Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chairman James Oberstar for his significant contributions and strong leadership during his time in Congress.

Representing Minnesota's 8th Congressional District since 1975, James Oberstar

has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of American citizens and a steadfast dedication to advancing the infrastructure of this country. An expert in aviation and aviation safety, Chairman Oberstar has been at the forefront of every major piece of federal transportation legislation that has come before this body in recent years.

As the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he has facilitated an open discourse on even the most contentious issues, producing genuine compromise and bipartisan legislation that ensures individuals throughout the country have access to the services they depend on to pursue their livelihoods and move forward. He has been an unwavering proponent of robust investment in our nation's transportation infrastructure.

As I worked to pass legislation creating the Northern Border Regional Commission, a regional economic development commission in the northeast, Chairman Oberstar's guidance and support was instrumental. The investments made by the Commission have honored Chairman Oberstar's belief that an economy cannot grow without investments in our roads, bridges, railroads and ports, and they will continue to support this view long after he has left the United States Congress.

In his more than 36 years as a member of Congress, Chairman Oberstar has displayed an unrivaled understanding of transportation issues. He has been a great colleague, chairman and friend. I am certain that he will be sorely missed.

Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Chairman James Oberstar for his outstanding commitment to this country and Minnesota's 8th Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Steven Hurd on the occasion of his retirement after 38 years of dedicated service in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Throughout his career, Steve has fought tenaciously to improve the quality of life of veterans and their caregivers. Steve began his VA career in 1972 and served in a variety of Recreation Therapy positions. From 1983 to 1987, he served as the Assistant Chief of Voluntary Service at the Brockton, Massachusetts VA Medical Center. For the past 23 years, Steve has served as the Chief of Voluntary Service at the Togus, Maine VA Medical Center.

Under his leadership, a number of new programs have been established at Togus, including the `Caught Ya' program to recognize staff members that go above and beyond their duties in caring for veterans, the Service Recovery Program, and new volunteer assignments to provide mealtime companions and other quality of care initiatives for hospitalized veterans, These programs have greatly enhanced and expanded the use of volunteers and staff in improving veterans' healthcare experiences at Togus.

Steve is also an active leader in other sectors of Veterans Affairs. He serves as the VISN 1 Voluntary Service Liaison Chief, is an active member and past president of the Maine Society of Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services and is current president of the New England Association of Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services. In his capacity as VISN Liaison Chief, Steve has also mentored incoming Voluntary Service Chiefs in other Medical Centers in VISN 1. In 2008, Steve served as the president of the Association of Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals, becoming the first VA Voluntary Service staff member to be elected to this position.

Through his dedication and valued work, Steve has garnered well- deserved appreciation and numerous accolades including the Voluntary Service Award for Excellence, the Governors' Volunteer Service Award for Excellence in Volunteer Administration and most recently, the Award for Excellence from the Association of Volunteer Resource Professionals.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Steven Hurd for his compassion and tireless efforts on behalf of the veterans in Maine.

I thank the gentlelady for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1672, a measure I have introduced to commemorate the Persian Gulf War and reaffirm our Nation's commitment to the veterans who served in it. A cease-fire was declared by President George Bush on February 28, 1991, 100 hours after the ground campaign began.

Yet, this war is far from over for the veterans who served so courageously in the gulf. In fact, an estimated 174,000 still suffer from Gulf War illness, including Gulf War syndrome. These veterans and their families must now wage a campaign of a different sort within the VA system.

This includes my constituent, Michelle Comeau, of Dixfield, Maine, who was exposed to toxic sarin gas as a member of the Army National Guard. This led to unbearable migraines that have since rendered her 100 percent disabled. In addition, her two daughters were subsequently born with rare birth defects, and have since developed symptoms similar to their mother.

Sadly, Michelle and many other veterans and their families across the country continue to suffer. Not enough is known about these illnesses, including whether or not it can be passed from one generation to the next. Because of this, it is critical that VA continues its research efforts on illnesses of Gulf War veterans.

This resolution we consider today commemorates the Gulf War and honors the noble service and sacrifice of veterans who served there. So it is also fitting that Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Steve Buyer is here today to speak on behalf of this resolution.

In addition to being a Persian Gulf veteran himself, Congressman Buyer began his career as a Member of Congress by leading efforts to create a national Persian Gulf War veterans registry. This important program was set up to provide a comprehensive physical exam and to track the special health concerns of veterans who served in the gulf.

I want to thank Congressman Buyer for his service to this great Nation of ours, but also thank him for his service, his time here in Congress, which I enjoyed working with him on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me today in supporting House Resolution 1672, to encourage all Americans to remember and pay tribute to those veterans, and to let them know that their struggles and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Operation Tribute for its substantial impact in spreading holiday joy to the children of military families.

Operation Tribute donates gifts to thousands of children in military families during the holiday season. Beginning just 4 months before Christmas 2007, founder Marc Badeau and his ``Operation Holiday Cheer'' raised more than $100,000, translating into 9,000 gifts that were given to 2,500 children across Maine.

One year later, the organization changed its name to Operation Tribute and expanded to over 800 communities throughout New England and New York. That year, $650,000 was raised to purchase 23,000 gifts. Marc has continued to expand the program along the East Coast and is aiming to reach all 50 States within the next 5 years.

For many military families, the holiday season can be a time of great sadness as children miss one or more parents stationed overseas. Through the giving of these gifts, Operation Tribute provides these brave children with an important measure of joy and hope. No one has had to make greater sacrifices in defense of our Nation than our armed forces and their families, and this is just one small way that we can give back to them.

The value of this program cannot be overestimated, and I wish Mr. Badeau and Operation Tribute the very best of luck going forward.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Operation Tribute and its founder Marc R. Badeau.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Leota Denico Seaward on her 100th birthday and congratulate her on being awarded the Boston Post Cane.

Leota was born in Vassalboro on October 6, 1910 and grew up in South China, Maine. After graduating Erskine Academy as class salutatorian in 1929, she married Elmer Wilson Seaward, and the two started a large farm in Turner.

Despite taking on the challenge of running a farm during the Great Depression, the Seawards never forgot the less fortunate and were able to provide a large portion of meat and vegetables for the community. Leota and George were well known for their caring nature during those tough times, often taking in the homeless and providing them with food and work.

Throughout her life, Leota has remained active in the community, taking jobs in the local rug shop, hatchery and post office, all while raising four children. She remains fiercely independent, not relinquishing her driver's license until she was 98 years old and living on her own until last year. This year, Leota, surrounded by fifty members of her family spanning five generations, participated in the 4th of July parade.

Mrs. Seaward will be celebrating this historic moment with her daughter, Bunny Gilbert, who shares the same birthday and will be turning 80. I wish Leota the happiest of birthdays, surrounded by all her friends and loved ones.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Leota Denico Seaward on her new status as a Centenarian.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for yielding, and I also thank you for your leadership on this issue of bringing this bill before the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 2378. This issue is simple: China's currency manipulation is illegal, and it costs Maine jobs. Just ask the Sappi Fine paper mill workers in Westbrook and Skowhegan, or those at the NewPage mill in Rumford. They have seen their coworkers get laid off and were certified for Trade Adjustment Assistance because of cheap Chinese paper imports.

In fact, over 9,000 Mainers in all sectors have lost their jobs because of our trade deficit with China, which is directly related to their currency manipulation. Companies like NewPage and Sappi Fine can't compete when China doesn't play by the rules.

This bill will help us hold China's feet to the fire for their unfair trade practices. It will make sure American companies are competing on a level playing field. And it will save American jobs.

I urge my colleagues to vote for this critical bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area on the 30th anniversary of their founding.

Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area (HVWA) was founded in 1980 by a small

group of concerned community members looking to provide non-medical support for individuals and their families during the last phases of life and grieving process. It has since gone on to become a cornerstone for end of life care in the region, serving 27 communities in central Maine. HVWA has gone on to expand their services through the establishment of Camp Ray of Hope, an award winning state-wide program aimed at bringing together those who have lost loved ones to illness, accidents, suicide, and homicide, as well as Hope's Place--a youth peer counseling program.

For anyone who finds themselves in this position, the last stages of life are often filled with tumultuous emotions, pain, and fear. The services which the staff and volunteers at HVWA provide to their neighbors during a period of ultimate vulnerability are truly remarkable. At no cost to patients or their families, volunteers operate a multitude of support groups, direct care companionship and bereavement counseling.

There is no way to quantify the value of HVWA to the central Maine region. For thirty years, they have remained a steadfast beacon of compassion, understanding and comfort for those who need it most. I wish them the very best going forward, and I hope their example stands as a testament to what can be achieved through the kindness of the human spirit.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area for their three decades of devoted service to their community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kennebec Behavioral Health on its 50th year of providing health care to central Maine residents.

Kennebec Behavioral Health (KBH) is dedicated to providing high quality, innovative, community-based services and to improving the lives of central Maine residents who experience mental illness, emotional difficulties or behavioral challenges. Founded in 1960 by Dr. Charles Rothstein as the Community Mental Health Center of Central Maine, KBH has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, Kennebec Behavioral Health employs over 340 Mainers in the service of helping their neighbors in need. With medical clinics in Augusta, Skowhegan, Waterville and Winthrop, KBH serves more than 12,000 children and adults every year.

Mainers far and wide have come to rely on the dedication and devotion of KBH and its employees. The programs and services offered demonstrate a keen understanding of mental and behavioral trauma across age and economic demographics. With many Mainers generally unable to afford the level of care provided by Kennebec Behavioral Health, the organization makes over $2.5 million dollars available in financial assistance each year. Governor Baldacci recently proclaimed June 16 as ``Kennebec Behavioral Health Day'' in recognition of the effectiveness of KBH's mental health services.

I am pleased to share in the recognition of Kennebec Behavioral Health as they reach this important milestone.

Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating Kennebec Behavioral Health on reaching a half century of service to the residents of central Maine.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Hannah Weston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for their care of the Burnham Tavern for 100 years.

The Chapter carries the name of Hannah Weston in honor of the 17- year-old pregnant woman who showed incredible courage in helping the patriots fight the British in the Battle of the Margaretta. This was also known as the Battle of the Machias, the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War. Since 1910, the Hannah Weston Chapter has owned and maintained the Burnham Tavern, where the

people of Maine first gathered to plan the defense of their homes and our young nation.

The Tavern was built in 1770, and has a rich history dating back to the Revolutionary War. Plans to capture the armed British vessel, H.M.S. Margaretta, in the first naval battle of the American Revolution were made in the Tavern, and the wounded were nursed there. Many items in the Tavern are associated with that battle and the patriots who fought it. The Tavern acts as a historical landmark that welcomes visitors from around the country and the world, who seek to learn more about this important part of our nation's struggle for independence.

The Burnham Tavern is the oldest building in eastern Maine, having withstood the test of time thanks to the members of the Hannah Weston Chapter. The Tavern has been kept in excellent condition, and the Chapter has paid out of their own pockets for the upkeep of the 18th century building.

The DAR has made a substantial contribution to the community through preserving a historical landmark and educating its visitors. Their efforts are truly remarkable, and all of Maine thanks them for their dedication to our nation's history.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Hannah Weston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for their work in preserving such an important part of our nation's history.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Marie Boucher and to celebrate her 101st birthday.

Marie moved to Greenville, Maine with her husband Auguste Boucher in 1951, and she has been the oldest citizen of Greenville since 2006. She is a proud mother and grandmother with eight children, twenty-eight grandchildren, fifty-one great-grandchildren and nine great-great- grandchildren.

Marie is well known throughout Greenville for her gracious hospitality and prowess in the kitchen. She not only cooked for her large family, but also made sure the woodsmen who worked with her husband were well fed after their long days in the Maine woods. For several years, she took her cooking skills to the kitchen at the Log Cabin Restaurant, and Marie has remained active in her community throughout her life as a long time parishioner of Holy Family Church.

As an exemplary member of the Greenville community, Marie is an asset not only for her town but also her state, and she celebrates her birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Marie Boucher for her contributions and in celebrating her birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Harold Shaw. Harold, a retired U.S. Coast Guard chief warrant officer and special education teacher at Lawrence Junior High School in Fairfield, Maine, has recently received recognition from the Troops to Teachers program. The Troops to Teachers program recruits quality teachers for schools that serve low-income families throughout America and assists military personnel as they transition to careers in teaching. Since its authorization in 1993, nearly ten thousand troops have participated in the Troops to Teachers program and brought unique expertise and insight to our classrooms nationwide.

Our veterans are called upon to learn extensive skills which they then need to teach to junior military comrades. They develop incredible patience, perseverance and leadership skills throughout their honorable service, and I cannot think of any group of individuals in our society that would be better equipped to handle the responsibility and honor of shaping the minds of the future in our Nation's classrooms.

Since starting at Lawrence Junior High School, Harold has used those skills everyday, and his classroom has become a safe haven for students. As his students and colleagues can attest, Harold is an exemplary teacher and has successfully helped reluctant students to read and write with confidence. Moreover, as someone who knows the meaning of hard work, Harold has continued to challenge himself and has worked to find innovative ways to use technology as a teaching tool in his special education classroom.

By choosing to teach after serving in the military, Harold has continued his public service and made a lasting difference in his community.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Harold Shaw for his dedication and service to his country and community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine as it celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary.

As a U.S. Senator from 1959 to 1980, Edmund Muskie established a legacy of environmentalism, fiscal responsibility and budgetary reform. Senator Muskie chaired the Environmental Pollution Subcommittee, the Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee, and the Senate Committee on Budget. In 1963, Senator Muskie served as the chief sponsor of the Clean Air Act, the first major federal law aimed at air pollution control. Senator Muskie also served as the chief sponsor of the Clean Water Restoration Act in 1966.

Since its founding in 1985, the Muskie Archives has preserved and promoted the legacy of U.S. Senator, Secretary of State and Bates College alumnus Edmund S. Muskie. The Muskie Archives have served Bates students and researchers from across the United States and around the world. For the past ten years, the Edmund Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library has also been the repository of the Archives of the College. In this capacity, the library has preserved a collection of records that document that history of Bates College from its inception through its development into one of the country's premier liberal arts colleges.

The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library at Bates College is a valuable asset to both the State of Maine and the country. Through exhibits, public outreach and educational programs, the institution ensures that the lasting work of Edmund Muskie is not forgotten.

I am pleased to share in the celebration as the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library looks back on its twenty five years of history.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Town of Upton, Maine as it celebrates its sesquicentennial on August 21, 2010.

Upton was incorporated February 9, 1860, prior to which it was known as Letter B. Plantation. In 1870, the population was 187 people; and in 1880, the population grew to 245 people. The Town of Upton now boasts 64 full-time residents.

The citizens of this small town have experienced their fair share of history, both within the State of Maine and the greater United States. During the Civil War, 16 soldiers from the town left to fight for the Union; six did not return. Today, the town continues to attract residents and visitors with its beautiful location and the outdoor recreation in the Umbagog Region. Author Richard E. Pinette described the Upton area as, ``nature's playground with a rich forestland heritage.''

Upton is steeped in the history of logging days and working forests and will honor its traditions on August 21, with an event recognizing Upton's history and celebrating with events such as a horseshoe tournament, skillet throwing contests, a quilt display, a spinning demonstration and a town-wide square dance in the evening.

I am pleased to share in the celebration as Upton looks back on 150 years of rich and varied history.

Madam Speaker, please join me in wishing all the citizens of Upton, Maine well on this joyous occasion.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Joyce Hedlund.

The former president of Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Joyce is now the president of Washington County Community College in Calais.

A native of Fort Kent, Joyce has dedicated herself to education for the past 36 years, having started her career in higher education administration at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, then at the University of Maine, Husson University, and finally at Eastern Maine Community College in 1987 as president for sixteen years. Joyce has been credited as a visionary leader and an integral member of her community. She is a member of the Maine Higher Education Council, the state committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Secretary/Treasurer for the Maine Compact for Higher Education, a member of the College Board's New England Community College Advisory Committee, a Commissioner on the ACE Commission on Lifelong Learning and board member for Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and the Eastern Maine Development Corporation.

An accomplished academic, Joyce holds a PhD from the University of Maine, where she also received her master's and bachelor's degrees in personnel services and counselor education. She is a graduate of the Delta Class of Leadership Maine and is the recipient of the 1998 Kenneth M. Curtis Leadership Award, granted by the Alumni of Leadership Maine.

Joyce is recognized as one of New England's most outstanding college leaders; I am confident she will continue her track record of excellence in her new role with the Washington County community college system. Joyce has left a lasting mark on Eastern Maine Community College and surrounding areas. On behalf of the people of Maine, it is with pride that I congratulate Joyce for her excellent work; I would also like to offer my continued support and best wishes.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Dr. Joyce Hedlund for her continued commitment to the education of Maine's students.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Frank L. Mitchell Post 3335 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars as they celebrate their 75th anniversary.

The mission of Veterans of Foreign Wars is to honor the dead by helping the living, and the Frank L. Mitchell Post 3335 in Jay, Maine, has spent the past 75 years meeting this goal. Post members have honored their fallen comrades in the community and have strived to ensure that all veterans receive the benefits they deserve. The Post honors those who remain Prisoners of War or Missing in Action and ensures that the community never forgets the sacrifices of these service members and their families.

Post 3335 helps improve the civic engagement of its community by sponsoring the local Patriot's Pen competition. This essay writing competition is designed to foster patriotism by giving students in grades six, seven and eight the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Additionally, their homecoming celebrations continue to provide Jay with occasions to come together as a community.

The people of Jay know firsthand the important role Post 3335 has played in the life of their town. Through their countless hours of volunteer work and remarkable commitment to our veterans, the members of Post 3336 have been a shining light to some of our nation's most deserving citizens.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the members of the Frank L. Mitchell Post 3335 as they celebrate their 75th anniversary and thanking them for their tremendous contributions to the Jay community and to the State of Maine.