Fred Upton

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 100th year anniversary of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This celebrated Church has stood and continues to stand as a symbol of faith, hope, and reverence. The Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church began as a mission congregation on December 4, 1904. The first service was held at ``The Auditorium'' on Portage Street, and the church was referred to as the English Lutheran in the 1905 Kalamazoo City Directory. When the congregation had grown to need a larger facility, the present site was purchased on April 11, 1926 for $7,200.00. The ``new'' Trinity Lutheran Church construction began September 12, 1927, with the cornerstone being laid on Reformation Sunday. The building was dedicated June 10, 1928, and 262 members moved into the new building. Another stint with over crowded conditions and the need for more space led to another building project--the 34-room Parish Education Building. The cornerstone was laid in 1956 and the new $160,000.00 project was dedicated on October 13, 1957. Several projects over the years have changed the appearance of this wonderful church building, both ``inside and out,'' bringing it to the current configuration 100 years later. It goes without mention that God has richly blessed Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo and there is and always has been much talent, enthusiasm, and dedication among Trinity's members. Of even greater significance has been their repeated desire for and response to the Word of God for direction.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer), my friend and colleague, a member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. (Mr. BUYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to United States Olympic Women's Soccer player, Lindsay Tarpley, whose outstanding play helped the team bring home the gold in Athens. The grace and class that Lindsay and the entire women's soccer team demonstrated during their superb Olympic championship run is an inspiration to all of us. In the 2004 Olympic gold medal game, millions of people around the world watched as Lindsay brilliantly scored the United States' first goal as the team went on to defeat Brazil 2-1. Her play throughout the tournament was marvelous and made the whole of southwest Michigan exceedingly proud. Lindsay graduated from Portage Central High School in 2002 where she was twice an All-American, named the nation's top High School forward by Parade Magazine, was Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, and led her team to win the MSHAA state title in 1999. Following her explosive career at Portage Central, Lindsay furthered her excellence at the University of North Carolina. Over the last two seasons at UNC, Lindsay continued in her dominance and after being named National Player of the Year by Soccer America in 2003, she was selected to the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. I could never adequately list or describe all of Lindsay's accomplishments on the soccer field, but perhaps her greatest accomplishment thus far is being a role-model for millions of youth players throughout our country. As a National and Olympic star, Lindsay has shown through her dedicated play and elegance in success, the true meaning of being a champion. Just like her own role model, Mia Hamm, Lindsay is a role model for countless girls throughout southwest Michigan and our nation as a whole. On behalf of the Sixth District of Michigan, I would like to wish a very speedy recovery to Lindsay on her recent injury that she endured while playing at UNC. I extend my very best wishes to Lindsay's continued success on and off the field and congratulations on her Gold medal in the 2004 Olympics.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Gregart, who is approaching the end of a long and distinguished career of public service. A dedicated and committed individual, Jim has served the communities and families of southwest Michigan for the last 35 years. Through his leadership and enthusiasm to his profession, Jim has helped to make our corner of Michigan an even better and safer place to live and grow. Since coming to the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jim has been widely known for his extensive charity and dedication to local individuals and the community as a whole. Over his inspiring career, Jim has been devoted to improving the lives of countless individuals who had the fortune of crossing his path. The area is forever in his debt. There is no question that Jim's ardor for the law and betterment of society will be greatly missed. Jim has been involved in many faucets of our local and State community. His contribution to the improvement to our way of life has been immense. Whether he is dedicating his time and energy to the Kalamazoo Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Boys and Girls Club, American Lung Association or Kalamazoo County Humane Society, Jim's work has always been inspirational. Many words come to mind as one reflects upon Jim's public service to our community. He is selfless, generous, giving, caring, humble, the list goes on. His integrity is impeccable and has long been known as being the standard of fairness and equality. On behalf of the Sixth District of Michigan, I wish Jim and his family all the best in retirement--we are all better off because of his service.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Patrick Ryan, a stalwart in education for the folks of southwest Michigan. Over the last 62 years, Pat has dedicated his life to the educating, mentoring, and training of local youth. Whether, as a teacher, counselor, principal, or athletic coach, Pat touched the lives of every student who had the fortune of receiving his wisdom and tutelage. Over his inspiring career the number of students, colleagues, and parents who benefited from Pat's devotion to education is immense and it would be an extremely difficult task to hear from all these folks. However, over the years a couple of themes have constantly been bountiful when speaking of Pat. For students, he was a leader who constantly taught that everyone has the chance and ability to make a difference--all one needs to do is always give 100 percent to any task, big or small. For his colleagues, he was the standard that all strived to reach. And for parents, he was the teacher who through example, demonstrated respect, kindness, and courtesy to their child. Pat also shined and inspired in his life outside of the classroom. He and his wife have four children, but somehow over years found the time to take troubled children into their home and provide stability into their lives. He counseled women with troubled pregnancies, served on the Little League Board of Directors, and taught religious education. To list the accomplishments of a man like Pat is not an easy endeavor to undertake, and to be quite honest, not possible without feeling inadequate. He was a teacher who gave his all to the education and inspiration of his students, and was a man who dedicated his life to the betterment of his fellow citizen. I can think of no better honor than to have a past student say that, ``you were the reason why I chose to become an educator.'' Over the years Pat has received this testimonial time and time again, and I believe this is an exact statement of an amazing teacher and human being. Mr. Speaker, Pat Ryan is simply ``The Best.''

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to five residents of the South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Community, in southwest Michigan who have achieved the great milestone of 100 years of life. This grand feat is especially important today, since these very special individuals have lived for a century or more and in two different millenniums. The vast experiences and accomplishments of these five people is awe- inspiring. I can only imagine the wonder and amazement of watching our country progress and grow through two world wars, international flight, the Internet, cell-phones, and the many other advances that have occurred over the last century. It is my fortunate honor to extend my very best wishes to Lucious Wooten who became 107 years old on February 6, 2004, Roxie Braisher who became 100 years old on February 22, 2004, Irene Charlotte Smith who became 100 years old on June 1, 2004, Elsie Louise LaRoy who became 100 years old on June 29, 2004, and Bessie Gilmore who became 102 years old on July 16, 2004. Along with the entire Sixth District of Michigan, it gives me great pleasure to send wishes for much love, health, and happiness to each in the years ahead.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to announce that, along with my colleagues Representatives Edolphus Towns, Charles ``Chip'' Pickering, Elijah Cummings, Shelley Moore Capito, Rosa DeLauro, John Spratt, Bobby Rush, Jim Marshall, and Danny Davis, I am introducing legislation to reauthorize the Healthy Start Act, H.R. 4905. The Healthy Start program works to reduce the incidence of infant mortality and low birth weight and eliminate perinatal disparities in communities across the Nation where the infant mortality rate is in excess of 150 percent of the national average. The program, which began as a successful demonstration project in 1991 under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Lewis Sullivan and was overwhelmingly authorized by Congress in 2000, has at its core the recognition that infant mortality and morbidity are not just medical problems, they are community problems. To qualify for a Healthy Start grant, communities must buy-in by forming networks of community public and private decision-makers and leaders, educators, health professionals, and family members to set ambitious goals for themselves and work in a coordinated and effective way to meet those goals. These programs are targeted to at-risk populations and are characterized by aggressive outreach to reach young women who are pregnant and/or are already mothers, as well as fathers, who live in communities with the toughest poverty, drug use, and unemployment. We are fortunate to have a Healthy Start program in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in my Congressional district. Our Healthy Start Family Resource Center offers prenatal care, WIC resources, transportation, personal counseling and many other services. So far, 100 percent of the expectant mothers who have received prenatal care and other services through the Center have delivered healthy, full-term babies. The Healthy Start Reauthorization Act will reauthorize the program for fiscal years 2005 through 2010 at ``such sums as may be necessary.''

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4600) to amend Section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify the prohibition on junk fax transmissions, as amended.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today we are considering the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2004, bipartisan legislation which I introduced along with the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell). I want to thank those Members for their hard work and bipartisan cooperation. In 1991, Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which included landmark legislation that protected consumers from receiving unwanted and unsolicited commercial faxes. For over 10 years, the FCC had interpreted that law to provide businesses with an exception to the general ban when they faxed commercial or advertising material to an existing business customer. Then, in 2003, the FCC made a major change in their interpretation of the law. Under the new FCC rules, every business, every single one, small, large, home-based, every association, every nonprofit organization, every charity, would be required to obtain prior written approval from each individual before it sent a commercial fax. The logistical and financial costs of the new FCC rules, particularly to small business and nonprofit associations, would be enormous. For instance, the survey of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce suggested that the cost to the average small business would be at least $5,000 in the first year and more than $3,000 each year thereafter. The survey further indicated that it would take, on average, more than 27 hours of staff time to obtain the initial written consent from their customers, and an additional 20 hours each year to keep those forms current. A recent survey by the National Association of Wholesalers-Distributors revealed that its member companies expected to pay an average of $22,500 just to obtain the consent forms. With our economy in the fragile stages of an economic recovery, I would much rather see those dollars going towards production and job creation. Given the dramatic impact which the new rules would have, last August, just before the new rules were to go into effect, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the then chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and I wrote the FCC and requested that the FCC delay the effective date of the new rules. Thankfully, the FCC did. In fact, they stayed the effective date until January of 2005. Moreover, while the FCC currently has the new rules under reconsideration, I think it is the wisest course for Congress to step in and fix the law to resolve any lingering statutory interpretation problems which led to the FCC's new rules, and that is why we are here today. Let me start by stating what the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2004 would not do. The bill does not overturn the ban on the faxing of unsolicited advertisements. That has been outlawed since the passage of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, and this bill does nothing to change that. This bill does not protect the senders of those annoying, unsolicited faxed advertisements which so many of us get from companies with whom we have never done business, often sent to us randomly by blast fax, and do not properly identify themselves in the fax transmission. Rather, the bill with clearly reinstate the established business relationship exemption to allow businesses, associations, and charities to send commercial faxes to their customers and members without first receiving written permission. Additionally and importantly, the bill would establish new opt-out safeguards to provide additional protections for fax recipients. Under the bill, senders of faxes must alert recipients clearly and conspicuously on the first page, of their right to opt-out of future faxes, and senders must abide by those requests. This is a level of protection that consumers never had under the FCC rules. Finally, the bill sets out the FCC reporting requirements so that Congress can monitor the FCC's enforcement activity. The Junk Fax Prevention Act is commonsense, regulatory relief; and time is of the essence for Congress to pass it, since many businesses will very soon need to begin making arrangements to be in compliance with the new rules by January of 2005. I want to thank my friends, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), for their sincere bipartisan cooperation on the bill. I also want to thank the staff on both sides of the aisle, Kelly Cole, Howard Waltzman, Pete Filon, Colin Crowell, Will Carty, and certainly Will Nordwind for all of their superb efforts. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the other side of the Capitol to ensure that we get this must-pass legislation to the President's desk as expeditiously as possible this year. Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4600, the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2004. The bill strikes a proper balance between protecting consumers from unwanted junk faxes and permitting legitimate business communications, and I would commend Chairmen Barton and Upton, and Ranking Member Markey for their bipartisan work. H.R. 4600 is necessary because the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as part of its Do-Not-Call order last year, reversed its existing business relationship (EBR) policy regarding junk faxes. Starting in January 2005, permission to receive junk faxes must be in writing and include the recipient's signature. This rule will have a perverse effect on legitimate business communications. For example, under the Commission's new policy, if I would like my travel agent to send me a description of various vacation packages, I must first deliver to my agent a signed waiver requesting the fax. Likewise, my favorite restaurant would have to obtain a similar waiver in order to fax me its updated menu. Not surprisingly, commercial enterprises, especially small businesses and trade associations, are justifiably concerned about the impact of the FCC's new junk fax rules. H.R. 4600 takes the corrective step of codifying a modified version of the FCC's current 12-year-old junk fax EBR policy that is set to end this year. To provide further protection to consumers, however, that policy will be changed to provide consumers with the right to opt out from receiving such faxes from a particular sender. Further, consumers must be provided clear and conspicuous notice of their new opt-out right. Additional protections for consumers include enabling recipients to opt out using a cost-free mechanism and giving the FCC the authority to sunset the EBR. In an effort to focus on enforcement against those who illegally send junk faxes, the legislation requires the Commission to report to the Congress each year on the number of junk fax complaints it has received and on the enforcement actions taken against those who violate the agency's rules. This report should assist the commission in maintaining proper vigilance on those who fail to respect consumer privacy. Moreover, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study the junk fax issue and make recommendations to the Committee on additional enforcement measures that can be taken to protect consumers from unwanted junk faxes. Mr. Speaker, consumers are fed up with the unwanted and intrusive junk faxes that clog up their fax machines. H.R. 4600 will help protect consumers from receiving these faxes while ensuring that businesses can continue to use the fax machine to communicate with their customers. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4600, as amended.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Diether Haenicke who today received the 2004 Red Rose Citation for outstanding community service from the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo, Michigan. A dedicated and selfless individual, Diether has tirelessly served and greatly impacted the quality of life of countless individuals throughout the state of Michigan. During his distinguished service as president of Western Michigan University from 1985 to 1998, Deither inspired and impassioned students and colleagues alike. For many years I have looked upon Diether not only as a voice of knowledge and insight, but also as a friend. Despite his retirement, he continues to be an active voice in the community. Diether spent a career devoted to extensive charity and loyalty to local individuals and the community as a whole. Whether one looks at his service and leadership at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, as commissioner of the Education Commission of the States, or on the Board of Trustees for Bronson Methodist Hospital, Diether has a long history of benefiting the communities of Southwest Michigan. Since 1945, the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo has annually presented the Red Rose Citation to outstanding members of the community, and I can think of no one more fitting to receive this great honor than Diether. I extend my very best wishes to Diether and his family.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedication of Union Church in Berrien Township, as a Michigan Historical Marker. This celebrated Church has stood and continues to stand as a symbol of faith, hope, and reverence. It is vitally important to preserve our nation's sense of history and ideals, and this marker will certainly maintain both for many years to come. On July 4, 2004, one hundred and forty-six years after its construction, Union Church's long and illustrious history was honored as a Michigan Historical Marker. I am very pleased that the communities of Southwest Michigan and Berrien Township in particular, were able to come together for this wonderful occasion and historic achievement. Because of the dedication of individuals within the Union Church Historical Preservation Society, Southwest Michigan and our country continue to be great places to live, work, and worship.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend of mine, Jordie Tatter, who unexpectedly passed away in January 2003. Today, I am pleased that the conference center at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center is being dedicated to Jordie. This is a great honor for my friend; however because of votes in the House today, I can not be at the dedication ceremony this afternoon in Berrien County. As this dedication confirms, Jordie was a giant in the agricultural and natural resources industries. His commitment and enthusiasm to excellence in the field of agriculture was unmatched, whether it be at the local, national, and yes, even international level. He truly embodied the heart and soul of southwest Michigan, and I am blessed to have formed a close friendship. I looked at this friendship, not only as a source of console and inspiration, but also as a true compass of direction in greater understanding and appreciation of our community. I have never met a man more passionate or knowledgeable toward the industry he loved--Michigan agriculture. Jordie was always willing to lend his extensive knowledge to those interested, and his great mind benefited all who had the pleasure of crossing his path. I was fortunate enough to call Jordie a close friend. During the time that I had with him, I relied on his insight and intelligence. He was kind and supportive--even more so when times were tough. Jordie's love of his work, the outdoors, the Farm Bureau, and Michigan State University, will be deeply remembered and this dedication is yet another reminder of his immense impact on our community. We all miss Jordie greatly but his legacy lives on at the Extension Center, as others continue to follow in his footsteps in the agriculture community. He will always live on through our many wonderful memories that will not fade away.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I am one of those fortunate to have worked and served in the Reagan administration for 4\1/2\ years. I started off as a legislative aid, and I ended up being in charge of congressional affairs at OMB under Director Stockman and then under Director Jim Miller. Ronald Reagan had a vision, an agenda; and he knew how to get things done. He surrounded himself with good people that were smart, who shared his vision, and in fact knew the political process to get things done. Back then, times were tough. We had the Cold War, we had double-digit inflation, double-digit unemployment, double-digit interest rates; and yet he was still able to get his agenda through and move the country forward. The odds were stacked against him. Man, Republicans did not control the Senate; and in this body, in the House, they did not control the House either. In fact, the margin was 70 or 80 votes short in the House. Yet he was still able to get his agenda through. On the minority side, the Republican side, we had two terrific dynamic leaders, John Rhodes and Bob Michel, two Republicans that were minority leaders, never Speaker. They were both good, decent, honest people; but they never had the votes, or not the Republican votes. So Ronald Reagan appealed to the American people for his support. ``Reaganesque'' is a word today that you will find in the dictionary, a powerful word; and in fact he put policy over politics, and look at the results. He beat an incumbent President, a good honest, decent guy, Jimmy Carter, who has done wonderful things since his Presidency; but the real test is your reelection, and Ronald Reagan won 49 of the 50 States. If that was not a mandate in terms of his agenda, I do not know what is. That mandate, winning 49 States, I think will serve as the record for any President running for reelection. Yes, history will judge where he stands, rightfully so. But in large part it already has. Ronald Reagan was a great American President, a wonderful man who touched tens of millions of lives across this country in every respect of their life. I was proud to serve a wonderful President for those years.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the inspiring career of Dr. Charlotte Groff, of Berrien Springs, Michigan. A dedicated and selfless individual, Charlotte has enthusiastically educated students of St. Joseph and Coloma schools over the past 50 years. Since 1954, Charlotte's contributions to our community have been tremendous. Over this time she has played a role in the development and success of countless students, and watched as these students grew into pillars of the communities of southwest Michigan and beyond. Throughout her vast career, Charlotte has held many teaching positions and has taught in diverse teaching capacities--all with great distinction. Charlotte has taught every summer in the Coloma migrant program since its inception in 1968--except for the 2 years she worked on a doctoral degree. Also, since 1975 she has been a reading specialist for children from disadvantaged homes. As Charlotte retires this summer, she closes one chapter of her inspiring and remarkable legacy of educating our youth. I am confident that this retirement is far from being the end to Charlotte's teaching. The numerous lives that will be educated and touched by Charlotte will no doubt continue for many years to come. The passion that she has for teaching is everlasting and I wish her all the best in retirement. Charlotte will be truly missed in Coloma Community School and throughout southwest Michigan.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the inspiring and passionate career of Monsignor Sears, of St. Joseph Parish of Michigan. For the past 20 years, Monsignor Sears has devotedly served the community of St. Joseph and beyond. Since being assigned to St. Joseph Parish in 1984, Monsignor's contributions to our community have been remarkable. Monsignor has brought guidance, knowledge, and inspiration to all who had the blessed opportunity of meeting with or hearing one of his famous homilies. It is well-known that Monsignor always used story-telling and anecdotes as a way of teaching and inspiring his congregation. His ability to reach and move all those fortunate enough to cross his path has been well- known throughout Southwest Michigan for sometime now. Highlights of Monsignor Sears' wonderful career include meeting with Mother Teresa in 1979, and speaking with Pope John Paul II during a visit to Rome. Locally, Monsignor was instrumental in starting the church's tithing in 1985--the church tithes about $100,000 a year to various local and national needs. Although these accomplishments are extraordinary, Monsignor's greatest achievements may lie in his daily work and prayers with the parish staff and parishioners, as well as implementing influential local programs over the years. There is no doubt that Monsignor Sears will be greatly missed as the pastor of St. Joseph Parish. However, knowing his passion for the community and devoutness to charity, Monsignor will continue his service to God and will continue to impact the communities of Southwest Michigan.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Tri-County Head Start Director Orion Flowers, who is approaching the end of a long and distinguished career of public service. A dedicated and committed individual, Orion has served the communities and children of southwest Michigan for over 30 years. Through his leadership as Director, Orion helped the program grow from serving 100 to 1026 children. Since becoming Head Start Director in 1970, Orion devotedly and selflessly committed himself to the betterment of countless families. Orion is widely known for his extensive charity and dedication to local individuals and the community as a whole. He spent a career devoted to improving the lives of the citizens of southwest Michigan, and the area is forever in his debt. There is no question that Orion's dedication and contributions to the Tri-County will be missed. One example of Orion's diligent work occurred in the early 1970's, when he initiated a program whereby children would come to a Mobile Unit for classes. In conjunction with that, a Home Based program began where a Home Visitor would go into a family's home to assist parents in teaching their children an array of subjects and concerns. Remarkably the Mobile Unit and Home Based concepts are still in use today. Many words come to mind as one reflects upon Orion Flower's public service to our community. He is selfless, generous, giving, caring, humble . . . the list goes on. Our community is in debt to Orion Flowers for his continued public service since 1970. I wish him and his family all the best in retirement. Orion's contributions to our community have been many, and we are all better off because of his service. He will be truly missed by the folks in southwest Michigan.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Brittany Potts of Portage, Michigan, who won the 2004 National VFW Voice of Democracy broadcast scriptwriting contest. This great educational achievement also serves as a wonderful patriotic statement of Brittany's dedication and responsibility to our country. I am very proud to honor Brittany and her commitment to our nation's future. Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary conduct a Voice of Democracy audio/essay competition designed to give high school students the opportunity to voice their opinion on their responsibility to our country. Brittany, a sophomore at Portage Central High School, was one of 59 students, out of more than 80,000 participants, who received a national scholarship. Brittany's insightful response of her commitment to the betterment of our great country serves as a reminder to all, of the immense power and responsibility we all have. I look forward to hearing of the great many achievements that Brittany has before her. It pleases me to honor the magnificent dedication of Brittany and to submit her script into the Record.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Commerce be discharged from further consideration of the Senate bill (S. 2315) to amend the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 to extend the deadline for the INTELSAT initial public offering, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 2315, the Senate bill just passed.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, obesity and poor nutritional habits are growing problems in our Nation, particularly among our children and adolescents. Health costs alone will be stratospheric in the near future due to the poor eating habits of our youth. The very foods children need for good nutrition are often grown in their own communities. Farm to Cafeteria projects across the country link farmers with local schools to serve students the freshest possible foods as part of the National School Lunch Program. When combined with nutrition education, farm visits, and school gardens, children learn to enjoy and even get excited about eating healthy--and at the same time family farmers strengthen their markets and community ties. While Farm to Cafeteria projects have proven cost-effective over time, schools often need assistance to cover the initial staff resources, training, and equipment required for a successful project. To respond to this need, our colleague Ron Kind and I have introduced the bipartisan Farm to Cafeteria Projects Act (H.R. 2626) that is now a part of this bill. The Farm-To-Cafeteria provision establishes a $10 million competitive grant program to provide schools with up to $100,000 to cover these costs and garner long-term benefits for children, farmers, and their communities during the term of the reauthorization. I ask my colleagues to vote for this piece of legislation, to show the country that we care about what our children are eating.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the inspiring achievement of the German-American National Congress, Inc. (D.A.N.K. No. 13) in the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph community. This great nonprofit organization celebrates its 40th anniversary on March 27, 2004. Over the past four decades Americans of German descent, through the work of this organization, have been preserving the traditions and culture of their heritage throughout southwest Michigan. The German American National Congress (Deutsch Amerikanischer National Kongress), seeks to bring together Americans of German descent in the pursuit of cultivating and presenting their heritage and interests on local, regional, and national levels. These were the primary reasons why this organization was founded in 1959, and they are still among the organization's primary objectives today. The German- American National Congress is the largest organization of Americans of German ancestry. It has some 30 chapters and over 100 associated member societies from coast to coast. I am very proud to have Chapter 13 in the Sixth District of Michigan, and I greatly appreciate all the benefits that the members have provided this community. It truly pleases me to honor the achievement of Chapter 13, and I hold the members in the highest of esteem. I would like to wish this organization all the best for the future and thank its members for promoting goodwill through southwest Michigan. I'm a frequent visitor to the chapter and there's not been a time that I haven't felt welcome like so many others in southwest Michigan.

Mr. UPTON

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3926, the Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act, of which I am a cosponsor. Let me just mention several numbers, that for me, say it all about why we need incentives to increase organ donations across the nation. In Michigan, as of the first of this month, 2544 individuals are on the waiting list for an organ donation. Since the first of the year, 108 individuals received a donated organ and, sadly, 19 people have already died because there was no organ available to save them. These are our constituents, our families, our friends. I know the Transplant Society of Michigan, our state's organ procurement organization, is working hard to increase donations. But they could use a helping hand, as could OPOs across the nation. The Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act we will vote on today is a very good start. The key to donation is public education and awareness. This legislation gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services the ability to award grants to States for the purpose of assisting States in carrying out organ donor awareness, public education and outreach activities designed to increase the number of organ donors. While there is a desperate need for vital human organs, the American public should know that there is also a continuing need for donated human eyes and tissue. Donation is the term used to describe the humanitarian act of giving to help another. Anatomical gifts include vital, life-saving human organs, sight restoring eyes, and repair and reconstruction human tissue such as bone, cartilage, tendons, skin, and heart valves. At national, state, and local levels, a partnership exists between the organ, eye and tissue bank communities. While all three communities are considered separate, given differences in medical criteria, training needs and distribution pathways, they are united in their message to encourage the act of donation. Organ donation saves lives, eye donation restores sight, and tissue donation provides skin grafts for critically injured burn patients and benefits thousands of patients in need of bone, cartilage, tendons, and heart valves. Without a donor, transplant surgeons cannot save or improve the health of even one individual. The intent of H.R. 3926 is primarily to address the shortage of solid human organs. It must be noted, however, that the eye and tissue banking communities are also partners in donation and that their participation and contribution in the donation process is critical to the continued health and well being of many Americans who have either been injured or are suffering from a disease. It is my understanding that it was our intent in crafting H.R. 3926 that specialists in the eye and tissue fields, as well as the organ field, should be consulted and included in the development and dissemination of educational materials on donation. It is my further understanding that it is our intent in this legislation that eye banks and tissue banks be participants in the development of hospital-based donations and protocols that have an impact on eye and tissue banking--as is currently the case under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Every individual can sign-up to be a donor, regardless of health or medical condition. It is imperative, however, that individuals openly discuss their decision to donate with family and friends so that they may help honor their loved one's wishes and are knowledgeable about their options. Just one individual can save and improve as many as 50 lives. Representatives of hospitals, organ banks, eye banks, and tissue banks work hand in hand to see that loved ones' wishes are respected and that gifts are properly handled for the benefit of others. I commend these organizations for working tirelessly toward this end and for their efforts to educate the public on the benefits of donation. In closing, I fully encourage all Americans to consider the altruistic act of donation and to make others aware of your decision.