E1272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 18, 2012 

‘‘Speakers’ Forum’’ hosts distinguished individuals to address global peace, issues of environmental justice, gun violence, and the politics of crime and punishment that affect quality 

of life in local communities. The ‘‘Art and Writing Challenge’’ encourages awareness and 

discussion among Contra Costa County students of the environment, economic inequality 

and the promotion of non-violence. The first 

‘‘Creating Peaceful Schools Conference’’ 

brought together over a hundred local educators to develop strategies for promoting nonviolence in the classroom and encouraging 

children to focus on ways to promote a more 

peaceful and just environment. Furthermore, 

through peaceful public protests against wars 

in Iraq and Afghanistan and many educational 

forums developed by Mary Alice and her 

board of directors, the Center has become a 

well-known hub for thoughtful discussion of 

current events in the East Bay Area. 

Mr. Speaker, we invite this chamber to join 

us in honoring Mary Alice O’Connor for her 

tireless and dedicated service to the people of 

Contra Costa County. We join her family, colleagues, and friends in congratulating her on 

a successful and fulfilling career at the Mt. 

Diablo Peace and Justice Center, and wish 

her the very best on her future endeavors. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE CHRISTENING 

OF THE USS ‘‘SOMERSET’’ 

HON. MARK S. CRITZ OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize 

the christening of the USS Somerset. On July 

28, 2012, the USS Somerset will become the 

latest San Antonio class landing platform/dock, 

LPD, to join our Navy’s fleet. This ship will 

commemorate the valor and courage of the 40 

passengers and crew of United Flight 93 who 

gave their lives to protect our way of life on 

September 11, 2001. 

In waters across the globe, the USS Somerset will continue the fight for freedom that 

the United Flight 93 passengers and crew 

began. Wherever the ship travels, her impregnable exterior will symbolize our impregnable 

resolve to honor their memory and to continue 

their legacy of sacrifice for the greater good. 

About 22 tons of steel taken from a crane 

near the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, 

PA, has been incorporated into the ship’s bow 

stem. Like the steel from that crane, the American people have taken a new form since 

9/11. We are stronger and more resilient than 

we were prior to that fateful day. Like the steel 

from that crane, we have emerged from the 

tragic events of September 11th ready and 

eager to take on new challenges, embark on 

new journeys and explore new horizons. 

The USS Somerset is the last of three ships 

that have been built in honor of the September 

11th victims. The USS New York, christened 

in March 2008, was built as a tribute to the individuals who lost their lives at the World 

Trade Center and the USS Arlington, christened in March 2011, was built as a tribute to 

the servicemembers and civilians who perished at the Pentagon. 

Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the christening of 

the USS Somerset with great pride. It is my 

most sincere hope that the delivery of this ship 

will provide the family members and friends of 

the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 

with some measure of solace. For the USS 

Somerset will carry the story and sacrifice of 

their loved ones to the Sailors and Marines 

tasked with defending our freedoms, promoting peace and providing assistance across 

our oceans. 

f 

HONORING KINEU DONALD 

HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON OF MISSISSIPPI

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Kineu Donald, 

Salutatorian of Raymond High School; Class 

of 2012. Kineu was born to the proud mother 

of Sheillia Donald, on December 16, 1993, in 

Edwards, Mississippi. 

She attended Bolton-Edwards schools 

through middle school. While in middle school 

Kineu was consistent in her efforts to remain 

on the Honor Roll and Principal’s List. She finished Bolton-Edwards Elementary Middle 

School, and was acknowledged as the Valedictorian of her eighth grade class. 

Throughout high school, Kineu has been 

recognized for her many achievements in both 

academics and extra-curricular activities. She 

was a member of the band, choir, Beta Club, 

Student Council, and Student Body. In addition to her extra-curricular activities, Kineu 

also participated in many community service 

projects sponsored by her school and church. 

As a high school graduate, Kineu plans to 

attend Alcorn State University and major in 

agricultural economics or nutrition and dietetics, to aid her in her pursuit to become a food 

science technologist or a dietician. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me 

in honoring Ms. Kineu Donald the Salutatorian 

for Raymond High School Class of 2012. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. AL GREEN OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was unavoidably detained and missed 

the following votes: 

1. H.R. 6018—To authorize appropriations 

for the Department of State for fiscal year 

2013, and for other purposes, as amended. 

Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘yes’’ 

on this bill. 

2. S. 2009—Insular Areas Act of 2011. Had 

I been present, I would have voted ‘‘yes’’ on 

this bill. 

f 

RETURN OF THE INTERNATIONAL 

AIDS CONFERENCE 

HON. BARBARA LEE OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, for the 

first time in more than two decades, the 

United States will host the 19th International 

AIDS Conference—drawing over 20,000 people from around the world to our Nation’s capital. 

Having participated in every Conference 

since I was first elected to Congress in 1998, 

I knew we could not bring the conference back 

to the United States until the discriminatory 

immigration ban on people living with HIV was 

lifted. 

In 2007, I first introduced a bill to repeal the 

ban. Few believed it could be done, but 

through bipartisan support we achieved this 

goal. 

This week, the return of the Conference is 

an important opportunity to shine a global 

spotlight on the fight against AIDS in African 

American communities and a national spotlight 

on the ongoing global epidemic. 

Today, I will introduce new legislation to do 

just that. 

Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Act articulates a policy and financing framework to 

achieve an AIDS-Free Generation in the 

United States and globally. 

I urge all my colleagues to support it so that 

we can begin to bring an end to AIDS here at 

home and around the world. 

f 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR 

INVESTS IN THE NATIONAL 

ECONOMY 

HON. RANDY HULTGREN OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, as the national economy continues to struggle, I would 

like to highlight an encouraging development 

with regard to the telecommunications sector. 

As the attached synopsis of a recent report by 

the Progressive Policy Institute indicates, investment in the economy is a critical factor in 

promoting growth, creating jobs, and stimulating productivity. I applaud the telecom industry for its contribution to this effort. 

REPORT: TELECOM SECTOR LEADS THE WAY IN

DOMESTIC ECONOMIC INVESTMENTS

While the domestic economy continues to 

struggle, a new report shows that the telecommunications space remains one of the 

biggest investors in attempting to boost the 

nation’s fortunes. 

The Progressive Policy Institute report, 

‘‘Investment Heroes: Who’s Betting on America’s Future,’’ found that among non-financial institutions, AT&T and Verizon Communications were the two top investors of capital expenditures in the country last year. 

AT&T took the top spot with a reported $20.1 

billion in investments in 2011, with Verizon 

investing $16.2 billion. 

‘‘The exponential growth in consumer demand for cable and wireless data services 

makes it both a necessity and an incentive 

for these companies to invest in building out 

their service capabilities,’’ the report noted. 

‘‘Investment is what led to development of 

the latest high-speed 4G networks, estimated 

to be 50% more efficient in streaming wireless data than its 3G predecessor. What’s 

more, the commitment of these telecom 

companies to investment in wireless infrastructure, cable communications, and processing equipment is a good example of how 

investment can have important spillover 

benefits. By using the infrastructure developed and maintained by telecom companies, 


pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS