to a free, appropriate public education.

Prior to IDEA, many children with disabilities were placed in segregated institutions with no expectation for success. As a result of IDEA, children with disabilities have been increasingly included in general education settings and have had the opportunity to receive the same education as their non-disabled peers.

Over the years, the original bill has been amended several times to bolster educational opportunities for children with disabilities. An amendment in 1986 created preschool grant programs for children ages 3 to 5 and early intervention programs for those under the age of 3.

In 1997 IDEA was again amended to ensure that students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum and are fully included in State assessments. In 2004, all students with disabilities were guaranteed to receive an education that considers their transition to higher education, employment and independent living.

Currently, IDEA serves about 350,000 infants and toddlers, 700,000 preschoolers, and 5.9 million children ages 6 through 21. In Hawaii nearly 18,000 students receive IDEA services in grades K-12. Since the enactment of IDEA, the number of students with disabilities graduating from high school with a regular diploma and enrolling in college has increased dramatically. However, we still face challenges in providing a free and appropriate education to children with disabilities, and student outcomes remain too low.

As we celebrate the successes of IDEA, we must continue to improve access to free and appropriate education for students with disabilities. We must ensure that all students are held to high expectations and have the opportunity to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my fellow Members for cosponsoring this legislation and again express my support for House Concurrent Resolution 329, which recognizes the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975, also known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

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

Once again, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 566, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1663) supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1663 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1663, which supports the designation of the month of September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects between 70,000 and 100,000 Americans and many more around the world.

While there is no cure, there have been recent advancements in the search, giving hope to millions affected by the disease. Researchers believe that with continued research and funding, sickle cell disease may become more manageable within the next two decades and no longer interfere with the activity, growth, or mental development of those affected. In addition, education and public awareness can play a critical role in fighting the disease, as early diagnosis can often help those who suffer from sickle cell disease manage its effects.

I want to thank Representative Fudge for introducing this resolution. Once again, I express my support for House Resolution 1663, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Two million Americans have the sickle cell trait, including 1 in 12 African-Americans. Children born to parents with the sickle cell trait have a 1 in 4 chance of having the disease.

Sickle cell disease is devastating to those who suffer from it. The rapid destruction of sickle cells can result in anemia, jaundice, gallstones, strokes, and possible liver, spleen and kidney damage. As a result, individuals with the disease often experience considerable pain in their arms, legs, chest, and abdomen as well as shortened life spans.

Once again I express my support for House Resolution 1663 which designates the month of September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

In closing, I too want to ask my colleagues to support this important resolution, as it affects so many thousands and thousands of people, particularly the African American community.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1637) supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2010 and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families and communities, and support programs and practices designed to prevent and end domestic violence, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1637 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1637, which supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to be recognized this October. National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an important time to raise awareness of domestic violence and its devastating effects on our families and communities. In addition, this month offers organizations, social workers, and public officials a chance to spread the word about the resources which help victims seek the help they desperately need.

I would like to thank Representatives Poe and Green for introducing this important measure. And once again, I express my support for House Resolution 1637.

Domestic violence is defined as the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic that affects women, men, and children in every community regardless of age, sex, economic status, nationality, or educational background.

One in four women and one in six men will be victims of domestic violence in their lifetime, and 15\1/2\ million children are abused every year. Children exposed to domestic violence are more likely themselves to commit acts of domestic violence when they are adults, and to commit suicide, abuse drugs, and engage in teenage prostitution. It is critical that our communities have the resources they need both to help prevent domestic violence from occurring and to support victims when abuse has occurred.

During this month, communities and groups nationwide hold events to increase awareness

of domestic violence and the resources available to help victims escape the cycles of violence. Additionally, these events educate the public about ways to prevent and end abuse. We especially recognize the hard work and dedication shown by organizations and individuals that serve victims of abuse and educate the public about domestic violence prevention.

Mr. Speaker, I once again express my support for House Resolution 1637 which recognizes the month of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green).

I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, it is very clear, and I thank my colleagues for their very strong remarks in support of this resolution, because domestic violence truly knows no bounds; and the women, children, and seniors who are the most vulnerable in our communities, who are generally the victims of domestic violence, need our support and our help. So I again urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1637.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1645) expressing support for designation of the week beginning on November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members be granted 5 legislative days to revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1645 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1645, which honors and recognizes the contributions of school psychologists in our Nation's education system by designating the week of November 8, 2010, as National School Psychology Week.

School psychologists are mental health professionals with specialized training who understand that many students face barriers to learning and need additional support to overcome these barriers and improve academic and behavioral outcomes. There are more than 35,000 credentialed school psychologists in this country who are essential in helping children succeed in school.

National School Psychology Week reminds us of the integral role school psychologists play daily in our schools to help ensure that our students have an opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

I would like to thank Representative Loebsack for introducing this important measure and, once again, express my support for House Resolution 1645.

The work of school psychologists helps reduce high school dropout rates, decreases problem behaviors, and promotes academic success. School psychologists work together with youth, parents, and educators to identify and reduce risk factors, create safe schools, and access community resources.

Mental health professionals in the academic setting, including school psychologists, can play an important role in increasing a student's engagement in school. The results of this work can be seen in absolute, concrete terms. Research points to higher standardized test scores and better grades as well as decreased absences and discipline referrals.

School psychologists are a vital resource in helping us narrow the achievement gap and reducing disproportionate representation of students from diverse backgrounds in special education.

Mr. Speaker, I once again express my support for House Resolution 1645 which recognizes the week of November 8th as National School Psychology Week.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would once again urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1645. It takes many people to enable a child to succeed, and school psychologists are definitely among those.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4072) to require that certain Federal job training and career education programs give priority to programs that provide a national industry-recognized and portable credential, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H.R. 4072 into the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4072, the American Manufacturing Efficiency and Retraining Investment Collaboration Act, or AMERICA Works Act. This bill would direct the use of the Workforce Investment Act funds for programs that provide a national industry- recognized and portable credential certificate or degree.

It would also encourage industry-recognized credentials that are nationally recognized and portable under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

Since May, the jobless rate has stayed about the same and economists predict unemployment will remain high for months to come. Despite current unemployment, employers continue to report a skills gap. Manufacturing, healthcare, and energy sectors in particular are finding it difficult to match workers with skills and industry-recognized credentials with employers that have job openings. As the economic outlook continues to stabilize, we must continue to take measures to bring about a full recovery, including investments in strengthening our Nation's workforce.

One of the best ways to prepare today's workforce for today's fast- paced changing global economy is to offer training in industry recognized skills. This bill invests in training towards industry- recognized portable credentials, to help students build the skill sets needed to fill specialized in-demand jobs.

Industry-recognized credentials exist in many sectors of our economy. In manufacturing, industry leaders all across this sector have endorsed a system of skills certification for entry level workers. According to the president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, addressing the current skills mismatch could reduce national unemployment from 9.6 percent to as low as 6.5 percent. This bill complements current sector approaches that modernize our workforce system, aligning job training strategies that help individuals improve their skills to find good jobs and employers hire skilled workers.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Minnick and the cosponsors of H.R. 4072 for bringing this bill forward. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Minnick).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would once again urge my colleagues to support the AMERICA Works Act. At a time when unemployment is high, we need to do everything we can to enable our workers not only to be trained, but to be able to utilize that training anywhere in our country.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I thank the gentleman from Indiana.

Madam Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support S. 1055, which honors the thousands of Japanese-American veterans who served during World War II, and I thank my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), for introducing the legislation in the House and for his eloquent words today in support of the Senate bill.

At a time when many of their fellow Americans questioned their loyalty to the United States, these Japanese-American soldiers enlisted and put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms overseas while fighting against fear and discrimination at home. S. 1055 awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service in honor of their military service.

Many of the soldiers comprising these units were Nisei, the American- born sons of Japanese immigrants. Some served in the University of Hawaii's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), which aided the wounded, buried the fallen, and helped defend vulnerable areas in Hawaii after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In spite of these acts of loyalty and courage, the U.S. Army discharged all Nisei in the ROTC unit, changed their draft status to ineligible, and segregated all Japanese Americans in the military on the mainland out of their units. During this time, more than 100,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes to internment camps.

Undaunted, members of the Hawaii Provisional Battalion joined the 100th Infantry Battalion in California to train as soldiers. The sheer determination and pursuit of excellence displayed by this battalion in training contributed to President Roosevelt's decision to allow Nisei volunteers to

serve in the U.S. military again, leading to their incorporation into the 442nd.

Members of the 100th and the 442nd risked their lives to fight for our country and allies in Europe. The 442nd ``Go For Broke'' unit became the most decorated in U.S. military history for its size and length of service, with its component, the 100th Infantry Battalion, earning the nickname ``The Purple Heart Battalion.''

In addition, the 6,000 or so Nisei that comprised the Military Intelligence Service made vital contributions to wartime successes by conducting critical classified intelligence operations. Only in recent years has their invaluable service come to light, and it is long past due to acknowledge and honor the MIS's critical role during the war.

In the spirit of celebrating these courageous soldiers, I would like to share the stories of three men from Hawaii who overcame humble beginnings and adversity to become successful scholars and community leaders in Hawaii.

Kobe Shoji was a junior at Pomona College when he and his family received orders to go to an internment camp in Arizona. They brought nothing more than a suitcase with them to the camp. Kobe enlisted the next year and went to Germany to fight as a member of the 442nd. Although he was wounded twice, he came back to the States, never complaining about the discrimination that he and his family had faced, or about the wounds he suffered in the war. Kobe returned to complete his studies as though ``nothing had happened. . . . except we were all much more mature due to the wartime experience. We all had the feeling we must do something to make the world a better place to live.''

Kobe earned his doctorate in plant physiology from UCLA and moved to Hawaii thereafter to teach at the University of Hawaii and work as a respected agricultural expert. He later enjoyed watching his oldest son, Dave, coach the university's Rainbow Wahine volleyball team to many national championships.

Ken Otagaki is another example of resilience and success. As the second son of a field laborer on the island of Hawaii, Ken left home at the age of 12 to work in Honolulu on the island of Oahu as a houseboy before putting himself through college. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ken enlisted and joined the 100th Infantry Division, serving overseas as a litter bearer. In January 1944, Ken was near Cassino, Italy, when he and six other litter bearers were called upon to help soldiers in front of them. Ken and seven other soldiers faced a barrage of mortar shells from the enemy. Three were killed. Four, including Ken, were seriously injured and were not evacuated until nearly a day later.

Ken recuperated at Walter Reed Hospital and later received the Combat Infantry Badge and the Purple Heart. Ken wrote to his sweetheart, Janet, telling her that he had lost his right leg, two fingers on his right hand, and the sight in his right eye. Their daughter, Joy, recalled that her mother thought that her father ``wasn't going to sit around feeling sorry for himself.'' Ken and Janet married later that year.

Because of his war injuries, Ken had to give up his plans to become a medical doctor, instead earning a PhD in animal science. The Otagakis began their life together on the mainland and had five children before moving back to Hawaii, where Ken taught at the University of Hawaii and later led the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture. Ken never let what others perceived to be his physical disabilities stop him from being active. He climbed trees to pick ripe mangoes and taught his kids how to swim and ride a bike.

The last veteran I would like to talk about is Yoshiaki Fujitani who Pauwela, Maui.

A second generation Japanese-American, Yoshiaki was taught ethics at Japanese language school, where he learned about honesty and perseverance by hearing stories about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He was also taught what is known in Japanese as ``kuni no on,'' or gratitude to one's country, America.

After serving in ROTC at the University of Hawaii, Yoshiaki rose through the ranks in the Hawaii Territorial Guard, becoming squad leader. Of course the guard was later disbanded without any explanation, but they believe it was because the Japanese Americans in the guard were viewed as potential traitors.

On December 7, 1941, while preparing to play softball, Yoshiaki saw smoke and planes flying above Pearl Harbor before learning about the attack on the radio. He volunteered for the civilian Varsity Victory Volunteers but quit when he learned that his father was being held at a Department of Justice camp for being a potentially dangerous enemy alien.

When his friends joined the 442nd, Yoshiaki's initial anger about his father's incarceration subsided, and he decided to join the MIS. Yoshiaki served in Tokyo on assignment for the Pacific Military Intelligence Research Section. After the war ended, he got married, raised a family, returned to Maui as a minister of the Buddhist faith, and he focused on fostering interfaith cooperation, eventually becoming the bishop of the Hawaii Kyodan. In 1976, he established a program called the ``Living Treasures of Hawaii'' to recognize the cultural contributions of individuals in Hawaii.

The life stories of these three men serve as an inspiration for all of us, and they certainly exemplify the history and the courage and the Americanism, the love of America, exhibited by the people we are honoring.

This legislation also honors Senator Daniel Inouye and the late Senator Spark Matsunaga, who served in the 442nd and 100th units, and of course they later went on to serve the people of Hawaii for many decades, and the people of our country.

Again, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of S. 1055. It is long overdue.

Mr. Speaker, every year the Secretary of Defense recognizes employers for their support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. This year, the Government of the State of Hawaii was selected for the Freedom Award, the highest employer recognition award given by the Defense Department. Hawaii Army National Guardsman K. Mark Takai submitted the nomination.

The State of Hawaii provides credit toward retirement for the time their Guard and Reserve employees are activated and offers preferential hiring for those who have been deployed. The State also held a farewell ceremony and a welcome home parade for our 29th Brigade. Notably, Hawaii is the only State to recognize its fallen war heroes by awarding them the State Medal of Honor.

As we celebrate National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, warmest ``aloha'' goes out to employers like the State of Hawaii for recognizing the unique challenges that members of the Guard and Reserve face in balancing their civilian lives with their military service.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 4785, the Rural Energy Savings Program Act.

I am a cosponsor of this bill, which has been modified to include provisions of H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, of which I am also a cosponsor.

The Rural Energy Savings Program Act creates two energy efficiency loan programs. The Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program, administered by the Energy Department, will provide interest-free loans to states or territories, which will then re-loan the money to consumers for energy efficiency home renovations. The Rural Star Energy Program, run by the Agriculture Department, will make loans to rural electric co-ops, enabling these organizations to provide loans to qualified consumers to make their homes and businesses become more energy efficient.

Constituents in my district have some of the highest energy costs in the country, especially residents of Hawaii's rural communities. The Rural Star Energy Program would give Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, a rural electric co-op in my district, the opportunity to help families, farms, and businesses on Kauai save money on their energy bills while reducing energy waste and carbon pollution.

In addition, the Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program and the Rural Star Energy Program will help create jobs by increasing demand for energy efficiency products (many of which are made in the United States) and energy equipment retrofits.

I strongly support H.R. 4785 and urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, if we don't act soon, middle class income families across the country will see

their taxes go up. I have spent the past 6 weeks crisscrossing the Hawaiian island chain, meeting with small business owners, workers, educators, and farmers. I've asked them how they feel about extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. And we agreed that the most important thing we can do now is extend the tax cuts for the middle class.

I will oppose those who hold the middle class tax cuts hostage so that people earning more than $1 million will receive average tax cuts of $100,000 annually. The top 2 percent of these income earners in our country can afford to pay their fair share. Extending the Bush tax cuts for this group will pile on a whopping $700 billion to our deficit over the next 10 years.

We must pass legislation now that ensures that 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses do not pay higher taxes next year. And let's remember that the 111th Congress and the Obama administration have already enacted eight tax cuts for small businesses. We can no longer afford to continue the tax cuts for the wealthiest among us.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1473) supporting backcountry airstrips and recreational aviation, 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 to include extraneous material on H. Res. 1473.

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

I rise in support of H. Res. 1473, as amended, introduced by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg), which expresses support for backcountry airstrips and recreational aviation.

A backcountry airstrip is an unattended landing area in a location that provides access to remote, undeveloped rural areas by aircraft, usually airplanes. Backcountry airstrips provide benefits to the general public, including performing research and rescue operations, fire management, research and aerial mapping, and disaster relief. These airstrips allow tourists to access remote Federal lands that, in turn, helps to support local economies and small businesses. Also, in the event of mechanical problems or inclement weather, backcountry airstrips serve as emergency landing sites when airports are out of reach.

H. Res. 1473 recognizes the value of recreational aviation and backcountry airstrips located on our Nation's public lands. In addition, it commends aviators and the various private organizations that maintain these airstrips for public use. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, for all of the reasons articulated, I again encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to remove my name from H.R. 5720.