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S906 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 23, 2007 Flint and a regional manager in my Hummel was nominated for a Pul- ting-edge approach to community Flint/Saginaw/Bay office in the Senate, itzer Prize in 1980 and the National emergency response shines as a model Connie has been my link to the com- Sportswriters and Sportscasters Asso- for all communities in Kentucky and munity. She is a respected community ciation named him Missouri Sports- the United States. This is a true exam- leader in her own right. Through the writer of the Year on four separate oc- ple of Kentucky at its finest and a years, she has mentored interns and casions. Now as the 57th winner of the leadership example to the entire Com- staff members, many of whom have J.G. Taylor Spink Award, presented monwealth.∑ caught her zeal for public service and annually for ‘‘meritorious contribu- f have kept in touch with her long after tions to writing,’’ Hummel they left the office. will be recognized in a permanent ex- TRIBUTE TO JANE BOLIN My staff and I will miss her sense of hibit at the National Baseball Hall of ∑ Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, today humor, boundless energy, optimism Fame. He joins such legendary sports- I honor the life and legacy of Ms. Jane and enthusiasm, although I am certain writers as , , Bolin. that retirement will not stop her from , and . Jane Matilda Bolin of Queens, NY, staying involved. I also know that I congratulate on this passed away on Monday, January 8, many people in Michigan, whose lives achievement and recognize his accom- 2007 after a lifetime of public service. she touched through her work, will plishments throughout his long and In 1939, Ms. Bolin was the first Black miss her. successful career. woman to become a judge in the United Upon leaving the Senate, Connie f States, and she continued to serve hon- plans to spend time in Florida, where ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS orably on the bench for the next 40 she will be closer to one of her daugh- years. Her lifelong dedication to social ters and her three precious grand- justice, civil rights, and to the better- children. She has a love for life that is TRIBUTE TO ERLANGER, ment of our American society serves as contagious and I know her family will KENTUCKY, FIRE DEPARTMENT an inspiration to us all. appreciate having more of her time and ∑ Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I A trailblazer in so many arenas, Ms. attention. wish to pay tribute to the city of Er- Bolin pursued her goals in the face of Mr. President, I am sad because I am langer, KY, which is the recipient of widespread discrimination and preju- losing a trusted and valued member of the 2006 Award for Municipal Excel- dice. She was the first Black woman to my staff, but I am happy to see a dear lence at the National League of Cities’ graduate from Yale Law School, the friend move on to new challenges, and Congress of Cities. This city’s Tiered first to join the New York City Bar As- I wish her the best of everything. Advanced Life Support System Pro- sociation, and the first to work in the f gram for Emergency Medical Services city’s legal department. In addition to RECOGNIZING RICK HUMMEL earned Erlanger the Gold Award, which being a fellow Yale Law graduate, she Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise is presented to cities that have a popu- and I also share the same under- today to honor one of our Nation’s fin- lation below 50,000 people. By winning graduate alma mater. Ms. Bolin at- est sportswriters, Rick Hummel, and this prestigious award, the Erlanger tended Wellesley College in the 1920s as congratulate him on receiving the J.G. Fire Department and Emergency Med- one of only two Black freshmen. She Taylor Spink Award, the highest honor ical Services, EMS, team exhibit the went on to graduate as a Wellesley awarded by the Baseball Writers Asso- power of hard work as well as their Scholar, an honor given only to the top ciation of America. dedication to their community while 20 students in her class. The great sportswriter, Red Smith, serving as an example to the rest of the Ms. Bolin’s tenacity set a powerful once said ‘‘There’s nothing to writing. United States. example for the women of my genera- All you do is sit down at a typewriter Since 1989, the goal of the Awards for tion. In 1958, she commented on the and open a vein.’’ He meant, of course, Municipal Excellence has been to rec- struggle for women’s rights that ‘‘we that writing is not easy. Sports writing ognize cities that improve the lives of have to fight every inch of the way and can be particularly challenging, but citizens in their communities. These in the face of sometimes insufferable when done well it can be some of the awards identify and feature out- humiliations.’’ And Ms. Bolin never best journalistic writing there is. Rick standing city and town programs that stopped fighting. She spoke out against Hummel does it well. show innovation in enhancing the qual- segregation in her native Those who know Hummel best call ity of life in America’s communities. Pougkheepsie. She used her position on him the ‘‘Commish’’ a nickname he The fire department and city of Er- the bench to end the assignment of pro- earned by organizing the newsroom’s langer recognize the need to have para- bation officers and the placement of softball and bowling league teams. medic response and transport capabili- children in childcare agencies on the Over the years, the moniker has taken ties for the safety and welfare of the basis of race. As a family court judge, on deeper meaning. Today, it serves as citizens in its community of 17,000 peo- she heard cases ranging from homicides a nod to his extensive knowledge of the ple. After debating several options, and battered spouses to child support game of baseball and as a tribute to his they found a fire service-based EMS de- and paternity suits. venerable career. livery model that was affordable and Jane Bolin was truly a remarkable Rick Hummel was born and raised in could be enacted immediately. This woman. Quincy, IL. He graduated from Quincy model provides two cross-trained EMS I offer my deepest sympathies to her High School in 1964, went on to earn a firefighters on a transport rescue unit, son, Yorke B. Mizzle, and to all those degree from the University of Missouri followed by a cross-trained firefighter whose lives she enriched. My thoughts School of Journalism, and then served paramedic in a staff car who can assist and prayers are with her family during in the U.S. Army for 3 years. and ride in the rescue ambulance with this difficult time.∑ Hummel joined the staff of the St. the patient. If the patient does not f Louis Post-Dispatch in 1971. At the need advanced life support, the para- Post-Dispatch, he learned the ropes, as medic is ready to respond immediately TRIBUTE TO JOHN AND JILL many sportswriters do, by covering to the next emergency call. This model MAHAN high school athletics. Hummel was delivers the best medical care available ∑ Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I given his first chance to write about and keeps more firefighters on the pay tribute to John and Jill Mahan, an the World Champion St. Louis Car- street to deliver the highest quality exceptional young couple from Ken- dinals in 1973. By 1978, covering the fire protection. This joint partnership tucky who are the recipients of the Cardinals was Hummel’s full-time job. has made a positive difference in both American Farm Bureau Young Farm- He spent the next 24 years as a beat re- fire and EMS delivery services in the ers and Ranchers National Achieve- porter and continues to write for the community of Erlanger. ment Award. By winning this pres- Post-Dispatch as a regular columnist. I congratulate the city of Erlanger, tigious award, the Mahans exhibited an Hummel is passionate about baseball, KY, for receiving this Award for Mu- unprecedented passion and skill for but as a writer he is known for his un- nicipal Excellence. By using an innova- farming, beating out competition from complicated style and humility, as well tive approach to address an important across the United States. as his ability to work with players, community need, they have created The American Farm Bureau Young coaches, and managers alike. this outstanding program. This cut- Farmers and Ranchers National

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:24 Apr 26, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD07\S23JA7.REC S23JA7 pwalker on PROD1PC69 with CONG-REC-ONLINE January 23, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S907 Achievement Award is presented to REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE new jobs . . . so far. Unemployment is young farmers and ranchers across the UNION DELIVERED TO A JOINT low, inflation is low, and wages are ris- United States who demonstrate knowl- SESSION OF CONGRESS ON JANU- ing. This economy is on the move—and edge and achievement in agriculture, ARY 23, 2007—PM 2 our job is to keep it that way, not with as well as a steadfast strength and goal The PRESIDING OFFICER laid be- more government but with more enter- of promoting the agricultural commu- fore the Senate the following message prise. Next week, I will deliver a full report nity. With the average age of American from the President of the United on the state of our economy. Tonight, farmers increasing steadily as the States, together with an accompanying years go by, it is refreshing to see a I want to discuss three economic re- report; which was ordered to lie on the forms that deserve to be priorities for young couple like the Mahans embrace table: the financial and labor-intensive plight this Congress. that is common in the field of agri- To the Congress of the United States: First, we must balance the Federal culture. Thank you very much. Tonight, I budget. We can do so without raising taxes. What we need to do is impose The Mahans own 523 acres of a 2,000- have a high privilege and distinct spending discipline in Washington, D.C. acre farm near their home in Lex- honor of my own—as the first Presi- We set a goal of cutting the deficit in ington, KY. With the changing needs dent to begin the State of the Union half by 2009—and met that goal 3 years facing farmers, they quickly learned to message with these words: Madam ahead of schedule. Now let us take the diversify their production options and Speaker. In his day, the late Congressman next step. In the coming weeks, I will create alternatives for income. Cur- submit a budget that eliminates the rently, the Mahans produce burley to- Thomas D’Alesandro, Jr., from Balti- more, Maryland, saw Presidents Roo- Federal deficit within the next 5 years. bacco, beef cattle, wheat, soybeans, I ask you to make the same commit- corn, and alfalfa. This forward-think- sevelt and Truman at this rostrum. But nothing could compare with the sight ment. Together, we can restrain the ing approach to the ever-changing agri- spending appetite of the Federal Gov- culture market is a clear reason this of his only daughter, Nancy, presiding tonight as Speaker of the House of ernment, and balance the Federal couple experiences continued success budget. in their farming career. Representatives. Congratulations. Two members of the House and Sen- Next, there is the matter of ear- I congratulate John and Jill Mahan marks. These special interest items are ate are not with us tonight—and we on this prestigious award from the often slipped into bills at the last pray for the recovery and speedy re- American Farm Bureau. By winning hour—when not even C–SPAN is watch- turn of Senator Tim Johnson and Con- this national award, they have shown ing. In 2005 alone, the number of ear- gressman Charlie Norwood. the rest of the Nation the strength of marks grew to over 13,000 and totaled Madam Speaker, Vice President Che- the agricultural community in Ken- nearly $18 billion. Even worse, over 90 ney, Members of Congress, distin- tucky along with their personal dedica- percent of earmarks never make it to tion to their remarkable careers in guished guests, and fellow citizens: the floor of the House and Senate— This rite of custom brings us to- farming. They are true examples of they are dropped into Committee re- gether at a defining hour—when deci- Kentucky at its finest.∑ ports that are not even part of the bill sions are hard and courage is tested. that arrives on my desk. You did not We enter the year 2007 with large en- f vote them into law. I did not sign them deavors underway, and others that are into law. Yet they are treated as if ours to begin. In all of this, much is MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE they have the force of law. The time asked of us. We must have the will to has come to end this practice. So let us At 12:09 p.m., a message from the face difficult challenges and deter- work together to reform the budget House of Representatives, delivered by mined enemies—and the wisdom to process . . . expose every earmark to Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, face them together. the light of day and to a vote in Con- Some in this Chamber are new to the announced that the House has passed gress, and cut the number and cost of House and Senate—and I congratulate the following bill, in which it requests earmarks at least in half by the end of the Democratic majority. Congress has the concurrence of the Senate: this session. H.R. 390. An act to require the establish- changed, but our responsibilities have Finally, to keep this economy strong ment of a national database in the National not. Each of us is guided by our own we must take on the challenge of enti- Archives to preserve records of servitude, convictions—and to these we must stay tlements. Social Security and Medicare emancipation, and post-Civil War recon- faithful. Yet we are all held to the and Medicaid are commitments of con- struction and to provide grants to State and same standards, and called to serve the science—and so it is our duty to keep local entities to establish similar local data- same good purposes: To extend this Na- bases. them permanently sound. Yet we are tion’s prosperity . . . to spend the peo- failing in that duty—and this failure The message also announced that ple’s money wisely . . . to solve prob- will one day leave our children with pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1024(a), and the lems, not leave them to future genera- three bad options: huge tax increases, order of the House of January 4, 2007, tions . . . to guard America against all huge deficits, or huge and immediate the Speaker appoints the following evil, and to keep faith with those we cuts in benefits. Everyone in this Member of the House of Representa- have sent forth to defend us. Chamber knows this to be true—yet tives to the Joint Economic Com- We are not the first to come here somehow we have not found it in our- mittee: Mr. SAXTON of New Jersey. with government divided and uncer- selves to act. So let us work together tainty in the air. Like many before us, and do it now. With enough good sense At 2:15 p.m., a message from the we can work through our differences and good will, you and I can fix Medi- House of Representatives, delivered by and achieve big things for the Amer- care and Medicaid—and save Social Se- Ms. Niland, one of its reading clerks, ican people. Our citizens don’t much curity. announced that the House has agreed care which side of the aisle we sit on— Spreading opportunity and hope in to the following concurrent resolution, as long as we are willing to cross that America also requires public schools in which it requests the concurrence of aisle when there is work to be done. that give children the knowledge and the Senate: Our job is to make life better for our character they need in life. Five years H. Con. Res. 41. Concurrent resolution pro- fellow Americans, and help them to ago, we rose above partisan differences viding for a conditional adjournment of the build a future of hope and oppor- to pass the No Child Left Behind Act— House of Representatives. tunity—and this is the business before preserving local control, raising stand- The message further announced that us tonight. ards in public schools, and holding the House agrees to the amendment of A future of hope and opportunity be- those schools accountable for results. the Senate to the concurrent resolu- gins with a growing economy—and that And because we acted, students are tion (H. Con. Res. 38) providing for a is what we have. We are now in the 41st performing better in reading and math, joint session of Congress to receive a month of uninterrupted job growth—in and minority students are closing the message from the President. a recovery that has created 7.2 million achievement gap.

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