E2218 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 3, 2008 

million for fiscal year 2009 specifically for the 

development and implementation of new technologies. The Federal share of the grant may 

not exceed 50 percent and amounts appropriated under this authorization shall remain 

available until expended. 

B. MY PAST AMENDMENTS ON ELDER JUSTICE BILLS

In similar elder legislation, namely the Elder 

Justice Act and the Elder Abuse Victims Act, 

I co-sponsored amendments with Ms. MAXINE

WATERS of California to provide funding to 

State, local, and non-profit programs to locate 

missing elderly. Specifically, my amendment 

would allow a voluntary electronic monitoring 

pilot program to assist with the elderly when 

they are reported missing. In these particular 

bills, my amendment would allow the Attorney 

General, in consultation with the Secretary of 

Health and Human Services, to issue grants to 

States and local government to carry out pilot 

programs to provide voluntary electronic monitoring services to elderly individuals to assist 

in the location of such individuals when they 

are reported missing. 

C. ELDER LEGISLATION IS IMPORTANT

Elder legislation such as the legislation before us today and the prior elder bills that I 

mentioned are important. As elder Americans 

enter their twilight years, we must do more to 

protect and ensure their safety. Nothing reminds me more of the necessity of this kind of 

legislation than my very own experiences in 

Houston, Texas. A few years ago, the family 

of Sam Kirk, a native of Houston, Texas, 

called me to help look for him. Mr. Kirk was 

elderly and suffered from dementia. He had 

wandered off and could not be located for several days. His family looked for him for many 

days but could not find him. In an act of desperation, they called on me to lend my services to help them find him. I helped his family 

look for him and we found him. When we 

found Mr. Kirk, he was dehydrated and in 

need of medical attention. We searched for 

hours and days to find him. It was worth the 

time and effort we spent to find him alive and 

well. Legislation that helps America find and 

take care of its lost and missing elders is extremely important. 

SAMMY KIRK AMENDMENT

I fought hard to get an amendment to this 

bill, H.R. 6064, the National Silver Alert. The 

amendment would authorize a voluntary electronic monitoring program to be used to assist 

in the location of elderly persons. Specifically, 

the amendment requires the Attorney General, 

after consultation with the Secretary of Health 

and Human Services, to award grants to 

States and units of local government to carry 

out programs to provide for voluntary electronic monitoring services to elderly individuals 

to assist in the location of such individuals in 

the event that such persons are reported 

missing. It is authorized for $2 million for each 

of the fiscal years 2009 through 2014. The 

amendment is named after Mr. Sammy Kirk, a 

former constituent of the 18th Congressional 

District who suffered from Alzheimers and was 

lost. I, along with his family, searched for him 

for 3 days only to find him dead near the 

bayou. The Sam Kirk amendment ensures that 

other senior Alzheimer patients do not suffer 

the same fate as Mr. Kirk. 

I believe that my amendment and these bills 

help elderly people. I urge my colleagues to 

support this bill. 

HONORING THE GRAND OPENING 

OF THE CEDAR HILL GOVERNMENT CENTER 

HON. KENNY MARCHANT OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, October 3, 2008 

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to commemorate the grand opening of 

the Cedar Hill Government Center in Cedar 

Hill, Texas. The grand opening for this new facility was held on Tuesday, September 30, 

2008. 

A community known for its beautiful natural 

landscape and rolling hills, Cedar Hill is now 

home to one of the most innovative and efficient government centers in the country. 

Cedar Hill has always been a community committed to providing the best for its citizens, and 

the new Government Center is yet another example of that commitment. 

The center houses the City of Cedar Hill 

and the Cedar Hill Independent School District. Built with native Texas materials such as 

limestone, clay tile and mesquite wood flooring, the centralized facility represents the spirit 

of Cedar Hill and the great state of Texas. 

A model of forward thinking leadership and 

architecture, this collaborative facility uses 

23,000 square feet out of 115,887 square feet 

specifically for shared-use space and public 

gatherings. Local residents benefit from the 

centralized facility’s easy access, convenience, and efficiency. The partnering use of facilities not only benefits the community in the 

long-run, but it also saved taxpayers considerable construction costs. 

City and School District officials selected the 

architecture firms of Holzman Moss and 

Wiginton Hooker Jeffry and Hunt Construction 

provided construction oversight. The architects 

were able to maximize the distinctive character of Cedar Hill, preserving many native 

trees, utilizing the beautiful surroundings, and 

preparing for future walking trails so visitors 

can fully enjoy the natural habitat even further. 

Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that 

I congratulate Mayor Rob Franke, City Council 

members, President of CHISD Dan Hernandez, school board members, and the residents of Cedar Hill on the opening of this facility. The Government Center stands a true 

symbol of the fabric of this great community. 

I look forward to seeing the positive impact 

this center will have on the community and I 

am extremely proud to represent Cedar Hill in 

the 24th District of Texas. 

f 

IN HONOR OF STAFF SERGEANT 

ANTHONY L. MASON, TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD 

HON. KAY GRANGER OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, October 3, 2008 

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to honor the courage of a brave and 

dedicated hero of the state of Texas and of 

our Nation. 

Staff Sergeant Anthony L. Mason, known as 

Luke to his family and friends, was a soldier 

in the Texas National Guard and a true American hero. Luke gallantly and selflessly gave 

his life in the service of his country on September 18, 2008, when his helicopter went 

down near Tallil, Iraq. 

It was his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Assigned to 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 

36th Combat Aviation Brigade as a helicopter 

engineer, Luke did his part during a time of 

war, a fact that speaks volumes about his 

character and patriotism. 

As a Staff Sergeant, he was a leader and 

mentor to the younger members of his unit. 

His fellow soldiers admired him for his professionalism, technical knowledge, and his approachable character. 

During his civilian life, Luke was a friend to 

many. His positive influence is evidenced by 

his community’s response to his death and the 

support they have readily offered to his family. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sergeant Mason’s wife, his four daughters, his 

parents, and all of his family and friends. His 

community and Nation honor his memory and 

we are grateful for his faithful and distinguished service to America. 

Staff Sergeant Mason will not be forgotten. 

His memory lives on through his family and 

the legacy of selfless service that he so bravely imprinted on our hearts. 

f 

EARMARK DECLARATION 

HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, October 3, 2008 

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, 

I submit the following: 

Requesting Member: Rep. CHRISTOPHER H. 

SMITH. 

Bill Number: H.R. 2638. 

Account: Research, Development, Test and 

Evaluation, Army Account. 

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: 

MILSPRAY Camouflage Technologies. 

Address of Requesting Entity: 1985 

Swarthmore Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701. 

Description of Request: The Force Implementation Phase of this project is the final 

phase of ‘‘Project Kryptolite—Field Deployable 

Multifunctional Stealth Coating.’’ During Phase 

II, a complete turnkey ‘‘armor enhancement’’ 

application system will be forward deployed to 

Iraq or other ARL-designated theater of operation. The completely integrated stealth coating system will be applied, in theater, to 

MRAP, Stryker, and other armored vehicles at 

the direction of Army and Marine Corps commanders. The Stealth Coating System addresses both infrared and thermal signature 

reduction as well as blast mitigation. 

This system can act as an ‘‘armor enhancement’’ material and be applied over existing 

MRAP, and similar tactical vehicle, armor systems. 

This armor enhancement approach would 

increase the level of blast resistance and substantially improve survivability. The use of this 

armor enhancement system will substantially 

reduce injuries and deaths resulting from 

IEDs, EFPs, and blast fragments. The material, and complete field deployable application 

system, will be forward deployed. MRAPs, 

Strykers, and other tactical vehicles will have 

the Kryptolite Armor Enhancement applied to 

them. 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS