Tom Davis

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. CHAIRMAN, I have an amendment printed in the Record, which I will not offer if I can engage the chairman of the subcommittee in a colloquy.

Mr. DAVIS. I thank the chairman for his assurances. I too understand that this is a major undertaking that may take as much as a year and $1 million to complete. That is why I wanted to raise this matter on the floor. Again, I thank the chairman of the committee for his assurances and assistance.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3663.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this has taken a lot of work on behalf of a lot of people. I thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton] for her help in helping bring the city to the table; Mike Rogers, the Mayor, and the entire council, for being flexible on this issue; to Wayne Curry, the chief executive of Prince Georges County; Doug Duncan, the county executive in Montgomery County; Cathy Hanley, the supervisor and the chairman at Fairfax County. I think all worked together with the regional congressional delegation to bring this about and save Congress a lot of time on this bill, and also do what is right for the region. I appreciate their efforts.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella].

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Wynn].

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3663 is a completely noncontroversial measure which addresses major ongoing problems at the Blue Plains wastewater treatment facility and with the water and sewer pipes in the District of Columbia. The bill was bipartisan support. It was cosponsored by all of the members of the subcommittee on the District of Columbia and the regional delegation. It was reported out of both the subcommittee on the District of Columbia and the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight with unanimous voice votes. H.R. 3663 changes the home rule charter so that the new water and sewer authority may issue revenue bonds and make other changes necessary to ensure both the independence of new authority and its financial responsibility. The newly created water and sewer authority is good not only for the residents of the city, but for everyone who lives in the metropolitan region. For the first time, the suburban jurisdictions will have representation on the governing board for Blue Plains. Currently, the Blue Plains facility is caught up in the District's financial problems. This has led the Environmental Protection Agency to become involved in a resolution of the problem. The EPA supports both the District legislation and H.R. 3663, because they are the best immediate solution to the operational problems at Blue Plains. The amendment in the nature of a substitute which I am offering is a purely technical correction of H.R. 3663, which in no way alters the substance or purpose of the bill. I have chosen to proceed along this path to avoid the confusion of making numerous minor corrections to H.R. 3663. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton], the ranking minority member of the subcommittee.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up the bill (H.R. 3663) to amend the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to permit the Council of the District of Columbia to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds with respect to water and sewer facilities, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose this with a number of other members of the Committee on Science on this side of the aisle and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Boehlert], the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Wamp], and the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. Largent], who we have just heard and others. We rise to oppose the Walker amendment. I think the situation has changed from last year. First of all, when we take a look last year, we made a commitment.

Mr. DAVIS. I stand corrected on that, Mr. Chairman. But I know that the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Wamp] and I, could reach no contemporary consensus this year on the authorization. We are dealing with last year's, last year's amendment which was offered on the floor. Last year we made a commitment to reduce R&D funding in both fossil and energy efficiency by 10 percent. That commitment is more than met in the bill before us this year which is a 14-percent cut. This amendment would amount to a 47-percent cut from last year's level. It would literally wreak havoc on what is currently a planned and sensible downsizing of the government R&D part of this. Funding for fossil energy has been declining from $442 million in fiscal year 1995 to $359 million in fiscal year 1997 under the committee bill, a 23- percent decline in 2 years. More than 92 percent of global man-made carbon emissions are released from outside the United States. Higher efficiency technologies, I believe, will help lower CO2 emissions by more than 40 percent compared to existing options while reducing energy costs providing exportable technologies. I do not think we want to move backward on this, which is where this amendment takes us with reduced funding for R&D. The private sector R&D funding, including the Electric Power Institute and the Gas Research Institute, is declining at the same time. Private sector spending on R&D in this area has dropped nearly 30 percent since 1982. Energy demand in the United States is going to continue to grow. EIA predicts that overall energy consumption will increase 19 percent over the next two decades. It does not make sense to cut funding for R&D in this area. Contribution to fossil fuels to our energy mix will not decline when this increase occurs. In fact in my judgment, it is going to continue to grow. EIA projects that by the year 2015, 88 percent of our energy will come from fossil fuels. I urge defeat of this amendment.

Mr. DAVIS. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, as an American citizen, a Virginian, and a Member of Congress, I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms the epidemic of arson against churches that has taken hold across the southern States and elsewhere in our land. I am absolutely appalled that, after all this land has done to heal old wounds and guarantee fairness and justice to all Americans, there are some who still succumb to hate. The deliberate burning of churches in our land for that has been occurring over the past 18 months is an outrage. It must stop. Those who perpetrate those acts of violence must be brought to justice. This is one of those rare occasions when nothing short of the full resources of the Federal Government must be brought to bear. No single State government is strong enough to deal with crimes and possibly criminals that do not respect State borders. Penalties should be stiff and uniform. As I read reports of the latest of these incidents, I had the feeling that we have been down this terrible road before. Memory carried me back to headlines I remember reading in the decades in which I was growing up. In 1958, a synagogue was bombed in Atlanta. President Eisenhower took to the airwaves and expressed his horror at the atrocity and contempt for those who committed it. The Nation recommitted itself to respect for all Americans and for freedom of religion. In 1962, a church was bombed in Birmingham. Four young girls were killed. The conscience of the Nation was aroused in anger and disgust. President Kennedy spoke for us all when he said, ``If these cruel and tragic events can only awaken that city and State--if they can only awaken this entire Nation--to a realization of the folly of racial injustice and hatred and violence then it is not too late for all concerned to unite in steps toward peaceful progress.'' The Nation responded to his call. Action was taken then. Action must be taken now. This form of terrorism--like all the other forms that have become all too commonplace--must stop. I commend President Clinton for his show of solidarity with those who have lost and are rebuilding their churches. I salute Representative Henry Hyde for assembling a bipartisan coalition in Congress behind legislation that would make the willful and destruction of American houses of worship a Federal crime. I am proud to cosponsor his bill and support the managers amendment. Efforts like these are bringing out the best of America. And it will be the best of America that will bring these vicious cowards to justice. I said as I began, that I had the feeling that we had been down this road before. And we have. But this time there is a major difference. This time, not just a handful of concerned local citizens, but entire communities have condemned these vicious acts and are working to bring their perpetrators to justice. This time, elected State and local officials are actively lending their support to those who have to suffer the effects of this violence. This time, they are working to solve crimes and bring about justice. This time, people of all faiths in every part of this Nation have offered their assistance to those who endured these tragedies and are working to achieve reconciliation among Americans of all faiths, races, and creeds. I especially want to single out the Christian Coalition for its offer of a $25,000 reward for information leading to arrests and the neighborhood watches it has organized, the National Council of Churches for launching an appeal for funds for rebuilding, and the Southern Baptist Convention for its offers of assistance. Other organizations and denominations have also been stepping forward in great numbers. This time, the people of America stand as united as never before in their resolve to rid this kind of hatred in our land. They are bound and determined to succeed. And they will.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1579, the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996. S. 1579 is an important piece of legislation that will significantly reduce the Federal burden on State and local governments by amending the Single Audit Act of 1984. As the former head of government in Fairfax County, VA, I am keenly aware of the success of the Single Audit Act and the worthiness of these followup amendments. The 1984 act replaced multiple grant-by-grant audits of Federal assistance programs with an annual entitywide audit process for State and local governments receiving Federal assistance. S. 1579 will provide needed changes to the 1984 act by reducing unnecessary audit burdens on recipients of Federal assistance while at the same time ensuring that accountability for the use of Federal funds is maintained. The amendments also provide administrative flexibility to adjust statutory requirements and allow for a more efficient and cost-effective audit approach. Several studies have been conducted that illustrate the influence of the 1984 act on the financial management practices of State and local governments receiving Federal assistance. All State and local participants of the studies have agreed that the single audit process has improved the approach to auditing Federal assistance, but that further improvements are desirable. This bill will meet these desired changes by significantly reducing the Federal burden on State and local governments by raising the single audit threshold from $100,000 to $300,000 and eliminating the $25,000 threshold for program audits. These changes will reduce audit and paperwork burdens, while preserving audit coverage of the bulk of Federal assistance. Why spend $30,000 auditing a $25,000 grant? The General Accounting Office has estimated that the $300,000 threshold would cover 95 percent of direct Federal assistance to local governments, which is commensurate with the coverage provided at the $100,000 threshold when the act was passed in 1984. In effect, the exempting of thousands of entities from single audits would reduce audit and paperwork burdens, but would not significantly diminish the percentage of Federal assistance covered by single audits. Those entities that would fall below the $300,000 threshold would be exempt from federally mandated audit coverage but would still have to comply with the Federal requirements to maintain records or permit access to records. The elimination of the $25,000 threshold, which requires entities to have a program audit of each Federal program they administer, would further simplify the act by having only one single audit threshold. This bill, Mr. Speaker, is a commonsense package of amendments that will serve to further enhance the effectiveness of the Single Audit Act by reducing the Federal burden on State and local governments. Therefore, I thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Horn], the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger], and the gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. Maloney] for their leadership on this issue, and I urge support of the bill.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Millennium Act of 1996 along with my colleagues, Representatives Moran, Bateman, Pickett, Scott, Sisisky, L.F. Payne, Boucher, Wolf, Gejdenson, Frost, Wilson, Moorhead, Fazio, Bereuter, Roemer, Manton, Montgomery, Lantos, Stearns, Costello, Conyers, Durbin, Markey, D. Young, Whitfield, and Bilirakis. This bill is a bipartisan effort to focus the Nation's attention on what may become one of the most anticipated events in history--the beginning of a new millennium. As the new millennium nears, this bill hopes to focus our attention on the achievements of the past 1,000 years and help to foster educational opportunities for those who may take on leadership responsibilities in the next 1,000 years. Since its founding in 1979 by a group of college students from around the world, the Millennium Society has worked successfully to organize a global celebration and commemoration of humankind's achievements during this millennium and to endow a crosscultural scholarship program to help educate future leaders. I believe it is the oldest organization in the country formed for the specific purpose of celebrating and commemorating the historical significance of the millennium. The society was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization in 1984 for the purpose of establishing and administering the Millennium Society Scholarship Program. The Millennium Society plans to organize and telecast ``Countdown 2000'' celebrations here and around the world to permanently endow its Millennium Scholars Program. Unlike the Bicentennial Commission which required Federal funding, this bill asks for no Federal funds. Title I of this bill provides the society with the official authorization and designation to administer millennium activities both here and abroad and ensures that charitable proceeds will go to the Millennium Scholars Program. The organizers hope that this designation can operate much like the U.S. Olympic trademark. Mr. President, to the best of my knowledge, there are no other organizations that are competing for this designation nor have any indicated any specific interest in doing so. The second title authorizes the minting of commemorative coins. This bill incorporates some of the language from the House commemorative coin reform legislative package, H.R. 2614. Specifically, the Millennium Society agrees not to derive any proceeds until all the numismatic operation and program costs allocable to the program have been recovered by the U.S. Mint. Moreover, it embodies some of the key criteria and recommendations of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Commission. The minting of the millennium coins will not begin until July 1999. Further, through its own fundraising efforts, the Millennium Society will match the funds received through commemorative coin sales for its scholarship program. The third title expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Postal Service should consider the issuance of stamps to commemorate the close of the second millennium and the advent of the third millennium. The Millennium Society was established as an international, charitable organization dedicated to giving students from around the world a chance to go on to college and to promote international fellowship and understanding among the world's peoples on an unofficial and nongovernmental basis. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join us in supporting this legislation to both commemorate the coming millennium and help provide scholastic funding for its future leaders.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and pay tribute to Mr. Carrington Williams, who is and continues to be an outstanding member of the northern Virginia community. A founding member of the Washington Airports Task Force, Mr. Williams is retiring from this group after serving for many successful years as chairman of the board, a position he has held since 1982. He is also a former member of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's board of directors and served as chairman of its Planning Committee from 1987 to 1994. Mr. Williams' strong leadership has helped shape the National Capital region's development, especially through improved air transportation and increased access to world markets. Mr. Williams received his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and earned his law degree at the University of Virginia. He is a former partner and current Of Counsel at the law firm of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, where he specializes as a tax attorney. During his career, Mr. Williams has held numerous public offices, particularly in the field of transportation. He is currently a member of the Environmental and Transportation Committee of the Greater Washington Board of Trade and is general counsel for the International Trade Association of Northern Virginia. Mr. Williams has also served Fairfax County as a five-term member of the Virginia House of Delegates and as a trustee of the George Mason University Foundation. presently, he is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and a trustee of the Virginia Conference on Federal Taxation. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Williams for over two decades, and am proud of the integrity and expertise he has displayed in his professional career and his public service. Throughout his life, he has received many well-deserved awards and honors for his service and contributions to northern Virginia. In 1991, he was the recipient of the George Mason medal, which was awarded by the board of visitors at George Mason University. Mr. Williams was also the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce's 1994 turkey roast honoree for his service and commitment to northern Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in applauding Mr. Williams' significant and enduring role in shaping both our local community and the Commonwealth of Virginia over the past 30 years.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. I appreciate my friend yielding. I, too, rise to pay tribute to the retiring pages. They are part of a proud tradition that has brought many Members back into this body either as Members or as legislative aids or to the Clerk of the House. When I was a page, 1963 to 1967 was the 4-year period that I served, and I ended up graduating in a class of 18. I could always brag I was in the top 10 in my class. I was able to say that for my life. I do not know if I would have been able to do that or say that had I gone anywhere else. We do not always appreciate the work ethic and the discipline it takes to be a page, to be able to keep up the academic side of being a page, their studies, their regular high school courses, and at the same time come to work on the House floor, often staying until very late in the evening and not having time to get to the books until much later. I hope this has been good training for them. I think this should put them in good stead throughout their life, if they can learn that kind of discipline and balancing. This group of pages has really performed in an outstanding manner. They have witnessed and been a part of a number of the historic changes that this Congress has undergone. They have witnessed, as the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Wicker] noted, the longest Government shutdowns in our history, probably not one of the proudest eras in the relationship between the Congress and the President, but they were a part of that, a part of some of the toughest budget battles in our country's history. I am very proud of the job that they have done and been very proud to be associated with them. I think they leave a good legacy for the next group that will come in. I hope they will come back and visit us often. I hope some of them are inspired maybe to go into elective office or serve as public officials. I cannot think of a better way to help one's fellow man. For this Member and for, I think, many others who could not be here this afternoon, they not only have our good wishes, but we wish them good luck and Godspeed.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to compliment the author of this legislation, the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Goodlatte], the chairman, the gentleman from California [Mr. Moorhead], and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from Colorado [Mrs. Schroeder], for their leadership on this issue. Trademark counterfeiting costs this Nation over $200 million annually. That is more than the annual budget deficit in this country. Counterfeiting has grown from about $5.5 million in costs in 1982 to that $200 billion figure today. I once again applaud the authors of this amendment and the bipartisan way in which we have moved forward passage today. The industry estimates that sales of counterfeit software exceed 40 percent of total industry revenues. Almost two of five cartridges that include a piece of software that are sold are counterfeit. Counterfeit software also costs companies more than revenues and it costs this Nation more than just jobs. It costs companies their reputation, because often substandard products with inferior quality enter the marketplace mislabeled with the originating company. What consumers do is they cannot take a chance on this, so they will buy other products that they figure are not mislabeled. The better companies end up, as a result of that, losing sales, losing jobs, losing revenues. Mr. Speaker, this legislation I think is going to make a significant contribution toward curbing these abuses. It is going to make this a RICO offense. It is going to increase fines and jail time for offenders. It is going to speed the seizure of goods, in many cases. It is going to increase penalties and civil fines of up to $1 million per mark. It is going to allow greater enforcement coordination by State and local law enforcement officials working toward this. This is, I think, an increasing area of concern for those in the software industry, and I think this legislation is going to make tremendous headway toward curbing these abuses in the future. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this, and once again congratulate my colleagues in bringing this to the floor today.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2650, the Mandatory Federal Prison Drug Treatment Act which was introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina, Congressman Fred Heineman. H.R. 2650 is a commonsense bill that would eliminate the sentencing inequity which currently allows the Federal Bureau of Prisons to in practice reward a drug addicted inmate for being a drug addict. Under the 1994 crime bill, a disparity in sentencing was created that favors prisoners who attend drug treatment by giving them a 1-year credit toward the term of their sentence. Thus, those individuals who enter prison with a drug problem can currently be released earlier than a similarly sentenced individual who has no drug addition. Mr. Speaker, I believe that this provision of the 1994 crime bill is just another example of a well intentioned Federal law that has unintended practical consequences. Congressman Heineman's legislation does not modify the Bureau of Prisons successful drug treatment program currently in place. The bill would retain all incentives for completing drug treatment besides the credit toward early release. These incentives include giving inmates preferred jobs and housing assignments. Instead, H.R. 2650 requires the Bureau of Prisons to provide proper incentives for addicted inmates to get treatment. Mr. Speaker, there is no reason why an inmate convicted for a crime should get 1 year taken off his sentence just because he is a drug addict, while a similarly convicted inmate who is not an addict must serve a full sentence. Therefore, I urge the House to support this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Morella substitute, and I yield to the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella].

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would just add, in support of this, that this House addressed the ATP program last year, zeroed it out. The gentlewoman from Maryland's strategy is to come back and try to get something for the MEP program. I think it is a realistic way that we can get the appropriate money for it, and I am happy to support it.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise and pay tribute to Dr. Cyrus Katzen who is the recipient of the 1996 President's Award from the American University in Washington, DC. An exceptional member of our local community, Dr. Katzen was recently honored for his dedicated service to the arts, education, and the Washington Metropolitan community. In his life, Dr. Katzen has pursued many diverse interests in the business and the artistic communities. He received a dental degree from Georgetown University and then served as a dental surgeon at Providence Hospital, a teacher of dentistry, and the organizer of the dental department of the DC Crippled Children's Society. But dentistry was only Dr. Katzen's first career. He also pursued an interest in banking by organizing and directing three separate financial institutions; he still serves on the board of directors for the Community Bank of Northern Virginia. As founder of the Culmore Realty Co. and president of the Mozel Development Corp. in Baileys Crossroads, VA, Dr. Katzen provided strong and continuous support for the revitalization of Baileys Crossroads and brokered real estate projects that transformed Tyson's Corner, Crystal City, and Rosslyn into the thriving commercial centers they are today. Throughout the years, Dr. Katzen and his wife, Myrtle, have been avid collectors of art works by Picasso, Modigliani, and Sam Gilliam. They have generously supported the development of the arts at the American University, among others, and recently provided the school with a naming gift for a gallery and terrace in the university's new arts center. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in saluting the imaginative vision and commitment that Dr. Katzen has given to the arts and to the economic development of our community. He is indeed well- deserving of this distinguished award.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and pay tribute to the Herndon Middle School Symphonic Band, which will receive one of the most prestigious international awards for junior high and intermediate school bands. On May 19, 1996, the Herndon Middle School Symphonic Band will receive the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Silver Cup, an honor which recognizes junior high and intermediate school bands that have demonstrated the highest standards of excellence in all respects of their activities. Under the direction of a very dedicated and talented music director, Mrs. Noreen Linnemann, it is one of only two bands from the entire United States and Canada to receive this coveted award this year. Each year, the John Philip Sousa Foundation awards the Sudler Silver Cup after conducting a rigorous selection process undertaken by a committee made up of nationally-known band conductors. The selection committee chooses award recipients based on the following criteria: First, the band's music director has been incumbent in his or her position for at least 7 consecutive years; second, the band has maintained a high standard of excellence in the concert area for several years; third, the band has received a superior rating at State, regional, or national levels of competition; fourth, the band has performed at significant meetings at State, regional, and national levels; fifth, a number of students in the band have participated in district and all-State honor bands or similar groups. There is no limit on the number of bands which can receive the Sudler Silver Cup each year. So indeed, not only is it a remarkable accomplishment that the Herndon Middle School Symphonic Band earned this honor, it is equally commendable that it is one of only two bands worthy of receiving the award in 1996. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in applauding the hard work and commitment of Mrs. Linnemann and this talented group of young musicians. I congratulate them on receiving this distinguished award and for making their parents, neighbors, and community proud of this exceptional achievement.

Mr. DAVIS

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and pay tribute to the W.T. Woodson Senior High School Concert Band of Fairfax, which will receive one of the most prestigious international awards for high school concert bands. On May 17, 1996, the W.T. Woodson Band will receive the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Flag of Honor, an award which recognizes high school concert bands that have demonstrated the highest standards of excellence in all respects of their activities. Under the direction of a very dedicated and talented music director, Mr. John Casagrande, it is one of only two bands from the entire United States and Canada to receive this coveted award this year. Each year, the John Philip Sousa Foundation awards the Sudler Flag of Honor after conducting a rigorous selection process undertaken by a committee made up of nationally known band conductors. The Selection Committee chooses award recipients based on the following criteria: First, the band's music director has been incumbent in his or her own position for at least 7 consecutive years; second, the band has maintained a high standard of excellence in the concert area for several years; third, the band has received a superior rating at State, regional, or national levels of competition; fourth, the band has performed at significant meetings at State, regional, and national levels; and fifth, a number of students in the band have participated in district and all-State honor bands or similar groups. There is no limit on the number of bands which can receive the Sudler Flag of Honor each year. So indeed, not only is it a remarkable accomplishment that the W.T. Woodson Band earned this honor, it is equally commendable that it is one of only two bands worthy of receiving the award in 1996. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in applauding the hard work and commitment of Mr. Casagrande and this talented group of young musicians. I congratulate them on receiving this distinguished award and for making their parents, neighbors, and community proud of this exceptional achievement.