Zack Space

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, the First United Methodist Church of Dover was founded in 1808 and is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year; and Whereas, the congregation of First United Methodist Church of Dover began with humble roots, in a series of log cabins in Dover, Ohio, meeting for more than 25 years in the homes of William and Mary Butt, Jacob and Elizabeth Welty, and Christian and Marguerite Deardorff. The congregation slowly grew and in 1833, expanded to a series of community buildings, and Whereas, the church will celebrate its 200th anniversary with a reenactment of the 1808 founding with present congregants playing the roles of Rev. James Watts, the congregation's first pastor who laid the groundwork for two centuries of faith and dedication to community service, therefore, be it Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend the First United Methodist Church of Dover for two centuries of dedication and service to the Dover community and recognize their faith in God and determination for worship.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, the Chalfont Methodist Church was founded in 1808 and is celebrating its 200th anniversary in Washington Township, Ohio; and Whereas, the congregation was started by Mordecai Chalfant, a member of the society in Methodism in 1808 but did not have a church until 1811, and Whereas, in June of 1970, when the East Ohio Conference of the Methodist Church decided to close the parish due to dwindling membership, the building was turned over to another congregation and scheduled to be demolished, the community came together to form the Chalfant Society, raising money to purchase the building and have it named to the National Register of Historic Buildings; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend the Chalfont Methodist Church for two centuries of dedication and service to the Washington township community and their determination to save the church building and continue the good works of the parish.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, the First Church of the Nazarene was founded in 1833 and celebrated its 175th anniversary with a ``Heritage Days'' celebration focusing on missions and culminating in an international celebration , and Whereas, preparations for the celebration began in 2004 with the writing and translation of materials sent to every Nazarene church around the world with an intention that all 1.6 million members of the church will hear the same sermon, and Whereas, the First Church of the Nazarene has its roots in Methodism and became the First Church of the Nazarene in 1908, and Whereas, through its missionary activities, the church now includes graduate theological seminaries in North and Central America and Asia- Pacific, liberal arts colleges in Africa, Canada, Korea and the U.S., and Whereas, the church is affiliated with more than 40 theological schools worldwide and hospitals in Swaziland, India, and New Guinea; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend the First Church of the Nazarene for 175 years of service to the community and their continued dedication to international cooperation and learning.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, W.E. Quicksall and Associates, formed in 1959, has provided quality service to private entities, local, state and federal government; and Whereas, W.E. Quicksall and Associates has provided countless miles of municipal streets and state highways, bridges, water treatment and distribution lines; and Whereas, for 50 years W.E. Quicksall and Associates has been dedicated to customer satisfaction and public safety; and be it Resolved, that along with friends and clientele of W.E. Quicksall and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate W.E. Quicksall and Associates, Inc. on their 50 year anniversary. We recognize the service provided by W.E. Quicksall to the New Philadelphia area, and commend them on building such an outstanding professional relationship with the city of New Philadelphia.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, the Distinguished Eagle Award is one of the highest and most respected in Scouting; and Whereas, previous recipients include President Gerald Ford and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates; and Whereas, Mr. Magro was recognized for his professional accomplishments with Consol Energy as well as his community service with a number of organizations; and Whereas, Mr. Magro surely exemplifies the Scout oath of doing one's best in every aspect of his daily life; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with his friends, family, the Boy Scouts of America and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate Jim Magro on being awarded the Distinguished Eagle Award. We recognize the tremendous resource he has been for the Scouts of St. Clairsville and commend the example he has provided for generations of Scouts to come.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, in 1905, a Congregation was organized that consisted of twenty-five families celebrating Mass in private homes for three years; and Whereas, in 1908 families gathered $800 dollars to erect a church building before formally establishing St. Joseph Catholic Church in 1909; and Whereas, in September of 1950 His Excellency the Bishop John King Mussio of the Steubenville Diocese dedicated the newly renovated church and rectory; and Whereas, St. Joseph Church continues to serve an active and vibrant congregation and continues to better Fairpoint by its presence; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that along with the friends and congregation of St. Joseph Church and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I congratulate St. Joseph Catholic Church on reaching their 100 year anniversary. We recognize the steadfast service provided by the Church, and commend the congregation for its continued life.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, there is perhaps no industry that better encompasses the American spirit than the steel industry. Spanning for generations, the steel industry has offered the benefit of employment to millions of Americans, producing material that would serve as the backbone of America. Earlier today, a number of my colleagues joined me for a hearing entitled the ``State of the Steel Industry.'' At the hearing, industry executives joined with labor unions to discuss the future of American steel production. The present economic recession, coupled with the dubious trade and economic policies of competing nations abroad, makes the future of the industry of grave concern. In my district alone, hundreds of Ohioans depend on the industry for gainful employment. These jobs are good jobs. Given the present state of the economy in Ohio, we cannot afford to lose these jobs. I am proud to be a Member of the Congressional Steel Caucus, and proud to have the opportunity to work on behalf of the millions of Americans whose employment depends on the production of American steel. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues who share my passion for this issue to ensure that the American steel industry can thrive. There is no question that American steel can compete with any industry in the world on a level playing field. Congress must make that field even.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and I would like to thank Chairman Waxman and the leadership for including funds in this bill for improved access to rural broadband. Put differently, it recognizes the importance of access to high-speed Internet technology for all communities, regardless of affluence or location. This bill will help bridge the divide between rural America and urban and suburban America when it comes to access not only to technology, but what technology brings; better educational opportunities, better health-care related opportunities and certainly better economic development opportunities. What we're saying in this bill is something that I have known for a long time. High speed Internet access is not a luxury. It is a necessity. And what we're saying with this bill today and with the allocation of these funds for rural broadband is that our rural communities will no longer be left behind and no longer be relegated to the sidelines of advancing technology. Today is not a small step. It is a massive leap that will bring hundreds of thousands of Americans in Appalachian Ohio and in other underserved areas into the new century.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, the dedicated people of the First Presbyterian Church of Fredericktown celebrate the church's 200th anniversary with great joy; and Whereas, occasions such as these illustrate the resiliency and determination of spirit a congregation such as this can have over such a long period of time; and Whereas, it is the fond wish of this body that you will continue to be a model for worship and a beacon for hope to the destitute and that your presence over these two centuries has made the community a better place to live due to the contributions made by members of the congregation both past and present, therefore, be it Resolved that along with friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend the congregation for your unwavering commitment to the residents of Fredericktown and recognize the tremendous impact the church and members of the congregation have had on the community over two centuries. With great appreciation and respect, we express great appreciation for your 200 years of service to the community and to the lives of those people you have touched.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Paul and Linda Mader are appreciated for their dedication and contributions to the Harrison County Farm Bureau; and Whereas, the couple has had a positive impact on agriculture in Harrison County; and Whereas, they have served their community as members and/or officers of the Harrison County Farm Bureau, Grange, Landmark, and their church, the United Methodist Church of the Cross; and Whereas, Paul and Linda Mader have served the organization and the community selflessly and tirelessly; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with their friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Paul and Linda Mader on their contributions to Harrison County's agriculture industry. Congratulations to Paul and Linda Mader on receiving the Hall of Farm Award.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, the dedicated members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol have served the residents of the state of Ohio with distinction and honor for 75 years; and Whereas, the members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol serve their communities and the state of Ohio with honor and dignity, often putting themselves in harm's way to protect, defend, and serve the residents of this state and for this they should be commended; and Whereas, when the Patrol was first instituted in 1933 there were 60 trained officers with six cars and 54 motorcycles. Today, the patrol has 1,500 sworn officers trained at the Patrol's Academy in Columbus and more than 1,000 professional and non-sworn staff; and Whereas, they prepare to commemorate the milestone of 75 years with a celebration recognizing the Patrol's past accomplishments and years of dedicated service; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend the Ohio State Highway Patrol for 75 years of unwavering commitment, and great dedication to the residents of the state of Ohio. With great appreciation and respect, we recognize the tremendous impact the past and present officers have had in the community and the state.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. I thank the gentlelady. I rise today to remember a dear friend and dedicated legislator, Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She was a tireless advocate for justice, a dedicated mother, and a terrific legislator and a fighter for the people of Ohio. It will be very difficult for me to match the eloquence of someone like Chairman Rangel, certainly the gentlelady from Toledo, the gentleman from Canton, or my friend Mr. Kucinich from Cleveland. But Dennis said something during his presentation that struck me as being extraordinarily accurate. Stephanie did represent this magical, political persona that was meddled between her keen legal mind and her street sense. She had compassion, knowledge. She was just a great person and a great legislator. She was a trail blazer, as those from the Ohio delegation have pointed out, in many respects. But something that many might not know is that Stephanie actually had an effect on the people in congressional district, which is, while sharing the same State of Ohio, a very long way from east Cleveland. Stephanie served as an inspiration for women in politics, as well as our African American community there as well. She fought for justice and equality at every turn in her career, and this was a tragic loss for the people of Congress and the people of Ohio. Indeed, I still feel her presence here, and I suspect we will for quite some time. This has been a tragic loss for this body.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Conference Report accompanying H.R. 4137, the Higher Education Opportunity Act. This legislation will complete a long-overdue reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, bringing the promise of opportunity to countless young Americans. I commend Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon for their work on this critical legislation. In particular, I wish to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon for including in this conference report provisions from legislation I introduced, H.R. 4139, the College and University Rural Education Act. This legislation will help to foster new opportunities and a higher quality of life for residents of rural America. The provisions that I mention authorize grants to rural serving institutions to improve access to higher education in rural America, and also to create employment pipelines that benefit the community. These grants can be used by rural-serving institutions to collaborate with regional school districts to improve access to higher education for high school graduates in rural America, where participation lags. Additionally, these grants can be used to create other outreach programs that will bring more nontraditional students back into the classroom. These grants can also be used to create new employment pipelines for professions of need in the region. By providing support for the development of new training programs for high-need occupations, as well as opportunities for students to attain professional development in these occupations, this legislation goes a long way towards improving the quality of life in rural America. Again, I wish to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for all their hard work on this crucial legislation. I also want to thank Congressmen Hare and Loebsack for their original cosponsorship for the legislation and support throughout the process. Finally, I want to offer my thanks to all the staff on the Committee for their tireless efforts to improve opportunities for residents of rural areas.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Ms. Finton has made a lasting impact on the quality of life in Tuscarawas County; and Whereas, she is an innovator for local youth programs such as ``Got Milk? Got Cookies? Got Books?'' and the Fit Youth Initiative; and Whereas, Ms. Finton is a driving force in the Tuscarawas County for the education of the dairy and agriculture industry; and Whereas, Ms. Finton has been an active member of the Union Hospital Auxiliary for thirty years; and Whereas, she has selflessly served the needs of her community and encourages those around her to do the same: Now, therefore, be it Resolved That along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend and thank Connie Finton for her service to the State of Ohio. Congratulations to Connie Finton on her selection as the Lucille Nussdorfer Tuscarawas County Woman of the Year.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Mr. Speaker, 34 years ago, on July 20, 1974, Turkish troops illegally invaded Cyprus in violation of international law. Thirty-four years have passed since 200,000 Greek Cypriots were expelled from their homes and 5,000 Greek Cypriots were murdered. More than 1,400 still remain missing today. Thirty-four years later, Turkish troops continue to occupy nearly 37 percent of Cypriot territory. There are approximately 43,000 Turkish troops on Cyprus. That's about one Turkish soldier for every two Turkish Cypriots. The situation remains untenable after 34 years with Greek Cypriots whose homes were taken--the homes where they were raised, where their children were raised, where their parents and grandparents were raised, and where they were never compensated for these homes. The desecration of the Greek Orthodox churches remains ongoing, many now serving as bars, nightclubs, casinos or hotels. Icons, artifacts and frescoes have been destroyed, looted, vandalized, and sold illegally. Here we are 34 years later, and the situation remains, once again, untenable. In spite of all of this, the Greek Cypriots have continued to promote peace for 34 years. The Cypriot President is committed to working toward a bicommunal and bizonal federation with a single sovereignty citizenship and international standing. Indeed, Turkish Cypriots have shown a like commitment. Turkey, however, must show a commitment to this same solution. At a time of increased global destabilization, it is in the best interest of the international community to see that this problem of Cyprus, the injustice in Cyprus, is rectified. A resolution of this ongoing injustice would, indeed, constitute a reflection of respect for human rights, of the rule of law, of peace and prosperity, of all of these things, which are values that we in this country cherish. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize the importance of this injustice and the need to rectify the same, and I urge the Turkish people to do the same. It is my hope that the need to recognize the anniversary of the invasion, which we do yet again for the 34th time, is someday replaced with a cause to recognize the agreement and reunification of Cyprus.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Emmanuel Church is celebrating its 50th anniversary; and Whereas, the congregation of Emmanuel Church continue to be active, enthusiastic members of our community; and Whereas, the 50th anniversary of Emmanuel Church has drawn new and old congregation members to New Philadelphia, Ohio to celebrate the life of their church; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Emmanuel Church and its congregation for their unwavering commitment, dedication and contributions to their community and country in recognition of their 50 years.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Karissa Martin was crowned Miss Ohio 2008; and Whereas, Ms. Martin won a talent preliminary award and a swimsuit preliminary award at the Miss Ohio contest; and Whereas, Karissa Martin will use her new title to raise skin cancer awareness; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with her friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend and thank Miss Ohio 2008, Karissa Martin for her contributions to her community and country.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Pearl Valley Cheese in Fresno, Ohio is celebrating 80 years of business since 1928; and Whereas, Pearl Valley Cheese has developed a fund raising program for local 4-H, FFA, church and nonprofit community groups; and Whereas, Pearl Valley Cheese has won a number of coveted awards, including a silver medal at the World Cheese Competition for their smoked Swiss and a number of awards at the Ohio State Fair: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Pearl Valley Cheese for their unwavering commitment, dedication and contributions to their community and country in recognition of their 80 years.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Salem Lutheran Church is celebrating its 175th anniversary; and Whereas, the congregation of Salem Lutheran continue to be active, enthusiastic members of our community; and Whereas, the 175th anniversary of Salem Lutheran Church has drawn new and old congregation members to Evans Creek, Ohio to celebrate the life of their church: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Salem Lutheran Church and its congregation for their unwavering commitment, dedication and contributions to their community and country in recognition of their 175 years.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Bakersfield Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 175th anniversary; and Whereas, the congregation of Bakersfield Presbyterian continue to be active, enthusiastic members of our community; and Whereas, Bakersfield Presbyterian received a congratulatory plaque from the Presbyterian Church General Assembly for their 175 years; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Bakersfield Presbyterian Church and its congregation for their unwavering commitment, dedication and contributions to their community and country in recognition of their 175 years.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Clark Township Baptist Church was founded in June 1833 and is celebrating its 175th anniversary in Warsaw, Ohio; and Whereas, the congregation of Clark Township Baptist Church continue to be active, enthusiastic members of our community; and Whereas, the 175th anniversary of Clark Township Baptist Church has drawn new and old congregation members to Warsaw, Ohio to celebrate the life of their church; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Clark Township Baptist Church and its congregation for their unwavering commitment, dedication and contributions to their community and country in recognition of their 175 years.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, the village of Minerva, Ohio is celebrating their 175 years of history this July; and Whereas, the members of the community of Minerva, Ohio are active, enthusiastic members of their area; and Whereas, Minerva is holding an exciting weekend of tours, garden shows, and historical scenes to commemorate this anniversary; and Whereas, Minerva continues to be an important and vibrant asset of Southeastern Ohio and offers an outstanding quality of life to its residents; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend Minerva, Ohio and its citizens for their unwavering commitment, dedication and contributions to their community and country in recognition of their 175 years.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: Whereas, Timothy L. Moore spent 24 years in dedicated service to the United States Air Force Security Forces; and Whereas, Mr. Moore has received high honors such as the Air Force Security Forces Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year in 2005 and the Inspector General Outstanding Performer Award in 2003; and Whereas, Timothy L. Moore is the recipient of the Meritorious Service award; and Whereas, Timothy L. Moore is the recipient of the NATO Medal; now, therefore, be it Resolved that along with his friends, family, and the residents of the 18th Congressional District, I commend and thank Timothy L. Moore for his contributions to his community and country.

Mr. SPACE

Mr. SPACE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 496) to reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, as amended.

Mr. SPACE. I yield the gentleman 30 additional seconds.