Joe Donnelly

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I am so proud to rise before you today to offer a word of congratulations to Special Olympian Jessica Crook of Logansport, Indiana for her accomplishments at this year's World Games in Shanghai, China and for being selected as a member of the 2007-2009 class of Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers. Not only is Jessica the first Global Messenger to be selected from the State of Indiana, but she is an accomplished athlete as well. She became involved with the Special Olympics in 1999, with the Cass County Aquatics program. In June 2005, Jessica won a Gold Medal in the Summer Games, and followed up with two more in 2006. Also in 2006, Jessica won top honors in three events at the National Games. This year, Jessica was one of seven Hoosiers representing Team USA at the World Games in Shanghai, China. She competed in three events at the World Games, held in November, placing 6th in the 50-meter Freestyle, winning a Silver Medal as part of the 4x50-meter Medley Relay team, and winning a Gold Medal in the 50-meter Butterfly. As an International Global Messenger, Jessica will serve for two years as a voice of the Special Olympics. Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers (IGM) are a group of twelve Special Olympians from around the world that speak on behalf of the Special Olympics, appearing in various national and international media outlets. The new class, consisting of athletes from across the globe, is committed to the vision and benefits gained from participation in athletics. Jessica is the first Special Olympian athlete from Indiana to receive this distinguished appointment, and she is eager to relay the powerful declarations of hope, acceptance, dignity and courage of Special Olympics Athletes around the world. Again, it is my honor to join with the constituents of Indiana's Second Congressional District and around the country in congratulating Jessica Crook of Logansport, Indiana, for her accomplishments at the 2007 Special Olympics World Games and for being selected as a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Army Captain Timothy McGovern of Idaville, Indiana, who died on October 31, 2007 while serving in Mosul, Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Tim was leading his troops in a mission clearing roads of IEDs when his group came under fire and his Bradley was hit by a roadside bomb. Today I would like to take a moment to mourn a well-lived life cut tragically short. After moving to Idaville as a teen, Tim graduated from Twin Lakes High School in 1997 where he excelled in honors classes and was a star in football and track. Even at that point it was clear what Tim was going to do with his life, as his former football coach commented, ``It didn't surprise me at all when he joined the armed forces and became an officer . . . that was just the kind of guy he was.'' And it probably didn't surprise anyone, for a career in the Army was in Tim's blood: just a year before he graduated from high school, his father Bill retired from the Army having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Tim started on that path immediately following high school, when he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps while attending Purdue University. Less than two years after his graduation from Purdue in 2001, Tim set off to serve the first of his two tours of duty in Iraq. ``He was on his very first tour when the war in Iraq started, and when he came home, (he) didn't hesitate to do another,'' his uncle Mike recalls. Although Tim was in the process of buying a house in El Paso, Texas, his heart remained with his family in Idaville and with the Chicago Bears. During his second tour of duty in Iraq, Tim was given a two-week pass to return home to the United States. He made sure to return home for the Superbowl, and Tim's parents will never forget their last moments spent at home with their beloved son. ``He was a Bears fan,'' his mother Jonell said. ``He was one of the few rooting for the Bears, him and his grandmother. That's going to stay in our minds for a really long time.'' But if his heart was with his family, his passion and purpose was with the Army. As captain of a ninety-member company, Tim showed exemplary dedication to his duties as an officer and to the safety and well-being of his men. His mother noted, ``He said the thing he was the most proud of was that he had not sent anybody home injured and that nobody had been killed from his group. To him, that meant he was doing his job.'' Safety did not mean staying away from where the action was, however. He assumed command of Company E from Captain Tim Hudson, who said ``We both chose to go to El Paso and Fort Bliss, and we both came here for the same reason. And that was to come out here and command soldiers in combat.'' Having commanded Company E for twenty months, Captain Hudson could only praise Tim's work upon assuming command in June. ``I put my heart and soul into this company,'' Hudson said. ``And after he took over, Echo Company only got better.'' What was Tim's secret to being an excellent commander? He may well have shared it with 1st Lieutenant Michael Holbrook. ``He told me there was no greater honor than leading American soldiers in combat. I'm going to remember that until the day I hang up my uniform.'' A private man, Tim would not have wanted all the attention placed on his life. ``He wouldn't have liked this,'' said his mother. ``He would have wanted people to be thinking about the other soldiers still over there fighting.'' For that reason, I wish to remember those soldiers Tim commanded in Echo Company still serving in Mosul, and all those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Indeed, may we keep all those in the Armed Forces in our hearts and prayers as a way of honoring and remembering Tim's outstanding service and loyal dedication to our great nation.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3915, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act. My home State of Indiana has been one of the hardest hit by foreclosures. We rank well above the national average with 3 percent of our loans in foreclosure. Subprime loans, which have affected many of our Nation's families, account for nearly half of our States' foreclosures. Earlier this year, it was reported in various parts of our area, 18 percent of all subprime loans were past due. We know all too well how the subprime fallout is weighing down our economy and spreading to others. We must act now. I want to thank Chairman Frank, my colleagues on the Committee on Financial Services, Mr. Watt and Mr. Miller, for working with consumer groups and industry representatives alike to produce a good bill that will ensure American families have access to responsible and affordable mortgage options while improving the health of the marketplace. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 3915.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all those men and women whose service and sacrifice preserve and protect the foundation of liberty that has made this Nation great. They come from all walks of life, and yet they are unified by their willingness to risk their very lives in service to America. They are America's veterans. It is often said that we owe a great debt to our veterans, which is true; but that debt can never be fully repaid. What is the value of our freedom and how can the sacrifice of a person's life be measured out and counted? It is altogether fitting and proper that we thank veterans and that we honor them with their own holiday. But such honor and gratitude toward our veterans should be a permanent part of our everyday lives. Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak of every veteran in every war to whom great thanks and honor are owed, but I can speak of those nearest to me and to my home of Indiana. Since the commencement of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, 23 soldiers, marines, and airmen from Indiana's Second Congressional District have fallen in service to their country. The names of the first 15 will remain with us forever: Specialist Brian Clemens; Private Robert McKinley; Sergeant Craig Boling; Staff Sergeant Mark Lawton; Specialist Michael Wiesemann; Sergeant David M. Heath; Lance Corporal James Swain; Staff Sergeant Marvin Lee Trost, III; Sergeant Paul M. Heltzel; Specialist Jeffrey Corban; Sergeant Rickey E. Jones; Corporal Aaron L. Seal; Private Nathan J. Frigo; Sergeant Kraig Foyteck; Sergeant Major Jeff A. McLochlin. Each of these patriots is missed. Their families and hometowns will never forget them, and our country will be forever in their debt. While 15 young men and women have died in the service of their country from 2003 through 2006, I have had the tragic duty of comforting the families of eight more fine young men in just this past year. In memory of those eight heroic individuals and in honor of their sacrifice, I would like to share with this body and with the American people just a little bit about each of these great Hoosiers. On February 18, Private Kelly Youngblood was killed by a sniper's bullet in Ramadi, Iraq. Although he lived in Mesa, Arizona, at the time, I believe Kelly's early years growing up in Westville, Indiana, and his grandparents continued residence there, made him a son of our beloved State. After graduating from high school, Kelly set his sights on military service. His lifelong dream was to serve his country in the military; and shortly after his 18th birthday, Kelly achieved that dream by enlisting in the Army. Following basic training, Kelly was sent to Iraq as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. He is survived by his mother Kristen and sister Melaney, and his grandparents, my good friends, Charlie and Jean Herrold of Westville, Indiana, and many, many friends all around the country. Kelly was known as a loving and kind young man with an excellent sense of humor. His grandmother told the local paper: ``That young man was so much fun. He made a joke out of everything.'' His grandparents will always remember his last Christmas when he worshipped at the Westville United Methodist Church with them. As a soldier about to enter combat, we can be assured that Kelly prayed for peace in Iraq, for his fellow soldiers, and for his country. His loss will long, long be felt among the many people who loved him. Less than 2 months later on April 8, Army Private David Neil Simmons of Kokomo was killed when his convoy was ambushed and his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. This loss hit home because Neil was the kind of young man that everybody in Kokomo loved. With his big smile and his enthusiasm, he made life enjoyable for everyone around him. As one who deeply loved his family and knew what it meant to be a great friend, he made life better for everyone. He was a grateful man, returning to his high school often to visit friends and to thank teachers and other mentors for their impact on his life. During one of those visits just a couple of weeks before he was set to deploy to Iraq, he ran into Ms. Lovelace, a secretary at Northwestern High School where David went to school. When Janet gave David Neil a hug and thanked him for his service, he became teary-eyed. Upon hearing about his son's death, Neil's dad David said, ``Freedom is very expensive. You don't know how expensive until something like this happens. My heart goes out to all the families that have to go through this.'' In the midst of so much sorrow, Neil's dad David remembered all of the other families and that is truly remarkable and it serves as an example to all of us who might become self-absorbed in times of trouble. I was privileged to speak many times with Neil's mom, Teri Tenbrook. Her courage and resolve during so tragic a time impressed me considerably. She is a wonderful mom and a wonderful example for all of us. Only 4 days after the loss of Neil, Corporal Jason Beadles of La Porte died on behalf of his country while fortifying a base in Baghdad. Jason loved Johnny Cash, and he loved country music. He loved taking his nieces and nephews swimming. He loved fooling around with them and playing games with his brothers and cousins in the backyard. Like many Hoosiers, he loved motorcycles and he hoped to eventually turn this passion into a career. In many, many ways Jason always was, as his parents said, a big child at heart. But Jason also loved his country. Moved by the events of 9/11 and inspired by his dad and grandfather who had served before him, his brothers and uncles, Jason joined the Army. This lovable big guy became an honorable young man. He became one of America's soldiers. And as one of his friends in the Army said, one of the finest things you could say about Jason, he smiled, laughed and said, ``Jason was just Beadles.'' What a wonderful young guy. Hoosiers lost another honorable young man when Air Force Technical Sergeant Ryan Balmer, native son of Mishawaka, was killed on June 5 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when his Humvee, leading a three-vehicle convoy, was hit by an improvised explosive device. Ryan was stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah where he lived with his wife, Danielle, and their two children, Anthony and Gabby. His family, including his mom, Patricia, was anticipating his scheduled arrival home five days later when they were informed of his death. Danielle had made posters, buttons and banners to welcome Ryan home. He was this close to his last day in Iraq. They had planned to line the road to the house with American flags. She had made a shirt for Gabby that read, ``My daddy is finally home.'' Sadly, Danielle saw the Air Force uniformed officers come to her house first. They included Ryan's saddened commanding officer. She learned that her beloved husband was not coming home. According to Danielle, ``Ryan died doing what he loved,'' serving the country he was so devoted to. Shortly after graduation from Mishawaka High School, Ryan joined the Air Force where he became part of the Office of Special Investigations. His mission was to help identify, investigate and neutralize criminal terrorists and espionage threats. It is one of the most dangerous assignments in the United States Air Force. At the time of his death, he was serving as a liaison between the Iraqi police and the U.S. military officials in Kirkuk. His commander, General Dana Simmons, called him a warrior who made the ultimate sacrifice in his brave performance of duty. In honor of Ryan, American Legion Post 161 in Mishawaka just this past Sunday rededicated itself on Veterans Day as Ryan A. Balmer Post 161. I was privileged to attend this wonderful tribute to such a fine young man with Danielle and Pat and the rest of the Balmer family. On June 18 of this year, the wonderful city of Elkhart lost one of their native sons when Specialist David Wilkey, Jr., died of wounds suffered while he patrolled the streets of Baghdad. David grew up in the wilderness of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He loved the outdoors, and as his step-mom, Margaret, put it, ``His passion was nature. If he had to pick where he was going to live, he would have picked a cabin in the middle of the woods with a pond nearby.'' The pond was for fishing, for David loved to both hunt and to fish. As much as he loved the woods, though, he loved his family even more. From his niece whose eyes got big whenever he arrived, to his aunt who misses his smile and wink most of all, family was at the heart of David's life. According to his wife, Melinda, he wanted a big family and he was a wonderful family man. He married Melinda in December 2005. His dream of a big family took root. That love showed immediately. It showed in the way that he treated his stepson Christian as his own. It showed in the birth of his son Blayke, and it shows today in the brand new baby girl Melinda had on October 7. Some months after his death, little Alexea was born. David was a truly remarkable man, a remarkable American. In his love of nature and family, he displayed this every day. And he also displayed it in his sense of duty. David was laid off from work just as he married Melinda, and he wanted to make sure his family was taken care of. He wanted a secure future, so David chose service in the Army. Where so many are content to let others provide for them, that was unacceptable to David. His determination, his courage, his sense of duty to his family, those are the qualities, the simple and small touches of everyday nobility that make this country great and made David such a fine, outstanding young man. Just a few months later Army Corporal Shawn Hensel of Logansport died on August 14 from wounds sustained during an enemy attack in Baghdad. Shortly after learning about his death, Shawn's dad, David, spoke of the love for Shawn among his family, ``Shawn had two sisters that really loved him.'' Observing the crowd at a memorial service for Shawn just one week later, Shawn's sister Autumn noted, ``It's nice to know that one person could be loved so much.'' He was loved by his family and by his community. Shawn had been married to his wife, Laci just 8 months before his death. Laci noted of Shawn, ``The love he had for his country and his family was unbelievable.'' This observation was reinforced by Pastor Strite, the preacher at the Church of Christ in Logansport, ``He was privileged to wear his uniform, and he wore it wherever he could.'' This love of country, this pride of service played on another quality of Shawn. His friend, Chuck Porter, remarked, ``Shawn just had a way to get into your heart.'' His life and service now leaves him in all our hearts. I was there on the day of Shawn's funeral for one of the most remarkable sites you could ever see in this country. As he was being escorted to the cemetery, we drove through the City of Logansport, and from one end to the other, five deep on either side of the road, people standing there with one hand over their hearts, the other hand holding an American flag, and tears being shed at every corner. It was a remarkable tribute from a remarkable city to a remarkable young man. Sergeant Nicholas Patterson of Rochester was killed on September 10 in an accident while his team was returning from a raid in western Baghdad. Like many people in the Army, Nick was a spectacular athlete. A 2001 graduate of Rochester High School, he led his basketball team in scoring his senior year, and in Indiana that is quite an accomplishment. He played second base for the baseball team, proudly wearing number 10 in both sports. His former teacher, Rob Malchow, said, ``Nick had such an outgoing personality. He had so much energy, you couldn't help but get to know him.'' When he joined the Army, shortly after graduation from high school, he set his sights on becoming a paratrooper. He was thrilled to become a member of the storied 82nd Airborne Division, and treasured the camaraderie of his men and his brothers. His widow, Jayme, said Nick was ``very, very proud to be part of the unit he was in.'' Nick described it as a high- speed team. Fellow soldier Sergeant Blake Bagbay noted, ``Nick could always be counted on to pick you up and make you smile. His concern for his fellow soldiers and his friends will be missed by all.'' Nick and Jayme shared their loved with their 4-year-old son, Reilly, and he valued the daily contact with his family by phone, e-mail, and even Web cam from Iraq. He made sure to e-mail Jayme every day, and the last thing he said in every e-mail he sent to her were the three words, ``I love you.'' He was close to his dad, Jim, whom he affectionately called Pops. Father and son shared a love of the Chicago Cubs, a difficult passion under any circumstances, the Indianapolis Colts, IU basketball, and fishing in Nyona Lake. Everyone in Nick's family continues to mourn his loss; his mom and stepdad Jane and Scott Holmes, his stepmom Virginia Patterson, sister Tai Johnson, and stepbrother Kyle McLochlin, as well as the entire close-knit community of Rochester. Mr. Speaker, our most recent loss in Indiana's Second Congressional District occurred less than 2 weeks ago when Army Captain Tim McGovern of Idaville, Indiana was killed October 31 while serving in Mosul, Iraq. Tim was leading his troops in a mission clearing the roads of IEDs when his group came under fire and his truck was hit by a roadside bomb. After moving to Idaville as a teen, Tim graduated from Twin Lakes High in 1997, where he excelled in honors classes and was a star in both football and track. Even at that point, it was clear what Tim was going to do with his life, as his former football coach commented: This young man was made for the Army. ``It didn't surprise me at all when he joined the Armed Forces and also when he became an officer. That was just the kind of guy he was, born to lead.'' It probably didn't surprise anyone, for a career in the Army was in Tim's blood. Just a year before he graduated from high school, his dad, Bill, retired from the Army having achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. Tim started on that path immediately following high school when he joined ROTC while attending Purdue University. Less than 2 years after his graduation from Purdue in 2001, Tim set off to serve the first of his two tours of duty in Iraq. He was on his very first tour when the war in Iraq started, and when he came home he did not hesitate to do another, according to his Uncle Mike. Although Tim was in the process of buying a home in El Paso, Texas, his heart remained with his family in Idaville and with the Chicago Bears. During his second duty in Iraq, Tim was given a 2-week pass to return home to the United States. He made sure to return home for the Super Bowl, and Tim's parents will never forget the very last moments they spent at home with their beloved son. ``Tim was a Bears fan from the word go,'' his mom Jonell said. ``In Indiana, he was one of the very few rooting for the Bears. He and his grandfather together. That is going to stay in our minds forever.'' But if his heart was with his family, his passion and purpose was with the Army. As captain of a 90-member company, Tim showed exemplary dedication to his duties and to the safety and well-being of his men. His mom noted, ``Tim said the thing he was most proud of was that he had never sent anybody home injured, and that nobody had been killed from his group. To him, that meant he was doing his job and taking care of his men.'' Safety did not mean staying away from where the action was in his area. He assumed command of Company E from Captain Tim Hudson, who observed, ``We both chose to go to El Paso and Fort Bliss, and we both came here for the same reason; and that was to come out here and command soldiers, keep an eye out for them and protect them and bring them home safely.'' Having commanded Company E for 20 months, Captain Hudson could only praise Tim's work upon assuming command in June. ``I put my heart and soul into this company,'' Hudson said, ``and after Tim took over, Echo Company only got better.'' What was Tim's secret to being such an excellent commander? He may well have shared it with First Lieutenant Michael Holbrook. ``He told me there was no greater honor than leading American soldiers. I am going to remember that until the day I hang up my uniform.'' The button Shawn Hensel's mother, Beth, wore after his death said, ``Our hero, 1987 to 2007.'' Our hero. This is most certainly what Shawn was and is now. This is what all of these men are to all of us in this country. We are used to speaking of young men as having lives full of promise and possibility, but all of these young men put their promise and possibility on the line in service to their country. For that, we honor them as heroes. But we are also left with their absence. Nicholas Patterson's dad, Jim, expressed the paradox well. ``I am so proud. He is my hero. But it hurts so much.'' This is the truth for those families, for all of those that love these young men and so many more in our country. By their sacrifice, these men and the women who share duty with them are all heroes. But that does not erase the pain of all of us who mourn their loss. When President Dwight D. Eisenhower called upon all the citizens of the United States to observe the first Veterans Day in 1954, he gave the following instruction, ``On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.'' Mr. Speaker, today I have done my duty to remember those who have fought so valiantly this past year, and those from northern Indiana who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great Nation. Having honored America's veterans, having honored those who gave their lives, may we all remember our duty as national leaders to promote a peace both enduring and just. At this time, I would like to conclude by saying how grateful we are to have had them with us during their brief lives, and we will never forget them. God bless America.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 162, which reemphasizes our support for giving a pay raise for our Armed Forces this year. This administration insisted in its defense budget request that military servicemembers should get no more than a 3 percent increase. However, in May, the House passed a needed 3.5 percent across-the-board increase in pay for our brave men and women. Unfortunately, the administration has deemed this extra half point unnecessary. I strongly disagree with this assessment. And I can tell you that our servicemembers who defend this country both at home and abroad don't find this increase unnecessary. For a young soldier who may be earning $20,000 a year, that extra half percent totals $100, but that $100 could make all the difference in the world when that soldier has bills to pay and a family to take care of. I believe America's servicemembers deserve this extra half percent increase. They put their lives on the line for us daily, for which we can never fully repay them for their service, but a 3.5 percent salary increase is a good start; and it is a small token of this Nation's gratitude. Passing this resolution sends a strong message that this increase is not only the necessary thing to do, but it's the right thing to do as well.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2787, CJ's Home Protection Act of 2007, introduced by my colleague and friend from Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth). H.R. 2787 would require that weather radios be installed in all new manufactured homes manufactured or sold in the United States. Mr. Speaker, this legislation passed the Financial Services Committee unanimously on September 18 of this year. It would ensure that manufactured homes continue to provide the highest level of safety to their residents in the event of devastating weather conditions, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, which many regions of the country, including my home State of Indiana, are all too familiar with. In Indiana, and in my congressional district, we have a proud and a strong tradition of providing first-class manufactured housing for Americans and providing quality jobs for Hoosiers. Manufactured homes house 22 million people in over 10.5 million homes. These manufactured homes have continued a tradition of quality and safe construction over the years. They present a high-quality, affordable housing option for families, and will continue to do so for years to come. Mr. Speaker, this is a thoughtful and deeply personal piece of legislation, and I commend Mr. Ellsworth for working together with manufacturers and advocates alike to craft a bill in H.R. 2787 that works for everybody. I urge Members to vote in favor of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth).

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2787) to amend the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to require that weather radios be installed in all manufactured homes manufactured or sold in the United States, as amended.

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for his thoughtful and eloquent remarks; Congressman Ellsworth for his tireless effort on behalf of this, and the manufactured housing industry for their assistance. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution honoring Father Ted Hesburgh, a man who has made significant contributions to the lives of many Americans, and a man who, as the president emeritus of my alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, has had a profound impact on my own life. I introduced H. Res. 687 on September 27 along with 103 original cosponsors. I am pleased to stand here today with my colleagues to express Congress's strong appreciation for a selfless giant whose great work continues even to this day. As president of Notre Dame, Father Hesburgh worked to redefine the Catholic university as a place for students to learn more about their faith, while also engaging in rigorous intellectual debate. Under his leadership, Notre Dame opened its door to women for the first time in 1972. My wife, Jill, was proud to be a member of that first class of women to graduate from the university. In addition to his contributions to the Catholic Church and the University of Notre Dame, Father Hesburgh has worked tirelessly in service to the American people as a champion for social justice and the peaceful resolution of conflicts across the globe. He has been a persistent voice for change here at home. He has held 16 Presidential appointments under nine different administrations, from Eisenhower to Clinton. He served as a founding member and later the Chair of the United States Commission on Civil Rights where he fought for true equality in America and opposed attempts to use force to break up protests on college campuses. He has also served on the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy and as a member of President Ford's Presidential Clemency Board. Madam Speaker, Father Hesburgh has also been a strong advocate for international policy reform. He has championed the responsible use of nuclear energy, represented the Vatican at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, and formally represented the United States at the 1979 U.N. Conference on Science and Technology for Development. Father Ted, as he is known around South Bend and Notre Dame, has traveled across the globe working to find peaceful resolutions to international conflicts. As recently as 1999, when Father Hesburgh was 82 years old, he conducted a fact-finding tour of refugee camps in Kosovo for the United Nations. Father Hesburgh has also led efforts to assist the poorest of the poor in the developing world, serving as the chairman of the Overseas Development Council where he led fund-raising efforts that helped prevent mass starvation in Cambodia as a result of the brutal policies of the Khmer Rouge. In 2000, Father Hesburgh was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. He was the first person from higher education to ever receive the award. He has also been the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor, along with numerous awards from educational institutions, including 150 honorary degrees, the most ever awarded to a single individual. Madam Speaker, these awards serve as a testament to Father Ted's lifelong commitment to humanity and the true national significance of his work. But first and foremost, Madam Speaker, Father Ted always says, ``I am a priest.'' Father Hesburgh is a committed educator, a spiritual leader, an author, an advocate for peace, and a strong voice for equality and opportunity in America. Today, in recognition for all that Rev. Theodore Hesburgh has done for this country, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of H. Res. 687 to honor the life and contributions of a great American. Madam Speaker, one thing of great enjoyment to me is that our colleague on the other side, my good friend Mark Souder, is also a graduate of our university.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud, with my colleagues on both the Republican and Democratic sides, to support H.R. 3648, the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. This provides much-needed tax relief to American families facing foreclosure. As mortgage rates reset to levels that families are unable to afford, this crisis continues to grow. In my home State of Indiana, one in every 219 Hoosier families now face foreclosure. We rank well above the national rate, with 3 percent of our loans in foreclosure. Subprime loans which have affected many of our Nation's families account for nearly half of our State's foreclosures. This legislation permanently exempts individuals from being taxed on forgiven debt in the event of foreclosure. By passing this legislation, we are taking an important step in preventing homeowners already faced with the devastation of losing their home from also incurring an additional tax burden that they are unable to repay. We should not be imposing additional hardships on families by imposing an unfair tax bill on them at the worst possible moment. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the bipartisan nature of this legislation.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3578, the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Act. In recent weeks, the confidence of the American people has been shaken by the revelation that contaminated food and counterfeit products have entered our country, threatening the safety of American consumers. However, for many manufacturers in my home State of Indiana, dealing with counterfeit products has been a part of everyday business. It is estimated that these products comprise almost 10 percent of world trade, that they are costing American companies nearly $250 billion in revenue and an estimated 750,000 jobs. In order to address this IP theft, I have joined with other Members of Congress and also with Senator Evan Bayh and Senator George Voinovich on the Intellectual Property Enforcement Act. It has been endorsed by numerous groups, from the Chamber of Commerce to the AFL- CIO. This legislation creates a global task force to encourage our trading partners to join in a united effort to combat the practice of stealing intellectual property. I ask my fellow Members to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage, humility, compassion and selflessness of U.S. Army Sergeant Nicholas Patterson, native son of Rochester, Indiana. A member of the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Nick was killed on September 10, 2007 following a raid in western Baghdad in a tragic accident involving the armored truck in which Nick was riding. Nearing the end of the most dangerous assignment of his second deployment to Iraq, Nick left us to mourn a life lived to the fullest. Like many people in the Army, Nick was a skilled athlete. A 2001 graduate of Rochester High School, he led his basketball team in scoring his senior year and played second base for the baseball team, proudly wearing number ten in both sports. His former teacher, Rob Malchow, said, ``Nick had such an outgoing personality. He had so much energy that you had to get to know him.'' When Nick joined the army shortly after graduation from high school, he set his sights on being a paratrooper. He was thrilled to be part of the storied 82nd Airborne Division and treasured the camaraderie of his men, his brothers. His widow, Jayme, said Nick was ``very, very proud to be in the unit he was in,'' which he described as ``high-speed.'' Fellow soldier Sgt. Blake Bagbay noted, ``Nick could always be counted on to pick you up and make you smile. His concern for his soldiers and friends will be missed by all.'' Nick and Jayme shared their love with a four-year-old son, Reilly, and he valued the daily contact with his family by phone, e-mail, and even Web cam. If nothing else, he made sure to e-mail Jayme every day, and even if it was short, he said what mattered, ``I love you.'' Nick was also close to his father, Jim, whom he affectionately called Pops. Father and son shared a love of the Chicago Cubs, the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana University basketball and fishing in Nyona Lake. Sharing in the grief of their loss are Nick's mother and stepfather, Jane and Scott Holmes, his stepmother Virginia Patterson, sister, Tai Johnson, and step-brother Kyle McLochlin as well as the close knit community of Rochester. According to Nick's family, the Army helped him grow up, become more focused, and develop into a leader who earned admiration for his toughness, yet showed compassion. His father noted that Nick didn't want to be a hero to anybody, except for his son and his family. Today, I recognize Nick as a hero to us all, a brave man, respected by his peers, loved by his family and friends, devoted to his duty. Jim expressed it well, ``I'm just so proud. He's a hero. But it hurts.'' I echo those words as I recognize the honor the Nation holds for Nick, yet at the same time, acknowledge our grief. May God bless Nick, his family, his fellow soldiers, and his fellow countrymen as we share this collective sorrow.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. There is no question, Mr. Ross, that when we look at our soldiers, nothing but the best is acceptable. As you mentioned the soldiers in your district, we just had, about three weeks ago, our South Bend, Indiana, National Guard unit head over to some of the most dangerous duty in Iraq. And, again, they went with their pride and with a determination to do well. And our job, my job, your job is to make sure they have the very, very best. And it's not appropriate to see money disappear, to see it wasted at the tune of $300,000 a month it was. To some gentleman who is making up stories in the back room when we think he's providing information. Our job is to make sure that the young men and women of Arkansas, New York, Indiana, Delaware, Pennsylvania and all our States have the very, very best armored equipment, armored vehicles. Their safety and their return home to their loved ones is the utmost importance.

Mr. DONNELLY. Thank you, Mr. Ross. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to have the chance to speak here again in the House. Almost $9 trillion in debt. I just came back from a month in my district, as Mr. Ross had indicated, going to see constituent after constituent, talking about issues of critical importance to them. And I met a good friend of mine named Jim Fleming from LaPorte, Indiana. And Jim's company makes defense aerospace products. And he said, Joe, we try everything we can. We employ hundreds of people. We work extraordinarily hard. And, Joe, we get beat out by China on bid after bid. Not even competitive with our prices but below our cost of production. And, Joe, what saddens me so much, Mr. Fleming said, is that we have over $1 trillion in debt to China. So I know when it is time for you to stand up, it is only made more difficult because of the debt that we have, a debt that we assumed because it was easier to do than to make the hard choices like the PAYGO system that we put in. We look at Iraq now. We have lost $12 billion that came in in currency in a plane, shrink wrapped, Mr. Davis, on pallets, never to be seen again once it came off of that plane. Think of what $12 billion could have done in help creating the Hoosier Heartland Highway in my district. We paid a gentleman Ahmed Chalabi and his group, the Iraqi National Congress, $300,000 every month for information that they basically made up in the back room over a Coca-Cola. Just one more example: instead of probing and finding the answers, we just threw money away. And, Mr. Ross, think of what $300,000 could do in your district every month, or to my good friend, who you will see, Mr. Michael Arcuri, in his district in Utica. $300,000 could provide health care for an incredible amount of Americans. So we have come to this Congress to try to make sure, through our PAYGO system, that the debt goes no higher, that we start to reduce it, that in Iraq we get answers, answers that, instead of letting $12 billion disappear, that those funds be used either in our district, or to provide up-armored Humvees and MRAP vehicles that will save our soldiers lives. Appropriate armored vests, the kind of things that will protect our soldiers, not feather someone else's nest. Mr. Ross, I'm proud to stand here with you tonight and have this opportunity.

Mr. DONNELLY. Absolutely, sir.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of U.S. Army Corporal Shawn Hensel, of Logansport, Indiana, who died on August 14, 2007 from wounds sustained during an enemy attack in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington. Just twenty years old, Shawn lived a life worthy of admiration and respect. Shortly after learning about his death, Shawn's father David spoke of the love for Shawn among his family, ``Shawn had two sisters that really loved him.'' Observing the crowd of people at a memorial service for Shawn one week later, Shawn's sister Autumn noted ``It's nice to know that he was loved this much.'' Shawn was indeed deeply loved by his family and by his community. Married just eight months ago, Shawn was also loved by his wife, Laci. Laci noted of Shawn, ``The love he had for his country was unbelievable.'' This observation was reinforced by Jeff Strite, the preacher at the Church of Christ, ``He was privileged to wear his uniform, and he wore it wherever he could.'' This love of country, this pride in service, played on another quality of Shawn's. His friend Chuck Porter remarked ``Shawn just had a way of getting into your heart.'' Shawn's life and service now leaves him in all our hearts. The button Shawn's mother Beth recently has been wearing reads ``Our Hero, 1987-2007.'' Our hero. This is most certainly what Shawn is now. We are used to speaking of twenty-year-olds, of those recently married, of having lives full of promise and possibility. But Shawn also had a great love of country. And this young man is honored for his sacrifice, for putting that promise and possibility on the line in service to his country. ``I talk to Shawn all the time and ask him to give me strength,'' Beth said recently. And Shawn would want us all to be strong. Today I honor Corporal Shawn Hensel's strength, patriotism, and sacrifice. As I register a Nation's gratitude, it is my regretful duty to also note our grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his friends. We join with his wife Laci, his father David, and his mother Beth to mourn his loss. Shawn's spirit will always be with us. May God Bless Shawn and all those he loved.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the House Energy Package. And I would like to commend the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee for putting together a strong package that will set our Nation on the path for a more reliable and efficient energy policy. I would also like to thank Chairman Dingell and Chairman Rangel for including my bill, H.R. 2505, The E-85 PUMP Act as part of this important legislation. We all recognize that the path to energy independence will require a number of alternative energy solutions--and ethanol has an important role to play in achieving this goal. In Indiana's Second District, we have been blessed with the resources to serve as a center for the production of a new generation of ethanol and other bio-fuels. And I am committed to making sure Midwest farmers are an integral part of our Nation's energy strategy. However, as ethanol production continues to reach record levels, only 1 percent of America's approximately 168,000 gas stations offer E-85 gasoline. That is only one E-85 pump for every 6,000 vehicles on the road. While there are several reasons why ethanol has yet to fully mature on the market, a significant factor is that many big oil companies use a number of strategies to make it difficult for franchised gas stations to offer E-85. For example, standard contracts issued by many large oil companies require franchisees to purchase fuel directly from their distributors. Since these distributors do not offer E-85, gas stations are unable to offer an alternative fuel. Other companies prohibit franchisees from selling E-85 under the main canopy, require E-85 to be displayed on separate signs, and prohibit franchisees from accepting franchise credit cards for the purchase of E-85. These tactics not only limit consumer choice, but also reinforce our dependence on foreign oil. My provision would prohibit an oil company from restricting the right of a franchisee to install E-85 pumps or sell or advertise E-85 fuel. In addition, it would also expand the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit to allow gas station owners to claim a credit on 50 percent of the costs associated with installing or converting equipment to sell E-85 up to $50,000. In short, this bill will provide tax incentives for gas station owners who want to--and should--do the right thing. These important changes will not only improve consumer access to alternative fuels, but will also make it easier for local businessmen and women to invest in our energy security, environment, and our communities. Alternative energy sources, like E-85, are critical for ending our dependence on foreign oil, reducing the impact of climate change, and creating jobs across this country. And I greatly appreciate the Committee's inclusion of my E-85 PUMP Act in today's legislation.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the career of Plymouth High School boys' basketball coach, Jack Edison. After 34 years, 545 wins, 18 sectional titles, 9 regional crowns, 4 Final 4 appearances, 3 state finals, and 2 state titles as head coach of the Plymouth Pilgrims, Coach Edison has retired. This beloved coach finished his final season with a second state title, making him the ninth winningest coach in Indiana's legendary high school basketball history. His impressive career also includes his 2005 induction into Indiana's Basketball Hall of Fame. Those who know him personally describe him as having a strong passion to teach, both in the classroom and on the court. The key to his successful coaching career was leading the team with both class and dignity while thoroughly preparing for every opponent, regardless of their record. This style set an example that has followed many of his players and helped them build strong futures. When asked what he will miss the most, it was no surprise that Coach Edison answered, ``I will miss the players, the bonding, the camaraderie, and the challenge of preparing for the battle coming up.'' Though he will no longer sit courtside for the basketball games, Coach Edison plans to continue teaching social studies and physical education at Plymouth High School. So, today, on behalf of the citizens of Indiana's Second District, I thank Jack Edison for his years of unselfish dedication. As he retires from 34 years as beloved head coach of Plymouth High School's boys' basketball team, I pay special tribute to a man who has served as a role model for countless young men and whose positive influence will continue to be seen for many years to come.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern regarding the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's decision to permit significant increases in allowable discharges of ammonia and total suspended solids into Lake Michigan, and I fully support H. Con. Res. 187. For communities in my district, and I suspect most Americans, Lake Michigan is a national treasure. Not only does the lake serve as a source of drinking water and natural habitat and recreation, it is one of the greatest reminders of our responsibility to be good stewards of the environment. One component in our strategy to achieve independence from foreign oil will need to be increased refining capacity here at home. I would like to support this project, but first, BP can do better and must do better. Their corporate image is marketed worldwide as an energy company seriously committed to providing modern energy solutions that value our environment; however, BP's wrong-headed decision here to increase discharges in a lake and in a region trying to overcome decades of environmental neglect will not stand. I do not believe the health of our environment and the growth of our economy are mutually exclusive goals. My congressional district in Indiana features miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, Porter County, Michigan City, Long Beach. I note the next speaker, Congressman Upton, whose district is next to mine, he has beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline and has done a great job protecting that resource, and I know he will do that again today. The goals of energy independence and protection in the Great Lakes are not mutually exclusive. BP just has to conclude that they have to do this in the right way, and the right way is not to damage Lake Michigan.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Emil ``Lucky'' Reznik's dedication to the community of South Bend, Indiana. Since its conception 40 years ago, Lucky has served on the South Bend Public Transportation Board of Directors which established the successful TRANSPO bus service in the greater South Bend area. This service, cultivated in part from Lucky's vision, provides over three million rides each year to area residents. When not working hard with TRANSPO, Lucky is a popular advocate for higher education, specifically at Indiana University and Indiana University South Bend. His service with the Indiana University Alumni Association, the Indiana University South Bend Board of Advisors and as president of the Indiana University South Bend Alumni Board earned Lucky the Indiana University South Bend Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1982 and the very first Sue H. Talbot Distinguished Hoosiers for Higher Education Member Award in 2006. This month, TRANSPO is honoring Lucky with a celebration dinner and the presentation of a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Mayor Steve Luecke of South Bend will be presenting Lucky with the keys to the city. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will also present Lucky with the Outstanding Hoosier Award. Lucky will receive other commendations from Indiana Speaker of the House B. Patrick Bauer and Mayor Jeff Rea of Mishawaka. It is my pleasure to join these dignitaries and the people of St. Joseph County by paying tribute to the many years of unselfish dedication of this tireless and devoted civil servant, Lucky Reznik. The South Bend and Mishawaka communities have been forever changed thanks to his commitment.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of U.S. Army Specialist David Wilkey, Jr., of Elkhart, Indiana, who died on June 18, 2007 while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. Just two weeks shy of his 23rd birthday, David lived a life worthy of admiration and respect, a life that we mourn today as cut tragically short. Growing up in the wilderness of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, David loved the outdoors. As his step-mother Margaret put it, ``His passion was nature. If he had to pick where he was going to live, he would've picked a cabin in the middle of the woods with a pond nearby.'' The pond, of course, was for fishing, for David loved to both hunt and fish. His uncle, Wayne McDonald, frequently went hunting with David, and considering his future absence on these trips Wayne could only say ``It's going to be real hard this fall.'' Those trips with his uncle combined two of David's most cherished loves. For as much as David loved the woods, he loved his family more. From his niece Victoria, whose eyes got big and thought ``Yay!'' whenever he arrived, to his Aunt Diane, who will miss his smile and wink most of all, family was the heart of David's life. He loved his family dearly. According to his wife, Melinda, ``He wanted a big family and he was a very close family man.'' In marrying Melinda in December of 2005, his dream of a big family found a great partner. He loved Melinda deeply, and that love showed immediately. It showed in the way he treated his stepson Christian as his own. It showed in the birth of his son Blayke. It shows in their third child that Melinda is pregnant with right now. David was truly a remarkable man, a remarkable American. In his love of nature and family, he displayed this. He also displayed it in his sense of duty. Having been laid off just as he married Melinda, he could have simply collected unemployment and looked for other work. But his sense of duty to provide for his family as well as his plans to attend college and build a more secure future led David to choose service in the Army. Where so many are content to let others provide for them, this was not enough for David. His sense of duty, his ready courage, his sense of duty to his family--these qualities are the simple and small touches of everyday nobility that make America great, and made David Wilkey, Jr. great. David was an avid fisherman and hunter, a devoted father and husband, and a magnetic and fun person who made a lasting impression on those around him. His father, David Wilkey, Sr., stated ``He had a big heart, and he's a son that any father could be proud of.'' Today I honor David Wilkey, Jr. as a son who not only his father is proud of, but our entire Nation is proud of. As I register a Nation's pride, it is my regretful duty to also note our grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his friends. We join with his wife Melinda, his father David, and his mother Cindy to mourn his loss. While we struggle to come to terms with the sorrow over this loss, we can take pride in his example and joy in the memory of his life. May God Bless David and all those he loved.

Mr. DONNELLY

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the FHA Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2007, which I introduced with my colleagues Chairman Frank, Mr. Tiberi and Mr. Feeney, includes important provisions that will help revitalize the manufactured housing industry, which plays a critical role in helping Americans achieve the dream of home ownership by providing them with alternative opportunities for affordable housing. This bill passed the Financial Services Committee unanimously on May 28, 2007. This $8 billion a year industry provides jobs for people not only in the Second District of Indiana, but throughout the country. These homes house 22 million people in over 10.5 million homes. Mr. Speaker, I have seen firsthand in my own district how these homes have continued a tradition of quality and safe construction over many years. They present a high quality, affordable housing opportunity for American families. H.R. 2139 would raise the manufactured housing title I loan limits and annually index them for inflation. It will also give HUD the authority to increase insurance premiums and improve underwriting standards in order to make sure that the program is actuarially sound. We have a proud and strong tradition in Elkhart and in other Indiana communities of providing first class housing for Americans, providing quality jobs for Hoosiers at the same time. It is part of who we are. In turn, these communities are extraordinarily proud of the role they play and that we play in our district in providing housing for American homebuyers. Unfortunately, title I loan limits have not been adjusted for inflation since 1992 and the manufactured housing industry has experienced a major decline since that time. In 1992, in the midst of the last downturn, FHA insured 30,000 title I loans. In 2006, that number was less than 1,500. In Indiana alone, that number went from 377 loans in 1992 to only four last year. These are more than just numbers. They represent a serious drop in a crucial component of affordable home ownership for Americans. This not only affects low and moderate income families that these loans are designed to help, but it affects the manufactured housing industry and the housing market as a whole. Because of the drastic reduction in FHA title I loans, American families are left to struggle to try and find adequate financing options for their manufactured home purchases. This body has a responsibility to try and provide affordable housing options for American families, and this legislation does just that. As you know, Mr. Speaker, June is Home Ownership Month, and it is only fitting that we pass this much-needed legislation. Today, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2139, to strengthen the American housing market and to put more affordable housing opportunities within reach for American families. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite). This is an excellent piece of legislation. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle are in support and are participating in H.R. 2139.