Harry Mitchell

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a member of the Armed Forces from my home state of Arizona. Each month, Scottsdale Healthcare honors service members who perform diligent service to this country. For October, they recognized Major Leslie G. Wilson. I commend Scottsdale Healthcare for paying tribute to such an outstanding service member for her bravery and service to our country. During her military career, Major Wilson has been deployed three times as a military nurse officer. Most recently, Wilson was deployed in Iraq where she saved lives, cared for the wounded and served her country with great distinction. Beyond her tours of duty, Wilson is devoted to educating and training our military personnel. She teaches life-saving skills to military personnel so they will be able to provide the best possible care when deployed and under wartime conditions. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing this outstanding Air Force Nurse Corps leader for serving our country and protecting the lives of fellow service men and women in combat.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the Manager's Amendment to the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, H.R. 3585. We're lucky in Arizona to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine. We have a real opportunity to brighten our state's future by investing in solar energy research and technology. As solar technology advances, I believe that Arizona will be a leader in clean, alternative energy production. Refocusing our energy production on alternative sources such as solar is critical for our national security and the environment. Moreover, investing in solar energy is vital to Arizona's economy. With the help of solar tax credits, Abengoa Solar and Arizona Public Service are developing the world's largest solar energy plant outside of Gila Bend. The Solana solar generating station will create 1,500 to 2,000 jobs and provide clean, emission-free energy for 70,000 homes. Solana is expected to ultimately spur $1 billion in economic development. H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, is critical in order to spur further research and development of solar technology. This legislation would establish a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee tasked with creating a Solar Technology Roadmap to evaluate near-term, mid- term, and long-term research, development, and demonstration needs in solar technology. This Committee would include stakeholders in the solar industry to provide insights on the deployment of this technology. I would like to thank Chairman Gordon for working with me to ensure that the Solar Technology Roadmap would also address an important obstacle blocking the advancement of solar technology today--namely that this technology is expensive. I offered an amendment to H.R. 3585 to ensure that the Solar Technology Roadmap includes research and development goals for improving the cost-effectiveness of domestic manufacturing of implements and devices used in the production of solar energy. The Chairman graciously agreed to include my amendment in the manager's amendment. If we are serious about making large-scale solar energy production a reality, it is critical that we focus our research efforts on ensuring that solar technology is affordable and competitive with other sources of energy. I would also like to take a moment to thank Congresswoman Giffords for her hard work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the manager's amendment as well as the underlying legislation.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Richard L. Boals, who has been selected to receive the Anti-Defamation League's Jerry J. Wisotsky Torch of Liberty Award. The ADL is a national non- profit organization committed to combating all forms of prejudice and discrimination, as well as defending democratic ideals and protecting civil liberties for all. The Jerry J. Wisotsky Torch of Liberty Award recognizes outstanding leaders who have demonstrated a serious commitment to the social, economic, cultural, and environmental well- being of their communities. Mr. Boals is an exceptional community leader who epitomizes the ideals of the Torch of Liberty Award. As president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Mr. Boals is in charge of the state's leading health insurer. His long history of service to his community includes serving on the board of directors for Greater Phoenix Leadership, the Translational Genomics Research Institute, the Arthritis Foundation Greater Southwest Chapter, the Arizona State University (ASU) W.P. Carey School of Business Center for Services Leadership, the ASU President's Club, and the ASU Dean's Council of 100. Mr. Boals is also co-chair of the Phoenix Police Reserve Foundation board of directors and is currently working with the Salvation Army as their Capital Campaign Committee Chairman. In addition, Mr. Boals has served in the past as chairman of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Arthritis Foundation Greater Southwest Chapter, the Arizona Quality Alliance, the Arizona Affordable Health Care Foundation, and Teach for America. Through his contributions to his community, Mr. Boals also serves as a great role model to all of us. Again, I congratulate Richard Boals on this award, and I thank him for everything he has done for his fellow community members.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of thousands of constituents in my district who are still struggling to cope with the housing crisis. Arizona consistently ranks among the Nation's top three States in foreclosures. As a former mayor and a homeowner, I recognize the negative impact foreclosures have on home values and neighborhoods. Earlier this year, as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, we took an important step forward. We passed a temporary $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. The good news is that tax credit has worked. Closer to home, in the Phoenix metropolitan area, according to at least one recent survey, home sales have reached 9,614 in June, up 11 percent from May. However, I believe we need to expand this credit to make it available to any American who wants to buy a home, not just first-time homebuyers. As the expiration of the current homebuyer tax credit approaches, I want to encourage my colleagues to consider supporting legislation to expand and extend the homebuyer tax credit.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, it is with great remorse that I rise today to remember the life of Navy Seal, SO2, Ryan Job. Ryan joined the Navy in 2002 with the goal of joining the select Navy Special- Operations Force, known as the SEALS. Ryan was eventually deployed to serve in Iraq in 2006. While on patrol in the city of Ramadi, Ryan was wounded in an assault, which resulted in the destruction of one of Ryan's eyes and severing the optic nerves of the other. This attack left Ryan entirely blind. After spending time in multiple military hospitals across the country, Ryan's stamina and determination allowed him to make a full recovery, and in 2007, he and his wife Kelly moved to my district and settled in North Scottsdale. There, he was able to complete his business degree, and landed a job with General Dynamics. Ryan was able to make this smooth transition back to a civilian life with the help of the non-profit Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation. This incredible organization is devoted to providing aid and support to injured men and women of the U.S. armed forces to help them realize their goals of returning back to their homes and becoming productive and active members of society. The Sentinels of Freedom helped Ryan to locate the condo he and his wife chose to live in, found him the job at General Dynamics, and also enrolled him in online classes to allow Ryan to finish his degree. In return, Ryan became a spokesman for the organization and an advocate for veterans, as he wanted to make sure that his fellow men and women in uniform would be able to make the same transition as he did. On September 24, 2009, Ryan underwent another surgery. However, this time, there were complications, and in an absolutely heart-breaking turn of events, our brave and inspiring friend Ryan Job passed away. Madam Speaker, I hope that you will join me in remembering and celebrating the life of Ryan Job. My thoughts are with Ryan's family and loved ones during this difficult time. Ryan is a hero to us all. He will be dearly missed, but he will never be forgotten.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the many contributions of the India Plaza to the city of Tempe. The India Plaza has been a strong and distinctive feature in the Tempe community since 2003. The plaza serves as a window into the Indian culture, showcasing India's food, clothing, music and hospitality. Since its beginnings, the plaza has continuously thrived. Its business owners and employees have partnered with local charities and been active in the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. Those same merchants also worked to create a safer environment by promoting the addition of crosswalk and signal access near the plaza. I am truly privileged to represent such a strong cultural fixture in our district and will continue to treasure the plaza's addition to Tempe's diversity. As many in the Indian community decorate their homes with lights, share sweets and start the new financial year in celebration of Diwali, I am honored to share in their celebration. Again, I am proud to serve the India Plaza and am eager to see its continued success and growth. Therefore, I urge you Madam Speaker, in rising to congratulate the India Plaza on its partnerships and accomplishments within the community of Tempe, Arizona.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of America's service members who devote their lives to defending and serving this great country. The Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009, H.R. 3590, will help strengthen our Nation's housing industry while ensuring that our honorable service men and women can take full advantage of the benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice. Earlier this year, we enacted a temporary $8000 tax credit for first time-time homebuyers. So far, the tax credit has worked. According to Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi, almost 400,000 new and existing home sales are attributable to the tax break. In the Phoenix metropolitan area--we have seen a growth in first-time home sales, especially of homes below $150,000. According to at least one recent survey, home sales reached 9,614 in June, up 11 percent from May. Current law, however, requires first-time homebuyers who use the $8,000 tax credit to repay the credit if they move from their principal residence within three years of closing. This is a problem for service members, who are often required to redeploy overseas within a three year period. We need to ensure that service members are not adversely impacted by simply carrying out their duties. The Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009, would exempt service members from the repayment requirement if they are deployed overseas within three years of using the home buyer tax credit. I encourage my colleagues to honor the men and women who serve this country and pass this important legislation.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, earlier today I, along with Representative Dean Heller of Nevada introduced the Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act of 2009. If enacted, the bill would prohibit federal agencies from discriminating against cities like Scottsdale, Arizona, and Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, simply because they are great places to visit. Scottsdale, and resort destination cities like it, are reeling right now--not just from an economic downturn, but from stigma. Business travelers are reluctant to avail themselves of the great facilities and great value we have to offer, out of fear that they will be accused of inappropriately vacationing on the company dime. In Arizona, some are calling it the ``AIG effect.'' As a result, an already difficult situation has become dire. Earlier this year, the Arizona Republic reported that, in Scottsdale alone, an estimated 80 events and business meetings had been canceled and local resorts had lost a combined $23.9 million from groups fearing a public-relations backlash. Scottsdale's hotel occupancy is down nearly 12 percent, and revenue per available room is down nearly 30 percent. The ripple effect this has had on our economy is even worse. Restaurants, suppliers--you name it--they're all suffering. And it doesn't help when the federal government tells the business community that they're afraid of giving us their business, too. Cities like Scottsdale, Reno and Las Vegas should have every bit as much right to win federal meeting and conference business as anywhere else. If we can provide the right facilities at the right price, we shouldn't be punished because we also happen to be great places to visit. If enacted, the Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act would stop that from happening. The bipartisan bill would prohibit federal agencies from discriminating against cities that are perceived to be resort or vacation destinations when planning events, meetings or conferences. I want to assure my colleagues that nothing in this bill will encourage federal agencies to undertake any additional or unnecessary travel. I firmly believe that federal agencies have an obligation to ensure that tax dollars are not wasted or misused. All this bill would do is ensure that, when appropriate, cities like Scottsdale have a right to compete. I want to thank Rep. Heller for his partnership on this legislation and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National Job Corps Day on Capitol Hill, which takes place September 23, 2009. This day-long event will recognize the 45-year anniversary of Job Corps, which has been dedicated to helping young people launch stable careers. Since its start, Job Corps has been committed to helping young people, ages 16-24, get connected with the resources to be successful in the workforce. With 123 campuses, Job Corps is a nationwide tool for many young Americans to gain the essential education and work skills. I am pleased to have such a strong and active branch of the organization right here in Maricopa County, serving young people across the valley. At its core, Job Corps exemplifies the importance and true value of education. As a former teacher, I believe education is the foundation for preparing our youth to thrive in the future. Through efforts like Job Corps, we can work together to make higher education and careers attainable for all youth. Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 45th Anniversary of Phoenix Job Corps.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a member of the Armed Forces from my home state of Arizona. Every month, Scottsdale Healthcare honors service members who perform diligent service to this country. For the month of August, they have recognized First Lieutenant Michael Parrish. I commend Scottsdale Healthcare for paying tribute to such an outstanding service member for his bravery and service to our country. Parrish joined the Army National Guard in 2001 to further his education and serve his country. After completing basic training, he provided medical coverage for cadets who were training at West Point Military Academy. During his tenure, 100 percent of the cadets finished the training without injury. This September, Parrish will deploy to Vicenza, Italy, to provide care to Army soldiers and families. In addition to his military work, Michael is an avid supporter of the Scottsdale Healthcare Military Partnership Training Program, which is designed to ensure military medical personnel have the necessary skills and experience to operate in a wartime setting. Without a doubt, his outstanding leadership and dedication contribute to the success of this very important program. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the inspiring efforts of this courageous citizen who is serving our country and protecting the lives of his fellow service men and women in combat.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate David Carey on being honored with the Robert Woods Johnson Community Leader Award. David is currently the Human Services Co-op Board Chair of Inspire, an organization that aims to empower individuals with disabilities to direct and control their own services in a way that promotes community life. David's journey began in 1988. One evening, as his roommate and a friend were examining a gun, it went off, shooting a bullet into his spine as he slept. In just moments, he went from dreaming of becoming a professional baseball player to facing the rest of his life with quadriplegia. While this sudden change of circumstance would deter many people, David redirected his energy to help other people with disabilities. Today, David's leadership impacts the lives of over 500,000 people with disabilities in the Phoenix area. Since 2006, when he led a group of individuals to create Inspire, David has secured long term contracts to provide attendant care services and ensure that individuals across Arizona receive the quality of care they deserve. He has also worked with local transit authorities to create accessible public transportation throughout the Valley of the Sun. When I was an Arizona State Senator, David would come to my office to lobby on disability issues. It did not make any difference how hot it was outside; David put in the effort and make his way to the State Capitol, usually on public transportation. I was impressed with him then, and continue to be impressed with his accomplishments now. The Robert Woods Johnson Foundation Community Health Leaders program each year honors 10 outstanding and otherwise unrecognized individuals who overcome daunting odds to improve health and health care, especially to underserved populations in communities across the United States. The program elevates the work of these unsung heroes, like David, through enhanced recognition, technical assistance and new leadership opportunities. I know he will use these new resources to improve the lives of Arizonans with disabilities. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating David Carey on being honored with the Robert Woods Johnson Community Leader Award. His dedication to creating better communities is an example for us all.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Penny Brophy, who is retiring from the City of Tempe after twenty four years of distinguished service. Penny possesses a quick wit and enthusiastic personality that endears her to her fellow co-workers. She also has the rare ability to interject humor in even the most stressful situations, and is always generous with her time to help her co-workers. However, Tempe's loss is the Brophy family's gain. She will now have more time to spend with her husband, Bob and their children, Howard and Laurie. As a grandparent myself, I also know she will love having more free time to dote on her own four grandchildren--Adam, Jessican, Dylan and Sydney. Penny, congratulations on your retirement, and I hope you enjoy your hard-earned leisure. You are a rare gem and will be truly missed. Penny started her tenure with Tempe while I was Mayor, and I am pleased to recognize her accomplishment today. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulation Penny Brophy on a distinguished career of service.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Mountain View Little League's All-Star team, which won the 2009 Junior League Baseball World Series. I share the pride of from around my Congressional District and state that this inspiring and hard-working team hails from our community. After a 24-game winning streak, the Scottsdale-based team claimed the World Series title, beating a team from Aruba. However, it is not just their impressive record or title that makes them an exceptional team. Their qualities of dedication, hard work and perseverance brought the team to victory. As a former teacher and coach, I know from experience the importance of these values, which are essential both on and off the field. Therefore, I am truly privileged to celebrate the win of such a determined and good-spirited team. The team's heart and unity has paid off and should serve as an inspiration for all. I have high hopes for all members of the team and I am confident that they will continue to make Arizona proud, whether in baseball or any other future endeavors. Madam Speaker, I am honored to enter into Congressional Record the names of the Mountain View Little League's All-Star team: Jake Anderson, Dylan Cozens, Michael DeRegis, Jimmy DiTroia, Cody Erickson, Lucas Jacobi, Zac Janikis, Grant Martinez, Duncan Morfitt, Ryan Riggs, Michael Salazar, Luc Trotta, Mo White; Coaches Jim DiTroia, Darin Trotta and Manager Steve Erickson.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Scottsdale Deputy Fire Chief James Ford for his induction into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame on September 10, 2009. Chief Ford will be recognized for his continued dedication and service to the community. The Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame recognizes those who make constructive contributions to their community. Throughout his career, Chief Ford has worked tirelessly to promote the safety and security of the Scottsdale community, and his efforts have saved countless lives. He has dedicated much of his career to ensuring the safety of every community member by pushing for the installation of residential and commercial sprinkler systems. His pioneering research and advocacy on behalf of mandatory sprinkler systems, which activate automatically during a fire emergency to preserve lives and property, has established Scottsdale as a national and international leader in fire safety. I am proud to represent such a compassionate and hard working individual in my district. Not only have his efforts benefited the community, but he has inspired communities elsewhere to develop and implement mandatory sprinkler ordinances. Therefore, I urge you Madam Speaker to join me in recognizing and congratulating James Ford on his recent induction and his lasting contributions to his profession and community.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the consecration of the first Armenian Apostolic Church in Arizona, which will take place Sept. 20 in Scottsdale, and to honor the many valuable contributions the Armenian community has made to our state. The Armenian community first came together in Arizona in an organized way just over a half century ago, and it has grown and flourished ever since. The first Armenian clergy who visited Arizona performed their services in the homes of local residents while community members worked together to donate and save for a permanent worship center. In 1963 the State of Arizona officially acknowledged the Armenian Apostolic Church of Arizona. A few years later, a local Armenian family donated property in Scottsdale for the first church site. In 1992, the church established the Armenian Church Cultural Center and later the Eleanora Ordjanian Library on that site. And on Sunday, Sept. 20, this inspiring story will culminate with the consecration of the first Armenian Apostolic Church, a new sanctuary that was made possible with the support and hard work of countless community volunteers. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the contributions of the Armenian community to Arizona and in wishing them well on the consecration of their new sanctuary.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Junior Achievement of Arizona. I am a strong supporter of JA's mission and programs. During my twenty eight years as a teacher of Government, I used their materials, hosted speakers in my classroom and visited their facility. Good programs reflect the quality of the people who run them. I would like to congratulate the organization's President, Joyce Richards, for winning JA Worldwide's 2009 Charles R. Hook Award. This award is the top honor for JA Presidents who demonstrate superior results in promoting the growth and development of Junior Achievement in their area. Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to teaching students in Kindergarten through 12th grade about the importance of economics, entrepreneurism, and financial literacy. The organization reaches over 9 million students around the world each year, with over 130 local offices in the United States and operations in over 110 countries worldwide. One of the things that makes JA so unique is its use of adult volunteers to bring business to life for students. In the United States alone, young people in more than 188,000 classrooms benefit annually from these positive role models. Ms. Richards is clearly deserving of receiving this year's Hook Award. She joined the Junior Achievement of Arizona office in 1997 as Vice President of Development, and was named as President in 2001. The organization has grown dramatically under her leadership, and JA of Arizona now reaches nearly 90,000 students. The organization's programs are provided at no cost to schools and are funded entirely through the private sector. As part of these efforts, Ms. Richards spearheaded a $4 million capital campaign to build two JA BizTown programs, and expanded JA's impact into the Tucson community by launching a JA operation that now reaches 10,000 students. Especially in the current economic climate, teaching students the importance of economics and financial literacy is of the utmost importance, and I congratulate Ms. Richards and Junior Achievement of Arizona for their efforts.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Amendments Act, H.R. 1035. Congress established the Morris K. Udall Foundation in 1992 to focus on critical environmental issues, provide resources to train Native American professionals in health care and public policy, and resolve environmental disputes involving Federal agencies to the U.S. Institute of Environmental Conflict Resolution. Under this measure, the Morris K. Udall Scholarship will also honor Stewart Udall. We can all certainly learn a lot from both Mo and Stu Udall. The Udall brothers were not only prominent U.S. politicians from the great State of Arizona, they were also dedicated public servants. As a teacher for 29 years, I used to tell my students, when you name something after someone significant, whether it's a park, a school, or a scholarship, this not only honors that person, but it also is meant to set an example. Stu Udall has served the local communities in Arizona, as well as the entire Nation. From serving in the United States Army Air Corps, to representing the local education community as the school board president of Amphitheater Public Schools, to representing his constituents as a United States Congressman, to serving as Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, Stu Udall has truly set an example for all of what public service means. It is my hope that recipients of this scholarship will honor Stu Udall and his legacy by also engaging in a life of public service. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exemplary and inspirational life of A.J. ``Jack'' Pfister and to remember the many significant and lasting contributions he made to the state of Arizona and his local community. On July 20, Jack passed away of at the age of 75. An Arizona native born in Prescott, Jack was a strong force behind the growth and prosperity of the Phoenix Metropolitan area over the past four decades. During his 15 years as General Manager of the Salt River Project, Jack guided the utility in becoming one of the leading public power entities in the country. In addition to his contributions to building our fast-growing region's vital water and electric infrastructure, Jack was a respected and vocal leader of community boards, commissions and public service projects too numerous to list in its entirety. Most notably, Jack displayed a lifelong and unwavering commitment to make higher education more available and affordable to Arizonans. He served on the Arizona Board of Regents, and most recently as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Arizona State University. In addition, Jack taught at the ASU School of Public Affairs and served on the Board of Directors for the Center for the Future of Arizona. And, of course, Jack's brave leadership was absolutely vital to Arizona's creation of a holiday to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Madam Speaker, please join me in commemorating the life of Jack Pfister and remembering the strong and positive impact he left on his community and the many people who knew and loved him.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate George Gascon, who will soon take over as the Chief of Police in San Francisco after three years of extraordinary service as the City of Mesa's Police Chief. The city of Mesa has seen tremendous growth and innovation in its public safety programs under Chief Gascon, and he has earned him the respect and admiration of that community during his tenure. Chief Gascon's distinguished service began long before he joined the Mesa Police Department. He honorably served for nearly 29 years in the Los Angeles Police Department, overseeing police operations and working as the Assistant Police Chief for the department. After taking over the Department in Mesa, Chief Gascon was instrumental in reducing the city's crime rate and fostering a culture of respect for diversity within the department. He was also involved in the implementation of a new police accountability and training program, COMPSTAT, which has raised the standard of excellence for the department's management accountability system. The fortunate citizens of San Francisco will learn that Chief Gascon is just as dedicated to the community in his private life as he is while wearing a badge. He has volunteered his time and talents to the MARC Center of Mesa, the East Valley Crime and Gang Information Fusion Center, the M.E.S.A. Program, among many others. I would like to wish Chief Gascon all the best as he embarks on a new chapter in his life. I am confident that the city of San Francisco will come to see the same benefits from his knowledge, leadership and dedication to the community that Mesa has experienced.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sue Lofgren from my home town of Tempe, Arizona. Sue is being recognized as the Sister Cities International Volunteer of the Year at the annual conference. This year's conference takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The cities of Tempe, Arizona and Timbuktu, Mali, West Africa have enjoyed an eighteen year partnership through Sister Cities International. This relationship has persevered, despite hurdles which would have daunted most people. Lack of modern communication methods in 1991, the language barrier, as well as the physical difficulties of travel to that remote part of the world, were just a few of the hurdles. Sue found a way to overcome all of them. The number one issue facing Timbuktu was lack of water. Sue arranged for a retired water engineer to travel to Timbuktu--no easy task in itself--to assess the feasibility of drilling water wells. Once water was found 100 feet down, Sue's real work began. She organized a fundraising effort to secure the $7,000 needed to drill a well, by selling bottled water bearing the label, ``Water for You . . . and Timbuktu''. The next hurdle was getting the money to Mali as Timbuktu had no bank, no Western Union, no nothing. This was eventually accomplished through a third party. When the first well opened, people literally danced in the streets and named that first effort, The Sue Lofgren Well. She has since raised money for six more wells. When Sue made her first visit to Timbuktu, she packed her clothes and $11,000 of donated medical supplies, reading glasses, soccer balls and school supplies. While on her visit, she was home-hosted and saw first hand the great needs of these proud people. She returned home and redoubled her efforts on their behalf. To date, she has singlehandedly raised at least $200,000 in aid for Timbuktu. In addition to the wells, money has gone to purchasing wheelchairs, goats, sheep and camels, sewing machines, gardening supplies, medical and school supplies, as well as toilets and a millet grinder for the Women's Center. In 2008 she also facilitated a relationship with Project C.U.R.E which resulted in the donation of another $500,000 in badly needed medical equipment. All of this effort might seem to be enough for most of us, but not Sue. In addition to her efforts on Timbuktu's behalf, she volunteers a lot of her time to other programs of Tempe Sister Cities. She and her husband, Bob, have hosted international guests from Tempe's six other sister cities. She volunteers in the organization's gift shop, works in the kitchen for events and has organized the information booth at the annual Way Out West Oktoberfest. She is tireless in her dedication to Tempe Sister Cities, and especially to Timbuktu. I am proud to call Sue Lofren a friend, and prouder yet that her efforts are being recognized by this wonderful award. Please join me in congratulating this outstanding person.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Alec Kohli, a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, and a constituent of my district. Alec has earned The Congressional Award Gold Medal, the United States Congress' award for young Americans. The Congressional Award recognizes outstanding young people from all over the nation, and Alec has gone above and beyond by committing a tremendous amount of time and effort to attain the Award's highest ranking possible--the Gold Medal. In order to be considered for the Congressional Award, individuals must achieve goals set in four exclusive program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition or Exploration. Alec has excelled in all areas, first completing over 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service by participating as an Environmental Proctor at Exeter Academy, as a youth mentor to underprivileged youth, and as an Eagle Scout. For Personal Development, Alec attended a five-week summer program at Stanford University, where he worked on improving his math and analytical abilities as well as his leadership and time management skills. In the Physical Fitness category, Alec focused on sports and fitness activities, and measured his progress over a three-year training period by his ability to run one mile in six minutes and forty-five seconds. Finally, for his Expedition, Alec attended Camp Philmont in the mountains of New Mexico. Alec is an exceptional young man, and sets a great example for Arizona's youth. I would like to express my appreciation for his contributions to the community, and I hope you will join me, Madam Speaker, in congratulating Alec on his phenomenal accomplishments.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Travis Shrum, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from my hometown of Tempe, who was recently presented with the Mayor's Disability Award as Outstanding Employee of the Year. The Mayor's Disability Award honors Tempe residents who have overcome significant barriers to succeed in the workplace. In 2007 and 2008, Travis served with the Army National Guard as an infantry soldier and gunner in Afghanistan, where he escorted security forces protecting civilians. Like many veterans, after returning home to the United States, Travis brought home the physical and emotional scars of war. He struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and, subsequently, took a leave of absence from his job at a Walgreen's store in Tempe to concentrate on transitioning to civilian life. With the patience and support of the Phoenix Veterans Health Administration, Travis has bounced back and is once again thriving. He has returned to work as an assistant manager at Walgreen's, where he works full-time and manages a staff of 42. Travis is a wonderful example of the Phoenix VA's commitment to returning veterans, and I'm proud to note that he is now outspoken about the need to reach out to other veterans who are eligible for VA's medical services and mental-health support. Travis plans to enroll at Arizona State University with the ultimate goal of becoming a physical therapist and working with veterans. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Travis Shrum for his courageous service to our country and perseverance in overcoming personal challenges.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of our amendment to block the proposed 25 percent cut to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, otherwise known as ``SCAAP''. SCAAP was created in 1994 to reimburse states and localities for the arrest, incarceration and transportation of undocumented immigrants who commit crimes in our communities. Immigration enforcement is supposed to be a federal responsibility, but as any Arizonan can tell you, the federal government has yet to meet them. When State and local governments are forced to step-in and do the federal government's job, it is only fair that they be reimbursed. Last year, the Arizona Department of Corrections received $12.8 million from the federal government to house 5,600 criminal illegal immigrants in our state prisons. That was only 10 percent of the $124 million Arizona spent to house illegal inmates that year. Currently, Arizona's state prisons hold 6,100 illegal immigrants, nearly 15 percent of the total inmate population. The Arizona Department of Corrections estimates that it will spend $128 million in 2009 to clothe, feed and provide medical care to illegal immigrant inmates. Instead of boosting funding to help pay the actual expense imposed on states like Arizona, however, the Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce Justice Science Appropriations bill cut SCAAP funding by 25 percent. This is just plain wrong. That is why I am proud today to join with my colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, to offer this amendment to restore full funding for SCAAP. If we are serious about immigration enforcement, we need to reimburse Arizona--and other states that bear brunt of our nation's broken immigration policy--for keeping criminal illegal immigrants behind bars. I want to thank Chairman Mollohan for his leadership on this issue, and his willingness to listen to so many of us from the southwest who know how critical this program is to our nation's immigration enforcement efforts. Mr. Chair. I urge all my colleagues to vote for this amendment.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to protest the 25 percent cut proposed this week to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, otherwise known as SCAAP. SCAAP reimburses States and localities for the arrest, incarceration and transportation of undocumented immigrants who commit crimes in our communities. When State and local governments are forced to step in and do the Federal Government's job, it is only fair that they be reimbursed. Last year, the Arizona Department of Corrections received $12.8 million from the Federal Government to house up to 5,600 criminal illegal immigrants in State prisons, only 10 percent of what Arizona spent to house illegal inmates that year. This cut is wrong, and as this legislation moves to the floor next week, I urge my colleagues to help me fight this cut. If we are serious about immigration enforcement, we must restore SCAAP funding and reimburse Arizona for keeping criminal alien immigrants behind bars.

Mr. MITCHELL

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the achievements of Dana Wygle, who is the recipient of the 2009 Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce Women in Business $1,000 Scholarship. The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber recently honored Dana at the Ahwatukee Women in Business Faces of Success event, which recognizes present and future businesswomen. Dana recently graduated from Desert Vista High School. An active and involved student, she also worked at Barro's Pizza throughout high school. Dana danced, served as a team captain for the American Cancer Society's 24-hour Relay for Life in 2008 and 2009, and was a member of DECA, a student business organization. She plans to use the scholarship award to attend the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Her goal is to own and operate a sports bar. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dana Wygle for her accomplishments and wishing her the best in all her future endeavors.