December 18, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2191 to find work. I have spoken to countless con- led efforts to expand school integration and northwestern part of my district over these last stituents who want to work and are actively improve academic standards. nine years. She is an integral player in both looking for employment, but they cannot find For almost 20 years, Congresswoman WAT- counties, attending city council sessions, civic jobs. Cutting off their only means of support SON served in the California State Senate club meetings, and Chamber of Commerce before the holidays would be an unconscion- where she was the first African-American lunches. able dereliction of our responsibilities as mem- woman to serve in that body. She became a In her many years in public service, Caro- bers of Congress. statewide and national advocate for health line has helped countless constituents who Businesses stand to benefit from a two-year care, consumer protection, women, and chil- have come to my office for assistance. She extension of the Research and Development dren. During her tenure in Sacramento, she has warmly received individuals, families and Tax Credit, incentives for clean energy pro- served as chair of the Senate Health and business owners looking for assistance with a duction, and a new accelerated depreciation Human Services Committee and as a member federal agency. She has ensured hundreds of provision, which will allow a 100 percent write of the Judiciary Committee. residents received the Social Security and vet- off of capital expenditures in 2011 and 50 per- Congresswoman WATSON retired from the erans benefits they deserve. She has heard cent in 2012. These incentives will ease the State Senate in 1999 when she was appointed the concerns and touched the lives of many tax burden on Rhode Island companies seek- by President William Jefferson Clinton to serve families in need of help, and she has always ing to expand their operations and grow their as the United States Ambassador to the Fed- kept me informed of the needs of my constitu- business, providing an extra boost to our local erated States of Micronesia. As Ambassador ents. At times, she has found herself playing economy. to Micronesia, she represented our country in unusual roles, especially during the too-fre- For Rhode Island families, this proposal in- a magnificent way and has throughout her ca- quent tornado outbreaks that have occurred in cludes a two-year increase of the full Child reer demonstrated her mastery of foreign pol- Middle Tennessee. When a tornado struck Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. To- icy. She is truly an international leader. Dr. Gallatin in 2006, Caroline’s office in the base- gether, these provisions will provide ongoing WATSON served in this capacity until 2001 ment of the Sumner County Courthouse be- tax cuts to 12 million lower income families. In when she returned to California to run for came a place of refuge as residents huddled addition, it fully extends the American Oppor- Congress in a special election after the death together to comfort each other and share cell tunity Tax Credit for two years to ensure more of Congressman Julian Dixon. phones to check on loved ones’ safety. people can afford higher education. An exceptional public servant, Congress- Madam Speaker, working with Caroline Finally, this bill establishes a year-long tax woman WATSON has demonstrated a remark- these past eight years has been a pleasure. holiday, providing $112 billion in relief by cut- able commitment to improving the human con- No matter what challenges are thrown her ting the Social Security payroll tax by two per- dition, throughout her long and distinguished way, she always manages to maintain a cent. Hard working Rhode Islanders could use career. A commonsense legislator and a pas- cheerful, positive attitude. She is a dedicated a little extra income in their pockets—money sionate advocate for justice, she has master- public servant, a great help to me and a pillar that will ultimately be spent and pumped back fully used her vote and voice in the United of the community. into the economy to create more jobs. This States House of Representatives. Caroline, thank you for all of your help over temporary measure will have no negative im- The Congressional Black Caucus honors the years. I wish you, David and your family pact on Social Security. That said, I will not and salutes Congresswoman WATSON for her all the best. allow this measure to be used as a spring- legacy of service to the residents of Califor- f board toward a permanent reduction of Social nia’s 33rd Congressional District and to the Security tax revenues that threatens the pro- global community. We will miss her in the INTRODUCTION OF THE TRANS- gram’s solvency and breaks the promise we halls of Congress and in the ranks of the PORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE have made to our seniors, veterans and dis- CBC. We wish her well as she opens the next IMPROVEMENTS ON FEDERAL abled Americans. chapter of her life, we celebrate her leader- LANDS ACT OF 2010 Madam Speaker, this compromise is neither ship, and thank her for her friendship. a perfect nor permanent solution to our eco- f HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO nomic challenges, but the cost of inaction is OF HAWAII HONORING THE SERVICE AND something I’m not willing to pass along to my IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEDICATION OF CAROLINE DIAZ- constituents. If a better deal were possible, I Friday, December 17, 2010 would take it. In fact, I was proud to vote for BARRIGA middle class tax relief just two weeks ago, but Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise to in- my Republican colleagues rejected this com- HON. BART GORDON troduce a bill that will significantly improve traf- mon sense bill and it failed to pass the Sen- OF TENNESSEE fic safety and mobility in our national parks ate. So now we are faced with a choice—ac- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and other public recreational lands through in- creased funding and expanded authorities. I cept this compromise or continue playing poli- Friday, December 17, 2010 tics. The time for politics is over. We have less urge my colleagues to support this bill, the than two weeks before everybody’s tax burden Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Transportation Infrastructure Improvements on increases. I urge my colleagues to act before Speaker, I rise today to recognize Caroline Federal Lands Act of 2010. our time is up. Diaz-Barriga for her contributions to the Sixth Our national parks contain some of the most Congressional District of Tennessee. As any f important and valuable historic, cultural, and member of Congress knows, our legislative natural treasures in our country. Millions of DIANE WATSON achievements and successful constituent serv- visitors flock to these parks every year. Yet ices programs would not be possible without a safe access to and movement around these HON. BARBARA LEE cadre of great staff working behind the sites are compromised by severe and chronic OF CALIFORNIA scenes. Throughout my time in Congress, I underfunding and irrational provisions in cur- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have been fortunate to have many bright, able rent law. staff members with an interest in serving their The state of park transportation systems is Friday, December 17, 2010 country by working in this body. Today, I’d like deplorable. A recent assessment by the Na- Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, on to single out those who are serving my con- tional Park Service, NPS, found that 90 per- behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, it is stituents as my tenure comes to a close. cent of the park roads are in poor or fair con- with great pleasure and pride that I extend my Caroline has served as my field representa- dition. This compares with 14 percent for best wishes and congratulations to Congress- tive for Sumner and Robertson counties since major rural roads in the overall federal-aid woman DIANE WATSON, as she prepares to re- joining my office in 2002. She had previously highways system. One person is killed or in- tire from the United States Congress. worked for my colleague Congressman Bob jured on a park road every 4.5 hours. If the A former elementary school teacher and Clement when Robertson County was a part National Park System were a State, it would school psychologist, Congresswoman WATSON of his district. After he left the House to pursue rank 13th highest for road fatalities and inju- has lectured at both California State Univer- other endeavors and Robertson County was ries among all the States. sities at Los Angeles and Long Beach. In added to my district, Caroline was a natural The NPS received $240 million in FY2010 1975, she became the first African-American choice to run my new offices in Gallatin and through the Park Roads and Parkways pro- woman to be elected to the Los Angeles Uni- Springfield. Her presence there has allowed gram to build, repair, and rehabilitate roads fied School District Board of Education. She me to better serve my constituents in the and bridges, less than a third of what the NPS

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