Jerry Costello

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2808, a bill that directs the Treasury Department to mint 500,000 one-dollar coins marking Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. Abraham Lincoln is a true American hero who will always be remembered for his commitment to the ideals of freedom, democracy, and equal opportunity. Illinois, known as the Land of Lincoln, is where Lincoln lived for many years and began his political career. Today, many historical sites in Illinois are dedicated in honor of Lincoln and his legacy. Illinois will be a focal point for activities to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Besides being a noble tribute, this commemorative coin will help provide significant funding for the bicentennial and is an important part of how the United States will mark Lincoln's 200th birthday in 2009. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Comair Flight 5191 and I join my colleagues in support of H. Res. 980. My deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims of this tragic event that occurred in Lexington, Kentucky. It is little solace to them that we have the safest air transportation system in the world, or that we had not had a major fatal accident in five years. Along with our support of this resolution, what Congress must do to honor these victims is to learn everything we can from this accident to try to prevent similar events in the future. Their lives will be remembered in the work we do here. As the ranking Democrat on the Aviation subcommittee, I am committed to making sure this happens. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a thorough investigation of this accident, and I fully support its efforts, along with those of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, I again remember those that lost their lives in this accident and offer my condolences to their loved ones. I also urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 980.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, 17 days ago, Hezbollah terrorists conducted a raid into Israel, killing three Israeli soldiers and kidnapping two others, igniting serious fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. I rise today to express my strong support for Israel as it defends itself from an increasingly powerful terrorist presence in southern Lebanon. Israel has taken many meaningful steps in recent years to push the dream of Middle East peace forward, including removing all forces from Lebanon and, just last year, unilaterally withdrawing from Gaza. In return, Israel faces an emboldened Hezbollah, backed and encouraged by Iran and Syria, with an arsenal of 13,000 rockets that it routinely uses to bombard Israeli towns, and Hamas, which controls the Palestinian Authority. Neither group recognizes Israel's right to exist. The House recently passed H. Res. 921 with my support, which reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself from these attacks. Through this action we have made a clear statement that the United States will stand with Israel while continuing to work with the international community to bring peace to the region. Mr. Speaker, the current situation, with Iran and Syria enabling Hezbollah to establish an even greater presence in Lebanon is intolerable and a major obstacle to Middle East peace. Any international agreement should focus on removing Hezbollah from that country, per United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559. This is a critical point for Israel and the entire region, and the United States must remain actively engaged in this process.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Tim Friedman upon his retirement from the House Democratic, Cloakroom. For the past 30 years Tim Friedman has served with utmost distinction. After moving from Lackawanna, NY, Tim arrived in Washington, DC, in 1976 to begin his career in the House of Representatives. He first served for the Hon. Dan Rostenkowski before becoming a Doorkeeper under the Hon. James T. Molloy from 1976 to 1982. In 1982, Tim moved to the office of the House Sergeant at Arms before being appointed as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985 by the Hon. Thomas P. 0'Neill, Speaker of the House. Since I came to Congress in 1988, I have gotten to know Tim Friedman quite well. He is an upstanding man with strong character and high principles. I am pleased to have worked with him. In times of retirement, I am reminded of the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, ``The reward for a thing well done is to have done it.'' Not only should Tim feel rewarded, but all of us who have benefited from his long and successful 30 year career, an accomplishment for which he deserves to be proud. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in offering congratulations and gratitude for Tim's long and successful career in the House of Representatives. I wish him well and hope he continues to achieve happiness, health and success in his future endeavors.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 9, the Voting Rights Act. All of us are grateful for those sacrifices which forced America to bring equality and justice to all and we must continue to uphold the basic principles and sentiments embodied in the Voting Rights Act. The landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 guaranteed that racism and its bitter legacy would never again disenfranchise any citizen by closing the polls. The failure to ensure voting rights regardless of race or national origin was a national shame, which was finally addressed and corrected in this historic bill. Over the last 41 years, progress continues to be made in ensuring all citizens have the right to vote. However, the past two presidential election involved vote-related controversies, which led to significant numbers of voters unable to vote or unable to have their votes counted. These instances make clear the Voting Rights Act is still necessary and much needed. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 9 because we, as Americans, must preserve and defend our most basic right and liberty--the right to have our voices heard through voting. Mr. Chairman there is no civil rights legislation more important or effective than the Voting Rights Act. We cannot and should not return to the days before 1965. We need to extend the expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act. I support H.R. 9 and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 133rd anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Brooklyn, Illinois, the first and oldest African-American town in the United States. Around the year, 1829, a group of 11 African-American families, some free, some fugitive slaves, crossed the Mississippi River from Missouri and settled in the area that would become Brooklyn, Illinois. The community continued to grow as it attracted both escaped slaves and free African-Americans from the St. Louis area and neighboring states. The thriving settlement was platted and named, Brooklyn, in 1837. During Brooklyn's early years, before the Civil War, African- Americans had no ability to vote or petition for the incorporation of their community. With the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1865, the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868 and the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870, African-Americans gained the legal rights of citizenship. Shortly after these events, on July 8, 1873, the citizens of Brooklyn petitioned to incorporate. An election was called and, by unanimous vote, Brooklyn was incorporated as a village in St. Clair County, Illinois. The history of Brooklyn has roughly paralleled that of neighboring municipalities in the industrial area along the Mississippi River, across from St. Louis. Many of its residents readily found work in the stockyards and factories that flourished into the middle of the last century. As those industries left, so did the jobs that allowed the citizens of Brooklyn to provide for their families. Despite recent hard times, the same spirit that led those first courageous settlers to establish this community still lives on. The village motto is, ``Founded by Chance, Sustained by Courage,'' and those words inspire the current generation to seek new opportunities for their community. The ``North Star'' Corridor Economic Alliance Project is one example of a new implementation of the community's founding values. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 133rd anniversary of the Village of Brooklyn, Illinois and to wish them the best as they move forward in the years to come.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution before us today, despite the fact that it barely touches on the war in Iraq, which is the stated purpose of our debate, and makes some claims I do not agree with. While I will vote yes, I want to be absolutely clear that I am doing so to emphatically support our troops and the bravery they display every day in fighting the war on terror. I did not vote to authorize the Iraq War and continue to believe it was a mistake. I do not agree with parts of this resolution that misstate the original administration arguments for invading Iraq. The heart of this discussion needs to be that the Bush administration has been almost totally inept in its planning and prosecution of the war and occupation of Iraq. Time and again, the Bush administration has been wrong. Before invading Iraq, we were told that Saddam Hussein was an imminent threat to the United States. After attending the briefings provided by the administration, I did not feel that administration officials made this case, and the lack of weapons of mass destruction certainly undercuts this argument. Even worse, we were given a stream of incorrect assumptions of the costs of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Then- Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz testified before a Senate Committee and predicted that the monetary cost of the war to the United States would not exceed $2 billion. Including money to be appropriated this year, we are approaching $400 billion, and continue to spend $8.1 billion every month in Iraq. Wolfowitz also said Iraq had no history of ethnic strife. It is important to remember that the Bush administration assertions were not conventional wisdom at the time. Both then-Army Chief of Staff, GEN Eric Shinseki, and then-Bush economic adviser Larry Lindsey, soon left their positions after publicly stating, respectively, that the war would take large numbers of troops and hundreds of billions of dollars to prosecute. Further, it quickly became clear that the planning of the occupation of Iraq was woefully inadequate, placing our soldiers in increasing danger. Stories of inadequate supplies of bulletproof vests and armor for humvees documented this fact. The outspoken concern of former generals in regard to these preparations further underscored the problems. The intensity of the insurgency caught the administration by surprise. The United States has allocated $50 billion to private contractors for reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in Iraq since the beginning of the war. Nine billion dollars in reconstruction funds are unaccounted for, while the Defense Contract Audit Agency has deemed that $1.47 billion spent by the Halliburton Corporation was excessive or insufficiently documented. Oil production is at 2.2 million barrels per day--down from 2.6 million barrels per day prior to the war. The resolution we are debating also says ``. . . the terrorists have declared Iraq to be the central front in their war against all who oppose their ideology.'' This is true only because we gave them the opportunity to do so. Iraq clearly was not the central front before the U.S. invasion--another unfortunate outcome of poor planning. I continue to believe that part of our decision making process concerning how to move forward in Iraq must include an analysis of how we got there. It is not enough to say that since we are there, we have to make the best of it. I agree that we cannot just walk away, and do not support a certain date for our exit, but we still do not have any framework for evaluating our progress there. While the death of Al Zarqawi is great news, and it seems that Iraqi security forces are taking on more responsibility, does anyone really believe that in one year, or two years, or even five years, that Iraq will be able to defend itself? I said at the outset of this war that the United States was going to pay the vast majority of its costs, in both lives and dollars, and this has clearly been the case. We must reengage the international community to take on more of the burdens of the occupation, and seek to bring our troops home as soon as possible. Today, I join my colleagues in celebrating the extraordinary efforts and accomplishments of our troops. But I do not celebrate our country's undertaking of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. It was a bad decision followed by numerous other bad decisions, and while I hope it ends well, we will feel the ramifications in many ways for years to come.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the life and extraordinary achievements of Katherine Dunham, who passed away on May 21, 2006. Katherine Dunham was born in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, on June 22, 1909. Her father, Albert Millard Dunham, was a descendant of slaves from Madagascar and West Africa. Her French Canadian mother, Fanny June Taylor, died when Miss Dunham was young. Her father then married Annette Poindexter, a schoolteacher from Iowa, and moved his family to Joliet, Ill., where he ran a dry-cleaning business. Katherine Dunham became interested in dance at an early age. While a student at the University of Chicago, she formed a dance group that performed in concert at the Chicago World's Fair in 1934 and with the Chicago Civic Opera in 1935-36. With a bachelor's degree in anthropology, she soon undertook field studies in the Caribbean and in Brazil. By the time she received her M.A. from the University of Chicago, she had acquired a vast knowledge of the dances and rituals of the black peoples of tropical America. (She later took a Ph.D. in anthropology.) In 1938, she joined the Federal Theatre Project in Chicago and composed a ballet, L'Ag'Ya, based on Caribbean dance. In 1940, she formed an all-black company, which began touring extensively by 1943. Tropics (choreographed 1937) and Le Jazz Hot (1938) were among the earliest of many works based on her research. Katherine Dunham is noted for her innovative interpretations of primitive, ritualistic, and ethnic dances and her tracing the roots of black culture. Many of her students, trained in her studios in Chicago and New York City, have become prominent in the field of modem dance. She also choreographed for Broadway stage productions and opera-- including Aida (1963) for the New York Metropolitan Opera. She also choreographed and starred in dance sequences in such films as Carnival of Rhythm (1942), Stormy Weather (1943), and Casbah (1947). Dunham also conducted special projects for Chicago black high school students. She served as the artistic and technical director (1966-67) to the president of Senegal; and artist-in-residence, and later professor, at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, and director of Southern Illinois's Performing Arts Training Centre and Dynamic Museum in East St. Louis, Ill. Dunham's writings, sometimes published under the pseudonym Kaye Dunn, include Katherine Dunham's Journey to Accompong (1946), an account of her anthropological studies in Jamaica; A Touch of Innocence (1959), an autobiography; and Island Possessed (1969), as well as several articles for popular and scholarly journals. Except for a brief appearance in 1965, Dunham has not performed regularly since 1962 and has concentrated on her choreography. One of her major works was the choreographing and directing of Scott Joplin's opera Treemonisha in 1972. She dissolved her company in 1965 to become advisor to the cultural ministry of Senegal and returned to the United States in 1967. She left the conventional dance world of New York that year to live and work in East St. Louis at an inner-city branch of the Southern Illinois University, running a school attached to the University and working with neighborhood and youth groups. The Dunham tradition has persisted. She was considered a woman far ahead of her time. She considered her technique ``a way of life.'' The classes at her Manhattan school--attended by many artists, including Marlon Brando and Eartha Kitt, during the 1940s and the 1950s, were noted for their liberating influence. Her mastery of body movement was considered ``phenomenal.'' She was hailed for her smooth and fluent choreography and dominated a stage with what has been described as ``an unmitigating radiant force providing beauty with a feminine touch full of variety and nuance,'' otherwise known as the Dunham Technique, which is still practiced today. Katherine Dunham's intellectual, artistic, and humanitarian contributions have earned her many coveted awards over the years, including the Presidential Medal of Arts, the Kennedy Center Honors, French Legion of Honor, Southern Cross of Brazil, Grand Cross of Haiti, NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, Lincoln Academy Laureate, and the Urban Leagues' Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also one of 75 women whose lives were celebrated in the book, I Have A Dream. Katherine is survived by a daughter, Marie-Christine Dunham-Pratt, who lives in Rome. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Katherine Dunham on her service, her lifetime of experiences and her contribution to the world of dance which serves as an invaluable resource to not only the people of East St. Louis but to the world.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Oberstar amendment. This amendment would stop the Department of Transportation from implementing its proposed rule to open up U.S. air carriers to a greater share of control by foreign owners. For the past 65 years, we have required that U.S. citizens have actual control over all management decisions of U.S. airlines. In a matter of a few months, the Bush administration has sought to make enormous changes by allowing significant opportunities for foreign investors at the expense of America's safety, security, and its workplace. The proposed rule would change and allow foreign investors to have a greater say on airline economic decisions that would include being able to direct airlines to buy foreign aircraft or have more repair stations overseas; have work performed by foreign citizens; and dictate routes, frequency, pricing, classes of service, advertising, and code sharing. I am opposed to the change because it will result in the loss of American jobs, hurt rural and small communities, and could severely jeopardize our safety and security. I am very concerned about the outsourcing of jobs for our pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics, and I urge all Members to support the Oberstar amendment.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 150th Anniversary of the Perry County Fair which is held each year in Pinckneyville, Illinois. While no records exist of the first fair in 1856, oral accounts passed down from those who attended describe the Pinckneyville town square decorated with tall corn stalks and the owners of the prize livestock showing them in the street. Although much has changed since that initial event 150 years ago, the Perry County Fair remains a premier venue of agricultural and horticultural exhibition, as well as a place where families come to be entertained and old friends renew acquaintances once a year. As the ``oldest consecutive running fair in Illinois,'' the Perry County Fair has seen much of our Nation's history. The Civil War, Prohibition, the Great Depression, both WorId Wars, the ushering in of two centuries and a millennium all occurred during the time that the Perry County Fair has been in operation. The Perry County Agricultural Society was established as the governing body of the fair and continues today as the organization entrusted with planning, funding and organizing the Perry County Fair. Early records note that a $1.00 contribution was good for family entry to the first fairs and that $10.00 provided for a lifetime family membership. As the fair has expanded through the years, the balance of providing a first class fair that is affordable to all families continues to be a struggle. Competition of livestock, produce and the tasty results of many closely-guarded family recipes have been a staple of the fair since its inception. Other attractions at the fair through the years have been horse racing, beauty pageants, musical entertainment, rides and, always, good food. Several generations have now enjoyed the Perry County Fair and it has become an event that not only draws families and friends together from Perry County but also attracts fairgoers from throughout Southern Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Perry County Fair. May it continue to provide entertainment for Southern Illinois families well into the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2803, the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006, to provide important Federal safety regulations for coal mines. The number of coal miners who have died so far this year is alarming and has highlighted the pressing need to revise coal miner health safety standards to ensure miners are equipped with state of the art technologies, tracking devices, and sufficient emergency supplies of oxygen. Our current Federal mine safety regulations are outdated. We need to act now to protect the health and safety of our coal miners from future tragedies and enact stiffer penalties for flagrant violations of the law. Further, regulations must be enforced. I have cosponsored Representative Miller's bill, H.R. 5389, the Protecting America's Miners Act, to improve mine safety regulations to help protect miners in the event of an emergency. The bill before the House today, S. 2803, while not perfect, includes many important provisions to help save lives. The measure is a step in the right direction and is only the beginning of more mine safety reforms to be considered in the House to ensure our mine workers have the safest measures in place. I represent southwestern and southern Illinois, a region with a rich coal mining history. Coal mining has played a significant roll in transforming and developing the region since the mid-1800s when substantial coal mining in Illinois began. In 2006, the coal industry continues to be a vital component of our economy, and one we are working to strengthen for the future. Improving mine safety standards is an important part of this process began in Illinois, West Virginia, and other coal producing States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 2803 to affirm our commitment to the hard working men and women who enter coal mines every day.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the retirement of Chief Master Sergeant Robert Van Oss, who will be retiring from the United States Air Force after more than 30 years of service to his country. Chief Van Oss has led an exceptional military career specializing in healthcare. His proficiency in the medical field has proved to be an invaluable service in numerous ways during his years of service. Robert J. Van Oss was born on June 20, 1958 in Denver, Colorado. Upon finishing high school at John S. Greenway High School in Phoenix, Arizona in 1976, he enlisted in the Air Force. Upon completion of his training as a Medical Service Specialist, he applied his skills to numerous and important tasks. Chief Van Oss has performed a variety of assignments at bases in Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, the Phillipines, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. Recently he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he played a key role in the task of reconstructing an Iraqi healthcare system. He has also made vital contributions to the process of obtaining equipment for the purpose of medical evacuations in both the Air Force's aeromedical evacuation system and the Army medical evacuation system. Chief Van Oss will be retiring as Chief of Medical Enlisted Issues for Air Mobility Command where he provides professional advice to the AMC Command Surgeon on issues pertaining to the 3,900 enlisted medical personnel who provide healthcare services throughout the command and at Scott Air Force Base. In addition, he is currently the AMC Aerospace Medical Service Technician Functional Manager and is responsible for technicians located at 15 bases throughout the United States. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating CMSgt Robert Van Oss on his long and distinguished military career and thanking him for his service in the United States Air Force and to his country.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time. A couple of points very quickly. Number one, the average air traffic controller in the United States does not make over $200,000 a year. Number two, the 75 percent increase that has been referred to by the chairman of the subcommittee, 60 percent of that came through the normal process when every government employee received a raise. Finally, let me close by asking our colleagues to support this legislation and I would ask my friend, the chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, and the 75 Republicans who cosponsored the Kelly-Costello bill, that if this legislation fails tomorrow, if it does not get two-thirds vote and pass in this House tomorrow, then we want to see just how many Republicans who are supporting this legislation today will go up and sign discharge petition No. 13.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5449, legislation that will send the FAA and the air traffic controllers back to the bargaining table. H.R. 5449 seeks to ensure a fair process to resolve impasses that arise during collective bargaining negotiations with the FAA instead of the current one-sided process. The FAA and NATCA started contract negotiations in July of 2005. The FAA declared an impasse on April 5 and promptly sent the contract to Congress just days before we went out on our April district work period. The 60-day clock expired yesterday, June 5, with the FAA imposing its last offer immediately. I believe the best way to get a fair contract between the two sides is for Members to sign Discharge Petition No. 13 to bring H.R. 4755, a bipartisan bill with 265 cosponsors, including 75 Republicans, to the House floor for a vote. Congresswoman Sue Kelly and I introduced H.R. 4755 which would insist on binding arbitration, ensuring an end to the dispute, protecting collective bargaining rights and to promote good faith, fair negotiations. One hundred ninety-five Members, all Democrats, signed the Costello discharge petition to bring H.R. 4755 to the floor. Because I filed the discharge petition, the Republican leadership has decided to bring up H.R. 5449, introduced by my good friend, Mr. LaTourette, to the House floor today for consideration. While I would have preferred to see H.R. 4755 on the floor today, I support H.R. 5449, the legislation before us, as a means of reversing the current one-sided process that does not promote good faith negotiations. I want to remind my colleagues as we hear a lot about salaries and working conditions and other issues that this bill is about process only, plain and simple. There are no mandates concerning salaries, benefits or anything concerning working conditions with the air traffic controllers. It simply gets both sides back to the bargaining table. Today's debate really comes down to whether Members support the rights of workers and the rights of collective bargaining. Anytime one side comes to the bargaining table knowing that they will get what they want at the end of the day, which is exactly what the current law does, it gives the FAA what they want, their last proposal at the end of the day, then there is no incentive to reach an agreement. The current law is grossly unfair and needs to be permanently changed. If you truly believe in collective bargaining, you will send both sides back to the bargaining table by supporting H.R. 5449. I urge all Members to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to myself to make a point. The gentleman from Florida just stated that they are paying these people over $200,000 on average, and I have to tell you that I do not believe that to be an accurate statement. I would just suggest to the gentleman that if you think about over $200,000 a year on average, and I think that is very misleading. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career and public service of Joel Carp. For 28 years, Joel Carp has been an effective leader for the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, and the Jewish community as a whole. As Senior Vice President, his responsibilities include management of its Government Affairs Program, delegating the budget for social welfare programs, and supervising the State of Illinois refugee and immigration programs, as well as several homeless services programs. Joel's persistent dedication and devotion to social services has truly made a difference in many people's lives and in many organizations. Joel has dedicated his life to creating public policies that provide quality, comprehensive health and human services for people in Chicago and nationally. He is a member of numerous local, state, and national professional and community service organizations, and has served on various governmental task forces, including the City of Chicago's Task Force on Hunger. His work at the Illinois Department of Human Services includes service on the Governor's Families and Children Leadership Sub-Cabinet. With his knowledgeable background, he has published over 30 articles on various subjects in the field of social work, social planning and resettlement. Joel was the recipient of the Melvin A. Block Award for Professional Distinction from the Associated YM-YWHAs of Greater New York, and he also received the City of Chicago's Commission on Human Relations Award. His vision is credited as the driving force behind numerous projects that continue to enhance not only Chicago, but our entire nation. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to overstate the impact that Joel Carp has had on improving the quality of life for thousands of people in Illinois and across the nation. I am proud to call him a friend, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his contributions and wish him and his family the very best in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 788, a resolution that honors and celebrates the 25th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service Observance Day on May 15, 2006. President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day in 1962. However, it was not until May 15, 1982 that the first National Peace Officers' Memorial Day Service was held in Washington, DC. It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agencies. The memorial that was created in Washington, DC stands as a daily reminder of these dangers facing our law enforcement officers and of how these brave men and women died facing them. As a former police officer, I salute those law enforcement officials who died in the line of duty in 2005 and continue to honor those police officers who gave their lives in past years. As a member of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I strongly support critical funding for programs, such as the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, to hire additional police officers and help law enforcement acquire the latest crime-fighting technologies. I will continue to be a strong supporter of the law enforcement community and will advocate on behalf of public safety in Congress. Madam Speaker, in honor of the law enforcement officers who, through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and paying respect to our fallen heroes. As a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 788, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness to and pay tribute to those affected by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, EDS. The problems present in EDS include changes in the physical properties of skin, joints, blood vessels, and other tissues such as ligaments and tendons. EDS is a rare disorder, occurring in approximately 1 in 5,000 people; however, 90 percent of individuals who have EDS remain undiagnosed. The various forms of EDS are characterized by abnormalities in the chemical structure of the body's connective tissues resulting in some degree of joint looseness, fragile small blood vessels, and abnormal scar formation and wound healing. Some forms of EDS can present problems with the spine, including curved spine; the eyes; and weak internal organs, including the uterus, intestines, and large blood vessels. There is no cure for this condition, although researchers believe that specific research on EDS would not only benefit EDS patients with diagnostic tools and treatment, but would also benefit understanding of other connective tissue related diseases. Scientific researchers have made some significant advances in recent years in trying to understand this condition, but many scientific challenges still remain. Mr. Speaker, the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation, a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to controlling the effects of EDS as well as creating a support system for those diagnosed with this condition and their families, has designated May EDS Awareness Month. The goal of this effort is to educate the public about the nature and effects of EDS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to become familiar with this disease and join us in recognizing the importance of an accurate diagnosis of EDS to ensure appropriate treatment and educational outreach. EDS Awareness Month gives all of us an opportunity to learn more about the condition. It will help us better understand the impact that EDS can have on people living with the disorder, as well as recognize the importance of early diagnosis and proper treatment. In short, we must enhance public awareness of this very misunderstood and often misdiagnosed disease.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 60th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6368 in Dupo, Illinois. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States traces its roots back to 1899. That year, veterans of both the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their veterans. In Columbus, Ohio, Spanish-American War veterans founded the American Veterans of Foreign Service and in Denver, Colorado, Philippine veterans organized the Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines. In 1913, both organizations merged to form the present Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. The VFW is known the world over for their service not only to veterans, but to all people. They are considered to be one of the most active forces in the pursuit of services for and recognition of veterans at a national level. The efforts of the VFW resulted in the creation of the House Veterans Committee, the WWI bonus, the national Veterans Day holiday, various GI bills, the creation of a cabinet-level office of Veterans Affairs and support on many veterans' health issues. The VFW is active in disaster relief and also provides information to citizens about our national flag. You cannot mention the VFW without mentioning their ``buddy poppy'' program which raises funds for veterans' homes. VFW Post 6368 was chartered in 1946 with 52 charter members and was named the Sugar Loaf Memorial VFW Post. Currently, of the 52 original members, three are still with the Post; Robert Schneeberger, Stan Parrin and John Fischer. Post 6368 is very active in the community and provides many services and support to our area veterans, such as raising funds for homeless vets, money for the National Children's Home, and the Veterans Relief Fund. The Post also donates funds and supports the Dupo Senior High School Junior ROTC program. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the men and women of VFW Post 6368 both past and present on 60 years of serving veterans and the people of Southwestern Illinois.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend John H. Rouse, of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, in East St. Louis, Illinois, on the occasion of his 51st anniversary of service in the ministry and 31st anniversary as Pastor of Mt. Zion. John Rouse is the son of Dr. W.B. and Evelyn Rouse. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Rev. Rouse graduated with honors from Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. Even though he was the president of his graduating class, Rev. Rouse was once counseled at Lincoln High School to compromise his ambition and settle for employment that did not require public speaking. How fortunate for all those who have benefited from his years of ministry that Rev. Rouse did not follow that advice. Rev. Rouse began his formal ministry at the First Ward Baptist Church, in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he was pastor until 1970. During his time in Tennessee, Rev. Rouse continued his extensive education at American Baptist Seminary and College of the Bible, Tennessee State University, Austin Peay State University and George Peabody College. Also during his years in Tennessee, Rev. Rouse became very involved in the civil rights struggle. His work to end segregation in Tennessee and later in Henderson, Kentucky has continued throughout his years of ministry as he has been a constant champion of civil rights and social justice. It was through activities as a member of the NAACP that Rev. Rouse met Mary G. Avent, who would become his wife and mother of their four children. In 1975, Rev. Rouse returned to East St. Louis to begin his pastorate at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he still serves as pastor today. While at Mt. Zion, Rev. Rouse has expanded his ministry to include Mt. Zion Baptist Mission East, as well as a community-based prison ministry. In addition to their own four children, Rev. and Mrs. Rouse have taken in a number of foster children and opened their hearts and helping hands to many within their congregation. While Rev. Rouse has built an impressive congregation in East St. Louis, he has extended his ministry through speaking engagements, workshops and revivals across the country and as far away as Seoul, South Korea. Rev. Rouse has officiated at over 2,000 weddings and over 5,000 funerals. He has served on governing boards and commissions serving the church, education, government and community. Rev. Rouse has traveled far and wide in his service to the Lord. He has also been a teacher, coach and funeral director. He has built congregations and mentored others in their quest to become ministers. The good work that he has done has extended far beyond the boundaries of his present congregation and will be felt for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation to Reverend Rouse for his 51 years of dedicated ministry and to wish him and his family the very best in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Each year on April 24th, the Armenian community and others throughout the world remember and solemnly commemorate the 300 Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders that were arrested in Constantinople, taken to Turkey and murdered. Today marks the 91st anniversary of the deliberate campaign of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915. From 1915-1923, 1.5 million Armenians were murdered and more than 500,000 were forced from their homeland into exile. Despite the effort of some to minimize the scope and deny its occurrence, the Armenian Genocide is a historical fact. In the years since, descendants of Armenian immigrants have clung to their identity and have prospered across this nation and throughout the world. In my district, there is a significant population of Armenian survivors and their families that showed heroic bravery and a will to survive. With faith and courage, generations of Armenians have overcome great suffering and proudly preserved their culture, traditions, and religion by sharing their story of the genocide. It is through their unforgettable tragedy that we are able to share in their history and strong heritage. Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to imagine an evil more powerful than the massacre and willful destruction of a people. By commemorating the Armenian Genocide, we renew our commitment to prevent future atrocities, and therefore we ensure the lessons of the Armenian Genocide are properly understood and acknowledged. As U.S. efforts to aid victims of genocide continue, it is imperative that we pay tribute to the memory of others who have suffered and to never forget the past.