E820 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 22, 2014 One transportation project in my congres- WATER RESOURCES REFORM AND MEDIA IGNORES THAT THE AD- sional district that supported and DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2014 MINISTRATION KNEW ABOUT VA helped to make a reality was the restoration of PROBLEMS

St. Paul’s Union Depot. This marvelous train SPEECH OF depot is now open for Amtrak service and will HON. soon be open for transit commuters. Jim loved HON. BILL SHUSTER OF the grandeur of the train station and the idea IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF of preserving the past as a means of investing Thursday, May 22, 2014 in the future. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Amer- During his career Jim Oberstar took thou- Tuesday, May 20, 2014 ica’s brave men and women in uniform come sands of votes and was an eloquent and ef- home from military service only to find severe fective champion for dozens of causes, includ- Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I submit a list wait times to receive the medical care they ing adoption, cancer research, and human of supporters for H.R. 3080: the Water Re- have earned. rights. There are two instances that I remem- sources Reform and Development Act. Recent reports claim that Veteran Affairs of- ber vividly when Jim’s voice, his vote, and his America’s Cement Manufacturers, Amer- ficials in various states, including my home strength made a lasting impact on Minneso- ican Gas Association, American Association state of Texas, have falsified medical appoint- tans. In 2002, during the debate on whether to of Port Authorities, American Council of En- ment data to conceal these long wait times. authorize military action in Iraq, Jim was a gineering Companies, American Concrete This is dishonest, deceptive, and harmful to Pavement Association, American Concrete strong voice against the war in Iraq. I was veterans. Pipe Association, American Concrete Pump- proud to stand with Jim and Rep. Martin Sabo But ignored for weeks by the liberal national ing Association, American Concrete Pressure media is that the Obama Administration has as the members of the Minnesota House dele- Pipe Association, American Farm Bureau long known about these extensive wait times. gation voting to oppose authorizing military ac- Federation, American Iron and Steel Insti- According to documents received by the tion in Iraq. tute, American Public Power Association, Washington Times, the Bush Administration American Public Works Association, Amer- The other issue that defined Jim Oberstar ican Road and Transportation Builders Asso- warned the Obama Administration about the for me was his tremendous work for Min- ciation, American Society of Civil Engi- prolonged wait times for our veterans in nesota following the collapse of the I–35W neers, American Soybean Association, Amer- 2008—six years ago. Bridge in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007. As ican Waterways Operators, Arkansas Water- But you wouldn’t know this if you watched the chairman of the Transportation Committee, ways Commission, Associated Equipment NBC or ABC. Or read many media publica- Jim was in the right place at the right time to Distributors, Associated General Contractors tions. respond to this terrible tragedy. He moved of America, Association of California Water The media owes it to the American people, Agencies, Association of Equipment Manu- and to our veterans, to give them all the facts. with incredible speed to draft legislation and facturers, Association of State Dam Safety f get it passed on the House floor within forty- Officials, Big River Coalition, California eight hours of the collapse. The bill was State Assembly, CH2M HILL, City and Port HOWARD P. ‘‘BUCK’’ MCKEON NA- signed into law on August 6th—less than one of Los Angeles, City of Sacramento, Edison TIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- week after the disaster. I have no doubt in my Electric Institute, Everglades Foundation, TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015 mind had that disaster happened in any other Everglades Trust, Friends of the North state Jim Oberstar would have reacted in ex- Natomas Library, Great Lakes Maritime SPEECH OF Task Force, Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund actly the same manner. Fairness Coalition, Heritage Park Owners HON. GUS. M. BILIRAKIS At his funeral, Jim’s daughters and son Association, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach OF spoke lovingly and eloquently about their fa- Resort, International Union of Operating En- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ther. Most of us knew Jim Oberstar was a gineers, International Union of Painters and Wednesday, May 21, 2014 powerful Member of Congress, but he was Allied Trades, Lake Carriers Association, LiUNA, National Asphalt Pavement Associa- The House in Committee of the Whole also a committed father and a very good man. tion, National Association of Clean Water House on the state of the Union had under He cared about working people, the pursuit of Agencies, National Association of Flood & consideration the bill (H.R. 4435) to authorize social justice, and his Catholic faith. He loved Stormwater Management Agencies, National appropriations for fiscal year 2015 for mili- cycling and made his passion for bicycles into Association of Home Builders, National As- tary activities of the Department of Defense national policy that Americans in every corner sociation of Manufacturers, National Com- and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal of this country take advantage of everyday. mittee on Levee Safety, National Governor’s Association, National League of Cities, Na- year, and for other purposes: I wish to extend my sincere condolences to tional Precast Concrete Association, Na- Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Chair, I rise today in Jim’s wife, Jean, and his children—NoeIle tional Ready Mixed Concrete Association, support of my amendment, which would allow Tower, Monica Weber, Annie Oberstar, and National Rural Electric Cooperative Associa- disabled veterans with service connected per- Ted Link-Oberstar, as well as all of Jim’s tion, National Rural Water Association, Na- manent disability rated as total to travel on grandchildren. tional Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, Na- military aircraft on a space-available basis. tional Utilities Contractor Association, Na- The Space-Available program is adminis- My heartfelt condolences also go out to tional Waterways Conference, Natomas tered by the Department of Defense (DOD), Jim’s congressional family which includes the Chamber of Commerce, Natomas Charter which allows active duty service members, many dedicated and loyal staff in his Min- School, Natomas Community Association, Natomas Unified School District, Nature their families, retirees and certain other indi- nesota and Washington congressional offices viduals to fill empty seats on DOD flights. and his Transportation and Infrastructure Conservancy, North Natomas Little League, Sabine Neches Navigation District, Sac- Unfortunately, veterans who are 100 percent Committee staff. The hard work and profes- ramento Area Flood Control Agency, Santa disabled do not qualify to participate in this sionalism of Jim’s staff was always evident Clara Valley Water District, Sutter Butte program. My amendment will correct this unin- and I know Jim was very proud of them. Flood Control Agency, Texas Department of tentional oversight and provide equality to Finally, Jim’s long-time chief-of-staff, Bill Transportation, Tennessee River Valley As- service members who were severely injured sociation, Transportation Construction Coa- while serving their country honorably. Richard, spent decades by his side and was lition, Transportation Trades Department, essential to Jim’s success. I also want to ex- Had they not been medically discharged AFL-CIO, Portland Cement Association, with a service connected disability in the line tend my sympathies to Bill for the loss of his United Association of Plumbers and Pipe- of duty, these veterans were likely to have friend. fitters, Society on Dams, U.S. served until retirement. At no fault of their I will always remember Jim as a friend, a Chamber of Commerce, Valley View Acres Community Association, Vinyl Institute, own, these deserving individuals did not have mentor, and a public servant of epic stature. Water Infrastructure Network, Water Re- the opportunity to continue their military ca- Most of all, Jim Oberstar was a truly wonderful source Coalition, Waterways Council, Inc., reers. It is an injustice that they would be pe- man who lived not only a full life, but a life Westlake Master Association, Witter Ranch nalized from this benefit due to their bravery filled with joy and compassion. Community Alliance. and valor.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:02 Mar 07, 2015 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\RECORD14\MAY 2014\E22MY4.REC E22MY4 bjneal on DSK2TWX8P1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE May 22, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E821 I would also like to note that under current voted to include this language in the 2014 Na- HONORING THE 2014 PLANO INDE- DOD guidelines for Air Transportation Eligi- tional Defense Authorization Act. Unfortu- PENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS’ bility, it states, ‘‘Every effort shall be made to nately our Senate companion amendment TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMI- transport passengers with disabilities who are was not allowed to be considered during Sen- NEES otherwise eligible to travel. Passenger service ate consideration in December. We appre- personnel and crew members shall provide ciate the support shown by the House of Rep- resentatives, and urge the House to continue HON. SAM JOHNSON assistance in loading, seating, and unloading OF TEXAS the disabled passenger.’’ There is already to fight for Service Disabled Veterans, by IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES guidance in place to address passengers with joining with you to include this language in disabilities, and my amendment will codify our the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. Thursday, May 22, 2014 commitment for their sacrifice. We thank you for your leadership to sup- Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, This initiative has strong bi-partisan support, port these men and women who have given I rise today to recognize Plano Independent which has over 230 current cosponsors to the service to defend our rights, and we now join School Districts’ 2014 Teacher of the Year stand alone bill I introduced, H.R. 164. More- with you to defend their rights to participate Nominees. These outstanding educators are over, this initiative has support in the Senate in the Space Available program. motivating and engaging our children to be- with the companion bill S. 346 offered by Sen- JOHN G. PARE´ , JR., come lifelong learners and equip them with ator JON TESTER from Montana. Executive Director for the tools to succeed. Advocacy and Policy. While I was very pleased to see my amend- Education is one of the fundamental building ment accepted in last year’s National Defense blocks of a person’s future and a successful Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2014, f nation. Our teachers deserve to be celebrated it was unfortunate it was not accepted in the RECOGNITION OF MCAA HEAD for their service to the next generation of lead- Senate process during consideration for the ers. I commend you all for your hard work, START AND EARLY HEAD START bill’s passage. dedication to your students, and commitment The National Federation of the Blind has to excellence in education. been very active in both the House and the These 72 individuals were nominated by Senate in its advocacy for our nations’ dis- HON. VERN BUCHANAN their peers at their respective schools. This is abled veterans. I submit a support letter for OF FLORIDA a true testament to their inspirational impact this amendment by the National Federation of on not only their students but their fellow the Blind (NFB). IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES While active duty members and their fami- teachers. lies will remain the primary beneficiaries of this Thursday, May 22, 2014 These great teachers mold young dreams; program in order to assist them with the rigors they spark a flame for a student to study lib- Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today of military life, my amendment simply allows eral arts or pursue a career in science or even these veterans the opportunity to fill available to recognize Manatee Community Action push an athlete to the next level. They are the seats, a benefit I believe they have earned Agency’s (MCAA) Head Start and Early Head guardian of dreams for the student who wants through their personal sacrifice. Start programs that change lives by helping to to be the first in their family to attend and Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to end prepare children in my Congressional District graduate college, and it is their constant, the inequality for our nation’s wounded war- for school. gentle approach that keeps these young lead- ers on the path to success. It is your encour- riors by voting in favor of my amendment. I MCAA’s Head Start programs started in the thank the committees and their staff for their agement, time, and tireless efforts that help summer of 1965 with 60 children. Today there assistance through this process make a young person’s dreams of obtaining a are 630 children enrolled in eight locations NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND, higher education, starting a business, or serv- Baltimore, MD, May 19, 2014. throughout Manatee County, including 65 chil- ing in the U.S. military a reality. It is extraor- Subject: Support for H.R. 164 dren with special needs. More than 3,000 chil- dinary teachers like you that make our com- Hon. GUS M. BILIRAKIS, dren have participated in the programs since munity, our country and the world a better House of Representatives, 2313 Rayburn House its inception. place. Office Building, Washington, DC. It is for these reasons and countless more The Head Start program serves children DEAR CONGRESSMAN BILIRAKIS: The Na- that I thank you all for your continued efforts tional Federation of the Blind is the Nation’s from age 3 to 5 and partners with parents and in giving our students an exemplary, top-notch oldest and largest consumer group of blind families to ensure continuity of positive growth education. Americans. We are composed of blind indi- and development at home and school. viduals who come from many different back- I look forward to learning of the future suc- grounds, and we work to ensure that the con- Early Head Start serves children from birth cesses of the nationally recognized Plano cerns of all blind Americans are met. to age 3, pregnant women and their families. Independent School Districts 7,000 employ- Included in our organization is the Na- MCAA provides very young children with an ees, hundreds of teachers, and 55,000+ stu- tional Association of Blinded Veterans. Re- dents. environment that stimulates them and moti- cently these men and women who served our God Bless you and I salute you. country brought to our attention a policy vates them to use all of their senses. A record of each nominees name and that we believe needs to be changed. The Furthermore, 100 percent of the children en- Space Available program is a program that school they serve is listed below. allows a number of military personnel to fly rolled in MCAA’s early learning programs dur- Heather Schmitt—Beaty, Kristi Vest— on military transport planes if there is space ing the 2012–2013 school year were provided Head Start, Bethany Bowers—Isaacs, Sarah remaining. This may include members of the with continuous access to healthcare, and Senne—Pearson, Karen Christensen—Al- dridge, Mindy Schreiber—Andrews, Chrystal Active Military, Family members of the Ac- were up to date on age-appropriate preventive tive Military, some components of Reserve Litman—Barksdale, Penny Beazley—Barron, Forces, individuals who are responding to and primary health care and immunizations. Connie Gillmore—Bethany, Nora Davis—Bev- emergency situations, such as the Red Cross, MCAA’s Head Start and Early Head Start erly, Ashley Dantzler—Boggess, Amy Chilcutt—Brinker, Laura Teague—Carlisle, and retirees. We believe that individuals who students scored high marks in meeting school have become disabled in the service of our Jennifer Collins—Centennial, Meagan country should be allowed to participate in readiness and educational goals. On goal as- Middlebrooks—Christie, Joanne Curley— this program. sessments, the students scored in the upper Daffron, Erin Graham—Davis, Lauren Shortly after being made aware of this 90 percent range in the areas of physical Shaw—Dooley, Andrew Wick—Forman, issue by blinded veterans, we learned that health status and knowledge, gross motor Emily Hollingsworth—Gulledge, Lode you introduced legislation to solve this prob- Lyon—Haggar, Linda Culbreth—Harrington, lem in the last Congress. We are pleased that skills, fine motor skills, self-concept, self-regu- Cyndy Baltzley—Haun, Tiffany Samuel— you reintroduced this legislation, H.R. 164, lation, and emotional and behavioral health. Hedgcoxe, Michele Rollins—Hickey, Patrick early in this session of Congress. The Na- By focusing on the whole child—mental, Quinlan—Hightower, Donna Hartman— tional Federation of the Blind stands firmly Huffman, Lori Turnbull—Hughston, Kelly in support of this legislation, and will dedi- physical, emotional and social well-being— Hamilton—Hunt, Shelly Arthur—Jackson, cate our support and our efforts to ensure its MCAA’s Head Start and Early Head Start pro- Kristin Glasscock—Mathews, Julie Walker— passage in this session of Congress. grams prepare the children of Manatee County McCall, Leigh Adams—Meadows, Kaitlin Last June, thanks to your leadership, the for a lifetime of educational success. Eckstein—Memorial, Debbie LaChey— United States House of Representatives Mendenhall, Lacy Watson—Miller, Laura

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