Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mrs. Barbara Daniel who is being inducted into the West Tech High School Hall of Fame by the West Tech Alumni Association. Barbara graduated from West Tech High School in 1962. At the age of 40, Barbara enrolled at Cleveland State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1999. Several years later, she earned her Master's Degree in English. Barbara spent 25 years in the financial services industry supporting insurance agents and financial planners. In 2001, she established Insurance Resources, and worked as a financial consultant to insurance agencies. During her career in the financial sector, Barbara served as the President of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors. In 2004, Barbara changed careers and became the owner, publisher and editor of The Cleveland Women's Journal--East Edition. The mission of the magazine is ``to empower women through knowledge.'' In addition to her career, Barbara has been an active member of her community. She served as president of the Women's City Club from 2003 until 2006. Barbara is currently a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the League of Women Voters, Women in Networking, Working Women Connection, the YWCA, the American Advertising Federation, the American Marketing Association. She is also the secretary of the Dancing Wheels Board of Directors and serves on the Board of Directors for the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce. Because of her work ethic and dedication to her community, Barbara has received several awards. In 1994, Barbara received Valmark Securities' ``Excellence is the Exceptional Drive to Exceed Expectations'' award. She has also been awarded the Women's City Club Elsa Pavlik award in 2003 and was a finalist for Inside Business magazine's Athena Award in 2005. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mrs. Barbara Daniel for being honored by West Tech Alumni Association and being named to the West Tech High School Hall of Fame.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Kenneth Swade who is being inducted into the West Tech High School Hall of Fame by the West Tech Alumni Association. While attending West Tech High School, Kenneth was a member of the 1956 and 1957 cross country state championship teams. He graduated from West Tech in 1958 and attended Bowling Green University on an athletic scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1962. Upon graduating, he began teaching and coaching at Kennard Junior High. In 1964, Kenneth returned to West Tech High School as a teacher and coach. While teaching, Kenneth studied at John Carroll University, where he earned a Master of Arts in Education, focusing on psychology and counseling. After finishing his graduate program in 1968, Kenneth began working as a counselor at A.B. Hart Junior High School. In 1980 he was named School-to-Work Apprenticeship Coordinator. Kenneth enrolled at Kent State University to further his education again and in 1983 graduated with a Master of Arts in Education, focusing on Administration and Supervision. Before retiring in 2001, he spent his career as vocational coordinator at Max. S. Hayes, West Tech, Jane Addams Business Careers and East Technical high schools. Throughout his career, Kenneth was recognized with a number of awards and accolades. He has been named ``Outstanding Educator,'' ``Outstanding Vocational Coordinator'' twice, ``Man of the Year Award'' by the Rotary Club of Cleveland, and ``Most Outstanding Senior High School Teacher.'' In 1996, the Ohio Department of Education named him to the Ohio Vocational Educational Leadership Institute. In addition to his career as an educator Kenneth has been an active member of his community. For several years, he was the Teacher/ Coordinator for the Action for Children and Youth in Transition. After retiring in 2001 to Florida with his wife, Dr. Vera Swade, he is serving as President of the Central Citrus Rotary and was also the Council President of his church. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. Kenneth Swade for being honored by West Tech Alumni Association and being named to the West Tech High School Hall of Fame.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Edward Zajac, who is being posthumously inducted into the West Tech High School Hall of Fame by the West Tech Alumni Association. Edward was born in Cleveland, Ohio in January 1926 to his parents, who were Polish immigrants. He graduated Valedictorian from West Tech High School in 1944 and was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve during World War II. He was a radioman in a tank division in Europe and was stationed with the U.S. Army Intelligence in southern Germany until being discharged. He married Brooky Mary Calhoun in 1954. They were married for 54 years. Following his stint with the U.S. Army, Edward graduated from Cornell University as Valedictorian with a degree in engineering, a Masters degree from Princeton University and a doctoral degree from Stanford University. For 30 years Edward worked at AT&T's Bell Telephone Laboratories in the mathematics research unit and later as head of economics research. In 1963, as an engineer, he created the world's first computer animation. His animated films became internationally known and garnered him awards from the U.S. and abroad. Following his career with AT&T, in 1983, Edward moved from New Jersey to Arizona and became chairman of the University of Arizona's Eller School of Managers' economics department. As a professor and later, professor emeritus, Edward published numerous articles and two texts for graduate level courses. His former colleagues have since established a prize for doctoral students at Arizona University in his honor. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Edward Zajac as he is named to the West Tech High School Hall of Fame.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mrs. Ann Frangos, who is being inducted into the West Tech High School Hall of Fame by the West Tech Alumni Association. Ann is the daughter of Greek immigrants Spiros and Helen Drapos. While attending West Tech High School, she was a busy and active student. She was captain of the Warriorettes, editor of the yearbook, member of the Gym Leaders, All City Chorus, A-Chorus, and French Club. Ann graduated from West Tech in 1968 as the class valedictorian. She attended Baldwin Wallace College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. She went on to earn a Master of Science degree in mathematics while teaching high school mathematics in Parma Heights. After finishing her graduate program at Cleveland State University in 1977, she began working at AT&T as an operations research analyst. Throughout her long career Ann has held a number of positions with AT&T in the finance, accounting operations, budgeting, long-range planning, and human resources departments. In 2007, Ann was named Executive Director. She is responsible for accounts receivable management for Global Business Services division, which consists of AT&T's largest international and domestic business customers. In addition to her career, Ann is also an active member of the Greater Cleveland community. She serves on the Board of Directors of In Counsel with Women and is a board member and assistant treasurer of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society of Rocky River. Ann and her husband, Louis, currently live in Westlake. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mrs. Ann Frangos for being honored by West Tech Alumni Association and being named to the West Tech High School Hall of Fame.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Cleveland, a group of business, professional and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build good will and peace in the world. Rotary International was founded in 1905 and today there are more than 34,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide with 1.2 million members in over 200 countries. Each chapter is dedicated to supporting education and job training, providing clean water, combating hunger, improving health and sanitation, and eradicating polio and other childhood diseases. The Rotary Club of Cleveland was founded in 1910 and was the 18th chartered Rotary Club in the United States. The motto for Cleveland's Rotary Club is ``Service Above Self.'' The Rotary Club of Cleveland has a number of ongoing programs and projects that aid communities in the Greater Cleveland area and abroad. Internationally, the Rotary Club of Cleveland has been involved in humanitarian projects in Laos, Mexico, Pakistan, Uganda, Lithuania, Indonesia, India and Kenya. Additionally, every charter of Rotary International is involved in the PolioPlus program. PolioPlus focuses on global immunization in hopes of eradicating the world of polio. The Rotary Club of Cleveland is dedicated to serving the Greater Cleveland area and has a number of programs designed to improve, support and recognize excellence within the community. Cleveland's Rotary Club has maintained the West 25th Street Rapid Station, which services Cleveland's West Market, for more than 35 years. For more than 40 years the Club has been awarding area police, fire and EMS heroes with the Medal of Valor. The Cleveland Rotary Club's largest impact programs are those dedicated to Greater Cleveland's youth. Their program, College Now!, has provided scholarship support for hundreds of students throughout the area. Other successful projects include Achievement Centers for Children, Thesmacher High School Recognition Day, Project YESS, and support of the Old Stone Education Center. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the Rotary Club of Cleveland as they celebrate 100 years of service to the Cleveland community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 30th anniversary of Slavic Village Development, SVD, an organization committed to ``revitalizing the Broadway neighborhood through rehabilitation of existing housing, storefronts and buildings; construction of new homes; retention of existing buildings and recruitment of new ones; and provision of housing services and community organizing programs to improve the quality of life.'' SVD is a non-profit community development organization dedicated to the North and South Broadway neighborhoods of Cleveland, OH. Throughout the past 30 years, SVD has invested more the $160 million into Slavic Village, one of Cleveland's oldest ethnic communities. This year's 30th anniversary celebration, ``Digging in the Past, Growing the Future,'' focuses on the past accomplishments that SVD has achieved as well as the goals of the organization's future. Throughout the past 30 years, SVD has developed more than 300,000 square feet of new office and retail space, built or rehabilitated 1000 homes, renovated 100 storefronts, hosted 33 Harvest Festivals, led 14 neighborhood summits, installed eight public art projects and reconstructed Broadway and Bessemer Avenues, among other projects. Some of the projects SVD looks forward to in the future include building more new homes at the Trailside development site and, in Hyacinth, reconstructing Fleet Avenue and re-imagining Broadway Slavic Village. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 30th anniversary of SVD. SVD will continue to work on behalf of the residents of Cleveland's Slavic Village, dedicated to their mission; ``To preserve, empower, and advance Slavic Village as a thriving diverse neighborhood. Essential to our neighborhood is its unique identity with quality housing anchored by excellent recreational, educational, cultural, religious, and institutional anchors supported by a vibrant retail, commercial, and industrial base.''

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the opening and dedication of the Ukrainian Village Park and Annual Ukrainian Village Parade taking place on September 24, 2011. With a growing population of more than 50,000, the Ukrainian community has been a staple in the Greater Cleveland area for decades. In October, 2008, the City of Parma City Council became the first local government in Northeast Ohio to sponsor an ethnic neighborhood; Ukrainian Village. Ukrainian Village covers two miles along State Road and is home to Ukrainian butcher shops, credit unions, two Ukrainian Orthodox churches and now Ukrainian Village Park. The mission of Ukrainian Village is, ``To preserve, empower, and advance Ukrainian Village as a thriving neighborhood by celebrating the culture and heritage of Ukrainian Americans and to collaborate with the City of Parma in creating business and economic development within its boundaries.'' The Ukrainian Village Parade and Ukrainian Village Park dedication will be hosted by the City of Parma, Ukrainian Village Committee and the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio. The United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio has represented more than 50 Ohio organizations since 1928. This year's Ukrainian Village celebration will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, include an annual parade and festival and feature the opening and dedication of the Ukrainian Village Park. This year's parade will include, for the first time, all five of Parma's high school's bands; Parma Senior High School, Normandy High School, Valley Forge High School, Padua Franciscan High School and Holy Name High School. Additionally, the parade will feature church groups, civic organizations, representatives from the Polish, Hungarian, German, Irish and Slovak communities, Ukrainian Village businesses, numerous Ukrainian-American organizations, singers, dancers, school children, and His Eminence Archbishop Antony. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me as Greater Cleveland celebrates the opening and dedication of the Ukrainian Village Park and Annual Ukrainian Village Parade.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 160th anniversary of St. Michael Catholic Church in Independence, Ohio. St. Michael Catholic Church was founded in 1851 when Bishop Amadeus Rappe commissioned Father Nicholas Roupp to begin celebrating Mass in Independence, Ohio. There had recently been an influx in the area of Catholic Swiss and German immigrants. After operating for several decades as a mission church, in 1888, the Cleveland Catholic Diocese raised the community to parochial status and Father Peter Scerer became St. Michael's first pastor. After two pastors in just a couple of years, St. Michael Parish reverted back to a mission and was served by the Jesuit Fathers of St. Mary Parish. Throughout the 20th Century, St. Michael Parish experienced many renovations and expansions. In 1900, the congregation welcomed its third pastor, Father Albert Aust. Under the leadership of Father Aust, St. Michael Parish thrived and added a new rectory, school, and in 1908, teachers from the Notre Dame Sisters. The parish later added a sister's residence in 1934, built a new school in 1950, erected a new church in 1955 and new rectory in 1968. In 1990, a new social hall and gymnasium were constructed and named Rappe Hall, in honor of Bishop Amadeus Rappe. Most recently, in 2001, St. Michael completed an interior renovation of the current church on Chestnut Road. The St. Michael congregation will celebrate its 160th anniversary in conjunction with the annual Feast of St. Michael. This year's celebration will include an Oktoberfest dinner, arcade games, and donations will be collected for both the St. Michael School Student Council's ``Jeans for January'' drive and St. Vincent DePaul Society's Food Pantry. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the 160 years of service that St. Michael Catholic Church has provided to the parishioners of Independence, Ohio.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Sister Maureen Doyle, who is being recognized for 25 years of service as the director of the Urban Community School. Sister Maureen Doyle was born and raised in the Cleveland area. She is an Ursuline Sister of Cleveland. Sister Maureen earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education from St. John College of Cleveland and a Masters of Education from Boston College. She began her career as an educator in 1973 and has worked for St. Charles School, St. Ann School, St. Clare School and is currently serving in her 26th year as the director of Urban Community School, UCS. Under Sister Maureen's leadership, UCS has thrived at providing an individualized, Catholic/Christian, quality education to the children of Cleveland's Near West Side neighborhoods; primarily to those who, otherwise, might not have access to such an education. In 1987, during her first year as director, UCS was the first school in Cleveland to receive the Excellence in Education Award from the U.S. Department of Education. In 2005, Sister Maureen led UCS' transition to a new, larger facility that accommodates 50 additional students. As a result of the expansion, UCS also added an art program, art room, science lab and full-time counseling program. Because of her dedication to the students of UCS, Sister Maureen has been awarded with the Diocese of Cleveland Catholic School Excellence Award, the YWCA Greater Cleveland Women of Achievement Award, an Honorary Degree from John Carroll University and the Irish Good Fellowship Award. In addition to her work with UCS, Sister Maureen is an active member of the Greater Cleveland community. She has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club, City Club of Cleveland, Laurel School and St. Ignatius High School. Currently, Sister Maureen is a member of the Education Committee for the Cleveland Museum of Art and Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Sister Maureen Doyle as she is recognized for her contributions to the Cleveland's Near West Side community as director of the Urban Community School.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the grand opening of the new Blind Rehabilitation Center at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veteran Affairs Medical Center, VAMC, on September 26, 2011. The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center is dedicated to the quality care of all veterans. It is the fifth largest VA in the country and serves close to 95,000 veterans annually. The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center was the first VA to receive disease specific accreditation for Inpatient Diabetes Care in 2007 and has also received a special commendation by the American College of Surgeons as a Certified Comprehensive Cancer Program. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 157,000 Veterans who are legally blind and more than one million more suffer from low vision. On September 26, 2011, the Cleveland VAMC will celebrate the grand opening of their new Blind Rehabilitation Center, BRC. The 28,000 square-foot, 15-inpatient-bed BRC will care for blind and low-vision Veterans from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia and Kentucky. In addition to working with Veterans to regain their independence and quality of life, the BRC will offer support to the Veterans' families, helping them better understand visual impairment and providing support that will reduce caregiver burden. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the grand opening of the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veteran Affairs Medical Center's new Blind Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we learned that, according to Environment Ohio, the Cleveland Lorain Elyria area has the 14th smoggiest air among all large metropolitan areas in the U.S. Only a few weeks ago, the President announced he would prevent an update of the rule designed to reduce smog. The American people deserve clean air. The Bush Administration failed to update National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act for ozone pollution until 2006, when a standard was issued which was much less protective of public health than his scientific advisory board recommended; 75 parts per billion (ppb) of ozone, an air pollutant that is hazardous to fragile lung tissue. The scientific advisors' recommendation was between 60 and 70 ppb, which would have avoided up to 8,000 premature deaths; 3,800 nonfatal heart attacks; and 40,000 asthma attacks every year. The science is clear. By invoking the industry fake argument that pulling back the update will help the economy, the Obama Administration has chosen to act in contravention of the Clean Air Act, which clearly prohibits consideration of costs in setting the standards designed to protect public health. Everyone has a right to clean air. This abdication of responsibility affects millions of Americans every day, with every breath. It disproportionately affects the most vulnerable among us, like children, the elderly, and the ill. The story of the ozone rule is aptly told by Verna Riffe Biemel, a constituent of mine. She said: ``On Aug. 4, 2010, my mother succumbed to lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis. I vividly remember the difficulty she had breathing on bad air days. In fact, during her last year, she couldn't go outside at all on those days and felt the difference inside. No one likes to see a loved one struggle to breathe. No one should have to fight for clean air. Congress owes the American public the opportunity to breathe clean air.'' She is right. If the President won't do it, Congress should.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland's 88th Annual Feast of St. Wenceslaus on September 24, 2011 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. This year's celebration will also honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of Cleveland's former Holy Family Parish. St. Wenceslaus is the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Every year, his feast day, September 28th, is celebrated by Czech communities around the world. St. Wenceslaus was the leader of Old Bohemia during the early part of the 10th Century. During his tenure as king, St. Wenceslaus took a vow of chastity and was devoted to his Christian faith. Killed by his brother, St. Wenceslaus was later canonized as a martyr of the Christian faith. In addition to celebrating the Feast of St. Wenceslaus, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the former Holy Family Parish will be recognized at this year's celebration. Holy Family was founded on November 6, 1911 after Father Rudolph Habrda noticed Bohemian families moving into Cleveland's Woodland Hills neighborhood. Over the years, as parishioners began to move to the suburbs, the parish school merged with St. Cecilia, Epiphany and St. Mary of Czestochowa to form Mr. Pleasant Elementary School. In 1988, the Holy Family Parish was closed. Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is one of only two Czech congregations left in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, along with St. John Nepomucene in Slavic Village. The Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland will gather together on September 24th for mass and a celebration featuring the Hronek Czech Band. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the 88th Annual Feast of St. Wenceslaus. I offer my best wishes to the Czech Catholics of Greater Cleveland and all those who attend this joyous celebration.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize September 23, 2011, as the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association's (CMBA) 3rd Annual ``David Webster Greener Way to Work Day,'' and to remember David Webster, legal scholar, litigator, entrepreneur, and environmentalist, who died at age 46 from cancer on March 13, 2009, but whose achievements were many in his short life. David Webster overcame alcoholism at a young age and went on to sponsor others in recovery. He accomplished much and saw life as an adventure. At Case Western Reserve School of Law, he graduated magna cum laude and was an editor of Law Review, where he met his wife Beth. Upon graduation from law school, David became a commercial lawyer with broad experience in matters involving banking, commodity trading, securities, technology, real estate, intellectual property, and his passion, environmental law. Merging his knowledge of commodity trading and environmental law, he founded INHALE, which later became the Clean Air Conservancy, an organization which worked within the manufacturing economy and the commodities market to reduce air pollution by acquiring and retiring pollution allowances. Outside Magazine dubbed the Clean Air Conservancy one of the 10 best small environmental non-profits. David Webster was an aggressive litigator who took on music giant Sony and won a judgment of more than $5 million for the late Cleveland music producer Steve Popovich over credit for Meatloaf's hottest album, ``Bat out of Hell.'' He was a founding partner of the law firm Webster & Dubyak and was also actively involved in the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He was a driving force behind the merger of the Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Bar Associations and was the President-elect of the merged CMBA at the time of his passing. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, today, we observe the 3rd Annual David Webster Greener Way to Work Day. The CMBA encourages us to find a greener way to travel to and from work, whether through public transportation, biking, walking or carpooling. The CMBA will honor David's memory with a noon luncheon at the CMBA offices with a special tribute presentation. Please join me in honoring the memory of David Webster by joining with the CMBA in taking action to protect our environment.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2401, The TRAIN Act. This bill would continue the subordination of public health and common sense to the narrow, temporary and misguided pursuit of profits for the few. It endeavors to kill essential environmental and public health protections by imposing the exact kind of redtape my colleagues so emphatically claim to oppose. The TRAIN Act slams the brakes on essential public health initiatives, first by burdening the initiatives with unnecessary and redundant study. These regulations include efforts to reduce airborne ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, toxic metals like mercury, arsenic and chromium, and any effort to stem greenhouse gases, the single biggest threat to our way of life and our very existence in recorded history. The TRAIN Act also tries to overtly stop two essential rules. It indefinitely blocks EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics standards and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule by eliminating any legal deadline for EPA action. It prevents EPA from adopting the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule for a minimum of 19 months, and the Mercury and Air Toxics standards for at least 15 months. Each year the Cross-State Air Pollution rule is delayed brings about up to 34,000 premature deaths, 19,000 emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and about 400,000 cases of aggravated asthma. The pollution reductions under the rule are estimated to create health benefits of $59 billion to $140 billion per year; 5 to 13 times its costs. Each year the Mercury and Air Toxics rule is delayed brings about 17,000 additional premature deaths, 12,200 emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and about 120,000 cases of aggravated asthma. Enacting the rule would bring about health benefits of $120 to $280 billion per year; 150 to 350 times its costs. If I told you Washington, DC were to incur an act of terrorism that would cost over 50,000 lives over the next year, I guarantee you this Congress would launch a multibillion dollar effort to save those lives. If an explosion at a nuclear power plant killed a baseball stadium's worth of people, you can bet we would spend billions of dollars figuring out what went wrong, conducting cleanup, performing oversight, and so much more. If a massive flood caused an outbreak of an enigmatic infectious disease that killed 34,000 people over 12 months, you can be certain we would mobilize all levels of government and the private sector to stop it. There would be clearly identifiable victims. There would be heroes. Not so in the field of public health where the victims are harder to identify and the cause of their death, less grandiose. We have an opportunity here to prevent the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Americans for far less money than it would cost to relaunch a war on terror, to clean up after a nuclear catastrophe, or to stop the spread of a flood-borne emerging infectious disease. There are many environmental issues demanding our attention which will require remedies that are simply not cost-effective, in the narrowly defined economic sense of the term. The regulations at issue today do not fall into that category. This bill is a true test of fiscal rectitude. I urge my colleagues to reject it.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps, an organization of volunteers who are dedicated to helping individuals build better lives for themselves by living and working in developing countries. Following President John F. Kennedy's challenge to 5,000 students at the University of Michigan to dedicate two years of their lives to help people in developing countries, the Peace Corps was officially established on March 1, 1961. Young people throughout the country were inspired, and by June 22, 1961, Peace Corps Director Sargent Shriver had received 11,000 applications. On August 30, 1961, the first group of Peace Corps volunteers arrived to serve as teachers in Ghana. By December of 1961, more than 500 volunteers were working in nine countries around the world. Today, 50 years after the Peace Corps began; there are more than 8,600 active volunteers and trainees working in 76 different countries. The mission of the Peace Corps that was adopted in 1961 still remains the organization's mission today. ``Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.'' Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has continued to adapt to the needs of developing countries. Volunteers work in areas such as education, business development, environmental preservation, youth development, agriculture and HIV/AIDS relief. Returned Peace Corps volunteers return to the U.S. with incomparable experience and have gone on to become directors of the Peace Corps, Members of Congress, presidents of universities and CEOs in the business world. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of the more than 200,000 volunteers who have dedicated themselves to promoting world peace and friendship throughout 139 countries over the past 50 years.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the dedication of The University of Akron Lakewood Higher Education Center. The University of Akron Lakewood will give students throughout Cuyahoga County an opportunity to benefit from the quality education that The University of Akron (UA) has been providing its students for more than one hundred years. Founded in 1870 by John R. Buchtel, the University of Akron was originally Buchtel College. When Butchel College first opened its doors in 1872, 46 collegiate students were taught by seven faculty members. Over the past 140 years, UA has expanded and in 2010 welcomed 4,796 freshman students, the largest incoming class in the school's history. Today, the University of Akron offers 300 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 29,000 students. The Princeton Review listed UA among the ``Best in the Midwest'' in its 2011 edition of Best Colleges: Region-by-Region. The University of Akron Lakewood Higher Education Center will be housed in downtown Lakewood's Bailey Building on the corner of Warren Road and Detroit Avenue. The Lakewood location will offer variety of classes for students enrolled in the College of Nursing, College of Education and College of Business. Additionally, general education courses will be offered to high school students who wish to pursue dual-enrollment. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the new University of Akron Lakewood Higher Education Center.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of International Day of Peace. This year represents the 30th anniversary of this global celebration and focus on international peace. In 1981, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly first established the International Day of Peace. It mandated that it be observed annually on the third Tuesday of September, coinciding with the opening of the General Assembly. The resolution was introduced jointly by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica. The first International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, was observed in 1982. In 2001, a new resolution passed the UN General Assembly, specifying September 21st as the annual day of non-violence and cease-fire. Today, September 21, 2011, marks the 30th anniversary of International Peace Day. This year's theme is ``Peace and Democracy: Make Your Voice Heard.'' The UN welcomes nations throughout the world ``to honor a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.'' UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon will also ring the Peace Bell today at the UN Headquarters. The Peace Bell was donated by Japan in 1549 and is inscribed with the phrase, ``Long live absolute world peace.'' Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me as the global community comes together to celebrate the UN's International Day of Peace.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the military's ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' (DADT) policy officially ended. Yesterday, J.D. Smith, a 25 year-old Air Force officer and gay rights advocate could drop his pseudonym and come out as who he is--1st Lieutenant Josh Seefried. Yesterday, Maj. Darrel Choat, a gay Marine officer wrote in The Washington Post: ``I am a patriotic American. I am an officer who loves country and Corps. I am doing my best to serve honorably and proudly. And I happen to be gay.'' Yesterday, a policy that since 1993 has led to over 14,000 servicemembers being fired simply for being open about their sexual orientation officially ended, allowing Major Choat, 1st Lt. Seefried and thousands of other servicemembers to continue their service in the U.S. military without having to hide who they are. Policies like ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'', which created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust among colleagues serving side-by-side, have no place in the military. I applaud the official end of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' and the significance of its repeal in ensuring equality in our military and in securing rights for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. When Will Marine Leadership Stand Up for Gay Service Members? (By Darrel Choat) If President Obama could have ended ``don't ask, don't tell'' by announcing a policy change, rather than his intent to work with Congress to repeal the law, in his 2010 State of the Union address, I might have served in the Marines openly but quietly. But the repeal debate turned ugly, and as gay veterans and gay soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan were disrespected by military and civilian leaders, I realized that a quiet transition was not an honorable course of action. Remarks by senior Marine leaders made clear that their conception of ``Marine'' did not include those who were gay. During and following his confirmation hearings in fall 2010, Commandant Gen. James F. Amos said that he did not want his Marines dying because of a ``distraction.'' He probably meant that managing the repeal would be a distraction, but many gay Marines, myself included, felt that Amos was saying that we were the distraction that would get our fellow Marines killed. Given the number of gay Marines in combat, this comment was deeply hurtful. I am a patriotic American. I am an officer who loves country and Corps. I am doing my best to serve honorably and proudly. And I happen to be gay. My challenge is not to simply acknowledge my sexuality as a Marine officer but for my actions to reflect the legacy of the Declaration of Independence--that all Americans are created equal and deserve equal consideration from their government. My task is to demand no less from my country and Corps. I understand that my statements will prompt anger and disgust among some active-duty and retired Marines. History demonstrates, however, that deliberate steps are necessary to overcome the legacy of dishonor and prejudice such as that inspired by ``don't ask, don't tell.'' I have confidence that my Corps will take those steps. While working in the Senate in the 1990s, I remember Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) taking to the floor and disparaging the ``agenda'' of gays and their ``sinful'' and ``deviant'' behavior. I felt helpless. One day Helms stepped into an elevator in which I alone was riding. Slowly, I realized no words could be adequate to confront him. His hate and ignorance could not be rationally discussed. The only effective course, it seemed to me, would be to disprove him by example, by personifying a proud, honorable and gay American who--simply by existing--refuted Helms's demagoguery. I came out to my family years earlier, and I had long been in the habit of letting co-workers become aware of my sexual orientation. Often I made no pronouncements. Engaging in honest discussions about weekend activities or personal relationships was all that was necessary. My guiding principle was simple: If I felt I had to say something or compromise out of fear or shame because I was gay, I had to stop and take the honest course. If I got fired, I got fired. No job was worth the sacrifice of my honor and courage. In 1981, I had been awarded a four-year Marine Corps Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. I was aware that I was different--I hated being different--and I was self- conscious. I found it difficult to interact with other midshipmen and Marines, so I left the program. In 1997, however, I knew that ``don't ask, don't tell'' did not preclude my service; it simply required that I shut up about being gay. So I applied and was accepted to attend Officer Candidate School in Quantico in October 1997. I greatly underestimated the personal cost of this compromise. After the Battle of Saipan in 1944, Marine Commandant Gen. Alexander Vandegrift said, ``The Negro Marines are no longer on trial. They are Marines, period.'' His predecessor, Gen. Thomas Holcomb, had said that ``Negroes did not have the right to demand a place in the corps'' and that ``If it were a question of having a Marine Corps of 5,000 whites or 250,000 Negroes, I would rather have the whites.'' It took leadership for Vandegrift to recognize the heroic service of African American Marines and end officially sanctioned segregation in the Corps. While Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, the service's senior enlisted official, clearly stated in June that a Marine is a Marine, regardless of sexual orientation, I am aware of no senior Marine officer who has followed Vandegrift's lead and set a leadership tone that will turn the page on the prejudice of the past. A January video by Amos and Barrett's predecessor, Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, sent the message simply that the don't-ask law has changed and that Marines follow the law. Action to overcome the legacy of ``don't ask, don't tell'' is still necessary. Vandegrift is an example of the possible. With the formal repeal today of ``don't ask, don't tell,'' it is time for the Marine Corps to end the bigotry and prejudice regarding sexual orientation and to give Marines, combat veterans and Purple Heart recipients the respect and consideration they have earned. Marine Maj. Darrel Choat, a student at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, is the author of a report and personal essay in ``The End of Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' a forthcoming book from Marine Corps University Press. The views expressed here are his own.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2608, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution for FY 2012. This legislation implements a 1.5%, nearly across the board reduction to current spending levels and pays for it by cutting the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program (ATVM). This program is essential to keeping our auto manufacturing industry competitive. I support the cuts to the Overseas Contingency Operations fund, which is used to fund our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other counterterrorism operations. But the rhetoric on cuts to war spending does not match the reality and cost of our policies abroad. Last week, The New York Times highlighted the legal battle currently occurring in the White House over the use of lethal force, of targeted killings against militants abroad by ``drone strikes, cruise missiles or commando raids.'' We talk about ending the wars while planning to expand the use of lethal force--or committing acts of war--in other countries with little to no oversight from Congress. We impose faux deadlines to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and attach cost- savings estimates to them, while at the time same, continuing to push the deadline for withdrawal back. According to the Congressional Research Service, the cost of keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan is $694,000 per soldier per year. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost the United States trillions of dollars and have played a major role in our economic insecurity. The war in Iraq was the first time in American history that the government cut taxes as it went to war, resulting in a war completely funded by borrowing. Soaring oil prices, the ballooning federal debt and the global economic crisis are all intimately linked to our policies of endless war. These are policies we are continuing today. Any serious debate on scaling back spending must include not only cuts to defense spending, but also to the wars the U.S. is currently waging or attempting to expand in other countries such as Somalia, Yemen and Pakistan through our drone campaigns. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of David John Donafee, upon the official naming of the Midpark Post Office, the David J. Donafee Building, and in recognition of his service to our community. Mr. Donafee had longstanding ties within the Cleveland community. The youngest of four siblings, he was born on April 29, 1965, and raised in Brook Park, Ohio. He graduated from Berea High School and Polaris Career Center and went to work as a steelworker prior to his employment with the U.S. Postal Service. Mr. Donafee was tragically killed while delivering mail on his route in Parma Heights, Ohio, on February 14, 2008. Mr. Donafee's legacy in the Greater Cleveland community, and with his colleagues at the postal service, is that of a genial and positive spirit. In addition to his fourteen years of service to the community through the U.S. Postal service, he was well-known in the local hockey community for his support of and involvement in his children's youth hockey league. David Donafee was the kind of employee that anyone would have wanted to have as a colleague. He was always on the lookout for ways to help his customers. In the office, he was conscientious and willing to go above and beyond to help fellow employees. With customers and coworkers alike, he was always courteous. He was dedicated to family and friends. What made him unique and set him apart was that, regardless with whom he interacted, he would add a little bit of humor that would make the day a little easier. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and memory of David John Donafee, upon the official naming of the Midpark Post Office, the David J. Donafee Building on September 18, 2011. Mr. Donafee's service to his family, friends, and the community greatly influenced the lives of everyone he has known. He will forever be remembered along the streets of Parma Heights and throughout the Greater Cleveland community.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, this week, the Palestinian Authority (P.A.) will seek recognition of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders at the United Nations (U.N.) The United States has reportedly given the P.A. private assurances over opposing future Israeli settlement building in the West Bank and has urged the P.A. to return to the negotiating table. Yet the threats by this Congress to cut off aid to the P.A. for making such a move fail to recognize that the efforts of the P.A. to seek recognition from the U.N. and from other states are born directly of the failure of the so-called ``peace process'' that has allowed settlement construction in the West Bank to continue and that threatens to destroy any hope of the very two-state solution we advocate for. In July, I opposed a one-sided resolution that condemned any attempt by the P.A. to seek recognition from the U.N., but made no mention of the continued settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem that led to the breakdown in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. By only holding one side accountable for such unilateral actions, we undermine the very negotiations we claim to support. A just solution and good faith negotiations will not succeed as long as the United States allows settlement building to continue. We cannot be an honest broker or claim to act in Israel's best interests while turning a blind eye to actions that undermine its security. True, long-term stability and security for Israel is dependent on peace with its Palestinian neighbors. I unequivocally support a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But a just, negotiated solution can only be achieved when both sides are held accountable for actions that undermine the reality of a two-state solution on the ground.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 2011 Interdependence Day, celebrated annually on September 12th. Interdependence Day is a global celebration targeted at raising awareness of the interdependent character of global society. Interdependence Day began in 2000, when a small group of international artists, political activists and scholars came together and began a dialogue about the possibilities of interdependence between nations. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2011, this small group's idea began an international movement, the Interdependence Movement. Today, the Interdependence Movement is comprised of a global group of citizens known as Citizens without Borders. This group is focused on ``creating a constructive interdependent consciousness that facilitates global cooperation and global governance.'' Every year since the 2003 Interdependence Day celebration in Philadelphia, the world's citizens have come together in Rome, Paris, Morocco, Mexico City, Brussels, Istanbul, Berlin and most recently, New York City. The 2011 Interdependence Day celebration coincided with the 10th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001 and was especially important to the kick-off of the Interdependence Movement as a year long project. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the 2011 Interdependence Day, which was celebrated on September 12th in New York City. I wish the Citizens without Borders my best as they strive towards an international community that comes together for global peace and understanding.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mrs. Helen W. Soggs, a longtime, active member of the Greater Cleveland community. Helen was born on March 4, 1921, as a first generation American, in Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of four, her family moved to Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood. She attended Oak Park School, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School and James Ford Rhodes High School. Following her high school graduation, in 1939, Helen enrolled in typing and shorthand classes at the Dyke School of Commerce. On May 4, 1941, Helen married Kenneth Soggs. Because of Kenneth's job as a construction equipment operator, the young couple frequently relocated throughout the onset of World War II before returning to Old Brooklyn. During the War, in 1942, Helen became the first woman to be hired by Republic Steel; she worked as a ``scale girl'' for three years. Following the War, Helen and Kenneth started their family and had two sons. The Soggs family would eventually settle in Seven Hills, Ohio. Kenneth and Helen became involved in family-owned furniture stores, including Parma Home Appliance and Pleasant Valley Furniture. Helen would later work for Higbee's on their furniture customer service team. She retired in 1986. Helen was an involved member of the Greater Cleveland community. She was a parishioner of St. Columbkille Catholic Church and an active member of her ladies mission circle. She was involved with the Seven Hills Golden Agers, St. Columbkille Golden Agers, Justo Lane Club and was a longtime volunteer as an election day poll worker. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembrance of Mrs. Helen W. Soggs. I offer my condolences to her sons, Loree and Jim, her eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Jay Williams, who has recently been appointed as the Department of Labor's Executive Director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers by President Obama. Mr. Williams was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended Youngstown State University and studied finance. After graduating, he began working with banks around the Youngstown area. He continued working in the banking industry as an examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Upon leaving the financial industry, Mr. Williams became the director of Youngstown's Community Development Agency. He served as the leader of Youngstown 2010. This ongoing initiative plans for a Youngstown that is ``smaller, greener, cleaner, makes efficient use of its available resources, and capitalizes on its many cultural amenities and business advantages.'' In 2005, Mr. Williams was elected as the Mayor of Youngstown. He was the first African American elected as Youngstown's mayor and was also the first independent candidate elected since 1922. Mr. Williams was re-elected in 2009. On July 6, 2011, President Obama announced Mr. Williams as the Executive Director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers; he began on August 8, 2011. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Jay Williams as he begins his tenure as the Executive Director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers. I extend my congratulations and well wishes as he embarks on this new endeavor.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, as we celebrate the members of this community and their invaluable contributions to the Greater Cleveland Area and to our country. In 1968, Hispanic Heritage Week began; the week was expanded to a month in 1988. Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, a day that is celebrated in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua as the anniversary of their independence. Mexico and Chile's independence days also fall within the month. This year's theme is ``Many Backgrounds, Many Stories . . . One American Spirit.'' Hispanic Heritage month celebrates and illuminates the significant contributions that Americans of Hispanic heritage have had on American culture. Hispanic Americans have contributed immeasurably toward efforts to elevate the human condition. Americans of Hispanic descent have served our country in numerous ways--as elected officials, teachers, musicians, physicians, veterans, community activists, and dedicated employees in virtually every sector of the economy. Their rich and diverse culture has touched the life of every American and has been an invaluable addition to Cleveland's diverse social fabric. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of Hispanic Heritage month of 2011, as we recognize the great contributions made by Hispanic Americans in my district and around the country.