Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the ageless energy, optimism and achievements of Mildred Spitzer, who at 100 years young brings a brightness and light to her community.

Mrs. Spitzer's volunteer service at the University City Children's Center, the Washington University School of Medicine, and Temple Israel are part of her lifelong commitment to serving society. Mrs. Spitzer has spent what should be her retirement years performing office work, working as the secretary of her retiree's group, and caring for infants. Mr. Stephen Zwolak, the executive director of the children's center, says that her work is ``wonderful,'' and provides the ``human touch [the babies] need to create attachment,'' a cornerstone of the center's educational philosophy. By all accounts, she inspires others with her youthful exuberance and enthusiasm.

Mrs. Spitzer was born on April 22, 1905, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she also attended Temple University. While living in Summit, New Jersey, she founded a chapter of a Jewish educational charity. She was married to Harold Spitzer for 47 years and she is the proud matriarch of a family of three daughters, six grandchildren, and now six great grandchildren. Mildred Spitzer has resided in the First District of Missouri for the past 12 years. She is committed to regular exercise and played golf well into her eighties. She now enjoys playing cards and reading and takes pride in doing her own shopping and housework.

For her part, Mrs. Spitzer is humble and eager to thank God for her longevity, health, and happiness. Her philosophy of good--good will and good thoughts--is both pragmatic and profound, as she asks us all simply ``What's the use in being cranky?'' Her life stands as a testament to her kind spirit, faith and optimistic outlook.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Mrs. Mildred Spitzer before the U.S. House of Representatives for her many lifetime achievements, longevity, and ongoing vigor and energy. She has demonstrated an indefatigable love of life and a commitment to helping others. Mildred Spitzer is a national treasure and a source of national pride.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sumner High School, the first school west of the Mississippi river to offer secondary

education to African Americans. This year marks the 130th anniversary of the school's founding as ``The High School for Colored Children.'' Originally housed in the former Washington School at 11th and Spruce streets in downtown St. Louis, the school was renamed on October 12, 1875, in honor of Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts Senator who was an ardent supporter of African-American rights. In 1861 Senator Sumner was the first U.S. Senator to call for full emancipation. The decision to name the school in his honor reflected the school's role as a preeminent institution for African Americans. Dropping ``colored school'' in favor of Sumner High occurred fifteen years before local African-American leaders succeeded in persuading the St. Louis Board of Schools to designate names for all segregated schools.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Missouri passed a new state constitution requiring all school boards to support education for African Americans. However, the Board of Education for Colored Schools occupied only rented space and its schools moved often. Sumner was no exception. In 1895 it was relocated to 15th and Walnut streets, near the saloons and pool halls of downtown St. Louis. Concerned citizens petitioned school officials to move the school again and in 1910 Sumner was relocated to The Ville neighborhood, where it occupied a new structure at 4248 Cottage Avenue. The new Sumner High strengthened the neighborhood's status as a center for middle-class African-American life in St. Louis.

Another historical landmark tied to Sumner High School involved the hiring of African-American teachers. Initially, Sumner had an all white faculty, but the parents requested that a special effort be made to recruit African-American teachers. Two years later, in 1877, the school's first African-American principal took charge.

Sumner High School further enhanced educational opportunities for African Americans in Missouri when, in 1890, it established an extension called the Sumner Normal School to train elementary school teachers. In 1925 the Sumner Normal School became a college; it was known as the Sumner Teachers College until 1930 when it was renamed Harriet Beecher Stowe Teachers College. In 1940 the Teachers College moved to new facility on Pendleton Street where it remained until 1954 when, in one of St. Louis' first efforts to desegregate its public schools, the St. Louis Board of Education merged Stowe College with the all-white Harris Teachers College.

Sumner graduated its first class in 1885 and over the years its alumni list boasts a number of accomplished African Americans, including the opera singer Grace Bumbry, activist Dick Gregory, musician Tina Turner, tennis great Arthur Ashe, Liberian Ambassador Lester Walton, educator Julia Davis, rock history legend Chuck Berry, performer Robert McFerrin, actor Robert Guillaume, Yankee catcher- outfielder (and the American League's first black Most Valuable Player) Elston Howard and local newscaster Julius Hunter, to name just a few.

Mr. Speaker, it is with deep pride that I recognize Sumner High School, a symbol of progress in African American history for its distinguished record of achievement in public education. As a community leader and elected official, I am proud to salute Sumner and all Sumner students and alumni on this very special anniversary. Sumner High School is a source of pride for St. Louisans and a model for public schools across the nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for the Stem Cell Therapeutics and Research Act of 2005. As many of my colleagues have discussed, this bill provides federal support to help cord blood banks collect and maintain new cord blood units. It's important to acknowledge that this bill also reaffirms Congress's commitment to the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

Established in 1986, the National Registry has facilitated more than 21,000 lifesaving transplants involving cord blood, peripheral blood, and bone marrow. Although we are discussing cord blood for the first time today, the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), which has operated the National Registry since its inception, has already incorporated cord blood into the registry to help patients, especially minority patients whose genetic diversity often makes it difficult to find a suitably matched adult volunteer donor. Through the NMDP today, individuals in need of a cord blood transplant already have access to the largest listing of cord blood units in the United States--more than 42,000 units. In addition, the NMDP lists more than 9 million adult volunteer donors. Today, we celebrate the National Registry's success by acknowledging its expanded role in the research and development of new sources of hematopoietic cells for transplant by renaming it the CW Bill Young Cell Therapies Program.

I am particularly proud of the work of the NMDP, especially its strong support for cord blood and because of its partnership with the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank. The St. Louis Cord Blood Bank is the cornerstone of an active clinical stem cell transplantation and research program at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and St. Louis University.

Along with the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank, the NMDP partners with 14 of the 20 U.S. public cord blood banks. Another 3 are in the process of becoming partners. Together, the NMDP and these cord blood banks are working to increase the national inventory of cord blood available for transplants and research. Their work helps thousands of Americans with life-threatening diseases, such as sickle cell anemia.

It is essential that the existing integrated program continue to be able to operate as it does today. Physicians and patients must be able to search for and obtain support from a single national registry that includes cord blood, peripheral blood, and bone marrow. Physicians should not have to waste time searching multiple cord blood banks and adult donor registries or having to coordinate the further testing and delivery of units.

Searching is not the only function that must be integrated. Physicians need to be confident that the results of their searches allow them to truly compare cord blood units and adult donor information. Thus, the cord blood community should work with the National Program to establish criteria and standards to ensure consistency of the information that is part of the registry. Finally, it is important that all patients, not just those who receive a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplants, receive the patient advocacy and educational services that the NMDP provides to all the patients it assists.

The NMDP already provides physicians and their patients with this type of support. This bill is a step in the right direction because it builds upon the existing registry. We must be careful not to waste scarce federal dollars by duplicating what is already working well. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2520, which provides for an integrated National Program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding young American, Claire E. Santoro, of University City, Missouri, who was recently designated as a Presidential Scholar. This honor distinguishes Ms. Santoro as one of our Nation's most accomplished high school seniors.

Presidential scholars are selected for their accomplishments in academics and the arts, as well as for their leadership skills, community service and civic contributions. Seventeen-year-old Ms. Santoro is among 141 presidential scholars who will be honored next month in a ceremony in Washington, DC.

Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Santoro has played varsity field hockey and soccer for four years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the mock trial team and is in charge of the dance chorus for her school's spring musical.

This spring Claire will graduate from University City High School, in St. Louis County. Next fall she will attend Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where she intends to study educational policy and environmental issues. I have also been informed that her academic success has been inspired by a most important teacher, Ms. Roberta L. Steward.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to commend Ms. Santoro on her many fine achievements. By all accounts, she is a major source of pride to herself, her family, her school and the residents of the 1st Congressional District. I wish her every continued success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Percy Green II who was among those outstanding Americans recently celebrated in the ``Voices of Civil Rights'' exhibit at the Library of Congress. It featured oral histories and photographs taken during the Voices of Civil Rights bus tour, which began in Washington, DC, on August 3, 2004. This 70-day tour through 22 states and 30 cities followed part of the route of the 1961 Freedom Rides to Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. Green is a great St. Louisan who has earned a place in our Nation's history for his role in the fight to end racial discrimination. In an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mr. Green said: ``I realized that poor people and less fortunate people were not poor and less fortunate by choice. When I was able to realize there was such a thing that was called the white power structure, and it had a face and it was tangible, then of course, that was when I felt that it needed to be targeted.''

In the early 1960s, Mr. Green was one of the few working class members of CORE, the Congress of Racial Equality. He was then an aircraft electrician--which he learned by correspondence--at the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation. He took it upon himself to help other African Americans find decent jobs and so he founded the Action Council to Improve Opportunities for Negroes (ACTION). ACTION targeted local St. Louis corporations and government bodies to expose job discrimination and demand better jobs for minorities. In numerous acts of civil disobedience they marched, sat-in, protested, disrupted and lobbied for a fair share of America's promise. Many St. Louisans still remember that organization's first public demonstration when Mr. Green and a white man climbed up a leg of the St. Louis Gateway Arch while it was under construction. ACTION served as the central organization for desegregating working class jobs well into the 1980s.

The list of actions taken by Mr. Green on behalf of his fellow citizens is long indeed. Even today, at age 69, he remains deeply committed to ending injustice and protecting human rights. His great courage, personal sacrifice and vision have earned Percy Green national recognition and praise.

Mr. Speaker. I am honored to recognize Mr. Percy Green II before the U.S. House of Representatives for his lifetime achievements in the civil rights movement. He is among my heroes and I am proud to salute him for his many lasting contributions to both our community, and to the Nation.

Mr. speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sister Mary Antona Ebo, a Missourian who was recently celebrated by the Library of Congress in the ``Voices of Civil Rights'' exhibit for her inspirational service to our nation. She is one of the ``Sisters of Selma,'' a group of Catholic nuns who risked their lives to promote civil rights.

Sister Ebo's role in civil rights history centered around the brutal ``Bloody Sunday,'' beatings that took place at the Edmond Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. On March 7, 1965, law enforcement officials used horses, clubs and gas to turn back the voting rights marchers as they began their 50 mile march to the state capital at Montgomery. Three days later, in response to a request by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sister Ebo went to Selma with a group of religious leaders from St. Louis. There she spoke out against the violence and urged minorities in Alabama to pursue their right to vote. In recalling her role in the historic events in Alabama, Sister Ebo said recently that she saw her actions as a call from God to make a difference.

After the civil rights marches ended, Sister Ebo continued her life of service to others. In 1967, she became the first African American woman religious professional to head a hospital. She was named administrator of St. Clare Hospital and Health Services in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Today she is a treasured member of the St. Louis community where she serves as pastoral associate at St. Nicholas Catholic Church.

Recently, Sister Ebo recalled her days in the civil rights movement. She told a newspaper reporter: ``We did that then, in responding to the need of the moment, but there are still needs that need to be addressed by us as women religious. We need to be speaking out, speaking up and saying 'No, we will not participate in those kinds of activities, which oppress a part of our people, whether black, white or polka-dot. ' ``

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Sister Mary Antona Ebo before the U.S. House of Representatives for her many lifetime achievements. She has been a source of spirit and strength for countless Americans. She is among my heroes and I am proud to salute her for her many lasting contributions to our community and to this nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the great humanitarian support that Pfizer, Inc. has offered to the victims of the Tsunami disaster. The devastation experienced in Thailand called for the nation's compassion and swift attention. Just three days after the incident, Pfizer was one of the first corporations to deliver both funds and medicines quickly and efficiently to those who experienced this tragedy first hand. Pfizer donated $11 million to relief organizations, sent more than $45 million in health care products and contributed an additional $1.5 million in individual employee and company-matching donations.

Realizing the critical need to address the potential long-term psychological impact this disaster will have on people and communities across Asia, Pfizer recently announced that it will partner with Thailand health organizations to help survivors cope with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder. Pfizer has promised to provide financial resources and expertise to train local health professionals, nurses, social workers, psychologists, teachers and other community leaders. Further, in order to address the needs of those displaced due to the devastation of businesses in affected areas, Pfizer will support the Thai Labor Department in their programs to identify and train a much needed workforce.

Mr. Speaker. I would like to applaud Pfizer on their Tsunami relief efforts. When the call for assistance was heard around the world, Pfizer answered. Their philanthropic efforts set a standard for other companies around the world to follow. I urge my colleagues to join me in commending them for the commitment and remarkable generosity they have shown to those who have suffered from one of the world's worst natural disasters.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Central Branch of the St. Louis Public Library. I am extremely honored to commend them for being recognized as one of the 12 most beautiful and historic libraries in the world. They further hold the distinction as being only one of three U.S. libraries chosen for this honor.

The Central Library building is one of St. Louis's architectural treasures. Architect Cass Gilbert who was the architect for the Saint Louis Art Museum, the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, and the Woolworth Building in New York City was selected to design the building, which opened in 1912.

The Central Branch occupies one city block and features beautiful stained glass windows, hand-stenciled ceilings and glass floors. The exterior of the building is granite with marble panels and relief carvings, decorative medallions, notable authors and inspirational inscriptions. The Periodical Room's carved ceiling is adapted from Michelangelo's design for the ceiling of the Laurentian Library in Florence and boasts more than 800 current magazines and newspapers.

While an architectural marvel, the library also assists the community with bridging the link between all cultures and nationalities by providing special services to Bosnian, African, Hispanic, German and Asian members of the community through extensive access to books and films in their own language. The Library is also involved in community outreach efforts providing book services to day care and senior centers. It also provides the gift of reading to those who are home- bound by operating bookmobiles and sending books through the mail.

Mr. Speaker, the Central Branch of the St. Louis Public Library has been recognized for its historic beauty and architectural wonder, and its commitment to serving an ever changing landscape of cultures and nationalities; it deserves to be honored for its vital role in educating the leaders of tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Wiley Price, Jr., an African-American radio Pioneer, for his being posthumously inducted into the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists' Hall of Fame, on September 25, 2004.

In 1944, Mr. Price joined radio station WTMV, becoming the first African-American radio disc jockey to work on the air in St. Louis. In the words of St. Louis writer and media historian, Bernie Hayes:

``Wiley Price was one of the most original and imaginative announcers of the 20th century. He was far before his time for some, but right on time for us. He was a leading figure in the postwar radio movement, and developed a unique, distinctive delivery and set the standard for those of us who came later. He brought the sound of Black American music to millions of white teenagers while giving hundreds of artists their first recognition.''

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Price crusaded against the lack of respect and recognition for an entire people. He led his listeners to a new musical level and his influence spread over many generations, touching different people of all races. The fact that he has been inducted into another ``Hall of Fame'' is proof of the depth of his influence.

His religious background and his broad appreciation for jazz and blues allowed him to bring great things to music and the entertainment industry.

He was not only a giant in the radio business but he became a cultural icon--something very few people can claim. His audiences associated him with values that they held near and dear to their hearts.

Author Ralph Ellison once wrote: ``I am an invisible man. No, I am not a spook like those who haunted Edgar Allan Poe; nor am I one of your Hollywood-movie ectoplasms. I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids--and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible; understand, simply because people refuse to see me.''

But, to the world's benefit, Mr. Price made people see him, and more importantly, people listened to him. He did not imitate the style of White deejays, but successfully brought a modern and distinctly African-American sound into orthodox music.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Price helped shape the character of Black radio by challenging big business and bigotry. He helped introduce African-Americans into the mainstream of American radio and changed the way people around the world connect to music.

Mr. Speaker. It is with great honor that I recognize Mr. Wiley Price, Jr. before the U.S. House of Representatives for his many lifetime achievements. He is among my heroes and I am proud to salute him for his many lasting contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding.

Honorable colleagues, the numerous irregularities that occurred with the electronic voting machines in Ohio on November 2 of last year point to an unresolved national crisis: The lack of a unified standard for all voters and all ballots cast in a Federal election. Congress must establish this standard, with a verifiable paper or audit trail. It is the only way to ensure the integrity of the Federal election process.

Reports of voter intimidation, inadequate and malfunctioning voting machines, incompetent election judges, and lines at polling

places in urban areas that lasted for many hours were widespread.

These irregularities were compounded by the irresponsible conduct of the allegedly unbiased top election official who openly became a partisan advocate for his party's Presidential nominee.

The Ohio Secretary of State has refused to assist us in the search for the truth. He has shown no interest in determining whether the glitches were the result of mistakes, negligence, or intentional misconduct.

Numerous voters have reported that when they attempted to cast a vote for Kerry-Edwards, the electronic voting machine registered the vote as a ballot for Bush-Cheney. While it is difficult to quantify the number of votes that were altered or affected by the irregularities that have been reported, a single vote not counted, as it was intended . . . is a discredit to our democracy. I am not suggesting that these irregularities changed the outcome of the election. But I am insisting that we act to ensure that the sacred right of every voter, to have his or her vote counted, as the voter intended, is protected by adopting a uniform Federal standard.

In order to protect the voting rights of the citizens of Ohio, and to be true to the oath that we all swore to earlier this week, it is our responsibility as Members of Congress to review the serious irregularities that occurred in Ohio to ensure that this significant disenfranchisement of voters never happens again. It is imperative that we give voters complete confidence that their votes will be accurately counted by reforming our election laws to address all of the irregularities that have come to light. I encourage my colleagues to join me in preserving our democracy.

Mr. Speaker, the numerous irregularities that occurred with the electronic voting machines in Ohio on November 2 of last year point to an unresolved national crisis. The lack of a unified standard for all voters and all ballots casts in a federal election.

Congress must establish this standard with a verifiable paper or audit trail. It is the only way to ensure integrity of the federal election process.

Reports of voter intimidation, inadequate and malfunctioning voter machines, incompetent election judges and lines at the polling places in urban areas that lasted for many hours were widespread. These irregularities were compounded by the irresponsible conduct of the allegedly unbiased top election official who openly became a partisan advocate for his party's Presidential nomination.

Honorable colleagues, the numerous irregularities that occurred with the electronic voting machines in Ohio on November 2nd of last year point to an unresolved national crisis: the lack of a unified standard for all voters and all ballots cast in a federal election. Congress must establish this standard, with a verifiable paper or audit trail. It is the only way to ensure the integrity of the federal election process.

Reports of voter intimidation, inadequate and malfunctioning voting machines, incompetent election judges and lines at polling places in urban areas that lasted for many hours were widespread.

These irregularities were compounded by the irresponsible conduct of the allegedly unbiased top election official who openly became a partisan advocate for his party's presidential nominee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 195. It is most fitting and appropriate that the American people observe a moment of silence each year to remember and honor all the brave men and women who have given their lives in defense of our great nation.

A moment of silence on Veterans Day will give a national experience to the observance of this important federal holiday. This legislation's Veterans Day observance is also a special tribute to the valiant efforts of the Four Chaplains--Reverend George Fox, Rabbi Alexander Goode, Reverend Clark Poling and Father John Washington, who gave up their lives while serving on the USAT Dorchester during World War II. That ship was hit by enemy torpedo on February 3, 1943, and sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. The Four Chaplains helped to instill a sense of calm and reassurance to the soldiers in battle. They gave spiritual guidance and support as they gave up their own life jackets to those who had none. These American heroes then stood, arm in arm, heads bowed in prayer and went down with their ship.

The Four Chaplains will be forever remembered as heroes who characterized the very best qualities of American soldiers. Their lives serve as a testimony to all the heroes who have fought for our nation. Today, across the United States the memory of the Four Chaplains continues to bring comfort and inspiration. Four Chaplains Services bring together people of all races, faiths and creed in more than 2,000 interfaith services each year. It is only proper that our nation honor and celebrate the memory of the Four Chaplains.

Mr. Speaker, I want to express my appreciation to the Veterans Committee for moving this legislation forward; I appreciate all the members who have worked so hard to enhance our Veterans Day celebration. I want to especially thank my friend, Mr. Pascrell, for all his efforts to promote a national moment of silence in honor of our nation's veterans and when the legislation before us is enacted into law, I would certainly hope that all radio and television stations will join in observing the Veterans Day moment of silence.

America's veterans are without any question the group most worthy of the gratitude of the people of our nation. It is time that we honor our heroes in a shared national moment of silence.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation which will turn the District of Columbia into a security nightmare. Just over 2 weeks ago, this body ignored the appeals of law enforcement and ignored overwhelming public opinion and allowed the ban on assault weapons to expire.

Now, Members of this body are trying to repeal every one of the District of Columbia's firearms laws. Since the 9/11 disaster, the Federal Government has directed billions of taxpayer dollars to make our Nation's capital safer for residents, commuters, tourists, public officials and the law enforcement professionals dedicated to public safety.

Today, security is the single overwhelming challenge facing our Nation. As I speak, the Capitol Hill Police are manning checkpoints around the perimeter of the Capitol, searching private automobiles and inspecting public buses. Law enforcement officials have bravely risen to this challenge of the terrorist threat that exploded in our skies.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes a mockery out of law enforcement's commitment to safeguard the Nation's Capitol and to protect the Members of this Congress. This body should be ashamed to engage in such hypocrisy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Blaine Sayre for being awarded the ``Local Hero in Community Pediatrics Award'' from the American Academy of Pediatrics. This award recognizes Dr. Sayre for being a leader through action and advocacy for children in the St. Louis community.

Dr. Sayre is highly committed to improving the health of children. As Medical Director of Health Care for Kids, Dr. Sayre maintains evening and weekend hours to provide accessible, high quality health care services to medically underserved and uninsured inner city children. He also serves as the Medical Director for Healthy Kids Express, which places two large medical vans near inner city schools and community locations to care for kids.

Mr. Speaker, his steadfast commitment and his passionate devotion have earned him the privilege of being honored today before Congress. His sincere dedication to the health of children in the St. Louis community makes him worthy of our recognition and I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Dr. Blaine Sayre.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and would first like to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake), for introducing this important measure as well as the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde), and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), for their strong support for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 410 recognizes the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Given the extremely close bilateral relationship between our two nations and the important role played by the people of the Marshall Islands in our Nation's victory in World War II, it is appropriate that we commemorate this important day in the history of the Marshall Islands.

The United States has no greater friend in the Western Pacific than the government of the Marshall Islands. The United States maintains an important military facility at Kwajalein Atoll, and young Marshallese men and women serve in the United States Armed Forces. The Marshall Islands has been a strong supporter of American policy at the United Nations and a good friend to an embattled ally of the United States, the State of Israel.

The Marshall Islands is also a strong and flourishing democracy, having recently completed free and fair elections in 2003 for its legislature. In fact, Members of Congress welcomed Marshallese President Kessai Note to Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago. President Note discussed the future of relations between the United States and the Marshall Islands and the need for the U.S. Congress to carefully examine the Changed Circumstances Petition submitted by the Marshall Islands.

In short, Mr. Speaker, the Marshall Islands is a strong, democratic ally of the United States and a strategically important position. We must do all we can to further solidify relations between our two nations.

I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 410.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).

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 this legislation and I urge my colleagues to do so as well. This legislation reauthorizes an important public diplomacy program named after our 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Eisenhower Fellowship Program, funded by both the private and public sectors, has made an enduring contribution to international understanding and furthering U.S. interests around the globe by promoting international understanding through the exchange of information, ideas and perspectives among emerging leaders worldwide. It brings rising foreign leaders to the United States and sends their American counterparts abroad, with a custom designed program for each participant.

Mr. Speaker, since its inception, over 1,500 fellows have become alumni of the program. Among them are four heads of government and 100 cabinet-level appointees. Numerous fellows have become ambassadors, legislators, university presidents, supreme court judges and governors. They head major corporations and nonprofit organizations involving health, environment and culture.

Mr. Speaker, this is the type of program that must be continued if we are going to try to improve our stature around the world and to change the misunderstandings that are being propagated by those who do not understand our great Nation.

Indeed, we must increase these types of programs if we are going to start to make inroads on the increasingly negative view of the United States that has been growing over the past 2 years. Recognizing this need, the Eisenhower program is developing an expanded program for Middle East and the Arab world.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support passage of this legislation, and urge my colleagues to do so as well.

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