E482 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 7, 2007 brings to light: that freedom of the press is still THE CITIZENSHIP PROMOTION ACT cation assistance, outreach and community behind bars. OF 2007 education, and English and citizenship class- This case presented us with the long spec- es. We have seen a version of this project tacle of reporters being jailed and threatened HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ thrive in Illinois under the leadership of Gov- with jail time for not revealing their confidential OF ILLINOIS ernor Blagojevich and the Illinois Coalition for sources. As we saw with former New York IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Times reporter Judith Miller, without the same Madam Speaker, let me close with this Wednesday, March 7, 2007 confidentiality protection that doctors, lawyers, point. President Theodore Roosevelt once clergy and so many others have, reporters are Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise said: ‘‘Americanism is a question of principle, forced either to reveal their confidential today to announce the introduction of my bill, of purpose, of idealism, of character. It is not sources or go to jail. In her case, Judy Miller the Citizenship Promotion Act of 2007. The a matter of birthplace or creed or line of de- honorably chose 85 days in jail. goal of the legislation is to minimize the obsta- scent.’’ But many reporters and their sources will cles that legal immigrants face on the road to Let’s work to ensure that those who pos- not want to have to make the same decision. becoming U.S. citizens. sess the principle, the purpose, the idealism Because there is no federal media shield During my 15 years in Congress, I have and the character of America can earn the law, the real losers are actually not reporters made citizenship and immigration issues the chance to achieve the American Dream. And but the American public. Confidential sources cornerstone of my work here. In my district, let’s ensure that they are not priced out of the and whistleblowers within the government who we have created innovative naturalization process. expose wrongdoing and injustice in order to workshops that have become a national model Let’s work to ensure that they can continue hold the government accountable will keep the for legislators around the nation. I am proud to to build and better our great nation, as immi- facts to themselves because the reporters to say that these workshops have helped more grants have done for generations. Let’s work whom they speak cannot promise them con- than 40,000 -area immigrants to be- to ensure that hard working men and women fidentiality. The chilling effect is real, and the come U.S. citizens. can fully share in the rights that citizens enjoy American public will suffer. But there is much more to these workshops and can also help shoulder the enormous re- That is the real tragedy of this case. than numbers. There is something special, sponsibilities that come with this incredible op- something amazing, about seeing the pride, It’s time to repair the tear in the First portunity. the promise, and the confidence on a person’s Amendment. It’s time to pass a federal media f face after they have completed the citizenship shield law. Repersentative RICK BOUCHER and application process. Men and women who HONORING THE 220TH ANNIVER- I will be reintroducing the Free Flow of Infor- take the oath of citizenship are committed to SARY OF VIRGINIA’S STATUTE mation Act soon, and I urge this Congress to the responsibilities of being American citizens FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM act on it expeditiously. Let us free the First and are equally dedicated to making the most Amendment by passing this important legisla- of America’s opportunities. tion. HON. BILL SALI They have done everything right. They work OF IDAHO hard and play by the rules. Yet, this Adminis- f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tration continues to put citizenship out of reach Wednesday, March 7, 2007 HONORING THE MEMORY OF TED for many hard working individuals by pro- TESTERMAN posing unrealistic and punitive fees to com- Mr. SALI. Madam Speaker, this year is the plete the citizenship process. 220th anniversary of Virginia’s passage of its And the proposed fee hikes, which were an- historic Statute for Religious Freedom. This HON. DAVID DAVIS nounced a few weeks ago, are a glaring ex- measure, authored by Thomas Jefferson, was OF TENNESSEE ample of the government imposing a higher so important to the future President that he in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES price on its customers, while continuing to sisted that his authorship of this bill be memo- Wednesday, March 7, 2007 offer inadequate, inefficient and ineffective rialized for all time on his tombstone. service. As Bryan Fischer, executive director of the Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam That would never fly in the business world, Idaho Family Alliance, noted in a recent article Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and it shouldn’t when it comes to providing in the Idaho Statesman, Jefferson’s ‘‘statute is and life of Ted Testerman, a resident of the government services. problematic for groups who like to cite Jeffer- First Congressional District of Tennessee, who Prospective citizens are not asking for a son in support of their effort to remove all passed away March 5, 2007. Theodore W. free ride—they never have. They are simply mention of God, and Christianity in particular, ‘‘Ted’’ Testerman lived a life of entrepreneur- asking for fairness, and for a broken bureauc- from the public square’’ (January 29, 2007). ship, service, and was known by all for his racy, with an unacceptable backlog, to stop As Mr. Fischer observes, ‘‘In the first line of fairness to all those around him, even his trying to fix its failures, and its inefficiencies, the statute (Jefferson) refers to ‘Almighty business competitors. on the backs of low-income working families. God,’’’ and also includes references to ‘‘the He was married to Emma Greene for 55 In recent years, USCIS has increasingly Holy Author of our religion’’ and the ‘‘Lord both years. They had two sons Hugh and William, burdened prospective citizens with indirect of body and mind.’’ Most historians agree that and five grandchildren. Ted was very dedi- costs not related to the application process. Mr. Jefferson is referring to Jesus Christ. cated to his family, a quality that is sought The legislation I am introducing today would The respected American University historian after in today’s world. help reverse that trend in a way that makes Daniel Dreisbach, an Oxford Ph.D. and careful He served the great State of Tennessee as sense for prospective citizens and for the student of Jefferson’s understanding of church a member of the Sullivan County Election agency. and state issues, echoes the same theme: Commission since 1974. He was also a past It would freeze fees at their current rates ‘‘Jefferson firmly believed that the First president of the Bristol Chamber of Com- until we can conduct proper oversight and Amendment, with its metaphoric ‘wall of sepa- merce, former member of the Bristol Jaycees, thoroughly review the proposed fee structure. ration,’ prohibited religious establishments by and the Kiwanis Club of Bristol. He was truly It would also ensure that indirect costs, the federal government only. Addressing the a pillar of Bristol. those not associated with the application proc- same topic of religious proclamations, Jeffer- Theodore W. ‘‘Ted’’ Testerman started ess, can be funded through the appropriations son elsewhere relied on the Tenth Amend- working in a men’s clothing store as a sales- process and not through increased filing fees. ment, arguing that because ‘no power to pre- man and by 1964 he owned the business, The legislation would also help ensure that the scribe any religious exercise’ has been dele- Blakely-Mitchell, which became the epicenter citizenship test is administered fairly—and gated to the ‘General [i.e., federal] Govern- for community discussion in Bristol. justly—and that people aren’t deterred from ment . . . it must then rest with the States, as Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join pursuing the process because of electronic fil- far as it can be in any human authority’.’’ me this evening in offering our sympathies to ing barriers. Put simply, Jefferson never envisioned that the family and friends of Theodore W. ‘‘Ted’’ In addition, the legislation would set up the the ‘‘wall of separation’’ would be used as a Testerman. He was a dedicated family man, a New Americans Initiative. This would establish pretext for government hostility to religion. To foundation to the Bristol community, and en- a grant program to fund the work of commu- the contrary, he first used this phrase in a let- trepreneur. His service is greatly appreciated, nity-based organizations to promote and in- ter to the Baptist congregations of Danbury, and he will be deeply missed. crease citizenship opportunities through appli- Connecticut. Here’s the phrase used in its

VerDate 0ct 09 2002 07:35 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A07MR8.014 SWEST PsN: E07MRPT1 March 7, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E483 original context: ‘‘I contemplate with sovereign tic Asphalt Racing Alliance and NASCAR in unfamiliar surroundings, or overburdened reverence that act of the whole American peo- Whelen All-American Series. Lake Erie Speed- foster families. Their work has shown that kin- ple which declared that their legislature should way can accommodate up to 7,000 race fans ship and non-nuclear biological families can ‘make no law respecting an establishment of and has a substantial impact on the Erie provide permanent stable homes, an alter- religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there- County economy. native to foster care and delinquency systems, of,’ thus building a wall of separation between Pennsylvania is home to 60 motorsports fa- while 100 percent of children in the program Church & State.’’ cilities, including Pocono Raceway, which remain in school. In other words, the ‘‘wall’’ was designed not hosts two NASCAR Nextel Cup races each I wish continued success of the KARE Fam- to prevent people of faith from expressing their summer. These facilities are an important part ily Center. It is my honor to celebrate with views in the public square, or to discourage of the fabric of our State’s economy. Indeed, them a history of community involvement and them from applying their faith to public life, but a recently-released report, authorized by the service. rather to prevent the Federal Government Pennsylvania General Assembly, found that from suppressing Judeo-Christian beliefs or motorsports facilities have a combined impact f of over $390 million on the State’s economy. their adherents. TRIBUTE TO BARBARA MCNAIR What of President Jefferson’s own practice Because of the importance of motorsports to as a public figure? Consider the words of my district and State, I am cosponsoring the James Hutson, Chief Manuscript Historian at Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act. HON. DIANE E. WATSON the Library of Congress, in a recent article on This legislation will make permanent the well- OF CALIFORNIA the ‘‘wall of separation:’’ understood and widely-accepted depreciation IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Jefferson’s public support for religion classification of motorsports facilities. The leg- Wednesday, March 7, 2007 appears... to have been more than a cyn- islation will provide fair treatment and needed ical political gesture. Scholars have recently certainty to the dozens of facilities in Pennsyl- Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today argued that in the 1790s Jefferson developed vania and the hundreds located throughout the to honor a distinguished African American ac- a more favorable view of Christianity that country. tress and singer, Barbara McNair, who passed led him to endorse the position of his fellow I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- away in January after a long battle with can- Founders that religion was necessary for the cer. She was a trailblazer, who had a suc- welfare of a republican government, that it porting the Motorsports Fairness and Perma- nency Act. cessful recording and acting career in an era was, as Washington proclaimed in his Fare- when few African Americans, particularly Afri- well Address, indispensable for the happiness f and prosperity of the people. Jefferson had, can American women, could sustain them- in fact, said as much in his First Inaugural CONGRATULATIONS TO KARE selves in Hollywood. Barbara was also my Address. His attendance at church services FAMILY CENTER dear friend. in the House (of Representatives) was, then, Barbara McNair was one of the world’s most his way of offering symbolic support for reli- HON. RAU´ L M. GRIJALVA stunningly dynamic, talented, and beautiful gious faith and for its beneficent role in re- OF ARIZONA singers, who achieved international fame not publican government. only as a singer, but also as a movie, tele- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In summary, it was because of his firm con- vision, and Broadway star. viction that the state should never impede the Wednesday, March 7, 2007 At a young age, Barbara moved to New liberties of religious citizens or organizations in Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise York where she supported herself with a sec- the public square that Mr. Jefferson penned today to extend my congratulations to a great retarial job while auditioning off-hours at a va- the Statue for Religious Freedom, not because resource in southern Arizona. riety of New York nightclubs. Persistence of a secular desire to stamp out religion under For 5 years, the Kinship and Adoption Re- eventually paid off when Max Gordon, propri- the foot of government power. His Statute was source and Education Family Center, KARE, etor of one of the most famous clubs in not borne out of an enmity to religion, but a has been providing support and resources for New York, The Village Vanguard, offered her desire to protect it. And for that, on its 220th grandparents and other relatives raising chil- a job. Soon after, her big break came when anniversary, the Virginia Statue for Religious dren whose biological parents are unable to she was tagged for a stint on The Arthur God- Freedom and its author Thomas Jefferson do so. Considering that Arizona is one of the frey Show. Not much later, she appeared in should be honored by this body. fastest growing States in the country where shows at world famous nightclubs such as the f children are having to be raised outside of Purple Onion and the Coconut Grove. their own birth-families, the center’s work has Barbara quickly became one of the coun- MOTORSPORTS FAIRNESS AND become invaluable to the community members try’s most popular headliners and a guest on PERMANENCY ACT of my district. Through KARE, many families , Hullabaloo, The Bell are able to keep more children out of foster Telephone Hours, and . HON. PHIL ENGLISH homes. It is my pleasure to thank them on this She also made guest appearances on popular OF PENNSYLVANIA landmark date. television shows of the day, including Dr. Kil- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Over the existence of the KARE Family dare, I Spy, Mission: Impossible, Hogan’s He- Center, several thousand grandparents, rel- roes, and McMillan and Wife. She hosted tele- Wednesday, March 7, 2007 atives and adoptive parents have received vision’s The Barbara McNair Show, a musical Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. Madam many crucially important services. The center and comedy show in the late 1960s and early Speaker, I rise today in support of the Motor- provides such benefits as case management 1970s. sports Fairness and Permanency Act. This bill services and mental/behavioral health serv- Her movie credits include If He Hollers Let would make permanent the tax treatment of ices, completely free of charge. Without such Him Go, playing opposite Raymond St. speedways and racing facilities around the services, many of the children in question Jacques; They Call Me Mr. Tibbs, with Sydney country. would not be found under the care of their Poitier; and , with Mary Tyler This legislation will provide needed certainty own family, which simply can not be equaled Moore and in his last scripted to track and speedway operators regarding the by state care. Grandparents, relatives, and movie role. depreciation of their properties. For decades, adoptive parents, who are often suffering from Her Broadway credits include The Body motorsports facilities were considered as declining health and financial burdens, are Beautiful, , and a revival of The Pa- ‘‘theme and amusement facilities’’ for depre- able to overcome these extraordinary cir- jama Game. ciation purposes. Congress codified this treat- cumstances through the help of the KARE Barbara McNair not only acted, but also had ment as part of the Jumpstart our Business center. a successful recording career. Her recordings Strength Act of 2004. The Motorsports Fair- As the need for specialization in the area of include Livin’ End, I Enjoy Being a Girl, and ness and Permanency Act would simply make adoption and kinship support services grows The Ultimate Collection. this treatment permanent, helping facility own- across the country, the KARE center has Barbara McNair had her share of tragedies ers make long-lead time decisions on major helped to develop and promote access to and setbacks during her life of 72 years. But capital investments. similar programs. In its 5 years, KARE has through it all, she continued to move forward. My congressional district is home to Lake provided assistance to several thousand fami- Her singular accomplishments as an actress Erie Speedway, a 3⁄8-mile track that hosts a lies, and with more programs like it in develop- and singer are to be admired and remem- full schedule of races, including the Mid-Atlan- ment, far fewer children are left to be raised bered.

VerDate 0ct 09 2002 07:35 Mar 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A07MR8.020 SWEST PsN: E07MRPT1