Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Pontifical Institute of the Religious Teachers Filippini in Morristown, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

In August of 1910, five teachers, under the orders of Pope Pius X arrived in Trenton, New Jersey, from Italy and established their first center of worship. Then in 1930, they settled on Tower Hill in Morristown, New Jersey, now known as Villa Walsh in honor of Archbishop Thomas Joseph Walsh, where the Provincial Motherhouse and Villa Walsh Academy are located.

Mother Ninetta Ionata, one of the five original teachers sent to the United States, holds

the title of ``Foundress of the American Province of Saint Lucy Filippini.'' Even though she was the youngest of the five original teachers, she was appointed to be the Superior of Saint Joachim Convent on October 20, 1914. She dedicated her life to the service of God, her convent, and her religion. This woman of vision and great faith died in 1976, but is recalled with fondness by all those fortunate to know her.

The Pontifical Institute of the Religious Teachers Filippini has been dedicated to both the service of God and to their community for the past 100 years. They have built schools and convents and have operated missions throughout the United States and the world. In the 100 years since the arrival of the Religious Teachers Filippini, this small group has flourished and their good works have spread around the world.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Pontifical Institute of the Religious Teachers Filippini as they celebrate 100 dedicated years of service to our community.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I want to associate my remarks with my ranking member, Mr. Lewis.

Following the time-honored tradition of our Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Chairman Dicks and Mr. Young have put together, in a collegial manner, a solid product. The funding for defense operations and maintenance, for the Afghan and Iraq Security Forces, for Army base operations, M-RAPs, National Guard and Reserve equipment, and the other portions of the defense and of the military construction portion of the bill are worthy of our support.

If that's where the story ended, we would be fine, but as Ronald Reagan famously said, ``There they go again.''

This legislation contains over $72 billion in discretionary and mandatory spending. Less than half of that total, $35 billion, is related to the ongoing fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan or our withdrawal from Iraq and the State Department funding related to the war on terror. The rest is earmarked for nondefense programs, new bailouts, and pet projects to benefit the majority's political allies.

I share the views of Mr. Lewis on the extraneous spending in this bill: the $10 billion State bailout fund, the $5 billion Pell Grant infusion, the $500 million to ``forward-fund'' accounts in the fiscal year 2011 appropriations bills, thereby freeing up money to spend on other activities in fiscal year 2011, the $245 million to allow the IRS to ramp up its enforcement activities.

My colleagues in the majority just don't get it. This is Washington ``business as usual'' as this Congress uses funding for our deployed warfighters, many of them in harm's way as we speak, to provide for more unnecessary social spending.

My colleagues, I urge the adoption of a clean supplemental appropriation as quickly as possible so our men and women in uniform can continue to do their important work on our behalf.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to oppose all amendments to this legislation, especially those dealing with our operations in Afghanistan.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, how quickly we forget. As Mr. Lewis mentioned, as did Mr. Pence, with historic

speed, the Senate this week unanimously confirmed our new NATO commander in Afghanistan. During his brief confirmation hearing, General David Petraeus urged this Congress to approve the War Funding Bill in an expedited way. Yet this evening, this process guarantees that no funding will be signed into law before mid-July. And if that's not bad enough, we find ourselves here on the floor debating not one, but three amendments that have the effect of defunding our Afghanistan operations, basically tying the hands of our Commander in Chief and micromanaging the military at a time when they need to do their job and to be successful.

Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, we are a nation at war. We have soldiers and Marines deployed halfway around the world. Many of them are in combat at this very hour facing a dangerous enemy. And yet we find ourselves here tonight questioning the very mission we've asked our troops to execute. What message does that send to them if they're watching us? What message does it say to our allies, some of whom may question it in their own governments, their resolution to stay the course? What message does it send to our enemies, people who would launch deadly attacks in our homeland as they've done in their homeland each and every day at an early opportunity.

This is a critical moment in our efforts in Afghanistan. I urge rejection of these amendments and support of our troops.

Let's pass the clean supplemental. Get rid of these amendments that do harm to our mission in Afghanistan and get about the business of supporting our national defense in a proper way.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Club House at Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club, located in Morris County, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary.

Recognized on both the National and New Jersey State Register of Historic Places, this building is the single most important surviving link to Lake Hopatcong's past grandeur as a major northeast resort. Built during the golden years of the lake's resort period, it is a tribute to an era when the lake hosted grand hotels, magnificent summer ``cottages,'' two amusement parks and some of the most famous Americans of the day.

Appearing nearly unchanged from its construction in 1910, the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club's Club House is a structure almost frozen in time, bearing witness to a near forgotten period in northwestern New Jersey's history. Its stately charm recounts long forgotten days when thousands made the trek to what is known as the ``jewel of the mountains.'' The club house has endured prosperity and depression, peace and war, seen popular music move through ragtime, jazz, swing, and rock-and-roll, and witnessed the country go from the first automobile to the moon. From an origin of catboats, Fay and Bowen's and Model T's, the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club has left behind a legacy of sailors, sportsmen and friends.

While Lake Hopatcong continues today as a wonderful recreation source with numerous marinas and waterfront restaurants, the Club House of the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club, provides members with a lasting glimpse into the lake's great history.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Club House of the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club as it celebrates its centennial.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, headquartered in Far Hills, New Jersey, which is celebrating fifty years of successful land preservation.

The New Jersey Conservation Foundation, NJCF, began in 1960 with a small group of concerned citizens determined to fight a plan by the Port Authority of New York to build the region's fourth major airport in the middle of the Great Swamp near Morristown, New Jersey. With great determination and perseverance, the group succeeded. In 1964, they turned over 1,400 acres to the Federal government and on May 29th of that same year, the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was officially dedicated. It became New Jersey's first National Wildlife Refuge and the first federally designated wilderness area east of the Mississippi.

After this triumphant battle, the committee members made the decision to take the environmental health of the entire state as its responsibility. In 1975, the group officially organized as the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

NJCF has grown from its roots in the Great Swamp to become one of the Nation's foremost land conservation organizations. Through the support of its staff and trustees, they have helped protect over 100,000 acres of New Jersey farmland, forest and natural areas. From the cedar swamps of the Pine Barrens to the urban parks of Newark and Camden, from the forests of the Highlands to the marshland of the Delaware Bay, NJCF has provided New Jersey land with the protection it deserves.

In addition, NJCF has been at the forefront of every key legislative initiative to protect farmland, forests, and water quality throughout the State. The foundation has been a leader in the passage of historic legislation to protect the Pine Barrens and the Highlands--respectively the Pinelands Protection Act and the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act--as well as every Green Acre bond initiative.

Today, NJCF continues their good work across the State: from Cape May to the Highlands, from the Hudson to the Delaware.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the New Jersey Conservation Foundation for its 50 years of dedicated work on behalf of the great State of New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, it's now official. We're now a full 2 months behind the congressional deadline with no budget resolution in sight. In the past, this would be just another failure by the majority to meet a technical responsibility. But this year is different.

This administration's enormous government spending increases have driven our annual budget shortfall to $1.4 trillion. That's the deficit. We're spending $1.4 trillion more than we're bringing in. The accumulation of all our past budget deficits, the national debt, last month rocketed past $13 trillion, and media reports last week predicted that it would balloon over $15 trillion by 2015.

And how do we finance this debt? When American families and businesses find themselves short of cash, they cut their spending. When the Federal Government finds itself with a record deficit, we borrow money. From whom? The Chinese, the Japanese, from the Saudis, and we pay interest on that debt, hundreds of billions of dollars each year.

We can do better. We must do better. We must have a budget resolution. We must cut spending.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Somerville Fire Department, located in Somerset County, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 175th Anniversary.

In 1835, the Somerville Fire Department originated with the creation of the Washington Fire Company on the present day site of the Somerset County Courthouse yard. The original companies included: Union Fire Company No. 1, Jersey Blue Fire Company No. 2, Somerville Steam Fire Engine Company No.1 and Steamer Hose Company No. 1. Today, the oldest surviving Engine Company is Engine Company No. 1 which was formed in 1878.

In 1880, several members of the Engine Company No. 1 realized that a hook and ladder truck was necessary to continue serving the community. These men resigned to form the Central Hook and Ladder Company. Eight years later, in 1888, the West End Hose Company No. 3 was organized in response to a citizen's petition for better fire protection on the west end of town. This company was formed with past members of the original Union Engine Company No. 1 and acquired their apparatus, building and grounds.

Another component of Engine Company No. 1 was a group of young firemen, known at the time as the Engine Company Cadets. After a series of differences with the older men of the company, the Cadets broke away from the paternal organization to form the Lincoln Hose Company in 1891.

By 1893, the Somerville Fire Department had placed fire boxes in eight locations around the town to better serve Somerville residents.

In 1916, the West End Hose Company received the first motor apparatus of the Somerville Fire Department. Eight years later, the Borough provided the Central Hook and Ladder Company with a motorized Seagrave truck with a booster tank and a complete set of wooden ladders. Every 20 years thereafter, the borough provided the company with new apparatus.

Then, in 1969, the West End Hose Company moved from its former headquarters on Doughty Avenue to a new firehouse on High Street. Five years later, the Lincoln Hose company erected its new headquarters on Warren Street at no cost to local taxpayers.

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, members of the Somerville Fire Department spent weeks in New York City participating in the rescue and recovery efforts. Today, the Somerville Fire Department continues a long and proud tradition of serving its community and surrounding municipalities, when called upon, with mutual assistance.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Somerville Fire Department and its firefighters for one hundred and seventy five years of dedicated and admirable service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor El Primer Paso Ltd., a preschool located in Dover, Morris County, New Jersey, which is celebrating its fortieth anniversary.

In 1969, a group of volunteers formed El Primer Paso with the intent of preparing children from the local Hispanic community for the public school education curriculum. Realizing the unparalleled importance of a solid educational foundation, these volunteers aimed to help local children of preschool age in valuable areas such as the English language and developmental growth.

The Trinity Lutheran Church of Dover loaned El Primer Paso meeting space for its first year, but in 1970 it moved to a house on Richards Avenue, owned by the Holy Rosary Church. Seven years later, the organization received a Comprehensive Employment and Training Act grant, its first government assistance. This grant allowed El Primer Paso to pay the salaries of two teachers, paving the way for the establishment of a formal program, complete with two half-day sessions, five days a week.

In 1980, El Primer Paso added adult language courses in response to numerous requests from parents of the preschoolers. These courses have since flourished into a thriving English as a Second Language Program, teaching local adults valuable communication skills for both work and social environments.

In 1984, El Primer Paso further expanded to include a preschool program for three year-olds. Four years later, the organization also began sponsorship of a Family Childcare Program, which provides training to those who desire to open Family Childcare homes. It also became a sponsor in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Family Child Care Food Program, ensuring that children receiving childcare from registered providers would receive nutritionally balanced meals and snacks at no cost to their parents.

Finally, in November 2000, after many years of borrowing space from the Holy Rosary Church, El Primer Paso opened the doors to its brand new facility at 29 Segur Street in Dover. Then, in 2009, the organization received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a standard met by fewer than ten percent of preschools across the nation.

El Primer Paso continues to look toward tomorrow as it prepares to expand its facilities. As they have the most devoted staff and trusties, the future of their school, as well as their students, is sure to be bright.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating El Primer Paso Ltd., for its 40 years of admirable service to the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Community Hope, headquartered in Parsippany, Morris County, New Jersey, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2010.

In 1985, a group of mental health professionals and families formed Community Hope with the mission of providing a safe haven for the continuing recovery of young adults afflicted by chronic mental illness. The organization began with one residential facility, staffed by professional counselors capable of assisting individuals in making the transition back to

community and family life. The founders of Community Hope strove to help these individuals break the cycle of repeated psychiatric hospitalizations with personalized therapeutic care coupled with in- residence treatment.

In 2004, Community Hope took advantage of its experience with residential recovery programs and opened its doors to former service men and women in need. It is now the largest transitional housing program in New Jersey for homeless veterans at Lyons Veterans Administration Medical Center in Bernards Township.

Community Hope has been extraordinarily successful in helping young men and women afflicted with chronic mental illness--it now boasts thirty-nine residential facilities, serving 300 individuals. The organization has also taken steps toward creating permanent, affordable housing for New Jersey veterans afflicted with post-traumatic stress syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and physical disabilities incurred in combat.

Community Hope's success is due in no small part to its philosophy. The organization believes all persons with serious mental illness have the potential to live successfully in the community if they are able to view their future with hope. Through a holistic approach that addresses each individual's total needs, the counselors at Community Hope instill confidence in these young men and women, encouraging each individual to grow to his or her maximum potential, both individually and socially.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Community Hope on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, celebrating years of service to those with chronic mental illness and our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, back home in New Jersey, people don't want to hear that the House of Representatives is preparing to go home for Memorial Day recess without even holding a vote on President Obama's budget proposal given to the Congress back in February.

They're trying to live within their own shrunken family budgets, with less income and less ability to save, and with well over 10 percent of them unemployed.

They know with the President's budget proposal, whatever the magnitude of its spending that ensures more debt and borrowing, that we need to make the same hard choices they are, and the Federal budgets is comprised of their money.

It appears that this House will not vote because the majority, it seems, does not want to vote for sustained trillion-dollar deficits that will compound the national debt as far as the eye can see.

I'd also add that the President's much discussed ``spending freeze'' comes after a 24 percent increase in spending among the affected agencies and programs.

As others have said, If you can't budget, you can't govern.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Township of Pequannock, in Morris County, New Jersey, which is celebrating the 270th anniversary of their incorporation.

The Township of Pequannock, with its northern portion Pompton Plains, is one of the oldest European settlements in northwestern New Jersey. Its lands were purchased from the Lenni-Lenape Indians between 1695 and

1696 and it was incorporated as a township in 1740, making it at the time the largest township in Morris County.

Evidence reports tool-making and hunting activity by Paleo-Indian hunters as early as 3000 B.C.E. Examples of Paleolithic tools are part of the town's historic collections. Later, the area was occupied by Lenni-Lenape Indians who camped, hunted, fished, settled and tilled the fertile lands along the river plains formed by the confluence of the Ramapo, Pompton and Pequannock Rivers. Dutch and English farmers began to settle and farm its flat plains by 1710.

During the Revolutionary War, the Township was an important interior travel route and convenient rest stop for George Washington and other Revolutionary War patriots. Nearby ``Poquanic Knob'' was the site of a lookout during British Generals Clinton's and Cornwallis' occupation of New York City. Hessian soldiers from the American victory of Saratoga were temporarily imprisoned in the Township. Soldiers of Washington and French General Compte de Rochambeau camped in the town on their march from Rhode Island to the Yorktown Battlefield in Virginia in 1781. General Lafayette and his soldiers passed through Pequannock to Virginia in his quest to capture Benedict Arnold. In June of 1782, General Von Steuben reviewed the troops on the ``flat fields'' of Pompton Plains.

Once encompassing a sprawling 176 square miles, Pequannock now consists of 6.8 square miles of suburban community. The Township has, within its confines, a portion of one of the remaining historic New Jersey turnpikes, the Newark-Pompton Turnpike, built between 1806 and 1811. Earlier during the colonial period, this road was known as the ``King's Highway.'' And, shortly after America's independence it was known as the ``Road through the Plains.''

In addition, the Township is part of the remains of a long extinct glacial lake called ``Lake Passaic.'' There are wooded walking and horseback riding paths that overlook a ``feeder dam'' of the historical 1827 Morris Canal, an engineering marvel of its day, and rivers for fishing and canoeing that exist along this historic dam site. A State Green Acres mountain park, containing the remains of Indian trails, enables hikers to see the New York City skyline.

Pequannock is home to the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains founded in 1771, with a churchyard containing the graves of veterans from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The community features an early 19th century general store, a recently restored historic site and National Registered railroad station, which currently serves as the Township's history museum, and many privately owned houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

Between 1943 and 1946 Pequannock Township was the home of the plant and rocket test site of Reaction Motors, Inc., a pioneer manufacturer of liquid-fueled rocket engines. Reaction Motors designed, produced and test-fired in Pompton Plains the XLR-1 rocket engine, which ultimately powered the first aircraft flight to break the sound barrier and the Bell X-1 rocket aircraft, the Glorious Glennis, piloted by Air Force Captain/Test Pilot, Charles (Chuck) Yeager, at Mach 1 speed. This event served as a precursor to the Nation's space program.

The Township of Pequannock has been a vital part of the history of our Nation from the Revolutionary War through the infancy of mass- transportation of goods to the beginning of the space age.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Township of Pequannock as they celebrate their 270th anniversary of their incorporation into the State of New Jersey.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Morristown Jewish Center Beit Israel, of Morristown, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 80th Anniversary in 2010.

The Morristown Jewish community was first incorporated as a formal religious body on January 5, 1899 as the House of Israel. Their first meeting place was at 4 Race Street, where Hebrew School classes were held and services were conducted. As the congregation grew, it moved several times to accommodate the expanding membership. In 1918, the religious body purchased a three-story Victorian home at 177 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown. The building was remodeled to accommodate religious services and religious school classes.

Between 1921 and 1924, the idea of creating a multi-purpose community center arose. During this time period, a demand for wider use of the facility for religious, cultural and social purposes developed. The desire for a building suited to these multiple purposes gained momentum. Maurice Epstein, founder of the M. Epstein Department Store, led a campaign to raise $34,000 toward this goal. Shortly thereafter, plans were presented to the membership and the cornerstone of the new building was laid on March 3, 1929.

From the 1930's through the 1950's, Jewish community life revolved around the center. In the 1960's additional classrooms and a new social hall were built and in the 1980's the former gymnasium was converted into a ballroom. In 1987, the building, listed on the National Register, received a Heritage Commission marker. A nursery school was added in 1992.

Culturally, socially and spiritually, the Morristown Jewish Center Beit Israel has been a positive force in people's lives, and its members continue to enrich the well-being of Morristown and the surrounding area through its presence.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Morristown Jewish Center Beit Israel as it celebrates its 80th Anniversary.

Madam Speaker, once again, I come to the floor to recognize the great success of strong local schools working with dedicated parents and teachers. I rise today to congratulate and honor a number of outstanding high school artists from the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey. Each of these talented students participated in the 2010 Congressional Arts competition, ``An Artistic Discovery.'' Their works of art are exceptional.

Sixty-one students participated. That is a wonderful response, and I would very much like to build on that participation for future competitions.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the three winners of our art competition. First Place was awarded to Christina Eng from Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child for her work, ``Capitol Building in Winter.'' Second Place was awarded to Austin Dimare from Parsippany Christian School for his work, ``Italiano Donna.'' Third Place was awarded to Elizabeth Frino from Pequannock Township High School for her work, ``Rock Star''.

I would like to recognize each artist for their participation by indicating their high school, their name, and the title of their contest entry for the official record:

Boonton High School: Zenab Kahn's ``Faiza''; Joseph Park's ``Self Portrait with Friends''; Nicole van de Vliet's ``Out of Africa''; Arielle Winters' ``Meow''.

Bridgewater Raritan Regional High School: MingZhu Hai's ``Self Portrait as a Child''; Dana Li's ``Guitar Playing''; Amanda Wong's ``Friends''.

Chatham High School: Hannah Drossman's ``Giverny''; Ria Iizuka's ``Aries After 8th Period: Reduced to Mathematical Component''; David Daniel Melgar's ``Lust''.

Hopatcong High School: Kristen Fahy's ``Chroma Lily''.

Livingston High School: Jennifer Brodsky's ``A City in the Sun''; Amy Friedman's ``Walking into the Shadows''; Sarah Tse's ``Utilities'', Mark Zlotsky's ``A Frickin' Tree!''.

Madison High School: Rachel Fico's ``Mixer''; Vandela Larsson's ``Glow''; Stephanie Riveros' ``Deadlock''; Bailey Theado's ``Kavala Village''.

Millburn High School: Chanthia Ma's ``Self Portrait''; Sona Roy's ``Green-eyed'', Dana Serruto's ``Movie Time''; Jordan Scharf's ``Chair in a Field of Roses''.

Montville High School: Allison Au's ``Caribbean Still Life''; Victoria Eng's ``Light''; Michael Johnston's ``Short Sighted''; Micah Schure's ``Trombone''.

Morris Catholic High School: Josh Gilardi's ``Empire State of Mind''; Liz McCormick's ``Christmas in the City''.

Morris Knolls High School: Jennifer Hastings' ``The Lake Monster''; Meredith McCabe's ``A Safe Place to Hide''; Rebecca Syracuse's ``Fear of Intimacy''; Irina Walter's ``Hero of War''.

Morristown High School: Demetria Jorge's ``Sunset Salute''.

Morristown-Beard School: Ashley Young's ``Anor Hinge''.

Mount Olive High School: Daniel Gillette's ``Stripping Down the Media''; Vanessa Lorenzo's ``Ghosts of Chernobyl''.

Oak Knoll School: Christina Eng's ``Capitol Building in Winter''; Gioia Topazio's ``Leaves''.

Parsippany Christian School: Sydney Dahl's ``Insecurity''; Austin Dimare's ``Italiano Donna'', Lexie Reilly's ``I Love You''.

Parsippany High School: Ashley Del Rio's ``Murano Glass''; Brittany Ann Serrao's ``Untitled''.

Pequannock Township High School: Kristin Brian's ``Scale''; Elizabeth Frino's ``Rock Star''.

Ridge High School: Lillian Chen's ``No Treasure After All''; Edward Kowalewski's ``Helix''; Mary Petras' ``Peace''; Howard Wei's ``Guardian of the Trolls Lair''.

Roxbury High School: Sam Knopka's ``Self Portrait''; Nick Griffin's ``Free Your Mind''; Alessandra Varilias' ``Innocent Soldiers''; Ruth Vega's ``Plastic Beauty''.

Seton Hall Preparatory School: Dylan Hughes' ``Students in Blue''; Charles Kohaut's ``Eye''.

Watchung Hills High School: Sofia Lizza's ``Spoons''; Lisa Monetti's ``Clouds Are Shrouding in Moments Unforgettable''; Alex Nahorniak's ``Untitled''; Carolyn Thornton's ``Maggie''.

West Morris Central High School: Courtney Dietsche's ``Fish of Fantasy: Nightly Wanders''.

Each year the' winner of the competition has their art work displayed with other winners from across the country in a special corridor here at the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of our fellow Americans walk through the exhibition and are reminded of the vast talents of our young men and women. Indeed, all of these young artists are winners, and we should be proud of their achievements so early in life.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating these talented young people from New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bernards Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 250th Anniversary in 2010.

Originally inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape Indians, the area that is now Bernards Township was purchased by John Harrison in 1717 on behalf of King George I of England. In 1760, the land was named Bernardston Township by King George II in recognition of the fifth provincial governor of New Jersey, Francis Bernard. There were many buildings erected following this period that still stand today: The Lord Stirling Manor site, Basking Ridge Classical School and the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, all rich in history. In the yard of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church stands a great oak tree where General George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette picnicked and colonial troops practiced their drill steps. The Classical School provided education to many distinguished leaders of our country; graduates include Samuel Lewis Southard, New Jersey's tenth governor, who along with his father, Henry, became the first father and son pair to serve in Congress; Theodore Frelinghuysen, U.S. Senator and vice-presidential candidate in 1844; and William Lewis Dayton, U.S. Senator and Minister to France.

Today, Bernards Township consists of Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner and Lyons. It is home of the Lyons Campus of the Veterans Administration New Jersey Health Care System, the Bonnie Brae Educational Center and Verizon Corporate Headquarters and many excellent schools. This vibrant municipality is home to approximately 28,000 residents who look enthusiastically toward their future but also cherish and preserve their history.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Bernards Township as they celebrate their 250th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National Women's Health Week. It is during this week that the Office on Women's Health, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, urges women to focus on their health.

We need to tell all the women in our lives; our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, aunts and friends how important it is to take time out for their health.

Last year I was honored to be part of a Women's Health Summit on cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of women in the United States. At the summit women heard from leading doctors and researchers how there are simple steps you can take to prevent heart disease, from exercise to diet--small changes can make a big difference.

Additionally, I must recognize that many of the advances in medicine that have been made have come from women working together--as physicians, lawyers, researchers, advocates and Members of Congress. This collaboration has been a powerful catalyst for the advances we have made in the research and treatment of breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.

So, today, Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage all of America's women to take a moment to focus on promoting health and preventing disease and illness by taking simple steps to improve their physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.

As we celebrate National Women's Health Week and the achievements made to improve the health and well being of women, I urge my colleagues to take a moment to make a much stronger commitment to promoting women's health in this country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1149 which recognizes the important impact charter schools have on students across the nation who attend them.

Charter schools have been one of the fastest-growing innovative forces in education policy. In the past 4 years, 1,600 new charter schools opened and 500,000 additional public school students chose to enroll in charter schools nationwide.

In my home state of New Jersey, 68 approved charter schools serve more than 22,000 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. These schools, through creative solutions and selfless dedication, provide an invaluable service to children caught in failing public school systems.

I have been a longtime advocate of school choice. Giving parents options for their child's education not only helps to better educate students, but can also help to build stronger, more prosperous communities. As incubators of innovation in education, charter schools challenge other schools to do better.

Not every child in America is fortunate enough to attend a high performing public school or has the means to afford a first-rate private or parochial education. And, we all know the story of many failing public schools across the nation: Low graduation rates. High dropout rates. Low mathematics and reading scores. Charter schools, school vouchers and other programs that give families a choice in their child's education have and will continue to make a significant and positive impact on those statistics.

We can no longer be distracted by the ideological battles surrounding educational choice and competition while children graduate without the skills to succeed here at home, or even less so in our global economy.

Madam speaker, I close today in appreciation for the teachers and students of charter schools, and the communities and private donors that support them, for their contributions and achievements and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.