Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Army Staff Sergeant Eric Byron Shaw of Exeter, ME who was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan.

Eric was well-loved by his community, family, and friends. He is remembered for his dedication to serving his nation, his generous spirit, and his devotion to his family. On June 23rd, Sergeant Shaw was killed in action on his third tour of duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This loss is particularly painful as Shaw leaves behind a young family.

Known for his good nature, Shaw was a 1999 graduate of Dexter High School. After high school, he enrolled in the University of Southern Maine where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. As a history major with a minor in education, Shaw planned to pursue a career teaching history. His close friends remember him as a caring person willing to do volunteer work and participate in community activities.

Staff Sergeant Shaw was on his third tour of duty with the 327th Infantry, First Brigade Combat Team from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. During his service, he received many awards including the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Ribbon. Sergeant Shaw will be receiving three awards posthumously, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the NATO Medal.

In Maine, our communities are known for coming together during a crisis, and I know that everyone in the state stands together to support Eric's mother, wife and three children, although they do not live in the state. Eric is mourned by all as a true American hero and a defender of the freedom we all hold dear.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of Staff Sergeant Eric Byron Shaw for his patriotism and devotion to his community and his country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church for their remarkable perseverance and dedication to their community.

The Henderson Memorial Baptist Church was formed in the homes and barns of the people of Farmington in 1810. Without a building to meet in, community members met in private spaces until they built their church in 1836. From its humble beginnings, the church and its members formed a strong bond that lasts to this day.

Despite many obstacles, the congregation continues to thrive. Two major fires disrupted the ability of church members to practice in their building in 1886 and again in 1938. Both of these fires were devastating, especially considering the loss of a new Austin pipe organ bought through donations during the Great Depression. However, the congregation has always rallied to rebuild and continue their good work.

The community of the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church has always come together and united for the common goal of keeping their church and congregation alive. The resiliency shown by this congregation during their tumultuous history is highly commendable.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church for their resiliency, perseverance and extraordinary dedication.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Maine Veilleux/Vigue Family Reunion which takes place on September 11, 2010 at the St. John Regional Catholic School in Winslow, Maine.

The history of Maine is rich with the stories of Franco-American heritage. As residents of Maine for many generations, the Veilleux and Vigue family history is intertwined with the history of Maine.

In 1658, Nicolas Verieul, the Veilleux/Vigue family patriarch, immigrated to Canada, and in 1665, he and Marguerite Hyardin, his wife, began the Verieul family. Eventually, many Verieul descendents moved to Maine to become integral parts of the seasonal labor workforce in the early 1800's and permanent residents of Maine in the mid to late 1800's.

The Veilleux/Vigue family history is a story of hard work and significant achievement. Many descendents of Nicolas and Marguerite Verieul have founded their own businesses and thrived as entrepreneurs in the State of Maine. Members of the family have been homemakers, service members, doctors and business owners. What marks them all is their dedication to family, community and hard work.

With their family reunion, the Veilleux/Vigue family has great cause for celebration. For generations, their pioneering family has prospered in Maine and helped make our state a better place. This occasion is a chance to honor the past generations for their sacrifices to give their children a better life today and look ahead to the bright future of the Veilleux/Vigue family.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of the Veilleux/Vigue family for their reunion September 11, 2010.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bill Legere on being named the Maine Hospital Association's Caregiver of the Year and to recognize his many accomplishments as a medical professional.

After studying health care at the University of Southern Maine, Bill went on to work at Central Maine Medical Center. As a nurse practitioner in the ER at CMMC, he provides medical care and comfort to patients and their families.

When he suddenly and tragically lost his 9-year-old daughter, Grace, two years ago, Bill's response was not to give in to grief. Instead, Bill and his wife launched the Foundation for Hope and Grace, a charity in Grace's memory that provides grants to families looking to adopt and financial help to organizations that help orphans and other children in need.

Bill's ability to set people at ease, his willingness to stay late to support his colleagues and his empathy and selflessness in all aspects of his life meant that this year he was nominated by co-workers for the Caregiver of the Year award. He was selected from among 19 Maine doctors and nurses by the award committee, who was impressed by his outstanding work and humanistic approach to medical care.

An accomplished, compassionate, and deeply humble man, Bill Legere exemplifies the type of caregiver that every hospital and community would be lucky to have. His co- workers related stories of Bill taking the time to reassure a frightened child and being an ally for patients who might otherwise be intimidated by the medical process.

Bill has left a lasting mark on CMMC, its workers, its patients, and their loved ones. On behalf of the people of Maine, it is with pride that I congratulate Bill for his excellent work. I wish him, his wife Teresa, and his daughters Sarah and Deanna the best, especially as Sarah and Deanna become big sisters to their new sisters from Uganda.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Bill Legere for his continued commitment to providing medical care and support to the people of Maine.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the accomplishments and life of Shepard ``Shep'' Lee, who passed away on June 23rd of this year.

Shep was a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist within the state of Maine. After taking over his father's local automobile dealership in 1947, he eventually expanded the business to encompass thirteen locations throughout Maine. He was a true pioneer in his field and was never afraid to take a risk to help the business community. He was the first local car dealer to use television ads in the 1960s and employ a board of directors. He was a tireless advocate of economic development in Maine, even offering advice to competitors.

In addition, Shep is remembered for his contributions to the greater community. A graduate of Bowdoin College, he championed educational progress, donating generous amounts to both Bowdoin and Bates Colleges and the George Mitchell Scholarship fund. He sat on the law and business school boards of the University of Southern Maine, the board of the Muskie School of Public Service and the Maine Community College Board.

His life-long commitment to gender equality and civil rights was also remarkable. He was an active member of the Maine branch of the NAACP and served on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union, later receiving the Roger Baldwin Award, the ACLU's higher honor. Shep supported gay rights legislation well before the passage of Maine's non-discrimination law.

An advisor, friend and tireless fund-raiser for Senator George Mitchell, the late Justice Frank Coffin and the late Edmund Muskie, Shep's political activism was notable both locally and nationally. He is fondly remembered by his friends, family and colleagues, and his contributions to the State of Maine will not soon be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Shepard Lee for his life of dedication and service to his community and his country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the William Ladd Chapter of Veterans for Peace for their 25 years of commitment to the cause of world peace.

Veterans for Peace was founded in 1985 and is comprised of veterans from all across the country. It includes men and women veterans of all eras and duty stations spanning the Spanish Civil War, World War II, the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf and current Iraq wars as well as other conflicts.

The founding and success of the Maine chapter of Veterans for Peace is a story of humanitarianism and cooperation based on collective experience. Twenty five years ago, several Maine Vietnam veterans drew up the organizational documents for what today has become a leading voice for peace in the Nation.

For 25 years, Maine Veterans for Peace have used their unique perspective as veterans to work toward increasing public awareness of the costs of war. They are a constant reminder that non-violent means of problem solving are not just possible, but necessary. They have tirelessly worked to restrain the government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations, to end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons, to seek justice for veterans and victims of war and to abolish war as an instrument of national policy. To achieve these goals, members of Veterans for Peace use non-violent means and maintain an organization that is both democratic and open.

With their 25th anniversary, the William Ladd Chapter of Maine Veterans for Peace has great cause for celebration. Their successful work and meaningful contributions to the State, the Nation and the world are immeasurable.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the William Ladd Chapter of Veterans for Peace for their outstanding work to change and bring peace to the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the town of Mattawamkeag, Maine as it celebrates its Sesquicentennial this month.

Mattawamkeag is the historical site of an early Native American fishing village located on the Mattawamkeag River, a tributary to the Penobscot River. The Indians once told of an ancient burial ground on the northern bank of this river, not far from the town today. Maine residents began settling the area in 1829, and it became incorporated into the state in 1860.

The citizens of this small town, currently numbering around 825 residents today, have experienced their fair share of history, both within the State of Maine and the greater United States. During the Civil War, thirty soldiers from the town left to fight for the Union; seven did not return. And in 1847, Henry David Thoreau visited and wrote about Mattawamkeag during his travels.

The town's background is also closely tied to the complex railway systems of the United States. It served as a key stop on a transcontinental railway linking Maine to the city of Saint John in New Brunswick, Canada during the late nineteenth century. The network later expanded, and Mattawamkeag became connected to the cities of Megantic in Quebec and Vancouver in British Columbia. Even today, this town plays an important role in interstate exchange, operating as the final eastern stop on the Guilford Rail System connecting Maine, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Army Sergeant Brandon Silk of Orono, Maine, who was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan.

Brandon was well-loved by everyone in his family and community. He is remembered for his personality, self-determination and self-confidence. On June 21st, Sergeant Silk died from injuries he suffered in a hard landing on his second Afghanistan tour. At 25 years old, Sergeant Silk's youth punctuates an already painful loss.

Brandon Silk, a fan of hunting, music, motorcycles and the Red Sox, graduated from Orono High School in 2003, where he excelled in football and track. After graduating, Brandon enlisted in the U.S. Army, volunteering to serve and protect his country. He was a Black Hawk crew chief and a member of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was on his fourth tour of duty having served in Korea, Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan.

In Maine, our communities are known for coming together during a crisis, and I know that everyone in the state stands together to support the Silk family. Brandon is mourned by all as a true American hero and a defender of the freedom we all hold dear.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of Sergeant Brandon Silk for his patriotism and devotion to his community and his country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Representative Patricia B. Sutherland and congratulate her on her pending retirement from the Maine Legislature.

Currently serving her second term in the Maine Legislature, Representative Sutherland has shown a continued dedication to serving the people of Maine and has been a tireless advocate for education and economic development in the state.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in English from Saint Joseph's College, Pat began her career teaching high school English, and a little over twenty years ago, Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, then Northern Maine Technical College, was fortunate enough to bring her on as their director of development and community relations. While Pat's retirement from that role was cause for some sadness, it provided an occasion to show her dedication to increasing Maine students' opportunities for higher learning. As the House Chair of the Maine Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, Pat has worked hard to improve education for all Maine students.

Pat is also a champion of economic development in Maine. Her commitment to economic development is exemplified by her contributions to Aroostook County's economic development initiatives, including the critical Aroostook County Empowerment Zone. Pat also chairs the Northern Maine Empowerment Council and is a board member of the Northern Maine Development Commission and the Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development program. In addition, she is a member of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club and is on the Town of Chapman's board of selectmen.

Patricia Sutherland continues to leave lasting marks on Maine. I am confident that she will continue to find ways to express her passion for educational and economic development during this new and exciting chapter in her life. On behalf of the people of Maine, it is with pride that I congratulate Representative Sutherland for her excellent work.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Representative Patricia B. Sutherland for her continued dedication to serving the people of Maine.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk made in order under the rule.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment to the Small Business Lending Fund Act.

The amendment I offer today does two things to improve the underlying bill's State Small Business Credit Initiative program.

First, it ensures that State-run venture capital programs are eligible to participate in the program. Second, it clarifies that State financing programs will be eligible for the program as long as their use of the new funds meets the business-sized requirements in the bill.

The programs created in the Small Business Lending Fund Act build on the proven potential of existing State lending programs. In Maine, these programs have been enormously effective at getting small businesses the access to capital and to the technical support they need.

My amendment ensures that States are able to maintain their existing initiatives while taking advantage of the new programs created in this bill.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I would encourage my colleagues to adopt this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jim Cassidy on his retirement from St. Mary's Health System and to recognize his many accomplishments while serving as its President.

Taking charge during a period when St. Mary's was dealing with financial instability, Jim worked step by step to expand wellness services and access to quality medical care. He quickly stabilized St. Mary's finances and set to work expanding the system's workforce and budget. Today, approximately 2,000 individuals are employed under an annual operating budget of $252 million.

With St. Mary's on solid footing, Jim turned his attention towards increasing care and services in the region. From 2000 to 2010, he oversaw the opening of the Women's Health Pavilion, the Center for Joint Replacement, St. Mary's d'Youville Pavilion Rehab Center, a new St. Mary's Campus in Auburn and the modernization of the Emergency Center at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. This extraordinary feat was mirrored by St. Mary's outreach in downtown Lewiston. St. Mary's Food Pantry, Lots to Gardens and St. Mary's Nutrition Center of Maine not only provide emergency food assistance to the residents of the greater Androscoggin County but also promote healthy nutrition and eating habits. Other programs, such as the Neighborhood Housing Initiative and B Street Health Center, have expanded affordable access to shelters and healthcare for Lewiston's low income residents. Each of these programs owes a piece of their success to Jim's leadership.

For these works and for other charity programs he established, Jim was honored by the American Hospital Association and by the Catholic Health Association. The remarkable positive impact Jim has had on the community is commendable and has inspired countless others. With his retirement on June 17, 2010, St. Mary's Health System will lose one of its finest leaders in its 125 year history. His legacy of community outreach will surely be continued for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Jim Cassidy on his retirement and thanking him for his dedicated service to his community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lewiston, Maine on its 100 year anniversary and its subsequent consecration.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lewiston, Maine was founded in 1910. As a small church on Lincoln Street in downtown Lewiston, it was established to serve more than 3,000 Greeks in the community who were drawn to the area by jobs in the Bates and surrounding mills. As the mills began to close in the 1950's, the Greek residents migrated south to the Massachusetts mills, and the population of Holy Trinity reduced significantly. Despite this drop in population, a new church was built in 1977 on Hogan Road, and Holy Trinity continued to be known as a pillar of civic leadership in the area.

On Saturday May 22, 2010, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church celebrated its 100th Anniversary. On the following Sunday, they consecrated their 33-year old church building, marking a commitment to Greek Orthodoxy in Lewiston for generations to come. Greek Orthodox churches are consecrated just once in their lifetime, usually after a milestone has been met to ensure that the building is a permanent part of the parish. Archbishop Metropolitan Methodios chose the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lewiston as one of only two consecrations he would preside over in 2010.

From 2000 to 2008, Holy Trinity, largely under the stewardship of Fr. Ted Toppses, extended its outreach past Lewiston to the surrounding areas and expanded its membership by fifty families. Always a vital part of Lewiston, the Church continues to address the spiritual and social needs of the surrounding communities.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the centennial and consecration of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lewiston and all of the contributions they make to the communities in the greater Lewiston and Auburn area.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Specialist Wade Slack of Waterville, Maine who was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan.

Wade was a beloved member of the Waterville community. He is remembered for a kindness, compassion and wisdom that exceeded his years. On May 6th, Specialist Slack succumbed to wounds sustained by enemy mortar fire in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan. At just 21 years old, Specialist Slack's youth punctuates an already painful loss.

Wade Slack, a fan of video games and hunting, enlisted while still an honors student at Waterville High School. After graduating in 2007, he completed his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and his advanced individual training at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama and Englin Air Force Base, Florida. He was an E4 specialist with a focus in explosive ordnance disposal, serving with the Army's 707th Ordnance Battalion.

Mainers come together during a crisis, and I know that everyone in Waterville and the state stand together to support the Slack family. Wade is survived by his parents Alan and Mary, his stepmother Rose, six bothers and sisters, two step siblings and countless close friends. He is mourned by all as a true American hero and a defender of the freedom we all hold dear.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of Specialist Wade Slack for his patriotism and devotion to his community and his country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the extension of the Section 45G Short Line Railroad Tax Credit.

The Section 45G Short Line Railroad Tax Credit expired on December 31, 2009 and has yet to be extended. Because this credit has not been renewed, the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, a 165 mile short line railroad in my district, has been unable to move forward on necessary infrastructure improvements. The St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad provides rail freight service through towns like Lewiston-Auburn, Mechanic Falls and Bethel in my district. An extension of the Section 45G tax credit will ensure that they can continue to put Mainers to work making the track improvements necessary to serve communities throughout Maine.

Many businesses in my district use the St. Lawrence & Atlantic to connect to the national freight rail network. An extension of the Section 45G tax credit will help short line railroads make the improvements necessary to continue connecting Maine businesses with the national rail network, aiding economic development efforts and promoting business growth throughout Maine.

Nationally, the Section 45G tax credit generates 3,305 full-time jobs nationwide each year. This does not include the tens of thousands of jobs in the American steel and timber industries that produce the raw materials necessary to make the track improvements. It is imperative that the House and the Senate come to an agreement so that we can get railroad employees back to work and make sure that the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad continues to operate smoothly.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the extension of the Section 45G Short Line Railroad Tax Credit.

Mr. Speaker, in response to the Chamber of Commerce's recently released report that claims U.S. free trade agreements have supported 5.4 million jobs, I have only one thing to say: Not in my district. Since January of 1994, employment in the manufacturing industry in Maine has declined by nearly 40 percent. Just ask the Mainers who used to work at Knight C-Low-Tex in Lisbon Falls or those that used to work at Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation in Lewiston. The Department of Labor recently certified them to receive trade adjustment assistance, proof that their jobs were lost as a result of our failed trade policies. Our U.S. trade policies might create jobs for big corporations based in Washington, D.C., but it takes them away from middle-class families in Maine.