Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Salvation Army in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as well as Frank and Dorothy Henry who have been associated with the leadership of the Salvation Army for more than four decades.

As we are well aware, the Salvation Army plays a vital role in American society, a fact brought home to us most recently by their work in the flood-ravaged Gulf Coast where, as of Sept. 6, they had distributed more than 100,000 articles of clothing and served over 400,000 meals to flood victims described by one Salvation Army officer as ``emotionally devastated.''

In Wilkes-Barre, the Salvation Army's work began on Jan. 12, 1885 under the leadership of then Capt. Faith Jeffries. The Salvationists were met with a mixed welcome. After their first day of warfare in Wilkes-Barre, they had rescued 24 souls ``from the devil's grasp,'' according to an account in their newsletter, ``The War Cry.'' However, Capt. Jeffries was arrested for playing the tambourine in the street on Sunday.

During World War II, Salvationists served coffee and doughnuts at USOs around the nation and at Union Station in Washington to

young men who were called to the colors. In Wilkes-Barre, the Salvation Army will forever be remembered for its work providing food, clothing and emergency shelter to flood victims during the 1936 and 1972 floods.

Mr. Henry, for the past 44 years, has diligently served on the Salvation Army's board of directors, providing leadership and wise counsel. Today, the Salvation Army in Wilkes-Barre serves more than 44,000 individuals per year.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Salvation Army and Mr. and Mrs. Henry for their contributions to the greater Wilkes-Barre area. The quality of life in that region has been greatly improved by the presence of the Salvation Army and community leaders like the Henrys.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Bloomsburg Hospital in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary of serving citizens in that region of the Nation. I also ask that you join me in recognizing Regis P. Cabonor, CEO of Bloomsburg Hospital, and Dr. John A. Scerbo, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The first and only locally owned and operated hospital in the area, Bloomsburg Hospital's highly trained staff of physicians and technologists offer state of the art diagnostic services, and an array of women's health and psychiatric services.

Known as ``The Baby Hospital,'' the facility has been delivering about 600 infants annually for the past several years. Special birthing suites and knowledgeable nurses ensure that families receive a warm and caring experience at this special time in their lives.

Accredited by the American College of Radiology, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the American Association of Blood Banks, the College of American Pathologists, the hospital is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Its mission is to ``promote, restore and maintain health'' through fully integrated health care systems and services including in-patient care, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation and out-patient surgery.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Bloomsburg Hospital on the occasion of this milestone event. The quality of life in the Bloomsburg area is clearly better because of the fine and caring work performed by the dedicated professionals at this institution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Crispin Valves, of Berick, PA, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Begun in 1905 on the foundation of the patents granted to Clarence Crispin for his design of the Air Valve, Crispin is a fourth generation family business employing 70 people.

The Crispin Air Valve, for the first time ever, allowed the release of air build-up in water pipes without leaks or interruption of water flow in the line.

Since its inception, Crispin has served customers the world over. Still located on its original manufacturing site, Crispin today is a modem, professional company deeply rooted in the traditional values of its early beginnings.

No other company in the world has manufactured air valves longer than Crispin and no other company in the air valve market has the experience that Crispin has.

Crispin products are used in both hemispheres and in almost every country in the world. The breadth of their international experience allows them to understand and provide the flexibility that international customers require.

Focusing primarily on the municipal water industries, Crispin products are also used extensively by industrial, mining, chemical, energy and processing companies.

Crispin's customers include some of the world's top corporations including Phillips Petroleum, Walt Disney, Anheuser Busch, Bechtel, International Paper and Black and Veatch.

Their municipal client index includes customers from major metropolitan areas as well as small town water systems. They include Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; Tampa, FL; New York City, Dallas, TX, and thousands of others.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Crispin Valves and its president, Mr. Darren Crispin, for representing the finest qualities of the American entrepreneurial spirit. Their family heritage and community-mindedness has resulted in a successful company that has employed many people in northeastern Pennsylvania for over a century.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Magee Rieter Automotive Systems of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of their being named worldwide ``Supplier of the Year'' to General Motors for the 13th consecutive year.

Of GMs 30,000 suppliers, Magee Rieter Automotive Systems is the only company in North America to achieve this remarkable record, a fact that should make its nearly 800 employees exceedingly proud.

Magee Rieter is the leading supplier of carpets to General Motors in America. The company has been in business in Bloomsburg since 1889 and has been supplying General Motors for more than 90 years, first with hand draped tapestries for Fisher Body carriages and, today, with fully molded carpet floors and integrated acoustical systems.

For more than a century, the company has endured and overcome numerous challenges including floods, fires and the rapidly changing business environment. After World War II, the company received the Army/Navy ``E'' award for excellence in recognition of its production of high quality materials for the war effort.

Magee Rieter records annual sales in excess of $175 million and has an annual payroll of more than $37 million that provides its employees with family sustaining incomes that average about $39,000 annually. Overall, Magee Rieter is responsible for a $168 million annual impact to the local economy.

The current employees of Magee Rieter are carrying on traditions of pride and success handed down by their parents, grandparents and great grandparents who worked at this remarkable company.

Under the leadership of president and chief executive officer Mike Katerman, Magee Rieter continues to be a cornerstone of the Bloomsburg community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Magee Rieter for demonstrating superior performance and for serving as a shining example for other businesses to emulate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Patricia Tomsho, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, who is retiring after 37 years in the human service field.

Since 1968, Ms. Tomsho has been affiliated with United Charities in West Hazleton. Initially, she served as director of social services which entailed coordination of services, regulation compliance, service delivery, supervision of personnel, program planning, evaluation of service delivery and client advocacy.

From 1985 to the present, Ms. Tomsho has served as executive director of United Charities and United Children's Homes. In that capacity, she has been responsible for budget development and fiscal administration, personnel recruitment and management, regulation compliance and coordination of services, program proposal and grant writing, coordination of building and grounds improvement and board preparation and management.

A graduate of Ursin us College where she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, Ms. Tomsho also graduated from Bryn Mawr College where she earned a master's degree in social work and social service administration.

From 1974 through 1982, Ms. Tomsho worked at Northeast Counseling Services in Hazleton as a crisis interventionist, therapist and client advocate.

She is active in her church as a Sunday School teacher and member of the choir. She has served as a loaned executive for the United Way. And she has given selflessly of herself working to combat domestic violence and homelessness. She is an instructor at Marywood College and is frequently called upon to speak to various groups.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ms. Tomsho on the completion of a remarkable career. Her devotion to the needs of others has benefited thousands over the years and has contributed to elevating the quality of life in the Hazleton area of Luzerne County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my thoughts about House Concurrent Resolution 181, which I helped to introduce with my colleague, the gentlelady from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert). House Concurrent Resolution 181 would designate September as National Life Insurance Awareness Month.

Life insurance is a financial planning tool that all families should explore. It can provide security in the event of an untimely death. In families where a premature death occurs, surviving family members are often required to work additional jobs or longer hours, borrow money, withdraw money from savings and investment accounts, and, in too many cases, move to smaller, less expensive housing.

By designating September as National Life Insurance Awareness Month, we will hopefully highlight the importance of this financial instrument for the nearly 50 million Americans who presently lack the life insurance coverage needed to meet the long-term financial needs of their families.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution to promote financial literacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the 126 members of the Bravo Battery Forward of the First Battalion of the 109th Field Artillery, based in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, who have returned after service in Iraq.

We welcome home our brave soldiers with gratitude for their selflessness. During times of war, it is important that we realize the sacrifices our troops endure. Through voluntary military service, Americans proudly uphold ideals, consistently emerge as leaders and valiantly ensure democracy.

The Bravo Battery consists of: Richard Osborne Adams, David Paul Anthony, Stephen John Arnold, Richard Anthony Aulicino, Joseph John Baloh III, Michael William Bauder, James Lee Bell, Joshua Michael Bohinski, Jason Otto Bolesta, Joshua Brandes, Dennis Michael Bressler, Travis C. Brigalia;

Christian Benjamin Brown, Mark Earl Brown, Ronald Joseph Bruza Jr., Kyle Edward Buff, Robert Anthony Burge, Kevin Thomas Burritt, Raymond Charles Cannell, Gary Bruce Caton Jr., John Lawrence Cavanaugh, Richard Lloyd Chesnet Jr., Gerald B. Cobb, Scott Elliott Cousins, Ryan Hazen Craig, Christopher Alan Daniel, Scott Anthony Domanowski, Robert Patrick Donahue, Dean Emery Doty, Nicholas Andrew Dulina, William Sanderson Dutzar, Jason John Ellison, Eric Anthony Eppler, Eugene Joseph Everett;

Rodney Stephen Fedorchak, Robert Allen Franks, Terrance Charles Frederick, James Joseph Gallagher, James Michael Gallagher, Patrick Edward Gallagher, Tomas Rafael Garcia, Mario Luis Gonzalez Jr., Jeremy James Granahan, Nicholas Joseph Guzenski, Justin Matthew Harris, William Joseph Harris, Kelly Scott Harter, Kevin Patrick Hettler, Bruce Alan Hinds II, David Andrew Hoover, Kevin Thomas Hoover, Christopher Andrew Hudock, Matthew David Jacobs, Elijah Kareeme Jones, James Joseph Kania;

Daniel Steven Kankiewicz, Christopher James Keen, Christopher Warren Keller, Brendan Kevin Kelly, Jared Raymond Kennedy, David John Kinney, Rory Francis Kirwan, Rhyan Lee Kleiner, Neil Charles Klinges, Nicholas Andrews Kopco, Raymond Louis Krzak, Brett David Kunkle, Charles Cushing Ladd V, George Leibman, Matthew Lipo, Billy Joe Lorah, Phillip Glenn Losito, Andrew Lukashewski, Brian Lukashewski, Joseph Andrew Lukashewski, Matthew Lupico;

Nicholas Richard Lynn, Leonard John Macking III, Brian Jason Martin, William Frank Marusak, Michael Aloysius McKeown, Adam Charles Metz, Kenneth Paul Miller Jr., Robert Jason Miller, Robert John Miller, Paul Minnicks IV, David Joseph Miscavage, Cliff Antonio Morales, Joseph John Novackowski, Patrick Francis O'Boyle, Walter Robert Ohl, Thomas Robert O'Leary, Charles Alex Pavlick, Francis William Petroski, Kris Sean Petrosky Sr., Tony Phan;

Francis Joseph Poperowitz, Neil Aaron Ravitz, Jason Rexford Robbins, Timothy Michael Roberts, Jeremy John Rusczyk, Stephen Mark Rutkowski, Sean Paul Sarokas, John Sedon IV, Daniel Thomas Seip IV, Christopher Jude Sicurella, Jonathan Neil Silva, Anthony William Skrypski, K. Jaime Sorber, Daniel Christian Stella, Robert Paul Stemick, William Fredrick Stiefel Jr., Jamie Lee Sult;

Justin George Thomas, William Lewis Thubbron, Jonathan David Torres, Daniel Kieran Walsh, Nicholas William Walters, Wesley James Waters, Leonard Kenneth Weston Jr., Adam Thomas Wilcox, Aron Preston Wright, Joshua Paul Yetter, Michael Lee Yetter, Eric Mark Zagata, and Robert Louis Zamoch.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in thanking these soldiers for their courage and love of country. It is truly an honor to serve them in the United States Congress. Please join me in welcoming these fine Americans home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the 124 members of the Alpha Battery Forward of the First Battalion of the 109th Field Artillery, based in Kingston, Pennsylvania, who have returned after service in Iraq.

We welcome home our brave soldiers with gratitude for their selflessness. During times of war, it is important that we realize the sacrifices our troops endure. Through voluntary military service, Americans proudly uphold ideals, consistently emerge as leaders and valiantly ensure democracy.

The Alpha Battery consists of: Jean Luc Robert Adams, Thomas Charles Albanese, James Robert Albright, Kevin Francis Armitage, Tyler Scott Barnes III, Bernard Alfred Barry III, Jason John Bedew, John Willard Bedew, John A. Bilski, Jarrad J. Bogaski, Craig Joseph Bondra, Charles Earl Boyer;

Donald Brenner, Frank Donald Brizgint Jr., Andrew Khareme Brown Jr., Nikolas James Butrej, David Wayne Butz, Robert Leo Charnichko, Stephen Nicholas Chronowski, Nicholas Anthony Cipriani, Kevin Jeffrey Clocker, Michael Thomas Collis, Richard John Colorusso, James Randall Conley, James Henry Crawn, John Daniel Crispell, William Patrick Cunningham, Erik Lee Daniels, Robert Darin Davis, Brian Lee Deats, Steven Eugene Deininger, Anthony Delgiudice, Anthony Joseph Derosia, Timothy James Dickson, Matthew Christopher Dohman, David Russell Duke Jr.;

Cory Alfred Dumont, Rodney Everett Durant Jr., Anthony Thomas Eddy, Matthew Charles Eddy, Jason Daniel Ellis, Jeremy Edward Endrusick, William Andrew Eppley, Gomez Juan Francis Fernandez, Timothy James Finley, James Carl Fisher, Hando David Galutia, Michael Brian Gifford, Daniel Robert Giniewski, Steven Frederick Griffiths, William Robert Grosz Jr., Charles David Gundrum, James Allie Harper III, Pierce Samuel Heffner, Sean Michael Hess, Joseph Patrick Hogan Jr.;

Eric Ronald Holzman, James Jesse Hoskins, Ian Charles Hughes, Michael Huntzinger, Michael Joseph Jeziorski, Gerald Wayne Johnson II, Dylan Stewart Jones, Richard Michael Jones, Christopher Kashi, Matthew Thomas Kearns, Peter Scott Kelchner, Avery Reed Kessler, Sean Paul Kilbourn, Joshua Boyd Kimmins, Ronald Joseph Knorr Jr., William Lawrence Koepke Jr., Paul Anthony Konschnik;

Mark Steven Kozen, David James Krzak, Jeffrey Anthony Kwiecien, Joshua James Lake, Sean Michael Lehman, Colin Michael Liput, James Edwards Mason II, Jeffrey Charles Mead, Michael Carmine Meloro, Heath Adam Middaugh, Dominic Michael Nardelli, Ronald Otto Neher Jr., Jed Joseph Nolan, Matthew Brent Noll, Adam Charles Olisewski, John David Oros, Keith Leon Paller, Jason Palmer, Joseph Michael Perrins, Robert Richard Perrins, Robert A. Pissott Jr., Charles William Plantamura, Brian Douglas Powell, Richard Lee Herman Price II, Mark Anthony Robinson, Anthony Jason Rodriguez, Donald Paul Rorick Jr.;

William Roy Ross Jr., Edward Arnold Rowell, Walter Charles Rudaski Sr., Joseph Andrew Ruotolo, Scott Allen Seelye Sr., Robert Daniel Senchak, Erik William Shaw, Jeremy Paul Shuman, Gordon Alan Simerson, Robert J. Slovik, Andrew Sromovski, Bret Joseph Stemrich, James Reeves Stokes, Brian Patrick Turlip, Jarret Paul Tuttle, Jason Francis Veneziale, Victor Verdekal, Randy Joseph Wagner, Charles A. Williams, Geoffrey Michael Williams, Lawrence Michael Wolfe, Michael Anthony Yuscavage, Vincent Roger Zardus, and Daniel Joseph Zyskowski.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in thanking these soldiers for their courage and love of country. It is truly an honor to serve them in the United States Congress. Please join me in welcoming these fine Americans home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the 44 members of the Headquarters Battery Forward of the First Battalion of the 109th Field Artillery, based in Kingston, Pennsylvania, who have returned after service in Iraq.

We welcome home our brave soldiers with gratitude for their selflessness. During times of

war, it is important that we realize the sacrifices our troops endure. Through voluntary military service, Americans proudly uphold ideals, consistently emerge as leaders and valiantly ensure democracy.

The 109th Field Artillery enjoys a rich heritage. It is one of the oldest units in continuous existence in the United States Armed Forces. It was organized under Col. Zebulon Butler in the Wyoming Valley of northeastern Pennsylvania on October 17, 1775, nearly a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Since the Wyoming Valley was then part of Connecticut, the unit was formed as the 24th Regiment, Connecticut Militia. The Regiment carries both the Connecticut and Pennsylvania state flags in its color guard. It is also officially named ``The Wyoming Valley Guards.''

The 109th, under various unit designations, fought in the Revolutionary War, mustered into service for the War of 1812, fought in the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I in France and in World War II in both France and Germany.

In World War II, the unit distinguished itself during the Battle of the Bulge when the 109th fought valiantly to oppose the German Ardennes Offensive. After its guns were destroyed, the unit fought as infantry often in vicious hand-to-hand combat. For its valor, the battalion was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, the highest decoration a unit can receive.

On September 5, 1950, the 109th was mobilized for the Korean War. On September 11, 1950, the unit was en route to Camp Atterbury, Indiana, when a passenger train struck the battalion's troop train in Coshocton, Ohio, killing 33 soldiers and wounding scores.

On April 26, 2004, the unit lost its first soldier in combat since 1945 when Sgt. Sherwood Baker was killed after a building he was inspecting in Baghdad, Iraq, exploded.

The Headquarters Battery consists of: Christopher A. Barnes, James J. Belusko, Clinton R. Bollinger, John D. Borger, Raymond T. Bozek, Benjamin B. Chamberlin, Daryl A. Crawford, Matthew J. Deacon, Joseph A. Didino, Mark A. Gordon, John Gowin, Travis L. Haldeman, Kevin M. Hayes, Shaun A. Hineline, John L. Hosey, Louis F. Johnson, Dean C. Jones, Terry D. Ketchem, William H. Maclunny, Jeffrey E. Marriott, Jeffrey Martin, Joseph J. May, Joseph A. McHugh, Jonathan Mitchell, Brian J. Moore, Troy D. Mueller, Armando Pascale, Casey J. Poeth, Robert R. Rae, Roger E. Reed, Evan L. Reibsome, Michael R. Shoffler, John Shulskie, Michael K. Skoniecki, Damien J. Smith, Stephen S. Stankavage, William P. Verbyla, Brian J. Vest, James E. Waldrop, Patrick L. Walsh, Ralph M. Watkins, Valroy Williams, Michael Wisnewski, and Michael Yavorski.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in thanking these soldiers for their courage and love of country. It is truly an honor to serve them in the United States Congress. Please join me in welcoming these fine Americans home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues to pay tribute to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1106 which is celebrating a century of service this month.

Founded by 6 theater owners in Seattle, Washington, in 1898, while discussing their mutual interest in a musician's strike, the Eagles went on to attract members from the performing arts including actors, stagehands, playwrights, etc. That accounted for the rapid growth of the organization in the first decade of the 20th century because performers often toured the country and, as they did, they recruited more and more people who desired to belong to such an organization.

The stated mission of the Fraternal Order of Eagles is to unite fraternally for mutual benefit, protection, improvement, social enjoyment and association, all persons of good moral character who believe in a Supreme Being to inculcate the principles of liberty, truth, justice and equality; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization and to provide for its government as its constitution, laws, rituals, by-laws or other rules and regulations may, from time to time, provide and to promote the general welfare and to raise funds for duly authorized charities.

Over the years, the Eagles fought and won many battles. Among them are a Workman's Compensation Act, Mothers and Old Age Pensions and Social Security. The Eagles also continue to raise funds for the Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund, the Max Bear Heart Fund, the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund, the ``Doc'' Dunlap Kidney Fund and the Diabetes Fund.

Many great social and political leaders have belonged to the Eagles. President Theodore Roosevelt was a member and he praised the order for its humanitarian accomplishments. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt echoed those comments and President Harry S. Truman often said that the Eagles was his type of organization, one founded by and for the common man.

Locally, the Stroudsburg Fraternal Order of Eagles, which boasts 1,700 members and 450 auxiliary members, has labored tirelessly on behalf of abused women and children, Alzheimer's victims and the heart, kidney and cancer funds.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Stroudsburg Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1106 on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. The greater Stroudsburg community is blessed to have such a wonderful organization advocating on its behalf and raising the quality of life in that part of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which is observing its 10th anniversary as a unique and valuable venue that salutes the heritage of America's railroading past.

The invention of the steam-powered locomotive in the early 19th century proved to be one of the great evolutionary forces that transformed the United States from an agricultural society to a manufacturing giant that would propel this Nation into the realm of a superpower.

No longer tethered to the vagaries of animal and water powered transportation, the United States would discover that people and manufacturing product could be transported over great distances in much shorter periods of time, thus enabling this country to explore its vast expanses quite literally from sea to shining sea.

Truly, it was the railroad and the emerging anthracite coal industry in northeastern Pennsylvania that allowed our immigrant forebears to realize their dream of a better life than they had in their country of origin.

By 1852, thanks to merchants demanding faster and more reliable means of transporting their goods, more than 9,000 miles of track had been laid, mostly in New England and the Middle Atlantic states. During the next decade, American railroads grew into a coordinated iron network of more than 30,000 miles, serving all States east of the Mississippi River. By 1880, the United States had 94,000 miles of track binding the country together. Twenty years later, it had 193,000. By the end of World War I in 1918, the country could boast more than 254,000 miles of track and 65,000 steam locomotives.

Until the end of World War I, railroads carried the bulk of all freight and passengers.

In a very real sense, the railroad and anthracite coal industries, both of which have deep roots in the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys, fueled the industrial revolution and contributed to making the United States the global force that it is today.

To fail to recognize that heritage would deny our children and grandchildren the ability to see that where we are today is due to where we came from yesterday.

Thankfully, because of the vision and perseverance of men like former U.S. Congressman Joseph McDade, who relentlessly pursued his dream of making Steamtown a reality, we have before us today a living museum that celebrates the role that steam powered railroads played in the development of our nation.

Steamtown's success is also due to the tireless work of former Gov. William Scranton, Austin Burke, executive director of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce, former Scranton Mayor James McNulty, Ed Rogers, former managing editor of The Scranton Times, and others who shared the vision.

Fortunately, because of places like Steamtown National Historic Site and other

museums, the contributions of steam railroading to the development of the United States will never be forgotten. And the lives and duties of the men and women who labored in the yards, roundhouses, stations and trains will be preserved for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 10th anniversary of Steamtown National Historic Site and in acknowledging the United States Park Service for its role in maintaining what has become a national treasure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Margery A. Ufberg, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of her being named recipient of the United Hebrew Institute's Annual Shofar Award.

Just as the Shofar has been used for millennia to sound the arrival of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the Shofar Award symbolizes the calling together of the community to recognize and praise the good works and accomplishments of an individual.

It is particularly fitting that Margery Ufberg is the recipient of the Shofar Award this year. She is well known throughout the community as a tireless advocate for the United Hebrew Institute and for the Wyoming Valley community in general.

Mrs. Ufberg's contributions toward refurbishing the UHI library and its kitchen and classrooms have been invaluable.

A teacher by profession, Mrs. Ufberg also serves on the board of directors and the Executive Board of the United Hebrew Institute. She also serves on the board of directors and the board of trustees at the Jewish Community Center.

She is a past board member at Ecumenical Enterprises, the Jewish Federation of Greater Wilkes-Barre, the Friends of Hospice St. John and Peoples National Bank.

Mrs. Ufberg remains active with Hadassah, Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School, United Jewish Campaign, Osterhout Library, Junior League of Wilkes-Barre and B'nai B'rith Women Green Circle Ethnic Diversity Program.

She has also given freely of her time to support the Camp Committee, Teen Committee, Soccer Committee, Basketball Committee and the Purim Carnival Committee for the benefit of children and teens at the Jewish Community Center

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Margery A. Ufberg on this notable occasion. Mrs. Ufberg's contributions have succeeded in raising the quality of life in the Greater Wyoming Valley and her dedication is an inspiration to all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Polish National Alliance which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

Founded in 1880 in Philadelphia to unite the needs of the people of Poland who had emigrated to the United States, the Alliance has remained faithful to that mission.

The PNA was founded to provide financial, social and leadership opportunities for a new group of Americans.

Since its founding, the PNA has contributed countless volunteer hours and raised significant charitable donations for community service projects and to encourage patriotism.

The PNA continues to support ethnic heritage programs that benefit its members and the community at large.

The PNA is one of 75 fraternal benefit societies that belong to the National Fraternal Congress of America.

The influence of Polish immigrants is a prominent part of the heritage of our community.

Let us remember their contributions and let us honor the women of the PNA who, for generations, have maintained the traditions and customs of their ancestors and who have given much service to the communities in which they lived.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Polish National Alliance now celebrating 125 years of service. This great nation is far better due to the contributions made by their members over the past century and a quarter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the Scranton Chapter of UNICO National on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

Built from the initiative of Dr. D.J. Maldonato and Attorney John Morano, among others, the Scranton Chapter of UNICO was chartered in June 1955 and immediately began supporting community efforts through scholarships and the then Boys' Club.

Over the years, the Scranton Chapter of UNICO has grown in generosity and prestige, supporting scholarships for college students at six local colleges, supporting the good work of the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen and the now Boys and Girls Club.

Scranton UNlCO also contributes to the national effort to find a cure for cancer through the UNICO V Foundation.

Scranton UNICO also supports Italian studies through book donations and language classes.

Scranton UNICO promotes convivial camaraderie among its 330 members, the largest UNICO chapter in the United States of America.

UNICO was founded in 1922 as an Italian American service organization dedicated to performing good works as a means of uplifting the prestige of its members. UNICO stands for unity, neighborliness, integrity, charity and opportunity. The motto of UNICO is ``service above self.''

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Scranton chapter of UNICO as its members celebrate their 50th anniversary. Time and time again, UNICO members distinguish themselves by helping others and making their community a much better place to live.

Madam Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time, and I want to explain a problem that we discovered as the bill has been moving through.

Since 1997, by Executive order, a program was created known as the American Heritage Rivers Initiative. In that program, there are 14 rivers, one of which is the Hudson River in New York State and the Susquehanna in Pennsylvania. As a combined effort over the last 5 or 6 years, funding for the river navigator has come through the program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Either inadvertently or otherwise, even though we have had bipartisan support for the support of these two navigator positions for the Hudson River and the Susquehanna, the Susquehanna was inadvertently not included in report language on page 51 of the report, where only the Hudson River is indicated.

What I would request from the chairman is assurances that during conference that report language would be amended to include the Susquehanna River for funding the navigator.

Just as a justification for that, I want to point out that the Susquehanna River has been designated by American Rivers as one of the most polluted and endangered rivers in the country. Toward that end, the navigator presently in place has been involved in two areas: improving water quality and use, and increased economic development in the region.

To give my colleagues an example, we are now in the throes of more than $100 million in projects as a result of the effort of the navigator position: remodeling an old hotel in downtown Wilkes-Barre on the waterfront that exceeds $24 million in costs; riverfront revitalization that is between $25 million and $30 million; a program of $10 million of the GIS project to include the entire Susquehanna watershed so that we can work on water quality problems in that area of the Susquehanna River; and a project, an ongoing project presently of over $30 million to service the combined sewage overflows into the Susquehanna River. Without the key leadership of the navigator, we will lose that $100 or $150 million in projects and return to really zero.

What I am urging the chairman to indicate is his willingness to amend the report language as this bill proceeds through conference to include not only the Hudson River but also the Susquehanna River. I may assure the chairman that we have worked in a very bipartisan effort with members of the New York delegation and Governor Pataki's office that both of these river navigator positions should be funded in this bill, as the other 12 navigators are funded in other appropriations bills across the country. But to leave out the Susquehanna River, either inadvertently or by error, would be catastrophic to my congressional district.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Madam Chairman, I appreciate the chairman's interest; and I will rely on the chairman's good faith to accomplish to that end. As a result, I think we can all say that we have resolved this problem.