Chellie Pingree

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the extraordinary service of Capt. Christopher L. Roberge, who is retiring after nearly 30 years in the United States Coast Guard. For the last two years, Capt. Roberge has shown incredible leadership as the Commander of Coast Guard Sector New England, overseeing 1,100 personnel in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and northern New York. His tenure there has capped an extremely distinguished career with over 30 military decorations, including four Meritorious Service Medals. Since taking command, Capt. Roberge has strengthened Coast Guard operations in the sector and around the country. He identified key vulnerabilities in the sector's emergency communications system and implemented vital changes to make the system less susceptible to outages--his recommendations paved the way for similar upgrades around the country. The Reserve Readiness Assessment Program he developed has moved the sector's Reserve unit to the number one position in the nation for readiness. And while supporting the planning for the first- ever tidal power generator in a U.S. waterway, Capt. Roberge's guidance has put the Coast Guard in a better position to handle future energy projects. Capt. Roberge's day-to-day management of the sector also served to distinguish him. His leadership and expertise ensured the flawless execution of 1,690 vessel boardings, 213 pollution responses, and 1,058 Search and Rescue cases, with over 2,000 lives saved or assisted and $38.9 million in property preserved. As an island resident who regularly makes ferry trips across miles of water, I have a personal appreciation for the men and women of the Coast Guard. I feel safer knowing that they stand ready to respond to an emergency with skill and courage, and deeply appreciate their willingness to risk their lives to save others. My special thanks to Capt. Roberge for the many ways he has better prepared the Coast Guard to answer the call when we need them, and for his exceptional service to the country. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate an organization based in my district on reaching an important milestone. With its beginnings in Portland, Maine, the senior transportation service ITNAmerica provided its half-millionth ride in March 2013. Designed to recreate the comfort, convenience, and independence of private automobile ownership, ITNAmerica offers rides to seniors who can no longer drive their own vehicles. Using a network of paid and volunteer drivers, the organization offers ``arm-through-arm and door- through-door service'' seven days a week, 24 hours a day. With an average age of 85, riders use the service for anything from shopping trips to doctor's appointments. Reading the stories of its riders, it's clear that ITNAmerica's service is not just about getting seniors from Point A to B. Without the ability to drive, seniors can find themselves suddenly shut off from services, friends, and the world--with terrible repercussions for their health and wellbeing. Just as sadly, our communities can also lose out on the many things they have to offer. This service allows seniors to keep their freedom and quality of life while maintaining their connections to businesses, churches, and volunteer commitments. And along the way, they develop lasting friendships with their drivers and fellow riders. Executive Director Katherine Freund founded the organization in 1995 after her 3-year-old son was injured by an elderly driver. Katherine decided the accident was less the fault of the driver than of a system that does not adequately meet the transportation needs of seniors who live past their driving years. From humble beginnings, ITNAmerica has grown to 23 affiliates in 18 states across the country and Katherine has earned numerous awards and accolades for the difference she has made in the lives of seniors. While it took 18 years to reach the first half-million rides, ITNAmerica expects to deliver its millionth ride in only three years from now. With millions of baby boomers soon retiring, this service is more important than ever. My sincere congratulations and appreciation go to Katherine Freund, ITNAmerica, its affiliates, staff, volunteers, and, indeed, riders on reaching this incredible milestone.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a corporation based in my district, L.L. Bean, for achieving the highest standards of workplace safety through OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) at its Desert Road Service Center in Freeport, Maine. VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health. Achieving the status requires a rigorous onsite evaluation to ensure that a workplace meets high performance-based standards of preventing occupational safety and health hazards. With missed workdays well below their industries' averages, VPP worksites are some of the safest places to work in the country. L.L. Bean has shown an incredible commitment to the program and its employees. Since 2007, the company has achieved VPP status at it Brunswick, Maine, manufacturing facility, its call centers, Freeport outlet store, and now Star Status at the Desert Road Service Center, which employs 200 people and handles returns for its vast global business. The company continues to work toward VPP status at all its facilities. I am not only proud of L.L. Bean for these accomplishments, but also for the way it has involved its employees in achieving them. By fully engaging them in the process, the company has made employees feel safer at work, as well as more appreciated, prized, and respected. My congratulations and appreciation go to all of the company's owners, managers, and staff for their incredible leadership in workplace safety.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, today, thousands of Federal workers across the country, including nearly 5,000 at the Portsmouth Navy Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, will start getting furlough notices. These men and women in Kittery are some of the hardest working, most skilled and dedicated shipyard workers in America. Year in and year out, they repair and refit submarines to the highest standards, on time and on budget. Last year, some of them even risked their lives to put out a fire on board the USS Miami and save it from becoming a total loss. Now the Federal Government is telling them they could have to take what could amount to a 20 percent pay cut. That is going to be a real hardship for working families in Maine and New Hampshire. And to add insult to injury, they could even have their security clearances suspended if they fall behind on their finances. It is outrageous that Congress has not done its job and passed a balanced debt reduction package. It is outrageous that Congress has resorted to these arbitrary and extreme budget cuts. The public workers in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and around our country deserve our thanks, not a 20 percent pay cut.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to remember an exemplary individual and member of the Maine Warden Service whom we lost much too early in life. Raised in Fryeburg, Major Gregory ``Gregg'' Sanborn rose through the ranks over 20 years to become second in command of the Maine Warden Service. For those who don't know, wearing the badge of a Maine Game Warden has to be one of the toughest jobs in the world. These highly trained law enforcement officers are responsible for patrolling miles of remote lands with little or no back up. A day on the job could require anything from braving extreme elements and rugged territory in search of lost hikers to catching and arresting well-armed poachers. Whether we hike, hunt or fish in the Maine woods, we all owe them a debt of gratitude for working so hard to protect our natural resources and keep us safe. Being a Maine Game Warden was Sanborn's dream job and, throughout his career, he proved exemplary at it. As his colleagues eulogized at his memorial service, he earned the respect of all he came in contact with. On search-and-rescue missions, he wouldn't go home until the party was found. He would drive through the middle of the night and across the state to aid a fellow warden. And few--if any--could break the law with him on the job. He issued more summons and warnings than any warden before him. Yet his fairness, calm demeanor and evenhandedness earned him the respect even of those he penalized. In his career, no one ever filed a complaint against him. Sanborn also proved to be an effective leader and administrator. As Major, he strengthened the Maine Warden Service in the face of budget cuts while tightening recruiting standards to ensure that only the most qualified and passionate men and women were hired. It goes without saying that Sanborn fought cancer bravely and honorably. As he said shortly before his death, ``I lost, but I did not quit.'' The loss is ours and his death at the age of 47 is tragic. Few Mainers will ever be missed by more. Over a thousand people attended his memorial service, and over a thousand people participated in a stem-cell drive in hopes of finding a match for his transplant. I have no doubt the Maine Warden Service will carry on Sanborn's spirit and continue to do our state proud. But he was indeed a very special person whose loss will be felt for a long, long time. My thoughts go out to his wife and son, his family, and his brothers and sisters in the Maine Warden Service. I am truly grateful that our state had the privilege of benefiting from such a capable, committed, and good-hearted public servant.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate a school in my district for being selected by the U.S. Department of Education as one of only 269 Blue Ribbon Schools nationwide this year. With 176 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, Hope Elementary in Knox County, Maine, is a small school doing big things. Foremost, the school has consistently met high standards of academic excellence. In itself, this achievement is worthy of honors. But Hope Elementary has also excelled in teaching lessons in leadership. The school has an active student council, a leadership group that focuses on community service, and a culture where older students are expected to be leaders for their younger peers. Moreover, staff and administration set a strong example of collaboration. Immersed in this kind of environment, Hope students learn from an early age the importance of working together to move the whole community forward. This is an essential lesson for our next generation of leaders, and I truly appreciate the school's commitment to fostering it. Being named a Blue Ribbon School is a prestigious honor, and the entire Hope Elementary community should be proud. This achievement belongs to the administration, teachers, students, families, and town as a whole. I am proud to have this excellent school in my district and they have my warmest congratulations.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a young constituent of mine who has proven that vegetables aren't just healthy, but delicious. In August, the White House invited children from across the country to a ``Kids State Dinner'' to highlight healthy recipes that they submitted. Twelve-year-old Annalee Carroll from Appleton, Maine, was selected to represent our state with her recipe for turkey dumplings. Full of healthy ingredients, Annalee's turkey dumplings can be made in a flash--and look tasty enough to disappear from dinner plates just as quickly. While parents have been the ones historically to tell their children to eat vegetables, we all have something to learn from Annalee and her peers. Go into a school cafeteria in Maine these days and you're likely to see kids happily gobbling up kale instead of French fries. In between classes, they're tending to the school garden. On the weekends, they're introducing their parents to the local farmers market. What's behind the change? For years, children learned little--if anything--about what they ate and where it came from. Today, though, more schools are connecting students directly with their food sources. Children are literally getting their hands dirty while learning about the places and people producing their food. With that first-hand information, students more often opt for fresh, healthy foods, many of which can be grown locally or even in school gardens. I am grateful that the White House, and in particular the First Lady, has done so much to raise awareness about eating healthy, and to celebrate kids who are leading this positive change. Congratulations to Annalee on her excellent recipe!

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor a college in my District that is celebrating 100 years of teaching students and instilling in them incredible ethics about service to others. St. Joseph's College was founded in 1912 by the Portland Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, with classes taking place in the Motherhouse in Portland, Maine. Much has changed in the last hundred years. Today, over a thousand students attend the college. Many live at a beautiful campus overlooking Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine, while many others take classes online--something that would probably be difficult for the Sisters to imagine in 1912. While the college has successfully seized opportunities to grow and adapt with changing times, its core values are completely intact. Service to others remains a defining characteristic of its culture. St. Joseph's students take part in an impressive number of service projects, including volunteering at health clinics in Guatemala, an active chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and Catherine's Cupboard, a local food pantry run by the college and the Town of Standish. Another aspect of the school that is close to my heart is the college's commitment to serving healthy, local food to its students. Bon Appetit, the school's food service provider, has demonstrated that locally sourced products can work even for large institutions. Among their pursuits at St. Joseph's are featuring meals with ingredients only from the surrounding area and helping operate a small farm on the campus. I extend to St. Joseph's College--along with its staff, students and alumni--the warmest congratulations on its first hundred years, and best wishes for a hundred more.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call my colleagues' attention to an art exhibit on display at the Pentagon. Over the course of ten years, for one week each summer, a camp in the Berkshires of Massachusetts became ``America's Camp.'' This camp welcomed children whose parents or relatives were killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on American Airlines Flight 93. America's Camp was a place for these children to experience a traditional recreational summer camp--swimming, canoeing, and singing camp songs. But more importantly, it provided a peer-supported environment where these children could memorialize their lost loved-ones among other children who experienced similar losses. It was a place where the kids could be kids, without the label of being a ``9/11 kid,'' as was the case in so many other aspects of their lives. I am extremely proud of an organization in my district--The Center for Grieving Children--for the contribution they made to this special camp. The Center, based in Portland, Maine, has provided loving support to children and families during times of loss through peer support, outreach, and education. It has done so for 25 years and has provided its services free of charge for as long as families have needed them. The Center for Grieving Children has played a role in America's Camp since its founding. Each year, the Center sent staff and volunteers to camp where they provided ``Buddy Central,'' a drop-in center where grief facilitators offered support to campers. An annual art project offered children the opportunity to express their grief as well as their hope at camp. There was a quilt project, a tapestry of loss and love, anger and joy; a ``Sky Project,'' with stars from each child with their own tributes to loved ones; and the amazing ``Feathers of the Phoenix,'' with feathers made by the children with images of a person they wished to honor. A collection of these and other art projects has been on display for the past year or so at the Pentagon. I encourage my colleagues to view this exhibit if given an opportunity to do so. The strength and hope shared by these children hold great power for moving us toward a more peaceful world.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr Speaker, I would like to recognize a Maine State Trooper in my district who literally put his life on the line to prevent what could have been a terrible tragedy. While performing a traffic stop on Interstate 295 in Portland on the afternoon of July 1, Trooper Douglas Cropper received a call that a motorist was driving northbound in the southbound lane of Maine's busiest highway. Seeing no other options to stop the wrong-way driver, Trooper Cropper raced ahead of the car and nosed his cruiser into the travel lane. The driver hit the cruiser and came to a stop just in time for oncoming motorists to avoid a collision. A dramatic dashboard video from the cruiser shows just how quickly the incident unfolded. No one was injured, and I'm extremely grateful that this scary moment didn't end up being a tragic one. But it's very likely that this would not have been the case without Trooper Cropper's quick thinking and outstanding bravery. Trooper Cropper says he was simply doing his job. But it's my belief that he went above and beyond to protect lives--and that he saved many in the process. I want to thank Trooper Douglas Cropper for his actions, and for what he and other Maine State Police officers do every day in Maine: putting their lives on the line to protect people of our state. We owe them all a debt of gratitude for keeping us safe.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the work of housing counselors across the country who have assisted homeowners during the hardships of the recent housing crisis--and one counselor in particular from Maine. A constituent wrote to me about Diane Sherman, a housing counselor at Coastal Enterprises in Wiscasset, Maine, who helped this constituent in a four-year process to modify their mortgage. For all that time, Diane has been this family's constant advocate. She has helped them through multiple hearings, held their bank to their word, and guided them through the bank's maze-like bureaucracy. But what has mattered to this constituent more than anything else is that Diane treated her family with dignity, respect, and sympathy. This was in stark contrast to an institution that dealt with them more like a number than a person. At every step of the way, Diane reminded all involved that this was not an inhuman transaction--the situation was about real people threatened with losing a home that meant so much to them. Truly outstanding, though, is that Diane performed her services for this family and many others while she herself dealt with life- threatening cancer. When too sick to go to the office, she worked from home. She is still dealing with the terrible disease but I hope and pray for her recovery. Across the country, thousands of housing counselors like Diane are working to keep families in their homes. They've only become more important in recent years as the housing crisis impacted millions of families. Combined with falling home values, unresponsive mortgage servicers, and long-term unemployment, these families have few places to turn. Thank goodness for housing counselors, who work to make sure consumers get a fair shot. They are not always successful, but they still make an incredible difference for families in very difficult situations. My sincere gratitude goes to these housing counselors for their heartfelt work, and my best wishes to Diane Sherman for her recovery.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of a young woman from Maine's First District. Eleanor Logan has been rowing since 2003. She has shown true dedication to the sport in her training and competition, and has won numerous awards for her rowing, both nationally and internationally. After winning gold in the 8-person shell at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she set her sights on completing her undergraduate degree from Stanford University while also training for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team. And now, within weeks, she will be representing our nation in the London Olympics. I'm very proud to highlight Eleanor's success. She is a shining example of what can be accomplished with opportunity and commitment. Successfully balancing education and training, she has worked tremendously hard to achieve her Olympic dreams. As Eleanor continues on her journey as an athlete and a leader, she is enabling Maine to shine on the international stage, as well. Go Team USA!

Mrs. PINGREE of Maine

Mrs. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my gratitude and best wishes to a coalition doing very important work in my state to heal injuries of the past and find a better path into the future. Today, Wabanaki Chiefs, officials, and citizens--along with members of the Maine Legislature, Truth and Reconciliation Convening Group, Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission, and Maine's governor--are gathering to sign the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Mandate. This historic signing will begin work to seek truth and healing in how the state child welfare system has treated the families of these indigenous Maine tribes--including the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahlunikuk, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik, Penobscot Indian Nation, and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. In recent decades, these groups have seen their children taken from them to be placed with non-native families through adoption and foster care. Through this process, the commission will listen to stories of families affected by these practices and learn how the loss has impacted cultures that rely on their children for continued existence. The goal is not to injure, blame or shame anyone, but to bring these truths to the open air so they can heal, teach, and prevent future harm. I'm so proud to live in a state that is willing to have these difficult, but crucially important, conversations with a spirit of honesty and reconciliation. I wish my best to this group and fervently hope it reaches a successful conclusion.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Ogunquit Playhouse--America's Foremost Summer Theatre in Ogunquit, Maine--as they celebrate their 80th Anniversary Season. Since 1933, the Ogunquit Playhouse has given generations of theatergoers the opportunity to enjoy the finest plays and brightest stars and professional actors, bringing Broadway to the Beach. Their acclaim has continued over the decades. Most recently, they were recently recognized with prestigious Moss Hart Awards for Best Professional Production and Outstanding Achievement as a Theater Company. In addition, the New England Theatre Conference has recognized the Ogunquit Playhouse with their Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Theatre, acknowledging the Playhouse as one of the most important cultural landmarks in New England. I am proud of the Playhouse's commitment to developing and expanding theater activity in New England on the educational, community and professional levels. They have created an extensive school performance and outreach program as well as partnerships with dozens of social service agencies throughout the region to bring underserved children and families to the Playhouse to enjoy live theater. They believe--and I believe--that the arts are essential to the quality of life for everyone. As Maine's creative economy grows and receives national attention, America's Foremost Summer Theatre serves as a shining example of success.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the incredible public service of one of my constituents, Ron Newton of Manchester, Maine. Mr. Newton has been a member of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department now for 50 years. In that time, he has served as deputy to three different chiefs, and has put thousands of hours into training, fire calls, and meetings. In Maine, our small towns often depend on volunteers to staff our fire departments. With their radios always close by, they routinely drop what they're doing to report to an emergency, whether they have to leave work or their families to do so. Just like full-time firefighters, they risk their lives for others, are passionate about their work, and are heroes. Mr. Newton's five decades as a firefighter is an incredible statement of commitment to his community and its residents--he has something to teach us all about public service.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate this year's graduates of Sanford Community Adult Education programs in Sanford, Maine. These men and women have worked incredibly hard to earn their GEDs, high school diplomas, and work skills certificates, and I am thrilled to see their efforts come to fruition. I commend these graduates for having the courage to recommit to their education after months or even years since last stepping in a classroom. Doing so, they have had to deal with a unique set of challenges, including balancing school work with careers and families. With their education comes opportunity. I am excited about the new doors that will open for these graduates with their diplomas and certificates in hand. I wish them the best of luck as they pursue their goals, whether that is starting a business, getting a promotion, or simply setting a good example for their children. I also want to thank the teachers and administrators of the program, and all the family members and friends who supported these students. This accomplishment is theirs as well.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, every day my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about cutting spending. In fact, a fair number of them came here after getting elected by promising to slash wasteful spending and be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars. And they have voted for some pretty big spending cuts. They cut spending on food stamps, making it harder for struggling families to put a meal on the table. They cut spending on unemployment benefits, making it harder for the millions of Americans who are looking for work to make ends meet. They cut spending on Pell Grants, making it harder for working families to put their kids through college. But the problem is these cuts my colleagues have passed put the entire burden on working families and seniors who are already struggling to get by and none of it on big oil companies or wealthy money managers. The problem is the burden of spending cuts is not now being shared equally or distributed fairly. Today, Madam Speaker, I am offering my colleagues a chance to share that burden by cutting our own spending on fancy taxpayer-funded mailings that our constituents don't always want us to send. The amendment I'm offering represents a 10 percent cut in our franking budget. This would mean giving up expensive, glossy, self-promoting mailings and getting back to straight talk to our constituents. Don't get me wrong: Part of our job is communicating with our constituents and letting them know about the work we are doing here in Washington and in our home districts. In my office, we've designated simple, straightforward mailings in- house to communicate directly with our constituents. We've designed them in-house. We've been able to cut the costs of this communication dramatically but still effectively communicate. In fact, we've recently sent an update to veterans explaining the programs available to them, and two or three constituents have received their lifetime veterans benefits because of that update. Asking working families to sacrifice and bear the burden of spending cuts while protecting big banks, Big Oil, and congressional perks is one of the reasons our approval rating is at an all-time low. Madam Speaker, we all agree we need to get budget deficits under control, but asking seniors, young people, and working families to feel the pain while passing tax cuts for the rich, protecting tax breaks for Big Oil, and spending millions of dollars on glossy, self-promoting mailers is unfair, and Americans know it. If we want the American public to think we can be responsible and serious about cutting wasteful spending, we will pass this amendment today and take a big chunk out of our franking budget. Let me be clear: this is the final amendment to the bill. It will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage as amended. And if adopted, the American people might have a little more faith that the people they send to Congress are really serious about cutting wasteful spending, and not just protecting the perks that they think will get them reelected. I urge you to vote ``yes'' on my final amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. I thank my colleague, Mr. Moran, for allowing me to speak and join him with this amendment today. I rise in support of this amendment, which would prohibit us from using taxpayer money to stock the House cafeterias with polystyrene, or, as most Americans call it, Styrofoam. Maybe to some this seems like a small thing, but stocking our cafeterias with Styrofoam sends a terrible message. When I was first elected to Congress in 2008, it was such a pleasure to see biodegradable materials in the cafeteria: cardboard containers, paper cups, even bamboo forks--which maybe didn't always work right, but they still were recyclable and biodegradable. We ate out of containers that looked a lot like what we now see in most fast food restaurants. When the Republicans took control, that instantly changed and we are back to eating from Styrofoam. When my constituents read about it they were, frankly, quite shocked. They couldn't imagine why Congress was moving backwards. Styrofoam takes hundreds of years to biodegrade and is a suspected carcinogen because of the chemical it leaches into food and liquid. I urge my colleagues to support our amendment to get rid of Styrofoam in the House cafeterias.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. I am opposed.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. I would like to congratulate a group of students in my district who have earned a national title in their understanding of constitutional issues in a changing world. Participating in the national round of this year's We the People competition in April, Isabella Burke, Catherine Pouliot, and Samantha Silver of Marshwood High School in South Berwick, Maine, took first place in the unit on ``What challenges might face American constitutional democracy in the twenty-first century?'' I am very proud of the level at which these students performed especially on a question of such importance to our country. I would also like to congratulate advisor Matt Sanzone and the rest of the Marshwood team for making it to nationals for a fifth year. It is an incredible statement of this school's dedication in teaching students the foundations of American democracy.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I thank both Mr. Grijalva and Mr. Hastings for their support. I'm very happy to stand in support of my bill, H.R. 2336, the York River Wild and Scenic River Study Act. It is my pleasure to see this piece of legislation, which was proposed by the people living in my district, who care deeply about the York River, come to the floor of the House today. This bill would allow organizations working around the York River to partner with the National Park Service to conduct a study that would provide additional information that is vital to making informed decisions about the future of the York River and its communities. I have heard from small business owners, community groups, State and local government representatives, local and national land trusts, fishermen, hunters, school representatives, and historical and environmental conservationists; and all agree that continuing to benefit from the river depends on recognizing and protecting its important and unique qualities. When I last visited the York River, I spoke with members of local communities about the importance of the river to the people, the economy, and the wildlife of the York River water-shed. I learned that the river is home to important and rare species, including the Maine- endangered box turtle and the threatened harlequin duck. The salt marshes of York River watershed serve as a nursery ground for nearly 30 species of fish that are vital to the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. I also learned that the York River is a key waterway to the history of our Nation. The first English settlers arrived there in 1630, and European settlements of archeological importance have been identified along the banks of the river. The York River is a place where children are learning in an outdoor classroom, as well. Students from nearby school districts gather data from the river for class and to inform community decisions about the environment and the economy. Perhaps the most important factor is that many of the hardworking people in this part of the State depend on the York River to support their jobs. The York River is a place where people go to work. Commercial and recreational fishing operations depend on excellent water quality and reliable access to the waterfront. Farmers in the York River watershed grow pumpkin, potatoes, and other produce that help keep Maine communities healthy. People travel to the York River to explore and appreciate its natural character and incredible history. And while doing so, they invest in the surrounding communities. The work of community groups has already resulted in considerable progress, but the York River needs additional protection so this vital resource is not overwhelmed by increasing development. In order to move forward to a future that protects the most important aspects of this waterway and the jobs and communities that depend on it, it is vital to connect these communities with the information they need. This is the goal and, hopefully, the outcome of this important piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill today.

Ms. PINGREE of Maine

Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of a group of students in my district. For the last 8 years, the Windplanners of Camden Hills Regional High School have endeavored to bring a full-size wind turbine to their school. What started out as a vision has now become a reality. After conducting feasibility studies, earning the support of their community, raising a half-million dollars, and clearing bureaucratic hurdles, the students erected a 155-foot turbine at their school this spring. In the first week of operation alone, the turbine generated enough electricity to power six households for a month. Over the years, this project will save their school thousands of dollars, keep hundreds of tons of carbon emissions out of the air, and stand as a tribute to what a committed group can do--whatever their age may be. I'm very proud of these students and the teachers and community members who have supported them. They have learned real-world lessons that will serve them well--and have taught us all some important lessons in the process.