Michael Castle

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize the Honorable J. Benjamin Ewing, State Representative for the 35th Representative district for the great State of Delaware. Representative Ewing has represented his district honorably and with great distinction since 1987. However, his public service did not begin then but rather as a young man when he served our country in Korea in the United States Marine Corps and then for 20 years with the Delaware State Police where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His work in community service, government and politics has provided Delawareans and the constituents of his district with tremendous peace of mind knowing that an individual of Representative Ewing's stature was always willing to look after the best interest of his constituents while giving them the best possible service. During my years as Governor and in the U.S. House of Representatives, I have always enjoyed working with Representative Ewing to assist him and the constituents of his district on issues relating to social security, highways, postal service, development, health care, and the many other issues his constituents face on a daily basis. During his career in government, Ben has always put the people of his district first and worked diligently on their behalf. While the people of the 35th Representative District will elect a new Representative this fall, they will have a difficult time finding a Representative as qualified, humble, or one who works as patiently on a daily basis to assist their each and every need. Ben was instrumental in identifying the need to renovate and develop the new visitors center in Bridgeville, Delaware as a combined State Police barracks, paramedic unit and service center, and as a result it now bears his name. His commitment to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, NRA, American Legion and his Scottish heritage is without question. I want to publicly thank, recognize and acknowledge Ben Ewing for his many decades of service and numerous contributions to the State of Delaware. He is an excellent role model for those who aspire to serve their community through public service and he has raised the bar for all who follow in his footsteps. While I will miss working with Ben on a regular basis to solve issues facing our constituents, I hope to continue to seek his counsel and advice on issues of importance to all Delawareans. He has been a good friend to me and all Delawareans.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1088, recognizing and commending the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of service as a vital American cultural ambassador to the world. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was formed in March 1958. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African American modern dancers, their combination of technique, repertoire, and high-energy performances changed forever the perception of American dance. The dance company began to travel throughout the country, and in 1960, the AAADT became a resident company of the 51st Street YWCA's Clark Center for the Performing Arts. It was during this time period that Ailey choreographed his signature work ``Revelations'' which has been seen by more people across the globe than any other work of dance. In 1962, the company was chosen to tour the Far East, Southeast Asia, and Australia as part of President John F. Kennedy's ``President's Special International Program for Cultural Presentations.'' AAADT made its performance at the New York City Center in 1971, where it is currently the resident company. AAADT celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1980 and its founder, Alvin Ailey, received the United Nations Peace Medal in 1982. When Ailey died in 1989, Judith Jamison, a former principal dancer, assumed the role of artistic director. Despite the loss of its founder, AAADT has thrived. Following tours in Russia, France, and Cuba in the 1990s, as well as residency in South Africa in 1997, the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation broke ground for a new dance complex in Manhattan. It is the largest facility dedicated exclusively to dance in the United States. Every year the company provides more than 100,000 youth from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to explore their creative potential and build their self-esteem through its Arts in Education and Community Programs, including nine Ailey Camps in cities throughout the country. Today, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has gone on to perform for an estimated 21 million people in 48 States and in 71 countries on 6 continents, including two historic residencies in South Africa. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most acclaimed international ambassadors of American culture, promoting the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of American modern dance. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) such time as she may consume.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would also like to congratulate the Arizona State University softball team. I watched some of the softball on television, and these are dynamic athletes doing a wonderful job of dealing with what has become a very fast sport. This team was extraordinary. Their victory against Texas A&M in the World Series, 11-0 victory shows just how great they really are. Beyond that though, I would just like to say that the Arizona State softball is not only an inspiration to student athletes in Arizona and across the United States, but a beacon of higher education as well. Arizona State University is a knowledge and discovery enterprise advancing teaching and research focused on the most pressing challenges that confront global society. A comprehensive public metropolitan research university enrolling more than 60,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students on four campuses. ASU is a federation of unique colleges, schools, departments and research institutes that comprise close-knit but diverse academic communities that are international in scope. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity and welcomes students from all 50 States and more than 100 nations across the globe. I congratulate everybody who had anything to do with the softball victory this year, and I congratulate Arizona State University on being an outstanding university in our country. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1259, congratulating the Hamilton College Continentals on winning the NCAA's women's lacrosse championship. On May 18, 2008, the Hamilton College Continentals women's lacrosse team captured the NCAA Division III championship and completed the very best season in the team's 29-year history. The 13-6 victory over the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats secured Hamilton's first national title in any sport. The Continentals entered the weekend as the number four-ranked team in Division III but knocked off number one Salisbury University 11-10 on Saturday before they defeated the defending champion and third- ranked Diplomats. Hamilton also avenged a 14-13 loss to Franklin & Marshall suffered in Florida on March 19. The loss was the lone blemish on the Continentals' 2008 record. The Continentals completed the 2008 season with a remarkable 21-1 record and won 19 straight games, which is the longest winning streak in Division III women's lacrosse. Four Continentals earned All-American awards this year. Six players were selected to the All-Region team, and nine players were selected to the All-League team. The Continentals are truly shining examples of the products of hard work and commitment, and they have inspired and brought pride to their community as well as their loved ones and the students and alumni of Hamilton College. Head Coach Patty Kloidt also merits recognition and praise for guiding the Continentals to their championship win. Coach Kloidt and her staff were named the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year in 2008. Coach Kloidt was also named the NCAA Division III women's lacrosse coach of the year. While the accomplishment of capturing a national athletic title deserves our recognition today, we should also take a moment to reflect on Hamilton's commitment to academics. Hamilton is a liberal arts college with an emphasis on individualized instruction and independent research and is a national leader in teaching effective writing and persuasive speaking. Founded in 1973 as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy, it is the third oldest college established in New York State. Hamilton's curriculum provides its highly motivated students with both the freedom and responsibility to make educational choices that emphasize breadth and depth. In short, Hamilton College is the finest college in the United States. I graduated from there 40-some years ago. Through independent projects, The Senior Program, and summer internships with faculty, Hamilton provides an increasing number of opportunities for students to engage in significant--often publishable--research at the undergraduate level. I am happy to join my colleagues in honoring Hamilton for its many achievements. I extend my congratulations to Hamilton's President Joan Stewart, Athletics Director Jon Hind, Head Coach Patty Kloidt and her staff, the players, the fans and to Hamilton College. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I'm prepared to yield back my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes) such time as he may consume.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) such time as he may consume.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I'm prepared to yield back. I'd just like to make a comment or two and I will do so, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to thank all of those who were involved in this. Mr. Cardoza couldn't be here to speak, but I thank him as well for his interest in this. And I would just like to congratulate everybody involved with Fresno State. I watched some of these games on television. You see a Georgia versus a Fresno State and your immediate thought is, well, gee, Georgia must be dominant in this situation as they are a very dominant athletic team in the country. But indeed, Fresno State fought to win two out of three of those games and I think deserve a tremendous amount of credit, especially considering the year that they had gone through. This is an excellent school, and sometimes outside actions cause us to look at other things. And looking at the academics at Fresno State, which include a broad array of offices and services, including over 50 academic departments, eight colleges, a Henry Madden Library, the Division for Graduate Studies, the Division of Continuing and Global Education and dozens of centers and institutes, all these are designed to support the central academic mission of the university, that of creating an environment of engaged, student-centered learning. And they I think deserve to be congratulated for the academic side of what they're doing, as well as their great victory in the NCAA baseball tournament this year. I congratulate them. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of House Resolution 1261, congratulating the East High School in Denver, Colorado, on winning the 2008 ``We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution'' national competition. Every year since 1987, the Center for Civic Education has sponsored ``We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution,'' a competition for American high school students held in Washington, D.C. The primary goal of the competition is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the Nation's elementary and secondary students. What makes the program successful is the design of its instructional program, including its innovative culminating activity. The instructional program enhances students' understanding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, while also discovering their contemporary relevance. The culminating activity is a simulated congressional hearing in which students testify before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take and defend positions on relevant, historical and modern day issues. In the 21 years of competition, East High School has gone to the ``We the People'' nationals 19 times, placed in the Top Ten 16 times, placed in the Top Three eight times, and placed in the Top Two four times. However, this year East High School placed first in the national competition. The 27 team members, under the leadership and guidance of their coach, Susan McHugh, are to be commended. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the team's accomplishments. From the earliest days of American democracy, the study of history has been essential to the preservation of freedom. This competition is a great forum in which to strengthen the teaching, study and understanding of our Nation's history and culture. ``We the People'' is a wonderful opportunity for American youth to develop an understanding of the documents upon which our Nation was founded. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus). (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In returning to the resolution at hand, congratulating the East High School in Denver, Colorado, I would just like to ask that all of us be supportive of this, not just to recognize that school but to recognize that program and what we the people have done to educate people about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and make all of us better citizens. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act (H.R. 1286), which would designate the 600-mile route stretching from Rhode Island to Virginia traveled by Revolutionary War General George Washington and French General Count Rochambeau as a National Historic Trail, connecting the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The creation of this Trail will celebrate the Franco- American alliance and the victory of Generals Washington and Rochambeau who faced seemingly insurmountable odds. Importantly, H.R. 1286 will enable the National Park Service to support groups, projects, and activities associated with the trail's preservation and interpretation. The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act was introduced to ensure that this history, in all its rich detail, is not forgotten. Although we often remember the victory at Yorktown, too often we lose sight of the heroic efforts of two nations, two armies, and two great men that made it possible. During this historic period the armies marched to Wilmington, Delaware, where the bankrupt Continental Army borrowed from Rochambeau to pay American troops. This designation has the strong support of many state, local, private, and public historic preservation groups and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support its passage.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. I'm not certain I yielded back the balance of my time. I don't know who was responsible in the Chair at that point, but I indicated I was prepared to yield back. I'm not sure if there was a ruling at that time. Could that be clarified.

Mr. CASTLE. The words I uttered were, ``I am prepared to yield back the balance of my time.'' And then I believe the gentlewoman from New York was called on at that point without the ruling from the Chair. That's why I am asking for the clarification.

Mr. CASTLE. I do ask unanimous consent to reclaim our time.

Mr. CASTLE. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. At this time I would yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) such time as he may consume.

Mr. CASTLE. We do have an additional speaker.

Mr. CASTLE. I will yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price).

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6184, the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008, which I am pleased to support with my friends, the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Maloney), and I appreciate her kind comments here on the floor, and the gentleman from Chicago (Mr. Gutierrez). This is an easy bill to understand and I hope an easy bill to like. It was popular enough, as the Congresswoman from New York pointed out, in committee to have passed by a 58-0 vote 2 weeks ago. We all know the popular 50 State quarters program which sequentially honored every State in the Union with a design of its choosing on the back of the quarter. There are just two more States, Alaska and Hawaii, to be honored. Next year, there will be quarters honoring the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the territories, and the program will be done. Mr. Speaker, the 50 State quarters program met or exceeded every goal. It honored every State in such a way that educated the rest of the country about things that made that particular State so special. The national parks quarters program is a follow-up to the State quarters, and I believe nothing could be more logical than recognizing the sites all America hold most dear, places like Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Glacier National Park. The national parks quarters program will focus on the great natural beauty of our country or on other national sites important to history or conservation, such as seashores, forests, wildlife refugees, or monuments. Just to mix things up a little, instead of honoring the States in the order they were admitted to the Union, this legislation honors national sites in the order in which they were recognized. I note with some chagrin but in the spirit of fairness, Mr. Speaker, that this will honor the western States that joined the Union later before the original 13 States, and ensures that my own State of Delaware will not again be first. As a matter of fact, we do not have a national park; we will be last in this particular sequence. The bill also creates a special new investment-grade coin that will be three inches in diameter and made of five ounces of silver. These noncirculating coins will bear exact duplicates of each quarter and will be available only in the year in which the equivalent quarter's design is issued. Although normally our investment-grade coins are distributed only through a small network of highly specialized dealers, this legislation allows the National Park Service to buy these bullion coins in bulk so they may be sold as souvenirs to visitors. The national park quarters program will start in 2010, after the completion of D.C. and the territories quarters, which is why it is so important for us to send this bill to the Senate and President quickly. We must ensure adequate time is given for the United States Mint to work with the Interior Secretary, other Federal officials, and State Governors to honor the best sites and choose each design. The Mint has done a terrific job with the State quarters, and I have great faith that the artists, engravers, and the excellent staff there will do a great job for this program as well. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to work on this effort with Mrs. Maloney, who joined me as a tireless and skilled supporter of the Presidential $1 Coin Act and with Mr. Gutierrez who chairs the Domestic and International Monetary Policy Subcommittee that I once chaired. Their input and suggestions from the Mint before introduction of this bill have certainly improved it. I would also like to thank Chairman Frank for his willingness to move this bill along. I urge immediate passage of this bill, and urge the other body to move it on as swiftly as well. I would point out to the Speaker that the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories are included already in this legislation, which they were not originally as we know in the 50 State quarters program. I yield to Mr. Price such time as he may consume.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to yield back our time at this point.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, could I get a clarification.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, may I ask for a point of clarification.

Mr. CASTLE. About 10 or 15 minutes ago, I said I was prepared to yield back the balance of my time. I don't know if there was a ruling on that.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to reclaim my time.