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.