June 2, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1027 resources to sponsor professionals for perma- DENNIS RITTENMEYER family. He and his wonderful wife Leslie have nent resident visas. They are building a highly RETIREMENT five beloved children. skilled workforce in the US within technical Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other specialties in which few American workers HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY distinguished colleagues join me in com- with applicable skills exist. This is something OF INDIANA mending Dr. Dennis C. Rittenmeyer for his we need to do if we are going to grow out of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES lifetime of leadership, service, and dedication. our current economic difficulties. Thursday, June 2, 2011 He has touched the lives of countless students I suggested to the Secretary of Homeland and educators, as well as every one of us in Security that she consider making the tech- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with Northwest Indiana. For his service and uncom- nical fix as part of regulatory guidance on this great pleasure and admiration that I stand be- promising dedication, Dr. Rittenmeyer is wor- new fee. The Department later informed me fore you today to honor Dr. Dennis C. thy of the highest praise, and I ask that you that such a fix required congressional action. Rittenmeyer and to wish him well upon his up- join me in wishing him well upon his retire- I raise this issue Mr. Speaker, because it is coming retirement from his position as Presi- ment. my hope that we can work with our colleagues dent of Calumet College of Saint Joseph in in the Senate to ensure that companies that Whiting, Indiana. Dr. Rittenmeyer’s many f are trying to do the right thing are not uninten- years of service in the field of education have had a positive impact on numerous students SIXTH DISTRICT CHEERS AMER- tionally hurt by this provision. Since this unin- ICAN IDOL SCOTTY MCCREERY tended consequence was caused by a provi- and educators within the community of North- sion in an appropriations bill, I hope that we west Indiana and across the nation. In honor can make the necessary technical fix on an of Dennis, a retirement reception will be held HON. HOWARD COBLE appropriations bill at the appropriate time. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at The Center for OF NORTH CAROLINA f Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ana. Thursday, June 2, 2011 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SE- Dr. Dennis Rittenmeyer’s true passion for CURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, education is reflected in his impressive 40 Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, for years, the 2012 year career in higher education. Dr. sounds and drama of American Idol have cap- Rittenmeyer received his bachelor’s and mas- tivated the eyes and ears of Americans, gluing SPEECH OF ter’s degrees from Western Michigan Univer- them to their TVs to find out who the next HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER sity. He went on to earn his doctoral degree great singing star would be. Over the 11 sea- in Higher Education Administration from Michi- sons of American Idol mania, the state of OF NEW YORK gan State University in East Lansing, Michi- North Carolina and the Sixth District have IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gan. In 1987, Dr. Rittenmeyer became Presi- been well represented in the finals of this sing- Wednesday, June 1, 2011 dent of Calumet College of Saint Joseph. At ing competition. This season’s American Idol The House in Committee of the Whole the time, the institution was in serious financial competition was no different, ending with 17- House on the State of the Union had under crisis. Dennis successfully restored the col- year-old Scotty McCreery, from Garner, North consideration the bill (H.R. 2017) making ap- lege’s financial stability, utilizing the leadership Carolina, crowned as the latest American Idol. propriations for the Department of Home- skills for which he is well-known. Throughout Scotty has strong connections to the Sixth land Security for the fiscal year ending Sep- his tenure, his perseverance to see the right District, as well. Several members of Scotty’s tember 30, 2012, and for other purposes: thing done sustained his efforts to overcome family live in our area. His grandmother and Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chair, I rise to sup- obstacles in order to establish Calumet Col- grandfather, Paquita and Bill McCreery, reside port the amendment offered by the gentleman lege of Saint Joseph as the exceptional re- in the Moore County town of Aberdeen, while from Michigan, which would strike language source it is today. Under Dr. Rittenmeyer’s di- his aunt and uncle, Tina and Billy Creech, live from this legislation that would restrict Urban rection, the enrollment at Calumet College of just down the road in Pinehurst. Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding to only Saint Joseph increased from 870 in 1987 to The members of Scotty’s family, however, 10 urban areas across the country. nearly 1,300 in 2010; educational programs are just some of a long line of connections to Last year, as a result of Republican-led were expanded to include not only associate’s the Sixth District of North Carolina. We have cuts, the number of urban areas eligible to re- degree programs but also bachelor’s and mas- been home to two previous finalists in the ceive funding in UASI to assist local law en- ter’s degree programs. Additionally, an athletic American Idol competition, Fantasia Barrino forcement deal with the threat of terrorist at- program was introduced; currently, more than and Chris Daughtry. Fantasia, from High tacks was dropped from 64 to 31. Last week 270 participate in intercollegiate sports. The Point, won the American Idol competition dur- those cuts hit home, when two cities in my physical development of the campus included ing its third season. Daughtry, from district were unjustly removed from the list of extensive renovations to the main building and McLeansville, though he did not win the com- areas that received federal funding as part of a new Student Activity/Community Center was petition, has gone on to become a successful this grant program. While we in Western New completed in 2009. My good friend also estab- recording artist, releasing several multi-plat- York appreciate the many national security lished an endowment fund for the continuously inum albums. needs across the country, it made me ques- growing institution. For his truly impressive North Carolina is one of only two states that tion our security priorities when two cities in commitment to Calumet College of Saint Jo- can boast more than three finalists over the an international border were denied funding seph, Dr. Rittenmeyer is to be commended. competition’s history; the other is Alabama. only to have funding allocated to smaller cities Perhaps more remarkable is Dr. North Carolina has had a total of seven final- in our nation’s interior. I think that if you ask Rittenmeyer selflessly giving of his time, intel- ists over the years. law enforcement officials in Buffalo, Roch- lectual skills, and power of persuasion to Joining Barrino, Daughtry and McCreery as ester, Syracuse and Albany, they’ll tell you move the community of Northwest Indiana American Idol finalists are four other proud that denying this small amount of funding to ahead. In 2009, he was honored by Governor North Carolinians. Clay Aiken of Raleigh, Upstate does not mean we are less at risk. Mitch Daniels with the Distinguished Hoosier Bucky Covington of Rockingham, Kellie Pickler Rather we’ve shifted the financial burden of Award for his efforts on behalf of public trans- of Albermarle, and Anoop Desai of Cary, a security on them. In turn we may all be less portation in Northwest Indiana. Much needs to UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus, all represented safe. be done before we have a true regional transit North Carolina in the finals of the competition, Should this amendment fail to pass, it will system in our region, but it will occur because as well. effectively prevent cities like Rochester and of Dennis Rittenmeyer’s lone sojourn in the Even Scotty McCreery’s grandmother, Buffalo from competing for UASI grants in the wilderness preaching the human value of de- Paquita, got some face time on American Idol. future thanks to the plans of the majority to re- veloping such a system long before it became Like any proud grandmother would do, she duce funding even more in future years. At a a fashionable topic of debate. There would be used her chance at the microphone to tell the time when the threat of terrorist attacks is no debate and no hope of much an improve- world, ‘‘That’s my Scotty.’’ high, we cannot lay the entire financial burden ment for future generations if Dennis had not On behalf of the residents of the Sixth Dis- of securing our cities on local authorities, first stepped forth before all others. trict, we offer our congratulations to Scotty and responders, law enforcement and agencies Dr. Rittenmeyer’s commitment to education his family who live in the Sixth District. And and expect to adequately protect our citizens and the community of Northwest Indiana is ex- from the state of North Carolina, we say and make our cities safe. ceeded only by his devotion to his amazing again, congratulations, ‘‘That’s our Scotty.’’

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