Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Cleora Magee as she retires as the executive director of the city of Flint Human Relations Commission. A celebration will be held in her honor on Saturday, March 15 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Cleora Magee has served the people of the Flint area for many years. After working in the registrar's office at Mott Community College, Cleora became a community organizer at the Urban Coalition of Greater Flint. She went on to work at the Flint Neighborhood Improvement and Preservation Project, Incorporated, as a Community Organizer, and a Neighborhood Service Center manager. In 1996 she became the executive director of the city of Flint Human Relations Commission. In her capacity as the executive director, Cleora has touched the lives of thousands of people. She serves many organizations and is affiliated with the following: secretary for the board of the Fair Winds Girl Scout Council; secretary of the board of the Flint Neighborhood Improvement and Preservation Project, Incorporated; secretary for the board of the Flint Neighborhood Coalition; a member of the board of directors and chairperson of the Michigan Outstate Chapter of the National Association of Human Rights Workers; member of the board and mediator with the Community Resolution Center; Member of the Advisory Board of YouthBuild; the Mayor's Representative on the Emergency Food and Shelter Program Local Board and Allocations Committee; a member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; a member of Flint Rotary; the chairperson of the Sponsorship Committee for the National Multicultural Diversity Institute; co-chairperson of the Community Response Committee with the Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes; a member of the Hurley Medical Center Bioethics Committee; a member of the M.L. King, Jr. Annual Tribute Planning Committee; a member of the Genesee County Committee for Community Peace; a member of Community Challenge Visual Change Group; a member of the city of Flint Threat Assessment Team; the coordinator of the city of Flint Employee Combined Charitable Campaign; a member of the United Way of Genesee County Strengthening Families System of Care; a member of the New Immigrant Services Coalition of MidMichigan; a member of the Kwanzaa Committee; the secretary for Unification for Urban Equality; a member of the Donald Riegle Annual Service Award Event Committee; a member of the Community Outreach for Family and Youth Steering Committee; a member of the McCree Special Groups Committee; the African American Heritage Collaborative Committee; the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition; and the city of Flint Emergency Evacuation Committee. Cleora is married to Percy Magee. She has four children and three stepchildren. She received her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in Community Development. Cleora attends True Gospel Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as deaconess. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Cleora Magee on her career of service to the people of Flint, Michigan. The community is losing a great advocate and I wish her the best as she enjoys her well deserved retirement.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Roslyn McCallister Brock, vice chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People board of directors and a member of their National Board of Trustees. Roslyn will be the keynote speaker at the Flint Branch-NAACP's 27th annual Freedom Fund dinner on March 1, 2008. After graduating magna cum laude from Virginia Union University, Roslyn earned her master's degree in health services administration from George Washington University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She worked with the health programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for 10 years and is currently the director of system fund development at Bon Secours Health System, Incorporated. Roslyn McCallister Brock is the youngest person and first woman elected to the vice chair position in the history of the NAACP. After holding several leadership positions with the NAACP, she was elected unanimously to this position in February 2001 at the age of 35. In addition to this honor, Roslyn has received substantial recognition for her community service. She received the Network Journal's 2004 ``40-Under-Forty Achievement Award''; Ebony Magazine's 1989 ``Future Leader Award''; the 1987 Good Housekeeping ``100 Young Women of Promise'' Award. She was recognized in 2003, 2004, and 2005 as a Young Leaders Fellow for the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. She has been recognized by the nominating committee of Catholic Health Association and as honorary chairperson of the National Black Family Summit. George Washington University has presented her with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal for Human Rights and Virginia Union University has named her an outstanding alumna. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Roslyn McCallister Brock. Her motto is an African proverb: ``Care more than others think is wise, Risk more than others think is safe, Dream more than others think is practical and Expect more than others think is possible.'' She embodies these words every day as she strives to enhance our society and bring about a better life for our most vulnerable citizens.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Flint Scottish Pipe Band. The Flint Scottish Pipe Band has won several competitions in the United States and Canada over the past year and will celebrate their victories at the annual Ceilidh on February 16, in Davison, Michigan. The Ceilidh will feature traditional music and Scottish food. Scottish immigrants to the Flint, Michigan, area founded the Flint Scottish Pipe Band in 1916. The Band's Gaelic motto is ``Cuidich `n Righ'' which means, ``Help the King.'' Their emblem is the stag's head of the MacKenzie Seaforth Highlanders. Composed of both pipes and drums the band is under the direction of Pipe Major Dennis Lowe and Drum Sergeant Teddy Barr. In 2007, the Flint Scottish Pipe Band won the U.S. championship in grade 5, the Canadian championship in grade 5, the southern U.S. championship in grade 5, and they are the eastern U.S. champions in grade 5. Over the past season the pipe section took first place 9 times, the mid section took first place 3 times, and the drum section swept first place in all competitions. The members of the Flint Scottish Pipe Band gather every Thursday in Flint to practice and they are preparing to travel to Scotland in 2009 to compete in the world championships. Their membership comes from all over Michigan and is open to persons with a love for the traditional pipe and drum music of Scotland. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the Flint Scottish Pipe Band for their achievements over the past year. I wish them the best success in the upcoming competitions and the world championships. They are to be commended for preserving the traditions of Scotland in the heart of Michigan and bringing the music of the pipes and drums to thousands.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Margaret Mary Gallagher-Zelley-Schmit as she celebrates her 90th birthday. Her family and friends will gather on Sunday, February 24, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Born on February 21, 1918, in Boyne City, Michigan, Margaret Gallagher graduated from St. Joseph High School in Escanaba, Michigan, in 1936. She attended the Chicago Business School and married LeRoy Zelley. LeRoy became a licensed funeral director in 1938 and the couple started Zelley Funeral Home on the east side of Flint, Michigan in 1953. The funeral home quickly became an institution and landmark in the Flint community. The couple had four sons: LeRoy III, Glen, Michael and Joseph. Margaret obtained her college degree from Wayne State University and funeral director's license in 1967. Margaret and LeRoy provided funeral services to over 4,000 families before LeRoy passed away in 1976. Margaret retired in 1987 and married Roy ``Bud'' Schmit in 1989. In 2004, Bud passed away. Margaret spends her time organizing her photos and memorabilia for a book she is planning to write about her life. She also celebrates and promotes her Irish heritage and in 2006 was the Flint St. Patrick's Day Irish Mother of the Year. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Margaret Mary Gallagher-Zelley-Schmit as she turns 90 years old. I would like to extend best wishes for her upcoming birthday and for many, many more. May her coming year be filled with happiness and good health.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. I am controlling the time at this time and I yield to her such time as she may consume.

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Chairman, I want to thank Chairmen Miller and Hinojosa and Ranking Members McKeon and Keller for reporting this fine bill out of committee by a vote of 45-0. It was 10 years ago that Mr. McKeon and I managed the reauthorization of this bill, and that was a labor of love during that time, and I think we are going to have a great bill here again today. I remember those 10 years ago very fondly. This amendment clarifies that the Secretary of Education may continue to set aside a percentage of the funds appropriated for tribally controlled colleges and universities for a competition for grants for facilities at TCCUs. Since 2002, the secretary has conducted this competition pursuant to appropriations language. My amendment will ensure that these colleges have the resources they need to invest in their infrastructure. That is why this competition has been so important to all the TCCUs. My amendment is strongly supported by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and the National Education Association, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. At this time I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda).

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones) for a unanimous consent request. (Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Again, Madam Chairman, I urge support for these amendments en bloc, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to William J. Winiarski as he retires from Rowe Incorporated. A dinner was held in his honor on January 11th in Grand Blanc, Michigan. William Winiarski started working for Rowe Incorporated in 1971. He received his bachelor of science in civil engineering degree from Michigan Technological University in 1973. He was promoted to project manager in 1976, the same year he became a professional engineer. His career with Rowe continued and he was named a vice president in 1978 and became the president/chief operating officer in 1986. During this time William was licensed as a professional surveyor. He assumed the position of chief operating officer in 1991 and 10 years later became the marketing principal. This enabled him to focus on the marketing and client side of the business. Working at the helm of several significant projects, William has put the Rowe stamp on many communities in Michigan. He led the team that worked on projects for the City of Flushing, City of Niles, City of Linden, Village of Byron, Village of Chesaning, Village of Holly, Village of Oxford, Charter Township of Flushing, Genesee County Road Commission, Shiawassee County Road Commission, Shiawassee County Drain Commission, Flint Downtown Development Authority, Genesys Health Systems, and Venice Park Landfill. He is affiliated with several professional and community organizations and has held leadership positions with many. He is the past national director and past president of the American Council of Engineering Companies. He is the past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, East Central Michigan Chapter. William is the past president of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, Flint Chapter. He is a member of the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, a Genesee/Lapeer/Shiawassee Region V planning commissioner, the Chairman of the Genesee County Brownfield Redevelopment Board, and the vice chairman of the Flint River Corridor Alliance. He has served as the chairman and acting president of the Flint/Genesee Economic Growth Alliance and the chairman of the Genesee Area Focus Council. He is on the board of directors of Genesee County Mental Health Facilities, Genesee County Mental Health, and the ``Ready-Set-Grow'' Program for Genesee County. William is a past board of directors member of the Flint Industrial Mutual Association and the past chairman of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. William continues his association with his alma mater by serving on the board of directors for the Michigan Technological University Fund, the Civil Engineering Advisory Board and as a member of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Academy. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to William J. Winiarski as he retires from Rowe Incorporated. Through his work he has left a permanent mark upon the communities of Michigan and has enhanced the quality of life for its citizens.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2768, to include corrections in spelling, the table of contents, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of Hurley Medical Center in my hometown of Flint, MI. Hurley Medical Center kicked off a yearlong celebration on January 11. In 1908, James J. Hurley left $55,000 and property to the city of Flint to establish a hospital to treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. The first Board of Managers, J. Dallas Dort, Charles A. Lippincott, Edward D. Black, William E. Martin, and George L. Walker, implemented his vision. Mrs. Flint P. Smith organized the first auxiliary to raise money for the fledgling hospital. Their vision and hard work paid off and the hospital opened its doors on December 19, 1908. Today Hurley Medical Center is a 443-bed teaching medical center annually treating over 20,000 persons for inpatient care and 76,000 emergency room cases. It is the only Level I trauma center and Level III neonatal intensive care unit in Genesee County. In addition to these two services, Hurley Medical Center offers the region's only care centers in the following specialties: burn center, maternal and fetal care center, pediatric intensive care unit, pediatric emergency room, fertility and reproductive medicine center, and kidney transplantation center. The 2,500 employees of Hurley Medical Center work very hard to provide quality healthcare to their patients. The medical center has received the 2007 HealthGrades Critical Care Excellence Award, and the 2007 ``Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Organ Donation'' from Michigan Gift of Life. In 2005 they received the Governor's Award for Quality in Inpatient Setting, Ambulatory Setting, and Emergency Department. The Hurley Asthma Center has also received the MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Hurley Medical Center for providing outstanding healthcare to the Flint community for the past 100 years. Their mission statement is ``Clinical Excellence, Service to People.'' Every person living in Genesee County has been touched, either directly or through a loved one, by the commitment of the employees, affiliated healthcare providers and volunteers of Hurley Medical Center to live up to their motto. They continue to exemplify James Hurley's vision to provide quality healthcare to everyone regardless of their income. I am grateful for their compassion and wish them the best for the next 100 years.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Brad L. Harnick upon his retirement from Michigan State University Extension for Genesee County. A reception for Brad was held on January 11th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Brad began working for the Michigan State University Extension Service in 1978. He worked as the Genesee County 4-H Youth Development Program associate until 1990. At that time he became the 4-H Youth Development agent and Extension educator. During his tenure he developed several programs to promote leadership, citizenship, achievement, and community service in young people and adult volunteers. He created the Citizenship Academy, the Adolescent Mentoring Program, and the Genesee After-School Program. He was a significant contributor to the development of the Capitol Experience Program, Exploration Days, and the Great Lakes Environmental Camp. As the 4-H coordinator for Genesee County, Brad has instilled the four values of 4-H: head, heart, hands and health, into thousands of young people. He has brought the resources of Michigan State University Extension and the 4-H program into partnership with schools, churches, community groups and youth-serving organizations to enhance the advancement of young persons throughout Genesee County. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in thanking Brad L. Harnick for his service to our youth. His innovative programs have educated, his creativity has inspired, and his leadership has enhanced the lives of countless children. I am grateful that he devoted his life to giving life skills to the young people of Genesee County and I wish him the best for the future.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Flint Odyssey House. On December 6th Flint Odyssey House will be holding an open house to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Odyssey Institute. Dr. Judianne Densen-Gerber began her career in substance abuse treatment in 1966 working with 17 heroin addicts. She quickly realized that for successful rehabilitation, the root causes of addiction had to be addressed. She developed a model of treatment that tackled the traumatic experiences in an addict's life and its impact on a person's well-being and self-image. The treatment methodology consists of five stages: Orientation, Cocoon Phase, Incubator Phase, Self-Awareness and Reformation Phase, and Butterfly Post-Treatment. From her treatment model, the Odyssey Institute was born and now operates in communities around the world. Started in 1979 by Ronald Sahara Brown, Flint Odyssey House was a satellite program of the Detroit Rubicon Odyssey House. When the Detroit program was forced to close its doors, Ronald Brown kept the Flint Odyssey House open. He had $300 in food stamps and the determination to make the program a success. As a former addict and a graduate of the program, Ronald knew firsthand how beneficial the Odyssey House concept of treatment could be to a recovering substance abuser. He invited clients of the closed Detroit Rubicon Odyssey House to join him in the Flint program. With a skeleton crew, he operated the program on a shoestring. His perseverance paid off, and the Michigan Department of Social Services and the Genesee County Commission on Substance Abuse started to provide financial assistance. From that first adult treatment center, the program has grown to provide a wide range of services. Ronald Brown has expanded Flint Odyssey House to meet the needs of the community. The treatment facility was located in a drug- and crime- infested neighborhood, and Ronald took to the streets, reclaiming and renovating the crack houses in the area. Starting the Treat the Streets Program, Flint Odyssey House reclaimed the area and earned Ronald Sahara Brown the title of Chief of Odyssey Village. Flint Odyssey House has moved from being a substance abuse treatment agency to a human development agency and is a model for programs throughout the United States. It operates many programs, and treats hundreds of persons, including pregnant addicts and mothers with children. Accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, Flint Odyssey House has expanded and now operates a program in Saginaw Michigan. In 1993, Flint Odyssey House received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the Michigan Department of Public Health and the Clayton R. Stroup Award. In 1996 Ronald Sahara Brown was the recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Award. Ronald used the $100,000 stipend that came with this award to purchase and operate an old-age home in the neighborhood that was about to close. This kept the residents from being evicted and provided one more service to the community. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with and applaud the work of Ronald Sahara Brown, the staff, volunteers and the clients of Flint Odyssey House. Their courage and determination to bring out the potential in every human being is a brilliant example of the power in each and every one of us to effect change in our world. May they continue to provide service and compassion for many, many more years.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lois Corba as she celebrates her birthday. A party will be held in her honor on December 29th in Frankenmuth, MI. Lois was born in Tecumseh, MI, one of nine children. The family moved to Flint and after her father purchased a farm, the family moved to West Branch. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in West Branch and graduated the salutatorian from the high school in 1951. After graduation she returned to Flint and worked for an insurance agency for 7 years. She married Paul Corba in 1957. The couple had 7 children, Michelle, Paul Michael, Jon, Marsha, Bernadette, Angela and David. Paul passed away in 1987. Continuing to work, Lois spent 17 years working as a secretary with the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors. She retired from this position in 1992. After two years Lois decided to return to the workforce and became the assistant to the director of the Frankenmuth Historical Association. From there she took her current position as the receptionist with Independence Village in Frankenmuth. She is active with the Widow's Group in Frankenmuth and Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Lois Corba as she celebrates her birthday and I wish her many, many more.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Arletta Minore as she retires from the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. Arletta was honored at a dinner on November 28 in Flint, Michigan. Arletta is a lifelong resident of Flint. She graduated from Flint Northern High School and attended Flint Junior Community College. She was married to Jack Minore and had four children, Jeffery, Eric, Steffan, and Jennifer. She began her career arranging print ads for the Yankee Store and moved on to organizing the print ads for the Fair Store. From there Arletta moved to the Flint Journal, giving her the opportunity to work with many advertisers. She then moved to the Chamber of Commerce and has worked there for the last 19 years, eventually becoming the office manager. Between working and her family, Arletta managed to restore her Victorian home into the Avon House Bed and Breakfast. She has operated her business since 1985. Her interests range from forming a dance troupe with friends and her daughter and performing for several small groups, to participating in the Michigan 60 Mile Cancer Walk. Not content to sit back and rest, Arletta has already made plans to spend her retirement spending more time with her family and working with community groups like the Crim Run and the Geoffrey Midwest Workshop. Arletta plunging into a new business venture is also a possibility. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Arletta Minore for her service to the Flint area and hope that she continues her involvement in the community for many, many years to come. I wish her the best as she embarks on this new phase of her life.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church as it commemorates its 140th anniversary. The church will hold a celebration on Sunday, December 2 in Saginaw, Michigan. In 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Allen Ford, Mr. and Mrs. William Countee, Mrs. Martha Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. William Peterson, Mrs. Ellen Foote, Mrs. Ganns, Mr. and Mrs. Henry VanDyke, Mrs. Martha Brown, Mrs. Debora Johnson, and Mr. William Augustus organized the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The first church services were held at the Ford home but as the congregation grew, the members looked to find a larger place to hold worship services. Over the next 10 years the congregation moved from place to place until in 1877 a building was purchased and renovated to give the church a permanent home. During the following years the congregation continued to grow, and the church relocated several times until it broke ground in October 1966 on the current sanctuary. After the church was dedicated in 1967, the congregation built a lounge, kitchen, fellowship hall, and classrooms. In 1978 construction on a conference room, mall, credit union, day care, communion room, mini chapel, and offices for the pastor and secretary was completed. The strength and influence of Bethel AME continued to grow, and a second center was opened at Crossings Apartment Complex in 1997. Reverend P. David Saunders was assigned as pastor in June 1997. The church has active senior citizens and retirees programs, a missionary department and a youth department. The Bible study program attracts persons from throughout Saginaw County. Under Reverend Saunders's leadership the church is moving forward and looking to provide housing for the elderly and handicapped. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Bethel AME Church for 140 years of worship, prayer and service to the Saginaw community. The church's motto is ``Love Conquers All'' and the clergy, staff and congregation strive daily to live these words. May they continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ for many, many more years.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of America's fallen heroes, Sergeant First Class David A. Hartman. Sergeant Hartman will be honored on December 1 by the Bay City United States Army Reserves. They will dedicate the Drill Hall at the Bay City Michigan Reserve Center in his memory. David Hartman is remembered by his family and friends as loving, fair-minded, honest, fun-loving, family-oriented, and job-oriented. He worked hard, and was not afraid to step in and help out. He followed his father's example and signed up for the military when he graduated from high school. He was a 21-year veteran of the military. David served in the first Gulf War and came home with Gulf War Syndrome. He was eligible for a medical discharge but he decided to stay in the military to continue serving his country. Sergeant Hartman stated that he wanted to join the people going to fight and lead by example. On July 17, 2004, at the age of 41, David Hartman was asked to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country when the vehicle he was driving was struck by an improvised explosive device in Bayji Iraq. Sergeant Hartman was serving in Iraq with the Army Reserves 401st Transportation Company from Battle Creek, MI. He is survived by his wife, Robbin, son, Benjamin, and daughter, Heather. Madam Speaker, when Sergeant Hartman volunteered to put his life on the line for his country, it was with the hope that he would never be required to make that ultimate sacrifice. But it was God's will that his life be cut short on that road in Iraq. We as a Nation need to remember SFC David Hartman and all the brave individuals who have died for our freedom. I ask the House of Representatives to join me and keep their memory in our hearts and prayers.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 258) and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 813, I call up the conference report on the bill (H.R. 1429) to reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, to expand access, and for other purposes.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to be here today to reauthorize Head Start. And I know that everyone agrees that it has been far too long since we have authorized the Head Start Act. Head Start has served millions of our most vulnerable children and families well for 42 years. More recently, Early Head Start has done the same for infants and toddlers. These are our country's premiere early childhood programs, Mr. Speaker. Head Start works, and this bill will make it work even better. Nothing is more critical to a child's success than a great teacher, and this bill will ensure that by 2013, half of Head Start teachers nationwide will have bachelor's degrees. This will improve professional development so that teachers can keep up with the best practices in early childhood education. The bill increases funding for Early Head Start so that children will receive comprehensive services during the most critical stages of brain development. Mr. Speaker, our predecessors 42 years ago initiated Head Start even before we realized, as we do today, that early and regular stimulation was critical to the very physical development of the brain. Head Start requires the Secretary to update early learning standards using the best science, and puts an end to the ill-advised National Reporting System. It authorizes significant increases in resources so that we can expand access. And I want to work with our friends on the Appropriations Committee to do just that. It enhances the quality of Head Start boards, while maintaining a shared governance structure that empowers parents. And it is especially important to me that the bill prioritizes significant resources for Indian and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, both to expand existing programs and create new programs, so that these children, whose communities face such terrific challenges, can grow up to help their communities overcome those challenges. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Miller and Senator Kennedy, Senator Dodd, Ranking Members McKeon and Castle, and Senator Enzi and Senator Alexander, my staff and theirs, and all the conferees and their staffs for their hard work. I especially want to thank Lloyd Horwich, who has worked so hard with me to produce this bill. We do our best work in this Congress when we work in a bipartisan way, and we do our best work, especially in education, when we work in a bipartisan way. It's been my pleasure through the years to have the advantage of working with Mr. McKeon from California. We've grown to really commit ourselves to education and we trust one another and like one another, which is very important. I was privileged, Mr. Speaker, to introduce this bill in March with Chairman Miller, Governor Castle, Mr. McKeon and many others, and look forward to its becoming law very soon. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

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

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield now 3 minutes to the gentlelady from California, a member of the committee and a very active worker on this bill, Ms. Woolsey.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I appreciate the very kind words of the Republican leader and my former Chair on this committee. His work through the years on this bill has been very, very helpful. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.