Bart Stupak

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a northern Michigan resident who has been an exemplary leader in his community. Michael Welsch is celebrating his retirement after more than 35 years of service to losco County, Michigan. Mr. Welsch served as the Iosco County Clerk from 1988 until his retirement on December 31, 2007. But long before that he was serving his community, State and country. Enlisting in the U.S. Air Force on August 15, 1966, Mr. Welsch was assigned to parachute rigging for technical schooling, where he graduated with honors. On February 14, 1967 he arrived at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan and remained there until he was honorably discharged in May 1970. While serving in the Air Force, Mr. Welsch also began working part-time for the losco County Sheriff's Department as a dispatcher/turnkey, working four consecutive days on the job, followed by four consecutive days off. Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force he began working full-time for the losco County Sheriff's Department as the marine officer. He became the first certified SCUBA diver employed by losco County. In this capacity, he was responsible for the recovery of 25 bodies. In 1970, Mr. Welsch attended basic police training at Delta College, where he finished first in his class. In late 1971, he left the losco County Sheriff's Department to work in the private sector. But his days of public service were far from over. Just over a year later, in March 1973, he returned to the Sheriff's Department as a road officer. He was later promoted to detective then detective sergeant. It was during this time that he worked as an undercover narcotics officer throughout the state of Michigan. For his undercover work, Mr. Welsch sported long hair, a beard and a Harley- Davidson motorcycle. He also trained his cocker spaniel, Brandy, for drug searches. In April 1977, Mr. Welsch married Debra Roach. Nearly 5 years later, in January 1982, their first son, Andrew, was born. Two years later, in April 1984, their son Peter was born. Peter's tragic death in 2004 brought shock and grief to the Welsch family, yet he remained active as ever with his work in the community. In 1979, Mr. Welsch was promoted to undersheriff in Iosco County, a position in which he served until December 1984. In January 1985, he accepted a position with the 81st District Court as the probation officer and was later given the additional duties of court administrator. In addition to working in the court, he also worked nights and weekends at Freel's Market in Tawas City, Michigan. This experience in law enforcement, the private sector and with the court, prepared Mr. Welsch for his next challenge. He successfully ran in 1988 for the position of losco County Clerk, a position in which he served until his retirement at the end of last year. He faced opposition in every election, but always prevailed. The community clearly recognized his selfless dedication to public service. At the same time Mr. Welsch was preparing to take over the responsibilities of County Clerk, his wife began attending Alpena Community College, where she received her associate's degree in 1990. She then went on to Saginaw Valley State College, and in December 1991 she graduated suma cum laude with a bachelor's degree in accounting. As Debra was furthering her education, Mike worked nights as the janitor of Emanuel Lutheran School, while also taking care of the kids, cooking, cleaning and doing laundry. Mr. Welsch has received recognition for his professional accomplishments over the years. In 1997 the Northeast Sunrise Chapter of the American Business Women named him Business Associate for the Year and in 2001 the Michigan Association of County Clerks selected him Clerk of the Year. Serving from 1998-1999, Mr. Welsch was the longest serving president of the Michigan Association of County Clerks. He served from 2005-2007 as the president of the United County Officers Association of Michigan. He is a past chairman of the Statewide Pool board of directors, an arm of the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, an organization for which he currently serves as secretary. He also serves on the board of directors for AuSable Valley Community Health. Michael Welsch's service to his community, State and country goes beyond elected office, professional accomplishments and time served in the Armed Forces. He has served as chairman of trustees, school board chairman and treasurer at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tawas City, Michigan. He has been a coach, referee and referee assessor for the Tawas Area Soccer Association. He has been a member of the Tawas Area Kiwanis Club since 1989, of which he served as president from 1994 to 1995 and was awarded a George F. Hixon Fellowship by the club, one of the highest honors the organization bestows. He has worked as a pyrotechnician for the Tawas Area Fourth of July fireworks for 15 years and was grand marshal in the 2001 Fourth of July parade. He has served as the secretary of the Men's Major Bowling League for 10 years and was Perchville King in 1998. Madam Speaker, all of us struggle to balance our professional lives with involvement in our local communities. As a public servant and community leader, Michael Welsch exemplifies that balance. I regret that I cannot personally attend his retirement party on March 1 in East Tawas, Michigan. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in saluting Mr. Michael Welsch for his years of dedication to his community and in congratulating him on a well deserved retirement.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Chairman, the loan forgiveness programs under the Ford Direct Loan Program and Federal Family Education Loans encourage teaching professionals to take positions in low-income schools. Like teachers, qualified school administrators and principals are crucial to creating an effective learning environment. Unlike teachers, however, school administrators and principals at low-income schools are not given access to the same loan forgiveness programs. In fact, under current law, if a teacher is eligible for loan forgiveness but is promoted to an administrator or principal in that same school, the newly promoted teacher loses access to the loan forgiveness programs for which they were previously eligible. As a result, low-income school districts often have difficulty recruiting talented principals and administrators to their districts. My amendment would extend eligibility of the Ford Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loans to full-time school superintendents, principals, or other administrators after completing 5 consecutive school years in a school district in which at least 30 percent of the schools are defined as low income. This amendment is supported by the National Education Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and by the American Association of School Administrators. Furthermore, the Congressional Budget Office has indicated that this amendment will not violate the pay-as-you-go rules. I urge Members to support my amendment to help recruit and retain talented and qualified school administrators and principals. Also, Madam Chairman, I include for the Record a letter from the National Association of Secondary School Principals in support of this legislation. Hon. Bart Stupak, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. February 6, 2008. Dear Congressman Stupak: On behalf of the 31,000 members of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), I would like to express our support for an amendment you will be offering to the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137). The amendment would extend eligibility of the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loans to principals and other school administrators who serve for 5 consecutive years in a low-income school or school district. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) expanded the federal role in education and brought to light the impact educators have on improving student achievement. A study by the Southeast Center for Teaching Quality on the working conditions of teachers found that high-quality leadership was the single greatest predictor of whether or not high schools made adequate yearly progress as defined by NCLB--more then either school size or teacher retention. But the demands on principals and their need for advanced training particularly in instructional leadership--are growing and have made the job much more challenging. It is becoming increasingly difficult to attract prospective candidates to the principalship, but just as troubling, it is harder to keep effective and experienced administrators on the job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 13 percent increase in job openings for principals between 2000 and 2010, stemming in part from a large proportion of principals who planned to retire during the same time period. Additionally, Advocates for Children & Youth released a study in December 2007 that found ``an alarming proportion of Maryland's poorest and lowest- performing schools have the least experienced principals and struggle with high turnover in leadership.'' Congress must be creative in providing new incentives to attract effective principals and school administrators to enter and then remain in the profession, and your amendment is an opportunity to do just that. While new programs are being developed to attract teachers to low-income schools, principals are not given the same access to these loan forgiveness programs. In fact, under current law, if a teacher is eligible for loan forgiveness but is promoted to an assistant principal or principal position in the same school, the newly promoted teacher loses his or her eligibility. NASSP strongly feels that your amendment will help to attract and retain highly effective principals in the schools where they are most needed. We look forward to working with you to ensure that this important provision is enacted into law. Sincerely, Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive Director, National Association of Secondary School Principals. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Miller, the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Chairman, I would just like to thank the committee chairman, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Keller for their help and support of this amendment, and the staffs and my staff for making this a possibility. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Huron Humane Society (HHS) in Alpena, Michigan, on its 25th anniversary this year. HHS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for the homeless dogs and cats of Alpena County. On any given day, the shelter is charged with caring for more than 20 dogs and more than 80 cats. With a maximum capacity of 120 animals, the shelter often houses closer to 150. With so many urgent needs in our local communities, our pets are often overlooked. The Huron Humane Society is making sure the welfare of four-legged friends, considered family to many, is not overlooked. The Huron Humane Society has been providing a valuable service to Alpena and the surrounding communities for more than a quarter century. HHS is a no-kill shelter and works to heal and rehabilitate the pets that come through its doors. While HHS cooperates with local governments to provide services to the surrounding city, township and county, it relies mostly on private donations to keep the doors open. Fundraisers, grants and donations account for more than 85 percent of its budget. And even with limited resources, the shelter continues to put the animals it cares for first. The Huron Humane Society provides a full range of services to help keep animals in homes and rehabilitate those animals that come to the shelter. The shelter serves as safe haven for stray animals, and provides a service for the residents of the community by making sure all animals that come through its doors are properly vaccinated. HHS provides shelter for stray and lost pets, rehabilitates those that are ill or injured, and ultimately locates suitable homes for those pets. The Huron Humane Society promotes a public education program, urging individuals to spay and neuter their pets, helping to reduce the number of unwanted animals in the community. HHS also offer valuable training to pet owners on properly caring for their pets, and offers a microchipping service to the community to aid in locating pets should they become lost. The shelter manages to accomplish this great work with a full-time staff of three and three additional part-time employees. While the shelter also receives assistance from those required to perform community service and local inmates, it is the community volunteers that provide the additional labor to keep the Huron Humane Society running. This coming weekend, the Huron Humane Society will hold its 25th Anniversary Gala. One year ago, this annual event raised more than $15,000. More than 200 people opened up their checkbooks to help the shelter continue to provide its valuable service to the community. Especially as we see story after story in the news of helpless animals being abused and mistreated, it is important every community have its own Huron Humane Society to look out for the animals that can't look out for themselves. Madam Speaker, as the Huron Humane Society celebrates its 25th anniversary, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in recognizing the valuable contribution the shelter, its staff and volunteers make to Alpena County. Please join with and the people of Alpena County, Michigan in congratulating the Huron Humane Society on a job well done and best wishes for the future.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Private First Class Billy MacLeod. Private First Class Billy MacLeod of Cheboygan, Michigan, was a brave 19-year-old who answered the call to duty and served our Nation during the Korean War. Billy was among the thousands of U.S. and other United Nations servicemembers pitted against the North Koreans and Chinese in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. These men were outnumbered by the Chinese and faced bitter cold winter temperatures. It was in this battle on November 28, 1950, that Billy lost his life fighting for his country. The Army first declared Billy missing in action, but soon after informed his family that Billy was, in fact, killed in action. Unfortunately, Billy's body was not recovered, and Billy's family was never able to welcome him home. After 58 years, and through the use of modern technology, the Army positively identified Billy's remains. Billy's body, along with five of his comrades, was discovered in 2002 by accident when a road was being built near the trench where he was buried. Army officials recovered about 90 percent of Billy's remains and were successful in matching his DNA with that of his half-brother, Burnie Potter. Burnie Potter had given the Army a DNA sample years ago on the chance that Billy's remains might one day be recovered. On October 31 of just last year, Burnie Potter and the rest of Billy's extended family finally received their answers. Billy had been found and was coming home. Since October, the family and the community has been busy planning for his return. Originally, Billy was to be reunited with his family at the Pellston Regional Airport, just a short 20 miles from his hometown of Cheboygan, Michigan, on January 15. However, just a few days short before Billy's expected arrival, his family was informed that they'd have to pick up his remains in Traverse City, Michigan. Traverse City is 100 miles away from his home. This is easily a 2-hour drive, if not more, during the winter months. Upon learning this news from a friend, I offered my assistance and immediately contacted the Army. After numerous phone calls, I learned that repatriated soldiers like Billy are treated differently than soldiers who are killed in active military theaters like Iraq and Afghanistan. Under current regulations, the Department of Defense does not use military aircraft to transport repatriated soldiers to their final resting place and instead use only commercial aviation. I was told that the Pellston Airport was too small to accommodate a commercial plane that could transport Billy's remains. I don't buy it. The Pellston Regional Airport is a rather large airport. It is not a small airport. Furthermore, I was told by the Department of Defense that it does not provide an honor guard at the airport when a repatriated soldier returns home. Both policies differ for current theater deaths. For soldiers who are killed in active theater, the military uses both military and civilian aircraft to reach a family's desired resting place and provide a military honor guard at the airport upon the body's arrival. Why does the Department of Defense not treat our soldiers the same way? Why does it matter, or does it really matter, if a soldier was killed yesterday or 50 years ago defending our country? A man died fighting for our country and we should honor him to the fullest possible extent. This means bringing his remains to the airport closest to his final resting place and providing full military honors upon the plane's arrival as well as at the funeral. It was only through pressure from my office that the military provided a nine-member contingent of the Michigan State Funeral Honors Team at the Traverse City Airport. To honor Billy's memory, and to ensure that this does not happen again to another family member, I will work to change the current Department of Defense policy on repatriated soldiers. In my short time in Congress, this has been the third repatriated soldier. Whether it was from Vietnam or World War II or now the Korean War, each and every soldier should be treated the same and should be given full military honors when they return home after sacrificing their life for their country. Every soldier should be treated the same, with the same honors and respect upon their homecoming. The Korean War, Mr. Speaker, is often referenced as the United States' forgotten war, but Billy MacLeod will not be forgotten. I know all of Cheboygan County and northern Michigan residents are proud of Billy and are pleased that this brave soldier will be coming home to his northern Michigan home. On behalf of a grateful nation, we say thank you and may God bless you, Billy MacLeod. You were never forgotten.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Consumer Protection Safety Modernization Act, of which I am a cosponsor. There is no better time to pass this legislation than right now before the holidays when parents are buying toys for their children. After months of recalls of Chinese-manufactured toys, it is evident that the Consumer Protection Safety Commission lacks strong authority and needs additional resources to protect the safety of our children and loved ones. This legislation will implement a graduated reduction of lead standards, reducing 100 parts per million, a level unmatched anywhere in the world. The bill will also require manufacturers to include tracking labels to aid in the event of a recall on all toys intended for children 12 and younger, and mandate third-party testing of toys for lead by labs accredited by the CPSC. This legislation strengthens the commission by authorizing significant increases in funding levels over the next 3 years, allowing the Product Safety Commission to hire additional employees, which has been at an all-time low since their inception. Furthermore, this legislation provides an additional $20 million to modernize CPSC's testing laboratory to ensure safe products. Madam Speaker, I applaud Chairman Dingell, Chairman Rush, Mr. Barton and Mr. Stearns for bringing this bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this bill.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in support of the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007. Currently, when a servicemember is wounded in combat and cannot return to duty, the Department of Defense allows each military branch to determine, in their discretion, whether to pay a servicemember any portion of a bonus still due to them. As a result, some members of the Armed Forces, who have served their Nation bravely, sustaining severe injuries, are not receiving their full bonus. In the last month, I have written to the President on three occasions urging him to immediately terminate this disgraceful policy. In response, I received conflicting information from the Department of Defense regarding this policy. Deputy Under Secretary William Carr wrote me on December 12, in a letter, and he stated: ``The Army pays all unpaid enlisted and re-enlistment bonus installments.'' Not true. In conversations with the Department of the Army National Guard Bureau, my staff has been told that instead of paying the full bonus due, the Army prorates a soldier's bonus based on the number of months the soldier served before their medical discharge. It's still unclear as to what the policy is with the Army. This is why we need to enact a Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act. We need to establish a uniform Department of Defense policy to ensure all outstanding bonuses are promptly paid to our deserving heroes. Bonuses should be paid in full, without question. I was first alerted to this program by an Iraqi war veteran in my district, Derek Gagne, from Wilson, Michigan. Derek, an Army National Guardsman, had been denied the remainder of his bonus after suffering a severe eye injury, losing part of his foot and his leg when his Humvee struck an IED in Iraq. Only after numerous calls and questions from my office is Derek now receiving his bonus. Our veterans should not need to fight so hard for something they are entitled to. I am pleased to join my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) in cosponsoring the Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act. This bipartisan bill, supported by over 200 Members of Congress, would require the Department of Defense to establish a uniform policy which provides veterans who are discharged from the military due to combat-related injuries or service-connected injuries their full payment of any bonuses within 90 days of discharge. This legislation should not be necessary. As Commander in Chief, the President has the ability to correct this policy by requiring all military branches to provide severely wounded members with their full bonuses. This administration is quick to go to war, but slow to respond to the needs of our veterans. Our Nation must be committed to caring for and honoring our veterans not just with words, but with deeds. Ensuring that our soldiers receive the bonuses they were promised is the least we can do for those who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a man who is a longtime activist in labor, politics, and community service in Northern Michigan. With that in mind, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in celebrating the retirement of Daniel A. Benac of Montmorency County, Michigan. Dan Benac will retire on January 4, 2008 after a distinguished career in the United States Army, at General Motors, and as an advocate for his fellow workers and veterans. Dan Benac was born in Alpena, Michigan on June 8, 1922, as one of twelve children of George and Rose Benac. Nearly 65 years ago he married Geraldine on February 9, 1943 and the couple raised three children: Charlotte, Carolyn, and David. Dan and Geraldine have eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Dan Benac served in the U.S. Army's 103rd Infantry Division from 1942 until receiving an honorable medical discharge. After serving his country, he then began his career as a skilled tradesman at Besser Manufacturing in Alpena. Dan then worked at a small manufacturing plant in Walled Lake, Michigan before taking a position with Pontiac Motors in 1948. He tried his hand as an entrepreneur in 1955, when he started and operated two gas stations. During the time he ran these businesses he began an apprenticeship as an electrician and earned the status of a journeyman electrician in 1962. In 1969, Dan Benac took his skills to Warren, Michigan, where he worked at General Motors' Chevrolet plant. He began his union career in 1948 when he joined the United Auto Workers. While at the Chevrolet plant, Dan accepted the position as a UAW committeeman. In 1974 Dan Benac took a medical retirement from General Motors, but as with so many union brothers and sisters, Dan continued his work with the union. In addition to his membership in the UAW, he also joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1956. In 1983 Dan was named chairman of the UAW Retirees for the Alpena International Council. As chairman, he organized presentations on a monthly basis for his fellow retirees that ranged from elected officials to speeches about prescription drugs and Medicare. Dan was later named chairman of the UAW Region 1-D retirees, serving members from sixty-two counties. He was also a board member of the UAW statewide coordinating committee for the Democratic Party. In addition to his union activities, Dan Benac was instrumental in forming the Montmorency County Democratic Party, and served as chairman for many years. While he is no longer chairman, he remains active in the Party. Dan Benac was a board member of the National Council for Senior Citizens and was nominated Senior of the Year in Region 4 in 1995 and 2003. He is also a member of other organizations including the Shrine Club, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and Masons. He was also chairman of the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund for Montmorency County. Madam Speaker, Dan Benac's activities are amazing for a person of any age but as an eight-five year old his many activities are exceptionally admirable. Dan and Geraldine have been great assets to their family, their fellow workers, and their community, as well as good friends of mine. On January 4, 2008, family and friends will gather for a well deserved and final retirement party for Daniel Benac at the Addison Oaks Conference Center in Leonard, Michigan. Today, as Dan prepares to enter a well deserved retirement, I offer him, his wife Geraldine, his three children, eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren all the best for the future. I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in thanking Dan Benac for his service to the Montmorency community and commending him for the many years he has spent his life in service to others.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, with the holiday season upon us, it is more important than ever that all of us take a moment to honor the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women deployed abroad. With that in mind, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Veterans Food Drive in Delta County, Michigan. The Veterans Food Drive has provided holiday food baskets to local veterans, their families, and widows over the last two decades. Gary Bjorkquist first undertook this generous project in 1987 when he served as a Local Veterans Employment Representative. He was joined in this venture by his friend Richard Kryza, then a Disabled Veterans Outreach Worker for the State of Michigan. As veterans outreach workers, these two distinguished men saw that some local veterans needed additional help during the holiday season to make ends meet. Seeing some veterans struggle, Mr. Bjorkquist and Mr. Kryza organized a Veterans Food Drive. As Gary Bjorkquist explains it, the Veterans Food Drive is not charity it simply provides veterans with a helping hand ``from one friend to another.'' This program embodies the spirit of the holiday season: giving your time and resources to those who are in need. My district is home to more veterans than any other Congressional District in Michigan. As such, the annual Veterans Food Drive has been very important to many of my constituents in Delta County. During the first year of the food drive, Mr. Bjorkquist hoped to distribute 50 holiday food baskets. Not surprisingly, the first Veterans Food Drive reached that goal. As the years have passed, the Veterans Food Drive now distributes more than 100 baskets a year. The generosity of local community members who provide cash donations for the holiday food baskets make the Veterans Food Drive a reality. Gary Bjorkquist collects donations all year round from employers, organizations, and community members. Some have given every year! Local veterans' organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans of Delta County, the American Legion of Rapid River, and the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 571, have been very supportive of the Veterans Food Drive. Each year, Elmer's County Market in Escanaba arranges the holiday baskets. These baskets include enough food for a family of four to have two complete meals during the holiday season. Something that started as a small gesture for our veterans has now turned into a community affair. Every year, more volunteers come out to help their fellow neighbors and join those who have been making deliveries since 1987. I had the pleasure of taking part in the Veterans Food Drive last year. If I have a break in the Congressional schedule, I will join in delivering veteran holiday food baskets again this year! Gary Bjorkquist works diligently to ensure that as many veterans and families as possible are given a food basket through the Veterans Food Drive. If a veteran is already receiving a holiday basket from a different organization, the food basket is saved for another veteran in need. Any remaining baskets are given to families in the community who are in need of help, through the local Salvation Army and Society of St. Vincent DePaul. And if there are left-over donations, they too go right back into the community. Last year, Mr. Bjorkquist gave donations to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul councils in Gladstone and Escanaba as well as the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency's Walk for Warmth program. In honor of the 20th anniversary, many of the volunteers who participated in the first Veteran Food Drive will be back in Escanaba to help Gary Bjorkquist mark this tremendous achievement. Mr. Kryza, who is now the Michigan State Veterans Director, will also be on hand to celebrate this occasion and spread the holiday cheer. I would like to recognize Gary Bjorkquist for his vision and his tenacity in keeping the Veterans Food Drive alive and running all these years. As old and new volunteers gather on December 14, 2007 for the 20th anniversary Veteran Food Drive, I salute the great number of individuals who volunteer their time going door to door with holiday baskets in hand as well as those who have graciously donated to the Veterans Food Drive each year. The duty, honor, and commitment these volunteers show to those who have sacrificed for our country are just a few of the values that make this Veterans Food Drive special. Madam Speaker, as we honor our brave fighting men and women serving around the world and especially in Iraq and Afghanistan this holiday season, it is important that we care for their families. In that spirit, for 20 years, the Veterans Food Drive has truly provided a helping hand to those who have served our country. Given the unique spirit of volunteerism and community service exhibited by Gary Bjorkquist and the local community, I know we can expect the Veterans Food Drive to be serving today's soldiers, when they are tomorrow's veterans, 20 years from now. Madam Speaker, I close by asking that you and the U.S. House of Representatives join me in paying tribute to the Veterans Food Drive, Gary Bjorkquist, and all the volunteers and contributors who are truly serving those who have served all of us. In this time of conflict, it is more vital than ever that we retain those values of volunteerism, duty, honor, and commitment--values that the Veterans Food Drive truly exemplifies.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a news professional in my district who has served the people of northern Michigan with distinction. The Publisher of the Gaylord Herald Times, Jim Grisso, will retire at the end of this year after a 47-year career in the newspaper industry, 39 of them at the helm of the Gaylord Herald Times. As the publisher of the Gaylord Herald Times (the Times), Mr. Grisso has made the newspaper a leader in the industry, garnering nearly 500 awards at the state and national levels since 1968. In 2007, the Herald Times was named the national Newspaper of the Year in its circulation class by the Suburban Newspapers of America, a testament to Mr. Grisso's vision and leadership of the paper. Under Mr. Grisso's leadership, the Herald Times has been a steadfast advocate of the public's right to know, on occasion resulting in challenges, even lawsuits, against public bodies that violated the Open Meetings Law or failed to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. Mr. Grisso has always insisted that the newspaper represent the people of Otsego County and reflect the values of the residents of Gaylord: hard work, honesty, tenacity and telling it like it is. Mr. Grisso's leadership in northern Michigan extends beyond the Times. Mr. Grisso has held several leadership positions with professional associations: Past President, Michigan Press Association; Past President, Michigan Newspapers Industry and Michigan State Chairman, National Newspaper Association. Over the years, Mr. Grisso has also been a leader in the Gaylord community and used his position at the Times to promote community service within Gaylord. In 1980, Mr. Grisso established the Buergermeister Award, which the Herald Times annually presents to recognize an individual who epitomizes service and dedication to the community. The Buergermeister Award is considered the most prestigious award in Otsego County and, thanks to Mr. Grisso's leadership, it has been used to recognize and encourage community service throughout the county. Mr. Grisso's commitment to community does not end there. He has donated enormous space in the Gaylord Herald Times in the form of community announcements and in-kind advertising for charitable and nonprofit organizations. While the Gaylord Herald Times has certainly put plenty on his plate, he has donated generously of his personal time through work on many boards and organizations. He co-founded and was the first vice-president of Otsego County Big Brothers organization. He served as President of the Gaylord Rotary Club and the Gaylord High School Athletic Boosters Club. He served on the Boards of the Otsego Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, Gaylord Little League, and Alpenfest. He continues to serve today as Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Committee and is currently Vice President of the University of Michigan Alumni Club of Gaylord. Over the years, Mr. Grisso has been recognized with numerous awards for his participation in community and civic groups. The Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce honored Mr. Grisso with the ``You Made It Happen Award'' and the Otsego County United Way recognized his service with the ``Thanks To You, It Worked For All of Us.'' He has been named Otsego County Fair Association Citizen of the Year. Mr. Grisso has received the Founder's Award of Appreciation, presented by Alpenfest Committee as a founder and leader in building Gaylord as the Alpine Village. The Otsego County Emergency Medical Service honored him and five other Gaylord Rotarians for raising $15,000 to purchase defibrillators as a result of a 150-mile walk from Gaylord to Manistique in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Madam Speaker, I have a special relationship with Mr. Grisso. His paper has covered my work since I began serving Michigan's 1st Congressional District in 1992. As might be expected, I have not agreed with every word his paper has written or his angle on every story. However, without a doubt he has endeavored to ensure that the Gaylord Herald Times covers the issues important to the people of northern Michigan and informs and serves them with excellent local journalism. As the Publisher of the Times, he has ensured the Times covers the challenges facing Gaylord and Otsego County. As a leader in his community, he has helped develop solutions to those same challenges. Today, as he prepares to enter a well deserved retirement I offer him, his wife Sue, his four daughters, four step sons and eight grandchildren all the best for the future. I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in thanking Jim Grisso for his service to the Gaylord community, commending him for his many years of exceptional work as a journalist and newspaperman and congratulating him on his many achievements.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of extending the H- 2B returning worker program this year. The H-2B visa program was created to provide access to nonimmigrant temporary workers for seasonal and peak load needs when no American workers can be found. Foreign workers offer small and seasonal businesses short-term help and return to their home country at the end of the season. H-2B visas are capped at 66,000 visas per year. Even with 66,000 visas a year, it still does not meet the labor needs of seasonal businesses. To help fill these additional needs, Congress established the H-2B returning worker program in 2005. This program exempts returning workers who have received an H-2B visa in one of the three previous fiscal years from counting against the 66,000 cap. However, this program expired on September 30. On September 27, 4 days before the season even started, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service had already received enough visa petitions to exceed the cap for H-2B visas for the first half of fiscal year 2008. The application process for the second half of fiscal year 2008 began on December 3, two days ago. Without extending the returning worker program, it's expected that the visas will go quickly, leaving many businesses without the workers they need to fulfill their business needs. This demand highlights the immediate need for Congress to extend the H-2B returning worker program to help small and seasonal businesses fill their seasonal labor needs and keep full-time Americans and their businesses working. These returning workers have provided relief to small businesses throughout the Nation, covering a broad spectrum of industries like landscapers, tourism, seafood processors and carnivals. At this time, I will enter into the Record a letter from the H-2B Workforce Coalition in support of extending the H-2B returning worker program. Workforce Coalition, November 19, 2007. Dear Representative: As representatives of tens of thousands of seasonal employers throughout the country, we urge you to support H.R. 1843, the ``Save Our Small and Seasonal Business Act of 2007.'' This bipartisan bill would simply renew the highly successful relief provision for the H-2B visa program that was initially approved by the Senate by 94-6 in 2005. This provision recognizes the reliability and trustworthiness of past participants in the H-2B program by exempting those temporary seasonal workers who have participated fiscal the H-2B visa program and have completely followed the law during the past three fiscal years from counting toward the statutory cap. The congressionally mandated 66,000 annual cap on the number of workers allowed to participate in the program that was established in 1990 does not reflect current economic realities or meet the needs of businesses which are seasonal or have peak load needs that rely on these workers. Before employers can hire temporary seasonal workers under the program, they must advertise their job openings, work with local unemployment offices to identify potential American workers and offer the positions to any qualified domestic applicants. The jobs these guest workers fill do not take jobs away from Americans. It is not until employers have carried out this time consuming and expensive due diligence in trying to hire American workers that they are allowed to petition the federal government for a labor certification and ultimately bring in temporary workers--their final option to run their seasonal businesses. In fiscal year 2004, the statutory cap was reached on March 9--only six months into the fiscal year and before many summer employers had an opportunity to apply for seasonal workers. As a result, many of these businesses had to cancel events, operate at partial capacity, not open parts of their businesses, or have their full-time staff work overtime to the point of burnout. Each subsequent year, the cap has been reached sooner as a result of the increased need for seasonal workers and an increasing labor shortage. The cap for the first half of fiscal year 2008 was reached on September 27--3 days before the fiscal year even began. Without immediate action by Congress, widespread economic consequences will severely impact diverse economic sectors throughout the country including lodging, restaurants, landscaping, clubs, amusement parks, ski resorts, food processing, stone, travel and tourism, horse sports, construction, entertainment, hospitality, recreation and many other seasonal industries. On behalf of thousands of small businesses and seasonal employers throughout the country, we urge you to support H.R. 1843 and secure its immediate passage. Sincerely, National Organizations: American Forest & Paper Association American Horse Council American Hotel & Lodging Association American Immigration Lawyers Association American Nursery and Landscape Association American Rental Association American Trucking Associations Asian American Convenience Store Association Asian American Hotel Owners Association Associated Builders and Contractors Associated General Contractors of America Federation of Employers and Workers of America International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute International Franchise Association National Club Association National Federation of Independent Business National Restaurant Association National Roofing Contractors Association National Ski Areas Association National Thoroughbred Racing Association Outdoor Amusement Business Association Professional Landcare Network Tree Care Industry Association U.S. Chamber of Commerce State and Regional Organizations: Alabama Forestry Association Alabama Hospitality Association Alabama Restaurant Association Alaska Hotel & Lodging Association Alaska Restaurant & Beverage Association Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association Arizona Landscape Contractors Association Arkansas Forestry Association Arkansas Hospitality Association Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association California Hotel & Lodging Association California Ski Industry Association Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association Colorado Association of Lawn Care Professionals Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association Colorado Restaurant Association Commercial Flower Growers of Wisconsin Delaware Restaurant Association East Hampton Chamber of Commerce Florida Forestry Association Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association Georgia Restaurant Association Gulf Oyster Industry Council Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Association of South Carolina Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City Idaho Nursery & Landscape Association Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Iowa Lodging Association Iowa Restaurant Association Kentucky Hotel & Lodging Association Kentucky Nursery & Landscape Association Kentucky Restaurant Association Kentucky Turfgrass Council Landscape Contractors Association MD-DC-VA Lawns of Wisconsin Network Long Island Hotel and Lodging Association Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau Maine Campground Owners Association Maine Innkeepers Association Maine Merchants Association Maine Restaurant Association Maine Tourism Association Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association Massachusetts Lodging Association Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association Massachusetts Restaurant Association Metro Atlanta Landscape & Turf Association Michigan Green Industry Association Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association Michigan Restaurant Association Mid-America Green Industry Council Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association Minnesota Restaurant Association Missouri Restaurant Association Montana Innkeepers Association Montauk Chamber of Commerce Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association Nebraska Hotel & Motel Association Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association Nevada Landscape Association New England Apple Council New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association New Jersey Green Industry Council New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association New Jersey Irrigation Association New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association New York State Lawn Care Association New York State Restaurant Association New York State Turf & Landscape Association New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association North Dakota Hospitality Association Northern Colorado Stone Quarriers Association Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association Ohio Landscape Association Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association Ohio Restaurant Association Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers Association Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association Oklahoma Nursery & Landscape Association Oklahoma Restaurant Association Oregon Landscape Contractors Association Oregon Lodging Association Oregon Restaurant Association Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association Pennsylvania Restaurant Association Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association Restaurant Association of Maryland Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association South Carolina Forestry Association South Texas Nursery Growers Association Southern Innkeepers Association Southampton Chamber of Commerce Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association Tennessee Restaurant Association Texas Forestry Association Texas Horsemen's Partnership Texas Hotel & Lodging Association Texas Nursery & Landscape Association Texas Restaurant Association Utah Hotel & Lodging Association Vermont Ski Areas Association Virginia Green Industry Council Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association Washington Association of Landscape Professionals Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association Wisconsin Green Industry Federation Wisconsin Innkeepers Association Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association Wisconsin Nursery Association Wisconsin Restaurant Association Wisconsin Sod Producers Association Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association Businesses: 360 Degree Realty, Illinois 4T Total Lawn, Kansas A-1 Chipseal Co., Colorado A & A Construction Company, Texas A To Z Lawn and Landscaping, Ohio A.E. Phillips & Son, Maryland A & M Underground Irrigation Systems, South Dakota A Cut Above Landscape Management, Georgia A Perfect Landscape, Colorado A.S.T. Landscape Services, Texas A Yard & A Half Landscaping, Massachusetts A Wave Inn, New York AA Tex-Lawn, North Carolina AAA Landscape, Arizona Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouses, Virginia Absolute Landscaping Inc., New Jersey Acacia Digging & Transplanting Services, Texas Academy Sports Turf, Colorado Ace Landscaping Corporation, Washington Ackerson Landscape, Missouri Acres Group, Illinois Adams Landscaping, New York Adventure Bound Camping Resorts, New Hampshire Affordable Lawn Sprinklers & Lighting, Virginia Airporter Inn, California Akala, Florida Al Allentuck Landscaping, Maryland Alder Springs Enterprises, Maryland All Around Concrete Cutting, Louisiana All Around Concrete Demolition, Louisiana All Pro Landscaping of Tallahassee, Florida Allin Companies, Pennsylvania Allen's Landscaping and Maintenance, Virginia Almeda Wholesale Nursery, Colorado Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, California Amberscapes, Texas Amelia Island Plantation, Florida American Beauty Landscaping, Ohio American Landscape, Wisconsin America's Best Inn, Vicksburg, Mississippi America's Catch, Mississippi Ameriworks Global, Louisiana Anchor Retaining Wall Systems, Texas Anewalt's Landscape Contracting, Pennsylvania Angel Inn of Branson, Missouri Ann Breyer's Cottages, New York Aplin Masonry of Telluride, Colorado Apgar Turf Farm, Delaware Aqua Barrier Exterior Waterproofing, Tennessee Aqua-Lawn, Connecticut Arapahoe Acres Nursery & Landscaping, Colorado Arapahoe Horticulture, Colorado Architectural Paving Systems, Oklahoma Aqualawn, Ohio ArborLawn, Michigan Architerra, Illinois Armstrong Landscape & Design Group, Texas Arrowhead Resort, Michigan Arteka Companies, Minnesota ArtisTree, Florida Artistree Nursery & Landscape Design, Florida Artistic Designs Lawn & Landscape, Kansas Arvest Bank, Missouri Aspen Corporation, West Virginia Aspen Grove Landscape Company, Maryland Aspen Lawn Care, Kansas Aspen Skiing Company, Colorado Atlantic Plants, New Jersey Diamond Landscapes, Kentucky Dinneen Landscaping, Massachusetts DMB-Highlands Group LLC, California Doctor's Inc., Kansas Doctors ``At the Lake'' Inc, Kansas Doctor's Lawn & Landscape, Kansas Dom's Landscaping, New York Don CeSar Beach Resort, Florida Duke's Tree Landscape Management, New Jersey Dominguez Racing Stables, New Mexico Double A Contracting, Texas Double JJ Concrete, Colorado Dove Creek Quarries, Utah Dowco Enterprises, Missouri Driftwood, New York Dune Management, New York Duryea's Lobster Deck, New York Dusty Lout Agri Service, Texas Dwyer Designscapes. Kentucky E.A. Quinn Landscape Contracting, Connecticut E.L. Irrigation & Landscaping, Texas Eagle Crest Nursery, Colorado East Deck Motel, New York East Hampton House, New York East West Resorts, Colorado Eastgate Sod, Ohio Eastern Land Management, Connecticut Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Florida Eco-Cutters, Colorado ECO Specialty Systems, Missouri Econo Lodge, Fayetteville, North Carolina Econo Lodge, Flagstaff, Arizona Econo Lodge, West Springfield, Massachusetts ECOSystems Landscape Service, Texas Ed Castro Landscape, Georgia Edmundson Inc, Colorado El Jarrito Restaurants, Texas The Elevation Hotel and Spa, Colorado Elite Lawn & Landscape, Ohio Elite Lawn & Landscape, Tennessee Elite Professional Lawn & Landscaping, Texas Ellis Cement Contracting, Ohio Embassy Lawn & Landscaping Group, Missouri Emerald Lawn Care & Landscaping, Kansas The Enchantment Resort & Spa, Arizona Enviroscapes, Ohio Epic Landscape Production, Kansas Equibrand Products Group, Texas Estate Landscape & Irrigation, California Evening Shade Lawn Care, New Jersey Evergreen Gene's, Maryland Evergreen of Johnson City, Tennessee Executive Moving Systems, Virginia F. Espinoza Landscaping, Illinois Fairfax Golf, Oklahoma The Fairmont Hotel, Texas Fairway Landscape & Nursery, Texas Falcon Executive Inn, Texas Falfurrias Executive Inn, Texas Farmside Landscape & Design, New Jersey Felipe's Lawncare, Oklahoma Fieldworks Landscape, Massachusetts Florasearch, Florida Florida Lawns, Florida The Fockele Garden Company, Georgia Focal Pointe Outdoor Solutions, Illinois Fort Pond Lodge, New York Frank's Used Tank & Heaters, Texas Frank Sharum Landscape Design, Arkansas Franz Witte Landscape Contracting, Idaho Franzen Farms, Texas Fred Adams Paving Co, North Carolina Front Range Snow & Ice, Colorado Frontier Landscaping, Washington Fullmer's Landscaping, Ohio G.W. Hall & Son, Maryland Gachina Landscape Management, California Gallegos Corporation, Colorado Gangemi Landscaping, New Jersey Garden Gate Landscaping, Maryland The Garden Greenhouse & Nursery, New Jersey The Garden of Gethsemane Nursery & Landscaping, Texas Garden State Irrigation, New Jersey Gardeners' Guild, California Gardens Beautiful Garden Centers, Wisconsin Garner's Northwest, Washington Garrick-Santo Landscape, Massachusetts Gateway National Golf Links, Illinois Gatlinburg Sky Lift, Tennessee GDK Leasing Inc., Florida Gear Garden Center, Ohio Geissler Tree Farms, Pennsylvania GEL Inc, Utah Genesis Lawn & Landscape Management, Arkansas Gentle Giant Moving Co., Massachusetts Giambrocco Greenhouses, Colorado Ginkgo Landscape Group, Illinois GLV Construction, New York The Good Earth Construction, Arkansas Good Labor, Alabama Goodwin Proturf, Kansas Gosman's Culloden House, New York Gosman's Restaurant, New York Gothic Grounds Management, California GPS Enterprises, Texas Graham & Rollins, Virginia Grand Hotel, Michigan The Grand Lodge Crested Butte, Colorado Grand Marais Hotel Company, Minnesota Grand Oaks Hotel, Missouri Grand Teton Lodge Company, Wyoming Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Michigan GrandScapes, Michigan Grandscapes Landscape & Design, New Jersey Lighthouse Inn, Massachusetts Lilac Tree Hotel & Spa, Michigan Lindy's Seafood Inc., Maryland Lindy's Taxi, New York Lipinski Landscape & Irrigation, New Jersey Lipinski Snow Services, New Jersey The Little Nell, Colorado Live Oak Landscape Contractors, New Jersey Living Water Landscaping & Irrigation, New Mexico LMC, Texas LMI Landscapes, Colorado LMI Landscapes, Florida LMI Landscapes, Texas LMS Guam, Guam The Lodge at Mountaineer Square, Colorado The Lodge of Four Seasons, Missouri Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Arizona Longhorn Landscape Lighting & Holiday Decor, Texas Lonnett Lawn & Landscape Maintenance Service, Pennsylvania Loon Mountain, New Hampshire Loyet Landscape Maintenance, Missouri LSW Show Horses, Vermont LT Rental Services, New York Luciano & Son, Massachusetts Lueders Environmental, Massachusetts Lynch Landscaping, Maine Lyons Sandstone, Colorado M. Atkins Inc, Colorado M & M Mowing, Colorado Madison Planting & Design Group, Mississippi Magic Gardens Landscape Contractors, New Jersey Magma Industrial Co, Georgia Magnolia Landscaping, New Jersey Maid to Clean, Michigan Main Street Inn & Suites, Michigan Mainscape, North Carolina Mandoki Hospitality Group, Alabama Mango Design, Utah Mark Kuppe & Associates, Michigan Mariani Landscape, Illinois Marriott International, Inc. Martin Associates, Illinois Martin Property Maintenance, Texas Marvin Windows and Doors, Minnesota Massengale Grounds Management, Louisiana Mauer Landscapes, Ohio McCarthy's Landscaping & Irrigation, Massachusetts McFall & Berry Landscape Mgt, Maryland MCL, LLC, Virginia McGinty Bros., Inc. Lawn & Tree Care, Illinois McKenna Construction, New York Metco Landscape, Colorado Meticulous Landscaping, New Jersey Metivier Inn, Michigan Michael Bellantoni, Inc., New York Michigan Peddler, Michigan Michigan Vacation Rentals, Michigan Mickey's Carting, New York Microtel Inn & Suites, Dixon, California Midwest Landscapes, Minnesota Milberger's Landscaping, Texas Mike Ward Landscaping, Ohio Milieu Design, Illinois Miller Landscape, Georgia Mission Point Resort, Michigan Mohonk Mountain House, New York Molenaar Greenhouse, Pennsylvania Montauk Bake Shoppe, New York Montauk Bike Shop, New York Montauk Carriage House, New York Montauk Clothing Co., New York Montauk IGA, New York Montauk Inlet Seafood, New York Montauk Lighthouse Laundromat, New York Montauk Manor, New York Montauk Motel, New York Montauk Soundview, New York Montauk Sweatshirt Co., New York Montauk Taxi, New York Montauk Yacht Club, New York Moon Nurseries of Maryland Moon Site Management, Pennsylvania Moore Landscapes, Illinois Morin's Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance, New Hampshire Morin's Landscaping, New Hampshire Morton's Landscape Development Company, Ohio Mortellaro's Nursery, Texas Motivatit Seafoods, Louisiana Mount Washington Resort, New Hampshire Moyer Home Turf Advantage, Pennsylvania MPS LLC, Louisiana MTK Cafe, New York Murdick's Fudge, Michigan Myer Hotels, Missouri Myers Family Enterprises, North Carolina Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Florida National Filter Service, Virginia Native Land Design, Texas Natorp's, Ohio Nature View Landscape, New Jersey Nature Works Landscapes, Massachusetts Naturescape, Ohio Naylor Landscape Management, Michigan NB Enterprises, Texas NCN, Inc, Washington Neave Landscaping, New York NETAJI, LLC, Georgia New Castle Hotels & Resorts Newcon Inc, North Carolina Newcrest Management, Texas The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, Rhode Island Newport Village Homeowners Association, Oklahoma Newton Construction, Texas This letter is signed by over 1,300 organizations and small businesses from every State in the union supporting this H-2B returning worker program. H-2B workers offer short-term help. They cannot and do not stay in the United States. More importantly, the H-2B program contains strong provisions to ensure American workers have the first right to work. Without an extension of the returning worker program, small and seasonal businesses will face significant labor shortages this year. If small businesses lose their ability to hire seasonal, nonimmigrant labor, full-time American jobs are at stake and may be lost.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, this weekend, communities throughout our Nation honored the brave men and women who have defended our Nation in previous wars, as well as those who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. While parades, speeches and ceremonies are important, I believe it is more important for the U.S. Government to properly care for and honor our veterans. Recently, the Department of Defense has instituted a new policy on bonuses, which does not provide servicemembers with their full enlistment bonus, reenlistment or other bonuses if they are wounded while in combat and cannot return to duty. This means that combat wounded veterans who are discharged from the military because of their serious injuries will not receive their full bonus. This policy is unacceptable and disgraceful. It is unbelievable that the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our Nation are being shortchanged and denied the bonuses they were promised by their government. Congressman Jason Altmire has legislation to correct this inequity, but we should not have to rely on legislation. I call upon the Commander in Chief, President Bush, to reverse this policy immediately. We have a letter going to the President asking him to terminate this policy and ensure all outstanding bonuses be paid promptly.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a constituent who has served his country admirably in our Armed Forces and, in civilian life, continued to serve his local community. Mr. Raymond Adams is ``Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year'' as named by the Ogemaw County Veterans Alliance. The Veterans Alliance through its member organizations, represents all veterans in Ogemaw County. The Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year Award is considered the highest honor that the Alliance bestows upon fellow veterans. A native of Ogemaw County, Mr. Adams has been a patriot all of his life. He was so determined to serve his Nation that, even when the Air Force initially turned him away, he re-applied. It took three attempts and a few years before he was able to successfully enlist in the Air Force in September of 1962. After basic training, Mr. Adams was sent to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey to train as an air policeman. He was stationed there until June 1965, where he learned the skills and duties of an air policeman. Following his training at McGuire Air Force Base, Mr. Adams went to Vietnam. He was stationed just outside of Saigon. A modest man, Mr. Adams downplays his own service in Vietnam. In his own words, he writes, ``I didn't see too much action. I was one of the lucky guys.'' Regardless of his own humility, Mr. Adams' service is to be commended and appreciated. While stationed in Vietnam, he received additional K-9 training, learning to handle and utilize a police dog. In June of 1966, Mr. Adams returned home to Michigan and entered civilian life. For a few years he worked in construction and spent some time working in local automobile factories. He was hired into Michigan Bell in January 1969, where he would work for the next 25 years, retiring in 1994. Mr. Adams would also raise a family in the area. In January of 1970, Mr. Adams married Gayle Wangler. As of today, they have been married nearly 40 years. Together, they raised two daughters. Even after Mr. Adams left the military and re-entered civilian life, his sense of service remained strong and intact. An active member of Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church, he has remained deeply involved in his community and dedicated much of his personal time to helping those in need. His church group has built schools and churches in Mexico and throughout Central America. Mr. Adams belongs to the Red Cross and has volunteered time with Habitat for Humanity. He has also been active with Hospice of Helping Hands and the Ogemaw County Mobile Food Bank. He volunteered to assist clean up and recovery efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. Ray has also remained an active advocate for his fellow veterans. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Last year, I was honored to attend the opening of a new Veterans Museum at the Ogemaw County Fairgrounds. Ray was instrumental in helping to put together this important monument honoring his fellow local veterans. When Ray's local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post needed remodeling, Ray helped take the lead, handling many of the permitting issues that needed to be cleared before work could be completed. While he has donated his own time, energy and effort to these many valuable community causes, he has never asked for any recognition. As one local resident put it, not only is it appropriate that Mr. Adams be recognized as ``Veteran of the Year,'' but he would certainly be eligible to be ``Volunteer of the Year.'' Clearly, Madam Speaker, this is a man who understands profoundly the value of service and the responsibility we all have to help others. On November 11th, Veterans Day, members of the Ogemaw community will come together to honor Mr. Raymond Adams. As this noble, hardworking and humble man is recognized by his fellow veterans and by his community, I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in saluting Raymond Adams for his lifetime of service and offering him the thanks of a grateful Nation.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, this country must keep its promises made to our servicemen and -women when they choose to serve our country by taking care of them when they return home as veterans. This Democratic Congress has been dedicated to making sure the needs of all America's veterans are fulfilled. So far this year we've passed legislation providing the largest funding increase for veterans in the 77-year history of the VA. This funding will allow the VA to keep up with the growing number of veterans who need care, maintain its health care facilities, and treat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who are suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. We also voted to increase military pay by 3.5 percent, as well as special pay and bonuses to combat troops, putting an additional $7.3 billion in military paychecks. Unfortunately, the Bush administration is now reneging on these enlistment bonuses to those severely wounded combat veterans. Madam Speaker, this Democratic Congress has made meeting the needs of the veterans and our military a top priority. This weekend, and every day, let us all remember the service of our Nation's veterans and commit ourselves to keeping this country's promises to them.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman of the committee. I rise in support of the Miller-Stupak amendment to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007. This amendment makes two important clarifications. First, our amendment asserts and clarifies that any religious organization that is currently covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would be exempt from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This will continue to protect religious organizations, including corporations, schools, associations, and societies from religious discrimination claims. For the past 40-plus years, religious high schools, colleges and other organizations throughout the Nation have been allowed to hire individuals based on that institution's religious principles. Today, as we adopt employment protections based on sexual orientation, these principles should be upheld. Continuing America's long-standing separation of church and State, this amendment will ensure that the Federal Government does not unconstitutionally infringe on religious organizations' hiring practices. Religious schools and organizations throughout my district and throughout this Nation will continue to freely practice their beliefs without being afraid of being charged with discrimination. Several major religious organizations support the inclusion of a religious exemption in ENDA, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, and the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Miller-Stupak amendment also upholds the Defense of Marriage Act. It also clarifies that any reference to ``marriage'' within ENDA refers to the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. In 1996, a bipartisan group of 342 Members, including myself, voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act. Marriage is between a man and woman. I support including a clear definition of marriage as a union between a man and woman in this legislation. No American should have to face discrimination in the workplace, regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation. However, religious organizations should be able to hire individuals who agree with their religious beliefs. It is also important to make it explicitly clear that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and that no part of the Employment Non- Discrimination Act could be misconstrued to undercut the Defense of Marriage Act. I urge my colleagues to join with me and the chairman in voting for this amendment. With the inclusion of this amendment, I encourage Members to vote for final passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. I ask for a ``yes'' vote on the Miller-Stupak amendment.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule and the United States-Peru Free Trade Act. In the past few weeks, I have heard time and time again from many of my colleagues that the Peru Free Trade Agreement is a groundbreaking agreement crafted by the Ways and Means Committee and the Bush administration. I've been told that this agreement incorporates enforceable obligations that require Peru to adopt and enforce labor standards and uphold international environmental standards. That is a start. But I ask my colleagues, who will enforce the labor standards? Who will enforce the environmental standards? The Bush administration? I don't think so. This administration has a disgraceful record of enforcing trade agreements and trade laws. We cannot assume this administration will now start to enforce trade agreements. Furthermore, this agreement doesn't provide the administration any funding to enforce the free trade agreement if they wanted to. Most importantly, the Peru Free Trade Agreement fails to address food safety, toy safety and drug safety concerns facing our constituents. As chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I have conducted numerous hearings and investigations on drug and food safety. Our committee found that products are entering our country every minute without appropriate inspection. We found that importers don't know how the product was made and whether the imports are safe. Why do we Americans allow countries to bring their inferior, unsafe toys, food and drugs into our country? The Peru agreement includes the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. By incorporating the WTO's Sanitary Agreement, the U.S. will be giving up the ability to increase inspection of imports to ensure safety. The goal of the WTO Sanitary Agreement is to allow free passage of food. This means our food can move freely between the two countries without proper inspection and without proper regulation on how the food is grown, processed, stored or shipped here to the United States. At a time when we're questioning the ability of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the FDA to protect the health and well-being of our children, our seniors and, indeed, all Americans, I don't think we should be allowing Peru ``free passage'' of food and drugs into the United States. We simply cannot afford to pass another harmful trade agreement that fails to protect our families from contaminated foods and drugs and toys. The changes the proponents of the Peru Free Trade Agreement keep touting are minimal at best, and are inadequate to assure a level playing field for American businesses, American jobs and the American economy but most importantly it does not protect the American people. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against the Peru Free Trade Agreement. Protect the American consumer. Vote no on the final passage.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, today I was detained and unable to vote on the final passage of the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on H.R. 3867, the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act, House rollcall vote 1017.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a constituent of mine who has spent her entire career serving her fellow citizens. Mrs. Patricia Shimmens, the Executive Director of the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission, is retiring after three decades of public service. Patricia, or Pat, as her friends call her, has been a stalwart advocate for those in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties who most need help. As the Executive Director to the Housing Commission, she oversees the administration of 250 units of public housing and 50 housing choice vouchers. She also administers several other programs that assist the homeless in Luce, Chippewa, and Mackinac Counties. Throughout her long and illustrious career, Pat has enjoyed many achievements and accomplishments. Under her watch, in 1996 and 1998, the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission built two new developments equaling 50 single family units. In 2001, Pat spearheaded the drive to find housing for the homeless in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties. In that capacity she coordinates services to the homeless, including shelter and opportunities for self-sufficiency to and through the Tri- County Safe Haven Emergency Shelter. Pat has been a leader in the housing field, participating in organizations that advocate for affordable housing both nationally and in Michigan. For 23 years, she has been a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), the nation's leading housing and community development advocacy group. She has been a member of the Michigan Housing Director's Association for 15 years and Past President for 4 years. Pat has been involved in numerous other organizations as well. She is a former President of her local Business and Professional Women's Organization. She recently sat on the Commission for Labor and Economic Growth in conjunction with the Local Work Force Development Board for the Tri-County area. She currently serves as the President of the Northern Transitions Inc. which provides services to the developmentally disabled. Over the years, Pat has been recognized in many ways for her commitment to community. In 2005, she received the ATHENA award, which recognizes excellence and leadership in women who contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. Pat first brought her talents and tireless energy to the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission on November 1, 1982. But, even before joining the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission, Pat was dedicated to strengthening the eastern U.P. Prior to her time with the Housing Commission, she was employed for 8 years with the Eastern Upper Peninsula Employment and Training Consortium. Throughout the years Pat has developed a reputation as a passionate advocate for housing and homelessness issues. When a new rule, regulation or law affecting public housing authorities would come down, Pat was known for being quite vocal at public housing authority conferences. Those who know her say that when she was arguing forcefully for or against something, it was best to stay out of her way and let her say her piece. In one instance, she gave a lengthy, impassioned and forceful argument regarding rules affecting the ownership of pets in public housing authorities. After she completed her argument, the conference leaders asked, ``Do you feel better now?'' In a manner typical of Pat's straightforward demeanor, she replied, ``Yes, thank you, damn it!'' While her tenure at the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission has been marked by many financial and administrative successes, what Pat says she will miss most are the people with whom she has developed relationships. As Pat recently put it in her own words, ``Many children have passed through our doors and I would like to think their life was just a little bit better having a nice home to live in that was also affordable.'' Madam Speaker, over the last 30 years, countless families in Luce, Chippewa, and Mackinac Counties have relied upon the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission. All of them can thank Mrs. Patricia Shimmens for her hard work, passionate advocacy and tireless dedication to helping make life just a little better. As Mrs. Shimmens celebrates retirement, I wish her the best of luck as she has more time to spend with her husband, Bob and more time to garden, and enjoy the outdoors. Given her tireless spirit, I also expect that she will continue her volunteer work throughout the eastern U.P. community. Today, I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in thanking Patricia Shimmens for 30 years of public service and congratulating her on a well deserved retirement.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an important institution in my district that serves the health care needs of the people of northern Michigan. Next week, Cheboygan Memorial Hospital (CMH) will celebrate 65 years of service to northern Michigan residents. Cheboygan Memorial Hospital traces its history back to 1929, when a group of local citizens united in an effort to build the first community hospital in Cheboygan. This small, but committed, group of volunteers collaborated to raise funding for a hospital in Cheboygan. Their efforts ultimately paid off in 1942 when Community Memorial Hospital, as it was then called, opened its doors. Throughout its history, CMH has often had to overcome challenges that health care providers in major metropolitan areas do not face. Rural health care providers like CMH often have more difficulty recruiting staff. They also serve a larger geographical area than their counterparts in more urban areas. Despite these challenges, over the years CMH has developed into a first-class health care facility, offering excellent health care services to my constituents. Today, CMH is a 96-bed general hospital with 46 beds for medical and surgical patients, including a four-bed intensive care unit and a six- room Family Life Obstetric Center. CMH also offers emergency care, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The hospital's urgent care walk-in clinic is also open every day in the health center. CMH also offers both inpatient and outpatient services in surgery, laboratory, cardiopulmonary, X-ray, nuclear medicine diagnostic ultrasound, CT scanning, MRI, mammography, bone densitometry, and physical therapy. The hospital's medical staff includes specialists in the areas of anesthesiology, cardiology, emergency medicine, dermatology, family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, oncology, urology, radiology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, oral surgery and pathology. The hospital has also dedicated a great deal of effort and time towards educating members of the community about important health issues. CMH offers several free classes in smoking cessation and in diabetes education. Childbirth education classes have also been recently re-introduced, providing important education to expecting parents. CMH has registered pharmacists on staff at CMH and available around the clock. The hospital houses audiology and speech therapy services. Thanks to generous donations and support from the community, the hospital continues to improve, with several recent additions. The hospital recently updated their Intensive Care Unit Family Waiting Room. The hospital also enjoys a newly expanded Nurses' Station. Remodeling work and technology updates are also being made in the Radiology Department. Other projects to help grow and improve the hospital remain on the horizon, including plans for developing a Cardiac Wellness Center. CMH describes its own greatest asset as the dedicated men and women who work in the hospital to care for their friends and neighbors. The hospital is currently the largest employer in Cheboygan County with over 500 employees on the payroll. Throughout the years, the hospital's leadership has set the tone of excellence that defines CMH. Today, the hospital is led by President and CEO Barbara Cliff; Board of Trustees Chair Michael Konicki; and the President of their Medical Staff David Dram, M.D. In addition to the hospital's 500 employees, who make caring for their neighbors and friends their daily business, the hospital enjoys the support of many tireless volunteers and auxiliary members. Anyone who has spent any length of time in a hospital can attest that the quality of the experience can hinge on the attitude of the caregivers. Those receiving care at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital are treated by professionals with positive attitudes and warm, kindly demeanors. Madam Speaker, this year CMH is celebrating ``65 Years of Caring.'' As this institution celebrates 65 years of service to my constituents, I would salute its employees--past and present--the people who make the hospital the excellent caregiver that it is. I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing the fine work of CMH and paying tribute to this important northern Michigan health care provider.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who, throughout his life, exhibited leadership and dedication in serving the working men and women of the Upper Peninsula and our Nation. On Saturday, the men and women of Michigan's Upper Peninsula will honor Louis Fine by inducting him into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. The organized labor movement enjoys a rich and storied history in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.). From the Copper Country mining strikes of 1913, which were immortalized in Woody Gutherie's 1913 Massacre, to the modern day, working men and women across the U.P. have a proud heritage of trade unionism. Likewise, throughout his life, Louis Fine exemplified that rich tradition, generously donating his personal time and effort to his local Union and to the Labor movement. A member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 598, Louis developed a reputation as someone always willing to go the extra mile and take on additional duties in support of his local union. Throughout his lifetime of union involvement, he served his union in many different capacities. He served as an Apprentice Instructor for carpenters and millwrights during the early 1990's. He was a delegate for his local Union to the Marquette County Labor Council, AFL-CIO. He also served as Treasurer and distinguished President of Local 958 for many years. Louis was well respected and greatly loved, not only in the U.P. Labor movement, but in the greater Marquette community and, indeed, throughout much of the U.P. Beyond his work in the labor movement he was a dedicated community volunteer. Those who knew him best describe how he was always willing to give of himself to help others, never asking or expecting recognition for his selfless acts. Not only did he regularly volunteer for Labor causes and programs, but he often made time to help programs for the disadvantaged and other charitable causes. Perhaps one of Louis' greatest accomplishments for the Labor movement was the revival of the Upper Peninsula Labor Day picnic, parade and program in the early 1990s. Louis is widely recognized as the driving force that helped to reinvigorate this annual celebration, which means so much to the working men and women of the U.P. After a lifetime of hard work, Louis Fine passed away in 2003. He is survived by his loving wife of many years, Betty. Madam Speaker, one of the titans of the American Labor movement, the head of the American Federation of Labor Samuel Gompers once called Labor Day, ``[T]he day for which the toilers in past centuries looked forward when their rights and their wrongs would be discussed . . . that the workers of our day may not only lay down their tools of labor fore a holiday, but upon which they may touch shoulders in marching phalanx and feel the stronger for it. Every year, as the working men and women of the U.P. march shoulder to shoulder, we remember and honor the sacrifices of our predecessors in the Labor movement. Henceforth, every Labor Day, as we remember our ancestors of the Labor movement, the working men and women of the U.P. will remember Mr. Louis Fine for bringing back the hallowed tradition of the annual U.P. Labor Day picnic and parade. Madam Speaker, since 1993, outstanding labor leaders in northern Michigan have been honored with induction into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is housed in the Superior Dome on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Louis Fine is a deserving addition to this august group and, I salute his memory. I would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing his many contributions to the Upper Peninsula Labor movement, his dedication to all working men and women, and his commitment to the Marquette and Upper Peninsula community.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, today the House will put the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court back in business after being shut down for the past 6 years. House Democrats know that our highest duty is to defend this Nation and protect our citizens. And we also know we can keep this Nation safe without our own government trampling the civil rights of our citizens and the principles upon which this country was founded. Before 2001, the FISA Court served as a check and balance to the administration to ensure that critical individual rights were not trampled. Such checks and balances have not been in place for the last 6 years. Today, by passing the RESTORE Act, we restore the true role of the FISA Court by addressing the concerns we have with the Bush administration ignoring the FISA Court, jeopardizing our rights, violating our Constitution, and our core principles. Mr. Speaker, the RESTORE Act is a bill that all Members should be able to support. It provides a proper balance of giving our government the legal tools to go after terrorists without trampling our American beliefs and values.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, it's my pleasure to join Mr. Kagen in offering this resolution, and I want the Record to reflect that my friend and colleague Mr. Kagen is the second-biggest Packer fan in Congress. Being from the upper peninsula of Michigan, all of us UPers are known as Packer fans. Actually, Green Bay is only just over an hour's drive from my home, where the Detroit Lions are more than 10 hours away from home, so we are all Packer fans in northern Michigan. On Sunday, September 30, with a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packer Brett Favre broke Dan Marino's career touchdown pass record with 421 touchdown passes. Playing in his 17th season in the NFL, Brett Favre has consistently shown Packer fans and the Nation that hard work, dedication and determination lead to continued success. The fact that Brett Favre threw the record-breaking touchdown in Minnesota against a tough divisional rival shows that his hard work and determination does pay off. Throughout his career, Brett Favre has proven that his perseverance and love of the game have helped him overcome adversity and succeed at such a high level. Most importantly, Brett Favre has remained humble while leading the Packers to four wins and only one loss so far this season. I realize my good friend Mr. Souder has already given the Packers their fifth win. That will come this Sunday against the Washington Redskins. After his record-breaking performance, Brett Favre said the last thing on his mind was the record. That truly sums up how this individual approaches the game. It's not for personal glory but for team pride and continuing on their winning ways. Favre's teammates and coaches credit his work in the off-season and between games as the reason the three-time NFL Most Valuable Player has remained successful. Favre's leadership has helped the Packers to start off the year on top of the division. Favre has been a leader off the field as well. This resolution honors Brett and Deanna Favre's work supporting the Special Olympics, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of America, breast cancer patients and those affected by Hurricane Katrina. In a year plagued with sports scandals, Brett Favre sets a positive example for all Americans that there is still honesty and dignity in sports. I'm proud to join with all my colleagues and the Members of the House of Representatives to salute Brett Favre's continued success on and off the field, and I look forward to another MVP year.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, during a speech at the 2004 National Convention, President Bush made a promise to cover America's uninsured children. The President said, ``In a new term we will lead an aggressive effort to enroll millions of poor children who are eligible but not signed up for the government's health insurance program.'' Last week, both this House and the Senate passed a bill to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, which provides health coverage for children in low-income families who would otherwise be uninsured. This bipartisan bill will allow 4 million children who are currently eligible for SCHIP, but not yet enrolled, to now receive coverage. In fact, it does just what President Bush said he would do if America reelected him. But despite this election year promise, President Bush is now threatening to veto the bipartisan SCHIP reauthorization act. Mr. Speaker, if the President vetoes this much-needed legislation, he will be breaking his election year campaign promise to enroll millions of currently eligible but uninsured children in the SCHIP program. I hope the President will reconsider his veto threat and instead hold to his promise to strengthen the SCHIP program.