Jim Walsh

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of ViaHealth of Wayne located in Newark, New York. Newark Wayne Community Hospital opened its doors on April 1, 1957, and for 50 years it has provided the people of Wayne County and surrounding areas with quality medical care. The highly trained, dedicated staff is committed to providing superior health care to everyone who comes through the hospital doors. The health care professionals at Newark Wayne Community Hospital offer a wide range of expertise, from heart and cancer care to providing living assistance for seniors. The incredible staff is able to offer care to everyone, using leading edge medical technology that ensures patients receive the best health care services possible. I thank all of the individuals, families, and foundations whose hard work and dedication have been instrumental in making Newark Wayne Community Hospital a success. I congratulate all of you on reaching this important milestone and know that you will continue to serve the community proudly for another 50 years.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 200th anniversary of the Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles, New York. Founded by Isaac Sherwood in 1807 the Sherwood Inn has served as a fixture in the Central New York community for two centuries. Throughout its long history, the Sherwood Inn has seen many renovations and expansions and been known by many different names and owned by numerous people, but it has constantly been dedicated to serving travelers and diners in the area. During the influenza epidemic of 1918 the Sherwood Inn went above and beyond its call of public service by serving as a temporary hospital. Owned by William Eberhardt since 1974, the Sherwood Inn is one of the oldest, continuously operating inns in New York State. It has served as a place for community activities, business meetings, family gatherings, and special events. Throughout its operation, the Sherwood Inn has employed hundreds of area citizens and has served as a crucial leader in the revival of the village of Skaneateles and the Finger Lakes region. The Sherwood Inn has always strived to maintain the highest standards of public service, and I am proud to recognize them today. I congratulate the past and present employees of the Sherwood Inn on reaching this milestone, and I thank them for their two centuries of dedicated public service that has been such a positive influence on the community.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself and Mr. Kuhl of New York to recognize Pamela Melroy; Commander of the Space Shuttle Discovery Mission STS-120. Ms. Melroy has become just the second female shuttle commander in NASA's history. Despite NASA being comprised of approximately 19 percent women, there are currently no other female pilot-astronauts within the agency, which makes it probable that Commander Melroy may also be the last woman to command a space shuttle before the program ends in 2010. As a member of a military family, Melroy spent her childhood living in many towns, but considers Rochester, NY, her hometown. She graduated from Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester and earned her bachelor's degree in physics and astronomy from Wellesley College. Melroy continued her education and received her masters of science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Commander Melroy served in the United States Air Force from 1983 until 2007. During her career in the Air Force, she flew combat missions in Iraq, and eventually graduated from the Air Force's exclusive test-pilot school. Over the span of her 24-year career, she logged 5,000 hours of flight time in 45 different aircrafts. Pamela Melroy began her astronaut career in 1994 when she was selected as a candidate by NASA. Prior to her becoming Commander of Discovery, Melroy worked on a number of projects and took on a number of roles within NASA. She served on the Columbia Reconstruction Team, as deputy project manager for a crew survival investigation team, and as a pilot on two space shuttle missions. Pamela Melroy became the second female space shuttle commander on October 23, 2007 when mission STS-120 launched. This delivered the Harmony module to the International Space Station in order to prepare the station for future missions. Melroy follows in the footsteps of fellow Upstate New York native Eileen Collins, who was the first female space shuttle commander. Throughout her career Commander Melroy has served as a valuable co- worker and leader and is highly respected by those who work with her. Her contributions to her country as a member of the Air Force and as an astronaut are invaluable. Inspired by Apollo missions when she was younger, Melroy herself serves as an inspiration by showing how far women have come in the space program. Representative Kuhl and I thank Pamela Melroy for her dedication and service to her country as a member of the Air Force and as an astronaut and congratulate her on a successful career thus far. She has and will continue to be a true leader and an excellent role model for young people today.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, Mr. Chairman, I do not intend to take a lot of time since this is the sixth time this year that I have spoken on this legislation, twice in committee and now four times on the floor of this House. I would like to thank Chairman Obey and to thank his staff for the good, solid work product that they have delivered. I have enjoyed our work together this year, and as I said before, this bill, the people's bill, is a thoughtful piece of legislation. If Congress does not override the President's veto, I will look forward to working with the chairman to negotiate a good bill that can be enacted. If the veto is sustained, I would hope that all parties, the White House and both houses of Congress, will come together quickly and work in good faith to complete the appropriations process in a timely manner. There is no good reason why we can't compromise this bill. In times past, people in this body of good faith have overcome differences far greater than we have tonight. If the proposal is to split the difference, to reduce the amount of spending above the President's request by $11 billion, I would advise the President to take ``yes'' for an answer. Let's go home for Thanksgiving, thank God for all the blessings that He has bestowed upon this country, and pray for wisdom and good sense, and come back and get our work done in December. I yield the balance of my time to the distinguished ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis). (Mr. LEWIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I am proud to be here this evening to assist the chairman in the management of this important bill. I did not intend to take much time since I think over the last week we have said just about everything there is to be said. I am pleased that we now have before us a straightforward Labor-HHS- Education conference report to review and consider. I would like to extend my appreciation to Chairman Obey and his capable staff for helping us to work our way through this bill and the development of this bill. He has been a great partner in the effort to put this bill together. I am pleased the Senate separated the Military Construction- Veterans bill from this conference report. With respect to the Labor-HHS bill before us, it is a good bill and a fair compromise. It makes needed investment in our Nation's health care, infrastructure, supports our country's workforce and increases educational opportunity for America's kids. I intend to support it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALSH of New York. Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers.

Mr. WALSH of New York. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my chairman, Mr. Obey, for the hard work, the energy and the thought that went into this bill, and both the minority and the majority staff for the hard work that they did in preparing us for the culmination of this work. But I have to say, Madam Speaker, as someone who supported both of these bills that are contained in this conference report before us, I must admit to no small measure of frustration and disappointment with respect to where we stand today. I'm disappointed because this exercise embodies what is wrong with Washington. By lancing these two bills together, we ensure a Presidential veto of both. By combining these bills, it makes certain that neither will advance in a timely fashion. And tying them together guarantees that we will further delay vital and noncontroversial spending for our veterans; funding to provide our wounded warriors needed health care; funding to reduce the backlog in the processing of claims benefits; and funding to invest in our veterans hospitals and defense facilities, both here at home and abroad. I've said over and over, I can't figure out how anyone thinks that holding the veterans funding, which we all support, hostage to a bill that is going to be vetoed is good public policy. The fact is, everyone knows it's not good public policy; and, frankly, it's not even good politics. As former Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young asked, Give me one good government reason why joining these two bills makes sense. I supported both the Labor-HHS and the Military Construction-Veterans Appropriations bills when they came to the House earlier this year. I think they're both good bills, and they're both well designed by the chairmen and the ranking members. Chairman Obey and I have worked shoulder to shoulder on the Labor-HHS bill for several months now, and I am satisfied with this bill as it has been produced over the last several weeks. I think it is a fair compromise. Knowing the President is not going to sign the bill, I am optimistic that he will negotiate with us in good faith in the coming weeks so that we can produce a final product that he can sign and we can pass that preserves the important bipartisan priorities this legislation seeks to address. I am incredibly disappointed that leaders of this committee have been forced to yield to the political whims and flippant strategies of party leaders advancing this needless game of partisan one-upmanship. Appropriations has always been a committee of principle, a committee of good governance. Appropriators have traditionally cast aside politics for policy. Tonight, Madam Speaker, this committee has become the primary sponsor of a partisan stand-off, and that's a shame. My constituents sent me here to develop good policy. They sent me here to do the right thing. And the fact is that delaying vital funding for our veterans is not the right thing. I regret that we're here discussing this. I regret that we haven't seen the Military Construction-Veterans bill go to the White House. It's a bill that could have been sent a month ago. If the Senate sends the Labor-HHS bill back to us as a stand-alone conference report, I will vote for it. As importantly, I will be among the first to vote for a stand-alone Military Construction-Veterans conference report as soon as the House decides to appoint conferees, but the process that has been used to bring us to this point leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in an attempt to set the record straight with respect to recent history of funding for these important veterans programs. Certain speakers over the past several days have made statements that have, in the least, inferred that the manner in which we are being asked to vote for the veterans portion of this package before us is consistent with past practice. This is simply not the case. The facts of the matter are these: In 7 of 12 years of previous Republican control, funding for veterans was approved in stand-alone bills. In five of those cases, the conference report containing veterans funding was approved in September or October. In one case, the conference report was approved on November 8, and another was approved on November 18. In 4 of the remaining 5 years, veterans funding was included in multiple omnibus bills. But in all but one of these cases, the House had approved the stand-alone veterans bill. In all but two cases, the Senate passed a stand-alone bill. In one case, fiscal year 2003, the election year in which the Senate switched its majority, neither body approved a stand-alone bill. In every one of these 4 years, the omnibus bill that was finally approved was both fiscally responsible and negotiated openly by the House and the Senate bodies with full awareness and agreement of the executive branch. In the final circumstance, last year, the House approved a veterans bill before the beginning of the fiscal year and waited until the day before Congress adjourned for the Senate to appoint conferees. Unfortunately, such appointment occurred too late to act. As we saw, when we had the majority in the House, there was a tremendous amount of frustration with the other body in closing some of these conferences out. I suspect my good friends on the other side of the aisle are experiencing similar frustration this evening. Although funding for our veterans has found its way to these deserving Americans in more than one manner, the real point here is that not once in the past 12 years or even before that, as far as I am aware, has such funding for veterans been placed in jeopardy in the manner that it is being placed tonight. Never has it been paired with a bill that everyone is certain will be vetoed. Never has it been used as a pawn to force the President to choose veterans over other programs, no matter how important they may be. Madam Speaker, as many of my friends are wont to say, people are entitled to their own opinions but not to their own facts. In the debate regarding the funding for our veterans, it is particularly important that the facts are not distorted for political purposes. Veterans Funding History Under Republican Congresses FY 1996: Stand alone VA-HUD conference report passed in December. Subsequently vetoed, and wrapped into an Omnibus which passed the following Spring (4/25/96). House passed conference report 12/7/95. Senate passed conference report 12/14/95. President vetoed conference report 12/18/95. Enacted as part of the Omnibus 4/25/96. FY 1997: Stand alone VA-HUD conference report enacted before the end of the fiscal year (9/26/06). House passed conference report 9/24/96. Senate passed conference report 9/ 25/96. President signed conference report 9/26/96. FY 1998: Stand alone VA-HUD conference report enacted in October (10/27/97). House passed conference report 10/8/97. Senate passed conference report 10/9/97. President signed conference report 10/27/97. FY 1999: Stand alone VA-HUD conference report enacted in October (10/21/98). House passed conference report 10/6/98. Senate passed conference report 10/8/98. President signed conference report 10/21/98. FY 2000: Stand alone VA-HUD conference report enacted in October (10/20/99). House passed conference report 10/14/99. Senate passed conference report 10/15/99. President signed conference report 10/20/99. FY 2001: VA-HUD conference report enacted in October with the Energy and Water attached (10/27/00). Energy and Water conference was previously vetoed and the revised E&W agreement was included within the VA-HUD conference agreement. House passed conference report 10/19/00. Senate passed conference report 10/19/00. President signed conference report 10/27/00. FY 2002: Stand alone VA-HUD conference report enacted in November (11/26/01). House passed conference report 11/8/01. Senate passed conference report 11/8/01. President signed conference report 11/26/01. FY 2003: Neither the House nor Senate passed a VA-HUD bill (nor did they pass 9 other appropriations bills). This was the year the Senate changed parties in the 2002 election. The omnibus which was enacted in February 2003 contained 11 of the 13 appropriations bills. House passed omnibus conference report 2/13/03. Senate passed omnibus conference report 2/13/ 03. President signed omnibus conference report 2/13/03. FY 2004: Senate did not pass the VA-HUD bill until November 18, 2003. The bill was wrapped into an omnibus conference report which was filed one week after Senate passage (11/25/ 03) that included 7 of 13 appropriations bills. The House passed the omnibus in December (12/8/03), however a filibuster in the Senate delayed passage of the omnibus conference report until January (1/22/04) and the omnibus was enacted the next day (1/23/04). House passed omnibus conference report 12/08/03. Senate passed omnibus conference report 1/22/04. President signed omnibus conference report 1/ 23/04. FY 2005: Senate never passed the VA-HUD bill. The bill was wrapped into an omnibus which contained 9 of the 13 appropriations bills. The omnibus conference report was enacted in December (12/8/04). House passed omnibus conference report 11/20/04. Senate passed omnibus conference report 11/20/04. President signed omnibus conference report 12/08/04. FY 2006: Stand alone Military Quality of Life-VA conference report enacted in November (11/30/05). House passed conference report 11/18/05. Senate passed conference report 11/18/05. President signed conference report 11/30/06. FY 2007: Senate did not pass the Military Quality of Life- VA bill until November (11/14/06) and did not appoint conferees until December (12/06/06) due to objections over earmarks. The bill was wrapped into an omnibus continuing resolution enacted in February 2007 (2/15/07) which contained 9 of the 11 appropriations bills. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, at this time, I yield 4 minutes to the member of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon).

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), the distinguished ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself just a few brief moments, but first I would like to ask the chairman if he has any additional speakers.

Mr. WALSH of New York. In that case I will wrap up. I would just like to express to my good friend and colleague, the chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Committee, that I envy him the ability to say tonight that he has provided, his subcommittee bill has provided, the greatest increase in the history of veterans spending, because I was able to do that four times myself, and it is a great feeling. It is a credit to the subcommittee. I do believe that is a good bill. I think it is just really unfortunate that we had to put these two bills together and put them both at risk. With that, Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. I thank my friend from California for yielding time, and I rise in strong support of this motion to instruct conferees. Before I do that though, I'd like to comment, just make a couple of comments on some of the debate that's occurred, specifically, the notion that the Republican Party, when we were in the majority, did not pass our military quality of life and veterans bills. And I know the chairman knows this, but we did. In the House, we did. We passed our bills overwhelmingly. And we ran into a little problem with the other body. And I know the chairman feels our pain there because he has been and will continue to be running into problems with the other body, and I will work with him on those. But we did conscientiously work to resolve these issues here in the House. And I think historically, at least in my brief time here, we have done that. But the Senate is the Senate, and they do what they do. We do it our own way, and I think we do it very effectively regardless of the party in power in the House. I would also mention, because the chairman did a little bit of crowing about the things that they are doing in this bill and they've done in the other bills, we passed, year after year after year, record increases in veterans health care spending. And they were needed because we have so many veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe injuries, both physical and mental. But we stepped up to the plate and we did it in a bipartisan way. And we passed record increases. I think, on average, 10 percent increases per year; faster growth than any other budget in the Federal Government. So we are second to none in our support of veterans. And we will continue to support those bills that the other party passes if they are truly bipartisan. And I think this one, the Military Construction and VA bill is. Back to the motion to instruct the conferees. Quite simply, what this motion says is that the conferees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bills should not add material to the conference report that was not approved by either House or the Senate. This should not be controversial, but based on what has happened here today, it is. The reality is that this majority should not be combining a bill that has received a veto threat with two other bills that have not. I've supported the Labor-H bill throughout this process. Chairman Obey has been fair, and I've worked with him shoulder to shoulder to bring this bill forward. He has fought for Republican and Democratic initiatives and measures equally, and I thank him, and he has my respect for that. But I was not consulted when it came to putting these three bills together. I voted for the Military Construction-VA bill. I voted for the defense bill. They are all good bills, in my humble opinion. The Senate has passed all three bills, as has the House. There is no reason why these three bills cannot be conferenced individually, sent to the President individually and accepted or rejected individually. But most assuredly, by combining them, they are all doomed to fail. If the President vetoes any of the three freestanding conference reports, we in the House, and our colleagues in the other body, will have an opportunity to override that veto. Frankly, I see the effort to attach the Defense and Military Construction-Veterans bills to the Labor-HHS bill as nothing more than posturing and, in fact, brinksmanship. Madam Speaker, the resulting bill would represent everything that is wrong with Washington. The confusion that will ensue in the country will only serve as a shining example of why this Congress today enjoys its lowest approval ratings in generations. The people of New York's 25th Congressional District sent me to Washington to represent their interests and to solve problems. This effort to combine these bills creates a problem. This Congress has produced less than a handful of bills in 10 months, and no appropriations bills to date. We can pass and have signed two bills easily, the Veterans bill and the Defense bill. But instead, by combining these bills to Labor-H, we will bring them all down. It is a plan to fail, just like the SCHIP bill was. As I said, I support the Labor-HHS bill and I will likely continue to support it as a freestanding bill. I understand politics and I understand political strategy, but putting funding for veterans health care and our military at risk to score points is beyond the pale. I know there are some Members of Congress and some individuals in the White House who would like to see this government continue to operate on a continuing resolution as we have this past year. I don't. We can pass these bills stand-alone, but we can't pass them lashed together. This process hurts the credibility of the Appropriations Committee, a committee that has historically been nonpartisan and task oriented. Mark my words, if we continue along this path, we will be operating on a CR again in 2008. And for a third year in a row, no Member requests will be honored in the Labor-HHS bill, and for a third year in a row, the Appropriations Committee will fail to meet its responsibilities.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Syracuse native Monsignor Frank Sammons, who passed away on July 7 at the age of 87. Throughout his life Monsignor Sammons was dedicated not only to the priesthood and his faith, but also to the people and communities he served. A graduate of St. Vincent de Paul High School, Sammons continued his education at Niagara University, St. Bernard's Seminary, and the Theological College of Washington, DC. He was ordained into the Catholic priesthood on May 15, 1947 and served as parochial vicar in his first assignment at St. John the Baptist Church in Syracuse, New York. In 1968, Monsignor Sammons became the pastor of St. Patrick's Church on Tipperary Hill where he served until his retirement in 1995. Even in retirement, Monsignor Sammons was active in the church and the community. He served at St. Matthew's Parish in East Syracuse and as Diocesan Minister to retired priests. Sammons also belonged to the Bishop Ludden Planning Committee and served as the Chaplain for Bishop Grimes' athletics. Monsignor Sammons was equally as passionate about sports and youth as he was about the priesthood. A former athlete himself, Sammons was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. He founded the City-County Youth Board and served on the National Conference of Catholic Youth. Sammons also served as director of the Catholic Youth Organization, CYO, and he founded the organization's popular youth basketball league. In addition, Monsignor Sammons served as director of Lourdes Camp in Skaneateles, New York. He also took on the role of athletic director for all three Syracuse Catholic High Schools: Christian Brothers Academy, Bishop Grimes, and Bishop Ludden. Monsignor Sammons' commitment to the Catholic Church and the people-- especially the youth--that he served is unquestionable. Monsignor Sammons was a fixture in our community, and he will be sorely missed.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Stickley furniture maker Alfred J. Audi. Mr. Audi passed away peacefully on September 29, surrounded by his loving family. Together with his wife and partner Aminy, Alfred Audi presided over the L. & J.G. Stickley Furniture company, founded in 1900 and inspired by the American Arts and Crafts pioneer Gustav Stickley of Syracuse, New York. After graduating from Moses Brown School and Colgate University, Mr. Audi served three years in New York City's 42nd Infantry Division while working as president of E.J. Audi, Inc., a successful New York City furniture retailer founded by his family in 1928. In 1974, Alfred and his wife Aminy purchased the fledgling Stickley Furniture in Fayetteville, New York at the urging of Leopold Stickley's widow Louise who feared the company's commitment to quality and strong design would be lost without Audi's leadership at the helm. Over the next 33 years, Alfred and Aminy together grew Stickley from a company close to extinction with a 22 person workforce in a small, outdated factory to a 1600 employee manufacturing and sales operation and furniture design leader with three factories in Manlius, New York, North Carolina, and Vietnam. In addition, Stickley boasts of 13 retail showrooms in five States and a network of 125 dealers across the globe. In nurturing Stickley back to health, Alfred reintroduced Stickley's signature Mission style furniture to the market and greatly influenced current arts and crafts trends in home and furniture design. Besides their work with Stickley, Alfred and Aminy have resurrected three other furniture companies on the verge of collapse in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina. In addition to his success in the business world, Alfred Audi exhibited tremendous athletic accomplishment on the bowling alley, squash and racquetball court, as well as the golf course. In 2004, Alfred won the New York State Super Senior Golf Championship. Mr. Audi also leaves a legacy of community involvement and philanthropy, having been a member of numerous boards and commissions. Alfred Audi is survived by his loving wife of 43 years Aminy, son Edward, daughters Carolyn and Andrea, son-in-law Michael, three grandchildren, and 1600 proud members of the Stickley family. Even today, the company Alfred and Aminy resurrected remains a dedicated family-run operation. For his contributions to business, the furniture industry, and the greater Central New York community, I honor my dear friend and supporter Alfred J. Audi for a lifetime of accomplishment. Al Audi's success proves that you can be successful in business in Upstate New York while passionately committed to a quality product, your employees and their families.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize boxing Champion and Central New York native Carmen Basilio as he celebrates the 50th anniversary of his World Middleweight Championship. Basilio was born on April 27, 1927 in Canastota, New York. The son of an onion farmer, he spent many hours of his childhood working with his father on their farm, which led to his boxing nickname ``the onion picker''. Carmen became a professional boxer in 1948, after being honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. Basilio became the New York State welterweight champion in 1953 and defended that title in 1954. On June 10, 1955 Carmen defeated Tony DeMarco in a 12 round bout to win the World Welterweight title. A rematch was held on November 30th of that same year, and Basilio defended his title, after breaking his left hand earlier in the match, by knocking out DeMarco in the 12th round. Basilio would hold the World Welterweight Title until March 14, 1956 when he lost to Johnny Saxton. Never one to give up, Basilio regained the title on September 12, 1956 by defeating Saxton in a rematch. He remained the World Welterweight Champion until he vacated the role to fight in the World Middleweight Championship on September 23, 1957. Fifty years ago this month on September 23, 1957, Carmen Basilio challenged World Middleweight Champion Sugar Ray Robinson for the title. The fight, which took place at Yankee Stadium, is known as one of the most action packed fights of the decade. Even though he was smaller in size and reach, Basilio defeated Robinson in a 15 round decision to become the World Middleweight Champion. Basilio would relinquish his championship back to Robinson in a rematch six months later, and would twice unsuccessfully try to regain it back. He won two more fights before hanging up his boxing gloves in 1961. Carmen was named fighter of the year in 1955 and 1957, and would finish his career with 56 wins, 17 losses, 7 draws, and 27 knockouts. Although he left his fighting days behind him, Basilio still remained involved in athletics. He served as a physical education instructor at Le Moyne College and remained very involved in Central New York boxing. In 1982 the citizens of Canastota wanted to pay tribute to their hometown fighter and did so by erecting a bronze statue of Basilio. The excitement of the statue led to the building of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, which was completed in 1989. Basilio was inducted in 1990 and continues to be a frequent visitor and volunteer at the Hall of Fame. Carmen Basilio was a boxer, but perhaps even more, he was a fighter. Even in losses Basilio never gave up. He always fought with perseverance, passion, and heart which earned him great respect beyond wins and losses. I am proud to stand up and honor this man--who has served as an inspiration to so many from Central New York--on the 50th anniversary of his Middleweight Championship. As his International Boxing Hall of Fame biography says, ``his tough gritty style not only won him world titles, but it was the heart and desire he displayed in the ring that won him a place in the hearts of 1950's boxing fans.''

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, 16 years ago on August 22, 1991, the Ukrainian parliament adopted the Act of Independence in which the parliament declared Ukraine as an independent democratic state. The Soviet rule over the region was finally over. Today, August 24th, is celebrated as Ukrainian Independence Day. Here in the United States, Ukrainian-Americans join together on this date to celebrate their nation's democracy. As a example to the rest of the world, Ukrainian democracy was created without bloodshed. Today the nation enjoys the freedoms of speech, religion and civil liberties and boosts one of Europe's strongest economies. For the many generations of immigrants that have come from Ukraine to the United States, memories of communist rule and hard times during the Soviet reign are still prevalent in their minds. However, Ukrainian Independence Day is a day where freedom and democracy are celebrated. Especially in towns like Irondequoit, NY. Irondequoit boosts a strong and vibrant Ukrainian community. Over 15,000 Ukrainian-Americans call this town their home. There are 2 Ukrainian churches and it is home to one of the largest annual Ukrainian festivals in the country. In this light, I would like to recognize all the Ukrainian-Americans in Irondequoit as they gather to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, for the past 35 years, local parishioners from St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church have been gathering to celebrate their heritage during the annual Ukrainian Festival in Irondequoit, NY. Starting as a small event for the church congregation, over the years the festival has grown into an annual tradition. This year, August 16, 2007, marked the starting of the festival's 35th year. Such a milestone is a testament to the strong Ukrainian heritage throughout Irondequoit and Greater Rochester. The festival is known for its traditional Ukrainian food, music and dancing. The 35th Ukrainian Festival will feature singing groups from Ukraine, local dancers as well as musical performances on the Bandura, a traditional string instrument. The festival includes rides and activities for kids and adults along with a diverse display of Ukrainian crafts, clothing, music and other collectibles such as pysanky. It's the premier Ukrainian Arts and Crafts Festival of the northeast. This year, organizers made more than 44,000 pyrohy and 20,000 holubsti--all homemade from one recipe by the parishioners. The overwhelming success of the Ukrainian Festival has made it an institution in the Rochester area. Undoubtedly, the next 35 years will see even more success.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and colleague, the Honorable Paul Gillmor. Throughout his life Paul was a dedicated servant for the people of his home state of Ohio and his country. He proudly served in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Captain. In 1967 Paul began what would become a long and successful political career. He served 22 years in the Ohio State Senate, and he served as Republican leader five times. A classmate of mine, in 1989 he began the first of 10 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives serving the people of the 5th District in Ohio. Paul was the senior member of the Committee on Financial Services and the Ranking Republican on the Financial Institutions Subcommittee. He also served as a member of the Subcommittees on Capital Markets and Housing. Paul had a lot of responsibilities in serving the second largest district in Ohio, but he did so valiantly and with tremendous success, showing that he was a true leader. He served eight terms as a member of the Republican Whip Team, including serving as Deputy Minority Whip. Paul was also unanimously elected to serve as Vice President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. His ability to lead earned Paul great respect amongst his colleagues and his constituents. His length and success of service was evidence of how he truly listened to his constituents and did all that he could to help them. He was the consummate professional--always putting the best interests of his constituents and his country ahead of partisanship by being willing to work across party lines to successfully achieve goals. Paul was a soldier, a state senator, and a congressman, but the roles he cherished most were that of husband and father. Few things meant more to Paul than his constituency, but his family definitely ranked number one in his life. Paul's five children were his pride and joy. His happiest times were spent with his wife and children. My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to Paul's wife Karen and his children Linda, Julie, Paul Michael, Connor, and Adam. My thoughts and prayers and those of my wife Dede are with them at this difficult time, and we thank them for sharing Paul with us for so many years. He was a wonderful friend and colleague and will be sorely missed.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my friend and colleague from Utica, New York, in whose district Geneva resides, Mr. Arcuri.

Mr. WALSH of New York. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. WALSH of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for offering this amendment because, if nothing else, it points out the essentially beneficial nature of public-private partnerships. Just as the Federal Government paid for the marvelous water projects in the West which helped Mr. Flake's State to grow and prosper, these research dollars have made the United States the global power in agriculture. The Agriculture Research Service established the Grape Genetics Research Unit in Geneva, New York, at the center of New York's grape- growing region in conjunction with Cornell University. The goals of this program are to reduce losses to crop yield and quality that result from disease, pests and environmental stress, and to improve grape and grape product quality and utilization. The genetic research unit's primary research areas are development of resistance to pests and diseases, superior adaptation of grapes to growing conditions and tolerances for environmental and weather-related stress, and improved product quality through enhanced knowledge of genetic factors governing color, flavor, aroma, sensory characteristics and yield. The grape genetics research unit works with growers both in New York and nationally to develop root stocks and grape varieties that are pest and disease resistant. The explosive growth that my friend from Arizona mentioned is a direct result of the research that is being done here and elsewhere in the United States thanks to the support of the American taxpayer. The plant genetic research unit in Geneva works very closely with farmers in all parts of the country. In fact, 1,200 varieties of grapes are growing at the Geneva ag station today. Nationally, it is a $30 billion industry, the wine industry. There are 23,000 growers; 5,000 wineries; and in New York State, it is a $7 billion industry. This industry is paying back to the Federal Government, the State and communities $17 billion in taxes. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALSH of New York

Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the International Association For Disabled Sailing World Championship scheduled to be hosted by the Rochester Yacht Club in Irondequoit, New York. The IFDS World Championship will consist of 170 competitors, including paralympic medalists and past world champions from twenty- eight different countries. These world class athletes will participate in a regatta on the waters of Lake Ontario. A U.S.A. hosted, sanctioned World Championship, the IFDS World Championship will serve as a country qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. It will also contribute locally by providing the net proceeds of the event to the Rochester Rehabilitation Center's Sportsnet Program, a collaboration of different clubs and organizations supporting the participation and inclusion of disabled individuals in a variety of sports. The IFDS World Championship is an inspirational demonstration of strength and perseverance. Participation in this regatta will bring about further inclusion of the disabled in sports and encourage new generations of athletes to work hard in order to achieve what was once deemed impossible. On behalf of the citizens of the 25th Congressional District of New York, I congratulate the organizers of the IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championship and the world class athletes involved. Best wishes for a successful competition.