Michael Castle

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding a project for Dover Air Force Base included in H.R. 3082, the Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction--VA Appropriations Act. Name of Intended Recipient: Dover Air Force Base Location: Dover, DE Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Account: Military Construction, Air Force Name of Project: Consolidated Communications Facility Project Description: The current Dover Air Force Base communications functions are spread among five facilities separated by as much as 1.75 miles, which does not meet Air Force standards. A comprehensive, integrated communications system is impeded by fragmented location of related functions. Consolidating these functions into one hardened facility will improve manpower efficiency by approximately 25 percent. Consolidation and demolition of the old facilities will improve security and will result in approximately $17,000 annual energy savings, which benefits the U.S. taxpayer.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding funding for Delaware included as part of the FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, H.R. 3170. Name of Project: Delaware Small Business and Technology Development Center Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Bill Number: H.R. 3170 Account: Small Business Administration--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Delaware Address of Requesting Entity: University of Delaware, Hullihen Hall, Newark, DE 19716 Description of Request: $100,000 to be used for training and consulting at the Delaware Small Business Development Center to enhance technology-based economic development in Delaware.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart but great honor that I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Littleton P. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell, a man of great compassion and understanding, was a life- long advocate for human and civil rights. His influence and contributions have reached far and wide, both within and beyond our state and continue to have an effect on all of Delaware's communities. Born and raised in a period when Delaware offered but one high school for black students, Littleton would hitchhike to Wilmington's Howard High School--a distance of more than 60 miles from his hometown of Milford. At a young age and upon the encouragement of his mother, Littleton joined Delaware's chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). It was through his involvement in the NAACP that Lit developed his impressive talent for public and inspirational speaking. During WWII, he left his studies at West Chester University and served as a Tuskegee Airman. He later finished school and used his degree to become an educator at the Governor Bacon Health Center and the first black teacher in Delaware to teach white students. Littleton considered Louis L. Redding, the Delaware lawyer who was instrumental in the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education, as a close friend and mentor. Though the two may not have always agreed on strategy, Lit credited Redding with giving him sound and sage advice--advice that would help him challenge the status quo in his quest to bring justice and equality to all people. A public servant to the highest degree, Littleton helped secure a job for the first black state trooper; coordinated marches and boycotts that confronted public officials and those in power; and worked tirelessly and successfully to eliminate the poor conditions of migrant camps. As President of Delaware's NAACP for more than 30 years, including during the height of the civil rights movement, Lit led efforts to secure fair housing, equal access to public resources, and equal education and employment opportunities. During his lifetime, Lit was honored by many groups and organizations and served on numerous committees and commissions, including the Brown v. Board of Education 50th Anniversary Commission, established by Congress in 2001. In 1993, the University of Delaware awarded Lit their Medal of Merit in recognition of his unwavering commitment to community service and his trailblazing efforts in the pursuit of civil rights. This was a special honor for Lit as Jane, his high school sweetheart and wife of more than 60 years, had been awarded with the Medal of Merit 13 years prior. Referred to by Lit as his role model and the person whom he admired the most, Jane was the first black nurse to work in a state hospital and later served as the director of nursing at Delaware State Hospital. The two of them worked together to successfully end segregation in Delaware hospitals. Littleton, with Jane always by his side, was a steadfast and committed leader, universally acknowledged as a trailblazer in Delaware's civil rights movement. An educator who advocated for the dignity and respect owed to every human being, Lit was the active and leading force behind so many of Delaware's historical ``firsts.'' He dedicated his time and his energy to what he felt in his heart to be true. He was blessed with the ability to motivate others and to organize a community. Referred to by a young man who knew him well as a ``gentle soldier,'' Lit was able to fight intolerance and bigotry in a manner that put people at ease. He had a truly great and peaceful approach to how he pursued his justice, and, with a way of getting things done by bringing people together, he used his extraordinary sense of understanding and his exceptional talent for speaking (what Lit himself referred to as his ``acid tongue'') to bring change and progress to our state. Not afraid to stand up and speak out, Lit was a man whom I greatly admired and considered a friend, a man of his convictions--just and fair with a compassionate soul and an infectious smile. He was a man who may have intimidated some, but was beloved by many and respected by all. I take this opportunity to recognize Littleton P. Mitchell for his unending dedication and his immeasurable contributions and to honor his life--a life spent in service to his state and his country.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, my priorities, as I represent Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives today, begin with the economic opportunities and security for all who live here. We are facing serious challenges in both areas. With state budget shortfalls, rising unemployment and stagnant growth in many of the industries on which we typically rely-- new ideas and bold strategies for the future are required. Simultaneously, our Nation's military is spread thin across the world in an effort to confront those who seek to do us harm. One major threat to our security and theirs is the current reliance we have on foreign energy sources. Nations around the world are surging ahead with emission reductions and developing new energy technologies. The United States should be on equal footing, if not leading this effort to remain competitive. The recent vote in the U.S. House on the American Clean Energy and Security Act was on whether to pursue these new strategies, or hold on to the status quo. I supported the legislation because it is my belief that we cannot turn away from the opportunity to create new jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. With offshore wind, fuel cells, and solar energy initiatives, Delaware is poised to lead such innovation and create new jobs in these important areas while protecting the tourism industry and our very own coastline. We must live in the present but look to the future, and focus on strengthening the economy by driving advancements in industry and new business growth in Delaware. Such a market-driven solution, according to the Center for American Progress, is estimated to bring a net increase of about $460 million in investment revenue and 6,000 jobs to our state. The real struggle I faced in whether to support this legislation is the cost of implementing new energy policies and addressing greenhouse gas pollution. I worry about the estimates that utility costs for all of us may increase, but I also agonize about the cost of doing nothing. One estimate, done by M.J. Bradley & Associates, using the Energy Information Agency, and EPA analysis, reflects that the average monthly bill in Delaware would increase by $3.00. To prevent increases in energy costs, a portion of the allowances will flow directly back to low- and moderate-income families through tax credits, direct payments, and electronic benefit payments. Clearly, any rate hike is going to hurt and I continue to work to ensure that we have measures in place to mitigate the impact on all income levels. Several colleagues and I worked to include an amendment to expand the financial tax credit relief for middle-income families, but such an amendment was blocked from consideration. I plan to pursue this change in negotiations with the Senate. I also believe that so many new energy efficiency measures will simultaneously reduce our energy usage and lower the cost of our utility bills. Under this legislation, revenues will be reinvested from the market back to consumers, energy research and development, and job-creation measures. The legislation establishes a system where greenhouse gas emissions are limited, and where emissions allowances are auctioned by the EPA and bought or sold among polluters. Delaware is already participating in a regional cap-and-trade program called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This bill will return revenue to all states, and in fact, will bring more to the state than RGGI, in order to promote the same types of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The legislation also requires that 20 percent of energy produced by electric utilities come from renewable resources and energy savings by 2020, still below Delaware's own standard. A robust renewable electricity standard is the most important policy tool we have to make sure new energy projects utilize American-made components manufactured by American workers, and I believe we should strive to strengthen the national standard. The coal resource of the U.S. is abundant and the bill creates new programs designed to promote carbon capture and sequestration, and sets new emissions standards for coal-fired power plants. This bill also supports modernizing of electricity infrastructure, including smart grid technologies. And, to aid the U.S. auto manufacturers, the bill aims to assist in the development of improved battery technology and plug-in electric vehicles. Major technological advancements and tax incentives are already positively influencing the advancement of the wind, solar, fuel cell, and biomass industries right here in Delaware. Green jobs, which could be those involved with electricity generated by wind, those that produce energy-efficient goods and services like mass transit, or those that install energy-conserving products like retrofitting buildings with thermal-pane windows, fuel cells, and solar--are key to the success of a new energy economy. Much work has been done voluntarily over the last several years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and I was glad to see that the bill takes steps to recognize these early, voluntary actions by industry leaders. In speaking with Governor Marken, we agree that this legislation will strengthen our domestic economy through innovative and sustainable job creation. I have also heard from leading Delaware businesses who believe in the opportunity of transforming to a clean energy economy. Ion Power said: this bill ``will make a real difference for America, and my business.'' Eclipse Solar has said: ``. . . we also know that clean energy is a great way to make money; supporting solar energy and other renewables will boost our economy and help create more jobs.'' Delaware Technical and Community College offered: ``. . . the College is developing an Applied Energy Education Center that will connect Delawareans to new ``green'' jobs by developing Delaware's green workforce and enabling citizens and businesses to reduce their energy costs through increased energy efficiency, conservation, integration, and management.'' Bluewater Wind wrote: ``By taking bold, concrete steps to address climate change and creating a new national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), passage of the Waxman-Markey bill will spur hundreds of thousands of new jobs in America's growing renewable energy industry.'' The agriculture sector plays a vital role in Delaware's economy. I was pleased to support U.S. House Agriculture Chairman Peterson's work to ensure that the interests of the agriculture community were represented in the legislation, including that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be in charge of working with farmers on the portion of the offset program that involves generating offset credits from U.S. farms and forests. Complex and detailed proposals must always be weighed thoughtfully and carefully. Ultimately, challenging economic times demand that we look to the future, not cling to the past. Leading experts differ on the economic impact that this legislation will have on each of us and I will remain closely engaged in efforts to reduce any cost increase passed through utility bills. This may not be a silver bullet for turning our economy around overnight. However, I am confident that we must drive innovation, research and market-based strategies to strengthen our immediate economic outlook and instill optimism for tomorrow.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding. Madam Chairman, I'd like to speak about the Dover Air Force Base and what it's doing with respect to its port mortuary. For more than 50 years, Dover Air Force Base has been home to the United States military's port mortuary. It's here that Dover's expert staff receives from theater the remains of fallen American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines and conducts a solemn, dignified transfer from the aircraft to the port mortuary. The base and the community in Dover take this responsibility very seriously and treat all fallen servicemembers and their families with dignity, honor, and respect. As you know, in March of this year the Department of Defense announced a new policy regarding media access to the dignified transfer of remains at the Dover Air Force Base. Under the new policy, the decision regarding media coverage is made on an individual basis by the families of the fallen. The new policy also expands the Department's support to those family members wishing to attend the dignified transfer by paying for travel to Dover and increasing the availability of grief counseling and chaplain support services. The immediate result of this policy change is that many more families of fallen soldiers from across the country travel to Dover to attend. Unfortunately, the wing commander and his staff at Dover Air Force Base have expressed concern they do not have adequate chapel facilities to provide for on-base memorial services, worship, and counseling. This lack of chapel facilities would be particularly evident in the unfortunate event of a mass casualty situation in the theater of operations. The base has submitted a proposal to build a new main base chapel center to include private space for the expressed purpose of receiving grieving families. I understand that the office of the Secretary of Defense is supportive of this project, and I look forward to working with the committee at the earliest possible opportunity to solve this pressing matter.

Mr. CASTLE. I thank both the distinguished chairman of the committee and the ranking member, Mr. Edwards and Mr. Wamp, for their work on this legislation as well as discussing this particular issue. I look forward to working with you and all of the servicemembers and families who would be involved with this, and hopefully we can work it out in the near future.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding funding for Delaware included as part of FY 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, H.R. 2997: Name of Project: Avian Bioscience, DE Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture--SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Delaware Address of Requesting Entity: University of Delaware, Hullihen Hall, Newark, DE 19716 Description of Request: $94,000 to be used to upgrade Delaware's existing diagnostic facility. Delmarva is the nation's leader in the research, development, and implementation of successful avian influenza (AI) surveillance and response plans to protect poultry and human health. The University of Delaware, through its College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is central to Delmarva's preparedness for AI. Name of Project: Agriculture Compliance Laboratory Equipment, Delaware Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Bill Number: H.R. 2997 Account: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: State of Delaware Address of Requesting Entity: Delaware Department of Agriculture, Tatnall Building, William Penn Street, Dover, DE 19901 Description of Request: $69,000 to fully equip and modernize the Poultry and Animal Health Lab for the state of Delaware in order to protect Delaware's animal industries (including food animals and poultry, horse-racing industry, and companion animals) and therefore public health of all Delawareans.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart but great honor that I rise today to pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Thurman G. Adams, Jr. A member of Delaware's State Senate for the past 37 years and owner of T.G. Adams & Sons Inc., Senator Adams is a man who has given much to his community and his state; a man who is to be recognized for all that he has done and a man who will truly be missed by me and Delawareans throughout our state. Since his initial election in 1972, Senator Adams worked diligently as a representative of his constituents and as an advocate for progress, molding Delaware into the business-friendly, agriculturally rich state that it is today. The longest serving State Senator in Delaware history, Thurman served in this capacity under eight Governors and was elected as the Senate Majority Leader in 1999 and as the President Pro Tempore in 2002. Regarding Thurman's dedication to our State and his strength of character, I cannot say enough. For nearly four decades now, there is hardly a bill that has come to pass in Delaware upon which Thurman's influence has not been felt. One of the most notable pieces of legislation that he sponsored and fought for was an enhanced 9-1-1 bill. Passed and currently in place, the bill created a system that automatically gives the address from which a 9-1-1 call originates--enabling a quicker, more accurate response time. A member of the Senate Executive Committee since his first term and later appointed as chairman, Thurman played a huge role in determining who served in the judiciary, cabinet and various other influential state posts. The strong, positive force which he brought to the legislature every day has helped to strengthen and solidify Delaware's courts and government for many decades. In his capacity as a legislator and as a citizen, Thurman spent his life in service to the State of Delaware. Senator Adams graduated from the University of Delaware in 1950 with a B.S in agricultural education and went on to succeed his father as the President of T.G. Adams & Sons Inc., a feed and grain business in his hometown of Bridgeville. With a solid base in agriculture and the business world, Thurman was appointed to the State Highway Commission in 1961 and appointed as the chairman of the Governor's Safety Committee in 1966. Over the years, Senator Adams was recognized for many accomplishments. In 1996, he received the University of Delaware's ``Medal of Distinction,'' an honor acknowledging his outstanding professional achievements. He and his wife Hilda also became very active in trying to make the process to receive organ transplants easier for individuals and their families after their own personal experience with their son Brent. In 2008, he was both inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame and awarded the ``Order of the First State,'' the highest award our Governor can present in recognition of his many years of service. Senator Adams spent his life as an advocate for his Bridgeville district, for the county of Sussex, and for the State of Delaware. A believer in personal, deep-rooted relationships, Thurman was a respected and compassionate legislator and his passing will leave a void in Delaware's General Assembly and our state. During my time as a State Senator and in my role as Lt. Governor and Governor, I had the privilege of working with Senator Adams on many key legislative issues. Thurman is someone with whom I worked closely and confided in frequently and I feel confident in recognizing him for who he was--a man who was incredibly fair, a strong, trusted and great leader with devotion unequaled, and a sterling reputation for helping others. Foremost in Thurman's life was his family. Thurman was a loving husband to his wife Hilda, a father who could bestow life's lessons as well as heartfelt love to his three children, Brent, Lynn, and Polly, a grandfather who adored his grandchildren, and a brother to Leon, Beatrice and his deceased brother Alvin. His family and grandchildren warmed his heart and he took great pride in watching them grow and mature over the years. While we will all miss him dearly, I take comfort in knowing that he, Hilda, and Brent have been reunited and I am sure are watching over all of us now. He gave his time, his energy, and his heart in pursuit of comprehensive and useful measures, established and implemented for the benefit of his fellow Delawareans. Steadfast in his beliefs, Thurman once said, ``I hope that every bill will make life better.'' I stand today to acknowledge and honor that he was a man dedicated to just that. Godspeed to my good friend, Senator Thurman G. Adams, Jr. and thank you for your guidance, support and friendship over the years.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding funding for Delaware included as part of FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, H.R. 2847: Name of Project: Delaware River Enhanced Flood Warning System Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: NOAA--National Weather Service Operations, Research and Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Delaware River Basin Commission'' Address of Requesting Entity: 125 State Police Drive, Trenton, NJ 08628 Description of Request: $200,000 for enhancements to the Delaware River Basin's flood warning system, including: (1) upgrades to the existing precipitation and stream gage network, (2) improvement of flash flood forecasting capabilities, (3) flood warning education and outreach, and (4) support of flood coordination. Following three Delaware River main stem floods, the continued development of an enhanced basin-wide flood warning system is critical for ensuring that the existing flood warning system is adequately maintained and that technological advancements are continued. Name of Project: Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: NOAA--National Weather Service Operations, Research and Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office'' Address of Requesting Entity: 410 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403 Description of Request: $350,000 to be used by NOAA to purchase, deploy, and operate a buoy and sensors on the Nanticoke River in Delaware, which is the largest Chesapeake Bay tributary on the Delmarva Peninsula, and is identified by NOAA as a priority location for the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS). The purpose of this project is to provide real-time data and interpretation to further protect, restore, and manage the Chesapeake Bay. Name of Project: New Castle County Courthouse Capitol Police Command Center and Lobby Surveillance Project Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: COPS--Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``State of Delaware--Delaware Capitol Police'' Address of Requesting Entity: 150 William Penn Street, Dover, DE 19901 Description of Request: $130,000 to be used to upgrade surveillance and purchase a system to coordinate dispatch operations within the Capitol Police Command Center of the New Castle County Courthouse to protect the 1 million people per year that pass through the courthouse. Name of Project: Functional Family Therapy for At-Risk Youth Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: OJP--Juvenile Justice Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Children and Families First'' Address of Requesting Entity: 2005 Baynard Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19802 Description of Request: $120,000 for supplies and salaries needed to provide intensive community-based counseling and case management to youth ages 10-18 and their families in all three counties in Delaware. The purpose of the project is to improve family relationships, increase parent engagement, improve school attendance, and reduce involvement in the juvenile justice system and recidivism so that youth succeed. Name of Project: Mentoring Initiatives for At-Risk Children and Youth Requesting Member: Congressman Michael N. Castle Bill Number: H.R. 2847 Account: OJP--Juvenile Justice Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Delaware Mentoring Council'' Address of Requesting Entity: Delaware Mentoring Council, University of Delaware Newark, DE 19716 Description of Request: $750,000 to create stable mentoring programs in at least four school districts and ten schools throughout Delaware, with at least five schools in the city of Wilmington. The purpose of the project is to provide stability in the lives of at-risk youth, those living in poverty, and those facing substance abuse in their family, incarcerated parents, or even homelessness.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Chairwoman, I rise for the purpose of offering amendment No. 27.

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Chairwoman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I offer this important amendment before us today for a variety of reasons. When a citizen or a national of a foreign country is convicted of a crime or found to be in the United States illegally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, officials often issue a final order of removal. While most countries in the world repatriate their citizens and nationals in a timely manner, there are a handful of countries that often refuse or unreasonably delay this process. U.S. courts have ruled that our government cannot legally hold criminal aliens in custody for longer than 6 months following their sentence of imprisonment if their home country refuses or delays in taking them back. As a result, ICE reports that more than 17,000 convicted criminals, many of whom have served time for crime such as murder, kidnapping and rape, have been released onto our streets after their home country refuses or delays repatriation. This creates a serious burden on our local law enforcement and wastes millions of dollars in Federal and State resources. Under current law, our government has the option of denying visas to countries that refuse repatriation. However, this tool has rarely been utilized. The amendment I am offering today with Congressman Dent would provide our government with two new tools for compelling countries to act. First, the amendment empowers the Secretary of Homeland Security to deny admission to a country's diplomatic visa holders if the Secretary determines the country is unreasonably refusing or delaying repatriation. Second, the amendment requires quarterly reports to Congress from the Secretary of Homeland Security publicly listing the countries that refuse or unreasonably delay repatriation. These reports are to include specific information on the status and number of criminal aliens released in the U.S. Madam Chairwoman, it's my hope that this reporting requirement, which calls for naming and shaming uncooperative countries, will assist the administration in putting new pressure on those that refuse or delay the repatriation of convicted criminals. This is just a first step toward solving a serious problem; and in the end, our amendment leaves final discretion to the administration to allow for diplomatic flexibility. I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Chairman, I would just like to thank the Chair and the committee for being helpful in forming this amendment. We had to make some changes, which I think were positive. I think that is very helpful. At this time I will yield to the gentleman from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) such time as he may consume.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. I thank the distinguished gentleman from the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for yielding. I also rise in support of H.R. 2200. Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, our Nation took unprecedented steps to secure our Nation's airlines. Since then, Congress has continued to provide the needed level of funding to ensure that our airlines are among the safest in the world. But until recently, however, rail and transit security grant programs remain badly underfunded given both the volume of riders carried each day and the known terrorist threat to such passengers. Each weekday, more than 14 million people use public transportation. Nearly 30 million people ride Amtrak each year, including millions of commuters along the heavily traveled Northeast corridor. Given the attacks on rail and transit in Spain, the United Kingdom, and India, this is a vulnerability that cannot be ignored. In response, I have worked closely with Congressmen Peter King, Rush Holt, and other Members of this body to focus more of our security efforts on protecting rail and transit riders and infrastructure. Over the last several years, we have made progress on this front by increasing rail and transit security grant funding, studying foreign rail security practices, and expanding rail and transit canine teams and public awareness campaigns. I must say, however, that I was extremely discouraged to learn in March that TSA and FEMA have struggled when it comes to spending Federal grant dollars in a timely fashion. In fact, recent reports indicate that large percentages of grant dollars appropriated in fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008 had yet to be awarded to local authorities. For this reason, I strongly support section 307 of this legislation, which requires the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General to investigate the administration of these security grants and make recommendations for streamlining the grant award process within 180 days. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to reading the results of the IG's report on the rail and transit security grant distribution process, and I encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize Rabbi Peter H. Grumbacher for his retirement in June 2009 after more than thirty years of service at Congregation Beth Emeth and throughout the Delaware community. Rabbi Grumbacher moved from New York City to Wilmington upon his ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He became an Assistant Rabbi and Director of Education at Congregation Beth Emeth and after several years of service to the Jewish faith and the community, he was named Senior Rabbi in 1982. Constantly pursuing ways to better serve our community, the Rabbi earned his Masters of Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University. Along with his strong emphasis on education, Rabbi Grumbacher also served on a variety of local boards, including as the chairperson of the State Human Relations Commission, chairperson of the Delaware Interfaith Coalition of Aging, and as the senior co-chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (now the National Conference for Community and Justice). Locally, the Rabbi served as a chaplain for Jewish patients for 27 years. On a national level, Rabbi Grumbacher serves on the National Commission for Rabbinic and Congressional Relations while also previously serving as President of the Mid- Atlantic Region Central Conference of American Rabbis. Once again, I commend Rabbi Peter Grumbacher's achievements and over three decades as leader of Congregation Beth Emeth. His remarkable commitment to his congregation, our state, and our nation speaks volumes about his character, integrity, and selflessness. I am very fortunate to feel his positive impact in the community where my own family and friends reside, and I trust that this will still be so. I wish Rabbi Grumbacher the very best in his well-deserved retirement and am confident he will find happiness and success in all his future endeavors.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to celebrate and pay tribute to the almost 40 year career of Lawrence M. Sullivan, Sr., as the premier Public Defender of the State of Delaware. Larry's vision and immense belief in providing superb legal services to defendants who could otherwise not afford representation helped develop a Pubic Defenders Office that is the envy of states throughout our country. Over the past 45 years, Larry has probably served in more capacities and for more Governors than any other Delawarean in the history of our state. While serving predominately on Gubernatorial commissions focused on issues dealing with corrections, courts, drugs, and other issues related to the legal profession, Larry also served as the Register of Wills for New Castle County, as a Mortgage Commissioner for New Castle County, a college professor of business and real estate law, and as a member of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association, Delaware Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Larry has been recognized over the years for many achievements, including: Delaware's Outstanding Young Republican of the Year, Wilmington's Young Man of the Year, National Vice-Chairman of the Young Republican National Federation, President of the Active Young Republicans of Wilmington, recipient of the 2003 James P. Ford Award from the Criminal Justice Council of Delaware, 2005 Vision Award from the International Association of Forensic Nurses, 2006 Dorsey Award from the American Bar Association's Government and Public Sector Lawyers' Division, and the 2006 Reginald Heber Smith Award from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. The awards Larry has received over the years are incapable of recognizing the extraordinary vision and leadership he provided to our state for his entire career. While Larry may be stepping down as Delaware's Public Defender, we will all remember the indelible print he left on the judicial system and those individuals unable to afford private counsel. I express my heartfelt thanks to Larry for his many years of service, and most of all I thank him for being the individual who actually introduced me to the Republican Party and got me involved in public service. He is a very special friend of mine whose foresight helped many Delawareans.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. I thank you very much, Mr. McKeon, for the time. Mr. Chairman, let me just talk about the positives about this for a moment. We all believe in school construction. We all believe that our children should be able to attend the best school facilities we can possibly provide, and I happen to believe in the green energy aspect as well. I give Mr. Loebsack credit. I give Mr. Miller credit for that. But there is another factor here that I think we need to consider before we go forward with legislation such as this, and this is where we are financially in this country today. I had an amendment, which was not approved by the Rules Committee. There was another amendment, also not approved by the Rules Committee, and mine would have dealt with funding title I fully. That's to help the lower, the schools with lower-income students in it. We now fund that at $13.9 billion, I think, and the authorization is $25 billion. This has been underfunded forever under the previous Democratic Congress, under the Republican Congress, and now under the Democratic Congress again. So we simply have not lived up to our promise to these schools to bring in money to help with their education. The same thing is true of IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. And, yes, we have increased that somewhat. As a percentage, we are supposed to be up to 40 percent. I don't think we have reached quite the halfway point yet with respect to that. And, again, that has crossed a lot of Congresses, a lot of Presidents, and we can point fingers at one another. There are Members on both sides who tried to help with that, many good Democrats and many good Republicans, but the bottom line is we have not funded those programs adequately. Obviously low-income schools and children with disabilities need all the help they can possibility get, and yet we are starting a new program today, and I believe the authorization is something like $40 billion or something of that nature in this. We won't live up to that. We won't be able to live up to it. So this is good headlining, The Public Government to Help with Schools. School construction has been the responsibility of local school districts and, of course, the surrounding properties that may pay the taxes for that and the States. I know in my State the State has stepped up and is a big part of school construction. That's vitally important. We try to keep our schools up with local taxpayers' dollars. The Federal Government has assigned roles dealing with certain things that we already do that we are not really living up to as fully as we should, try as we might. My judgment is, if we start this program, you are going to see an increase in requests for school construction that is going to blow everything out of the water, probably a tripling and a quadrupling in a year, if I had to guess. All kinds of schools that believe they are okay now are going to find, gee, there's Federal dollars to be had. We will put together a green energy program, make an application for it, and you are going to see the demand triple and quadruple in a period of a year or so, in my belief. So I think we need to consider seriously what we are doing. Again, we are all for this. I can't imagine anyone who would be opposed to it conceptually. But can we afford to add another education program that's going to be underfunded? And that says nothing about the overall deficit of our country. We have seen reports in the last day or two that this deficit is the highest that we have ever had. This administration has indicated it's more than willing to spend money, but how are we going to get the revenues to offset that? And now we are going to add a new program that we simply, unfortunately, cannot afford at this time. So for all these reasons, I would hope that we would think carefully before we would advance this legislation, a good cause but unaffordable at this time for this country.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to celebrate and pay tribute to the 20th anniversary of Delaware Greenways. Preserving Delaware's scenic corridors and back country roads, getting children and their families out on the greenways, and promoting responsible and environmentally sensitive growth are some of the tenets of Delaware Greenways. Greenways are linear corridors of open space that can be used for conservation or recreation. They may include stream corridors, abandoned railroad rights of way, scenic highways like Route 52 in Wilmington, greenbelts around cities or towns and riverfront walks like we see today along the Christina River. A greenway is capable of providing individuals and families an opportunity to experience the outdoors in a safe and enjoyable fashion while also giving them good exercise and educational opportunities close to home. Programs supported by Delaware Greenways, such as No Child Left Inside, help children at a very early age understand the importance of exercise and provide them with a hands-on opportunity to learn about nature and our community. Trail Days provide families with experiences they will cherish for generations. Many of the projects Delaware Greenways either initiated or supported have had great success. Examples include: Blue Ball Greenway and Barn restoration, East Coast Greenways, Rail-to-trail, Northern Delaware Greenway, Junction & Breakwater Trail, and the Hockessin and Mill Creek Greenway. Each of these projects has helped connect communities and provide thousands of families with a remarkable opportunity to experience the outdoors. I express my heartfelt thanks to all those who have supported Delaware Greenways, and to those who have been fortunate enough to utilize these facilities. I hope you will continue to support and use these facilities while enjoying the outdoors.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 367. This resolution marks the 140th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the beginning of America's strong dependence on rail transportation. Since the golden spike was driven into the final tie at Promontory Summit in 1869, our nation has relied on passenger and freight rail to build our communities and enhance our way of life. And like then, our economic growth depends on the ability to move goods and people quickly and reliably. For anyone who has driven on the I-95 corridor recently, it is strikingly clear that highway congestion has become a critical problem--threatening business productivity, increasing safety risks, and hindering efforts to improve air quality. In fact, studies have shown that travelers in the Northeast waste approximately 700,000 hours and 500,000 gallons of fuel sitting in traffic delays every year. Fixing our transportation system will take a sustained, long-term investment. Last month, President Obama announced a new Strategic Plan to build a national high-speed rail network. Now, it is incumbent upon us to ensure this plan is effective in addressing the critical mobility challenges in heavily congested areas of the country, like the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, DC. In 2008, Amtrak set a new record with 28.7 million passengers-- including millions of travelers and commuters in the Northeast. I commend Amtrak for its efforts to increase ridership and improve its on-time performance over the last several years. As cochair of the House Passenger Rail Caucus, and more importantly one of the thousands of commuters who rely on Amtrak almost daily, I can attest to the accomplishments of our nation's railroads and I look forward to joining my colleagues in exploring their untapped potential. I thank Chairwoman Brown for her strong leadership on this important issue and I congratulate America's railroads in celebrating National Train Day.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 382, congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education. This week has been designated as the 10th Annual Charter Schools Week. And it is entirely appropriate that we take a few minutes to recognize the contributions charter schools make every day in the lives of millions of children. Charter schools are innovative public schools with a simple interest in providing a quality education to children in their community. They explore new educational approaches, such as longer school days or an extended school year, and are free from most rules and regulations governing conventional public schools. Every day, however, charter schools face the unarguable facts of free market pressures. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools must demonstrate the success of their students' academic achievements to parents, policymakers, and their communities or face closure. From the time the first charter school opened its door, they have risen to the challenge. For example, charter schools made an important contribution to rebuilding and strengthening Louisiana after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, particularly in New Orleans. More often than not, charter schools meet the student achievement and accountability requirements under No Child Left Behind and in the same manner as traditional public schools, but often set higher individual goals to ensure that they are of high quality and truly accountable to the public. Yet, despite these innovative approaches and promising reports of parental satisfaction, charter schools across the country have struggled through a myriad of obstacles to create such successful schools. One such obstacle is State caps that limit growth. Twenty-six States and the District of Columbia have some type of limit or cap on charter school growth. Most caps restrict the number of charter schools allowed, while others restrict the number of students that a single school can serve. Caps on charter schools are often the consequence of political tradeoffs and not the result of agreement on sound education policy. I am pleased that Congress has continued to support the public charter school programs authorized under No Child Left Behind. These programs provide support at key points in the development of charter schools, helping cover the extraordinary costs of launching successful charters, disseminating their successful innovations to other public schools, and providing financial incentives to State governments and private lenders that help enable schools to build and renovate facilities. These programs have been a tremendous success, helping to create public charter schools all across the country that work to improve academic achievement for low-income students. It is my hope that the charter community will continue to build on its 16-year history of providing a high-quality option in public education that is based on innovation, freedom from red tape, and partnership between parents and educators, an option that is giving new hope to disadvantaged and minority families across the country. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I would like to thank Congressman Bishop, the sponsor of the legislation who is not able to be here today, for his sponsorship. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

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

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 338, supporting the goals and ideals of National Community College Month, and congratulating the community colleges for their role in educating the Nation. As a co-chairman of the Congressional Community College Caucus and a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I have witnessed the benefits community colleges have to offer. Community colleges serve a diverse body of students by providing them with a unique flexibility. Most community colleges offer evening courses that allow students to work towards earning their degree while working full-time to support themselves and their families. This flexibility allows many older working adults to further their education and advance their careers. In fact, the average age of a student attending community college is 29, and 50 percent of full-time students are employed part-time and 50 percent of part-time students are employed full-time. Community colleges' flexibility also enables students whose cultural traditions may encourage them to fulfill more traditional familial roles and may not encourage them to take 4 years to attend a traditional college or university to pursue higher education or job training while fulfilling familial duties. The flexibility of most community colleges helps to draw in a diverse student body, and the relatively low cost of most community colleges provides an educational opportunity to many students who otherwise could not afford to further their education or careers. The average cost of attendance at a community colleges is $2,402 per year. This is significantly less than the average annual cost of attending a 4-year public or private university or college at $6,585 for in-state, and $17,452 for out-of-state tuition and fees at a public institution, and $25,143, for tuition and fees at a private institution. Community colleges provide a diverse body of students from various income levels with an opportunity for education. Students may be working toward a 2- or 4-year degree, a professional certification, or furthering their careers through job training, learning a second language, or attending employer-recommended classes in order to receive a promotion. Community colleges award approximately 555,000 associates degrees and approximately 295,000 professional certificates annually. In addition, many community colleges work closely with their community's one-stop employment center to provide skills, training, and other services to unemployed or dislocated workers, which is especially important in these difficult economic times. Community colleges provide innumerable education opportunities to people of all ages, professions, cultures, and stages of life. These institutions enroll an estimated 11.5 million people annually, and open the door to education for people who would otherwise be unable to pursue it. This is why I stand in support of this resolution, and I ask for my colleagues' support. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I would encourage everyone to support the resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 353, a Resolution Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Global Youth Service Days. Organized by Youth Service America, the National Youth Leadership Council, and Global Youth Action Network, and sponsored in the United States by the State Farm Companies Foundation, Global Youth Services Day provides young people with an important opportunity to serve their local communities around the world. Held every year during one weekend in April, over 100 countries participate in Global Youth Service Days. This year, young people from around the world rolled up their sleeves and partnered with various nonprofits and faith-based organizations to dedicate their time during the weekend of April 24 through April 26. Some past events include the following projects: In Corona, California, youth studied and delivered reports on local areas' disaster preparedness. These reports led to an event dedicated to raising public awareness about homelessness and natural disasters. Here in Washington, D.C., youth from various faith-based communities partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help with housing needs in Northeast D.C. and worked on a shoreline cleanup along the Anacostia River. In Bolivia, with the help of a Disney Minnie Grant, youth were trained as public health educators to facilitate workshops to educate the community on public health issues surrounding unsanitary drinking water. In Zimbabwe, youth volunteers refurbished 35 rural schools, worked to clean up parts of one of the cities in the country, and conducted an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. Introducing our young people to true volunteerism will help build a sense of civic duty early in their lives, which will lead them to become more civic-minded citizens, citizens who will continue to donate their time and skills to their local communities in the future as they get older. For that reason, I rise in support of House Resolution 353 and urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 1271, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2351 West Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach, Florida, as the ``Elijah Pat Larkins Post Office Building.'' Elijah Pat Larkins dedicated his entire life to public service, and the citizens of Pompano Beach, Florida, are better off today because of his tireless service. In 2008, the Florida League of Cities recognized him for 25 years of public service. Mayor Larkins was the first of 10 children born to a farmer and homemaker in Pompano on April 29, 1942. Nicknamed ``Prez,'' and voted class president every year from 5th to 12th grade, he graduated from what is now Blanche Ely High School. He grew up in a segregated society, but spent a lifetime in public service fighting for equal rights, and was elected Pompano Beach's first African American mayor in 1985, and subsequently served a record seven terms. Prior to that, he served 19 consecutive years as City Commissioner. A Ford Foundation Fellow, Mayor Larkins was a federally-certified housing development specialist who created the Broward County Minority Builders Coalition, and was a director of his own, not-for-profit, Malar Construction, Inc., in Fort Lauderdale. In fact, throughout his career in public service, he made significant contributions in housing, working tirelessly to ensure that safe and adequate housing was available to all. While mayor, he also helped transform the city's economy from agricultural to urban, all while mentoring local civic-minded residents and minority activists. In addition to his many professional achievements, he took an active role in countless public service, social, and religious organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Broward County Boys and Girls Club, the Juvenile Justice Intensive Halfway House, and Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. In fact, he was affiliated with more than a dozen national, State, and local political and service groups. Mayor Larkins was twice married to retired schoolteacher Bettye Lamar-Larkins, with whom he had a son, Gerald Todd. He also had another son, Tory Larkins, from a prior relationship. He is also survived by his nine younger siblings and his mother, Alberta Griffin. In recognition of Mayor Larkins' commitment to public service and tireless efforts on behalf of the citizens of Pompano Beach, I urge all members to join me in supporting H.R. 1271, which will designate the United States Postal Service Facility located at 2351 West Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach, Florida, in his honor. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to congratulate the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. I don't have the same level of connection with North Carolina as does Mr. Price, but I did pick them in my basketball pool, which I didn't win, by the way, but at least I won on that aspect of it; so I congratulate them for that. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Latham. He, too, will congratulate North Carolina, but he wants to comment on the previous bill, which, unfortunately, he couldn't quite get here for, on community colleges. (Mr. LATHAM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)