Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

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.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank Mr. McKeon, Mr. Castle, and all those on the other side of the aisle who have worked so hard on this bill to produce a very good bill. I also want to thank Ruth Friedman, with Chairman Miller, for her tireless work on this bill over the last 5 years. Mr. Speaker, America can watch this Congress at work today on this bill, Head Start, and feel good about its Congress, and that's very important. This process in working on Head Start has shown Congress at its best, and I think we owe that to the American people. And we can feel a certain pride in having demonstrated to the American people what Congress can do. This is one of our better days, one of our better bills, and it's been a process that we've enjoyed. We've had differences. We resolved those differences. We produced a very good bill. And people do make a difference. People in this Congress make a difference. And I want to especially, again, commend my friend, my colleague, Mr. McKeon from California, who has worked tirelessly on this bill. This bill is better because of his input.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, all trade agreements suffer from the same fundamental flaw: They are not self-enforcing. Trade agreements depend upon vigorous enforcement, which requires official complaints be made when violations occur. None of the six Presidents with whom I have served here in the Congress have shown any eagerness to file complaints when agreements are violated. I certainly have no faith in President Bush to show any enthusiasm to enforce this agreement. Congress should not hand this administration yet another trade agreement because past agreements have been more efficient at exporting jobs than goods and services. My city of Flint, Michigan, has dropped in population from 190,000 to 118,000. Much of this loss is due to trade agreements. If you want to put the human face on trade, come and look at the sad faces in Flint, Michigan. Mr. Speaker, shortly after NAFTA was passed, workers at Delphi in Flint were ordered to package up manufacturing machinery for transport to Mexico. They were actually exporting their jobs to another country in packing crates. And to add insult to injury, the following year, the U.S. Department of Commerce was reporting the increase of exports to Mexico, and they included that machinery from Flint, Michigan. They included that exportation of jobs as progress. This was the United States Department of Commerce. This was not the Mexican Department of Commerce bragging how jobs had been exported to Mexico. I appeal to all Members of Congress to vote ``no'' on this. But I appeal especially to my fellow Democrats not to turn their backs on those American workers who suffer from the export of their jobs. They want a paycheck in Flint, Michigan, not a TAA unemployment check. And the chance of TAA becoming law is far from certain. I urge you, particularly on this side of the aisle, to stop the exportation of American jobs and vote ``no'' on this free trade agreement.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Dr. Hesham Gayar, the outgoing President of the Genesee County Medical Society. Dr. Gayar is to be honored at the annual President's Ball this Saturday, November 3rd. Dr. Gayar studied medicine at the Alexandria Medical School. He completed residency at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in New York, and M.D. Anderson in Houston, where he was chief resident from 1985 to 1986. He completed a Fellowship in Clinical Oncology and Pediatric Oncology at Ohio State University Hospital. Relocating to Michigan, Dr. Gayar currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at McLaren Regional Medical Center and the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Owosso Memorial Cancer Center. Over the years Dr. Gayar has served as a delegate to the Michigan State Medical Society from the Genesee County Medical Society, and as the Chair of the Board of the Community Wide Hospital Oncology program. He is the principal investigator for the Radiation Therapy Oncology group, works with the Southwest Oncology group, and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel project. He is also the former President of the Islamic Medical Association. Dr. Gayar is committed to improving the quality of life in the larger community. Governor Granholm appointed him to the Board of the Commission of Arab Chaldean American Affairs. He serves on the Board of the American Arab Heritage Council of Flint, the Flint Islamic Center, and the Grand Blanc Islamic Center, he is the former Chair of the Genesee Academy Board of Directors, and is a former board member of the Islamic American University. In 2006 the American Arab Heritage Council named him ``Physician of the Year.'' Dr. Gayar is married to Randa and they have four children, Omar, Adam, Lena and Kareem. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding Dr. Hesham Gayar for his leadership to the Genesee County Medical Society. Both physicians and patients have benefited from his compassion and steadfastness. He brings empathy, dignity, and responsibility to every role he assumes. I wish him the best as he continues his service to the Flint community.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Velma Allen as she retires from Mott Children's Health Center. Dr. Allen is the President and Chief Executive Officer and will retire on December 31. A dinner in her honor will be held on November 8 in Flint, MI. Dr. Allen began her career as an English teacher in Mississippi. She moved to Michigan and became the Supervisor of Secondary Special Education with the Grand Rapids School System. She served as the Director of Special Education with the Lansing Schools from 1977 through 1981. She moved to Flint and was program officer for the C.S. Mott Foundation from 1981 to 1984. After serving as the Superintendent of the Michigan School of the Blind, Velma started to work at the Mott Children's Health Center. She has spent the last 17 years working to improve the care for the children of Genesee County who have special health or developmental problems. Under her leadership, the C.S. Mott Children's Health Center has expanded its role in Genesee County. Working with the Genesee Intermediate School District, the Center has implemented four school- based health centers offering multiple services to elementary, middle school, and high school students and offer dental health screening and prevention in elementary schools. The Center works with the Cedar Street Children's Center and the Child Welfare Society of Flint to offer mental health prevention services. She has added a fifth pediatric dental resident and partnered with the University of Michigan Dental School to offer an Advanced Education in General Residency resident. The Center also has implemented a child obesity prevention program and offers a 2-week summer camp. Working with community allies she has advocated on behalf of children at both the state and national level. Recognizing that the life of the larger community has an affect on children, Dr. Allen works with various organizations to improve the quality of life. She is a Commissioner with the Michigan Commission for the Blind, a Board Member for the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health, a Member of the Genesee County Community Collaborative, a Board Member of the ``Ready, Set, Grow!'' Passport Program, a Board Member of Priority Children, the Vice Chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, a member of the Flint Journal Community Advisory Committee, a Board Member of United Way of Genesee County, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Dr. Velma Allen for her work on behalf of the children in Genesee County. I wish her the best as she retires from the C.S. Mott Children's Health Center.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the wonderful work achieved by the Child Advocacy Center of Genesee County. The Child Advocacy Center will honor its volunteers and supporters at a dinner on November 2nd in Grand Blanc Michigan. During the 1980s the Child Advocacy Center idea was developed to provide a safe haven for the victims of child sexual abuse. After the State of Michigan published a ``Model Child Abuse Protocol-Coordinated Investigative Team Approach'' in the 1990s as a guide to local communities, the idea of the Genesee County Child Advocacy Center was born. A concept paper was submitted to the Ruth Mott Foundation in 2001. The concept became a proposal and in 2005 the Center was fully functional. Using forensic interviewing techniques specifically designed for children, the Center coordinates representatives from child protection, law enforcement, prosecution, mental health and family court. The coordination puts the needs of the victim first and endeavors to enhance the safety and well-being of the children. On Friday, November 2nd the Genesee County Child Advocacy Center will honor the persons in our community that have gone the extra mile to help the victims of child sexual and physical abuse. These individuals will come from the segments of the law enforcement and social services agencies that are the front lines in the fight against abuse. The winners of the ``Our Stars'' awards will be announced that evening. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the work of the Child Advocacy Center and their partners. I am grateful for their service to our community. In a perfect world we would not need their services, but we do not live in a perfect world and we are fortunate to have these individuals step forward and strive to help and heal our most precious resource, our children.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. I thank the gentleman for yielding. First of all, no one questions your sincerity on this. I do think that we could really create a legal situation here without knowing the consequences of the amendment. Now, Congress, back in 1968, recognizing that in certain areas, the 14th amendment, by the way, says ``States'' shall not do certain things. So they wrote the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968. That was written very, very carefully by both Houses. The great constitutional attorney Senator Sam Irwin played a major role in that, and they carved out how the basic rights contained within the fifth and the 14th amendment would apply on Indian tribes. It's a well-done bill. And had we had the chance to discuss this in committee, perhaps we could have reached some agreement; I'm not sure. But I'm very concerned about adopting anything without knowing the consequences when it took them months, in 1968, to craft the Indian Civil Rights Act. It's a two-page bill, and it really enumerates pretty well the fifth amendment and the 14th amendment. So, at this time, I think that we would be treading on rather dangerous territory to have the courts have to look at, first of all, the Constitution, the treaties, the 14th amendment and the Flake amendment and decide where they conflict, which one to apply. So, despite your sincerity, I wish we had discussed this in committee, perhaps we could have arrived at some remedy there. But here I think we're going to create a lawyer's delight.

Mr. KILDEE. I would take that as a very helpful and constructive suggestion. First of all, Mr. Flake, you and I are friends, and you are a friend of Mr. Abercrombie, also. And I think what he suggests would be a good thing. Perhaps, I'm just saying, I'm not sure, perhaps the 1968 law somehow could be worked into this, but we aren't prepared to do that now without knowing exactly what we're doing. And I think it would be helpful. I would take Mr. Abercrombie's willingness to sit with you. I will be glad to sit with you. We all believe in civil rights, we all believe in the principles of the fifth and the 14th amendment, and I think we could very well work this out in conference.

Mr. KILDEE. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Temple Beth El as it celebrates its 80th anniversary. A celebration will be held on October 19 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Members of the community committed to principles of Reform Judaism founded Temple Beth El in 1927. The first services were held in the Paterson Building in downtown Flint. Rabbi Leo M. Franklin of Temple Beth El Detroit presided over the signing of the Articles of Association. Maurice Rosenbaum, Moses Rosenthal, Arthur Dubois, and Harry Winegarden were the first officers. The Temple Reform Sisterhood, under the direction of Mrs. James Rapport, started on June 8, 1927 and officially changed its name to Temple Beth Sisterhood when Temple Beth El was formally founded later in the same year. In January 1935 the first permanent home for the Temple was purchased. Located at the corner of Liberty and East Second Street, it provided a place for services and religious school. The mortgage was burned on October 19, 1941 and the following year the Temple joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. It remains affiliated with this organization until today. Under the direction of Rabbi Morton M. Applebaum the congregation expanded and soon needed a larger space. The Temple moved to the building on Ballenger Highway and the first services held there took place on April 14, 1950. The Jewish community worldwide was in mourning over the murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust. The role of the synagogue as the center of Jewish life took on new meaning and the opening of the new Temple was heralded as an example of the vibrancy of the Flint Reform Jewish Community. To meet the needs of the community Temple Beth El moved to its present location. This move has provided opportunities to interact with its sister congregation, Beth Israel. The sanctuary and building were designed to enhance the congregation's ability to face the future and meet the challenges of tomorrow. Under the direction of Rabbi Karen Companez, the Temple's first female Rabbi, Temple Beth El has augmented its reputation as the friendly ``Temple Family.'' Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representative to rise with me today and applaud Temple Beth El as it celebrates 80 years of spiritual vitality and dedicated community involvement. I congratulate them for their achievement and echo Dr. Max S. Hart when he prayed, ``May God let his countenance shine upon all of us, and cause this Congregation to flourish and prosper for the next fifty years.''

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Howard Knobloch of Bay City, Michigan. The Bay Medical Foundation will honor Dr. Knobloch for over 60 years of work as a pediatrician in the Bay City community at a dinner to be held on October 24th. Dr. Knobloch graduated from Maryland University Medical School in 1936. After completing his internship and pediatric residency, Dr. Knobloch joined the practice of Dr. Fernald Foster in 1940. From 1942 to 1946 he served as an Army captain. Once his military service was completed, Dr. Knobloch returned to Bay City and resumed his illustrious career as a pediatrician. His motto is, ``If this were my child, what would I do for him?'' and Dr. Knobloch has lived this philosophy daily. In the beginning, he charged $2 for an office visit and $3 for a home visit. He was still making home visits at the age of 77. He never turned away a patient and held office hours 6 days a week. He also served on the staff of Bay Regional Medical Center for 60 years, holding various positions during that time. He was Chief of the Medical Staff for two terms, Medical Staff Secretary/Treasurer for two terms, Vice-President for eight terms and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics for 35 years. His peers have recognized Dr. Knobloch on numerous occasions. The Michigan Academy of Pediatrics has awarded him the Franklin D. Roosevelt Service Award, the Harry S. Truman Service Award, and in 1996 named him Doctor of the Year. The American Academy of Pediatrics presented him with the Pediatric Review and Education Program Award. In 1990 the Michigan State Medical Society recognized him as the oldest practicing physician in their membership and in 2002 Bay Regional Medical Center presented the first Excellence in Teaching Award. This award was created in honor of Dr. Knobloch for his dedication, commitment and compassion for the health care of the community. Recently at the age of 96, Dr. Knobloch published an autobiographical book entitled, ``An American Pediatrician's Odyssey.'' Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the life and career of Dr. Howard Knobloch. He is an inspiration to all health care providers, and anyone desiring to improve and deliver quality healthcare to our children.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to day to honor the Most Reverend Gregory John Mansour on the 25th anniversary of his ordination. Bishop Mansour will be honored at Divine Liturgy and festivities on Sunday, October 7th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. After graduating from Western Michigan University in 1977, Gregory Mansour entered Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washington, D.C. and attended Catholic University of America. Graduating with a degree in Theological Studies in 1981, he was ordained a priest on September 18, 1982 by Bishop John Chedid at St. Michael Church in Flint. He celebrated his first Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church and then traveled to Rome to continue his studies earning his License in Spiritual Theology from the Gregorian Pontifical Institute. Returning from a trip to Lebanon in 1983, Father Mansour began his work as a parish priest. He worked as an administrator at St. Maron Parish in Philadelphia and served 11 years as pastor to St. George Maronite Catholic Church in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Bishop John Chedid tapped him to serve as the Eparchy's Protosyncellus, Vicar General, and Chancellor for the newly formed Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon in Los Angeles in 1994. He also served as Advocate/Procurator for the Eparchial Marriage Tribunal. His Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir nominated him to Chorbishop and he was ordained on January 21, 1996. When Bishop Chedid retired his replacement, Bishop Robert J. Shaheen, with the concurrence of the Holy See, moved the See of the Diocese from Los Angeles to St. Louis, Missouri. Chorbishop Mansour relocated and assumed the additional duties as rector of St. Raymond Cathedral and began teaching Spiritual Theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. When Bishop Stephen Hector Douelhi retired, His Holiness Pope John Paul II named Bishop Mansour to succeed him as the head of the Eparchy of Saint Maron in Brooklyn. Ordained a bishop in Lebanon on March 2, 2004, he was enthroned in Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral in Brooklyn on April 27, 2004. Madam Speaker, throughout his life Bishop Mansour has followed the words of St. Augustine, ``With you I am a Christian, for you I am (a priest, and now) a Bishop.'' Bishop Mansour has kept the promise he made 25 years ago to serve Our Lord Jesus Christ with humility, joy, and compassion. I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating him as he celebrates this momentous occasion and wish him the best for the future.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, I am proud to be the sponsor of H.R. 2276. H.R. 2276 will designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 203 North Main Street in Vassar, Michigan, as the ``Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson Post Office Building.'' Corporal Esckelson of Vassar, Michigan, heroically gave his life fighting for our country in Fallujah, Iraq, on December 28, 2006, 2 days shy of his 23rd birthday. Corporal Esckelson, the squad leader of 12 men, suffered a direct hit while inspecting a truck in war-torn Fallujah, Iraq. Corporal Esckelson's leadership qualities came to fruition long before he began to serve our country. An outstanding athlete at Vassar High School, Christopher Esckelson played the game of football like he did life, with great passion. That same passion is what drove the aspiring doctor to join the Marines shortly after the September 11 attacks. He once told his mother, Michelle Hill, that whatever life might bring, he still would have been a marine. His early time in the Marine Corps Reserve allowed him to earn money to pay for classes at Delta College, where he studied premedicine. Other activities Corporal Esckelson enjoyed were hunting with his father, David, and brother, Craig, as well as spending time with his girlfriend, Samantha Reasner, who last saw him when she drove him to the airport when he left for basic training. His last contact with his family came 2 days before Christmas 2006 when he left on a 5-day mission which would ultimately be his last. For his heroism, Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson deserves our recognition and thanks. Designating this postal facility in Vassar, Michigan, where his mother works will allow all who enter the post office the unique opportunity to be mindful of the sacrifices brave young soldiers like Christopher have made and continue to make today. I would like to thank the entire Michigan delegation for their support on this legislation, and urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Tina Fielder-Gibson. She is being honored by the Flint Schools Youth Projects for her contributions to the students of the Flint community at a dinner on September 27th in Burton, Michigan. After graduating from Flint Northwestern High School, Tina continued her education at the University of Michigan--Flint. She graduated from that institution in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She started working for the Genesee County Sheriffs office in 1986 as a Corrections Officer. She has worked on the Jails Transaction Team, was the first woman to work in the Jail's Commissary, she worked as a Classification Officer and was the first woman elected Union President. Sheriff Robert Pickell created the position of Administrative Assistant when he became Genesee County Sheriff and Tina was tapped to fill the position in 1999. She acts as a community representative and works with various organizations to ensure the next generation is prepared to assume the leadership of our community. In this capacity she arranges tours for the Youth Projects Program and area churches, allowing students ages 12-16 to talk to inmates and hear their stories. Tina is active with many organizations including the Fetal Infant Mortality Committee, the Hate Crimes Task Force, the Interagency Collaborative GISD, the Elder Abuse Task Force/until Disciplinary Team, YWCA Domestic Violence Committee, East Side and North Central Weed and Seed Programs, Strong Families Safe Children, and Safe Schools Healthy Students--Flint Schools. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta-- Flint Alumnae Chapter and is a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She has held the following positions: Chair Black Caucus 1985-1995, Vice-Chair Genesee County Democratic Party 1998-2000, Chair Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint 1998-Present, Chair National Council on Alcoholism and Addiction 2006-2007, Vice President Sisters United Incorporated 2001-Present, President AFSCME 2259 Genesee County Sheriff Union 1997-1999, Trustee AFL-CIO 1997-1999, Treasurer New Paths Incorporated 2000-Present, Treasurer Alternative for Children 1997- Present, President Sam Duncan Memorial Scholarship Committee 2004- Present, Youth Projects Advisory Board 2000-Present, Catholic Charities of Genesee/Shiawassee Counties 2006-Present, March of Dimes Flint/ Saginaw Division 2000-Present, United Way Cabinet 2000-Present, and the Child Advocacy Center 2005-Present. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Tina Fielder-Gibson as her hard work and contributions to the young people of Genesee County are honored by the Flint Schools Youth Project.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the men who lost their lives when the USS Wahoo went down in the Western Pacific in 1943. A memorial ceremony to the 80 crew members will be held at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park on October 11, the 64th anniversary of the vessel's disappearance. The USS Wahoo was one of the Navy's most valuable units during World War II. The submarine began its first patrol in August 1942 in the Carolines. During its first 6 patrols the submarine was responsible for sinking 27 ships and damaging 2 more and was granted the Presidential Unit Citation for its 3rd patrol. The submarine came under attack on its 7th patrol in the La Perouse Strait between the Japanese island of Hokkaido and the Russian island of Sakhalin and went down on October 11, 1943. According to Japanese military reports the submarine was sunk after several hours of a combined air and sea attack involving depth charges and aerial bombings. Commander Dudley Morton was the skipper of the USS Wahoo when it went down. His relatives and the relatives of other crew members led the search to find the USS Wahoo. Through a cooperative effort between the United States, Japan, and Russia, the USS Wahoo was located. In addition to Commander Morton, 79 other crew members lost their lives that day. They include the uncle of my constituent Joann Fisher, Edwin Eldon Ostrander. The names of the remaining crew members are: Floyd Anders, Joseph Andrews, Robert Bailey, Arthur Bair, Jimmie Berg, Chester Browning, Donald Brown, Clifford Bruce, James Buckley, William Burgan, John Campbell, William Carr, James Carter, William Davison, Lynwood Deaton, Joseph Erdey, Eugene Fiedler, Oscar Finkelstein, Walter Galli, Cecil Garmon, George Garrett, Jr., Wesley Gerlacher, Richard Goss, Hiram Greene, William Hand, Leon Hartman, Dean Hayes, Richie Henderson, William Holmes, Van House, Howard Howe, Olin Jacobs, Robert Jasa, Juan Jayson, Kindred Johnson, Dalton Keeter, Wendell Kemp, Paul Kessock, Paul Krebs, Eugene Kirk, Arthur Lape, Clarence Lindemann, Robert Logue, Walter Lynch, Stuart MacAlman, Thomas Mac Gowen, Albert Magyar, Jesus Manalisay, Paul Mandjiak, Edward Massa, Ernest Maulding, George Maulding, Thomas McGill, Jr., Howard McGilton, Donald McSpadden, Max Mills, George Misch, Percy Neel, Forest O'Brien, Roy O'Neal, Paul Phillips, Juano Rennels, Henry Renno, Enoch Seal, Jr., Alfred Simonetti, Verne Skjonsby, Donald Smith, George Stevens, William Terrell, William Thomas, Ralph Tyler, Joe Vidick, Ludwig Wach, Wilbur Waldron, Norman Ware, William White, Kenneth Whipp, and Roy Witting. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and honor these brave men that gave their lives for our Nation. May we always remember their sacrifice and revere their memory.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Woodrow ``Woody'' Skaff on his 90th birthday. Woodrow turned 90 on August 26th. A celebration hosted by the University of Michigan-Flint is being held on September 12th in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Woody's father came to the United States in 1906. He settled in Flint and married Martha VanDemark. They started a carpet business and had five children. Woody began working in the family business during the 1930s, After World War II, his two brothers, Don and Jack, joined Woody and the three sons expanded their father's business to include furniture. The brothers continued to grow the business and operated 6 different stores. By the 1970s the third generation became involved when Woody's oldest son, George, became involved. The business continues today to be a vibrant family run enterprise built on the cornerstone of respect and service to the customer and community. Even after retirement, Woody Skaff still maintains this respect for the community. He is involved in numerous organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint, Young Life--Christian Camp, Crossroads, the YWCA, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, First Presbyterian Church, the Flint Institute of Music, the Flint Institute of Art and the Cultural Center. Woody has funded a scholarship program at the University of Michigan-Flint and over 30 students have benefited from his generosity. Madam Speaker please join me in congratulating Woodrow Skaff for 90 years of living his Christian faith by loving, caring and helping others. He has made a significant contribution to the Flint community through his generosity and his example. I wish him the best in the coming year and many, many more.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. I thank the gentleman for his kind words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2786, a bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self- Determination Act. I am proud to be the sponsor of this very important legislation. NAHASDA, enacted in 1996, was the first piece of comprehensive housing legislation directed solely to Native American and Alaskan Native people. It has become the basic program aiding Native Americans in tribal areas with affordable housing development, including homeownership, rehabilitation, infrastructure development, and other affordable housing assistance. The success of NAHASDA is clear. Since its enactment, thousands of housing units have been constructed or are in development. Despite this record, however, there is still a substantial unmet need for housing units, a need that continues to grow for one of the fastest growing population groups in the country. This bill, which is based largely upon the recommendations made by the Native American Indian Housing Council, has bipartisan support. I want to thank my colleagues, Chairman Barney Frank and Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Mr. Pearce, who has been a very, very active supporter of this legislation and other legislation affecting our Native Americans. Its primary objective is to improve housing conditions in Indian country. Building upon the basic framework of NAHASDA, the bill will give tribes greater flexibility in meeting the housing needs of the tribal citizens. To that end, the bill creates a self-determination program which authorizes tribes to set aside 15 percent of its annual NAHASDA grant funding, up to $1 million, for the acquisition, construction or rehabilitation of housing. A year before the next NAHASDA reauthorization in 2011, HUD would report to Congress the results of this program. Among other revisions, the bill will make certain that tribes can compete for Home Investment Partnership Act funds, removes competitive procurement rules and procedures for purchases and goods under $5,000, makes Federal supply sources through the GSA more accessible to tribes, recognizes tribal preference laws in hiring and contracting for NAHASDA activities, allows tribes to carry over NAHASDA funds to a subsequent grant year, and permits tribes to establish a reserve account up to 20 percent of the tribe's annual NAHASDA grant. Mr. Chairman, this authorization bill will build upon the success of NAHASDA over the past 11 years by providing more housing development on our Nation's Indian reservations. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. KILDEE. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to James Vassal in honor of his 100th birthday. A celebration was held at United Bethel Methodist Church on his birthday in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. James Vassal was born on August 18, 1907, in Amory, MS, the middle of 5 children. He worked for Frisco Railroad in Memphis for 25 years. During these years he met President Franklin D. Roosevelt twice. In 1945 he moved to Flint and went to work at the Chevrolet V-8 Engine Plant in Flint for 26\1/2\ years. He retired in 1971 and is a member of UAW Local 659. He is a devoted member of United Bethel Methodist Church. He started attending services in 1946 in the basement of its future church on 12th Street. He worked as an usher and sang in the church gospel choir. James credits his grandfather for providing the foundation for his future devotion to United Bethel Methodist Church. He attends the 11 a.m. worship services every Sunday and is still a member of United Methodist Men and the Bible Study Group. In June, William Kornegay presented him with a certificate from the United Methodist Men's national office recognizing Vassal's ``outstanding achievement'' in the church. He was honored by the church's senior adult ministry at a luncheon on August 16. On his birthday, a dinner was held in his honor and attended by over 200 people. Many of James's relatives from Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, Indiana, and Kentucky traveled to Michigan to join in the celebration. Sunday's worship centered on his contributions and featured remarks by Reverend Russell, McReynolds, Reverend Alonzo Vincent, Reverend Tara Sutton, and James's great-great grandnephews and nieces. James married Mae Berta Carter on July 16, 1927. They had one son, Charles, and one granddaughter, Reverend Delphine Vassal, an African Methodist Episcopal minister in Dallas. Devoted to each other until the end, James was by Mae's side when she passed away in 1996. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating James Vassal and wishing him the best for the coming year.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sister Joanne Chiaverini as she celebrates her 50th Jubilee as a Sister Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A celebration will be held on Sunday, September 9, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flint, Michigan. Sister Joanne Chiaverini began her work with the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as an educator and worked in that capacity for 15 years, earning her Masters of Education in Theology from Marygrove College during this time. Her work involved preparing children for the sacraments. Often she would teach the parents as well as the children. With a desire to work with the poor and disadvantaged, Sister Joanne developed her talent for inner city ministry working during the 1960s at St. Agnes Parish in the heart of Detroit and she worked with Father Bill Cunningham when he founded Focus Hope after the 1967 riots. Sister Joanne became a certified social worker in 1973. Working in the Flint area she has counseled parents and children caught in the nightmare of substance abuse, worked as a volunteer probation officer, worked coordinating the religious education of parents, catechists, and students. She was a pioneering member of the Flint Interfaith Alliance and brought the Project ARAB to parishes throughout the Diocese of Lansing. After spending 30 days on an Ignatian retreat, Sister Joanne was inspired to co-found the St. Francis Prayer Center with Father Phil Schmitter. The Center is dedicated to providing a place of quiet and contemplation. The Center has moved 3 times to better serve the poor and at risk population. Her work on behalf of the disadvantaged has earned Sister Joanne numerous awards including: Woman of the Year by the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Groundwork ``Christian Discipleship'' Award from the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Center for Environmental Justice Award from the Flint Chapter of the NAACP. Along with Father Schmitter, she has also received the Citizens Participation Award for 20 years of ministry in public housing, and the Dr. Albert Wheeler ``Seeker of Justice'' Award from the Diocese of Lansing. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Sister Joanne Chiaverini as she celebrates her Golden Jubilee as a Sister Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and wish her the best in the coming years.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to the Greater Coleman Temple Church of God in Christ as the pastor and congregation celebrate their 50th anniversary. A celebration will be held on September 9 in Saginaw, Michigan, in recognition of this momentous occasion. Bishop Roger L. Jones, pastor of Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ and prelate of the Southeast Michigan Jurisdiction will be the featured speaker and the theme is ``Celebrating a Glorious Past, Embracing a Promising Future!'' Dr. Hurley J. Coleman and Dr. Martha W. Coleman founded the Greater Coleman Temple on September 7, 1957, under the name of Johnson Street Mission Church of God in Christ. Services were held in the garage attached to Pastor Coleman's home. Inspired by God, Pastor Coleman worked to fulfill the vision of building a church. In June 1961, with less than 30 members, a groundbreaking ceremony was held and the Johnson Street Mission became the Liberty Park Church of God in Christ. The first mortgage was burned is 1972 ahead of its maturity date. April 1975 saw the groundbreaking for Phase II. When that mortgage was paid ahead of schedule, the congregation looked to expand and held the groundbreaking for Phase III in August 1989. Blessed with a congregation that continues to grow, the church has now moved to its third location at the World Outreach Campus. In 1997 both Pastor and Mother Coleman received their Doctorates in Ministry. Martha Coleman passed away on December 14, 1999, and Pastor Coleman was called to the Lord on July 2, 2001. Their son, Superintendent Hurley J. Coleman, Jr., and his wife, Evangelist Sandra Coleman, assumed the leadership mantle of Greater Coleman Temple Church of God in Christ and continue to invigorate the congregation. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Greater Coleman Temple on 50 years of worship, prayer and evangelism. May the clergy, staff and congregation continue to thrive doing the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Boren), an active member of the Native American Caucus, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as Democratic chairman of the congressional Native American Caucus, I am honored to speak in support of H.R. 2358, the Native American $1 Coin Act. As the chief sponsor of this bipartisan legislation, I am pleased that the House is passing this final version of the bill today. The House passed H.R. 2358 on June 12, 2007, and the Senate passed it by unanimous consent on August 3 with an amendment that makes minor changes to the bill. Both my friend, Financial Services chairman Barney Frank, and I support the Senate changes. Mr. Speaker, this bill will honor the strength and wisdom of Indian country by authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue coins that commemorate the outstanding contributions of Native Americans by changing the design annually on the reverse side of the Sacagawea dollar coin. These designs will take the American people through a journey of different experiences of Native peoples by exposing them to their unique histories while preserving the memory of Sacagawea, the young Shoshone woman who assisted Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Pacific Northwest more than 200 years ago. I can think of no better way to pay tribute to the Native American people than to honor their contributions to the development of the United States and her history. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.