Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the underlying bill, and from the outset I want to commend Chairman Young of Florida and the ranking member, Mr. Murtha of Pennsylvania, for their leadership on this bipartisan bill and for all they do each and every day for our military and their families.

As my colleagues have noted, H.R. 5631 includes over $427 billion in discretionary funding, including an additional $50 billion provided in what is called the very critical Bridge Fund to support ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 90 percent of this funding will go to the Army and Marine units that are taking the fight directly to our enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, our committee's allocation is $4 billion below the President's request. This presented the committee with some significant challenges. We looked carefully at programs in the President's budget, and we made selected reductions. We also recommended less funding for programs encountering technological problems and developmental delays. With many competing challenges facing our military as we prosecute the global war on terror, this was not an easy task; but we believe we made appropriate choices to allow us to deter our enemies and yet enhance the high-intensity combat capability of our forces.

Mr. Speaker, as we consider this important legislation, we must remain mindful that our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, mind you all volunteers, regular military, Guard, and Reserve, are literally on the battlefield as we speak, brave men and women fighting a new kind of war where everybody literally is on the front line. As we all know, the Army and Marines are carrying the brunt of the battle in Iraq and Afghanistan, with an unprecedented level of partnership by their Guard and Reserve components, and young men and women from the Air Force and Navy stand with them. Their service and dedication on the battlefields of these countries are making our Nation safer from terrorists who seek to do us and other freedom-loving nations harm.

Make no mistake, our success in Iraq is hugely important. Our enemies in Iraq are thinking enemies; they are adaptable and would like nothing better than to see us withdraw prematurely, set arbitrary dates for withdrawal, and then come back after our departure to reinstall another despot or regime even more oppressive, more fanatical, and more horrendous and more dangerous than the last.

The bottom line is that we should never forget that the soldiers we support through this appropriations bill have freed nearly 50 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan from killer regimes where protest and dissent were answered by killing fields and genocide, where women were denied basic freedoms, education, health care, and the vote.

Of course, the loss of any young soldier is heartbreaking; so are the deaths of innocent civilians killed by roadside and vehicle-borne bombs, or suicide bombers. We are dealing with Saddam loyalists, jihadists, imported terrorists, and domestic criminals who play by no rules and do not hesitate to bomb Iraqi weddings, mosques, funerals, and gatherings of children, school children as a common tactic.

Since we are engaged in the global war on terrorism with Afghanistan and Iraq being countries of conflict and violence, our soldiers and marines and others in the military need every possible advantage. This legislation provides our fighting men and women with the resources they need to be more deployable, more agile, more flexible, more interoperable, and more lethal in the execution of their missions. It provides for better training, better equipment, better weapons.

Of course, our bill supports the troops by providing a pay increase, enhanced life insurance coverage, and housing allowances. Mr. Speaker, I also welcome increased funding for research and development in this bill. Our bill exceeds the President's budget by $2.2 billion so we can speed important new technology from the drawing board to the laboratory, to the test bed, and into the arsenal of our warfighters.

My colleagues, the global war on terror will not be short. It will require deep and enduring commitment. And looking down the road, we face many potential threats and we cannot know what lies ahead, but this appropriations bill will give us the resources to do the job and to support our young men and women who do that job of liberty each and every day.

Mr. Chairman, we are pleased to accept the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, earlier this evening Mr. Lewis talked extensively in support of projects and made I think the relationship between education for our youngsters in math and science and the work of the U.S. Department of Defense, and I believe that his comments are on the record and I would like to resubmit them in case they are not.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. And to clarify Ms. Norton's amendment, I should have added to it besides we were pleased to accept her amendment, and the committee looks forward to working with her and the Armed Services Committee towards its objective.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Butler High School in Butler, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. The students and alumni/ae of Butler High School are celebrating the graduation of the 100th senior class on Wednesday, June 21, 2006.

Butler High School graduated its first class in 1907, making the senior class of 2006 the 100th class to graduate from the school. Until 1903, graduates of the Butler Grammar School attended Paterson High School. In the early years, Butler High School was a ``regional'' high school in the extreme sense of the word. Originally the school encompassed a territory of more than 200 square miles, providing secondary education to students from Bloomingdale, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Pequannock, Ringwood, Riverdale Wanaque and West Milford. Over the years the sending districts, with the exception of Bloomingdale, withdrew from Butler High School as municipalities built their own high schools or regional districts were created.

There are not many high schools in the State of New Jersey that have celebrated a 100th anniversary graduation. Butler High School is planning to celebrate this milestone in the graduation ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, June 21. The day will begin with walking tours of the high school followed by the centennial graduation and a reception for graduates, their families, alumni and faculty. The commencement speaker will be Wendy Larry, Butler High School graduate and the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Old Dominion University.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Butler High School, the faculty, staff, alumni and Senior Class on the occasion of the 100th graduation ceremony of one of New Jersey's finest high schools.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution. I am convinced, Mr. Speaker, especially after my recent visit, that progress is being made in Iraq. But much of that would be lost if we prematurely remove our troops before the Iraqi people are fully capable of governing and securing their own country.

Success in the global war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan is the defining challenge of our generation, whether some war opponents like it or not.

Bin Laden's deputy has declared Iraq to be the place for the greatest battle, where he hopes to expel the Americans and then spread the jihad wave to secular countries neighboring Iraq. Such statements reaffirm why withdrawing our troops would be a disaster for the future of Iraq.

Our own national security can actually embolden those who hate our way of life to further harm us. A premature withdrawal or premature deployment home would represent a clear defeat for American interests, not just in Iraq, but in the wider region around the globe. Terrorists everywhere would take heart at this serious blow to our credibility.

Frankly, if we were to abandon the Iraqis now, who in the world would openly assist us in the global war on terror? What country would allow our military to deploy and operate on its territory? Worse yet, who would dare to be seen as our partner, ally or friend?

As even the Washington Post said yesterday, Mr. Speaker, in its lead editorial, Iraq's new democratic government deserves a chance to succeed. And yes, this is the time to support our brave young warfighters, who are truly doing the work of freedom, and not undercut their service and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Morris County Park Commission, located in Morris County, New Jersey, a county I am proud to represent! On June 15, 2006, the Morris County Park Commission is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a reception to honor the men and women who have helped shape the first fifty years of the park system.

Established in 1956, the Morris County Park Commission began its rich history with the dedication of 350 acres as Lewis Morris County Park in Morris Township. Today, the park system has grown to over more than 17,500 acres and is the largest park system in New Jersey. The commission manages 38 facilities including historic sites, golf courses, outdoor education and recreational facilities, arboretums, conservation areas, parks, and 150 miles of trails.

The reputation of the Park Commission and its facilities continues to be one of the best in the nation. More than 3.5 million visitors have taken advantage of the programs, special events, and activities provided by a very professional staff. The park system has a positive impact on the quality of life of every Morris County resident and their families, as well as tens of thousands of visitors. The Park Commissions over the years have preserved valuable open space and cultural resources and promoted tourism, conservation and economic vitality. Consequently, the commission continues to receive national recognition for its facilities and programs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Morris County Park Commission on its Fiftieth Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor El Primer Paso, Ltd., a pre-school in Dover, New Jersey, a vibrant organization I am proud to represent. On June 10, 2006 El Primer Paso is celebrating over 35 years of educating young, non-English speaking children.

El Primer Paso is a non-profit early childhood education center. Its primary goals are to provide opportunities for growth and development of ideas, imagination, initiative and self-reliance to the pre-school children who are enrolled in its program.

El Primer Paso prepares non-English speaking children to meet the challenges of the American school system. Adult English classes and other support services are also available to encourage parents to participate in school and community activities. A two-day a week pre- school program provides an extra year of preparation for non-English speaking children before they attend area schools.

El Primer Paso was founded in Dover by a group of volunteers in the late 1960's. The program primarily serves low and moderate income Hispanic families in Morris County, New Jersey. It has grown and changed over the years to meet the needs of this community. In the 1970's, parents requested adult English classes to enable them to help their children and to obtain better jobs. Today, the program serves approximately 30 adults a year and includes training for driver's tests and citizenship tests and preparation for continuing education.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the dedicated and talented trustees, staff and volunteers of El Primer Paso, Ltd. on the celebration of over 35 years of providing critical educational services to the Dover community.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5441, the Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill.

I want to commend Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Sabo for their work on this legislation. They have done an excellent job of recognizing where this Department succeeds and where it doesn't. Integrating the 22 separate agencies into one responsive, functioning body is never easy, but the Department has had four years to do so. This legislation recognizes that Congress needs to take a greater role in overseeing this integration.

I support the approach Chairman Rogers has taken in this legislation with requiring DHS to be more accountable to Congress on how it is allocating funds and setting policies to affectively protect our nation's citizens. For too long, money has been sitting unexpended or allocated without a clear purpose. Hurricane Katrina, taught us that we still have far to go in achieving an agile, organized and responsive Homeland Security Department.

Last year, this Committee took the first important steps towards ensuring Homeland Security Grants to states were allocated based on risk. Much more remains to be done in this area, but to the credit of the Chairman he has taken action to begin moving in this direction while authorizing legislation is still pending.

This year, the Committee has produced legislation providing $3.2 billion for first responders--this is in addition to the $5.1 billion still unexpended. The committee includes requirements that DHS provide reports to the Committee on how it is ensuring that the $34.7 billion provided to first responders to develop a preparedness strategy and to measure the performance of first responders.

Additionally, $4.2 billion is appropriated for port, cargo, and container security. This legislation sets strict requirements for operations at those ports, including doubling the amount of cargo inspected; requiring 100 percent screening of all cargo for radiation; and the establishing of security standards for all cargo containers.

We in the New Jersey and New York area have a keen understanding of how important it is to make sure that we secure such critical infrastructure. New Jersey is home to the largest and busiest seaports on the Eastern Seaboard. The Port of New York and New Jersey, positioned between New York City and Newark Liberty International Airport, is key to our nation's economy and security.

Handling more than $100 billion in cargo a year and employing nearly 230,000 area residents, the port is the East Coast's hub in the global supply chain. This port is the most concentrated and affluent consumer market in the world, with immediate access to the most comprehensive interstate highway and rail networks in the nation.

Mr. Chairman, this is a thoughtful piece of legislation that not only provides funding for Homeland Security activities, but also holds the Department of Homeland Security accountable for how those activities are executed.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time and also to Chairman Hobson.

Mr. Chairman, I have served on this committee for 12 years. Let me compliment both you and the ranking member for your relentless pursuit of accountability and fiscal restraint in this bill. This bill has addressed nuclear issues, protecting the nuclear stockpile, seeking to address waste issues, navigation issues, issues that relate to lessons learned from Katrina. The chairman and committee members have been hands on.

We have done things with the Army Corps in terms of its management alternative, energy alternatives, as Congressman Boehlert just mentioned, the American Competitive Initiative, more money into research and science, and in terms of energy renewables, the work of the ITER program, the international ITER program in terms of fusion, their combination with domestic fusion.

On a more parochial level, Mr. Chairman, thank you for the endorsement of the good work that we do in the New York-New Jersey region in terms of keeping the Port of New York and New Jersey open for business, a linchpin to the eastern coast economy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Madison Fire Department in the Borough of Madison, New Jersey, a patriotic community that I am proud to represent. On May 20, 2006 the good citizens of Madison will celebrate the Fire Department's 125th Anniversary with a family picnic.

The Madison Fire Department was incorporated on May 23, 1881, ``for the purpose of protecting life and property from fire''. Prior to this time, the Morristown Fire Department responded to their calls for assistance. In 1882, the Firemen's Relief Association was incorporated ``for the purpose of relieving disabled or indigent firemen,'' and the first hose cart was purchased.

The Fire Department was placed under the authority of the Borough of Madison Mayor and Council in 1890. After a municipal water system was established, a hose cart with 800 feet of hose was purchased for $700.

In 1903, a new fire headquarters was built at the comer of Central Avenue and Cook Avenue. A Gamewell Alarm System was installed throughout the Borough of Madison in 1909 and the boxes were in use until 1990. In 1935, the Hartley Marcellus Dodge Memorial building was dedicated and occupied. Present day fire headquarters are still in this building.

Today, the Borough of Madison's Fire Department Chief is Douglas Atchison. He commands 14 paid and 20 active volunteer firefighters, serving 16,500 residents in a four-square mile area. Construction of a new fire and police facility has begun with an expected completion date of early 2007.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Borough of Madison Fire Department and all their firefighters, past and present, on the celebration of 125 years of protecting one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The General Frelinghuysen Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. On May 10, 2006, the General Frelinghuysen Chapter of the ``Daughters of the American Revolution will be celebrating their 110th anniversary.

In 1896, sixteen ladies formed the General Frelinghuysen Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with Mrs. E.E. Batcheller as the first Regent. The Chapter was named for a native of Somerset County who held the highest military rank in the state, that of Major General and Commander-in-Chief of New Jersey and Pennsylvania state troops under

George Washington--Frederick Frelinghuysen. He was born at the First Dutch Reformed Church Parsonage at Somerville, then Raritan, New Jersey, on April 13, 1753. He was sent to Continental Congress in 1775 and was later a United States Senator. He fought at the Battles of Trenton and Monmouth. He is buried in the Weston cemetery, which is maintained by the Chapter.

Through the years, this chapter has been a very hardworking group of ladies who held their meetings first in various members' homes in the Somerville area, later at the Wallace House, and then at the Old Dutch Parsonage. The gavel used by the Chapter was made from a locust tree grown on the grounds of the home of General Frelinghuysen at Millstone, New Jersey.

Restoring the Wallace House was one of the major projects early in the chapter's history. Former members also contributed to the Continental Hall in Washington, D.C., including a chair presented by Senator Frelinghuysen in honor of his mother, Victoria, in 1927. In 1932, a 103 year old painting, painted by Elizabeth Frelinghuysen when she was 13 years old, was presented to the chapter and placed on display in the Wallace House.

Also in 1896, it became known that a real live daughter was to become a member of the chapter: Miss Elizabeth McIlroy, daughter of William McIlroy, a Soldier of the American Revolution. She lived to be more than 100 years old, but died soon after having been made a member of the Chapter.

In 1932, U.S. Senator Joseph S. Frelinghuysen made a gift of the Old Dutch Parsonage to the General Frelinghuysen Chapter. The Old Dutch Parsonage was built by the Reverend John Frelinghuysen in 1751, of bricks brought from Holland. The first class of the Theological Seminary of Rutgers University was held in this building. When the railroad was being put through, the Frelinghuysen family saved the parsonage from being demolished by moving it a short distance to its present site. In 1947, the Old Dutch Parsonage was deeded to the State of New Jersey as a historic shrine, as was the Wallace House.

In 1995, The General Frelinghuysen Chapter merged with the Old White House Chapter to become the Old White House-General Frelinghuysen Chapter. Philanthropic works, in addition to caring for the Wallace House and The Old Dutch Parsonage, have included providing scholarships to students of local high schools who have demonstrated knowledge and insight concerning historic events, supporting Native Americans, placing markers along Washington's line of march from Princeton to Morristown (after the Battle of Princeton), and contributions of books to the Somerville Public Library, the Library of Memorial Continental Hall in Washington and to the New Jersey Historical Society.

The objectives of the General Frelinghuysen Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution continue to be: To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence, and To promote as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge, and To cherish, maintain, and extend the institution of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of Liberty.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the members of the General Frelinghuysen Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on the 110th anniversary of the chapter and for their continuing good works.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Police Unity Tour. On May 9th, the Police Unity Tour will kick-off their 10th anniversary bicycle tour to our Nation's capitol.

For the past nine years, police officers have mounted their bicycles and cycled from New Jersey to Washington, DC, in memory of the men and women of the police force, who have sacrificed their lives while protecting our communities from harm. This year, the ride will begin on May 9 and end on May 13. The officers will depart from the Florham Park Police Headquarters, in Florham Park, NJ and will arrive at the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington, DC, culminating their journey with a candlelight vigil.

Established 10 years ago by Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park, NJ, Police Department, the Police Unity Tour started with 18 riders and has grown into a Nationwide project with participants and supporters from all over the country. The mission of the tour is to bring awareness to the lives of police officers who have died in the line of duty. The number of participants continues to grow with over 700 police officers participating last year.

In route to Washington, the tour will stop at Ground Zero, a place that will forever remind us of American heroes. The Police Unity Tour honors the heroes who lost their lives that day and reminds us that everyday our police officers, firefighters, and emergency service personnel devote their lives to protecting and serving our communities. Too many of these officers make the ultimate sacrifice and to them we are eternally grateful. We must never take their actions for granted and always remember the families and friends they leave behind.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the participants of the Police Unity Tour on their 10th anniversary and for the work they do honoring those police officers who have died in the line of duty.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the SAFE Port Act, and I commend Chairman King and Chairman LoBiondo, Chairman Lungren, Chairman Young for all of their work, and certainly the ranking member.

Members of Congress from New York and New Jersey know better than most the horrors of September 11, 2001. We would hate to ever have that wrought again on so many of our citizens who lost their lives. So it is important we get about supporting this legislation.

The SAFE Port Act authorizes programs that will protect the safety of American ports, the personnel literally, hundreds of thousands of people who operate those ports, and the goods that move through them.

In our home State of New Jersey, the Port of New York and New Jersey is literally the commercial gateway to the east coast. This bipartisan legislation takes steps to make sure that the ports security initiatives are as strong as its economic stability.

This bill recognizes the importance of implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and recommendations of the President and Department of Homeland Security, and, finally, legislation I introduced that port security grants be distributed based on risk.

This legislation is an important step to achieving that version, to ensure port resources are spent wisely and efficiently. This legislation adheres to the need to create a risk-based or a threat- based port security grant program.

This grant program will distribute over $400 million a year to the most strategically significant and economically important ports facing the greatest threats.

Thanks to a 700 percent increase, and I serve on the House Appropriations Committee in port security funding since 9/11, our U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices are now using several interlocking initiatives and new cutting-edge technology to better defend our homeland and protect our citizens.

The SAFE Port Act puts in place a multi-layered port and cargo security strategy that builds upon these programs which Congress has already established. I urge strong support for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Budd Lake Volunteer Fire Department, in the Township of Mount Olive, New Jersey, a patriotic community that I am proud to represent! On June 24, 2006 the good citizens of Budd Lake and Mount Olive will celebrate the Fire Company's 75th Anniversary with special festivities.

The Budd Lake Volunteer Fire Department was formally incorporated in 1931 with approximately twenty-three members. A history compiled by the department says the first purchased piece of equipment was a Baby Grand Chevrolet, which the department utilized as a chemical truck. In 1934 the department was granted permission to move from a garage behind Mockler's Tavern into the Municipal Building (which is now the Country Store). The first pumper owned by the department was a Ford purchased by the Township Committee in 1935.

A new firehouse was constructed in 1968 to house all of the department's equipment and a large room for department meetings and fundraising activities. Additions were completed in 1972 and 1987. The latter included two new equipment bays, allowing one piece of apparatus per bay. Prior to this addition, great agility was required to park three large fire trucks, a brush truck and an equipment van in three bays!

Currently, the Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Ken Nelson, has about 40 members. Last year they responded to over 500 alarms.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the volunteers of the Budd Lake Fire Department on the celebration of 75 years of protection of one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I come to the floor to recognize the great success of strong local schools working with dedicated parents and teachers to raise young men and women. I rise today to congratulate and honor 45 outstanding high school artists from the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey. Each of these talented students is participating in the 2006 Annual Congressional Arts competition, ``An Artistic Discovery.'' Their works, of art are exceptional!

We have 45 students participating. That is a tremendous response, and I would very much like to build on that participation for future competitions.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the three winners of our art competition. First place was awarded to Sara Gilbert from West Morris Mendham High School for her work entitled ``Vacancy.'' Second place was awarded to Lucy Tan from Livingston High School for her work entitled ``1930's Icon.'' Third place was awarded to Snena Ganguly from Bridgewater Raritan High School for her work entitled ``Woods.''

Mr. Speaker, 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. Home schooled: Phyllis Schlafly's ``Circle of Light.''

Madison High School: Joey Mottola's ``A look into deep Blu,'' Chloe Unger's ``Reflection,'' Philip Hinge's ``Self Portrait,'' and Pam Dughi's ``Self.''

Mount Olive High School: Sophia Sobers's ``Loss of Innocence,'' Andrew Schweighardt's ``Omas Pickled Peppers,'' Jessica Masterson's ``FLIP,'' and Meghan Marvin's ``There Goes the Neighborhood.''

Ridge High School: Wyatt Regan's ``Burning Bush,'' Alan Yang's ``Flight of the Mind,'' Jenna Buesser's ``Detained Debris,'' and Hannah Barkley's untitled work.

Dover High School: Erick Szentmiklosy's untitled work.

Morris Hills High School: Brandon Rodleewitz's ``Partners in Peace,'' and Krupa Patel's ``Visions.''

Morris Knolls High School: Lindsay Mehringer's ``coucher de soleil,'' Tanya Groszew's ``Odds and Ends,'' Cheryl Brown's ``The telephone Call,'' and Tiffany Chao's ``Lake Tahoe.''

Boonton High School: Jennifer Hitchings'' ``Profile,'' Wyatt Sikora's ``Mind Mesh,'' Sarah La Placa's ``unexpected,'' and Karinya Santiago's ``Mom.''

Bridgewater Raritan High School: Allison Boucher's ``Zoom In,'' Snena Ganguly's ``Woods,'' and Amanda Ayod's ``What's in My Purse.''

Roxbury High School: Mark McDevitt's ``Still Life # 3,'' Dana Windt's ``Morris Study # 5,'' Deborah Brooks'' ``Proverb # 5,'' and Amanda Baratta's untitled work.

Livingston High School: Lucy Tan's ``1930's icon,'' Stacey Berson's ``B Minor,'' Genna Cherichello's ``Mannequin in Orange and Blue,'' and Tanya Goldberg's ``Complementary Expressions.''

Montville High School: Yi Ming He's ``Central Perc,'' April Ennis's ``Springtime Enchantment,'' Joyce Chung's ``Checkmate,'' and Kaitlin Michaud's ``Little Sister.''

Millburn High School: Albert Choi's ``Self Portrait,'' Ann Trocchia's ``Self Portrait Ann,'' and Erica Sutton's ``Self--Portrait.''

West Morris Mendham: Sara Gilbert's ``Vacancy,'' David Brunell- Brutman's ``Juggernaut,'' and Heather Schultz's ``Relative Motion.''

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. Every time a vote is called, I walk through that corridor and am 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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Borough of Mendham in Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. On May 15, 2006 the good citizens of Mendham Borough are celebrating the Borough's Centennial Anniversary.

Mendham Borough, a country village some 6 miles square, was once a stop for stagecoaches traveling on the old Washington Turnpike. The area is hilly, well wooded and its springs and small brooks are feeders for the Passaic and Raritan rivers.

The Borough of Mendham was created out of an urgent need to install a public water distribution system to fight fires and protect the lives and the property of its citizens. This it has done for 100 years, since its establishment as an incorporated municipality on May 15, 1906. Before incorporation, it was part of Mendham Township. The borough's village center (largely unchanged from the 1800s) serves as the hub of commercial activity for the Mendhams.

Mendham Borough is the site of five Historic American Buildings and a registered National Historic District. The leading landmark building and the borough's icon is the classic Federalist style Phoenix House, a former genteel and fashionable roadhouse. Most famous amongst its regular guests was GEN Abner Doubleday, best known as the inventor of baseball. This majestic building, recently restored, serves as the Borough Hall.

Today, Mendham Borough is comprised of modest homes, small estates, and individual retail stores with some remaining open space. Its population exceeds 5,000.

Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the residents of Mendham Borough on the celebration of 100 years of rich history of one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.