Joe Sestak

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, since 1920, the League of Women Voters (LWV) has fought for good government and an engaged, enlightened citizenry. Founded by Carrie Chapman Catt just six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified and women were afforded the right to vote, this vital organization works tirelessly to protect the democratic process in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. The League began as a ``mighty political experiment'' to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters and encourage them to use their new power to shape public policy. As their mission statement demands, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization to encourage informed and active participation in government, increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy. Over its history, the League's legislative priorities have reflected the greatest needs of our society. Our victories in the House and Senate in addressing the concerns of Americans owe much to the efforts of those dedicated patriots of the League of Women Voters. I would like to congratulate and honor the League of Women Voters on its 78th anniversary. In the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, I am fortunate to represent constituents from Delaware, Montgomery and Chester counties. In our district, the League of Women Voters is superbly represented by Ms. Lora Lavin and Ms. Norma Tower of Swarthmore Pennsylvania, Ms. Rosemary Kessling of Drexel Hill Pennsylvania, Gayla McCluskey of Radnor Pennsylvania, Susan Fields of Kemblesville, Pennsylvania, May Bell Ball of Flourtown, Pennsylvania, Suzanne F. Andrews of Norristown, Pennsylvania and Carol Snow of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. For their energy, dedication to the highest ideals of democracy and service to their neighbors, I request that we recognize this extraordinary organization and its members for their invaluable contributions to our great nation.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 65, H.R. 4169, I was at a special access briefing with U.S. Air Force and immediately attempted to return but votes closed just as I arrived. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 58, I was with my six- year-old daughter, Alex, at the hospital. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Mr. Speaker, for nearly a century, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP, has been fighting for the civil rights and dignity of people of color. As a result of their efforts, our great Nation today can boast of a society more diverse, productive, prosperous and hopeful than any in history. However, today's hope is a far cry from the violent segregation and discrimination that inspired Mary White Ovington, William English Walling and Dr. Henry Moskowitz to meet in a small room of a New York City apartment and commit the fledgling NAACP to the most important social movement in our national history. Today, the spirit of those brave and patriotic founders lives on in its leaders, like Dr. Joan Duval-Flynn, president of the Media, Pennsylvania NAACP chapter in my home district. I rise today to congratulate Dr. Duval-Flynn for her vision, intelligence and dedication. She leads a chapter of the NAACP born of a violent act in the early 1920s and committed to making Delaware County, Pennsylvania, a 21st century community where people of all colors and creeds live together as neighbors, friends and first- class citizens. In my first year representing the Seventh District of Pennsylvania, the NAACP's magazine, The Crisis, featured an article titled ``Woman Warriors, Female Combatants Sacrifice Lives for Country.'' That article gave me cause to consider all of the extraordinary women and men of color I had the privilege of serving with during my 30 years in our Armed Forces. For that privilege and honor, I owe, and our Nation owes, a personal debt of gratitude to Dr. Duval-Flynn, Mary White Ovington and countless other members and leaders of the NAACP. As W.E.B. Du Bois wrote in his first editorial page of The Crisis in 1910, that voice of the NAACP ``will stand for the rights of men, irrespective of color or race, for the highest ideals of American democracy, and for the reasonable but earnest and persistent attempt to gain these rights and realize these ideals.'' No truer words can be spoken than on this birthday of the NAACP. I am proud, therefore, to know and work with this one remarkable leader, Dr. Joan Duval-Flynn, in my district as with many others in my district and with the NAACP who gave us leaders such as she. Founded on February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the Nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. It has worked successfully with allies of all races who believe in, and stand for, the principles of civil rights on which the organization was founded. The NAACP's legacy includes historic events as well as distinguished leaders, as I mentioned, W.E.B. Du Bois, but other civil rights leaders such as Rosa Parks and Medgar Evers and Thurgood Marshall, who served as special counsel for the NAACP when he argued the historic U.S. Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark victory for equality that outlawed segregation in our schools. Our obligation to African Americans and all Americans is to honor the accomplishments of the past by acting in a substantive manner to improve their lives in the future. Thank you, NAACP; thank you, Dr. Joan Duval-Flynn; and thank you for the time this morning, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, for nearly a century, the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, has been fighting for the civil rights and dignity of people of color. As a result of their efforts, our great nation today can boast of a society more diverse, productive, prosperous and hopeful than any in history. However, today's hope is a far cry from the violence, segregation and discrimination that inspired Mary White Ovington, William English Walling and Dr. Henry Moskowitz to meet in a little room of a New York apartment and commit the fledgling NAACP to the most important social movement in our national history. Today, the spirit of those brave and patriotic founders' lives on in leaders like Dr. Joan Duval-Flynn, President of the Media, Pennsylvania NAACP Chapter. I rise today to congratulate Dr. Duval-Flynn for her vision, intelligence and dedication. She leads a chapter of the NAACP borne of a violent act in the early 1920's and committed to making Delaware County, Pennsylvania a 21st century community where people of all colors and creeds live together as neighbors, friends and first class citizens. In my first year representing the 7th District of Pennsylvania, the NAACP's magazine, The Crisis, featured an article titled ``Women Warriors, Female Combatants Sacrifice Lives for Country.'' That article gave me cause to consider all of the extraordinary women and men of color I had the privilege of serving with during more than thirty years in our Armed Forces. For that privilege and honor, I owe--and our Nation owes--a personal debt of gratitude to Dr. Duval-Flynn, Mary White Ovington and countless other leaders and members of the NAACP. As W.E.B. Du Bois wrote in his first editorial page of The Crisis, in 1910, that voice of the NAACP ``will stand for the right of men, irrespective of color or race, for the highest ideals of American democracy, and for the reasonable but earnest and persistent attempt to gain these rights and realize these ideals.'' Dr. Duval-Flynn has continued that tradition. I am proud to know and work with this remarkable leader, Dr. Joan Duval-Flynn, and with the NAACP who gave us leaders such as Dr. Joan Duval-Flynn. Founded on February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. It has worked successfully with allies of all races who believe in, and stand for, the principles of civil rights on which the organization was founded. The NAACP's legacy includes historic events as well as distinguished leaders, such as W.E.B. Dubois and other civil rights luminaries such Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, and Thurgood Marshall, who served as special counsel for the NAACP when he argued the historic U.S. Supreme Court case of Brown V. Board of Education, a landmark victory for equality that outlawed segregation in schools. Our obligation to African Americans and all Americans is to honor the accomplishments of the past by acting in a substantive manner to improve lives for tomorrow. Thank you, NAACP, and thank you, Dr. Joan Duval-Flynn.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, each year, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) presents awards to researchers who have made incredible contributions to the development of a revolutionary medicine that helps patients live longer, healthier lives. Today, Tian-Li Yue received the 20th Annual PhRMA Discoverers Award from PhRMA. The Discoverers Award is PhRMA's highest honor and is presented to the biopharmaceutical scientists whose research and development of medicines have greatly benefited mankind, and whose dedication and interest in improving the quality of life of patients exemplifies the best in the research. This year's award has justly been presented to a cutting-edge researcher, and my constituent, Tian-Li Yue, who works for GlaxoSmithKline located in my home state of Pennsylvania. Therefore, on behalf of the U.S. Congress I would like to recognize Tian-Li Yue, Ph.D. for developing Coreg(r), which is used as a treatment for congestive heart failure. His unwavering dedication and life's work to improve the health and well being of mankind are to be commended. Patients suffering from heart failure and hypertension are forever in his debt.

Mr. SESTAK

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

Mr. SESTAK. Sir, that 11.4 percent was for all therapists including the three categories, including the occupational. So with the chairman and ranking member's agreement, I would like to do so.

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today our country faces significant labor shortages in occupations that are vital to our educational, health and, therefore, our national security. I thank Chairman Miller and ranking member, Mr. McKeon, for their efforts to expand the professional areas of recognition where there is a national need which is critically important as we attempt to ensure an adequate workforce for services that are vital to all Americans. In this vein, I believe the list of health occupations for which national need exists must also include physical therapists. Recent reports have shown that our country does not have an adequate number of physical therapists to meet our growing needs. According to the American Hospital Association, therapists represent the occupation for which the greatest percentage of vacancies exist in our hospitals across our Nation, at an 11.4 percent vacancy rate. This is at a time when the demand for physical therapist employment is projected to grow 27 percent within 8 years, even as 58 percent of our hospitals are reporting in 2006 that therapist recruitment was more difficult than the year before. I, therefore, believe it is imperative we add physical therapists in the area of national need to ensure the Secretary of Education has direction to provide loan repayment to physical therapists. Compounding this challenge of our national need for physical therapists exceeding our supply are already 31,000 servicemen and - women who have returned home from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq to recover from wounds sustained in the service of their country. Physical therapists will, therefore, continue to play an integral role in rehabilitating our Nation's veterans as they cope with injuries from the battlefield. To ensure the proper care and recovery of those who have sacrificed their well-being to protect us, we must address our shortage of physical therapists. This amendment to include physical therapists as individuals in an occupation of national need, supported by the American Physical Therapy Association, is a necessary and practical measure to attract students to this profession. The loan repayment incentive of up to $10,000 for students who obtain a graduate degree in physical therapy which results from designating physical therapy as an area of national need will encourage more students to enter the profession and help alleviate these growing vacancies. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment that highlights this issue of utmost importance for everyone, but also including the veterans who are returning from our wars overseas. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESTAK. I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

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

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, Congress has worked hard on legislation to improve the access, affordability, and transparency of our higher education system. Reforms that improve transparency in college costs and the student loan industry are a priority of this legislation, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member and their staffs for their hard work on these important efforts. However, I also believe we need to call attention to the barriers and the lack of transparency among colleges, specifically regarding the transfer of academic credit between postsecondary institutions. Today, students take increasingly complex pathways to achieving their postsecondary degree. Over 40 percent of students attending a college or university transfer at least once before they complete their undergraduate degree. However, despite increases in student mobility, institutions have not adjusted with substantive changes in the manner in which they oversee and articulate the transfer of college student academic credit. There are significant consequences for failing to provide students with a better understanding of how, and which of, their courses qualify for credit in other postsecondary institutions. A student's inability to transfer credit may result in longer enrollment, more tuition payments, and additional Federal financial aid. In fact, it is estimated that transfer students incur costs of well over $5 billion per year. National data indicates that, on average, transfer graduates take about 10 more credits and 3 more months to complete their baccalaureate degree than nontransfer graduates. And some transfer students have even been forced to spend up to an additional year in an institution to obtain a degree because their earned academic credits do not transfer. These students expend money taking courses at one institution that will not result in academic credit at another. One of the most problematic consequences of our current system is the loss of students who are or may drop out of college due to the costs and complications of transferring their academic course credit between schools. It is clear that the credit transfer process, to the extent that it delays students' progress, can affect the affordability of postsecondary education, the time it takes students to graduate, and the number of those who do actually graduate. I believe it is time for institutions to develop new strategies to improve gaps in credit transfer agreements and facilitate transparency of credit equivalencies between institutions. My amendment encourages States and public institutions of higher education to develop management systems for course equivalency, transfer of credit, and articulation. The cost of transferring between institutions demand the utilization of new techniques to reduce the financial impact and obstacles facing students. I believe that this amendment provides an approach and a necessary alternative for institutions to consider when developing credit transfer agreements, and I therefore urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESTAK. I thank my colleague for his comments. Madam Chairman, just 2 weeks ago I was at an event in my district where Drexel University partnered in an articulation agreement with the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology. The Pennsylvania Institute of Technology focuses on many of those who were disenfranchised. They bring them in, and after 2 years now maintaining a GPA and the credits that have been articulated, they can then step into a 4-year baccalaureate. I thank you for your support. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of a great American, Mr. William C. Black, a loving husband, father and grandfather, successful entrepreneur, generous philanthropist, and courageous veteran. Mr. Black epitomized all that is good about our nation and indeed the world. On February 9th 2008, an exceptional group of family and friends with gather to remember and thank a man who dedicated his skills, energy, and love to others. In the course of a remarkable life that began in Bayonne, NJ on June 7th 1930 and continued for sixty-six years thereafter, Mr. Black's work ethic, intelligence, leadership, and basic decency made him a pillar of his community and a source of hope for multiple generations of patients and their families at Jersey Shore Medical Center. Following graduation from Fordham University in 1952, Mr. Black immediately went to the defense of our nation in the United States Marine Corps. His seven years of service as an aviator in the USMC included duty in Korea and Japan, and a meteoric rise to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. From the Marine Corps, Mr. Black carried with him a fighting spirit and sense of purpose that helped him to become President of the New Jersey Zinc Company, our nation's pioneer zinc producer and originator of all zinc alloys that revolutionized the modern die-casting industry. However, it was after retiring from New Jersey Zinc that Mr. Black's life reached its zenith. From his tireless work to improve the facilities of the Jersey Shore Medical Center, the ``Mary V. Black Pavilion'' was christened and thousands of trauma patients owe their health and lives to that state-of-the-art facility. This month at the 2008 Jersey Shore Sweetheart Cancer Ball, Mr. Black and his family will be recognized for their work to cure that devastating illness. I will never forget the moment my four year old daughter was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Though we have never met, I know that there is a direct connection between my daughter's health today and the life of greatness lived by William C. Black. I personally thank him for his work and know his legacy will forever live in the gratitude of untold numbers of other cancer survivors, their families and friends. Madam Speaker, I ask that this chamber pause to remember William C. Black, and to thank his wonderful wife Barbara, his accomplished sons, William Jr., Michael Paul, and Christopher for their love and dedication to one another, Jersey Shore Medical Center, and our blessed country.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Upper Merion Senior Service Center. The Center has worked tirelessly and diligently to serve the senior citizens of Upper Merion over the past 10 years. The UMSSC has been successful in helping our seniors and our communities make choices for a healthier future. The Upper Merion Senior Service Center offers critical healthcare services: A nurse from Bryn Mawr Main Line Health visits the UMSSC twice a month in order to take blood pressure, weights, and respond to health inquiries from members. The UMSSC offers free Stroke Risk Assessments. Flu vaccine shots are offered each year to help ensure the health security of the members and surrounding community. The UMSSC provides popular exercise programs, with trained instructors, three days a week. Professional staffers offer free hearing screenings, free eyeglass maintenance, and informational presentations on hearing and vision. They offer educational and informational packets concerning Medicare, Medicare Part D, and any other issue that is of importance to members and the surrounding community. I applaud the Upper Merion Senior Service Center for providing all of these critical services to the community. I would also like to recognize the fact that the Upper Merion Senior Service Center works hand in hand with local community businesses by providing employment opportunities for members in office and clerical positions. All of these services are of the utmost importance for preserving and protecting the health security of the members, families, and communities living in Upper Merion, and I encourage the Center to continue to extend its profound, positive influence to those in need.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Children's Health Insurance Program, and hope that we would override the President's veto today. This will cover 3.4 million uninsured children. The number is almost too large to comprehend. I had the opportunity to live in an oncology ward several years ago with my young daughter. There was a young boy, 2\1/2\ years old, with acute leukemia, who had to listen, or, rather, his parents were listening, as social workers came and went to see if he could potentially be covered, because they did not have health insurance, covered to receive the care my daughter was receiving. As we enter what is possibly a recession, I see that number growing. This is something not morally right for these children. It is also a necessity for our economic betterment, to have healthy, productive individuals. I urge my colleagues all to vote to override the President's veto, for this Nation and for our children.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. I appreciate the opportunity to speak. What occurred in this defense bill by the veto of this President I honestly think is almost unprecedented. Take Vice Admiral Stockdale, the senior prisoner of war in North Vietnam. When he was asked, Did you ever think that you would return to the United States, he said, I never lost faith in the end of the story, that I would prevail, that I will win at the end and return to my home, to my home, America. If there is anything I learned in the military, and as I went about the world those 31 years in the Navy, we are respected for the power of our military, respected for the power of our economy. We are admired for the power of our ideas. My wife, who worked on a project for the office of Missing in Action/ Prisoners of War in the office of the Secretary of Defense, she speaks Russian, and so she went to Russia to dig a bit to see about how they were going about their archives in Russia, looking for records of those that we may have lost or we are still missing, potentially, even back to World War II, Korea, the Korean War, Vietnam. The Russian general said to her, Why do you care so much in America about those you may have lost long ago? Here we have men and women who wear the cloth of this Nation. They went to war for this Nation in the first Gulf War. They were tortured, close to giving the ultimate sacrifice, and they came home. Under the rule of law, which this Nation stands for above everything else, the rule of law and its ideals, they correctly won judgment against the Iraqi Government that is, as you said before, obligated for the prior Iraqi Government's actions. And the President vetoed a bill, not because it would have any harm on the reconstruction efforts of this government, but because they threatened this Government of Iraq to pull $25 billion out of our trillions of dollars of markets in the economy, $25 billion. We spend close to $12 billion a month for our war in Iraq. Two months. These men and women gave something that's priceless, the opportunity that their lives might be given in support of this Nation. I wish this Congress had voted to try to override that veto. I thank you, above all else, for submitting this bill that we will have another attempt to right this wrong. We are very fortunate that there are those who recognize that great portrait that sits across from the Secretary of Defense's office. And there is a young servicemember in this picture, that is kneeling in church with his young family next to him. It's very obvious he is about to go away for another 6 months, 8-month deployment, leaving home again. Under it is this wonderful saying from the Book of Isaiah, where God has turned to Isaiah and says, Whom will go for us, whom shall I send? Isaiah replies, Here am I, send me. Here am I, send me. How we treat those who somehow grow up in America to go and say, Here am I, send me, how we treat them in their adversities when they return home I honestly think will either continue those to say, Here am I, send me, or it may damage it. In this case it was wrong of this President, and I thank you so much for trying to prevail in the end with this bill.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Detective Sergeant Richard Holmes on his retirement from the Ridley Township Police Department after over 30 years of service to the people of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Detective Sergeant Holmes began his distinguished career in 1975, and the following year became one of the first four canine officers for Ridley Township. He was promoted to corporal in 1988, and became a sergeant in May 2005. In April 2006, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant, and served as the Township Juvenile Officer until his retirement on March 31, 2007. During his career, Rich also worked as the Township Arson Investigator and served with the Holmes Fire Department, one of six volunteer fire companies serving Ridley Township. Rich and his wife Darlene live in the Holmes section of the township. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Detective Sergeant Rich Holmes for his decades of distinguished service and selfless dedication to the community of Ridley Township.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, our Nation will soon commemorate the 230th anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine. Let me take this opportunity to relate the importance of that battle, the largest land battle of the Revolutionary War, and to remember the brave soldiers who fought for the independence of our country. In 1777, the British army campaigned to control Philadelphia, which was then the capital of the newly-declared United States of America. British General William Howe and his troops approached Philadelphia through the Chesapeake, landing in Elkton, Maryland in early September of that year. American General George Washington was confident that his army would secure the capital city. On September 9, 1777, American troops were stationed along the Brandywine River, guarding the fords. Washington's strategy was to force a fight at Chadds Ford, where the Americans would have the advantage. On September 9, a small portion of British troops marched from Kennett Square as if they would battle the Americans at Chadds Ford. However, the majority of British troops this time marched north to cross the river at a ford unknown to Washington and his army. The battle began in the early morning on September 11. Washington, believing that all of Howe's army would fight at Chadds Ford, was unprepared when British troops arrived at the right flank of the American line. He ordered his troops to take the high ground, near the Birmingham Friends Meetinghouse to defend their position. However, British troops were already stationed nearby, and the Americans were unable to secure these grounds. General Howe's army soundly defeated the Americans due to their superior position and the surprise of their attack. By night, Washington's troops were forced to retreat to Chester. Despite being outnumbered and outmaneuvered, Washington's troops fought valiantly. The American Congress was able to escape from Philadelphia to safety in Lancaster, and then York, PA. Military supplies were also removed from the capital city before the impending British takeover. On September 26, 1777, British forces marched unopposed through the city of Philadelphia. This takeover proved of little strategic value, however. Washington's troops regrouped. The General wrote to John Hancock that night, ``Notwithstanding the misfortune of the day, I am happy to find the troops in good spirits; and I hope another time we shall compensate for the losses now sustained.'' Congress sent reinforcements, strengthening the American army. Washington's troops successfully defended the military supplies in Reading. On June 18, 1778, British troops abandoned Philadelphia and the city returned to American control.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Temple Sholom in Broomall, Pennsylvania. Temple Sholom, founded in 1956, is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism dedicated to the promotion of fundamental Jewish principles. The Temple strives to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people by honoring traditions, beliefs and rituals of both the past and present. It allows members to develop their spiritual relationship with God and each other. Temple Sholom also serves to promote a firm sense of identity for its members and employs social activism to improve local, national and global communities. Temple Sholom is a Reform Congregation, promoting a sense of warmth and openness. Through the practice of inclusion, the Temple aids its members throughout their lives and does not exclude individuals regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. Such diversity and heterogeneity within the community adds to the ever-changing personality of the Temple. Temple Sholom serves its members beyond religious practice. It also assists individuals with social, educational and community opportunities. Members adopt the Temple as a place to study, worship and simply interact with others. Opportunities for participation include Preschool through Adult Education programs as well as holiday festivals and community service. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of Temple Sholom. The openness and warmth of the Temple and its members is highly admirable. It is without doubt that Temple Sholom will, in the future, continue to serve our citizens on local, national and global levels.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Keith G. Lockhart on his retirement on March 31, 2007 from the police force after 28 years of dedicated service to Ridley Township and Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Officer Lockhart joined the Ridley Township Police Department in January of 1979 along with eight other officers. He worked the then newly created ``24'' district of Holmes, Morton, and Secane, where he remained for the majority of his career. During his career, Officer Lockhart received many letters and commendations for his exemplary police work. He served briefly as a corporal and temporary sergeant during his time as a police officer. A lifelong resident of the Leedom Estates Section of Ridley Township, Officer Lockhart has been married to his wife Mary for 19 years. One of Keith's hobbies is Delaware County history. In 30 years of collecting, Keith has amassed one of the largest collections of Delaware County historical memorabilia, from which he has created history websites for both Ridley Township and Delaware County. He now serves the community as historian for theses websites, and has received hundreds of comments of praise for his efforts from the over 12,000 grateful viewers of the sites' guestbooks. Keith has also written several booklets on the history of the area. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Officer Keith G. Lockhart for the decades of hard work and selfless dedication given to the Police Department and citizens of Ridley Township and Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tinicum Township and the Tinicum Township Fire Department on the opening of their new firehouse. The Tinicum Township Firehouse, named Station 48, will be home to the recently merged Essington and Lester Fire Companies. After several years of planning, the township's hard work has produced a state of the art facility that will serve the community for years to come. The opening of Station 48 represents a new chapter in public safety for the township of Tinicum. Both the Lester and Essington Fire Companies have a long history of heroic and dedicated service. Combining them under one roof will maximize their ability to provide the entire township with coordinated fire protection services. It is my honor to have been a part of the Tinicum Township Fire Company's ribbon cutting ceremony this past Saturday. It is important to recognize the brave men and women who volunteer their time to protect our communities. Through the years, their names and faces have changed, but the commitment and pride with which they serve has persevered. The members of the Essington and Lester Fire Companies have selflessly served the community while balancing their full-time careers and families, and will continue to do so at Station 48. I ask everyone to join me in commending the members of the Tinicum Township Fire Company and to congratulate them on the dedication of their new firehouse.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Garrettford Drexel Hill Fire Company for 100 years of service to the residents of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. The Garrettford Drexel Hill Fire Company is the oldest of Upper Darby's five fire companies, and is the only one that remains entirely comprised of volunteers. What began with a handful of citizens committed to protecting the people of Drexel Hill has grown into a company with over 60 active members. These men and women selflessly protect the community while balancing their full-time careers and families. Through the years, their names and faces have changed, but the commitment and pride with which they serve has persevered. I would like to recognize in particular James Verner, who served as chief of the company from 1913 until his tragic death in 1934. His was the first and only line of duty death to strike the Garrettford Drexel Hill Fire Company. The Garrettford Fire Company, as it was originally known, started with just two Babcock extinguishers. From these humble beginnings, Garrettford Drexel Hill has expanded to an impressive, modernized apparatus fleet. The current firehouse, built at the site of the converted Baptist church, which originally housed the company, now has four bays and a spacious hall to accommodate this growth. I ask everyone to join me in commending the members of the Garrettford Drexel Hill Fire Company, past and present, for their service to the community, and to congratulate them on reaching this 100-year milestone.

Mr. SESTAK

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Upper Main Line YMCA on the dedication and grand opening of its new facility. Since its charter in 1962, the Y has become a vital resource, now serving more than 20,000 residents of Berwyn, PA, and the surrounding communities. In addition to providing traditional exercise facilities, YMCA offers programs, classes, and events for youth, teens, families, and older adults in everything from painting to tennis to babysitting. In order to accommodate a growing community and membership, over the past 40 years, the Y has renovated, reconfigured, and expanded Cassatt Mansion and the surrounding property. The new building houses an 8,500- square-foot Wellness Center, new locker rooms, exercise, cycling, and dance studios, expanded childcare services, and a cafe overlooking the tennis courts, complete with internet access. In addition, the new facility provides improved handicapped and parking accessibility. The opening of this new facility furthers the YMCA's mission to build healthy spirit, mind, and body through programs and facilities that nurture children, strengthen families, and build strong communities. Madam Speaker, I ask everyone to join me in commending all those who have generously contributed their time, effort, and resources to the Upper Main Line YMCA and its state-of-the-art facility.