Ron Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Larry Hendrick, a resident of Hardin County, Kentucky. On December 12, 2007, Mr. Hendrick will receive the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Teacher of the Year award for a region that includes Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Mr. Hendrick was raised on a farm in Breckenridge County, Kentucky. He began his teaching career in 1978 at East Hardin High School. His first job included instructing Vietnam veterans as part of a co-op farming program. In 1990, Hendrick began his tenure at Central Hardin High School, where he continues to work today. The NAAE Teacher of the Year award is given to an agricultural educator who has demonstrated the ability to involve students in work- based learning projects and a willingness to promote local agriculture programs. Mr. Hendrick is a Future Farmers of America advisor at Central Hardin High School. He was previously recognized in 1995 as the National Young Farmer Advisor of the Year. It is my great pleasure to honor Larry Hendrick, before the United States House of Representatives on his selection as the National Association of Agricultural Educators Teacher of the Year. I congratulate him on this achievement and thank him for his commitment to educating Kentucky's students.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Owensboro, KY, Police Chief John Kazlauskas, retiring later this month after 40 years of service to the Owensboro community. Chief Kazlauskas first joined the Owensboro Police Department in 1966. During his tenure, he has served in or supervised every division within the department. He first supervised patrol officers as captain beginning in 1983. He was appointed chief in 2002. Chief Kazlauskas has compiled a long list of important accomplishments during his four decades of service including the development of the evidence collection unit in 1973 and the polygraph unit in 1981. During his 5 years as chief, he has worked to modernize equipment for the bomb squad and emergency response teams and oversaw efforts to install mobile data terminals in police vehicles. He also worked to improve administrative efficiency by implementing an electronic records management system. Chief Kazlauskas has made a strong effort to involve the entire Owensboro community in crime prevention activities, creating a Citizens Advisory Panel, initiating a Crime Stoppers program, and creating a new public information officer position. These initiatives have been tremendously successful in fighting and preventing local crime. It is my privilege to honor Chief John Kazlauskas today before the entire U.S. House of Representatives for his long and successful career in law enforcement. He has made an indelible difference to the safety and quality of life in his community. On behalf of the tens of thousands of people who live and work in Owensboro, KY, I wish Chief Kazlauskas happiness and good health in his retirement.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Caverna Hospital in Horse Cave, KY, on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary this year. Caverna Hospital, has been serving Hart County since 1967. Beginning in the early 1960's, the citizens of Horse Cave and Cave City, KY raised the $350,000 necessary to qualify for federal funding. The community broke ground in July of 1965. Caverna's first patient, Mrs. Lindberg Forbes of Hardyville, was admitted on June 5, 1967. Caverna has made a number of facility improvements over its four decade history in order to better provide high quality health care to the region. Upgrades were made in 1989 to the patient rooms, CCU, the nursing station, and the cardiac monitoring system. Another major addition occurred in 1997 when a new Emergency Room, x-ray wing, laboratory, waiting area, and more patient rooms were added. Caverna has also made major equipment purchases including a CT scanner, mammography equipment; and ultrasound equipment. It is my privilege to honor Caverna Hospital today, before the entire House of Representatives, and for its commitment to providing quality health care to the citizens of Kentucky.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charles Wimsatt, an outstanding man with a long history of service to our country and to Kentucky. Mr. Wimsatt has been an active member of American Legion Post 121 in Bardstown, Kentucky for nearly 60 years. Mr. Wimsatt joined the Army in 1953, serving as a medic. He retired from the Army with the rank of Corporal. Mr. Wimsatt has made it a personal priority to serve his fellow veterans through his work with American Legion Post 121. He is currently in his 4th term as Post Commander. Under his command the post reached its 100 percent membership goal for the first time in 15 years. Mr. Wimsatt also directed recent facility renovations. Beyond his service to the American Legion, Charles Wimsatt has found time to be active in many other worthy causes. He has played an integral part in fundraising for his local National Guard unit and is currently raising money for a VA medical facility in Germany. Mr. Wimsatt also served on the Black Mud Volunteer Fire Department for 46 years. It is my privilege to honor Charles G. Wimsatt today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for his service to our country and his tireless efforts on behalf of American Legion Post 121. Mr. Wimsatt has made a significant difference to his Old Kentucky Home.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise to inform my colleagues of legislation I have co-authored with my colleague Mike Thompson (D- CA) to promote the installation of proven advanced safety technology on heavy-duty vehicles. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Advanced Safety Technology Tax Act (H.R. 3820) will create a tax incentive for owners of heavy-duty vehicles and the manufacturers of public and school buses to purchase and install safety systems proven to reduce accident rates. These include: Brake Stroke Monitoring System--A system that monitors vehicle brakes to ensure they are functioning properly; Lane Departure Monitoring System--A system that warns the driver when the vehicle drifts into the wrong lane; Collision Warning System--A system that warns the driver if the vehicle is getting close enough to another vehicle or object to cause accident; Vehicle Stability System--A system that autocorrects the vehicle when there is a threat of the vehicle rolling over. These technologies directly address the most common causes of heavy- duty vehicle accidents as identified in a March 2006 report by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Specifically, large truck and bus owners who purchase one or more of these systems would be eligible for a tax credit of up to $3,500 annually, with a maximum of $1,500 per system. Owners of vehicle fleets would be eligible for a maximum credit of $350,000 per year. Manufacturers who sell large trucks or buses to nonprofit entities, like schools or city transit authorities, would be eligible for the tax credit if they install the systems prior to vehicle delivery. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Advanced Safety Technology Tax Act will reduce cost barriers for these safety systems, improving road safety and improving overall road safety. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Mohana Arla, an outstanding man with a great record of community service. Dr. Arla, a resident of Bullitt County, has been named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Bullitt County Education Association. Dr. Arla has provided medical care for the citizens of Bullit County for many years. He is an internal medicine physician with Bullitt County Family Practitioners in Hillview, Kentucky and has his own practice in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. Dr. Arla has been a strong advocate of bringing additional medical practitioners to the Bullitt County area. In July of 2007 Dr. Arla partnered with Jewish Hospital Medical Center South to conduct a free weight-loss program for the residents of Bullitt County. The program, titled ``Lose a Pound, Gain a Dollar,'' gave residents the opportunity to lose weight while offering them a monetary reward for their hard work. This program is a great example of his commitment to improving the lives of Bullitt County's residents. Dr. Arla has also demonstrated a strong commitment to local education. He has been very involved in efforts to bring a community college to Bullitt County. Dr. Arla is a member of the County Board leading the effort and has made a substantial donation to this cause. It is my privilege to recognize Dr. Mohana Arla today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for his hard work and service to his community.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize John J. DuPlessis, Sr., a remarkable man with a long history of service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Mr. DuPlessis, a resident of Elizabethtown, will receive the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America on October 17, 2007. John J. DuPlessis earned his undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees from North Carolina State University. He was employed for over thirty years with the Magnetic Division of Crucible Materials Corporation. He served as the President of the Crucible Magnetics plant in Elizabethtown from 1985 until his retirement in 1992. During his business career he was an active member of the Magnetic Materials Association, the Associated Industries of Kentucky, and the Gorham International Conference on Magnetic Materials. Mr. DuPlessis has been an extremely active member of his community. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Elizabethtown Jaycees, was the first President of Let's Spruce Up, and has been active with the Elizabethtown Lions Club. He was also a board member and Chairman of the Elizabethtown Independent School System, and has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, St. James Catholic Church and Baptist Builders. John DuPlessis has had a long association with the Boy Scouts of America serving as Scout Master for Troop 829. Mr. DuPlessis was also Fundraising Chairman of the Lincoln Trail District Sustaining Membership Enrollment, Lincoln Trail Camping Chairman, Wood Badge trained, and a Silver Beaver recipient. It is my privilege to recognize John J. DuPlessis, Sr. today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for his hard work and service to his community.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the partnership of YUM! Brands and the World Food Programme (WFP) for their efforts during World Hunger Relief Week. A 2006 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that 854 million people worldwide suffer from hunger. This is more people than the populations of the United States, Canada and the entire European Union combined. Hunger is the number one risk to health worldwide. It weakens the immune system, making people, especially children, vulnerable to life-threatening diseases. A report by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that over 5 million children die before the age of 5 from malnutrition. YUM! Brands, which is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky has been fighting hunger in the United States for over 10 years. During this period, they have donated over 97 million pounds of food to combat hunger in the United States. When YUM! Brands wanted to expand their efforts worldwide, they searched for a well established organization that shared their same long-term global mission of eliminating hunger. After an extensive search YUM! Brands teamed with the World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP has been providing food aid to the world for over 41 years. Given the background of both these organizations I know they will make a significant difference toward eradicating this epidemic. The partnership has already launched an important initiative to bring awareness to and stop world hunger. During World Hunger Relief Week, October 14th-20th, YUM! Brands will be activating a global campaign of TV advertisements, print ads and public service announcements. YUM! Brands employees will mobilize in their communities to bring awareness to this cause. The company will simultaneously promote the partnership and raise millions in funds for the WFP to use in feeding the hungry around the world. I salute YUM! Brands and their partnership with WFP to end world hunger. I encourage my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in supporting this partnership during World Hunger Relief Week.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 696 in Owensboro, Kentucky continue to do to improve their community. Post 696 has exemplified the mission of the VFW: Honor the dead by helping the living. The post has donated over $22,000 to local and State organizations in the past year. Beneficiaries of their generosity have included local schools, the Boy Scouts, shelters, and churches. Their generosity has also been extended to organizations such as the Wendell Foster Center, Shriners Hospitals, the Children's Wish Foundation, the Disabled American Veterans, and JEVCO. Post 696 recently sponsored a going-away picnic for the members of Ft. Campbell's Alpha Troop and their families being deployed to Iraq. The city of Owensboro adopted Alpha Troop through the Americans Supporting Americans' Adopt-a-Unit-Program. I thank the members of the troop for their service and the city of Owensboro for this commitment to these brave soldiers. The VFW Post 696 Honor/Color Guard has been busy serving the community as well. Since 2001, they have participated in over 400 veteran funerals and 50 community events in Daviess County. I want to recognize the leaders of Post 696, Commander Richard ``Ike'' Eisenmenger, Jr., Ladies Auxiliary President Marilu Goodsell, and Color/Honor Guard Commander Joseph Hayden. They have worked tirelessly to serve veterans and improve their community. It is my privilege to honor the members of VFW Post 696 today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for their past service to our country and continued dedication to serving their community.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Phillip Greenwell, a remarkable man with a long history of service to his country and to Kentucky. Mr. Greenwell, a lifelong resident of Nelson County, has been an active member of American Legion Post 121 in Bardstown, KY, for nearly 60 years. Phillip Greenwell was drafted into the Army during World War II and served for 2 years as a combat engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Mr. Greenwell has made it a personal priority to serve his fellow veterans through his work with American Legion Post 121. His leadership positions include post commander, post vice commander, district commander, district vice commander, district service officer, and district chaplain. He has also served on the Kentucky American Legion State Finance Committee and State Internal Affairs Committee. Though Mr. Greenwell's health now requires him to stay at home, he still stays active in American Legion activities by phone and continues to assist with veterans casework. In addition to his American Legion service, he has served on the Kentucky Boy's State Committee and was a volunteer for the Red Cross for over 25 years. It is my privilege to honor Phillip Greenwell today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for his service to our country and his tireless efforts on behalf of American Legion Post 121 and his fellow veterans. Mr. Greenwell has made a significant difference to his ``Old Kentucky Home.''

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work the Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 696 in Owensboro, Kentucky, continue to do to improve their community. Post 696 has exemplified the mission of the VFW: ``Honor the dead by helping the living.'' The Post has donated over $22,000 to local and State organizations in the past year. Beneficiaries of their generosity have included local schools, the Boy Scouts, shelters, and churches. Their generosity has also been extended to organizations such as the Wendell Foster Center, Shriners Hospitals, the Children's Wish Foundation, the Disabled American Veterans, and JEVCO. Post 696 recently sponsored a going away picnic for the members of Ft. Campbell's Alpha Troop and their families being deployed to Iraq. The city of Owensboro adopted Alpha Troop through the Americans Supporting Americans' Adopt-a-Unit-Program. I thank the members of the troop for their service and the city of Owensboro for this commitment to these brave soldiers. The VFW Post 696 Honor/Color Guard has been busy serving the community as well. Since 2001, they have participated in over 400 Veteran funerals and 50 community events in Daviess County. I want to recognize the leaders of Post 696, Commander Richard ``Ike'' Eisenmenger Jr., Ladies Auxiliary President Marilu Goodsell, and Color/Honor Guard Commander Joseph Hayden. They have worked tirelessly to serve veterans and improve their community. It is my privilege to honor the members of VFW Post 696 today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for their past service to our country and continued dedication to serving their community.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

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

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

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say that this isn't a perfect bill, I don't guess there has ever been a perfect bill on this floor, but it's a good bill and it does provide a solution to a real problem for Americans. I am very happy that we have a good bipartisan bill that I encourage all of my colleagues to vote for and help out in this very tough time for a lot of homeowners in this country. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support for the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. I have heard concerns from many homeowners in my district about the serious situation in the mortgage market. A recent University of Michigan study of homeowners indicated that at least 26 percent of those surveyed had experienced a loss of equity in their home during the past year. These declining prices have led some families to sell their homes for less than they paid for them. On August 31, President Bush spoke from the Rose Garden and called on Congress to address a crisis in the mortgage market. Included in the President's priorities was a bill that Congressman Rob Andrews and I introduced in April to relieve tax obligations on those who sell homes that have lost equity and have been forgiven a portion of outstanding mortgage debt. Our measure was later incorporated into the larger bipartisan committee bill that we are debating today, just a little over a month since the President's remarks. This legislation, although not perfect, is a piece of legislation that I asked my colleagues to take a close look at and the intent of the bill before casting your vote. You will see that this legislation delivers real help to our constituents. Under current law, only two categories of individuals pay taxes when selling the principal residence: those who have been able to realize a capital gain of more than $250,000 or $500,000 on a joint return and those who lose the equity in their home and are forced to pay tax if the lender forgives some portion of the mortgage debt. It is unfair to tax people on phantom income, particularly when they have suffered serious economic loss and had less ability to pay the tax. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act would relieve this tax burden. The Andrews-Lewis provision states that no tax will be collected when a lender forgives part of the mortgage on the sale or disposition of a principal residence. This proposal has earned the support of the National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of Realtors, and the United States Department of the Treasury. Addressing this Tax Code inequity and other long-term issues in the housing market cuts to the core of our national economic stability as we seek to calm financial markets, aid local communities, and support one of our most basic American aspirations, and that's homeownership. I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Andrews, for his commitment to this issue. I also appreciate the time and effort of my chairman, Congressman Rangel, Ranking Member McCrery, and their staffs for moving this important measure to the House floor. The bill before us is a good first step toward addressing the mortgage situation. But more important, this bill is an example of what happens when both parties work together to produce good policy that will benefit millions of Americans. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend from Pennsylvania (Mr. English).

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Mr. Sam Johnson from Texas. (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Mr. Brady from Texas.

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

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

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 15 seconds. I want to thank Mr. Andrews for this bill, and I certainly have appreciated working with him on this. And this is a good time. This is good for the American people to see that we can come together when a problem, a serious problem, is affecting them and we can come up with a solution. Instead of pointing fingers and talking about a problem, we have actually come up with a solution. So thank you for your work.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work the Members the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 696 in Owensboro, Kentucky continue to do to improve their community. Post 696 has exemplified the mission of the VFW: Honor the dead by helping the living. The Post has donated over $22,000 to local and state organizations in the past year. Beneficiaries of their generosity have included local schools, the Boy Scouts, shelters, and churches. Their generosity has also been extended to organizations such as the Wendell Foster Center, Shriners Hospitals, the Children's Wish Foundation, the Disabled American Veterans, and JEVCO. Post 696 recently sponsored a going away picnic for the members of Ft. Campbell's Alpha Troop and their families being deployed to Iraq. The City of Owensboro adopted Alpha Troop through the Americans Supporting Americans' Adopt-a-Unit-Program. I thank the members of the troop for their service and the City of Owensboro for this commitment to these brave soldiers. The VFW Post 696 Honor/Color Guard has been busy serving the community as well. Since 2001, they have participated in over 400 Veteran funerals and 50 community events in Daviess County. I want to recognize the leaders of Post 696 Commander Richard ``Ike'' Eisenmenger Jr., Ladies Auxiliary President Marilu Goodsell, and Color/ Honor Guard Commander Joseph Hayden. They have worked tirelessly to serve veterans and improve their community. It is my privilege to honor the members of VFW Post 696 today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for their past service to our country and continued dedication to serving their community.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sherry L. Cart, a dedicated woman with a long history of service to our country. Mrs. Cart, a resident of Brandenburg, Kentucky, is retiring on September 28, 2007 after thirty-three years of active federal service. Sherry Cart began her civilian service career on January 2, 1974. She is retiring, as Deputy Protocol Officer, United States Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Mrs. Cart's hard work has not gone unnoticed during her time at Fort Knox. She was the recipient of the Commander's Award for Civilian Service along with numerous performance awards and service awards. It is my privilege to honor Sherry L. Cart today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for her service to the soldiers of Fort Knox, the United States Army, and this Nation. I wish Sherry, her husband Steve, and the rest of their family a safe and happy retirement.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Edward ``Jack'' Eubanks, a proud veteran and dedicated public servant. Mr. Eubanks, a resident of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is retiring after 43 years of service to our country. Mr. Eubanks served in the United States Army for 20 years and retired as sergeant first class. His military service included three overseas tours of duty, one being in Vietnam. Upon his retirement from the Army, Mr. Eubanks joined the Federal civilian workforce at Fort Knox, Kentucky, serving most recently as Chief of Armor Center Protocol. During his 23 years of civilian work, he has been the recipient of the Superior Civilian Service Award twice, the Gold Medallion-Noble Patron of Armor, and the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal. It is my privilege to honor Jack Eubanks today, before the entire United States House of Representatives, for his service to his country. I wish Jack, and his wife Kathy a safe and happy retirement.

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky

Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Greenwood High School Lady Gators softball team. The Lady Gators won the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Fast Pitch Softball State Championship on June 9, 2007. Greenwood High School defeated Ryle High by a score of 4-0 to win their first state title. The victory capped off an amazing season for the Lady Gators. They finished the season with a record of 40-5, equaling the most single season wins in Kentucky High School history. Success is nothing new to the Greenwood High School softball program. The team has won 339 games since 1995, the fifth most in the state. Also, the Lady Gators have captured seven Fourth Region titles and nine straight District 14 crowns. I want to congratulate Coach Penny Reece's team for their outstanding achievement. Their hard work and sacrifice has made all of Warren County proud. I look forward to watching Greenwood High School defend their State Championship next season.