Gregorio Sablan

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, as I was listening to the gentleman from Missouri make a statement, I couldn't help but notice that the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library is actually a source of pride for him and for his constituents in Missouri, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to please support the passage of House Resolution 390. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 390, which recognizes the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library for its work in honoring the historic legacy of the life and leadership of Sir Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill was born in Blenheim Palace in Woodstock in November 1874. A lifetime military man and politician, Churchill had the vision to recognize the threat that Adolf Hitler posed to the world. He was a staunch critic of appeasement. He supported a strategy of rearmament and military alliance building. His early anti-Nazi position facilitated his transition to the premiership at a time when his countrymen needed him the most. Winston Churchill contributed to the fields of art and literature. During his early days in the army, he composed military reports for the Daily Telegraph and penned several books, including, ``The Story of the Malakand Field Force,'' ``The River War,'' ``London to Ladysmith,'' ``Liberalism and the Social Problem,'' and ``History of the English- Speaking Peoples.'' The memorial and library was constructed in 1964 and opened to the public in 1969. It is housed in a historic Wren church in Fulton, Missouri, on the campus of Westminster College where Churchill delivered his famous ``Sinews of Peace'' speech. The facility is home to numerous artifacts and information on Sir Winston Churchill. In addition to the story it tells, the museum provides a venue for artistic and historical exhibits, in addition to numerous social and cultural exhibits. It is an important part of Westminster campus life, with students utilizing its resources for research. I want to thank Representative Luetkemeyer for his leadership in bringing this important resolution forward. I ask my colleagues to support this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 390 into the Record.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 390) recognizing the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library in Fulton, Missouri, as ``America's National Churchill Museum,'' and commending its efforts to recognize the importance of the historic legacy of Sir Winston Churchill and to educate the people of the United States about his legacy of character, leadership, and citizenship, as amended.

Mr. SABLAN

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

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Student Internet Safety Act of 2009. In a world where we rely on the Internet for a variety of purposes, including education, we need to ensure that today's youth are taught how to safely navigate the World Wide Web. Recent research shows that 93 percent of all children between the ages of 12 and 17 are online. Additionally, the average child between the ages of 2 and 11 years old views more online video than his or her parents. Clearly, it is time that we ensure children are taught healthy, safe and smart ways to utilize their time online. Too often our news is filled with stories of students falling victim to cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and other forms of online harassment. With students' use of online social networking sites growing at a very rapid pace and an abundance of material inappropriate for children on the Internet, these threats show no sign of decreasing. We must begin taking steps to provide our children with guidance and instructions on how to be safe in an increasingly digital world. By promoting programs that educate children on Internet safety and increased parental involvement, the Student Internet Safety Act will help us begin to stem the tide of these alarming threats to today's youth. When navigated safely and correctly, the Internet can provide students with a remarkable resource to get help with homework, do research for school projects, virtually tour historical sites, explore special interests, and share information with peers around the world. Mr. Speaker, it is our responsibility to make sure children are protected from and educated about the numerous online threats in order to maximize the priceless opportunities to advance learning that the digital world provides. According to a Microsoft survey of parents, at least 56 percent of children access the Internet from school for a variety of purposes. This number will increase as we move forward. This legislation is a vital step towards promoting the safe use of the Internet by students. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Putnam of Florida for introducing this legislation, and I once again express my support for this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H.R. 780 into the Record.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 780) to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to promote the safe use of the Internet by students, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 729, as amended. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Does the gentlewoman from Washington have any additional speakers?

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman) for 8 minutes.

Mr. SABLAN. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 729, which is a bill that helps keeps students safe on school-run, overnight, off-premises field trips. In April 2007, Phylicia Moore, a high school senior, died while participating in a field trip in Ghana. Her death, ruled an accident by authorities in Ghana, is undergoing further investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The tragedy of Phylicia's death exposed a flaw in the system, and it has served as a reminder of the importance of having procedures in place when students participate in overnight field trips. The legislation put forward today will go a long way towards keeping students safe. This bill requires school districts to receive money through the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program to develop and make public school safety policy for off-premises, overnight field trips. The bill would further encourage the Secretary of Education to develop model school safety plans and to disseminate those best practices to school districts. Trips, like the one that Phylicia took to Ghana, are intended to change students' lives for the better. It is important to expose our young people to learning experiences outside the classroom, but we must ensure their safety at the same time. Phylicia had worked a part-time job to cover the cost of the trip, and had raised money for an orphanage and for an AIDS charity in Ghana. Unfortunately, she was never able to experience the country. She passed away on the first night of the trip. I want to thank Lola and Douglas Moore, the parents of Phylicia, whose hard work has brought national attention to this issue. They have worked through their grief and, fueled by the tragic loss of their child, have toiled tirelessly to keep other parents from experiencing a similar loss. With passage of this bill, Congress has the opportunity to join with this family to prevent future tragedies. Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Phylicia's Law. I thank Representative Rothman for his dedication in bringing this bill to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to pass this important law. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 729 into the Record.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 729) to help keep students safe on school-run, overnight, off-premises field trips, as amended.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to commend the gentlewoman from Washington for such eloquent statements about fathers, which brings back this close memory of my father, who is 8,000 miles away at this time. I will call him up after this, later on today. I have no further speakers. I do encourage everyone to please support H. Res. 428.

Mr. SABLAN. No, I do not. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, does the gentlewoman from Washington have any further speakers?

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 428, which recognizes the immeasurable contributions fathers make in the healthy development of children. On June 21, our Nation will celebrate Father's Day. Many times fathers know just what to say at the most delicate times in our lives. They encourage their children to do their best and show them their dreams are possible. Fortunately, involved fathers can help prepare children to succeed in school, enhance children's emotional development, and reduce childhood poverty. By playing a significant role in the lives of children, active fathers provide additional support for children to succeed. Fathers create great memories with their children. By going to ball games, ballet recitals, school events, and other similar activities, fathers can generate lasting memories for their kids. Fathers, as role models and mentors, help youth reach their potential. Unfortunately, many children grow up without fathers. Actually, 25 million children, one out of three, grow up in homes in which their biological fathers do not live. These children are significantly more likely to live in poverty, drop out of school, and engage in risky behavior. It's imperative that our Nation support parents in their efforts to raise their children. Parenting is an essential part of a child's development, and both mothers and fathers should be best equipped to raise their children. Today, home visiting programs are great ways to inform parents about the resources they have available. These programs work closely with parents to help fathers and mothers support their children's development. H. Res. 428 commends the millions of fathers who serve as a wonderful, caring parent for their children. As Father's Day approaches on June 21, this legislation asks fathers to take time out to reconnect with their children. Father's Day can be used to express love and support for their children. I also want to note that my wife, Andrea, and my daughter, Patricia, are here in the House gallery today. My son, Jesse, will be here soon as well. Celebrating Father's Day with the three of them here in Washington will make the holiday especially meaningful for me this year, and I am grateful to have this time to spend with my children. Let us celebrate Father's Day and recognize our Nation's great fathers who, every day, are making important contributions in the lives of their children. Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support of House Resolution 428, wish fathers across this country a very happy Father's Day, and acknowledge the importance of fathers in the United States. I want to thank Representative McIntyre for bringing this resolution forward. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 428 into the Record.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 428) recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on Father's Day.

Mr. SABLAN

Mr. SABLAN. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Washington also for her fine statement and support of H. Res. 493. I have no further speakers. I encourage our Members to support H. Res. 493.

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, does the gentlewoman from Washington have any further speakers?

Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the significant contributions that Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life has made towards colleges and universities around the United States. Hillel began as an organization 85 years ago at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Benjamin Frankel developed the organization as an opportunity for Jewish students to affirm their heritage during a time of anti-Semitism. The advent of World War II, and the horror of the Holocaust, only further justified the need for Hillel as a campus organization. During the war, Hillel counseled soldiers, welcomed GIs back to campus, and sponsored European refugees. One of these refugees was the late chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Lantos. Today Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. Hillel's mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. The organization helps students grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially throughout their college years. Hillel prepares thousands of young adults to enter the world upholding the important ideals of the Jewish faith. In addition to serving the Jewish community, Hillel serves as a beacon for social justice causes that extend far beyond the Jewish community. The organization champions civil rights, ending the genocide in Darfur, AIDS awareness, and interfaith dialogue and understanding. Hillel is also an important campus advocate for Israel, educating college students about their country's important relationship with Israel. Through these outreach and advocacy efforts, Hillel communicates to our Nation and the world the highest values of the Jewish community. Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone to take a moment and appreciate the contributions made by Hillel. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.