Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu). (Mr. WU asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Again, I would hope that we would not suspend the rules today and I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Pombo, my chairman. From the very beginning I told him he was taking on a very important task, but I think we do have a poison pill, not put in with ill-will but a poison pill in this bill. I would be most happy to continue to work with him to try to find a solution to the possible proliferation of casinos Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains on each side?

Mr. KILDEE. Who has the right to close?

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4893, a bill that would amend section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to impose on the poorest tribes new onerous requirements before those tribes could obtain trust land for gaming. The provision that is most troublesome represents a drastic change in Federal law and policy because it undermines tribal sovereignty by requiring certain tribes to enter into a memorandum of understanding with counties and if the memorandum of understanding is not signed in 1 year would subject those tribes and counties to binding arbitration. I do not believe by adding this provision to his bill Chairman Pombo acted with ill intent. I think we are all concerned about the possible proliferation of off-reservation gaming, but this bill goes far beyond that issue because it subverts tribal sovereignty by requiring tribes to negotiate with counties which are not sovereign governments at all but are creatures of the State. Under current law, tribes must negotiate casino-style gaming compacts with State governments. As creatures of the State, the counties' interests should be protected by their State, as is the case in Michigan and other States. Never before has a Federal law equated sovereign tribes with counties. We can address the issue of off-reservation gaming without equating those sovereign tribes with counties. But suspension of the rules forbids any amendments. I oppose setting a bad precedent in Federal law that undermines our long-standing policy of protecting tribal sovereignty. In addition, there are a number of Members' concerns that remain unaddressed by this bill. During committee markup of this bill, several Members were told that their issues would be resolved before the bill was scheduled for consideration on the floor. Their concerns remain unaddressed, and consideration of this bill under suspension of the rules does not allow for modification or amendment. Mr. Speaker, there was wide opposition to this bill. I and other Members of Congress have received letters from the National Congress of American Indians which represents 250 tribes throughout the Nation, the National Indian Gaming Association, the National Indian Business Association, California Nations Indian Gaming Association, Arizona Indian Gaming Association, Washington State Indian Gaming Association, New Mexico Indian Gaming Association, tribes from North Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Maine, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and my own State of Michigan. Tribes and Indian organizations from all across the Nation overwhelmingly oppose this bill because it erodes tribal sovereignty. Therefore, in the interest of protecting tribal sovereignty and honoring our government-to-government relationship with tribes, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill. Mr. Speaker, when we all took our oath of office, we pledged and took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. That Constitution reads, ``The Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States and with the Indian tribes.'' That Constitution lists the three sovereignties recognized by this Constitution. I think we should be most careful when we diminish the sovereignty of one of those three by equating them with creatures of the State when those counties can have their interests protected by their own State government Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Bishop Arthur George Burrell. St. George Beth El Church of God in Christ will hold a remembrance dinner in his honor on September 16 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Bishop Burrell began his service to the church in 1947. He worked as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Church Secretary and Broadcast Announcer until 1962. On April 14, 1962 Bishop C.J. Johnson ordained him and almost a year later he became the pastor of Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ. Under his leadership, the church negotiated the purchase of a new building in 1972 and changed the name to St. George Beth El Church of God in Christ. During his ministry Bishop Burrell served as the State Sunday School Superintendent from 1975 to 1980 for the Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, and Chairman of the Commission of Budget and Finance. He served as the District Superintendent of the Progressive District and in 2002 he celebrated the Progressive District's Golden Jubilee. Bishop Burrell also served as the National Financier of the International Sunday School Department and in April 1998 he received the Outstanding Service Award to the Church of God in Christ from the Association of Church of God in Christ Business Owners. Bishop Brooks, with the concurrence of the Presiding Bishop and the General Board of the Church of God in Christ, appointed Bishop Burrell to Assistant Jurisdictional Bishop at the 81st Annual Holy Convocation of the Northeast Michigan (Historic First) Jurisdiction. In addition to his work for the church, Bishop Burrell retired from General Motors after 35 years of employment. He was married to Norma Burrell for 46 years and they had three sons. Bishop Burrell passed away in 2002. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the memory of Bishop Arthur George Burrell and St. George Beth El Church of God in Christ as they celebrate his ministry and life.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support for H.R. 2491, the International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act. I am a cosponsor of this important bill. Mr. Speaker, the importation of all foreign trash is an issue that is of great concern to the people of Michigan. Time and again the people of my state have made it clear they do not want foreign trash coming into Michigan. Congress has had numerous opportunities to address this problem, either through legislation or the implementation of a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Canada from 1992, which would allow Michigan to manage foreign waste being disposed of within its borders. The growing amount of foreign trash coming into Michigan is clogging our roadways, increasing the health and safety risks in our state. In the last 3 years, the number of trucks coming from Canada has roughly doubled, from 180 per day to over 350 per day. Since that time, multiple incidents have occurred where Canadian trash trucks have spilled waste onto Michigan roadways. Owners of two major Michigan landfills are near capacity and state officials claim that in 20 years, there won't be any more landfill space available. It is no overstatement to say the Great Lakes heritage we take so much pride in is at risk if something is not done. We need to protect our environment. The escalating importation of Canadian trash also constitutes a security threat. In January, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General issued a report, later released to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which found that U.S. Customs does not have an effective method to screen and inspect the hundreds of truckloads of municipal solid waste that enter the U.S. daily through the Detroit and Port Huron ports of entry. In this day and age, Mr. Speaker, such lack of inspection is unacceptable. H.R. 2491 has broad, bipartisan support, reinforced by its clear passage through the House Energy and Commerce Committee in 2005 by a voice vote without objection. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I add my support for H.R. 2491 and call for its passage.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend Lewis Randolph who will celebrate 30 years as pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on October 14th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Reverend Randolph was installed as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in 1976 as the church's fifteenth pastor. He quickly made an imprint upon the congregation by a twofold plan of renovating the physical structure of the church grounds and by evangelizing in the community. Starting in 1979 and continuing over the next 30 years, Pastor Randolph renovated the sanctuary, improved the parking lots, added a new kitchen, dining facility, and improved the upper level of the church. As a part of the church's covenant ``to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality''; Reverend Randolph has organized and supported numerous auxiliaries and ministries. These include the Voices of Antioch Choir, the Usher Board and a Concerned Committee to help persons return to the church. He added a new Easter Sunday worship service, supports a ministry in Haiti, teaches a weekly Bible class, and distributes Bibles and baskets of food in the community. Recognizing the need to encourage young people, he has made sure that Antioch Missionary Baptist Church has been well represented in the Young Peoples Department of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Incorporated over the past several years. Under his tutelage several pastors began their ministries with his guidance and direction. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Reverend Lewis Randolph. The Flint community is a better place because of his leadership.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 921. I strongly believe that the State of Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens from attacks from Hezbelloh. No country in the world would long tolerate the capture of its soldiers or the continual rain of deadly missiles and rockets onto its cities, towns, and villages without retaliating. Mr. Speaker, I also support the statements by President Bush and the leaders of the other G-8 nations that Israel should exercise the utmost restraint in its military actions in Lebanon. It is crucial that Israel seek to minimize the loss of civilian lives and the destruction of the civilian infrastructure of Lebanon, as well as the destabilization of the Lebanese Government. Moreover, thousands of Americans are currently trapped in Lebanon. Many of these Americans have family ties to my State of Michigan. I urge the State Department and the Department of Defense to evacuate these American citizens swiftly and safely. I am also pleased that the Bush administration has agreed to not charge the American citizens for the costs of their evacuation from Lebanon. Mr. Speaker, the United States is the only superpower in the world. We should work closely with the United Nations and the international community to help find a lasting solution to Israel's conflicts with her neighbors. As the G-8 leaders said in their statement on the Middle East, the root cause of the problems in that region is the absence of a comprehensive Middle East peace. America should be leading the way to such a comprehensive peace between Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinians. In the near term, an immediate cease fire would allow desperately needed humanitarian assistance to reach the people of Lebanon, and would allow the Israeli residents of northern Israel to return to their homes and lives.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5684. Mr. Speaker, this Oman FTA is harmful and unbalanced and threatens our National Security. This FTA is just a small part of a larger trade policy that has not been in the best interest of U.S. workers, small businesses, farmers or the economy and environment. I have voted against every harmful and unbalanced trade agreement that has come before this House. I would welcome the opportunity to vote for an agreement with strong and enforceable labor and environmental protections. Unfortunately the U.S.-Oman FTA has neither of these and I will be voting against this bad trade deal. The FTA falls short of the labor protections that must be included to make an acceptable agreement. We need a time-out on trade and stop this ``race to the bottom.'' Our trade agreements have not significantly raised the living standards in foreign nations. And U.S. trade policy has forced American workers to compete on an uneven playing field. By defeating this FTA, we will tell the Administration that no longer will we accept harmful and unbalanced trade agreements.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, July 23rd through July 29th will mark the 125th anniversary of the Tuscola County Fair. Since 1881, the fair has been an annual tradition of family and friends in the greater Tuscola County area. It is the oldest on-going event in Tuscola County. To celebrate the anniversary, the community is holding a barbeque on Sunday in Caro Michigan to kick off this year's celebration. From the beginning the fair was a success. The Caro District Agricultural Society organized the first fair to allow the local farmers and merchants to display their produce, livestock, handicrafts, merchandise and machinery. One of the popular entertainments of the day was harness racing and in 1892 the clay track was completed so that sulky races could be run. Two years later the first grandstand, seating 1500 people, was finished. It was adjacent to the track and also had a wooden stage. After purchasing the land from the Van Winkle family in 1895, the fair continued to grow. Buildings were constructed over the years including Heritage Hall, the swine and cattle barns, the 4-H horse barn, the merchants' display hall, and the fair offices. In 1920 Michigan Sugar Company provided the first electricity to the fair. After being destroyed by fire twice the grandstand was rebuilt both times. The state highway department built a park with picnic tables and a covered water fountain for fair patrons. Later the village expanded this park and added a swimming pool and tennis courts. During World War II the fair grounds operated as a prisoner of war camp. The German prisoners housed at fair grounds worked at the Michigan Sugar Company. After the war ended, it was the center of Tuscola County celebrations welcoming home their returning veterans. Utilized year round, the fairgrounds have been the site of several festivals, trade shows, educational programs, and athletic events. The spirit of the Tuscola County Fair is embodied in the people that have attended year after year. They have brought their best livestock, canned goods, flowers, needlework, crafts, and produce to display. The fair is an opportunity to socialize, to be entertained, to be inspired and to be educated. Agricultural fairs in the United States played a significant role in developing a sense of community and spurring innovation. Agriculture was the largest domestic industry in the 19th century and the agricultural fair was the primary means to showcase the ingenuity of American farmers producing an abundant harvest. Innovations first demonstrated at a fair are now part of everyday agricultural and livestock production worldwide. Agricultural fairs have historically promoted three core values: education, community celebration, and youth development. The Tuscola County Fair is no exception. The partnership between the fair, 4-H, the community of Caro, educational institutions and local business is the central component to the fair's longevity and vitality. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in commending the members of the Tuscola County Fair Association for their tireless work preserving and supporting a piece of America's living history. The fair continues to challenge farmers to increase our bounty and every American has benefited from their skill in rising to that challenge.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I am honoring the John W. Stevenson Masonic Lodge No. 56, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, for their scholarship program and their support, encouragement, and education of today's youth. On July 23rd the Lodge will present scholarships to four high school students at their annual banquet in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. The theme of this year's banquet is ``Investing in Our Youth to Guarantee Our Future.'' The 53 members of the Lodge work throughout the year to raise money for the College Scholarship Fund. Their goal is to help as many young people as possible achieve their dreams of a better life. The Lodge members have established the cornerstones of high morals, good character, and sound education for a solid foundation in life. They view the scholarship fund as a means to assist young people in building upon that foundation. The members distribute the applications throughout Genesee County and students are awarded the scholarships based upon several factors including greatest financial need. This year the recipients are all graduating seniors but the program is also open to students working for advanced degrees. Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending the members of the John W. Stevenson Lodge No. 56 for their exemplary work on behalf of the young men and women of the greater Flint area. Since the Lodge was founded in 1968, the men of the John W. Stevenson Lodge have dedicated themselves to ensuring all youth are able to fulfill their potential.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating John Dean as he retires as Police Chief of the Waterford Township Police Department. John will be honored for his lifetime of service at a dinner in Waterford Township Michigan on July 28. John Dean began his career with the Waterford Township Police Department as a 15-year-old cadet. After serving our country in the Marine Corps Reserve, John joined the Detroit Police Force. In 1975 he joined the Waterford Township Police Department as a Patrol Officer. Over the years he has served as an Undercover Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Youth Liaison Officer, Patrol Lieutenant, and Detective Bureau Commander. He was promoted to Police Chief in 2000. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, John has received many awards for his consummate police work over the years. They include Officer of the Year, Medal for Bravery, Meritorious Service, Waterford Township Employee of the Year, and the Oakland County NAACP's Presidential Award for implementing the policy to end racial profiling by the police department. His retirement plans are to spend more time with his wife, Andrea, and their three sons. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate John Dean for his exemplary work as a law enforcement officer in Waterford Township. I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding his wonderful career and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I have voted against every harmful and unbalanced trade agreement that has come before this house. I would welcome the opportunity to vote for an agreement with strong and enforcable labor and environmental protections. Unfortunately the U.S.- Oman FTA has neither of these and I will be voting against this bad trade deal. The FTA falls way short of the labor protections that must be included to make it an acceptable agreement. This FTA is just like CAFTA. It looks the same . . . feels the same . . . and has the same problems. We need a ``time-out'' on trade and stop this ``race to the bottom.'' Our trade policy has not been in the best interest of U.S. workers, small businesses, farmers or the economy and environment. Our trade agreements have not significantly raised the living standards in foreign nations. And U.S. trade policy has forced American workers to compete on an uneven playing field. We must defeat this harmful and unbalanced U.S.-Oman FTA.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5638. Mr. Speaker, in the past, I had considered supporting legislation that would exempt the first $5 million per individual and $10 million per couple from the Federal estate tax. I believed that to be a reasonable compromise to a complete repeal of the Estate Tax. But I supported that figure of $5 and $10 million exemption before other tax cuts had driven us into huge deficits. This Congress has already approved seven tax cuts. In addition, Mr. Speaker, our Nation is currently engaged in two wars, two very costly wars in terms of human lives and Federal tax dollars. Seven tax cuts and two wars make it difficult for me to support this reform of the Federal estate tax. I also wish the House Republican leadership had allowed us to offer the reasonable democratic substitute amendment. Our amendment would permanently raise the exemption on the estate tax to $3.5 million per person and $7 million per couple. An exemption at that level would protect over 99 percent of all Americans from ever having to worry about paying the estate tax. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 5638.

Mr. KILDEE

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

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 5603, a 3-month extension of the Higher Education Act. I have enjoyed working with the new chairman of the subcommittee Mr. Keller on this bill. This bill, in essence, temporarily extends the last portions of the Higher Education Act not reauthorized in the reconciliation package. During the 1998 reauthorization, I had the opportunity to work closely with Chairman McKeon, now chairman of the full committee, in crafting a bipartisan bill. Our reauthorization attempts this Congress have been a little more rocky than in 1998. Most of the hard-hitting changes to the Higher Education Act and student aid have already been passed in reconciliation, which I opposed. That action forever removed nearly $12 billion from student aid programs and missed an opportunity to reinvest in students who are already struggling to pay for college. In response, along with Representative Miller, I recently introduced a bill called the Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act, H.R. 5150. This bill would have cut interest rates in half for students and parents taking out subsidized loans, the borrowers most in need. This bill would save the average borrower already saddled with $17,500 in debt $6,600 over the life of their loan. The consideration and passage of the Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act is a critical investment in our global competitiveness and would offer real relief to students and families in need. Let's set the record straight on Pell. Today we will hear about Republican support of Pell Grants. Yes, overall, spending on Pell Grants is on the rise, but Pell Grants are semientitlement programs, which means that if eligible students apply for Federal financial aid, they automatically get a Pell Grant. The increased spending they referred to is not because we are doing more to help individual students struggling to pay for college; this is because more students qualify, and more students are going to college. In other words, Mr. Speaker, we have more poor students that need our help. In reality, the individual Pell Grant has seen no meaningful increase in the last 5 years. In fact, Pell Grants today are worth $900 less in inflation-adjusted terms than they were in the 1975-1976 school year. Until the appropriators restore the actual buying power of the Pell Grant to the $5,100 level promised by our President 6 years ago, we have not done anything meaningful in helping the students and families struggling to pay for college. As we worked towards reauthorizing the remainder of the higher education through H.R. 609 in March, I had hoped we could change the tone of debate and act in the interest of the students that the Higher Education Act was intended to help. Unfortunately, in the end, my concerns in the bill still far outweighed any benefit. The bill that was considered was not something I considered comfortable to support, and, for that reason, opposed it. Again, I would like to thank Chairman Keller and Chairman McKeon for offering H.R. 5603, the 3-month extension of the Higher Education Act. And because we still have time to work on this, and hopefully things can change, we can achieve some repair work, repair of the reconciliation act. I will support this and have cosponsored the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the resolution. Mr. Speaker, let us be very clear on the points we can agree. Every Member of this House was horrified by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Every Member of this House believes we must do what is necessary to defend our country and our people from future attacks and to eliminate the threat of terrorism. And every Member of this House supports our troops and their families, and we commend them for their honorable service under very difficult and stressful circumstances. But today, Mr. Speaker, this House debates the ongoing war in Iraq, not the struggle against terrorism. I voted no when the House considered the Congressional Resolution authorizing the President to Invade Iraq. At that time, I had several crucial questions that needed clear answers: 1. What is the nature and the urgency of the Iraqi threat to the United States? 2. What is the mission of our troops? 3. How much international support will we have? 4. Will this military operation in Iraq increase terrorism or decrease terrorism? 5. What is the exit strategy to withdraw our troops from Iraq? Despite my questions on the rationale for the war, I have consistently supported the funding for our troops. They deserve our full support, and they deserve to have everything necessary for their mission. And as the father of two sons who have served in the military, I would want no less. Mr. Speaker, we now know that Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction. President Bush has publicly acknowledged that there was no link or connection between Saddam Hussein and the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The mission of our troops seems to change and expand daily. As for international support, the American taxpayer has foot the vast majority of the costs to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars. And American fighting men and women, and their families, have borne the vast majority of the deaths and injuries to coalition troops, over 2,500 killed and 18,000 wounded. Moreover, many of the original members of our coalition have withdrawn or are withdrawing their troops from Iraq, leaving the U.S. to shoulder the burden almost alone. Are we safer today than we were before the invasion of Iraq? According to U.S. State Department data, there were 175 international terrorist attacks in 2003, and that was a 20-year high. In 2004, the number jumped three-fold to 650 attacks. In 2005, 11,111 terror attacks were reported by the state department. Finally, the Bush Administration does not now nor ever has had a viable exit strategy for our troops in Iraq. Saying, ``we will stand down as the Iraqis stand up'' puts the fate and future of American troops completely at the mercy of the competence of the Iraqi government and its security forces. I agree with the resolution before us, we should not set an ``arbitrary'' date for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. But we should set intelligent, well-thought out benchmarks that make the most sense for American national interests. Setting reasonable benchmarks for the departure of our troops would send several important messages. To the Iraqi national government--get your house in order now! To the Iraqi Sunnis opposing our occupation now is the time to cut your best deal with the Shiite and Kurdish factions while the U.S. is still able to act as an honest broker. To our American military leaders--here is a date to which you can plan, knowing when the rebuilding of our military capabilities can begin. To the American people we have done what we could. From this point on, it is now up to the Iraqi people to find their way, with the support of the international community. And finally, to the terrorists the Iraqi people will deal with you now if you remain in Iraq. For all the other terrorists outside of Iraq, the United States can now shift the full force of its military, diplomatic, law enforcement, and economic resources to the single task of hunting you down and bringing you to justice.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Judge Lawrence Bielawski as he retires from his seat on the Michigan 18th Judicial Circuit Court in Bay County. His retirement will be celebrated at a dinner on June 23 in Bay City, Michigan. Lawrence Bielawski is a lifelong resident of Bay City. After graduating from St. Stanislaus High School in 1964, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor Degree from Detroit College of Law. His first position in the legal field was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Bay County. He went on to private practice until Judge Bielawski became an Administrative Law Judge in the Bureau of Workers' Disability Compensation starting in 1984. He went on to become a member of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board and a Workers' Compensation Magistrate before being appointed to the 18th Judicial Circuit Court by Governor James J. Blanchard in 1988. Ten years later he became the Chief Judge of the Court and has served in that capacity since that time. Staying true to his roots in Bay County, Judge Bielawski is a member of St. Stanislaus Church and is active in the St. Stanislaus Usher's Club and the Athletic Club. He served as the Vice President and Advocate with the latter organization until his appointment to the bench. His father served as the Chair of the Bay County Democratic Party for over 26 years. Judge Bielawski followed in his dad's footsteps and is a lifetime member of the Michigan Democratic Party. Larry Bielawski was the Vice President of the Bay County Democratic Party and the Chairman of the James Blanchard Election Committee for Bay County. Always serving the community, Judge Bielawski is also affiliated with the Salvation Army Advisory Board, St. Hyacinth Athletic Club, Knights of Columbus, St. George Society, the Lion's Club, and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. He married his wife Patricia in 1969 and they have three wonderful children. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be able to stand before the House of Representatives and ask you to join me in paying tribute to a dedicated public servant, Judge Lawrence Bielawski, as he embarks upon a new phase in his life. I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to a man of monumental significance in my hometown of Flint Michigan, Lawrence P. Ford. Larry is retiring as the President of the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce after 30 years of service and will be feted at a dinner on June 16 in Grand Blan, Michigan. When Larry Ford became the Chief Executive Officer of the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce the organization had 435 members. During his tenure the membership has grown to 1900. He was instrumental in starting several organizations entrusted with the advancement of business interests and economic growth in Genesee County. These organizations include the Women's Business Council, the Powerlink Program, the ATHENA Program, Business Education Council, Leadership Flint, Visitors and Convention Bureau, Economic Growth Alliance, Inventor's Council, Young Inventor's Program, the SCORE program, the Small Business Development Center, Katherine Stevens Foundation, the first business Trade Show, and the Business Awards Program including the C.S. Mott Citizen of the Year Award and the Mass Mutual Blue Chip A ward. Interspersed with these activities, Larry guided the Chamber and business community to take action on significant events that occurred in the community over the past 30 years. Larry has been a true visionary for the mid-Michigan area. He has been at the forefront to develop partnerships between the business, government, education, labor, and consumer sectors of Flint and illuminating our common stake in our community's future development. Through his hard work the Flint area has made an in depth examination of its potential and scrutinized ways to build on its existing strengths. Among the many successes he has helped achieve over the years, the growth and modernization of Flint Bishop International Airport stand out. The article written by Larry titled ``Don't just survive--thrive!'' appearing in the Winter 2004 Execlink, outlines a program for success as the President/CEO of a Chamber of Commerce. His advice includes learning from others, never coasting, always look for a way to accomplish the goal, do not believe your press clippings, and enjoy what you do. Larry Ford lives his own philosophy. His wisdom can be applied to life in general and is essential for anyone seeking to succeed. Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to one of the giants of the Flint community. His influence and impact on my hometown is enormous. During the many years I have known Larry he is always civil, patient, analytical and incisive. I value his counsel, and his commitment to the people of Flint. As a lifelong resident and business leader, his insight has helped me over the years. I hope that he has as much joy from his retirement as he has had from his work and I wish him the best for the future.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ as it celebrates 65 years of fellowship and worship in my hometown of Flint Michigan. Jackson Memorial will commemorate this event with two days of festivities on August 12 and 13. Founded in December 1941 by Reverend Leo J. Jackson as the Pilgrim Temple Church of God in Christ, the first services were held on the same day Pearl Harbor was bombed. After Reverend Jackson passed away the church was re-named in his memory. Bishop H. J. Williams is the current pastor and along with First Lady, Mother Iola Williams, he provides the leadership, inspiration and example of a life in Christ to the congregation and community. Dedicating their lives to Jesus Christ, the congregation is pledged to the following beliefs: That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the Blessed Hope, which is the Rapture of the Church of God, which is in Christ, at His return. That the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ. That regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation. That the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing for the human body, in answer to believing in prayer. That the baptism in the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:4 is iven to believers who ask for it. In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in this present world. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Jackson Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ as it celebrates their 65th anniversary. I commend them for 65 years of joyful service to the community and pray they will continue to provide spiritual guidance to the residents of Flint for many years to come.