Robert Brady

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Honorable Lydia Y. Kirkland. For 25 years, Judge Kirkland has served on the Philadelphia Municipal Court, and on November 4, 2011 she celebrated her retirement after decades of service to her community. Judge Kirkland's roots run deep in Philadelphia. During the difficult days of American segregation, her grandparents and great grandparents were among the most accomplished business persons and clergy in Philadelphia. Indeed, her grandfather, Reverend Doctor James E. Kirkland pastured the Union Baptist Church, the congregation which gave the magnificent Marian Anderson to the world. Judge Kirkland's father, Rev. Joseph Kirkland was a renowned cleric and civil rights leader in his own right, having graduated Crozer Theological Seminary in my district. His classmate and friend at Crozer was The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Judge Kirkland received both her Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate Degrees from Howard University in Washington, DC in 1974 and 1977 respectively. In 1978 she was admitted into the Pennsylvania Bar. Judge Kirkland was an associate in the Law Office of retired City Councilwoman Augusta A. Clark from 1979-1980. She was a sole practitioner, serving the people of my district, from 1980-1985. Judge Kirkland was elected to the Philadelphia Municipal Court in 1985. During her tenure she was elected Secretary of the Board of Judges. She distinguished herself on the bench, receiving the 2009 Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Award, presented by the Barrister's Association of Philadelphia, and the Judge Doris M. Harris Image Award, presented by the National Bar Association Women Lawyer's Division-- Philadelphia Chapter and other awards. Judge Kirkland is the proud mother of two sons Joseph C. Cornell and Joel Kirkland Cornell. Judge Kirkland's long and impressive career showcases her commitment and service to her community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in thanking Judge Kirkland for her work and congratulate her on the occasion of her retirement.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I yield the gentlelady an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in opposition to H.R. 3463. This is not new territory for this Congress. This proposal to eliminate the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and the Election Assistance Commission has already been dealt with in this Congress. The legislation before us proposes to combine these two really bad ideas. In an era of rapidly changing election law, both in terms of campaign finance regulation and voting rights, these two programs are more important now than ever. The electoral landscape is much different today than it was even 4 short years ago. The Supreme Court allows unlimited contributions from special interests, and Super PACs are raising vast amounts of funds with no government oversight or regulation. Corporations and special interests are donating massive sums of money, and some may expect a return on their investment. Unfortunately, this return often comes at the expense of the American people and sometimes at the expense of the integrity of this body. We cannot expect the trust of the electorate if they feel they do not have a voice. We should provide transparency and accountability, not secrecy and irresponsibility. Just last Congress, my colleagues and I passed the DISCLOSE Act, which called for more transparency in how our elections are financed, and that bill was killed by Senate Republicans. Members of the House, such as Mr. Van Hollen of Maryland and Mr. Larson of Connecticut, have authorized bills that would strengthen public financing of elections, not weaken it, as this bill does. When sources of funds are intentionally concealed, what kind of message does this send to the country? It sends the message that we do not care where we get our contributions as long as they are substantial and they are secret, and that is wrong. We can reform the Presidential Election Campaign Fund without repealing it. This is the best course of action. Across the country, States are making it harder for voters to cast their ballots. New laws requiring voter identifications, strict and arbitrary voting registration regulations, and eliminating the days designed for early voting are all part of an effort to limit voter participation and turnout. Voters have noticed and have already started to push back. This was the case in Maine last month when they used the ``People's Veto'' to throw out a law passed by the Republican legislature and Governor to eliminate the State's successful same-day voter registration program which has been in place for 40 years. In other States, restrictive new laws may be forced onto the ballot for a possible repeal in referendums in 2012. If that wasn't bad enough, overworked and underpaid local election officials and volunteers are expected to keep track of election law changes while still administrating large, complex, and often unpredictable elections. The Election Assistance Commission does much of the heavy lifting for them, establishing and maintaining an information database for all local election officials to utilize. The EAC also produces instructional videos and materials, which cash- strapped election officials claim save them thousands of dollars annually. And the letters of support for the EAC, which have been also sent to my colleagues across the aisle, are still rolling in. The EAC's essential services do not stop there. The Commission is charged with the testing of certification of voting machines, the only agency in the Federal Government tasked to do this. Who will ensure that all of our votes are counted? Who will ensure that everyone has an opportunity to cast a ballot for their intended candidate? Who will ensure that we do not repeat the historical debacle of Florida in the year 2000? It is important to remember that events led to the establishment of the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and the EAC--the Watergate scandal of the early 1970s and Florida in 2000, respectively. These historical controversies eroded the public's faith in our political system. These measures were meant to restore their faith, to restore accountability to Washington and, most importantly, to ensure that the people were heard. All this bill will do is weaken further what little faith the American electorate has left. Today I stand with every letter writer that has pleaded with us not to terminate the EAC. I stand with those who cannot afford to make huge contributions and would rather speak with their votes than their wallets. I, along with Democratic colleagues, stand with the principles that voter inclusion, not voter exclusion, is what we should strive for, and the attempted disenfranchisement of any eligible voters is despicable and is beyond words and cannot be tolerated. On this bill I urge a ``no'' vote. League of Women Voters of the United States, Washington, DC, May 24, 2011. To: Members of the Committee on House Administration From: Elisabeth MacNamara, President Re H.R. 672, To Terminate the Election Assistance Commission The League of Women Voters urges you to oppose H.R. 672, which would terminate the Election Assistance Commission and transfer some of its functions to the Federal Election Commission. Instead of eliminating the EAC, we believe that Congress should strengthen the commission and expand its responsibilities. Moreover, the FEC is dysfunctional; expanding its role would be a mistake. The League believes that elections are fundamental to a functioning democracy and that every effort should be made to elevate their administration to the highest importance. Congress should not turn its back on federal efforts to ensure election integrity, improve voter access to the polls, and improve election systems. The value of the EAC far outweighs its monetary costs; in fact, the costs of poorly run elections are intolerable. It is time for election administration to move into the 21st Century, not back toward the 19th. Unfortunately, elections in our country are still not well- administered, and we are concerned that many states and localities are not doing a good job ensuring federally- protected voting rights. For example, a GAO report on the 2008 election said that there are significant problems for persons with disabilities in gaining access to the polls. Physical barriers remain in far too many cases. In fact, 31 states reported that ensuring polling place accessibility was ``challenging.'' There many other areas of election administration that cause concern, including statewide voter registration lists, provisional balloting, list cleaning, voting machines and tabulating, access to registration, and meeting voter information needs. In addition, there are critical questions that must be addressed about the application of new technologies like the Internet to the voting and registration processes. Each of these areas would benefit from additional study, data gathering and information sharing among election officials at every level, the public, and concerned organizations. With these continuing problems, now is certainly not the time to abolish the only federal agency that devotes its full resources and attention to improving our elections. Let us not go back to the 2000 election but go forward, improving each election over the last. We know what needs to be done; now let us devote the resources to what should be done.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from California (Mrs. Davis).

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay).

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price).

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez), a valued member of the House Administration Committee.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I yield the gentleman an additional 10 seconds.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin). (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time we have.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished Democratic whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer). (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. The Presidential campaign fund currently has over $190 million. Tens of thousands of Americans put that money there. They wanted their money to go for this purpose. We would be fooling and deceiving our very own citizens if we were to pass this bill. They put that money there to be able to have the small say that they can--with their $1 or $3 or whatever it may--and be able to say who they would want to support and put it towards campaigns. We would be giving it back to the Treasury. They already put their money in the Treasury. This would be wrong, and we would be fooling the American people. We would be telling them, We told you to check off a box and give us X number of dollars for a campaign. Now we're going to take $100 million of the money we told you to check off to use for that purpose, and we're no longer going to use it for that purpose. That's wrong. It's not right. It's deceptive, which is why I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill. Ohio Association of Election Officials, October 12, 2011. Hon. Rob Portman, Russell Senate Office Building, Dear Senator Portman: We are writing today regarding the possible elimination of the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC) as part of the Super Committee's recommendations for budget reductions. The EAC is an independent federal agency created in the wake of the 2000 election to help solve election related problems. The EAC provides assistance to election officials in the form of best practices, guidance, and the testing and certification of voting systems. Basically, the EAC provides an outlet and open forum for election officials to share their experiences, consider alternatives, deliberate their outcomes, and establish continuity of process, thus strengthening our democracy by helping election officials to do their job well. However, if Congress has its way, the EAC may not provide these services much longer. There has been movement in the House to eliminate the agency since last year, labeling it ``wasteful'' and ``unneeded.'' However, election administrators on the local level feel differently. Although it has been argued that the EAC has outlived its usefulness because the Help America Vote Act funding it oversees has been exhausted, the EAC has become far more than a distributor and auditor of money; the EAC is a repository and resource of election management procedures, performance measures, election materials, and administrative knowledge. Effective designs of polling place signage, webinars on topics such as contingency planning, minority language glossaries of election terminology, Quick Start Guide publications regarding Developing an Audit Trail, Conducting a Recount, and Acceptance Testing are all pertinent reminders for veteran election officials as well as critical learning tools for those officials newly elected, appointed, or hired. The EAC is not without its issues. The agency's Voting System Testing and Certification program was slow to develop and continues to struggle to certify systems in a timely manner. As with many federal agencies greater efficiencies of operation should be considered in order to more effectively produce election materials at less cost to the public. Also, as the EAC has grown so has its overhead costs and management size. These areas should all be addressed through greater Congressional oversight, not through eliminating the agency. Ironically, proponents of the elimination of the EAC would simply reassign the various function of the Commission to other more bureaucratic federal agencies such as the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Claims that any savings would be realized by its elimination are specious at best. We see no need to eliminate or dismantle the only federal resourc available to local election officials. The EAC has never been needed more than now. Election officials across Ohio and the United States are doing more with less and it's only going to get worse. As budgets tighten and voting equipment ages, the chances of another election disaster increase. Without the EAC's help, another Florida 2000 election may be inevitable, and Congress will have no one to blame but itself. With a total operating budget of just under 18 million dollars the EAC would make up approximately half a percent of the total federal operating budget: a small price to pay for helping protect our democracy. If you think a good election costs a lot, you should see how much a bad election costs. We urge you to reject these efforts as part of the Super Committee review of federal spending. Respectfully submitted, Dale Fellows, President, Ohio Association of Election Officials. Llyn McCoy, First Vice President, Ohio Association of Election Officials.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join many around the world in celebrating the accomplishments, talents, and music of Andrea Bocelli. Our Nation's Capital will play host to the Italian tenor on Friday, December 2nd when he takes the stage at the Verizon Center. Born on September 22, 1958 in Pisa, Toscana, Italy, it wasn't until Mr. Bocelli was 34 when he was discovered for his incredible talents. In short time, with the support of legend Luciano Pavarotti, Mr. Bocelli won many competitions, festivals, and a record deal. His many talents include musician, songwriter, record producer, and multi- instrumentalist playing keyboards, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, harp, harmonica, guitar, drums, and melodic. The best selling solo artist in the history of classical music, Mr. Bocelli has recorded thirteen solo albums and eight operas, selling over 70 million copies across the globe. He has sung for presidents, popes, queens and millions of fans. Throughout his career, Mr. Bocelli has served as a cultural ambassador for the Italian people. He continues to represent and promote the talents of Italy. Among his many accolades, he was honored with the status of ``Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic'' from past President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. Here in the United States his honors include a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in appreciation of Mr. Andrea Bocelli, and thank him for his contribution to music, the arts, and popular culture.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true hero, Bernard ``C.B.'' Kimmins. For over 44 years, Mr. Kimmins has been a committed volunteer, leader, and teacher throughout Philadelphia. He is a man of great courage and a true friend of mine. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on February 13, 1944, Mr. Kimmins lived most of his life in Philadelphia wherein he graduated from Cardinal Dougherty H.S., St. Joseph's University and Temple University, Graduate School. Under the leadership of Zachary Clayton, Mr. Kimmins began his volunteer commitment in 1967 as a gang control worker in Philadelphia. Following that he served at the House of Umojah under Sister Falaka Fattah, mother of U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah. Mr. Kimmins has been addressing youth groups with a message of respect for law enforcement, parents, clergy, teachers, adults, and fellow young people. Under the direction of Dr. Herman Wrice and Dr. Constance Clayton, Superintendent of Philadelphia Schools, Mr. Kimmins taught for over 30 years on the subjects of anti drugs, anti violence, anti guns, anti bullying, and tolerance. Mr. Kimmins became a skilled anti crime activist and community organizer. He also studied under Dr. Russell Ackoff of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Currently, Mr. Kimmins is a full time volunteer, and Executive Director, for Mantua Against Drugs. Mr. Kimmins is the proud recipient of numerous awards including honors from Time Magazine, the MLK Center, and the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to these accolades, Mr. Kimmins' greatest accomplishment has been the many lives he has positively impacted. Mr. Kimmins' long and impressive career showcases his commitment and service to his community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in thanking Bernard Kimmins for his work and congratulate him on a job well done.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join several of my other colleagues in honoring America's first and most prestigious school of painting. Known as the Hudson River School of Painting, this 19th century school popularized the American landscape. I have a connection to the Hudson River School. One of the school's most popular and prolific artists, Thomas Moran, grew up in Philadelphia. He later worked at a local engraving firm, which sparked his interest in painting. Moran soon garnered attention for his paintings and was hired to paint scenes of the wilderness of the American West. These paintings, for which Moran is best known, are primarily from the area that is today Yellowstone National Park. Moran's massive landscapes, and works by other Hudson River School painters, inspired Congress to dedicate Yellowstone, as well as Yosemite and Acadia, as National Parks. Eventually, these paintings were used by environmental conservationists to encourage Congress to form the National Park Service in 1916. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in my appreciation for the works of painter Thomas Moran, and for the lasting legacy of the first indigenous American school of painting, the Hudson River School.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pete Ciarrocchi, the founder of a Philadelphia institution--Chickie's and Pete's. In 1977, Peter and Henrietta Ciarrocchi bought the Robbins Avenue taproom in the Mayfair neighborhood of Philadelphia. Young Pete followed his parents' example and served the regulars with a smile. He was and still is a friend to all. Growing up Pete ran with both jocks and rockers. He could change minds, influence peers, and even reinvent taste. In 1987, Pete made sure his parents' legacy lived on. Pete became the face of Chickie's & Pete's with the help of his brother, Tom. His charisma, dynamic personality, and great food were enough to bring in the crowds on Sunday to celebrate, jeer, and be Philadelphia. Pete understood the pulse of the city: food, sports, and people. In 1998, the Vet, the once home of the ``Iggles'' and the ``Phightin' Phils'' became Pete's new home and kingdom. Led by his proprietary Crabfries, the Mayfair family business became a fan favorite concession. Pete's infectious energy and impressive cuisine became his recipe for success. From Andy Reid's late night meetings, ``taxi crabbing'' Eagles players from airport to complex, to mixing it up with Oprah and Jon Bon Jovi, Pete Ciarrocchi's success has exploded. The Chickie's & Pete's hometown flavor has expanded to 8 locations across Philadelphia and New Jersey and was voted ESPN's #1 Sports Bar on the East Coast. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Pete Ciarrocchi today for the lasting impact he has made on Philadelphia, and I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring him.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kenneth P. Doyle. For 36 years, Mr. Doyle has served as a Tipstaff for the First Judicial District, and in November he will celebrate his retirement after decades of service to his community. Mr. Doyle's celebrated career began thirty-six years ago when on February 17, 1976, Ken was sworn in as a Tipstaff by then Administrative Judge Ethan Allen Doty. Mr. Doyle was first assigned to the Family Court Division at 1801 Vine Street, under the direction of Judge Gregory Lagakos before moving on to the Criminal and Civil Trial Division in first City Hall and for the last 15 plus years the Criminal Justice Center. Mr. Doyle's knowledge of the court system has been an invaluable asset to both Courtroom Operations and the Judiciary as evidenced by his long successful stints with Judges' Paul Ribner, Theodore Smith, Ned Hirsch, Joyce Keane and most notably our current Administrative Judge D. Webster Keogh. The last seven plus years of Mr. Doyle's service have been as a supervisor for Courtroom Operations under Chief of Courtroom Operations, Michael P. Spaziano. Ken's knowledge and work ethic will be missed by the Courtroom Operations family, but his legacy will live on forever. Mr. Doyle's long and impressive career showcases his commitment and service to his community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in thanking Mr. Doyle for his work and congratulate him on the occasion of his retirement.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Joan Slaughter for her service to the United States and to my home town of Philadelphia, PA. Joan began her career with the Federal Government on October 23, 1973. She started as a Sewing Machine Operator ant the Directorate of Manufacturing at the Defense Personnel Support Center in my district. But, she would not remain in that post for long. Her drive for excellence and her commitment to service led her to a constant string of educational certificates and degrees and promotions at work. Providing the best product to the warfighter has been her guiding principal. That commitment resulted in a nearly 38 year career and the undying love and respect of her colleagues and friends. Mr. Speaker, Joan's love of country is only exceeded by her love of her family. Her husband Gregory and children Gregory, Jr., Shirley and Karen, along with son-in-law Victor, daughter-in-law Nicole, and her grandsons, granddaughters and great grandson could tell us story after story illustrating how wonderful she is. Joan is retiring now. But, DLA' loss is her family's gain. Our country's loss will be our community's gain. I ask that all every Member of the House of Representatives join me in honoring her on the occasion of her retirement.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues from New York, Representative Engel and Representative Hinchey, in honoring America's first and most prestigious school of painting. Known as the Hudson River School of Painting, this 19th century school popularized the American landscape. I, too, have a connection to the Hudson River School. One of the school's most popular and prolific artists, Thomas Moran, grew up in my district in Philadelphia. He later worked at a local engraving firm, which sparked his interest in painting. Moran soon garnered attention for his paintings and was hired to paint scenes of the wilderness of the American West. These paintings, for which Moran is best known, are primarily from the area that is today Yellowstone National Park. Moran's massive landscapes, and works by other Hudson River School painters, inspired Congress to dedicate Yellowstone, as well Yosemite and Acadia National Parks. Eventually, these paintings were used by environmental conservationists to encourage Congress to form the National Park Service in 1916. Another result of the School was the creation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 1870. Many painters from the Hudson River School helped guide the Met's formation, meeting with the President, donating funds, and serving as a trustee or member of the executive committee. Fittingly, today, many works by the School's painters can be found there. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my distinguished colleagues to join me in my appreciation for the works of painter Thomas Moran, and for the lasting legacy of the first indigenous American school of painting, the Hudson River School.

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, since 1922, an American icon of the late 19th and early 20th Century, the USS Cruiser Olympia, rests majestically at Penn's Landing, in our District, along the Philadelphia waterfront of the Delaware River. The Cruiser Olympia is a National Historic Landmark, a National Historic Engineering Landmark, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is best known in history as the Flagship of Commodore George Dewey in his 1899 victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, as well as being sent by the President to France in 1921 to return the remains of a World War I U.S. soldier for internment in the ``new'' Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. This first unknown solider was laid in State in the Capitol Rotunda before beginning the final journey across the Memorial Bridge to Arlington Cemetery on November 10- 11,1921. It is one of the only warships of that era still afloat in the world! The Cruiser Olympia stood for the principles that make America the great Nation that it is, and is the sole survivor of a time in American history when these principles helped to define a Nation to the entire world. Unfortunately, unless the American public and the U.S. Congress takes notice to preserve this national treasure for future generations, I am afraid our Nation might lose this great ship to old age and neglect. Unless it is placed in dry dock in Philadelphia, and its hull stabilized, we could lose this historic vessel. The Cruiser suffers from a combination of threats. It has not been placed in dry dock for maintenance in over sixty years. There are 62 openings along the hull near or at the waterline that permit water to enter the vessel, the steel is rusting, and the original wood has been slowly rotting and deteriorating, causing leaks into the interior. The land underneath the Cruiser Olympia also requires dredging as years of silt have built up underneath her, not allowing her to float free from her moorings. We simply cannot permit the Cruiser Olympia to disappear. The legislation I am introducing today will be one of many efforts to restore and preserve the Cruiser Olympia. The bill permits the U.S. Mint, at no cost to the taxpayer, to design and offer for sale to the public a commemorative coin honoring the Cruiser Olympia, and that the sales of these coins will be utilized by the Friends of the Cruiser Olympia for dry-docking and preserving the Cruiser Olympia as a ship museum. As a tax-exempt organization whose mission is to restore the Cruiser Olympia, I cannot think of any more worthwhile project to support. I understand that after its successful voyage to Manila Harbor, the U.S. Congress in 1899 struck a medal to present to each of the sailors and officers aboard the Cruiser Olympia to commemorate their victory in this engagement. This would be the first time in 112 years that the Congress would once again honor the Cruiser Olympia. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the bill and support its passage in the Congress so that we can begin the process to restore this great historic Cruiser so that present and future generations of Americans and visitors to our nation can view the Cruiser Olympia, walk its decks and envision a time years ago when it ruled the waves.