Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Gianluca Arcangioli for his years of dedicated service in defending civil liberty, both domestically and abroad. Mr. Arcangioli has consistently demonstrated both bravery and intelligence in the face of crisis.

Born in Naples, Italy, Gianluca received officer training in 1993 and served as an Italian police officer until transferring to Kosovo where he would be awarded a medal for peace keeping. Following his completion in Kosovo, Gianluca Arcangioli moved to the U.S. and served as a police officer at the Consulate General of Italy in the cities of Philadelphia and New York City.

Gianluca Arcangioli has displayed his commendable abilities on several occasions, including his effort in handling the Hudson River tragedy in New York on August 8, 2009. Officer Arcangioli was praised for his effort and high standards on a professional and human level as well as his exceptional support given to diplomats, friends, and family of the victims. Most recently, Mr. Arcangioli exhibited his aptitude by diligently dealing with the Hurricane Irene crisis in New York.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Gianluca Arcangioli for his dedication to protecting the lives of many.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lynette M. Brown-Sow for her dedication in the field of healthcare and service to the city of Philadelphia. Lynette is a great example how one can use their expertise to achieve success while also contributing to the community.

As Vice President for Marketing and Government Relations at Community College of Philadelphia, a position she has held since 1995, Lynette has engaged communities, businesses, and governments in constructing frameworks that promote progress and prosperity. Her outstanding work was rewarded in 2009 when she was named Communicator of the Year. Lynette has done significant work in the behavioral healthcare field. She serves on the board of Directors of the Consortium, which named its newest service center the Lynette M. Brown center of hope.

In 1991, Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell appointed Lynette Deputy Mayor of Administration. In 2007, Lynette co-chaired Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter's transition team and was appointed as vice-chair of the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Lynette is the founder and chairman of the Hardy Williams Education Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides support for educational endeavors and scholarships for people interested in careers in law, government, or social action; and founder of L.M Brown Management Group, a certified minority/female-owned consultant firm.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring Lynette M. Brown-Sow for her successful endeavors and major contributions to the city of Philadelphia.

Mr. Speaker, October 10th heralds one century and one year of the Republic of China (ROC).

History--and, particularly Chinese history--is filled with many tales of heartbreak, despotism, suffering and despair. But more than a century ago, one man, Dr. Sun Yat-sen had a different vision for a new China. Having spent his formative adolescent years in the U.S. state of Hawaii, Dr. Sun returned to China inspired by the uniquely American ideals of U.S. Presidents Alexander Hamilton and Abraham Lincoln. When given the chance, Dr. Sun would tell anybody who would listen that the crux of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, ``government of the people, by the people, for the people'', had shaped his own political philosophy, the Three Principles of the People.

While implementation of Sun's three principles was often flawed and undermined while the ROC was on mainland China, they eventually took shape--long after his death following the ROC's move to Taiwan in 1949. In 1987, Taiwan lifted its Martial Law Emergency Decree. In 1991, free elections were held for the island's Legislative Yuan. And in 1996, amidst the attempted intimidation of mainland Chinese missiles being lobbed into the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan staged its first free presidential election. Taiwan has since had three more four presidential elections--most recently, this past January with power changing hands once in each direction.

Voter participation in Taiwan is among the highest in the world, and its people value and embrace its democracy. With so many government ministers having lived and studied in the United States, the ROC-U.S. connection and shared democratic ideals forged under Dr. Sun are alive and well in Taiwan.

I urge all my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Republic of China on its 101 years of principled existence, and on its living example of true democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Command Sergeant Major Otis N. Cuffee. For 37 years, Sergeant Major Cuffee has served in the United States Armed Services and will soon celebrate his retirement after decades of service to our Nation.

Sergeant Major Cuffee dedicated 37 years in continuous active duty service to our country. During his tenure in the U.S. Armed Services he served in various leadership positions, from Squad Leader to Sergeant Major. As Sergeant Major, Cuffee extended his expertise to teaching the Basic Airborne Training Course and the NCO Academy Advanced Course. Most recently, he has had the position of a senior enlisted leader at the Defense Logistics Agency.

Sergeant Major Cuffee has received numerous personal awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service. His relentless dedication was honored with the Meritorious Service Award, Army Commendation Award, Army Achievement, Humanitarian Service Award and Korean Defense Service Medal. Additionally, Sergeant Cuffee has received numerous unit and condition awards.

Sergeant Cuffee's long and impressive career showcases his commitment not only to his local community but our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in thanking Command Sergeant Cuffee for his dedication and congratulate him on the occasion of his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Walter Higgins for his invaluable contribution to the infrastructure of Philadelphia. Since 1986, Walt has transformed several of Philadelphia's vital roadways, enhancing the city's travel efficiency.

After graduating Monsignor Bonner High School in 1975, Walt studied Labor-Management Relations and Construction Management at Delaware Community College, Kutztown University, and The George Meany Center for Labor Relations at the National Labor College. Walt was the Traffic Control Coordinator and Foreman for projects such as the Vine Street Expressway Reconstruction, and the 1-95 Center City Access Job. Walt also coordinated logistics with the City of Philadelphia, the Workforce and Penn Dot for several fast track projects. Philadelphians who regularly utilize the Walt Whitman Bridge, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Patco High Speed Line understand the importance of Walt's work on these projects.

Walt has been a member of the Laborers' Local 57 for more than thirty years and presently serves as the local's Business Manager and the Vice President of the Laborers District Council of Philadelphia. He is a trustee on the Laborers District Council Pension and Health and Welfare Benefit Funds and sits on the Board of Directors of the Allied Trades Assistance Program. Aside from managing business, serving councils, and improving Philadelphia's infrastructure, Walt enjoys spending time with his wife Adele, son Tom and his wife Kelly, and his three grandsons.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Walter Higgins and thanking him for his service to the city of Philadelphia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor C. Kevin Gillespie. Father Gillespie will be inaugurated as the 27th president of Saint Joseph's University on Friday, October 12, 2012.

A native of West Philadelphia, Father Gillespie attended St. Margaret's Grade School in Narberth, Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, and then Saint Joseph's College in Philadelphia. After earning his bachelor's degree in psychology in 1972, Father Gillespie went on to earn master's degrees in psychology from Duquesne University and in divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology Berkeley. He holds a Ph.D. in pastoral psychology from Boston University.

Father Gillespie entered the Society of Jesus in 1975 and later served at Loyola College in Maryland where he became the first director of the master's program in Spiritual and Pastoral Care. There he also founded LOGOS, Loyola Overseas Gestures of Solidarity.

Most recently, Father Gillespie was the associate provost for University Centers of Excellence at Loyola University Chicago where he lead five academic centers and in 2011, simultaneously served as interim dean of the School of Social Work.

Father Gillespie credits his St. Joseph's education for preparing him to meet the critical issues he faces every day. He has served on the Board of Saint Joseph's since 2006.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring C. Kevin Gillespie for his years of service and congratulate him on his new journey as president of Saint Joseph's University.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Don Tollefson for his years of dedicated journalism in the city of Philadelphia. For almost 40 years, Don Tollefson has represented the essence of sports in the Delaware Valley.

Moving to Philadelphia in 1975, Don Tollefson held the position of Sportscaster and Sports Director for Channel 6 News. Don is most notably known for his years of service at Fox 29. Don was the co-host of Good Day Philadelphia for several years and also hosted a variety of sports-related programs including The Ray Rhoades Show and Eagles Game Day Live. More recently, Don has reported preseason games and halftime shows for the Philadelphia Eagles and co-hosts the show Eagles Game Plan.

Don Tollefson's contributions to the area stretch further then his journalism. Don is the creator of a non-profit motivational program, One Child Saved, that brings together athletes, entertainers and people in the television industry to talk to disadvantaged children. One Child Saved teaches under-privileged kids the importance of anti-hatred and anti-violence, while motivating the children to pursue careers.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring Don Tollefson and thanking him for his years of service and dedication to the city of Philadelphia.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of legislation to authorize the Library of Congress to accept certain gifts on behalf of the Library. Expanding the Librarian's authority to accept gifts other than money is in the best interests of the Library. Occasionally, the Library is offered gifts that would be beneficial but which the Librarian cannot today accept, such as voluntary personal services or vintage equipment needed to play old movies or audio recordings.

Further, the bill authorizes the Librarian to accept gifts of marketable securities for immediate disbursement and other personal property valued at $25,000 or less. In this budgetary era, authority to accept and make good use of such donations will serve the Library well.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill to allow a candidate for Federal office to designate someone to disburse his or her unspent campaign funds in the event of the candidate's death. Under this bill, a Federal candidate could designate another person by filing the appropriate form with the FEC and could revoke or change the designation at any time.

The bill allows the candidate to designate a second individual to carry out the duties and wishes of the candidate, within the limits of the law, should the first designee die or become unable to perform these duties. H.R. 406 further allows candidates to provide instructions for distribution of campaign funds as allowed by law.

H.R. 406 is designed to help campaign treasurers facing conflicting State laws in cases where Federal candidates die leaving unspent balances in their campaign treasuries, which happens from time to time. This measure offers a commonsense improvement to the Federal Election Campaign Act to deal with this situation.

The House has passed similar legislation before, and I urge our Members to support it again. I pledge to my friend, Mr. Jones from North Carolina, that I will do whatever I can in my power, and I know my chairman will, too, to make sure the Senate does take this up so we can pass it into law.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to adopt this resolution which the chairman has accurately described. Members who served in the 107th Congress will recall that in 2001 we authorized new additions of three congressional publications: ``Women in Congress,'' ``Black Americans in Congress,'' and ``Hispanic Americans in Congress.''

The new editions of ``Women in Congress'' and ``Black Americans in Congress'' were distributed to Members, libraries, and others in 2007 pursuant to their respective authorizations. However, in the 11 years since we authorized the new edition of Hispanic Americans in Congress, circumstances have changed, including, I am delighted to say, the election of more Hispanics to serve in this House and the other body. This means the new edition will be larger than estimated, and the cost of printing the same number of copies of Hispanic Americans will likely be larger.

As I urge adoption of this resolution, I wish to thank the Clerk, who worked on this revised edition, and the dedicated men and women of the Government Printing Office, who procure the volumes for their fine work.

The new editions of ``Women in Congress'' and ``Black Americans in Congress'' are useful, high-quality reference volumes of great value to students, historians, and us. I am certain the new edition of ``Hispanic Americans in Congress'' will similarly be well received when published and distributed in the coming months.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano) for as much time as he may consume.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for H.R. 6336, to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to accept the statue of Frederick Douglass and provide for its permanent display in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center.

Often considered the father of the civil rights movement, Frederick Douglass' place in history was earned with deep-seated courage and an unshakable belief in the equality of all human beings. A former slave, Douglass went on to become one of the most prominent figures of the movement to free the slaves. His statue should serve as a reminder to millions of visitors to this great place of both how far we've come and how far we still have to go.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to thank my chairman, Mr. Lungren, for his patience--this was a long time coming--and his negotiations and for his respect, and also for his unyielding cooperation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my friend, the late Joseph Smukler, Esq.

Joseph was a giant of a man. He was a humanitarian, a philanthropist, a scholar and an attorney of great renown. He was universally recognized as one of the most public spirited citizens of the Delaware Valley.

Joe was a tireless advocate of the voiceless. The urge to advocate led to his leadership on behalf of Jews persecuted in the former Soviet Union and to reach out to the poor and disadvantaged at home through charitable work. His professional advocacy led his statewide peers to recognize him as Pennsylvania's ``Super Lawyer'' in 2004.

Joseph had a keen intellect, which he honed as a cum laude graduate of Kenyon College, with an A.B. and Highest Honors in Economics, Harvard Law School where he earned an LL.B., Oxford University England where he attained a Graduate Diploma in law, and at Gratz College where he was awarded his Doctor of Hebrew Laws (Hon.)

He was a natural leader who served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. That talent and leadership ability advanced him through the legal ranks to the positions of senior partner and chairman of the Personal

Injury Group at the prestigious firm of Fox, Rothschild LLP.

Joseph's leadership and commitment to community propelled him to the ranks of our region's great philanthropists. He was a past president of the Family Service of the Main Line, Jewish Campus Activities Board (Hillel), Association for Jewish Children, and the Jewish Community Relations Council, where he was also honorary President. He served as Commissioner of the Philadelphia Fellowship Commission, Chairman of Har Zion Radnor Temple, Vice-President and Board of Trustees member of Har Zion Temple, Vice-Chairman of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry and founding Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Soviet Jewry Council.

Joe served on the Boards of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. He was a past Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and Vice President of the National Museum of American Jewish History and Vice-Chair of the Anti-Defamation League. He was a recipient of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's highest honor, the 2003 Avodat Ha Kodesh Community Award and is a member of Central High School of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame. He and his beloved wife Constance received the Soviet Jewry Council Human Rights Award, the Mellon Bank Good Neighbor Award and the State of Israel Bonds Humanitarian Award. Together they chaired the ``Israel 50'' celebration and the first Philadelphia Jewish Book Fair.

But, more than anything, Joe was a loving family man. He cherished and inspired his children and grand children and lived for Constance. He will be deeply missed by all of us and I'm proud to have known him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Edward Robinson. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dr. Robinson dedicated his life to the welfare of people in Philadelphia and will be sorely missed.

Dr. Robinson was a true renaissance man as he excelled as an attorney, entrepreneur, educator and mentor. His accomplishments are not limited to a position as the first African American on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Additionally, Dr. Robinson served as the Executive Deputy Secretary of Pennsylvania and the Assistant Managing Director of Philadelphia.

Dr. Robinson's most esteemed work were his efforts on behalf of Africans and African Americans for minority rights and inclusion. He spearheaded the African Genesis Science Curriculum which was adopted in schools throughout the Philadelphia School System. Dr. Robinson's cultural influence and scholarship will not be forgotten.

I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me to honor the life of Dr. Edward Robinson. He was committed to enriching the lives of Philadelphians as a teacher, mentor and activist. Dr. Robinson's selfless dedication to others leaves a legacy that will continue to uplift and inspire others for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pennsylvania's First District Chapter of United Way, in honor of the nonprofit's Annual Day of Action and 125th anniversary.

In 125 years, United Way has become the world's largest privately supported nonprofit dedicated to combating social welfare issues in cities across the country. The organization now boasts nearly 1,800 community-based United Way chapters in 41 countries, raising more than $5 billion dollars annually. The non profit's efforts have translated into a nationwide campaign to create programs that foster healthy children, families and communities.

United Way and its partners are a leading community impact organization as they increase public awareness of social welfare issues affecting our nation. Dedicated to improving education, income stability and healthy lives, the organization has relentlessly challenged the system to create better opportunities for all. United Way's ability to make connections between individuals and government agencies, have made it easier to address the pressing needs of local communities.

Thousands of individuals across the country will participate in United Ways Annual Day of Action to advance the common good by creating strategies to improve education, income and health. More than 125 years later, United Way still honors its original mission that focuses on utilizing the resources of local communities to make a difference in people's lives.

I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring the First District Chapter of United Way for their commitment to improving the lives of families and communities of millions of people in Philadelphia and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Steven Ladenheim. For the past 34 years, Dr. Ladenheim has served the city of Philadelphia with his extensive knowledge of otolaryngology.

A graduate of the Medical College of Pennsylvania, now known as Drexel University College of Medicine, he has won multiple awards

in his field. He is an accomplished surgeon, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and an entrepreneur with a highly successful private practice. Dr. Ladenheim recently retired as medical director for Blue Cross, and spent 20 years in practice at Presbyterian Hospital, as well as Nazareth Hospital and Hahnemann Hospital.

Dr. Ladenheim succeeded through hard work and sacrifice. In order to become a doctor he served in the military during the Vietnam War to pay his way through medical school. Throughout his career, he has created programs of outreach to the underserved community of Philadelphia, donating medical services and medicine to families and children who are denied access to health care. Taking the Hippocratic Oath to heart, Dr. Ladenheim is renowned for treating patients regardless of ability to pay, and to help those in need without any thought to his own benefit.

In addition to all of his accomplishments in the field of medicine, he has maintained a strong family life with his wife and three daughters, as well as a notable presence within the community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing Dr. Steven Ladenheim for his contributions to the city of Philadelphia and to the medical community.