John Sarbanes

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to yield such time as he may consume to my colleague, Mr. Stupak to speak to the bill.

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum on Michigan's Upper Peninsula sits on land jutting out into Lake Superior near the Canadian border. The museum collection presents the history of and preserves artifacts from the many shipwrecks that occurred in the area, including perhaps the most famous, the Edmund Fitzgerald, which went down in 1975, along with her crew of 29 men. The museum sits on land originally obtained from the Department of the Interior under a land grant patent. A new management plan developed by the museum would improve visitor services. This legislation amends the original patent to reference the new management plan. Representative Stupak is to be commended for his diligence on behalf of this legislation. An earlier version of this measure was approved by the House in the last Congress, and we urge our colleagues to support H.R. 2121 today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 986 would designate 25.3 miles of the Eightmile River and its tributaries in Connecticut as a national scenic river. The bill was introduced by my friend and freshman class colleague, Representative Joe Courtney, who has been a strong and effective advocate of this designation. This legislation would protect portions of the Eightmile River that have been found to have ``outstandingly remarkable'' values, including an intact watershed with a natural flow, very high water quality, unusual geological features, and large numbers of rare plants and animals. The bill would designate five segments of the river and its tributaries as scenic under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The designated segments would be managed according to a plan produced pursuant to the 2001 Eightmile River Wild and Scenic River Study Act. The administration supports the bill, as we were told by a National Park Service witness at a hearing before the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee on April 17. In a draft study, the agency found these portions of the river and its tributaries to be eligible and suitable for designation. The bill is cosponsored by the entire Connecticut House delegation. Both Connecticut Senators support the designation, as does the Republican Governor of Connecticut. The bill also enjoys ample support from the local community, including the local governments of the towns of Salem, East Haddam and Lyme. The river would be managed under a partnership agreement as envisioned in section 10(e) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The Congressional Budget Office has found that the bill contains no unfunded mandates, and will impose no cost on State, local or tribal governments. CBO also says the bill will not affect direct spending, and will not significantly affect the National Park Service's costs. During committee consideration of the bill, there had been expressed some concern about the private property protections in the bill. To ensure that the bill is absolutely clear on this point, my subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) offered, and the committee adopted, language that expressly deems the zoning ordinances adopted by the towns of Salem, East Haddam, and Lyme to satisfy section 6(c) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and limits the Secretary's acquisition authority to lands that are donated or bought from willing sellers. That provision tracks the language used in several wild and scenic river designations in the east, including the designation of Connecticut's other wild and scenic river, the Farmington River. The language has been in effect for over a decade without questions or ambiguity on those rivers or in court. According to the National Park Service, the administering agency, that language is absolutely unambiguous. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. And I want to commend my colleague from Connecticut, Representative Courtney, for his commitment and leadership on this matter. We support passage of H.R. 986, as amended, and urge its adoption by the House today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 986) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and yield back.

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 359) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites associated with the life of Cesar Estrada Chavez and the farm labor movement, as amended.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, on vote No. 563, an amendment offered by Mr. Andrews, I was recorded as ``nay.'' I intended to be recorded as ``aye.'' I thank the Speaker for providing me with the opportunity to correct the record.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute our men and women in uniform. Every year at this time we gather with our friends and family to celebrate Independence Day and the freedoms we hold dear. But this year, and every year, when families are missing the presence of a spouse, parent or child or worse, morning the loss of a loved one, we must also pause to remember the sacrifice of our veterans. That's why I'm introducing the Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlements Act, or BRAVE Act, which would make it easier for our most disabled veterans to obtain their benefits. That's why I'm working with others to initiate a national conversation on how veterans can participate in service corps programs and how those programs can serve our veterans. Madam Speaker, on the Fourth of July, when we celebrate liberty, we must give special recognition and honor to those who are doing so much and have done so much to protect our freedoms.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise to support National Library Day on the Hill and congratulate the Enoch Pratt Free Library on the grand opening of the new Southeast Anchor Library in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore, the first library to be built and open in the city in 35 years. I'm very proud to have attended the ribbon cutting ceremony recently and am thoroughly impressed by the depth of services that this new branch will offer our community. This 27,000- square-foot facility is state-of-the-art with an 80,000-volume collection. It will also have nearly 60 computers for public use, a self check-out counter, a drive-up window, a cafe, multi-purpose meeting rooms and a computer lab. To the community, the Southeast Anchor offers more than just a quiet place to read and learn. It offers a gathering place and an intellectual hub for the City of Baltimore. In its annual State of American Libraries report last year, the American Library Association found that 92 percent of the population believed libraries were still needed despite technological advancements. It also found that 63 percent of all Americans have library cards and that public libraries are the primary point of online access for people without Internet connections at home, school or work. The Pratt system, now with a southeast presence, is indeed a reflection of Baltimore's thirst for learning. Through the Pratt, every Baltimorean has the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge otherwise not accessible. The combined dedication of the staff and volunteer corps at the Enoch Pratt Free Library has made it possible for Baltimore's youth to truly believe that ``Your Journey Starts Here''. Madam Speaker, I know that the House of Representatives will join me in congratulating the library community on its tremendous accomplishment. It truly is the ``Year of the Pratt''.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 changed everything about our college admissions process. Led by the late Representatives Patsy T. Mink and Edith Green, Congress established a principle we often take for granted today--the prohibition of gender discrimination in any federally funded educational program. The effects of the law have been substantial. In 1972, only 42 percent of Bachelors of Arts degrees were earned by women; by 2004 that number rose to 57 percent. Only 9 percent of medical degrees were awarded to women; now it's above 45 percent. Not surprisingly, law degrees were the most imbalanced. In 1972, only 7 percent of law degrees were held by women and by 2004 almost 50 percent went to women. Only 15 percent of PhD's went to women before title IX and that number is now close to 50 percent. This progress is worth celebrating but we have plenty more to do. Title IX has as much utility now as it did in 1972. Women continue to face substantial barriers, especially in high wage fields such as science, technology, engineering and math. Sexual harassment remains pervasive in schools and on college campuses. Women and girls' sports teams still do not receive an equal share of resources.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak about the Education for Public Service Act of 2007, which I introduced earlier this week. In short, the Education for Public Service Act would make it easier for college graduates and those with advanced degrees to choose careers in government or non-profit enterprise. It will give those young people who attend higher education aspiring to become teachers, first responders, law enforcement officers, nurses, and civil servants a real chance to realize their dreams. The rising cost of higher education has led to greater and greater student debt that in turn has become an impediment for many young people who would otherwise choose a career in service. Physicians who might choose to work in community health centers or individuals who want to inspire our Nation's youth as teachers are unable to follow their passion as a result of staggering debt. Our best and brightest are increasingly driven by this debt to choose entry-level positions based on salaries that will enable them to repay loans. Career choices should not be made this way. In my home State of Maryland, the average starting salary for teachers is $36,000; nationally, the average starting salary is $30,377. According to CRS, the average cost of tuition, other fees, and room and board at a public 4-year university exceeds $48,000. At a private university that figure climbs to almost $120,000. Predictably, fewer graduates are entering the teaching profession. In fact, more than 50 percent of teacher education program graduates never even enter the teaching profession. More than 50 percent of new teachers leave the profession within their first 5 years in the field. We are also facing a crisis of human capital in the Federal workforce. Approximately half of the Federal workforce is eligible for retirement or early retirement. Federal agencies like the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are bracing for serious worker shortages resulting from attrition. Madam Speaker, these are such important jobs and yet we have done very little to replenish these ranks. Clearly more can be done to provide sufficient incentives to young workers--the next generation of public servants--to join the civil service. But we ought to start by removing the barriers that affirmatively preclude young people from joining. In 1993, Congress created the income-contingent repayment option to help individuals earning lower salaries deal with the burden of student loans. Under this plan, borrowers' repayment obligations are capped at a percentage of their annual income and any remaining principal is forgiven at the end of 25 years. But because 25 years of repayment seems so daunting to an individual just finishing college, this initiative has not resolved the underlying problem. The Education for Public Service Act of 2007 would modify the current income-contingent repayment program to provide loan forgiveness after 10 years rather than 25 years, so long as the borrower has worked for a government agency or a charitable or tax-exempt organization during the repayment period. Madam Speaker, the Education for Public Service Act of 2007 will help ensure that service to one's Nation and community will no longer be out of reach for our next generation. In closing, I would like to acknowledge the leadership of Congressman George Miller whom I have worked with in developing this legislation. Chairman Miller has led the Education and Labor Committee with a focus on American families and American students and I am very pleased that he has included the Education for Public Service Act as part of his College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, which will increase support for students and families with no new costs to taxpayers. If we enact this legislation, idealistic students will be able to attend our institutions of higher learning knowing that they will be able to realize their dreams.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation commemorating the work of United Nations Peacekeepers by recognizing May 29 as International United Nations Peacekeeping Day. Since 1945, our U.N. Peacekeepers have aided in resolving a wide array of very complex regional conflicts across the globe. In many cases, these individuals have put themselves at great risk and indeed made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of a safer, more secure global community. Since its inception, the United Nations has undertaken 61 field missions and helped implement 172 peaceful settlements. These missions have ended regional conflicts and enabled people in more than 45 countries to take part in free and fair elections. More than 2,355 individuals from 113 nations, including the United States, have given their lives to this cause. In the past 3 years alone, U.N. peacekeeping has helped to initiate missions in Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Haiti, Burundi, Sudan, and East Timor, and bolstered the missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lebanon. These missions often come with difficult and complex mandates such as containing or preventing the outbreak of conflict and its spill-over across borders or helping implement peace agreements. In 2005 alone, U.N. peacekeepers supported elections in five post-conflict countries, including Afghanistan, Burundi, Iraq, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through these efforts, over 56 million people were allowed to cast votes. Currently, the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations has more than 100,000 troops and personnel deployed in 18 peacekeeping missions and 13 political missions worldwide, all with an annual budget of $6 billion. This U.N. peacekeeping force has grown five-fold over the last 10 years, reflecting not only the broad international support for U.N. peacekeeping, but also the U.S. support for new and expanded peacekeeping missions. In 2005, the Human Security Report, a major international study funded in part by the Rockefeller Foundation, judged that, perhaps contrary to popular belief, civil strife has plummeted 80 percent worldwide since the early 90s. It attributed that decline to the rise in international activism, in particular the increase in support for and deployment of U.N. peacekeeping missions and their growing complexity. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget recently granted all U.S. contributions made to international peacekeeping activities three- stars, its highest rating. This distinction is reserved for expenditures that ``set ambitious goals, achieve results, are well- managed, and improve efficiency.'' Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to commend the work and courage of our U.N. peacekeepers around the globe and the logistical guidance provided by the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations. I hope you will join me in supporting this resolution drawing attention to these brave men and women and in honoring those who have sacrificed their lives in the name of international peace.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join others in commemorating the life and legacy of Congressman Parren J. Mitchell. Growing up in Baltimore, I came to understand the tremendous positive impact this great man had on my community, the State of Maryland and indeed this country. The first African American Congressman from my State, Parren Mitchell fought against racism at every turn, but he fought on other fronts as well, wherever he saw injustice, and inhumanity. At his memorial service earlier today in Baltimore, we heard again and again of a man unafraid to speak truth to power. I would like to share my own personal story of how I felt the presence of this man. Some years ago, Congressman Mitchell was honored at the 15th anniversary of the Public Justice Center, an organization committed to building systemic change in our society. It was an easy choice to salute Congressman Mitchell, but it was not easy for him to attend the event. He was by then quite frail, and as he was helped to the stage to receive the honor, I remember wondering whether he would have the energy to speak. I needn't have worried. A steady and resonant voice filled the hall, and from this slightly built man, at that point in his life no longer able to stand up, came simple and powerful words of gratitude and inspiration. He spoke at length and without hesitation about his core principles of honesty, justice and compassion. It was, Mr. Speaker, a tour de force. I can only imagine what that voice was like when it held forth in this Chamber and carried the day on so many critical issues. Something else happened that night that is worth relating. After Congressman Mitchell finished speaking, the organization honored a young man from the community who had struggled and succeeded in overcoming unfair labor practices in his industry. That young man, looking out on a crowd of 500 people, said this: ``We need to make sure that the big corporations pay the little guy for the hard work.'' I looked at Congressman Mitchell, and I saw a smile creeping across his face. It was truth to power at its very best, all that Parren Mitchell had ever stood for. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to salute this fine American and great son of Baltimore.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Jewish American Heritage Month to recognize the contributions the Jewish people have made to our country. I have come to understand that to the Jewish people, the word ``heritage'' has deep meaning. It is not simply a sense of pride or history. It is a belief that each person should in some way improve the world. The often quoted Rabbi Hillel asked the question, ``If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, who am I?'' It is this same set of values that brings Jewish groups to the Hill advocating not just for so-called Jewish issues, but for issues that affect everyone; better education, better healthcare, more protections for the environment, free speech, and separation of church and state. The Jewish community feels a special obligation to repair the world, one little piece at a time, for all people, not just their own. I am grateful to the organizations in my own district for their contributions to our community. From providing educational and social services, to involvement in local and national policy, the commitment to improving our society is one of the many values I have come to respect in the Jewish community in Baltimore and across this Nation.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, as Americans across the country begin planning their summer vacations, one major constraint they will have to face is the severely high price of gas. We are once again seeing record gas prices this Memorial Day, making the prospect of travel daunting for many families. Why is this trend continuing? For 6 years, President Bush and the Republican Congress failed to enact a comprehensive energy strategy to provide relief from these skyrocketing costs. This Democratic Congress is ready to act and move our Nation in a new direction on energy. Already we have voted to roll back billions of dollars in subsidies to Big Oil and instead reinvest those funds in renewable energy. And now this week we will take up the issue of price gouging by the oil industry. We have seen the first quarter reports. The oil companies are making record profits, and it is time they were held accountable. Mr. Speaker, this Democratic Congress will work hard to pass legislation that can establish a new, smart, and fair energy policy for the American people.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, National Teacher Appreciation Day provides us with a special opportunity to reflect on the importance of the teacher in our society and to note with deep appreciation the incalculable contribution that teachers have made to the educational and personal development of our citizenry. It has been said that half of us is what we make of ourselves and the other half is made by others. There can be little doubt that ``the rest of us'' is profoundly and powerfully influenced by our teachers. Teachers affect our lives in significant ways--they guide our acquisition of knowledge, they facilitate our personal growth and they stimulate the development of our personalities and our imaginations. In short, they inspire us to be our greater selves. Our greatest and most successful citizens and achievers have been molded and encouraged by their teachers. Conversely, where there is a failure to educate and inspire--where our young people don't have the guidance of good teachers--the consequences are clear, both in the short and long term. In the United States today, our teachers hold the fortunes and futures of millions of children and young persons and, by extension, the fortune and future of our Nation as a whole. I am especially aware of this fact as a member of the Education and Labor Committee which is charged with examining the issues for reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. As the 110th Congress moves toward reauthorizing this legislation, we have sought to involve the teachers at every stage in the development of the plan. Second to our children, our Nation's teachers are the most important stakeholders in the future of NCLB. As we observe National Teacher Appreciation Week, 2007, I would like to congratulate all teachers for continuing to give their best in the noble task of educating the children of our Nation.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1595, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act. When the Japanese invaded Guam during World War II, six U.S. servicemen remained on the island. Rather than surrender, these six men fled into the jungle. The Japanese soon learned of their presence and demanded that they turn themselves in. They threatened execution of anyone found helping the American soldiers. Despite these threats, the American soldiers refused to surrender and the people of Guam continued to help them avoid capture. They faced long odds with the Japanese military conducting intense searches of the island, but one soldier, George Tweed, survived. Tweed was later awarded the Legion of Merit medal for his efforts. One of his protectors, Antonio Cruz Artero, was awarded the Medal of Freedom. Countless others who aided Tweed received nothing but the satisfaction of knowing they helped save the life of a man who symbolized hope for Americans to return and liberate Guam. Today's vote will recognize the patriotism of the people of Guam, who risked their lives to save a U.S. serviceman. I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1595.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the men and women who serve at Fort George G. Meade for their second place finish in the Army Communities of Excellence competition. The Communities of Excellence award program recognizes top installations from all over the world that demonstrate organizational maturity and outstanding capabilities. Brigadier General John Macdonald, Deputy Commanding General of the Installation Management Command, called the winning installations the ``flagships of performance excellence for the Army.'' I have the pleasure of representing Maryland's Third Congressional District in the House of Representatives, which neighbors Fort Meade and includes many of the surrounding communities. I am therefore acutely aware of the exciting and difficult work that is done at Fort Meade. Colonel Ken McCreedy, garrison commander at Fort Meade, is a tremendous leader. He is charged with management of one of the Army's most important installations and has taken command at a time of great upheaval due to the impact of the 2005 BRAC. Despite these tremendous demands on his time, Colonel McCreedy has also involved himself in the community off post. He certainly deserves this recognition and I congratulate him on his fine work. The men and women who serve with Colonel McCreedy at Fort Meade are exceptional individuals. For 90 years, they have worked to keep our Nation safe. Most people know that the National Security Agency, our military's foremost intelligence agency, is located at Fort Meade but there are many other organizations inside and outside of the intelligence community that contribute to our national security. One example is the Fort Meade Freedom Center, where they are housing soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. They stepped up to assist Walter Reed in housing these soldiers and provide shuttle service so they may receive their medical treatments. Madam Speaker, I've been fortunate to visit Fort Meade twice in my first few months in Congress. The more I learn about this facility, the more I am impressed. They truly deserve this honor and I congratulate the entire Fort Meade community on their achievement.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation addressing the disposition of the Oak Hill Juvenile Detention Center in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Senators Cardin and Mikulski have introduced identical legislation in the Senate. There is consensus that the current Oak Hill facilities must be shut down. They are aging and dilapidated and not properly configured to provide rehabilitative services to the youth residing there. The legislation I introduce today would ensure that this facility is closed and a new, more modem facility is built in the District of Columbia so that residents can be loser to their families.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, yesterday Congress sent the President an emergency supplemental bill that provides our soldiers and our veterans everything the President asked for and more. It was a bill supported by the American people, this Congress and military experts who believe it is time to change the course of the war in Iraq. The President's response? A veto. The President's action last night shows not only his stubbornness and his inability to work with others, it also demonstrates that he simply refuses to change the status quo. The President refuses to give our troops, this Congress, or the American people any timelines as to when this war will end or under what conditions he would finally bring our troops home. Mr. Speaker, the President says that things are getting better in Iraq, but that's simply not true. Last month was one of the deadliest months for American troops in Iraq. One hundred four soldiers were killed. It's time for a new course. It's time for the President to sit down and work with this Congress so we can finally produce the change that will end this war.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, before I say anything else, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies and prayers to the families and friends of the victims of yesterday's tragedy, and to the entire Virginia Tech community. I rise today in support of H. Res. 293 which recognizes the diligent efforts of federally funded and volunteer programs, and generally observes the role of volunteers in the life of our country. When somebody volunteers to perform a service, it is not only a service for other people, it is a service for them as well. Now more than ever, Americans need a restored sense of greatness and purpose. On the release of the Corporation for National and Community Service's report on volunteering in America, CEO David Eisner's remarks poignantly address the importance of community and national service. He said, ``Service and volunteering aren't just nice things to do, but are necessary parts of how our Nation deals with its challenges.'' In the wake of tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina, hundreds of thousands of lives have been changed for the better because of the dedication and hard work of volunteers all across the country. But it is not enough. We can do much more. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, while there has been a significant increase in the number of volunteers nationwide, one in three Americans dropped out of volunteering between 2005 and 2006. Volunteer programs need more than just willing and able volunteers, they need national support. By reinvigorating national and community service programs, and honoring our volunteers, we feed our democratic spirit and cultivate citizenship. Being engaged in democracy through service, we bolster the best of what citizenship is about. The result will be more vibrant communities and a stronger America, cultivated through experiences that all people share regardless of their background. No young American should be deprived of these opportunities due to a lack of commitment from Washington. I ask for your support of H. Res. 293.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 71, which pays tribute to the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, AHEPA, on the occasion of its 85th anniversary. I commend my colleague, the chair of the Hellenic Caucus for her leadership on this and other issues of importance to Hellenism. AHEPA was formed in July of 1922 as part of an effort to combat the bigotry of the Ku Klux Klan and others who were espousing anti- immigrant sentiments toward immigrants, including those of Greek descent. It soon joined forces with the likes of the NAACP and B'nai B'rith to engage in the fight against discrimination and for a just and equal society. Early on, AHEPA also sought to help newly arrived Greeks become United States citizens and to share in the civic life of our country by forming schools that taught English and the principles of American government. At the same time, AHEPA sought to educate all Americans about the significant heritage and contributions immigrants of Greek descent add to the American community. As an organization, it fast grew to make enormous contributions to our society. To cite one early example, AHEPA raised more than $253 million in the U.S. War Bond drive during World War II, which earned it distinctive recognition from the U.S. Department of Treasury. Today the AHEPA mission has evolved, but it still seeks to bring the ideals of ancient Greece--including philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence--to the modern day community. AHEPA's Educational Foundation now has an endowment of over $4 million which annually provides for more than a half a million dollars in scholarships at the local, district and national levels. Thousands of young men and women have benefited from AHEPA scholarships. From its Centennial Foundation and its Cooley's Anemia Foundation to its National Housing Corporation, the contributions AHEPA now makes, both here in the United States and around the globe are too vast to mention individually. But Mr. Speaker, I take personal pride in each of these contributions and accomplishments because I myself am a member of AHEPA. So on this important occasion, I am especially honored to commend President Gus James and the rest of the AHEPA leadership not only for continuing AHEPA's phenomenal tradition of service and philanthropy, but also for their very thoughtful innovations which have helped AHEPA make distinct strides in the evolution of its mission for today. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Women's History Month. Though we have designated March as the particular month for this celebration, we must pause everyday to salute the spirit, courage, and contributions of women in our own country and around the world. With the election of the new Speaker of the House, our own Baltimore native Nancy Pelosi, we brought down another barrier and took another step towards equal and enfranchised participation of women in government. On her swearing-in day, Speaker Pelosi said ``It says to women everywhere that not only a glass ceiling but a marble ceiling can be broken and that anything is possible.'' Out of the 180 countries that directly elect representatives to national legislatures, the United States ranks 60th in terms of female representation. Of the nearly 600 persons who have served in a President's Cabinet since George Washington's presidency, only 29 have been women. We have come a long way in giving a voice to the many disenfranchised and under- represented communities in our nation but the fight for social advancement is not over. Maryland has been called home by many of America's trailblazing women. This month, Rachel Carson, who spent many years in Maryland and later died in Silver Spring, would have celebrated her 100th birthday. Ms. Carson received her masters degree in Zoology from John's Hopkins University and penned many feature articles on Natural History for the Baltimore Sun. But she was best known as the author of Silent Spring-- the book that pulled back the curtain on the human and environmental impacts of chemical pesticides such as DDT. Facing a rash of criticism and in some cases harassment, Ms. Carson persevered and became known as the mother of the environmental movement. In 1964, her life was cut short by a disease that today has a grip on far too many lives, breast cancer. Madam Speaker, the first female President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, Mary Robinson, once said, ``In a society where the rights and potential of women are constrained, no man can be truly free. He may have power, but he will not have freedom.'' Celebrating women's history gives girls and women the courage to dream bigger and gives us all the opportunity to redouble our efforts in helping them realize these dreams. I salute the great women of our nation and encourage the next generation to further the cause of equality and freedom.