E44 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 8, 2009 

launched the Heritage Foundation and Free 

Congress Foundation and played a key role 

in mobilizing cultural conservatives into political battle was someone who left postwar 

conservatism and the world a different place 

than it was before he came on the political 

scene. In short, he was a man of consequence. 

Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Weyrich had a 

passion for politics almost since childhood. 

Active in Young Republicans at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), the young 

Weyrich quit college to become a political 

reporter for the Milwaukee Sentinel and 

later became a television reporter in Kenosha, Wisconsin and then in Denver, Colorado. 

In 1967, Weyrich came to Washington as 

press secretary to conservative Sen. Gordon 

Allot (R.–Col.). At one point, Weyrich later 

recalled to me, he had received an invitation 

by mistake to a luncheon of liberal staffers 

on Capitol Hill Weyrich attended anyway 

and, in his words, ‘‘I saw all the liberal 

groups and staffers going through issues, giving assignments to people, and agreeing to 

meet again. Conservatives needed to be 

doing the same thing and I decided to do 

something about it.’’ 

Beginning with staffers from conservative 

House and Senate offices, and later with 

leaders of national right-of-center groups, 

Weyrich began regular lunches and meetings 

that are today a staple of the modern conservative movement. With the financial support of Colorado beer baron Joseph Coors, 

Weyrich and fellow Hill staffer Ed Feulner 

launched the Heritage Foundation in 1973. A 

counterforce to the liberal Brookings Institute, Heritage would grow into one of the 

most respected ‘‘think tanks’’ and provide 

the intellectual firepower in the Reagan Administration in 1980 and to Congress after 

Republicans won control of both Houses in 

1994. 

In the 1970s, Weyrich helped launch the 

Committee for the Survival of a Free Congress (which later became the Free Congress 

Foundation) and the Moral Majority. Both 

groups were pivotal in mobilizing religious 

conservatives into political activity for candidates and, in 1978, played critical roles in 

the elections of such conservative titans as 

Sens. Bill Armstrong (R.–Col.) and Gordon 

Humphrey (R.–NH) and Reps. Newt Gingrich 

(R.–GA) and Dan Lungren (R.–CA). 

Quoting Napoleon’s celebrated question 

‘‘How many legions does the Pope have?’’ 

Weyrich once told me, ‘‘Believing Christians 

now have many legions—and they’re voting.’’ (Raised a Roman Catholic, Weyrich 

himself became angry when a priest attacked something his then-boss Allott was 

supporting in the Senate; he thereupon 

joined the Eastern Rite Orthodox Church and 

later became a deacon.) 

Weyrich attempted to bring change and 

fresh activity to every aspect of politics. As 

more and more countries became democratic 

and elected their leaders, Weyrich became 

president of the Krieble Institute from 1989– 

96 and trained political activists in Eastern 

Europe and the former Soviet Union. (At one 

point, he and fellow Krieble trainer Gary 

Hoffmeister performed a vaudeville skit to 

demonstrate campaigning to budding Russian politicians.) The former TV newsman 

founded the satellite television station National Empowerment Television and later 

hosted a talk show on satellite radio. 

Occasionally, Weyrich critics on both the 

right and left would bring up his penchant 

for abrupt replies and gruffness. His response 

to me was ‘‘I never wanted everyone to like 

me—just enough people so we can get political change.’’ 

In September of this year, more than 400 

friends, Members of Congress and other political leaders packed the Four Seasons 

Hotel to pay tribute to the activist, who had 

been in failing health from a spinal injury in 

’01. In thanking his friends, Weyrich recalled 

how, in spite of his health problems, life had 

been good to him: an only child, he had had 

a strong marriage to wife Joyce that produced five children; interested in the U.S. 

Senate all his life, he got to work there; a 

lover of trains, he served on the national 

board of Amtrak and the Amtrak Reform 

Council; a lifelong conservative, he played a 

major role in shaping its modern form. 

And, even when we disagreed or he took 

issue with Human Events, Weyrich was a 

faithful reader who would frequently cite 

columns in our publication. I already miss 

Paul Weyrich very much. We all will in the 

future. 

f 

INTRODUCTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY ACT 

OF 2009 

HON. STEVE BUYER OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, today, my 

distinguished colleague Mr. MICHAUD and I, 

along with several of our other colleagues, are 

introducing the bipartisan Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, Energy Sustainability Act of 

2009. This legislation would establish strategic 

and long-term plans for energy sustainability 

and conservation within the VA. 

Addressing our Nation’s energy problem 

calls for Congress to adopt a multi-faceted approach to include the use of alternative fuels, 

restructuring building systems, and encouraging the use of energy efficient systems and 

vehicles. Our bill would require a report on the 

installation of alternative fuel stations at VA facilities, as funded in P.L. 110–329, and require 

a feasibility study regarding the installation of 

energy efficient and renewable energy systems in Department buildings. Such systems 

include solar technologies, energy efficient 

roof and building envelope systems, wind 

technology, and wood-based bio-fuels. 

As our country adapts to the increased global demand for energy resources, it is imperative that we effectively implement wise consumption policies and take real steps to mitigate the impact of increased costs. This bill 

would create a VA Office of Energy Management, and an Energy Advisory Committee 

consisting of VA officials and private sector 

experts on energy management. The Office of 

Energy Management, with the advice and recommendations of the Energy Advisory Committee and national laboratories such as those 

at Lawrence Livermore and Oak Ridge, would 

be responsible for helping VA meet a number 

of specific energy sustainability goals. This includes compliance with Presidential Order 

13423, VA Directive 0055, and the long term 

sustainable energy plans in this legislation. 

The office would also establish a database to 

track VA’s energy and water consumption. 

In an effort to assist our Nation’s veterans in 

their individual efforts to become more energy 

efficient, our bill would provide an additional 

amount of up to $10,000 for high efficiency 

systems for veterans who qualify for specially 

adaptive housing grants under section 

2101(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code. Additionally, it would provide veterans who qualify for a specially adapted auto grant, under 

section 3902(a) of title 38, United States 

Code, the additional amount necessary to purchase alternative fuel vehicles. 

Finally, VA would be authorized to conduct 

a pilot program for the sale of air pollution 

emission reduction incentives, also known as 

emission reduction credits, and VA would be 

authorized to retain proceeds from the sales. 

America’s veterans should benefit from the 

VA’s efforts to produce cleaner energy. 

Madam Speaker, as the cost of fossil fuels 

rises and resources become scarcer, our nation must provide services for our veterans in 

an energy efficient manner. A sustainable energy program at VA will conserve energy and 

financial resources that can be used to provide care for our veterans. I encourage my 

colleagues to support the bipartisan Department of Veterans Affairs Energy Sustainability 

Act of 2009. 

f 

INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION 

HONORING ‘‘GO FOR BROKE’’ 

REGIMENTS WITH CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL 

HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

to introduce legislation recognizing the Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion and 

442nd Regimental Combat Team, commonly 

known as the ‘‘Go For Broke’’ regiments, for 

their dedicated service to our Nation during 

World War II. 

These brave men served with pride, courage and conviction, waging a war on two 

fronts—abroad against a forceful and oppressive fascism, and at home against the intolerance of racial injustice. After the bombing of 

Pearl Harbor incited doubts about the loyalty 

of Japanese-Americans, these brave men who 

enlisted to fight to protect our Nation were 

faced with segregated training conditions, families and friends relocated to internment 

camps, and repeated questions about their 

combat abilities. At a time when they could 

have easily turned their backs on a country 

which had seemingly turned its back on them, 

these men chose the nobler, bolder, and more 

difficult route. 

The ‘‘Go For Broke’’ regiments went on to 

earn several awards for their distinctive service in combat, including: 7 Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished 

Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 4,000 

Bronze Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 

Soldier’s Medals, and over 4,000 Purple 

Hearts, among numerous additional distinctions. For their size and length of service, the 

100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team were the most decorated U.S. military units of the war. However, 

these regiments have yet to be honored with 

a Congressional Gold Medal. 

To answer the call of duty requires exceptional courage and sacrifice, but to respond 

with a vigor and persistence unaffected by 

those who sought to malign and impede their 

every achievement reveals an incredible spirit 

and admirable will. Please join me in honoring 

these courageous men by supporting the 

granting of a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the U.S. Army’s 100th Infantry 


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January 8, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E45 

Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat 

Team. 

f 

INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL 

HURRICANE RESEARCH INITIATIVE ACT OF 2009 

HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, 

I rise today with my colleague and good friend 

from Florida, Representative ROS-LEHTINEN, 

and almost 20 bipartisan original cosponsors 

to introduce a very significant piece of legislation, the National Hurricane Research Initiative 

Act of 2009. 

This legislation is largely based on the recommendations presented in a 2007 National 

Science Foundation, NSF, report, Hurricane 

Warning: The Critical Need for a National Hurricane Research Initiative. 

The report delivered a stern warning: ‘‘Relative to the tremendous damage future hurricanes will inflict, the current federal investment 

in hurricane science and engineering is entirely insufficient.’’ 

The state of science today is not advanced 

enough to inform us reliably about when or 

where hurricanes are going to strike or what 

their precise impact on our communities will 

be. 

Since 2001, hurricane damage has cost our 

Nation almost $36 billion in economic losses 

per year. In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita 

and Wilma accounted for over $160 billion in 

total damages and the loss of almost 1,500 innocent lives. Further, the impact from inland 

flooding and tornadoes, which can result from 

the onset of hurricanes and tropical storms, 

can be felt throughout the entire United 

States. 

Currently, 50 percent of the U.S. population 

lives within 50 miles of the coastline. As populations and economies continue to expand in 

these high risk coastline areas, the economic 

and societal costs will only increase when future hurricanes strike our Nation. 

Our Government can ill afford to ignore the 

advice of its premier scientists and put our 

populations and infrastructure at risk. We need 

to nationally invest in new research to better 

prepare, respond and mitigate these disasters. 

This comprehensive hurricane research bill 

will improve hurricane research dramatically in 

the United States. The bill authorizes $2.35 

billion in critical hurricane research funding to 

help scientists study and better understand 

how hurricanes form and intensify, as well as 

enhance early warning systems, infrastructure 

durability standards, and hurricane tracking 

and prediction capabilities. 

The entire Nation would deeply benefit from 

enhanced, coordinated hurricane research. 

Better intensity forecasting, long-range projections of hurricane activity, emergency management, and hurricane mitigation would be advantageous to everyone—from improving the 

ability of local communities to respond to hurricanes to reducing the Federal Government’s 

share in recovery efforts by billions of dollars. 

Madam Speaker, our Nation and my State 

of Florida in particular are all too familiar with 

the immense damage hurricanes can inflict. It 

is imperative that we take significant actions to 

increase Federal investment in new research 

to better prepare for, respond to, and mitigate 

the devastating impacts of hurricanes. Let us 

resolve to act promptly to address ways to 

prevent and respond to future hurricanes before the next hurricane strikes. 

I ask for my colleagues’ support and urge 

the House leadership to bring this legislation 

to the floor for its swift consideration. There is 

no time for further delay. 

f 

LESLIE POHLEY HONORED AS 

FLORIDA’S OUTSTANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER 

OF THE YEAR 

HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, I 

rise to pay tribute to Leslie Pohley, a teacher 

I represent at Largo Middle School, who has 

been named Florida’s Outstanding Middle 

School Science Teacher of the Year. 

Ms. Pohley was honored by her peers at the 

Florida Association of Science Teachers. Her 

principal Fred Ulrich told The St. Petersburg 

Times, ‘‘She is the science teacher every principal would love to have on staff. She cares 

about her students.’’ 

A teacher at Largo Middle School for 30 

years, Ms. Pohley grew up in Pinellas County, 

Florida where she now teaches. She graduated from Clearwater High School in 1973 

and holds two bachelor’s degrees from the 

University of South Florida. One degree is in 

science education and the other in biology. 

Previous honors for Ms. Pohley include 

being named the 2003 Air Force Association 

Science Teacher of the Year, the 2004 recipient of the Southwest Florida Water Management District Outstanding Leadership in Environmental Education Award, and being selected for a National Science Foundation fellowship program at the University of Georgia. 

Madam Speaker, at a time when the education of our children is a top national priority, 

especially in the fields of math and science, I 

salute Leslie Pohley for her lifelong dedication 

to teaching. Throughout the past 30 years, 

teaching from the same classroom at Largo 

Middle School, she has touched the lives of 

thousands of students and impressed upon 

them the value and importance of the 

sciences. 

f 

HONORING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHARING THE 

DREAM CELEBRATION IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS 

HON. JOE BARTON OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. BARTON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I 

rise today to recognize and honor the ‘‘Sharing Dr. King’s Dream Celebration’’ in Arlington, 

Texas, which marks its 20th Anniversary this 

year. 

It is one of the longest Dr. Martin Luther 

King, Jr. Day Celebrations in the country, with 

citywide events taking place over four days 

starting January 16th 

The city’s first MLK, Jr., celebration was 

held back in 1989. The organizing committee 

included groups from all over the community, 

including the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, City of Arlington, Arlington Independent 

School District, Arlington Ministerial Association, Black Citizen’s Advisory Council, U.S. 

Postal Service, Marion Anderson Society, Fort 

Worth Star Telegram, The University of Texas 

at Arlington and Tarrant County College— 

South East campus. 

That first event attracted nearly 1,000 participants. Over the years ‘‘Sharing the Dream’’ 

has continued to grow and it now includes diversity training, sensitivity workshops, banquets, festivals and other multicultural events. 

This celebration truly embodies what Dr. 

King’s vision was all about and that is a reflection of all communities coming together. 

And Arlington’s MLK, Jr. Celebration committee continues to expand the event. Each 

year, in cooperation with the United States 

Postal Service, they produce an official cachet 

envelope and a special pictorial cancellation 

postmark to commemorate the citywide celebration. These special envelopes and postmarks have become favorites of collectors all 

over the nation. 

The theme for this year’s cachet envelope 

and postmark is ‘‘20th Anniversary—Sharing 

the Dream’’. 

The design is always chosen from student 

submissions to various art or essay contests 

organized by the Arlington Independent 

School District. The celebration also recognizes special individuals who have taken the 

time to make a difference within their respective communities in the areas of Education, 

Community Service and Government. 

This is a unique and very special celebration that each year honors the contribution’s of 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and on its 20th Anniversary, I am proud to recognize the individuals and organizations that have helped make 

this event possible over the years and all of 

the people who have shared Dr. King’s dream 

by attending. 

f 

INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 294 THE 

VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS PROMOTION ACT OF 2009 

HON. STEVE BUYER OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, today I am 

introducing the Veteran Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2009. As this body ponders legislation to stimulate the economy and 

create new jobs, I believe the best economic 

stimulus we can offer is to empower those 

who have defended America, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs should play a major 

role in that effort. 

This legislation includes our nation’s veterans in our economic recovery by promoting 

veteran-owned small businesses. Those who 

have done so much to protect the American 

economy deserve every opportunity to start 

and grow a viable business. This bill would 

renew VA’s authority to guarantee small business loans up to $500,000 for small businesses owned and operated by veterans. VA 

would be authorized up to $1 billion in loan 

guarantees for each fiscal year. The previous 


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