Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of John L. Pugh as he retires from Delta College after 36 years of service. John will be honored at a party of Friday, August 3, in Saginaw, MI. John Pugh was born in Shubuta, MS, where he attended public school through eighth grade. He completed his secondary education in Newton, MS. He received his B.A. degree, cum laude, in economics from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL, and his master degree from the University of Toledo in 1971. He also attended Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS, and spent 4 years in the U.S. Air Force before entering Florida A and M University. John Pugh became involved in politics, economic empowerment, and civil rights efforts as a freshman at Tougaloo College, where he worked with Medgar Evers on a successful public boycott that encouraged businesses in Jackson, MS, to hire African-American employees. He continued his community involvement during his 3 years as a student at Florida A and M University as he worked on local campaigns for Black mayoral candidates and helped develop a student magazine. He has managed several successful local and State political campaigns. Mr. Pugh served as chair of the Saginaw County Reverend Jesse Jackson for President Committee in 1984 and 1988. Rev. Jesse Jackson won in Saginaw County in 1984. In 1988, again under Mr. Pugh's leadership, Jackson won the Saginaw district. Mr. Pugh served as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1988 and 1992. His community involvement includes: founding board member of the Ruben Daniels Educational Foundation, member of Saginaw County Mental Health Authority, chair of the Saginaw Branch NAACP ACT-SO Program, member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church Deacon Board, chair of New You Design Men's Apparel Store, managed local campaign efforts for Rev. Jesse Jackson, President Bill Clinton and Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. During his 36 years at Delta College, he developed a wide range of programs and initiatives to assist students and the Saginaw urban community. Delta College's faculty and staff recognized Mr. Pugh in 1980 and 1995 for his extensive service to the college and community when he was presented the American Association of University Professor, AAUP, Award, the highest honor bestowed upon college administrators. Mr. Pugh is married to Carolyn. They have three daughters, Yvette, Pamela, and Canika, and three grandchildren, Andrea, Delyn, and Kevin John. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating John Pugh on his retirement from Delta College. He has devoted his life to nurturing the next generation of our country's leaders and has made the world a better place.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, today I rise before you and ask my colleagues in the 110th Congress to join me in recognizing Mr. Raymond M. Flavin on his 95th birthday. This momentous occasion will be marked by a reception on September 2, 2007. Mr. Flavin was born on August 25, 1912 in Litchfield, ND and moved to the Flint area in 1935. On January 18, 1937 he married his wife Dorothy and the couple had five children. Ray moved to Flint Township in 1941 where his residency remains to this day. Ray Flavin began his public service career in 1955 as a trustee on the Flint Township Board. He was also the police commissioner during this term. Ray was elected Supervisor of Flint Township by the Township Board in 1958 to fill the unexpired term of the previous supervisor who had passed away. In April 1959 he was elected to the position of Flint Township Supervisor. He served in this capacity during the years 1958 to 1964, from 1970 to 1972, and 1974 through 1980 for a total of 15 years. Ray's position as Township Supervisor boasts many accomplishments, including: successfully joining the efforts to make Flint Township a Charter Township and assisting in the creation of the Kate McCarthy Senior Citizens Center. Mr. Flavin was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives 83rd District in 1965. During his term he was a member of the State Ways and Means Committee and was Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on General Government. Madam Speaker, I am a better person because of my friendship with Ray Flavin. I shall always be grateful to him. Madam Speaker, once again, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 95th birthday of Mr. Raymond M. Flavin.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, my district has been devastated by trade agreements and other policies of past Congresses. The population of my largest city has dropped from 180,000 to 118,000. Delphi is going through a bankruptcy. My General Motors jobs have dropped from 80,000 to 18,000. The one bright spot in my district is agriculture, led by my sugar beet farmers who own the whole process from the fields through the refinery. Don't deliver another blow to my district by in effect abolishing this no-cost program. Let my sugar farmers help the economy of my district. They are our hope. Don't dash that hope. Defeat this amendment.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as the co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I rise in support of H.R. 3095, a bill amending the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act of 2006. Indian tribes are faced with a deadline established in the act that requires tribal governments to affirmatively elect to comply with the mandates of the act by July 27, 2007, or cede their authority for enforcement to the States. My bill authorizes a 1-year extension of the deadline by which tribes are required to opt into the national sex offender registration and notification system. Mr. Speaker, tribes strongly support the Adam Walsh Act, and they share the Federal Government's commitment to protecting their communities from sexual predators. However, tribes are asking us to extend the deadline so that they can make an informed decision on how to implement the mandates of the Adam Walsh Act. The Department of Justice is still in its comment period on the proposed guidelines, which does not close until August 1. It is simply too early to force tribal governments to make a decision based on incomplete information and without guidance from the administration. Mr. Speaker, I have received numerous requests from tribes across the Nation urging our support for a 1-year extension. I have letters from the National Congress of American Indians and the National Criminal Justice Administration supporting the request, also. I'm pleased that this bill has received bipartisan support. I want to thank my colleagues from across the aisle for supporting this legislation. I want to thank my chairman, Judiciary chairman, John Conyers; and Ranking Member Lamar Smith especially for their support as well. I urge my colleagues to support final passage of this bill.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, at this time I have no further speakers, but I will say this. First of all, this has been a great example of bipartisanship on an issue that very often has divided us. This has brought us together. I think this is a great historical moment. Democrats and Republicans. It was 42-1 in committee, and I think that is something to be said in this body. I think this illustrates that on an issue that very often divides us, labor issues, when it comes to a specific group of these first responders, we can find a way to resolve that division.

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

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

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), my chairman and the chairman of the full Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be sponsor of H.R. 980, along with my good friend from Tennessee, Mr. John Duncan. H.R. 980 extends to firefighters, police officers, corrections officers and other public safety officers the basic right to discuss workplace issues with their employers. Public safety officers, who risk their lives to protect us, deserve a say in decisions that affect their lives and their livelihood. We have addressed concerns raised during the hearing held on the legislation in the Education and Labor Committee and strengthened this strongly bipartisan bill. This bipartisanship of this legislation is demonstrated by the 280 cosponsors of this bill and a 42-1 bipartisan vote in favor of this bill during the markup in the Education and Labor Committee. I would like to thank Chairman Miller, Chairman Andrews and the committee staff for all their support on this important legislation. I wish to also thank Ranking Member McKeon and Ranking Member Kline and their staff for their work with us on this legislation. I first introduced this legislation more than a decade ago back in 1995. It has been a long journey to today, and this legislation is long overdue for our Nation's public safety employees. I would also like to thank the groups that we have worked with on this legislation, including, among others, the International Association of Firefighters, the Fraternal Order of Police, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the International Union of Police Associations and the National Association of Police Organizations. The absence of the right to collectively bargain denies these public servants the opportunity to influence decisions that affect their work and their family. Our firefighters and police officers risk their lives to keep us safe, yet there are some States in this country that deny them the right to discuss workplace issues with their employers, a right most Americans have. At the very least, they should be allowed to negotiate for wages, hours and safe working conditions. When I was in the State legislature in Michigan, I helped pass legislation that granted all public employees the right to collectively bargain. In Michigan, this has led to a working environment that effectively protects the public and that both employers and employees are proud of. H.R. 980 would merely create a minimum standard that States have the flexibility to implement, regulate and enforce as they see fit. Many States, such as my own State of Michigan, have laws in place that go well beyond H.R. 980, and these States would not be affected by this legislation. Additionally, this legislation does not allow strikes or lockouts, and it preserves management rights. Firefighters and police officers are very serious about their commitment to public safety. They deserve the basic right to sit down with their employers and discuss their work conditions. The reasonableness of this legislation again is demonstrated by the wide bipartisan support it has from its 280 cosponsors. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 980) to provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or their political subdivisions, as amended.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material relevant to H.R. 980 into the Record.

Mr. KILDEE. First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Keller for his hard work on this bill. He has made it a joy working on the bill, and I thank him for that. I now yield to the gentleman from New Jersey, the chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee that had jurisdiction over this bill, such time as he may consume. (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first of all I want to thank Mr. Duncan for his hard work on this bill. He is, as we all know, a study in civility, and civility certainly helps in this House. He also illustrates that we can sit down in a bipartisan way and seek solutions. I thank him for his work on this. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton).

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Flint, Michigan and Hamilton, Ontario for 50 years collaborating on the CANUSA Games. The 50th anniversary will be celebrated at a gala community celebration on June 21st in my hometown of Flint. The CANUSA Games were born in 1957 when Frank Manley and Charles Stewart Mott contacted the Amateur Athletic Union about further competitions for the Flint Olympian winners. The United States Amateur Athletic Union discussed the request with the Canadian Amateur Athletic Union and it was decided to organize a competition between the athletes of Flint and Hamilton, Ontario. That first year, 200 athletes participated in the Games. It was a great success and the tradition of the CANUSA Games began. Since that beginning the CANUSA Games has grown into an annual event. This year about 1,000 athletes will compete. It is the model for similar athletic events between cities in the United States and Canada. The hallmark of the Games is a spirit of goodwill and friendly competition. The creed for the Games is: ``We swear that we will take part in the CANUSA Games in fair competition, respecting the regulations which govern them and with the desire to participate in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sports and for the honor of our country.'' Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating all the athletes, coaches, coordinators, and volunteers in Hamilton, Ontario and Flint, Michigan for 50 years of dedication to promoting friendship and harmony between our two nations through the spirit of athletic competition.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, today I am happy to rise before you and ask my colleagues in the 110th Congress to honor former Bay City Mayor Robert Katt. Robert Katt was born in Pontiac, Michigan on July 30, 1942. His family then moved to Bay City where he attended Washington Elementary School. In 1960 Mr. Katt graduated from Bay City Central High School. He went on to attend Delta College before joining the U.S. Army. Bob served his country in the U.S. Medical Corps from 1962 to 1965. During that time, he married his wife Barbara. He is also survived by two children and two grandchildren. In 1981 Robert Katt decided to further serve his community and was elected Bay County Commissioner. He served as 6th Ward Bay City Commissioner from 1987 to 1993 and from 1995 to 2003. Bob served as Commission President from 1991 to 1993 and from 2000 to 2003. In 2003 Mr. Katt decided to begin his campaign for Bay City Mayor, and was elected to the position in November of that year, where he remained until his death in 2006. Aside from his elected positions, Mayor Katt was active throughout his community. He was affiliated with the Bay City Central Booster Club and served as chairman of the South End Citizens District Council. Bob was a member of UAW Local 362, having worked at General Motors Corporation for 38 years. Madam Speaker, once again I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Robert Katt and his legacy to Bay City, Michigan.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, today I am happy to rise before you and ask my colleagues in the 110th Congress to celebrate 50 years of education in the Essexville-Hampton School District. This momentous event will be marked by a ``Celebrating Success'' event on Saturday, July 7, 2007. It all began with visionary W.R. Bush, educational leader Quinton E. Cramer, and community leader Mark M. Jaffe. Special thanks go to those who served on the school board in 1955: Melvin Steggall, Austin Nickel, George Ryers, Clifford Mader, and Lowell Cuthbert. On July 1, 1957 their joint efforts created a school district, which joined together the City of Essexville and the Charter Township of Hampton. The Essexville-Hampton School District began with a small number of students, and has grown to produce over 6,000 graduates. Garber High School, Cramer Junior High School, Hughes Elementary School, Verellen Elementary School, and Bush Elementary School continue to offer a wide variety of curriculum and extracurricular activities. The schools encourage educational exploration and support all facets of the learning process. Today, all five schools in the district are committed to a Pattern of Excellence and are dedicated to providing the richest educational experience possible. Madam Speaker, once again I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Essexville-Hampton School District.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. 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. I am pleased to be the chief sponsor of this bipartisan legislation. I would like to extend a special thank-you to my friend and colleague, Chairman Barney Frank, for his support of this legislation. I would also like to acknowledge the other original cosponsors of this legislation: Congressman Boren, Congressman Renzi, Congressman Cole, and Congressman Castle. 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 and honor the outstanding contributions of Native Americans by changing the design annually on the reverse of the Sakakawea dollar coin. This bill establishes a process for selecting designs for the reverse side of this 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 Sakakawea, the young Shoshone woman who assisted Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Pacific Northwest more than 200 years ago. It is my hope that this coin will one day depict the contributions of the 12 tribes of my own State of Michigan whose historical roots lie with the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Pottawatomi Nations. I can think of no better way to pay tribute to the Native American people than to honor their contribution to the development of the United States and her history. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the memory of Larry E. Foster. Larry passed away Sunday, June 10, at the age of 66, after suffering with cancer for the past several months. Larry Foster started in public service fighting for the rights of senior citizens after graduating from Mississippi Industrial College with a bachelor of arts degree. He was the director of the Detroit Street Senior Citizen Center and the Hasselbring Senior Center. Elected to the Beecher Board of Education in 1977, Larry has held elected office ever since. He served on the Beecher Board of Education for 14 years. He went on to be elected as the Mt. Morris Township supervisor in 1992 and has held that position ever since, He was the first African- American ever elected to the supervisor post in the history of the township. He was a devoted servant of the people and worked tirelessly to make Mt. Morris Township a great place to live and work. Larry was enthusiastic about his community and spent many hours volunteering with Beecher Community Schools. He was the junior high school basketball coach for the past 31 years and a coach for the elementary football and basketball teams. In addition Larry served on the boards of many community organizations and was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Madam Speaker, Larry Foster was a wonderful friend, a great advocate for Mt. Morris Township, and a revered figure in Mt. Morris for the past 30 years. He leaves a lasting legacy of breaking down barriers, and compassion for his fellow human beings. The mark he left on the community is a true blessing and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I am happy to rise before you today, and to ask my colleagues in the 110th Congress to join me in celebrating Bay County's sesquicentennial anniversary. This momentous occasion will be marked by a series of events to take place Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 17, 2007. In 1857, a village, made up of land once used as a campground for the Chippewa Indians, was formed east of the Saginaw River. In 1865, this village, known as Bay City, was formally incorporated as a city. To the west of the river, the villages of Banks, Salzburg, and Wenona joined together forming West Bay City. Eventually, both Bay City and West Bay City joined together as ``Greater'' Bay City in 1905. Bay County was formally recognized as an independent county in 1857, and consists of four cities: Bay City, Essexville, Pinconning, and Auburn; two villages: Munger and Linwood; in addition to fourteen townships. Madam Speaker, in the 150 years since the formation of Bay County, we have seen a rise from a collection of small lumber villages to one of Michigan's most vibrant areas. The shipyards and sawmills of the past have given way to worldwide corporations that create opportunities each day. Bay County's rich heritage is seen in its renowned architecture and diverse history. For generations, the kind hearts and friendly manner of the residents have made Bay County a warm and welcoming community. Madam Speaker, once again I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Bay County, Michigan on the 150th anniversary of its formation.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. I would be happy to yield.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from West Virginia. I would yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) who's been very active in supporting the Page Program.

Mr. KILDEE. From the bottoms of our hearts, we thank you, God bless you.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today is a day of mixed emotion for all of us who work with the House Page Program. It is time to say goodbye to 70 aspiring young individuals who have served the U.S. Congress for the last several months. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, I would like to thank you all for your hard work, your commitment and dedication to the Page Program. I know you have made your families, friends and communities back home proud, and I am certain that they will be glad to receive you back home. As difficult as it is to say goodbye, I trust that you will take with you memories, experiences and friends that will last a lifetime. Take with you also our sincere thanks for a job well done. Your hard work and your dedication have proven that you are young people with strength, courage and character. We look forward to hearing about all your many future successes. The gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton) joins me in these thoughts, but we will not say goodbye but rather farewell until we meet again. And Mr. Speaker, before I yield to other Members, I would like insert the names of the pages at this point in the Congressional Record. Spring 2007 House Page List Sam Balasz Joshua Britton Abullah Binshaeig Geoffrey Blumenthal Ian Cameron Bryant Canales Allison Clark Elizabeth Cotton Daija Covington Sarah Coughlan Ann Crawford-Roberts Christopher Day Richie Day Skukuae Edwards Taylor Farquharson Kelsey Griffee Tarel Hairston Portsha Franklin Elizabeth Hartig Kelsey Hill Jeffrey Joh Robert Joyce Abebe Kebede Keegan Kirkpatrick Nathan Khosla Alexa Klein Breanna Lai Noah Lindenfeld Jonathan Lesser Rachel Licata Isabella Miller Amanda Markovich Blair Matthews Victoria Milkovich Soreya Moody Liliana Palacios Jake Petzold Elon Rhodes Taylor Riddle Paige Romer Arriel Rubenstein Alexander Seiden Corey Shears Virginia Smith Shaan Yadav-Ranjan Meghan Ward Briana Aleman Amy Brinkerhoff Marion Burke Starla Burton Joseph Cannella Logan Craghead Katelyn DeFrangesco Ryan Drager Callie Farlow Nicholas Hall Rachel Koroknay Nicholas Lanoue Nickolas Lupo Aubrie-Marks Colleen Mattingly James ``Matt'' McClure Bryan Quach Heaven Randolph Adam Reynolds Katie Rieder Christine Salomon Ryan Till James ``Carson'' Ure Cassandra West I yield now to the ranking Republican member of the Page Board, the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).