Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today, just as many of my colleagues have done, to address the urgent high fuel cost crisis. Yes, Madam Speaker, it is a crisis that is facing all Americans. From the trucker who can no longer afford to operate his rig, to the farmer who must keep the tractors

in the barn, or to the small business owner who is being forced to close their doors, the daily commuter, or the general consumer. It is a crisis.

You know, we are being told that we buy petroleum from other countries, oftentimes countries that don't even like us, because many in this country see our resources as a liability, an economic or an environmental hazard. We have got to change that mind set. We must allow ourselves the opportunity to drill on our own land, in ANWR, off our own coastlines. We must increase refining capacity instead of continuing to shut down more factories.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following:

Requesting Member: Congressman Rodney Alexander.

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Provision: Title I APA line 020.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Army National Guard Readiness Center.

Address of Requesting Entity: 111 S. George Mason Drive, Arlington,

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 5534.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Lajeane Thomas, a professor of education at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA., who was recently named to eSchool News' ``Ten Who've Made a Difference'' in educational technology.

Thoma's designation to this list put her alongside world-renowned technology dynamo Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates as well as One Laptop Per Child Chairman Nicholas Negroponte and Linda Roberts, former special White House advisor to educational technology.

According to its Web site, eSchool News is a marketing solutions company whose purpose is to serve the education technology industry. The company released its Top 10 list in honor of its 10th anniversary as a way to recognize people who have made a significant impact on educational technology in the last decade.

As the chair of the accreditation standards committee with the International Society for Technology in Education, Thomas has consistently kept Louisiana Tech University on the cutting edge of educational technology. In fact, it was her leadership in creating the nation's first set of national standards in this area in 1998--the National Education Technology Standards--which earned her the eSchool News' designation as one of our country's most notable ``ed-tech movers and shakers.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the accomplishments of Dr. Lajeane Thomas and her commitment to advancing educational technology for college students in the 5th Congressional District of Louisiana and throughout our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Ouachita Parish School District for its designation as one of the top five school districts in the State of Louisiana, according to rankings recently released by the Department of Education.

As test scores throughout the Fifth Congressional District steadily climb each year, I believe the continued success of the Ouachita Parish School District stands as an example of hope and encouragement to other schools in the state who are striving to improve their current rankings.

The Fifth Congressional District has long struggled to overcome its status as one of the poorest regions in the country with an educational system that is often ranked very low. The achievements of the Ouachita Parish School District give me great hope that our region can defy its history.

When children excel in school, the transformation that takes place within their lives spills out beyond the walls of the classroom and into the community in which they live, and I believe the Ouachita Parish School District is stimulating such progress in North Louisiana.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the efforts of the Ouachita Parish School District and its commitment to improving education and the quality of life in Ouachita Parish and throughout the State.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Louisiana State University (LSU) College of Education for reaching its centennial.

Since its establishment, the college has prepared thousands of educational leaders, including supervisors, principals, superintendents, and university faculty and administrators.

Originally named the ``Teachers' College,'' the LSU College of Education employed two faculty members at its founding in 1908. In 1939, the college expanded to include the School of Health & Physical Education, presently named the Department of Kinesiology. This department, initially focused on teacher education, has now expanded to include nationally and internationally recognized research and scholarship programs that generate and disseminate knowledge about all aspects of the art and science of human movement.

These days the college is a collaborative unit that prepares educational and wellness professionals. With oversight responsibilities for various professional certification programs spanning four colleges and one school, the college also oversees the K-12 University Laboratory School, which has been ranked among the nation's top 2.5 percent of public high schools by Newsweek as well as boasts the state's first international baccalaureate program.

The LSU College of Education today employs more than 200 faculty and professional staff to provide rigorous academic programs, highlighted by challenging, rich and collaborative experiences.

To celebrate the 100th birthday of the college, the LSU College of Education is hosting a series of events throughout the 2008-2009 anniversary year, including a kick-off centennial celebration, special lecture series, visiting scholars, and nationwide alumni celebrations.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the LSU College of Education for reaching this landmark year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Dr. Khem Aggarwal for his outstanding contributions to the field of higher education.

Dr. Aggarwal has been an educator in higher education for over 50 years, having served in his homeland, India, for 13 years, at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, Wis., from 1983 to 1986, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa., from 1981 to 1983, and currently serving as Professor of Mathematics at Louisiana State University at Alexandria, Alexandria, La., where he has been teaching since 1986.

Dr. Aggarwal has made a tremendous impact on the achievements and successes of students who have enrolled in his college courses. His first priority has and continues to be ensuring the academic development of his students, as evidenced by time spent with them both inside and outside of the classroom setting.

Throughout his tenure at Louisiana State University at Alexandria, alumnae as well as university graduates have consistently reported how Dr. Aggarwal contributed to their success in their chosen career fields. Moreover, his colleagues regard him as an excellent professor and deem him a gracious and grateful person deserving of recognition and honor for his active role in the advancement of higher education.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Dr. Khem Aggarwal for his exceptional contributions and remarkable influence on the field of higher education.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (Louisiana SBDC).

For over a quarter century, the Louisiana SBDC, a network of nine service centers operating in Louisiana, has provided communities throughout the state with the means to launch new businesses and maintain successful existing businesses through offering consulting, business education classes, information resources and other specialized services.

Just in the last six years, the Louisiana SBDC has counseled over 25,000 entrepreneurs, created nearly 7,000 new jobs, and has assisted small businesses in securing nearly $359 million dollars in financing. Initiatives such as the Louisiana SBDC with its track record of success are just what our nation needs during this time of decline in our economy. This work is made possible through the Louisiana SBDC's partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Economic Development, participating universities and economic development agencies.

With the help of federal funding, The University of Louisiana at Monroe's College of Business in partnership with the Louisiana SBDC, is poised to develop the Northeast Louisiana Business and Community Development Center. This allows the Louisiana SBDC to continue its mission in Northeast Louisiana and provide for greater opportunity for rural businesses. This center will be a source of entrepreneurship expertise for rural communities in this area, and I expect great things for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District's economy to emerge from the efforts of this center.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 25th Anniversary of the LSBDC as it continues its commitment to empowering local citizens to reach their goals of establishing successful new businesses, which create not only a stronger Louisiana but a stronger national economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association.

On March 3, 1994, the 295th Anniversary of the Founding of Louisiana by Iberville, the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association was officially established. The goal of Alexandria Mardi Gras, or Mardi Gras au Coeur de la Louisianne, which means Mardi Gras in the Heart of Central Louisiana, is to exemplify unity and cohesiveness during family friendly festivities.

This year during Alexandria's 15th Anniversary Mardi Gras, Julie Hanna, renowned conservationist is representing the Jack Hanna family as Grand Marshal. The Alexandria Zoo, nationally recognized for breeding Bengal tigers and other endangered species, is a major collaborator in advancing education and tourism during the Mardi Gras celebrations.

The 2008 College Cheerleaders and Classic Cars Parade on Friday, February 1, 2008 will feature many of Louisiana's colleges and universities and their student government presidents during an educational leadership conference. In addition, a select number of LSU football players. who recently became the 2007 National Champions, are participating in Alexandria's Family Friendly Mardi Gras as well as players from the 2003 National Championship team. The celebrated bands of Southern University and Grambling University will perform designating Alexandria as the only Mardi Gras Parade in which both bands are featured.

Among other Alexandria events during the Mardi Gras season the Krewe of LOUISIANA is hosting its Third Annual Gala in order to foster its goal of enhancing economic development and unifying Louisiana's interests. Also, The Taste of Mardi Gras is again hosting its local charity fundraiser naming the Louisiana Restaurant Association, Chapter Cenla as the sponsor.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the citizens of Alexandria for their continued hard work and dedication to ensure that Mardi Gras in Central Louisiana retains the charm and spirit of the first official celebration 15 years prior.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 968, I was unavoidably detained in a meeting with Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin discussing Hurricane Katrina Relief. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the outstanding effort of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation paper mill in Hodge, Louisiana, under the leadership of General Manager Roger P. Hagan, in fulfilling its responsibility as a Good Corporate Citizen.

As of September 14, 2007, The Hodge branch of Smurfit-Stone became the first mill in the company's history to successfully reach two million hours of operation without an accident, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. For any corporation, this is an accomplishment, and I am proud to honor the men and women of Smurfit-Stone who strive to maintain high standards in the workplace and make safety a top priority.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Roger P. Hagan and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation for promoting a safe environment in the work place and for putting employee safety first.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Louisiana State University at Alexandria's celebration of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Claiborne, La., which was held on August 7, 2007.

Since its activation on August 16, 1942, this unit has answered the call of duty during many of our Nation's most dire military conflicts, fulfilling the prophecy of MG William C. Lee, who promised the first recruits the unit had a ``rendezvous with destiny.''

Perhaps the truth of this prediction was first realized during World War II, when the 101st Airborne Division led the way on D-Day in the night drop prior to the invasion. Later, during the Siege of Bastogne, BG Anthony McAuliffe and the Screaming Eagles fought on until the siege was lifted. For their heroic efforts in these missions and others during the Second World War, the division was awarded four campaign streamers and two Presidential Unit Citations.

The 101st triumphant role in our Nation's military history did not end there. In the mid-1960s, the 1st Brigade and support troops were deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, followed by the rest of the division in late 1967. In almost 7 years of combat in Vietnam, elements of the 101st participated in as many as 15 campaigns, further solidifying its reputation for military professionalism.

The 101st Airborne Division again brushed with destiny in January 1991, this time in Iraq. During the deepest combat air assault into enemy territory in world history, the 101st emerged from 100 hours of fighting with no casualties, while also capturing thousands of enemy prisoners of wars.

In 1948, the 101st Airborne Division was reactivated as a training unit at Camp Breckinridge, Ky., and again in 1950. It was reactivated in 1954 at Fort Jackson, S.C. Two years later, in March 1956, the 101st was transferred to Fort Campbell, Ky., to be reorganized as a combat division.

In addition to its impressive history in combat, Fort Campbell soldiers have supported humanitarian relief efforts in Rwanda and Somalia as well as supplying peacekeepers to Haiti and Bosnia.

Today, the 101st Airborne Division stands as the Army's and the world's only air assault

division with unequaled strategic and tactical mobility.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 101st Airborne Division, currently based in Fort Campbell, Ky., as it continues its mission to support training, mobilization, and deployment of mission-ready forces who stand ready to defend and protect our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today as Dr. John Robert Cavanaugh merits heartfelt recognition and commendation for his highly significant contributions as an extraordinary educator and citizen, as he prepares for retirement from this vital position.

Dr. Cavanaugh, currently the longest serving chancellor in the LSU system, has served as chancellor of Louisiana State University in Alexandria since 1994 and will retire on August 17, 2007. In the 13 years he has served as chancellor, Louisiana State University at Alexandria has grown from a 2-year community college with 2,500 students offering four associate degree programs to an institution of more than 3,000 students offering six baccalaureate degrees and seven associate degrees.

He earned his bachelor's degree in 1967, master's degree in 1968, and Ph.D. in 1971 in health and physical education from Louisiana State University. He held a graduate fellowship in special education at LSU as welL He served as an instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, Coordinator of the Education Selection, professor of Health and Physical Education, acting head of the Division of Liberal Arts, coordinator of Planning and Development, and vice chancellor of Academic Affairs before he was appointed as chancellor.

Dr. Cavanaugh is a remarkable man who represents all that is good in Louisiana.

Those who have worked closely with him throughout his exemplary career will continue

to respect and admire him for the indelible mark he has left on higher education in Louisiana. Under his tenure as chancellor, Louisiana State University at Alexandria has risen to a place of prominence in higher education for central Louisiana.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating his outstanding accomplishments and dedication of Dr. John Robert Cavanaugh while chancellor of Louisiana State University at Alexandria. I acknowledge his invaluable and significant contribution to not only the State of Louisiana, but our Nation as well.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Amputees Across America for their achievements and mission to increase public awareness of amputees as people with active lifestyles.

Amputees Across America is a group of amputees cycling from coast-to- coast. The riders departed on May 28, 2007 from Tustin, California, and arrive in Alexandria, Louisiana on Monday, July 2. The group is riding in 150-mile relays, visiting hospitals and local amputee support groups. The group will complete their 3,500 mile journey when they arrive in Vero Beach, Florida on July 25, 2007.

While in Alexandria, Amputees Across America cyclists Joe Sapere, Abel Cruz, Clifford Clark, and Beasey Hendrix will visit with patients and members of a stroke and amputee support group to share stories of overcoming their amputations to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the mission and achievements of Amputees Across America. I acknowledge their commendable mission and significant contribution to not only the state of Louisiana, but our nation as well.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Laura Elisabeth Ulrich, a senior at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, who at the young age of 19 was invited to participate in the prestigious Rome Festival Opera. The festival was held in Rome from June 28 though July 13, 2007.

Ulrich was selected to be the understudy for the role of Cherubino in Marriage of Figaro, an opera that is performed in Italian. One of only 10 Americans selected to perform, Ulrich does not speak Italian fluently; however, she demonstrated the level of talent, skill and experience required by the festival's performers.

A student of voice under Dr. Laura Thompson at Louisiana Tech, Ulrich has certainly made a name for herself in North Louisiana, but I believe her experience in Rome foreshadows a career that will include honor and recognition on the global scale.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Laura Elisabeth Ulrich whose natural abilities and dedication to her art will surely transform her into one of our Nation's finest vocal performers.