Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this legislation. Given difficult budget choices, and an egregious Administration budget proposal for the Army Corps of Engineers, the Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee have done their best to craft a good bill.

I am particularly pleased that this legislation adequately funds our country's national labs. In this time of budget cuts, we cannot forget that basic science is a building block for scientific innovation and economic growth in the information age. Under this budget, Brookhaven Lab, which is located in my district, will continue to make great contributions in the areas of nuclear physics, structural biology, environmental research and nonproliferation.

This bill also adequately funds environmental cleanup efforts at the Lab vital to the health and safety of residents on the East End of Long Island. I am grateful to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee for attending to these vital needs.

I am concerned, however, with one particular project in this bill of vital importance to the south shore of Long Island. The Fire Island to Montauk Point Reformulation study--which covers an 83 mile stretch of Southern Long Island--has been underway for decades at a cost of more than $20 million. Unfortunately, this bill contains no funding to continue this study.

I understand, however, that the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee is committed to work with me and my Long Island colleagues in conference, to protect any funding included

in the Senate bill for this study. I look forward to the successful and timely completion of this project, and I again thank the Chair and Ranking Member for their cooperation and good work.

Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Hobson) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking minority member, for the leadership they have provided in putting together this legislation to fund important programs like the Army Corps of Engineers, Dallas Floodway Extension and for continued work on a study of flood control on the Upper Trinity.

I support the fiscal year 2005 Energy and Water development appropriation measure.

Mr. Chairman, in 1998, the voters of Dallas approved the largest bond issue in the City's history, $246 million, to make improvements to the Trinity River Corridor. There are many aspects to these projects, including transportation, recreation, and economic development. But at its heart, the Trinity River Corridor is about flood control. It is about protecting homes, businesses, people, and property. The flood control protection currently afforded to the City and its residents is simply no longer adequate.

Urban development and growth patterns have occurred that require improvements and extensions to the existing flood control system. These improvements and extensions must be designed, engineered, and constructed in a manner that will not only improve flood control protection for the City and its residents, but will do so in a manner that is sensitive to our other needs.

We must improve flood protection, but we need to be certain that such flood protection infrastructure also enhances our quality of life. The legislation before us includes funding to help assure that the quality of life of the people of Dallas, and our economic vitality, are indeed improved.

This legislation includes $10 million for the construction of the Dallas Floodway Extension. This will consist of a chain of flood conveyance wetlands and a system of protective levees that will enhance the security of 12,500 structures in the Dallas area.

While I recognize the difficult constraints the Committee worked under in developing this legislation, and appreciate the funding included, I also know it is imperative to the public health and safety of the people of Dallas that this project proceed as quickly as possible.

With that in mind, I do wish to note that it will be my intent to try and secure a total of $20 million for this project; an amount consistent with the capability that the Corps has expressed for 2005.

This legislation contains $1.3 million for continued work on a study of flood control on the Upper Trinity as well as additional flood control improvements to the existing Dallas Floodway. This is such an exciting project that should include the development of two flood conveyance lakes within the floodway, along with new wetlands, river meandering, and boardwalks that will serve to unite the City and bring families to the levees, which currently have the impact of, literally dividing our communities.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the bipartisan effort that went into the drafting of this legislation, commend that effort as a model for the way in which this Chamber ought to routinely work, and urge the support of all our colleagues for passage of H.R. 4614.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Krystyna Baumgartner, a constituent of mine, who is the New York State winner of the 2004 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) audio/essay competition. Ms. Baumgartner has done an excellent job of conveying the necessity of voter participation and showing respect for veterans and current members of our armed forces. It is my distinct honor to submit the text of her work into the Congressional Record.

2003-2004 VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Contest

``my Commitment to america's future''

(New York State Winner, Krystyna Baumgartner)

In the movie ``The American President,'' the fictional

President Andrew Shepard utters that ``America isn't easy.

America is advanced citizenship.'' With those seven words, he

correctly points out that in order for America to work the

way the Founding Fathers intended it to, its citizens must

actively participate.

Since I was about eleven, I have told anyone that would

listen that I was going to be the first woman President of

the United States. That year, I religiously watched the

presidential debates between Clinton, Dole, and Perot,

conjuring up my own answers to the questions asked and

drilling my dad on events I didn't know about. Now that I am

seventeen, I pay even more attention to the world and its

happenings than I did at eleven. And I am even more convinced

that I want to be on that stage, answering questions about

the topics of the day and making plans to move America

forward.

In order to move America forward, however, you must first

learn her framework and the history of the struggles that she

has gone through to be what she is today. Without this basic

knowledge of how the political system in America works, one

cannot expect to be able to fully participate in America. As

I apply to colleges, I do not hesitate to check off that I am

a political science major. In this field rests the knowledge

that I need to help my generation guide America to the next

level.

I look forward to my eighteenth birthday for a reason most

of my peers never think about--I cannot wait to be able to

vote. Until am old enough to run for office myself, I can

vote for people that share my views of where America is

heading and how to get her to that point. I do not understand

why many people that are of age to vote do not. We are lucky

to live in a country that allows us the right to choose our

government officials. In my opinion, giving up this right

that so many in this world don't have is equivalent to

spitting on everything that America stands for. It is my

sincere hope that more people from my generation will take

advantage of their right to vote and I plan to do

everything that I can to advocate voting to my peers.

Knowing the basic principles upon which America was

founded, how the government works, and partaking of your

right to vote are a very important part of the advanced

citizenship I mentioned earlier. However, in order to truly

be an active participant in America, one must be willing to

defend her against threats, both domestic and foreign.

Serving in a branch of America's military is a way to give

back to America what America has given to you. By voluntarily

enlisting in the Army or the Air Force or the Navy, you are

showing the world that you love your country and that you

want to make sure that it will still be around two hundred

years from now.

To volunteer to risk your life for your country shows an

immense dedication to the principles that your country stands

for and to the preservation of your country. In the past few

days I have been communicating with veterans of the Battle

for Bataan and the Bataan Death March for a school report.

Most of these men enlisted before Pearl Harbor, even though

they knew that the United States would most likely enter the

war in Europe. I asked one of the men, who was a POW of the

Japanese for 1028 days, if he remained in the Army after

World War Two. He said that although he did not, he wishes he

had because he really liked being in the Army. Can you

imagine spending over two years in captivity, being beaten,

starved, and made to work in the blistering sun, and still

enjoying the Army?

America is at a crucial point in its history. It's citizens

are now beginning to question parts of everyday American

life, such as the Pledge of Allegiance, the motto on our

printed currency, and our right to defend ourselves from

terrorism, that were never given a second thought before. The

solutions to these questions will ultimately rest in my

generation. It will be up to us to decide whether or not our

pledge should be re-written or if we are allowed to mention

God in public life. But we cannot decide these things until

we have truly experienced America, and in order to do that we

have to want to learn why America is the country it is today

and we also have to be willing to defend her against any and

all enemies. We are the future of America. Shrinking away

from this is not an option. We have to stand up and accept

it. We have to be advanced active citizens.

Mr. Speaker I again congratulate Ms. Baumgartner on her accomplishment and wish her the best of luck in what I am sure will be a productive future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Abigail Burke Irwin. Abigail Burke Irwin has been called a fighter, an inspiration, ``a one-woman community.'' I knew her because she was my wife's sister, the mother of my two nephews, and the wife of my friend and colleague Burke Irwin. In her short life of 46 years, Abby touched the lives of many people and made an indelible mark. But it was in her last 13 years when she struggled so valiantly against breast cancer that she truly came into her own.

She refused against all odds to give up her fight for life. But more importantly, she used the time she was given to reach out and help others who were also suffering. She packed more into her short life than most people who live to be twice her age. She started a breast cancer support group and founded a local chapter of an advocacy group for Asperger's Syndrome. She was an active and involved mother and community member. Saddled with mounting medical bills for constant chemotherapy and surgeries, she made wooden furniture to sell, and later, when she was too weak, she created jewelry and other crafts.

In the end, she willed herself to live, right up to several days before her death on April 29, 2004, when she rallied her family to a back-yard picnic on one of the first warm spring days. She wore a bright red hat and coat--red was her favorite color--and she seemed so happy to be alive and in the midst of her loving family.

Breast cancer affects so many lives. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths for women worldwide. We must be determined to continue the fight for increased access to health care and prevention for all women, for continued funding of breast cancer research and for extending Medicare to cover all cancer drugs.

Abby Irwin spent much of her precious time and energy dealing with a flawed health care system, trying to keep ahead of her bills, struggling with the complexities and inadequacies of health insurance. We could not save her life, but hopefully we can save other women from having to deal with the difficulties she faced.

Abby was a fighter, but she never fought only for herself. She always reached out to help others struggling with life's difficulties. Ever the optimist, Abby never liked to report just the bad news. She always added something good. The bad news for her many friends and family members is that Abby has left us. The good news is that because of her strength and courage, her legacy--and her fight--will live on.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Professor F. James Rohlf, for his outstanding career as a scientist and professor at Stony Brook University, who was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of the Arts and Sciences in 2001.

Professor Rohlf's current research is concerned with the development, evaluation, and application of new statistical methods for use in geometric morphometrics. Over the last few years he has written papers demonstrating how standard statistical methods such as principal components analysis, canonical variates analysis, multiple regression, and other methods can be adapted for the analysis of shape.

His work also emphasizes the development of interactive computer software to perform the unique computations needed in geometric morphometrics. This software also provides the special interactive graphical displays to enable users to visualize shapes and has made it possible for these new methods to be applied routinely by many biologists.

Due to the unfamiliarity of most biologists with the types of mathematics needed to understand the methods used in geometric morphometrics, many one to two week workshops have been held in cities and universities around the world, which Professor Rohlf has organized or in which he has been the principal lecturer. These programs are to teach the necessary techniques and to give potential users a chance to collect data, learn how to use the software, and to interpret the results.

Professor F. James Rohlf is also author and co-author of many publications. Early in his career he received fellowships from U.S. Public Health Service to conduct predoctoral research in 1959-1962, and a National Science Foundation postdoctoral appointment in 1962. He has received many honors including: W.J. Eckert Visiting Environmental Scientist; IBM T.J. Watson Research Center; Professor Visitant, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Visiting Professor University of Rome ``La Sapienza,'' Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'Uomo; and the election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Professor Rohlf held positions such as research assistant in 1958-59, teaching assistant in fall of 1959 and research associate in the summer of 1962 at the University of Kansas. He was visiting assistant professor of entomology in the spring of 1965 and associate professor of statistical biology, 1966-69. And, he was an assistant professor of biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara 1962-1966.

Professor F. James Rohlf is interested in and has been involved in the applications of mathematical methods and statistics (especially multivariate statistics) to problems in biology with emphasis on morphometrics and

the theory of systematics. I am proud to recognize and honor Professor F. James Rohlf for his outstanding career as a scientist and professor and for all the many accomplishments and services he has provided to the community of biological science.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Democratic substitute. I join my colleagues in offering this amendment in order to bring relief to so many families, particularly Long Island families who have been disproportionately hit by the alternative minimum tax. Our substitute would not only extend the current exemption, but it would exempt married couples with incomes under $250,000 from this punitive tax. In addition, and this is very important, we completely pay for this tax relief to middle-income families by closing corporate loopholes.

Long Island taxpayers are paying the price for this Congress' abdication of duty when it comes to sound tax policy. Our refusal to reform the AMT has had the effect of severely curtailing the promised Bush tax cuts from middle-income Long Island families. While the wealthiest families completely benefit from the tax cuts targeted towards the upper brackets, middle-income families were hit with the unwelcome surprise of higher taxes on tax day.

I have been hearing from constituents all across Long Island who feel double-crossed and double-taxed by

this undue tax burden. In fact, just yesterday I was speaking with an accountant from my hometown who told me that AMT filings for middle- income Long Islanders had shot through the roof this year, while the wealthiest were reaping tremendous tax benefits, some in excess of $1 million of tax savings. For example, married couples in my district with two children and an income consisting of $15,000 in wages were forced to pay the AMT due to State income taxes and real estate taxes totaling over $21,000. This, in turn, triggered the AMT.

More Long Islanders pay the AMT than taxpayers in any other region of the country, and I will do everything in my power to put an end to this unfair treatment. Middle-income Long Islanders bear the brunt of this tax because State and local income taxes, property taxes, and other personal deductions are added back in for the purpose of calculating the AMT, and anyone who lives on Long Island will tell my colleagues that our property taxes, in particular, are very, very high. The net effect of this is that we pay inordinately high property taxes, and then we turn around and are robbed by the AMT of our full Federal tax relief.

We need a long-term solution for the AMT and not simply a short-term fix. The so-called fix under consideration would do nothing, and I repeat nothing, for the Long Islanders who found themselves paying the AMT this year. Our substitute sends us down the path towards a long- term solution and makes sure that middle-income families are truly relieved from this tax next year. Under our substitute, two-parent families on Long Island making $250,000 or less would be able to rest assured that they would not be forced to pay the AMT. This is the right kind of relief for working families.

In my opinion, we owe it to the American taxpayers to put our heads together and reconsider the consequences of this failed tax policy and reform the AMT so that it no longer hurts middle-income families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor David Spirtes, Superintendent of the Fire Island National Seashore on Long Island and resident of East Moriches, New York, who passed away on Thursday, April 15. A 31-year veteran of the National Park Service, Mr. Spirtes was highly respected for his fair and cooperative nature, as well as his strong environmental stewardship of the parks entrusted to his care. He was a man of integrity, noted for the respect with which he treated others, service to his country in the armed forces, and devotion to his family.

A native of New York, David Spirtes began a long and successful career with the National Park Service 31 years ago. Before securing his first career position with the agency in 1977, he served as a seasonal park ranger at such prestigious parks as the Grand Canyon, Everglades, and White Sands National Monument. Mr. Spirtes quickly rose through the ranks, promoted to subdistrict ranger at Yellowstone National Park, then to chief ranger at

Glacier Bay National Park. In 1994, he first acquired the rank of superintendent at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, and also held the post at Western Arctic National Parklands in Kotzebue, Alaska. During his years with the Park Service, Mr. Spirtes became known for his ability to foster cooperation between residents and other groups with conflicting interests without compromising the integrity of the natural resources under his supervision.

In May 2003, David Spirtes brought this same professional and conciliatory quality to his native New York as superintendent of Fire Island National Seashore--a national park known both for its natural beauty and political sensitivity. Upon his arrival at Fire Island, Mr. Spirtes found a community divided over a number of issues, ranging from erosion to the use of vehicles on the beach. To dispel the existing atmosphere of contention, he quickly acquainted himself with the park, its residents, and other parties affiliated with its operation, thoughtfully weighing the priorities and agendas of each. Although he had been at Fire Island for less than a year, Mr. Spirtes is credited with mending much of the divisiveness in the community through his cooperative brand of leadership and willingness to listen. Mr. Spirtes quickly gained the respect of the Fire Island community and is often touted as the best superintendent in the park's history.

During his long career, David Spirtes earned numerous awards for his achievements in wilderness management, assisting in the Exxon oil spill response, and managing search and rescue operations. In 2000, he was honored with the Secretary of the Interior's Meritorious Service Award. Mr. Spirtes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970. Prior to joining the National Park Service, he served as a pathfinder and infantryman with the Army's prestigious 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, their young daughter, Alexandra, two brothers, Richard and Peter, and sister, Judy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of David Spirtes. Throughout his exemplary career with the National Park Service, Mr. Spirtes worked to preserve and promote the most important natural treasures in our nation, which enhanced the quality of life of countless communities and all Americans. Though his stewardship of Fire Island National Seashore was brief, his many contributions will not be forgotten by the residents of Fire Island and those with whom he worked. Mr. Spirtes' leadership and strength of character are qualities each of us should aspire to embrace as we carry out our professional and private endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. George Williams, a distinguished faculty member emeritus at Stony Brook University on the occasion of a symposium celebrating his work. Dr. William an acclaimed scientist and internationally renowned evolutionary biologist.

Dr. Williams arrived at Stony Brook University in 1960, before the school existed in its current form. His expertise and accomplishments were critical in building the reputation of the school, now one of the premier research institutions in our country. Dr. Williams legacy has greatly benefited the thousands of students and faculty that have passed through Stony Brook since his arrival.

Dr. Williams was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1993. In 1999, he shared the distinguished Crafoord Prize of

the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences with Ernst Mayr and John Maynard Smith for his seminal contributions to evolutionary biology. At that time, the Royal Institute noted that Dr. Williams was one of the first to establish that adaptations generally come through the process of natural selection, favoring those in a population possessing such characteristics that they have more offspring than others. The Academy noted his contribution toward the concept that adaptations arise ``for the good of the species,'' a linchpin of the theory of evolution that Darwin had not fully developed.

The significance of Dr. Williams' career is evident in the extraordinary list of scholars and speakers gathered for the symposium in his honor. I am pleased to have the opportunity to express my appreciation for the outstanding contribution he has made to Long Island and to the advancement of scientific thought.

I offer Dr. Williams my warmest congratulations and wish him continued success in his worthy endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Democratic substitute. I believe strongly that we must provide as much permanent marriage penalty relief as possible, which is why I will be voting today for H.R. 4181, the permanent extension of the marriage penalty bill. However, I believe that the Democratic substitute will do an even better job of providing real marriage penalty relief for middle class families.

For increasing numbers of families, April 15 is becoming April Fool's Day thanks to the alternative minimum tax. Unfortunately, more families are finding out that the joke is on them when they realize that they will not receive many of the promised tax cuts. The alternative minimum tax was originally designed to make sure that wealthy taxpayers did not completely avoid paying taxes. However, the AMT was not indexed for inflation nor does it allow many popular deductions, including marriage penalty relief. So it is increasingly impacting middle class families whose incomes have risen over the years, particularly two-parent working families with children.

I am from Long Island where the voice of our business community, the Long Island Association, has declared the AMT to be the number one threat to Long Island's taxpayers. The problem with the Republican bill is that it does not protect marriage penalty relief from the AMT. The AMT hits Long Islanders particularly hard, as State and local income taxes, property taxes and other personal deductions are added back in for the purpose of calculating the AMT. In a sense, Long Island is being double-crossed and double-taxed. In fact, more Long Islanders pay the AMT than taxpayers in any other region of the country.

I find it deeply disingenuous to promise marriage penalty relief to millions of Americans who we know will not reap the benefits of it. When many

families who think they are getting marriage penalty relief instead have to pay the AMT, I believe that they will be outraged that we had the opportunity to act, which we do, but we did not.

The Democratic substitute provides more marriage penalty relief to 13 million families than the Republican bill by ensuring that tax relief from the marriage penalty is not taken away or reduced by the AMT. The Republican bill denies the full marriage penalty tax relief to 13 million families next year, including more than 25 percent of the middle class families making between $75,000 and $100,000.

Mr. Chairman, it is incomprehensible that we are considering this legislation today under the threat of a Presidential veto. This is, first and foremost, a jobs bill. If the administration follows through with the threat to veto this bill, they will be denying tens of thousands of workers in New York and nationwide good jobs.

I am confused by those who wrap themselves in a cloak of fiscal responsibility when it comes to government spending and yet blindly support tax

cuts which have not produced new jobs. Jobs, not tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest Americans, stimulate the economy and put food on the table of working families.

Most disturbing about the President's veto threat is that even the bill we are considering today provides inadequate funding to meet our Nation's overwhelming transportation needs. The bill we are being asked to consider falls $100 billion short of the $375 billion bipartisan bill initially passed by our committee based on the Department of Transportation's own assessment of our Nation's needs.

Transportation spending is a win-win proposition. It creates jobs and improves safety and efficiency on our roads. This veto threat is just the latest example of continued misplaced priorities from this administration.

We need a real economic stimulus. We know that each $1 billion of Federal funds invested in infrastructure creates approximately 47,000 jobs and generates $6.2 billion in economic activity. That is the kind of boost that our economy needs.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Alaska, the gentleman from Wisconsin, the gentleman from Minnesota and the gentleman from Illinois for bringing this bill to the floor. I will support this bill because we must move this process forward. However, this bill is a far cry from the real investment needed to improve our infrastructure.

Finally, I would like to stress the importance of ensuring that the minimum guarantee formula stays at 90.5 percent. Our transportation policy now directs funding to the areas of the country where it is needed the most. It would be unwise to punish States with aging infrastructure and efficient mass transit systems by cutting off their funding. There is simply no way to reach a 95 percent minimum guarantee in a $275 billion bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deep admiration and respect for the brave soldiers of the New York Air National Guard's 106th Air Rescue Wing who recently returned home from service in Operation Enduring Freedom. The brave men and women of the 106th Air Rescue Wing are among the most talented and best-trained rescue specialists in the world.

Of course, while I am pleased these heroes are out of the line of fire, the 106th is never out of harm's way. Most Americans first heard about the 106th because of a heroic rescue effort, which was recounted in the book and movie ``The Perfect Storm.'' They deserve our deepest gratitude for putting themselves on the front lines in war and peace.

The 106th Air Rescue Wing's extraordinary service in Iraq is the latest chapter in the storied history of this unit. During its time overseas, the unit was involved in numerous rescues, including from the October 12, 2003 bombing of the Baghdad Hotel and after a Chinook helicopter went down on November 2, 2003, a deplorable terrorist act that took the lives of 16 American soldiers. After this incident, members of the 106th Rescue Wing recovered two soldiers from the downed helicopter and brought them to safety where they received treatment. There is no more noble service than risking one's own life to save the life of a fellow soldier.

Mr. Speaker, as the representative of Gabreski Airport in Westhampton, Long Island, home of the 106th Air Rescue Wing, I could not be more proud of our soldiers returning home. I am truly privileged to represent this distinguished unit, which is not only a blessing to the people of Long Island, but to all Americans who benefit from its service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Perry B. Duryea, Jr., the former Speaker of the New York State Assembly and a lifelong resident of New York's First Congressional District, who tragically lost his life last week after having sustained injuries from an auto accident near his Montauk home. Mr. Duryea was an outstanding public servant, successful businessman, and World War II veteran who dutifully served the people of Long Island and the State of New York with distinction for more than four decades.

Perry Duryea began what would become a legendary state political career in his hometown of Montauk, New York, having served as a member of the Montauk Public Board of Education and as president of the Long Island State Park Commission. He was first elected to represent the First Assembly District of the New York State Legislature in 1960, and remained a member of the body until 1978. During his time in the legislature, Mr. Duryea held the post of Minority Leader for 6 years and Speaker of the Assembly for 4 years. Although he was a leader of the Republican party's conservative wing, Mr. Duryea was known for his pragmatic bipartisanship, as he forged strong relationships with members from across the aisle and often supported legislative measures that were unpopular within his own party. Among his most noteworthy achievements was legislation that he initiated and passed to expand the state parks and the state university system. He also championed construction of the Long Island Expressway and the Sunrise Highway extension, and worked hard to promote environmental protection measures. Those who knew Perry Duryea remember him as an extraordinary leader who elevated the status of the New York legislature.

A prominent businessman within his Montauk community, Mr. Duryea also devoted much of his time to various community and civic endeavors which improved the lives of Long Island residents. Born and raised in Montauk New York, Perry Duryea took over the family wholesale seafood business, Perry Duryea & Son, after completing his service as a plane commander with the United States Naval Transport Service during World War II. After leaving politics following an unsuccessful bid for the governorship in 1978, Mr. Duryea returned to running his business and volunteering his time with numerous public and civic organizations, including Long Island Commercial Bank, where he served as Chairman of the Board.

In recognition of his many contributions and achievements, Mr. Duryea received numerous honors, including the distinction of ``Man of the Year'' by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, and the naming of a state office building after him. Mr. Duryea is survived by his wife, Marie Therese Duryea, and two children--Lynne Duryea and Perry ``Chip'' Duryea III.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Perry B. Duryea, Jr. Throughout his exemplary career in public service, Mr. Duryea enhanced the quality of life for residents of Long Island and the State of New York. The spirit of bipartisanship with which he conducted his public life garnered him the respect of his peers and served to inspire future generations of community leaders. Mr. Duryea's leadership and strength of character are qualities each of us should aspire to embrace as we carry out our duties in this distinguished body.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Catherine Furey, a constituent of mine who recently passed away, and was proud to call Long Island home. She lived to mark a landmark occasion that many of us strive for but very few of us reach: Catherine lived to celebrate her 110th birthday.

Catherine was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, on April 6, 1893. At age 20, Catherine left her family and friends in Ireland to make a better life for herself in America. When she arrived in Boston, she immediately moved to Providence, Rhode Island where she joined an aunt to assist with the upkeep of the home of a Protestant minister. Later, Catherine traveled to New York City to serve as a caregiver for a sister struggling with tuberculosis.

After her sister passed away, she began working for a wealthy family in Manhattan, tending the family's summer home in Long Beach. There she met and married Simon Furey. They moved to Hempstead where they raised two children and became active members of this Long Island community.

In the 1950's, Catherine began an 11-year vocation with St. Joseph Catholic School in Garden City where she ran the cafeteria. She helped to see that countless schoolchildren were content and always received a warm meal. After her decade of service to the school, Catherine continued to work and to play an active role in the lives of children by serving as a babysitter for working families in our community, a job she happily performed until her early eighties.

Last April on her birthday, Catherine received a letter from Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, congratulating her on being the oldest living Irishwoman. Catherine Furey was not only the oldest living Irishwoman, but also the oldest living Long Islander at the time of her death on December 2nd at the age of 110.

It is amazing to think of the events Catherine experienced over the course of her lifetime. When she arrived in America looking for a better life, women could not vote and were not able to be full participants in society. She lived not only to see the role of women evolve, but to see this country emerge stronger than ever from World War I, World War II, and the Great Depression. New York was at the forefront of innovation during the past century, and she was right there to witness this tremendous transformation.

Her life is an inspiring story of both strength and wisdom. She is survived by her son and daughter, along with 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 3198, a bill to authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Almost a decade ago, the Committee on Public Works, recognizing the inefficiency of years of divided responsibility for the operations, maintenance, and capital repairs of the Kennedy Center, passed H.R. 3567, which gave the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center centralized responsibilities for these matters.

In an effort to prevent continued deterioration of this landmark structure and Presidential memorial, the board asked for and received authority to maintain and improve the center. Former presidents Wolfensohn and Wilker, along with the current president, Michael Kaiser, continually worked to identify and put in place a capital improvement program to enhance the building. They believed it was of the utmost importance that the Kennedy Center management have the responsible and accountability for the building as well as its performing arts and education activities.

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's interest then, as it is now, focuses on the use of appropriated funds for the capital improvement program and the repair and alteration of this Presidential memorial. To avoid the previous situation of unmet building needs and delayed repair, the center is now required to submit a 5-year capital plan to the committee. H.R. 3198 authorizes $53 million over 3 years for routine repair and alteration and $52 million for capital projects.

To address improved management for the plaza project, the bill authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, our former colleague, Norman Mineta, to establish a project team and appoint a

project director. The president of the Kennedy Center and the administrator of General Services will serve on the team. The plaza project, when completed, will change the face of Washington in the West End. It is a monumental project that will not only enhance our Nation's Capital, but also provide safer and easier access to the center for patrons, visitors, and tourists. The center, under the leadership of Michael Kaiser, is working diligently to address general management of the facility as well as unmet personal needs. I support H.R. 3198 and urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1274, as amended, a bill to convey a Federal courthouse in Fresno, California, to the County of Fresno. The bill transfers for a nominal fee an obsolete Federal building in Fresno, California, to the County of Fresno. The bill ensures that the transfer documents contain a reverter clause, as well as a public use clause, both of which protect Federal interests.

I would like to thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), and ranking member, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), for their work on this legislation and for recognizing that outmoded Federal buildings are still viable and can continue to serve a public purpose. I also commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley) for introducing this bill, which is a win/win for all parties involved.

I support H.R. 1274 and urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of two resolutions under consideration in the House today: H. Con. Res. 280, which honors the 100th Anniversary of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, and H. Res. 394, which recognizes the 100th Anniversary of the American Concrete Institute.

These resolutions come before us at a particularly appropriate time, as we continue working to reauthorize our Nation's primary transportation law. We all know that transportation investment yields tremendous economic dividends. For each $1 billion invested in our infrastructure, we create 47,500 jobs and generate $6.2 billion in economic activity. Of course, we could not accomplish any of this growth without the materials needed to pave new roads, build news mass transit systems, repair sidewalks and rehabilitate aging bridges.

Since coming to Congress and joining the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have had the privilege of learning more about the valuable contribution that these industries make in our communities and in the course of daily lives. If it weren't for the producers we are honoring today none of us could have flown to our Nation's capital, driven to this building or walked in this great building.

For 100 years, the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association has represented producers of construction aggregates in this country and around the world. Their products have been the crucial building blocks in countless projects, from constructing the interstate highway system to building local hospitals for veterans. As this resolution notes, the Association has worked tirelessly to improve its products to save taxpayers money, and to further the professional development of industry employees to improve employee safety and health at workplaces.

The concrete industry has also contributed immensely to the development of our Nation. Production of concrete exceeded 3,500,000,000 cubic yards worldwide in 2002, with 500,000,000 cubic yards produced in our Nation alone. H. Res. 394 honors the American Concrete Industry's 100 years of service to the people of the United States as the technical society for the concrete industry and as an engine behind the extraordinary economic progress and prosperity that we have enjoyed as a Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support both of these resolutions, which honor great service to the American people and to the transportation community in particular. I urge my colleagues to do the same.