Steve Driehaus

Mr. DRIEHAUS

Mr. DRIEHAUS. I'm proud today to join with the minority leader and my distinguished friends and colleagues to pay tribute to one of our finest universities, and a source of pride for all Ohioans. For two centuries, Miami has stood as a hallmark of what public higher education should be in this country. Miami University boasts excellence in a wide range of programs; a faculty amongst the best in the Nation; facilities and resources that allow Miami's academic community to realize its full potential; and an unparalleled commitment to student success. But Miami's achievement and legacy reach far beyond the confines of its classrooms. Miami University was a product of the Northwest Ordinance. As Ohio's founders settled the lands west of the Appalachians, Miami stood as a beacon of learning in the untamed corners of a young Nation. The many government leaders, artists, and scholars among Miami University's alumni have carried the school's message and tradition of excellence across the United States, and around the world. Their contributions to a range of disciplines and professions have left a lasting imprint on our laws and culture. In the Freedom Summer of 1964, civil rights activists trained at Western College for Women, Miami's western campus. These young heroes brought their message of freedom and equality from Oxford, Ohio to Meridian, Mississippi. Three of them sacrificed their lives because they would not give up their commitment to the struggle against injustice and bigotry. Their legacies and the achievements of so many others are part of Miami University's story and have become woven into the fabric of our Nation's history. For me, Miami University holds a personal significance. I count myself, my wife Lucienne, and four of my siblings among Miami's proud alumni. Miami fostered my commitment to service, leading me to become one of the 809 Miami alumni to join the Peace Corps and to pursue a career working on behalf of my fellow citizens. Miami University opened doors of opportunity for me, as it has for thousands of others. I add my voice to the many others congratulating Miami University on 200 years of distinguished service, and I wish the university an equally successful future.

Mr. DRIEHAUS

Mr. DRIEHAUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join students and families and educators across the country to mark this very important week, Catholic Schools Week. For thousands of children in the United States, including my own, Catholic schools are laying the foundation for bright and successful futures while calling young people to service and fostering values that strengthen our families and our communities. I want to congratulate three people in particular: Father Andrew Umberg, pastor of St. William Parish in Cincinnati; Lisa Driggers, a teacher at St. James School in Green Township; and Tim Otten, principal of Elder High School, my alma mater, who have all been honored this year by the National Catholic Education Association. This week we recognize them and other Catholic educators for their important contributions not only to education but to their community and to their country.

Mr. DRIEHAUS

Mr. DRIEHAUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the service of the Cincinnati Police Department in yesterday's inaugural celebration. The men and women of Cincinnati proudly served as a security detail for yesterday's events, as did thousands of officers from across the United States. As one traveled the streets of Washington yesterday, the presence of our police and military was reassuring. They were courteous, respectful, and extremely professional as they assisted millions of visitors to our Nation's Capital. Let this be a reminder to all of us of the tremendous dedication of our men and women in uniform serving our communities here at home as well as those serving abroad. It is their dedication and commitment to service that ensures our freedoms, the freedoms celebrated yesterday in the inauguration of our 44th President. Let these brave officers be a model for all Americans as we heed the call to service and renew our democracy.

Mr. DRIEHAUS

Mr. DRIEHAUS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute. Thank you to the gentleman from Massachusetts for his leadership on this amendment and for his leadership on this issue. I stand in support of the manager's amendment. Many who support it--the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act that first authorized the money for TARP--despite the fact that they were angered by the circumstances that caused its necessity, believed it was essential for the Nation's economy. My home State of Ohio is amongst the Nation's leaders in its foreclosure rate, and I am keenly aware of the need for intervention to mitigate the increasing number of foreclosures. This measure recognizes that and provides relief for those who need it most, not just for America's homeowners, not just for America's financial institutions but for entire communities that are suffering and that are failing under the weight of the foreclosure crisis. I appreciate the chairman's fundamental work on this issue. Again, I would encourage my colleagues to support the manager's amendment.

Mr. DRIEHAUS

Mr. DRIEHAUS. Mr. Speaker, the American people sent the 111th Congress to Washington based on the promise that we would make government work again for every single person in this country. We cannot work to fulfill that promise if the government programs that we control are riddled with abuse and mismanagement. The reports of waste, fraud and abuse that have permeated the Federal Government are staggering. If we are going to change the way things are done in Washington, our first step must be to clean our own house. We need to put in place real oversight so that we can root out the problems where they exist. We need increased transparency so that government is held accountable by the people it serves. We need to change the business-as- usual attitude that has led to a culture of corruption and complacency in Washington. House Resolution 40 is an important part of our commitment to do right by the people who sent us here, and I applaud my friends from Tennessee and California for their leadership on this issue.