March 8, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E355 promoting nutrition, as well as preventing and formed and up to date with what goes on in OUR UNCONSCIONABLE NATIONAL treating obesity. And during these tough eco- politics. Once they are informed they have DEBT nomic times, the school breakfast program the knowledge to form their own opinion and allow them to take action in supporting a also is seeing increasing demand from stu- candidate or coming up with their own ideas HON. MIKE COFFMAN dents who are coming to school hungry. to run for office one day. Whether a person is OF COLORADO Currently, there are more than 31 million inspired to run for local office or for presi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES children who eat school meals five days a dent all helps the political process. Having week, 180 days a year. While the National the Congressional Youth Advisory Council is Thursday, March 8, 2012 School Lunch and breakfast programs do a a great way to get the youth of America in- Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, good job of feeding these children, they have volved in political decision-making by let- on January 20, 2009, the day President the potential to provide fresher and healthier ting them able to share their opinion to po- Obama took office, the national debt was litical leaders. It also allows the youth to be foods to millions of children in the United informed on what is going on in congress or $10,626,877,048,913.08. States. in political decision making directly for a Today, it is $15,498,306,692,627.99. We’ve In 2010 I helped write the Healthy, Hunger- political official. Being a part of the political added $4,871,429,643,714.91 to our debt in 3 Free Kids Act to dramatically expand access process is very important for American citi- years. This is debt our nation, our economy, for millions of children to healthy meals year- zens be involved in because if we aren’t, we and our children could have avoided with a round in schools, and provide more meals for will let down every man that fought for our balanced budget amendment. political freedom. at risk children nationwide. The law included f legislation that I introduced to provide $5 mil- lion in annual funding for Farm to School pro- f ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SOUTHFIELD CRS grams. Farm to School programs bring locally STATEMENT ON THE CENTENNIAL or regionally grown fresh produce into schools, ANNIVERSARY OF INTER- significantly improving nutrition for children NATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF HON. GARY C. PETERS eating school lunches. ELECTRICAL WORKERS (IBEW), OF MICHIGAN During School Breakfast Week, let us re- AFL–CIO, LOCAL 716 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES solve to do everything we can to combat child- Thursday, March 8, 2012 hood hunger and also ensure that the food we are serving kids is as fresh and healthy as HON. AL GREEN Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. David’s Episcopal Church of possible. OF TEXAS Southfield, Michigan on the auspicious occa- f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sion of its 60th diamond jubilee anniversary. ESSAY BY AMANDA KERSTMAN Thursday, March 8, 2012 St. David’s Episcopal Church opened in 1952 and its first mass was held on March 2, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I inside Oxford School in Berkley, before a per- HON. PETE OLSON would like to take a moment to recognize the manent church was built. OF TEXAS International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Founded by parishioners of St. James Epis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (IBEW), AFL–CIO Local 716 in Houston, copal Church, a venerable institution located Texas. Thursday, March 8, 2012 in neighboring Birmingham, St. David’s has IBEW represents members who work in a been a fixture in the community for more than Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to wide variety of electrical trade fields, including interact with some of the brightest students in five decades. utilities, construction, telecommunications, Committed to providing a healthy quality of the 22nd Congressional District who serve on broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I life for all, St. David’s developed St. Anne’s government. Mead, an assisted living and nursing care fa- have gained much by listening to the high IBEW Local 716 was chartered March 12, school students who are the future of this cility in 1966. The facility is committed to the 1912, starting with 9 original members and unique needs of men, women and their fami- great nation. They provide important insight has since grown to represent 4500 members. into the concerns of our younger constituents lies while preserving their dignity and enriching IBEW Local 716 plays a major role in enhanc- their lives. and hopefully get a better sense of the impor- ing the quality of life for all electricians across tance of being an active participant in the po- Under the devoted and dedicated leadership the Greater Houston Area by negotiating con- of the Rev. Chris Yaw, St. David’s current litical process. Many of the students have writ- tracts for electricians that secure top paying ten short essays on a variety of topics and I Rector, the church holds two Sunday services wages, high-quality health insurance and pen- each week and Taize-style healing services am pleased to share these with my House col- sions and creating safer working conditions. leagues. four times a year. IBEW Local 716 members have built some Amanda Kerstman is a senior at Clear St. David’s parishioners are also involved in of our most memorable Houston landmarks Springs High School in Galveston County, community outreach. They support local food that have vastly contributed to shaping Hous- Texas. Her essay topic is: In your opinion, pantry programs and manage a community ton as the internationally known city it has be- why is it important to be involved in the polit- garden that produced 500 pounds of fruit and come today. Some of which include: the origi- ical process? vegetables in 2011, which they donated to nal Humble Building, The Astrodome, the surrounding communities. As a citizen of the United States of Amer- Texas Medical Center, most of Downtown ica all citizens are given the right to partici- The church also mentors kindergarten pate in the political process whether it Houston, Minute Maid Field, Metro Light Rail through eighth grade students at nearby Van- would be to run for office, or vote in a pri- projects, The George R. Brown Center and denberg World Cultures Academy, providing mary election. Having the power as a citizen the Toyota Center. academic support and leadership skills. to participate in the political process is a IBEW Local 716 members are widely known For one week each spring, St. David’s turns right given by the United States, but many in Houston for their volunteerism and commu- its facility into a residence for the homeless. people in the present time take this as a nity service, donating countless hours of their The church offers food, shelter and compan- chore to participate rather than a privilege. personal time in the restoration of the Heights The voter turnout in Houston, Texas has de- ionship for dozens of men, women and chil- creased every year because of people not neighborhood projects, including the dren. willing to go vote in any election, whether it S.H.A.P.E. Community Center and vast array St. David’s human service efforts extend be- is for a district judge, or an election for the of other community projects. yond the great state of Michigan and the president. I salute the courageous men and women boundaries of our country. The church is one Our constitution was built from people who made IBEW Local 716 an organization of the founding members of the Haiti Outreach who wanted to shape the new world into a which utilizes the skills of its members to Mission and performs humanitarian work in country where people have the right to make a better life for everyone. I congratulate Port-au-Prince and Mirebalais, two cities that choose who they want to run their country. It is the citizens responsibility to keep our IBEW Local 716 on 100 years of community were devastated by the massive earthquake country a republic and vote for people to rep- building and union spirit, as well as their out- that rocked the country in early 2010. Con- resent us. The key to make sure that people standing dedication to the labor movement gregates have helped to provide much needed will stay politically active is to make sure and steadfast efforts to uphold workers rights care and supplies, including anesthetics, anti- the youth of the United States stays in- to organize. biotics, pain meds, dressings, operating room VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:17 Mar 09, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08MR8.033 E08MRPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E356 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 8, 2012 equipment and supplies, IV fluids, gloves, CONGRATULATING LEAGUE CITY, a welcomed addition to the NAFCU Board of masks, etc. TEXAS ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY Directors and will undoubtedly make an imme- The church recently celebrated its 60th year diate impact in her role. She has been both a anniversary. During a spirited and eventful HON. PETE OLSON leader and an innovator in the community and three-hour celebration, held on March 3, in the OF TEXAS the NAFCU will be well served by her rep- resentation.