September 19, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1557 

H.R. 6429, THE STEM JOBS ACT OF 

2012 

HON. RON KIND OF WISCONSIN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, my Republican colleagues this week are attempting to make a 

case for the importance of education, yet their 

budget this year slashed funding for education 

and for basic and applied research, creating 

barriers for traditional students, returning students and worker training. This is not the approach to ensure our students have the skills 

they need to match the jobs that are available. 

And this is not the approach to capitalize on 

the American ingenuity that will lead to economic growth. 

We know that students trained in science, 

technology, engineering and math (STEM), 

are acquiring the skills to fill and succeed at 

the jobs of the future. In order to increase 

American competitiveness, create good paying 

jobs, and ensure our position on the global 

stage, we have to invest in education, worker 

training and research in STEM studies. For 

years in my position as Co-Chair of the Innovation, Competitiveness and Tax Reform Task 

Force of the New Democratic Coalition I have 

called for exactly that—a renewed focus on 

STEM skills in the workforce. 

And not just in our own students, but we 

must also remove the barriers to success for 

international students training in STEM studies 

at U.S. institutions. Instead of sending these 

highly-skilled international students back to 

their native countries, where they contribute to 

the foreign economies we are competing 

against, let’s provide them with visas and let 

the American economy take advantage of 

these skills. 

There is a real opportunity for these highly 

trained international students to achieve the 

American dream and contribute talent, creativity and innovative skills that will help ensure our place in a competitive global economy. And there is an actual opportunity to get 

something signed into law but we know the 

real work will have to come next Congress, as 

there are few days left to get much done this 

fall. 

America’s future as a global competitor depends on our ability to come together as leaders and make the hard decisions and smart investments as well as enact the policies that 

put us on a long-term path to prosperity. We 

cannot let America’s future get bogged down 

by politics. There is too much at stake. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO THREE OLYMPIC 

MEDALISTS KESHIA BAKER, 

NATALIE COUGHLIN AND HEATHER PETRI 

HON. JOHN GARAMENDI OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

to congratulate three local heroes from the 

10th District of California, Keshia Baker, Natalie Coughlin and Heather Petri. At the 2012 

London Olympic Games Keshia won the gold 

medal in the Women’s 4x400m relay, Natalie 

won the Bronze in the Women’s 4x100m freestyle swimming relay and Heather won gold as 

part of the Women’s Water Polo team. These 

three inspiring women having assured places 

on the storied list of Olympians from our district, and have become role models of our 

community. 

Keshia was a first time Olympian in London 

but you wouldn’t know by the way she carried 

herself. Keshia graduated from Fairfield High 

in 2006 whereupon she attended the University of Oregon. In between setting athletic 

records at Oregon, Keisha started her own 

non-profit supporting young disadvantaged 

student athletes as well as graduating with 

Honors in Psychology. 

Natalie is an Olympic veteran and a national 

household name who has performed at an 

amazing level as a member of the US Women’s swimming team since 2004. Winning her 

12th medal at the London games, Natalie has 

tied two others as the most highly decorated 

female Olympians in American history. As a 

lifelong resident of Vallejo and a graduate of 

my alma mater CAL, Natalie is and will continue to be an inspiration within our community. 

Heather, a four-time Olympic veteran, has 

competed at a winning level for the past 12 

years. Due in no small part to her excellent 

leadership and tenacity, the US Women’s 

Water Polo Team earned gold in London. This 

was her fourth Olympic medal. Even at a 

young age Heather was an exceptional athlete; a founding member of her high school 

team, and a highly decorated college athlete 

from CAL, her success has been no surprise 

to our community. 

Olympians are more than just exceptional 

athletes, they are exceptional Americans. 

Their ability to hurdle any obstacle, to apply 

hard work, dedication and perseverance to 

their goals embodies the best of the American 

spirit and the American people; they are role 

models to us all and ambassadors for America 

and we thank them. 

f 

HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL 

BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL 

WORKERS LOCAL 332 

HON. ZOE LOFGREN OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. 

Speaker, I rise with my fellow Congress members ANNA ESHOO and MIKE HONDA to honor 

the 100th Anniversary of the International 

Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 332. 

For over a century, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 332 has 

worked to ensure the safety and well-being of 

its members. 

Established on August 25, 1912, with only 

fourteen members, it has grown today to include 2,700 men and women striving for the 

highest level of excellence in their trade. Their 

concern for safety, and pursuit for high quality 

education, led to the creation of one of the top 

electrical training facilities in the United States. 

In fact, these skilled workers have been instrumental in building Silicon Valley into the 

globally renowned location it is today. Members of the Local 332 have participated in 

nearly every major construction project in 

Santa Clara County in the last 100 years; from 

field-pumps and canneries of the early 20th 

century, to the high tech companies that drive 

Silicon Valley’s economy today. 

Just as these tradesmen helped build our 

homes, schools, hospitals, and civic facilities, 

they also have helped shape our community 

and grow our economy. 

Indeed, Local 332’s members contributions 

extend beyond the workplace to building a 

better community. Its members are active volunteers and generous supporters of numerous 

community and non-profit organizations. 

Their civic work has improved the opportunities and lives of not only their own members, 

but also countless people in Santa Clara 

County. 

Along with myself, Representatives ANNA

ESHOO and MIKE HONDA also wish to congratulate the International Brotherhood of 

Electrical Workers on its 100 year anniversary, 

and commend them for their work on behalf of 

workers’ rights, craftsmanship, and their commitment to community in Silicon Valley. 

f 

IN HONOR OF CLEVELAND CITY 

COUNCILWOMAN PHYLLIS 

CLEVELAND 

HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 

honor of Cleveland City Councilwoman Phyllis 

Cleveland, who has been serving the Ward 5 

community since being elected to the Cleveland City Council in 2005. 

Councilwoman Cleveland has been a longtime resident of the community which she now 

represents, which includes the Central, North 

Broadway and Kinsman Union neighborhoods. 

The Councilwoman has spent her life in public 

and community service, working for the Cleveland Tenants Organization advocating for fair 

and affordable housing for Cuyahoga County 

residents. In 2009, Councilwoman Cleveland 

was chosen by Council President Martin J. 

Sweeney to serve as Majority Leader in the 

City Council. 

Councilwoman Cleveland’s goal for Ward 5 

has always been to build a strong connection 

between residents and the community by 

keeping the neighborhood safe, clean, and affordable. To do this, she has supported programs to clear the city of vacant and abandoned housing, replacing it with new houses 

and businesses. She has continued the community and economic development started by 

Mayor Frank G. Jackson when he was the 

Ward 5 Councilman. 

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me 

in honoring the accomplishments of Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland. 


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