January 28, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- Extensions of Remarks E159
erans in the 5th District, many of whom are in need of medical attention, it is important for the community to donate blood and help meet that need.
Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing LifeSouth Community Blood Centers for their commitment to the local community. Without their blood collection, processing and dissemination efforts, area hospitals would face severe shortages of life-saving blood. I commend LifeSouth for their efforts and thank them for helping the veterans of Hernando County at this year's veteran benefit fair.
f HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS HON. MARK E. SOUDER OF INDIANA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 39, and especially in support of the work being done in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at Bishop Dwenger High School.
According to the 1972 statement by National Conference of Catholic Bishops: ``The educational efforts of the Church, therefore, must be directed to forming persons-in-community; for the education of the individual Christian is important not only to his solitary destiny, but also the destinies of the many communities in which he lives.'' Madam Speaker, Bishop Dwenger has been improving the Fort Wayne community since it welcomed over 200 students in the fall of 1963. They now enroll over 1,100 students and the school has accumulated an impressive list of both academic and athletic accomplishments.
In 2004, the Department of Education recognized Bishop Dwenger as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School, an accomplishment that places them among the top 10 percent of schools nationwide. Two years later, Bishop Dwenger was recognized as one of the top 50 Catholic schools in the nation.
The school's drive for excellence goes beyond the classroom. Madam Speaker, the students are involved in community service activities to fulfill the school's commitment ``to social awareness through service to others.'' With over 80 percent of Dwenger students involved in at least one extracurricular activity, they have won state championships in football, gymnastics, Spell Bowl and more.
In an increasingly competitive economic environment, a quality education is a prerequisite for future success. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of Bishop Dwenger and Catholic schools across the country. These institutions are essential in preparing well-rounded individuals who will be among the future leaders of our country.
in South Carolina for selecting Judge Gossett from a large pool of highly qualified applicants.
Her intelligence and temperament are the ideal qualities that we should seek in judicial candidates.
On a personal note, I am particularly grateful for her success which is complemented by the achievement of her husband, my former State Senate Chief of Staff, Jeff Gossett, who is the first Republican Clerk of the South Carolina Senate in over 100 years. They are raising three outstanding children: Jackson Keith Gossett, Ainsley Cooper Gossett, and Anna Katherine Gossett.
Congratulations, Judge Paige Gossett.
f RECOGNIZING LIFESOUTH COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTERS IN HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc. in Hernando County for their work improving the lives and welfare of area residents.
In life and death emergencies, when every second counts, it is vitally important that healthcare providers and emergency responders have access to safe and ready supplies of blood for transfusions. LifeSouth Community Blood Center is currently the only blood provider for many of our area hospitals, including ones at Oak Hill, Brooksville Regional and Spring Hill. Their hard work ensures that medical professionals in Hernando County have the blood necessary to save lives and help our local community.
Throughout the country each year there will be almost five million Americans who need blood transfusions. In Hernando County alone, LifeSouth collects 13,000 units of blood annually, utilizing more than 300 blood drives with their Bloodmobiles to meet the demand. The local donor center is open 363 days a year and employs thirty people to collect, process and distribute the blood to area hospitals.
Whether you have ever needed a blood transfusion yourself, or just know someone who has, it is organizations like LifeSouth that help ensure you will be taken care of in an emergency. For area residents who donate blood, please know that all of the blood collected in Hernando County stays within the County, so your donation will help your friends and neighbors. When you donate blood it is not an exaggeration to say that you are truly giving the gift of life.
This January 31, I will be hosting my annual veteran benefit fair. LifeSouth has agreed to take part in the event and is bringing one of their Bloodmobiles to the site to collect much needed blood. With more than 105,000 vet
EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS OUR MILITARY MUST BE ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE TOO HON. BOB FILNER OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I have introduced the Military Environmental Responsibility Act (H.R. 672). The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Defense to fully comply with Federal and State environmental laws.
Military exemptions from requirements and enforcement provisions under environment, public safety, and worker protection laws harm the environment and human health. Our constituents who border military bases should have the same protections as other municipalities.
This bill will not compromise military readiness. Environmental laws currently include exemptions for the military in the event of ``paramount interest of the United States''. These exemptions have only been used a handful of times, and the President would retain that authority over this legislation.
Americans believe that their government should be accountable to them and play by the same rules that they have to follow. Much of the cynicism and apathy of recent years can be traced directly to public perception that government officials and agencies are not accountable to anyone. We can only begin to restore faith in government and participation in democracy by ensuring that the federal government works under the same laws and regulations as private businesses and individuals.
f CONGRATULATIONS JUDGE PAIGE GOSSETT HON. JOE WILSON OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate my long time friend, Paige Jones Gossett, as she receives the Oath of Office and takes the bench as United States Magistrate Judge for the District of South Carolina.
Known by her nickname Cricket, she is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College, finished as the third highest rated graduate in her law school class, and received nearly every academic award available. Prior to her election as a South Carolina Administrative Law Judge in 2006, she had over ten years of private practice experience as a partner in the Willoughby & Hoefer law firm in Columbia.
I also want to congratulate Chief Judge David C. Norton and the other District Judges are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
er than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
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