October 16, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2149 energy not only keeps economic activity in the to achieve. Utilizing renewable resources in a second language acquisition, and content United States, but is a vital component of na- responsible fashion is good for the environ- knowledge. tional security. ment, good for U.S. workers, and helps move We know how important the role of a family As I previously stated, the 25 x ’25 vision is the Nation toward energy independence. is in a child’s education. The PRIDE Act would an inclusive goal that strives to be responsible f also establish a responsive infrastructure for in its mission. The resolution does not endorse positive, active, and ongoing relationships with actions that will skew the marketplace. It calls INTRODUCTION OF PROVIDING RE- students’ families and the community, one that for solutions that are ‘‘practical’’ and ‘‘cost ef- SOURCES TO IMPROVE DUAL reflects the needs of the community and goals fective.’’ The goal is not endorsed to the det- LANGUAGE EDUCATION ACT OF of the program. riment of existing demands on our renewable 2007 The PRIDE Act is endorsed by at least 30 resources. House Concurrent Resolution 25 groups, including the National Council of La states that in attaining the 25 percent bench- HON. HILDA L. SOLIS Raza, the National Education Association, the mark, the Nation should ‘‘continue to produce OF CALIFORNIA Mexican American Legal Defense and Edu- safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cation Fund, the National Black Child Develop- fiber.’’ Tuesday, October 16, 2007 ment Institute, and the National Association for The resolution also advocates for an imple- Bilingual Education. mentation strategy that is ‘‘practical’’ and ‘‘cost Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, access to Madam Speaker, in order for the U.S. to re- effective.’’ Congress should heed this advice. high-quality early childhood education pro- main globally competitive, Congress must ad- It must seek to accomplish the goal of House grams, including dual language programs, can dress the ongoing challenges in our education Concurrent Resolution 25, but it should not play a significant role in closing the education system. We must promote and build bilingual adopt policies that are enacted at the expense gap. So I am proud to rise today to introduce skills for all our children, including those in im- of one renewable resource over another or at the PRIDE Act, which will establish dual lan- poverished communities. As a diverse nation, the expense of preexisting domestic energy guage education programs. this includes ensuring education meets the sources. We must find comprehensive solu- One in every five students who enters needs of all students, including ELL children. tions to our energy needs. schools in the U.S. speaks a language other I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the PRIDE In the United States today we are seeing than English at home. The English language Act, because educating our children is a com- great progress in expanding the scope of re- learners (ELL) population represents more mitment that we must not abandon. newable energy. One recent development that than five million students in the K–12 public school system, which constitutes about 10 I believe will help us accomplish the goal of 25 f x ’25 is the conception of the cellulosic ethanol percent of our total public school population. industry, an ethanol industry that utilizes non- In Los Angeles County, ELL students are no PERSONAL EXPLANATION grain based plant products to produce ethanol. longer a subgroup of students. Rather, ELL In my home State of Kansas, it was recently students represent the student population the HON. KEITH ELLISON school district serves. More than 40 percent of announced that construction of one of the Na- OF MINNESOTA students in the Los Angeles Unified School tion’s first industrial-sized cellulosic ethanol IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES plants will begin in Hugoton, KS. I am proud District are ELLs. Of those students, 94 per- that this monumental step in the biofuel indus- cent speak Spanish as their native language. Tuesday, October 16, 2007 try is occurring in Kansas and I hope that this The vast majority of ELL students are native- Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, on October technology can continue to develop over time. born U.S. citizens. 15, 2007, I was back in Minneapolis attending Although development of the cellulosic eth- English language learners and low-income a funeral for a constituent and failed to vote anol industry is a great achievement, we must children start kindergarten well behind their on rollcall votes: 961, 962, and 963. Had I realize that ethanol is not the only component peers, and this gap continues to widen over been present I would have voted ‘‘aye’’ on roll- needed to accomplish the 25 x ’25 vision. time. For example, by kindergarten, only 50 call votes, 961–963. Often overlooked are the contributions of wind percent of Latino children are able to name and solar energy. To accomplish the goal of and recognize letters of the alphabet com- f 25 x ’25, it will take the contributions of all the pared to 75 percent of Caucasian children. Nation’s citizens. Wind and solar projects may The National Task Force on Early Childhood A PROCLAMATION HONORING THE not only need to be welcomed into our com- Education for Hispanics cites that only 23 per- 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE munities but in some instances literally into cent of Latino ELLs who knew little to no LOYAL CHRISTIAN BENEFIT AS- our backyards. Emerging technologies are English at the start of kindergarten score at SOCIATION OF SACRED HEART making small-scale wind and solar power a re- high levels of reading comprehension in the CATHOLIC CHURCH ality. 5th grade. By 8th grade, 71 percent of ELL Also, lost in the debate is the need to con- children score below basic in reading and HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE serve energy. The 25 x ’25 goal is more easily math. OF OHIO achieved if we control our accelerated quest Dual language programs are in extremely IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for more energy. If we can find an economical high demand across the country. Programs in Tuesday, October 16, 2007 and technological means of increasing fuel very affluent communities have long waiting economy in the cars and trucks we manufac- lists of children. These programs help train Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker, whereas, the ture, it will be easier for biofuels like ethanol biliterate and bilingual children. Although Loyal Christian Benefit Association of Sacred and biodiesel to capture a greater share of an schools in low-income communities have insti- Heart Catholic Church will celebrate the 100th existing market. tuted dual language programs to improve ELL anniversary with great joy; and Finally, while I am an arduous supporter of instruction, these communities have less ac- Whereas, they protect and care for the renewable energy, we must not overlook tradi- cess to programs that truly follow the dual lan- church, family and future; and tional domestically produced energy sources. guage model. We must provide our public Whereas, occasions such as these illustrate Congress must not punish existing and still school system with the tools necessary to en- to us that love mixed with grace and trust will feasible forms of domestic energy in its at- sure the success of all students, especially stand the test of time; and tempt to grow the renewable market. Although those in underserved communities and school Whereas, it is the fond wish of this body not directly implicated by the 25 x ’25 goal, ef- districts. that you will continue to present this work as ficient development of renewable energy mar- That is why I have introduced the Providing a beacon for hope to the destitute and main- kets cannot proceed without existing forms of Resources to Improve Dual Language Edu- tain your stand as a symbol to this generation energy. For example, nitrogen fertilizer is a cation Act of 2007 (the PRIDE Act). The that our strength lies in our gracious commit- key component producing the corn from which PRIDE Act would serve children in economi- ment in unity to each other in the bonds of ethanol is made. Most nitrogen fertilizer uti- cally disadvantaged communities and limited- brotherhood; now, therefore, be it lized in the United States is produced using English proficiency students from preschool Resolved that along with his friends, family, natural gas. through 5th grade. The PRIDE Act would re- and the residents of the 18th Congressional The vision embodied by House Concurrent cruit, train, and continuously develop staff to District, I commend the congregation for your Resolution 25 is a goal that Congress should implement high-quality, dual language pro- unwavered labor and commitment, recognizing support and the American people should work grams. These programs focus on instruction, that all great achievements come at a cost. VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:14 Oct 17, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16OC8.031 E16OCPT1 cnoel on PRODPC60 with REMARKS_CN E2150 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 16, 2007 With great appreciation and respect, we wish I thank Dr. Eoyang for his service to the na- behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation you continued abundant grace as you con- tion, and wish him success in his future en- were crucial in determining the extent of Iraq’s tinue to labor for your Lord, Jesus Christ. deavors. I extend my best wishes to his wife, relationship with Al-Qadea. f Kemay, and his children, Mieke, Mason, and In addition to his work as a FBI Supervisory Lian, who have supported and encouraged Special Agent, Mr.