Brian Higgins

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise to join my colleagues in consideration of H. Res. 1202 which supports the goals and ideals of National Guard Youth Challenge Day. H. Res. 1202 was introduced by our colleague and ranking member, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) on May 15, 2008. This resolution was considered by and reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on July 16, 2008, by voice vote and has the support and cosponsorship of 62 Members of Congress. In America today, we are facing an epidemic of young men and women dropping out of high school. Even with programs like GEAR UP, each year we continue to see that nearly a million and a quarter students fail to graduate from high school, and that there are approximately 33 million Americans between the ages of 16 and 24 who have not earned their high school degree. These facts help to highlight the importance of recognizing the efforts and achievements of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. The National Guard Youth Challenge Program strives to improve the education, life skills, and employment potential of America's high school dropouts through public awareness, scholarships, higher education assistance, mentoring, and job development programs. The program can be found in 28 States as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia and at each site you can find a difference being made in the lives of so many deserving young people. Since it began in 1993, the National Guard Youth Challenge Program has assisted over 75,000 students. The success rate is astounding: 80 percent earn their high school diplomas or GED, 26 percent enter college, 18 percent enter the military, and 56 percent join the workforce in career jobs. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia for sponsoring the measure at hand and given the significant contribution that the National Guard Youth Challenge Program makes to our nation, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1202. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1202) supporting the goals and ideals of a National Guard Youth Challenge Day.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1311) expressing support for the designation of National GEAR UP Day.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I would now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas, Representative Hinojosa.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to stand in consideration and support of H. Res. 1311 which expresses the sense of the House that today, July 22, ought to be designated as National GEAR UP Day. The Federal education program GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is designed to foster partnerships amongst schools, school districts, business entities, and colleges and universities in order to improve public education and to increase low-income students' access to post-secondary education. The author of the original legislation that created GEAR UP nearly 10 years ago, Congressman Chaka Fattah, serves as a sponsor of H. Res. 1311 and is joined by his colleagues, Representatives Hinojosa, Souder, Danny Davis, and 70 other Members of this body, Members who recognize the difference that attaining a quality education in a college or technical degree can make in a person's life. H. Res. 1311 was introduced on June 26, 2008, and was considered by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on July 16 where it was approved favorably by voice vote. Madam Speaker, the sole purpose of GEAR UP is to encourage millions of young Americans to succeed in middle and secondary school, to study hard and to make right choices to be prepared for college, and ultimately degree completion. Unlike any other Federal program, GEAR UP, through its partnerships, State projects and the thousands of practitioners that carry out its mission, has provided direct services to millions of aspiring students throughout every corner of our country. From tutorial services right here in our Nation's capital to precollege workshops and career fairs held at Buffalo State College in my home State of New York, GEAR UP is telling children that despite your circumstances you too can start early, set high expectations and be prepared to pursue and succeed in post-secondary education. From the GEAR UP American Samoa Community College program to the dozens of University of California GEAR UP sites, this program is shaping and developing a whole new generation of leaders and scholars. For this reason, I stand to join my colleagues, the thousands of GEAR UP professionals here with us today on the Hill, and the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships in support of designating July 22 as National GEAR UP Day. In celebration of the program's 10 years of success, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H. Res. 1311.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I yield back.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 additional minute to the gentlewoman.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 364) Recognizing the Significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5235) to establish the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission, as amended.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996) and the centennial celebration that will be held at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, NY from August 2008--August 2009. Roger Tory Peterson was America's most prominent ornithologist and bird artist in the 20th century. Many people have regarded him as being a modern day John James Audubon who introduced millions of people to the joys of bird watching. Not only was Peterson a world renowned ornithologist, but also photographer, film maker, writer and lecturer as well. Additionally to his credit, his Field Guide to the Birds has sold five million copies in five editions since 1934, and was selected by the New York Public Library as one of the 100 most important books of the 20th century. This book was so successful that it led to an entire series of Peterson Field Guides to be developed. Peterson released 50 titles covering practically every aspect of the natural world. This launched a career that made him the most prominent and honored naturalist of our time. For 60 years Peterson wrote and spoke about, illustrated, filmed and photographed the natural world. His articles, photographs and illustrations appeared not only in widely known magazines such as Life and National Geographic but also in a variety of other popular magazines. This allowed the public to become aware and appreciate nature through his work. Peterson worked tirelessly in defense of the natural world. He was very outspoken and as a result he helped see through the passage of crucial environmental legislation such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the ban on DDT. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980 and was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, received 23 Honorary Doctorates and scores of other honors including the John Burroughs Award for Nature Writing, the Conservation Medal of the National Audubon Society, Conservation Achievement Award of the National Wildlife Federation, the Smithsonian Institution's James Smithson Medal, World Wildlife Fund Gold Medal, Linnaeus Gold Medal from the Swedish Academy of Sciences, and was inducted into the United States Conservation Hall of Fame, all for his work on behalf of the natural world. Founded in 1985, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, located in Peterson's hometown of Jamestown, NY is an educational institution charged with preserving Peterson's lifetime body of work and making it available to the world for educational purposes. Housed in its archives are thousands of items ranging from paintings, original graphic art renderings, photographs, films, manuscripts and correspondence that tell the story of Peterson's career. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute plays host to visitors from around the world that come to view these treasures. Yet, because Peterson educated, entertained and enriched the lives of people everywhere, these deserve greater and more widespread exposure through exhibition at museums and the other cultural venues nationwide. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing the enduring Peterson who continues to enable millions of people to come to know and appreciate the value of nature and recognize the wellbeing of people and the natural world are one and the same. This deep, profound legacy deserves to be celebrated on the 100th anniversary of his birth, and is the reason why it is appropriate and necessary to celebrate Peterson's lifework and legacy.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Mr. Michael S. Finegan for his service as the Director of Veteran Affairs Western New York Healthcare System. Mr. Finegan has truly made great strides for the veterans in the Western New York area. Mr. Finegan gained his Bachelor's Degree from Allegheny College, and later earned his Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Sate University of New York Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. Mr. Finegan has since achieved great things in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Finegan has taken on a variety of different roles throughout his tenure with the Department of Veterans Affairs. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Finegan served as Chief Financial and Operations Officer for VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York, where he was personally responsible for the development, coordination and monitoring of the Network's financial management and operations. For the following three years, Mr. Finegan took the position of Director of the VA Medical Center in Butler, Pennsylvania, as well as lead director for Veterans Integrated Service Network 4. Since late 2003, Mr. Finegan has successfully served as Director of VA Western New York Healthcare System, during which time he served as Acting Director of the VA Healthcare Network for Upstate New York for a brief period in 2006. At the VA Western New York Healthcare System, Mr. Finegan led a staff of 1,750 employees who have provided the finest health care to more than 40,000 veterans of military service during the past year alone. He has also carried on the highly regarded clinical research and training programs for America's future health care contributors. Mr. Finegan is currently a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Healthcare Financial Managers Association and the American Society of Public Administration. Mr. Michael S. Finegan is an innovative leader for veterans around the country, especially in the Western New York area. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing the many achievements of Mr. Finegan and wishing him luck in all future endeavors.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the loss of one of Buffalo's finest public servants with the passing of William J. Frawley, a 39-year member of the Buffalo Police Department, on the 4th of July. Inspector Frawley demonstrated his commitment to our country at an early age when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17 where he fought in Italy, France, Germany and Austria while serving with the 36th Infantry Division. As a veteran of World War II, he returned home to begin another chapter of service to his fellow citizens when he joined the Buffalo Police Department in 1947. Rising through the ranks, Bill Frawley personified professional standards and a strong sense of humanity as he rose through the ranks as a patrolman, lieutenant, captain and inspector. His calm and conscientious manner was especially needed when he oversaw the 911 operations during the Blizzard of 1977 as head of the Division of Administration and Communications. Known as a ``cop's cop,'' Inspector Frawley will be remembered in the words offered by Chief of Detectives Dennis Richards who called Bill a decent, compassionate leader and a mentor to future generations who lived by his own credo, ``never asked someone to do something that you yourself would not do.'' As his sister, Kathleen, noted in the Buffalo News, he was a humble man of integrity who ``was tireless in his job. He did it because he loved it.'' He also valued education returning to college where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University at Buffalo in the 1970's. Though he retired in 1986, Inspector Frawley's legacy continued on through his design of the Buffalo Police Reorganization Plan which consolidated the city's 14 precincts into five districts. It was after his retirement that I became most familiar with his vision and management skills as I took up the challenge of implementing the plan during my tenure as a member of the Buffalo Common Council. The first consolidated district would eventually become a reality in my home district in South Buffalo. And South Buffalo was also Bill's home where young children would knock on the Frawley family door on Pomona Place for words of praise for improved report cards and special treats for special occasions. He was a strong, generous and faithful member of St. Teresa's Parish and in his later years, St. Agatha's Church. His service to others extended to giving of himself as he donated blood to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Plasmapheresis Center nearly 600 times. His life story began a new chapter when he married Joan Haltam in 1982 and for the next 22 years, the Inspector became a loving, caring husband and stepfather until her death in 2004. His devotion to his stepchildren, Joseph, Karen and Michael, never wavered. Madam Speaker, please join me in expressing our deepest sympathy to his beloved sister, Kathleen, and his stepchildren for their loss and our most sincere appreciation for the life of William J. Frawley. We are grateful for his lifelong example, both professionally and personally, of selfless public service, integrity, faith and dedication to family and community.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the significant achievements of Captain Scott J. Ferguson whose service with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo were concluded today during a change of command ceremony on 1 Fuhrmann Blvd. As the Commander of the United States Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, Captain Scott J. Ferguson was responsible for a 570 mile coastline stretching from Massena, NY, to Vermillion, OH, including three of the five finger lakes, St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the Erie Barge Canal. Captain Ferguson has been awarded three Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, and the Transportation 9-11 Medal, along with many others. Captain Ferguson has done a great deal for Sector Buffalo during his time as Commander. He always made it his mission to ensure the complete safety of those in his area of responsibility. He ensured that all personnel working in Sector Buffalo were properly trained and equipped to handle any emergency situation. Captain Ferguson continually worked on fulfilling his firm belief that Sector Buffalo was the ``gatekeeper'' of the Great Lakes. Captain Ferguson truly worked on promoting safe boating practices. In doing so, Captain Ferguson hosted a Safe Boating Week in Sector Buffalo to educate citizens on safe water and boating practices. In addition, he created the Annual Eastern Great Lakes Water Safety Expo, which included safety demonstrations, free recreation vessel inspections and tours of the Sector Buffalo Coast Guard base and the Buffalo Lighthouse. Captain Ferguson will be leaving to serve as the chief of prevention at the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking Captain Scott Ferguson for all that he has done for Western New York and Sector Buffalo and wish him every success in his future.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise for the consideration of H. Res. 1128, which expresses the support for the goals and ideals of National Carriage Driving Month. Our colleague, Congressman David Davis of Tennessee, introduced House Resolution 1128 on April 22 of this year. The resolution was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on July 16, 2008, by voice vote, and has the support and cosponsorship of 50 Members of Congress. While over a century has passed since Henry Ford forever changed the face of transportation, tens of thousands of Americans still enjoy collecting, preserving, driving, and restoring horse-drawn vehicles. Aided by the efforts of organizations such as the Carriage Association of America, which has devoted great effort to preserving and recognizing the significant contributions of animal-drawn vehicles, carriages are enjoyed at hundreds of events nationwide each year. I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for sponsoring the measure at hand. Passage of H. Res. 1128 will not only express our support for National Carriage Driving Month, but also encourage our fellow Americans and enthusiasts, historical organizations, and educational entities to observe and participate in events that protect, preserve and appreciate carriages as part of our Nation's history. I urge the adoption of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I would urge passage of this bill and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to come to the floor today for the consideration of H.R. 6226, which recognizes the achievements of Stan Lundine. I introduced this measure on June 16, 2008, and the bill enjoys support from members of the New York congressional delegation. H.R. 6226 was considered in committee on July 16, 2008, and was ordered to be reported by voice vote. Stan Lundine was born on February 4, 1939. He grew up in Jamestown, New York. He served his community as mayor of Jamestown, as a United States Representative, and lieutenant governor of New York. He graduated from Duke University in 1961 and from New York University School of Law in 1964. As mayor of Jamestown from 1970 to 1976, his work implementing a labor management strategy ended long-running labor conflicts and helped Jamestown gain national attention as a model for labor-management cooperation. During his time in Congress from 1976 to 1987, Stan focused on finance, banking and economic development policy. He was chairman of the Subcommittee on International Development Institutions and Finance and played an instrumental role in developing legislation that created labor-management councils and employee stock ownership plans. In 1986, Stan became lieutenant governor of New York under Governor Mario Cuomo, where he focused on housing, economic development, technology, and job training programs. Today, Stan continues his public service through his position on the boards of directors for several not-for-profit organizations, including the Chautauqua Institution, the Robert H. Jackson Center, and the Fredonia College Foundation. He also recently served as head of the New York State Commission on Local Efficiency and Government Competitiveness. The legislation before the House today, H.R. 6226, would honor Stan Lundine by naming a post office in his hometown of Jamestown, New York, in his honor. I urge my colleagues to adopt this legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HIGGINS

Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Paul J. Koessler, a tireless civic leader, generous philanthropist, and devout Western New Yorker. Paul's service and commitment to Buffalo has left a long enduring impact on our community, and he will be sorely missed. A Harvard Business School graduate and successful businessman, Paul never forgot his roots and always remembered the importance of giving back to the community he called home. In 1980, Paul joined his brother, John W. ``Jack'' Jr., CEO of Greater Buffalo Press, to serve as company president and COO of the largest printer of Sunday comics in the world and a leader in advertising insert printing. Greater Buffalo Press has seven plants in the United States as well as one in Canada, and, at one point, had 2,100 employees. In 1989 Paul moved to Nashville to serve as vice chairman of Sullivan Graphics, only to return to Buffalo in the 1990's. With Paul's increasing success in business, he gave back to his community. In 2006, his philanthropic foundation gave 40 grants worth close to $300,000 to Western New York charities, churches, and schools, and he led a $20 million dollar fundraising campaign for Canisius High School, where he graduated from in 1955. Paul also served on the boards of the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, Buffalo Venture, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Contract Staffing, Dunn Tire Corp, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Sisters Hospital Foundation, WNED, and Canisius High School. Paul was also chairman of the board of trustees at Canisius College and received the school's Board of Regents Distinguished Citizen Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the Western New York community. Paul's role as chairman of the Peace Bridge Authority was a recent testament to his great leadership in Buffalo. Three governors, both Republican and Democratic, have named Paul to the Peace Bridge Authority over the years. Paul's respectful manner, integrity, genuine character, and tenacious spirit made him a great champion for progress in Buffalo. Paul Koessler was widely respected because he was always respectful--to anyone and everyone he came in contact with. Paul was a strong and effective advocate for groundbreaking projects important to Western New York and will be especially missed as a leader and a partner in the effort to construct a new Peace Bridge. Madam Speaker, Paul Koessler was a dedicated leader and beloved man who cherished his community. His legacy in Western New York is invaluable and enduring. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Niscah, and children, Susan, Joanne, Lana, Gretchen, Joe, Eric, Kimberly, Robert, Theodore, and Brian. I thank you for joining me in expressing to the Koessler family the deepest condolences of the House for their loss.