Daniel Lipinski

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Village of Oak Lawn, Illinois as it celebrates its centennial. Throughout its history, the Village of Oak Lawn has strived to embody the best qualities of its residents, and in doing so has served commendably as a great place to work, shop, raise a family, and retire. Beginning with its first settler in 1842, the Village of Oak Lawn has prospered through the years. Symbolic of the ever-expanding United States, 1881 saw the laying of the railroad tracks that connected the area to the world. The railroad and the subsequent railway stations, telegraph office, and post office laid the groundwork for a population that grew to include churches, schools, and 300 residents by the early 1900's. Oak Lawn's growing population, coupled with concerns about autonomy from the City of Chicago and the promise of a much-desired gas pipe, motivated the Village to incorporate in 1909. The hard work of the men and women of Oak Lawn led to the development of a fire department, library, park district and more schools by the mid 1940's. Village population boomed to 27,000 by the 1960's, only to have Oak Lawn rocked by a major tornado in 1967. Undeterred by that devastating event, Oak Lawn grew to its current size of 57,000 by the 1970's. Today, the Village of Oak Lawn is a successful, bustling community well-positioned to continue its prosperity in the 21st century. The Village employs 400 people in an official capacity and boasts a fantastic parks system, a state of the art library, and over 300 acres of parks and recreational facilities. Oak Lawn's excellent education system lays the groundwork for the success and development of future generations, boasting many excellent public schools and five Catholic grammar schools. Advocate Christ Medical Center and Hope Children's Hospital are located in Oak Lawn, providing some of the most acclaimed pediatrics, cardiology, surgical services, oncology, women's services and emergency medicine in the area. And the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn serves countless children from across the region who come to learn, grow, and have fun. From the first resident in 1842 to the current 57,000 residents, citizens of the Village of Oak Lawn have shown grit, determination, and a commitment to excellence and have continued to grow a vibrant community in suburban Cook County. I am proud to have in the 3rd District of Illinois such a strong example of what makes the United States great. May these first one hundred years be only the beginning. I ask my colleagues to rise with me to recognize the history and achievements of the residents of Oak Lawn as the Village celebrates its centennial anniversary.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Richard M. Scheck of North Riverside, Illinois. Richard Scheck will be retiring in April after having given 20 years of dedicated public service as the mayor of North Riverside. Richard Scheck was first elected to his post as mayor in 1989. He has garnered statewide recognition for his excellent record of financial management and achievement, effective communication with residents and businesses, and earnest work for the health and well-being of the North Riverside community. I have been honored to work with Mayor Scheck on numerous issues to help our constituents. Richard Scheck has been a true public servant, selflessly giving his time and energy to his community while also running a successful engineering company. Through his 20 years as mayor, he has made North Riverside an even better place to live. Richard Scheck has also been very successful in his philanthropic work to raise money to fight breast cancer. Through the ``Betty Scheck Walk for Cancer,'' the ``Betty Scheck Shuffle,'' and other fundraisers, he has helped raise over $1.2 million for the American Cancer Society. And in 2007, Seguin Services--which helps children and adults with disabilities--awarded Richard Scheck the President's Award for ``his support as a community leader, a donor, an employer, a connector and as an inspiration to others.'' I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the many achievements of Mayor Richard M. Scheck. It is my honor to acknowledge him for his outstanding leadership and commitment to public service in the Village of North Riverside and the Third Congressional District of Illinois.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Richard M. Scheck of North Riverside, Illinois. Richard Scheck will be retiring in April after having given 20 years of dedicated public service as the mayor of North Riverside. Richard Scheck was first elected to his post as mayor in 1989. He has garnered statewide recognition for his excellent record of financial management and achievement, effective communication with residents and businesses, and earnest work for the health and wellbeing of the North Riverside community. I have been honored to work with Mayor Scheck on numerous issues to help our constituents. Richard Scheck has been a true public servant, selflessly giving his time and energy to his community while also running a successful engineering company. Through his 20 years as mayor, he has made North Riverside an even better place to live. Richard Scheck has also been very successful in his philanthropic work to raise money to fight breast cancer. Through the ``Betty Scheck Walk for Cancer,'' the ``Betty Scheck Shuffle,'' and other fundraisers, he has helped raise over $1.2 million for the American Cancer Society. And in 2007, Seguin Services--which helps children and adults with disabilities--awarded Richard Scheck the President's Award for ``his support as a community leader, a donor, an employer, a connector and as an inspiration to others.'' I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the many achievements of Mayor Richard M. Scheck. It is my honor to acknowledge him for his outstanding leadership and commitment to public service in the Village of North Riverside and the Third Congressional District of Illinois.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Coach Gene Pingatore for his outstanding and inspirational career as head coach of the St. Joseph High School boys basketball team in Westchester, Illinois, as well as to recognize his achievement as the all-time winningest boy's basketball coach in Illinois high school history. Always considered one of the most fabled coaches in the storied history of Illinois basketball, Coach Pingatore's legacy reached a new level on January 16th, 2009 when his St. Joseph's squad faced Carmel Catholic High School. Their 49-26 victory gave Pingatore his record- breaking 827th win as a head basketball coach in Illinois. What especially sets Gene Pingatore apart, however, is not his incredible record but rather his winning philosophy and his perseverance. His legendary program was not built overnight. In 1969- 1970, Pingatore only managed three wins in his first season as a coach. The next year St. Joseph's managed seven wins, and Coach Pingatore only enjoyed 3 winning seasons in his first 7 seasons. Coming through that difficult stretch, however, Pingatore's work ethic and undeniable coaching ability spawned a dynasty. Since 1976, St. Joseph's has only suffered once losing season. Only two other coaches in Illinois men's basketball history have passed the elusive 800 win barrier. Even before setting the all-time wins mark, Pingatore's outstanding accomplishments were recognized by the East Suburban Catholic Conference as they made him a member of their inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2006. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Gene Pingatore for the positive role model that he is to the young men of St. Joseph High School and for his continuing commitment to excellence from his players, both on and off the court. As the Representative of the 3rd District of Illinois, I would like to say that we are proud to be home to the state's winningest coach, in every sense of the word.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Commander Constantine Tsoukatos on the occasion of his promotion to Commander of the 314th Maintenance Operations Squadron. Commander Tsoukatos was raised by his parents Helen and Emanuel Tsoukatos in Oak Lawn, IL. In Oak Lawn, Constantine attended Richards High School, before moving on to the University of Illinois where he studied Engineering Mechanics. Upon receiving his Bachelor's degree, Constantine continued his schooling and obtained his Master's degree in Human Resource Development from Webster University in 1999. Constantine began his service in 1997 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant following Officer Training School. Serving as an aircraft maintenance officer, he has held a variety of flightline and backshop positions. His first tour began at Scott AFB, on the C-9 Aircraft. Commander Tsoukatos then taught in the Reserve Officer Training Corps as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Detachment 560, Manhattan College in Bronx, New York, where he also served as the Commandant of Cadets. He was next stationed at Osan AB, ROK, serving both as maintenance flight commander and then as the A-10 AMU IOC. Commander Tsoukatos spent the following 3 years at RAF Mildenhall with the 100th Air Refueling Wing, before moving to his current position within HQ AFMC in June of 2006. Commander Tsoukatos has been recognized previously with the following commendations: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal. Aside from his military service to our nation, Commander Tsoukatos is dedicated to his family as a loving father and husband. He and his wife, Jazmin, have two sons, Manuel and Joaquin and one daughter, Gabriela. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding service and achievements of Commander Constantine Tsoukatos. We acknowledge his accomplishments and express our gratitude for his dedicated service.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. The field of nanotechnology holds great promise for our future, and it's critical that we do all that we can to help ensure that America leads the way in nanotech innovation. H.R. 554 will place the U.S. in a key position to drive technology breakthroughs and go even further to ensuring our long-term competitiveness in the global economic marketplace. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 554, move this authorization forward and get this done this year so we can keep America moving forward on the cutting edge of this new revolution.

Mr. LIPINSKI. I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for yielding. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 554, reauthorizing the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the NNI. I want to commend Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall for their hard work in crafting this important bill and thank all of the Members on both sides of the aisle and the Science and Technology Committee for their hard work last year on quickly doing a great job getting this done, getting it to the floor where we passed it. Now, hopefully this year, as we move quickly--we're off to a quick start thanks to Chairman Gordon. We can finally get this reauthorization done this year. I really firmly believe that nanotech represents one of the most important--if not the most important--technological keys to improving our Nation's future economic growth and improving our way of life. Now, a lot of people don't know what nanotech is. I want to really thank Ranking Member Hall for his great and impressive tutorial he gave on what nanotech is. It may be one of the most important things that people could learn from listening to the floor today. Nanotech is the next industrial revolution. It is so critical that we take the necessary steps in this reauthorization so that our country remains on the cutting edge of this revolution. Nanotech has the potential to deliver many revolutionary advances, from energy efficient, low-emission ``green'' manufacturing systems, to inexpensive portable water purification systems that provide universal access to safe water. Nanotechnology has the potential to impact every sector of our economy. In just 6 years, the global market for nanoscale materials and products is expected to reach $2.6 trillion and to be incorporated into 15 percent of the global manufacturing output. The NNI has been effective in supporting productive, cooperative research efforts across a wide spectrum of disciplines. The Initiative has established a network of state-of- the-art national facilities that are conducting groundbreaking work in nanoscale research and development. These centers of excellence have helped the U.S. lead the world in development and expansion of nanotechnology, leadership that has been vital to economic development and essential to the creation of innovative jobs leading to a stronger and more competitive America. My home State of Illinois is one of the leaders in nanotech research. Many universities and businesses have become deeply invested through programs like the NNI. For example, my alma mater, Northwestern University, houses the Institute for Nanotechnology, which supports research and facilitates collaboration in solving major problems such as finding more precise ways to deliver chemotherapy, along with other medical applications of nanotech. The Institute includes the Center for Nanofabrication and Molecular Self-Assembly, a multimillion-dollar research facility and one of the first federally funded centers of its kind. It helps foster partnerships to encourage researchers and entrepreneurs to become involved in this cutting-edge field, creating jobs and potential for entirely new industries. Now, the reauthorization of the NNI includes three significant adjustments. First, it strengthens the planning and implementation of research on environmental health and safety aspects of nanotech ensuring that possible unintended impacts of nanotech products will not defeat the enormous promise of this technology. We need to make sure that people are confident in nanotech, and we need to make sure we can be confident in the safety of nanotech. That's one of the critical things that this reauthorization does with the NNI. Second, it requires the NNI to place increased emphasis on technology transfer, which entails moving basic research results out of the lab and into commercial products. From my own experience in Illinois with our national labs and research universities, I know that technology transfer is not simple, but it is an important part of ensuring that R&D investments serve the public. Remember, we, the American people, are making these investments. We need to do everything we can that we have technology transfers, that everything that is found, everything developed, is something that we can bring to market. And finally, this reauthorization creates new education programs to attract secondary school students to science and technology studies and to help prepare the nanotechnology workforce of tomorrow. As a former educator and as chairman of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee, I understand the vital role of education in promoting the success of individual Americans, and more broadly, the economic competitiveness of our Nation.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, and I rise today in support of H. Res. 117, supporting the goals and ideals of the National Engineers Week. As an engineer, I am proud to sponsor this resolution again honoring National Engineers Week, and I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for working with me on this resolution and on so many other important issues. Mr. Ehlers and I are the cochairs of the STEM Ed, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Caucus. STEM Ed is really critical to the future of our country and the future of American technology and leadership in the world. And promoting STEM Ed, especially in engineering, is a big part of what National Engineers Week is all about. I want to begin by sharing a few statistics: Three hours, 44 percent, and 45,000 teachers. Three hours is the average amount of weekly science instruction currently received by early elementary school students in the United States, 3 hours; 44 percent of districts cut the time devoted to elementary science education since the enactment of No Child Left Behind; and, at the end of 2000, the last year that we have good statistics for, 45,000 math and science teachers left the teaching profession. Couple these statistics with the projection that, by 2012, about 46 percent of all engineering jobs could become vacant due to retirement by the aging workforce, and it becomes clear we need a renewed emphasis on educating and exciting America's youth about engineering and science. Next week is the 18th annual Engineers Week, a week which features events aimed at educating youth and fostering public awareness about the vital contributions made by engineers to our quality of life and our economic prosperity. Through programs like the Future City Competition, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and the first robotics competition, the National Engineers Week Foundation confronts the challenge of plugging the leaky pipeline and encouraging more students to pursue careers in engineering. We lose far too many students through this leaky pipeline, and we are not producing enough engineers right now through our educational system. Engineers Week comprises numerous events. For example, students learn the value of teamwork as they work in groups to develop creative and practical solutions to some of the most important problems facing our world. Projects like designing future cities make engineering come alive for students, planting a seed that can lead to further studies or a career in engineering. Indeed, research shows that children's early experiences with science and engineering are a stronger prediction of long-lasting interest in science fields than aptitude tests. I can attest that my own childhood experiences with science and engineering captivated me. As a child growing up in Chicago, I was fascinated with figuring out how mechanical devices worked. I remember that my high school calculus and physics teachers at St. Ignatius, Father Thul and Father Fergus, were the ones who helped mold this childhood fascination into an interest in engineering. As a child, I also remember going to the Museum of Science and Industry. I remember touring the coal mine exhibit. I remember seeing the enormous train set teaching about trains and setting out the tracks and about how locomotives work. I remember all the exhibits there, and how much that excited and captivated me. And all these experiences instilled in me the knowledge, confidence, and intellectual curiosity needed to pursue an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Northwestern University and then a master's degree in engineering from Stanford. One of the central goals of National Engineers Week is to provide this kind of inspiration for the next generation of students. Engineers have played a critical role throughout our history, and there are numerous challenges facing our world that require immediate engineering solutions, including developing American energy independence, finding solutions to confront global climate change, and making our Nation more secure. We need to make sure that our country remains capable of designing, planning, and building these projects. We need to help grow the next generation of talent by removing the social, educational, and economic barriers that deter young students from careers in engineering and technology. Now more than ever we need to recognize the many contributions that engineers have made to our country and the role that they must continue to play if we are to remain competitive in an increasingly connected global economy. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), I would like to thank Ranking Member Hall, as well as the 37 other cosponsors of H. Res. 117. I would like to especially thank the engineers who have contributed so much to America. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman, and I am proud to have worked with him to offer this amendment. This bill must be a jobs bill, a job-creation bill investing in transit is a certain way to create jobs and do things that are much needed in this country. The CTA Chairwoman Brown told us last week she could spend $500 million tomorrow to make needed improvements. Likewise, Metra commuter rail and Pace Suburban Bus has ready-to-go projects, has new starts that are ready to go, to put people back to work, get them working, get people moving. So to create more jobs, we need to pass the Nadler amendment.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Iowa for yielding. Today I rise in support of H. Res. 39, honoring Catholic Schools Week and recognizing the outstanding contributions that Catholic schools have made to America. As a product of St. Symphorosa Grammar School and St. Ignatius High School and a strong supporter of Catholic education, I am proud to sponsor this resolution again this year. And I would like to thank my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for joining me in working on this resolution. Since 1974, Catholic Schools Week has celebrated the positive impact that Catholic schools have had on our country and recognize their outstanding contributions in providing a strong academic and moral education, as well as teaching the importance of responsibility to one's family and community. As we heard in President Obama's inauguration address yesterday, responsibility is critical to our Nation's success, and responsibility requires service to others. Very appropriately, the theme for next week's Catholic Schools Week is ``Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.'' President Obama rightfully sees public service as a way to unify the country, to bridge divisions and to teach responsible citizenship. This is nothing new to America's Catholic schools. They have always taught the intrinsic value of service to others. Nearly 95 percent of Catholic schools have a service program, and the average student completes approximately 80 hours of public service. My strong desire to serve was fostered by my dedicated teachers at Catholic schools. Nearly 95 percent of Catholic schools have a service program, and the average student completes approximately 80 hours of public service. Today, almost 2.3 million elementary and secondary students are enrolled in nearly 7,500 Catholic schools. These schools have more than 160,000 full-time professional staff. Through individual attention and quality education, Catholic school students, on average, surpass other students in math, science and reading in the three grade levels tested by the NAEP test. The graduation rate for Catholic high school students is 99 percent, and 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to college or technical schools. These are truly remarkable statistics in a country where we read all-too-many reports of deep problems in our educational system and worrying declines in our student's international competitiveness. Catholic schools are known for embracing students from all walks of life and are highly effective at providing excellent educational opportunities for minority students and disadvantaged youth. Almost one in seven students of Catholic schools is not Catholic. And over the past 30 years, the percentage of minority students enrolled in Catholic schools has more than doubled. And the success of Catholic schools does not depend on selectivity, accepting nine out of every 10 students who apply. In addition to producing well-educated students with a commitment to service, Catholic schools save American taxpayers billions of dollars every year by lessening the number of students in already overburdened public schools. In fact, it is estimated that taxpayers save over $1 billion from students attending Catholic schools in the Chicago area and approximately $20 billion nationwide. This savings is crucial to American taxpayers, especially during these harsh economic times. Unfortunately, the current economic turmoil combined with much longer travails of middle class in our country have been hard on Catholic schools in some areas. Just like me, my wife Judy attended Catholic schools for 12 years. She went to St. Patrick's Grade School and Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, less than 2 weeks ago it was announced that St. Patrick's would be closing. This closing is a great loss not just to the students of St. Patrick's, but the entire community of Moxham, demonstrating just how important Catholic schools are to the greater community. I was born and raised and lived in the Chicago Archdiocese, which still has one of the most successful school systems in the country. More than 98,000 students attend 256 schools. In my district alone, there are seven Catholic high schools and approximately 50 grammar schools, including one of the best in my home parish of St. John of the Cross in Western Springs. My experiences have taught me the important spiritual, moral and intellectual foundation that Catholic schools provide to students. Catholic education has granted me the knowledge, discipline, desire to serve, and a love of learning that enabled me to achieve my doctorate degree and become a teacher before being elected to Congress. In recognizing Catholic Schools Week, we pay a special tribute to dedicated teachers and administrators who sacrifice so much, in most cases working for much less than they could earn elsewhere. Many of my formative memories are of teachers who taught me the values of faith and service. After 35 years, I can still fondly remember Sister Diane, my Student Congress coach when I was in high school, and from Sister Mildred in first grade to Sister Xavier in eighth grade at St. Symphorosa. Throughout the United States, millions of others have similar memories of their dedicated sisters, priests and lay teachers who gave their hearts and souls to touch the lives of their students. Madam Speaker, American Catholic schools deserve our praise, our support and our gratitude. I would like to thank everyone who has cosponsored this resolution. And to share our praise and support for Catholic schools, I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Spike O'Dell, retiring host of the Spike O'Dell program on WGN Radio in Chicago. Spike has brought his unique style of humor and knowledge to countless Chicagoans every morning for the past two decades. I have appeared on his morning show numerous times, and I can honestly say that it has been a pleasure working with Spike and his staff, especially his producer Jim Wiser. Spike will be sorely missed on the radio by all in Chicagoland. A native of East Moline, Illinois, Spike graduated from York College in Nebraska before obtaining his certificate in broadcasting from a local vocational school. His first radio job was at WEMO in his home town of East Moline, Illinois, before moving on to KSTT in Davenport, Iowa. Next, he moved to WBT in Charlotte, North Carolina, then on to KIIK back in Davenport, Iowa. Spike's big break came in 1987 when he was offered the afternoon show on WGN Radio in Chicago. He flourished in this role at WGN, garnering a loyal following, and in 2000 he succeeded the late Bob Collins as the host of morning programming. Since his appointment, Spike's show is consistently rated the top morning show in Chicago. The Spike O'Dell show did not just report the news, it was where the news was made. From exclusive interviews with everyone from entertainers to politicians, on sight reporting from across the globe and insightful editorials from Spike and a wide cast of contributors, the Spike O'Dell show was always both informative and entertaining. The self proclaimed ``worst kept secret'' in radio, Spike announced his retirement nearly 2 years ago, telling listeners that on January 1, 2009 there would be a new host for the morning show. While a successor has yet to be named, it is going to be extremely difficult to find someone as hard working and who generates as loyal a fan base as Spike. It is my great privilege to honor Spike O'Dell for his commitment to radio in Chicago. I wish the best to Spike and his wife Karen. May his retirement be as successful and rewarding as his show.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize a distinguished Member of Congress from the Illinois Delegation, Congressman Ray LaHood. Ray is a friend and a true example of leadership in public service. Ray has served his country and his community in many ways throughout his lifetime. He was a dedicated teacher in both Catholic and public schools and he served as the Director of Youth Services in Rockford, Illinois. Ray was elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives in 1982 and then worked for House Republican Leader Robert Michel as District Administrative Assistant and, for four years, as Chief of Staff. Upon Rep. Michel's retirement, Ray was elected to the 104th Congress in 1994 where he has served the people of the 18th District for seven terms. Here in the House, Ray is known for his efforts to establish a higher level of civility, decorum, and bipartisanship. His knowledge of congressional rules and procedures and his fair-handedness enabled him to be called upon many times to chair the House during proceedings on contentious issues including the impeachment debate in 1998. Ray has also served his district with great bipartisanship and integrity, including working diligently on the creation of the Lincoln Presidential Library and supporting the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln to be held in 2009. It has been an honor and privilege to serve with Congressman Ray LaHood in the House of Representatives. We will miss his presence, especially in the Illinois delegation. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Ray and his wife Kathy as they embark on new beginnings and future endeavors, especially The Ray and Kathy LaHood Center for Cerebral Palsy.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize a distinguished Member of Congress from the Illinois Delegation, Congressman Jerry Weller. Jerry is a true friend and a valued member of the Illinois Delegation. From his rural roots growing up on a farm in Dwight, Illinois, Jerry has dedicated his life to public service. He started in the office of Representative Tom Corcoran before moving on to the office of the Secretary of Agriculture before being elected to the Illinois General Assembly. In 1994 he was elected to represent Illinois' 11th District in Congress where he has served ever since. Congressman Weller has been a strong voice for Illinois working tirelessly for such important projects as forming the nation's largest national prairie, the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and creating the Abraham Lincoln National Veterans Cemetery. It has been an honor and privilege to serve with Jerry Weller in the House of Representatives. We will all miss his presence, especially in the Illinois delegation. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Congressman Weller and his wife Zury as they embark on new beginnings and future endeavors.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 421.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding educator in my district, Thomas Lizik. This past June, Mr. Lizik retired from the Archdiocese of Chicago school system after 40 years of distinguished service and leadership. His remarkable contributions to his students, colleagues, and the entire community will always be remembered and his presence will be sorely missed. I would like to extend my appreciation to Mr. Lizik for his decades of dedicated service. After receiving a degree in business administration from DePaul University in 1968, Mr. Lizik began his teaching career at Visitation Catholic School in Chicago, IL. He continued on to teach at St. Ann Catholic School in Chicago, St. Denis School in Chicago, and Incarnation School in Palos Heights. Mr. Lizik's awareness of the importance of family, friends, integrity, and career is the foundation of his professional success, and has led his colleagues and students to hold him in the highest regard. Mr. Lizik's tireless work has earned him numerous awards, including the ``Outstanding Teacher Award'' from St. Ignatius College Prep and the ``Most Influential Teacher Award'' from De La Salle High School and Queen of Peace High School. In 2002, he was nominated for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to these special awards, he has also been featured in ``Who's Who Among American Teachers'' and has served as a distinguished member of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Thomas Lizik as an outstanding educator, and recognize his tireless efforts to educate and develop generations of confident, responsible, and well-educated students. He has done nothing less than an extraordinary job in preparing future generations for their challenges ahead. I thank and congratulate Thomas for his service and dedication and wish him a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor JoAnne Kosey for her ongoing dedication to the community of Riverside, Illinois. JoAnne has been named Person of the Year by a combined committee made up of members from the Riverside Chamber of Commerce and the Riverside Township Lions club. As a lifelong resident of Riverside, volunteering has always been a large part of JoAnne's life. Since high school, she has been involved in helping the community through volunteering at her church, school and for the village during her free time. Continuing into motherhood, she was able to balance her responsibilities as a working mother with her ongoing responsibility to the community. JoAnne was elected to two terms on the Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 School Board and she also worked as a teacher at St. Joseph Grade School and Mater Christi School. Her dedication to education did not keep her from founding the local farmers market, co-chairing the 125th Anniversary Celebration, serving as the commissioner on the Historical Commission and the Economic Development Commission, and serving as a representative to the Des Plaines River Basin Steering Committee. Currently, she serves as the president of the Riverside Educational Foundation, and as a member of the Alumni Achievement Committee. This award is a well deserved recognition of her dedication to the betterment of the village of Riverside. She is a sterling example of how the entire community benefits from volunteering. JoAnne is a credit to the village of Riverside and to the State of Illinois. She has clearly shown how much of a difference to a community the help of one person can make. It is my great privilege to recognize JoAnne Kosey for being named Person of the Year for the Village of Riverside, Illinois.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor two aviation pioneers, Stephen Darius and Stanley Girenas, on the 75th Anniversary of their historic trans-Atlantic flight that began at Municipal Airport--since renamed Midway Airport--which is located in Illinois' Third Congressional District on Chicago's Southwest Side. Inspired by witnessing Charles A. Lindbergh's historic flight from New York to Paris, Stephen Darius returned home to Chicago after serving his country in World War I determined to fly non-stop across the Atlantic. In Chicago he met Stanley Girenas, a former Army airplane mechanic. Sharing a common Lithuanian heritage and military background, Darius proposed a first ever non-stop flight from New York to Kaunas, Lithuania. Girenas liked the idea and agreed to be Darius' co-pilot. Securing adequate funding for their flight was especially difficult during the Great Depression. The two men pooled their savings and purchased a used six passenger airplane that required extensive repairs and modifications. Representatives of Chicago's Lithuanian community came to the aid of Darius and Girenas and formed a Flight Sponsors Committee in order to raise the necessary funds. The Committee raised approximately $4,200 to support the flight, a monumental sum in 1932. Darius and Girenas embarked on the first leg of their journey from Chicago to New York on May 7th, 1933, on their newly christened airplane, the LITUANICA. After various weather and organizational delays, the two men took off from New York bound for Lithuania on July 15th, carrying a large bag of letters destined for friends and family in Kaunas. Sadly, their plane was lost over the town of Soldin, Germany, 70 miles northeast of Berlin due to heavy storms, and they never reached Lithuania. It is my great privilege to recognize Stephen Darius and Stanley Girenas for their historic trans-Atlantic flight and their contributions to early aviation, to the American Lithuanian community, to Chicago--which has the largest Lithuanian community outside of Lithuania, and to the United States and Lithuania.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 80th anniversary of St. Richard Parish in Chicago, IL. This upcoming Sunday, the church will hold a celebration to commemorate eight decades of community, faith, and service, and I am pleased to congratulate the parish on reaching this impressive milestone. As the Archer Heights community grew in the 1920s, George Cardinal Mundelein of the Archdiocese of Chicago recognized the need for a new Catholic parish in the area, and on June 8, 1928, St. Richard Parish was established. While services were temporarily held in a storefront, men from the parish built a church on Kostner Avenue. This type of hard work and commitment has been a hallmark of the church's parishioners ever since. In 1947 St. Richard Parish School was opened and to this day provides an outstanding Catholic education for children in Archer Heights. Today, the members of St. Richard Parish continue their dedication to the community, building meeting rooms and a new parish center to provide a safe environment for area children and a focal point for the community. From their first pastor, Reverend Horace Wellman, to their current pastor, Father Thomas Bernas, St. Richard's diverse group of parishioners continue to enrich the lives of their fellow citizens by providing the community with outreach programs, a strong school, and an unwavering commitment to their faith. It is with great honor and privilege that I recognize the 80th anniversary of St. Richard Parish, which continues to meet the needs of parishioners and the community through liturgies, programs, and services. The parish offers spiritual direction, hope, and compassion to all of its members. I am proud to have in the Third District of Illinois such a vibrant example of the values and good works that can be provided by a church with outstanding leadership and committed parishioners. May these first 80 years be only the beginning.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, yesterday we witnessed a huge victory for American security, American workers and American taxpayers. The GAO found what many of us suspected all along about the Air Force tanker decision. A flawed process unfairly disadvantaged the American- made Boeing tanker. The Boeing aircraft met or exceeded all of the Air Force criteria. An independent study found that it would create at least twice as many American jobs including, 3,300 in Illinois. Other studies showed the Boeing aircraft to be 25 percent more fuel efficient than the Airbus, resulting in a savings of nearly $30 billion and over 2 billion gallons of fuel. On top of all this, I believe that we should not be exporting our national security. So today I urge my colleagues to join me in urging the Air Force to listen to the GAO, reopen the process and select the best tanker for America.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 6003. I commend Chairman Oberstar, Chairwoman Brown, Ranking Members Mica and Shuster for this bill. This bill provides a vision for the future of passenger rail in the U.S. It provides the necessary investments to modernize our antiquated system. Of special significance is section 217 which provides significant resources to Amtrak and to the States to address key chokepoints that slow down travel and commerce and cause unnecessary pollution from stalled trains. Illinois has already dedicated more funding to improve Amtrak's service. So I am pleased that the committee report addresses several critical bottlenecks reported by Amtrak that affect Illinois residents, including the Heritage Corridor line, which links Chicago to Joliet, as well other key routes from Chicago to Carbondale, Detroit, Michigan, and Porter, Indiana. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6003 puts American passenger rail back on track, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and Amtrak to improve and expand passenger rail service in our country. I urge passage of this visionary bill.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Victoria Manfredi on the occasion of her retirement from St. Louis de Montfort School in Oak Lawn, Illinois. An outstanding educator and a resident of Oak Lawn, Illinois, Vicky now celebrates over 35 years of involvement in her school and community. Today, with the support of family: Frank, Lisa, John, and Anna Victoria, we honor Vicky for her outstanding contribution to the field of Catholic education. Over the past 35 years, Mrs. Manfredi has proven a trusted colleague, an active volunteer, a Christian role model, and a teacher who has opened hearts, touched lives, and enlightened the young minds of countless students. Vicky Manfredi began her work while her daughter attended St. Louis de Montfort over 30 years ago. Vicky served as a volunteer coach, instructional aide, and Eucharistic minister. Seven years ago, Vicky accepted a new challenge: working as a kindergarten teacher. In her new role she earned the praise of the administration, colleagues, parents and students alike. Her classroom was a happy place, a safe haven for children and an environment where students excelled academically. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Mrs. Victoria Manfredi, an exceptional teacher and pillar in my community. I am honored to have such an exceptional educator in my district. We offer heartfelt congratulations to Vicky for a job well done as we wish Vicky and her family a joyous celebration of this milestone as she begins a new chapter in her life.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Paul Gattuso, the Mayor of the Village of Westchester and an outstanding citizen of Illinois' Third Congressional District, for his recent appointment as President of the West Central Municipal Conference (WCMC) in west suburban Cook County, Illinois. Throughout his distinguished career, Mayor Gattuso has served his community with excellence and intelligence and I am pleased to recognize this most recent of his many accomplishments. Mayor Gattuso has a longstanding tradition of service to his community. He has served with distinction as the Mayor of Westchester since 2005. Prior to his election, he spent 10 years as a Village Trustee. He also supports a variety of local organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club and the Westchester Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his dedicated service to the community, Mayor Gattuso is a successful businessman. He has owned and operated a thriving restaurant, Pauls's Pizza and Hot Dogs, in Westchester for over 20 years. The restaurant, a favorite among residents, proudly sponsors numerous youth and athletic organizations. The West Central Municipal Conference is a membership-supported association representing 36 municipalities and one township within west suburban Cook County. As President of the WCMC, Mayor Gattuso will use his passion for helping people to assist the WCMC in serving the needs of its various communities and providing valuable services to the citizens who work and live in the region. I am confident that under his leadership the WCMC will continue to be a successful council of governments. Mayor Gattuso is also a proud husband and father. His son is studying pre-law at Marquette University, while his daughter has a wonderful career in design. It is my great privilege to recognize Paul Gattuso as he begins his term as President of West Central Municipal Conference. His experience, knowledge, and commitment to the community will undoubtedly contribute greatly to a successful tenure.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 5940, legislation reauthorizing the National Nanotechnology Initiative known as the NNI. I want to congratulate Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall for their hard work in crafting this legislation. I also want to acknowledge all the members of the Science and Technology Committee on both sides of the aisle for their contributions to this bill and for helping to move it expeditiously and unanimously through the committee. Nanotechnology, or the science and technology of building devices from single atoms and molecules, soon will impact nearly every sector of our economy. In just 6 years, the global market for nanoscale materials and products is expected to reach $2.6 trillion and to be incorporated into 15 percent of global manufacturing output. I firmly believe that nanotech represents one of the most important, if not the most important, technological keys to improving our Nation's future economic growth and improving our way of life, from medical applications, to green nanoenergy, to nanoelectronics, which will be critical as we reach the limits of current materials. The NNI has been effective in supporting productive, cooperative research efforts across a wide spectrum of disciplines. The initiative has established a network of state-of-the-art national facilities that are conducting groundbreaking work in nanoscale research and development. These centers have helped the U.S. maintain a strong presence in the development and expansion of nanotechnology, which has been vital to economic development and essential to the creation of innovative jobs, leading to a stronger and more competitive America. The committee stated in the bill's report language the need to expand the current centers that we have as necessary to meet future research needs. I am proud that my home State of Illinois is one of the leaders in nanotechnology research. Illinois boasts two national labs. It is home to numerous cutting-edge businesses and some of the Nation's preeminent research universities, such as my alma mater, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois, which are conducting groundbreaking work in this field. To keep the U.S. ahead of other nations, who are now making substantial investments in nanotech, this reauthorization makes three significant adjustments, as mentioned by the chairman. First, it strengthens the planning and implementation of research on the environmental, health and safety aspects of nanotech. Not only is public safety paramount in its own right, but public confidence in these new technologies is also necessary for the success of nanotech industries. Second, this bill requires the NNI to place increased emphasis on technology transfer; that is, moving basic research results out of the lab and into commercial products, materials and devices. From my own experiences in Illinois with our national labs and research universities, I understand that technology transfer is not simple, but it is critical to ensuring that R&D investments serve the public. Third, H.R. 5940 creates a new nanotechnology education program to attract secondary school students to science and technology studies to help prepare the nanotech workforce of the future. As a former teacher, I understand the importance of education in promoting not only the success of individual Americans, but also promoting the success of American innovation such as nanotechnology. Mr. Speaker, as nanotechnology moves from a multibillion to a multitrillion-dollar industry, there is great promise in store, but it is critical that we do all we can to ensure that America leads the way in nanotech innovation. H.R. 5940 will keep the U.S. in a position to drive the development of nanotechnology and go a long way towards ensuring that America reaps the benefits of our research investment. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 5940.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution that we are right now talking about on the floor, and I want to commend my colleague from Texas for introducing this legislation. My constituents certainly understand that we need to both look at problems that are facing us right now, today, and also we need to plan for the future or else we wind up in situations like we're facing today. As vice chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, as well as a former college professor and engineer and husband of a credentialed actuary, I became aware of the need to invest in STEM education for young Americans. Providing high-quality jobs for hardworking Americans must be our top priority. In order to accomplish that, we must be proactive. The necessary first step is an improved STEM education in schools because an educated workforce is the foundation for economic strength. For generations, science and engineering have been the base of America's economic growth. We were leaders in the industrial revolution, and we initiated the Internet age. Today, these fields continue to have great potential for growing our economy and employing more Americans. Between 1983 and 2004, the percentage of the U.S. workforce in science and engineering occupations almost doubled. Ground-breaking discoveries in innovative technologies are continually creating new industries and opportunities. Nanotechnology, which we just discussed in the reauthorization of the NNI, is just one of the many exciting industries that are revolutionizing the international economy. However, if we are not careful, America will be left behind in future technological revolutions. This fact was highlighted nationally when the National Academy of Sciences released its ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' report which emphasized the need for the government to improve science, technology, engineering, and math for STEM education. In the 110th Congress, we confronted this challenge head on by enacting the America COMPETES Act. But additional measures to improve our global standing are still needed. The resolution before us today will assist the United States in dedicating its resources to the STEM field and in promoting science education policy by educating a broad pool of Americans in these critically important fields. These areas are vital to America's economic competitiveness, and this resolution will help to ensure a vital future for next generation of Americans. Mr. Speaker, we have challenges ahead of us, but the American people have always succeeded in conquering their greatest challenges. With this resolution, we will get that and ensure that all American students receive the skills and knowledge required for success in the 21st century workforce. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution to plan for the future and plan for a brighter future for America. This resolution helps us to do that.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, sixty years ago today, as the world was still recovering from the horrors of the Second World War and the devastation of the Holocaust, the modern state of Israel was founded. In the sixty years since its founding, Israel has overcome numerous security threats while serving as a model democracy in the Middle East and a beacon of freedom in the region. Importantly, Israel has also been one of America's strongest and most steadfast allies. In fact, the strong relationship between our two countries dates back to Israel's very founding. Within eleven minutes of Israel's declaration of Independence, President Harry Truman formally recognized the new nation and established America as Israel's first and closest friend. Today, the strong partnership between our two countries continues through commerce, educational links, familial ties, and joint efforts to stabilize and bring peace to the Middle East. So as we mark this important date and pay tribute to Israel's founding, let us also recommit to a continued friendship and partnership with Israel and a renewed dedication to securing a lasting peace in the Middle East.