Peter Visclosky

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois. MR. WELLER. What is the gentleman's question again?

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Would the gentleman have an assertion as to how many working families in the First Congressional District he would assert are benefited because of the resolution on the floor today?

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Does the gentleman have a number?

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Do you have a number?

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Well, I will reclaim my time if you do not have a number.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I reclaim my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I take my time back, Mr. Speaker. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I also have a statistic. There used to be 6,700 working families in the First Congressional District. They are not going to be benefited by this resolution, and not because of the reasons that the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) stated, that this is meaningless for the next 8 years. It is because they have lost their job since George Bush became President and the 107th Congress began; 6,700 people do not have a paycheck. They do not have to worry about this resolution. I must tell my colleagues that last week, under similar circumstances, I suggested I was tired. Today, I am surprised, with the record of the majority over the last 2 years of getting things done. My Republican colleagues have turned a surplus of $237 billion into a deficit of $165 billion; they have turned economic growth into a recession. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 10,646 at the beginning of this Congress. Under Republican leadership, yesterday it closed at 7,863. My colleagues have also been able to turn median household income around. It has declined. It has declined from $43,100 to $42,200. Maybe they do not quite need as much help. The resolution today talks about making permanent a tax change. Hopefully, by 2010, these aberrant facts will have changed. But two things have become permanent under my colleagues' leadership. I have people who have permanently lost their jobs in the domestic steel industry, and they are never going back. Many of those people permanently lost their health insurance. They are never getting it back. Many of those people at LTD, who permanently lost their job, permanently lost their health care, permanently, forever, the rest of their lives, lost part of their pension. We ought to be voting on 4646 to provide people who used to have a job with some real health care protection. That is what we ought to be doing today.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to rule IX, I rise to a question of the privileges of the House, offer a privileged resolution that I noticed, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the recognition to speak on the resolution. Article 1, section 9 of the Constitution states that ``No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.'' It is the fiscal duty of the Congress to appropriate the money necessary to provide the funds needed to support the execution of programs and operations of the Federal Government. To date, only five of these important measures have been considered. The failure of this unrealistic budget resolution is especially true in respect to the fiscal year 2003 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill in its funding for education. This inaction has hampered this body's constitutional duty. Mr. Speaker, this inaction has hampered this body's constitutional duty and impinged its integrity. President Bush dedicated significant amounts of time and public dialogue during his first months in office to the passage of H.R. 1, the Leave No Child Behind Act. It specifically authorized large increases in a number of key educational programs. However, within weeks of signing the bill, the President submitted a budget that stopped 6 years of steady progress. His budget director now insists that if Congress exceeds the budget request by even the smallest amount, the President will veto the entire appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, section 702 of House rule IX, entitled ``The General Principles,'' concluded that certain matters of business arising under the Constitution mandatory in nature for the House have been held to have a privilege which supersedes the rules establishing the order of business. The powers of raising revenue and appropriating funds is the question of the House's constitutional authority and is therefore privileged in nature, especially given the importance of this funding to the future of our Nation. The future of our labor force and our economy is heavily dependent on elevating the education and skills of future workers. The achievement gap between students who are at risk and the rest of the student population remains large and has failed to close. It is not only the prerogative of this Chamber but its constitutional duty for the House to take action on the Labor, Health and Human Services and Labor bill. The Congress has provided States with an unfunded mandate by approving H.R. 1 without the necessary financial resources to fund it. The majority of this body voted for H.R. 1, and we should deserve to be heard. Mr. Speaker, my question of privilege regards the integrity of our proceedings as a House as prescribed by the Constitution. The U.S. Constitution conveys upon this body the power to originate appropriation measures. It is not only our responsibility, it is our duty and obligation to reinstate this message and this legislation about the importance of education. And I do believe the resolution that I have introduced is privileged in the House.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of House rule IX, I rise to give notice of my intent to present a question of privilege of the House. The form of the resolution is as follows: A resolution, in accordance with House Rule IX, expressing a sense of the House that its integrity has been impugned and Constitutional duty hampered by the inability of the House to bring to the floor the Fiscal Year 2003 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, due to the severe under funding of Education within the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 Budget. Whereas under Article I, Section IX, of the Constitution states no money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by law. Whereas it is the fiscal duty of the Congress to appropriate annually the funds needed to support the execution of programs and operations of the Federal government. Whereas to date the House has only considered five Appropriations bills. Whereas as President, George W. Bush has been persistent in resonating public concern for better schools. He dedicated significant amounts of time and public dialogue during his first year in office to the passage of H.R. 1, the ``Leave No Child Behind'' Act, not only implying he favored more help to schools from the federal treasury but specifically authorizing large increases in a number of key program areas. Whereas within weeks of signing H.R. 1, Public Law No: 107- 110, the ``No Child Left Behind'' Act, the President submitted a budget that stopped six years of steady progress in federal support to local schools dead in its tracks. Whereas instead of the strong and consistent growth in support to local schools that the federal government has provided for more than a decade, the President's FY 2003 Budget holds aid to local schools virtually flat. Furthermore, his Budget Director now insists that if Congress exceeds the budget request by even the smallest amount, the President will veto entire appropriation bills. Whereas the future of our labor force and our economy is heavily dependent on elevating the education and skills of all future workers. Whereas about one third of the 53.6 million children now in elementary and secondary schools in America are at serious risk of being left behind. The achievement gap between these students and the rest of the student population remains large and has failed to close. Whereas of the 53.6 million children currently enrolled in elementary and secondary schools in this country, 9.8 million, or nearly 20 percent, are from households defined by the Commerce Department as being in poverty. Whereas the House is faced with the choice of supporting schools or supporting the President and his effort to reverse the trend of expanding federal support for local schools. Whereas the Congress has provided states with an unfunded mandate by approving the ``No Child Left Behind'' Act without the necessary financial resources to fund it. Now, therefore, be it Resolved that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should provide states with the resources they need to fully implement the ``No Child Left Behind'' Act as it promised less than a year ago, by completing action on the Fiscal Year 2003 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I ask to be heard at the appropriate time on the question of whether this resolution constitutes a question of privilege.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend one of Northwest Indiana's most distinguished citizens, Wally Laird, of Rensselaer, Indiana. On Friday, September 27, 2002, he will be honored for his exemplary and dedicated service to our community. Wally's praiseworthy efforts will be recognized at a special Rensselaer/ Remington Area Chamber of Commerce dinner, as an endowment for a scholarship has been established in his name. The scholarship, the Wally Laird Youth Service Award, was created to honor a high school student who shows similar qualities to Mr. Laird. These qualities include dedication to community causes and commitment to education, as well as possessing the willingness to share the knowledge he or she gains with others. This banquet and scholarship is in honor of Wally Laird's service as well as his demonstrated commitment to improving the communities of Northwest Indiana. Wally Laird, a longtime resident of Rensselaer, graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1950 and went on to Purdue University to earn his bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics. A local farmer and entrepreneur, Wally Laird is most widely known by radio- listeners as the host of WRIN/WLGI's ``Farm World.'' Aside from farming and his radio work, Wally is an active Rotarian and gives much of his time to the Carnegie Players theater group. Additionally, he has been working, with others in the agricultural community to bring an ethanol- producing facility to Jasper County, Indiana. The featured speaker at this dinner will be WGN Radio personality Max Armstrong. Armstrong is one of America's best-known and widely followed agriculture journalists. His daily broadcasts, with colleague Orion Samuelson. have been heard by millions of Americans across the United States for nearly 25 years. Armstrong has spent the past two decades delivering the news about agriculture to his vast farming audience, as well as the non-farm consumers in the Chicago area. Armstrong has been the recipient of numerous awards of excellence in journalism. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me commending Wally Laird for his outstanding service to Rensselaer and neighboring Northwest Indiana communities. His family and friends should be proud of his efforts, as his leadership has served as a beacon of hope throughout the area. Wally Laird's longstanding commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of Northwest Indiana is truly inspirational and should be recognized and commended.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I would open my remarks by stating that as a Member of this House for the last 18 years, I never remember being so tired, tired of doing nothing, tired of not passing an agricultural appropriation bill, tired of not passing a foreign assistance bill in this House, tired of not passing an energy and water bill in this House. The gentleman from Ohio in his remarks stated before that a number of points as far as corporate compensation needing shareholder approval was not before the body. He was absolutely right, because the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) wanted to make those important questions part of the real debate today and we were prohibited by the leadership under the rule that provided consideration of this resolution from doing it. What did the gentleman from California want to do as far as making sure real American citizens who owned stock can either approve or disapprove outrageous corporate perks? Let us talk about corporate housing that is provided to executives. In the First Congressional District, I have had thousands of steelworkers lose their jobs. They have had to sell their house. Nobody is providing them any house and voting on it. We have talked about corporate jets and no one being able to vote on that as far as shareholders are concerned. When my steelworkers come out to Washington, D.C., they take a bus. When we talk about shareholders having an opportunity to vote on reimbursement for living expenses, the people I represent have lost their job and they do not have any money to live on. The only thing I do not have a concern about is sporting events, because they have all the time in the world to go to their children's soccer games and Little League games and basketball games because they have lost their job. They have lost their job. And we were not allowed today to vote on that issue and that is wrong.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3479, the National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act, and would point out that I believe one of the reasons we are here today under suspension is a broad-ranging bipartisan support that exists for this legislation today. Whether we talk about a Democratic mayor for the city of Chicago, whether a Republican governor of the State of Illinois, whether we talk about the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, or whether we talk about the AFL-CIO, whether we talk about the Republican or Democratic leadership of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that reported this bill to the Congress, one of the things that has been debated hotly about this legislation is the status of the Peotone site in the State of Illinois. What I want to use my time today is to point out to Members of this body that there are three airports involved, O'Hare International Airport, an airport in Rockford, Illinois, and the airport in Gary, Indiana, which is in my congressional district. There is a proposed site in Peotone, Illinois. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson) talked about a potential racial divide on the Illinois side. I would point out that Gary, Indiana's population is 85 percent African American, and for those African American citizen of Gary, Indiana, the passage of this legislation is very important for their economic future because they and their surrounding environs have been decimated because of the loss of manufacturing jobs. We have an existing airport at Gary, Indiana, just as there is one at Rockford. One of the things that the leaders on the committee took great pains to do was to ensure that both of those airports, as well as the proposed Peotone site, are all treated equally. Given that equity that exists in this bill for those two airports and that proposed site, I strongly urge support passage of this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Hellenic Caucus since its inception in 1995, I rise today to mark the 28th anniversary of Turkey's invasion, and subsequent occupation of, Cyprus. In 1960, Cyprus gained its political independence from the British Empire. Fourteen short years later, however, this independence was shattered when 6,000 Turkish troops and 40 tanks invaded the north coast of Cyprus and proceeded to occupy nearly 40 percent of the island. The ensuing fighting killed thousands of Cypriots and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Today, there are 1,619 people still missing, five of whom are United States citizens. Twenty-eight years after the invasion, we are gathering to remember those who died and to ensure that the world never forgets that Cyprus is a land divided. More than 35,000 Turkish troops continue to occupy Cyprus in violation of international law. A barbed wire fence cuts across the island, separating families from their property and splitting this once beautiful country in half. Over the course of the 107th Congress, I have petitioned the Bush Administration to take positive steps to help end the occupation of Cyprus, requesting that both President Bush and Secretary of State Powell make the reunification of Cyprus a top priority. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with my colleagues in standing up against Turkish oppression in Cyprus. I would especially like to extend my sincere thanks to the dedicated co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, Rep. Bilirakis and Rep. Maloney, for their tireless work to ensure that the people of Cyprus are not forgotten. Twenty-eight years is a long time to wait, but it is my sincere hope that our actions will help persuade Turkey to end its unlawful occupation of Cyprus.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3479, the National Aviation Capacity Expansion Act. First, I am a supporter of increased airport capacity for the Chicago metropolitan area, and I commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) and the leadership of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for achieving this equitable regional solution that will help relieve air congestion in our Nation and the Chicago region. Second, increasing air capacity in the Chicago metropolitan area is a national concern and not just a Chicago or an Illinois problem. Air congestion is also a regional problem and it demands a regional answer. I happen to believe that the Gary/Chicago Airport has a role in helping solve the air traffic congestion problems facing the region and Nation. H.R. 3479 provides full consideration for expansion and improvement projects at the Gary/Chicago Airport. I have worked in this body for my entire career to modernize and improve the Gary/Chicago Airport. It can play an increasingly valuable role in delivering passenger and cargo service to the area. Last year, the FAA approved the Gary/Chicago Airport's 20-year master plan. The master plan outlines the airport's existing facilities and ability to handle air traffic growth and economic forecasts. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3479 would guarantee that the Gary/Chicago Airport would be considered for growth and needed improvements, which will enhance its role as the Chicago airport.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time. In response to the previous gentleman's remark, I would suggest that the bottom line is jobs. This rule is about jobs; and as far as I am concerned, it represents bad policy for America, it represents bad policy for people in this country who still make a living wage, and it is very bad and horrific policy for all of the people who are going to lose their jobs because of the attempt to give any administration this type of trade authority. One of the fatal flaws is not allowing us consideration of provisions that might undermine and weaken our trade remedy laws that are on the books today. That includes industries in the United States that used to make and may still make some pencils, may grow garlic, may make cement clinkers, may produce petroleum wax candles. There are 265 industries and growers who have sought relief for these important protections. This is about jobs. It is about the 210 people who have no work at Calumet Steel in Chicago Heights, Illinois, because of illegal trade that takes place.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, on occasion, I am fortunate enough to come to the floor to congratulate a person who has devoted her entire life to improving the lives of others. Today, I am proud to congratulate Mrs. Alma V. White of Gary, Indiana, as she retires from her position as Assistant Director of the Lake County Department of Family and Children, after serving more than 18 years in that position and 48 years in service to the residents of Lake County. Her presence in the discipline of social services will not be easily replaced. Throughout her life, Mrs. White has helped many of the less fortunate in her community overcome their difficult circumstances. In addition to her career in public service, Mrs. White has also been involved with numerous community organizations. She is a member of Grace United Methodist Church, as well as such noble organizations as the American Red Cross and the National Council of Negro Women, among many others. Mrs. White's commitment to her community has consistently earned the praise of her peers. She has been named ``Woman of the Year'' three times by the Gary Business and Professional Women Organization and has received numerous other awards of achievement throughout her exceptional career. Amidst the celebration of her career, there is sadness that the services of such a great woman will be unable to be matched in the future of the Department of Family and Social Services. Not only does Mrs. White diligently work to provide for the needs of her community, but she also cares about the vital issues that she encounters on a daily basis. This combination of commitment and compassion distinguishes Mrs. White from her stellar colleagues, and the people of Lake County are fortunate to have such a devoted individual working on their behalf. Her services to the Lake County Division of Family and Social Services will be sorely missed. But, Mr. Speaker, I am confident that Mrs. White will continue to serve her community for many years to come. It cannot be disputed that Mrs. White has improved the lives of countless people. This is the mark of a true public servant. Mr. Speaker, I hope that you and all of my colleagues will join with me in congratulating Mrs. Alma White for her 48 years of distinguished service and wish her a happy and healthy retirement. Although she may be retiring from the Division of Family and Children, the residents of Lake County will continue to reap the rewards of her benevolent spirit.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize Mr. Carl ``Bronko'' Stankovic, a proud World War II veteran and dear friend of mine. Bronko has recently brought to my attention an inspirational poem written by his friend Bev Freeman, of Morgan Hill, California, during the Second World War. Bev passed away last year leaving behind not only loved ones but strong friendships forged during the war. After the funeral, Bronko and Bev's daughter, Carolyn Turner, came across a poem written by Bev and two members of his Tank Battalion that embodied the war experience not only for Bronko, but many other veterans. This poem speaks powerfully to the uncertainty and fear faced by World War II combatants. The emotions it represents rings true with Bronko, and the hundreds of veterans he has shared this poem with. Bev's poem has been copied and given out at reunions since its discovery, and now I would like to share it with the Congress of the United States. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I submit this untitled poem as a tribute to Bev's tank crew and to the memory of all our lost World War II veterans: Look, God I have never spoken to you. But now, I want to say, ``How do you do?'' You see, God, they told me you didn't exist. And, like a fool, I believed all this. Last night from my turret I saw your sky. I figured then they told me a lie. Had I taken time to see things you made, I'd have known they weren't calling a spade a spade. I wonder, God, if you'd shake my hand? Somehow I feel that you will understand. Funny I had to come to this Hellish place Before I had time to see your face! Well, I guess there isn't much more to say. But I'm sure glad God that I met you today. I guess the hour will soon be here. I'm not afraid since I know you're near. There's the signal; Well, God, I've got to go. I like you a lot--this I want you to know. Look now, this will be a kind of a rough fight. Who knows, I may come to your house tonight. Though I wasn't friendly to you before, I wonder, God, if you'd wait at the door? Look, I'm crying, Oh, me shedding tears; I wish I had known you these many years. Well, I have to go now, God, so good-bye. Strange, since I met you, I'm not afraid to die. Mr. Speaker, I hope this poem inspires my distinguished colleagues as it has inspired me. The Greatest Generation has given so much to younger generations that I am happy to give something back by submitting this poem to the House of Representatives. I would ask my colleagues to join me in honoring World War II veterans with a moment of silence.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and enthusiasm that I congratulate the national champion Hammond Robotics Team. the team, which comprises students from all racial, cultural, and economic walks of life, finished in first place for the second consecutive year at the US FIRST national competition in Orlando, FL. The members of the national champion Hammond Robotics Team are: Amanda Aldridge, Jasmine Barnett, Justin Clark, David Clinton, Ryan Gawron, Mike Goril, Ethan Grove, Eugene Hanas, Elyse Holguin, Khamicia Jarrett, Kristyn Kapetanovic, Kevin Kolodziej, Omar Martin, Sarah Michna, Luis Moreno, Amanda Morrison, Julia Novak, Shane Ostapchuk, Michael Phillips, Christina Polka, and Michael Smith. US FIRST is an organization dedicated to motivating America's youth about science, technology, and engineering through hands-on methods. The program involves a unique blend of problem solving and competition that prepares students for real world situations. During the competition, teams face off against each other and are given a limited amount of time to devise both an offensive and defensive strategy for accomplishing a specific task. Team Hammond conquered the challenge. While nearly 1,000 teams nationwide were involved in the US FIRST competition, Team Hammond came out on top. Although Team Hammond has enjoyed a high level of success through the years, the team's triumphs have not come without adversity. Though many of the teams at the National Competition enjoyed significant corporate financial underwriting, Team Hammond had to work extremely hard to secure funding for both the regional and national competition. Through numerous fundraising efforts and private sponsorships, Team Hammond took the necessary initiative and was able to secure the necessary funding for its worthy program. However, perhaps the most applaudable aspect of Team Hammond's success is the various backgrounds from which the team members come. The team is comprised of students from all four of Hammond's high schools and reflects the diversity on which northwest Indiana prides itself. This diversity is, for the Hammond Robotics Program, the rule rather than the exception and it should be commended. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate Team Hammond for its second consecutive year as national champions and third national championship overall at the US FIRST national competition. The young men and women of the team worked hard towards a goal and their efforts paid off. I hope that the rest of my colleagues will join with me in applauding Team Hammond's commendable effort.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I want to express my concern about the procedures used to bring this important legislation to the House floor and the lack of inclusion in doing so. I would point out in the rule that was adopted earlier today in this Chamber, section 1404 was added to the underlying legislation relative to the treatment of certain counties for the purpose of reimbursement under the Medicare program. I do not rise today to express my opposition to the inclusion of those counties if relief is necessary for them. I rise in opposition to a point that other counties were not included as well. The fact is, under this legislation, counties in Lackawanna, Pennsylvania; Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Wyoming, Pennsylvania; Columbia, Pennsylvania; Lycoming, Pennsylvania; and Mercer, Pennsylvania, were included. Hospitals in Orange County, New York, were included. Hospitals in Dutchess County, New York, were included. On November 7 of last year, I wrote to the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means explaining that Porter Memorial Hospital in Porter County, Indiana, was experiencing similar difficulty as far as an inequitable reimbursement under their classification in Medicare reimbursement. On January 22 of this year, I received a response from the honorable chairman indicating that he had received my communication, that hearings would be held and I would be notified. On February 5 of this year I wrote to the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means and asked that we be allowed to testify on behalf of Porter Memorial Hospital in Porter County, Indiana. Subsequent to February 5, no hearings were held that I am aware of. We were not asked to provide any materials for justification as far as the arguments for Porter Memorial Hospital. But tonight, on May 22, I find out that we have 8 hospital counties in the States of Pennsylvania and New York whose problems are being rectified tonight. That is not fair. That is not inclusive in this legislative process. Porter Memorial Hospital in the State of Indiana, in the County of Porter, is as deserving. I would hope as this session proceeds that the representations made by the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means on January 22 that hearings were going to be held and that action on this vital issue to Porter Memorial Hospital would be taken. The fact is that Porter Memorial Hospital is located very near Chicago, Illinois. Their costs of providing care to residents in that area are comparable to the City of Chicago, Illinois, but the reimbursements are not. There is a differential for an adjoining county between Cook County, Illinois, and Porter County, Indiana. That is Lake County, Indiana, and that places the people at Porter County in a further disadvantage. I would hope that this problem is rectified.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to announce that the Silver Bell Club, Lodge 2365 of the Polish National Alliance of the United States, will be hosting the 29th Annual Hank Stram-Tony Zale Sports Award Banquet on May 20, 2002, at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville, Indiana. Fourteen outstanding Northwest Indiana High School athletes will be honored at this notable event for their dedication and hard work. These exceptional students were chosen to receive the award by their respective schools on the basis of academic and athletic achievement. All proceeds from this event will go toward a scholarship fund to be awarded to local students. This year's Hank Stram-Tony Zale Award recipients include Sandra Bolles of Lake Station Edison High School, Michael Cieslak of Highland High School, Meredith Cusic of Lowell High School, Adam Itczak of Hanover Central High School, Jeremy Krzekotowski of Bishop Noll High School, Lisa Matie of Hobart High School, Katie Mosca of Hammond Morton High School, Rebecca Nelson of Lake Central High School, Craig Olis of Merrillville High School, Ryan Orzechowicz of Crown Point High School, Brandon Powell of Griffith High School, Francis Raycroft of Whiting High School, Kristy Siminski of Portage High School, and Anne Wirtz of Andrean High School. The featured speaker at this gala event will be Mr. Mike Adamle. A Chicago NFL star turned broadcaster, Adamle serves as Sports Director for CBS 2 News. He joined the station in the fall of 2001 and covers sports for the evening newscasts. Adamle's Chicago roots date back to 1968, when he came to the ``Windy City'' to play football for Northwestern University. After Adamle graduated in 1971, he went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs (1971-72) and the New York Jets (1973- 74), before returning home to play for the Chicago Bears (1975-77). Adamle has been recognized for excellence in journalism throughout his career. His many honors include the Illinois Associated Press Award for ``Best Feature'' (2001), a Peter Lisagor Award for outstanding sports coverage (2001), and two local Emmy Awards for his coverage of the Chicago Auto Show (2001, 2000). Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in commending the Silver Bell Club, Lodge 2365 of the Polish National Alliance of the United States, for hosting this celebration of success in sports and academics. The effort of all those involved in planning this worthwhile event is indicative of their devotion to the very gifted young people in Indiana's First Congressional District.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a distinguished young lady for attaining the Girl Scout Gold Award. Nicole Love, the daughter of Diane Love, is a member of Senior Girl Scout Troop #349 located in Griffith, Indiana. She will receive this honor at a Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony on May 16, 2002 at The Center on the campus of Purdue University Calumet, in Hammond, Indiana. This is the highest award in Girl Scouting and it is earned when the girls are committed to working towards the goals they set for themselves. I am honored to have the opportunity to congratulate Nicole for her success, for I know that she has grown during this pursuit. Additionally, Nicole attained the Gold Award in conjunction with her academic achievement at Griffith High School. She will graduate this June and plans to attend college. Troop #349 is part of the Girl Scouts of the Calumet Council, which serves girls in Whiting, East Chicago, Hammond, Highland, Munster, Griffith, Schererville, St. John, and Dyer in the State of Indiana and Lansing, Lynwood, Calumet City, and Burnham in the State of Illinois. The Council was charted in 1954 and operates two program centers that serve over 5,700 adults and girls. A special significance is attached to the title of Girl Scout Gold Award, a significance that accompanies a young woman throughout her life. As she pursues endeavors in higher education, business, industry and community service, she carries with her the lofty goal of success through leadership. To qualify for the Gold Award, each Girl Scout has had to fulfill rigorous requirements in the areas of leadership, career interest and service. Upon completing the above requirements, a prospective Gold Award candidate must find and complete a project that fulfills a need in the community. Nicole's Gold Award Project involved coordinating a sports weekend for Junior Girl Scouts called ``Sports n' More'' in October 2001. Over 3,500 Senior Girl Scouts design, implement, and complete Gold Award projects each year. Nicole can be very proud of the success that she has achieved through hard work and dedication to serving her community. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Nicole Love for her commendable achievement. Her mother can be proud of her daughter because it takes a great deal of tenacity and devotion to achieve such an illustrious award. This young lady has a promising future ahead of her, which will undoubtedly include improving the quality of life in Indiana's First Congressional District.