December 19, 2007 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 153, Pt. 27 36487 senior centers in the United States. The senior ing, and installing two storage units in order to of our state—in fact, according to the 2000 center’s accreditation status is bestowed by maintain supplies for important committees census, more than 500,000 people live in the the National Institute of Senior Centers and organizations within the church. watershed’s boundaries. But the effect of (NISC), a unit of the National Council on the Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join Fountain Creek’s flows extends beyond the Aging. me in commending Alexander Martin for his watershed’s boundaries. Water from the wa- Accreditation is the official recognition that a accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of tershed serves municipal, industrial and agri- senior center is meeting its mission in a na- America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- cultural uses. Creeks within the watershed tionally accepted professional fashion. It is ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. contribute about 15 percent of the—drinking based on compliance with nine standards of f water for Springs and are a source senior center operations developed by NISC. of irrigation for over 100 farms and ranches. Accreditation is unique to the senior center HONORING SCOTT SPERLING ON The fertile farmland there produces wheat, field and demonstrates outstanding leadership HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY com, hay, oats, and vegetable crops; there are and commitment to high quality programs and also many working livestock ranches along services to older adults. HON. Fountain Creek. But the watershed has its Madam Speaker, the Veterans Memorial OF ILLINOIS problems, and in recent years, issues related to Fountain Creek have tended to divide local Senior Center is to be commended for its vi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sion, collaborative relationships, volunteer pro- residents who otherwise would be united by its Wednesday, December 19, 2007 grams, outreach programs, wide range of ability to serve as an important link for com- health and fitness programs, plus support Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise merce and recreation. services. Its mission is to provide inclusive today to extend my warmest congratulations to Decades of neglect, increased waterflows resulting from urban development in the north- programs that enhance the body, mind, and Mr. Scott Sperling on the occasion of his fif- ern part of the watershed, increased spirit focusing on health and wellness through tieth birthday. Scott is a man known for his in- stormwater discharges, and sewage spills a variety of social events, expressive arts, nu- tellect and business acumen, and I am fortu- have all contributed to the problems and the trition, fitness, educational, and recreational nate to call him a friend. controversies. The watershed is subject to fre- classes; plus social services support. And it Scott is currently Co-President of Thomas quent flood damage, erosion, and sedimenta- does this very well. H. Lee Partners and Trustee and General tion. In 1999 a major flood caused millions of On December 1, 2007, the Center cele- Partner of various THL Equity Funds and is dollars of damage to public and private prop- brated its 25th Anniversary with a gala event also President of TH Lee Putnam Capital. Ad- erty, and destroyed the foundations of numer- featuring a theme of ‘‘Honoring Our Legacy ditionally, he keeps busy as Director of Hawk- ous homes and roads. Indeed, earlier this year and Looking Into Our Future.’’ I rise today to eye Holdings, Thermo Fisher Corp., Univision there was minor flooding from the Fountain in recognize them on achieving this milestone, Communications, Inc., Warner Music Group, and several private companies. the Pueblo area. Farmers and ranchers near and to thank them on behalf of a grateful na- the downstream end of the watershed in par- tion for all the good they do. In addition to his business commitments and accomplishments, Scott is also a director of ticular have suffered substantial losses of pro- Madam Speaker, on behalf of my constitu- ductive farmland. Degradation of the water several charitable organizations including the ents and the House, I thank the Veterans Me- quality and thus aquatic and wetland habitats Brigham & Women’s/Faulkner Hospital Group, morial Senior Center on Madison Avenue in is accelerating due to wastewater spills, loss The Citi Center for Performing Arts and Wang Redwood City for its 25 years of service and of natural vegetation, and high water volume. Theater and Harvard Business School’s Rock note the exemplary work that Linda M. Griffith, Simply put, Fountain Creek watershed’s eco- Center for Entrepreneurship. its director, has done to achieve this pres- logical conditions are unstable and under con- Scott started on his illustrious career path tigious accreditation. stant threat. after earning a B.S. from Purdue University f Senator SALAZAR’s bill, and this House com- and an MBA degree from Harvard University. TRIBUTE TO ALEXANDER MARTIN panion to it, aim at laying a foundation stone Scott and his wife Laurene have four chil- for the work of restoring Fountain Creek and dren, Michael, Jenny, Zach, and Melanie. It turning the corridor between Colorado Springs HON. SAM GRAVES seems as if each Sperling is more intelligent and Pueblo into an environmental, agricultural, OF MISSOURI than the next, and much of the credit for that and recreational ‘‘crown jewel’’ for Colorado. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES should probably go to Laurene. Under the legislation, the Army Corps of Engi- Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to wish a Wednesday, December 19, 2007 neers would be required to conduct a study of happy 50th birthday to my dear friend, Scott the feasibility of constructing one or more Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly Sperling. dams and reservoirs to provide more reliable pause to recognize Alexander Martin, son of f flood and sediment control, to conserve fish Bob Martin and Kelly Martin of Kearney, Mis- INTRODUCTION OF FOUNTAIN and wildlife and preserve their ecosystem, and souri. Alexander is a very special young man to improve the water quality throughout the who has exemplified the finest qualities of citi- CREEK WATERSHED FEASIBILITY STUDY ACT watershed. The Corps’ expertise and experi- zenship and leadership by taking an active ence will be critical to determining the options part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, for restoring the health and stability of the and by earning the most prestigious award of HON. Fountain Creek watershed. Eagle Scout. OF COLORADO The idea of such a multipurpose project on Alexander has been very active with his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Fountain is not new. It was first proposed troop, participating in many scout activities. Wednesday, December 19, 2007 in 1970 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Over the years Alexander has been involved after the 1965 flood that inundated commu- with scouting, he has earned 28 merit badges Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, nities along the Fountain Creek, including par- and held numerous leadership positions in- today with my Colorado colleague, Represent- ticularly the city of Pueblo. The proposal was cluding assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, ative , I am introducing a bill to supported by the States of Colorado and Kan- scribe, and assistant senior patrol leader. Al- authorize a feasibility study regarding a multi- sas and local officials, and was even the pre- exander was also a past member of the Tribe purpose project in the Fountain Creek water- ferred option of the Army Corps for addressing of Mic-O-Say and earned his Brotherhood in shed in Colorado. The bIll is in the House flooding in the Fountain. Like Senator Order of the Arrow. companion to a similar bill, S. 2384, the SALAZAR, I think a similar proposal should be For his Eagle Scout project, Alexander dem- Fountam Creek Feasibility Study Act, intro- evaluated again, in light of changed conditions onstrated his ability to effectively lead and or- duced by Senator Ken SALAZAR. and increased flows in Fountain Creek result- ganize by putting all that he learned into con- As Coloradans know, Fountain Creek is a ing from urban development in the Colorado structing a storage basement for his church major tributary to the Arkansas River. Its wa- Springs metro area. rectory in Liberty, Missouri, with the help of his tershed, which encompasses some 927 Senator SALAZAR has laid out a vision to re- scout and adult helpers. Alexander spent more square miles, supports a wide variety of plants vitalize Fountain Creek and connect the com- than 140 hours of diligently planning, design- and wildlife and directly affects many residents munities along its bank in a regional project.

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