June 23, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1323 Through the principle and diligence of Wil- so far and a day to let that progress encour- RECOGNIZING FIRST BAPTIST liam Donaldson, the agency completed the age us as we walk together towards an even CHURCH YOUTH CHOIR—SUL- Sarbanes-Oxley rulemaking process, strength- better future. PHUR SPRINGS, TX ened mutual fund oversight to alleviate poten- tial fraud and abuse in the future, and rein- f HON. RALPH M. HALL forced the SEC’s enforcement and examina- OF TEXAS tion programs. During his tenure the SEC NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES hired 1,200 new employees and also pro- ARTS moted teleworking and a virtual workforce. Wednesday, June 22, 2005 Perhaps most impressively, under Mr. Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored Donaldson’s leadership the agency prosecuted HON. BETTY McCOLLUM to pay tribute to the First Baptist Church Youth more than 1,700 enforcement actions, the two Choir in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The choir is OF highest annual totals in the SEC’s history. made up of 84 high school students. They During this time the SEC authorized more IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have traveled to New York City, San Diego, than $7 billion in penalties to companies which San Francisco, DC, Canada, the have not played by the rules. Wednesday, June 22, 2005 Bahamas, Disney World, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Mr. Speaker, our Nation’s financial institu- Mexico, and this year will be traveling to Ire- Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speak- tions are stronger and more secure because land. On these trips, the choir performs con- er, as a member of the Congressional Arts of the due diligence of William H. Donaldson. certs in areas approved by the city, usually Caucus, I rise today in support of the amend- I know that my colleagues in the House of outdoors where anyone who is walking by can Representatives wish him well in his future en- ment to increase funds by $10 million to the stop and listen. While the students are per- deavors. But at this moment and at this time National Endowment for the Arts and $5 mil- forming, the adult sponsors talk to those who in our country’s history he and his staff have lion to the National Endowment for the Hu- are listening and distribute free Bibles to any- made a great contribution. manities. one who asks for one. These high school stu- f The value of Federal arts programs lies in dents have been able to reach the hearts of their ability to nurture the growth and artistic thousands of people in a variety of places. TO WELCOME HIS EXCELLENCY excellence of thousands of arts organizations The youth choir began in 1981 under the PHAN VAN KHAI, PRIME MIN- leadership of the Minister of Music of First ISTER OF VIETNAM and millions of artists throughout the Nation, making a variety of arts—performance, graph- Baptist Church, Fred Randles, and his wife, ic, literature, and media—available to millions Jane. The students meet every Sunday HON. ROB SIMMONS evening for rehearsal. Throughout the year, of Americans. OF CONNECTICUT they perform at church services and at Holiday IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The NEA is the Nation’s largest annual in the Park at Six Flags over Texas to help funder of the arts, bringing great art—both Wednesday, June 22, 2005 them prepare for their summer trip. During the new and established—to all 50 States, includ- spring, they begin to learn choreography for Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, as the Repub- ing rural communities, inner-city neighbor- the songs they sing. lican Chairman of the U.S.-Vietnam Caucus hoods, schools, and military bases. The choir has received certificates of appre- here in the House, I rise today to welcome His ciation from four different Presidents, the U.S. Support for the arts is a critical investment Excellency Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of Congress, and Disney World Entertainment In- in the economic growth of every community in Vietnam. dustry. They have also been recognized by I am delighted to be here to celebrate this this country. The nonprofit arts industry gen- the Governor of Cozumel, Mexico, and the Ba- historic occasion—the first official visit of the erates $134 billion annually in economic activ- hamas tourist board, and they have had ap- Prime Minister of Vietnam to the United States ity, supports 4.85 million jobs, and returns pearances on Good Morning America and The Capitol here in Washington, DC. $10.5 billion to the Federal government in in- Early Show on CBS. Thirty five years ago I served in Vietnam as come taxes. In addition to performing, the students also a soldier. Two years ago I returned to that Minnesota’s 4th Congressional District alone participate in a number of ministry activities. In country searching for the remains of a fellow is home to over 1,200 arts-related businesses Hawaii, for example, they conducted Vacation soldier from my district, Captain Arnold Holm, that employ nearly 9,000 people. These busi- Bible School and Sports Camp, worked with who was shot down in Thua Thien Province in people who needed help around their house, 1972. Although we never found his crash site nesses range from theaters, arts schools, mu- seums, architecture firms, and advertising helped at homeless missions, and shared the or his remains, the Vietnamese Government gospel with people who live on the beach. agencies. In addition, unnumbered individual and people were extraordinarily generous and The First Baptist Church Youth Choir of Sul- and freelance artists call my district their helpful as we searched. phur Springs, TX has not only been blessed And while we did not find the crash site of home. I am proud to represent these artists by the opportunities they have had, but also Captain Holm, we did find something else of and their families. by the people whom they have met and asso- great value. We found Americans and Viet- I appreciate how the arts deeply enrich Min- ciated with in their travels, and in turn the namese of courage, good will and generous nesota. The educational, cultural, and eco- choir has been a blessing to their church and spirit who believed the time had come to heal nomic impact of the arts is very measurable. to multitudes of people around the world. As the wounds of war. As Senator JOHN MCCAIN Not only do 95% of Minnesotans believe that they travel to Ireland in July, I ask my col- said last night, we found people who were will- the arts are an important or essential part of leagues to join me in recognizing these out- ing to forget the pain of the past and move the education of Minnesota children, but 67% standing young people and commending them forward as friends to build a better future for of Minnesotans have attended an arts activity for the great work they are doing. all our people. f When I returned from my visit to Vietnam I themselves within the past year. In addition, joined my friend and colleague LANE EVANS to the arts in Minnesota have over a $1 billion PIERCE COUNTY COURTHOUSE create the U.S.-Vietnam Caucus. The purpose economic impact annually. CENTENNIAL of this caucus is to build constructive relation- Arts education has also been proven to help ships between our two countries; to search for students increase cognitive development, in- HON. and recover the remains of soldiers of both spire creativity, and enhance problem-solving OF WISCONSIN countries; to develop tourism and trade; to skills. At a time when students are expected to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES promote educational exchanges; and to build take more high stakes tests, we must support Wednesday, June 22, 2005 better relations between our people. the activities, such as the arts, that encourage Sir Winston Churchill once remarked, ‘‘The Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay their success. pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. tribute to a historic building in my home district The optimist sees opportunity in every dif- It is with a commitment to the economic, so- in Wisconsin. Listed on the National Register ficulty.’’ I am an optimist. While there is much cial, and cultural well-being of my district, and of Historic Places, the Pierce County Court- work left to do, today is a day of optimism— of the Nation, that I rise today in support of house has served as a grand symbol of law a day to celebrate the progress we have made the National Endowment for the Arts. and order to the people of western Wisconsin

VerDate Aug 04 2004 07:55 Jun 24, 2005 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22JN8.041 E23PT1 E1324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 23, 2005 since 1905. I am pleased to honor the 100th forts and accomplishments in supporting small H.R. 2863, Defense Appropriations for FY anniversary of this unique building. business nationwide. Melanie became the 2006, on Monday, June 20 due to a travel As early French pioneers made their way Deputy Administrator of the Small Business delay. westward, they met the pristine beauty and Administration in April of 2002, and has since I would like the RECORD to reflect that I abundant natural resources of the Mississippi helped to lead the agency to greater efficiency would have voted ‘‘aye’’ on agreeing to the River and its surrounding lands. Where the and effectiveness while drawing attention to Vela´zquez amendment; ‘‘aye’’ on agreeing to Mississippi meets the St. Croix River, they women-owned businesses. She is leaving her the DeFazio amendment; ‘‘aye’’ on agreeing to also encountered one of the most dense con- position this month to pursue opportunities in the Doggett amendment; and ‘‘aye’’ on agree- centrations of native American villages in the the private sector. ing to the Obey amendment. upper Mississippi River Valley. It was here After 15 years at IBM, Melanie Sabelhaus f learned firsthand some of the challenges that where many decided to settle, including those PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION who began the first permanent settlement of face entrepreneurs when she started a prop- erty rental and management company in 1986. OF H.J. RES. 10, CONSTITU- Pierce County at Prescott in 1827. TIONAL AMENDMENT AUTHOR- By 1853, the population had grown and Melanie’s entrepreneurial drive and business IZING CONGRESS TO PROHIBIT pierce became its own county, separating from savvy grew her small business into a $10 mil- PHYSICAL DESECRATION OF THE St. Croix County. Prescott served as the first lion dollar a year enterprise. This woman is a FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES county seat, but in 1861 the people of the success story. county voted to change the seat to Ellsworth. When Melanie arrived at the SBA, she pledged to help create more opportunities for SPEECH OF A brick courthouse then was constructed on small business owners and entrepreneurs the site of the current building. HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE using her extensive business knowledge. She The present courthouse was erected in OF TEXAS fulfilled her promise to an extent I could not 1905 in Ellsworth, and its evolution mirrors IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have imagined. She, along with Administrator that of the city and of the county as a whole. Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Hector Barreto and the rest of the agency, fol- The first courthouse in Ellsworth was made of lowed the President’s Management agenda. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, logs. The next was a wooden frame building. SBA has made solid progress on most areas I rise in opposition to H. Res. 330 the Rule Finally, in 1869, the brick courthouse was con- of the President’s Management agenda. governing debate on H.J. Res. 10, an amend- structed, which included a jail. By the turn of Melanie was responsible for the successful ment to the Constitution to prohibit physical the century, however, even this building was implementation of the Execution Scorecard, desecration of the flag of the United States. I deemed inappropriate to the image and need which introduced ways to measure and rank oppose the Rule to H.J. Res. 10 because the of the growing county, and the current court- district offices and SBA programs. The SBA Rule allows inadequate debate on a resolution house was erected as a true testament of the also introduced the Business Matchmaking is an overly broad infringement on the First supremacy of law and a match to the beauty program while Melanie was in office, which Amendment Right to Freedom of Speech. This of the surrounding area. has already resulted in 25,000 one-on-one partisan, structure rule, severely limits amend- Designed out of the neoclassical and Beaux meetings between small business owners and ment and debate on issues that affect every arts architectural traditions, it is constructed Federal agencies or large companies in the American citizen—the United States Constitu- from several types of native stone and accen- private sector. tion and the First Amendment. tuated by Tennessee marble. Inside, vaulted As a woman entrepreneur herself, Melanie I fully support the amendment offered by the ceilings depict the beauty of western Wis- has given particular attention and support to Gentleman from North Carolina, the distin- consin, rising to a baroque dome covering the women in small businesses. When she arrived guished Chairman of the Congressional Black five-story hexagonal rotunda. Mr. Speaker, this at the agency in 2002, there were only 11,285 Caucus, Mr. WATT. That amendment is so building truly brings well-deserved pride to the 7(a) and 504 loans granted to women entre- simple that it nearly restates the First Amend- people of Pierce County. preneurs for the entire year. In the past year, ment to the Constitution—which further exem- On March 3, 1982, the Pierce County Court- the number of loans to women has increased plifies the ridiculous nature of the underlying house was recognized by the National Reg- to over 18,000 for the two main loan programs legislation we debate before the Committee of ister of Historic Places, honoring the court- at the agency. She is the leading advocate for the Whole House. It is a shame that Members house as a historic place with great impor- women in business in this country, and has have to propose and offer amendments that tance to the Pierce County community and the been a tremendous role model for women ev- require adherence to the U.S. Constitution—as State of Wisconsin, as well as notable archi- erywhere. Representatives of the United States of Amer- tectural significance. The residents of Pierce Melanie Sabelhaus has been the recipient ica, we are charged with the duty of upholding County also demonstrated their own apprecia- of numerous philanthropy, business and gov- individual rights, not restrict them. tion for this unique courthouse when they ernment leadership awards, including 2002 In last Congress’ iteration of this very legis- chose to repair the beautiful building rather Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year lation, I proposed an amendment that was not than allow the decapitation of its dome, a fate Award for Maryland, awarded by the Associa- made in order. My amendment to that bill was that often befalls historic buildings. tion of Fundraising Professionals; the Artemis designed to protect Americans’ right to ex- A centennial celebration will be held at the Award from the European-American Women’s press their opinions and views about govern- courthouse on June 26, 2005. I commend the Conference; the Distinguished Women’s ment activity. My amendment stated in perti- people and the local public officials of Pierce Award from the Girl Scouts of Central Mary- nent part, ‘‘a person shall not have violated a County for having the vision to erect such a land; the Superstar Award from the Alz- prohibition under that section for desecrating monument to justice, law, and beauty, and the heimer’s Association of Central Maryland, the flag, if such desecration is an expression foresight to maintain this local treasure. This Maryland’s Top 100 Women from The Daily of disagreement or displeasure with an act building truly has been a source of pride to Record; and the Outstanding Business taken or decision made by a local, State, or Pierce County for 100 years, and it will con- Achievement Award from Ohio University. Federal Government of the United States.’’ I am sure that wherever Melanie Sabelhaus tinue to do so for generations to come. Mr. Under my amendment Americans would goes after her departure this month, she will Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to have retained their freedom to speak out make a similarly lasting mark there as she has honor this milestone before you today. against actions taken by local, State, and Fed- at the SBA. Although I am sorry to see her go, f eral Governments through desecrations of the my wife, Freda, and I wish her the best of luck flag symbolizing their views. Our democratic MELANIE SABELHAUS: A STRONG in all of her future endeavors. government is a government of the people. VOICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS f Our citizen’s freedom of expression is at the PERSONAL EXPLANATION very heart of our democracy. An attack on HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO American’s freedom of expression is an attack OF ILLINOIS HON. on our entire democracy. My amendment would have protected our democracy and pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF FLORIDA tects our citizens. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 22, 2005 This Rule, on the other hand, is potentially Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, today, I wish Wednesday, June 22, 2005 harmful to our democracy and America’s citi- to recognize the outstanding dedication and Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, zens. Freedom of speech and freedom of ex- leadership of Melanie Sabelhaus for her ef- I was unable to vote on four amendments to pression are fundamental components of our

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