Zack Space

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, Bud Weisgarber showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Bud Weisgarber was a supportive coach; and Whereas, Bud Weisgarber always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That along with his friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Bud Weisgarber on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship he has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, Melissa Sibley showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Melissa Sibley was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Melissa Sibley always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Melissa Sibley on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Rachelle Whitman showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Rachelle Whitman was a supportive coach; and Whereas, Rachelle Whitman always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Rachelle Whitman on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Lydia Stockert showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Lydia Stockert was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Lydia Stockert always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Lydia Stockert on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Tiffany Herbert showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Tiffany Herbert was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Tiffany Herbert always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Tiffany Herbert on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Kyra Tucker showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Kyra Tucker was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Kyra Tucker always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Kyra Tucker on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Sarah Riggs showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Sarah Riggs was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Sarah Riggs always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Sarah Riggs on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Lisa Reifenschneider showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Lisa Reifenschneider was a supportive coach; and Whereas, Lisa Reifenschneider always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Lisa Reifenschneider on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Nicki Cregan showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Nicki Cregan was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Nicki Cregan always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Nicki Cregan on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Natalie Gause showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Natalie Gause was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Natalie Gause always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Natalie Gause on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Sarah Amistadi showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Sarah Amistadi was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Sarah Amistadi always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Sarah Amistadi on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Kylie Flickinger showed hard work and dedication to the sport of softball; and Whereas, Kylie Flickinger was a supportive team player; and Whereas, Kylie Flickinger always displayed sportsmanship on and off of the field; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Kylie Flickinger on winning the Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous hard work and sportsmanship she has demonstrated during the 2008-2009 softball season.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, the Central Primary Elementary School in Logan, Ohio has displayed incredible dedication to creating well-rounded students; and Whereas, the Central Primary School has been supportive of developing sharp young minds; and Whereas, the Central Primary School has helped to plant the seeds of success in its students; and Whereas, the Central Primary School has been an exemplary school in Appalachian Ohio: now, therefore, be it Resolved, That along with their friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate the Central Primary School of Logan, Ohio on being named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in recognition of its astounding academic excellence. We recognize the tremendous dedication of the school's students, teachers and staff in achieving this honor.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, the dedicated people of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrate Pastor Victor A. Myers' 40 years of service as an ordained minister of the Lutheran Church in America; and Whereas, this milestone is the result of exemplary dedication to one's church and faith; and Whereas, occasions such as these illustrate to us that love mixed with grace and trust will stand the test of time; and Whereas, it is the fond wish that you will continue to present your work as an example to those called to the ministry everywhere; and Whereas, you have demonstrated excellence in your calling as a minister, and we are proud to have you serving in our midst: Now, therefore be it Resolved, That along with his friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend you for your unwavered labor and commitment, recognizing that such great achievements come with extraordinary effort. With great appreciation and respect, we wish you continued abundant grace as you continue to labor for your community and your faith.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, the dedicated people of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrate the church's 150th anniversary with great joy; and Whereas, this milestone is the result of what a tempered people began in 1859; and Whereas, occasions such as these illustrate to us that love mixed with grace and trust will stand the test of time; and Whereas, it is the fond wish of this body that you will continue to present this work as an example to congregations and faith communities everywhere; and Whereas, you have demonstrated excellence in your calling as a church, as anything less would have left you bereaved of such a jubilant occasion, and we are proud to have you as sons and daughters in the great state of Ohio and of our nation; be it Resolved that along with his friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend the congregation for your unwavered labor and commitment, recognizing that all great achievements come with extraordinary effort. With great appreciation and respect, we wish you continued abundant grace as you continue to labor for your community and your faith.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, Ronda Kinnamon was appointed as the Regional Economic Development Director for the region of Chillicothe, Ohio, because of her expertise about and dedication to Appalachian Ohio; and Whereas, Ronda Kinnamon has, throughout her career, been of invaluable service to community economic development and small business growth; and Whereas, Ronda Kinnamon has provided economic and job-training assistance to the people of Ohio through her service in the State Department of Job and Family Services; and Whereas, Ronda Kinnamon has demonstrated leadership and innovation through her founding of the American Quality and Productivity Institute of Southern Ohio, which promoted economic development and job creation in Southern and Eastern Ohio: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I applaud Ronda Kinnamon for her distinguished record of service to Ohio and the Appalachian Region. We are grateful for her dedication and service.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, Florence Lewis will soon celebrate her 100th birthday; and Whereas, Florence Lewis continues to be a positive influence on the lives of others and contributes to her state and country; and Whereas, she strives to continue her good works of public service and provides inspiration, grace, and love to her family and her community: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend and thank Florence Lewis for her contributions to her community and country.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Strasburg High School has displayed incredible dedication to creating well-rounded students; and Whereas, the Strasburg High School has been supportive of their athletes; and Whereas, the Strasburg High School has broadened the abilities and skills of their athletes in the sport of softball; and Whereas, the Strasburg High School has always promoted sportsmanship on and off of the field: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That along with their friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate the Strasburg High School on supporting their Girls' Division IV State Softball Championship. We recognize the tremendous amount of support they have given to their athletes.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, Roger McCauley served as the Executive Director of the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development, because of his expertise about and dedication to Appalachian Ohio; and Whereas, Roger McCauley has been a long-standing advocate of affordable housing for all through his service on the board of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency; and Whereas, Roger McCauley has, throughout his career, been of invaluable service to community economic development and poverty advocacy groups; and Whereas, Roger McCauley has been an upstanding and irreplaceable leader in his community, having served on the Governor's Early Childhood Advisory Council, as President of the Oakdale Water District, and as President of the Burr Oak Regional Water District; Whereas, Roger McCauley has spent forty years of his distinguished life fighting in the War on Poverty: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with his friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I applaud Roger McCauley for her distinguished record of service to Ohio and the Appalachian Region. We are grateful for his dedication and service.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, Whereas, Indian Valley High School has displayed incredible dedication to creating well-rounded students; and Whereas, the Indian Valley High School has been supportive of their athletes; and Whereas, the Indian Valley High School has broadened the abilities and skills of their athletes in the sport of baseball; and Whereas, the Indian Valley High School has always promoted sportsmanship on and off of the field: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That along with their friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate the Indian Valley High School on supporting their Boys' Division III State Baseball Championship. We recognize the tremendous amount of support they have given to their athletes.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. I thank the gentlelady. I appreciate the work that you have done in bringing attention to this very important issue. There are a couple of things I would like to speak about, and I will be as brief as I can.

Mr. SPACE. First of all, what is happening in Appalachian Ohio, in fact what is happening in Appalachia America, is the same thing that John Kennedy drew attention to in the early 1960s when he visited Appalachia. He drew attention to poverty and hopelessness, suffering, a lack of infrastructure, a lack of opportunity. I think it is very important not just for you and I to understand this, we do, Jean, but for our President and the Department of Energy and the American public in general to understand that many of those same needs that Kennedy identified so many years ago still exist. This Piketon facility has the potential to help breathe new life into a large region in southern Ohio, a region where unemployment rates now are typically on a county-by-county basis reaching 16 percent; a region in which poverty rates in some of those counties exceed 30 percent; a region where families, working families, men and women, have to take their children to soup kitchens to eat. This is happening in America; this is happening in southern Ohio. The second thing I would like to point out is this is our future. We have heard so much about the promise afforded by energy-related jobs, the new economic sector in our economy that I believe holds so much potential, so much potential to put people back to work, to provide good wages, to allow families to buy homes, send their kids to college and save for retirement. This project falls squarely within the promise afforded by that new economic sector. I would like to take this brief moment that you have so graciously allotted me, Jean, to urge the Department of Energy to reconsider, to look at this situation as one which can provide hope to many Ohioans, many Americans who don't have it right now. I commend you again for bringing attention to this matter, to advocating for it with the passion that you have, and I pledge to work with you moving forward as we do everything we can to bring vibrancy back to the economy of southern Ohio.

Mr. SPACE. Jean, I see it and you see it and we all see it far too often where we allow ourselves to be separated by a political divide. This aisle that runs between us now is nothing but an empty space, and when we talk about things like this project, we are not talking about what is right for Democrats or what is right for Republicans, what is right for those who are liberal versus those who are conservative. We are talking about what is right for America. I think not just in this case, but in all cases we should explore every opportunity to bridge that divide, to forget about the party politics, whether it is energy or health care or job opportunities, like we have here. All of us need to strive much harder to overcome those ideological differences, find common ground and work for what is right for this country.

Mr. SPACE. I thank the gentlelady for bringing up such an important subject, and that subject is one of national security. There are a lot of different components that go into what makes us strong as a country. Certainly the size of our Army, the money and the resources we allocate to military defense are very important. But perhaps there is no greater ingredient to our national security than developing right here at home within our borders energy independence. We have as a nation waited far too long to aggressively address this issue. I think many of the painful votes, if you will, many of the divisive issues, many of the arguments that we have on this floor of this great House are happening right now because we have as a nation waited far too long to address the issue of energy independence. The gentlelady and I are both old enough to remember what it was like in this country back in the early 1970s when OPEC first formed its embargo on oil. It was like a slap in the face to our country. Suddenly, and without warning, we found ourselves almost wholly dependent upon not just other nations, but other nations who meant to do us harm, for something so fundamentally important as our energy needs. As we look back today to 35 years ago, almost 40 years ago, we think of this: What if, what if we would have done the right thing and aggressively pursued energy independence? What if we would have approached that issue like this Nation has with other issues in the past, the Manhattan Project, the Apollo project, where failure was not an option? What if we had done that? I will tell you, we would not be having the debate, we would not be having the struggles, we would not be having the problems with our foreign relations. We would not be having nearly the problems we are experiencing today with our economy if we had done the right thing. Now is the time to act. This project fits perfectly with what should be all of our priorities, and that is an aim toward energy independence.

Mr. SPACE. In yielding back to the gentlelady, my friend and colleague from Ohio, I would submit that we have taken one very important step in moving in that direction, and that is by ridding ourselves of our partisan bonds and working together in a common cause. You and I both know that oftentimes we do not agree on the issues, but this is one where we can find common ground. Let this be not just the beginning of a rectification of a wrong in southern Ohio with respect to USEC plants, but the beginning of a new relationship, a new day in American politics where Democrats and Republicans work together in solving not Democratic problems, not Republican problems, but American problems.