Joe Donnelly

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, today I wish to highlight the accomplishments of the Saint Joseph High School Economics Team. On May 18, 2010, this team outscored other excellent teams from across the country in the National Fed Challenge and went on to represent Indiana as one of only four teams nationwide that qualified for the final competition at the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, DC. The Economics Team then faced tough competition from Boston, New York, and Richmond, Virginia. Following their 15 minute presentation about the economy they were asked questions by a panel of judges consisting of Federal Reserve staff members, professional economists, and educators. After the judges weighed in, the St. Joseph High School economics team of South Bend, Indiana, captured the national championship. These St. Joseph students demonstrated their unmatched knowledge of federal monetary policy and the economy, and for the first time in their school's history, after three previous trips to the national tournament, they triumphed. The team consisted of five students: Elizabeth Everett, Theodora Hannan, Donny MacDonell, Angela Watkins, and Joe Watkins. These outstanding students were coached by their teachers, Julie Chismar and Phil DePauw. I offer my congratulations to the St. Joseph High School Economics Team and all those affiliated with their success in the National Fed Challenge. These students serve as a model of commitment and dedication to educational excellence, and I am certain that their winning tradition will continue.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I wish to highlight the accomplishments of the Saint Joseph High School Economics Team. On May 18, 2010, this team outscored other excellent teams from across the country in the National Fed Challenge and went on to represent Indiana as one of only four teams nationwide that qualified for the final competition at the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, DC. The Economics Team then faced tough competition from Boston, New York, and Richmond, Virginia. Following their 15 minute presentation about the economy they were asked questions by a panel of judges consisting of Federal Reserve staff members, professional economists, and educators. After the judges weighed in, the St. Joseph High School economics team of South Bend, Indiana, captured the national championship. These St. Joseph students demonstrated their unmatched knowledge of federal monetary policy and the economy, and for the first time in their school's history, after three previous trips to the national tournament, they triumphed. The team consisted of five students: Elizabeth Everett, Theodora Hannan, Donny MacDonell, Angela Watkins, and Joe Watkins. These outstanding students were coached by their teachers, Julie Chismar and Phil DePauw. I offer my congratulations to the St. Joseph High School Economics Team and all those affiliated with their success in the National Fed Challenge. These students serve as a model of commitment and dedication to educational excellence, and I am certain that their winning tradition will continue.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

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. 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 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 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

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. 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 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 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

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. Mr. Chairman, manufacturing provides almost 20 percent of Indiana's jobs, more than any other sector in the State. When I am back in my district, Hoosier manufacturers tell me they want to retool and reinvest in their facilities so that we can better compete in America, so we can be the best in the world so that we can compete with our overseas competition, so that we can grow and put people back to work. However, I often hear from our manufacturers that the credit markets, which have been so tight, have made it very, very difficult to get a loan. This amendment helps those manufacturers to achieve that goal. CBO estimates that for every $1 we provide in loan guarantees, we can generate $6 in loans to manufacturers, meaning this amendment enables the Department of Commerce to generate $600 million in much-needed guaranteed loans to manufacturers who are seeking to innovate and put people back to work. That is why I support this.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Adrien Lanthier Ringuette of Bristol, Indiana. On Wednesday, January 6, 2010, Mr. Ringuette suffered a stroke and passed away at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. In mourning his death, we remember and honor the life and achievements of Mr. Ringuette. Born in Attleboro, MA, on September 9, 1925, to the late Joseph and Anita Ringuette, Mr. Ringuette served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon his return, Mr. Ringuette graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Amherst College. After graduating from Yale Law School in 1951, he began his career at the law firm Dwight, Royal, Harris, Kagel and Caskey in New York until 1954. After his time in New York, Mr. Ringuette moved to the Midwest while working for Universal Oil Products of Des Plaines. Thereafter, he worked at Abbott Laboratories as a senior attorney and assistant secretary until 1965, when he joined Miles Laboratories Inc. in Elkhart County. During this period, Mr. Ringuette's involvement in civil rights also motivated him to spearhead the defense of an open housing development in Deerfield, IL. The events of this initiative were chronicled by the New York Times in the 1960s and again in 1962 in a book by Harry and David Rosen. As secretary and general counsel for the Bayer Corporation, Mr. Ringuette worked extensively with trade association committees who helped shape legislation regarding issues pertaining to the healthcare industry. Before retiring from Bayer in 1990, Mr. Ringuette also worked with the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies during their review of over-the-counter drugs. A history enthusiast, Mr. Ringuette was an active member of the Board of The Food and Drug Law Institute, the Amherst and Yale Law School Alumni Associations, and the University Club of Chicago, among many others. Mr. Ringuette will be remembered as the excellent lawyer and active member of the community that he was. Adrien L. Ringuette is survived by his wife, three children and three grandchildren. I, and the grateful citizens of the state of Indiana, are deeply saddened by his passing.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. I want to thank my good friend from Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the 96 people who died so tragically in the plane crash near Smolensk, Russia, on Saturday, to stand here in solidarity with the Polish people during their time of immense loss. This is a time of sorrow for both our nations. And I extend my deepest sympathy to the Polish people. The plane crash near Smolensk took the lives of many of Poland's leaders traveling to memorialize the 70th anniversary of the Katyn Forest massacre, as my good friend from Ohio had mentioned, where during World War II the Soviets executed approximately 22,000 Polish servicemembers, public servants, and citizens. Sadly, that site now claims the blood of more great Poles. Killed on Saturday were President Lech Kaczynski, the First Lady, the governor of Poland's central bank, 12 members of parliament, four generals, many other key leaders, and great Polish citizens such as Anna Walentynowicz, the labor activist whose firing at the Gdansk shipyard helped spark the Solidarity strike. President Kaczynski was a great leader of Poland and a close, important friend of the United States. The son of Polish freedom fighters, Lech Kaczynski was an active leader within the Solidarity movement for democratic reforms in Poland, which eventually led to free elections on June 4, 1989. Elected President in 2005, President Kaczynski was a tireless advocate for stronger ties with the west and expanding NATO membership in Eastern Europe. He strengthened the cooperation between Poland and the United States, and his loss will be felt both in Poland and here in America. Mr. Speaker, during the time of loss for the Polish people, I believe it is especially important that the United States work closely with the people of Poland on issues of mutual importance and that we assist their government in any way possible. I am honored to have joined the House of Representatives today in passing House Resolution 1246, which expressed this Chamber's sympathy to the people of Poland for their loss, and pledging continued solidarity with the people of Poland and persons of Polish descent. Let us use this tragedy as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the friendship between our two nations. As we know, Poland and the United States have had a long and important friendship based on solidarity together. In fact, at our Nation's very birth, Kazimier Pulaski, the great Polish cavalry officer, helped lead Americans in victories over the British and saved the life of George Washington. Polish Americans have contributed to the rich fabric of our Nation both throughout our history and today as vibrant and accomplished Americans, proud of their heritage and proud of their culture. To my good friend from Ohio, as you have so many wonderful Polish- American communities in your district, in my district, South Bend, Mishawaka, Michigan City, La Porte, all of those wonderful cities in Indiana are home to over 10,000 Polish Americans, and many more Hoosiers can trace their roots to Poland and many more Hoosiers throughout my district can trace their roots to Poland. Poland is a crucial American ally. The role of Solidarity, led by Lech Walesa, and the support of Pope John Paul II were instrumental in bringing about a peaceful end to the Cold War and an end to communism in Europe. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Poland has worked closely with the United States, joining NATO in 1999, contributing troops to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and agreeing to cooperate with us on missile defense. Poland has instituted modern democratic and capitalist reforms, opening their country, economy, and their hearts to the world. Mr. Speaker, let us remember those who perished in this past weekend's tragic disaster, and let us honor their lives and their contributions by continuing America's strong and unbreakable friendship with Poland for all the years to come.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. It is a bond of friendship that has been strengthened year after year, born in Poland's struggles and America's struggles, a bond of solidarity that can never be broken. And we are both so proud to represent districts where we have so many Polish- American citizens who are so proud of their ancestry and who take such great pride in the roots that they have.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. In listening to your comments, what continues as a theme throughout all of this is the unbreakable spirit of freedom of the Polish nation; that, despite some of the most harsh treatment from other countries, some of the most difficult challenges ever faced, their strength, their courage, their determination changed the face of the world. I'm sure my good friend from Ohio remembers that day when a new Pope was chosen many years ago, and out on to the balcony came Pope John Paul II. And I remember the announcer saying, This Pope is from Poland. And when that happened, the whole world changed. And it wasn't too long after that that a strike at a shipyard in Gdansk again changed the face of the world, and that the courage of those workers and the strength of their belief in freedom and the Pope's keeping an eye on them, so to speak, helped change the entire world again; where you heard so many times that the Iron Curtain could never be broken, that the Soviet Union would never change, that Poland was a smaller nation than the Soviet Union and would never have a chance to see their spirit of democracy bloom and flower. But the determination of the people of that country could not be denied, and their example led to the Berlin Wall coming down, led to country after country getting their own freedom and their own democracy. And it was all started in a shipyard in Gdansk by the Polish nation who believed in a cause that was right, in a cause that was just, and believed that we are all creatures of God, and God has given us that opportunity to have freedom. And because of that, the whole world changed because of the strength of the people of Poland. And so tonight, as we stand here in our own beloved Capitol of this Nation we love so much, we want all of our friends of Polish heritage to know and all of our friends who are in Poland to know that we stand together with them, that we are as one, and that they can always count on our being there whenever needed.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. And I think back of all the incredible accomplishments that have occurred because of that desire for freedom, that recognition that each human being is special and that God has given us those rights. And that's why Lech Walesa stood up and said, Enough. In my own district, on the West side of South Bend, also Saint Adalberts, which is the central--one of the central points of the Polish communities in South Bend, and in Michigan City, Saint Stanislas Kostka, which is another central point where the community today is as strong and as vibrant as ever and has a very heavy heart this week after what has happened, after seeing folks they care so much about be in such a terrible, terrible accident, a terrible loss. And their tremendous pride in their American heritage and their Polish heritage has led those communities to be such bright lights in my State and, I know, in Ohio as well.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. And to a community where Easter is such a special event and to have this happen so shortly after Easter, in Rolling Prairie, a little town just outside of South Bend where there is also another Saint Stanislas Kostka, where Easter is celebrated as something not only very important spiritually, but also to the Polish community as well, to have this happen so shortly after that may have made the pain even more difficult. But what the people of Poland know is that they have suffered and struggled before, and from each time they deal with struggling and suffering, they come out stronger and they come out as a nation more united every time. And so from this pain, from this sorrow will come comfort and the understanding and knowledge of all the friends that the nation of Poland has throughout the world. And that, we hope, can be of some comfort.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. I just want to thank my good friend from Ohio for letting me be part of this. And to the nation of Poland, our hearts and our sympathy are with you at this very, very difficult time.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, on rollcall #185, I was not present to vote; however, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to solemnly honor Lance Corporal Joshua Birchfield for his dedication and service to the United States of America. LCpl Birchfield, a 24-year-old member of the Marine Corps, was killed on February 19, 2010 by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province during his first tour of duty to Afghanistan. Joshua risked everything to serve his country, and for that we are eternally grateful. Joshua graduated from Westville High School in 2004 and enlisted in the Marine Corps on April 18, 2008. He joined the Marines after seeing a TV news segment focused on the hardships military families endure when they are separated, especially during the holidays. He was deeply inspired by those who dedicated their lives in the service of others, and he wanted to share the burden they were carrying on behalf of our nation. LCpl Birchfield was stationed in Helmand Province as a rifleman with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, I Marine Expeditionary Force based in Twentynine Palms, California. For his service and support in Operation Enduring Freedom, he has been awarded multiple military awards including 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. A baseball enthusiast, Joshua was a hero to many in the Westville community and will be remembered as the selfless and compassionate human being he was. Joshua is survived by both his parents and sisters, extended family and many friends. It is my solemn duty, and humble privilege, to honor and remember Lance Cpl. Joshua H. Birchfield and a life cut tragically short. Joshua stands as a testament to the great honor possessed, and sacrifices made, by our men and women in the armed forces, and their families. We were all blessed by his presence and we are all diminished by his passing. I, and the grateful citizens of Indiana's Second District are deeply saddened by his loss, especially for his family, our community and our country. We mourn his passing and offer solemn gratitude for his service.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the LaPorte Family YMCA, celebrating its 100th anniversary of serving the people of LaPorte and the surrounding communities. For 100 years, the LaPorte Family YMCA has offered a variety of resources to its members. Its dedicated administrators, volunteers and community partners work tirelessly to uphold the organization's mission to promote positive values, investment in community, and mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Founded on December 9, 1908, it took LaPorte citizens less than 2 weeks to raise the bulk of the $65,000 necessary for the construction of the original YMCA facility. This building was completed in 1911. Since that time, the original YMCA building in LaPorte has undergone numerous renovations and additions. Finally, in 1995, the LaPorte YMCA was expanded to its current size of 11,000 sq. ft., which encompasses a teen center, weight room, pool, and a child care center. As an evolving organization, the YMCA seeks to adapt to the community's needs while promoting family values. The LaPorte Family YMCA remains committed to the original mission of the organization to respond to the needs of the surrounding community. Today, the LaPorte Family YMCA continues to successfully fulfill this mission by providing quality services stressing literacy, safe child care and healthy lifestyle choices. These programs are not only well managed and effectively run but are also vital to the community at large and the YMCA's effort to make a difference in the community ``one child, one senior, one family at a time.'' So today, on behalf of the citizens of the Second District, I would like to congratulate the dedicated administrative personnel and community volunteers who make the LaPorte Family YMCA such an upstanding organization and outstanding resource for LaPorte and the surrounding communities.

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana

Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Corporal James Szuba, a nearly eight year veteran of the Mishawaka Police Department, who gave his life in the line of duty. On Saturday, January 9, 2010, an intoxicated driver, in the act of fleeing from a pursuing officer, struck Corporal Szuba's patrol car as he was responding to a call for assistance. On board was his eight- year-old canine partner, a German Shepherd named Ricky, who was also killed upon impact. Mishawaka Police Assistant Chief Mike Samp noted ``He was very dedicated. He was one of those officers who would step up and help an officer if they needed anything. He was an outstanding officer who is going to be greatly missed around here.'' In 2004 he and three fellow officers were presented the Officer of the Year Award by the Indiana Council of Fraternal, Veterans and Social Societies after they rescued a five-year-old boy from drowning in a frozen neighborhood pond. Cpl. Szuba also received several letters of commendation and his performance evaluation noted that he ``is one of the most dependable and trustworthy officers . . . he has leadership skills and is well respected by his peers and supervisors.'' James followed a family tradition of service; his late father, Floyd, was an officer and his brother, John, is a sergeant with the nearby South Bend Police Department. Cpl. Szuba was trained in patrol tactics and narcotics searches. He was also an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy firearms instructor for the Mishawaka Police Department. Corporal Szuba leaves behind his mother, Gerri, his wife, Debbie, a son, Joshua and daughter, Stephanie, two brothers and two sisters as well as many friends, relatives and fellow officers. Madam Speaker, we grieve for the loss of Corporal James Szuba. Let us always value that America's police officers serve to protect our country, day in and day out, regardless of the dangers they face. May God welcome him home and give comfort to his family and friends.