Jean Schmidt

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Sycamore High School women's varsity lacrosse team on winning the Division I Ohio Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association State Championship. The Lady Aves finished their remarkable season with an undefeated record, a total of 22 victories. This was their second state championship in four years. Led by Head Coach Ed Clark, the Sycamore Lady Aves have become one of the most recognized high school programs in the Midwest. This year's team was top ranked in Ohio for the entire season and finished 44th in national rankings. Sycamore was the highest ranked team in the Midwest based on strength of schedule and an overall won-loss record. The Lady Aves beat their rivals, Upper Arlington to win the championship by a score of 7-6, avenging a loss to them in last year's title game. Sycamore was led by the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player Lily Ricci and the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Adrian Amrine. The Aviators talented roster includes two first team All-Americans and two second team All-Americans. Three senior players will continue their careers at the collegiate level next season, including Ricci at Brown University, Emile Hunter at Virginia Tech, and Kelsey Beck at American University. The most impressive statistic for these young women is that 85 percent of the team earned honors in the classroom and were recognized for their leadership on and off the field. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing these highly talented women in their historic lacrosse season and in wishing them the best of luck in all their future endeavors.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Archbishop Moeller High School baseball team on winning the Division I Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championship. This is Moeller's fifth state championship in baseball. Moeller also won state titles in 1972, 1989, 1993, and 2004. This year's team was led by Manager Tim Held, who recently took the reins from legendary Coach Mike Cameron. Following the example that Cameron set, Coach Held guided the Crusaders to a state championship in just his second season, finishing with a final record of 25 wins and 5 losses. Moeller beat Pickerington North 5-2 in the title game in Columbus, avenging a previous loss to them in the regular season. Pitcher Robby Sunderman tossed a resilient five innings giving up only two runs, one earned, to get the victory for the Crusaders. Five different Moeller players scored runs in the title game making, this victory truly a team effort. I look forward to following the players on this year's team in the future. They will certainly be headed toward a bright future. Past prep stars from Moeller have included Major League Baseball players Ken Griffey, Jr., Barry Larkin, the Bell Family--Buddy, David, Mike, and Rick--and many others. I must not fail to mention that our own House Minority Leader John Boehner is a 1968 graduate of this esteemed Cincinnati high school. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Moeller on yet another State Championship. Go Moe.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to shine the light on a subject where I do not believe this administration's actions are living up to its rhetoric. Whether it was said on the campaign trail or in speeches during his time in office, the President has certainly tried to sound reasonable on the issue of life, but the administration's actions belie its words. During a campaign appearance at the Saddleback Civil Forum with Pastor Rick Warren on August 17, 2008, then-candidate Barack Obama made clear that his goal was to ``reduce the number of abortions.'' In fact, he said that he had inserted this into the Democratic Party platform: ``How do we reduce the number of abortions?'' Now, given the administration's expressed support for Roe v. Wade, I never expected, nor do not expect it, to suddenly reverse its course. However, one way to reduce the number of abortions in a way that works and one that is a common-ground issue for the American people is not to allow taxpayer-funded abortions. Violating the consciousness of millions of pro-life Americans to fund a procedure which they object to based on a deeply held religious belief, a moral belief, by allowing taxpayers to fund abortions actually increases the number of abortions performed, according to the Guttmacher Institute through research on Planned Parenthood. Honoring the deeply held religious and moral beliefs of millions of taxpayers by restricting taxpayer-funded abortions actually decreases abortions by about 30 percent. So that is one way to reduce the number of abortions, something that the President has said he would like to do. But since taking office, this administration has actually worked to increase taxpayer funding for abortions at both home and abroad. The first was the Mexico City Policy. The Mexico City Policy was first promulgated in 1984 and renewed by the Bush administration in 2001. This is a very simple policy that says, as a condition for receipt of U.S. family planning aid, foreign, nongovernmental organizations and international organizations must certify that they neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning. Simply put. This policy says that U.S. taxpayers will not pay to promote abortions overseas, yet one of this administration's first acts back in January was to rescind this Mexico City Policy. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to defer here because I have a gentlelady from the other side of the aisle, Congresswoman Dahlkemper, who would like to speak out about this issue, and I would like to give part of my time, as much time as the gentlelady needs, on this issue. Thank you very much for joining me tonight.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Thank you very much. And I would just like to say to the gentlelady, we have so much in common, even though we represent different sides of the aisle, and one is the fact that we have the joy of being grandparents. I think one of the things that we learn often in life is that, while your children bring you tremendous joy, the joy cannot even be realized until you have that grandchild.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Absolutely.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Congratulations. Well, the gentlelady has me beat by one, but I only have one child, so----

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Well, God bless you and your family. Thank you so much. While we are on this subject of taxpayer abortions, I would like to recognize another gentlelady from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx). I will extend as much time as you need on this very sensitive and important subject.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. I want to thank the gentlewoman for her kind words on this very important issue. Before I turn this over to another gentleperson regarding this issue, I would like to explain to the Speaker one of the situations that we're talking about is the potential funding of abortions for the District of Columbia. And one of the things that I think we might forget is that article I of the U.S. Constitution says that Congress holds complete legislative authority over the District of Columbia, exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever. That is why the entire budget for the District of Columbia, including revenue generated by local sources, must be appropriated by Congress through an annual appropriations bill. For many years, the annual D.C. appropriations bill contained a provision to prevent the use of any congressionally appropriated funds for the abortions except to save the life of a mother or in the case of rape or incest. This was the so-called Dornan amendment, named after Congressman Dornan, for the fiscal year 1989 appropriations bill that he talked about in 1988. This bill has been in place pretty much consistently over that time. The White House budget document released on May 7, appendix page 1209, asks Congress to repeal the ban on congressionally appropriated funds and replace it with a bookkeeping requirement that would apply only to funds specifically contributed for Federal program purposes. Now, what I want to point out is this: that while the Dornan amendment was officially put in place in 1989 and was there until 1993, for a few years under the Clinton administration it was relaxed, and what happened during that time was that the funding for abortions in the District of Columbia continued and those funds for abortions actually increased the number of abortions in the District of Columbia. And the way they did it was, according to then Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly, they authorized the use of a million dollars from the Medical Charities Fund, which was originally set up to help indigent AIDS patients to pay for those abortions. So back during the Clinton administration when the Dornan amendment was relaxed, specifically prohibiting any money both directly and indirectly into the District of Columbia that was Federal money for the purpose of abortions, when that was relaxed, not only did the number of abortions go up, but they used an alternate funding to actually pay for those abortions. And that's really the focus of what we're talking about tonight. And before I go back through my history of this new administration since taking office in January, I do want to turn it over to my good colleague from Minnesota, Congresswoman Bachmann.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Reclaiming my time, I've been to a number of these wonderful pregnancy care centers in my own district, and it's not just offering them the opportunity of a free sonogram, but it's also offering them the opportunity to really help them, not just with their pregnancy but with the delivery and the carrying of that child. And these centers have programs to help educate the moms and the dads on good parenting skills, something that all of us can benefit from. They also work to give them a points program so, as they go through each one of their phases of education, they can earn points so that they can have a free bed, a free bassinet, free clothing, free food. It is a wonderful experience for these young women and these young men, and it really makes them better parents not just for that baby but for future babies, and it builds a stronger relationship in many cases between that mother and that father. So it's not just pregnancy centers that want these women to have their child but pregnancy centers that reach out and help that woman and the dad with that child, not just through its birth but through the process of its natural life. And at least the ones in my district open their arms to that, and toward the end of all of the pregnancy centers, I really salute them because they're doing a great job. I yield.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Thank you so much, my good friend from Minnesota. I just want to add that, while the whole issue is a very emotional issue, one of the things that really disturbs me in the whole abortion debate is when minors have abortions without parental consent, because when a minor has an abortion, that means that child has gotten into a family situation, and they're under age. In many States, that's considered statutory rape. In some cases, including in my own district, at Planned Parenthood, which technically is in District One but is in my own community, there are two lawsuits right now with regard to underage children who had abortions, and their parents were not adequately notified about it. So the whole issue of parental notification on anything--on a child's taking an aspirin--is critical. Back in the 80s, we know that the District of Columbia was very open about abortions. It let folks from other States have abortions. It let minors without parental consent have abortions. I don't think we want to expand on that policy today. I really want to turn this over right now to my good friend, the head of our Values Action Team, the good Congressman, Mr. Pitts. Congressman Pitts, would you please give us your words of advice and encouragement on this issue.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Thank you so much for sharing some moments with us and for all that you do with the Values Action Team to keep us alerted to issues that are pertinent to all in the United States. When I started this a few moments ago, I was talking a little bit about the new administration and the new President and matching his words with his actions. And I would like to go back a second because I have a transcript from the Saddleback forum, which was back in August of 2008, and I got this off of CNN. And I just want to read you a couple of paragraphs so that, Madam Speaker, you understand that I am not taking what then-candidate Obama and now President Obama has said. I really want to give you the full text. And so Pastor Warren, after asking then-candidate Obama about his views on religion, Pastor Warren said, Let's go through some tough questions, tough ones. Then-candidate Obama said, I thought that was pretty tough. And Pastor Warren said, Well, that was a freebie. That was a freebie. That's a gimme, okay? Now let's deal with abortion. Forty million abortions since Roe v. Wade. As a pastor, I've had to deal with this all the time, all of the pain and all of the conflicts. And I know this is a very complex issue, 40 million abortions. At what point does a baby get human rights in your view? Then-candidate Obama said, Well you know, I think that whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade. Pastor Warren: But have you---- Then-candidate Obama: But let me speak more generally about the issue of abortion because this is something obviously this country wrestles with. One thing that I am absolutely convinced of is that there are moral and ethical elements to this issue. And so I think anybody who tries to deny the moral difficulties and the gravity of the abortion issue I think is not paying attention. So that would be point number one. But point number two, I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade, and I come to that conclusion not because I am pro-abortion but because ultimately, I don't think women make these decisions casually. I think they, they wrestle with these things in profound ways in consultation with their pastors or their spouses or their doctors or their family members. And so this for me, the goal right now should be, and this is where I think we can find common ground--and by the way, I have now inserted this into the Democratic Party platform--is, how do we reduce the number of abortions? The fact is that although we have had a President who was opposed to abortion over the last 8 years, abortions have not gone down, and that is something that we have to address. Pastor Warren: Have you ever voted to limit or reduce abortions? Then-candidate Obama: I'm in favor, for example, on limits on late- term abortions if there is an exception for the mother's health. From the perspective of those who are pro-life, I think they would consider that inadequate, and I respect their views. One thing that I've always said is that on this particular issue, if you believe that life begins at conception, then--and you are consistent in that belief, then I can't argue with you on that because that is the core of the faith for you. Madam Speaker, I would like to repeat that because I'm going to be coming back to that in a few minutes. Then-candidate Obama said, If you believe that life begins at conception, then--and you are consistent in that belief--then I can't argue with you on that because that is a core issue of faith for you. What I can say, what I can and do say, there are ways we can work together to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies so that we actually are reducing the sense that women are seeking abortions. And as an example of that, one of the things that I've talked about is how do we provide the resources that allow women to make the choice to keep a child. You know, have we given them health care that they need? Have we given them the supportive services that they need? Have we given them the options of adoption that are necessary? That can make a genuine difference. When I began this, I talked about the fact that the President, when he was running for office, spoke of a concept of abortion where we would actually reduce the number of abortions, and yet as soon as he took office, he seemed to reverse that policy. As many of my colleagues demonstrated tonight, just days after taking office, the first thing that this President did was reverse the Mexico City Policy. And that policy, again, simply says that U.S. taxpayer dollars will not promote abortions overseas and that any NGO and any governmental agency or non-governmental agency overseas cannot use that money to promote abortions that they receive from the United States. But if this was not enough, today Congress considered a bill that would establish in the State Department the Office of Global Women's Issues. And one of those purposes of that Global Office on Women's Issues is to promote abortions overseas. So as the President stated when he was running for office, he wanted to reduce the number of abortions, he put it in the platform of the Democratic Party. He said that if you're consistent in your beliefs that life begins at conception, that this should be recognized. One of the things that this Congress, in concert with the administration, is doing is rapidly promoting abortions through the use of Federal funds for those abortions. But it's not just the funding of overseas abortions that is occurring. It's not the only assault on creating a culture of life that we have witnessed both from this administration and this Congress. And it's not the only instance where the administration's rhetoric does not match its actions. What candidate Obama said about stem cell research at the Saddleback forum, he said, Now, if in fact adult stem cell lines are working just as well, then, of course, we should try to avoid any kind of moral arguments that may be in place. I've got to repeat that. Candidate Obama at the time said, Now, if in fact adult stem cell lines are working just as well, then, of course, we should try to avoid any kind of moral arguments that may be in place. Well, today, adult stem cells have actually been found to be useful in treating a large number of diseases or ailments; embryonic stem cells have not yet been found to effectively treat anything. Yet in March, our President signed an executive order overturning the Bush administration's stem cell research policy. And the assault on life does not stop there. Nor does the double- talk. You know, the President recently spoke at Notre Dame, and it was met with some controversy. And in that May speech--I want to read to you the context, the full context of what he said on the issue of abortion. And he said, Nowhere do these questions come up more powerfully than on the issue of abortion. As I considered the controversy surrounding my visit here, I am reminded of an encounter during my Senate campaign, one that I describe in the book I wrote called ``The Audacity of Hope.'' A few days after I won the Democratic nomination, I received an e-mail from a doctor that told me while he voted for me in the primary, he had a serious concern that might prevent him from voting for me in the general election. He described himself as a Christian who was strongly pro-life, but that's not what was preventing him for voting for me. What bothered the doctor was an entry that my campaign staff had posted on my Web site, an entry that said I would fight right-wing ideologies who want to take away a woman's right to choose. The doctor said that he had assumed that I was a reasonable person, but that if I truly believe that every pro-life individual was simply an ideologue who wanted to inflict suffering on women, then I was not very reasonable. He wrote, I do not ask at this point that you oppose abortion, only that you speak about this issue in fair-minded words. Fair-minded words. After I read the doctor's letter, I wrote back to him and thanked him. I didn't change my position. But I did tell my staff to change the words on my Web site. And I said a prayer that night that I might extend the same presumption of good faith to others that the doctor had extended to me. Because when we do that, when we open our hearts and our minds to those who may not think like we do or believe what we do, that's when we discover at least the possibility of common ground; that's when we begin to say, Maybe we won't agree on abortion, but we can still agree that this is a heart-wrenching decision for any woman to make, both with moral and spiritual dimensions. So let's work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions by reducing unintended pregnancies and making adoption more available and providing care and support for women who do carry their child to term. Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion and draft a sensible conscience clause and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded in clear ethics and sound science as well as respect for the equality of women. I could go on with this speech. But what I want to say is that while speaking at Notre Dame, the President said, Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion and draft a sensible conscience clause to make sure that our health care policies are grounded in clear ethics and sound evidence. I didn't take it out of context. But he actually said this, Madam Speaker, after his administration had rescinded the conscience clause regulations promulgated by the Bush administration. These regulations made it clear that a health care provider who would not have to choose between his or her deeply held moral and religious beliefs and a career. In fact, this is what the President, then-candidate, alluded to at the Saddleback conference that, you know, your conscience should be recognized and your moral ground should be recognized especially if you're consistent with your belief that life begins at conception and ends at natural death. And yet the conscience clause was almost immediately rescinded upon this President's arrival to take office. Does the gentlelady wish to say something?

Mrs. SCHMIDT. I thank you so much for that because consistently since January, the words and the actions have not met the conscience clause, which he clearly took out, and yet said both as a candidate and in subsequent speeches as President that our conscience needs to be recognized and our moral beliefs need to be recognized, especially on this issue. He has really taken that away. What we now are facing today is the change in the D.C. policy in which we are going to be faced with allowing for the public funding of abortions. Congressman Dornan's amendment prior to FY1989 allowed the District of Columbia to use congressional funds, appropriated funds, something that we have to do because of article I of the Constitution, give the District of Columbia money to operate with. The disconnect between using those funds inadvertently for abortions was shut down by Congressman Dornan's amendment. This was an amendment that has been faithfully in place, except for a few years in the Clinton administration. Now with the President's new budget, he wants to cleverly allow for the District of Columbia to use federally funded money for abortions. I would now like to turn some time over to my very dear colleague, an individual who has been at the forefront of life issues, not just recognizing the value of a child both inside and outside the womb, but the value of children all across the world, including his fight for a father to bring his child home from Brazil.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. You are a great American. Take as much time as you would like.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. I would just like to close, Madam Speaker, by saying this is a very sensitive and important issue. The public has spoken out on the fact that they really do not want Federal funds to be used for abortion. The President, as a candidate, when he took office, and in subsequent speeches, has said he wants to work to reduce the number of abortions. To do that is not to allow for Federal funds. So I would only hope that this administration would match their words with their action.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chiquita Brands International on receiving the 2009 Circle of Excellence Award presented annually by the Distribution Business Management Association. Each year the association presents this prestigious award to the corporation that best exemplifies three main criteria of supply chain management: current corporate commitment, past demonstrated programs, and plans for continued commitment. The Circle of Excellence Award is the Distribution Business Management Association's highest recognition for Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and environmental protection. Chiquita, together with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, worked to adequately measure their carbon footprint in bringing bananas from the plantations to the marketplace. Through their studies, they were able to identify areas in the supply chain that will allow them to further reduce their carbon footprint in a sustainable manner. According to Amy Thorn, Executive Director of the Distribution Business Management Association, Chiquita stood out from other businesses because of its ongoing green transportation initiatives that focus on reducing carbon emissions in transportation throughout North America. Additionally, Dr. Omar Keith Helferich of Central Michigan University stated that Chiquita's accomplishments are testimony to its corporate commitment to sustainability. Madam Speaker, please join me in applauding the leadership of Chiquita and their 23,000 world-wide employees who are truly committed to making our country and planet a better and sustainable place for future generations.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. I just want to say, sir, that I am someone who has, throughout my adult life, stood in front of an abortion clinic in the city of Cincinnati. We stand in silence. We stand in prayer. We do not say anything to people as they walk by. We just pray that they have a change of heart and that they understand that all life is precious, including the one they may be carrying inside of their body. I have been doing this since I was in college. And I have yet to see any behavior that would even look like a terrorist's behavior. So for her to say that, I think, is totally out of character.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Thank you so much, Congressman King. You are so right about this very contentious nomination. This position has been called the Attorney General's lawyer. The Justice Department's Web site explains, ``The Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel provides authoritative legal advice to the President and to all executive branch agencies. The Office drafts legal opinions of the Attorney General and also provides its own written opinions and oral advice in response to requests from the Counsel to the President, the various agencies of the executive branch, and offices within the Department. Such requests typically deal with legal issues of particular complexity and importance or about which two or more agencies are in disagreement. The Office also is responsible for providing legal advice to the executive branch on all constitutional questions and reviewing pending legislation for constitutionality. All executive orders and proclamations proposed to be issued by the President are reviewed by the Office of Legal Counsel for form and legality, as are various other matters that require the President's formal approval. In addition to serving as, in effect, outside counsel for the other agencies of the Executive Branch, the Office of Legal Counsel also functions as general counsel for the Department itself.'' Congressman King, you are absolutely right that this individual will have the ear of the President because this position provides authoritative legal advice to the President and all executive branch agencies. The AAG for the OLC is quite influential when evaluating existing laws and determining legal implications of legislative and administrative proposals. It is not a position for which an ideologue would be well suited. I really want to go to that end because this, of all the nominations that have come to our attention so far, has really disturbed me the most. And it's disturbed me because, as most people know, one of the things and the heartstrings that I have is my position on life. I believe that we cannot question when life begins or when it should end. We have to understand that life has value from conception to natural death. Only if we want to wage war against poverty, only when we want to make sure that each and every person in the world has the opportunity to be the best person that they can be, only when we give people the freedom to be what they want to be can this happen if we understand that that freedom begins at conception and that freedom must continue through its natural conclusion. But this individual holds a much different view on those positions. So I really want to talk for just a few moments about what I call, Life According to Dawn Johnsen. I want to talk about some things that have been said by this individual. ``Pregnancy is equivalent to slavery.'' ``Statutes that curtail her abortion choice are disturbingly suggestive of involuntary servitude, prohibited by the 13th Amendment, in that forced pregnancy requires a woman to provide continuous physical service to the fetus in order to further the state's asserted interest,'' Dawn Johnsen, Supreme Court amicus brief that she authored in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services. I have to be silent for a minute so you can digest the coldness of that statement. ``Protecting life makes women into no more than fetal containers,'' is another one of her beliefs. ``The woman is constantly aware for 9 months that her body is not wholly her own. The state has conscripted her body for its own ends, thus abortion restrictions reduce pregnant women to no more than fetal containers,'' Dawn Johnsen, Supreme Court amicus brief that she authored in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services. I don't even know how to respond to that. As a mother, yeah, as soon as I felt life, I understood that I had a partner I was going to carry for the next 9 months. That experience only enabled me to begin the love that I have for my daughter and now that I see for her wonderful son. Yeah, pregnancy changes us because it gives us life. ``Abortion brings relief,'' is another one of her statements. ``The experience is no longer traumatic; the response of most women to the experience is relief,'' Dawn Johnsen, Supreme Court amicus brief that she authored in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services. I've talked to women who have had abortions, and they have a much different view. ``Those that become pregnant are losers.'' This one really stings me. She says, ``The argument that women who become pregnant have in some sense consented to the pregnancy belies reality.'' `` . . . and others who are the inevitable losers in the contraceptive lottery no more `consent' to pregnancy than pedestrians `consent' to being struck by drunk drivers,'' Dawn Johnsen, Supreme Court amicus brief that she authored in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services. I don't see women who are pregnant as losers. I see their winning capabilities of having that life inside of them, being a life that will carry on and continue for generations to come. Another one: ``There is no need to reduce the number of abortions.'' ``Progressives must not portray all abortions as tragedies,'' ``Senator Hillary Clinton in a 2005 speech commendable for setting forth a pro-choice, pro-prevention, pro-family agenda, took the aspiration a step in the wrong direction when she called for policy changes so that abortion does not have to ever be exercised or only in very rare circumstances,'' Dawn Johnsen in the Constitution in 2020. These are her statements. I'm not making these up, Congressman. These are her statements, Madam Speaker. ``Pro-life supporters are comparable to the Ku Klux Klan,'' that's another one of her statements. And she says, ``The terrorist behavior of petitioners is remarkably similar to the conspiracy of violence and intimidation carried out by the Ku Klux Klan,'' Dawn Johnsen, Supreme Court amicus brief that she authored in Bray v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic. I can't believe that she would say these things. But again, these are her words, not mine. Some of her positions and comments, questionable legal arguments, including the assertion that abortion bans might have undermine the 13th Amendment, which banned slavery. This is a woman who was so entrenched with NARAL and the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project, she's compared pregnancy to involuntary servitude, described pregnant women as losers in the contraceptive lottery, and criticized Senator Clinton for then claiming to keep abortions, traumatic experiences, rare. This is a woman who doesn't have the same view of life that most Americans have. Yes, this is a sensitive issue. But most Americans understand that life is sacred and must be protected. And I believe that most Americans want someone who is the legal counsel of the President to not have such polarizing views. I believe that they want someone that will step back and evaluate decisions based on their constitutionality and their legality and not put forth their own agenda. This is a person who at every step along her way has put forth her own very proabortion agenda in each and everything that she has done. This is not the right person for this job. And I would only hope that this administration changes its position.

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Well, I'm not a fetal container; I'm a mother. And I was very glad to have my wonderful daughter. Just 7 months ago, she had a beautiful little boy, and I think she would be appalled at being called a ``fetal container.'' She was thrilled on Sunday to be called a mother, just as I was thrilled to be called a mother and a grandmother. But more importantly, when we put people into positions of authority, while we respect that they may have a divergence of views than we might have, we certainly want people in authority that are willing to listen to all viewpoints before rendering a decision. But when you time and again, like Dawn Johnsen, have made statement after statement after statement with inflammatory rhetoric surrounding those statements, as she appears to have done for a better part of her adult life, especially on abortion but on other issues as well, I don't think the American public is going to be comfortable with a person of her position of authority whispering in the President's ear or in bureaucrats' ears her opinion on matters not just on abortion, not just on Guantanamo, but on other issues as well. I think we want someone that's even-tempered, someone that's willing to look at all viewpoints, someone that's willing to see all sides and render the decision that they believe is the most appropriate for America. I don't think she has the capability of doing that when I read the kinds of statements that she has made.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, for 11 straight years, my city, the city of Cincinnati, has hosted the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, and it's truly a great event. As a runner who has participated in all 11, I can tell you it's one of the finest in the Nation. The brainchild of Bob Coughlin, this marathon hosts over 23,000 participants, including special events on Saturday that actually include young children and the disabled. There's 3,000-plus volunteers that make this effort happen, and hundreds of thousands of people along the sidelines watching us run. It's a great party. It's a great time. On Sunday, something happened that I think merits some distinction in this great body, and that's the actions of a police officer, Officer Keith Lewis of the Mariemont Police Department. You see, on Sunday, May 3, as we were running through the streets of Cincinnati, Officer Keith Lewis was on duty to control the traffic. It was in Mariemont. He saw a car with a woman slumped over the wheel, and he pulled into action. He put his body over the top of the car, rolled onto the passenger door. An unknown bystander stood there, helped him get into the car, and pulled up the emergency brake. He dumped the woman over and drove the car away from the crowd of participants and the crowd of runners. I have no idea how many potential lives Officer Lewis saved. It could have been me, it could have been my husband and my brother-in-law standing there cheering me on at that spot, or my dear friends that were there. Who knows? It's interesting because, in a local news broadcast back in Cincinnati, Officer Keith Lewis refused to be called a hero--he is a hero in my book--because he said he was doing just what he was trained to do. Mr. Speaker, I must respectfully disagree with Officer Lewis. That man is a hero, and the bystander that helped him is a hero, too. Their selfless actions possibly saved countless lives and injuries. Who knows? I am honored, Mr. Speaker, and privileged to represent folks like Officer Lewis and that bystander in Cincinnati. Thank you, Officer Lewis, for your dedication and your outstanding commitment to public service. Thank you for protecting us, the runners, the bystanders, and the volunteers. You helped make the Cincinnati Flying Pig, once again, a great, great marathon. Thank you.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Nancy Zimpher, President of the University of Cincinnati for her tremendous dedication to higher education. Unfortunately, President Zimpher will be departing us to become the new chancellor of the State University of New York on June 1. They will be blessed to have her. A native Ohioan, President Zimpher became the University of Cincinnati's 25th president and first woman president in October of 2003. From the beginning, President Zimpher worked tirelessly to raise the University's profile. During her tenure she increased the University of Cincinnati's freshman class and total enrollments to new heights, while increasing retention and graduation rates. The caliber of students and educators at the University of Cincinnati has never been higher. President Zimpher's immense responsibilities have included managing 16 colleges, an academic medical and research center, one billion dollar annual budget, and the most employees in the Greater Cincinnati area. Away from the University, President Zimpher has given her time and talents to numerous civic causes, including serving on the boards of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati Center City Development, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and many others. As a proud graduate of the University of Cincinnati and a faithful Bearcat, it is with a heavy heart that I congratulate Dr. Zimpher on her new and exciting opportunity as chancellor of the State University of New York. The Cincinnati region and most importantly the University of Cincinnati are better off today due to President Zimpher's dedication and leadership. Good luck Dr. Zimpher, you will be missed.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 90th birthday of one of Cincinnati's greatest citizens, Carl H. Lindner, Jr. I have the privilege and honor of calling Carl a constituent of mine. For more than 70 years, the greater Cincinnati region has come to admire and appreciate Carl's business and philanthropic skills. Carl Lindner is a living example of the American Dream and proof positive that anything is possible in the United States. At the age of 14, Carl left school to work in the family dairy business, along with his brothers, Robert and Richard, and his sister, Dorothy. They operated a cash-and-carry dairy market in Norwood, Ohio. The store was the origin of United Dairy Farmers, and so began Carl Lindner's storied career. Throughout his career, Mr. Lindner has touched thousands of lives in southwestern Ohio. His generosity has built schools, cured the sick, and changed the face of a city. Be it supporting the arts or building a new hospital, Carl has contributed mightily to the economic and cultural lives of his fellow Cincinnatians. Carl remains active in his varied business ventures as chairman of the board and chief executive of the American Financial Group. Mr. Lindner has been married to his beautiful bride, Edith, for well over 50 years. And United Dairy Farmers continues to make the best ice cream in Cincinnati, including my favorite homemade brand, chocolate chip. Mr. Speaker, if a man is truly judged by his deeds, then there can be no higher example than set by Carl Lindner. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Carl's 90th birthday. Happy birthday, Carl. I hope you have 90 more. God bless you.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Trooper Nicholas L. Lewis and Dispatcher Sonia M. Banks from the Portsmouth Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol for being recognized as Ohio's Trooper and Dispatcher of the Year. For the first time both of these prestigious award winners are from the same post. Also, for the second year in a row, the State of Ohio's Trooper of the Year patrols in the Second Congressional District. Trooper Lewis, a graduate of the 144th Academy Class, has been assigned to the Portsmouth Post since February of 2007. Trooper Lewis resides in McDermott with his wife, Elizabeth and their two children. In October, Lewis was honored with the Ace Award for finding five stolen vehicles and has had much success in the Criminal Patrol Program. Nick's Post commander, Lieutenant Mike Crispen best describes him as truly believing in the Ohio State Highway Patrol's mission of saving lives and taking drugs off the street. Dispatcher Banks has worked at the Portsmouth Post since 2003, after being told of the position by a friend--who recommended that she would be perfect for it. Dispatcher Banks lives in Minford with her husband, Chris and their two sons. Recently, Banks was instrumental in the Post's ability to communicate with each other during a bomb scare on a barge and a school shooting, when she worked to acquire a dedicated cell tower for operations. Madam Speaker, I am very thankful once again to have Ohio's Trooper of the Year patrolling the Second Congressional District. And, I am equally thankful for having the Dispatcher of the Year in the Second District as well. Congratulations Nick and Sonia, I wish you both continued success in the years to some.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, ``Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.'' Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Ohio Riverfront, Cincinnati, Ohio Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``The City of Cincinnati'' Address of Requesting Entity: 950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,871,000 to begin construction of Phase I of the project, including a flood-tolerant, stabilized river bank that will become a riverfront park linking central riverfront attractions to Downtown Cincinnati. This request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the Army Corps of Engineers, Construction account [PL 110-114, Section 5116 (WRDA 2007)]. The City of Cincinnati will match this funding 50-50 and has thus far provided $11.97 million toward this project. The State of Ohio has also appropriated $1.75 million for the project. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Metropolitan Region of Cincinnati, Duck Creek, Ohio Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``The City of Cincinnati'' and ``Village of Fairfax'' Address of Requesting Entity: 950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio and 5903 Hawthorne Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $3,828,000 to continue construction of 100-year level of flood protection to existing commercial, industrial, and residential areas along Duck Creek. This request is consistent with the authority provided by WRDA 2000 (PL 106- 541) and the intended and authorized purpose of the Army Corps of Engineers, Construction account. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Ohio Environmental Infrastructure, OH: Village of St. Martin, Ohio Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction, Section 594, Ohio Environmental Infrastructure Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Village of St. Martin'' Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 213, Fayetteville, Ohio 45118 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $200,000 to replace the wastewater treatment plant serving the Brown County Ursuline School for Girls, Chatfield College and 27 neighboring residences. The treatment plant is mandated by the EPA to be replaced by June 1, 2010. This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the Ohio Environmental Infrastructure account (Section 594). The Village is prepared to provide 50 percent of the total project cost. Funds will be used for engineering ($48,000); preliminary engineering ($5,000); design ($22,500); and construction ($326,000). Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Rankin House State Memorial Account: National Park Service, Save America's Treasures Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Ohio Historical Society'' Address of Requesting Entity: 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $150,000 to preserve and restore the Rankin House. Funds will be used for exterior trim and brick repair ($28,000); restoration of dining room and bedroom woodwork ($43,000); conserve parlor mural ($50,000); interior painting ($30,000); new HVAC system ($25,000); upgrade electrical system ($12,000); plumbing repair ($3,000); security system upgrades ($9,000); relocate utilities to house underground ($30,000); reproduction floor coverings, wallpapers, drapes, bed coverings ($75,000); and conservation of furniture and painting ($60,000). This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the Save America's Treasures account. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Eastern/Delta Sewer Separation Project Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati'' Address of Requesting Entity: 1600 Gest Street, Cincinnati, OH 45204 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 to separate sanitary sewage from storm water flows in order to reduce the amount of combined sewer overflow (CSO) volume discharged to the Ohio River. $1 million authorization in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007. This is part of MSD's Wet Weather Improvement Plan (WWIP) to comply with the federally-mandated consent decree for combined sewer overflows (CSO) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSO). The agreement between MSD and various regulatory authorities, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency, was codified into two Consent Decrees entered in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on June 9, 2004. The total cost of the WWIP is estimated to be nearly $2.0B (in 2006 dollars) and has been funded thus far by the MSD rate payers. Implementation of this project would reduce the volume of untreated combined sewage entering the Ohio River by 13 million gallons per year. This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure account. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Shawnee State University for an Immersive Technology and Arts Center Account: Small Business Administration Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Shawnee State University'' Address of Requesting Entity: 940 Second Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $300,000 for an Immersive Technology and Arts Center at Shawnee State University (ITAC). ITAC will house a motion capture lab and advanced video and sound editing studios to create a fully-realized virtual environment. ITAC will play a prominent role in attracting national and international professionals and businesses to the area, fostering the development of locally owned companies and supplementing a strong high- tech education at the University. ITAC emphasizes local partnerships and will be part of a regional collaboration of businesses and institutions of higher education working to cultivate the intellectual and financial capital to create a high-tech economic base in the Southern Ohio region. Funding will be used for 30 computer workstations, proprietary software, and furniture ($270,000) and staffing for one year ($100,000). This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the Small Business Administration account. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Clermont County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Account: OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Clermont County Sheriff's Office'' Address of Requesting Entity: 4470 State Route 222, Batavia, Ohio 45103-9777 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $230,000 for the Clermont County Drug Unit, a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force formed in 1988. Funds will supplement local resources to provide for personnel and operations. The mission of the unit is to identify, investigate and arrest mid and upper echelon narcotics violators who otherwise would operate across jurisdictional boundaries with impunity. Funds will support personnel ($289,646) and operations ($77,008). This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the OJP, Byrne Discretionary Grants account. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Cincinnati Communications Equipment Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``City of Cincinnati'' Address of Requesting Entity: Regional Computer Center/Communications Technology Services, 805 Central Avenue, Suite 310, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,270,000 to implement 800MHz radios for non-public safety agencies in the City of Cincinnati so they can communicate with public safety agencies, and to eliminate the need to replace aging (20+ years old) UHF/VHF equipment because of federal (FCC) mandates related to narrowbanding. Total project cost is $2.5 million, including $100,000 personnel, engineering, and design and $2.4 million for equipment. This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the COPS Law Enforcement Technology account. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Eastgate Area Improvements, Clermont County, Ohio Account: Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Clermont County Transportation Improvement District'' Address of Requesting Entity: 175 E. Main Street--Suite 150, Batavia, OH 45103 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $570,000 for Eastgate Area Improvements (Local Network Improvements-Segments IV and IVa) including Preliminary Engineering/Environmental Impact Studies (PE/EIS) and related activities to develop and construct projects consistent with appropriate federal project development and ODOT requirements. Total project cost is $2.5 million. Seeking $2 million in federal support with non-federal/local match of $500,000. This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation account. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Village of Morrow, Morrow, Ohio Account: Economic Development Initiatives Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``Village of Morrow'' Address of Requesting Entity: 150 E Pike Street, Morrow, Ohio 45152 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $237,500 for streetscape improvements to help revitalize Morrow's central business district and support economic development. Elements of the project include funding for street lighting ($27,500), signage-facade ($2,500), removal of existing walk ($3,850), curb and gutter removal ($4,950), removal and reinstallation of traffic signs ($2,625), storm pipe removal ($8,800), engineering and design ($34,000), relocate street utilities ($25,000), pipe culverts ($44,000), misc pipe culvert for drain basin ($8,000), underdrains ($7,040), ODOT Type 2 curb and gutter ($22,000), concrete sidewalk ($45,000), construction observation- inspection ($10,000), seeding and mulching ($2,775), and misc approaches--ADA ramps ($12,500). The Village is prepared to provide $25,000 or a 5 percent match of total project costs. This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the Economic Development Initiatives account. Requesting Member: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Bill Number: H.R. 1105 Project Name: Central Riverfront Street Grid Account: Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: ``City of Cincinnati'' Address of Requesting Entity: Department of Transportation and Engineering, 801 Plum Street, City Hall, Room 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $475,000 to design and construct pedestrian facilities, utility infrastructure, and other street improvements on Race Street in downtown Cincinnati. The CRF Street Grid Project provides the streets, sidewalks and utility infrastructure necessary to support the new Central Riverfront redevelopment, including the Paul Brown Stadium, the Great American Ballpark, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Central Riverfront Park, and The Banks mixed-use development. The project augments Fort Washington Way by increasing mobility and providing roadway connections to accommodate localized access to and from Cincinnati's Central Business District and Central Riverfront areas, as well as the Northern Kentucky Riverfront. This request is consistent with the authorized purpose of the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation account.

Ms. SCHMIDT

Ms. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise regarding a provision contained in this legislation to carry out the Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program at the U.S. Department of Energy. Congress established the Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and it is my understanding that in order to implement the program the Appropriations Committee was required to include a specific appropriation together with language limiting the kinds of entities eligible to participate in the program. I am concerned that this language has the inadvertent potential of directly impacting an important energy project in my district that is ready to break ground and will potentially employ more than 3,000 people. I ask your support today in working with me and my colleagues in the Ohio delegation to clarify the language so that it will not have the impact of prohibiting this project from going forward. I would like to thank Chairman Visclosky for his work on this concern. I look forward to working with you to correct this situation.

Mrs. SCHMIDT

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the oldest weekly newspaper in Ohio. The Western Star, published in Lebanon, Ohio is celebrating its 202nd anniversary today. This newspaper also holds the proud record of being the second oldest newspaper of any kind to be published in Ohio, and the oldest newspaper bearing its original name west of the Appalachian Mountains. The Newspaper was first published on February 13, 1807 by John McLean, a former member of this great body. Mr. Mclean also served our nation as United States Postmaster General, and an Associate Justice on the Ohio and United States Supreme Courts. Currently, the paper is owned and published by Cox Communications, which was founded by James Middleton Cox, who also served as a Member of this House. Madam Speaker, The Western Star is an award winning weekly newspaper that exemplifies the ideal of a free press, one of this nation's greatest rights. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 202 year tradition of the Western Star and in wishing the newspaper continued success in the future.