Vernon J. Ehlers

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I did not expect to speak, and I do not have any prepared comments or notes; but I am going to speak on issues of science which I feel qualified to speak on because I am a scientist, specifically a nuclear physicist. I also want to make it clear I have never received any grant money from the NSF. When I did research, I was supported by the Federal Government directly through the Department of Energy or by the U.S. Navy.

The Federal Government plays an important role in guiding the economy of our Nation. Much of that role is carried forth by the National Science Foundation and some of the other funding agencies.

Let me just give one specific example which I am very familiar with because it is related to my area of research. My good friend, Charlie Townes, who won a Nobel Prize for developing the laser, discovered some years ago that he could make a maser--microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. He decided he could do it with microwaves, and he could do it with light.

So he developed a laser and won the Nobel Prize. How much money did he get from the Federal Government for his research, I don't really know, but I would guess probably not more than $50,000. How much has that contributed to the economy of this Nation? Billions and billions of dollars. Just look at the laser industry and the use of lasers today in so many ways--a huge payoff on government investment in research.

Also, we tend to fund the National Institutes of Health with a healthy amount every year because we are very interested in improving health. How many in this body know that some of the greatest discoveries in health were done by physicists, many of whom were supported by the National Science Foundation? X rays, how would we get along without x rays? Discovered by a physicist, a gentleman by the name of Rontgen in Germany. What about the MRI? The basic concepts developed by physicists. The same for the CAT scan. The basic idea was developed by physicists--not by doctors, not by M.D.'s, but physicists doing basic research. And that's what the National Science Foundation is all about, and that's what keeps our economy stimulated in this Nation.

We have a great deal to fear from the nation of China. China is investing huge amounts of money and is training more engineers and scientists far more than we are producing. They are spending a lot of money on research. And if we wonder why they are doing better than we are in the Nation's economy, it is largely because they are supporting the people who contribute to the development of technology, science, et cetera.

Now, I worked on this issue several years ago. I do not claim credit for the

COMPETES Act. But I did work with Sherry Boehlert, a Congressman who was chairing the Science Committee; Frank Wolf, who was the chair of the Appropriations Committee dealing with science, and at the suggestion of Frank Wolf, I arranged for a meeting with the White House. I tried to meet with President Bush. Instead, I met with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. And over breakfast, I explained, in far more detail than I can do here, precisely what this country needed if we are going to compete in the international marketplace. And the Director of Management and Budget said afterwards, You sold me, but where are we going to get the money? I said, I have ideas for that, too, and presented my ideas.

Out of that, in the next State of the Union speech, President George W. Bush developed the idea of the COMPETES Act. And it was a delight to work with the White House, with the President and with the Office of Management and Budget in developing the COMPETES Act.

Now, I know some of you are concerned about some aspects of the COMPETES Act as it is before us today. I share some of those concerns but certainly not all of them. But the basic point here is that, if we do not act, we are letting down the manufacturers of America.

I was here for the debate on the rule, and I noticed a gentleman from Oklahoma commenting against this act, we should not be supporting this sort of thing. That is very easy to say if you are representing a State where you simply drill holes in the ground and pull out money in the form of oil. Michigan does not have that. Michigan has to work very, very hard to manufacture cars that will sell to the public and get its money, and we all know what has happened there over the last few years.

I think it's very important that we recognize we are not going to compete successfully in the international marketplace unless we invest more money in research, research which is then used by manufacturers to develop new products and to make money and provide jobs.

I strongly urge us to pass this bill. I know it has shortcomings. There are a lot of things I am not happy with either. But the Republicans are taking over next year, and we can then proceed to write the bill precisely the way we want it. But I urge that we do not kill this bill at this time but, rather, that we pass it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Arnold, the Executive Director of the Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. After working tirelessly for 28 years to help feed the hungry, John is retiring due to his advanced, inoperable cancer. My prayers and heartfelt thanks go to John and his family.

As the Executive Director for the West Michigan Food Bank for the past 21 years, John has run one of the most innovative food banks in the entire country. During his career, John has helped secure and distribute more than 300 million pounds of food aid across Michigan.

In an ambitious effort to end hunger throughout Michigan, John's food bank took on the challenge of adding the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to their service area. In addition to extending service to remote rural areas, John has developed more than 1,300 outlets for food, to ensure that every person in their 40-county service area has reasonable access to food aid.

The West Michigan Food Bank is so successful that it is able to provide food for less than a tenth of what it would cost at a grocery store. In 2010, the food bank expects to hit the 25 million pound mark for distributed food.

In 1994, under John's leadership, the food bank launched their ``Waste Not, Want Not Project'' with Michigan State University, to determine how communities in America can adequately address their hunger problems. This project has won international awards and has allowed the food bank to meet its goal of 15 percent growth per year until all needs are met.

As a participant in my church's food distribution program in Grand Rapids, I recognize full well the dramatic impact a little food aid can make in the lives of struggling families.

Although John's life may regrettably be cut short by his aggressive cancer, he should take comfort in knowing that his efforts have helped save and improve the lives of thousands of hungry people across Michigan. We are most grateful for and appreciative of all that John Arnold has done to aid the poor and hungry people in Western and Northern Michigan. He serves as a model for all food bank directors and executives across our Nation.

Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to join with students, parents, friends and staff of Mr. Donald Williams, Sr., to pay tribute to him as he steps back from his intense community involvement including his work with the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center. I have had the privilege of working on many civic and community activities with Don throughout the years, and am delighted to honor him today.

Don Williams, Sr. received his Bachelor's degree in special education at Eastern Michigan University and went on to receive a Master's degree in educational administration from West Virginia University. Assuming responsibility for the administration of special colleges at Rutgers University was the beginning of Don's career, which has spanned over 30 years of experience in the administration of special programs with special emphasis and political sensitivity.

Throughout his career, Don has received widespread recognition for his considerable talent in assisting minority students. In 1980, his devotion to improving opportunities for minority youth led him to Grand Rapids, when he was approached by a group of educators and professionals working to create a residential training center for youth. This position led Don to be named Director of the Minority Business Education Center at the prestigious F.E. Seidman School of Business at Grand Valley State University. In 1989, he was named GVSU Dean of Minority Affairs/Multicultural Center. During his service at GVSU, Don coordinated and developed programs to assist minority students on campus, and created a

very visible and dynamic outreach to other community organizations and activities, including development of the Minority Teacher Education Center and Minority Science Education Center. For the past several years, Don has devoted his time and talents to the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center, an organization that provides quality job training and education so students can become equipped with the skills and self- discipline necessary for success in today's workforce.

Don has been recognized by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce as Minority Advocate of the Year, has received the coveted Liberty Bell award from the Grand Rapids Bar Association, and was named the Walter E. Coe Giant for Outstanding Community Service in 1991. In 2008, he received special recognition from the Grand Rapids community by being named their ``Giant Among Giants.''

When Don received the Giants award, I wrote him that his life is notable because of his commitment to ending racial inequities and mentoring the next generation. Through his strong convictions, Don has demonstrated to others that lives can be transformed. He has a unique and wonderful willingness to be outspoken when he senses an injustice. Many of us have been influenced by Don's unwavering principles but, along the way, he has never lost his perspective or his great sense of humor.

Having the chance to impact students in a very positive way lured Don to our community, and with his vision of hope, he has mightily impacted not just our youth, but all of us as well. May his love for community, students and a brighter future through education never end!