Gary Peters

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Republican Default Act, which will require deep cuts in Medicare while preserving tax breaks and loopholes for millionaires and large corporations. It is beyond disappointing that Republicans have squandered a real opportunity to put our Nation on a sustainable fiscal path. Many of my constituents are afraid the Republican leadership will continue bending to the Tea Party demands to drive our economy toward a self-inflicted recession. The risks here are very real. Default or a credit downgrade will hurt middle class families with higher mortgage and credit card interest rates and higher costs for food, gas, and utilities. Republicans need to stop playing reckless games with our economy and start working for what the American people want: comprehensive deficit reduction that shares the burden equally, strengthens Medicare and Social Security, ends tax giveaways, and puts our country back on the path to fiscal stability.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for reauthorizing the Small Business Administration, which helps countless entrepreneurs receive the training and access the capital they need to start and expand small businesses and create jobs. While I support the reauthorization of these vital programs, I am concerned with provisions in the underlying bill that would prevent some entrepreneurs from obtaining vital assistance. Specifically, H.R. 2608 singles out the e200 Emerging Leaders program for elimination, which targets entrepreneurs in underserved communities across the country like metro Detroit that have been severely impacted in these tough economic times. This program targets businesses in inner cities and economically hard-hit areas that show a high potential for growth, providing them with the network, know-how and resources they need to build a sustainable, growing business that promotes economic development within their communities. This program has a proven track record. Small businesses that complete the program increase their revenues and create jobs where they are needed most. In addition to eliminating this vital program, this bill prevents the Small Business Administration from carrying out any succeeding program with similar goals. While I support the underlying reauthorization of the Small Business Administration, I strongly disagree with the elimination of the e200 Emerging Leaders program, and the prohibition of future initiatives that help small businesses thrive in some of the areas hardest hit by the recession.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased today to rise in support of H.R. 440, a bill to establish a special envoy to promote religious freedom of religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia. As a cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation and as a member of the Religious Minorities of the Middle East Caucus, I strongly support its passage. While many parts of the Near East and Southeast Asia are predominantly Muslim, historically these areas have been home to a diverse group of ethnic and religious minorities. Whether it is Chaldeans, Syriacs, and Assyrians in Iraq, Baha'i in Iran, Copts in Egypt, or the Hindus in Pakistan, religious minorities have for centuries lived and worshipped alongside their Muslim countrymen and women. Unfortunately, instability in the Middle East has had a disproportionately negative impact on religious minorities. The most striking example of this has been in Iraq, where more than half of the Iraqi Christian population has been forced to flee the country since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Those who have stayed have been specifically targeted in gruesome and random acts of violence, such as murder, rape, and abduction. This includes religious and community leaders like Archbishop Rahho, who was kidnapped and murdered. Religious minorities have also suffered attacks in their places of worship, such as the October 2010 massacre at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad, in which 58 worshipers were killed by militants and extremists. While the end of the Mubarak regime in Egypt has brought about the promise for democratic reform, it has also given rise to instability and acts of violence against religious minorities. Coptic Christians have lived peacefully in this part of the world for centuries. Sadly, in recent months, Coptic churches and protesters have also been targeted for violence. Freedom of religion is something we take for granted here in the United States. Our citizens are free to worship however they please, without fear that they will be targeted for violence because of their religious beliefs. I'm honored to represent Michigan's Ninth Congressional District, which is home to an amazingly diverse population. We have Jewish synagogues, Islamic mosques, Hindu temples, and Christian churches of almost every kind imaginable. This diversity is a source of strength in our community, and something my constituents are very proud of. Many of my constituents have relatives in Near East or South Central Asia and they wish that they, too, had the same freedom to worship that so many of us take for granted. They are desperate to see the United States take more leadership in promoting religious tolerance overseas. That is why the legislation we're debating today is so important. It creates a permanent special envoy that will work on behalf of the President and the Secretary of State to advance the cause of religious minorities abroad. This individual will be able to ensure that the United States is fully engaged to fight to protect religious minorities in other countries and to help hold our own government accountable when that should be done. I would like to thank Representative Wolf, who is not only the author of this legislation but also the cochair of the Religious Minorities of the Middle East, a tireless champion on behalf of vulnerable populations. I would also like to thank my friend, Representative Eshoo, who is also a cochair of the caucus and a true champion for religious minorities in the Middle East. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation so that the United States will be vigilant in promoting religious tolerance and freedom around the world.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly condemn the Syrian regime's recent hostility towards both the United States and the Syrian people. The courageous visit by U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford to Hama, the site of massive antiregime protests, demonstrates that the United States stands by those who advocate for democracy and freedom. Days after Ford's visit, the American Embassy in Damascus endured several violent pro-regime demonstrations, resulting in considerable damage. Had the Syrian security forces acknowledged their international obligations, these rioters in support of President Assad would not have been able to approach the embassy. By responding poorly, Assad has conveyed disrespect towards the United States. I applaud Secretary of State Clinton's recent tough stance toward Assad, declaring that his regime ``has lost legitimacy.'' Time and time again, Assad, like his father before him, has turned to arresting, torturing, and killing anyone who would stand in the way of his tyranny. Therefore, with the best interests of the Syrian people in mind, I call on President Assad to resign as President.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chair, our Nation faces a significant budget deficit and a growing national debt, and we must look for simple, common sense solutions to cut spending as Congress and President Obama work toward a comprehensive, balanced deficit reduction package that will put our Nation on a path to fiscal stability. Members of Congress must lead by example. As a State Senator in Michigan, I ran my office so efficiently that I was able to return a full year's operating budget to Michigan taxpayers. When I came to Congress at the beginning of 2009, I made it a priority to run my office efficiently, come in under budget, and return the difference to taxpayers. Last session, my office came in $320,000 under budget, and I am continuing my efforts to save taxpayer dollars at every opportunity. I rise today to express my support for Section 101 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2012. This provision ensures that all unused fiscal year 2012 funds from each congressional office account, known as a Member's Representational Allowance (or MRA), be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction. Last session, I sponsored legislation that would require all future unspent MRA funds be put toward deficit reduction, and give this requirement the force of law. This bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. Unfortunately, the Senate did not take action. While it is encouraging that the legislation we consider today contains a similar provision, this will only apply to unused funds for next year. This is why I introduced H.R. 262, the bipartisan Mandatory Returning of Allowances Act with my colleague, Representative Steve Scalise. This bill will ensure that all future unused MRA funds, not just fiscal year 2012 funds, are automatically and permanently used for deficit reduction. I urge my colleagues to support the Mandatory Returning of Allowances Act, and hope that House leadership will consider bringing this legislation to the floor for a vote.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding and for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Chairman, imagine a wave of arson attacks was burning down houses and businesses across the city. And then imagine if the city council responded by trying to delay and water down new laws making arson a crime, refused to appoint a police and fire chief, and gutted funding for public safety. Well, I know that sounds farfetched, but that's exactly what the Republican majority is doing in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. It was everyday American consumers who suffered most from the financial crisis through job losses, foreclosures, declining home values, and decimated retirement accounts. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was designed to address fundamental weaknesses in the financial regulations that keep our economy safe. The centerpiece of this law is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a new agency tasked with putting consumers first, not Wall Street or other special interests. The bills we are debating today are part of a coordinated effort by the Republicans to let Wall Street go back to business as usual. They have been trying to delay the implementation of these new rules. They have been gutting funding for the agencies that are supposed to be the cops on the Wall Street beat. And they are refusing to allow qualified nominees to even be considered for appointments. This bill is called the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Improvement Act, but it has nothing to do with improving the agency. This bill would make it easier for special interests to block or delay CFPB rules. The American people are sick and tired of gridlock; yet this bill only offers more of the same. In the example of the fires breaking out across town, ask yourself, Mr. Chairman, who would you blame after the next building burned? Would it be the understaffed police who failed to catch the arsonist or the ill-equipped firefighters who failed to put out the fire? Or would the responsibility lie with the politicians who failed to give them the tools that they need in order to do their jobs? I urge my colleagues to stand with consumers and oppose this legislation. We need to make sure the law takes effect and keep fighting to implement the reforms needed.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed at what the House Republican Leadership did this week. Unemployment remains above 9%, job growth is sluggish, and we are facing a catastrophic default on our national debt. Yet this past week the Republicans passed three bills that do nothing to create jobs, but instead advance a narrow agenda built on environmental degradation. First, the Republicans brought the misguided BULB Act to the floor. The BULB Act was rushed to a vote under the fictional pretense that American families were under the imminent threat of having light bulbs snatched from their homes. The truth is, under President Bush, new energy efficiency standards were adopted for light bulbs with bipartisan support. Incandescent bulbs are not banned, as the floor speeches this week would have you believe, and industry groups like the National Electric Manufacturers Association opposed the BULB Act because it would harm the investments light bulb manufacturers have already made to raise the efficiency of their products. This bill was unhelpful and unwanted and responded only to a problem manufactured in the minds of the political right. The bill fortunately failed on the House floor, but it did not fail in wasting our time. We then moved on to the Energy and Water appropriations bill. This bill guts clean energy programs seeking to research and develop new wind and solar technologies while increasing investments for oil and gas companies. It cuts things like advanced vehicle technologies and weatherization assistance, which support good paying jobs in Michigan and elsewhere. The bill also includes language that makes it easier to pollute our drinking water. While many attempts were made to rebalance the bill in a more equitable manner, the Republicans insisted on their support for oil companies earning record profits and turned their backs on advanced energy and science. Finally, last week we considered a bill which should be called the ``Dirty Water Act.'' Named instead the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act, this bill is one of the most brazen attacks on the Clean Water Acts in memory. The bill strips the authority of the Administration to block environmentally harmful projects and enforce water quality standards. The supporters of the bill claim it is the name of states' rights. But dirty water does not stop at state boundaries, which is why the Clean Water Act was created in the first place. We recognized decades ago that patchwork standards and varying state enforcements don't keep our drinking water clean. My home state of Michigan relies on billions of dollars in tourism that flow into the state because of the recreational fishing, boating, and beautiful beaches visitors to our state enjoy. These dollars go away if we let our water quality standards slide. My Republican colleagues need to learn that clean water creates jobs, and that a dirty environment kills jobs. I opposed all three of the measures considered this week, and hope that the Republican Leadership will stop with these senseless attacks on the environment and instead concentrate on creating jobs for the American people.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2560. Since taking office, I have fought for greater fiscal responsibility in Washington. I have voted against hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending. And today there is a new bipartisan consensus that a comprehensive deficit reduction plan is a national priority. Unfortunately, Republicans are squandering this opportunity. Rather than a balanced approach, they are pursuing a radical agenda that will force our Nation's seniors and middle class to sacrifice while letting millionaires and special interests keep their tax breaks and loopholes. Let us be clear: A vote for this bill is a vote for drastic cuts to Medicare and for putting teachers, firefighters, and police all over our country out of work. Republicans need to stop playing games with our economy and start working for what the American people want: comprehensive deficit reduction that shares the burden, strengthens Medicare and Social Security, ends tax giveaways for the well- connected, and puts our country on a path to financial security. This bill fails to address these needs and should be defeated.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to my constituent Paul Santoro, CRNA, MS. Mr. Santoro will soon complete his year as national president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). I am proud that Mr. Santoro was tapped as the 2010-2011 President of this prestigious national organization. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who administer approximately 32 million anesthetics to patients each year. They work in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered including hospital surgical suites, obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, and the offices of dentists, podiatrists, and specialty surgeons. They also provide acute and chronic pain management services to patients in need of such care. CRNAs provide anesthesia for all types of surgical cases and, in some states, are the sole anesthesia providers in rural hospitals. Mr. Santoro has contributed greatly to the health care community in southeast Michigan. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Anesthesia Staffing Consultants, Inc. located in Bingham Farms, MI and a member of the allied medical staff at numerous hospitals and surgery centers in southeast and mid-Michigan. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Detroit Mercy with a bachelor's degree in science, and received his master's degree in nurse anesthesia from the Henry Ford Hospital/University of Detroit Mercy Nurse Anesthesia Program. In addition to his current service as AANA President, Mr. Santoro has held various leadership positions in the AANA, including President- elect, Vice President, Treasurer, Region 3 Director, and has served on numerous committees. He is a former president of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Mr. Santoro is a distinguished speaker on anesthesia and health care economics and has lectured nationwide on the safety, value and cost- effectiveness of CRNA care. During his AANA Presidency, Mr. Santoro was an important advocate for the practice of nurse anesthesia and its patients before federal agencies and members of Congress. He has worked tirelessly to promote the value of CRNAs to our health care system. I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr. Santoro today on a job well done. His service to the AANA and the patients of southeast Michigan is commendable, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his notable career and outstanding achievements.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I rise to support the Connolly-Peters amendment because times of fiscal restraint force us to prioritize. However, I am disappointed that the Republican bill prioritizes the needs of extremely profitable private companies over the manufacturing and innovative jobs of the future. ExxonMobil Corp. earned nearly $11 billion in the first 3 months of the year, Shell earned $6.3 billion in the first quarter, and BP made $7.1 billion. Yet the Republican bill includes $476 million for fossil energy R&D. Clearly, the private sector has the initiative and the resources to conduct this research on their own, and they are doing so. Private sector R&D currently dwarfs activities at the Department of Energy, yet this program is actually seeing an increase in funds. This amendment strikes a better balance by decreasing funding in the fossil energy account and restoring the Vehicle Technologies Program to fiscal year 2011 levels. The Vehicle Technologies Program supports private sector growth and the development of innovative technologies to meet mileage and emission standards for both cars and trucks. Consider how much fuel is used in the transport of consumer goods across our Nation on medium and heavy-duty trucks. Small gains in efficiency can have huge gains in fuel and cost savings. The Vehicle Technologies Program is investing heavily in new truck technologies, which have some of the greatest potential to reduce our Nation's petroleum use and dependence on foreign oil. There is a global competition right now to determine which countries will produce the cars and trucks of the future. There is no doubt in the years ahead more Americans will be driving hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, and cars and trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells or natural gas. The only question is whether these new technologies will be researched, developed, and manufactured here in the United States or overseas. The Vehicle Technologies Program is critical to ensure that the American automobile industry and manufacturing base will continue to be globally competitive, and that we as a Nation will not trade our dependence on foreign oil for dependence on foreign batteries and other emerging technology. I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Connolly, for offering this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support American innovation and manufacturing and support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chair, like many Americans, I have been growing increasingly concerned about the ongoing war in Afghanistan. The war that was launched in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks was designed to destroy the capability of the al-Qaeda terrorists responsible for those attacks and root out the Taliban government that was harboring them. Over the years, the purpose and goals of this war have changed, and we are now engaged in a long-term effort to build up the capacity of the Afghan Government and its security forces, to improve the infrastructure and economy of the country, and to provide an improved standard of living for its people. These are admirable goals, but after almost a decade of war where we've tragically lost the lives of more than 1,600 American soldiers, we appear to be far from achieving them. I had the opportunity to visit Afghanistan last year to meet with our troops and commanders and see the situation on the ground for myself. Our men and women in uniform have been doing an outstanding job under incredibly difficult circumstances. At the same time, my visit to Afghanistan also increased my concerns about our long-term goals and the viability of our mission there. Today, after having spent more than four hundred billion dollars, I believe we must ask ourselves how long we can continue spending $6 billion every month for so little measurable gain. I was disappointed by the President's announcement last month that we would be withdrawing only 10,000 troops this year and 23,000 by next summer, and that is why I supported an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act that would have accelerated that withdrawal. The amendment I supported, offered by my colleague, Representative Garamendi, would have reduced funding for combat operations while allowing for a reserve force of 25,000 troops to protect American personnel, carry out anti-terrorism operations, and assist with the training of Afghanistan's security forces. While I was disappointed this amendment did not pass, I cannot in good conscience vote against the underlying bill at this time. While our troops remain in harm's way, we have an obligation to ensure that they have the equipment, training, and support they need. However, I plan to continue to press for a plan that will quickly and responsibly bring more of our troops home from Afghanistan so that we can focus our resources on protecting our Nation and targeting the terrorists who threaten our security.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to rise today to recognize the organizers, supporters and participants of the twenty- ninth annual Metro Detroit Youth Day. While Metro Detroit Youth Day has many leaders, organizers, participants and supporters which make it possible, one man, Mr. Ed Deeb, stands at the foundation of this great youth empowering event. When asked by the Mayor of Detroit to rise to the challenge of overcoming divisions to create a stronger community, Ed answered, rallying the business community to work with Detroit youth to overcome the divide between business and youth. From this work, Youth Day was born as an event which calmed tensions through dialogue between Detroit business owners and the youth. Under Ed's leadership as chairman and coordinator of Youth Day, it has continued to grow and evolve into an event focused on nurturing the great potential of our youth in the City of Detroit. Part of Youth Days' evolution included expanding its impact on participants, supporters and volunteers. As part of this expansion, Youth Day began to focus on providing youth with guidance, mentoring, substance abuse prevention and motivational activities designed to allow them to channel their creativity and ideas into positive outcomes. As part of this empowerment, Youth Day began awarding participants with scholarships for youth that displayed outstanding citizenship, leadership and service. With over seven hundred scholarships awarded since 1991, Youth Day has undoubtedly provided many Metro Detroit young adults with the opportunity to pursue higher education and more fully realize their potential. The success of Ed's vision speaks for itself, with Youth Day having become a tradition for the Metro Detroit community. Since its inception so many years ago, Youth Day has grown from twelve hundred participants to over thirty-seven thousand annually, with more than seven hundred thousand youth participants throughout its history. Of equal importance are the more than fifteen hundred annual volunteers who come from over six hundred community organizations and businesses who supervise sports clinics, games, contests and many other activities that are a part of this daylong event. For its impact, Youth Day has been awarded numerous accolades including a Point of Light award from President George H.W. Bush and the Michigan Governor's award for Physical Fitness. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the twenty-ninth annual Metro Detroit Youth Day and recognizing the organizers, supporters, volunteers and participants for working together to build a stronger future for Michigan youth in Metro Detroit.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Father Anton Kcira, a leader in Michigan's Albanian American community for the past 22 years and a fierce advocate for the rights of Kosova Albanians around the world, on the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of ministry in the Catholic Church. As the son of a town mayor in Kosova, Father Anton learned at a young age the value of service to his community and the importance of standing up for one's own beliefs. Early in his life, Father Anton heard the call to serve his community as a priest in the Catholic Church and went on to serve several parishes for over two decades following his ordination. As a servant of the Church during the years of communist rule in Yugoslavia, Father Anton took great personal risk to provide spiritual guidance and leadership to the Kosova Albanian Catholic community during a time of great uncertainty. As a community leader, it is clear that Father Anton believes strongly in the power of dialogue to bring his community together. During his time in Kosova he took it upon himself to step out into the community to resolve issues between brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors. He even took it upon himself to step in between the warring sides of blood feuds and brought peace between families who had been fighting for generations. Father Anton even reached out to Albania's Muslim community and through his skillful dialogue built an understanding and mutual respect between Albanian Muslims and Catholics. After his many years of service to the Albanian community in Kosova, Father Anton was forced to flee his homeland to avoid persecution by Yugoslavia's communist government. Father Anton arrived in Michigan in 1989 and was appointed administrator of St. Paul's Albanian Catholic Church by the Archdiocese of Detroit. He brought with him the same sense of community that had served his parishioners so well in Kosova and under his administration St. Paul expanded its congregation from 50 families to over 1,100 members. Under his leadership, St. Paul's also found its new home in Rochester Hills and built an extraordinary place of worship, which has allowed its members to better practice their spiritual fellowship. Much as he did in Kosova, Father Anton has continued to play a central role within the community he serves. Father Anton rallied the Albanian community to support the many Albanian refugees who arrived, first fleeing from communism and then from genocide in the Balkans. In an even greater show of leadership, Father Anton called upon his parish to meet the challenges its brothers and sisters were facing in the Balkans and the St. Paul's parishioners responded by raising over one million dollars to help the wounded in Kosova. In addition, Father Anton has been an unwavering international voice for the needs of Kosova, advising Members of Congress, U.S. Presidents and world political and religious leaders on the need to support Kosova's ethnic Albanian minority. In 1999, he even sat as a member of the Rambuje Delegation which developed the peace that has allowed Kosova to become the independent nation that it is today. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating a true leader, statesman and humanitarian as Father Anton Kcira celebrates his retirement after more than 40 years in the service to the Catholic Church. Father Anton has truly been a father to a community that has faced so much adversity and contributed immensely to improve the lives of millions around the world. I wish him happiness in his retirement and trust that he will continue to be a strong advocate for his community and for fairness and social justice around the world.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PETERS. While the America Invents Act makes a number of important changes to our patent system which are targeted at reducing the USPTO's backlogs and driving innovation, I believe that we must do more to help our Nation's small businesses compete in the global marketplace. Success in the global economy depends more and more on IP assets. America's IP-intensive industries employ nearly 18 million workers at all education and skill levels and represent 60 percent of U.S. exports. While obtaining a U.S. patent is a critical first step for our innovators towards recouping their R&D costs, capitalizing on their inventions and creating jobs, a U.S. patent only provides protection against infringement here at home. If inventors do not register in a foreign market, such as China, they have no protection there if the Chinese economy begins production of their patented inventions. Not only is a foreign patent protection necessary to ensure the ability to enforce patent rights abroad; it is necessary to defend American inventors against foreign lawsuits. High costs, along with language and technical barriers, prevent many American small businesses from filing for foreign patent protection. Lack of patent protection both at home and abroad increases uncertainty for innovators and the likelihood of piracy. While we must reduce backlogs at the USPTO to make domestic patent protection more attainable, we must also look forward to find ways to help our manufacturers and other IP-intensive industries compete globally. This is why I am offering a commonsense, bipartisan amendment to the America Invents Act along with my colleague, Representative Renacci, whom I would also like to thank for working with me on this important issue. This amendment mandates a USPTO-led study with SBA to determine the best method to help small businesses obtain, maintain and enforce foreign patents. This study is to be conducted using existing resources at no cost to the taxpayers, and does not alter the score of the bill. I believe our amendment will help Congress and the USPTO determine the best ways to help American small businesses protect their IP assets, compete globally and boost exports. I would like to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Conyers for working with us on this amendment; and I urge passage of the Peters- Renacci amendment. I yield my remaining time to my colleague from Ohio, Representative Renacci.

Mr. PETERS. I just appreciate the support for this amendment. It is an important amendment that will give us information we can then use to support our small businesses as they're doing business abroad, and I urge its adoption. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my growing concern regarding the events unfolding in Syria. President Assad has repeatedly refused to usher in democratic reforms for his people and instead has chosen to continue his indiscriminate killings of innocent men, women, and children. His ruthless campaign of brutality has now shifted to northern Syria, where Syrian security forces led by President Assad's brother have instilled fear in the residents. Many of those innocently protesting for reform and freedom have been gunned down and many more have fled their homes, leaving all belongings and possessions behind. With a complete ban on the entry of foreign journalists into the country, it is nearly impossible to determine just how dire the circumstances are. However, with the thousands of Syrians fleeing the violence into nearby Turkey, it is clear that conditions both in Syria and on the Turkish-Syrian border are deteriorating. I therefore urge President Assad to allow humanitarian aid groups access into Syria. By refusing entry, President Assad has forced his own people to not only live under deplorable conditions but he has forced them to live in a constant state of fear. Aid groups must be allowed in to provide the vital care. If the Syrian regime has any compassion, it will do so.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker I rise today to recognize Mr. Richard Jones, the distinguished principal of North Farmington High School, on the occasion of his retirement after nearly 25 years of service to the families and students of Farmington Hills, Michigan through his work as an educator, administrator and community leader. Mr. Richard Jones started his career in education nearly four decades ago and has been part of the Farmington Hills school district family for the last quarter of a century. He thrived as an English teacher and also a football and tennis coach, creating a comfortable learning environment where students were able to succeed and flourish. After many years in the classroom and on the field, he was made principal of the high school in 1998. As principal, Mr. Jones treated every student, parent and teacher with dignity and respect. He is someone the students trusted and the teachers looked to for advice. His main goal was always to have a school unified by a message of tolerance and acceptance. During his time as principal he implemented many innovative school-wide programs on issues ranging from civil rights to energy conservation. One of his hallmark initiatives was to build a student body that turned ``awareness into activism.'' In 2009, he dedicated the school-year to learning about genocide, which enabled powerful levels of student activism to aid the cause in Darfur. Teaming up with Danbury High School in Connecticut, the student body was able to raise $100,000 to help build schools in Sudan. I was proud to welcome Principal Jones to Washington when he was formally recognized as Michigan's Principal of the Year in 2009, an award that was well deserved for an educator that has poured so much of his time, energy and heart into his students, teachers and the community as a whole. Principal Jones' dedication to the school has earned him numerous other awards for his diligence and interactive teaching methods. He has also earned teacher of the year honors four times, the ``Great Seal of Michigan'' award and the Chair Award from the Farmington Multicultural Multiracial Council. He has been recognized countless times for his unwavering focus on the education and moral growth of his students. In 2009, Principal Jones was also presented with the ``Anne Frank Outstanding Educator Award,'' for his initiatives to educate his students on standing up for what is right. Mr. Speaker, as a parent of public school students, I am proud to know such an outstanding and dedicated educator and it is my privilege to honor his work to improve the quality of education in Michigan. I know that I stand with many in saying Rick is a great leader, teacher and friend. I ask my colleagues to join me today as I honor Mr. Richard Jones for his lifetime commitment to educating and nurturing the development of thousands of students, on the occasion of his retirement from North Farmington High School.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the parishioners of the Servant Church of St. Alexander on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of service to the residents of Southeast Michigan. Originally named the Church of St. Alexander, the Parish was founded on June 21, 1961 at 27835 Shiawassee Road in Farmington Hills, where it remains to this very day. Founded with 600 participating families, the Church has experienced both times of trial and prosperity in its life, but has always remained strong with dedicated parishioners who have worked hard to strengthen their community. St. Alexander has been led by four different pastors during its 50 years in Farmington Hills and under the leadership of the Reverend Robert McGrath. St. Alexander has continued to flourish and bring in congregants from well beyond its own parish, with almost half of its members coming from outside the Parish. The hallmark of St. Alexander is its service programs--first fully realized under Reverend James Wright, who served as pastor for 25 years and weaved service into the very fabric of the Servant Church of St. Alexander. Under his leadership St. Alexander launched its food pantry which has operated for over 25 years and fed nearly 2,600 hungry families in 2010 alone. In addition, the Church also collects and distributes food baskets on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas to assist families in need during the holidays. While St. Alexander's food pantry and holiday food drives deeply impact many in our community, it is not the full extent of the charitable work in which the Church and its parishioners are engaged. Every spring the parish puts together teams that support Rebuilding Oakland County, a program that assists low income home owners with much needed renovations and improvements across Oakland County. The parishioners of St. Alexander also support annual blood drives and even take a percentage of the Church's weekend collections and send them to the local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, an organization that provides service to individuals and families in need. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Servant Church of St. Alexander and the remarkable impact its parishioners have had on so many residents in our Southeast Michigan community. The parishioners' commitment to serving our community is truly a most valued virtue at a time when so many families in Michigan are struggling. I congratulate the parishioners and leaders of St. Alexander on achieving this great milestone and wish them many more years of fellowship and productive service to our community.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Mr. Robert Van Camp as he retires from his 40-year career as a pioneer in education, valued mentor and dedicated global citizen. Mr. Van Camp is, and always will be, an educator in the broadest sense of the word. Bob was raised with his brother John on a working farm in the iconic village of Romeo, Michigan. The 19th century farmhouse, in its rambling fields and rural setting, belied their exceptional upbringing. The farm was a frequent gathering place for progressive minds of the time, including the Reuther brothers, and nascent causes like the Macomb County Interracial Society. The family frequently housed exchange students from Africa and helped found the first integrated Cub Scout den in Macomb County. Their mother, Dorothy, was a graduate of Columbia Teacher College, one of just 13 women charter members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers and a fierce opponent of book censorship during her tenure on the Romeo Library Board of Directors. Imbued with the values of equality and fairness, and inspired by his mother's devotion to education, Bob understood he was a citizen and student of the world. This understanding shaped the path of his life. More significantly, it shaped his life's work and touched thousands of young people who have been inspired to look beyond their home towns to build bridges to other lands and cultures in their own lives. Bob began his formal career at American University in Cairo, Egypt, after graduating from Central Michigan University. Three years later, he returned home and settled his career in the fast-growing Utica Community School (UCS) district. Much of his career at Utica was spent as the venerated, respected, and highly successful debate and communications coach at Henry Ford II High School. He coached numerous teams and individuals to debate and forensics state championships and was inducted into the Michigan Speech Coaches Hall of Fame in 1983. His debate colleagues knew him as a fierce competitor and a voracious researcher with a nearly photographic memory. But above all, he was ethical, principled and always put first the education and care of the young people in his charge. In 1984, Bob and his wife, Dr. Donna McMinn, embarked on a new chapter in their lives by moving to Japan where Bob became an English and communications instructor. Inspired by the experience and potential to enrich the lives of young people back home, they returned to Michigan and Bob established the pioneering East Asian Institute at UCS. For nearly 10 years, countless students from Michigan and Japan spent time in one another's homes and schools as exchange students, building cultural bridges and relationships that endure today. In 1994, the broader educational community took note of Bob's exceptional dedication and innovative work. He was honored as a Michigan Teacher of the Year by the state, Macomb County Teacher of the Year by WDIV-Newsweek and Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Council for Social Studies. For the next 15 years, Bob served as a UCS administrator in a variety of roles and shaped curricula for all Utica Schools' students. Among the most innovative programs he spearheaded was the Utica Academy for International Studies, an IB Diploma Programme, and the Utica Center for Science and Industry. Additionally, Bob was the initial project director of a Department of Defense grant to establish a Chinese immersion program for UCS students starting in kindergarten. Thanks to Bob's vision, dedication and tireless advocacy, the Utica Schools remain on the cutting edge of cultural exchange and language programs in the State of Michigan. This ``renaissance man'' of education will truly be missed by his many colleagues and admirers in UCS and beyond. Throughout his rich and varied career, Bob has helped shape the development and lives of thousands of young people whose own careers have taken them across the globe. At his retirement party tomorrow evening, many of his former students and debaters will gather from around the country to express their appreciation for his inimitable guidance and friendship. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me as I salute Robert Van Camp, a shining example of the most dedicated of teachers, mentors and visionaries for education in Michigan, and indeed, around the globe. Although Bob will undoubtedly enjoy his retirement with Donna and their menagerie of animals on Stonecroft Farm, I hope in the next chapter of his life, he continues his work of building bridges to other cultures and countries and enriching the lives of young people everywhere.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Carolyn Price, my friend of many years, who is being honored by the Lambda Rho Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta with the 2011 Community Service Award for her decades of volunteer work with the residents of Pontiac, Michigan. Carolyn's professional career has been marked by scores of years of service--service to Pontiac and to residents across southeast Michigan. As an employee of the United States Postal Service for 39 years, Carolyn spent much of her day-to-day work directly assisting residents. Following her work with the Postal Service, Carolyn worked with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as a regional investigator, working to ensure fair treatment for federal employees across the thirteen States in the region. Through her hard work and dedication, Carolyn eventually rose to become the manager of the EEOC's Detroit district. After her work with the EEOC, Carolyn continued to work with residents in Michigan, working as a community organizer in 2010 for the U.S. Census Bureau in Pontiac, creating a dialogue with area residents to ensure maximum participation in the Census. Carolyn's service in her professional work is mirrored in her volunteer commitment to the residents of Pontiac. Carolyn, herself an 8 year survivor of breast cancer, serves as Coordinator of survivor participation for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Pontiac and Auburn Hills. Carolyn also volunteers a significant amount of time volunteering on behalf of the Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital's Riley Foundation Sister and Sister Free Mammogram program, which educates minority communities on the importance of early detection in maintaining good health. In addition, Carolyn also served as a tutor for the Oakland County Literacy Program and as board member for Jay Shop, an organization dedicated to assisting persons with disabilities with rehabilitation. One area where Carolyn has left a profound mark is in her work with area seniors, as President of the Pontiac Golden Opportunities Club, which provides programming and events tailored to seniors. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Mrs. Carolyn Price's unique and substantive contributions to the residents of Southeast Michigan. Her passion for advocacy on breast cancer awareness and her spirit of giving to the residents of Pontiac have undoubtedly touched the lives of so many area residents. I wish Carolyn many years of continued service to the Pontiac community.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to salute the dedication, hard work and tremendous service provided by Michigan's community action agencies throughout our state to its most needy citizens. Community action agencies were created in 1964 through the Federal Economic Opportunity Act. In the past 47 years, community action agencies have promoted self-sufficiency and work to reduce the causes and effects of poverty. Annually, community action agencies serve more than 11.5 million low income, elderly and persons with disabilities. There are 1,100 community action agencies throughout the United States. Michigan is home to thirty different community action agencies. One of these agencies, serving thousands annually in my congressional district, is the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency. As one of the oldest community action agencies in Michigan, OLHSA provides crucial services to the citizens and communities of southeast Michigan since the enabling legislation was passed 47 years ago. OLHSA provides educational and economic resources to increase client self-sufficiency while advocating on its clients' behalf to provide more opportunities and fewer barriers. Additionally, OLHSA works with communities to foster citizen participation to initiate programs and improve existing service based upon local community needs. Michigan and indeed our entire nation must continue to fight poverty by providing support and opportunities for all citizens in need of assistance. Community action agencies are the nation's largest network of organizations whose sole purpose is to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty. They have played a vital role in the lives of countless individuals and families of limited means in Michigan by providing innovative and cost-effective programming to improve their lives and their living conditions and ensuring that all citizens live with dignity and respect. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize our nation's community action agencies and the dedicated individuals who engage to see their important mission fulfilled. In particular, I wish to recognize Michigan's thirty agencies, and OLSHA, for their commitment to working for a better tomorrow for Michigan's most needy citizens.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Patricia Dolly who is being honored as the 2011 Woman of the Year by the Lambda Rho Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta for her many accomplishments in the community. Dr. Dolly boasts an impressive resume of both professional and volunteer accomplishments over the breadth of her career. In her current role as President of Oakland Community College's (OCC) Auburn Hills campus, she has invested considerable resources into working with local school districts to bring the Achieving the Dream program to her campus. This program offers students in nearby school districts the opportunity to earn up to 35 college credit hours before graduating high school, giving them a competitive advantage as they seek higher education. During her tenure, Dr. Dolly has continued her successful track record of grant writing, which has resulted in 19 grants and over $11.7 million brought in to the institutions where she has worked. Included in this accomplishment is a $1.9 million grant she secured from the U.S. Department of Labor to fund new equipment, implement additional job training for 400 employees, curriculum development for OCC's nanotechnology program and faculty, which has improved the quality of the education of the over 8,000 students who walk through the doors of OCC's Auburn Hills campus each semester. As a leader, Dr. Dolly has been involved in a number of community focused volunteer programs. In addition to her work at OCC, Dr. Dolly also serves as chairperson of the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce; working to provide local businesses the tools they need to thrive and become engaged participants within their community. Dr. Dolly also serves on the Board of Directors for Oakland Family Services providing crucial support to at-risk youth and families. As an ever ready advocate, Dr. Dolly has devoted significant energy and focus to advancing the principles of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, a topic on which she has written several papers and spoken at many events. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Dr. Dolly's profound impact on the communities she has served. Her commitment to providing leadership and service are outstanding virtues which have impacted the lives of so many. I wish her many years of continued service to the community and many great family moments to come.

Mr. PETERS

Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, since the start of the Egyptian unrest earlier this year, religious minorities have been specifically targeted by Muslim extremists. Taking on the brunt of the attacks are Coptics, Christians who have lived peacefully in this part of the world for millennia. Recently, terrorists burned two Coptic Churches to the ground, killing 16 and injuring over 300. Coptic churches--rich in culture and architecture--were destroyed forcing innocent Christians to flee their home communities in order to protect their lives. This comes only a few months after twenty-four Christians were killed in yet another church bombing. I am proud to represent a vibrant Coptic community in southeast Michigan and privileged to consider the clergy of St. Mark's Church in Troy, Michigan as my friends. I rise today to share their concerns--and the concerns of Coptics across our nation--about the future of their community and the desire to preserve their ancestral homeland. For millennia, Coptic Christians have lived and worshipped in Egypt but some extremists are attempting to capitalize on the political vacuum created by the uncertainty in the country to drive them out of their homes and places of worship. While we are hopeful for democratic change in Egypt, it is imperative that we maintain support for religious minority communities such as the Coptics and seek to preserve and allow for the continuity of their community. As a member of the Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus, I ask my colleagues to join me in being mindful of these Christian minorities that need a voice and demand an end to extremist violence that is destroying this peace loving community.