Joe Donnelly

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I too want to thank my colleague Mr. Israel for his leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to unanimously support House Resolution 1746, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the John Glenn High School Spell Bowl team of Walkerton Indiana for winning the Division II Indiana Academic Spell Bowl held on November 13, 2010 at Purdue University. Champions for the 15th time in 24 years, the spellers earned a score of 86 out of 90, the third highest score out of all 30 teams in the four enrollment divisions at the state finals. John Glenn is also the only high school to win Spell Bowl State Championships in two different enrollment divisions. Earning perfect scores at state were Seniors Erika Groves, Rachel Simms and Chloe Jacobson; Juniors Elly Alexander and Miranda Kafantaris; and Sophomore J.J. Silvey. Near perfect spellers were Senior Garrett Blad; Junior Kim Lord; Sophomore Ann Heckaman-Davis; and Freshman Erin Patterson. Alternates on the team were Tyler Foster, Ben Keller, Emily Thomas, Maryellen Schmalzried, Sage Bladow, Chris Mahank, Morgan Kafantaris, Katie Groves, and Raven Miller. The team is coached by English teacher Paul Hernandez who credited hard work and practicing three times a week for the victory. Again, I rise to offer my congratulations to the members of the John Glenn High School Spell Bowl team for their extraordinary accomplishments throughout the competition.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Penn High School Spell Bowl team of Mishawaka, Indiana for winning at the Division I Indiana Academic Spell Bowl held at Purdue University on November 13, 2010. Penn won with a perfect score, and has now won or tied for first place in the Class I Division with perfect scores since 1999. Spell Bowl team members included Maddy Anderson, Maaz Arif, Nitin Arora, Nisha Bhatt, Alex Cao, Christy Chang, Laura Harmon, Austin Heckaman, Leah Hershberger, Yifei Hu, Jenny Huang, Richard Jung, Neena Kallookulangara, Marija Lapkus, James McGinness, Sheena Shah, Nithin Varadharajan, and Andy Wang. They are coached by Peter De Kever. Mr. De Kever noted that their goal was not only winning, but doing so with a perfect score. He said, ``They executed perfectly and all their hard work came to fruition.'' The team practices centered on repetition, and they wrote an estimated 30,000 words this season as part of the training. Again, I offer my congratulations to the members of the Penn High School Spell Bowl team for their accomplishments throughout the competition.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to solemnly remember and honor the life and dedicated service of Staff Sergeant Kenneth Keith McAninch, a native son of Logansport, Indiana, and a proud member of the United States Army. Staff Sergeant McAninch died on October 21, 2010 in Paktika Province, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by small arms fire. Kenneth attended Lewis Cass High School and enlisted in the United States Army in 2003. He was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Kenneth's awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device and Combat Infantryman Badge. Kenneth will be remembered by his friends, family, and fellow soldiers as a dedicated, reliable, and hard-working man who cared deeply for his family. He was an avid artist and also enjoyed fishing and hunting. He is survived by his wife, Shawnna R. McAninch; four sons, Jeremiah McAninch, Braxton McAninch, Brayden McAninch and Colby McAninch; one daughter, Shyanne Adam; mother, Cheryl A. Nance and her husband Richard; father, Marvin McAninch and wife Regina; sisters, Kayla Ann Wallace, Katie Lee McAninch and Brianna McAninch; brothers, Jason McAninch and Briar McAninch; stepbrothers David Jackson Nance and Richie Nance; stepsister, Melanie Bennett; maternal grandmother, Barbara Price and her husband Elmer; paternal grandmother, Mary Downing; and paternal grandmother, Carol McAninch. He will be missed by all. It is my solemn duty, and humble privilege, to honor the life, service, and memory of Staff Sergeant Kenneth McAninch, which stand as a testament to the great honor possessed, and sacrifices made by our men and women in the armed forces. We mourn his passing and offer gratitude for his service and sacrifice.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Saint Joseph High School Indians girls' soccer team in South Bend, Indiana. The Indians succeeded in clinching the Indiana High School Athletic Association state championship on October 30, 2010 at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis, with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Columbus North High School. The Indians worked tirelessly this season, accomplishing a 22-1-1 record. After their only loss in the opening game of the season, the team went on to twenty-one straight victories, including sixteen shutouts. The championship victory was the result of a 25-yard strike that went left to the upper right corner of the net by senior Sarah Hall, the team's scoring leader. Goalkeeper Melissa Kuhar was credited with six saves as part of a strong defensive effort. The St. Joseph team consisted of twenty-four young ladies, including: Ellen Bachmannhuff, Ali Connelly, Maggie Doslak, Ryan Durham, Gracie Gallagher, Kelsey Gill, Jessica Hall, Sarah Hall, Cati Kral, Maddie Kearney, Melissa Kuhar, Lindsey Kuitse, Karoline Langheinrich, Angela Loebach, Grace Maginn, Makayla Manta, Catherine Raster, Mary Robertson, Emily Rompola, Rachel Staud, Abby Toth, Madison Turner, Kate Vasile, and Merideth Warinner. I also rise to acknowledge the dedicated coaching staff of Head Coach Johan Kuitse and Assistant Coaches Phil Depauw, Jessica Smudey and Brandon Gill, who helped guide the Indians to the championship title. The coaches developed a team with depth, talent and a phenomenal defense. I offer my congratulations to the members of the girls' soccer team of Saint Joseph High School, the coaching staff, the school administration and community for their hard work and excellence during a season that ended with an Indiana State Championship title.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Chief Petty Officer Gary M. Whitehead and his wife Barbara, and the great work done, together with Debi Copeland, on behalf of Hoosier veterans. At the end of this year, Gary and Barbara will be retiring after serving 24 consecutive years in Elkhart County's Veterans Service Office. Gary is a native son of Elkhart County, having been born and raised in Goshen, Indiana. In 1965, a year after graduating from Goshen High School, Gary enlisted in the United States Navy, entering active duty shortly thereafter in early 1966. During his Naval career, Gary served in a variety of capacities including: three years on the USS Allen M. Sumner, which included a deployment to Vietnam; as a personnel officer for the Underwater Demolition Team Twelve, who also assisted in commissioning the first Navy F-14 Fighter Squadron; as the Training Coordinator for the Navy's Diving Schools; and another three years on the USS Patterson before finally retiring from the Indianapolis Navy Recruiting District in July 1986. Gary joined the Elkhart County Veterans Office in August 1986, immediately after retiring from the Navy. He has been the Elkhart County Veterans Service Officer since January 1988, and is retiring this year. He has been involved in representing and advancing veterans' issues within the community and throughout the state, having served on a variety of committees. Gary was instrumental in efforts to establish the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Goshen. He also served as a distinguished member of my Veterans Advisory Committee for the past four years. Gary's wife of 42 years, Barbara, whom he met on a blind date and married six months later, stood by his side throughout his Naval career and has worked alongside him in the Elkhart County Veterans Office since 1986. Barbara has been instrumental in the great work their Office has done on behalf of veterans these past 24 years. They have three children, Stephanie, Douglas and Scott, and six grandchildren. Barbara will be joining Gary in well-earned retirement. Another key member of Gary's team who has contributed meaningfully to the office's work since 1996 is Debi Copeland, who serves as the office's secretary. Together, these three have provided dedicated service, representation, advocacy, counsel, and friendship to the veterans of Elkhart County. It is my privilege to thank Gary for his 20 years of service to the United States Navy, and, along with his wife Barbara and their friend Debi, for their office's service these past 24 years to the veterans of Elkhart County.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of a distinguished physician, civil rights activist, and war hero, Dr. Roland Chamblee of South Bend, Indiana. Sadly, Dr. Chamblee passed away on September 23, 2010 at the age of 86. Dr. Chamblee was born on November 23, 1923 in Atlanta, Georgia. He served in World War II, achieved the rank of First Lieutenant with the Army Corps of Engineers in the European Theater of Operations, and received a Purple Heart for injuries suffered while disarming landmines in Normandy. Upon his return to the United States, Dr. Chamblee completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and a PhD from Meharry Medical College. In 1953, Dr. Chamblee, his first wife, Dorothy, and the first three of their six children moved to South Bend where he interned at St. Joseph Hospital. He established a medical practice one year later, becoming one of just a few African American doctors in the city. He went on to deliver several generations of babies, care for thousands of patients and dedicate himself to making health care available to all. He and Dorothy raised six children: Michaele, Daryl, Roland Jr., Alan, Marquita, and Ruth. Dorothy passed away in 1995. He is survived by his second wife, Donna, whom he married in 2003, his six children, two step children, 14 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Dr. Chamblee was a tireless champion for civil rights, served as the local president of the NAACP, Urban League, and United Negro Council, and attended the 1963 March on Washington. His devotion to human rights led him to take his wife and two youngest children to Uganda in 1972, where he provided health care for villagers, many of whom were impressed by the doctor who would actually touch them, despite the risk of contracting their diseases. He continued serving the poor when he returned to South Bend, becoming the co-founder and medical director of the Chapin Street Clinic, which provides health care to the uninsured. Dr. Chamblee continued to promote public health as the director of the St. Joseph County Health Department. He has served on the boards of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Indiana University South Bend Board of Advisors, and Catholic Social Service, received an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Notre Dame, and was appointed by Pope Paul VI as a member of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of St. Gregory the Great, in recognition of his good character and notable accomplishments. He is the recipient of too many awards to count, having worked with numerous professional, service-related, and human rights organizations. Despite his many professional successes, he considered his greatest accomplishment to be his children. His son, Judge Roland Chamblee Jr., noted that no matter how late he worked due to his service to others, the family always ate dinner together. He will be dearly missed by his family and all whose lives were touched by his friendliness, his generosity, and his devotion to fairness and unity. It is with great pride and honor that I enter Dr. Roland Chamblee's name into the United States Congressional Record.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 6132, The Veterans Benefits and Economic Welfare Improvement Act. This bill combines several measures into one solid piece of legislation that will serve our veterans by helping them transition into the job market and improving the disability claims and appeals process, among other things. Included in this legislation is a bill I introduced to help improve the disability claims process, H.R. 5549, The RAPID Claims Act. The RAPID Claims Act codifies the already successful Fully Developed Claim pilot program that Congress created in 2008, with a few improvements. Since veterans who participate in the Fully Developed Claim program are gathering their evidence without VA assistance, they should be able to notify VA to mark their date of disability compensation as soon as they begin to put their case together. The RAPID Claims Act ensures this date is protected. Additionally, if VA decides that a claim submitted by a veteran for the Fully Developed Claim program is actually ineligible for that program, VA should immediately notify the veteran of what is needed to substantiate the claim to allow it to proceed efficiently through the normal disability claim process. If VA adjudicates an incomplete claim without notifying the veteran, the result would be more inaccurately processed claims and a longer appeals backlog. The RAPID Claims Act requires VA to assist such veterans in putting together a regular disability claim to prevent unsatisfactory decisions and unnecessary appeals. Finally, The RAPID Claims Act ensures that veterans receive an appeals form at the same time as the decision on their disability claim. This will help veterans more quickly prepare and file an appeal if necessary. I am proud to have worked with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and the Disabled American Veterans in crafting this legislation, as well as 60 bipartisan colleagues who support it.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Brother Richard Gilman, CSC of Notre Dame, Indiana for his 17 years of service and dedication to Holy Cross College. Brother Gilman graduated summa cum laude as well as valedictorian from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. He continued his education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education through a Science Foundation fellowship and later became a member of the Woodrow Wilson Institute at Princeton University. He has also studied at St. Louis University, the University of Akron, Georgetown University, and the University of Dayton, where he received his doctorate in higher educational administration. After many years of teaching mathematics and physics at St. John's School in Sekondi, Ghana, Brother Gilman became the principal of Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio, where he later served as president. For the past 17 years Brother Gilman has acted as President of Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, where he has been an architect for progress. He was influential in Holy Cross College's transformation from a two- year community college into a thriving Catholic Liberal Arts college. During his tenure at Holy Cross College, Brother Gilman oversaw the construction of the Millennium Arch, Hardesty Plaza, two new residence halls, and the Pfeil Recreation and Student Centers. Apart from implementing new structures on the Holy Cross Campus, Brother Gilman helped create internal programs such as the Campus Ministry office as well as the International Exchange program. The International Exchange program broadens students' cultural perspectives by encouraging them to travel to countries served by the Congregation of Holy Cross, such as Ghana, Peru, Mexico and India. Brother Gilman leaves behind a powerful legacy. He influenced the students at Holy Cross College by helping them find the courage and determination to achieve success. The programs he created allow students not only to explore the world, but to explore what they themselves can do. Brother Gilman taught students that it is okay to fail as long as you keep trying to get it right. His teaching methods gave students the opportunity to expand their minds and grow to become active and innovative members of society. Brother Gilman's 17 distinguished years at Holy Cross College have transformed the school into the vibrant institution that it is today. His service to Holy Cross College will undoubtedly be felt by students, faculty and staff for many years to come. It is my honor to thank Brother Gilman for a lifetime of selfless hard work and countless contributions to the communities he has served.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to solemnly remember and honor the life and dedicated service of Specialist Justin B. Shoecraft, a native son of Elkhart, Indiana, and a proud member of the United States Army. SPC Shoecraft died on August 24, 2010 in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when his Stryker vehicle was hit by a roadside improvised explosive device in Kakarak, Afghanistan. Justin graduated from Elkhart Memorial High School in 2001 and worked for the United Parcel Service for seven years before enlisting in the United States Army. He was assigned to B Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment out of Vilseck, Germany. His regiment had assumed control of Tarin Kowt in July of 2010. Justin was five weeks into his first deployment when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit. Justin was posthumously promoted to the rank of Specialist. His awards include the Bronze Star medal (posthumous), the Purple Heart Medal (posthumous), the Army Good Conduct Medal (posthumous), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge (posthumous), the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Expert Rifle Bar, and the Overseas Service Bar. Justin loved working on old cars and motorcycles, and was a fan of stock car racing. He had always wanted to drive tanks for the Army. He will be remembered by his friends, family, and fellow soldiers for his generosity, work ethic, and sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Jessica, whom he married the day before he left for basic training, his parents, Carroll ``Blue'' and Donna, his grandfathers, Walt and Floyd, his grandmother, Helen, his brother Michael and sister Sherry, extended family and many friends. He will be missed by all. It is my solemn duty, and humble privilege, to honor the life, service, and memory of Specialist Justin B. Shoecraft, which stand as a testament to the great honor possessed, and sacrifices made, by our men and women in the armed forces, and by their families. We mourn his passing and offer solemn gratitude for his service and sacrifice.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Chairman, I want to thank the chairman for his and his committee's work on this bill. As we all know, there are veterans across the country, including thousands in my district, who are forced to drive long distances to receive the medical care they earned through their service to the Nation. But I understand that included in this bill is $15 million for the VA Health Care Center Advance Planning account, which would go toward new VA Health Care Centers, which could help these veterans. I wonder if the chairman wouldn't mind going into some detail on this item. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Chairman, thank you so much for your leadership.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 60th anniversary of Logan Center in South Bend, Indiana. Since 1950, Logan Center has been a leader in north central Indiana's community in supporting individuals with disabilities. Americans with developmental or physical disabilities and their families face particularly daunting challenges to maintain health, independence, and quality of life. For the past 60 years, Logan Center has helped these individuals and their families achieve full, successful lives. They provide services such as vocational training and community outings for adults and speech, physical, and occupational therapy for children. The Center also runs Best Buddies, which pairs individuals with disabilities with students from local colleges, forming bonds between individuals across the community. Additionally, this August, Logan Center will host their 7th annual Logan's Run, a local race and fun walk to raise awareness and benefit those with developmental disabilities. Logan Center is a well respected organization with the proven ability to improve and change lives, and I am proud of their continued support of our local community for the past 60 years, with many more to come in the future.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of Patricia Decio of Elkhart, Indiana. Mrs. Decio made everyone she touched a better person through her caring, loving ways. She was born in 1930, graduated from Mundelein College, and married Art, the love of her life, in 1951. Art always said how lucky he felt to be married to Pat, and their devotion to one another is an example for everybody. Pat was the proud mom of five children, 14 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She devoted her life to her family, her church and her community. Her work with the Women's Care Center was summed up by the plaque that stated ``we would not be serving so many women and babies today if it were not for the vision and faith of this wonderful woman.'' Her dedication to our community, St. Mary's, Notre Dame, Elkhart, the NAACP, is legendary. We know she is surrounded by God's grace, a loving family, and we know we will see her again. Pat, thank you for all the kindness you showed and the lives you touched. May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend, Indiana. Last week, Ivy Tech's South Bend campus was approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to become the first college in Indiana to offer an associate's degree in the field of nanotechnology. As demonstrated by advances made at the Midwest Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery in South Bend, north central Indiana is a growing leader in the Nation's nanotechnology research and development. As our Nation is faced with an expanding and increasingly competitive global economy, it is crucial to promote efforts such as a nanotechnology education to not only keep America competitive, but to thrive and win. Investments today in nanotechnology will result in quality, rewarding Hoosier jobs of the future. I commend Ivy Tech for their efforts to prepare students, our next generation of innovators for the future.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Thank you very much. I want to thank my dear colleague from Florida and tell her what a vibrant and successful Jewish community we have in Indiana as well. We are very proud of our Jewish community there, and I want to thank you so much. Mr. Speaker, as we near Memorial Day, I rise today also to offer some words in commemoration of those who gave their lives in the Armed Forces of the United States, in particular, three sons from the Second District of Indiana. This weekend, Members of this body will return to our districts and participate in Memorial Day parades and events that are a tradition of American life. People will picnic with their families, barbecue and watch parades, and people will honor our veterans and pay respects to those servicemembers who died in the line of duty in places large and small, in places like South Bend, Plymouth and Westville, Indiana. Specialist Paul E. Andersen, an Army Reservist from South Bend, Indiana, died in action on October 1, 2009, by indirect fire from enemy forces. A 24-year veteran of the Armed Forces, Paul was competing his second tour of duty in Iraq. A 1979 graduate of Buchanan High School just across the line in Michigan, Paul enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1985. After serving his first tour in Iraq, Paul met his future wife, Linda, at the home of a friend. They shared a love of country music, old movies, and strawberry milkshakes. Paul proposed marriage within just a few months, and they were married 3 weeks later. Linda knew what the Army meant to Paul from the very beginning. When he reenlisted for 6 more years of duty, though, it was only after first seeking her consent. When he asked her how she would feel if he opted to redeploy, she said, go ahead. ``I knew I married an Army man, he's my world, my life, my friend.'' In November of 2008, Paul served with the 855th Quartermaster Company from South Bend. Paul's mission in Iraq was to provide both shower and laundry services, as well as operating a clothing repair shop supporting coalition forces based in 10 different locations throughout the Iraqi theater. Without these crucial services that helped make life bearable for those fighting far from home, our soldiers would not have been able to perform their duties as ably as they do. Paul will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. As a civilian, Paul worked at a tube and bending company. He loved to tinker with machines and was notorious among family members and friends for going overboard on the Christmas lights every year. He lived a life full of love and joy. Specialist Andersen is survived by his wife, by six children, and by nine grandchildren. Army Staff Sergeant Justin DeCrow of Plymouth, Indiana, died in a the tragic shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009. After 13 years of extraordinary service to his Nation, Justin was taken from his family, friends, and comrades, and he will be forever missed. Justin always wanted to be a soldier. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1996, and after marrying his high school sweetheart, that spring he enlisted in the United States Army. He answered the call to serve his country because of an unfailing love of America and also the opportunity to make a life for his family in a career like no other. Early on, he performed light vehicle maintenance. In 2000, Justin and his family moved to Evans, Georgia, after he was assigned to nearby Fort Gordon, where he was trained as a satellite operator. He would later go on to work in that capacity in South Korea. Last September, Justin was assigned to the 16th Signal Company at Fort Hood. He had hoped to soon return to Fort Gordon to be with his family. While at Fort Hood, Justin distinguished himself by training new soldiers. He will be remembered by his fellow soldiers as a mentor with an undeniable charm and quick wit, and by friends and family as a loving and devoted father and husband. Justin is survived by his wife of 14 years, Marikay, their 13-year- old daughter, Kylah, and two proud parents, Daniel DeCrow and Rhonda Thompson. He will be missed by them and by a grateful Nation forever in debt to a selfless man's kind heart and deep sense of service. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua Birchfield of Westville, Indiana, died in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on February 19, 2010. After almost 2 years of accomplished service, Joshua was killed by small arms fire while on patrol during his first tour of duty in that country. Josh graduated from Westville High School in 2004 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on April 18, 2008. He joined the marines after seeing a TV news segment focused on the hardships that military families endure when they are separated, especially during the holidays. Josh was deeply inspired by those who dedicated their lives in the service of others. He wanted to share that burden they were carrying on behalf of our Nation. Lance Corporal Birchfield was stationed in Helmand Province as a rifleman with the Third Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, First Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Twentynine Palms, California. For his service and support in Operation Enduring Freedom, Josh has been decorated many times, earning the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the NATO Medal. Joshua was a baseball enthusiast, and this coming weekend, I am proud that I will be there as the baseball field in Westville will be renamed in Josh's honor, a living memorial that will remain a place of joy and remembrance for years to come. And we all hope that we can live up to the example that Josh has given to all of us. Joshua was also an inspiring hero to many in the tight-knit Westville community, and he will be remembered as a selfless and compassionate man. He is survived by both parents and sisters, extended family, and many, many friends. We are forever in debt to these three great Hoosiers, all patriots in every sense of the word and all brave Americans who have laid down their lives so that we may be safe, so that others might live without fear, and so that our country can remain safe and secure and strong. Let us also remember today those brave Americans who are serving their Nation now here at home and in harm's way in places all around the globe. By choosing to serve their Nation in uniform, these sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, are continuing hundreds of years of a tradition of selflessness, excellence, and courage in protecting the freedoms and values we are blessed to enjoy as citizens of this beloved country. Mr. Speaker, may the House of Representatives always do right by these fine men and their families, and may we never forget the price of freedom and those who have laid their lives down in service to this great Nation.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1073, a bipartisan resolution recognizing and supporting the goals of RV Centennial Celebration Month in June 2010. The first mass-produced, manufactured, motorized campers and camping trailers appeared in the American marketplace for commercial sale in 1910. This resolution seeks to honor and commemorate America's 100 years of enjoyment of RVs. It also offers an opportunity to recognize the workers who make RVs, the entrepreneurs who started these companies and whose passion has created jobs and opportunity for so many people and to recognize the homegrown industry that has developed to support this great American pastime and to provide good-paying jobs for thousands of families. I have the privilege of representing a large portion of the RV industry. It is crucial to northern Indiana's economy. RV manufacturing has long been a major economic driver in places like Elkhart by directly employing thousands of people in the RV plants and thousands more in suppliers' factories, not to mention its contributions to the local municipal tax base. The economic importance of RVs and camping extends well beyond my district, of course--to the entire United States. RV manufacturing is big business in Oregon, Iowa and elsewhere. Camping and RV tourism pump millions into our parks and vacation destinations each and every year. For a century, through war and peace, booms and busts and technological fads, RVs have been a mainstay of American highways, campgrounds, sporting events, and driveways. The RV lifestyle is still going strong. Today, one in 12 American households owns an RV, and over 30 million RVers take part in this affordable and environmentally friendly form of vacationing each year. We all represent families who own RVs and who enjoy the freedom of travel and of the family adventure they provide. Despite the economic ups and downs, RVs allow families an affordable way to travel and to explore this country's amazing natural resources. This year, the RVing community will celebrate their centennial with a series of events which will culminate a 100th anniversary party hosted on June 7 at the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. This resolution to recognize June 2010 as RV Centennial Celebration Month provides a fitting endorsement of the 100-year journey of a uniquely American product. This resolution enjoys the support of over 50 bipartisan cosponsors. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and pass House Resolution 1073.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 584) recognizing the importance of manufactured and modular housing in the United States.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 137) expressing the sense of the Congress that the lack of adequate housing must be addressed as a barrier to effective HIV prevention, treatment, and care, and that the United States should make a commitment to providing adequate funding for developing housing as a response to the AIDS pandemic.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam 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 of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this concurrent resolution, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 137) expressing the sense of the Congress that the lack of adequate housing must be addressed as a barrier to effective HIV prevention, treatment, and care, and that the United States should make a commitment to providing adequate funding for developing housing as a response to the AIDS pandemic.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam 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 of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this concurrent resolution, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).