Chris Chocola

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman would yield further, just to put this into context, between 2006 and 2015, it is estimated that the surplus will be $790 billion that we would put into personal accounts for retirement needs for Social Security benefits versus spending it on general government purposes. So this is a lot of money that can be put aside now for Social Security benefits in the future. I think it is high time we start.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman bringing up that point. That is a consistent criticism of the GROW accounts, that they would increase the debt or the deficit; but in fact what they do is unmask or reveal the true budget deficit. Today we have a Social Security surplus, which we have talked about. That money is used to pay for general government needs, and it reduces or masks the amount of money we really need to run government, because we are taking Social Security money and using it for general government purposes. With GROW accounts implemented and enacted, we would stop doing that. We would stop using Social Security surplus money for anything except Social Security. The problem with that, the critics would say, is that we have to go find the money to fund general government somewhere else. So on paper it increases the deficit, when in fact it unmasks the deficit. It is simply a matter of truth in accounting. It is being honest with the American people how much money we spend as a government and where the money comes from. Then we will be more accountable to the American people by not spending their Social Security money on things other than Social Security and being honest as to how much we need to spend or borrow to fund the general government needs. Mr. Speaker, it is simply a matter of transparency and truth in accounting. Frankly, we need more of that in other parts of government, which we could spend several hours talking about. It is being honest with the American people, and I think it is one of the great benefits of GROW accounts.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman is exactly right. Congress has changed the Social Security system over time, and over 20 times in the past Congress has raised taxes on Social Security in payroll taxes into the system. And that has never solved the problem. And if we include raising the amount of payroll that is subject to the tax, it is something like 38 or 39 times we have raised the contribution to the system. What we have to do is find a way to permanently solve the Social Security challenges that are really undeniable. As she said, the only thing guaranteed is a significant cut in benefits in 2041 or 2042 if we do nothing. So I think it is time that we find a way to permanently solve this problem. The GROW accounts are a great idea as a first step. They are not the total answer, but they are a first step to give people an ownership stake in Social Security, make sure that we use the surplus for what it is intended for, and that is Social Security benefits, stop raiding the surplus and begin to strengthen Social Security for the long term.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me, and I thank her for her leadership on this issue. This is one of many times she has come to the floor and spoken on this very important issue that I think is important to generation of Americans, and it is important that we focus on the facts and how we can strengthen Social Security for the long term. And the gentleman from Florida did a tremendous job in talking about a first step, I think a very appropriate step, in making sure that we preserve the Social Security surplus for Social Security reasons and benefits. I did 15 or 20 town hall meetings so far this year on Social Security; and if there was one message I heard loud and clear, Mr. Speaker, from the people of the Second District of Indiana it is: let us stop raiding the Social Security surplus. Let us stop spending it on everything from the Cowgirl Hall of Fame to the war in Iraq. Let us use that surplus for what it is there for, and that is simply to provide the benefits for Social Security beneficiaries in the future. And that is exactly what GROW accounts do. They simply stop the raid. I think facts matter, and with anything I think that we should understand the facts before we make decisions. And I learned recently that there is going to be a group of people in my district office in South Bend, Indiana tomorrow, and they are going to demand that I take my name off as a cosponsor of the bill that creates GROW accounts. I am not going to take my name off of that bill because I think that their request is based on a misunderstanding of the facts, and I know that because they sent me a letter, or they are going to deliver to me a letter tomorrow, I think, but we got an advance copy, and some of the things they have stated in this letter are gross misstatements of the fact and I think mislead people as to what GROW accounts do and how they start to solve our Social Security problem. The first misunderstanding is they say that ``rather than ensuring that American workers receive the benefits they have earned, this bill would divert payroll contributions to create private accounts and would fund these private accounts using the `surplus,' money which has already been earmarked to pay the baby boomers' Social Security benefits.'' Mr. Speaker, it is true that this bill would create personal accounts and those personal accounts will be funded by surplus Social Security money that goes into the system that is not needed for current beneficiaries. What is not true is that the surplus has been earmarked for baby boomers in the future. In fact, the opposite is true. The surplus is simply spent on everything that the government needs that is outside of Social Security benefits. So I think it is very important that we understand that the GROW account simply makes sure that we spend Social Security surplus money on Social Security purposes. The second misunderstanding is they say: ``This plan would cut guaranteed benefits.'' There are two things wrong with that statement. One, there are no guaranteed benefits under Social Security as it is currently implemented. The Supreme Court has said that no one has a property right, no one has a right to your benefits. Congress can change the Social Security system at any time in the future and no one can make a claim for their benefits. So under the current Social Security plan, there are no guaranteed benefits. But if we have GROW accounts, there is a guaranteed benefit because that becomes a personal asset. That becomes an asset with their name on it. It becomes a part of their estate. It becomes inheritable if they die before they can collect their benefits, and currently Social Security has none of those aspects and none of those benefits. The third misunderstanding is: ``This plan would finance risky private accounts.'' Again, Mr. Speaker, it does fund personal accounts. It is a personal asset for individuals who are in the Social Security system. But they are not risky because these accounts would simply have one asset in them when they are created, and that is government-backed securities, government bonds, the safest investment in the world, and these are tradeable and marketable bonds that can be sold at a later time when people have their retirement needs, and they can use that for their retirement benefits. So, Mr. Speaker, I do think that facts really matter in this debate because the consequences are very important to every generation of Americans. We can talk more about these accounts and more about the Social Security situation overall, but again I want to thank my colleagues for being here tonight talking about this very important issue. And one of the things that I always want to encourage people to do is to share with us what they are for. The people coming to my office tomorrow are going to tell me what they are against. I would love to hear what their ideas on saving Social Security are. I would love to hear what they are for. I know that their colleagues are open minded and that we are willing to listen to any good idea to make sure that we permanently solve the problems that Social Security faces. So I hope that we can have some positive input from both sides of the aisle and all the American people because we need that to solve this problem.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of the United States-Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement and the benefits it will provide to hard working farmers in Indiana and all across this country. Currently, the U.S. market is already fairly open to agricultural products from Central America and the Dominican Republic, but U.S. farmers face a variety of tariffs and other barriers when exporting to DR-CAFTA countries. This agreement will eliminate these barriers, reciprocate open market access, and put American farmers on a level playing field. More than half of America's agricultural exports will receive immediate duty-free access to DR-CAFTA countries under this agreement. This agreement will provide U.S. farmers with unequaled access to a large market with growing incomes and a growing demand for agricultural and food products. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support American farmers and support this very important piece of legislation.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. As we have heard, Mr. Speaker, last week our country did receive more good economic news. The jobless rate fell to 5 percent in June, the lowest rate since September of 2001. Economic growth has continued to average a strong and steady 4 percent. The deficit is down by over $100 billion to its lowest point in 3 years. And tax receipts have skyrocketed this year. That news should send a clear signal to Members of this body, it is time to give the tax cuts of 2003 the credit that they deserve. Time and again we have learned that the best way to achieve growth and create jobs is for hardworking people to keep more of their own money in their own pockets. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to help sustain this growth and help eliminate the deficit by controlling spending and making the 2003 tax cuts permanent.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, every day families and businesses across America have to make tough decisions. They have to live within a budget and eliminate wasteful spending. The Federal Government should act no differently. So I have joined my colleagues in reintroducing the Family Budget Protection Act in this Congress. It is legislation that gives the budget resolution the force of law. It limits the growth of spending. It places a premium on combating waste, fraud and abuse. And it forces us to honestly account for long-term funding obligations. Together, these reforms will help balance the budget, promote more responsible spending and encourage Congress to make the same tough decisions that confront American families and small businesses every single day. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to demonstrate our commitment to fiscal discipline and join me in supporting the Family Budget Protection Act.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this is not an art-bashing amendment. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is simply a fiscal responsibility amendment. We must make decisions on how to prioritize spending. NASA will continue to have an art program. They have an art curator. They have an education program with a chief education officer. The ability to communicate the mission of NASA and the benefits of space exploration are still intact fully. But we have to make hard decisions. Having an artist-in-residence that produces a play that has minimal, if any, relationship to NASA and the mission of NASA is not wise spending of taxpayer dollars. I appreciate the chairman's support of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHOCOLA. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) for his good work on this bill. I also appreciate the opportunity to offer this amendment. This amendment is really about prioritizing spending and fiscal responsibility. Over the last 2 years, NASA has spent $20,000 for an artist-in-residence program. My amendment is designed to prevent or limit that practice in the future. Mr. Chairman, nowhere in NASA's mission does it say anything about advancing fine arts or hiring a performance artist. In fact, Laurie Anderson, the person that was chosen to perform the role of a performance artist, when she was called to be offered the job, she said, Sure, what do I do? And the response she got from NASA was, Well, we do not know; we have never done this before. One of the first things that I did in 2003 after I showed up as a new Member of Congress is I attended a memorial service for the Columbia astronauts. Certainly, spending money by NASA on a performance artist and a artist-in-residence program does nothing to make sure that the shuttle program gets back into space and prevents such tragedies in the future. Now $20,000 may not seem like much in the Halls of Congress; but to the average American family, it is a significant amount of money. I wish I could say that NASA is boldly wasting taxpayer money where no agency has wasted it before, but I am afraid that the artist-in- residence program is just a symptom of a bigger problem. Recently, the Heritage Foundation identified $386 billion of waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending. Every American business and every American family must make hard decisions to stand by their budget and eliminate wasteful funding, and the Federal Government should be no different and NASA should not be spending taxpayer dollars on a performance artist. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker I would like to share with my colleagues a situation that has been brought to my attention. An October 2002 ruling by the International Court of Justice affirmed that the disputed Bakassi Peninsula belongs to The Republic of Cameroon. I urge the nations of Cameroon and Nigeria to act in accordance with this ruling and move expeditiously to withdraw Nigerian troops and delineate the final border. Continued talks between the two parties are greatly encouraged, and it is my hope they will lead to an effective resolution.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, a few short months ago, millions of Iraqis risked their lives by simply casting a vote. This week, the bravery demonstrated on that historic January day came to fruition as the country's first freely elected government in over half a century was sworn in. The new cabinet is representative of the various ethnic and religious groups in Iraq and will be charged with the important task of writing a permanent Iraqi constitution. This milestone is yet another victory for the Iraqi people and delivers a further blow to the terrorists and advances the cause of freedom worldwide. Mr. Speaker, I wish to reiterate our continued admiration and support of the Iraqi people, and I commend them for the courage and tenacity they continue to demonstrate as they embrace freedom and democracy.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Madam Speaker, Social Security was created in 1935, and over the decades has become a vital resource to millions of Americans. But demographic realities have changed over the past 70 years. Now fewer workers, more retirees, and longer life spans will cause Social Security's promised benefits to exceed the system's income by 2017. If we do not act now to strengthen Social Security, the system that so many depend upon today will be unable to meet its promises to tomorrow's retirees, and it will burden our children and grandchildren with exhaustive taxes. The Social Security Trustees, the Comptroller General of the United States, and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board have all agreed that the sooner we act, the smaller and less abrupt the changes will be. So, Madam Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to consider all the options now and work toward a bipartisan solution that renews Social Security's promises for future generations.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me. I also thank her for her leadership on this issue. This is not the first time that we have come to the floor and talked about this important issue that we face as a Nation, and it is really a test we cannot afford to fail. We need to act responsibly. We need to find ways to find a bipartisan solution to the challenges, the really undeniable challenges that we face with Social Security. People like the Chairman of the Federal Reserve and the Comptroller General of the United States have said that the sooner we act, the less painful any solutions will be. We can talk tonight about important numbers like 2017 when we go into a negative cash flow. We can talk about 2041 when the trust fund is exhausted and we can not pay the promised benefits to future retirees. We can talk about $10.4 trillion unfunded liability that we have as a Nation today that we must face up to. But I think that this problem is really even bigger than that. And to that end, I will tell just a quick story. I was in a committee hearing not long ago where the Secretary of the Treasury, John Snowe, was testifying. And our friends on the other side of the aisle were criticizing the Secretary about any proposed solutions that had been discussed or offered to address this problem. And after that criticism I talked to one of my friends on the other side of the aisle and said, If this is so bad, if our solutions are so unwelcomed by the American people, why do you not just let us do it because that would be the quickest way to go back into the majority? If this is such a bad idea and the American people will like it so little, they will throw us out of office for trying to solve this problem in a responsible way. I do not think that that offer is going to be taken because I think that many understand that this is much bigger than Social Security in itself. This is a bigger test and a challenge that we face as a Nation. Just stop and think for a second that if we allowed every working American the opportunity to own a little bit of a growing economy, we would truly become an ownership society, and think about the fact that every American could own a piece of this growing Nation, the strongest economy on Earth, and got the benefit of this and could build a nest egg and build wealth over the course of their career, they would not really like things like frivolous lawsuits anymore or excessive regulation or excessive corporate taxes. We pay the highest corporate taxes in the industrialized world. People would understand, take ownership of how we grow the economy, and we all could benefit from that. I think the ramifications of that go much beyond Social Security. They represent an ownership society, and we can use those types of principles to address even bigger problems like Medicare, Medicaid, pension reform. So this is such an important issue that we have to move forward. It is a test we cannot afford to fail, and we need to find a bipartisan solution. Before I turn it back over to the gentlewoman from Kentucky, I just say that I invite all Members of this body to become part of the solution. I used to be in the private sector before I was elected to Congress; and the people I worked with never came and said, boy, we have got a problem and all your ideas are rotten. What they would do is say, you know, we have got a problem and here are some ideas that I have to solve those problems and so we can act responsibly. Is that not what we are elected to do? Because it is easy to be against things. It is easy to criticize other people's ideas, but we are really elected to find solutions to hard problems. If we are not willing to stand up and offer solutions to tough problems, rather than just criticizing others for their solutions, I do not think we are living up to the responsibility that we have as public servants. It is certainly not why anyone sent us here from home to serve in this body. So I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership, and I invite every Member of this body to participate in a constructive discussion to find a bipartisan solution to an undeniable challenge that we face as a Nation; and if we do not live up to it, we are not doing what we need to do to serve future generations and generations that are currently retired in a responsible way.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman would yield for just a second, I think it is important to step back for just a second and kind of review the course of the debate on this issue. There were a whole bunch of headlines in the paper yesterday and today about a hearing that occurred over in the other body and which would lead people, I think, to believe that the discussion about Social Security has stalled or the President is not being effective in leading the discussion on meaningful reform on Social Security. But it was not all that long ago, beginning this year in January, where I would hold town hall meetings and speak with people in the 2nd District of Indiana, and there was still a question of whether there was a problem or not. We would have a discussion: Do we have to act now or can we wait? Is this a crisis, or is this something that is being overblown? But today when I talk to people back in the 2nd District of Indiana, there is no question whether there is a challenge, an undeniable challenge that we face in the need to move forward and act. A very encouraging thing happened to me the other day. I think seniors do understand their benefits are safe and secure, and they are concerned about their children and their grandchildren and want to make sure there is a system in place that can give them the same benefits they have been able to enjoy. I visited an eighth grade class in Culver, Indiana, on Liberty Day, where the local Lions hand out a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which is a great thing to do for our young people. I asked a question of the eighth grade class: How many of you are concerned about Social Security? To my great delight, every single one of them raised their hands. I said the discussions we are having in Washington and around the country about Social Security really is not about your grandparents because their bennies are safe and secure, but I know they are concerned about you, and our action or inaction on this issue is really all about you because you are going to pay for or you are going to enjoy the benefit of whatever we do. So I was very encouraged to see that the eighth graders in Culver, Indiana, are paying attention to this and they understand the consequences to them and their families. I think that the debate is moving in the right direction. We have gone from do we have a problem to, sure, we have a problem to, now what do we do about it. Again, I think it is the only responsible thing we can do for every Member of this body to participate in the discussion, to offer their ideas. Personal accounts have been controversial. I think personally that they need to be part of the discussion, but I know the President and I am sure that my colleagues here tonight would say if somebody has a better idea that results in permanent solvency for the Social Security system and gives future generations the opportunity to have all of the benefits that their parents and their grandparents have had, let us hear it, let us talk about it, let us debate it. If it is a good idea, I am sure we could act on it, and I am sure we would all benefit from that.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Well, Mr. Speaker, that is a very good question, and there has been a lot of discussion about what is the trust fund. Does it have money in it? Does its have IOUs in it? Really, what does it have? And that question was presented to David Walker, who is Comptroller of the United States and responsible for the GAO. In a committee hearing he was asked, how would you characterize the trust fund? And David Walker is one of the most honest, knowledgeable people I have ever heard talk about this issue. He is a Clinton appointee, but he does not talk about it in partisan ways at all. And paraphrasing his response, he said, well, the trust is less of a trust and more of an accounting device. It really is only pieces of paper in a filing cabinet. There is no marketable securities in there. And I think his point was that we need to act now. Because in less than 3 years from now, in 2008, the baby boomers will start to retire. What we are faced with, in large part, is a demographic math problem. We have so many people retiring that we do not have enough people paying into the system to be able to provide the benefits for those collecting those benefits. So that the trust fund itself, again characterizing the comments of David Walker, is that there are no assets there. There are only liabilities. They are IOUs that the government owes itself and that we must pay. We must find a way to live up to the promises we have made to current retirees and future retirees. But we are going to have to do it by thinking about alternative solutions. All the options need to be put on the table. The fact is that one of the earliest lessons I learned in business was that balance sheets and income statements are fiction, cash flow is reality. The reality is that we have a cash flow problem. We do not have enough cash to pay the benefits, and we need to act now. As my colleague from Georgia said, if we fail to act, every year it costs us $600 billion more and the options on the table become fewer and more painful. And so we need to act now. We need to find a bipartisan way and we need to invite our colleagues, especially on the other side of the aisle, to be part of the solution, not just part of the problem.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan) for his leadership on this issue. He has provided a lot of great ideas and leadership throughout this body. Just to reinforce a couple of things, as the gentleman from Georgia said, Albert Einstein said the greatest force in the universe is compound interest. And I would argue the second greatest force in the universe is ownership. I saw that firsthand in my private life. Before I was a Member of Congress, I ran a publicly traded company. We had a 401(k) and a profit-sharing plan. People who lived paycheck to paycheck, that one might not consider to be financially sophisticated, they would come into my office and say, How much management fee would I pay on that? What was the last 5-year return? How should I think about my risk tolerance? Mr. Speaker, when people are given ownership of their own money, they become real smart. It was commonplace for people to retire after a 30- or 40-year career, to retire as hourly workers with $300,000 or $400,000 in a retirement nest egg. So they were proof that one of the most powerful forces in the universe is compound interest. Those that criticize the gentleman's plan who say we would put at risk guaranteed benefits, I think it is an important point that the current system has zero guaranteed benefits. None of the benefits are our property or have our names on them, and having millions of small lockboxes with our names on them is the only way we can guarantee benefits for future retirees. Finally, the transition financing issue. Part of the gentleman's plan is to pay transition financing through savings in government, slower growth in government, which is a great idea. But even if we had to borrow the money, every public company uses what is called accrual accounting, that you have to identify and state on our financial statements liabilities as they are incurred. We use a cash basis in government, and we identify or recognize those liabilities when we write the check. If we are going to have truth in accounting, we have to stand up and say this is an unfunded liability that is already an obligation. So paying off our mortgage early as the gentleman pointed out is the responsible thing to do and in fact results in a lower financial obligation long term. That is how we get solvency and act responsibly, and I thank you for your leadership.

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman would yield, I just go back to the eighth graders I visited last week in Culver, Indiana. And I do not know if they remember that I was there a week later. But I guarantee in 20 years they will remember that I was there and they will look back and say, ``That darn Chris Chocola, he was part of a Congress that could not get above the political rhetoric, could not put partisan politics aside and solve this problem for me and my family''; or they will think back and say, ``Finally somebody did the responsible thing and I do not have to pay for the inaction of a Congress that was elected to make sure I did not have to pay the bill when I grew up and I was trying to grow my family and grow my career.'' So I think that we should always keep in mind when we have these discussions those eighth graders and what they are going to think about us in 20 years, because, after all, that is what this is about. It is about the future of our country. It is about giving future generations the opportunity to enjoy some of the same benefits and opportunities that we have all had, that our parents have had, and if we do not act responsibly, I am afraid that those eighth graders will certainly recognize that and hold us responsible, as they should.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise in support of the leadership of our President as it relates to Social Security. Just a couple of weeks ago the President was in my district, and he shared with the people of north central Indiana that we have an undeniable challenge with Social Security. The President believes that leadership solves problems and that leaders do not pass problems along to future generations. He also said that all ideas are on the table. So, Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues, especially those on other side of the aisle, to become part of the solution, rather than just part of the problem. If we say what we are against and we only say what we are against, we only add to the problem; but if we say what we are for and we offer constructive solutions, even if we do not agree with all the solutions offered, let us say that we have a better idea. Mr. Speaker, I think it is imperative for the American people that we all become part of the solution, we all offer good ideas to make sure that we address one of the most serious problems we face as a Nation, because that is exactly what we are elected for. So I encourage all of my colleagues to be part of the solution.

Mr. CHOCOLA

Mr. CHOCOLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the South Bend St. Joseph's High School Indians on their Indiana High School Athletic Association Girls Basketball Class 3A state championship. For the second time in three years, the St. Joe Indians' girls basketball team found themselves at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana for the state championship game. As the final game horn sounded on Saturday March 5, 2005, the Indians won by a score of 70-57 defeating Corydon Central High School. Over 9,000 fans witnessed a 24-10 run in the fourth quarter allowing the Indians to bring home St. Joseph County's first state championship in girls basketball. This victory capped off a 25-1 record for the season. I would like to acknowledge Head Coach Mike Megyese and Assistant Coaches Lou Megyese, Dan Applegate, Clem Litka and Brad Dunlap on an extraordinary season. As their many fans know, this team has been led by an outstanding group of seniors who have taken St. Joseph's to an incredible 83-18 record during their four years. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana's Second Congressional District, I would like to congratulate South Bend's newest champions including seniors Aimee Litka, Corey Jo Keim, Katie St. Clair, Erin Newsom; juniors Melissa Lechlitner, Ashley Miller, Becky Newsom; sophomores Sydney Smallbone, Kristen Dockery; and freshmen DeBorah Wilson and Cary Werntz. Student Managers Sarah Pendl, Katie Dunlap, Christie Nurkowski, Courtney Szymanski, Gary Paczesny and Erin Rempala also deserve a special congratulation for their contributions to the team. Mr. Speaker, I know that everyone in St. Joseph County including the Diocese of Fort Wayne--South Bend Superintendent Michelle Hittie, the St. Joseph High School staff including Principal Daniel Swygart, Athletic Director Frank Pomarico, Assistant Athletic Director Kristi Beechy, and all of the St. Joseph Indians' parents and fans are extremely proud of the accomplishment these young women have achieved. Again, I would like to congratulate the Indians of St. Joseph High School on winning the county's first ever girls state basketball championship.