Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to South Flint Tabernacle as it celebrates 75 years of worship. The Tabernacle will come together on Sunday, May 21st to pray and rejoice in the blessings be stowed by God for the past 75 years. Reverend John McLaughlin founded South Flint Tabernacle in 1931. The original worship services wire held at Lincoln School in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. A few years later the congregation purchased the land now occupied by the current church in Burton Michigan and embarked upon building a permanent house of worship. After several building and remodeling projects the church has grown to its present size. The Reverend Robert E. Henson has been the loving and charismatic pastor since 1979. A vibrant, dynamic congregation supports several ministries including Alcohol Chemical Treatment Ministry, Bus Ministry, Convalescent Ministry, Follow-up Visitation, Home Bible Studies, Home Friendship Groups, Inner City Evangelism, and Jail Ministry. The congregation and clergy live and pray their stated beliefs: The Bible is the inspired Word of God; There is only one God; Jesus Christ is God manifested or revealed in the flesh; The plan of salvation is clearly stated in the Holy Bible; The believer should live his or her life consecrated to the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ is coming again; There will be a final judgment. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the South Flint Tabernacle as it celebrates 75 years of prayer, adoration, fellowship, and outreach. The clergy, congregation and staff are to be commended for their pledge to bring about positive changes in their community and to support each other in the everyday struggles of human life. Their commitment to their faith is an inspiration to all privileged to witness their actions.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Whaley Children's Center as it celebrates 80 years helping children in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Whaley Chlldren's Center will hold an open house on May 18 to showcase their services and commemorate their anniversary. Robert J. Whaley, then President of Citizens Bank, decided to organize a home for neglected, forgotten children during the 1880s. He made his decision to honor the memory of his deceased I son, Donald M. Whaley. At the time of his death at the age of eleven, Donald was saving money to send to an orphanage in the Detroit area. His father conceived of the idea to create a home for less fortunate children and bequeathed in his will the funds to build the Donald M. Whaley Home. On January 26, 1924 the Whaley Foundation was organized under the trusteeship of the wardens and vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. After consulting with the Child Welfare League, the Memorial Home was built in 1926. The Memorial Home has metamorphosed into the Whaley Children's Center, dedicated to helping troubled children achieve self-sufficiency at the same time meeting their everyday needs. Using the four pillars of the ``Circle of Courage'' model: Independence, Generosity, Mastery, and Belonging; Whaley Children's Center strives to serve the whole child. At the present time the Whaley Children's Center can serve 51 children through their 18th birthday and high school graduation. They have a separate unit, the McDonald Cottage, for children ages 6 through 10. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the outstanding efforts of the community, volunteers, board and staff of the Whaley Children's Center. Their steadfast devotion to the children they serve is to be commended. I am glad that I have had this opportunity to recognize their hard work and their exceptional achievements helping our troubled youth attain a better future.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Zilwaukee Lions Club as it celebrates 50 years of service to the community of Zilwaukee, Michigan. The Lions Club will gather on June 9th to mark the occasion with a banquet. The Zilwaukee Lions Club was founded in March 1956 by a group of men looking to fulfill the Lions motto, ``We Serve.'' Lions Clubs offer their associates the opportunity to give back to the community and the members of the Zilwaukee Club have embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly. That same year, the members built the first boat dock in Zilwaukee. Not content to be limited to one endeavor, the Zilwaukee Lions Club has spent the past 50 years providing such diverse services as arranging eye exams and glasses for the needy; taking blind men fishing; expanding the tape library for the blind; building a pavilion in the Zilwaukee City Park; holding an annual Christmas Dinner for the senior citizens of Zilwaukee; and many other worthwhile projects too numerous to name. Lions Clubs International has 1,300,000 members in 196 countries all contributing to the Vision Program. The Zilwaukee Lions Club participates with its fellow clubs to achieve the goal of bringing sight to the world's blind as well as improving their individual communities. The Zilwaukee Club has continuously maintained this commitment throughout its 50 year history. Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives, please join me in congratulating the Zilwaukee Lions Club on the wonderful job they have done over the past 50 years serving the residents of Zilwaukee, Michigan and the surrounding area. They are to be commended for their good work, their dedication to others and their pledge to continue to serve.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Judge Leopold Borrello as he retires from an illustrious career as a Saginaw County Michigan jurist. Judge Borrello will be honored at a reception on May 23 in Saginaw by the community. A native of Saginaw, Judge Borrello started working when he was in the third grade at his father's grocery store. After graduating from Saginaw High School in 1951, Judge Borrello received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albion College and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1958. He returned to the Saginaw area and opened a practice of law. He worked in solo practice and for several firms before heading up his own firm of Borrello, Thomas and Jenson. In 1987 Governor James Blanchard appointed him to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court. Judge Borrello became Chief Judge of the 10th Judical Circuit Court in 1992 and has continued to serve in that capacity until his retirement on April 14th of this year. He ran unopposed in 1988, 1994 and 2000 to be returned to his place on the bench. During his tenure Judge Borrello presided over three one-man grand juries and numerous criminal and civil cases. In addition to his work on the bench, Judge Borrello is also active with the Saginaw County Crime Prevention Council and the American Kennel Club, where he also serves as a show judge. Judge Borrello and his wife Audre have passed on their work ethic to their three sons: Stephen, an appellate court judge; Andre, a Saginaw attorney; and Murray, a professor at Alma College. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in applauding the career of a hardworking, dedicated public servant, Leopold Borrello. His intelligence, common sense, and consideration for the public welfare have earned the well deserved respect of his fellow jurists and the esteem of the Saginaw community.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the accomplishments of Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan as it celebrates its 75th anniversary of employing persons with disabilities. Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan will celebrate this milestone at a party on May 23 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Reverend John E. Martin, pastor of the Oak Park Methodist Church, brought Goodwill Industries to the Flint area in April 1931. Originally started as a program to assist immigrants, Goodwill Industries soon became a service for persons with disabilities. The focus shifted to employment, training and rehabilitation. The emphasis is on giving all persons with disabilities the dignity that comes from work and economic self-sufficiency. In the 1950s Goodwill Industries became a subcontractor for General Motors and other area businesses. The expanded services and training mandated a need for additional space, and through the generosity of C.S. Mott, Goodwill Industries was able to move to its present location. In 1986 the name was changed to Goodwill Industries of Mid- Michigan to reflect the organization's expansion into the areas surrounding Flint. Currently serving clients in six Michigan counties, operating 11 retail stores, a business services unit and employing over 200 workers, Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan offers rehabilitation programs designed to enhance interpersonal relationships, leadership development, vocational training and computer skills. They provide services to over 500 individuals while maintaining a high level of competence, customer satisfaction and effectiveness. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan as it celebrates 75 years providing efficient, professional assistance to persons with disabilities and the communities of Mid-Michigan. They are to be commended for their dedication to teaching every segment of our society the satisfaction that comes from succeeding in the workplace.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Flint Olympian Games as it celebrates 50 years of promoting physical fitness and sportsmanship. Events commemorating this anniversary will be held throughout the summer in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Conceived 50 years ago as a finale to the summer athletic program for Flint students, the Games have grown into a community wide experience. Frank Manley and the Flint School District Community Education Directors held the first planning meeting to organize the Games in 1956. The following year 1500 students participated in 6 sports. Today the Games involve 11,000 contestants active in 22 sports. Encompassing the entire family the Games have become a tradition among generations of Flint residents. The opening ceremonies will be held on July 11 at Flint Central High School followed by a fitness walk and field day. The competitions will commence on that date and continue through July 22 at locations scattered throughout the community. An awards dinner will be held on July 27 to honor the participants and volunteers that have organized and sponsored this event. The amateur athletes will go on to participate in the 49th annual CANUSA Games. The CANUSA Games is a competition held between the residents of Flint and its sister city, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The CANUSA Games foster goodwill between the citizens of both communities. Held on alternate years in each community, this year the CANUSA Games will take place in Flint on August 11, 12 and 13. For many of the participants this is their first exposure to persons from another country. In addition to the actual sports competitions, the organizers have also planned a banquet to be held in June and a golf outing for July. The 50th Flint Olympian Games Celebration is a joint celebration sponsored by the Flint Community Schools, Citizens Blue Ribbon Committee, Greater Flint Olympian-CANUSA Association, City of Flint, the Ruth Mott Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The 50th Anniversary Games will be dedicated to the founders, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stewart Mott and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Manley. Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding the dedication of the many volunteers and contestants that come together each year in the atmosphere of camaraderie to promote the ideals of sportsmanship, physical well being and friendly competition. Their vision of families playing and working together to accomplish goals is to be commended.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable woman, Sybyl Atwood. For the past 40 years Sybyl has been the linchpin of the social services community in my hometown, Flint, Michigan. On May 11 she will be honored for her selfless work on behalf of the less fortunate at a dinner hosted by the Resource Center in Flint. Relocating to the Flint area after earning her Baccalaureate Degree in Community Development from Central Michigan University, she gathered together a group of volunteers on February 14, 1966 and founded the Volunteer Bureau. Serving as the chief executive officer of the Bureau for more than 20 years, Sybyl defined its direction as an organization promoting volunteerism, grassroots community involvement and expanded delivery of social services in the Flint area. The Bureau evolved into the Voluntary Action Center in 1989 and Sybyl continued at its helm. After merging with United Way, the Voluntary Action Center became part of the Resource Center. Sybyl continues to head the Volunteer Services at the Resource Center. Thousands of volunteers have benefited from her training and guidance. She compiled the Genesee County Community Sourcebook, a reference book listing over 400 service agencies in Genesee County. Sybyl is also responsible for assembling the information and the publishing of the ``Emergency Assistance Directory,'' the ``Youth Volunteer Opportunities Directory,'' and the ``Reduced Income Planning Guide.'' She also coordinates the weekly ``Volunteer Here'' column in the Flint Journal and runs the Information and Referral Program. This program receives about 350 calls per month from persons seeking emergency assistance. For her service to the community Sybyl has received the American Society of Training and Development Chapter Award for Service, City of Flint Human Relations Commission People's Award, Genesee County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, Toastmaster International Regional Communication and Leadership Award, the YWCA of Greater Flint Nina Mills Women of Achievement Award, the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Award, Citizen of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers, and earlier this week Michigan State University named her the 2006 Outstanding Field Educator for the Flint Program. In addition to her work with Volunteer Services, Sybyl is also a founding member of the Emergency Services Council, the Genesee County Service Learning Coalition, the local Americorps collaborative, and has found time to work toward a master's degree in Public Administration. As a member of the Committee Concerned with Housing, she is currently studying the gaps in service in the emergency housing sector. Sybyl works within her neighborhood promoting the historic Carriage Town area and the propagation of Michigan's indigenous plants and grasses. Mr. Speaker, Sybyl Atwood embodies the sentiments in her favorite quotation, ``While there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.'' She is a champion of the poor, the helpless, and the innocent. I am proud of my association with her, grateful for the good that she does, and treasure her inspiration, commitment and wisdom. The Flint community is a more humane place because of Sybyl Atwood. I ask the House of Representatives to rise today and join me in honoring this exceptional woman.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the Bay City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as it celebrates 50 years as a dedicated champion of civil rights. On June 2, 2006 the members of the Bay City Branch will come together to revere its founding members and renew its commitment to justice for all. Roy Wilkins chartered the first branch of the NAACP in Bay City in 1918. This was at a time when the NAACP was instrumental in convincing President Woodrow Wilson to publicly denounce lynching. The Branch was disbanded but it was re-chartered in 1938 by Attorney Oscar Baker Sr. and chartered a third time in 1946. In 1955, NAACP member Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery Alabama bus and one of the largest grassroots civil rights movements was born. The NAACP was at the forefront of this struggle and Reverend Obie Matthew, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church, organized the present Bay City Branch the following year on October 8, 1956. 50 years later the Branch is still fighting for equality of all citizens. The Bay City Branch has led the fight against discrimination in housing, education, employment, healthcare, and the criminal justice system. Some of its notable fights were the Migrant Negroes from Georgia Case, the Bay County Skating Rink Case in the 1960s, the Woolworth 5&10 Store Sit-in, the hiring of the first African American teachers by the Bay City School District, and the inclusion of a Black History Class in the Bay City Central High School curriculum. The Branch has given away more than 70 scholarships to high school students. They have supported CORY Place, sponsored a summer USDA Food and Activity program for children, and worked with other local agencies to improve the living conditions in Bay City. The hymn, Lift Every Voice and Sing, was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900. In it he wrote, ``Sing a song full of hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.'' Under the current leadership of President Idella White, the Bay City Branch is marching on in the fight to remove barriers to racial equality. The Bay City Branch remains committed to educating citizens about their constitutional rights, and the adverse effects of racial discrimination. Mr. Speaker, I am asking the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Bay City Branch of the NAACP for 50 years of commitment to social justice. The members are to be commended for their steadfast fight against racial hatred and I pray that together we will eliminate this scourge from our nation and the world.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, my constituent Steve Grandstaff is shop Chairman of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 651, which represents hourly workers at Delphi East in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. For the Record I would like to read an excerpt of the electronic testimony that Steve wrote for the Education and the Workforce Committee e-hearing on the impact of the Delphi bankruptcy filing: I am the Shop Chairperson of UAW Local 651 in Flint, servicing Delphi Flint East and representing 2800 hard working people. Early on in this whole saga I had a realization what the whole issue boils down to. I refer to it as the promise; the promise was part of the deal. The deal was that you came to work and did your job for 30 years and at the end of that time you could have the opportunity to go on your way with a somewhat comfortable pension to see you through your later years. The workers end of the promise was that they worked the off shifts for the first decade of employment. This meant working the hot days in the summer and the cold ones in the winter. That in itself meant that you were at work when your family and your friends were working normal hours and enjoying life. The promise meant that you worked in the grimy, dangerous conditions. You did boring monotonous jobs. You suffered the labeling by society because you worked in a factory. You would work the extra hours so that you could get the nice things that life offered. The things that seemed to come easier to other people but in your case you had to do a little extra to get them. . . . Over the years many of us had the opportunity to make a decision, should I stay or should I move on to something else. Many, many people stayed on because of the promise. They made decisions not to go to a new career because they were many years into the equation of which the promise weighed oh so heavily. The promise was always out there. The company always reminded anyone that would listen about how they were funding our pensions and used that as a bargaining chip when our wages or benefits were on the table. It was always figured in as a benefit cost even though now some wonder if the company ever really intended to fulfill the promise. Now here we are near the end of our careers, not as young as we used to be, many of us broken. When so many of us are so close to being able to cash in on the promise the company is attempting to take it away from us. . . . Mr. Speaker, this Congress has failed to protect American workers while focusing on protecting the privileged few. It is time for these workers' stories to be heard and I am pleased to have this opportunity to share one of these stories.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my Congressional colleagues from Michigan to pay tribute to the life and service of former Congressman Elford Albin `Al' Cederberg. Congressman Cederberg, a Republican who represented mid-Michigan in Congress from 1953 through 1978, passed away on Monday, April 17, 2006 at the age of 88. Born in Bay City, Michigan, March 6, 1918, Congressman Cederberg attended public schools and Bay City Junior College from 1935-1937. He entered the United States Army in April 1941 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in July 1942, and later a captain in 1943. Assigned to the Eighty-third Infantry, Cederberg participated in the Normandy invasion and fought in France and Germany. After returning home from Europe at the end of World War Two, Congressman Cederberg served as manager of Nelson Manufacturing Co. of Bay City, Michigan from 1946-1952, and he was elected mayor of Bay City from 1949-1953. In 1952, Cederberg was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to the Eighty-third Congress and to the twelve succeeding Congresses. During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, he rose to the distinguished position of Ranking Republican Member of the Appropriations Committee. He and former President, and former House Minority Leader Gerald Ford, were close personal friends who stayed in contact long after both had left public service. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have known and served with Congressman Cederberg here in the U.S. House of Representatives. His integrity and his sense of decency were admired by all who came in contact with him. His love for his country, for his State of Michigan and for his hometown of Bay City were well known. Without a doubt, Mr. Speaker, our nation, our state, and our communities are better places in which to live because of the stellar public service of Congressman Elford Albin `Al' Cederberg. The Members of this Congress could greatly benefit from the shining example of Elford Albin `Al' Cederberg.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today with a heavy heart, as I ask my colleagues in the 109th Congress to join me in honoring the life and accomplishments of a remarkable man and a dear friend, Mr. John Hightower. Mr. Hightower passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, April 25, after a long illness. I am deeply saddened by this loss, for John and his family have been inspirations to many throughout the City of Flint, as well as the county, state and nation. It is difficult to imagine what the landscape of my hometown of Flint, Michigan, would be like, had John Hightower not moved here from St. Louis in 1952. An Army veteran, John started working at the Buick Foundry, where he also served as committeeman at UAW Locals 599 and 659. His relationship with Buick was shortlived, as he lost his job after confronting a supervisor who had made a racial slur. For John, this became a new opportunity rather than a setback; following the incident, he opened Hightower Electronics and Construction Company. This also served as the catalyst to his becoming one of the area's foremost civil rights proponents. He joined others across the country in the March on Washington and the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. He brought the lessons he learned from those experiences home and fought for racial equity in the local job market, against unfair housing practices, and increased funding for the Flint Public Library. Mr. Speaker, the impact John Hightower made in the City of Flint is one that will be felt by its residents for generations to come. His loss will leave a great void, but his legacy will endure forever. I personally am grateful to have had the opportunity to call John my constituent, my colleague, and my friend. I am a better Congressman, a better citizen, and a better human being for having known him. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to please join me in paying tribute to his legacy.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable woman, Sybyl Atwood. For the past 40 years Sybyl has been the linchpin of the social services community in my hometown, Flint Michigan. On May 11 she will be honored for her selfless work on behalf of the less fortunate at a dinner hosted by the Resource Center in Flint. Relocating to the Flint area after earning her Baccalaureate Degree in Community Development from Central Michigan University, she gathered together a group of volunteers on February 14, 1966 and founded the Volunteer Bureau. Serving as the chief executive officer of the Bureau for more than 20 years, Sybyl defined its direction as an organization promoting volunteerism, grassroots community involvement and expanded delivery of social services in the Flint area. The Bureau evolved into the Voluntary Action Center in 1989 and Sybyl continued at its helm. After merging with United Way, the Voluntary Action Center became part of the Resource Center. Sybyl continues to head the Volunteer Services at the Resource Center. Thousands of volunteers have benefited from her training and guidance. She compiled the Genesee County Community Sourcebook, a reference book listing over 400 service agencies in Genesee County. Sybyl is also responsible for assembling the information and the publishing of the Emergency Assistance Directory, the Youth Volunteer Opportunities Directory, and the Reduced Income Planning Guide. She also coordinates the weekly Volunteer Here column in the Flint Journal and runs the Information and Referral Program. This program receives about 350 calls per month from persons seeking emergency assistance. For her service to the community Sybyl has received the American Society of Training and Development Chapter Award for Service, City of Flint Human Relations Commission People's Award, Genesee County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award, Toastmaster International Regional Communication and Leadership Award, the YWCA of Greater Flint Nina Mills Women of Achievement Award, the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Award, Citizen of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers, and earlier this week Michigan State University named her the 2006 Outstanding Field Educator for the Flint Program. In addition to her work with Volunteer Services, Sybyl is also a founding member of the Emergency Services Council, the Genesee County Service Learning Coalition, the local Americorps collaborative, and has found time to work toward a master's degree in Public Administration. As a member of the Committee Concerned with Housing, she is currently studying the gaps in service in the emergency housing sector. Sybyl works within her neighborhood promoting the historic Carriage Town area and the propagation of Michigan's indigenous plants and grasses. Mr. Speaker, Sybyl Atwood embodies the sentiments in her favorite quotation, ``While there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.'' She is a champion of the poor, the helpless, and the innocent. I am proud of my association with her, grateful for the good that she does, and treasure her inspiration, commitment and wisdom. The Flint community is a more humane place because of Sybyl Atwood. I ask the House of Representatives to rise today and join me in honoring this exceptional woman.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the Bay City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as it celebrates 50 years as a dedicated champion of civil rights. On June 2, 2006 the members of the Bay City Branch will come together to revere its founding members and renew its commitment to justice for all. Roy Wilkins chartered the first branch of the NAACP in Bay City in 1918. This was at a time when the NAACP was instrumental in convincing President Woodrow Wilson to publicly denounce lynching. The Branch was disbanded but it was re-chartered in 1938 by Attorney Oscar Baker Sr. and chartered a third time in 1946. In 1955, NAACP member Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery Alabama bus and one of the largest grassroots civil rights movements was born. The NAACP was at the forefront of this struggle and Reverend Obie Matthew, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church, organized the present Bay City Branch the following year on October 8, 1956. 50 years later the Branch is still fighting for equality of all citizens. The Bay City Branch has led the fight against discrimination in housing, education, employment, healthcare, and the criminal justice system. Some of its notable fights were the Migrant Negroes from Georgia Case, the Bay County Skating Rink Case in the 1960s, the Woolworth 5 & 10 Store Sit-in, the hiring of the first African American teachers by the Bay City School District, and the inclusion of a Black History Class in the Bay City Central High School curriculum. The Branch has given away more than 70 scholarships to high school students. They have supported CORY Place, sponsored a summer USDA Food and Activity program for children, and worked with other local agencies to improve the living conditions in Bay City. The hymn, ``Lift Every Voice and Sing,'' was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900. In it he wrote, ``Sing a song full of hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.'' Under the current leadership of President Idella White, the Bay City Branch is marching on in the fight to remove barriers to racial equality. The Bay City Branch remains committed to educating citizens about their constitutional rights, and the adverse effects of racial discrimination. Mr. Speaker, I am asking the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Bay City Branch of the NAACP for 50 years of commitment to social justice. The members are to be commended for their steadfast fight against racial hatred and I pray that together we will eliminate this scourge from our nation and the world.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, my constituent Steve Grandstaff is shop chairman of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 651, which represents hourly workers at Delphi East in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. For the record I would like to read an excerpt of the electronic testimony that Steve wrote for the Education and the Workforce Committee e-hearing on the impact of the Delphi bankruptcy filing: I am the Shop Chairperson of UAW Local 651 in Flint, servicing Delphi Flint East and representing 2,800 hard working people. Early on in this whole saga I had a realization what the whole issue boils down to. I refer to it as the promise; the promise was part of the deal. The deal was that you came to work and did your job for 30 years and at the end of that time you could have the opportunity to go on your way with a somewhat comfortable pension to see you through your later years. The workers' end of the promise was that they worked the off shifts for the first decade of employment. This meant working the hot days in the summer and the cold ones in the winter. That in itself meant that you were at work when your family and your friends were working normal hours and enjoying life. The promise meant that you worked in the grimy, dangerous conditions. You did boring, monotonous jobs. You suffered the labeling by society because you worked in a factory. You would work the extra hours so that you could get the nice things that life offered. The things that seemed to come easier to other people but in your case you had to do a little extra to get them . . . Over the years many of us had the opportunity to make a decision, should I stay or should I move on to something else. Many, many people stayed on because of the promise. They made decisions not to go to a new career because they were many years into the equation of which the promise weighed oh so heavily. The promise was always out there. The company always reminded anyone that would listen about how they were funding our pensions and used that as a bargaining chip when our wages or benefits were on the table. It was always figured in as a benefit cost even though now some wonder if the company ever really intended to fulfill the promise. Now here we are near the end of our careers, not as young as we used to be, many of us broken. When so many of us are so close to being able to cash in on the promise, the company is attempting to take it away from us . . . Mr. Speaker, this Congress has failed to protect American workers while focusing on protecting the privileged few. It is time for these workers' stories to be heard and I am pleased to have this opportunity to share one of these stories.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, April 8th, the Flint Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Incorporated will present Representative Brenda Clack with the Sojourner Truth Award at the 45th annual luncheon in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Founded in 1935 the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Incorporated seeks to provide a forum for the development of women in the business community and professions. The members come together to provide a place for the exchange of ideas and to encourage new entrepreneurs to succeed in their dreams. They embody the sentiments expressed by Sojourner Truth before the 1851 Women's Rights Convention, ``If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back and get it right-side up again.'' At the annual luncheon, the Flint Club honors a member of the community that has exemplified the commitment to the ideals of the association and the persevering spirit of Sojourner Truth. This year the Flint Club has chosen Michigan State Representative Brenda Clack to receive this prestigious award. Brenda moved to Michigan after attending Tennessee State University. She quickly made her mark in the Flint community through her involvement with the NAACP, Urban League, the United Teachers of Flint, the Michigan Education Association, and as a member of Vernon Chapel AME Church. A lifelong educator, she spent 32 years teaching History and Economics in the Flint Public School System before being elected to public office. In 1995 she was selected as Michigan's Economic Teacher of the Year, the following year she received the Flint Optimist's Outstanding Achievement in Education Award and she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa's Hall of Fame. Elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2002, Brenda serves the constituents of the 34th House District. Besides serving on several House Standing Committees, she founded the ``Flint Speaks Out Against Violence'' task force and was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve with the National Governors Association Policy Academy. Brenda's community involvement is highlighted by her work mentoring students, celebrating grandparents raising their grandchildren, and collecting blankets for the needy. Brenda is married to Floyd Clack, a former State Representative and former Genesee County Commissioner. She is mother to Michael and Mia. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me and applaud the accomplishments of Representative Brenda Clack as she is honored for her kinship and inspiration to the Flint area.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Olivia Maynard as she receives the Eleanor Roosevelt Award from the Michigan Democratic Women's Caucus. Olivia will be honored at a luncheon on Saturday, April 8th in Detroit. Olivia Maynard, also known as Libby, has served the people of Michigan in numerous capacities since graduating from the University of Michigan in 1971 with a Master of Social Work degree. After serving as the director of the Office of Services to the Aging, she ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1990 with Governor Jim Blanchard. President Clinton appointed her to the Federal Council on Aging, and she served as a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging. Elected in 1996 as a Regent of the University of Michigan, she was re-elected in 2004 and continues in that capacity at the present time. Deeply committed to Michigan and its people, Libby was a founding member of Michigan Prospect an organization committed to connecting government to its citizens and creating a caring democratic society. Currently serving as President of Michigan Prospect, Libby devotes her time and energy to bringing about a diverse, just, humane state of Michigan. Libby also serves as a trustee of the C.S. Mott Foundation, on the boards of the Nature Conservancy of Michigan, McLaren Regional Medical Center, the Council on Michigan Foundations and the Council on Foundations. She is the past chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Along with her husband, S. Olof Karlstrom, an attorney in private practice, they have generously supported Michigan establishments. Their gift of $2.25 million to the University of Michigan School of Social Work is just one example of their commitment to supporting the institutions and ideas that will make the future of Michigan brighter. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to stand with me and applaud the tremendous contributions Olivia Maynard has made to the promotion of dignity, justice, education, and social well-being. Her lifelong commitment to all segments of society has made a positive impact on the lives of countless persons. I value her support, counsel and common sense. Olivia Maynard is one of the giants of the Flint Michigan community and I am honored to call her my friend.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas for offering this amendment. It is a step in the right direction on some of the provisions that I expressed concern over yesterday, and I have no objection to its adoption, urge its adoption. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, as I said yesterday, I would like to be down here on the floor to say that H.R. 609 is a genuine bipartisan reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. That is really not the case. Two months after the $12 billion heist on student aid, we are considering another bill that is a missed opportunity. I am proud to join Ranking Member Miller, along with Representatives Bobby Scott, Danny Davis, and Raul Grijalva in offering a higher education bill that is in touch with the needs of everyday Americans. Instead of missing another opportunity to expand college access, this substitute seizes this opportunity to make college more affordable by slashing interest rates in half for the next year. This is a down payment on reversing the raid on student aid. Additionally, it will expand college participation rates for minority students by establishing a graduate Hispanic-serving institution program and a predominantly black institution program and by providing additional assistance for tribal colleges. Instead of supporting the Missed College Opportunity Act, I ask my colleagues to seize this opportunity to act in the interest of students and families. America's students and families deserve better. Vote ``no'' on H.R. 609. Vote ``yes'' on the Democratic substitute.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I do not intend to oppose the amendment.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I would like to claim the time in opposition, although I do not oppose it.

Mr. KILDEE. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I really think this would lead to a violation of privacy and have a chilling effect upon that which the Supreme Court has permitted in the case against Bollinger from the University of Michigan where I attended. It was a very narrow decision of the Supreme Court. I and my two sons attended the University of Michigan; and we, as members of the majority, benefited from a very sensitive, sensitivity to minorities. We benefited from that because we had a larger universe in which to study. So we gained from the fact that we were broadened out by the fact that there was a certain sensitivity towards minorities, very narrowly construed now by the Supreme Court. So I think it is a win-win situation. We should leave it alone. The Supreme Court has made its decision. It is very clear that colleges are following this, and I think to have all this reporting serves no useful purpose and would also, I think, lead to a violation of privacy and would, because of the reporting, even have a chilling effect upon the use of this.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is certainly thoughtful, realistic and sensitive, and I urge everyone to support it. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment and urge its adoption.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, after a highly contentious debate over a $12 billion raid on student aid, I was hoping to build some bridges and work together with the rest of the higher education reauthorization. Unfortunately, after countless hours of negotiations, we reached an impasse, and we are considering another bill that falls short of my hopes. We were able to reach agreement on year-round Pell Grants pilot program, student aid application simplification, loan forgiveness in areas of national need and minimum grants for tribal colleges. I am pleased that Chairman McKeon was willing to work with me on these important improvements, but my concerns in the bill still outweigh these improvements. Additionally, it is incumbent upon me to both lead and serve the members of my committee, and my Democratic colleagues on the Education and Workforce Committee have spoken loud and clear. They cannot support this bill. They, too, are pleased with the modifications I mentioned, but it just is not enough to call this a bipartisan bill. In truth, H.R. 609 does little to help make college more affordable for students and families already struggling to pay increasing tuition costs. H.R. 609 does not increase student aid; does not lower interest rates to make loans more manageable; does not promote greater State investment in higher education. It freezes the authorized level of the maximum Pell Grant scholarship, at just $200 above current levels, through 2013 and it does not include any mandatory increase in Pell. H.R. 609 establishes a troublesome standard for transfer of credit, creating an unprecedented Federal role in college curriculum standards which discourages schools from setting high academic standards. At a time when America's workforce is facing fierce global competition, the Federal Government should not be encouraging our colleges to reduce their academic standards. H.R. 609 many puts forth a drastic plan to allow States to act as accreditors. Colleges currently have to meet three independent standards: one set for eligibility for Federal aid; the second one for State licensing; and another for regional or national accreditation. A classic example of consolidation of power, H.R. 609 would allow States too much control over accreditation. The current trinity of independent standards is key to maintaining America's high quality higher education. Here, too, undermining such standards will undermine America's global competitiveness. It is unsettling for me to know that we are missing a real opportunity to make college more affordable and accessible, to boost America's economic competitiveness and to invest in America's continued prosperity. But that is what we have here today, a missed opportunity. With major national student groups, unions and countless colleges, including my own University of Michigan, opposed to the bill, it has become clear that this is not a bill we should send to the Senate. Fortunately, Mr. Chairman, this debate is not over after today's vote. I hope we can revisit our attempts at bipartisanship once this bill goes to conference. I wish I was down here on the floor to say great things about this bill, but I have to oppose H.R. 609, and I would ask my colleagues to do the same.