Lynn Woolsey

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, on July 1, 2010, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to record my vote for Rollcall No. 415-433. Had I been present I would have voted: Rollcall No. 415: Yes--Honoring the veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three and their families. Rollcall No. 416: Yes--Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act. Rollcall No. 417: Yes--Recognizing the important role pollinators play in supporting the ecosystem and supporting the goals and ideals of National Pollinator Week. Rollcall No. 418: Yes--Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5618) to continue Federal unemployment programs, and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules. Rollcall No. 419: Yes--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the political situation in Thailand be solved peacefully and through democratic means. Rollcall No. 420: Yes--Congratulating the people of the 17 African nations that in 2010 are marking the 50th year of their national independence. Rollcall No. 421: Yes--Congratulating the Government of South Africa upon its first two successful convictions for human trafficking. Rollcall No. 422: Yes--On Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair. Rollcall No. 423: Yes--Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. Rollcall No. 424: Present--Quorum Call. Rollcall No. 425: Yes--To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any registered lobbyist whose clients include foreign governments which are found to be sponsors of international terrorism or include other foreign nationals from making contributions and other campaign-related disbursements in elections for public office. Rollcall No. 426: Yes--Expressing support for designation of June 30 as ``National ESIGN Day''. Rollcall No. 427: Present--Quorum Call. Rollcall No. 428: Yes--Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 4899) making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. Rollcall No. 429: Yes--Expressing support for the people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador as they persevere through the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agatha which swept across Central America causing deadly floods and mudslides. Rollcall No. 430: Yes--Second Portion of the Divided Question [Amendment 2]--Obey. Rollcall No. 431: Yes--Third Portion of the Divided Question [Amendment 3]--Strike military funding. Rollcall No. 432: Yes--Fourth Portion of the Divided Question [Amendment 4]--Lee. Rollcall No. 433: Yes--Fifth Portion of the Divided Question [Amendment 5]--McGovern/Obey/Jones.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, on June 29, 2010, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to record my vote for rollcall No. 395-401. Had I been present I would have voted: rollcall No. 395, ``yes''--On Approving the Journal; rollcall No. 396, ``yes''--Congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship; rollcall No. 397, ``no''--On Motion to Adjourn; rollcall No. 398, ``yes''--Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act; rollcall No. 399, ``yes''--Recognizing the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition for its now five-year effort to promote cyber security curriculum in institutions of higher learning; rollcall No. 400, ``yes''--Firearms Excise Tax Improvement Act; and rollcall No. 401, ``yes''--Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, on June 30, 2010, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to record my vote for rollcall Nos. 402-414. Had I been present I would have voted: rollcall No. 402, ``yes''-- Recognizing the work and importance of special education teachers; rollcall No. 403, ``yes''--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 151 North Maitland Avenue in Maitland, Florida, as the ``Paula Hawkins Post Office Building''; rollcall No. 404, ``yes''--Recognizing the residents of the City of Tracy, California, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the city's incorporation, for their century of dedicated service to the United States; rollcall No. 405, ``yes''--To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Artesia, New Mexico, as the ``Alejandro Renteria Ruiz Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic''; rollcall No. 406, ``yes''--On Ordering the Previous Question; rollcall No. 407, ``yes''--Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and for other purposes; rollcall No. 408, ``yes''-- To enable State homes to furnish nursing home care to parents any of whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces; rollcall No. 409, ``yes''--Providing for an adjournment or recess of the two Houses; rollcall No. 410, ``yes''--Rule providing for the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 4173, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; rollcall No. 411, ``yes''-- Fountainhead Property Land Transfer Act; rollcall No. 412, ``no''--On Motion to Recommit the Conference Report with Instructions; rollcall No. 413, ``yes''--Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009; rollcall No. 414, ``yes''--Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Clarification Act.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, a gentleman from my district, Will Bennett of Santa Rosa, recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and made an excellent point. He noted that Afghan President Hamid Karzai had said of the Taliban, ``They are not the enemy. They are the sons of this land.'' As Mr. Bennett points out, then who is the enemy? ``Is this a pretend war,'' he asks. How can we possibly win a war in which our chief ally doesn't share our vision of who is the enemy? But then you realize that maybe the U.S. approach to the Taliban is closer to Karzai's than we'd be comfortable admitting. Because in certain respects we're treating them more like a vendor than like an enemy. It turns out our own contracting practices in Afghanistan may actually be putting money in the hands of the very Taliban insurgents we're trying to drive from the country--the very people who are killing our troops, the very organization that provided safe haven for al Qaeda to plot 9/11. My distinguished colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney) and his Government Oversight Subcommittee recently completed a shocking report based on a 6-month investigation, which provides the details. At a cost, Madam Speaker, of more than $2 billion, the Pentagon outsources the responsibility for shipping supplies to U.S. troops. And the contractor, unburdened by any meaningful government oversight, has been paying off a shadowy cabal of warlords, strongmen, and corrupt officials in order to guarantee security on Afghan roads. The evidence is strong that the highway warlords are, in turn, paying protection money to the Taliban, who control many of the routes. Mr. Tierney calls this, ``Warlord, Inc.: Extortion and Corruption Along the U.S. Supply Chain in Afghanistan.'' And perhaps most disturbing of all, Madam Speaker, is the Department of Defense apparently has long been aware of this and hasn't done a thing about it. As Mr. Tierney points out, at a time when communities here at home are crying out for investment in schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure, it's galling to think that American taxpayer dollars are supporting the kind of thuggery in Afghanistan that is quite possibly endangering our troops. It's bad enough, Madam Speaker, that the American people are being asked to pay for our failed war. Now it appears that they're being asked to pay for the wrong side. Madam Speaker, we simply cannot sustain a counterterrorism strategy that has us doing business, however indirectly, with the terrorists themselves. It's illogical and it's unconscionable. This is just one more piece of evidence that this war is failing the American people, undermining instead of advancing our national security objectives. It's time for a radical change in our policy. It's time to bring our troops home.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, Ron Gettelfinger, one of this nation's great labor leaders, retired this year as President of the United Auto Workers. We will sorely miss him. Born in 1944, Ron has a long distinguished history with the United Auto Workers, starting when he went to work at Ford Motor's Louisville, Kentucky, assembly plant as a chassis line repairman. Because of his dedicated advocacy for the rights of his fellow workers, he quickly ascended the ranks of the UAW. In 1984, he was elected president of his local union, and, in 1987, he became a member of the Ford-UAW Bargaining Committee. He held several other positions before being elected the union's vice-president in 1998, and then of course its president. Ron has been a leading advocate of single-payer health care, and was a key player in the health reform process. In addition, Ron has worked tirelessly for investment in American manufacturing and for fair-trade agreements with strong workers' rights provisions. Just last year, in Detroit, he received the Edward H. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year Award for his significant contributions to the community. As Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, I know first-hand the significance of Ron's accomplishments on behalf of America's working families. Congratulations, Ron, we honor you, and thank you for your contributions.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jose Tamayo, who passed away on June 10, 2010, in Santa Rosa, California. His legacy as a philanthropist and entrepreneur has enriched Sonoma County and the entire San Francisco Bay Area. As a young immigrant from Mexico, Mr. Tamayo moved to this country with a bright vision for his family's future. He quickly recognized Sonoma County as uniquely endowed with a rich agricultural, culinary, and environmental tradition that lent itself well to the production of wholesome, handcrafted foods. After settling in Santa Rosa, Mr. Tamayo and his wife Mary opened their first ``Mexicantessen,'' bringing a taste of their heritage to Sonoma County customers. The Tamayos built on their success, founding La Tortilla Factory in 1977 and branching out into new products and new ventures. From a tiny family business run entirely on Jose and Mary Tamayo's hard work and dedication, La Tortilla Factory grew into a nationally recognized leader with hundreds of local employees. It also continues to be an industry innovator. Over the several decades that La Tortilla Factory has been in operation, it has consistently been at the forefront of new, health-conscious, high-quality wraps, breads, and tortillas. In spite of the demands of a growing business, Jose and Mary Tamayo remained committed to their family and community. They worked tirelessly to give their children the education and grounding they would need to succeed in their own right, and to create a family centered on the principles of hard work and service. In 1986, Jose and Mary Tamayo passed La Tortilla Factory on to their sons and rededicated themselves to contributing to the people of Sonoma County. The Tamayos were particularly active in a number of community organizations, from food banks to local schools and youth-support organizations. The Mary and Jose Tamayo House, a residence for former foster children at Sonoma County's Social Advocates for Youth, is just one example of their efforts to provide all children the same opportunities they provided their own. This is a legacy of compassion and civic-mindedness that will live on in our region. Jose Tamayo was predeceased by his wife Mary and his son Bernie Tamayo. He is survived by his sons Carlos, Jose, Mike, and Willie Tamayo, and by his eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join in me in celebrating the life of a man who gave back more than he received, who measured his success in his service to others. Jose Tamayo's story reminds us of how much we can all achieve when we pursue our goals with passion and integrity.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, on June 17, 2010, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to record my vote for Rollcall No. 372. Had I been present I would have voted: Rollcall No. 372: ``yes''--Cao of Louisiana Amendment.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with sadness today to honor my friend Bob Burke of Forestville, California, who passed away suddenly on June 10, 2010, at his home. Bob was both a true conservationist as a champion of the local environment of Sonoma County's Russian River Area and a true humanitarian as the creator of Bob Burke's Kids, which offers support and outings to children with serious health problems. Born in 1947, Bob remained in his hometown of Forestville where his parents had started a successful business, Burke's Canoe Trips, a resort on the Russian River. He and his sister Linda later became co- owners and co-operators of the resort, a popular fixture for tourists and locals in the community. The Burkes understood the key role of the Russian River not only for the recreation business but also for the health of the whole ecosystem. They worked especially closely with Russian Riverkeeper on fishing and flow issues. Bob was best known for his community volunteering and charitable work, especially Bob Burke's Kids, an organization he established in 1974 after meeting a young girl with cancer who lamented her lack of playmates and opportunities for fun. Bob knew he could do something to make life better for children with serious illnesses and for their families. Bob Burke's Kids grew from an initial Russian River fishing trip for a small group to a year-round program of activities and outings from barbecues and outdoor games to bowling nights and Halloween parties serving hundreds of families. The organization thrived as much on Bob's love as on the money it raised from a supportive community and local organizations. Bob also personally knew the families and frequently visited the children when they were in the hospital. ``He gave so much love,'' his sister Linda says. ``He was the best brother anyone could ever have.'' Don McEnhill, Executive Director for Russian Riverkeeper says of him: ``Bob Burke always had a funny story or a joke to tell to cheer me up after a contentious hearing or meeting, but it was the kids who faced cancer or other ailments that he always saved his best cheer for and devoted his life to. Bob spent his entire life on the Russian River and clearly understood the recreational value of the Russian River to families who could not afford to go on vacation. Bob always supported our efforts to keep the River clean and healthy so it was available as the community pool for the less fortunate. His passing has left a hole in our community and the Russian River, and we will all miss him.'' Madam Speaker, I have attended some of Bob Burke's Kids events and seen the warmth and passion that animated the charitable fundraisers as much as the family outings. Losing Bob has indeed left a hole in our community, one that we can fill by remembering Bob's legacy and carrying on his work.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, General Petraeus was in Washington this week to testify before the House and Senate Armed Services Committee. And while his intent was to endorse the July 2011 Afghanistan redeployment date set by the Commander in Chief, it was not the kind of clear, unambiguous statement that inspires very much confidence. According to an editorial in today's Washington Post, the General describes next July as ``the point at which a process begins to transition security tasks to Afghan forces at a rate to be determined by conditions at the time.'' With all due respect, Madam Speaker, could there be any more qualifiers and escape hatches in that sentence? The American people, who have 1,000 fewer fellow citizens and 278 billion fewer dollars than they did when this war began, aren't looking for the beginning of a process. They're looking for an end to this, an end to this miserable war. Shouldn't we be at the end or at least in the middle of the process of transitioning security tasks to Afghanistan forces? Shouldn't the beginning of the process have come at some point over the last 8\1/2\ years that we've been fighting this war? My concern, Madam Speaker, is that statements like this one are laying the predicate for an extension of President Obama's deadline, which is exactly the wrong lesson and the wrong approach. The problem is that, if you're locked into a certain mindset, it will never seem like the right moment to remove our troops from Afghanistan, because the mission as currently defined will never be complete and conditions on the ground will forever remain bad. But the reason for that is the underlying policy of a military invasion and occupation that is fatally flawed in the first place. So, in a twisted, paradoxical way, Madam Speaker, the more we fail, the more we try to succeed with the same misguided approach, and then we just fail some more. That's how you end up with perpetual war. If we had adopted smart security principles and invested in a humanitarian rather than a military approach, we'd be a lot closer to our goals of a peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan. For my part, Madam Speaker--and I am not alone in this belief--the July 2011 date is not nearly ambitious enough. That's yet one more year in which Americans will be asked to sacrifice blood and treasure for a failed counterterrorism strategy that is doing nothing to advance our national security objectives. I believe General Petraeus is moving in the wrong direction and being cautious where he should be bold. It's time to accelerate the timetable, not push it back. It's time, Madam Speaker, to bring our troops home.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, the National Security Strategy released by the White House late last month has plenty to recommend. This administration, on paper and in its rhetoric and proclamations, clearly has a broader view, beyond the use of military force, of how to keep Americans safe. The strategy puts a premium on diplomacy and multilateral cooperation as key tools of advancing our security interests. It discusses clean energy and a reduced dependence on foreign oil. It recognizes the threat, within a national security context, of global climate change. It expresses a commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and pledges support for fledgling democracies. It includes, under the rubric of national security, human rights, global health, and development aid. Madam Speaker, it even emphasizes the important national security implications of investing in education and human capital right here at home. Frankly, it sounds a lot like the smart security platform that I have been advocating for the last several years. I'm glad the folks at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue are getting there, also. And yet, Madam Speaker, I can't reconcile all of those promising ideas with the ongoing prosecution of two wars, which are bankrupting our country morally and fiscally, without reducing terrorism threats or contributing to our national security. The situation on the ground in Afghanistan remains very tenuous. While Americans, other NATO forces, and civilians continue to shed blood, insurgents and militants continue to thrive. As we prepare to move in on the Taliban's home base of Kandahar, all evidence indicates that we weren't successful at the more modest task of driving them out of Marja this very winter. Besides, according to General McChrystal, the Kandahar offensive isn't even ready to start on time. At the same moment, we have an unreliable partner in President Karzai, a partner who has now dismissed two of his top aides who had the best working relationship with the United States. And General Petraeus is on Capitol Hill this week to tell the Armed Services Committees that the last 15 to 18 months have been about installing the ``inputs'' in Afghanistan, and that now, finally, we are ready to reap some ``outputs.'' Well, with all due respect, Madam Speaker, and respect to the General, we are all pleased that he is fine after briefly passing out in the Senate hearing room earlier this week, but in all due respect, I think the American people feel as though they have been providing inputs for more than 8\1/2\ years now. It's particularly difficult to accept this explanation when we've seen $275 billion fly out of the Federal Treasury to pay for inputs in Afghanistan. It's long past time when we can expect to see results, or outputs. But, tragically, there will be no meaningful outputs until we make a U-turn and reverse the strategy 180 degrees. The outputs will come when, and only when, our Afghanistan policy actually adheres to the core principles offered in the administration's National Security Strategy. So my urgent plea to the White House is to embrace its own advice. If they are serious about a new approach to defending and protecting America, let's not wait until July 2011. Bring our troops home now.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1389) recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on Father's Day.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1389 into the Record.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1389, to honor and celebrate Father's Day this Sunday and to recognize the involvement of our Nation's fathers in their children's lives. This resolution recognizes the special bond between father and child by celebrating the significant and positive impacts a present, supportive, and involved father has on their child and the entire family. Every year on the third Sunday in June, families across the country take time out to celebrate the dad in the family. New fathers and experienced fathers alike are honored for the hard work and deep love it takes to be a supportive father. Whether it be through a home-cooked meal, a card, or even a simple phone call, we stop once a year to thank fathers for everything they do in our lives. Unfortunately, 25 million children in America today are living apart from their biological fathers. This means that one out of every three children grow up without their biological father present in their lives. Fathers play a significant and influential role in their child's development. When supportive fathers are involved in their children's lives, their children are more likely to enjoy learning, earn better grades, and participate in extracurricular activities. We celebrate the fathers who are positive role models for their children. By commemorating the hard work and dedication of fathers on Father's Day, we encourage responsible fatherhood and happy, successful, and stronger families and communities. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I personally have the great privilege to have raised two sons, Ed Critchett and Michael Woolsey, and I have a son-in-law, Mark Pauline, who are the most wonderful fathers on this earth. I am so proud of them, and I just thought I'd take this moment right now to be able to express that. Their children, my grandchildren, Teddy and Julia, Jake-Eddie, Carlo and Luca are great kids, but they are all the better because they have such great dads. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1389, honoring and celebrating Father's Day and recognizing the involvement of our Nation's fathers in their children's lives. With that, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre). (Mr. McINTYRE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to congratulate Congressman McIntyre as the author of this piece of legislation. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1414, which honors and congratulates Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in Englewood, Illinois and all 107 members of its first graduating class for achieving a 100 percent college acceptance rate. Students in America often face extraordinary challenges to completing high school. In our Nation's 50 largest cities, only 53 percent of students are graduating from high school on time. In the Chicago Public School District in particular, African American males are dropping out at a rate of over 50 percent, and only one in 40 of those who finish high school are graduating from college. The students at the Englewood campus of the Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men have bucked these national and local trends, Mr. Speaker. Their very first graduating class achieved a 100 percent college acceptance rate and will enroll in more than 80 different colleges and universities this fall. The graduates of Urban Prep displayed remarkable academic achievement and community engagement and received nearly $4 million in college scholarships and grants. When nationally only 28 percent of African American male high school graduates are enrolling in college, the 100 percent acceptance rate at Urban Prep-Englewood is a remarkable accomplishment for these students, their families, and the community, as well as for the faculty and staff of Urban Prep-Englewood. The graduates serve as role models for their community and remind us that we must do more to increase America's college attendance if we are to succeed in a 21st-century economy. Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for H. Res. 1414 and congratulate the seniors of the Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men for their academic achievement and college acceptance. I want to thank Representative Bobby Rush for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to pass the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush).

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1414) congratulating Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men--Englewood Campus, the Nation's first all-male charter high school, for achieving a 100 percent college acceptance rate for all 107 members of its first graduating class of 2010, as amended.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous materials on H. Res. 1414 into the Record.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards).

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1414, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY. 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.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1322) celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program and recognizing the significant contributions of Albert Einstein Fellows.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1322 into the Record.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the important role of science, technology, engineering and math--known as STEM--educators in our schools and in our country. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program recognizes kindergarten through 12th grade teachers as critical voices in the national conversation on education policy. The program acknowledges excellence in teaching and the value of a teacher's service to the community. This program brings outstanding teachers to the Washington, D.C. area so they can be immersed in and help shape Federal policy. Fellows combine their teaching and their fellowship experience for the betterment of students across the country. This year commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Einstein Fellowship Program. Over the course of the past 20 years, 173 fellows have served in this important program. This year, there are 24 fellows representing math, science, technology, career and technical education, special education, and engineering teachers. They have come from 47 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico with a diverse range of experience and background. The Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship provides Congress direct access to teachers who come straight from their classrooms and bring with them a firsthand understanding of how school works. Einstein fellows have also served in most of the Federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Office of Science and Technology Policy. In these agencies, fellows are directly involved with educational outreach activities, curriculum development, teacher training, grant proposal review, program analysis and improvement, and other activities where the experience of a STEM educator provides practical insight and vital input. These teachers serving in our Nation's Capital lend another important voice for the students who will be tomorrow's leaders. These students are entering a world that requires the concrete skills, creative thinking, and innovation that STEM education provides. Alumni of the program maintain leadership roles in STEM education, which amplifies the value of the fellowship. Einstein fellows who return to their classrooms and communities bring a wealth of new skills, knowledge, and an enhanced perspective for how their teaching fits into the larger picture of our country's education policy. These teachers renew their efforts to inspire their students and encourage them to pursue STEM pathways. Einstein fellows have also gone on to teach and mentor teachers in university programs, coordinate statewide efforts on STEM curriculum initiatives, and continue serving in the administration and in Congress. Congressman Honda, who is not here today, wanted me to express his strong support for the Einstein fellowship program, but he is feeling under the weather and can't be here. So I will submit a statement by Congressman Honda in support of the resolution into the Record. Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for the 20th anniversary of the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program. I want to thank Representative Honda for bringing this resolution to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to pass the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.