Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and dedication of Mr. Ronald E. Chronister, deputy to the Commander, of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

Mr. Chronister's life-time service to the U.S. Army has been an outstanding one. He has served this country with loyalty, dignity and respect, always engaging his active mind to better develop materials needed by our brave service men and women. We are forever in debt to him for all he has done in the name of freedom and our pursuit of happiness. Today, I stand proud as we commemorate his honor and hard work for the more than 25 years he has served this country through the U.S. Army.

Mr. Chronister earned his bachelor's of science degree in civil engineering from The University of Alabama in 1982, and shortly after enrolled at the Army Material Command Intern School of Engineering and Logistics in Texarkana, Texas. In 1983, he went on to be a general engineer in the production engineering division of the U.S. Army's Research Development in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, where he climbed the ranks from chief to deputy director to acting director.

In 2002, he earned a master's of science in program management from the Naval Post Graduate School and has received throughout his career numerous awards, certifications and has been an active member of professional associations.

His career in the U.S. Army's Research team has grown by leaps and bounds. Since October 2005, Mr. Chronister has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service and served as Executive Director of the Integrated Material Management Center from October 2005 until February 2008. During that time, he established the Prototype Integration Facility, a unique government-owned and government-

operated enterprise that provides a rapid response, cost effective approach to meeting weapon systems program manager's material requirements.

Mr. Chronister continues to serve our country diligently and with great honor. Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the work Mr. Chronister has done for the U.S. Army and our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and dedication of Major General James R. Myles of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command.

Major General Myles assumed command of the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command on July 19, 2007. He first began his career with the U.S. Army in 1974 upon graduation from Middle Tennessee State University, where he received a bachelor's of science degree in business management. He also earned a master's degree in business administration from Webster University.

His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Transportation Officer Advance Course, Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. His aviation training includes the initial entry Rotary Wing Course, Aviation Maintenance Officer Course, the UH-60 Qualification Course, and the Fixed Wing Qualification Course.

Major General Myles' first assignment was as an Infantry Platoon Leader in C-1/501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While serving in Panama, his positions included Production Control Officer and Scout Platoon Leader of the 210th Aviation Battalion, 193d Infantry Brigade at Fort Clayton. After moving to St. Louis, Missouri, he served as the Fixed Wing Readiness Project Officer and Assistant SGS at TSARCOM. His final company-grade assignment came as the Aviation Maintenance Officer for USREDCOM at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

He commanded C Company followed by the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Company in 2d Aviation Battalion, 2d Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea. He then moved to Fort Campbell where he served four years in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group as the Systems Integration and Maintenance Officer and Regimental Executive Officer.

Major General Myles' battalion command came with the 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; followed by a return assignment to the 160th SOAR(A) as the Regimental Deputy Commander. He was selected to command the 17th Aviation Brigade in Yongsan, Korea, and completed a follow-on assignment as the Eighth Army Chief of Staff. He left Korea for a position as the Chief of the Middle-East Division on the Joint Staff in Washington, DC.

Major General Myles would return to Fort Hood as the Assistant Division Commander of the First Cavalry Division, and the Commanding General of the United States Army Operational Test Command.

His most recent assignment was Commanding General of the United States Army Test and Evaluation Command in Alexandria, VA. Currently, Major General Myles is the Commanding General of the Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

Major General Myles continues to serve our country diligently and with great honor. Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the work he has done for the U.S. Army and our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Private First Class Matthew Dwight Ogden, of Corpus Christi, Texas, who died on June 1, 2009, in Nerkh, Afghanistan, while assigned to Operation Enduring Freedom.

Matthew was born in Corpus Christi and attended King High School, where he graduated in 1994. He went on to enlist in the U.S. Army and was a private in the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

I would like to take this time to acknowledge the life of a young man who died for this country as he fought for our, ``life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,'' our inalienable rights as outlined in the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Without Matthew's courage and determination to join the U.S. Army, and other young men and women like him, we would not be able to enjoy this life and liberty. It is fitting and important that we pay tribute to Matthew for his bravery and courage as he fought to protect our country and way of life.

Matthew will be missed dearly by his family, friends and service men and women, however, his spirit will forever remain intact. He will remain with us at all times--we will forever remember him.

I would also like to take this time to share my most sincere condolences with his father, Michael Dwight Ogden, and his mother, Charlotte Anne Taylor. He is survived by brothers Nathen Ogden, Stephen Turner, and Nicholas Aikman. My condolences go out as well to the families of his ``fallen brothers.''

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life and service of Private First Class Matthew Dwight Ogden, who gave his life for our country. He will forever be remembered as a hero of our nation and--the 27th Congressional District of Texas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of the San Benito Memorial Park on Saturday, June 6 where a memorial honoring the life of Freddy Fender stands.

Born Baldemar Garza Huerta on June 4, 1937, in San Benito, Texas, Freddy Fender was the son of Serapio and Margarita Garza Huerta, a laborer and migrant farm worker. He was the eldest of nine children.

The love of music came early to young Balde, as everyone called him then. He was only five years old when he acquired an old three-string backless guitar which he quickly learned to play. He may have come from a very poor upbringing, but his optimism was undeniable, using music as a means to make life happier. ``Music always made it better,'' as he would say.

The family would follow the seasonal crops for harvesting. They traveled north to work beets in Michigan, bale hay and pick tomatoes in Indiana, harvest cucumbers in Michigan and onions in New Mexico. Then, it was back home to San Benito for the winter where he spent time entering and winning talent contests.

Baldemar Huerta's professional career was ignited in November 6, 1956, as El Bebop Kid, when he originally recorded Spanish-language versions of Don't Be Cruel and Holy One, hits in Texas, Mexico and South America, that reflected his unique fusion of love songs and rock 'n roll. For a short time he also recorded under the names of Scotty Wayne and Eddie Medina.

He signed with Imperial Records in 1959 after taking the name Fender from the neck of his Fender guitar and Freddy because it sounded good. He first recorded his mega-hit, Wasted Days and Wasted Nights in 1959.

Fender is credited with being the first American Hispanic Rock & Roll recording artist in Anglo Latino music history. He was also the first Mexican-American artist to cross over into mainstream pop and country music, and with introducing Tex-Mex music into the American and world music scene.

Freddy Fender was more than just an artist; he was my dear friend who I had the honor of knowing and working with for many years. Through this dedication, we pay tribute to a man who traveled around the world singing songs that brought smiles and joy to the lives of many, including myself. Freddy never forgot where he was from--his roots and upbringings remained intact throughout his professional career as a singer.

Today, we remember him through his songs, his spirit and his love for the Rio Grande Valley, especially San Benito.

On October 14, 2006, we all lost a dear friend, companion, singer, and San Benito native, when Freddy went to be with the Lord. Before his passing, he asked his beloved wife, Vangie, that he wanted to return to San Benito to be buried. His wish was carried out and that is why we stand here today in honor of a man that encompasses the true meaning of success through hard work, dedication and determination.

Most recently, the San Benito Economic Development Corporation funded this project, budgeting about $250,000 for the construction of the monument in honor of Freddy. The San Benito Memorial Park will be home to 300 resting souls, including Freddy, who was the first one to be buried there.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the dedication of the San Benito Memorial Park and the memorial honoring the life of Freddy Fender.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral with a celebration scheduled on June 8 in Brownsville, Texas.

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the Diocese of Brownsville's most historical church, traces its roots to a small wooden church that served as the first church in Brownsville.

In 1850, Father Adrien Pierre Telmon, one of the first Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate to come to Brownsville, built a small wooden church between Adams and Jefferson streets that accommodated about 300 people. The first mass was celebrated on June 29, 1850, and three years later Father Jean Marie Casimir Verdet started the design and construction of a larger church to replace the temporary wooden structure.

The cornerstone to the cathedral was laid on July 6, 1856, and over 250,000 clay bricks were made for the church in the village of Santa Rosalia, about three miles east of the old town site of Brownsville.

The church was completed in 1859 and blessed by Father Augustin Gaudet on June 12, 1859; 10 years after the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate first arrived in the Valley. The church was credited with being the largest in Texas at the time. The rectory behind the church was the site of the first Texas Oblate seminary and served as a haven for priests fleeing revolutions in Mexico.

The historical church was elevated to a cathedral in 1874 when the large Texas diocese was divided and the Vicariate Apostolic of Brownsville was established. It remained as such until 1912 when the Vicariate Apostolic of Brownsville was converted into the Dioceses of Corpus Christi.

The Immaculate Conception church was designated a Cathedral again in 1965 by Bishop Adolph Marx upon the creation of the Diocese of Brownsville. The church, built in a Gothic Revival style, became a reality through the generous contributions of its parishioners throughout the years. The utmost care and detail went into the construction of the church. The ceiling is of specially prepared canvas painted blue, and at one time it was covered with gold stars. The pulpit was built in native Mesquite by a local cabinetmaker and a concealed spiral stair provided access to the pulpit.

In 1970, the original altar, rail and two chandeliers were removed from the cathedral in an effort to modernize the church when the present altar was built. Time has taken its toll on this historic church. However, just as early Catholics came to its aid in its early days, they are doing the same in the twenty-first century.

Today this historic Cathedral continues to beckon Catholics through its doors. Thousands of Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Weddings and Funerals have been celebrated there.

And for many years, generations of generations of residents of Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley have called the Immaculate Conception Cathedral home. I am honored that this beautiful cathedral is located in the 27th Congressional District of Texas, which I so humbly represent.

I join the Diocese of Brownsville, the residents of the city and the Rio Grande Valley in celebrating the cathedral's anniversary.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, Texas, on the tip of South Texas, along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mr. Chair, I rise to support my colleague from Texas.

With the continuing emphasis on renewable energy programs as part of our national energy policy, it is unavoidable that we will have situations where FAA radars and renewable energy facilities, especially wind turbines, will compete for prime locations.

This amendment gives the FAA the executive direction necessary to address these situations.

Under our amendment, the FAA is directed to study their radar facilities and review conflicts with renewable energy facilities. To mitigate these situations, the Administrator is directed to develop an administrative process for relocating radar facilities when it is appropriate and necessary.

I ask my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great friend, Jack Kemp.

I had the honor and privilege of meeting Jack Kemp when he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the mid-80s during the Iran-Contra Affair. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing on Sunday, May 2, 2009.

He and I traveled with U.S. Rep. Jack Murtha, then-U.S. Rep. Jim Wright, then-U.S. Rep. Bill Richardson and Alberto Bustamante to Central America during the Contra War.

I can say that Jack was a very decent man, who was committed and dedicated to representing not only the people in his district of New York, but all the people in this country.

In the late-80s, when Jack was named Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush's administration, I had an opportunity to visit with him as we discussed policy and the development of housing in this nation, including South Texas. He was very receptive to what I had to say and took the time from his very busy schedule to hear me out, which made him one of a kind.

I clearly recall a very special moment in my life, when I, along with my staff, was flying on a commercial flight from Houston to Corpus Christi, Texas. We met Jack at the Houston airport and he noticed we were flying on a commercial plane. I remember him telling me, ``You don't have to fly commercial--I have a chartered jet--come with me.''

Jack was on his way to speak at a Republican Convention in Corpus Christi, and when we arrived there, other members of the Republican Party saw he was accompanied by a member of the Democratic Party and joked, ``What are you doing with this guy?''

That was the type of person he was--a considerate individual. And although we were from opposite parties, he was very respectful of my views of the governmental system as I was respectful of his.

Long before Jack was ever elected to public office, I knew of him from Robert ``Bobby'' Smith, a former football player of the Buffalo Bills who was born in Corpus Christi. Jack, who also played for the Buffalo Bills, and Bobby were good friends.

I want to offer my sincere condolences to Jack's wife, Joanne, and his children, Jeff Jennifer, Judith, and Jimmy. You remain in my prayers as your husband and father goes on to be with the Lord.

Jack's passing leaves us all in mourning; however, I, as well as those who loved him, know he will forever remain in our hearts and spirit.

I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Jack.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Virginia B. Cowen of Brownsville, Texas, who on May 13 will celebrate her 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Virginia was born in the small Midwestern town of Prosperity in Missouri, and graduated Valedictorian from Sheldon High School at the age of 15. She went on to study at Missouri State University, but after her third year there, she followed her ``heart song'' to the Dallas Divinity School in Texas.

Virginia later moved to Brownsville, Texas, on the tip of South Texas, where she met the love of her life, Raphael Cowen, an attorney, and the two married. Virginia and Raphael had six boys and five girls, a total of 11 children.

After Raphael became ill, Virginia worked as a school teacher in order to maintain the family, and all the children learned the importance of work ethic early on in life. They shined shoes, cut yards, sold newspapers, and sacked groceries.

Although Virginia lost her beloved husband, friend and companion, Raphael, to cancer, her faith in God remained strong.

Virginia, then 42 years old, learned how to drive so she could take her third and fourth born sons to Brownsville High School. She knew that a strong solid education was the key to success and instilled that in her 11 children. Shortly after, she accepted a fellowship at Texas A&M University where she earned her master's degree in English Literature and worked on her doctoral thesis.

For many years, Virginia taught at the then-Texas Southmost College, now The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, where she was a tenured faculty member and after many years of serving and educating the bright minds of South Texas retired.

In retirement she traveled to England and throughout Europe to visit birthplaces, homes and graves of the literary authors she has admired for a lifetime. She has done it all.

Today, Virginia continues to enjoy a happy life with her 11 grown children and 25 grandchildren. I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating Virginia on her 90th birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the men and women of the 386th Engineering Battalion and the Christus Spohn Healthcare System.

Since December 2006, members of the 386th Engineering Battalion have been working side-by-side with their civilian counterparts in the only level three trauma center in the Corpus Christi area. During their drill weekends, these soldiers are assigned to duties inside the hospital's emergency room to work in triage, fast track or trauma.

Through this joint effort, the 386th Engineering Battalion was able to utilize these real world experiences on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.

I would like to take some time now to honor Lt. Col. John Beignano and Lt. Col. Francisco Zuniga. These gentlemen worked tirelessly with the Christus Spohn Healthcare System administrators to make this idea a reality. By participating in this important work, these soldiers are making significant contributions to the community and to their fellow soldiers. Their families and loved ones should be proud of their service to the country and the extraordinary way they have improved people's lives.

Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the men and women of the 386th Engineering Battalion and the Christus Spohn Healthcare System.

Chairmen Towns, Skelton and Henry Brown, thank you so much for bringing this bill to the floor.

I rise in support of the bill before us today.

Today, the Congress takes another important step toward providing surviving spouses of military servicemembers relief by addressing a long-standing problem in our military survivors benefit system called the widow's tax.

Like most matters that involve Federal payments, this is a complex yet pivotal matter of importance to the survivors of our servicemembers. Essentially, if servicemembers purchase a survivor's benefit plan for their loved ones, the survivor receives a portion of the servicemember's retired pay upon his or her death. If that servicemember dies of a service-connected cause, the survivor is also entitled to compensation from the VA.

However, per current law, the survivor benefit payment is decreased by the amount of the VA payment dollar for dollar, and that's the amount the survivor will get, not the full amount of both entitlements.

This affects approximately 59,000 widows. For too long, the offset between the two programs has done precisely the opposite of what they are intended to do, protect the surviving loved ones.

The survivors of those who defend our country deserve our very best. Congress addressed the unfairness of the offset in the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization Act by creating a special monthly survivor allowance for dependents subject to the offset.

I am pleased that this bill considered today builds upon those efforts by providing a substantial increase in the monthly payment to spouses from the survivor allowance. Although there is still much work to be done, this bill is an important step towards the complete elimination of the offset and reflects our bipartisan desire to provide for surviving dependents of military servicemen and -women.

And I want to thank all those involved in bringing this bill to the floor.

I support it, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Thank you. What an honor today, Madam Speaker, to have a great American among us. I had the privilege and honor of serving with the Speaker when I first came here back in 1982. He was always accessible, fair, and a great leader.

We are just so happy, Mr. Speaker, that you're with us today and continue to give the Texas delegation, and other Members, a lot of good input and a lot of history. We're happy to have you with us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, work, and 82nd anniversary of the day Cesar Chavez was born.

He was born on March 31, 1927 near Yuma, Arizona. Chavez was a civil rights, Latino, farm worker, and labor leader. To some he was also a religious and spiritual figure; and to all, he was a community servant and a crusader for nonviolent social change. He also spent his time as an environmentalist and consumer advocate. But above all, he was a person who had the strength and courage to fight for what he knew was right and to try and rid the world of injustice.

After spending most of his childhood as a migrant farm worker with his parents, Chavez joined the U.S. Navy in 1946 and served in the Western Pacific just after WWII.

For more than three decades Chavez led the first successful farm workers union in American history, achieving dignity, respect, fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits, and humane living conditions, as well as countless other rights and protections for hundreds of thousands of farm workers. Against previously insurmountable odds, he led successful strikes and boycotts that resulted in the first industry-wide labor contracts in the history of American agriculture. His union's efforts brought about the passage of the groundbreaking 1975 California Agricultural Labor Relations Act to protect farm workers. Today, it remains the only law in the nation that protects the farm workers' right to unionize. We must continue to protect farm and agricultural workers who are a dedicated labor force and a vital contributor to our economy.

As I reflect on his life and work, I am privileged to be a fellow Veteran of the U.S. Armed Services and a fellow Mexican American. It was my honor to serve the country that we both felt strongly enough to continue to fight for its betterment. Chavez not only fought for Latinos, but he fought for the dignity of this nation, and for that we are forever grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the 2008 ``Mr. Amigo,'' Jose Sulaiman, chosen recently by the Mr. Amigo Association of Brownsville, TX, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas, in Mexico. Sulaiman has spent his life in the sport of boxing, best known as the president of the World Boxing Council for more than three decades.

The Mr. Amigo Award began in 1964 as an annual tribute to an outstanding Mexican citizen who has made a lasting contribution during the previous year to international solidarity and goodwill. ``Mr. Amigo'' acts as an ambassador between our two countries and presides over the annual Charro Days festival.

The Charro Days festival, held in Brownsville and Matamoros, is an opportunity to enjoy the unique border culture of the Rio Grande Valley area. A Lenten event, much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the festival was organized in 1937 by the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce to recognize Mexican culture and was named in honor of the charros, ``dashing Mexican gentlemen cowboys.'' The festival includes parades complete with floats, as well as street dances, a carnival, mariachi and marimba concerts, and ballet folklorico performances by school students.

In 1968, Sulaiman joined the World Boxing Council (WBC) and quickly moved through the ranks. In 1975, Sulaiman was unanimously elected president of the WBC and has served in that capacity ever since. Under his leadership, the WBC has instituted many new rules and regulations regarding boxers' safety and welfare, and has funded brain injury research programs at UCLA. Outside of boxing, Sulaiman, who speaks Spanish, English, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese and French, successfully operates a medical supply company in Mexico.

The United States-Mexico border has a unique, blended history of cowboys, bandits, lawmen, farmers, fishermen, oil riggers, soldiers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and teachers. The Charro Days festival reflects that deep sense of shared history and experiences, which is needed now more than ever. It is a time for all of us to not only remember our past, but to celebrate our future.

The Charro Days festival and the Mr. Amigo Award unite sister cities on both sides of the border and send a message that we are neighbors, and friends that trust, understand, and respect each other. We share a language, customs, and experiences unique to our communities, and during Charro Days we take time to celebrate our distinctive culture.

I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Jose Sulaiman, the 2008 Mr. Amigo, as well as the cities of Brownsville and Matamoros, for their dedication to international goodwill between the United States and Mexico.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor two constituents from South Texas: Patricia ``Cherie'' Camacho and Marion Velarde.

These two South Texans have been awarded the District Award of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America, and it is the highest award bestowed upon volunteers in a district that symbolizes their exceptional and noteworthy service to youth in the Boy Scouts of America.

Cherie has served as Scoutmaster for Pack 59 for two years, a commissioner for the Tip-o-Tex District for five years, and as the 2007 Rio Grande Council Scoutorama Chairman. Her sons Travis and Jordan are currently in Pack 59, and son Ronald has achieved Eagle Scout rank and achieved the Arrow of Light award.

Marion has served as assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 11 for eight years and as an assistant commissioner for the Tip-o-Tex district for three years. She has also held numerous positions with the Rio Grande Council. Marion has been a teacher and administrator for Brownsville Public Schools for over 25 years, and her son Alejandro achieved Eagle Scout rank.

The Boy Scouts of America continue their tradition of providing quality programs for boys and young men. I am proud of both Cherie and Marion for taking an active role in lives of our youth. These parents serve as shining examples of love and duty in our communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my sadness on the untimely deaths of U.S. International Water and Boundary Commissioner, IWBC, Carlos Marin, IWBC Mexican Commissioner Arturo Herrera, Executive Director of the Rio Grande Council of Governments Jake Brisbin, Jr., and pilot Matthew Peter Juneau, who all lost their lives in a September 16 plane crash outside of Presidio, TX.

I was shocked to hear of the plane crash and am deeply saddened by the loss. My deepest condolences are with the families of those who perished.

I had the privilege of working with Commissioners Marin and Herrera on numerous issues affecting South Texas. They were strong advocates of continued cooperation between the United States and Mexico. Their service to the IWBC was matched by their dedication to improving the quality of life between the two nations.

I will keep their families in my thoughts and prayers.