September 21, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1609 

corruption, as well as political, economic and 

judicial reforms, and encourage Georgia to 

continue this modernization process regardless of the election results. 

I encourage my colleagues to support H. 

Res. 526 in order to strengthen U.S. engagement with the Republic of Georgia by helping 

Georgia to enhance its security and restore its 

territorial integrity through peaceful means, 

and supporting the Government of Georgia’s 

commitment to a policy of peaceful and constructive engagement with the authorities in 

control of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 

f 

STOP THE WAR ON COAL ACT 

PRESS CONFERENCE 

HON. FRED UPTON OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, ‘‘When the work 

underground stops, everything above pays the 

price.’’ 

That solemn observation was made by a TV 

reporter one week ago in Boone County, West 

Virginia. 

News was breaking that two local coal 

mines were soon going to be laying off workers—one preparing to layoff 116 miners in a 

matter of weeks. 

On Tuesday this week, we learned of Alpha 

Natural Resources will be closing 8 mines and 

laying off 1200 workers. 

I met with the Alpha CEO shortly after the 

announcement, and he lamented the administration’s regulatory assault on coal. 

Sadly, the list of layoffs goes on because of 

the administration’s ‘‘all of the above, but nothing from below’’ energy policy. 

Coal is the cornerstone of our economy— 

estimates suggest that every mining job creates an additional 3.5 jobs. 

We are electricity independent—and we 

want to stay that way. 

Coal is Abundant. Coal is Affordable. Coal 

is Reliable. Coal is Jobs. 

Today, the House will stand up for jobs, 

families, and affordable energy. 

We must Stop the War on Coal. 

f 

COMMEMORATING TAIWAN’S 

COMMITMENT TO PEACE 

HON. DAVID RIVERA OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. RIVERA. Mr. Speaker, as a member of 

the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I rise 

today to draw attention to the increasing conflict in the East China Sea and to reiterate the 

necessity to remain involved in the region 

given the growing security threats and challenges to U.S. interests. 

In light of the latest controversies in the 

East China Sea and the Diaoyutai Islands, 

President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of 

China (Taiwan) proposed the East China Sea 

Peace Initiative in August 2012, which calls on 

the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and 

Taiwan to resolve the Diaoyutai dispute 

peacefully. 

With respect to the Diaoyutai issue, the government of Taiwan has consistently affirmed 

its position of ‘‘safeguarding sovereignty, 

shelving disputes, pursuing peace and reciprocity, and promoting joint exploration and 

development.’’ 

The Diaoyutai Islands are located in the 

East China Sea, which is an important air and 

sea transportation hub in the western Pacific, 

and therefore have clear significance for security and peace in the Asia-Pacific region. 

In order to foster regional peace and stability, economic prosperity and the sustainable 

development of the marine environment, as 

well as to seek out a path to coexistence and 

mutual prosperity, the government of Taiwan 

proposes the East China Sea Peace Initiative 

and calls on all parties concerned to: 

1. Refrain from taking any antagonistic actions; 

2. Shelve controversies and not abandon 

dialogue; 

3. Observe international law and resolve 

disputes through peaceful means; 

4. Seek consensus on a code of conduct in 

the East China Sea; 

5. Establish a mechanism for cooperation 

on exploring and developing resources in the 

East China Sea. 

I believe we must stand with Taiwan, an ally 

that shares our values of freedom and democracy. I commend the peace initiative proposed 

by President Ma and recognize Taiwan government’s efforts in promoting peace and stability in East Asia. 

f 

IN HONOR OF MICHAEL LEONE 

HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH OF MASSACHUSETTS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

recognize and pay tribute to Michael (Mike) 

Leone upon his retirement after nineteen 

years as the Port Director of Boston at the 

Massachusetts Port Authority. As Director of 

the Port of Boston, Mike oversaw the operation and management of the public marine 

facilities in the Port of Boston, including 

Conley Container Terminal, Black Falcon 

Cruise Terminal, Boston Fish Pier, Boston 

Autoport, Foreign Trade Zones, and other supporting maritime infrastructure. 

In addition, Mike lead the way in implementing business and marketing strategies 

that directly lead to the increase in the volume 

of cargo and passengers moving over all marine terminals, which generates an annual 

economic benefit of $2.5 billion dollars and accounts for over 34,000 jobs. While managing 

an organization of 120 employees and over 

200 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association, Mike also directed the operations, maintenance, and security at 

Massport’s commercial properties including 

nearly 30 acres of public parks, numerous 

roads, hotels, office buildings, apartments, and 

marinas. 

Mr. Speaker, Mike Leone has also played 

an important role in the development and operation of Massport properties in and around 

the South Boston waterfront as that area 

evolves into a waterfront destination. As Director, Mike was instrumental in turning Boston 

into a major hub for cruise ship traffic, in part 

by expanding and modernizing the Black Falcon terminal. In 1998 approximately 106,000 

passengers came through the Black Falcon 

terminal; today, the number of passengers is 

on track to set a new record of roughly 

350,000 this year. 

During the course of his time at Massport, 

Mike was a leader of the American Association of Port Authority (AAPA). AAPA is the 

principal advocate of 160 public port authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Mike first served as 

Chairman of the Board for the AAPA in 2003 

and was elected again as Chairman of the 

Board in 2009, becoming the first person in 

the Association’s 97 year history to serve for 

a second term. 

Mr. Speaker, Mike Leone also proudly 

served in the United States Coast Guard, 

leading a team of attorneys that provided legal 

advice and counsel to all Coast Guard commands in New England, New York, and New 

Jersey. Ultimately, Mike was appointed as the 

deputy regional counsel for the Coast Guard’s 

Great Lakes operations and also served as 

Chief Operating Officer for all Coast Guard activities in the Port of New York, Hudson River, 

and Lake Champlain. 

Mr. Leone is a graduate of The National 

Law Center at George Washington University, 

where he received his Juris Doctor with Honors. He attended the United States Coast 

Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, 

graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management with Honors. 

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents 

and a grateful maritime association, I ask all 

my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of a true public 

servant who selflessly dedicated his life to the 

service of our country and equally important 

as a key figure in maritime security and operations. 

I cannot thank him enough for everything he 

has done to protect our Nation’s waterways 

and the millions of Americans who live, work, 

and visit them every day. This Congress and 

our Nation owe Mike a debt of gratitude for his 

commitment to maritime security and his leadership at the Massachusetts Port Authority. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. JIM GERLACH OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, on September 

14, 2012, I unfortunately missed one recorded 

vote on the House floor. Had I been present, 

I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall 582. 

f 

PRESIDENT PETER J. FOS 

HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND OF LOUISIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

to honor the continued achievements of President Peter J. Fos, a native of my hometown 

of New Orleans, Louisiana. Today, I wish to 

congratulate President Fos on his appointment 

as the sixth leader and the first President in 

the history of the University of New Orleans in 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS