H4362 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 13, 2005 that the bill can go on to the White ceive Federal funding, a State program The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the House for the President’s signature. must meet certain criteria and have at opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of What is the Certified State Medi- least a 30 percent match in State fund- those present have voted in the affirm- ation Program? When producers and ing. ative. the USDA are in disagreement regard- This program was created in 1987 as a Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Madam ing loans, wetlands remediation, con- result of the credit crisis facing agri- Speaker, on that I demand the yeas servation compliance, grazing, pes- culture in the mid-1980s. Since its in- and nays. ticides, and other issues deemed appro- ception, an original intent of dealing The yeas and nays were ordered. priate by the Secretary of Agriculture, with credit and loan disputes, Congress The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- any State with a program can allow a has expanded its scope to cover a num- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the mediator to help solve the differences ber of other issues stemming from farm Chair’s prior announcement, further between the producers and USDA. Both program participation, everything proceedings on this motion will be sides must agree to the mediator cho- from wetland determinations to com- postponed. sen to help resolve the dispute. modity program eligibility and pes- f Mediators can only help reach an ticide drift. GENERAL LEAVE agreement that both sides agree to Early on, leaders in South Dakota Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Madam abide by. The mediators are not arbi- recognized the value that such a pro- Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that trators whose decisions are legally en- gram could provide to the farmers, all Members may have 5 legislative forceable. The mediators work to find ranchers, and lenders in our State, and days within which to revise and extend consensus. If the two sides involved in they created a program in 1988 to deal their remarks and include extraneous the dispute cannot reach agreement, with agricultural credit disputes. It material on S. 643, the bill just consid- they still have all the legal options has been a resounding success. In the ered. available to them. States that decide more than 16 years that the South Da- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there to participate in the program must go kota Department of Agriculture has objection to the request of the gen- through a certification process and operated its mediation program, it has tleman from Oklahoma? provide 30 percent of the program’s op- received more than 4,500 requests for There was no objection. erating costs. mediation. f The program is authorized to spend In South Dakota, mediation is avail- up to $7.5 million per year but, in 2004, able for agricultural credit disputes in- COMMENDING THE ESTABLISH- only $3,950,000 was needed to operate volving any amount of money. How- MENT IN COLLEGE POINT, NEW the program in over 30 States. The pro- ever, a creditor must submit to medi- YORK, OF THE FIRST KINDER- gram provides a great deal of bang for ation in any credit dispute involving GARTEN IN THE UNITED STATES the buck and has been highly success- more than $50,000. Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I move ful and useful. This popular program provides many to suspend the rules and agree to the The USDA’s Farm Service Agency, benefits to both agricultural borrowers concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 47) FSA, works with States to ensure that and lenders in many States across the commending the establishment in Col- their mediation programs are meeting country. We all know that lending dis- lege Point, New York, of the first kin- all required standards, and it also helps putes can become contentious, and this dergarten in the United States, as those States that are interested in be- program enables participants to nego- amended. coming certified to navigate and com- tiate and create their own mutually The Clerk read as follows: plete the approval process. One of the agreeable solutions to such disputes. H. CON. RES. 47 most important aspects of the program Also, the cost of mediation is much Whereas in 1854, Conrad Poppenhusen, a is that it provides strict confiden- less than the formal appeals process at successful businessman from Germany, built tiality for those who decide to use the USDA, averaging less than $700 per a factory in College Point, Queens, New mediation program. year, as opposed to the thousands of York, and, breaking with many entre- I have a breakdown of the States dollars it can cost to go through the preneurs of his time, worked to create an en- that are currently certified mediation National Appeals Division. The length vironment beneficial to the immigrant com- States and the amount of money they of time to reach conclusions is also munity, which included schools; Whereas the Poppenhusen Institute was es- received in 2004, I am happy to make much shorter, normally several days, tablished in 1868 with a $100,000 donation; that information available to any in- in contrast to appeals cases that can Whereas the Poppenhusen Institute was to terested Member. stretch for months. serve the fundamental educational needs of I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ Mediation works because it is a time- the community and began as a free adult on S. 643 to ensure that an extremely saving and affordable alternative to evening school for the residents of Flushing practical and cost-efficient program litigation and appeals. It also promotes Town; continues to be utilized. communication between disputing par- Whereas in 1870, the Poppenhusen Insti- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- ties rather than confrontation and ani- tute’s services expanded to serve as the first ance of my time. free, public kindergarten in the United mosity. And, in my communications States for the children of Mr. Poppenhusen’s Ms. HERSETH. Madam Speaker, I with the South Dakota Department of factory and the community; yield myself such time as I may con- Agriculture staff, mediation generally Whereas children who attend a high-qual- sume. results in more successful and enduring ity kindergarten demonstrate higher levels Madam Speaker, I also rise today in resolution to most credit disputes. of reading and mathematics knowledge and strong support of S. 643, which is the This program has worked for farmers skills than those who do not attend kinder- companion legislation of H.R. 1930 in- and agricultural lenders in South Da- garten; troduced by my distinguished colleague kota and across the country for almost Whereas a number of studies, including on the Committee on Agriculture, the 20 years, and I am pleased to support S. studies commissioned by the Department of Education, demonstrate that children en- gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. 643 to extend the authorization of this rolled in kindergarten more rapidly acquire LUCAS). program through 2010. the knowledge and skills integral to succeed This legislation would extend the au- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- in school and life; thorization for the State Mediation ance of my time. Whereas the United States is a stronger, Grant Program carried out by USDA’s Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Madam better place because of the children who are Farm Service Agency to provide Fed- Speaker, I yield back the balance of able to enrich their academic and social de- eral matching grants to State medi- my time. velopment through free kindergartens across ation programs. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the country; Currently 32 States, including my question is on the motion offered by Whereas for some children, kindergarten is the first common ground where they interact home State of South Dakota, are cer- the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. with students from a myriad of cultural, eco- tified to receive matching funds under LUCAS) that the House suspend the nomic, racial, and religious backgrounds to this program, and two more States are rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 643. learn about their world, each other, and working on becoming certified. To re- The question was taken. themselves; and

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SCHURZ WANTED THE BEST EDUCATION FOR at large: Now, therefore, be it Madam Speaker, in closing, I would HER DAUGHTER Resolved by the House of Representatives (the like to thank the gentleman from New (By Kathy Maeglin) Senate concurring), That— (1) the Congress commends the York (Mr. CROWLEY) for recognizing As a young mother in Watertown in 1856, Poppenhusen Institute and the College Point the importance of kindergarten and the Margarethe Schurz wanted her little daugh- community for establishing the first free, contribution of Conrad Poppenhusen ter to have the educational advantages she public kindergarten in the United States; for establishing the first free, public would have had back in their native Ger- and many. American kindergarten. So Margarethe invited four little cousins (2) the Congress supports the strong begin- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- to come to the house each day for games, nings kindergartens across the United States ance of my time. singing and crafts. She had been an early provide for the Nation’s children. Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I student of the ‘‘kindergarten’’ movement in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- yield myself such time as I may con- Germany, and now she was employing what ant to the rule, the gentleman from sume. she had learned in her own frontier home. Minnesota (Mr. KLINE) and the gen- I rise today in support of House con- As word of Margarethe’s ‘‘class’’ spread, tleman from Missouri (Mr. SKELTON) current resolution 47, which recognizes friends petitioned her to let their own chil- each will control 20 minutes. the establishment of the first free, pub- dren join in. The group moved to a more con- The Chair recognizes the gentleman lic kindergarten in the United States venient location downtown, and thus the located at College Point, Queens, New first kindergarten in America was created. from Minnesota (Mr. KLINE). As Hannah Werwath Swart wrote in her bi- GENERAL LEAVE York. ography ‘‘Margarethe Meyer Schurz,’’ Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I ask I am pleased to manage the time on Margarethe’s background likely would have unanimous consent that all Members this legislation, which is offered by my led her to establish the first American kin- may have 5 legislative days within good friend and colleague, the gen- dergarten even if she had not had any chil- which to revise and extend their re- tleman from New York (Mr. CROWLEY) dren of her own. who represents College Point, Queens, Margarethe Meyer was born on Aug. 27, marks and include extraneous material 1832, to a wealthy merchant family in Ham- on H. Con. Res. 47. here in the House of Representatives. The history of kindergarten in Amer- burg, Germany. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ica has been colorful. Many areas of In 1850, when she was a teenager, her older objection to the request of the gen- sister Bertha became involved in a Jewish- the country can claim credit for ad- tleman from Minnesota? Christian women’s group that had decided to vancing education of our youth There was no objection. focus on training young children as a way to Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield through kindergarten classes. From promote idealism and understanding among Wisconsin to Massachusetts to New myself such time as I may consume. all people. The group invited Friedrich Wilhelm Au- Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- York, many folks have had a hand in developing kindergarten. However, gust Froebel, the man who created the first port of H. Con. Res. 47 commending the Queens, New York is home to the first kindergarten in 1840, to come to Hamburg to establishment of the first free public free, public kindergarten class, and it help them establish one there. Margarethe kindergarten in the United States. listened to Froebel’s lectures for two years, is proper today, Madam Speaker, that Madam Speaker, we can all agree on thereby gaining the knowledge and inspira- we honor that achievement. Public the merits of early education to the tion that would motivate her later in life. kindergarten has played a meaningful academic success of America’s chil- When she was 19, she moved to London to role in the lives of many Americans, dren. From the time that Conrad run a kindergarten that had been established including the gentleman from New there by her sister Bertha. It was there that Poppenhusen offered free, public kin- York (Mr. CROWLEY), the author of this she met Carl Schurz, a German revolu- dergarten to his community in College legislation, as well as me. tionary who had fled his native country. Point, New York, millions of American For many children in Missouri, in Carl Schurz was determined to migrate to children have benefited from a New York, and throughout the coun- America, where he could have the free citi- foundational first year of school. zenship he so desired and where much of his tryside, kindergarten is the first place family had already gone. So after their mar- Kindergarten is a common experience in which students interact with youth for most American children. Today, 98 riage, the two idealistic young Germans set from many cultural backgrounds and sail for America. percent of children of kindergarten age where they learn about the world into After living in Philadelphia for a few in America attend kindergarten pro- which they were born. Kindergarten years, the couple eventually settled in Wa- grams for at least half of the school also reinforces and builds reading and tertown, which at the time was the second day, and a growing number of schools, math skills which are important tools largest city in Wisconsin. today about 60 percent, now offer full- It was shortly after they arrived in Water- for our children to have when advanc- town that Margarethe started the activities day kindergarten programs. At age 5, ing through the educational system. the age at which most children enter that would result in the kindergarten (which The establishment of the first free, is German for ‘‘children’s garden’’). kindergarten, children’s development public kindergarten in College Point, But Watertown did not turn out to be the varies greatly. Because they often Queens, New York, has made our Na- major railroad center that Carl had hoped begin with a range of knowledge and tion stronger. when he chose to settle there. So Carl made skills, the kindergarten experience can I thank the gentleman from New the most of his speaking skills and passion substantially reduce educational dis- York (Mr. CROWLEY), and I thank the for politics, and he ended up serving as a parities and help build a foundation for House for considering this bill today. minister to Spain, a general in the Civil War and finally a U.S. senator from Missouri. future school success. Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, today the Research demonstrates that children Since her husband’s career took her away House considers H. Con. Res. 47, Com- from Wisconsin, Margarethe entrusted the generally develop both cognitive and mending the Establishment in College Point, continuation of her kindergarten to Carl’s noncognitive knowledge and skills dur- New York, of the First Kindergarten in the cousin, Miss Juessen. ing the kindergarten year. In the year United States. Others took over the school in later years 2000, the National Center For Edu- The resolution honors the first free Kinder- and it continued until World War I, when it cation Statistics, a research arm of the garten established in the United States in was closed because the teacher refused to U.S. Department of Education, pub- 1870 by Conrad Poppenhusen. I would like to teach in any language other than German, lished findings from a large-scale study which had become unpopular. note for the record that Margarethe Meyer Margarethe Schurz died at the age of 43 on to evaluate the effectiveness of kinder- Schurz—wife of Carl Schurz—opened the first March 15, 1876, in Washington, D.C. But her garten. The study showed that after a Kindergarten in the United States in Water- legacy lives on in schools throughout the year of kindergarten, children dem- town, Wisconsin in 1856. country as young minds are cultivated in onstrate a greater understanding of The following is an article from the August kindergartens, which Margarethe once de- reading and mathematics concepts, as 19, 1998 Capital Times (Madison, WI) detail- scribed as gardens ‘‘whose plants are well as specific knowledge and skills. ing the work of Margarethe Schurz that led to human.’’ By the end of the kindergarten year, the first U.S. Kindergarten in Watertown, Wis- Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise nearly all children recognized letters, consin. today in strong support of the Resolution H.

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The As a native of Queens, I grew up learning Americans since then. question is on the motion offered by about the history of this community, which in- The American Dream of using education as the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. cludes the creation of the first free public kin- a foundation for supporting oneself, one’s fam- KLINE) that the House suspend the dergarten in the United States. ily. The American Dream of using education rules and agree to the concurrent reso- The community of College Point, just a as a foundation for a good job, home owner- lution, H. Con. Res. 47, as amended. stone’s throw from LaGuardia Airport, Shay ship, and a brighter future overall. The question was taken; and (two- Stadium—home of the Mets—and Flushing This important moment, when this kinder- thirds having voted in favor thereof) Meadows-Corona Park—the home of the U.S. garten opened in 1870 in College Point, the rules were suspended and the con- Open Tennis tournament—this community was Queens, NY, is all the more profound today, current resolution, as amended, was one of the first seeds in the creation of public as Department of Education studies show the agreed to. education in America. Something that rep- impact of kindergarten on the children that at- The title of the concurrent resolution resents the Great Equalizer in American soci- tend. was amended so as to read: ‘‘A concur- ety. Children who are enrolled in kindergarten rent resolution commending the estab- It all started in 1854, when Conrad benefit immensely from the knowledge and lishment in College Point, New York, Poppenhusen, a businessman from Germany, skills they learn, while simultaneously profiting of the first free, public kindergarten in built a factory in College Point. from their interaction with children of a similar the United States.’’. There, he stressed an environment in which age. A motion to reconsider was laid on his immigrant workers could educate them- The reading and math skills, which students the table. selves in order to succeed financially, socially, learn in kindergarten, are invaluable to a f child’s later education. and, most significantly, intellectually. b 1430 Just as Henry Ford paid his employees high Moreover, for many children, kindergarten is wages so they, in turn, could purchase his one of the first places in which they interact HONORING THE SIGMA CHI FRA- cars, Conrad Poppenhusen represented an- with students from a multitude of cultural, eco- TERNITY ON THE OCCASION OF other industrial genius—that if educating his nomic, racial, and religious backgrounds. ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY workforce to make them and their families These early interactions are pivotal in estab- Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I move more successful people in the community. lishing relationships, which promote aware- to suspend the rules and agree to the Fourteen years later, in 1868, Mr. ness of the importance of numerous cultures concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 163) Poppenhusen continued his illustrious edu- and ideas, something particularly important in honoring the Sigma Chi Fraternity on cational work by donating $100,000 and es- Queens, New York, which is seen as one of the occasion of its 150th Anniversary, tablishing the Poppenhusen Institute. the most diverse areas of the country. as amended. His Institute sustained his original edu- The effort that began in College Point today The Clerk read as follows: cational mission and expanded on it, by pro- remains a significant feature of our education H. CON. RES. 163 moting the education of all adults from the system. Whereas the Sigma Chi Fraternity was greater community—not just his employees. One of the greatest aspects of our nation is founded in 1855 by 7 young men at Miami In 1870, the Poppenhusen Institute once that through education, which often starts in University in Oxford, Ohio in order to estab- again expanded its educational services to in- kindergarten, each successive generation of lish ‘‘an association for the development of clude the first, free, public kindergarten in the children can succeed. the nobler powers of the mind, the finer feel- United States, a seminal moment in American Quite simply, the establishment of the first ings of the heart, and for the promotion of education and something we celebrate today free, public kindergarten in College Point has friendship and congeniality of feeling’’; with this resolution. made our nation a stronger, better place for Whereas the Founders of the Fraternity The history of kindergarten has been a generations. believed that admission to the Fraternity I want to close by recognizing the continued should include men of good character and colorful one in America . . . and one that is fair ability with ambitious purposes, conge- big enough for all of us to share, recognize, importance of the Poppenhusen Institute and nial dispositions, good morals, a high sense and honor today. those who serve it. This notable list extends of honor, and a deep sense of personal re- My friends from Wisconsin will happily point from the first days of class to the work that sponsibility; out that the first kindergarten in the United persists. This list must include the first teach- Whereas for 150 years, the Sigma Chi Fra- States was based in Watertown, Wisconsin er, Bertha Ploedterl, all the way to Susan ternity has played an integral role in the and was founded in 1856 by Margarethe Brustmann, the current Executive Director, positive development in the character and Meyer Schurz. and James Trent, the President of the Board education of hundreds of thousands of young This private, German-language kindergarten of Directors. men; Whereas the brothers of Sigma Chi, being represented a landmark in the educational de- Today, the work of these individuals and of different talents, temperaments, and con- velopment of young Americans and we all sa- this community has resulted in activities, ex- victions, have shared countless friendships lute her accomplishments. hibits, and programs for people of all ages. and a common belief in the founding ideals Additionally, any debate on the history of Programs cover the fields of music, drama, of the Fraternity; kindergarten would be incomplete without ref- karate, stress reduction. Whereas the Sigma Chi Fraternity experi- erence to the works of Elizabeth Palmer Pea- There are exhibits, such as one on the trag- ence has served as a foundation for post-col- body, a Massachusetts educator who opened ic events of September 11th as well as an- legiate success and achievement in all fields the first English-language kindergarten in the other on Native Americans. of endeavor, from the sciences to education United States in 1860. Individuals can take tours reviewing the ar- to business to professional athletics to pub- When she opened her kindergarten in 1860, chives of College Point to learn, not only lic service; Whereas the Sigma Chi Fraternity has the concept of providing formal schooling for about the history of this community, but about 202,600 active brothers in 219 active chapters children younger than six was largely confined our shared American history, in this area, one at colleges and universities in 2 countries, to German practice. of the most diverse and welcoming in the making it one of the most highly respected These educational pioneers led to the cre- world. and well-regarded national fraternities in ation, by Conrad Poppenhusen, of the Na- Additionally, the Institute collects the living the world; and tion’s first, free public kindergarten—a sweep- histories of area seniors, so that they are doc- Whereas Sigma Chi brothers continue to ing educational development and a strong umented for future generations. enrich and contribute to the quality of life in basis for the kindergartens we all know and While the earliest days of this kindergarten their communities by volunteering innumer- recognize in our country today. will be remembered for being truly significant able hours of service to nonprofit activities It has always been known that education is to New York and our nation, the true testa- and organizations locally and, at the na- tional level, to the Children’s Miracle Net- the Great American Equalizer—the first step in ment to the significance of this Institute is in work, an alliance of 165 hospitals and young Americans lives to live the American the proud legacy that continues to live on healthcare facilities across the United Dream. through its works. States and Canada that provide needy chil- The actions of Conrad Poppenhusen and Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I dren with critical healthcare services: Now, his revolutionary kindergarten—the first kinder- yield back the balance of my time. therefore, be it

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