E1198 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 24, 2011 collection is essential if we are going to im- duced mowing and replacing invasive plant Dan grew up in Sunnyvale, CA, and is a prove our citizens’ trust and confidence in species with native forbs and grasses. This graduate of Arizona State University. While he election results. EAC develops and fosters the kind of roadside vegetation management pro- is a Sun Devil by pedigree, it is difficult to training and organization of our nation’s more vides much-needed habitat for pollinators and think of a more devoted and true Oregon Duck than 8,000 election administrators. other small nesting animals. than Dan. He has spent untold hours pro- Terminating EAC is not only an invitation to The Association of American State Highway moting the University and the alumni associa- repeat the embarrassment of the 2000 presi- and Transportation Officials Vegetation Man- tion. He has also dedicated himself to the Uni- dential election, but it breaks faith with those agement Guidelines released in March ad- versity’s hometown community of Eugene, Or- who labored long and risked much to secure vances integrated vegetation management egon, where he has served on the Eugene the right to vote for all Americans, particularly principles and recommendations consistent Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the African Americans and other minority groups. with the objectives of this legislation. A num- Rotary Club, and in several capacities with the Mr. Speaker, if you believe every vote ber of states, including Minnesota, are already American Lung Association of Oregon. counts—and every vote should be counted— doing this and reporting maintenance cost Dan has served four University presidents, then we must preserve the EAC and oppose savings of 20 to 25 percent from reduced seven athletic directors, and acted as a men- this legislation. mowing alone. tor to hundreds of UO students teaching the It is also important to note that abolishing Mr. Speaker, there are around 17 million importance of leadership and volunteerism as the EAC would simply shift costs to the Fed- acres of land where significant reductions in part of campus life. He leaves a team of 12 eral Election Commission and local govern- mowing and maintenance can reduce costs for employees and a board of directors who will ments, not save taxpayer money. The FEC is cash-strapped states. The millions of acres of miss his devotion and dedication to the asso- not an agency that can make decisions in a agriculture and wildlife ecosystems adjacent to ciation and the university it serves. timely and responsive fashion due to its par- these roadways will benefit from the increased On the occasion of his last day at the Uni- tisan divisions. Consequently, transferring the pollinator habitat resulting from integrated versity of Oregon, I wish to personally thank functions performed by the EAC to the FEC is vegetation management practices. Mr. Rodriguez for his service. He will certainly inconsistent with the national interest in ensur- To understand how worried we should be be missed. Go Ducks! ing election integrity, improving voter access about declining pollinator populations, consider f that rising global food prices are the primary to the polls, and enhancing the quality of elec- AMERICA INVENTS ACT tion systems. topic of discussion at the G–20 meetings in Paris right now. This is the first time that agri- For these reasons, I strongly oppose H.R. SPEECH OF 672 and I would urge my colleagues to join culture has had the top spot at a meeting and me in defeating this misguided and reckless is indicative of how serious the issue is. Food HON. EARL BLUMENAUER legislation that puts the integrity of our election prices have already led to global riots over- OF OREGON systems—public confidence in election out- seas and a declining pollinator population will IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES comes—at risk. only make the situation worse. Seventy-five Wednesday, June 22, 2011 percent of all flowering plant species rely on f The House in Committee of the Whole creatures like birds, bats, bees and butterflies House on the State of the Union had under PERSONAL EXPLANATION for fertilization. One out of every three bites of consideration the bill (H.R. 1249) to amend food that we eat, as well as $20 billion of title 35, United States Code, to provide for HON. TOM COLE products in the United States alone, derive patent reform: OF OKLAHOMA from pollinators. Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I rise in If we don’t solve these problems soon, we IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES support of H.R. 1249, which will help America won’t have any bees. Without bees, we won’t maintain its distinction as the most innovative Friday, June 24, 2011 have any food. The benefit to cost balance in country in the world. For too long, independent Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably the case of this bill, Mr. Speaker, is an easy inventors, small businesses, and America’s detained and missed rollcall vote No. 478. choice. leading universities and technology companies Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ f have been mired in a convoluted patent proc- f HONORING DANIEL RODRIGUEZ ess that has stifled innovation and job cre- ation. H.R. 1249 streamlines and clarifies the HIGHWAYS BETTERING THE ECON- patent process, giving inventors and investors OMY AND ENVIRONMENT ACT OF HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO the certainty they need to expand their busi- OF OREGON 2011 nesses and grow the economy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES This legislation also gives the United States HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS Friday, June 24, 2011 Patent and Trademark Office the tools it OF FLORIDA Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to needs to process the hundreds of thousands IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES honor Mr. Daniel Rodriguez on the occasion of of applications it receives every year, increas- ing their ability to adjust its fees to reflect the Friday, June 24, 2011 his retirement after 26 years of service as ex- ecutive director for the University of Oregon actual costs of the services it provides, to fast- Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I Alumni Association. track patent applications, and to expand op- rise today to introduce the Highways Bettering The University of Oregon is a world class in- portunities for post-grant review of patents. I the Economy and Environment Act with my stitution renowned for its groundbreaking re- remain deeply concerned that, under the man- Co-Chairman of the Congressional Pollinator search, and is an important keystone that ager’s amendment, the Patent and Trademark Protection Caucus, Representative TIM JOHN- unites Oregonians both at home and through- Office will have fewer resources to pursue SON. This bi-partisan bill provides much-need- out the world. these objectives, a change which risks squan- ed aid for the birds, bats, bees and butterflies Since coming to the University of Oregon in dering the very opportunities created by the that pollinate our food. 1988, Dan Rodriguez has played a pivotal role remainder of the legislation. The Highways BEE Act seeks no new mon- in the rebirth of the alumni association. He Innovative stakeholders in my district have ies and involves a limited federal role. It has created the alumni membership program that voiced concerns that the legislation’s expan- received widespread endorsement from a di- has topped 20,000 members worldwide and sion of the defense of ‘‘prior user rights’’ will verse group of scientists, researchers and worked diligently to put the association on weaken their ability to protect their patentable members of the business and environmental sound financial footing. He also led the effort innovations and give rise to widespread trade communities including the National Audubon to increase the number of active alumni chap- secret litigation, particularly for those areas of Society, Lafarge Construction, National Farm- ters to 22 across the country. research the blend federal investment and pri- ers Union, the Isaac Walton League, American But perhaps Dan’s greatest accomplishment vate investment. I look forward to working with Farmland Trust, Waste Management, and De- is the construction of the new Ford Alumni my colleagues to ensure these concerns are fenders of Wildlife. Center. While Dan will be the first to say this addressed, so that America’s finest univer- This bill provides for existing authorities and Center came about due to the tireless effort of sities and research centers can continue their funding sources to incorporate integrated many committed individuals, there is no ques- role as global leaders of innovation. vegetation management practices along Amer- tion he has been a driving force for the project H.R. 1249 is a strong step toward protecting ica’s highways, which includes things like re- since its inception. the administration of our system of intellectual

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:44 Jun 25, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24JN8.001 E24JNPT1 rfrederick on DSKD9S0YB1PROD with REMARKS June 24, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1199 property rights. This is a worthy bipartisan ac- IN RECOGNITION OF CLEVELAND bama Journal in Montgomery. During his re- complishment. I am concerned that some of ARTS PRIZE WINNER MARSHA porting days, he chronicled the segregationist my colleagues have championed this bill as DOBRZYNSKI movement of the 1960’s and frequently the ultimate job-creator and that once it profiled state and national politics, which later passes, they will forget about the millions of HON. MARCIA L. FUDGE led to stints as a stringer for the New York Americans that are still struggling to find work. OF OHIO Times and Time magazine, among others. Patent reform is important, but what out-of- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In 1976, Wayne Greenhaw briefly left jour- work Americans need most are jobs. I urge nalism for politics, serving as Jimmy Carter’s my colleagues to build on this bipartisan mo- Friday, June 24, 2011 presidential campaign press secretary for Ala- mentum and work together to rebuild and Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bama. Nearly two decades later, he entered renew America’s infrastructure, the most effi- honor one of my constituents who, because of public service as the Director of the cient way to create jobs and strengthen our her service to the students of Northeast Ohio, Bureau of Tourism and Travel from 1993 to economy. has been bestowed a great honor by her com- 1994. In 1995, President Bill Clinton appointed munity. On June 28, 2011, Marsha Dobrzynski him as a representative to the White House f will receive the 51st annual Cleveland Arts Conference on Travel and Tourism. He was Prize. also awarded Travel Writer of the Year in INTRODUCTION: ‘‘FAMILY AND The goal of the Cleveland Arts Prize is to 1995 by the Southeast Tourism Society. MEDICAL LEAVE INCLUSION ACT’’ support and encourage artists, and to promote Above all things, Wayne was a truly decent public awareness of artistic creativity in North- man who had a moral compass and not only east Ohio through the work of Arts Prize re- knew the difference between right and wrong, HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY cipients. but was willing to express it in a powerful way. OF NEW YORK The oldest award of its kind in the United As one of our best writers—and we’ve pro- States, the Arts Prize is a testament to the duced some mighty talented men and women IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES standard of excellence and quality of artists in from Alabama in this field—Wayne was not Friday, June 24, 2011 Northeast Ohio. In addition to artists, the Arts limited to any one medium. From fiction to Prize honors individuals who have expanded nonfiction, books to poetry, beat reporting to Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, in our tough the community’s participation in the arts and plays, Wayne Greenhaw put his stamp on Ala- economic environment, individuals should not helped make the region more hospitable to bama literature like few others. have to choose between caring for a loved creative artistic expression. His many books include King of Country, one and their job. The high work participation Marsha Dobrzynski, the Executive Director Ghosts On the Road: Poems of Alabama, rates among mothers and the caregiving of Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, an in- Mexico and Beyond, The Thunder of Angels, needs of an aging population put further de- tegrated program with more than 30 arts, cul- The Spider’s Web, Montgomery, The Long mands on American families. The landmark tural, philanthropic and educational institutions Journey, Beyond the Night, Alabama: A State Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) will receive the Martha Joseph Prize for Distin- of Mind, Tombigbee, Elephants in the Cotton- has allowed millions of employees to take up guished Service to the Arts. Since 1994, Mar- fields, The Golfer and Watch out for George to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from work to care sha has continually demonstrated her unsur- Wallace. He also authored two plays, Rose: A for a new baby or to care for a spouse, child passed dedication to ensure that children Southern lady, and The Spirit Tree. under age 18, or parent who has a serious throughout Northeast Ohio have equal access Given his prolific talents, it is, therefore, not health condition. However, the law does not to the arts and the consequent benefits experi- surprising that he was the recipient of the allow leave to care for a same-sex partner or ence in the arts can bring to their personal 2005 Clarence Carson Award for nonfiction spouse, a grandparent or an adult child. Anec- growth and education. and the 2006 Award for Distin- dotal evidence suggests that same-sex part- Her bold leadership and tireless efforts guished Writing. ners have endured negative reactions and de- throughout her tenure at Young Audiences of His most recent book, Fighting the Devil in nials to requests for leave when partners gave Northeast Ohio have made it possible to incor- Dixie, about civil rights activists confronting the birth or had a serious medical condition. When porate arts education into the lives of more from the late 1950’s to the mid a loved one is in need of care, employees than 242,000 children a year, providing the 1980’s, is considered ‘‘the culmination of his should not be subjected to discrimination but much needed framework for a strong edu- career.’’ should be allowed to take advantage of the cation in the arts and a path for arts-based ca- Mr. Speaker, Wayne Greenhaw has been benefits FMLA provides. reers through her introduction of the ArtWorks described by his peers as ‘‘a storyteller’’ and Already, hundreds of companies, several program. The extraordinary value that she has ‘‘a part of our State’s history.’’ Wayne’s works states, and the District of Columbia have ex- brought to this important discipline strongly re- always reflected his affection and passion for tended such protections to individuals not flects the principles of this award and her the history of our state. It is hard to imagine originally included in the Family and Medical championship of arts in education is rightfully where our state would be without the historical Leave Act of 1993. In order to do this at the recognized. and cultural contributions of this great writer. federal level, today I am reintroducing the f On behalf of the people of Alabama, I would Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act. This like to extend my condolences to Wayne’s TRIBUTE TO WAYNE GREENHAW legislation will allow an employee to take un- wonderful wife, Sally, and their family and paid leave from work to care for his or her many friends during this time of personal loss. same-sex spouse or domestic partner, parent- HON. JO BONNER Wayne’s love for Alabama and our people will in-law, adult child, sibling, grandchild or grand- OF ALABAMA never be forgotten. May he rest in peace. parent if that person has a serious health con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f dition. Additionally, in light of the recent repeal Friday, June 24, 2011 JOBS AND ENERGY PERMITTING of the Military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, the ACT OF 2011 legislation permits leave for domestic partners Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great of service members. sadness that I rise today to acknowledge the loss of Wayne Greenhaw, a dedicated Ala- SPEECH OF I thank Senator DURBIN for reintroducing the bama journalist and one of the finest writers to HON. RUSH D. HOLT Senate companion legislation and thank origi- hail from our state. He passed away May 31, OF NEW JERSEY nal House cosponsors Reps. POLIS, TOWNS, 2011, at the age of 71. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GEORGE MILLER, STARK, FRANK, HOLMES NOR- A native of Sheffield and a graduate of the TON, SUSAN DAVIS, CONNOLLY, ISRAEL, FRED- , Wayne Greenhaw was Wednesday, June 22, 2011 ERICA WILSON, OLVER, SHERMAN, CAPPS, the author of 22 books, many of which were The House in Committee of the Whole SERRANO, NADLER, ENGEL, MOORE, BARBARA influenced by his southern upbringing and the House on the State of the Union had under LEE, CHU, and JACKSON Jr. historical events that shaped his early career consideration the bill (H.R. 2021) to amend Almost two decades after enactment, it is as a reporter. the Clean Air Act regarding air pollution time FMLA caught up to the growing demands His foray into journalism began in 1958 as from Outer Continental Shelf activity: on and changing makeup of American fami- a part-time sports reporter for the Tuscaloosa Mr. HOLT. Madam Chair, I voted against lies. News, followed by a full time job with the Ala- H.R. 2021, the so-called Jobs and Energy

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