Jon Porter

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friends Sam and Lois Ruvolo as they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Sam and Lois met in Cleveland, Ohio, the city they were both born and raised. After a chance meeting at the local community center, where Lois was a secretary, they were married six months later at the Holy Name Church on August 11, 1956. After serving in the United States Army from 1950-1952, Sam taught school and coached football at the high school, college, and pro levels for 32 years. In 1988, Sam and Lois both decided to retire. They sold their residence in California and traveled the United States, Canada, and Mexico in their motor home, finally settling in Henderson, Nevada in 1991 at the insistence of Sam's brother Pat. Sam is active with the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion, serving as Commander of Post 40 in Henderson, State Commander of Nevada, and most recently as the Alternate National Executive Committee member. He has also been reappointed to serve on the Governor's Committee of the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery. Lois is active with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, volunteers at the St. Viator Church, and is an auxiliary member of the American Legion's Unit 40. Of all their accomplishments, Sam and Lois are most proud of their four children, Margaret Mary Janshen, Joseph Robert, Thomas Joseph, and John Salvatore. They also love and enjoy their seven grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize two wonderful people who I have known for many years on their coming wedding anniversary and also for their service to the community of Southern Nevada. I wish them many more joyful years of marriage.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Scott Sullivan and Joelle Jarvis for their unparallel commitment to serving others. Sullivan and Jarvis founded the Corps of Compassion, a grass roots organization that is helping families in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The organization is founded on the belief of people helping people, and making a difference right now. Scott and Joelle founded the Corps of Compassion after hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated portions of the Gulf Coast. Their efforts to reach out and assist thousands of displaced Americans from these tragic events have inspired so many to help their fellow citizens. Since the hurricanes, the organization and its volunteers have provided numerous resources and services. For example, the Corps of Compassion has coordinated and sent one dozen tractor trailers to Louisiana. These trailers were filled with food, baby products, medical supplies, paper goods, clothing, water and furniture for the hurricane victims. The organization in conjunction with Feed the Relief helped and funded almost 10,000 hot meals for first responders in New Orleans. This incredible organization has also raised close to $400,000 in monetary donations for emergency assistance and collected over $1,000,000 in goods and donated services for disaster victims. As a result of their ongoing efforts, the group was named by the Las Vegas Review Journal as the ``Best Community Organization of 2006''. In addition to donating goods to people, Corps of Compassion has helped many families through case management by connecting them with legal information, tax help and informing them of the aid for which they qualify. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Scott Sullivan and Joelle Jarvis. Their work with Corps of Compassion has enriched countless lives thrown into turmoil following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I applaud them for their service and wish them the best with their continued mission.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of former Nevada State Senator Lawrence ``Jake'' Jacobsen, who passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2006. Jake, who made his home in Minden, NV, retired from the legislature in 2002 as the longest-serving legislator in Nevada history, having served 16 years in the Assembly and 24 in the Senate. Over his long and distinguished career, Jake must have been proudest of his work on behalf of the state's veterans and the Department of Corrections honor camp system, and his fight for preservation of the Stewart Indian School and Marlette Lake. Jake was also a volunteer firefighter in Carson Valley for more than 50 years, and has fought several fires side-by-side with Forest Service personnel. As president of the Minden Engine Company for 25 years and a lawmaker for 40 years, Jake has supported firefighting and preserved funding for fire crews. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of former state Senator Lawrence ``Jake'' Jacobsen. In his long and distinguished career as a legislator in the State Senate he touched countless lives. He was a good friend, one whom I had the pleasure of serving with for 8 years. He will be greatly missed by all the citizens of Nevada.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Chad Christofferson, who has served my office--and more importantly, the American people--with distinction for the past 2 years. Chad started in my office as a legislative correspondent in 2004. His organizational skills and ability to effectively respond to constituent concerns earned him a promotion the following year to the legislative staff of the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce and Agency Organization, which I chair. In his current role, Chad has worked on many issues, but particularly of note, he has become one of our lead staffers on the Subcommittee's health initiatives. He has gained respect among leaders of the healthcare community by his quick grasp and thorough knowledge of complex health information technology matters that have gone into crafting the Federal Family Health Information Technology Act, a bill I introduced giving Federal employees electronic access to their own health records maintained under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. This legislation has a simple goal--to save lives by reducing medical errors. Chad's work has been exemplary, and he is driven by personal devotion to integrity and public service. In fact, it is his commitment to improving the lives of others and his work on our health information technology legislation that led to his recent decision to pursue a career in medicine. And so, Chad is heading home to Utah, where this fall he will enroll in the school of pharmacology at Brigham Young University. I have spoken of Chad's dedication and professionalism, which by themselves are deserving of thanks and recognition. He will continue to be a servant to others by fighting disease and illness, and, in so doing will reaffirm the values that make America the land of hope and opportunity to the world. I wish him Godspeed.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Patricia Grow for her years of service as a high school teacher and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America advisor. Patricia earned a Bachelor's Degree in Homemaking Education from Utah State University, and then a Master's in Occupational Administration at Northern Arizona University. After graduating, she moved to Overton, Nevada, and began her teaching career as a substitute. She continued substitute teaching for eight years until she became the full-time Home Economics teacher at Moapa Valley High School. For the past thirty years, Patricia has educated high school students and advised her chapter of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, FCCLA. Patricia followed the growth of the community from the old high school to the new one, and, upon the expansion of the Home Economics program, she became the instructor for the Independent Living and Child Development and the Fashion and Quilting courses. Her hard work has been instrumental in bringing the program's courses to full enrollment. Patricia has won a number of awards for her service to students, including Outstanding Service to Vocational Education in 1986, Outstanding Faculty for 1992-1993, the Nevada Vocational Association Award of Service in 1996, and Educator of the Year for 1999-2000. She is retiring this year after three decades of teaching. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Patricia Grow for her years of service as an educator in Nevada. Education is truly an admirable career, and I commend her dedication to Nevada's youth. I wish her all the best in her retirement.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Colonel John F. Groom, who passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2006. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on August 8, 2006. John was originally from Rochester, NY where he attended Brockport State University earning a bachelor's degree. He later attended Syracuse Law School but received his law degree from Western Law School in San Diego after he retired from the military. Col. Groom had a long and distinguished career with the United States Air Force, highlighted by his command of the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team at Nellis Air Force Base in 1962 and service as an airstrike adviser to Army General William Westmoreland in Vietnam. Col. Groom was in training during World War II, and flew B-29s during the Korean War. In 1965, Col. Groom served as director of inland airstrikes under an effort code-named Tiger Hound. Later, he attended the National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, DC. He went on to become the last commander of Wheelus Air Base in Tripoli, Libya, before it closed in 1970. Col. Groom was a key player in the evacuation of Tripoli and was responsible for getting American citizens out of the city following the coup d'Etat led by Moammar Kadafi in 1970. John spent the last fifteen years of his life living in Las Vegas. John leaves behind his wife Barbara, sons John Jr. and Tom, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Mr. Speaker I am proud to honor the life of Col. John F. Groom. His service to this country is admirable and shows that he was truly a patriot. He will surely be missed.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dale Antonich, who is retiring after 33 years of service with the National Park Service. Dale began his career with the National Park Service as a seasonal park ranger at the Grand Canyon in 1972. For the next four years, Dale held a variety of seasonal laborer, park technician and ranger jobs. His seasonal employment included assignments in the Grand Canyon, Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) and Death Valley National Park. In 1977, he accepted a full-time career position as a park technician at Golden Gate National Park. Dale accepted a promotion in 1981 as a park ranger in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA. In 1984, Dale moved from the Santa Monica Mountains NRA to the Grand Teton National Park, accepting a promotion to law enforcement specialist park ranger. In 1986, Dale was selected for the Chief Ranger position at Death Valley National Park. He became the Chief Ranger at Lake Mead NRA in 1991, a position he held for the remainder of his career. Over the course of his 33 year career, Dale has received a number of awards: the Commendation for a Rescue at Grand Canyon, and the Member of Unit Citation for Rescue at Lake Mead in 1974; he received the Commendation for Rescue performed at Golden Gate National Park in 1978; the Sustained Superior Performance Award in 1984; and the U.S. Department of the Interior Award for Rescue in 1991. Dale also received the highest award that can be bestowed upon a ranger by his peers, the Henry Yount Award. He received this award in 1999 from then-Vice President Al Gore. Dale has dedicated his professional career to the mission of the National Parks Service. He has committed his life to the resources, park visitors, park staff and our partners. He has provided leadership in the development and management of emerging operations, and the professionalization of ranger positions within the National Park System. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Dale Antonich for his years spent the National Park Service. Dale's experience, commitment, contributions and dedication to his job will be surely missed. I wish him the best with his retirement.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Walter Lloyd Bell, one of the founding fathers of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Known to his family and friends as Lloyd, he passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2006, at the age of 80. After serving his country in the Navy during World War II, Lloyd returned to Las Vegas and began his career in law enforcement at the Clark County Sheriff's Office. In 1955, at the age of 29, Lloyd became the youngest person to become County Undersheriff. Three years later, he graduated from the FBI Academy, the first member of the department to do so. Lloyd served on the Nevada Gaming Control Board from 1961 until 1963, when he rejoined the law enforcement community. In 1968, he served on the committee that created the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department by uniting the Las Vegas Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's Office. Lloyd retired from the Sheriff's Office in 1973 and moved on to the private sector, owning 13 shoe stores and a beauty salon. The ambition and dedication that allowed Lloyd to make such a positive impact on the law enforcement community in Las Vegas made him a successful business owner, as well. Lloyd was a devoted husband and a proud father who enjoyed spending time with his family. He and his wife Patricia raised two daughters, Ashley Bell and Courtney Bell Vincent. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Lloyd Bell for his accomplishments and his law enforcement service. I thank him for his participation in the ambitious task of creating the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and I applaud his long record of distinguished service. He has truly had a great impact on the safety and well-being of the Las Vegas community, and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend, Michael Murphy, for his service as Clark County Coroner and recognition as the 2006 Clark County Director of the Year. Before embarking on a law enforcement career, Michael earned a doctorate in Business Administration from California Pacific University. He began his service career in Kansas City, Kansas as a police officer, and after moving to Nevada, Michael became a captain with the Boulder City Police Department. He later served as the Chief of Police for nine years with the City of Mesquite Police Department. He then moved on to the position of Commander at the City of Las Vegas Department of Detention and Enforcement, and was quickly promoted to Deputy Chief. In addition to his law enforcement service, Michael takes the time to share his expertise with others as a guest lecturer and instructor, including speaking to law enforcement agencies in Russia, China, and Azerbaijan. Currently, as Clark County Coroner, Michael uses his thirty years of experience to manage programs, staff, and policy objectives, among other things. Michael is intrigued by the science of his office, despite his lack of scientific training. Since his appointment as Coroner in May of 2003, he has led the coroner's office in establishing a Cold Case Unit, which has since closed an amazing 29 cases. He also served for six months as acting Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice Services until a new director was found. Despite the long and taxing hours required by his position, he finds his work as Coroner to be one of the most fulfilling jobs he's had. In June of 2006, during the Clark County Employee Service Awards, where the unwavering efforts of those who serve the public and efficiently spend taxpayer dollars are recognized, Michael's innovation and hard work earned him the title of ``Director of the Year.'' Of all that Michael has to be proud of, his family tops the list. His 26-year-old son, Brandon, and his daughter-in-law, Megan, are expecting their first daughter, to be named Caitlin, in August. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Michael Murphy for his outstanding service as Clark County Coroner. I congratulate him on being named Clark County Director of the Year, and commend his dedication to law enforcement in Nevada. Michael is a very good friend and serves as a role model for us all.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Walter Cuchine for earning the Distinguished Nevadan Award, the most prestigious award given by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents. The award recognizes the achievements of those who have contributed to the cultural, scientific, or social advancement of Nevada. Walter has helped to preserve the history of Nevada, especially Hawthorne, Lovelock, Ely, Fallon, and Lincoln County, as a Humanist-in- Residence, sponsored by the Nevada Humanities Committee. His experience studying Nevada's environment and history helped him to become the Director of the Bristlecone Convention Center in Ely, and since 1993 he has served as the Eureka County Facilities Director, where he is responsible for programming at the Eureka Opera House and the Eureka Sentinel Museum. Through his position with Eureka County and as Humanist-in-Residence, Walter works with the Rural Presenters Network, the Nevada Commission on Tourism, and other organizations to encourage numerous groups to visit Eureka and enjoy its history and cultural sites. Walter's passion for Nevada's history has also led him to become one of the foremost collectors of contemporary Nevada art and the owner of a book collection featuring Nevada-related works. Last summer, the Nevada Historical Society presented an exhibit featuring his art collection, which broke all of the society's previous attendance records. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Walter Cuchine, winner of the Distinguished Nevadan Award and supporter of Nevada's historic and cultural needs. His fundraising efforts and foundation of the Emerald Society have made a tremendous impact on the Las Vegas community.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marie Stever Daly McMillan for earning the Distinguished Nevadan Award, the most prestigious award given by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents. The award recognizes achievements of those who have contributed to the cultural, scientific, or social advancement of Nevada. In 1957, Marie and her husband, Duke Daly, moved to Nevada to work at the Nevada Test Site during the pioneering nuclear testing era, and developed and implemented protocols for the management of classified documents. Her work in this capacity was vital, as the nuclear information had to be kept secret, but still available to the scientists working on the projects. Although her work to preserve the confidentiality of nuclear secrets was important, her aviation career is what she is best known for. In 1978, Marie learned that the U.S. Aeronautic Association was looking for pilots to break records in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Wright brothers' flight. She decided not to break a record, but to set a new one. On December 16, 1978, she set her first record for speed between two cities. Over the next 10 years, Marie set hundreds more, and she currently holds 656 aviation records. In addition to setting records, Marie has served as the U.S. Delegate to numerous Federation Aeronautique International Conferences, and she has won many awards and honors. She served as a flight instructor for over 25 years, where she taught people, from teenagers and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officers, how to fly. She also served for 10 years as Clark County Department of Aviation public information representative to McCarran Airport, where she had the opportunity to teach schoolchildren about aviation careers. Dedicated to encouraging young women to pursue careers in aviation and technical fields, Marie has developed a local ``Wings'' program as a part of the Girl Scouts. She also has devoted countless hours and her plane to carry medical personnel and supplies to Mexico and, through Wings for Direct Relief, transported supplies to California so they could be shipped to South America. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Marie McMillan, winner of the Distinguished Nevadan Award and aviation pioneer. I commend her dedication to the community, which exemplifies her strong character, innovation, leadership, and service.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Leonard Goodall for earning the Distinguished Nevadan Award, the most prestigious award given by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents. The award recognizes the achievements of those who have contributed to the cultural, scientific, or social advancement of Nevada. Leonard has a long history of service in education. He began his career as a professor at Arizona State University in 1962. He moved on to become Vice Chancellor of the University of Illinois-Chicago and then Chancellor of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Leonard moved to Las Vegas in 1979, where he served as University of Nevada, Las Vegas President and as a professor of Public Administration. Since his retirement, Leonard has served on the Nevada System of Higher Education's Retirement Plan Alternatives Committee. Leonard has also had an impressive career as a writer, authoring or co-authoring eight books and countless articles on economics, government, and public administration. After his experiences living and working in Las Vegas, he co-authored ``Nevada Government and Politics: Conservatism in an Open Society'' and ``Reinventing the System: Higher Education in Nevada.'' Leonard has also been active in the community. He has served on the board of local chapters of numerous organizations, including the American Red Cross, the American Society for Public Administration, the Nevada Development Authority, and the Boulder Dam Council of Boy Scouts. He aided in the foundation of the Commercial Bank of Nevada, currently serving as its chairman of the board of directors, and he was appointed by the Clark County Commission to serve as the chairman of the Community Growth Task Force, a position he currently holds. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Leonard Goodall, a role model to the community and accurately named Distinguished Nevadan. His dedication to educating our future leaders and his passion for community service are truly admirable.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend Alison Kasner for her dedication to education and for her outstanding service to southern Nevada. Alison has served as the principal of Helen J. Stewart School for the past 5 years and is retiring this summer from a distinguished career with the Clark County School District. She began teaching school in southern Nevada at the age of 20. During her career, Alison served the school district in a variety of capacities. She has taught elementary through high school age students and also served as a transitional counselor before becoming principal at Helen J. Stewart School Although Alison Kasner has devoted a great deal of her life to education, what is perhaps most impressive about her is her dedication to special needs students. Helen J. Stewart School is a very special school within the Clark County School District that serves the educational needs of students between the ages of 6 and 22 who have significant mental and developmental challenges. The school's mission is to provide an education specifically tailored to the needs of its students so that all students have the opportunity to reach optimum development and become as self-sufficient as possible. Alison first became acquainted with Stewart School and its mission after visiting the campus on a field trip her freshman year of high school. As a result of that experience, Alison volunteered at Helen J. Stewart throughout high school and remained involved with the school throughout her career. Since becoming principal of the school, Alison has served her students and her colleagues with vision, determination and a commitment to achieving excellence. Her compassion for others, her desire to serve and her enthusiasm for special education has made an indelible impact on our community. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Alison Kasner for her service as an educator and for her dedication to special needs students. Although she will certainly be missed at Helen J. Stewart School, I know that she will continue to contribute her time, talent, and perspective in ways that will benefit and enrich the world around her. I wish Alison the very best in her retirement and in all her future endeavors.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kevin Page for earning the Distinguished Nevadan Award, the most prestigious award given by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents. The award recognizes the achievements of those who have contributed to the cultural, scientific, or social advancement of Nevada. Kevin has had an impressive academic career, graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a bachelor's degree in finance in 1986 and an MBA one year later. He continued his involvement with UNLV through 2005 as a member of the Alumni Board, and served as board president for three of those years. As a founding member of the Police and Fire Emerald Society of Nevada, he has been committed to helping children and youth succeed, caring for families in need, and honoring fallen heroes. From 2001 to 2004, he led Run for Heroes in raising scholarship money for the families of fallen law enforcement members and fire fighters, and helped shift some of that fundraising to the Golf for Heroes program in 2004. Kevin's interest in helping students goes beyond the families of law enforcement and fire officials. Through his Kiwanis Club membership, he has raised more scholarship money for high school Key Clubs and to support Clark County School District Varsity Quiz programs. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Kevin Page, winner of the Distinguished Nevadan Award and dedicated volunteer. His fundraising efforts and foundation of the Emerald Society have made a tremendous impact on the Las Vegas community.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend for more than 20 years, Charles ``Charlie'' Leavitt. Charlie will be retiring from a career in general engineering contracting on August 15, 2006. Charlie was born on ``the old Stewart Ranch'' in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 24, 1942. His class of 1960 was Rancho High School's first graduating class. After graduation, he worked as a parking attendant for many of the hotel and casinos up and down the Las Vegas Strip, including the Stardust Hotel and the Dunes Hotel and Casino, which is now the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. He then went to work on the Virgin River Gorge Project as an engineer. This project provides a transportation route from Las Vegas, through Arizona, and into Utah. In 1974, Charlie joined the Warrants Division of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and served until 1979. He then went to the Caesar's Palace Hotel and Casino as a doorman and parking attendant. After running the front of that hotel for many years, he, along with his brother and nephews, moved to the Tropicana Hotel to help with their failing parking situation. After marrying the love of his life Margaret ``Peggy'' on March 16, 1984, he started his own excavation company called Charles K. Leavitt Excavation in 1987, now known as CLK Incorporated. CKL Inc. serves the Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City areas. Charlie is very active in the community, serving in the Sunrise Rotary, and has served in many leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is an avid and accomplished golfer, and has won the Boulder City Men's Club Tournament. His greatest accomplishment is being the proud father of his four sons Michael Glen, Christopher Keoni, Glen Kaimi, and Charles Kelley. He also loves his daughters-in-law, Leanna and Rebecca. However, his greatest joy comes from spending time with his six grand-children Tommy (19), Connor (8), Garret (6), Olivia (4), Rory (3), Wyatt (2), and one on the way Delaney, who will be born in August. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Charles Leavitt on the floor of the House. I commend him for his contributions to southern Nevada and congratulate him on his retirement.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Euler, a Vietnam veteran, retired U.S. marine, and tireless public servant. After retiring as the Deputy Director of the Torts Branch, Civil Division of the Department of Justice, John thought he was finished working for the Federal Government. However, in January of 2004, John's sense of duty compelled him to volunteer for 6 months in Iraq as Director of International Counsel. His 26 years of experience with the Department of Justice and his extensive legal career gave him all the tools necessary to help the new Iraqi Government build a new legal system from the ground up. John faced many challenges in Iraq, including the fact that all legal records were destroyed by war. Despite the difficult task, John helped the Iraqi Government to build an entirely new court system and to defend itself in over 70 international cases. His service has helped the Iraqis to live in a society operating under the rule of law, a protection that many Americans take for granted. John's strong passion for civil service has again called him to Iraq. He is currently serving as the Deputy Legal Counsel for the U.S. Department of State. In this new position, John advises the United States Embassy in Iraq on issues relating to the new Iraqi Government. His experience in creating the Iraqi legal system makes his counsel invaluable to the embassy's team. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor John Euler for his extensive service to the United States and for his dedication to the rebuilding of the Iraqi Government. His bravery and support during these trying times serve as a model for us all. I thank him for his perseverance and his service.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of a great American, Marion Paul Sanchez, Sr. June 2, 1922-May 27, 2006. I honor him today for his service in the United States Navy during World War II and his dedication to his family. Mr. Sanchez served on the USS Kula Gulf CVE 108 during World War II. The USS Kula Gulf was commissioned on May 12, 1945 and on August 5 was assigned to the 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific. The Kula Gulf patrolled the East China Seas, shuttled planes between Saipan and Guam, and transported veterans of the Pacific Theater around the region and back to the United States. After returning from the war, Mr. Sanchez married MaryAnn Del Razo in 1948 and began what would become a 59-year marriage. Mr. Sanchez decided to follow in his father's footsteps and began a career in agriculture, where he spent 50 years growing produce in California's Central Valley. Over the course of his career he employed hundreds of workers and grew cotton, tomatoes, lettuce, garlic, asparagus, cantaloupes, bell peppers, alfalfa, prunes, grapes, sugar beets, and corn. Farming allowed Mr. Sanchez to pursue his true passion in life, which was raising his family. He had four boys; Theodore, Richard, Ronald, and Marion. Through the years, the Sanchez family has grown, and Mr. Sanchez became the proud grandparent to 11 grandchildren and 5 great- grandchildren. Mr. Sanchez took great pride in his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Sanchez was an avid golfer and played 18 holes, 2 days a week, until his passing in May of 2006. Mr. Sanchez's approach to the game of golf illustrates his approach to life. He was dedicated to the game, always willing to try new things, and never let a bad round affect the next. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and heartfelt gratitude that I salute Marion Paul Sanchez, Sr. for his service to our Nation and dedication to his family.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Emilia Guenechea for her outstanding efforts to bring awareness to minorities and the underprivileged in Las Vegas. Over the past ten years, Emilia has served in various positions in her quest to create and implement plans for healthy communities, and she has participated in a variety of programs to assist members of the Hispanic community in Las Vegas. Emilia served as the Woman to Woman Program Coordinator for the YMCA and SAFE HOUSE Shelter, providing a support system for Hispanic women. She also served as the Salud in Accion Program Coordinator, where she was responsible for the planning and coordination of all media production associated with the cancer prevention program for Hispanic women. In addition, Emilia has dedicated two years to the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service Partnership Program as Coordinator for the Northwest Region, where she conducted a comprehensive study to identify gaps in cancer information and education services in order to identify, implement, and maintain partnerships with organizations to serve the underprivileged. In addition to her outstanding work with the Hispanic community, Emilia has a very impressive academic record. She received her first Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at the Iberoamericana University in Mexico, and her second Master's degree in Counseling from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Emilia is currently the Nevada Cancer Institute's Multicultural Community Outreach and Education Production Manager, a position she has enjoyed since October of 2005. In her role, she develops and implements programs to increase awareness, education, and early detection of chronic diseases. Emilia's main goals are to increase the screening numbers of breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and to increase the participation in clinical trials within multicultural communities. Emilia's hard work is leading to progress in these often difficult and culturally sensitive tasks. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Emilia Guenechea. Her dedication to creating health awareness has greatly impacted the diverse communities of Las Vegas. She is truly a remarkable woman who should serve as an inspiration and a roll model for us all. I commend her efforts and wish her the best in future endeavors.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ree Wengert, a prominent Las Vegas singer and activist, who passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2006, at the age of 78. Ree was born on December 14, 1927 in Charleston, WV, and was the youngest of an amazing 12 children. Ree chose to complete her undergraduate studies at Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY. She was soon awarded a full scholarship to the Julliard School of Music. In 1952, Ree moved to Las Vegas, NV, and joined the Las Vegas Service League, which is now known as the Junior League of Las Vegas. She also began performing charity work for the Catholic Church. In the 1980s and '90s, she donated her services to Southern Nevada in many ways, including singing in charity events and advocating for AIDS victims' rights. She often visited and spoke with the most critically ill patients in the University Medical Center's AIDS ward. Ree was most prominently known as the wonderful wife of Ward Wengert, a banker and civic leader in Las Vegas who passed in 1996, and mother to Rhetta Storebo, Rene McCown, Ward Jr., and Cyril, who passed in 1997. She also enjoyed four grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Ree Wengert and her amazing family for their contributions to the Southern Nevada community. She will be dearly missed.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Craig Harris for his outstanding efforts as a taxicab driver safety advocate. Craig passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at the age of 56. Craig had been a Las Vegas resident for 28 years and a taxi driver for Yellow-Checker-Star Transportation since 1979. Having been assaulted and robbed twice by passengers, Craig fully understood the dangers of driving a taxi. A long-time advocate of taxi driver safety, Craig was one of the first to test still cameras in taxis as a deterrent against attacks on drivers. According to his long-time boss and Yellow-Checker-Star's director of operations, Bill Shranko, Craig's work led to camera installation in each of the company's cabs. Since then, Shranko says there has been at least a sixty percent decrease in attacks on drivers. Craig's hard work and advocacy has produced impressive results for driver safety. In addition to driving a cab forty hours a week and his efforts to promote driver safety, Craig also found time to represent local drivers as a steward for the Industrial Technical Professional Employees Union, helping fired drivers to regain their jobs and making sure that drivers have access to important benefits, including health insurance. He led a campaign to raise thousands of dollars to aid the family of a colleague who was killed while on duty as a cab driver, and always offered to help colleagues and their families when in need. Born in Los Angeles on October 14, 1949, Craig graduated from Shasta College in Northern California. He worked on newspapers in California and Oklahoma before moving to Las Vegas in 1978 and beginning work on the Trip Sheet magazine for cab drivers in the 1980s. He served as managing editor of the magazine and often wrote articles dealing with driver safety and furthering the fair treatment of drivers. His work helped turn the six-page newspaper of the '80s into the 48-page magazine of today, which reaches over 7,000 monthly readers. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Craig Harris for his outstanding service and representation of the taxi drivers of Las Vegas. His tireless efforts to help drivers and their families and his hard work as a driver, journalist, and advocate have greatly contributed to the safety of the profession, and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend Sandy Heverly for her dedication to victims of DUI accidents and their families. Sandy became impassioned with the anti-DUI movement after she, her husband, children and mother were all injured as a result of an accident caused by a drunk driver. Following this incident, Sandy decided to try to help DUI victims and create awareness about the severity of DUI crimes. Since then, Sandy has been a driving force in the anti-DUI movement in Nevada, and has helped enhance awareness nationwide. Through her positions as Executive Director and Co-Founder of STOP DUI, Executive Director of Nevada Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and Nevada Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) State Coordinator, Sandy has spread the message about drunk driving throughout Nevada and the Nation. She has increased awareness by making over 1,000 anti-DUI presentations to students, civic organizations, and the gaming and liquor industries, and through various media movements, including the eight-year ``Red Ribbon Campaign.'' With STOP DUI, Sandy established a Victim's Assistance Program to provide immediate financial assistance to DUI victims and their families, the only program of its kind in the Nation. She has also helped the bipartisan Congressional Stop DUI Caucus shed new light on the epidemic of drunk driving in America. On July 19, 2006, Sandy's efforts to end drunk driving will be recognized as she is sworn in to the President's Advisory Commission for Drug-Free Communities. Her extensive knowledge and experience in bringing awareness to the anti-DUI cause will undoubtedly make Sandy an asset to the Commission. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Sandy Heverly for her dedication and advocacy against drunk driving. As the co-chair of the Congressional Stop DUI Caucus, and father to a daughter injured by a drunk driver, ridding our nation's roads of these dangerous drivers is a cause that is very important to me. I congratulate Sandy for her appointment to the President's Advisory Commission for Drug-Free Communities, and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Coral Childs for her tireless efforts to enhance technology in the classroom. Coral Childs has worked tirelessly to further her vision of providing every student in America with access to computers in their schools. Through the Computers for Learning program, CFL, Coral and her team are turning her vision into a reality, matching these ``needy'' schools with a donor, either a government agency or a member of the private sector, and giving young students access to the tools they need to prepare themselves to compete in the new economy. The CFL program helped bring to life an executive order that encouraged government agencies to donate computers and equipment to schools. The General Services Administration took ownership of CFL in late 1999. It was at this time that Coral began her work with the program. Under her leadership over the next 5 years, CFL helped transfer more than 118,000 computers and related equipment to over 12,000 needy schools. Coral played a significant role in both the marketing and outreach for the program, but her active involvement with the CFL's website cannot go unmentioned. Due to her remarkable compassion for the public and her dedication to the cause, the website is a place where agencies can instantly access pertinent information about needy schools. A key innovation to the program that Coral brought to CFL was to expand potential donors from government agencies to donors from the private sector including corporations and individuals. Coral's achievements with CFL helped propel her to a new position within the General Services Administration. She no longer plays a daily role in the Computers for Learning program, but its success would not exist without the key part she played in the program's initiatives and implementation. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Coral Childs. Her dedication to distributing computers and related equipment to needy schools has greatly enhanced the educational experience of countless children. I applaud her efforts and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kathy Augustine, a dedicated Nevada leader, who passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2006. Kathy was a devoted and passionate public servant, having served in the Nevada State Assembly from 1993 to 1995, and also in the State Senate from 1995 to 1999, where she chaired the Legislative Affairs and Operations Committee and was Vice Chairman of Taxation and the Human Resources and Facilities Committees. In 1999, Kathy became the first woman to be elected as Nevada State Controller. To add to her impressive resume, Kathy was also a Trustee for the Center for Governmental Financial Management, and the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers' representative on the Electronic Benefits and Services Council, where she served as Chair of the Strategic Expansion and Advanced Technology Committee. Kathy's work on behalf of her constituents earned her a number of honors throughout her years of public service. She was a recipient of the American Legion Achievement Medallion, the Community Partners Family Resource Center 1998 Community Service Award of Excellence, the 1998 National Republican Legislators Association, Legislator of the Year, Nevada Opera Theatre's International Friendship Award (2003), and the Augustus Society's Italian American of the Year (2003). In addition to her vast public service career, Kathy also had an impressive array of academic achievements. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Occidental College in Los Angeles, and a Master's in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. She served as a Delegate to Russia and the Ukraine with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) in 1993 and was selected as an Executive Committee Member to the Biennial Assembly of the Atlantic Association of Young Political Leaders (AAYPL) in Paris, France in 1995. She participated in the Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellowship Program and was also selected for the Flemming Fellows Leadership Institute's Class of 1996. In 1999, she attended the Governors Center at Duke University Strategic Leadership for State Executives and, in 2000, graduated from the Greater Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce Leadership program. In 2001, she completed the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened by the unexpected and sudden loss of such a young and ambitious woman. Kathy will be remembered for her dedication to the State of Nevada, to her family, and to her friends. She will be deeply missed.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan. In all fairness to my friends and colleagues on this side of the aisle, I respectfully disagree with the concept. Whether you are for or against Internet gaming, this bill is not going to change some realities. The reality, as has been mentioned here time and time again is close to $12 billion is being invested on the Internet. We are not sure who these folks are, but we know the bulk of them are somewhere in other parts of the world. I would highly encourage that my colleagues in the House look seriously at my bill, which is H.R. 5474, that I cosponsored with Shelley Berkley from Nevada, my friend and colleague. It is an Internet gambling study. It is a comprehensive study that looks at government activities, existing legal frameworks. There is so much confusion for those that are using the Internet. I would highly encourage, this is a very complex issue that needs intense review in a bipartisan approach. We are not going to stop Internet gambling. It is illegal today. This bill is one more piece that is not going to be enforced. I encourage opposition to this bill.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mark Jaget, who recently competed in the Gobi March, a 7 day 150-mile footrace across China's Gobi Desert. Mark Jaget is a chiropractor who owns three Spinal Rehabilitation Centers in Southern Nevada with his brother, David. He and his wife Clare have two children, Sebastian, who is 7, and Tristan, who is 5. Mark enjoys endurance running and has competed in several marathons over the years. This year, Mark chose to further challenge himself by competing for the first time in the rigorous Gobi March. The Gobi March is a 6-stage, 7-day trek across some of the world's most severe terrain, which includes salt flats, sand dunes, rivers, slot canyons and mountain ridges. To add to the challenge of the race, competitors in the Gobi March are required to carry a 7 day supply of food and the supplies necessary to survive on the trek. Despite confronting intense temperatures, 60 mile-per-hour winds and a stress fracture in his foot, Jaget crossed the finish line on June 3, 2006. Although he competed against nearly one hundred experienced endurance runners and ultra marathoners from around the world, Jaget finished the race an impressive 9th place, with a time of 32 hours and 56 minutes. I applaud Mark Jaget for his unparalleled determination and will to succeed. His resolve to compete at such an outstanding level is an inspiring example of what a person can accomplish when committed to physical preparation and personal fortitude. What is truly inspiring, however, is that Mark chose to race in this grueling competition on behalf of several charities that are devoted to providing for veterans disabled in the War on Terror and to honoring the men and women who serve in the United States Military. I cannot think of a more commendable way to show appreciation for those who serve and sacrifice for our great country and for the cause of freedom. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mark Jaget on the floor of the House for his extraordinary accomplishment. I commend him for his overwhelming determination to achieve personal excellence and I appreciate his commitment to honoring the United States Military. Mr. Jaget has set a wonderful example for his family and his community and I wish him well in all his future endeavors.