January 15, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E103 

remain deeply disappointed that this idea was 

not embraced by Secretary Paulson. I hope 

that the Obama administration will understand 

the urgency for bipartisan action to address 

this nation’s long-term budget challenges, especially as we deal with the current financial 

crisis, for the sake of our children and grandchildren. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, July 12, 2007. 

Hon. HENRY PAULSON, 

Secretary, Department of the Treasury, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY PAULSON: As you know, 

Senator VOINOVICH and I reintroduced the 

Securing America’s Future Economy (SAFE) 

Commission Act in January. I wanted to follow up with you and share the enclosed letter I wrote to the president asking that the 

administration embrace this idea. 

I think about our children and grandchildren and it is disheartening that critical 

issues are falling by the wayside because 

Congress today is so polarized. I believe that 

a bipartisan commission operating outside 

the halls of Congress that would mandate action is the answer to getting our fiscal house 

in order and diverting financial crisis in this 

country. 

The SAFE Commission bill has 32 cosponsors to date. I am committed to continue 

working with my colleagues to enact this 

legislation on a matter of such importance 

to our nation’s future. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF, 

Member of Congress. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, August 3, 2007. 

Hon. HENRY PAULSON, 

Department of the Treasury, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY PAULSON: I read your recent comments about reaching the statutory 

debt limit as early as October. I have always 

voted for the limit increase but am seriously 

considering voting against it this year because of the lack of leadership by the administration in taking steps to change the country’s current financial path. I truly believe 

that this administration has the ability to 

change our course. 

I am not writing to you today as a Republican or a Democrat, but as a father and 

grandfather. Lawmakers on both sides of the 

aisle understand the enormity of this issue 

and the impact that will be felt for generations to come. It’s disheartening that the 

partisan political divide in Congress is so 

consuming that issues with such high stakes 

continue to languish. 

That’s why I have introduced the Securing 

America’s Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act, which would establish a bipartisan 

commission and put everything—entitlement, tax policy, and other federal spending—on the table for review. 

This administration can offer hope and 

start to remedy our fiscal prognosis, brightening the horizon for our children and their 

children. It is critical that they have all the 

opportunities the Greatest Generation made 

possible for you and me. Our grandchildren 

should set ambitious goals, and believe that 

hard work will be met by opportunity. 

We have a moral obligation to address the 

long-term fiscal challenges ahead. 

I know you are a good person and want 

what is best for America. With your leadership and vision, progress can be made. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF, 

Member of Congress. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, October 22, 2007. 

Hon. HENRY PAULSON, 

Department of the Treasury, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY PAULSON: Just wanted to 

update you on the SAFE Commission legislation since I reintroduced the bill with Jim 

Cooper three weeks ago. 

The measure has gained bipartisan support 

with over 40 cosponsors—split evenly between Democrats and Republicans from 

members of the Republican Study Committee to three of the four Blue Dog Coalition co-chairs I believe that support for this 

measure will continue to grow. 

You may have read that the first baby 

boomer signed up for promised Social Security benefits last week. Our nation’s ‘‘long 

term’’ deficit problem has arrived. 

We should he concerned that last Monday 

the U.S. dollar hit an all-time low in the 

wake of a major housing recession and enormous trade deficits. We should care that the 

value of the dollar has been dropping against 

the Canadian dollar, the Euro and the Japanese yen. 

What will it take for us to address these 

issues? 

The SAFE Commission fits into what this 

administration claims to stand for and will 

ensure sound financial footing for generations to come. I have enclosed information 

on the bill since its reintroduction including 

a list of current cosponsors. 

Please give serious consideration to the 

SAFE Commission Act. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF, 

Member of Congress. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, October 25, 2007. 

Hon. HENRY PAULSON, 

Secretary, Department of the Treasury, 

Washington DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY PAULSON: As meritorious 

as the Administration’s argument is with regard to the $21 billion in discretionary spending it is relatively insignificant compared to 

the massive entitlement spending problem. 

It is like comparing a mouse to an elephant. 

Our SAFE Commission bill represents all 

that the Administration says it cares about, 

including more than 50 bipartisan cosponsors 

(see list). 

Failing to address this issue is like driving 

a car toward the edge of a cliff with no brake 

pedal. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF, 

Member of Congress. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, November 1, 2007. 

Hon. HENRY PAULSON, 

Department of the Treasury, 

Washington DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY PAULSON: I am deeply 

troubled that this Administration is missing 

an opportunity to do something so powerful 

for our children and grandchildren. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF, 

Member of Congress. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, November 14, 2007. 

Hon. HENRY PAULSON, 

Department of the Treasury, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY PAULSON: As a follow up 

to our conversation last week about the 

SAFE Commission. I want you to know that 

Roy Blunt has also signed onto the bill. 

The Cooper-Wolf SAFE Commission has 

over 50 bipartisan cosponsors including Republican leadership in the House (see enclosed). 

We are waiting for the Administration to 

support this effort to rein in entitlement 

spending. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF, 

Member of Congress. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, December 5, 2007. 

Hon. HENRY PAULSON, 

Department of the Treasury, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY PAULSON: Enclosed is a 

letter I recently received from Ben Bernanke 

about our nation’s fiscal imbalance, reiterating. ‘‘. . . if early and meaningful action 

is not taken, the U.S. economy could be seriously weakened, with future generations 

bearing much of the cost.’’ 

Your administration deserves credit for its 

work in the past to address the entitlement 

reform issue. Our parents told us that if at 

first you don’t succeed, try, try again. I am 

asking that the SAFE Commission be that 

second try. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF, 

Member of Congress. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

Washington, DC, January 17, 2008. 

Hon. HENRY PAULSON, 

Department of the Treasury, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR SECRETARY PAULSON: Between July 

19 and December 10, 2007, I wrote to you nine 

different times about the unsustainable financial path our country is on, and the bipartisan SAFE Commission as a potential 

way forward to rein in entitlement spending. 

I have respectfully asked for the administration’s support because of the critical importance of taking action now. 

I am disappointed that the administration 

is missing this opportunity to bring about a 

renaissance in America, giving hope to future generations and ensuring that our children and grandchildren can live in a world 

where hard work will be met by opportunity. 

Best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

FRANK R. WOLF, 

f 

Member of Congress. 

SGI PRESIDENT DAISAKU IKEDA 

HON. HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR. OF GEORGIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, 

Whereas, SGI President Dr. Daisaku Ikeda 

visited Chicago in 1960, witnessed the discriminatory mistreatment of an African-American boy in Lincoln Park, and made a vow in 

his heart, ‘‘I promise you that I will build a society truly worthy of your love and pride!’’; and 

Whereas, this year marks 49 years of Dr. 

Ikeda’s dedication to the peace and happiness 

of all humanity through peace, culture and 

education; and pledge to construct a peaceful 

world where individuals from all walks of life 

feel safe and secure while developing their 

fullest potential for the sake of their families 

and the greater good of society; and 

Whereas, on January 19th we honor and 

celebrate a noble and heroic life of Martin Luther King Jr., whose legacy was to secure not 


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E104 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 15, 2009 

only civil rights but human moral rights for all 

people as expressed in his own words, ‘‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’’ 

Whereas, 40 years after the passing of Dr. 

King, we witness on this day the inauguration 

of Barack Hussein Obama as 44th President 

of the United States, filled with confidence in 

the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the 

prayers and efforts of countless ordinary heroes who believed that this day would one day 

be possible, expressed in President Obama’s 

words, ‘‘This is your victory!’’ 

Whereas, in my capacity as a member of 

the United States Congress, I would like to acknowledge these behind the scenes efforts of 

one such extra-ordinary hero by recognizing, 

SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, as an Emissary 

of Peace and Justice. 

f 

HONORING SPECIAL AGENT 

BENJAMIN KRAMER 

HON. DAVID E. PRICE 

OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam 

Speaker, the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee will soon bid farewell to 

our Congressional Fellow, Benjamin Kramer, 

as he begins his next assignment as Special 

Agent for the U.S. Secret Service. Special 

Agent Kramer has proven himself to be an energetic and thoughtful contributor to the work 

of this Subcommittee, bringing with him the 

experience he has gained with the Secret 

Service and before that as a criminal investigator with the D.C. Inspector General. 

Working as a member of my subcommittee 

staff, Ben helped the Subcommittee navigate 

what was often a frenetic path as we crafted 

our 2009 appropriations bill, and assisted in 

our work in overseeing the agencies and programs under our jurisdiction. In particular, Ben 

had lead staff responsibility for oversight of the 

Department of Homeland Security’s Office of 

Inspector General. 

Ben’s unqualified professionalism, great 

sense of humor and cool head have helped 

our Subcommittee and the Congress address 

a wide range of policy and budgetary challenges. During his time with the Subcommittee, Ben researched issues for various 

programs, coordinated committee travel, and 

compiled materials on amendments. Ben also 

assisted in managing the database of requests 

to the Committee from Members of Congress, 

and in preparing for hearings and briefings. I 

am grateful for his hard work. 

Special Agent Kramer has served me, this 

Subcommittee, and the House well. While we 

are sorry to see him leave, each of us on the 

Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee wishes Ben all the best as he resumes his Secret Service career, and expect 

to continue to see great things from him. 

CONGRATULATING THE PINK 

HEALS TOUR FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND FOUNDER 

DAVID GRAYBILL 

HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL OF ARIZONA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to recognize the Pink Heals Tour, which 

covered over 10,000 miles in 2008, to support 

the fight against breast cancer. 

Breast cancer occurs in one out of every 

eight women in our country, and this crosscountry tour in a decorated pink fire truck 

aimed to increase awareness of this disease 

and to raise funding for cancer research. In 

particular, this journey reached out to typically 

male-dominated organizations, such as police 

and fire departments, to encourage them to 

wear pink clothing in support of this cause. A 

second tour is scheduled to begin in the fall of 

2009. The upcoming Pink Heals Tour will 

cross the United States in three pink fire 

trucks throughout September and October. 

I am particularly proud, Madam Speaker, to 

recognize David Graybill, who founded the 

Pink Heals Tour to inspire citizens and community leaders to join in local breast cancer 

fundraising organizations and events. When I 

taught high school back home in Arizona, 

David was one of my students. So far, his efforts have had an enormous impact on his 

community and on millions of people across 

21 states and 40 different cities. 

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 

join me in recognizing the Pink Heals Tour 

and its founder, David Graybill, for their selfless work to raise awareness and support the 

fight against breast cancer. 

f 

HONORING THE FIRST PARISH 

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST 

CHURCH OF SCITUATE, MA 

HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT OF MASSACHUSETTS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today so that my colleagues in the House of 

Representatives can join me in recognizing 

the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church 

of Scituate, MA on its 375th Anniversary. 

The rich spiritual tradition of the First Parish 

Church dates all the way back to seventeenthcentury London, when the Puritan separatist, 

the Rev. Henry Jacob, joined with others to 

establish the first non-Anglican church in England. In 1624, Jacob was succeeded by the 

Rev. John Lothrop, who led a small congregation in worshiping secretly in taverns, homes 

and fields. When the Bishop of London 

learned of their activities, Rev. Lothrop and his 

followers were arrested and imprisoned in the 

notorious jail, the Clink. 

Upon his release two years later in 1634, 

Rev. Lothrop and a number of his congregation left England bound for Boston, thirsting for 

the freedom to worship that the New World 

promised. On January 8, 1634, Lothrop came 

together with 11 other men and women to officially form the First Church of Scituate. Rev. 

Lothrop’s distinguished lineage has included 

U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court justices, diplomats and prominent businessmen and 

women. 

It is fitting that the anniversary of the 

Church’s founding falls so close to the day we 

honor Martin Luther King, Jr., the greatest 

champion of civil rights and equality our Nation has known. Under strong ministerial and 

lay leadership, the Church has maintained a 

steadfast commitment to worship, provided 

spiritual guidance to parishioners, and sounded a clarion call for justice and human dignity. 

In colonial times, the Church’s ministers and 

laity fought for religious tolerance on behalf of 

Quakers and Baptists. They spoke out against 

the shackles of slavery, and provided care for 

Union soldiers during the Civil War. During the 

19th century, Church leaders advocated vociferously for the economic rights of workers. As 

an integral part of our community and the 

global public square, the First Parish Church 

of Scituate has left an indelible mark for generations to come. 

On this momentous occasion, I congratulate 

the Church’s current leader, Rev. Richard M. 

Stower, and its entire congregation. I wish 

them all the best for continued success in the 

years ahead. 

f 

EGMONT KEY CELEBRATING 150 

YEARS OF ‘‘LIGHTING THE WAY’’ 

INTO TAMPA BAY 

HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, the 

Tampa Bay community I represent celebrated 

the 150th anniversary of one of the key aids 

to navigation on all of Florida’s west coast last 

November, the Egmont Key Lighthouse. 

The Lighthouse has a rich history and includes being destroyed once by a major hurricane, being rebuilt and staffed by a long list of 

dedicated keepers, being at the center of civil 

war intrigue, and now being home to a national wildlife refuge. Throughout its storied 

history it has stood tall as the only lighthouse 

between Key West and the Florida Panhandle 

and marks the entrance to Tampa Bay, one of 

our Nation’s busiest waterways. 

Because its history is so interesting Madam 

Speaker, I will include, following my remarks a 

column from the Tampa Bay Soundings newspaper by Captain Richard Johnson, the past 

President of the Egmont Key Alliance. He and 

the members of the alliance have not only 

worked hard to share the history of Egmont 

Key and the Lighthouse, but also to preserve 

structures on the island. Also I will include with 

my remarks further information about the legacy of Egmont Key from the Web site 

LighthouseFriends.com. 

Madam Speaker, we continue to protect 

Egmont Key and the lighthouse, which was 

added to the Register of National Historic 

Places in 1978, by providing Federal funds to 

renourish the shoreline surrounding the island 

and by studying a way to provide a long-term 

solution to protect the island’s original buildings. 

In the meantime, the Egmont Key Lighthouse will continue its mission to ensure the 

safe navigation along the Gulf of Mexico and 


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