Daniel Lipinski

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alia Abiad, winner of the Cook County Spelling Bee. Alia Abiad is a 7th Grader at McClure Junior High School, and a resident of my hometown of Western Springs, IL. In addition to being a skilled tennis player and violinist for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, her recent performances in local Spelling Bees have demonstrated that she is an extremely dedicated and talented young woman. Alia diligently practices her spelling independently and with her parents every day. She also gains her edge by reading books intended for an audience well beyond her age. Alia initially won the title of best speller at McClure Junior High, and then went on to win the Cook County Regional Spelling Bee. In these competitions she maintained a perfect record, spelling every word correctly. Alia will be representing her school and her peers at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC this upcoming May. This victory is a reminder of how preparation, practice, and perseverance produce solid results, even when facing difficult challenges. I call on all my colleagues to join me in congratulating Alia Abiad for her tremendous accomplishment.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Lockport Township High School Boys Bowling Team on winning their first Illinois High School Association championship. Although they were in 12th place earlier in the tournament and risked elimination, the Porters demonstrated toughness and determination to maintain a qualifying position. Their persistence eventually allowed them to overcome a 300 pin deficit. The Porters averaged an impressive 214 points per game, with their leading scorer and individual state champion, Shane Matejcek, scoring 286 points in his fifth game to help keep his team in contention for the title. Shane would finish with a total of 2,924 pins, the second highest score in state history. The team entered the second day in 3rd place, but emerged victorious after an impressive display of teamwork on a 12 for 13 run of strikes. This victory is a reminder of how preparation, practice, and perseverance produce solid results, even when facing difficult challenges. Today, I am pleased to call on all my colleagues to join me in congratulating the young men of Lockport Township High School on winning the IHSA championship. Great job, Porters!

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Dorothy Rockaitis, a lifelong resident of Chicago who is celebrating her 90th birthday today. Dorothy Victoria Cichoszewski was born on February 6th, 1923, and was raised in Brighton Park by her parents, Victoria and Michael. She would later move to Garfield Ridge, where she lived for 50 years. In 1963, Dorothy married Frank Rockaitis, her steadfast partner for nearly four decades. For over forty years, Dorothy was actively involved in government and politics. Not only did she work for Chicago Aldermen Frank Kuta and Bill Krstyniak, she also worked for Illinois State House member Robert Terzich. She later served Illinois' 3rd Congressional District on the staff of Congressman Bill Lipinski. As an office manager, secretary, and Democratic Precinct Captain, Dorothy faithfully served her party, city, and country for nearly half a century. A vibrant and lively aunt, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Dorothy is beloved by so many around her. From her seventeen-year marriage with Frank Miller, Dorothy has three children: Michalene, Patricia, and Charles. Dorothy also has five grandchildren: Gina Glaubke, John Glaubke, Aaron Conrad, Keith Conrad, and Alicia Miller. From her grandchildren come four great grandchildren: Luca Conrad, Odette Conrad, Clare Glaubke, and Emma Glaubke. Dorothy is a caring, energetic, and dedicated American who is deserving of our recognition and praise. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Dorothy Rockaitis a very happy 90th birthday, and to thank her for being such an active contributor to her community.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Catholic Schools Week and to recognize the outstanding contribution that Catholic schools have made to our Nation. Catholic Schools Week was celebrated last week in schools all across the country. As a proud graduate of St. Symphorosa Grammar School and St. Ignatius College Prep, and a strong supporter of Catholic education, I, once again this year, introduced a resolution honoring Catholic schools. H. Res. 46 expresses support for ``the vital contributions of the thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States'' and ``the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the Nation.'' I'd like to thank the 28 Members who cosponsored this bipartisan resolution with me. Since 1974, the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have organized and planned National Catholic Schools Week. This year's theme, ``Catholic Schools Raise the Standards,'' highlights recent initiatives undertaken by Catholic schools across the country to strengthen their already exemplary standards. America's Catholic schools produce graduates with the skills and integrity needed by our businesses, governments, and communities, emphasizing a well-rounded educational experience and instilling the values of ``giving back to the community'' and ``helping others.'' Nearly every Catholic school has a community service program, and every year their students volunteer half a million hours to their communities. My own decision to pursue a career in public service was fostered, in part, by dedicated teachers throughout my formative years in Catholic schools. Today over 2 million elementary and secondary students are enrolled in nearly 7,000 Catholic schools. These students typically surpass their peers in math, science, reading, history, and geography in any NAEP test. The graduation rate for Catholic high school students is 99 percent, and 85 percent of graduates enrolled in four-year colleges, rates well above the national average. As we continually hear disturbing reports of our national test scores, these statistics are truly remarkable and should be commended. Notably, the success of Catholic schools does not depend on selectivity. Catholic schools accept nine out of every 10 students who apply and are highly effective in providing a quality education to students from every socioeconomic category, especially disadvantaged youth in underserved urban communities. Over the past 30 years, the percentage of minority students enrolled in Catholic schools has more than doubled, and today they constitute almost one-third of all Catholic school students. In times of economic hardship, Catholic schools provide an affordable alternative to other forms of private education. Now, in addition to producing well-rounded students, it is estimated that Catholic schools save taxpayers over $18 billion annually. The importance of these savings is undeniable as we in Congress, and lawmakers across the country, struggle with budget deficits. I was born and raised in the Chicago Archdiocese, where more than 87,000 students attend 250 schools. In the Joliet Diocese close by, 22,000 students are educated in 48 elementary and 7 high schools. In my district alone, there are nearly a dozen Catholic high schools and more than 50 grammar schools, including one of the best in my home parish, St. John of the Cross in Western Springs, which last year was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education. The focus of this year's Catholic Schools Week, ``Catholic Schools Raise the Standards,'' demonstrates a continued commitment to excellence. The National Catholic Education Association has launched an initiative called the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools which will make sure that standards are consistently high across the country. The dedicated teachers and administrators who work at Catholic schools, many of whom could earn much more elsewhere, are instrumental in upholding these standards. In recognizing Catholic Schools Week, we pay a special tribute to these professionals who sacrifice so much for their students. During Catholic Schools Week last week, I visited several schools in my district, including St. Dennis in Lockport, St. Cajetan in Chicago, and St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick in Lemont. At each of these schools, I was able to visit with students and witness the excellent Catholic education that was being instilled by teachers, administrators, pastors, and volunteer parents. The dedication of all those involved in educating these children demonstrated why Catholic schools are so successful not only in my district but across our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me today in honoring Catholic schools and all they contribute to our Nation.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. ``The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty-thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.''

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas for yielding to me. It has been a pleasure to work with Chairman Hall ever since I joined the Science Committee in 2005. First and foremost, I want to thank him for the work he has done as Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and as a champion of NASA. When the Republicans captured control of the House in 2010, there was no one more deserving of being elevated to chairman than Ralph Hall, especially given the fact that he is probably the only member of Congress to ever serve as Ranking Member of a committee from both sides of the aisle before becoming chair. The Science Committee has historically been a place where the day-to- day grudge match of partisan politics takes a backseat to thoughtful policy making. Chairman Hall is a great exemplar of that tradition, in the same vein as past chairmen such as Bart Gordon and Sherwood Boehlert. Ralph knows how to make things work and get things done, and he always has a way of doing it with a smile. That style is a throwback to the days when Congress was a more genial place and members worked together across the aisle with others even when they had disagreements. We could use more people in Congress like Chairman Hall, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to get things done for our constituents and for our nation.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise small business owners and employees who contribute so much to their local communities. Through the Small Business Saturday event to be held on November 24th, 2012, people around the country will demonstrate their appreciation for the businesses that make their communities unique. The days following Thanksgiving have become a time of windfall sales revenue for many retail businesses. In the past, however, small businesses without large advertising budgets have not seen the same success as their larger counterparts. In 2010, Small Business Saturday was created to encourage consumers to utilize their local vendors. I commend the communities that participate every year and especially those who will begin this year. This will be the first year the Village of Oak Lawn formally participates in Small Business Saturday. Thanks to the work of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Saturday Oak Lawn will no doubt be a hugely successful event, highlighting the local flavor that these establishments provide. A trolley will shuttle shoppers along Oak Lawn's bustling 95th Street to visit the various businesses and the village will simultaneously hold its annual Santa on the Green for local youth. This is a great event not only for Oak Lawn businesses but also for residents of the village and surrounding communities. Small businesses represent the hopes and dreams of so many hard working and creative entrepreneurs, and have long been the backbone of the American economy. The individuals who create and work at small businesses represent half of all private sector American jobs and generate over 60% of the new jobs in our recovering economy. In many cities and villages, small businesses are what keep Main Street communities alive and thriving. Such vendors are best suited to cater to the unique needs of these small and distinctive towns, and so our continued support is more important than ever. Please join me in honoring those who have worked hard to start Small Business Saturday around the country and of course the small businesses that make it all possible. May the event be a resounding success.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph J. Stachon as Johnson-Phelps Post 5220 welcomes him home following his installation as Illinois VFW State Commander. As a decorated veteran, a dedicated citizen, and a loyal patriot, Mr. Stachon continues to serve his community and his tireless dedication deserves our recognition. I am especially proud because he is the first VFW State Commander from the 3rd Congressional District. As a young man, Mr. Stachon enlisted and served our nation honorably in Vietnam as a Green Beret in the United States Army. As a combat rifleman in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, he was deployed from October 1968 until he was wounded in action, coming home in a full body cast in May 1969. On the battlefield his sacrifices earned him a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachute Badge, as well as a National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Mr. Stachon also served for 30 years in the Chicago Police Department. On patrol, Mr. Stachon would occasionally encounter dangerous and difficult situations. In these instances, he was pragmatic and effective, quickly neutralizing any danger for both civilians and officers. He was known for his calm temperament and his reliability, and his commitment to the force and his fellow policemen was well-known and unwavering. A Gold Legacy life member of the VFW Johnson-Phelps Post 5220 in Oak Lawn, Illinois, Mr. Stachon has served in all chairs including Post Commander ten times and All-State Commander four times. He has also served the Department of Illinois in many offices and is involved in several civic organizations. Described by his friends as dependable and honest, Mr. Stachon is also a devoted family man who has been married to his wife Barbara for 43 years. Together they have raised two sons, Joseph Jr. and Jon, and a daughter, Julie. He enjoys spending his free time with his children and his four grandchildren: Anthony, Michael, Joseph, and Michelle, as well as his son-in-law, Tom, and daughter-in-law, Marie. I ask you to join me in honoring Mr. Joseph Stachon on his installation and homecoming as Illinois VFW State Commander.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 80th anniversary of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars Rhine Post 2729. Their 80 years of dedication and service is certainly a milestone deserving our recognition, and I am pleased to congratulate them on this special occasion. Rhine Post 2729's history of service began in 1932, after receiving their official Congressional Charter on October 29th. It was named ``Rhine'' after Mr. Leo Spychalski, a Polish-American who founded the post and shared the nickname. Mr. Spychalski served in the U.S. Army and participated in the Allied offensive along the German western front in World War I. Following Germany's surrender, Mr. Spychalski was stationed as a guard along the Rhine River. After the war, he also served as the first Post Commander at Post 2729 for 6 years. Located in Garfield Ridge, a community in Chicago, Illinois, Rhine Post 2729 has grown from its original 17 members to roughly 125 members today. For 80 years now, these men and women have served their nation with courage and integrity, not only in active military duty overseas, but also in their local community. Rhine Post 2729 is an active organization, and they maintain a legacy of public outreach and service. Of their many activities, they regularly volunteer at the local Veterans Administration hospital and sponsor local community events. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of building a relationship with Rhine Post 2729 and their members. It has been a privilege working with them to host a senior fair, and an honor to have spoken many times at their Memorial Day services at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois. Today I stand to commend Rhine Post 2729 for their contributions to community and country, and to thank their members for their sacrifices. I ask you to join me in honoring them as we congratulate them on their 80th anniversary.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Police Chief Dan McCollum, who will celebrate his 40th year in law enforcement on September 25, 2012. To show their appreciation for his service, the Village of La Grange Park will host a reception in his honor. Throughout his 40 years in law enforcement, including 16 years as Police Chief in La Grange Park, Chief McCollum has served residents around Illinois and in Corvallis, Oregon. In his work to protect his community he has gained a reputation as a professional and honest public servant, consistently demonstrating his strong character. For example, in 1979 when he was a young police chief, his squad car broke down on a rural road in central Illinois during a blizzard. Surrounded by the severe, rapidly approaching storm, he chose not to wait for a passing car, but sought shelter at the nearest house. Although he had made previous arrests at this residence prior to the storm, Chief McCollum took his chances. The storm was so severe, that he would end up staying with the residents for two days until the storm had finally passed. It is this ability to develop relationships even in the face of adversity that sets him apart, and allowed him to earn his position as the youngest police chief in the state at age 24 in Villa Grove, Illinois, and eventually his current post as chief in La Grange Park. Chief McCollum now serves the 13,000 residents of the Village of La Grange Park, just as he has since 1996. He and the rest of the Police Department are committed to maintaining peace in La Grange Park by safeguarding the community and forming bonds of trust with those they protect. Chief McCollum believes that to be an officer in LaGrange Park, one must be oriented toward public service and should be a problem-solver in the community. His leadership drives this police force and is an important reason why the residents of La Grange Park have so much respect for their police. As the La Grange Park Police Chief, Dan McCollum has been recognized on several occasions for his dedication to past and present police officers and public safety. Chief McCollum was appointed President for the Illinois Association of Law Enforcement Executives and has since served in this position for the past three years. Working within this non-profit organization, he has helped to provide more opportunities for professional training and advancement of current and retired law enforcement members. He has also received the 2008 Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in Springfield. Away from the stress of the police station, Chief McCollum has also led a fulfilling personal life. He is a former rock and roll musician, an avid fisherman, and an exceptional cook. Dan's wife, Nancy, and his three children, Sarah, Matthew, and Patrick, will be very proud to see him honored for his longtime service. Please join me in honoring Police Chief Dan McCollum for his dedicated service to the La Grange Park community on the occasion of his 40th year of service. May he continue to be a stalwart public servant in La Grange Park for years to come.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Colonel Edward F. Malinowski, who is retiring from the United States Air Force Reserve after more than 31 years of dedicated service. His time in the Air Force exemplifies the commitment and sacrifice our nation's armed service members are willing to make to protect American freedom and values around the world. Lt. Col. Malinowski has been a lifelong resident of the Chicago area. He and his wife, Sharon, and their three children, Christina, Edward Jr., and Matthew, currently reside in Burbank, Illinois, a city I proudly represent. Edward Malinowski was promoted to his current rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve's 910th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in October 2006. He exhibited an excellent aptitude throughout his career in overseeing the safety and maintenance of Air Force aircraft. Lt. Col. Malinowski has helped maintain the squadron with the longest flying safety record of any Air Force unit to date. And his service goes well beyond maintaining aircraft: in the Reserve he assisted with a critical sandbagging mission along the Mississippi River during the 1993 floods and his squad saved a man's life after he drove his car off a levy. His record and experience in the Air Force Reserve led him to private sector work which included managing Chicago's Meigs Field Airport, where he oversaw the airport's safe closure. Aside from his numerous honors and accomplishments Lt. Col. Malinowski gave a great deal back to the community. He donated his time and knowledge by introducing intercity children to the joys of flight through the Young Eagles Program. He is also a Medinah Shriner life member and has provided aid to injured children by volunteering to fly victims to the organization's hospitals and burn centers. Whether it was organizing a group of 2,000 citizens for the Presidential Inaugural Parade or being deployed in Southeast Asia to aid a logistics unit that supported combat aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Malinowski has continuously answered the call to serve our nation. Please join me in honoring this man who has done so much for his country and community. May he enjoy a long and well deserved retirement.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day and to express my gratitude to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who have suffered unimaginable hardships as prisoners of war and to those courageous service members who remain missing in action. One of the great tragedies of war is the inability of a family to lay a beloved fallen service member in a final appropriate resting place at home here in the United States. Sadly, since World War II, the families of over 84,000 servicemen and women are left to wonder the fate of their family member who went missing in action. My thoughts and prayers go out to these service members and their families; that these Americans heroes may find peace, and that one day we can return them home. During the same time period, more than 138,000 brave American service members have been detained as prisoners of war, with many suffering through barbaric treatment by their captors. POWs have seen and experienced some of the most horrific acts of which mankind is capable, and they certainly deserve our unending recognition and gratitude. The loyalty and bravery they demonstrate while at the hands of our enemies cannot be overstated. While we pause to remember the sacrifice so many brave men and women have made for our country, we must also thank those who have worked tirelessly to find and return home those who went missing. The Defense Prisoner of War and Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) is responsible for the investigation and recovery process for missing service members. The DPMO also works closely with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, or JPAC, which is responsible for worldwide investigations, recoveries, and identifications. Together, and with other dedicated private organizations, DPMO and JPAC do the difficult work of bringing our service members home to rest and bringing closure to their families. I was honored to be a part of the effort of JPAC returning to the south Pacific island of Betio, where the historic battle of Tarawa took place in World War II. One of the first Marine beach assaults of the war, an entrenched Japanese force inflicted immense casualties on U.S. forces, yet after 76 hours of battle, our victorious troops raised the American flag above the battlefield. Unfortunately, among the 1100 Marines, soldiers and sailors lost in this engagement, 564 remain unrecovered and lost in battle. Following language I was able to include in a defense authorization bill in 2010, JPAC has returned to Tarawa for one recovery mission in 2010, and plans another for next year. I will continue to promote the recovery of these servicemen until they are home. Since 1979, our nation has observed National POW/MIA Recognition Day to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families. That year, Congress passed a resolution to mark the third Friday of September as a day to ensure Americans would never forget. I encourage my colleagues and all Americans to take a moment today to remember those who sacrificed for our freedom. We are all forever indebted to these men and women, and on this somber day, we must reiterate our promise that ``We will not forget.''

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. John of the Cross Parish School, an exemplary Catholic school in Western Springs, Illinois, for receiving the prestigious 2012 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School Award. As a member of this parish, I am especially happy to see the hard work of the students, teachers, administrators, and parents recognized, and I want to congratulate Principal Kathleen Gorman, as well as our pastor, Rev. David P. Dowdle. In 1982, the Department of Education established the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program to recognize public and private schools boasting high or significantly improved achievement. The program's goal is to identify attributes of thriving American schools in order to replicate their success in other schools. St. John of the Cross is one of only 50 private schools across the Nation to be named as a National Blue Ribbon School this year. This is a great achievement for everyone at the school and all members of the parish. The mission of St. John of the Cross Parish School is to provide a safe and dynamic Catholic environment where faith is nourished and knowledge grows. The school offers challenging educational experiences that foster success, promote unity, and respect the individuality of each student. Since 1961, the school has prided itself on multi- generational Catholic traditions and achievement. St. John of the Cross has maintained a strong Catholic identity and strong academic standards throughout its history. In 2011, the school proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary. St. John of the Cross Parish School offers programs from preschool through eighth grade and attracts students from Western Springs and surrounding communities, currently enrolling 630 students. Since its founding, the school has been supported by the St. John of the Cross Parish and has grown to become one of the largest Catholic schools in Chicago's Archdiocese. St. John of the Cross Parish School offers impressive science, technology, and art facilities as well as a wide range of student activities. All students are involved in the religious activities of the parish and participate in a variety of service projects. Today, the school benefits from the hard work and dedication of its principal, Kathleen Gorman, as well as its assistant principals, Zita Wheeling and Tom Clausing. This award recognizes the time and hard work of the teachers and students, as well as the critical support and involvement of the students' parents and the entire parish community. I am delighted that the excellent work and success of St. John of the Cross Parish School has been acknowledged on a national stage. Please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of St. John of the Cross Parish School and all the National Blue Ribbon award winners. Their pursuit of academic excellence is inspiring, and I hope that their success can serve as a model for schools across the Nation.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Ms. Johnson. Next, I want to recognize the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Mr. Altmire. Next, I want to recognize the Democratic whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. LIPINSKI. Next, I want to recognize the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay).

Mr. LIPINSKI. I thank you, Mr. Young. I want to recognize now the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. LIPINSKI. Next, I want to recognize the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order honoring Congressman Jerry Costello's distinguished service in Congress.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great legislator and a close personal friend, Congressman Jerry Costello, who will retire from the House of Representatives at the end of this 112th Congress. Jerry has long been known as one of the most effective and well-liked Members of Congress since he took office in 1988. It is my honor to lead this Special Order in his honor. I knew Jerry before I was elected to Congress in 2004. I had the privilege of working in his congressional office in the mid-1990s. Today, we serve together on two House committees: the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Jerry has been an important mentor to me throughout my time here. I have always been impressed with his work on behalf of his constituents and his work to improve America's transportation network. He is someone who is here to get things done, and he knows how to do it. His retirement from this body is a loss to us all. Congress will not be the same without Jerry, and I know we would all benefit if we had more colleagues like him. There are a number of Members on both sides of the aisle who want to speak, so I will continue with the rest of my speech later if we have time. But right now, I want to recognize the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. LIPINSKI. I yield to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Mr. Clay. Next I want to recognize the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you very much, Mr. Hoyer. I just want to wrap up here and continue on in talking about Jerry. I know Jerry has been extremely popular among his constituents because he is a lifelong resident of his district and always has been focused on helping them. He was born in East St. Louis, Illinois. He attended Assumption High School there, and later graduated from Southwestern Illinois College and Maryville University, which is just across the Mississippi River in St. Louis. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, Jerry worked in various positions in southwestern Illinois, culminating with his election to the House of Representatives in August of 1988 in a special election. He was known then and is still known today as a person with a special ethic and earnestness to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. Since that time, his accomplishments have been numerous and outstanding. We've heard from many of our colleagues before this about some of his accomplishments. I could spend hours standing up here listing them all, but some of his most important, recent accomplishments include helping to pass four national highway investment bills, seven Federal Aviation Administration bills, and helping to secure funds for a new Mississippi bridge for the residents of Illinois and Missouri. He has a great reputation for delivering for his district. A couple of examples include helping prevent the closure of Scott Air Force Base, the largest employer in Illinois south of Springfield, and helping extend St. Louis' Metrolink to St. Clair County, providing public transportation to many thousands of people. He has received recognition as a leading advocate for farmers and for many other causes, including the arts and multiple sclerosis. His dedication to an effective transportation network in the U.S. has remained steadfast throughout his career. As Mr. Altmire has mentioned, a perfect example of this is his drafting and passing of the Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009. In response to a tragic plane crash in 2009 in Buffalo, New York, that killed 51 due to lack of rest for the pilot, Jerry wrote a bill that made requirements for pilot rest and training much more stringent. This legislation has resulted in safer travel for millions of Americans. The legislation is a lasting reminder of the fine work Jerry has done while in Congress. During his time, Jerry has sat in positions of leadership as chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, now serving as ranking member, as well as the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics within the Science and Technology Committee. He has always worked in a bipartisan manner on those committees, doing everything he could to make those committees work. I, and this legislative body, will miss Mr. Costello and the leadership he has provided, but we can all take comfort in knowing that he will be able to spend more time with his wife, Georgia, who serves her community as the president of Southwestern Illinois College; their three children, Jerry, Gina, and John Patrick; and their eight grandchildren, Jay, Austin, Rorey, Ireland, Jerry, Victoria, Georgia, and John Patrick. He will undoubtedly continue to serve his neighbors and all the residents of southwest Illinois in his day-to-day activities. Please join me in honoring Jerry Costello for his tireless hard work, dedication, and skill serving the people of America and Illinois. I congratulate Jerry and thank him for all he has done for his constituents and for his Nation. I thank you, Jerry, for your mentorship here in Congress, and I wish you the best as you retire from the House of Representatives. I know, as other speakers before me have said, Jerry is much too young to retire. I'm sure there are many great things that he will be doing, and he will always be remembered as a great man who served his country and served his constituents of Illinois. We will certainly miss him here, and we can certainly use more Jerry Costellos in this body. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Ms. Schakowsky, for your comments. Next I want to recognize the gentlelady from Texas, who Jerry and I both serve on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science, Space and Technology with, and who's also the ranking member of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Ranking Member Butterfield, for yielding and for your support on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5865, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, a bipartisan bill that I introduced to boost American manufacturing. This bill represents what the American people want us to be doing, working together in a bipartisan manner to advance policies that promote the creation of good-paying jobs for middle class Americans. I want to thank Representative Kinzinger for being willing to work with me across the aisle to bring this bill to the floor. I also want to thank Chairwoman Bono Mack as well as Representative Pompeo for their work on this bill. Mr. Manzullo was just on the floor. I want to thank him for the work he's done to advance manufacturing, the work we've done together in the 8 years that I've been in the Congress with him. In addition, I want to thank Democratic Whip Hoyer for his steadfast advocacy of Make It in America policies. Manufacturing is a linchpin of our Nation's economy. It provides the American middle class with a source of quality jobs making everything from the goods we rely on for everyday needs, to the equipment that we need for national security. But in the first decade of the century, American manufacturing took a hard hit. Almost one-third of American manufacturing jobs disappeared. After 110 years as the world's top manufacturing Nation, America got knocked off its perch by China. I have seen the devastation in my district and across northeastern Illinois. And I get frustrated, just like countless other Americans do, when I go to the store and I cannot find the words ``made in the U.S.A.'' on any product. Some say this is inevitable but it does not have to be. While we have been seeing signs of a resurgent American manufacturing sector, with jobs increasing by nearly half a million in the past few years, we still have a long way to go. America relies on the entrepreneurial spirit of private enterprise. There is no doubt there would be no American manufacturing base without the innovators and the risk takers. The great growth in American manufacturing in the 20th century would have been impossible without the hard work of the middle class. But it is also clear that the government interacts with and affects manufacturing in countless ways. From tax and trade, to regulation, to research, education, and workforce development, government policies have a significant effect on our manufacturers. That is why we need a comprehensive, coordinated strategy promoting American manufacturing. While many other countries--China, India, Germany, to name a few--have developed manufacturing strategies, the United States manufacturing policy is uncoordinated and largely ad hoc. If we want American manufacturing to compete and succeed in a global economy, it is vital that we develop a strategy to coordinate our policies that impact manufacturers. And that is exactly what this bill does. Based on the Quadrennial Defense Review, the Pentagon's policy planning process, this bill proposes that every 4 years we convene a group of manufacturing experts from the private and the public sectors. This group, assembled from appointments made by congressional leaders and the President, will analyze domestic and global economics and propose recommendations to Congress, the President, States, and industry, to pursue to make all the types of American manufacturing more competitive. At the end of the day, this bill is about setting aside politics and implementing policies that will create an environment conducive to the flourishing of American manufacturing, which is vital for middle class American jobs and is vital for our national security. If we continue to muddle through without a coordinated plan, government will still be impacting manufacturing, but in an uncoordinated, often inefficient, and sometimes wasteful manner. After a couple of tough decades, I still have a number of small and medium-size manufacturers in my district in northeastern Illinois. One of these is Atlas Tool & Die of Lyons, Illinois, a 94-year-old family- owned business. The director of development for the company, Zach Mottl, said this about H.R. 5865: As a business owner, I know planning is critical. When an organization doesn't operate with a plan, what occurs is a plan to fail. Right now, the United States is operating without a manufacturing strategy in a world where other countries are intensely focused on helping their manufacturers to compete. The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act will bring all sides and stakeholders together to forge a strategy with broad support and the momentum needed to produce action. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to come together today and help start forging this strategy by passing H.R. 5865, and we can all look forward to proudly seeing the ``Made in the USA'' label on more shelves and in more showrooms.