Randy Kuhl

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Chairman, constituents of mine have wisely questioned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's plan to require United States citizens to present passports to travel between Canada and the United States. In addition to standard application fees, the plan will require American citizens to pay for passport photos and travel to a passport application center just to take their families to the Toronto Blue Jays game or to Niagara Falls. There is no question in my mind that we must protect our borders, I think all of our citizens agree with that, from illegal immigrants and potential terrorists. But we should not turn away legitimate business and visitors, as the U.S. and Canadian economies have become interdependent. Therefore, my amendment requires that the Governmental Accounting Office conduct a study of the potentially adverse economic impact that this new requirement for land and sea travelers may have upon American business. I believe that we have a long, long way to go before our borders are finally and fully secured. But I believe that this amendment gets us moving in the right direction, without slamming the door on our neighbors to the north. Mr. Chairman, I understand that there is potentially a legal problem with this amendment. Having actually put it before the Congress for its consideration, certainly the chairman, I believe it's appropriate to withdraw the amendment at this time, and I would do so.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Chairman, earlier this month a security breach occurred along our northern border when an individual on the no- fly list carrying a dangerous strain of tuberculosis successfully crossed the United States border. This breach highlights the security gaps at our northern border that must be immediately addressed. If the Department of Homeland Security cannot adequately meet our Nation's growing security needs, then we in Congress must step in to provide our citizens with the oversight and action that they deserve, so that both our northern and our southern borders will be safe from future threats. I am offering this amendment to take us a step in the right direction of securing our northern border. Most of the action that you are hearing today in this Chamber is dealing with the southern border. This amendment requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study examining the security of the northern border. Specifically, it requires that the GAO evaluate the Customs and Border Patrol's ability to identify and eliminate all potential threats to the northern border under current funding levels. In closing, this is a commonsense amendment that will take us a step in the right direction towards securing our northern border, and I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment. I also understand, Mr. Chairman, that my colleague, the ranking minority member, has a problem with the correctness of this amendment. So not dealing in wanting to further challenge this, I would withdraw my amendment and my statement addressing the needs that I feel are appropriate at this time.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the special environmental achievements of a vibrant small business located in my district. Southco, a manufacturer of access hardware, has reduced the amount of hazardous waste it generates from more than 3,200 pounds in 2002 to zero just 3 years later in 2005. Through systematic changes in their manufacturing process, they have completely ceased producing hazardous waste. Moreover, Southco has committed to reducing its consumption of electricity by 15 percent over the next 3 years. Clearly Southco is a role model for our Nation's businesses when it comes to preserving our precious resources. There is a lot of talk about environmental conservation and energy independence, but through innovative thinking, Southco has delivered tangible results in the private sector and provided an excellent example. This month, the Environmental Protection Agency has made Southco a member of its National Environmental Performance Track Program, designed to honor leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to reducing their negative impact on the environment. I would like to personally thank Southco for being an excellent corporate citizen. Madam Speaker, Southco is a leader in these efforts, and deserves our praise for its forward-thinking, socially conscious practices.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk. Throughout the year, kidney walks will be held nationwide. Specifically, in my congressional district, a kidney walk will be held on June 9, this Saturday, at Eldridge park in Elmira, New York. Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 20 million Americans; and, tragically, 80,000 people die each year from the disease. Additionally, in 2006, 17,000 kidney transplants were performed, yet more than 70,000 people are on the national waiting list for a kidney transplant. The purpose of the kidney walk is to encourage Americans to educate themselves about early detection and prevention of kidney disease and to promote awareness of organ donation. The walks are for a good and a very important cause, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting them.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 101 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Glenn H. Curtiss from my hometown of Hammondsport, New York. Glenn Curtiss was a true transportation pioneer. This week, I introduced House Resolution 84 to recognize Glenn Curtiss for setting the world's speed record on the first V-8 powered motorcycle exactly 100 years ago today. In honor of that ride in 1907, the Curtiss Museum and the City of Ormond Beach, Florida, which is the ``birthplace of speed,'' hosted a Curtiss motorcycle run on the beach today, January 24, 2007. In addition to his recordbreaking speed, which was 137 miles an hour, Mr. Curtiss was the founder of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, now part of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Glenn Curtiss also developed the first successful sea plane and manufactured the famous World War I Jenny training plane. Again, Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Glenn Curtiss, and I encourage all Members to join me in honoring the legacy of Mr. Curtiss and cosponsoring House Resolution 84.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to an issue that concerns all of us, and that is railroad safety. On Tuesday night, there was a train derailment near my congressional district in East Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Fortunately, no one was injured. There have been dozens of other derailments in New York: Recently, on December 28 along route 15 in Gang Mills, in which cars were carrying butane. According to an online Federal Railroad Administration database, defective tracks have been the number one cause of train derailments since 1996 in New York and Monroe County. Madam Speaker, I understand the role of railroads and the importance they serve in transporting goods and people across the country. As a member of the House Transportation Committee which oversees the railroad industry, I firmly believe that Congress must provide more thorough oversight of this industry. Furthermore, I believe that Congress, CSX, and the Federal Railroad Administration and the Department of Environmental Conservation must work together to identify what must be done to avoid similar disasters in the future. Madam Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to create a safer, more efficient rail system for everyone.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to make the House aware of a serious problem in my Congressional district in upstate New York. The West Valley Demonstration Project, which is located here, was created by Congress in 1980 to solidify in glass the nuclear waste left over from a variety of sources, including defense atomic waste. This project successfully vitrified all of the high-level waste on the site over the next 2 decades, placing the waste in safe gas containers ready to store in a permanent storage facility. West Valley is unique in the Department of Energy system in that the site is owned by the State of New York, but the operation is funded 90 percent by the Federal Government and 10 percent by the State of New York. While there is little question that the waste is, in large part, Federal waste, the Federal Government is not owning up to its responsibility to completely clean the site so that it can be returned to the community of West Valley and reused for economic development opportunities. There is now a grave problem that threatens all of us. Some of the radiation has leaked into the ground water and formed a plume, as shown here on chart 2. The plume continues to grow and threatens streams on the site. These streams feed into larger tributaries which empty into the largest body of fresh water in the world. I repeat that: the largest body of fresh water in the world, the Great Lakes. Lake Erie's shores are only 25 miles away. Better shown on this chart. West Valley Demonstration Project, the creeks to Lake Erie. It was estimated that the cleanup of this plume would require the removal of 4 million cubic feet of soil just a few years ago. Current estimates suggest 30 million cubic feet of soil would need to be removed to eliminate the threat if done today. The Federal Government has simply moved the ropes around the affected area. Rather than cleaning it up, a few years ago when the problem was first noticed, the Department of Energy has roped off the area, allowed it to grow and grow and grow. I will be introducing legislation once again during this term of Congress, Mr. Speaker, to direct the Department of Energy to take immediate possession of the Western New York Nuclear Service Center at West Valley and remediate the entire site, including this dangerous plume. The Department of Energy would be responsible for all costs of the clean up, as New York State neither has the resources nor the ability to do so. This is a Federal problem that requires Federal attention. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission would be given authority to regulate activities of the Department of Energy at West Valley and consult with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in executing the remediation. The West Valley Remediation Act will replace and supersede the West Valley Demonstration Project Act of 1980, if adopted, but does not reduce any of the act's decontamination or decommissioning provisions. Appropriations of roughly $95 million per year would be authorized to implement the act, and additional appropriations would also be authorized to benefit the community. The Department of Energy is then precluded from transporting any additional hazardous or radioactive waste to the site for the purpose of treatment or disposal. Most importantly, the site would be cleaned and returned to its natural state, and the Great Lakes would no longer be threatened, taking care of a potential international environmental hazard of monumental proportions. Mr. Speaker, I hope you and my colleagues will work with me and with the Senate to find a solution to this problem.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, it is with honor and pleasure that I rise to recognize Corporal Jason L. Dunham, United States Marine Corps. Corporal Dunham will posthumously receive our Nation's highest award for valor tomorrow, on January 11, 2007, from our 43rd President, George W. Bush. Corporal Dunham grew up in my congressional district in Scio, New York. He was known for his prowess in basketball, baseball and soccer at Scio Central School. He was also well known throughout the entire community, not just for the good-natured pranks that he pulled but for being a young man of enthusiastic yet humble spirit, someone who genuinely cared for others and could always be counted on if someone was in need. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 2000, because the Marines were known to have the toughest training but also the strongest brotherhood. He also felt a personal challenge to complete basic training and to do it well. Following his first duty assignment with the Marine Corps security forces in Kings Bay, Georgia, Corporal Dunham was assigned to the Fourth Platoon, K Company, Third Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division. Having quickly proven himself as a capable and concientious leader, Corporal Dunham was assigned as a squad leader and therefore was entrusted with the training, welfare and the lives of nine American sons. He soon earned the reputation for his unwavering commitment to his fellow Marines. He had a caring, a respectful and a humane style of leadership and believed above all in leadership by example. On April 14, 2004, while conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah in Al Anbar Province, Corporal Dunham and his men heard rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire erupting two kilometers to the west. Their battalion commander's patrol had been ambushed while en route to visit L Company at Camp Husaybah right on the Syrian border. Realizing that his unit was in a position to assist, Corporal Dunham ordered the vehicles of his combined anti-armor team to link up with his dismounted squad and advance towards the engagement to provide reinforcement. Upon reaching the sight of the ambush, they were quickly barraged with enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered the vehicles to dismount and led one of his fire teams into the village to neutralize the ambush. After having moved several blocks south into the village, they discovered seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart to the east. Corporal Dunham ordered his Marines to block their movement and check the vehicles for insurgents. As he approached the second vehicle in the column, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. In the ensuing hand-to-hand struggle, Corporal Dunham wrestled the Iraqi insurgent to the ground and immediately noticed that the insurgent was holding a live grenade. Corporal Dunham alerted his fellow Marines and, aware of the imminent danger but without hesitation, he removed his helmet and covered the grenade, absorbing the brunt of the explosion and shielding the fellow Marines from a blast in a selfless act of bravery that most certainly saved the lives of a minimum of two of his Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. Corporal Jason L. Dunham epitomizes the selfless devotion to duty that our young men and women have displayed time and time again in Iraq and Afghanistan, Africa and numerous other places around the world. Our Nation is blessed to have a military full of Corporal Dunhams who are serving with great distinction. My heart certainly goes out to his family, to the townspeople of his hometown, Scio, New York, and the Marines, for they have lost one of America's finest.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, it is with honor and pleasure that I rise to recognize Corporal Jason L. Dunham, United States Marine Corps. Corporal Dunham will posthumously receive our Nation's highest award for valor on January 11, 2007 from our 43rd President, George W. Bush. Corporal Dunham grew up in Scio, New York. He was known for his prowess in baseball, basketball, and soccer at Scio Central School. He was also well-known throughout his entire community, not just for his good-natured pranks, but for being a young man of enthusiastic yet humble spirit, someone who genuinely cared for others and who could always be counted on if someone was in need. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2000, because the Marines were known to have the toughest training, but also the strongest brotherhood. He also felt a personal challenge to complete basic training and to do it well. Following his first duty assignment with Marine Corps Security Forces in Kings Bay, Georgia, Corporal Dunham was assigned to Fourth Platoon, Kilo Company, Third Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division. Having quickly proven himself as a capable and conscientious leader, Corporal Dunham was assigned as a Squad Leader and entrusted with the training, welfare, and lives of nine American Sons. He soon earned a reputation for his unwavering commitment to his fellow Marines. He had a caring, respectful, and humane style of leadership and believed above all in leadership by example. On 14 April 2004, while conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah in Al Anbar province, Corporal Dunham and his men heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt two kilometers to the west. Their Battalion Commander's patrol had been ambushed while enroute to visit Lima Company at Camp Husaybah, right on the Syrian border. Realizing that his unit was in a position to assist, Corporal Dunham ordered the vehicles of his Combined Anti-Armor Team to link up with his dismounted squad and advance toward the engagement to provide reinforcement. Upon reaching the site of the ambush, they were quickly barraged with enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered the vehicles dismounted and led one of his fireteams into the village to neutralize the ambush. After having moved several blocks south into the village, they discovered seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart to the east. Corporal Dunham ordered his Marines to block their movement and check the vehicles for insurgents. As he approached the second vehicle in the column, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. In the ensuing hand-to-hand struggle, Corporal Dunham wrestled the Iraqi insurgent to the ground and immediately noticed that the insurgent was holding a live grenade. Corporal Dunham alerted his fellow Marines, and aware of the imminent danger but without hesitation, he removed his helmet and covered the grenade, absorbing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his fellow Marines from the blast in a selfless act of bravery that most certainly saved the lives of two of his Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. Corporal Jason L. Dunham epitomizes the selfless devotion to duty that our young men and women have displayed time and time again in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and numerous other places around the world. Our Nation is blessed to have a military full of Corporal Dunhams who are serving with great distinction. My heart goes out to his family, the townspeople of Scio, NY, and the Marines, for they have lost one of America's finest.

Mr. KUHL

Mr. KUHL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a tireless and unselfish community leader from my congressional district, Mr. G. Fred Schutz. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1928, Fred joined the U.S. Naval Reserve at the age of 19, and then transferred to the U.S. Air Force for 8 years during the Korean conflict. In 1988, Fred ended his military career with the U.S. Army reserve-retiring as a command Sergeant Major of the 98th division. During his 22 years of service, he received 9 personal medals and 21 service awards. After active duty, Fred returned to Canandaigua, New York to work for the Penn Central Transportation Company and later became a small business owner. Fred has been a dedicated leader, being instrumental in many crucial projects including: the founding of a downtown park--The Commons, and the revitalization of Phoenix Street. He has also organized the Memorial Day parade for as long as anyone can remember and, for the past five years, has led the 9/11 (patriot day) ceremonies. Fred has worked tirelessly to retain the VA medical facility in Canandaigua; he has fought to establish a museum for military art and has lobbied for a ship to be named after the city of Canandaigua. Fred continues to provide sage advice and economic assistance to veterans who are seeking records, medical treatment, and transportation or lodging. For a number of years, Fred has served a free Thanksgiving turkey dinner for homeless or needy veterans in the area. His concern for others is evident in his employment of handicapped and older veterans and his enthusiastic fundraising for camp good days and special times, the Make a Wish Foundation, and a church summer carnival. Fred has also volunteered as a fireman for 20 years. He has been an American Legion member for 53 years, having served as a post, county and district commander and has served on numerous committees on the local, state and national level. Fred was a financial contributor to the Vietnam moving wall in 1999 and instrumental in organizing the ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean war. He was named Seventh District Legionnaire of the Year in 2003 and Seventh District Humanitarian of the year in 2005. The city of Canandaigua named him volunteer of the year in 2006 and recently named a day in his honor. Again, I thank Fred for his tremendous contributions, and I look forward to continue working with Fred to help those in need and do what is best for our community.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 343) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 343.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 343, a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, and I want to thank my friend and colleague from New York (Mr. Boehlert) for introducing this resolution and recognizing the important role that the Commission for Independent Colleges and Universities plays in educating New York students about their options for obtaining a postsecondary education. This institution was founded in 1956 and incorporated in 1972, and the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities enjoys a diverse membership with a shared goal of shaping and strengthening public policies in higher education. Its membership institutions, which include more than 100 private nonprofit institutions of higher education, enroll close to 460,000 students, including 300,000 New York residents, and award 59 percent of our State's baccalaureate degrees and 81 percent of the doctoral and first professional degrees earned in the State. In my congressional district, there are nine campuses, which include Alfred University, Elmira College, Houghton College, CUCA College, Nazareth College of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. Bonaventure College, and Saint John Fisher College. Independent sector campuses promote diversity in their missions and academic program offerings and in their student bodies. Approximately one in four, or 80,000, full-time and part-time graduates enrolled in New York State independent colleges and universities are considered nontraditional students. At dozens of campuses, more than one quarter of all undergraduates are age 25 or older. Sector-wide, one in four enrolled students, 26 percent, is Asian, African American, and/or Hispanic, nearly double the percentage of minority students who were enrolled in 1980, which was 15 percent. The importance of independent colleagues and universities to the New York economy is significant. A recent study produced by the Nonpartisan Center for Governmental Research estimates that the total annual contribution to the economy made by independent colleagues and universities rose 42 percent over the past decade to $41.4 billion in 2005, up from $29 billion in 1995. This figure includes $20.8 billion in direct campus spending and $20.6 billion in spillover spending. In addition to their importance to the economy, the independent campuses each year provide billions in aid to thousands of lower-income students, working to ensure that every single qualified student can earn a college degree. Access to college education will provide access to better jobs and certainly more opportunities for our young people. The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities also participates in a number of outreach and educational efforts. For example, the commission produces publications for students and families that provide helpful admissions information regarding member institutions and information about financial aid programs that may assist a student in obtaining a college education. Recently, over 500,000 copies of these documents were provided to New York high school guidance counselors and principals, in addition to public libraries and high schools in neighboring States. Mr. Speaker, over the past 50 years the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities has provided invaluable information and assistance to New York's families and institutions. It is for that reason and all the others that I have articulated here today that I urge my colleagues to honor the 50th anniversary of this important organization and support House Concurrent Resolution 343. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the distinguished Member and colleague of mine from New York (Mr. Boehlert). (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6206) to revise the calculation of interest on investments of the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 6206.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 6206, a bill to revise the calculation of interest on investments in the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Fund was signed into law by President Ford in 1974, created with the purpose of awarding scholarships to college juniors who, and I quote, ``demonstrate outstanding potential for and who plan to pursue a career in public service.'' The foundation provides for at least 53 scholarships, and includes at least one for each State, each year, to deserving young people. The purpose of this measure before us is to align the foundation with other similar scholarship foundations. Under current law, the Secretary of the Treasury is required to invest the foundation's trust fund solely, and I repeat, solely, in U.S. Treasury securities unless the Secretary explicitly chooses to invest in other obligations. Because of this restrictive policy, the scholarship funds have not been able to keep pace with the rapid increases in college tuition. Specifically, H.R. 6206, would shift the authority for making the investment decisions in the Par Value Special Treasury Obligations to the foundation's board of trustees. The Par Value Special Treasury Obligations have a slightly higher interest rate than the current yield on the 10-year Treasury note. In addition, these special obligations may be bought and sold without penalty, a feature that would provide the foundation with much needed flexibility in its investments. Both the James Madison Memorial Scholarship Foundation and the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development currently have this authority already. This measure simply gives the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Fund, the sole memorial to President Truman, the same authority. Mr. Speaker, as college tuition continues to skyrocket, we must continue every opportunity to create scholarships that have the tools necessary to continue to attract students to serve in the areas of public service. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6206. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KUHL of New York. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. English).

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Akin).

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KUHL of New York

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 484) commending The New York Institute for Special Education for providing excellent education for students with blindness and visual disabilities for 175 years, and for broadening its mission to provide the same quality education to students with emotional and learning disabilities.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 484.

Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of this concurrent resolution to recognize the achievements of The New York Institute for Special Education. During this academic year, the institute is celebrating its 175th year of providing an outstanding education to students with special needs. I thank my colleague from New York (Mr. Crowley) for sponsoring this very important resolution. Founded in 1831 as The New York Institution for the Education of the Blind, the institute began classes in March of 1832 as one of the first schools in the United States to provide an educational program for children who were blind or who were visually impaired. In the mid- 1980s, the institute expanded its mission to include programs for students with emotional and learning disabilities and for preschoolers with developmental delays. To reflect this broader mission, the institute adopted its current name change in 1986. In the year 2000, the institute again expanded with the creation of the Cornerstone Literacy Initiative to provide staff development and school reform leadership to high poverty school districts throughout the entire United States. This Congress has made special education a priority. In 2004, for instance, with overwhelming bipartisan support, we were able to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide teachers and parents and schools the tools needed to ensure that students in special education receive the opportunities that they deserve. In addition, in 2002, we passed the No Child Left Behind Act which ensures that the achievement of children with disabilities is a priority, and underline that priority, in our school systems. We are proud that we can partner with States, with local school districts and schools such as The New York Institute for Special Education, to ensure that our students with special needs are receiving a high-quality education that prepares them for success. The New York Institute for Special Education in particular has a long history of providing just such an education for its students and being a leader in special education nationally. I again thank my colleague for bringing this important resolution forward and for giving us the opportunity to celebrate The New York Institute for Special Education on the occasion of its 175th birthday, and I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 484. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.