E1172 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 23, 2010 working with equipment and aircraft that As his 47-year-long sortie comes to an end, of the Honorable State Representative William now can probably only be seen in military and he pushes back the cockpit canopy of an A. Oberle, Jr. A member of Delaware’s Gen- museums. Almost half a century later the historic career one last time, Douglas Bur- eral Assembly for over 34 years, Representa- nett will know the flight lasted just a few Guard’s equipment has changed, but the high tive Oberle has served his constituents, his level of commitment and service found in its seconds—nearly 1.5 billion seconds. people has remained. And the Florida National Guard is grateful community and his state with genuine devo- According to the Adjutant General, he be- for every second he has given to our state tion, and his presence will be greatly missed. lieves his own commitment to those mem- and nation. Well done, sir . . . well done! For over three decades Bill has worked dili- bers of the Florida National Guard’s enlisted f gently as a representative of the 24th Rep- and officer corps will serve as his lasting leg- resentative District, ensuring that his constitu- acy. CONGRATULATING KELLER INDE- ents have had a strong voice in the General ‘‘I would hope that my biggest legacy is PENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR Assembly. I worked with Bill for eight years at that I was a leader who was engaged in the WINNING THE 2010 TEXAS SAFE Legislative Hall in Dover, Delaware and was full spectrum of our missions, but was most- SCHOOLS AWARD ly concerned about people,’’ he said. ‘‘Be- able to witness first hand his steadfastness cause, it is the people that make the Na- and spirit. Bill will leave behind an indelible tional Guard what it is. We’ve always done HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS legacy in the General Assembly—for his the missions even though we haven’t always OF TEXAS countless years of dedicated service and, had the best equipment. We’ve got good IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES most of all, for his outstanding commitment to equipment now, but it’s the same great peo- Wednesday, June 23, 2010 the constituents whom he represented. His ple we’ve always had.’’ history of determination and resolve serves as Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise Burnett lauded the non-commissioned offi- a template for all public servants. cers (NCOs) he has served with during his today to recognize the Keller Independent Bill holds the distinct title of the General As- long career, noting that while their profes- School District in Keller, Texas. Keller ISD is sionalism has remained high, they have be- sembly’s longest serving Republican ever, the winner of the 2010 Texas Safe School which he achieved through years of hard come increasingly ‘‘technically and profes- Award, which is given to the school district sionally proficient’’ over the years. work, putting aside party differences and ‘‘I still hold in awe the NCOs that led us with the most comprehensive security plan in reaching across the aisle to arrive at policies during the 60s, the 70s and the 80s; they were the State. which were most beneficial to his constituents Keller ISD has implemented a system where absolutely astounding,’’ he explained. and the state of Delaware. Over his career, campus doors are locked and visitors are ‘‘We’ve always had strong NCOs, but they’ve Bill has been the champion of imperative leg- stepped up, they’re taking on more responsi- buzzed in at one or two locations. At most islation which brought much needed change to bility earlier, they’re exerting strong leader- schools, visitors are routed directly to the of- our state. A strong labor supporter, his work ship skills earlier.’’ fice where drivers’ licenses are scanned He noted that as a senior leader he always on the issues of neighborhood schooling, through the Raptor System. The program tried to focus his own energy on meeting the workers compensation, and the support he compares the identification with sex offender needs of the junior enlisted and junior offi- lent to various police forces have been effica- databases and issues an alert if necessary. cers. cious in elevating Delaware’s communities. ‘‘I’ve been concerned with making sure our The system also prints out a sticker with the I am proud to have served with Bill for the leaders understand how important it is to person’s name and driver’s license photo. eight years that I did, and pleased to have this reach out to every individual Guardsman so Districts were judged on their collaborative opportunity to honor him on the occasion of that they know how important we think efforts with local law enforcement and emer- his retirement from the Delaware House of they are,’’ he said. ‘‘And they are very im- gency personnel, the number of student re- portant to us.’’ Representatives. He has been unwavering in source officers, staff development and student The general and his wife Judy were also his mission to represent the 24th Representa- training for emergencies, violence and drug ever-present supporters of the Guard’s ex- tive District, and will be remembered for his abuse prevention, anti-bullying and safe dating panding Family Readiness initiatives; countless contributions to his constituents, and whether it was at a unit deployment or a initiatives, mentoring and community participa- the state of Delaware. Bill has had a terrific welcome-home ceremony, the Burnetts could tion and innovations. career of public service and I wish both him be found meeting with Soldiers, Airmen, and Madam Speaker, I would like to submit for and his wife, Sally, the best on this momen- their Families. the Record the names of the Keller ISD staff ‘‘I’ve been honored to serve alongside some tous occasion. that were instrumental in achieving this honor: unbelievable people, both Army and Air,’’ he f said. ‘‘I’ve tried to shift our focus from sim- Jeff Baker—Director of Planning and Devel- ply taking care of Soldiers and Airmen to ac- opment SUPPORTING NATIONAL tually meeting our service members’ expec- Cliff Jaynes—Coordinator of Emergency HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK tations. Let me tell you, there’s a big dif- Management and Security ference between taking care of Guardsmen Danny Mitchell—Security Specialist SPEECH OF and meeting their expectations. You have to Scott Kessel—Director of Guidance and think a little more and you certainly have to Counseling HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE work a lot harder.’’ Marcene Weatherall—Coordinator of Drug OF TEXAS FINAL APPROACH and Alcohol Prevention IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Each generation of Guardsmen has a leader The Texas School Safety Center solicits Tuesday, June 22, 2010 that represents its period of service, and nominations each year for districts that dem- Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, those Florida Soldiers and Airmen who onstrate a multi-layered approach to security. I rise in support of H. Res. 1330, a resolution served during the first decade of the 21st The award will be presented at the annual Century will see Burnett as this generation’s that supports the goals and ideals of National Texas Safe Schools Conference. Hurricane Preparedness Week. I also want to leader. After Maj. Gen. Burnett hangs up his Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to rec- thank my colleague, the honorable MARIO uniform for the final time, he will stand ognize Keller ISD, winner of the 2010 Texas among those leaders who helped carry on a DIAZ-BALART, for introducing this important res- tradition of military service in Florida that Safe School Award. Keller ISD is to be highly olution. stretches back to 1565. commended for their ongoing efforts to ensure My district is in the wake of many hurri- ‘‘I’m going to miss the people,’’ Burnett the safety of its students, faculty and staff. It canes that make their way into the Gulf of said. ‘‘That is what this business is all about; is an honor to represent Keller ISD in the U.S. Mexico. Hurricane season has a profound im- being around Guardsmen has been my life.’’ House of Representatives. He said he won’t miss the status or the pact on our way of life in the gulf. Hurricane rank that went with being the Adjutant Gen- f season is upon us, and with it comes the dis- eral, but rather will miss wearing his mili- IN HONOR OF STATE REPRESENT- tinct possibility of Mother Nature wreaking tary uniform and interacting with his fellow ATIVE WILLIAM A. OBERLE, JR. more havoc on our gulf coast. Our oceans are Guard members. in peril. Reams of film from the field reach all ‘‘I’ll miss wearing the uniform because it HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE of our doorsteps, pictures of oil covered birds, identifies you with people who have a similar ailing mammals, and other creatures that commitment to something bigger than your- OF DELAWARE self,’’ he added. ‘‘For me the National Guard IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES couldn’t possibly survive the copious amounts of oil. The harm done to our gulf is already at has been my passion. I loved to fly, but being Wednesday, June 23, 2010 able to make a difference and make the lives an unprecedented level. of our people better is a passion that has Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with Unfortunately, as long as oil plumes con- consumed me. That is what I’ll miss.’’ great honor that I recognize today the career tinue to form nebulous clouds of black a mile

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:19 Jun 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K23JN8.007 E23JNPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with REMARKS June 23, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1173 beneath the deep blue sea, we will continue to We must work together to improve access RECOGNITION OF CONNOR push that unprecedented level of destruction to housing and the critical infrastructure nec- ELLISON even further, continue to see our gulf shores essary to ensure that the residents of North littered with amorphous lumps of oil, continue Galveston and their communities are safe. HON. DANIEL E. LUNGREN to see the gulf coast crowded with sick ani- Where unacceptable vulnerabilities remain, OF CALIFORNIA mals, continue to see the gulf fishing industry swift action must be taken to eliminate them. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES suffer. I am committed to ensuring the implementa- Lost in the discussion of Sunday’s World tion of such action. Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Refugee Day was the group of internally dis- My friends, this oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. placed individuals from Ike, Rita, and espe- threatens the livelihood of the citizens of the Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and cially Katrina. south central region of these United States, honor Connor Ellison. For example, our latest hurricane, Hurricane and deprives all Americans of the beauty and This past Saturday, June 19, 2010, Con- Ike, wreaked havoc on Texas, particularly in reasonable use of the seas and its inhabitants. nor’s Hope-Team Donate Life successfully Galveston and Houston. As we moved forward I urge my colleagues to support this bill. completed a 3,005 mile-long bike ride across with recovery efforts, it was clear that the im- f the United States in 6 days, 20 hours, and 39 pact of this storm had been widespread and minutes in the Race Across America. The IN RECOGNITION OF MS. BECKY many people were still in need of assistance. team started their journey in Oceanside, Cali- PISCITELLA Hurricane Ike pummeled the Texas Gulf fornia and completed the crossing in Annap- Coast, resulting in at least 38 deaths in Texas, olis, Maryland. Team Donate Life is a non- evacuation of over 1 million residents, hun- HON. MARK S. CRITZ profit organization dedicated to promoting dreds more are either missing or remain unac- OF PENNSYLVANIA organ donation and transplantation. counted for, over 2,000 residents were res- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Connor Ellison, a 12-year-old Folsom, Cali- cued from harrowing conditions, and more Wednesday, June 23, 2010 fornia resident, became the youngest rider to than $11 billion worth of damage according to Mr. CRITZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ever compete and finish the Race Across preliminary estimates, making this the most recognize Ms. Becky Piscitella, an outstanding America—the world’s toughest bicycle race. costly storm in Texas history. teacher who was awarded the Presidential Connor is an inspiration to all of us, as he ac- In the weeks that followed Hurricane Ike, Award for Excellence in Mathematics and complished this great feat while battling a seri- over 2.5 million families struggled to survive Science Teaching (PAEMST) by President ous liver disease called Congenital Hepatic Fi- with no electricity, including no air conditioning Barack Obama earlier this month brosis. in the sweltering heat, which had a particularly Ms. Piscitella teaches eleventh grade math- Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to severe impact on the elderly, disabled, impov- ematics at Richland High School, located in join me in recognizing the achievements of erished and other vulnerable populations. Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She is the only Connor Ellison and Connor’s Hope-Team Do- Clearly, we need to invest substantial funds to teacher in Pennsylvania to receive this pres- nate Life. improve our electric grids to ensure that the tigious award this year. f disparate impact on vulnerable populations is The PAEMST award is given annually to the IN HONOR OF REPRESENTATIVE corrected and never allowed to reoccur. country’s top pre-college level science and Just as we saw in the Ninth Ward of New PAMELA THORNBURG mathematics teachers. Ms. Piscitella’s award Orleans, Louisiana Post-Hurricane Katrina, in- is well deserved as her work promotes ternally displaced individuals from hurricanes science, technology, engineering and math HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE do not receive the proper access to govern- (STEM) education. The opportunity for stu- OF DELAWARE ment aid to rebuild and recover. In fact, there dents to receive STEM education is crucial for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES is still a desperate need of housing and much our nation’s competitiveness and future eco- Wednesday, June 23, 2010 more rebuilding that needs to be done to re- nomic welfare. I am delighted that students in store previous hurricane disaster victims and Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with the 12th Congressional District of Pennsyl- assist the residents who remain there. great honor that I recognize today the career vania are able to become the next generation We cannot allow the hurricane victims to be and accomplishments of The Honorable State of innovators and leaders because of edu- forgotten. Throughout our Post-Hurricane re- Representative Pamela Thornburg. As a mem- cators like Ms. Piscitella. covery efforts, many individuals have had dif- ber of Delaware’s General Assembly for 10 Madam Speaker, I conclude my remarks by ficulties and challenges getting the govern- years, Representative Thornburg has given congratulating her on this exceptional recogni- ment aid that they need to rebuild after the much to her community and state while faith- tion of her talents, her dedication, and her storm. Many lost their jobs or are at risk of fully serving her constituents of the 29th Dis- passion for helping our students succeed. I losing their employment due to damages in- trict. Representative Thornburg is retiring after wish her well as she continues to inspire our curred by the hurricane. an admirable career in the General Assembly, young scholars. There are men, women, and children who and her presence in the State House will be have lost so much due to flood waters and f greatly missed. storm winds. I have been proud to stand up PERSONAL EXPLANATION First elected to the State Legislature in repeatedly in Congress to fight on their behalf 2000, Pam has successfully sponsored a by securing the necessary federal funds. We HON. JOE WILSON number of high-profile laws and initiatives. A cornerstone of her legislative career was a must work together to ensure that our nation OF SOUTH CAROLINA does its part to help hurricane victims fully re- 2007 law to reduce the number of false alarms IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cover by ensuring the delivery of funds that from automated alarm systems. This visionary we worked so hard to appropriate. As a senior Wednesday, June 23, 2010 legislation sought to streamline emergency re- Member of the House Homeland Security Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam sponse by cutting down on the 99-percent Committee, which has oversight over the Fed- Speaker, I submit the following remarks re- false alarm rate which diverted and distracted eral Emergency Management Administration, garding my absence from votes which oc- essential emergency personnel. FEMA, I am working to ensure that our com- curred on June 22, 2010. Listed below is how As a State Representative for the 29th Dis- munities respond expeditiously to natural dis- I would have voted if I had been present. trict and a member of the House’s Agriculture asters. The protection of our homeland and Roll No. 376—H. Con. Res. 288—sup- Committee, Pam has worked tirelessly to de- the security of our neighborhoods are at the porting National Men’s Health Week—‘‘aye’’; fend Delaware’s environmental interests. She forefront of my agenda. Roll No. 377—H. Res. 546—recognizing the is an agricultural advocate and a champion of While Hurricane Ike has left an enormous historical significance of Juneteenth Independ- preservation; she has ensured that countless amount of devastation, it has demonstrated ence Day, and expressing the sense of the acres of forestland have been protected, and, yet again the amazing unity, strength and re- House of Representatives that history should as further testament to her commitment, she silience that Texans possess. Whether rich or be regarded as a means for understanding the also assisted in a separate initiative that se- poor, black or white, young or old, Democrat past and more effectively facing the chal- cured permanent funding to preserve Dela- or Republican, everyone has been working to- lenges of the future—‘‘aye’’; Roll No. 378—H. ware farmland from development. gether to respond, recover, rebuild and move Res. 1407—supporting the goals and ideals of Over her career, Pam has resolutely served forward. High-Performance Building Week—‘‘aye.’’ the constituents of the 29th District, fighting for

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