E2650 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 19, 2007 Bob Martin and Kelly Martin of Kearney, Mis- INTRODUCTION OF FOUNTAIN ence will be critical to determining the options souri. Alexander is a very special young man CREEK WATERSHED FEASIBILITY for restoring the health and stability of the who has exemplified the finest qualities of citi- STUDY ACT Fountain Creek watershed. zenship and leadership by taking an active The idea of such a multipurpose project on part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, HON. MARK UDALL the Fountain is not new. It was first proposed and by earning the most prestigious award of OF COLORADO in 1970 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Eagle Scout. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES after the 1965 flood that inundated commu- nities along the Fountain Creek, including par- Alexander has been very active with his Wednesday, December 19, 2007 troop, participating in many scout activities. ticularly the city of Pueblo. The proposal was Over the years Alexander has been involved Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, supported by the States of Colorado and Kan- with scouting, he has earned 28 merit badges today with my Colorado colleague, Represent- sas and local officials, and was even the pre- and held numerous leadership positions in- ative JOHN SALAZAR, I am introducing a bill to ferred option of the Army Corps for addressing cluding assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, authorize a feasibility study regarding a multi- flooding in the Fountain. Like Senator scribe, and assistant senior patrol leader. Al- purpose project in the Fountain Creek water- SALAZAR, I think a similar proposal should be exander was also a past member of the Tribe shed in Colorado. The bIll is in the House evaluated again, in light of changed conditions of Mic-O-Say and earned his Brotherhood in companion to a similar bill, S. 2384, the and increased flows in Fountain Creek result- Order of the Arrow. Fountam Creek Feasibility Study Act, intro- ing from urban development in the Colorado duced by Senator Ken SALAZAR. Springs metro area. For his Eagle Scout project, Alexander dem- As Coloradans know, Fountain Creek is a onstrated his ability to effectively lead and or- Senator SALAZAR has laid out a vision to re- major tributary to the Arkansas River. Its wa- vitalize Fountain Creek and connect the com- ganize by putting all that he learned into con- tershed, which encompasses some 927 structing a storage basement for his church munities along its bank in a regional project. square miles, supports a wide variety of plants The feasibility study called for in S. 2384 and rectory in Liberty, Missouri, with the help of his and wildlife and directly affects many residents scout and adult helpers. Alexander spent more this House companion would be an essential of our state—in fact, according to the 2000 first step. I agree with Senator SALAZAR on the than 140 hours of diligently planning, design- census, more than 500,000 people live in the ing, and installing two storage units in order to desirability of taking that step, and the bill I am watershed’s boundaries. But the effect of introducing today is intended to assist in mak- maintain supplies for important committees Fountain Creek’s flows extends beyond the and organizations within the church. ing it happen. watershed’s boundaries. Water from the wa- f Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join tershed serves municipal, industrial and agri- me in commending Alexander Martin for his cultural uses. Creeks within the watershed IN HONOR OF MIKE LIPSKI accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of contribute about 15 percent of the—drinking America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- water for Colorado Springs and are a source HON. CHARLES W. ‘‘CHIP’’ PICKERING ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. of irrigation for over 100 farms and ranches. OF MISSISSIPPI The fertile farmland there produces wheat, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f com, hay, oats, and vegetable crops; there are Wednesday, December 19, 2007 also many working livestock ranches along HONORING SCOTT SPERLING ON Fountain Creek. But the watershed has its Mr. PICKERING. Madam Speaker, as we HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY problems, and in recent years, issues related begin to wrap up this year’s work in Congress, to Fountain Creek have tended to divide local I wish to recognize a valued Mississippian HON. RAHM EMANUEL residents who otherwise would be united by its who recently left my staff to pursue opportuni- ability to serve as an important link for com- ties in the private sector back home in Mis- OF ILLINOIS merce and recreation. sissippi. Mike Lipski served as my military leg- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Decades of neglect, increased waterflows islative assistant and special projects director, resulting from urban development in the north- and later, as my Legislative Director here in Wednesday, December 19, 2007 ern part of the watershed, increased Washington, DC. Mike’s heart has always Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise stormwater discharges, and sewage spills been with his home on the Mississippi gulf today to extend my warmest congratulations to have all contributed to the problems and the coast; now he has returned there and taken a Mr. Scott Sperling on the occasion of his fif- controversies. The watershed is subject to fre- position as director of sector administration at tieth birthday. Scott is a man known for his in- quent flood damage, erosion, and sedimenta- Northrop Grumman. Mike’s service to Mis- tellect and business acumen, and I am fortu- tion. In 1999 a major flood caused millions of sissippi and our country spans a lifetime of nate to call him a friend. dollars of damage to public and private prop- hard work. Scott is currently Co-President of Thomas erty, and destroyed the foundations of numer- Mike’s two-decade service in the Navy H. Lee Partners and Trustee and General ous homes and roads. Indeed, earlier this year stretches from his time as a surface warfare Partner of various THL Equity Funds and is there was minor flooding from the Fountain in officer on the USS Oliver Hazard Perry to also President of TH Lee Putnam Capital. Ad- the Pueblo area. Farmers and ranchers near service as a Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer, ditionally, he keeps busy as Director of Hawk- the downstream end of the watershed in par- including time at the Pentagon on the staff of eye Holdings, Thermo Fisher Corp., Univision ticular have suffered substantial losses of pro- the Chief of Naval Operations. He brought to Communications, Inc., Warner Music Group, ductive farmland. Degradation of the water my office experience as executive officer of and several private companies. quality and thus aquatic and wetland habitats Navy’s Engineering Field Activity Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as a stint as a In addition to his business commitments and is accelerating due to wastewater spills, loss Navy Legislative Fellow serving on Senator accomplishments, Scott is also a director of of natural vegetation, and high water volume. TRENT LOTT’s National Security staff. several charitable organizations including the Simply put, Fountain Creek watershed’s eco- On my staff, Mike utilized, promoted, in- Brigham & Women’s / Faulkner Hospital logical conditions are unstable and under con- creased, and protected the defense commu- Group, The Citi Center for Performing Arts stant threat. Senator SALAZAR’S bill, and this House com- nity’s value, not only for security, but also as and Wang Theater and Harvard Business panion to it, aim at laying a foundation stone an engine of the economy. He demonstrated School’s Rock Center for Entrepreneurship. for the work of restoring Fountain Creek and his commitment to the needs of our war fight- Scott started on his illustrious career path turning the corridor between Colorado Springs ers—past, current, and future—with his work after earning a B.S. from Purdue University and Pueblo into an environmental, agricultural, on veterans legislation; support and funding and an MBA degree from Harvard University. and recreational ‘‘crown jewel’’ for Colorado. for our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around Scott and his wife Laurene have four chil- Under the legislation, the Army Corps of Engi- the world; and preparation and planning for dren, Michael, Jenny, Zach, and Melanie. It neers would be required to conduct a study of military training and base infrastructure around seems as if each Sperling is more intelligent the feasibility of constructing one or more Mississippi and specifically at Meridian’s Naval than the next, and much of the credit for that dams and reservoirs to provide more reliable Air Station and our National Guard facilities. should probably go to Laurene. flood and sediment control, to conserve fish He served as the point person in my office Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to wish a and wildlife and preserve their ecosystem, and during the most recent round of BRAC, base happy 50th birthday to my dear friend, Scott to improve the water quality throughout the realignment and closure. He coordinated Sperling. watershed. The Corps’ expertise and experi- statewide efforts of military and community

VerDate Aug 31 2005 09:05 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K19DE8.006 E19DEPT1 bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with REMARKS December 19, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2651 leaders to effectively communicate the na- and for his continued service to our country by CONGRATULATING THE CHAZY EA- tional mission value of our bases and defend building a memorial to veterans from Denton GLES UPON WINNING THE 2007 them in the face of downsizing and cuts. County, Texas. NEW YORK STATE BOYS SOCCER CLASS D CHAMPIONSHIP In my office, Mike provided calm and rea- Working along with Mr. Monty Slough, Mr. soned counsel and was a trusted advisor and Cork identified the names of nine fallen serv- effective implementer of my legislative agenda ice members and created a personal way to HON. JOHN M. McHUGH and appropriation priorities. He successfully memorialize their service. Without prompting OF NEW YORK worked with economic development interests or financial support, Mr. Cork began building a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to bring new and better jobs to Mississippi and granite tiled memorial to Denton County sol- implement strategic community development Wednesday, December 19, 2007 diers, sailors, airmen and marines who died in plans at our universities and industrial clus- Mr. MCHUGH. Madam Speaker, I rise today ters. He has a strong vision for our State and service in Iraq or Afghanistan. to congratulate the Chazy Central Rural creative ideas to reach those goals. Mr. Cork has taken up the honorable but School District Eagles upon winning the 2007 Hurricane Katrina presented unique chal- unfortunate task of paying respect to fellow New York State Boys Soccer Class D Cham- lenges to all levels of leadership in Mississippi, veterans who pay the ultimate price while pionship. Of note, this was the third state boys from alderman to Congressman; from mayor serving our country. In his own eloquent words soccer championship in the last four years for to Governor. As we coordinated emergency Dee said, ‘‘It would be nice to see no one else Chazy, which is located in my upstate New response efforts on all levels of government, on it, one is too many.’’ York congressional district. On November 18, 2007, the Eagles won the Mike Lipski served as my liaison to MEMA, The mobile memorial built by veterans Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, New York State Class D Championship when Monty Slough and Dee Cork is an example of and slept on a cot at their headquarters for they defeated the Poland Tornadoes by a why we hold our nation’s veterans in such several days, when he wasn’t on the coast score of 1–0. In that game, Stetson Fields high esteem. I believe the character displayed with a satellite phone making immediate scored late in the second half after taking a by Mr. Slough and Mr. Cork should be high- needs assessments and providing logistical pass from Co-Captain Jason Baker. Chazy, lighted as an example of American civic duty coordination and advice. Mike traded his cot with a 14–2 shot advantage that pressured the and community support; I rise here today to and sat-phone for a tie and clipboard and re- Tornadoes’ defense all game long, was then show them that courtesy. turned to Washington where he worked close- able to preserve their lead, with goalkeeper ly with me in developing and implementing It is with great honor that I recognize Mr. Jacob Beeman recording the shutout. Katrina reform measures: Federal contracting Dee Cork for his dedication to veterans and The Eagles completed the 2007 season with reform, housing and infrastructure policy, Fed- their families. I thank him for his work, I sup- a record of 24–1–0 and with team Co-Captain eral relief and emergency recovery funding. port his mission, and I am honored to have Nolan Ryan as the holder of the state record His knowledge and experience with the Corps the opportunity to recognize him today. for career goals; in his career, Ryan scored of Engineers provided a unique resource both 173 goals, 59 assists, and 405 points. The during reform and in oversight as committees f Chazy Eagles were coached by Rob McAuliffe investigated the Government response to Hur- and assistant coaches Ian Brassard and Matt ricane Katrina. PROVIDING FOR CONCURRENCE BY Devins; Brian Norcross is the Athletic Director. Mike’s wife, the former Jill Daria Wiltzius, HOUSE WITH AMENDMENT IN Other team members were scorekeeper has stood by him throughout his military ca- SENATE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. Lindsey Seymour and players, Ben Baker, Jor- reer and his public service in my office. His 3997, HEROES EARNINGS ASSIST- dan Barriere, Kenny Bulriss, Tyler Bulriss, transfers around the world have provided them ANCE AND RELIEF TAX ACT OF Jonah Curtin, Tyson Duprey, Brad Hansen, both amazing international experiences but 2007 Shea Howley, Steven LaBombard, Co-Captain now Mike has convinced his Wisconsin girl to Kyle LaFountain, Andrew LaPierre, Perry settle in Mississippi. Our State is a better Latremore, Eric Martin, Nathan Racine, Kyle SPEECH OF place with the two of them as strong and hon- Reynolds, Kaleb Snide, Gaelan Trombley, and orable citizens. Jill is an outstanding educator HON. TOM UDALL Chris Vliege. Madam Speaker, it is an honor and hopes to pursue her Ph.D. now that they to have the opportunity to recognize them for are settled in Mississippi. I know Mike’s family OF NEW MEXICO their significant accomplishment. in Long Beach is very proud of him and his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f successful career is a tribute to his parents: John and Eleanor. Tuesday, December 18, 2007 IN RECOGNITION OF DAN CICORA Now Mike will have time to sail, canoe, fly fish, and indulge his outdoor passions, but I Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH have no doubt he will be integral in rebuilding the Heroes Earnings and Assistance and Re- OF OHIO and leading the coast to a full recovery. lief Tax (HEART) Act of 2007 is an important IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES piece of legislation that goes a long way to- Mike Lipski left a formative mark on the Wednesday, December 19, 2007 shape and operation of my office. We will miss ward helping the financial difficulties faced by his good nature, warm friendship, determined American soldiers. This bill helps honor those Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise work ethic, and dry humor. I am proud of his who are serving so bravely during this time of today in honor of Dan Cicora, and to celebrate service and the positive difference he has war. his service to the veterans of Cuyahoga Coun- made for our State and the country. I am The HEART Act would make permanent the ty. Dan began his service to our country in grateful to call him my friend. I thank him for inclusion of combat pay as earned income, 1969. As a soldier in the United States Army, his service to this office and to Mississippi and ensuring that soldiers’ families receive much Dan served in Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion, wish him the best of fortune in his new en- needed tax relief. It also would help thousands 32nd Artillery. Dan graduated cum laude from deavors. of veterans and their families to become Ohio University in 1975, and in 1979 began f homeowners through low-interest home loans, his work with the Veterans Administration as a would support those small business employers RECOGNIZING DEE CORK AND THE benefits counselor. Dan’s extraordinary dedi- who continue to pay National Guardsmen and DENTON COUNTY VETERANS ME- cation to veterans and his sincere desire to Reservists when they are called to serve, and MORIAL serve our community has marked every posi- expands other tax credit and tax relief provi- tion he has held with the VA, and he has won sions to help ease any financial difficulties numerous accolades for his efforts. In May HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS faced by these soldiers. OF TEXAS 1983 Dan received the VA Central Office Pub- Those who answer the call of duty should IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lic Service Award, he has received five sug- be rewarded for their actions by being assured gestion awards, and twenty-three awards for Wednesday, December 19, 2007 they will not be unduly and negatively affected performance, quality and contribution. Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise due to their patriotism. I support this legislation Since 2003 Dan has served as the Con- today to thank Mr. Dee Cork for his years of and join the many veterans’ organizations in gressional Liaison for the VA Cleveland office. service in the United States Armed Forces, encouraging its passage into law. In this capacity Dan has helped my office

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