John Sarbanes

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1051, which celebrates James Madison University's 100 years of service and leadership. Founded in 1908, the State Normal and Industrial School for Women eventually became what is now known as James Madison University. Beginning with only 150 students and 15 faculty members, the small school has grown into a prestigious university. Today, James Madison enrolls over 17,000 students and offers a wide range of courses. With 68 undergraduate majors, 40 graduate and certificate degrees and six doctoral programs, JMU boasts a strong academic program. By coupling this strong educational base with student support, the university is able to graduate 81 percent of its students. According to the United States Department of Education, JMU is ranked 16th nationally for its graduate rate and is first among all schools in the South. Much has changed in James Madison University's 100 year history, but some of the core principles have remained consistent. The university still strives to empower its students to make a difference and use their education to positively impact the world around them. In fact, JMU ranks 14th on the Peace Corps list of top volunteer producing universities and the ONE campaign listed the school among their top 100 most active schools in the Nation. This year, James Madison University grew its impact with the graduation of its 100,000th student. As the university community celebrates this accomplishment, JMU will take a moment to reflect on a century of achievement. The university will also take a look ahead to the next 100 years of inquiry, learning and discovery. Madam Speaker, once again I express my support for James Madison University, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert any extraneous material on H. Res. 1051 into the Record.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1051) congratulating James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for 100 years of service and leadership to the United States, as amended.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege at this time to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands, the sponsor of this important bill, Mrs. Christensen.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 372, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 372, which supports the goals of Black Music Month. This is an appropriate time to honor the outstanding contributions African American singers and musicians have made to the United States. The Nation benefits culturally and economically from the experience of black musicians. Today, I stand to honor the influence of African American musical artists. African American music has strong ties to African heritage. The complex rhythm, melodic harmony, and active call-and-response nature of African American music are products of deep African traditions. Many Negro spirituals performed and written by African Americans not only commemorated the African Diaspora but helped to create social change. In April of 1960, in Monteagle, Tennessee, a 16-year-old girl named Jamila Jones stood in a crowd of nonviolent segregation protestors and began singing, ``We Shall Overcome'' to a group of armed and hostile deputies. That night, the deputies withdrew and let the students sing. ``We Shall Overcome'' is a Negro spiritual taken from Reverend Charles Tindley's, ``I'll Overcome Some Day.'' Other songs, such as, ``Swing Low Sweet Chariot,'' ``There is a Balm in Gilead,'' and ``Lift Every Voice and Sing,'' are all prominent African American ballads that were instrumental in the Civil Rights movement. Other genres of music are rooted in the black experience as well. The origins of gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, and rap are all closely linked to African American culture. These genres have enormous impact on our Nation at large. President Carter acknowledged the influence and contribution of black music when he first declared June as, ``Black Music Month,'' in 1979. Black musicians inspire people across generations and around the world with their creativity, vision, and ability to speak to the human experience. The long history of African American music has helped shape our Nation and musical heritage. There are millions of African American music fans of different races and ages all across our Nation. I support this bill and I honor the goals and ideals of Black Music Month, along with the many contributions of black musicians to the American people. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. The discussion of energy and oil, on the one hand, and baseball on the other, got me thinking about something I read last week, which is a lot of the folks coming into baseball games around the country and sporting events are using public transportation wherever they get the chance, as opposed to driving their cars, and I am so glad that the Democratic Congress has put such an investment into proving our public transportation infrastructure in this country. Obviously, we have got to do more of that going forward so that we can conserve. That can help drive down some of the gas prices that have been alluded to. In any event, to get back to the main topic here with respect to recognizing the tremendous role of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the establishment of the culture of our national pastime, I want to urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1050. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this bill, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver).

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1050, which recognizes Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as the birthplace of our Nation's great sport: baseball. This great sport is interlaced into American culture, history, and tradition. Baseball is our Nation's national pastime, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, helped create the American sporting culture. Legendary players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Cy Young, Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken, and other Hall of Fame players raised the level of play and integrity of the game. The first recorded mention of baseball in known history occurred when a Pittsfield bylaw passed on September 5, 1791, banned the playing with bats and balls near the town's newly constructed meetinghouse. This ordinance is the first known reference to the game in U.S. history. Other notable historic moments took place in Pittsfield. The very first collegiate baseball game in the United States took place there on July 1, 1859, between Amherst College and Williams College. Ulysses F. Grant, the most prominent 19th century African American player, was born in Pittsfield. Wahconah Park, a famous ballpark and grandstand built in 1892, is located there. The Boston Red Sox won their first game in that park. Lou Gehrig made his professional debut with the Hartford Senators there where he hit a home run into the Housatonic River. With every great baseball moment, Pittsfield is a part of the significance. The first home plate project will erect a bat, ball, and glove statues in Pittsfield. These monuments symbolize great virtues, innocence, purity, and parallels to American culture. Let Congress at this time recognize and honor the contribution Pittsfield plays in our Nation's history. I would like to recognize Pittsfield, Massachusetts' role in our Nation's history, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1050) recognizing Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as being home to the earliest known reference to the word ``baseball'' in the United States as well as being the birthplace of college baseball, as amended.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Arkansas for that wonderful history on Louis Jordan, and I want to urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1242. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege now to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this bill, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).

Mr. SARBANES. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1242, which honors the life and recognizes the importance of Louis Jordan and his contributions to America as a musician, composer and entertainer. July 8, 2008 will be Louis Jordan's 100th birthday, the celebration of his 100th birthday. And in celebration of this day, we should recognize Jordan's contributions to this country. Louis Jordan, born in 1908, is a Brinkley, Arkansas native. Under the musical tutelage of his father, who was a local band leader, music found Jordan at an early age. He expanded and mastered formal components of music through his collegial experience at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock. Jordan majored there in music. He learned to play the saxophone, sing, and entertain audiences through his personal experiences and watching his father. Highly touted musicians, such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, James Brown, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Sonny Rollins, all pointed to Jordan as an influence on their own careers. His prolific musical success consists of 54 hit singles and 18 number one songs on Billboard's R&B charts. Two short musical films were centered around his songs. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Jordan's contribution to his art is immeasurable. Rolling Stone Magazine named him one of the 100 greatest artists of all time. Though Jordan passed away in 1975, his legacy flourishes through the work of other artists. He helped shape rock and roll. On this day, I would like to commemorate Jordan's work. Let us recognize his contribution by honoring his 100th birthday. I urge support of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1242) honoring the life, musical accomplishments, and contributions of Louis Jordan on the 100th anniversary of his birth, as amended.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1242 into the Record.

Mr. SARBANES

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, for too long our Nation has been captive of the interests that are preserving dependence on fossil fuels. What's so exciting about what is happening with the younger generation, among them these valedictorians that we're saluting today, is they're really getting out on the cutting edge in terms of thinking about the green revolution, about new energy technologies. And they're the ones, I think, that are going to join with enlightened policy makers across the country to make sure that we liberate ourselves from that dependence on fossil fuels and we move forward and explore alternatives to that, which is really going to be the solution to our energy crisis over time. So again, for all they're doing and for stepping up as they do every day and demonstrating incredible accomplishments, I want to salute the valedictorians of the class of 2008 and encourage my colleagues to support H. Res. 1229.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1229, which recognizes the achievements of America's high school valedictorians of the graduating class of 2008. I am pleased to honor these outstanding individuals, as well as encourage the pursuit of high academic honors. Today, as we recognize our valedictorians, we reaffirm our commitment to education and encourage our youth to discover the many learning opportunities they will encounter throughout their lives. I hope that by saluting these valedictorians we help make high achievement infectious and help every student appreciate the countless opportunities that await them beyond high school. Valedictorians are not only the highest academically ranked students in their class; they are also peer role models who represent the ideals of their families and communities. They inspire fellow classmates to become involved in improving the community and motivate their peers to achieve academically. Long after high school, the title of valedictorian is still upheld as a significant accomplishment. By recognizing the accomplishments of this year's high school valedictorians, I hope to support and promote inquiry and learning across our Nation. I know that this year's valedictorians, and all graduating seniors at our Nation's high schools, are our future leaders. We owe it to these students to give them the best education we can and celebrate high school graduation as an important step toward achieving their goals. Madam Speaker, I congratulate this year's valedictorians and everyone in the graduating class of 2008. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1229 into the Record.

Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1229) recognizing the achievements of America's high school valedictorians of the graduating class of 2008, promoting the importance of encouraging intellectual growth, and rewarding academic excellence of all American high school students, as amended.