Jerry Costello

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career of Dr. Sam H. McGowen as he retires as Superintendent of Mascoutah Community Unit School District #19, in Mascoutah, Illinois. Sam McGowen has built a 45-year career in education, both as a teacher and administrator. A native of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Sam earned his Bachelor's Degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1966 and began his education career as a social studies teacher in Bonne Terre Missouri. Sam would also earn a Master's from Southeast Missouri State and a doctorate in educational administration from St. Louis University. Sam's career evolved into school administration and this would lead him to positions as superintendent for several Missouri school districts before coming to Mascoutah, Illinois. Part of the attraction of the Mascoutah opportunity was Sam's familiarity with Scott Air Force Base. He had visited Scott many times as part of his duties in the Missouri National Guard. Knowing that many students in the Mascoutah School District were from military families and appreciating the Mascoutah community from his previous visits, Sam was intrigued by this opportunity. Sam McGowen's tenure as superintendent of Mascoutah Community Unit School District #19 has seen tremendous growth, both for the district and for the Mascoutah community. Enrollment has soared from 2,700 to 3,600 students and new construction has been completed for both a new high school building and a new elementary school for students who reside on the base. This success comes in part because Sam understood the unique challenges that schools serving military families, such as Mascoutah, face. As a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools and President of the Military Impacted Schools Association in 2001, Sam worked tirelessly on behalf of these students to ensure Impact Aid schools receive the necessary resources to provide their students with a quality education. Sam's dedication has made Mascoutah the successful school district it is today. Sam and his wife, Sue, reside in Mascoutah and have four children and eight grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation to Dr. Sam H. McGowen for his years of dedicated service to the Mascoutah community and to wish him and his family the very best in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 175th Anniversary of the Union Baptist Church in Alton, Illinois. In the first half of the 19th Century, Alton, Illinois had developed as a major stop on the Underground Railroad as slaves came north in search of their freedom. It was a small group of these former slaves, some having arrived via the Underground Railroad and some having previously been freed, that gathered to form a Baptist Church in Alton. The group organized as the African Mission Freedmen. In 1837, the same year that the City of Alton was incorporated and also the same year that the famed abolitionist journalist, Elijah Lovejoy, was killed, the Union Baptist Church was founded. The first pastor was Rev. John Livingston and one of the founding members, John Anderson, had worked as a pressman for Elijah Lovejoy at The Alton Observer. As the church congregation grew, a two-story building was constructed in 1854, with Union Baptist Church meeting on the second floor and the first African-American school in Alton using the first floor. The church was forced to sell the building in the later years of the 19th Century and went back to meeting in congregation homes. In the early 1900's a new church was built. The 175 year history of Union Baptist Church has seen its membership go through periods of decline, followed by resurgence. Throughout those years, however, the spirit of its founders, who came searching for freedom and a better life, has sustained the church and kept it thriving as a place of worship up to today. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 175th Anniversary of the Union Baptist Church and to wish the congregation the best for many years to come.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Tech. Sgt. Jacob Curtis, of the Illinois Air National Guard, who was recently selected as a 2012 Air National Guard Outstanding Airman of the Year. Tech. Sgt. Jacob Curtis, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, serves with the Illinois Air National Guard 126th Air Refueling Wing's Security Forces Squadron at Scott Air Force Base. He recently received a phone call from Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, to notify him that he was named one of the 2012 Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year, the highest national achievement the Air National Guard has to offer. Tech. Sgt. Curtis will now be in the running to be one of the Air Force's 2012 Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year, and he has already received numerous awards in his military career. He was named the NCO of the Quarter in 2011, Squadron NCO of the Year in both 2008 and 2011, Mission Support Group NCO of the Year in 2011, and 126th Air Refueling Wing NCO of the Year in 2011. Col. Peter Nezamis, commander of the 126th Air Refueling Wing, called Tech. Sgt. Curtis a ``gifted and giving professional'' and made reference to his family's sacrifice for their country as they have endured numerous overseas deployments. Curtis has recently returned from a 6 month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his deployment in Afghanistan, while at Bagram Airfield, Tech. Sgt. Curtis took decisive action when a nearby building was hit by indirect enemy rocket fire. There were several casualties and Curtis, the first to reach the scene, saw that one Airman had suffered a broken leg that had lacerated his femoral artery. Curtis tied a tourniquet around the Airman's leg and stayed with him until medical personnel arrived. In addition to this act of heroism, Curtis was also recommended for this award because of his ``dedication to duty, superior knowledge, and unwavering volunteerism.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Tech. Sgt. Jacob Curtis on being named a 2012 Air National Guard Outstanding Airman of the Year, and in wishing him and his family the very best in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Democratic motion to instruct conferees on the surface transportation reauthorization bill (H.R. 4348 and S. 1813). While the Senate bill is not perfect, it does provide certainty to State DOTs, transit agencies, and contractors that will help create and sustain jobs for out-of-work Americans. Further, it creates or saves more than two million jobs and strengthens our economy. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 74 to 22, with strong Democratic and Republican support. Adopting this motion to instruct will allow the conferees to make technical corrections to improve the legislation enabling Congress to move quickly to finalize a robust bill, as the construction season is already underway. Investing in our roads, bridges, waterways and rail systems creates good-paying jobs now while making our transportation system more efficient for decades into the future. Our backlog of maintenance needs alone is staggering, and we need to address it or continue to jeopardize our economic future. I urge my colleagues to support the motion to instruct conferees.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I stand to commemorate the Armenian Genocide on the 97th anniversary of its occurrence. It is unfortunate, however, that once again I do so without an official recognition on behalf of the American government. As I have said in years past, the undeniable genocidal actions by the Ottoman Empire against its Armenian citizens deserve official recognition from the American government. 1.5 million Armenians were killed, the first genocide of the 20th century. As a member of the House Armenian Issues Caucus, I have cosponsored legislation to affirm the U.S. position on Armenian Genocide and will continue to urge my colleagues in Congress and the Obama administration to support this position. As we mourn the lives of those lost, it is important to recognize the resilience and incredible strides the Armenian people have made in recovering from that unspeakable past. I stand in solidarity with the Armenian people and renew my commitment to pursuing a future of reconciliation and peace. As a nation we must lead by honoring the memory of those that perished so the Armenian people and the international community can move forward toward a brighter tomorrow. The U.S. has officially recognized other such tragic events and 21 other countries have recognized the Armenian Genocide. I call on my colleagues in Congress and the Obama administration to join me in recognizing the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and urge enactment of H. Res. 304.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career of Mrs. Mariana ``Mimi'' Iacono as she retires after 25 years of Air Force Civilian Service. Mimi Iacono began her civil service career with the Department of Defense in 1987, starting as a Protocol and Management Assistant in the Military Airlift Command and Air Mobility Command. For 17 years, she has served as a legislative counsel for the Commander of the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). USTRANSCOM, located at Scott Air Force Base, was established in 1987, coincidentally the same year Mimi began her civil service career. It is one of ten U.S. unified commands and is the single manager of the United States' global defense transportation system. Because of Mimi's efforts, each TRANSCOM commander has enjoyed productive engagement with Members of Congress, enabling those commanders to communicate effectively about their mission, their needs and their value to the nation. Mimi's effectiveness has been enhanced by her thorough understanding of all aspects of USTRANSCOM as well as the legislative process. She has developed solid working relationships with Congressional staff and her work directly with my office has always been appreciated. She is truly a valuable resource who will be sorely missed, but whose legacy will endure. Mimi and her husband, David, reside in O'Fallon, Illinois, and have two sons, Michael and David. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation to Mariana ``Mimi'' Iacono for her years of dedicated service to the United States Air Force and to wish her the very best in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, in Herrin, Illinois, on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary. Herrin, Illinois, was founded at the turn of the 20th Century and it quickly was populated by immigrants, primarily from Italy, who came to work in the area coal mines. The first Mass for the growing Catholic population was said in the town hall in 1900 but plans were soon in place for a permanent church. The new church, initially named St. Mary's Church, was dedicated in August, 1901. As with most Catholic parishes, the members of St. Mary's planned for a school to educate the children of the parish. A three room building was constructed in 1912 to house the first 104 students in grades one through three. Two lay teachers served as the faculty for the first two years at St. Mary's before the Precious Blood Sisters arrived in 1914. St. Mary's school grew so quickly in its first years that the enrollment peaked at 365 students in 1920 and the 1930 graduating class of 54 remains the largest in the school's history. In 1925, a larger church was completed and the parish was officially named Our Lady of Mount Carmel, although many would continue to call it St. Mary's. Our Lady of Mount Carmel School has adapted through many changes over its 100 year history but it has always remained true to its core values of providing the highest quality of education while rooted in the teachings of the Catholic faith. Their Mission Statement says it best, that they ``exist to enable students to become knowledgeable and active in their faith, to educate students academically, and to develop strong moral character.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the administration, faculty, staff and students of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary and to wish them the very best for many more years to come.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the passing of our dear colleague, Congressman Donald Payne and honoring his lifetime commitment to service and humanitarian causes. Don Payne and I were classmates in Congress. I was first elected in a special election in August, 1988 and Don was first elected in 1988 and took office with the 101st Congress in 1989. A life-long resident of Newark, New Jersey, Don Payne was an educator, insurance executive and President of the National Council of YMCA's, an organization with which he was involved until his passing. His passion for community service took him to elected positions on the Newark city council and as an Essex County freeholder before being elected as the first African American to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Congress. As a Member of Congress, Don continued to be a tireless advocate for his constituents in New Jersey but he also built a reputation as a champion of human rights on an international scale. As a leader of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, Don traveled extensively to bring aid and fight for oppressed people across the globe. Don was very involved in efforts to combat political oppression, ethnic violence, the spread of Aids and starvation in Africa but he also worked for relief efforts in Haiti and was very supportive of peace negotiations in Northern Ireland. On this past Tuesday, March 6, Don Payne lost his battle with cancer, the people of Newark and the world lost a dedicated public servant, and I lost a dear friend and colleague. He will be truly missed. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation for the life and service of Congressman Don Payne and to keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 175th Anniversary of the City of Mascoutah, Illinois. In the early 19th Century, much of the development in Southwestern Illinois had been concentrated along the Mississippi River which formed its western border. By the 1830's the county seat of Belleville was the easternmost town in St. Clair County. Roads were sparse, with the St. Louis--Shawneetown mail route being the road that provided transit for mail, goods and travelers between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In 1837, a group of German settlers platted the town of Mechanicsburg along the St. Louis--Shawneetown mail route and a post office immediately relocated there. Since postal records indicated there was already a Mechanicsburg, Illinois, the post office and town were renamed, Mascoutah, a name taken from the Mascouten tribe of Native Americans. The low, swampy terrain of Mascoutah would prove challenging for the early settlers, but a saw mill and flour mill attracted customers among area farmers and a wave of German immigration in the 1850's helped to swell the population. By 1880, Mascoutah was the third largest town in St. Clair County with a population of 2,576. As the region developed, many changes had an effect on the growth of Mascoutah. In addition to mills and breweries, coal mining brought employment to many in St. Clair County and drew more people looking for work. In 1917, the U.S. War Department leased land near Mascoutah to develop one of the new ``flying fields.'' Scott Field would grow into Scott Air Force Base which would have a tremendous impact on every aspect of life in the Mascoutah community. From its founding 175 years ago, Mascoutah has experienced considerable growth and has positioned itself to continue that trend. It offers a small-town feel within a major metropolitan area and prides itself on excellent schools and a great quality of life. It has been an honor to represent the City of Mascoutah for over two decades in the U.S. Congress. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the City of Mascoutah, Illinois and to wish them the best for a bright and prosperous future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the production and delivery of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplanes and to congratulate everyone at The Boeing Company on this milestone in aviation history. The roots of today's Boeing Company were five companies founded by visionaries whose names are forever etched in the history of aviation. William Boeing (The Boeing Airplane Co.), Donald Douglas (Douglas Aircraft Co.), James McDonnell (McDonnell Aircraft Corp.), James ``Dutch'' Kindelberger (North American Aviation), and Howard Hughes, Jr. (Hughes Aircraft) pioneered aviation design, provided our nation with a critical component of military superiority and ushered in the modern era of air travel. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner builds on the legacy and combined knowledge derived from those early pioneers but takes innovation to new levels. The Dreamliner departs from traditional metal construction with greater use of composite materials than any previous aircraft. Improvements in engine technologies take fuel efficiencies a step further to give the Dreamliner both the range and speed of larger aircraft. The Dreamliner has used advanced technologies to improve the flying experience beyond exterior design and engine performance. Higher cabin humidity levels, larger passenger windows and monitoring systems that coordinate with land-based computers are a few other examples of Dreamliner innovations. With final assembly in Boeing's Washington plant, Dreamliner subassembly occurs in locations throughout the United States and across the globe. Named an ``Aircraft of Legend,'' the Dreamliner is an example of American innovation and technological leadership. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the debut of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and in congratulating everyone at Boeing and their subcontractors who have been involved in its design, construction and delivery.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Rahall. Let me thank him not only for his friendship and his kind words but for his leadership on the committee on so many issues. As the chairman pointed out, we were in a markup until almost 3 a.m. this morning, and Mr. Rahall led us on our side of the aisle in working together to try and come up with a better product than was presented to us last night. So I thank him. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report. I want to say from the outset that I'm deeply disappointed in the change to the Railway Labor Act that was added to the conference report during final negotiations on the National Mediation Board provision between Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Reid. The NMB language had been dropped altogether, as Mr. Rahall indicated in his statement. Congress should not be amending the Railway Labor Act in this bill. Importantly, there are several provisions in the conference report that help organized labor, and after working on this legislation for over 5 years, I believe it's necessary to move forward and enact a multiyear reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. However, I want to be clear: I join the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, and many others, that if the Railway Labor Act change proves to have a significant impact--negative impact--on the right to organize, we must come back and revisit this issue. One of my highest priorities in the FAA reauthorization bill has been and is fair bargaining rights for employees at the FAA. After leading the fight for many years, I am pleased that the conference report establishes a process for mediation and binding arbitration of impasses between the FAA and its unions. As Chairman Petri indicated, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act provides $63 billion dollars for FAA infrastructure programs, operations, and research over the 4-year period of the bill. I wanted to see higher funding levels and a passenger facility charge increase for job-creating airport infrastructure projects. However, the funding levels in this conference report are an improvement over the 2008 levels originally proposed in the House-passed bill. They are roughly level with the current year's appropriation. The conference report also includes a number of safety provisions in the FAA reauthorization bill that we had in previous Congresses, such as a stronger requirement for maintenance work performed on U.S. commercial airlines by outside contractors. It also requires the FAA to assess the appropriate staff levels for air traffic controllers, FAA managers, and aviation safety inspectors. In addition, the conference report takes important steps to advance the next generation air traffic control system that is desperately needed not only by the industry and for the flying public but by the country as a whole. We create a new chief NextGen officer who will serve as the primary point of contact for NextGen implementation at the FAA to provide accountability and stability, and require reporting metrics to ensure that NextGen is making progress. Further, it would require the FAA to work closely with affected unions in the planning, development, and deployment of NextGen. I wrote this provision in the bill 4 years ago, and I'm glad to see that it will be enacted into law in this conference report. Finally, Mr. Speaker, despite the flaws that we talked about in the bill, we desperately need a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, and that's why I'm supporting this bill. I thank the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, Chairman Mica, Chairman Petri, and other committee members for all of their hard work on this legislation, and I thank the staff on both sides of the aisle, who have worked very hard over the past 5 years to try and bring us to the point where we are today to get a bill on the President's desk.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Rahall. We've worked very closely together on this legislation. And over the next 9 or 10 months of my service to complete my term, we're going to continue to work together. I want to thank Chairman Mica. We do not always agree on every issue, but we work together in an open process. He has extended many courtesies to me, and I appreciate his friendship and his leadership. No one wanted to bring this bill to the floor more than he, and a number of us as well. But he has done his very best. He said when he took over as chairman that he was going to bring an FAA bill and a highway bill to the floor, and I think he has every intention to do that. And we're halfway there as of today. And let me say, Mr. Petri, who, as chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee for 4 years, I could not have had a better ranking member. Now as ranking member, I could not have a better chair as far as a working relationship, and we've done things in a bipartisan manner. So I thank the chairman, and I thank the subcommittee chairman and the ranking member. Let me conclude by saying that this is not a perfect bill. I have major concerns with the NMB. It should not be in this bill. And if in fact there are problems as a result of the provisions put in this bill, it is my intent, and the intent of many on our side, to come back and try and address that in an appropriate way. There are many provisions in this bill that will enhance safety; and there are a number of provisions in this bill that will protect workers and workers' rights over at the FAA and the unions that represent employees at the Federal Aviation Administration. So I will be supporting the conference report.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 3800, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2012. This bill contains a clean extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's authority to spend from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to carry out airport improvement projects at current funding levels through February 17, 2012. Mr. Speaker, this short-term extension will hopefully provide us enough time for the House Republican leadership to finally appoint conferees to the FAA reauthorization bill, which we passed almost a year ago, work through the remaining policy issues with the other body, and send a comprehensive bill to the President. Although this has been an unnecessarily difficult and controversial process during the first session of the 112th Congress to move the multiyear FAA reauthorization measure, I'm pleased that the House and Senate leadership recognized the importance of getting a bill completed and stepped in to help in the process. While I will reserve judgment on a final conference report, it appears as though we are making progress, and we certainly need to avoid a repeat of the disastrous outcome that occurred this summer when the FAA was partially shut down for 2 weeks, costing taxpayers almost $400 million in lost revenue for infrastructure investment. As we move to conference, we need to enact a fair and comprehensive bill that creates jobs, furthers aviation safety, and advances our transition to the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Mr. Speaker, I support this short-term FAA extension in the interest of preventing another FAA shutdown in order to give us a few more weeks to produce a bipartisan reauthorization conference report that the President can sign into law. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3800, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2012, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, we have one speaker.

Mr. COSTELLO. At this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), a valued member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mr. COSTELLO. I yield another 1 minute to the gentlewoman.

Mr. COSTELLO. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, let me commend Chairman Mica and Chairman Petri for working in a bipartisan way. We've attempted to work with the other body in working on an agreement. We are very close to agreement. As I said in my statement, I reserve judgment on the final conference agreement, but I certainly want to commend our friends on the other side of the aisle for working to move this legislation forward. With that, I urge the passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I will vote today against this motion to go to conference with Senate and in support of the two-month payroll tax cut extension. While it is not perfect, it is a reasonable compromise that will help people make ends meet while we continue to work on a longer-term solution. The fact is that Democrats and Republicans have been working at finding such a solution for several weeks, and this is the best we can do at this time. As we have done at other times this year, notably with the debt limit vote in August, we have an opportunity to do something for the good of the country on a short-term basis. While this is not ideal, I believe approving a two-month extension is better than letting the payroll tax reduction and unemployment benefits expire while Medicare reimbursements to doctors are cut dramatically, which will have negative effects for our fragile economic recovery. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan compromise was overwhelmingly approved in the Senate and includes several provisions that Republicans worked hard to include, such as requiring President Obama to make a decision on the Keystone pipeline within 60 days. It will provide relief to individuals and families who need it and support for the overall economy. This is not the time to draw lines in the sand. I urge my Republican colleagues to let the House consider the two-month extension today and to vote in support of it. Then we can continue to work on how to extend this relief through the duration of 2012.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 60th Anniversary of Canaan Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, Illinois. In 1951, Mother Georgia Jones accepted her calling to help organize a new church in the Eagle Park area of Madison, Illinois. Word of Mother Jones' efforts reached Rev. C. D. McClinton, the former pastor of Southern Tabernacle Church in nearby Lovejoy. These two, along with a small group of dedicated pioneers, met for several weeks before forming a Mission which would become Canaan Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. McClinton as the first Pastor. Early meetings of the new church were held in the Jones' home. Soon, a lot was purchased and the first church structure was constructed through the labors of the church members. A fire destroyed the first church building on Good Friday, 1966, and temporary facilities were required, including a tent where services were held during the summer and fall of 1966. Work was ongoing for a permanent replacement which would be completed in stages as resources were available. The physical church structure continued to develop as the church congregation grew and a new edifice was recently dedicated. Canaan Galilee Missionary Baptist Church has grown and expanded since its humble beginnings. A number of ministries have been instituted to serve not only the church congregation but also the Eagle Park community. The current and seventh pastor, Rev. Don Sanford, has been a driving force for expanding the church involvement in the community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 60th Anniversary of Canaan Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and to wish them the best for many years to come.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3094, the so-called Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act of 2011. Since coming to Congress, I have been a strong advocate for the right of every employee to form a union and collectively bargain for their rights. This bill represents the most recent attempt to put the interests of businesses over the rights of workers, another in a long line of Republican attempts to strip these fundamental rights from working Americans. H.R. 3094 is designed to derail fair, legal union elections by mandating delays and encouraging frivolous, distracting lawsuits. At a time when we should be pursuing policies that will strengthen our workforce and support the middle class, this bill will only make it harder for working families to maintain their pay checks, secure health insurance, plan for retirement, and achieve the American Dream. As our economy continues to recover, it is my hope that Congress can come together to pass legislation that puts Americans back to work and maintains the strongest and most competitive workforce in the world. H.R. 3094 will not achieve either of these goals, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 100th anniversary of Steamfitters Local 439 of Caseyville, Illinois, affiliated with the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada. The history of the pipe trades goes back before the Civil War. During the mid-nineteenth century, plumbers, steamfitters and gas fitters would have been represented by individual trade locals. In 1889, a plumber from Boston sent a letter to a plumber in Washington, DC, expressing an interest in forming a ``United Brotherhood'' and soon thereafter, the new union was formed. The union name would later be adopted as the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada and be known as UA. On August 12, 1911, UA General President Martin P. Durkin chartered Local 439 in East St. Louis, Illinois. The local hall would remain in East St. Louis for 76 years. In 1987, the current hall was erected in Caseyville, Illinois, and named the Donald J. Bailey Building in honor of Local 439's retired business manager. In further recognition of the contributions of Donald Bailey and the Steamfitters to the community, St. Clair County named the street where the union hall is located, Donald Bailey Drive. The current business manager is Charles ``Totsie'' Bailey, who first joined Local 439 in 1978. Throughout his tenure as Local 439 business manager, Totsie has worked tirelessly to provide his members with the best representation possible and also to improve their skills through continuing education and training. Through his leadership, additional training facilities have been opened and educational programs have been developed. Totsie is a fierce advocate for his members but he is also known for his generosity and his commitment to his community. Totsie leads by example and has personally donated his own resources to assist members, retirees and families of his local as well as many within his community. Local 439 has always been very involved in volunteer and fundraising efforts and the list of organizations they have helped includes; the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the United Way, the St. Vincent De Paul Society and the Backstoppers, a local organization that provides assistance to the families of fallen police officers and firefighters. Local 439 holds an annual fundraiser to benefit the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Burn Camp for Kids and has raised over $250,000 in eight years for this worthy cause. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the leadership and members of Steamfitters Local 439 as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary and to wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 100th anniversary of Elks Lodge #1243, in Carbondale, Illinois. Carbondale Elks Lodge #1243 started with 81 charter members in 1911. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks had begun just 43 years earlier in New York City. In these early years, those interested in starting a new lodge would petition an existing lodge for initiation. The list of names for the proposed Carbondale Lodge was sent to Murphysboro, Illinois Lodge #572 on May 10, 1911 and Carbondale Lodge #1243 was formed. Through the years, Carbondale Elks Lodge #1243 has engaged in a number of programs to foster the Elks mission, ``To promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship.'' Some current activities include organizing fund- raisers to benefit disabled and visually impaired children and holding an annual charity golf tournament. Carbondale Elks Lodge #1243 has been a shining example of a fraternal organization that strives not only to support its members but to provide resources and volunteer activities to benefit their greater community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the officers and members of Carbondale, Illinois Elks Lodge #1243 on their 100th anniversary and to wish them all the best for many years to come.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 75th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1308 in Alton, Illinois. VFW Post 1308 was founded during the Great Depression, at a time when our nation's economic situation only served to aggravate the needs of veterans, many of whom had served with honor during the First World War. Veterans who sustained injuries while on active duty were at a greater disadvantage as medical bills continued and their ability to find work was compromised. From its founding, 75 years ago, Post 1308 has continually grown until it now lists 1,263 members, making it the largest VFW post in the State of Illinois. In addition to serving and advocating for our area's veterans, Post 1308 has also shown concern for the needs of their community, especially for its young people. Their democracy and patriot pens programs are examples of the educational programs Post 1308 conducts to foster patriotic and civic awareness among area students. They have also shown tremendous support to area organizations, ranging from Special Olympics to the March of Dimes. Through the years, Post 1308 has developed a number of programs to meet the many and diverse needs of veterans. They visit veterans in hospitals and nursing homes, conduct annual clothing drives to benefit homeless veterans, provide financial assistance to veterans in times of economic hardship and provide no-cost military funeral rites (over 100 per year) for honorably discharged veterans. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the members of VFW Post 1308, both past and present, on 75 years of serving veterans and the people of the Alton, Illinois, area and to wish them many continued years of service in the future.

Mr. COSTELLO

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to pay tribute to a leader and a warrior, General Duncan J. McNabb, commander of the United States Transportation Command. General McNabb is retiring after honorably serving this great Nation for over 37 years with a distinguished career. General McNabb graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1974. As a command pilot, he has more than 5,600 flying hours in transport and rotary wing aircraft. In addition, General McNabb has held command and staff positions at squadron, group, wing, major command and Department of Defense levels and is considered the finest mobility and logistics expert in the Department of Defense. I have had the pleasure of working with General McNabb from 2005 to 2007 when he assumed command of the Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base in the congressional district that I am privileged to represent and, again, when he returned to Scott Air Force Base to be the commander of USTRANSCOM in 2008. USTRANSCOM is a critical part of our military operations. It provides the coordinated transportation, distribution and sustainment, which projects and maintains our national power. As a global combatant commander, General McNabb has made supporting the American warfighter his top priority. Under General McNabb's leadership, USTRANSCOM has moved over 1.5 million passengers and over 4 million short tons of cargo in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom. To put this in perspective, this is the equivalent to moving the entire population of southwestern and southern Illinois and all of their household belongings halfway around the world. America truly has a military deployment and distribution system that is unmatched anywhere in the world. Under General McNabb's command, USTRANSCOM has provided humanitarian relief to hurricane victims in the United States, earthquake victims in Haiti and Japan, and flood victims in Pakistan, just to name a few. The medicine, supplies, equipment, and personnel that USTRANSCOM has delivered in the wake of these and other natural disasters ultimately saved lives and eased human suffering. In addition to conducting some of the largest military moves since World War II and providing unparalleled humanitarian relief, General McNabb has made it a priority to transform our Nation's deployment and distribution system, ensuring our ability to project national power where needed with the greatest speed and agility, the highest efficiency, and the most reliable level of trust and accuracy. As a USTRANSCOM commander, General McNabb actively took on the role of the distribution process owner for DOD, charged with improving efficiency and interoperability across the entire DOD supply chain. To meet the needs of the military and the Nation, General McNabb developed the Arctic overflight route and expanded multimodal logistics throughout the northern distribution network. He has improved combat readiness and capability while saving hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. Troops and equipment are now arriving and leaving the battlefield faster and at less cost. General McNabb will be the first to tell you he did not accomplish these feats alone. He led the way in seeking collaborative joint solutions to today's complex global distribution issues. Those who worked for him and with him, military and civilians from every branch of service, will miss his leadership and mentorship. They'll miss the stories and humor he used to get his message across. We in Congress will miss his straightforward approach and sound counsel. The Nation will miss his devotion to duty, ceaseless drive for improvement, and unwavering support to the men and women serving in our armed services. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize General McNabb for serving the Air Force with honor and distinction for 37 years. I also wish to recognize his wife, Linda, and wish her the very best in the future as well. The Air Force will lose not one but two exceptional people upon General McNabb's retirement. General McNabb and Linda, we wish you well in your future endeavors and pray that those who follow in your footsteps may continue the legacy of unprecedented support for our great Nation.