Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Honorees of the 62nd Annual Annandale Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. The Annandale Chamber of Commerce is a thriving volunteer organization with over 200 active members. The members represent businesses, industries and professionals who work together to maintain a favorable business climate while improving the quality of life for all residents. Each year, the Annandale Chamber of Commerce honors a select few who have distinguished themselves as exemplars of the community. It is my honor to recognize these fine individuals and the contributions that they have made to the community. This year, the Annandale Chamber of Commerce has expanded the categories with the addition of an Award of Valor which honors the services of two Public Safety professionals. The following are the Honorees of the 62nd Annual Annandale Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. Award Recipients in the Student Category are: William Law, Northern Virginia Community College Luis Inarra, Annandale High School Michell Addington, Falls Church High School The recipient of the 2009 Citizen of the Year Award is Shel Youtz. Shel has been a cornerstone of the Annandale community. In addition to his reliable presence each year at the Fall Festival, Shel chairs or sponsors events and fundraisers in support of the Student Education Foundation and in support of our military veterans. The Award of Valor for a member of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has been awarded to Lt. Jeff Allen. Lt. Allen is a 22 year veteran of the Fire and Rescue Department and a member of the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team. Throughout his tenure, Lt. Allen has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty, providing leadership and courage during emergencies and other hazardous incidents. The Award of Valor for a member of the Fairfax County Police Department has been awarded to PFC Kathleen O'Leary. Although PFC O'Leary has been with the force for only 3 years, she has already distinguished herself as an exceptional public servant, placing the needs of the community ahead of her own personal safety. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the Honorees of the 2009 Annandale Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet and to thank them for their service. Each honoree is a role model for his or her peers and an invaluable member of the community as a whole.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the dedication of the Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. Elementary School in Haymarket, Virginia. The school is named in honor of Vice Admiral Gravely, a Virginia native, who forged the way for a more diverse United States Navy. I cannot think of a more appropriate person to inspire our children to break barriers and achieve their highest potential. On December 14, 1944, Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. became the first African American to be commissioned as a United States Naval Officer through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Course. He went on to become the Navy's first African American vice admiral. During his distinguished 38-year career in the Navy, Vice Admiral Gravely became the first African American to command a warship, the USS Theodore E. Chandler; the first African American to command a major warship, the USS Jouett; the first African American to achieve flag rank and eventually vice admiral; and the first African American to command a numbered fleet. However, his service was not just one of firsts. Admiral Gravely was highly decorated with the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal. He moved to Haymarket, Virginia upon his retirement in 1980, and passed away on October 22, 2004. Just two weeks ago, the U.S. Navy commissioned a new Arleigh Burke- class destroyer in honor of Vice Admiral Gravely during a ceremony at the shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. His widow, Alma Gravely broke a bottle of champagne across the bow to christen the vessel. Vice Admiral Gravely's life accomplishments and service to his country represent the values that we would like to instill into our future generations. The Prince William County Public Schools' vision statement identifies a commitment to a diverse, multicultural education that produces students who enjoy a life-long pursuit of learning. Vice Admiral Gravely lived up to these ideals by setting a precedent of diversity in our nation's military and continuing his education throughout his life. Whether it was at Virginia Union University, Columbia University or the Naval War College; his thirst for knowledge never ceased. Vice Admiral Gravely's life embodied the vision that the Prince William County School System has for its students. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me honoring this American hero and endorsing the example he set for our nation's younger generation. I applaud Prince William County Public Schools for their decision to dedicate this school to Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication of Fannie W. Fitzgerald Elementary School in Woodbridge, Virginia. Mrs. Fitzgerald was one of four African-American educators who took on the task of integrating Prince William County public schools in the 1960s. I consider myself fortunate to live in a time when we celebrate the accomplishments of a woman like Mrs. Fitzgerald and honor the sentiment of her life's work. The unanimous Supreme Court Decision, Brown v. Board of Education, was handed down in 1954, calling for the desegregation of America's public schools. Ten years later in 1964, it was Mrs. Fitzgerald's challenging task to integrate Fred Lynn Elementary and Middle School. ``With all deliberate speed,'' Mrs. Fitzgerald desegregated the school by the following September. Her success will forever be remembered in the diversity of the Prince William County Public School System and its mission statement, which identifies a commitment to a diverse and multicultural learning environment. Mrs. Fitzgerald's work in the Prince William education system continued for twenty-three years after desegregation. As an elementary school teacher and learning disabilities specialist she witnessed the realization of the changes she initiated in 1964. President Barack Obama, the United States' first African-American President, was just three years old at the time of Mrs. Fitzgerald's desegregation efforts. His landmark Presidency is a testament to the courage and hard work of Mrs. Fitzgerald and her vision for this country's children. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this remarkable educator and champion of civil rights. She has enriched the lives of Prince William students with an unqualified opportunity for education, and it is time we thank her for her contribution to our school system. I commend the Prince William County Public School System for this most appropriate dedication. I know Fannie W. Fitzgerald will inspire children to attempt the difficult and accomplish the unlikely for years to come.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague and my friend from Massachusetts. I can't help but rise, having heard our friend from Arizona who decided that really we were sort of wasting our time, despite the words of our friend from Utah just now, on the naming of a post office. I'm reminded of the words from the book of Ecclesiastes that to everything there is a season. Today, at this moment, that season involves the naming of a post office that matters a lot to that community, that family, the memory of that individual, to the Members who represent that area in the United States Congress. There will be time enough to debate cap-and-trade. In fact, last night we spent over an hour talking about cap-and-trade on our side of the aisle. I was privileged to participate in that. But I think that it's easy sometimes when one has perfected the politics of ``gotcha'' to sound sanctimonious that one is rising above the trivial and addressing real issues when, as a matter of fact, in this body we address a whole range of issues. I just rise in defense of the naming of a post office that's not trivial to part of the folks we represent in this body and hardly represents the avoidance of a vigorous debate that I look forward to on cap-and-trade when that season is right. I thank my friend from Massachusetts.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from California, and I thank my colleague from Nebraska for his kind remarks. I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 109, honoring the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure. This Saturday, June 6, 2009, marks the 20th anniversary of the race here on the National Mall in the Nation's Capital. More than 50,000 race participants, including 4,000 breast cancer survivors--4,000 breast cancer survivors, Madam Speaker--their families, their friends and supporters, plus hundreds of congressional and Federal agency staff, including staff from my own office and many others, will participate in the annual 5K run and walk. Thanks to last year's race, a record $3.7 million in grants was provided to 18 organizations in the National Capital region alone. Madam Speaker, Susie Komen, as her sister affectionately called her, was just 36 years old when she was stricken and lost her 3-year battle with breast cancer in 1980. She did not have the benefit of a nationwide support network like the one her sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, would found in her name 2 years later because, together, they identified large gaps in the system of care as part of Susan's valiant experience. The first Race for the Cure was held in 1983 in Houston, Texas, and its success has subsequently spread to communities across the Nation. Now the annual race is the primary fund-raising vehicle for the Komen Foundation, which today has invested more than $1.3 billion worldwide for breast cancer research, education and community health services. Those efforts have raised greater awareness, and have improved the treatment of breast cancer, itself, helping more people survive and creating a strong support of community survivors. Thanks in large part to organizations like Komen for the Cure, nearly 75 percent of women over the age of 40 now receive regular mammograms compared to just 30 percent when the campaign started in 1982. The 5-year survival rate for breast cancer was just 74 percent in 1982. Today, it is 98 percent. Numbering more than 2.5 million fellow Americans, breast cancer survivors now are the largest group of any cancer survivor community in the United States of America, but more needs to be done. Through the Department of Defense peer-reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program, we already have invested more than $2.1 billion in the ongoing search for a cure, and the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act included another $150 million for this purpose. We are also considering legislation, Madam Speaker, initiated by my colleague Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, who also is an original cosponsor of this resolution and a survivor, to better educate young women about the threat of breast cancer and other related bills that would provide greater protections to patients being treated for breast cancer. Mr. Speaker, let me also note that we anticipated having our original cosponsor, Congressman Gregorio Sablan, with us today on the floor, but he is attending his son's graduation back home in the Northern Mariana Islands. Succeeding in this effort will require continued persistence from us and from the thousands who will converge this weekend on the National Mall and from races all across the globe in the months to come. The National Race for the Cure is just one of more than 120 Race for the Cure events that will be held internationally this year. With more than 1.3 million diagnoses each year, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide with incident rates increasing by as much as 5 percent annually in low-resource countries. Sadly, despite the progress we've made in 5-year survival rates, it's also the leading cause of death for women worldwide, claiming more than half a million lives each year, according to the World Health Organization. At that rate, a woman will die from breast cancer virtually every minute of every day in the year. To emphasize the significance of those numbers, the Komen Foundation is renaming its annual race as the Global Race for the Cure, reflecting its global mission to end breast cancer wherever it is found, at home or abroad. Mr. Speaker, as we prepare for this weekend's race, I invite survivors and supporters to join the team from my office if you do not already have somebody to walk with or run. We can be found under Connolly's Cruisers on the race Web site. Much like the cherry blossoms do in the spring, we will turn the National Mall a vibrant shade of pink this weekend as we come together to demonstrate the urgency and necessity for finding a cure. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join us in supporting this very important effort.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I heard your eloquence and I heard you talk, Mr. Lujan, about the high cost of oil imports. Sometimes I want to have us focus on the other side of the equation, what are the costs of inaction? You talked about how, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter came into office, but prior to that, in the Nixon-Ford years, the United States had committed itself to energy independence. Is that not correct?

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. My colleague, Mr. Speaker, made reference to John Kennedy's call to put a man on the Moon by the end of the sixties. Think about the positive externalities, the positive consequences of that innovative decision and innovative investment. Think of the technologies that spin off inventions, patents and economic wonders that were generated by that one decision to make that one critical investment. Similarly, the investments my colleague Mr. Tonko was talking about--and he's absolutely right--will have a lot of positive consequences for this economy for a generation to come. I would also suggest to my colleague, Mr. Tonko, that there's also a very high cost for inaction, and that needs to be examined as well. Some on the other side of the aisle seem to think that maybe if we wring our hands and hold our breath, perhaps it will all get better or go away. And I think there are huge costs that don't often get talked about associated with inaction.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. And how did that turn out for the United States of America?

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I thank my colleague from New York. I'm struck by listening to you, Mr. Tonko, and you, Mr. Schauer, especially on the whole issue, for example, of advanced battery research. The enormous extraordinary potential of an innovative investment, when we look at advanced lithium batteries for example and the impact potentially on your home State, Mr. Schauer, of Michigan, in particular it could completely revolutionize the automotive industry and once again put the United States at the edge, the competitive edge and the dominance of the automotive industry as in years past. That advanced battery research has the potential to create a plug-in hybrid, for example, that gets on average the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon. If every vehicle on the roads in the United States, just as an example, actually could average 100 miles per gallon, we could virtually eliminate the need for foreign oil imports in the United States with just that one innovation. That is the power of advanced battery research. Similarly, and you mentioned it, Mr. Tonko, the potential of new batteries to store power could transform the solar panel industry and suddenly make solar affordable and accessible to residents and commercial entities alike. And I had reason recently to look at the German experience before I came to Congress. In Northern Virginia, we have a sister relationship with the Stuttgart region in Germany, and we went and we looked at a combination of solar and geothermal as an alternative to high utilization of fossil fuels. And these two renewables dominated huge swaths of Germany that we visited: Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart. Now, Germany is not known for its sunny climate, and yet they are making it work with a combination of Federal incentives and a lot of research that has made the deployment of solar practical for Germany. And I believe that the advanced battery research that we funded in the stimulus bill earlier this year in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 holds enormous promise, similar, Mr. Tonko, to that call to put a man on the moon over 40 years ago.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I wonder if my colleague will yield for a question.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Doesn't that underscore the reason and the imperative nature of why we need to take action now?

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from New York, Mr. Tonko, and I thank my colleague Mr. Schauer from Michigan for his passion about the situation, the deteriorating situation in the great State of Michigan, and the hope a green economy brings to that situation. I look forward to joining with my colleague from New Mexico, Mr. Lujan, on his take on this very important subject. Mr. Speaker, although the sky is falling, you will notice I'm not wearing a helmet. Today, a small but organized and well-compensated group of Chicken Littles is claiming that a bill to reduce global warming pollution will somehow wreck our economy and create lots of new taxes. We've heard it all before--and none of it was true. When Congress was considering whether or not to reduce acid rain in 1990, polluting industries and their paid lobbyists claimed then that it would drive up electricity bills and destroy the domestic economy. Neither predicted disaster transpired. Moreover, in addition to the acid rain solution and with the implementation of the Montreal Protocol to reduce CFC pollution, we also used a cap-and-trade system to reverse the growth in the ozone hole due to chlorofluorocarbon, once front-page news. During the 1960s and 1970s, sulfur dioxide pollution was poisoning rivers and streams across America, while inflicting damage on infrastructure and some of our most famous public art, to say nothing of deforesting huge swaths of woodlands here in the United States and North America and in Europe. This pollution came from some of the same sources that are emitting global warming pollution today, including coal-fired power plants especially. In 1980, polluters released over 17 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Since implementation of a cap-and-trade program--yes, a cap-and-trade program that we adopted, legislated, and implemented to stop acid rain, we reduced acid rain pollution by 8.9 million tons--a 50 percent cut every year. When Congress was considering capping acid rain pollution in 1990, polluters claimed that such a cap would drive electricity prices through the roof and cripple the economy. Sound familiar? In fact, the acid rain cap-and-trade program has saved $40 in costs for every dollar spent on pollution controls. This 40-1 cost to benefit ratio saves Americans $119 billion every year. Each dollar that we don't have to spend on premature health problems or damaged infrastructure due to acid rain is another dollar saved and invested. By reducing sulfur dioxide pollution that causes acid rain, we also reduce ground level ozone that causes asthma and other respiratory health problems. By reducing sulfur dioxide pollution that causes acid rain, we also reduce the incidence of premature heart problems in America. Nor did the acid rain program hurt American energy production, as predicted. Coal companies installed scrubbers that remove sulfur dioxide as well as other pollutants like mercury from their facilities. Installation of these scrubbers created high-paying jobs right here in America, the kind that Mr. Schauer from Michigan just finished talking about. We created new sources of employment for electricians and other skilled tradesmen to retrofit older coal-fired power plants. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has conducted several reports on the efficacy of the acid rain cap-and-trade program. A recent CRS memo, which I would introduce into the Record at this point, notes that the acid rain reduction program is nearly 100 percent compliant in pollution reduction and has not experienced any problems with market manipulation. It's an extraordinary success story and a template for what we're talking about on a larger scale, admittedly, on carbon dioxide. [From the Congressional Research Service] The Sulfur Dioxide Cap-and-Trade Program Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from electricity generators and other sources contribute to acid rain and fine particle concentrations in the atmosphere. Specifically, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (NOX), in their various forms, lead to the acidification of lakes and streams rendering some of them incapable of supporting aquatic life. In addition, they impair visibility in national parks, create respiratory and other health problems in people, weaken forests, and degrade monuments and buildings. The electricity sector emits approximately two-thirds of the SO2 emissions in the United States. To address these emissions of SO2, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 added a cap-and-trade program to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.). The object of the program is to reduce SO2 emissions to 8.95 million tons, compared with 17.3 million tons emitted in 1980. From the beginning of the program in 1995, SO2 emissions have declined to 8.9 million tons in 2007--a reduction of almost 50% from 1980 levels. According to EPA, the lower SO2 emission levels from the power sector have contributed to significant air quality and environmental and human health improvements. In its 10-year report in 2004 on the program's progress, EPA listed the following accomplishments: Led to significant cuts in acid deposition, including reductions in sulfate deposition of about 36 percent in some regions of the United States and improvements in environmental indicators, such as fewer acidic lakes. Provided the most complete and accurate emission data ever developed under a federal air pollution control program and made that data available and accessible by using comprehensive electronic data reporting and Web-based tools for agencies, researchers, affected sources, and the public. Served as a leader in delivering e-government, automating administrative processes, reducing paper use, and providing online systems for doing business with EPA. Resulted in nearly 100 percent compliance through rigorous emissions monitoring, allowance tracking, and an automatic, easily understood penalty system for noncompliance. Flexibility in compliance strategies reduced implementation costs. A 2005 study estimates that in 2010, the Acid Rain Program's annual benefits will be approximately $122 billion (2000$), at an annual cost of about $3 billion--a 40-to-1 benefit-to-cost ratio. Thus, the program has achieved its environmental goal of reducing acid deposition, its economic goal of reducing SO2 emission in a cost-effective manner, and achieving almost 100% compliance. It should be noted that there have been no indications of allowance market abuse during the implementation of the program. However, it should also be noted that the secondary market for sulfur dioxide allowances is not heavily traded, as the free allocation of almost all allowances to electric generators has reduced the need for such entities to enter the secondary market to meet compliance requirements. Today, the minority party claims we can't afford to reduce greenhouse gas pollution because it will increase costs and hurt the economy. We have heard these arguments before during the acid rain debate in 1990, and they have all been proven false. We have saved money by cutting acid rain and pollution, created clean energy jobs, and improved public health, and achieved our goals of reducing pollution. Far from being a burden, reduction of acid rain pollution improved our quality of life. Here in Washington, there is a great debate about the reality and threat that global warming poses to our quality of life and long-term economic prosperity. That debate, manufactured by the polluters who want to continue to pass along their costs the average Americans, is not taking place in communities across America. The vast majority of Americans understand that global warming is real and it threatens not only distant ecosystems, but neighborhoods and ecosystems all across our great country. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, our constituents understand that inaction carries very high costs. We cannot afford to let polluters pass along their costs to average citizens. For the sake of our health, our children's health, our agriculture production, our coastal communities, we must make polluters pay in order to avoid what would otherwise be catastrophic impacts of global warming. We know from past experience we can achieve dramatic reductions in air pollution that save money for the average American while improving our quality of life. Many Americans, Mr. Speaker, remember a time when the ozone hole was growing, raising the threat of skin cancer and other health problems, while damaging the environment. Such a large problem seemed difficult if not impossible to address. The growing ozone hole was the subject of front-page newspaper stories all across the country, amid widespread concerns of its health impact, particularly with respect to skin cancer. Using a cap-and-trade system, again, to reverse the growth in the ozone hole, we successfully tackled one of the most pressing environmental issues this country and the world has faced by establishing a cap-and-trade system to reduce pollution from chlorofluoro carbons and other pollutants that were destroying the ozone. We have not one but two successful models of cap-and-trade systems right here in the United States. They help solve problems that seem too big to solve at the time. Today, children may not even remember that we had to deal with the hole in the ozone. The fact that we haven't heard of it much is evidence of the success of a cap-and-trade system. Let us seize that opportunity again.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Lujan, I just want to echo, if I may, what you just said about national security. It is another cost to the United States. Every year, because of our growing appetite for foreign oil, we are putting money into the hands and into the pockets of many countries who don't necessarily have American interests at heart. Is that not true?

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Tonko, is exactly right. I think there are some who live with a static model rather than a dynamic model. And it's all a zero sum game. In fact, that's not just how it worked. And you're absolutely right, Mr. Tonko, that when in fact we have used it, we created jobs, we avoided health care costs, we innovated in industry, and the economy moved forward in a dynamic and vibrant way rather than in fact contract.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. But with respect to energy independence, is it not true, Mr. Lujan, that instead of creating energy independence that the United States became more energy dependent on foreign oil?

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the One-hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the Gum Springs Community in Alexandria, Virginia. The Gum Springs Historical Society celebrated the anniversary on May 16, 2009. Gum Springs is an African-American community founded in 1833 by West Ford, a freed slave. West previously was owned by John Augustine Washington and frequently accompanied John's brother, General George Washington following the Revolutionary War. As a freed man, West inherited 160 acres from the Washington family adjacent to Mount Vernon which he later sold to acquire a nearby tract of 214 acres that became the basis of the Gum Springs Community. West Ford's Gum Springs Community became a refuge for freed and runaway slaves before the Civil War, and the residents built homes, became farmers and loggers and worked in other various trades. They took a patch of land, empty except for a solitary gum tree, and built a place of belonging for many Americans who, sadly, were marginalized and discriminated against in general society. Despite the hardships they were forced to endure, the residents persevered and prospered and the Gum Springs Community is a vibrant home to 2,500 people today. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Gum Springs Community on its One-hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary, and thank the Gum Springs Historical Society for preserving the heritage and courage of those first residents who overcame tremendous challenges and successfully raised their families and created a lasting community.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Beat the Odds Awards presented by the Prince William County Bar Foundation. The awards recognize extraordinary youth in our community for their determination to overcome adversity and lead a full, productive life. Beat the Odds Awards focus on young people who have come into contact with the juvenile justice system and, despite such an obstacle, have overcome abuse, neglect or juvenile delinquency with an earnest effort to realize a successful future. It is my honor to commend the following individuals who have risen above substantial negative influences and are now being recognized as community success stories. Recipients of the 2009 Beat the Odds Phoenix Award: Jessi Danner, Angela Garcia, Cynthia Hubler, Sha-Kina Jackson, and Maria Ann Sisson. Recipients of the 2009 Beat the Odds Scholarship Award: Diana S. Alvarado, Howard James Artis, Courtney Blaydes, Ian Gabriel Byrd, Breanna Lee West Chrisman, Christopher England, Kendra A. Hedgespeth, Devon Kennedy, Brittani Nicole Rodriguez, Yaileen Rodriguez, and Rebecca L. Smith. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these young people for the positive example they set for their peers. Our community sends a powerful message to our youth when we encourage them to triumph over setbacks and to gain strength from hardship. The fact that more than $100,000 in Beat the Odds scholarships have been awarded thus far is a testament to that message.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the awardees of the Fairfax Education Association (FEA) Human and Civil Rights Committee Walt Mika Awards. The mission of the FEA Human and Civil Rights Committee includes advocacy and review responsibility to ensure that the policies, practices and programs of the Fairfax County Public Schools are inclusive and represent all ethnic, minority, gender and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLTB) groups. The Committee recommends strategies to address GLTB, racial, ethnic and gender issues to ensure a quality educational experience for all students. In addition, the Committee promotes diversity awareness to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultures that enrich Fairfax County. These awards are named after Walt Mika. Mr. Mika dedicated more than 30 years to the education of our youth as a teacher and also as former FEA and Virginia Education Association President. With the establishment of the FEA Retirement Housing Corporation and the development of the Educational Employees Supplemental Retirement System for Fairfax County, Mr. Mika has made significant improvements in the lives of thousands of retired teachers and Fairfax County Public School employees. The recipients of the Walt Mika Award are recognized for their outstanding commitment to the education of children in Fairfax County. In addition to serving as notable educators, these individuals serve as role models for their students through their many and varied activities outside the classroom. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the following recipients for their positive influence in the lives of students and their roles in promoting diversity: Deb Crerie, Retired Art Teacher Robbie Ellen, Instructional Assistant Ilryong Moon, School Board Member Janice Winters, PhD, Community Activist. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the contributions these individuals and all of the educators serving the children of Fairfax County. They provide enumerable benefits to Northern Virginia and life-changing experiences to the children they mentor.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dedicated group of men and women in Northern Virginia. For the past twenty-five years, each member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has selected two people from their district who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to our community. Since the program's inception in 1984, more than 470 individuals have been recognized as a Lord or Lady Fairfax by their representative on the Board of Supervisors. Individuals recognized as Lords and Ladies of Fairfax have made significant contributions in their communities. This year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized outstanding individuals who have made tremendous impacts through their support of our public schools, parks, youth sports leagues, arts community, public safety providers, and human service programs. It is nearly impossible to fully describe the diversity of accomplishments by the honorees. Their efforts contribute greatly to the quality of life for the residents of Fairfax County and should be commended. The following individuals were recognized as Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees for 2009. Each of these individuals was selected as a result of his or her outstanding volunteer service, heroism, or other special achievements. These individuals have earned our praise and appreciation. Chairman of the Board--At Large: Lady Corazon Sandoval Foley and Lord William ``Bill'' Hanks Braddock District: Lady Pamela K. Barrett and Lord Thomas Frenzinger Dranesville District: Lady Lisa Lombardozzi and Lord Vance Zavela Hunter Mill District: Lady Joan Dempsey and Lord Howard Springsteen Lee District: Lady Michele Menapace and Lord Doug Koelemay Mason District: Lady Suzanne Holland and Lord Kevin Holland Mt.Vernon District: Lady Christine Morin and Lord Gilbert McCutcheon Providence District: Lady Lola Quintela and Lord G. Ray Worley Springfield District: Lady Leslie Carlin and -Lord Erik Hawkins Sully District: Lady Patrica ``Trish'' Strat and Lord David L. Lacey Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing gratitude to these men and women who volunteer their time and energy on behalf of our community. The selfless commitment of these individuals provides inumerable benefits to Northern Virginia and serves to strengthen and enrich our communities.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra on the occasion of their 15th Anniversary and to pay tribute to their 2009 Award Recipients. In 1994, Dr. Claiborne Richardson of The Reunion Music Society and Dr. Gladys Watkins of the Northern Virginia Community College formed a partnership between the two organizations to create the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra. This orchestra combines the talents of local professional and amateur musicians and college students to develop their skills and to perform the music of different cultures and heritages. On April 17, 2009 during the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra's 15th Anniversary celebration, The Reunion Music Society announced the award recipients in two special categories: The Richardson-Watkins Founders Awards, which recognize persons or businesses from the community that have made significant contributions to the success of the Reunion Music Society's programs, and The Orchestra/Players Awards, which are given to musicians who have made significant contributions to the success and development of the Symphony over several years and are selected by their peers in the orchestra. The recipients of The Richardson-Watkins Founders Awards are: Annandale Florist, Inc. and Mr. Gary Sherfey for many years of providing complimentary flower arrangements displayed on the theater stage at the Symphony Orchestra concerts and for helping to promote concerts through displays at the florist shop. Mr. Norman Johnston, a long-time volunteer and one of the founding members of the RMS, who served on the Board of Directors for many years. He continues to support the Symphony Orchestra by serving as the organization's graphic artist as well as providing significant financial support both personally and through the solicitation of paid advertising. Dr. Bruce Mann, Dean of Liberal Arts at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus, who serves as the college's liaison to the RMS. He oversees the music courses that involve college students and members of the Symphony Orchestra and coordinates the scheduling of concerts and rehearsals. In addition, he successfully solicits and obtains financial resources for concerts. Dr. Mann is presently serving his fourth year on RMS' Board of Directors. The recipients of The Orchestra/Players Awards are: Mr. Claiborne T. Richardson II: For the last 15 years ``Clai'' has generously contributed his time and talent to the Symphony Orchestra helping it to grow and thrive. As the orchestra's percussion and timpani section leader he leads and teaches his section, which is composed of many budding musicians, while encouraging and promoting the works of new young composers. Clai is a mainstay musician with the other RMS programs--the Annandale Brass, Reunion Music Society Jazz Orchestra, and the Chris Johnston Trio. Ms. Jody Smalley: Jody has been playing the violin with the Symphony Orchestra since it was formed 15 years ago. As vice president of the Orchestra's Board of Directors, Jody arranges for guest musicians to rehearse and perform with the Orchestra. Her production of CD's of music to assist other musicians with their individual practices and the Power Point presentation she prepares to accompany the annual ``Winter Wonderland'' program helps to ensure the high quality of the performances. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra on their 15th Anniversary and paying tribute to the recipients of The Richardson-Watkins Founder's Awards and of the Orchestra/Player Awards.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the good works of the faith community to protect the integrity of God's creation. As a seminarian, I appreciate the advocacy of people of faith for protecting this earth. The Catholic Climate Covenant has contacted me about the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. Members of the Covenant include Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, The Franciscan Action Network, and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. Religious charities are on the front lines battling poverty around the world. Whether it is a church in Fairfax providing housing to the homeless to prevent hypothermia or an overseas mission to build housing, members of faith-based charities have direct knowledge of the realities of poverty around the world. The faith community is telling us that climate change poses a dire threat to the world's poor, whether they are residents of New Orleans, Bangladesh, or coastal communities in the Mid Atlantic. Based on the best available scientific data, faith-based charities' concerns are well founded. Experts predict that rising sea levels and increased incidence of severe storms will create 100 million climate refugees in the next hundred years. As former Virginia Senator John Warner noted in his testimony to the Energy and Commerce Committee, this volume of refugees will strain our capacity to respond to national security threats. We can see these threats right here in the National Capital Region. Neighborhoods in Fairfax County like Huntington and Belleview have experienced unprecedented flooding within the last five years. With their proximity to tidal reaches of the Potomac River, they are threatened by rising sea levels. These older neighborhoods are important because they have maintained a stock of affordable housing that is increasingly scarce in this region. Whether it is in Bangladesh or Belleview, climate change poses a threat to the welfare of working families around the world. I haven't heard any expression of concern from the minority party about the millions of families that are endangered by climate change. Maybe they assume that these folks are politically powerless, that their loss of homes, land, and livelihoods can be ignored with impunity. But even if one is comfortable with condemning millions of people to refugee status, I would dispute the assumption that such an approach has no financial impact on the rest of us. Here in Northern Virginia, the Army Corps of Engineers is planning multimillion dollar flood prevention systems for low-lying neighborhoods. The cost of these systems will only rise with the level of the sea. Senator Warner noted that we cannot ignore refugees overseas lest we create conditions in which political organizations such as the Taliban will thrive. The Catholic Climate Covenant and other faith groups remind us that we have a moral responsibility to protect the world's poor. That moral imperative coincides with self interest: If we do not arrest the rising concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere then we will saddle the next generation with ever-rising costs of dealing with climate change and its human costs. Whether those costs come from floodwalls or humanitarian support for refugees, we will not be able to avoid paying the bill. We must act now to reduce greenhouse gas pollution--for the sake of millions whose lives are tied up in the stability of our climate and because inaction will create an insurmountable cost burden for the rest of us. Mr. Speaker, every challenge presents an opportunity. Sometimes the opportunities are difficult to identify. As we attempt to reduce global warming pollution, we are fortunate to have many models from which we can learn. I would like to focus on the acid rain reduction program that we initiated under the Clean Air Act nearly 20 years ago. During the 1960s and 1970s, sulphur dioxide pollution was poisoning rivers and streams across America while inflicting damage on infrastructure and some of our most famous public art. This pollution came from some of the same sources that are emitting global warming pollution, including coal-fired power plants. In 1980, polluters released over 17 million tons of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. Since implementation of a cap and trade program to reduce acid rain pollution, we have eliminated 8.9 million tons of sulphur dioxide pollution annually, a 50% cut. When Congress was considering capping acid rain pollution in 1990, polluters claimed that such a cap would drive up electricity prices and cripple the economy. In fact, the acid rain cap and trade program has saved $40 in costs for every dollar spent on pollution controls. This 40-1 cost to benefit ratio saves Americans $119 billion every year. Each dollar that we don't have to spend on premature health problems or damaged infrastructure is another dollar saved or invested. Nor did the acid rain program hurt American energy production. Coal companies installed scrubbers that remove sulphur dioxide as well as other pollution like mercury. Installation of these scrubbers created high paying jobs right here in America, creating new sources of employment for electricians and other skilled tradesmen. The non-partisan Congressional Research Service has conducted several reports on the efficacy of the acid rain cap and trade program. A recent CRS memo notes that the acid rain reduction program has nearly one hundred percent compliance in pollution reduction and has not experienced any problems with market manipulation. Today, the minority party claims that we cannot afford to reduce greenhouse gas pollution because it will increase costs and hurt the economy. We've heard all these arguments before, during the acid rain debate in 1990, and they have all been proven false. We have saved money by cutting acid rain pollution, created clean energy jobs, improved public health, and achieved our goals of reducing pollution. Far from being a burden, reduction of acid rain pollution improved our quality of life. Today we face a different threat: global warming pollution. Unlike in 1990, however, we have a very successful model that we can follow. The American Clean Energy and Security Act emulates many of the successful components of the acid rain reduction program, and offers Congress a proven model of cost-effective pollution reduction.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. I thank the Speaker. Today, I rise as a southern Congressman to discuss the regional impacts, Mr. Speaker, on clean energy legislation and on a renewable electricity standard in particular. We have heard that it is impossible to have a national renewable electricity standard, because different States have different renewable energy resources, and that the southeastern United States, in particular, would be unable to meet targets established by the renewable electricity standard in the draft American Clean Energy and Security Act now being considered by the Energy and Commerce Committee of this body. I represent a State in which there is not a single utility-scale renewable generation facility. The Virginia General Assembly has not enacted a mandatory renewable electricity standard, so we have failed to create market certainty for firms that would invest in renewable energy otherwise. In contrast, New Jersey has 44 megawatts of grid- connected solar capacity, fueled in part by a 22.5 percent renewable electricity standard with solar set aside. New Jersey has more than twice as much grid-connected solar energy generation than the total for all States without a renewable electricity standard, including Virginia, even though it has less solar exposure than any State in the Southeast. What we have witnessed in the Southeast is not a lack of natural resources but, perhaps, a lack of political will. Since we are in the midst of the most severe economic contraction since the Great Depression, the clean energy jobs legislation before us represents not an academic debate but, rather, an opportunity to spur economic growth and to reduce greenhouse gas pollution based in successful policies that have been enacted at home and abroad. Just as more than half of our States have enacted successful renewable electricity standards, so too have other nations. Germany, for example, has a lower solar exposure than almost all of the United States, and yet it is the world's leader in renewable energy, as documented in a recent article in the National Journal. In the last decade, the number of Germans employed in the renewable energy sector has grown from 30,000 to 280,000. Germany has installed 22,247 megawatts of wind energy and 3,811 megawatts of solar photovoltaic. Strong mandatory incentives for renewable energy have fueled this jobs boom in Germany. The number of coal mining jobs in the United States has fallen by 50 percent in the last three decades, principally due to mechanization. Those coal jobs disappeared from States like Virginia and West Virginia, which lack incentives for renewable energy. In Germany, on the other hand, the number of coal mining jobs also has fallen, but the number of renewable energy jobs created has more than offset the lost jobs by a factor of five. Unfortunately, many U.S. companies, like First Solar, have built factories in Germany rather than here in America because Germany had requirements for renewable energy production. The minority claims that a clean energy bill will result in net job losses, but in reality, we are losing jobs right now because we do not have a stronger clean energy policy. We cannot cling to antiquated modes of energy production that are hemorrhaging jobs and then expect to achieve, much less expedite, an economic recovery here at home. If we are to drive economic growth, we must invest in innovation and in job creation, not in exhausted resources and outmoded systems of production. Here in the South, where we have not benefited from strong renewable energy incentives, we need a national renewable electricity standard to create new jobs in both mill towns that have lost jobs overseas and in prosperous business centers such as those I represent in northern Virginia. The Southeast has wind resources in the Continental Shelf, in the Appalachian Mountains, and it has good solar exposure throughout our entire region. Now is the time, Mr. Speaker, to exploit those natural resources and to produce energy right here at home. Now is the time to pass clean energy jobs legislation with a strong renewable electricity standard.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources (OAR) of Fairfax County and its 2009 Volunteer and Community Partner Awardees. OAR of Fairfax County is a community-based non-profit with 38 years of experience providing a continuum of pre-release and post- incarceration services for offenders and their families in Fairfax County. OAR's mission is to rebuild lives and break the cycle of crime with opportunities, alternatives and resources for offenders to create a safer community. To accomplish this, OAR's professional staff and its trained volunteers develop, promote, and operate cost-effective programs to restore criminal offenders to productive roles in the community. OAR also offers options to prosecution and/or incarceration and provides support services to families. In offering assistance to offenders, OAR promotes the principles of restorative justice, which holds offenders accountable for their crimes and requires that they provide restitution for the harm caused to the entire community. The effectiveness of OAR is evident. In 2006, OAR provided services to more than 3,000 clients. In addition, OAR of Fairfax has been recognized by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the best small charities in Greater Washington. OAR would not be able to achieve these stellar results without the selfless dedication of its volunteers. It is my honor to enter into the Congressional Record, the names of the OAR 2009 Volunteer and Community Partner Awardees: Volunteers of the Year: Linda Grill of Clifton and Dana McMillen-Paz of Fairfax William H. Sandweg Award for Advocacy and Financial Support: The Apex Foundation of Herndon The Nancy Cornelius Memorial Award for Leadership and Support in the Criminal Justice Community: Col. David M. Rohrer, Chief, Fairfax County Police Department Marjorie Ginsburg Award for Service to Families: St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, Fairfax, Carol Mayfield, Social Ministry Director Corporate Partner Award: Casual Male Big & Tall Outlet Store, Woodbridge Executive Director's Award: Lonny Ford of Gainesville Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing gratitude for the efforts of these volunteers and their colleagues at OAR of Fairfax County. The selfless commitment of these individuals provides enumerable benefits to Northern Virginia and life-changing services to the clients and families being served.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank my colleagues for favorable consideration of H.R. 2182, the Enhanced Oversight of State and Local Economic Recovery Act. I was pleased to cosponsor this legislation, which was introduced by the chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. At a hearing of that committee, we learned that dedicated oversight funding for State and local governments could improve oversight of money appropriated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Subsequently, I introduced legislation, H.R. 1911, which would provide for that oversight funding within the Recovery Act. H.R. 2182 incorporates the objectives of that bill and will provide additional certainty that money spent through the economic stimulus is spent wisely. This local and State funding represents some of the most important stimulus funding, because it is protecting the jobs of teachers, firefighters, police officers, as well as essential human services, across the country. I commend Chairman Towns for his leadership and commend my colleagues for the passage of H.R. 2182.

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fairfax Cable Access Corporation and to celebrate their 25 years of service to the community. As a provider of public access television and radio programming, Fairfax Cable Access Corporation stands as an exceptional example of a nonprofit organization working closely with the community for mutual benefit. In 1984, Fairfax Public Access broadcast its very first program. From these humble beginnings, airing just a few hours each week, Fairfax Cable Access Corporation has grown into one of the larger organizations of its type in the country. Fairfax Public Access now operates two cable television channels and one cable radio channel. In 2008, Fairfax Public Access employed 20 full time staff members and aired 5,327 hours of programming. This remarkable growth has been matched by the successes of Fairfax Cable Access Corporation in reaching out to our diverse community in Fairfax County. The programming is representative of the county's diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. With programs in 14 different languages, Fairfax Cable Access Corporation is able to inform, educate and entertain peoples from around the world who call Fairfax home. I particularly commend the educational training programs available from Fairfax Public Access in the fields of radio and television production. Thousands of individuals have successfully been trained in these fields by Fairfax Cable Access Corporation and their training program is now listed in the Adult Education catalogues for the local public schools systems. In recognition of excellence, the Fairfax Cable Access Corporation has been awarded numerous Telly Awards which honors the very best in local, regional, cable and internet programming. The winners of this prestigious award are chosen from the thousands of entries received each year from all 50 states and 5 continents. Madam Speaker, the quarter century of excellence from the Fairfax County Cable Access Corporation is a true success story, both for the organization and the many citizens it serves. I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the achievements of Fairfax Cable Access Corporation and to applaud their commitment to communication, education and service to the community.