Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 5466, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Designation Act, which traces the 1607 and 1608 water voyages of Captain John Smith to chart the land and waterways of the Chesapeake Bay. The water trail extends approximately 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and in the District of Columbia. The year 2007 will mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and Captain John Smith's monumental voyages of exploration in the Chesapeake Bay, making passage of this legislation and the designation of this route as a national historic trail timely.

Designating this historic trail is an excellent way for Americans to learn about the voyage of Captain John Smith and the valuable resources of the Chesapeake Bay and will help to spur efforts to protect and restore the region's historic and environmental assets. During his voyage, Captain John Smith traveled 45 miles up the Nanticoke River into Delaware. He reached approximately half a mile above Broad Creek, in present-day Sussex County, where he placed a brass cross to symbolize the furthest extent of his exploration. During that time, Captain John Smith met and traded with hundreds of the Kuskarawaok (Nanticoke) Indians who were vital to keeping the Jamestown settlement alive through their knowledge and trade goods.

This project is widely supported in Delaware by Governor Ruth Ann Minner; Delaware Economic Development Office; Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control; Nanticoke Indian Tribe; New Castle County; City of Seaford; Town of Laurel; Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce; Delmarva Low Impact Tourism Experiences; Greater Seaford Chamber of Commerce; Laurel Chamber of Commerce; Southern Delaware Tourism (Sussex County); University of Delaware; the Conservation Fund in Delaware; and the DuPont Corporation.

As an original cosponsor of this legislation and earlier legislation that authorized the feasibility study of the proposed trail by the National Park Service, I fully back this project and look forward to visiting the portion of the trail that extends along the Nanticoke River in Delaware.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to rise to extol the virtues of Sherry Boehlert. I worked very hard on trying to write something out here. It took me a while to get this together. I am not quite as glib as the distinguished other gentleman from New York who spoke earlier, and I had to think long and hard about really good things to say about Sherry as well. But I would just like to start by saying a few things.

One, he is I think the most affable person in the House of Representatives. There are a lot of us here, but he always did things with goodwill, with a good sense of humor. I am not remotely surprised that he didn't make enemies when he spoke or he took opposite positions, because he didn't do that with a vindictiveness, and he usually did it with facts behind what he was saying. So for that he deserves tremendous credit.

He has been an incredible advocate for centrist Republican positions. He and I have worked together on a variety of those issues, going to the highest levels in this House, sometimes to extend funding in certain circumstances, other times to fight legislation which was coming forward, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

He also is an environmentalist extraordinaire. He probably excels in that field as much as anybody in the House of Representatives, Republican or Democrat. He is knowledgeable. He had tremendous staff support. He carried out his convictions on the floor. He articulated the issues well.

I don't know of a single issue involving the environment in which probably 25 or 30 of us did not go to Sherry and say exactly what do you think about this, and usually we voted the way he was thinking because of his extraordinary knowledge.

Now, I am saying nice things about him, but I should point out some downside. He is a Yankee fan. I don't know how that happens. I think people become Yankee fans because they are winners, and that is the reason he is a Yankee fan instead of a Mets fan or something of that nature. But he is there, and we will have to forgive him that.

He comes from a region of New York State, up around Utica. He lives in New Hartford, New York, which happens to be an area in which I spent 4 years going to Hamilton College. He and I graduated in the same year from different colleges; he, from Utica College, which we realized soon when we came down here together on the floor of the House of Representatives. But he has been my agent, telling me about Hamilton College all these years, and I appreciate that a great deal.

He also dedicated a science building there, as the head of the Science Committee recently, to great acclaim by the people at Hamilton and has a warm spot in his heart for that.

Moves significantly. He has a good part of his family, of his children, have now moved to Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, and he and Marianne are hopefully going to spend more time in the southern part of Delaware, which I consider to be very important. It is a beautiful spot. Everybody here should consider that, as a matter of fact, as part of their future. I hope that Sherry will come there often and spend time there and we can enjoy his company at that spot.

I can't tell you how fair he has been. If you go to Sherry with something, he will describe it to you, go back and forth, and, if he is with you, he is going to be on your side and he is the single greatest advocate you can possibly have.

There are many, many other things he has achieved, particularly as head of the Science Committee, dealing with the American Competitiveness Initiative, which he was slightly ahead of the President in terms of that area. In nanotechnology, he was a force in making sure that we have proper regulation in that area. The same thing is true of cybersecurity. He has been concerned about NASA all these years.

He has just done a wonderful job of representing the mid-part of New York State, an exceptional job over all of these years he has been in the Congress of the United States.

But I think far beyond that, for those of us who had a chance to know Sherry and to work with him, to know his family, to know Marianne, to know what they stand for and how they are, he has the warmest embrace he could possibly have from all of us. He is an exceptional human being. And I am sure, since he is in good health and that he will be in Washington from time to time, that we will hear from him on a variety of issues. And I look forward to that moment, being able to hear from Sherry as to what he is thinking, as to what is going on, keeping us informed on the outside and keeping us informed on the inside as to what we should be doing in minding our P's and Q's.

To a wonderful Member of the Congress of the United States, to a wonderful individual in the United States, I pay all the acclaim possible to my good friend Sherry Boehlert.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Mary Ball Morton upon her retirement after 28 years of dedicated service working for the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.

The Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families mission is to provide and manage a range of services for children who have experienced abandonment, abuse, mental illness, neglect, or substance abuse. Its services include prevention, early intervention, assessment, treatment, permanency, and after care. The Department attracts and retains proud and talented individuals who are motivated to ``Think of the Child First'' in all that they do.

Mrs. Morton has been an inspiring example of a person who ``thinks of the child first'' all of her professional life. Mrs. Morton's distinguished career has had many different facets, yet they all reflect back to a person who has been steadfastly dedicated to improving the lives of children. Initially, Mrs. Morton worked to develop foster care policy, and ensure that the foster care throughout the State was adequate and working to improve and enrich children's lives. During Mrs. Morton's career, she has overseen the administration of the State of Delaware's adoption program, court liaison services, quality assurance and improvement programs.

Mrs. Morton's commitment to children is constant; now that Mrs. Morton is retiring from State employment, she is focusing her energy and support on the 21st Century Fund for Delaware's Children. The 21st Century Fund for Delaware's Children will provide a critical bridge between the limited resources of State and non-profit agencies and underserved children by supporting activities that will help children develop socially and academically.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to wish Mrs. Morton success in all her future endeavors, and I would like to thank her for her years of dedicated advocacy and for her years of personal friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1140, legislation to name the State Route 1 Bridge over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in Delaware after the late Senator William V. Roth, Jr.

S. 1140 passed the Senate unanimously in June 2005, and as the sponsor of the House companion, H.R. 2800, I am pleased to join Senators Carper and Biden in offering my full support for S. 1140 and to encourage its adoption by the House today.

A leader and dedicated public servant, Senator Roth served honorably during his years in Congress and set a tremendous example for future generations of Americans. Best known for creating the successful ``Roth IRA,'' Senator Roth also fought hard in Congress to improve the quality of transportation in the State of Delaware. In the early 1990s, Senator Roth played an important role in helping to build the State Route 1 Bridge in New Castle County, Delaware.

Senator Roth was first elected to the House in 1966, serving two terms, before being elected to the Senate, where he served for 30 years. He also won the Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II. He died in 2003 at the age of 82.

Nothing in my mind would serve as a better tribute to Senator Roth's many years of dedicated public service than to rename this bridge, a true architectural gem in Delaware, in his honor.

I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 1140.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very special young lady, Miss Allie Dietz. She continues to impress me with her courage and her determination to fight diabetes, which she has suffered from since she was just five years old. She is now twelve.

I have come to know Allie over the years at different events throughout my state--Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Galas, Children's Congress, Walk for a Cure, the fight for stem cell research and many others. She has told me her stories of low and high blood sugars, she has shown me how she pricks her fingers and takes her insulin and she has always demonstrated a positive attitude through it all.

Most of all, I am proud to call her my friend. Recently, we shared the podium at an event at Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, and it is safe to say that Allie stole the show! Allie is surrounded by loving parents and two wonderful younger sisters who share her joys, her sadness and her hope for a cure. That is why I will continue to fight for a cure for diabetes--through efforts like increased research funding, an expanded federal embryonic stem cell research policy, legislation to address racial disparities in minorities and ensuring patients have access to care.

I know Allie will go far in life, and it is our job as Members of Congress to ensure that she has help along the way. I am hopeful that Congress will begin to make diabetes more of a priority, as it has become a national epidemic. We need to lead the fight for a cure for Allie and all of the other diabetes patients suffering throughout the United States.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Connections Community Support Programs Inc., a Delaware non-profit organization providing housing, treatment, and support services to persons living with and recovering from mental health and substance use conditions, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS.

Connections Community Support Programs was selected as the First Place Winner of the 2006 Lilly Reintegration Award for Housing, from Eli Lilly and Company. This is also the 10th anniversary of Eli Lilly and Company presenting this award that recognizes outstanding achievements made by mental health organizations.

This national award honors efforts to improve services and decrease the stigma of mental illness. Connections Inc. is particularly proud of its housing programs, specifically the development of supportive housing for people with low-incomes and special needs. The creation of more than 300 units of affordable housing for this target population is highly commendable.

Connections mission from it's genesis in 1985, has been to provide a comprehensive array of community-based treatment, support, housing and rehabilitation services for people recovering from and living with mental health and substance use conditions, homelessness and HIV/AIDS. The State of Delaware greatly benefits from the services and programs Connections offers at nearly 30 locations in all three Delaware counties.

Congratulations to Connections Community Support Programs, Inc for being recognized for their dedication and hard work. I am confident they will continue to provide this valuable service to our community and make a difference in the lives of there patients.

Mr. Speaker, if I had been present to vote on Monday, September 25 and Tuesday, September 26, 2006, I would have voted in the following way:

Yes--H.R. 5059--New Hampshire Wilderness Act of 2006

Yes--H.R. 5062--New Hampshire Wilderness Act of 2006

No--H.R. 5092--Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006

No--H.R. 4772--Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006

Yes--H. Res. 989--Commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror, and for other purposes

Yes--H. Res. 1017--Affirming support for the sovereignty and security of Lebanon and the Lebanese people

Yes--H. Res. 1038--Rule providing for H.R. 2679--Public Expression of Religion Act

Yes--H. Res. 1039--Rule providing for S. 403--Child Custody Protection Act

No--S. 403--Child Custody Protection Act

Yes--H. Res. 723--Calling on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, with a specific emphasis on civilian protection

Yes--H. Res. 992--Urging the President to appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill H.R. 6079, the ``Hedge Fund Study Act.'' I want to thank both Chairman, Oxley, and Chairman Baker for the Financial Services Committee's support for this study and efforts to address the evolving hedge fund industry.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Lisa Blunt-Bradley in recognition of her service as president and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League.

The Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, MWUL, actively works to assist the disproportionate number of African-American, Latino, and other ethnic populations who remain susceptible to wide-ranging disparities in income and educational attainment for themselves and their children. Under Lisa's leadership, the MWUL has built opportunities for people of color by setting the tone of the public policy

discourse, engaging in principled advocacy, and creating strong community partnerships.

In 2004, Ms. Blunt-Bradley became President of the MWUL and under her leadership the organization successfully implemented the Achievement Matters Education Program. The Achievement Matters Campaign is an academic achievement initiative that will provide community and school- based interventions for children in Wilmington from grade 6 through to graduation. The program is designed to provide underprivileged children with the skills they will need to be competitive in the job market of tomorrow.

Ms. Blunt-Bradley's successful career did not begin at the MWUL; she has a long legacy of successful advocacy work. The American Council of Young Political Leaders honored Ms. Blunt-Bradley with the Gary L. McPherson Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003. Additionally, prior to working at the MWUL, Ms. Blunt-Bradley served as Secretary of Labor and Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services for the State of Delaware. In those roles she oversaw the day-to-day management of the largest agency in the State of Delaware with approximately 4,500 employees. Her supervisory responsibilities included providing services to individuals with disabilities, and providing emergency shelter for the homeless. In addition, as the State agency's liaison to the Delaware General Assembly, she worked on issues such as child support enforcement legislation and regulation of managed healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to once again commend Ms. Blunt-Bradley on her success while at the helm of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. Lisa's constant professionalism, tireless leadership, and appetite for hard work have improved the lives of countless children and adults in Wilmington and throughout the State of Delaware.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Sergeant Vincent Fiscella a 17-year veteran of the Delaware State Police and the 2006 recipient of the Legacy of Honor Award presented by the Ronald G. Williams Foundation.

In 2003, The Ronald G. Williams, Jr. Foundation instituted the ``Legacy of Honor'' Award to recognize Delaware law enforcement officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary integrity and devotion to character. Sergeant Fiscella is a very worthy recipient of this award and I'm proud to honor him today. Sergeant Fiscella also serves as the President of the Delaware State Troopers Association.

The Legacy of Honor Award was created in memory of Delaware State Trooper Ronald Williams who was dedicated to the ideals of honor, duty, loyalty and service to others. Sergeant Fiscella joins two other distinguished individuals who have received the Legacy of Honor Award: Chief Kevin McDerby of New Castle County Police and Major Joseph Papili of the Delaware State Police.

Sergeant Fiscella's desire to become a Delaware State Trooper was born out of a will to be a part of an organization with rich tradition and history. Since 1923, the Delaware State Police have been serving the people of Delaware and now more than ever, the importance of effective law enforcement is apparent. Thankfully, there are officers like Sergeant Fiscella serving and protecting our communities.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to once again, commend Sergeant Fiscella on his achievement and thank him and all law-enforcement officials for all the tireless work they undertake to make our streets and communities safe places to live. I'm sure Sergeant Fiscella is and will continue to be an inspiration to his colleagues and future law- enforcement officers.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Colonel Richard Stephen Gebelein upon his retirement from the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps after 26 years of faithful and distinguished service.

Colonel Gebelein's legal career began upon his graduation from Villanova University School of Law in 1970. After law school, Colonel Gebelein served as a law clerk on the Delaware Chancery Court, deputy attorney general for the State of Delaware, State Solicitor of the Delaware Department of Justice, and as the Chief Deputy Public Defender. In 1979, Colonel Gebelein began his military career when he became a member of the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps with the HHC 261st Signal Command of the Delaware Army National Guard.

After serving as Delaware's Attorney General from 1979 to 1983, Colonel Gebelein was appointed to the bench of the Delaware Superior Court. Colonel Gebelein's appointment to the bench required that he become what's known as an M-Day Soldier, or a part-time drilling soldier. However, Colonel Gebelein continued to bolster his already impressive credentials by graduating from the United States Army War College and earning a degree in Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Colonel Gebelein has also been integral in improving services provided to soldiers in the Delaware Army National Guard. Colonel Gebelein devised the system used for processing administrative discharge boards and courts martial at the Delaware Army National Guard.

In 2004, Colonel Gebelein was called-up and went to Afghanistan and served as the Rule of Law Officer for the Staff Judge Advocate Combined Forces Command--Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom Colonel Gebelein served in Afghanistan for 8 months and shortly after his return to the Delaware Superior Court, his expertise as a premier international jurist was recognized; based on the quality of his character and knowledge in international legal matters, Colonel Gebelein was invited to address the United Nations forum on International Humanitarian Law and Peacekeeping Operations. Colonel Gebelein currently serves as an International Judge for War Crimes and Organized Crime and Economic Corruption on the Criminal and Appellate Divisions of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to express my deep personal thanks to Colonel Gebelein for his service to the United States Army, the Delaware Superior Court, and the citizens of Delaware. Colonel Gebelein's distinguished career is a testament to his impeccable character, intelligence, and integrity. I'm proud to call him a friend, but I'm grateful that he is a Delawarean.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 3534) to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for a YouthBuild program.

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

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

It gives me great pleasure to rise today in support of S. 3534, the YouthBuild Transfer Act. I have been working with my Senate colleagues, the administration, the YouthBuild community, and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for over a year, and I am pleased that we are here today to finish our work and send the transfer to the President.

YouthBuild began as a community-based organization in 1978, was later replicated in other cities, and ultimately authorized by Congress in 1992. The program provides grants for job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth who help construct or rehabilitate housing for low-income or homeless families and individuals in their respective communities. Each year, youth who participate in YouthBuild receive a combination of classroom and job skills development and on- site training in a construction trade.

Today there is a national network of more than 225 local YouthBuild programs which have served more than 54,000 young people and built more than 14,000 units of affordable housing in 44 States since 1994. In my work on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, it is clear that our high schools still have room for reform and that graduation rates are a significant problem. This program fulfills a small niche and is making a difference not only in degree attainment but also skills.

Since 1992, the program has been operated out of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Given the fact that the program is at its core an employment and training program for disadvantaged youth, today's bill will delete the program from HUD's jurisdiction and transfer administrative responsibilities to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The ultimate goal of the transfer is to improve services to youth. This is accomplished through the transfer but also in a number of ways, including establishing a stronger linkage to the Workforce Investment Act, WIA, One-Stop System's specialized resources, expertise and market knowledge, particularly in connecting the individuals to supportive services and placing individuals in education, training, or occupations in demand. In addition, the bill authorizes additional education and workforce investment activities including occupational skills training, internships and job shadowing, alternative secondary school services, community service and peer-centered activities, and comprehensive guidance and counseling.

While enhancing these services, the YouthBuild program will maintain its mission to provide affordable housing for low-income and homeless individuals and families. Eligibility is targeted to a more specific youth population by including, in addition to meeting the current-law requirements of being between the ages of 16 and 24, and not having finished school, being in one or more of the following categories: a member of a low-income family, foster care youth, youth offenders, disabled youth, children of incarcerated parents, and migrant youth.

To ensure that other at-risk youth have access to the program, an exemption to the eligibility requirements will be expanded to allow secondary schools to refer students to a YouthBuild program that leads to the attainment of a secondary school diploma.

This is an easy program to support. Not only does it address housing needs in our communities, but also addresses important educational workforce needs by providing meaningful opportunities for at-risk youth to acquire the basic education and job skills needed to advance to productive employment and higher education.

It is not often the case that a program meets two important needs. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue their support of the program by passing this.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for his kind words. I hadn't thought about the jurisdictional aspects of this bill until he raised it for it. I cannot really take much credit for it since I am both the receiving and the giving end of this.

But I do agree with his kind words about the legislation. He has been a behind-the-scenes pusher for this legislation for all of this time. In fact, frankly, without his support we would not be where we are today. He is absolutely right: nobody is ever willing to yield jurisdiction on anything around here. So it is a sign of the times, perhaps, that we can move something forward.

I have no further speakers and I am prepared to yield.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of what I think is a very good piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Francis Alfonse Ianni, who is celebrating his 75th birthday this month. Throughout his life he has worked to protect and enhance the well being of the Delaware community and I join so many others in expressing thanks.

Frank began to serve his country at the early age of 13, enlisting in the Delaware State Guard in 1945. He quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to the Delaware National Guard, where he served as a Staff Sergeant. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy and was designated as a distinguished, military graduate. In 1954 he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant to the 82nd Airborne division. Overseas, he served in Greenland, West Germany, and two tours in Vietnam. Upon his return, he continued to serve in the army as a Special Assistant for the National Security Council Affairs, and later, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In 1977, he went on to become the Adjunct General of the Delaware National Guard.

His dedication to protecting others transcends well beyond his military service. In 1981 he retired from the Delaware National Guard and accepted the position of Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. While holding this position he was responsible for numerous significant advances in protecting our community, including: the Driving Under the Influence Law, Seat Belt Law, and Child Safety Seat Law. He also initiated the first sobriety checkpoints throughout Delaware, and was responsible for the first Alcohol Awareness Programs conducted around the holidays.

Even after leaving the Office of Highway Safety, Frank continued to be an active and benevolent member of the Delaware community. He taught as an Adjunct Professor at Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, teaching courses in business and political science until his retirement in 2000. He has also served on numerous boards including the Delaware Blood Bank and the Delmarva Chapter of the American Red Cross. I congratulate and thank him for his valuable contributions and exemplary record of service on behalf of the State of Delaware. Thank you, for all you have done and continue to do for the people of our State.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, it obviously gives me great pleasure to be here today and to rise in support of the conference report to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006. I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) for his leadership in getting us to this end point, and the majority leader who is no longer head of the committee (Mr. Boehner) for his work, the gentleman and gentlewoman from California both present here right now, Mr. Miller and Ms. Woolsey, for their bipartisan spirit, and our colleagues in the other body. I am blessed to be on a couple of committees where there is bipartisan spirit at least some of the time, and we are able to get a few things done and this is one of them.

The Perkins Act aims to prepare youth and adults for the future by building their academic and technical skills in preparation for postsecondary education and/or employment. The bill we are considering today enhances Perkins by ensuring both secondary and post-secondary students participating in the program are acquiring rigorous academic and technical skills, and will have the opportunity to transition into further education and/or successful employment.

The Perkins Act governs widely supported programs of both the secondary and postsecondary level. For example, nearly all high school students complete at least one vocational education course, and approximately 26 percent of students are considered vocational concentrators, those students who focus on a single occupational area. In my home State of Delaware, we have five career and technical high schools that enroll a total of 5,500 of the 29,500 total high school students. At the postsecondary level, the Perkins Act supports a broad

array of options primarily at the community college level, including Delaware Technical & Community College.

In the 1999-2000 school year, over 50 percent of all students enrolled at the less than 4-year postsecondary level reported that they were majoring in vocational areas.

Today's conference report seeks to build upon reforms made in past reauthorizations, and seeks to enhance this popular program to ensure its success in years to come. The legislation before us today makes significant reforms to academic achievement and accountability to ensure students have the skills necessary to enter the workforce or continue to an institution of higher learning.

As I mentioned, there are five career and technical high schools in Delaware. While all these schools met adequately yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind Act, there is more to be done in academic achievement in these schools and schools across the country. Today, we will improve vocational and technical education by increasing the focus on academics in conjunction with the skill attainment that is incumbent of the program.

One of the unique attributes of vocational and technical education programs is their ability to show students a path that could end in a certificate, credential, employment, military, or postsecondary education. The Tech-Prep program within the Perkins Act is intended to focus on a well-defined link between high school and at least 2 years of postsecondary education. Research has shown, however, that funds are rarely, if ever, used to meet this goal. Rather, funds are often used for purposes within the larger vocational and technical education program. Therefore, the conference agreement revises requirements of the program in order to ensure articulation agreements between secondary and postsecondary institutions are, in fact, being implemented.

Along this same track, we include a new requirement for State development of career and technical programs of study for career and technical program areas. These sequences, of course, will incorporate a nonduplicative progression of both secondary and postsecondary elements which will include both academic and vocational and technical content. Local recipients at both the secondary and postsecondary level would adopt at least one model sequence of courses as developed by the State. I believe this will also help drive program improvements by ensuring that States clarify the progression of academic and vocational technical courses needed for the postsecondary education, training, or employment of a students choice.

It is clear that we are making some significant and positive changes for the schools and students impacted by this program. One of the biggest changes that I think we are making is for Congress to finally make the switch from vocational and technical education to career and technical education. In my opinion, this was an important statement for the Congress to make.

While the President has proposed another avenue for high school reform in the Perkins Act, I believe strongly that the reforms we consider today go a long way in driving program improvement and ultimate success for students across the country. The dialogue surrounding high school reform is important and is happening in earnest. I trust that the conference agreement will complement these efforts as a result of the changes in the bill. I believe it will help States, community colleges, and other postsecondary education institutions and local educational agencies to better meet the needs of students participating in career and technical education. I urge my colleagues to support this report so we may send this bill to the President for his signature.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), who is the chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that handles education funding and is probably as interested in education as anyone in this building.

(Mr. REGULA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder), another member of the committee who is always fighting for children in a whole variety of ways, be it dealing with drugs and those things, or education itself.

(Mr. SOUDER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), another individual who has probably done as much for young people as anybody in this country and in his lifetime in a variety of capacities.

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

Mr. Speaker, the conference report before us is a good one and one worthy of very strong support here. Passage of it will demonstrate our commitment to the millions of students who count on the career and technical education programs we are aiming to strengthen.

Career and technical education is a fundamental part of our efforts to improve academic achievement at all levels so our Nation remains competitive in the 21st century global economy. And this conference report sharpens the Perkins program's focus on both rigorous academics and technical achievement. It protects and enhances local control at a State and community level. And it seeks more opportunities for coordination between secondary and postsecondary career and technical education.

This conference report would not be possible if not for some key staff members at the Education and the Workforce Committee: Whitney Rhoades, Stephanie Milburn, Lucy House, Rich Stombres, and Susan Ross on the committee staff, and Denise Forte and Lloyd Horwich from the minority staff have worked tirelessly to get to this point where we are today. I would like to thank Sara Rittling of my staff who has worked on this as well.

For those not familiar with the process around here, without that staff, I am sure Ms. Woolsey and I would probably agree, we would probably never get a bill like this written. Their work is exemplary in this particular case. And I would just like to thank them for their determination and expertise.

Again, I thank my colleagues on the committee on both sides of the aisle for their efforts on this conference report, and I do urge its final passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.