Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, if there's been a Member of the House who has told all of us the urgent need for being able to tap into our resources of oil and gas, it's been the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson). I yield him 1 minute.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon), Dr. Weldon, who's probably going to be speaking for the last time on an appropriations bill since he's chosen to retire at the end of this season. Dr. Weldon.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment my ranking member on the Rules Committee for a very fine statement that he made on introduction to his opposition to this rule, and I rise in opposition to the rule myself. The folks at home have gotten the message relative to the level of competence or incompetence of the United States Congress. Polls indicate that our rates are somewhere at the 9 percent range, and there are serious doubts about our capability to effectively address major issues and in a sensible way come to conclusions that make sense for them. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, it was 82 days ago today that in the full Appropriations Committee I personally carried a substitute that would have opened the whole discussion and debate and the possibility of an up-or-down vote of drilling off our Continental Shelf. There is little question there is enough reserves if we will just tap them to assure American energy independence. Since that time, the Appropriations Committee has closed down, literally they have done none of their work. And because of that, we find ourselves in the circumstance where today the leadership is undermining our ability to go forward towards energy independence. Mr. Speaker, a bipartisan majority in the House has been calling for a real debate on energy issues for months now. But it was 82 days ago-- during a scheduled full Appropriations Committee markup--that the real debate began. That debate in full committee was short-lived and it ended rather abruptly; the majority leadership ordered Chairman Obey to pull the plug on that markup when it became evident that they would lose a vote on off-shore drilling. The Appropriations Committee has not met since. All year long, the majority leadership has abdicated its responsibility to have the Appropriations Committee proceed under regular order, largely relegating our work to the back-burner. The assumption has been that Barack Obama would be elected President in November. The assumption has been that the House majority would remain the House majority and that an Obama administration would be more inclined to support higher levels of spending in bills reflecting the majority's budget priorities. Such a scenario, assumes that the House pass very few bills, pass a continuing resolution, and leave the future of the remaining bills unanswered until after the November election. But, what if John McCain is elected President? And what if he draws an even harder line on spending than President Bush? What then? Is the Appropriations Committee going to do nothing for the next 4 years? Because the legitimate work of the House is now being dictated by election-year politics, it now appears that the Appropriations Committee will not meet again this year. It also appears that we will not have a chance to debate and consider a legitimate energy bill this year. The vast majority of Americans support an energy policy that includes off-shore drilling for oil and natural gas. But the majority leadership still doesn't get it. Rather than working across party lines to develop a bipartisan bill--a consensus bill--we can all support, the House is being forced to consider a ``take it or leave it'' energy bill that leaves out over 80 percent of known energy reserves off our coasts. This misguided strategy reflects decisions made at the highest levels of the majority leadership. It is especially disappointing to me because in recent years the Appropriations Committee has largely set aside partisan differences to pass all of our bills in a timely fashion. More often than not, we have been able to say, ``We have fulfilled our responsibility. We have done our work.'' But not this year. This year, one issue--the high price of oil and gas--has completely paralyzed the appropriations process and, indeed, the legislative process in the House of Representatives. We are now two weeks away from the beginning of the new fiscal year and what have we done? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Instead, funding bills essential for every conceivable function of government have been put on a shelf to avoid votes on offshore drilling, on oil shale, and drilling in ANWR. In past years, when controversial issues have come to the full committee, we took them head on. During my service as chairman, we debated and considered raising the minimum wage, the millionaires' tax, and the Truman Commission. I was opposed to each of these amendments but felt our Members--Republicans and Democrats--deserved to have their voices heard. Had the Interior bill been considered in full committee on June 18 as originally scheduled, the committee and the House would not be in this position today. It would have broken the logjam and enabled us to complete our work. And, it would have given Members of the House an opportunity to openly debate the most important issue facing our constituents today. To me, preparing a long-term energy strategy is like preparing for retirement. It doesn't happen overnight but takes careful, thoughtful, long-term planning. Addressing the OCS issue is just one leg of the energy stool (along with conservation, oil shale, renewables, etc.) just as a 401(k) plan is one leg of the stool when planning for retirement. I believe we have to take the long view just as we take the long view when planning for retirement. It can't and won't happen overnight. Republicans and Democrats alike deserve an opportunity to have a straight up or down vote on energy amendments addressing the high price of oil and gas. Again, ``all of the above'' has been replaced with ``take it or leave it.'' Mr. Speaker, I don't recognize this place anymore. Once upon a time, members of the People's House worked together to serve the best interests of our country. Now, we either march in lockstop to the whims of the majority leadership or we are left out of the legislative process altogether. When I first came to Congress, legislation was drafted not by the Speaker of the House but by committee chairmen with jurisdiction over the issue of the day. Members of the minority party had every opportunity to participate in the debate by offering amendments. But those days are no more. Members of the minority party no longer have any rights. We are basically told to ``sit down and shut up'' because the majority leadership knows best. This Member has had enough. And my constituents have had enough. I encourage colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in rejecting this irresponsible approach to governing. Let's work together and openly debate energy policy. Let's vote on a consensus bill that addresses the high price of oil and gas. Remember, our constituents are closely watching this debate. They will remember what we do when they vote on November 4.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. I am in its present form.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I consider that to be a great courtesy for your yielding. I know that you know that I am the Member who carried the amendment that increased the mileage reimbursement for the veterans that is in this bill. I do know they had that problem, because all those veterans who you mentioned in those quotes are the same ones that are also paying $4 a gallon. They would love to have this bill reduce that burden.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a motion to recommit. But I want to say first to my colleagues that one of the reasons for my rising with this motion is because there seems to be a good deal of confusion on the part of at least my constituency, and my colleagues' families and constituents at home may have the same kind of confusion. It seems that my people believe that this President does want to lead to a comprehensive energy independence policy that would include the availability to States to drill off their continental shelf, et cetera, to give us an adequate supply of oil to assure our energy independence. And yet those same people believe that it is the President's Congress that is holding up such action. That is, many of them believe that the Congress, the House and the Senate, are controlled by his party. But that is not the case, and our people are confused. The Congress is controlled by the other party who are resisting those proposals that involve the ability to drill off the Outer Continental Shelf, to tap into shale, to develop a comprehensive policy that will lead to energy independence. My people are absolutely dying at the gas pump. Our small businesses are doing the same. So I have a motion to recommit, Mr. Speaker, with the term, I might add, ``promptly'' in it to allow us to act immediately--I misread it. It is not promptly, it is ``forthwith.'' So it would be implemented immediately. I did that because my colleagues on the other side have been complaining about the word ``promptly.'' We want you to be able to act very quickly, not just strike this on a point of order, but allow the people's voices to be heard. Because I can tell you, when you go home, you are going to hear them if you strike this on a point of order. So back to the point, Mr. Speaker. This motion would enact the American Energy Act, a comprehensive solution to the energy crisis that is causing families to pay $4 per gallon for gasoline. Adoption of this motion will increase the supply of American-made energy and will relieve those families, those businesses, and my constituents at the gas pump. It will improve conservation efficiency, it will promote new and expanded technologies. Most of all, it will reduce America's increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy. The minute we send them a message that we are serious about home supply, prices will crash. I can guarantee you that. We need to consider all solutions to achieve energy independence. I hope that as we prepare to head back to our districts for the month of August, we can go back to our constituents with the good news: We did something; rather than what this Congress has been doing in the past-- nothing. I urge support for this motion to recommit. I yield time to my leader from Ohio, Mr. John Boehner, the Republican leader.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Would the gentleman yield?

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend and true leader in my community, Dr. Herbert R. Fischer, who is retiring after 37 years of dedication to educational development and public service throughout the Inland Empire. After 27 years as a classroom teacher, principal, and district administrator in the San Bernardino City Unified School District and as superintendent of the Colton Joint Unified School District, Dr. Fischer was chosen to be the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, a position he held for 10 years. The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office provides support to the 33 K-12 districts and roughly 425,000 students attending more than 500 schools in the county. The County Schools office also provides business and financial curriculum and instruction, personnel, credentials, and management information support to school districts countywide. Our district is privileged to have many fine educational professionals dedicated to improve the overall well-being of their students. Dr Fischer is no exception and has taken his love for educational development even further. Under Dr. Fischer's leadership, the County Superintendent of Schools office has improved the State Academic performance index for 7 consecutive years. He has expanded many school safety programs through the Law Enforcement Education Partnership and the Countywide Gangs and Drugs Task Force. Dr. Fischer is also a founder of three regional P-16 Councils that work to eliminate the achievement gap by creating a comprehensive system for all levels of education. Dr. Fischer's forward thinking has made San Bernardino a model for excellence in community service. In particular, he is credited with developing and implementing Alliance for Education initiative, which has over 1,200 business, labor, community and faith-based partners working with public schools to improve the college, career and labor readiness of students. Throughout his career in education, Dr. Fischer worked with colleagues, students and parents, to increase college going rates, reduce student drop-out rates, and provide greater Internet and technology access to students and teachers. He also established programs to provide quality curriculums for all students and offer parents more educational choices. Dr. Fischer's hard work and dedication to the future success of our young people is truly appreciated. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. Fischer for his many accomplishments and thanking him for making our community a leader in educational and professional advancement. The valuable contributions he has made throughout his career will be remembered for years to come.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. I very much appreciate my colleague's yielding. It is really a most interesting commentary, your presentation, which summarizes in this rule what appears to be the dominant leadership of the liberal Democratic leadership in the House. That is, in the quest of power, the ends justify the means. Indeed, at this point in our history when the people's House finds itself dominated by leadership who will exercise the ends justifying the means to maintain power, indeed the public ought to be most concerned about their people's House. Mr. Speaker, I in turn, though, want to congratulate, myself, both Chairman Edwards and Mr. Wamp for producing a truly bipartisan fiscal year 2009 Military Construction appropriations bill in the longstanding tradition of this committee. Their work is a demonstration to the House that the Democrats and Republicans can work together to create legislation the majority of our Members can support. As we all know, the Appropriations Committee has steered off course this year because of one single issue which is critical to the American public and which has significant bipartisan support in the House. I do not fault my friend Chairman Obey for the breakdown of the appropriations process this year. While we have had our share of disagreements over the years on overall funding levels and policy issues, he and I have historically worked well together to move our spending bills through the House in a timely fashion. However, this year the largely bipartisan work of the Appropriations Committee has ground to a virtually standstill because of the energy issue. For reasons I do not fully understand, given present pressures on our economy and the increased worldwide demand for oil, the majority leadership has decided to put on the shelf most of the annual spending bills as well as any and all meaningful bipartisan efforts to lower the price of oil and gas. I don't understand this decision nor do I agree with it. We have had an opportunity and we have an obligation to work on a bipartisan basis to develop and pass long-term energy solutions that involve a combination of conservation, alternative and renewable energy sources, and the development of proven resources both onshore and offshore in the United States. This effort to bolster our energy resources would create thousands of well-paying union and nonunion jobs across the United States. The overwhelming majority of Americans favor increased domestic energy production. So what is the downside if we develop energy resources in a responsible, environmentally safe manner? Why is the Democratic leadership standing in the way? Just yesterday a dedicated group of Members, led by our colleagues John Peterson and Neil Abercrombie, introduced sweeping bipartisan energy legislation in an attempt to break the current energy gridlock in the House. I applaud their efforts. We ought to debate their bill openly in the Appropriations Committee and on the House floor before we leave this town for an August break. The mere message that Congress was actually debating energy policy, in meaningful, bipartisan debate, would send a signal to the markets and to the foreign suppliers of oil that the United States is serious about addressing its energy future. That powerful message would send oil prices down almost overnight. I believe that an honest energy debate on the floor of the House would be, in itself, a stimulus package that would have a tremendously positive ripple effect throughout our economy, touching every American business and consumer. Let me respectfully remind my colleagues that it was our Speaker, then the minority leader, in 2006 who outlined the new Democrat majority's governing philosophy, and I quote: ``Bills should come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full, and fair debate. Bills should be developed following full hearings and open subcommittee markups.'' Mr. Speaker, that's important enough. Let me repeat. The Speaker: ``Bills should come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full, and fair debate. Bills should be developed following full hearings and open subcommittee markups.'' As the body knows, we have not had an open, full, and fair debate on energy policy in committee nor have we had any open amendment process on the House floor. In fact, the House Appropriations Committee has not moved any bills through the full committee since June 25 because of a pending energy production amendment supported by a bipartisan majority of the committee members but opposed by the majority leadership. I would remind our colleagues that most of the challenges facing us today have little or nothing to do with partisan politics. At a time when our country is facing daunting challenges at home and abroad, my constituents and your constituents are looking for real leadership. Rather than providing the leadership our constituents deserve, the body is now in a state of paralysis. Again, I remind my colleagues that it was then a minority leader, the gentlewoman from San Francisco, who wrote in an October 20, 2007, letter to Speaker Hastert: ``The voice of every American has a right to be heard. No Member of Congress should be silenced on this floor.'' I encourage each of my colleagues to remind the Speaker of these words so we can return to regular order in our committee work and restore civility and open debate to the legislative process in the House. It is time to set aside partisan politics and get to work. We can do better. We must do better. Let's support our veterans funding bill today and then move quickly to support our constituents by openly debating potentially energy solutions. Again, the House should not leave town for the August recess until it votes to lower gas prices, increase the supply of American-made energy, and promote energy independence.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: H.R. 6599--The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs FY09 Appropriations bill. Mr. Jerry Lewis (CA-41): Madam Speaker, pursuant to Republican earmark guidance, I am submitting for the record the following project that has been included in H.R. 6599, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs FY09 Appropriations bill. This project was authorized in H.R. 5658--the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Lewis Bill Number: H.R. 6599 Account: Military Construction--Navy Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms Address of Requesting Entity: 73549 29 Palms Hwy., Twentynine Palms, CA 92277. Description of Request: Phase I of the Life Long Learning Center (LLLC) project at the Marine Corps base Twentynine Palms provides a facility to help Marines and their families fulfill their educational goals. The project will replace older, undersized facilities with a 17,000 square foot, three- story building which will include classrooms, office spaces, a computer room and other supporting infrastructure. When completed, the LLLC will facilitate more than 40 higher education classes with an anticipated enrollment exceeding 1500 students per term. The Marine Corps supports this project as it would dramatically improve the quality of life for our soldiers.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a beloved community leader in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, and one of the most caring individuals I have ever known, Maurice Calderon of Banning, California. The son of a laborer, Maurice Calderon is a shining example of living the American dream to the fullest. He began with night classes at the local community college and an entry-level job as a teller at Redlands Savings and Loan. His long career led him to become the senior vice president for governmental affairs and community development with Arrowhead Credit Union, which he helped to become a community institution. Even as he was beginning his career, Maurice became the first Hispanic elected official in the city when he won a seat on the Banning Unified School District board in 1967. He served for nine years, becoming a champion of educational opportunities for the large Hispanic community. He later was elected as a trustee of the Mt. San Jacinto Community College District, serving for another nine years. His community involvement has been legendary. He has served on the foundation boards for the University of California, Riverside and California State University, San Bernardino. He was a leading member of the Inland Empire Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce and the Inland Empire Economic Partnership. He served as president of Sinfonia Mexicana and Chairman of the Inland Empire Hispanic Leadership Council. The list of his commitments to his community is impressive, but it does not do justice to the depth of Maurice's involvement. When he takes an interest in an organization, he brings a warmth and dedication that quickly make Maurice one of the most valued members. He has been a civic-minded connection tying all these groups together and making them all more effective. He has also helped Arrowhead Credit Union become a force for bringing the American dream to minority and working class neighborhoods throughout the Inland Empire. He led the drive to open the first banking office in the African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods in west San Bernardino. The credit union has been honored for its minority outreach programs. For his efforts, Maurice has received accolades from numerous cities and the two counties. He has had Banning street named in honor of his family. In 2004, he received the Ohtli Award, the highest recognition granted by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs to members of the Mexican American Community. He is in the Southern California Native American and Latino Hall of Fame. His devotion to his children and grandchildren has earned him honors as the Father of the Year. He and wife Dorothy--a community spirit in her own right--have spent 47 years together and in service to the Inland Empire. Madam Speaker, Maurice Calderon is retiring from his position with the credit union, but wIll most certamly remam active in his many other roles. I ask you and my colleagues to please join me in thanking him for his decades as a community leader, and wish him and Dorothy well in all their future endeavors.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. I certainly wouldn't want to speak before the Speaker, so I will yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. At most, we have one remaining speaker, that's me. And so I reserve the balance of my time. And I will use very little time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to call upon the former chairman of the committee and my dear friend from Florida, Bill Young, for such time as he might consume.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we've heard from a number of sources in the last hour or so that this is the 500th day since the President sent this request for absolutely crucial funding for our troops who are fighting in the Middle East. It's been heard enough that I don't think we need to dwell upon that a lot. Mr. Speaker, today is the 500th day since the President's fiscal year 2008 emergency supplemental request first arrived on the Hill. Oft times we make the mistake of assuming that we're doing the Lord's work in this body. But I remind my colleagues that the Good Lord created Heaven, Earth--and far more--and it took Him 493 fewer days to get it done. It's no secret that I've had misgivings about the manner in which the majority leadership developed and moved earlier versions of the supplemental, without consideration by the Committee on Appropriations and under a closed rule. While the regular order process was never followed, today I'm happy to report that the House has worked in a bipartisan fashion--and come to an agreement--on a funding package that will provide immediate support to our troops in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan. This supplemental is long overdue and comes at a time when the Pentagon has already issued guidance to employees on potential furloughs. Clearly, our agreement on this legislation comes not a moment too soon. A whole array of legislative provisions had been a part of the earlier version of the supplemental, including a massive tax increase on American small businesses. While several legislative provisions remain, the tax increase as been removed. This is now a better package, one that provides an educational benefit for our returning troops and their families without placing an additional tax burden on small business--the economic engine that drives our national economy. This package also includes unemployment insurance language that provides far more accountability than earlier versions considered by the House. The new provision includes an additional 13 weeks of coverage but requires that recipients work for 20 weeks in order to qualify for the benefit. From this Member's perspective, I believe this provision has been dramatically improved because it now requires that the recipient earn the benefit. I'd like to make one additional observation as I close my remarks. Our friends and neighbors in the Midwest need to know this: Congress is prepared to help you get back on your feet as you respond to the great floods affecting your region. This legislation provides needed, targeted funding to address the many challenges you are now facing. Mr. Speaker, this is a package that should receive the bipartisan support of the majority of our Members today. It is a package the President will sign. I urge its immediate passage. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the gentleman who played the key role in bringing that conference that we had together yesterday together in a fashion that caused us to be able to be here this evening. I would recognize the Republican leader, John Boehner, for such time as he might consume.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true leader in my community, Dr. Donald F. Averill, who is retiring after 47 years of dedication to education and economic development throughout the Inland Empire. With 14 years of teaching at the secondary level, and 33 years of community college experience, Dr. Averill was chosen to be Chancellor of a very important education provider in my home town of San Bernardino, California, a position he held for 8 years. The San Bernardino Community College District is comprised of two colleges, San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College, the Professional Development Center, and its own public television and radio station, KVCR. Beginning with 140 students at two high school campuses in 1926, San Bernardino Valley Community College has grown into a district with two modern campuses and thousands of students. It has served more than 700,000 students over the past 80 years. Our district is blessed with many fine educational professionals who are passionate about their work and care deeply about the lives of their students. Dr. Averill took his interest one step further by working with the county and the K-12 students to increase the college- going rate in the region by 45 percent, with the majority of that enrollment going to the community colleges. Dr. Averill's forward-thinking skills are an essential part of what has made San Bernardino a model community for educational development. In particular, he is credited with developing and implementing extensive workforce development programs that incorporate education and economic development in California. He was one of the founders of the Economic Development Network of the California Community Colleges, or EdNet, an innovative technological tool that utilizes existing community college infrastructure to promote the State's economic expansion. He also was instrumental in completing extensive long-range facilities plans for San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa. Dr. Averill's hard work and dedication to ensuring the future success of our young people is truly appreciated. My constituents in the 41st District are particularly grateful for Dr. Averill's role in adding a simulated fire fighting unit for training in aircraft fire fighting. Our region is always at risk from devastating wildfires and it is crucial that our firefighters have the training tools they need to protect our communities. Beyond his achievements in the educational field, Dr. Averill is a community leader. He serves on the executive committee of the Economic Development Network of California, and is a board member of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, the Workforce Investment Board, the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce and Arrowhead United Way. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. Averill for his many accomplishments and thanking him for making our community a leader in educational, professional and economic advancement. The valuable contributions he has made throughout his career will be remembered for years to come.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I am joining together with my friend and colleague, Ken Calvert, in celebrating the lives of some truly remarkable people. Fifty years ago, their life decisions seemed simple. The couple was planning their marriage. It was 1957 and a year away from their wedding--June 21, 1958--at the San Luis Obispo Catholic Mission de Tolosa. They talked about the family they would have; the careers--she in health; he in public affairs; how the San Francisco area--the City-- would be their habitat--history, family, relatives. Where else would one want to settle? Now--50 years later, looking back--it was simple, but different. Janet Amelia Janolis and Edward Joseph Slevin--Jan and Ed--lived, worked or traveled in over 50 countries; worked in each of California's 58 counties, and lived for 15 years in Washington, DC., Los Angeles, and San Francisco, before returning home--to Novato, California. The series of adventures and challenges focused on commitment and dedication to their ideals while giving birth to five children. Together they raised four wonderful, loving daughters and suffered the loss of their final newborn, Peter, to heart disease. Jan, with her RN degree from San Jose Hospital, worked in hospitals in San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles, and then took a respite from nursing following the birth of Jeanne--followed by Cammie, Maureen and Jill over the next six years. Ed graduated from Cal Poly and went on to a post-graduate Coro Foundation fellowship in public affairs, served as state director of the California GOP and worked in Republican political campaigns throughout California for most of the 1960s. Once life had mellowed a bit, and the children were in school, a different path opened and the Slevin family joined the Peace Corps. 1969 saw them moving to Western Samoa where Ed was country director to 55 volunteers while Jan volunteered teaching community health and homemaking projects around the island. A promotion to Peace Corps country director in Malaysia led the family to Kuala Lumpur and an 18-month stint before relocating to Washington DC. Jan resumed her nursing as a specialist in infection control gaining post-graduate status at the Washington Hospital Center. Ed continued with Peace Corps as a regional director for 22 countries in North Africa, near East, Asia and the Pacific. 1976 saw the Slevin's return to Novato; Jan to nursing at Novato Community Hospital and Ed re-opening his political consulting business and launching Western Polling and Research, a partnership specializing in public affairs. Jan's nursing work coincided with four teen-age daughters while also earning a science degree from St. Mary's College. But then the tug of international development work struck again. Jan and Ed went off to the Philippines in 1984 with Peace Corps, where Ed directed a contingent of 350 volunteers. Jan began four years of community health work throughout the poverty stricken barrios of Manila establishing baby clinics and organizing privileged Filipinos to join her quest for improving the life of their country folk. 1988 saw them again return to Washington and the Peace Corps headquarters; Ed as an associate director of volunteer recruitment and selection; Jan leading the medical division's health clearance and pre- departure health briefing for volunteer service. Ed then went to Capitol Hill as executive director to the House Republican Conference under the leadership of Conference Chairman Congressman Jerry Lewis and then on to serve as Chief of Staff to Congressman Ken Calvert. Ten years ago this traveling couple came home. Home to their beloved grandchildren Cameron, Mikaela, Brian, Nathan, Jana and Casey--and their daughters. Home to their family, relatives and friends. And yet they spent their life always being home. Regardless of their address, the constant in their life has been not only their commitment to help improve and contribute to the life of others but to each other. These past 50 years reflects the love and respect Jan and Ed have for each other. They have been and will always be lifelong partners, lovers, friends and adventurers. And for this we salute them.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I very much appreciate my colleague from New Jersey yielding this time, and I won't even take that much time. I rise today to recognize the fact that there may be an amendment later this evening that will address the Marine Corps Training Center at 29 Palms. It's very, very important for the House to know the significance of that facility, the role it plays in the great work of the Marine Corps. The design here is to try to improve and help with that work. Mr. Chairman, I rise first to congratulate Chairman Ike Skelton and ranking member and former Chairman Duncan Hunter for working together in a bipartisan manner to craft an excellent National Defense Authorization Bill. As you know, this is Duncan Hunter's last authorization bill and I honor his many years of service on the Armed Services Committee and his unfailing support of our men and women in uniform. Mr Chairman, unfortunately an amendment has been made in order to strike an important project that would benefit all the marines and their family members who are stationed or who pass through Twentynine Palms marine base. This project is the Lifelong Learning Center. Phase I of the Life Long Learning Center, LLLC, project at the Marine Corps base Twentynine Palms provides a facility to help marines and their families fulfill their educational goals. The project will replace older, undersized facilities with a 17,000 square foot, three-story building which will include classrooms, office spaces, a computer room and other supporting infrastructure. When completed, the LLLC will facilitate more than 40 higher education classes with an anticipated enrollment exceeding 1500 students per term. U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA, May 22, 2008. Subject: Life Long Learning Center--Twentynine Palms Hon. Mr. Lewis, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Lewis. The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) is a remote, isolated base that is both home for about one third of the 1st Marine Division and other units assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force, and is a service level training installation. The installation has worked hard over the years on innovation and best practices as evidenced by our state-of-the-art training capabilities, demonstrated excellence in energy conservation, improvements in quality of life for our people, and installation management. We are now determined to improve the educational opportunities for the 12,000 Marines, their families and the civilians who serve at this remote outpost. The Life Long Learning Center (LLLC) project is critical to the success of our education initiatives. MCAGCC's current educational facilities are single story, 1950 era barracks scattered throughout the base that have been converted into classrooms. These facilities do not meet the needs of our educational programs. The LLLC will provide a modern facility that will meet all our requirements in one centralized location. The project, as we have submitted in the Military Construction program, will be constructed in two phases. The first phase is a 17,000 square foot, three-story building which will include classrooms, office spaces, a computer lab and other supporting infrastructure. When completed, this facility will provide space for more than 40 higher education classes with an anticipated enrollment exceeding 1500 students per term. The second phase will provide a library. We are committed to continuing education for our Marines and Sailors. Not only do we get better Marines and Sailors, we also set them up for success as they return to their civilian communities. Teaming with local school systems, MCAGCC bas brought the expertise of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to assist with local educational challenges. While focused on military dependent children, there are a number of programs that will benefit our local community, to include teacher training and DoDEA provided AP courses. In this remote and isolated location, employment opportunities are limited for spouses and dependents. This facility will allow us to expand education opportunities as an alternative to employment. MCAGCC is the single largest employer in the Morongo Basin and access to a quality workforce is critical to our mission. We provide multiple workforce development education and training programs. I am convinced that improved education programs will benefit the overall workforce, enhance the quality of life in this region and ensure we are able to continue to train our Marines for combat as our current civilian workforce ages and retires. The state-of the-art educational facility provided by the LLLC will provide Marines and their families the opportunity to work on their career goals as well as prepare them for life after the Marine Corps. It is my highest quality of life initiative and I truly appreciate your assistance in helping us support the Marines and Sailors preparing to defend this great country of ours. Sincerely, M. G. Spiese, Brigadier General.