John Shimkus

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Janice Callarman of Mt. Vernon, IL. After 41 years of teaching she is retiring. Over her distinguished career, Mrs. Callarman has taught in Saginaw, TX, Watertown, MA, and at Casey Jr. High School and Lincoln Grade School in Mt. Vernon, IL. She has been dedicated to, and responsible for educating and shaping the lives of countless number of students. As a former teacher myself, I want to thank her for all she has done. She has committed her life to one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding tasks. I wish her the best in her retirement. She will be missed.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize ``Operation First Choice''. This group of Mt. Vernon, IL, residents recently received the ``Make a Difference Day'' Award sponsored by USA Weekend magazine. They are a volunteer group set in place to offer area kids a chance at excelling in various activities, helping many who might be considered at-risk off the streets and out of trouble. The group consists of the Police Athletic League, Young Marines, and others. I want to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers of ``Operation First Choice'' for their commitment to serving as positive role models. They truly are making a difference every day in the lives of the kids of Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Alberta Stonecipher of Bethalto, IL. Mrs. Stonecipher is the mother of nine children, and has eleven grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. She has made it her responsibility to be an active participant in the Madison County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Despite the fact that Mrs. Stonecipher has not lost one of her own to a drunk driver, she asked her children for Mother's Day to donate their money to MADD instead of buying her gifts. As a result, her family donated $125 to the fight against drunk driving. I want to thank Mrs. Stonecipher for finding such an important cause and devoting herself to it. Her dedication to helping those who have been a victim to drunk driving and to helping stop it is truly remarkable.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder), for yielding me this time, and I too am excited about this opportunity. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3084, legislation that would authorize the establishment of an interpretive center on the life and contributions of President Abraham Lincoln. This is a project I have been working on, with my colleagues from Illinois, for the last 2 years. And I want to particularly also thank all my colleagues on the committee, along with my colleague who shares the City of Springfield, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood); and the Speaker of the House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), who have been very helpful in pushing this forward. As my colleagues know, the entire Illinois delegation is also as supportive of H.R. 3084. In the House, my legislation has all 19 Members of the Illinois delegation as cosponsors. The companion legislation in the Senate has the solid support of both our Senators, Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Peter Fitzgerald. Back home in Springfield, this legislation has the full support of both the City of Springfield, in which this project will be located, and that of the governor of the State of Illinois, George Ryan. In fact, the State of Illinois has already appropriated $10 million and in the very near future will appropriate an additional $40 million for the project. In addition, the City of Springfield has committed $10 million for this project through local tax incentives. With an eye towards fiscal integrity, we have placed a matching requirement in this legislation, which ensures that the Federal Government is only responsible for funding one-third of the entire project's cost. The remaining two-thirds is required to come from State, local, and private organizations. We have also clearly stated in the legislation that Federal funds may not be used to operate this facility. We view this project as a one- time expenditure to the Federal Government, not a long-term funding initiative that needs continual funding year after year. Mr. Speaker, the bill authorizes $50 million for the project and makes these funds available for expenditure through 2006. Abraham Lincoln's name is familiar to people all over the world. More than 100 nations have honored him through the issuance of stamps, bringing his name to millions of people and keeping his memory and message alive. It is very common for many of us, especially in the State of Illinois and the surrounding States, to attend annual Lincoln Day dinners, whether they are dinners or lunches. In fact, I counted 15 that I had celebrating the birth of Abraham Lincoln from January through April. And many times, when we get a chance to reminisce on President Abraham Lincoln, we almost raise him up to a deity status, and we do that in an attempt not to forget history. It is very important to remember history. I did that in my last year's worth of speeches, talking about Abraham Lincoln and how he secured America's future by preserving the union and by freeing the slaves. But I want to focus on a column written by Clarence Page from the Chicago Tribune, and I will be submitting this for the Record. In his column Mr. Page mentions that there are still naysayers. Lerone Bennett, Jr., is one, in his book ``Forced Into Glory: Abraham Lincoln's White Dream.'' At the end of the column, however, Clarence Page writes, ``Like Thomas Jefferson and other heroic figures in American history, Lincoln set a higher standard for human brotherhood and sisterhood than even he was able to meet. Still, we can admire Lincoln, as I still do, inasmuch as he set that high standard during his better moments and acted on it. Lincoln is important, not only to Americans, but around the world, as a symbol of how an ordinary man from very humble beginnings can rise to high office and lead his country through its worst crisis and all-out war against itself. If he was `forced into glory' against his will or not, he has worn the glory remarkably well.'' Mr. Page's column really emphasizes why we need the Lincoln Library. We need it to remember the past. And we need to remember that Abraham Lincoln was not a God, but he was an average person called upon at a very historical time in our history. We need to focus on the fact that with all his foibles, he rose to the challenge. And not only in remembering Abraham Lincoln, but we need the Library to bring our documents together so that future scholars and, more importantly, the children, who are trying to get a grasp of this history, the Abraham Lincolns of the future, the Thomas Jeffersons of the future, the Douglas MacArthurs of the future, that they can see how America becomes great. America becomes great because the average men and women of this Nation, the average Joes on the battlefield who win the wars, those who wax philosophically and win the debates on the floor, who pass monumental legislation, that all these people come from the homes of the average citizens of this country. We need to continue to inspire our children so that they too can rise up and be the great leaders of this Nation. Madam Speaker, I applaud the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), for allowing this legislation to move forward. I think it is in the best interest of our Nation and our children. Madam Speaker, I submit the article referred to above hereafter: [From the Chicago Tribune, May 31, 2000] Was He or Wasn't He?--Deflating Lincoln to a Human Scale Washington.--Abraham Lincoln was the humbly born, self- educated ``Honest Abe,'' the Great Emancipator who freed the slaves in America. Abraham Lincoln was a white supremacist, who said whatever the crowd wanted to hear, freed hardly any slaves, used the ``N-word'' frequently and, if he had his druthers, would have sent all blacks back to Africa. Pick the history you prefer. Lerone Bennett Jr., prefers the second interpretation of Lincoln and elaborates on it in a 652-page assault, ``Forced Into Glory: Abraham Lincoln's White Dream.'' With the Confederate battle flag re-emerging these days as a lightning rod of controversy across the South (Is it a symbol of racism or a benign tribute to southern heritage?), Bennett, author, editor and acclaimed historian at Ebony magazine, could hardly have picked a better time to question another enduring symbol of the Civil War, Lincoln. Bennett is not quite successful in his effort to convince us that Lincoln was an unrepentant white supremacist or that the Emancipation Proclamation was a ``ploy'' designed to perpetuate slavery rather than extinguish it. But Bennett effectively instructs a broader audience in what Lincoln scholars have known all along, that Lincoln did not really free the slaves as commonly believed. He also was a more complicated man than the catchy slogans like Honest Abe and the Great Emancipator adequately describe. The Emancipation Proclamation, Bennett pints out, did not free any slaves because it applied only to areas outside Union control. As an Illinois legislator and congressman before the Civil War, legislator and congressman before the Civil War, Lincoln actually opposed abolitionists. He supported the Fugitive Slave Act and supported Illinois' laws barring blacks from voting, serving on juries, holding office and intermarrying with whites. Lincoln refused to free and arm slaves. He delivered anti- slavery speeches in northern Illinois and pro-slavery speeches in southern Illinois. Those who knew him well said he enjoyed minstrel shows, used the N-word in private conversations and sometimes in speeches. Bennett's been here before. His 1968 Ebony article ``Was Abe Lincoln a white supremacist?'' sent ripples across the academic and cultural world of that politically volatile era. Much of this has been written about by other scholars. Bennett is not an academic historian. Yet his article, like his classic work ``Before the Mayflower,'' brought scholarly research to a broad audience and changed the national conversation about the early history of African-Americans, even among scholars. As a descendant of African-American slaves, I appreciate Bennett's critique, for the insights it offers--not just on Lincoln but on those of us who admire and respect the impact he had on my family and millions of others of all races. Since I don't know what was in Lincoln's heart, I have to judge him by his actions. Whether he intended to free the slaves or not, his actions served to have that effect over time. He may not have been the Great Emancipator but he helped to emancipate. Yes, as Bennett describes, Lincoln did allow the four slave states that remained in the Union to dictate his policy toward slavery. But, can anyone familiar with geography blame Lincoln for wanting to avoid secession by Maryland and Delaware? It would have left the District of Columbia surrounded by hostile states, which would not have been a happy situation. The Emancipation Proclamation did not free many slaves, but it gave the Civil War a moral purpose that fended off potential foreign allies to the South and set a new course for American history. Lincoln may have supported ``colonization'' of black slaves to Africa, but he was hardly alone, either among white or black leaders of the time. Yet, the proclamation repudiated colonization, in so many words and enabled the first large-scale enlistment of black soldiers in the Union army. Once he issued the proclamation. Lincoln no longer could waffle on the slavery issue. His role as ``emancipator'' was assured and he did nothing to discourage it. Lincoln held off radical Republicans who wanted him to further, but he also fended off reactionaries who wanted him to move backward, to modify his proclamation or abandon it altogether. If Bennett overdoes his assault on Lincoln, it hardly matches the overzealous ways in which ol' Abe has been almost canonized over the years. Like Thomas Jefferson and other heroic figures of American history, Lincoln set a higher standard for human brotherhood and sisterhood than even he was able to meet. Still, we can admire Lincoln, as I still do, inasmuch as he set that high standard during his better moments and acted on it. Lincoln is important, not only to Americans but around the world, as a symbol of how an ordinary man from very humble beginnings can rise to high office and lead his country through its worst crisis, an all-out war against itself. If he was ``forced into glory'' against his will or not, he has worn the glory remarkably well.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commend Matt Linwong, a freshman at Mt. Vernon Township High School in Mt. Vernon, IL, for his academic achievement. He recently scored a perfect 800 in English on the SAT and a near perfect 750 in math. As a result, Matt has been accepted to the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora, IL, which is a school for 10th-12th grade Illinois students who excel in mathematics and science. I want to wish Matt the best as he begins this new chapter in his life. He is an amazing young student who I know will go far and do great things.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to share the story of a young woman from Centralia, IL, Shelly Baugh. Shelly's father served his country honorably and was killed during the Vietnam conflict when she was only 3 months old. Until recently, she had spent her life trying to find any details out about her father, Pvt. Richie Githins. Twelve years ago a man who had served with her father made contact with her. His name was Chuck Gregoire of Allen Park, MI. Since then Shelly and Chuck have spent many hours together talking about her brave father. The pair also traveled to Vietnam together to see the place where her father was killed at gun point. With yesterday being Flag Day, and with Father's Day just around the corner, Shelly's story is especially poignant. It is easy to get caught up in our day-to-day struggles, that we sometimes forget what is truly important--our family and our spirit. Shelly never forgot these values. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Shelly for keeping the story of her father alive. Her father gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our flag and our way of life. Shelly has fought hard to capture and remember her father's spirit. To both of them, I say thank you for a job well done.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, 225 years ago, our predecessors in this House agreed to form the United States Army. For 225 years, our sons and our daughters have fought and served this country proudly in 173 different campaigns across the world. From battling the British in Lexington to freeing Kuwait to Iraqi occupation, the United States Army has answered the call to defend the right to freedom all over the world. In those 225 years, 874,527 men and women have given their lives while serving our country, and 1,226,062 have been wounded. Today's Army is much different than what was originally envisioned by early Members of Congress. Today's Army not only defends our borders, but it ensures freedom from other countries. It lends its support to the disaster relief. It is an integral part of our Nation's fight against drugs. But the Army has not changed in one important way, it is still the best fighting force in the world. But I would like to quote General Douglas MacArthur from his 1962 address to the United States Military Academy at West Point, which keeps us focused on the Army's mission, and I quote: ``And through all this welter of change and development, your mission remains fixed, determined, inviolable, it is to win our wars. Everything else in your professional career is but corollary to this dedication. All other purposes, all other public projects, all other public needs, great or small, will find others for their accomplishment: but you are the ones who are trained to fight: yours is the profession of arms, the will to win, the sure knowledge that in war, there is no substitute for victory; that if you lose, the Nation will be destroyed; that very obsession of your public service must be duty, honor, country.'' For 225 years, the United States Army has been called upon to win our Nation's wars. God bless those who have served the United States Army and the United States of America.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commend Dusty Buss for his efforts that helped save the life of 7-year-old Tia Creasy. Dusty, a 16-year-old sophomore at Brown County High School in Mt. Sterling, IL, was dropping his sister off at school as Cathy Creasy was dropping off her daughter, Tia, in front of him. As Cathy drove away she was unaware that Tia's jacket was caught in the door causing her to begin dragging her daughter alongside the car. On seeing this Dusty got out of his car and was able to get in front of Cathy's car before serious injuries could occur. Dusty did a very honorable and courageous act. I am very proud of his Good Samaritan attitude, which makes him a hero to us all.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commend young Kenzal Thomas, a Casey Middle School student in Mt. Vernon, IL, for his honesty. Recently after finding a dollar in the bathroom of a Mt. Vernon restaurant, Kenzal began asking everyone in the restaurant if they had lost the bill--including City Councilman Dave Keen. As a result, Councilman Keen, along with other city officials, honored Kenzal with a framed certificate touting his integrity. It is a pleasure for me to join in recognizing Kenzal. His honesty is a trait for which we can all be proud of and look to as an example of doing what is right.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Charles Meier of Okawville, IL. Charles was recently inducted into the Illinois Jaycees Recruiters Hall of Fame. He was inducted for his successful efforts to recruit many new members into the club during his 21 years as a Jaycee. His recruitment efforts have brought in new members from an area that extends from Steeleville and Waterloo to Interstate 64. I want to congratulate Charles on receiving such a prestigious honor. I wish him the best as he continues to serve.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend John Link, Amy Rahe, Carmen Reiner, and Adam Wieties. These four middle school students from Carlinville Middle School in Carlinville, IL, are tackling tough community issues as participants in the Bayer/NSF Award for Community Innovation. Their project is Saving Prairies and Helping Environmental Regions Expand Successfully--S.P.H.E.R.E.S. Through this project they have successfully strengthened local support to create a preserve where native prairie grasses and indigenous creatures could flourish and students could study and experience the prairie habitat. I want to take this opportunity to thank these students who at such a young age have made it their responsibility to preserve our environment. I am proud of them and look forward to all else they may accomplish.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Mike McClure of Mt. Vernon, IL for his long and distinguished teaching and coaching career. After 34 years as a coach at Okawville High School, Rend Lake College, and Woodlawn High School, Mike is retiring. As a teacher myself, I would like to thank Mike for his commitment to shape the lives of the students he has coached and taught. Through his guidance and wisdom he has had a positive impact on the lives of many. I wish Mike the best in his retirement. He is a legend who I know will continue to influence all those he comes in contact with.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Molly Houle for her courage to fight juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Molly is a 6-year- old girl from Bluford, IL who was diagnosed with the disability last June. The disability has caused Molly many problems from getting out of bed to a lack of concentration at school. Despite the pain, she is drawing attention to her disability by being featured in WSIL's 15th annual Arthritis Foundation Telethon. I wish Molly the best as she draws attention to the problems of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Living with this disability is not easy, but I know her example will be an encouragement to all.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Godfrey, IL. They recently celebrated their 150th anniversary. The celebration was marked with a service, a dinner, and a program, along with a display of memories set up in the church. It was a great time for the congregation to celebrate where they have been and where they are going. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage them and thank them for their many years of ministry. I wish the church continued growth and another 150 years of service.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering [WYSE] team from Metro-East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville, IL. The students on the team placed on the state level for the first time ever. As a former teacher myself at Metro-East Lutheran High School, I am proud of their accomplishments. Their commitment to doing their best and academic achievement deserves our acknowledgment. I also would like to take this opportunity to recognize WYSE coach, Ms. Chrystal Boerger. This was her last year, as she is leaving to pursue her master's degree. It takes coaches and teachers like her to give students the opportunity to learn and grow.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commend Mrs. Cheryl Beard. Ten years ago Cheryl lost her only child, Jeff Bosie, to a drunken driver. At the time of his death, Jeff was a 17-year-old senior at Rochester High School in Rochester, IL. As a result of this tragedy, Cheryl used her anger and her energy to combat drunken driving and underage drinking. She has been named a ``Difference Maker'' as part of Mothers Against Drunk Driving's 20th anniversary campaign. Cheryl became involved with MADD in 1990 and has been the Sangamon County chapter president six times. She is being honored for her volunteer efforts in public speaking, victim impact panels, victim assistance, legislation and public awareness campaigns. I want to thank Cheryl for making a difference in the lives of so many people.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commend Connie Moore of Bonnie, IL. On March 7, 2000, Connie was awarded the Illinois Women of Achievement award. Lt. Governor Corrine Wood and Mayor Jim Dycus of Bonnie presented Connie with the award at a ceremony and reception held in the rotunda of the State Capitol in Springfield. Connie was honored for demonstrating excellence in her professional and volunteer work and committing herself to enhancing her community. She was recognized for founding the Housing Rehabilitation Program and for serving as the secretary/treasurer of Bonnie for many years. I want to thank Connie for her commitment to serve her community. She is an example for all of us to follow.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Josey Kunz of Bluffs, IL. Josey, a fourth grader from Bluffs Elementary School was one of only four State Organ/Tissue Donor Poster Contest winners. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Josey for his talent and accomplishment. He is an exceptional young man who has made me and the people of my district proud.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Ray Wolfe of Edwardsville, IL. Ray is a veteran of World War II, whose army unit liberated the notorious Buchenwald death camp in Germany. Ray is speaking out about the Holocaust. He has been interviewed by many as a witness to the Holocaust and its horrific events. Ray was invited back to Germany five years ago for the 50th anniversary of the Buchenwald liberation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ray for his service to his country. His willingness to bring light to the Holocaust and to teach us about its horrors makes us eternally grateful.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commend John Fridley of New Baden, IL. John has devoted his time and energy to being a servant and volunteer in his community. Besides the demand of a full- time job and continuing education, John has spent hours volunteering for youth sports, educational, church, and charity work. He is now a member of the Wesclin Community Unit School board, as well as the board of the Kaskaskia Special School District and the advisory board at Belleville Area College for Office Administration and Technology. John is also very involved in his local church, St. George's Catholic Church. John understands what it means to serve others, and because of this I want to recognize his efforts to make his community a better place to live. I thank him for his dedication and commitment.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize 12 Jefferson County, IL residents who have been selected as this year's Senior Saints Hall of Fame award winners. The Senior Saints are: Everett D. Atkinson, Bob Beck, Margaret Benton, Anne Garrison, Don Hahn (posthumously), Frank Hazlip, L. Joan Kent (posthumously), Virginia Riley, Ellis Roane, Christina Stables, Merle Tate, and Samuel Totten. I want to thank these 12 individuals who have devoted so much of themselves to their community, their friends, and their family. I join with the city of Mt. Vernon, the Jefferson County Board, and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in honoring these Senior Saints for their achievement.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today as cosponsor of House Resolution 492 which recognizes and honors America's teachers. As a former high school teacher myself, I understand the hard work and values teachers add to a child's life. At the end of this month, I will have the opportunity to attend the graduation of Collinsville class of 2000 when I will receive the Alumni Award and I will have the chance to address the students and the graduates. I will thank administrators Ron Ganshin and Rees Hoskin and Margaret Linder. But more importantly, I will thank my teachers, Ron Adams, Kathy Baker, Richard Crabtree, Lloyd Dunne, Fay Fultz, Robert Johnson, Russ Keene, Jenet Kanel, Joe Naylor, Mark Nelson, Terry Smith, Joe Spurgeon, Neal Strebel, Steve Shults, Charles Suarez and Don Davisson, and many others whom my faltering memory and the lack of a yearbook have made it difficult for me to recall. Some are still in the profession, some no longer, and some have passed away. They have encouraged my thoughts and my dreams. They have supported my goals and my aspirations. I thank them for their work, and in thanking them, I thank all teachers today. Teachers have one of the most important jobs in our society, but it is often thankless. I urge all of us to make teacher appreciation not something we do once a year, but a practice and a habit that we practice year-round.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I share an article from the March, 2000 issue of the Pure News, published in Springfield, Illinois, by T.C. Christian. But He Tried To Help Somebody (By T.C. Christian, Jr.) It would be wonderful if I could remember and name all the wonderful people who have made a difference in my life, but that just can not be done. Part of the problem is that there have been too many to count and no matter how good my intentions may be, somebody would undoubtedly be missed. However, death has a way of refreshening our memory by placing yesterday's faces, deeds and conversations on a giant screen where we can all watch the previews at the same time. Such was the case in hearing about the death of Reverend Rudolph S. Shoultz, pastor of the Union Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois. His death refreshened my memory that life is but a book, sometimes a short story, sometimes several chapters, sometimes a happy beginning and sometimes a sad ending. After reading and listening to all the different tributes paid to this man whom some even called the ``Godfather,'' a stranger would have to conclude that ``this preacher must have helped somebody.'' In one chapter of the ``Life of Reverend Rudolph S. Shoultz,'' somebody called him a civil rights leader who fought in the trenches, another writer said he not only fed his members with religion but fed them with state jobs, one minister said the good Reverend adopted him as his son and just before we get to the final chapter, there was recognition of the awards he received and how he provided housing for senior citizens. In reminiscing about yesterday, I decided to review another book yet to be published. This book's title is ``The Life of T.C. Christian, Jr.'' This book contains several chapters about Reverend Shoultz. In chapter one, the author (yours truly, of course) is introduced to the Reverend and a friendship develops. In another chapter, which was written and dated November, 1983, Reverend Shoultz appears on the front page of the very first issue of The Pure News. Also in that chapter, the author describes how Reverend Shoultz provided personal assistance to help maintain the existence of the newspaper you're now reading. The chapter in the middle of the book describes the wedding of the author which was also performed by Reverend Shoultz. And in ``telling it like it is,'' in that same chapter (as a result of the Reverend's political connections) the author's newly wedded bride was soon to be employed in the Governor's office. And incidentally, we did not agree on everything which gives credence to a statement made by one minister during the funeral when he said, ``If two people think just alike, one of them is not necessary.'' Reverend Rudolph S. Shoultz, who died on March 3, 2000 at the age of 81, was a living legend. Perhaps his legacy can best be remembered as a preacher who was always trying to help somebody.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, today I commemorate the Republic of Latvia on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of its independence from the former Soviet Union. On May 4th 1990, the people of Latvia solidified their full sovereignty which served to further the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Latvia has since successfully pursued policies to build democracy, protect human rights, expand the rule of law, develop a free market system and pursue a course of integration into the community of free and democratic nations, including the seeking of membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Latvia, together with the Republics of Estonia and Lithuania, continues to make a significant contribution toward maintaining peace and stability in the surrounding region, especially in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Kosovo. In honor of Latvian Independence Day, I am introducing a concurrent resolution to commemorate this special occasion. I hope you will join me today in supporting this legislation. Once again, I congratulate the people of Latvia on their anniversary of independence. I look forward to witnessing all of the future successes from this prosperous emerging democracy.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, as a former high school teacher, today I commend a retiring teacher from the 20th District of Illinois, Mr. Richard A. Watson. For 31 years, Mr. Watson taught agricultural education and served as the FFA advisor at Lincolnwood High School in Raymond, IL. Some teachers think that education is a 9 to 5 job, but not Mr. Watson. Besides teaching in the classroom, he spent countless hours coaching judging teams, public speakers, and parliamentary procedure teams. Mr. Watson spent time after school assisting students with their Supervised Agricultural Experiences and other various community activities that the FFA Chapter set out to do. Because of Mr. Watson's hard work, he was able to watch his students achieve their goals. Whether it was a State FFA Degree, Foundation Award or State FFA Office, he was an advocate and a motivator. More importantly, Mr. Watson was known for his famous phrase, ``Keep your chin up,'' when things didn't go so well. Mr. Watson has contributed to the betterment of the 20th District because he taught high school agricultural education to the person who advises me today on agricultural issues, Amy Matthews. I thank him for his 31 years of service and congratulate him for his outstanding teaching career. But I also want to remind him, that our area won't let him slip away. Good teachers, good people are always needed and always welcome in our communities. While his official service may be ending, I know we can count on him to continue to make a difference in the lives of our children and therefore our collective futures.