Jim Walsh

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the New York State Class B Champion Girls Varsity Softball Team from Newark Central High School. Their win was a great testament to the hard work and dedication of this team and its coaching staff. Head Coach Mike Muscolino has a lot to be proud of, as his Lady Reds brought home not only the State title, but the Section V title and the Class B State Sportsmanship award as well. Newark High School athletic teams have always had a reputation for fair play and good sportsmanship, and this year's girls softball team was no exception. Their award adds an extra ounce of pride to their title, making their victory just that much sweeter. On behalf of the people of the entire 25th District of New York State, I would like to congratulate the following champions on their outstanding triumph: Brandice Balschmiter, Amanda Baker, Jane Parcero, Holly Perry, Brittney Peters, Tab Pullen, Andrea Rommel, Sylina Santell, Christine Seppeler, Carrier Sheehe, Rachael Stowell, Sarah Wlodarczyk, Shelly Graham, Alex Hinckley, Karli Clingerman, Shannon Schulmerich, Corrie VanDemortel, Thaia Wheaton, as well as Head Coach Mike Muscolino and Assistant Coaches Lee Prong and Dan Pullen.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time, and I thank the House for considering Senate Concurrent Resolution 43. Just to depart briefly from my prepared comments, I listened to the gentleman from Massachusetts rail against this legislation. It is just absolute proof that no good deed goes unpunished. This is a good idea. This is an idea that is very successful. It is an idea that gives individuals the opportunity to volunteer to help their neighbors to build a home. I suspect even if he may be a ham-handed carpenter that with a good foreman on the job he could learn how to pound nails. But the point really is this is not about mass-production housing. It is about creating homeownership. Earlier this week, I had the privilege of joining a handful of my neighbors at the home of Nyoka Williams, a participant in the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative. The Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative is a city-wide effort to expand homeownership opportunities and improve quality of life in Syracuse, my hometown. We gathered to celebrate the success of the Mini-Grant program, which provides city families with grants and loans to improve their owner- occupied homes. At the ceremony, Ms. Williams reflected on her own hard-fought struggle to purchase a home. This program creates homeowners. Now, not everybody in this country can afford to own a home, but we ought to be doing everything we can to make that possible, and this program goes a long way. With Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative's assistance and her hard work, her previously vacant home is now a showcase on the block. And after years of renting substandard apartments, she is thrilled to be able to take care of her aging mother and entertain her multiple grandchildren in her very own home. Ms. Williams told me that homeownership has not only provided her with a quality place to live and to spend time with her family, but has given her a renewed sense of pride in herself and a new level of confidence that she can meet any challenge. And I can tell you that Ms. Williams wears that sense of pride and accomplishment in a big beautiful smile whenever she talks about her good fortune and her very own home. Madam Speaker, for many years now, Habitat for Humanity has been working to offer the same level of accomplishment and that sense of pride to thousands of families the world over. By making homeownership affordable and accessible, Habitat has coordinated the construction of thousands of new homes across the United States, relying upon a great deal of donated goods and utilizing a volunteer labor force. Now, those volunteers can be labor union members or nonlabor union members. The good news is it does not matter. If they are willing to donate their time and hammer, or carry some lumber, or lay some concrete, God bless them. Nobody is going to tell them they cannot do it. This program has made 50,000 Americans homeowners. I am proud to be a veteran of previous Habitat builds back home in Syracuse, in my home town and here in Washington, where I worked with Members of the House and Senate on two different houses in the Washington, D.C. area. Some of us were more handy than others, but the good news is we worked together. Even in Belfast, Northern Ireland, people of both communities came together, and the Habitat house build provided a vehicle to bring people together. And it does that here too. It is our hope that every Member of Congress will build a house, all 535 of us, in their districts, through this program. Habitat for Humanity provides affordable quality homes for those currently struggling to achieve the dream of homeownership. There are millions of Americans who could become homeowners if we helped them through this program and the many other programs provided through the housing agency, through HUD. They support renewed investment efforts in America's cities, and they allow for a better quality of life for all involved. I urge my colleagues to support S. Con. Res. 43 and encourage their active involvement in the Congress Building America program in the 108th and 109th sessions of Congress. Prideful smiles like Ms. Williams demonstrate just how rewarding homeownership efforts like Habitat for Humanity really are.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 248 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1350, Improving Education Results for Children with Disabilities Act of 2003. More than two decades ago, the federal government imposed special education mandates on states and local school districts. Ever since then, the federal government has struggled to fund those mandates. Our nation's special needs children require a special commitment. And I'm pleased that this Congress has met that commitment with this IDEA renewal and reauthorization bill. It is important to note that since 1996 when Republicans regained the majority of this body, overall federal IDEA funding to states and school districts has increased by 282.3%. From 1996 to 2003, IDEA spending has increased an average of 18.6% per year--that's more than double the average annual increases from 1988 to 1995 when Democrats held the majority. This bill reauthorizes that renewed commitment that our party has brought to our nation's education policy. Not only is it Congress' responsibility to financially support the provision of special education by local school districts, it is our duty to ensure that no child is left behind in America's classrooms. Today, with this legislation we reaffirm this important priority. In addition to renewing our continued commitment to special needs education funding, H.R. 1350 increases accountability and improves education results for children with disabilities by deemphasizing compliance with complicated rules, diverting that attention to delivering academic results. It ensures that parents of special needs children will receive report cards from schools showing academic progress indicators beginning in 2005, just as the No Child Left Behind reforms implemented such policies for mainstream students. H.R. 1350 reduces the Individualized Education Plan, or IEP, paperwork burden on districts and special education teachers, lengthening the required IEP filing from every one to three years, though these provisions in the bill are options for BOTH states and parents. If parents opt for an annual IEP, this package continues to guarantee that right. By amending lengthy paperwork requirements, we ensure that teachers will spend more of their time on instructing students and less on filing government forms. In addition, H.R. 1350 improves early intervention strategies to reduce overidentifying or even misidentifying students as those with special needs. This legislation will give flexibility to local districts to use a percentage of funds for pre-referral services. Finally, this legislation supports general education and special education teachers by providing for appropriate professional development and encouraging innovative approaches to parental involvement and parental choice. Mr. Chairman, local school districts throughout my congressional district in New York State face uncertain fiscal times this coming budget year and, quite possibly, well into the near future. Funding instructional services for students with special needs is an enormous burden these districts bear. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1350 to more fully share in this responsibility.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this emergency war supplemental and to congratulate and thank our leadership, the chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), and ranking member, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), for the way they conducted themselves in that conference last night. They brought great credit upon this House, and I think that the will of the House was ably defended in that conference. This bill provides billions of dollars for our national defense, for the rebuilding of Iraq, and for homeland security. What a remarkable statement by a nation, a nation 227 years old and yet still altruistic, idealistic, idealistic enough to provide funds to complete the defeat of the Hussein regime, to liberate the people of Iraq, and then to provide the funds to rebuild that country. And what a great debt we owe to our soldiers and sailors who fought so brilliantly throughout. There are funds for homeland security that will go to all States and localities, with major help for my State, New York State and New York City, $800 million to high-density, high-risk urban areas to protect critical infrastructure and to make sure an attack like September 11 never happens again. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, an additional $100 million has been provided to the Secretary of the Veterans Administration to provide health care and disability compensation for our returning soldiers and sailors. That is the very least we can do. And in closing, I would just like to again congratulate the House leadership, the Committee on Appropriations leadership, both parties, for the remarkable job they did in keeping this bill on course.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. 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. Con. Res. 142.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of my colleagues from all across the State who came here this evening to enjoy this pleasurable event. It has been a little time to gloat perhaps, certainly enjoy and bask in the glow of victory. New York State from time to time has these upstate-downstate differences. Clearly there is no difference here. We have Brooklyn and Hudson Valley and Buffalo and Utica, Syracuse; all of the way across the State, people have been very supportive. The East Regional Tournament was in Albany, and they turned Albany orange. It has been a great run for our school team. This is a championship season. It is something that not everyone gets to enjoy. I had a daughter who played on a State championship soccer team in high school, and there is a special feeling that comes from that, not just for the players and the coaches, but for the community, for the people who watched them and suffered their losses and bit their fingernails and turned their knuckles white when they had close calls. This really unified our town. Syracuse has had this basketball tradition for over 100 years, but we have never gotten to the national championship and won it. We have been there. We lost to Indiana back in 1987, a last-second shot by Keith Smart. Everybody in Syracuse knows where they were when Keith Smart made that shot. It was a defining moment. But to have this team go back to the Superdome and to see that last-second shot by the Kansas player, Lee, from the same spot that Keith Smart let that shot go from, it just shows there is justice in this world. The team chemistry was terrific. These young people did not know how good they were, but they found out. The country had no idea how good they were, but the country found out. Their egos did not get in the way. They played team basketball. The coach had them playing together beautifully, and everyone up home is enjoying it. I wanted to come before the House and take the privilege that I have to share that moment. My family is tied up inextricably with Syracuse. My father was the mayor of Syracuse. He was a Member of Congress from Syracuse. I am second generation. I am from Syracuse. Somebody said a long time ago that victory has a thousand fathers, loss is an orphan. There are thousands of fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters who are enjoying the heck out of this week. I hope they continue to enjoy it for a long time to come. We may never get a championship season again. We may get one next year, or in 15 or 20 years. The fact is, we have one now; let us enjoy it and thank God for it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the right to close.

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn), a fine former basketball player from Siena University.

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), my next-door neighbor from Utica and a Syracuse University graduate. (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Brooklyn, New York (Mr. Towns); pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Syracuse University's Orangemen. Monday night, our university laid claim to the school's first Division I men's basketball national championship after defeating the University of Kansas 81 to 78 in a heck of a game. In addition to the players and coaching staff, many deserve recognition, including school administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, students, and one of the most loyal fan bases in collegiate athletics. Mr. Speaker, as you may know, Syracuse has been to the Final Four before. Monday night's championship game proved for Head Coach Jim Boeheim that the third time is the charm as his team came full circle to defeat the national powerhouse of Kansas in the Louisiana Superdome, avenging a heartbreaking loss in 1987 to Indiana in the same facility. Preparing for a championship match-up against a senior-led Kansas team is not easy, and Coach Boeheim deserves much of the credit for his young team's outstanding determination and accomplishment. His team got back on defense and slowed down the Jayhawks' ferocious fast break. Knowing Coach Boeheim personally, as I do, I would like to congratulate him sincerely today from the House floor. He is Syracuse basketball. Coaching his alma mater for 27 years, and being part of Syracuse basketball for more than half of his life, this championship is deserved not only for all of Syracuse's supporters and community but certainly for the coach himself. Also deserving praise this afternoon is Assistant Coach Bernie Fine, who has been with Jim Boeheim for many, many years and the rest of the fine Syracuse coaching staff. Syracuse's championship team was led by Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Freshman Carmelo Anthony, and with outstanding support from Gerry McNamara; another freshman, Bill Edelin; Kueth Duany, a senior; Hakim Warrick, a sophomore; Craig Forth, a sophomore; Jeremy McNeil and Josh Pace. This young team demonstrated poise, presence, and pride in their performance throughout the tournament and all season long. This was really a fine year for this team, a very interesting team with great team chemistry. The first game of the year they lost to Memphis in the NIT preseason tournament. It was the only loss they had in the first 2 months of the season. It was a young team that jelled very, very quickly, led by Freshman Gerry McNamara, Carmelo Anthony, who many believe is perhaps the best basketball player in the country, certainly the best freshman. But it was the chemistry of the team that was really outstanding. Mr. Speaker, I would like to single out a couple of the individuals who did not get a lot of credit during the year, but I think they deserve it. One is Bill Edelin, who is a young man who came to Syracuse University, made a mistake, and instead of getting negative and sour, he took his medicine. He was suspended from the team. And when he finally did come back, he missed the first 12 games of the year, but he contributed immediately when he came back. He stayed positive, he stayed focused, and he did a remarkable job. The other is Josh Pace, a young player, a greatly talented player who did not get a lot of playing time, but he stayed positive, he stayed focused, he practiced hard, played his role; and when tournament time came, he lit it up. He played great basketball. This team won all the tough road games this year. They beat Michigan State at Michigan State, which is pretty tough to do. That was an elite 18. They beat Notre Dame at Notre Dame, a Sweet 16 team. And they beat Georgetown at Georgetown, and they were an NIT finalist. In fact, the only team to beat Syracuse in the last 2 months of the year was Connecticut, another Sweet 16 team. Very, very solid team. This was an interesting tournament, in that for Syracuse they had to play all of the great teams out of the Big 12 out west, arguably the best conference in the Nation this year. During the regular season, Syracuse played Missouri at Syracuse and defeated them. A very good Missouri team, a well-coached team, talented team. In the tournament, in the second game, they played Oklahoma State, one of the top teams in the Nation, certainly one of the top teams in the Big 12, and defeated them rather easily. The last three games of the tournament they beat three of the best five teams in the Nation and the three top teams in the Big 12, Oklahoma, Texas, and finally Kansas. This was a remarkable run through the tournament. They made us proud. Everybody in our community is excited. It is a small community. Syracuse is a city of about 150,000 people. It is sort of like Green Bay winning the Super Bowl. We have long winters, we have hardy souls who brave those cold days to go out, we have great fans, and we have very spirited and talented athletes. We are very proud of them. This is a great accomplishment for them and a great accomplishment for our community. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and the Workforce be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 142) congratulating the Syracuse University men's basketball team for winning the 2003 NCAA Division I men's basketball national championship, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Syracuse University Orangemen. Last night, Syracuse laid claim to the school's first Division I Basketball National Championship after defeating the University of Kansas, 81-78. In addition to the players and coaching staff, many deserve recognition, including school administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, students, and one of the most loyal fan bases in all of collegiate athletics. Mr. Speaker, as you may know, Syracuse has been to the Final Four before. Last night's championship game proved for Head Coach Jim Boeheim that the third time was the right time as his Orangemen came full circle to defeat a national powerhouse in the Louisiana Superdome, avenging a heartbreaking 1987 loss to Indiana in the same facility. Preparing for a championship match up against a senior-led Kansas team is not an easy task. Jim deserves much credit for his young team's outstanding determination and accomplishment. Knowing Coach Boeheim personally, I would like to congratulate him here on the House floor. He is Syracuse basketball. Coaching his alma mater for twenty-seven years and being part of Syracuse basketball for more than half his life, this championship is deserved not only for all of Syracuse's supporters and community but for the coach himself. Also deserving praise this afternoon is Head Assistant Coach Bernie Fine and the rest of the Syracuse coaching staff. Syracuse's championship team was led by Final Four MOP, freshman Carmelo Anthony, with outstanding support from Gerry McNamara, Billy Edelin, Kueth Duany, Hakim Warrick, Craig Forth, Jeremy McNeil, and Josh Pace. This young team demonstrated poise, presence, and pride in their performance throughout the tournament and all season long. The Orangemen's win last night certifies that Syracuse is a national college basketball powerhouse. Congratulations to the entire Syracuse University community. We are proud of you.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I beg to differ with the gentleman. These funds were appropriated in the 2003 bill to provide for resources across the board for a VA medical center; and it was supported very strongly, close to 400 votes by the House. So I oppose the gentleman's amendment for those reasons. We received a letter just a week ago requesting $5 million as opposed to the $20 million being requested today. I know the $5 million will be made available to the VA because I placed language in this bill to do so, and that will give the VA the time and the money they need to plan these medical emergency preparedness centers, and I spoke with the Secretary about it. He is pleased with that number. So I would ask that we oppose the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I chair the subcommittee on appropriations with responsibility for the Corporation for National Service and AmeriCorps, and for that reason this appropriations issue is within our subcommittee's jurisdiction. The gentleman who just spoke is the authorizing subcommittee chair, and so he has the authorizing jurisdiction. This is clearly an appropriations issue, not an authorization issue. And I just wanted to try to explain exactly what has happened. The gentleman said that this is being done in the dark of the night, that the Speaker did not know, the majority did not know, the whip did not know. Well, that is just not the case. I have a letter here on White House stationery, signed by the President of the United States. The letter was dated March 4 and it is to the Speaker. So the Speaker has had this about a month now. And the letter says: ``Dear Mr. Speaker, I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed request for the Corporation for National and Community Service. The request is needed to liquidate legitimate prior year obligations for eligible participants in the AmeriCorps program, to complete the implementation of a comprehensive corrective action plan developed by CNCS to strengthen financial management, and to provide flexibility to support more than 50,000 AmeriCorps members in fiscal year 2003. This request will not increase fiscal year 2004 requests. The details of this request are set forth in the enclosed letter from the director of OMB.'' Which I also have. Now, I understand the gentleman's frustration with this department. I have it also. I share responsibility with him, but that is no reason to deny the President's request. The President specifically asked that we move on this, and that is what I have done. These funds are set aside, are funds that are provided in a trust fund to these young people who volunteer to give their time to their community, to their country, and then they benefit from it at the end by receiving these funds. It is a stipend for their education. It is a wonderful program, full of idealism and altruism. And imagine if you completed your service and realized that the commitment that was made to you to provide these stipends was not there. All that altruism, all that idealism, I think would turn pretty sour pretty fast. So, Mr. Chairman, I will close by saying I respect the gentleman. I respect his thoughts on this. We work together very closely on this, but this is a direct request by the President of the United States and we are responding to that. So I would urge a no vote on the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Chairman, I would remind my friend that the President of the United States requested these funds be made available as soon as possible. Here is the letter, it is a month old, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The bill was circulated a week ago to all committees of jurisdiction. There was no intent to do this in the dark of night. This was an honest response to an honest request from an honest President. To paraphrase Mitch Daniels' letter, the Director of OMB, the $64 million requested is to liquidate legitimate prior-year obligations for eligible participants in the AmeriCorps program and to address this longstanding problem. Mr. Chairman, after 9/11, the President appealed to our better instincts. He called on volunteerism across the country. This is the vehicle. It is the best vehicle. And now he has asked us to provide these funds to keep a promise. A promise is a promise. Support a wartime President who has the vision to see beyond the war. Vote ``no'' on the Hoekstra amendment.

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment, and I do so regretfully. The gentleman has great concern for America's veterans, and he has always showed that concern; and he does so in this amendment, and I share that concern. I am also pleased that he has decided not to request a vote on this. I think there is logic to his argument. I would just like to say that we on the subcommittee have taken great pains to provide the veterans medical centers with the resources that they need. In fact, the Committee on Appropriations has provided record increases to VA medical care in the last 3 years. We provided $122 million to the VA for medical care for emergency preparedness activities in the fiscal year 2003 bill which we just passed several weeks ago, fully funded. We fully funded the pharmaceutical cache requirement at $26 million; so no additional funds are required there. We fully funded the computer cybersecurity initiatives for $75 million. We fully funded the personal protective equipment and training needs of $15 million.

Mr. WALSH. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Chief Master Sergeant David L. Benson. Originally from Chittenango, NY, Chief Benson enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1962 and subsequently has spent over 38 years with New York Air National Guard. Chief Benson has been decorated with numerous medals, awards and service distinctions. It is my honor to recognize such a distinguished citizen and soldier. Chief Benson's career began as an Aircraft Mechanic at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas. Soon after he was assigned to the 4626th Support Squadron, Sage, Air Defense Command at Topsham Air Force Station in Brunswick, Maine. After completion of his four year tour of duty, Chief Benson was granted his release from active duty and became a member of the 174th Fighter Wing of the New York National Guard. Here he preformed duties as an Aircraft Crew Chief on the F-86H Sabrejet Fighter Aircraft and the A-37B Dragonfly. He was also an Egress Shop Chief and Accessories Element Supervisors. Concluding his career, Chief Benson served as a Noncommissioned Officer In-charge of the Component Repair Flight. Mr. Speaker, Chief Benson has served our nation proud in many military arenas. He has been deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of the Persian Gulf War and once again to the Middle East during Operation Northern Watch as part of contingency operations enforcing the no-fly zone over Northern Iraq. He also participated in Operation Noble Eagle after the September 11th attacks. During these times and throughout his career, Chief Benson has displayed honorable character and service to the 174th and our country. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. He also holds the Joint Meritorious Service Award with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat ``V'' device and four oak leaf clusters. His service awards include the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with ten oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze campaign stars, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with eight oak leaf clusters, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with the gold hourglass device and three Mobilization ``M'' devices, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon. His Foreign Service awards include the Kuwait Liberation Medal from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal from the Government of Kuwait. Chief Benson's New York State military awards include the New York State Long and Faithful Service Award with five shield devices, the New York State Desert Storm Service Medal, the New York State Defense of Liberty Medal and the New York State Exercise Support Ribbon with two ``E'' devices. Without question Mr. Speaker, Chief Benson is a very special person. He willingly served his nation, exuding loyalty and pride. For his unrelenting service, Chief Benson can retire knowing he has earned such a status. I would like to wish him well in his retirement years, as he will now be able to spend more free time with his Stephanie, daughter Natalie and two sons, David and Jason. Thank you Chief for all your years of hard work and dedication.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey for yielding time to me on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, our contributions to the International Fund for Ireland since 1986 have been a vital contributor to the progress towards peace in that troubled region. This bill authorizes last year's level of $25 million, and is a U.S. vote of confidence in the peace process and the peaceful future of Northern Ireland, which we want and we see unfolding at long last. It is also a vote of thanks to the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, who has supported our efforts in Iraq with keeping Shannon Airport open for American military troop refueling flights. Peace in Northern Ireland, which these International Fund for Ireland monies also support, helps end the British Army massive presence there and makes it easier for them to help support our activities in Iraq. I believe hundreds of troops from Northern Ireland are there now playing a very crucial role. I compliment the chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), and the original cosponsors, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), for all their years of firm dedication to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and for leading the way on H.R. 1208, now before us. Now more than ever, as we reach the possibility of the end game in the north of Ireland of lasting peace and justice, the U.S. contribution to the IFI must be maintained, yet somewhat refocused. We need IFI to address new needs as we set about cementing the peace. Besides just economic development through cross-community job projects, which is still very important, we also need the IFI to play an increasing role in more direct reconciliation efforts. The bill sets out a reasonable and workable spending formula, 20 percent direct reconciliation versus 80 percent economic development, for the use of U.S. contributions to the IFI. This expenditure formula will help refocus the U.S. monies to meet new requirements and challenges. The Good Friday agreement was not around when the IFI was founded in 1986; and no one envisioned then, for example, a new acceptable, as well as accountable, police service in the north and many other changes that are now a reality. Another good example of the IFI's new role, as Mark Durkin, the leader of SDLP pointed out to me just a few weeks ago, is helping in the transitional use of former British military bases and prisons being closed, changing those into housing projects, shopping centers, and industrial parks. IFI needs to be helpful in brokering deals on the peaceful use of these old military sites, once the very symbols of the ``troubles.'' This is truly turning swords into plowshares, and the IFI can and should help. H.R. 1208 specifically requires the IFI to spend 20 percent of our contribution to help support programs that enhance direct reconciliation between both communities, and between police and all the communities they serve in the north. The IFI under the bill is encouraged to promote human rights training for police, enhance mediation efforts in interface areas of continuing conflict, and to promote training of the new cross-community district police partnership boards in the north. These new reconciliation efforts will soon ensure the future of the north and the security of these warm and generous people and their elected leaders under the established power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. Mr. Speaker, I urge full support by the House of H.R. 1208.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this St. Patrick's Day on behalf of the Friends of Ireland in the United States Congress as we proudly reflect upon the ties that bind America and the island of Ireland. We extend a warm welcome to the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and to the political leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland who have traveled to America to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with us. We would like to recognize and commend President Bush's commitment to the peace process and to the promotion of reconciliation in Northern Ireland. We would also like to recognize Ambassador Richard Haass for the important and constructive role he has played in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. This year we mark the fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which holds the promise of ensuring a just and lasting peace in Northern Ireland and a stable and inclusive government for all the people of Northern Ireland. The Friends of Ireland stand firmly with those political leaders who are steadfastly working to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement will be fully implemented and that political institutions of Northern Ireland will be restored for once and for all. Since the Good Friday agreement we are seeing a more stable economy in Northern Ireland. Unemployment is down dramatically in both communities, inward investment is up strongly, and Northern Ireland is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. We encourage all the parties to take the necessary steps for peace, and we look forward to the cessation of all paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland, the demilitarization of Northern Ireland, the growth of a police force that represents and protects all the people of Northern Ireland, and the enactment of justice and equality laws that serve all the people of Northern Ireland. We commend this progress and encourage greater and mutually beneficial economic links between the island of Ireland and the United States. The 44 million Americans of Irish decent share these goals, and join us in wishing the people of the island of Ireland a happy St. Patrick's Day.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Thomas Shepardson. He was a life resident of Syracuse, NY, a graduate of Simmons Institute of Funeral Service and the owner of two local funeral homes. Aside from Tom's loving family, one of his most notable accomplishment was the creation of the Disaster Mortuary Operational Rescue Team, D-MORT. Tom died of a sudden heart attack this past February 18th, he was only 59 years old. It was Tom's ingenuity to bring together the expertise of pathologists, dentists, morticians, police and rescue workers to collect and identify bodies after incidents of mass destruction. This successful collaboration has grown from a local county response team into 10 regional D-MORT teams across the country. Under Tom's leadership, D-MORT teams have responded to numerous disasters, including the September 11th attacks and the Oklahoma City bombings. Mr. Speaker, directing these teams during such tragic situations is a daunting task. However Tom handled them with ease. He was always looking to help others while controlling the situation with his calm and collective demeanor. His leadership will certainly be missed. It is truly an honor to recognize a man who's work has had such a positive and beneficial impact on so many lives. Mr. Shepardson leaves behind his wife Jacqueline, daughter Laura and two sons Peter and Christopher. Certainly they will miss Tom greatly, as will D-MORT and its members.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, on March 21, 2003 my friend and constituent, Patrick D. McLaughlin, will retire from 36 years of service with United Parcel Service. On that day, Pat will complete a very distinguished career that he began in 1967 as an office assistant. Since then, he has enjoyed a steady rise through the UPS ranks. During this most recent tenure as the Upstate New York Public Affairs Coordinator, Pat has been a valuable source of information, always providing a straightforward assessment on the local impact of national policy being debated in Washington. UPS provides hundreds of steady, good paying jobs in my Congressional District. Pat's capable advocacy on behalf of these employees deserves our recognition and demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the betterment of the Central New York community. In knowing and working with Pat through the years, we have developed a lasting friendship that will continue even though his duties at UPS will soon come to an end. As a friend, I am grateful for the opportunity to formally acknowledge his meaningful contributions to our community and honor his service to UPS on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Good luck, Pat. Thank you for your hard work.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Patrick DiDomenico. From 1973 until just recently, Pat served as an elected official for the Town of Clay, New York, first in the role of town counselor and then town supervisor for the past 20 years. This makes him the longest continuously serving town supervisor in Onondaga County history. His long life of public service came to an end on February 8th of this year after a battle with cancer. He was only 65 years old. Pat DiDomenico leaves behind his love for family and the town of Clay. I knew Pat as a genuinely kind and compassionate man who, when he wasn't smiling, was fighting hand and glove for the betterment of the town of Clay. He always marveled local colleagues with his steadfast ability to create astonishing opportunities and results from meager beginnings and often lopsided opposition. Under Pat's leadership the town of Clay has grown from a small rural community to a suburban township of 60,000 residents. His guidance is a testament to his skillful leadership of small town development. This is exemplified as Clay became the fastest growing town in New York State, growing from 36,274 in 1970 to 58,805 in 2000. With the excitement of Clay's development, Pat made it a point to create fiscal prosperity for the town while easing the economic burdens of new growth. This is seen in the closing of Clay's landfill and the Three Rivers Project, which has transformed an old industrial area into a prospering tourist and commercial region for the town. His fingerprints can be found on all the major projects taken on by the town, foremost the development of Route 31, the Great Northern Mall and the recent completion of the new town hall. His visionary leadership was the primary root that has branched out into a town the size of many small cities. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to have known and worked with a leader who fought so hard for a town he loved so much. Pat is one of the best civic leaders I have ever had the privilege to know in all my years of public service. It is my honor to recognize Mr. Pat DiDomenico for his endless years of service on behalf of the people of Clay and Onondaga County. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all he has done. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends, including wife Patricia and children Anthony, Patrick and Nicole. Pat's leadership will be missed, but his life will not be forgotten.

Mr. WALSH

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Webster Schroeder High School Men's Varsity Football Team for winning the Class AA New York State Football Championship and for their outstanding efforts throughout this past season. With great patience, courage, and dedication the Webster Warriors came together this season to capture the New York State Title, 28-7 against the Shenendehowa High School Football Team. The Webster Warriors, ranked eighth in Eastern Region Football, have continued their 19 game winning streak, the third longest in the state, with a perfect 13-0 season. Through teamwork and determination the Warriors have established themselves as fierce competitors in AA Football. The team has stayed focused on its goals and has not let anyone stand in its way towards reigning at the top of the division. On behalf of the people of the 25th District of New York, it is my honor to congratulate the Webster Schroeder High School Football Team and their coaching staff on their Class AA State Football Championship. With these remarks, I would like to recognize the following players and staff. Andrew Fichera, Mike Smith, Justin Costanza, Mike Kaplun, Ray Jones, Joe Aquilina, Dave Serinis, RJ Kelly, Eddie Paffendorf, John Piccone, Jack Mooney, Mike Mahoney, Janney Appell, Dave Dodge, Lee Williams, Mike Stenclik, Carl Garritano, Phil Galletto, Geremy Powers, Mitch Pawluk, Mike Ruggieri, Steve Caezza, Mike Hughes, Marco Falletta, Joe Nacca, Jim Mikolajko, Chris Joyce, Greg Pitts, Khyle Petrie, Andrew Hughes, Bryan Lehrer, Ryan Johnson, Aaron Frank, Craig Avalone, Jimmy Johnson, Brandon Mack, Rob Herman, Melood Abugasea, Mike Yokopovich, Chris Massaro, Mark Dyroff, Steve Jonas, Dave Burgess, Joe Powell, Chris McClurg, Brian Caston, Justin Schifano, Russ Corona, Steve Hollis, Jeff Bucciarelli, Evan McConnell, Chad Costanza, Brian Mack, Billy Bulmahn, Mark Chavoustie, Head Coach Anthony Bianchi, and Assistants Jim Bellucco, Dave Howlett, Chris Urban, Jim Cleveland, Jim Fichera, and Vito Torregiano.