E 1012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 11, 1995

rigors of an untamed wilderness. Later, our

inexperienced forefathers fought the superior

military and economic might of Great Britain to claim their freedom from oppression.

In the nineteenth century, America was literally torn apart by Civil War yet a people

was freed from slavery. Pioneers of that day

endured tragic hardships in settling the

West, yet prevailed and helped this country

grow to its present dimensions. In this century, Americans have faced World War I and

the devastation of the Great Depression, followed almost immediately after by the exhausting conflicts of the second World War.

America’s foundation was created and

strengthened through overcoming all of

these trials.

My vision for America calls for renewal of

the ideals and faith in this country that

made our forefathers victorious and America

great. It was their commitment to these beliefs that gave them the determination to

sacrifice and surmount tremendous obstacles. We as Americans must uphold and heritage of freedom. We must reaffirm respect

for the dignity of the individual and respect

for our laws and those who work to carry

them out. We must acknowledge a higher

power and adhere to the principles of honesty, hard work, cooperation with others and

loyalty to our country.

As President John F. Kennedy declared,

‘‘No nation can remain free unless its people

cherish their freedoms, understand the responsibilities they entail, and nurture the

will to preserve them.’’

Working side by side with fellow American

in Albany, I experienced first hand the vision

of mankind which has give us strength and

hope and courage in ages past as we have

faced adversity and challenges. I felt the

spirit of brotherhood of putting aside personal differences and working together for

the common good. This is the vision which

calls out through the Pledge of Allegiance,

for us to be—‘‘. . . one nation, under God, indivisible.’’ My vision for America is the one

bequeathed to each of us, the legacy of our

forbearers who sacrificed their lives in every

age for all our freedoms. I see an America at

peace through the renewed commitment of

her people, an America that is still the hope

of the world. To this vision I pledge, in the

words of the Declaration of Independence,

‘my life, my fortune, and my sacred honor.’

THE ENERGY RESOURCE CENTER

OF DOWNEY, CA, LEADING THE

fWAY FOR AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT

NATION

HON. STEPHEN HORN OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, May 11, 1995

Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, in this day of

growing concern over both the economic and

the environmental future of our Nation, I rise

to spotlight a ‘‘new’’ building in my district that

sets a national standard in energy efficiency,

environmental concern, and the use of recycled materials. It is the Southern California

Gas Company’s Energy Resource Center

[ERC] which is located in Downey, CA. Envisioned as a clearinghouse on energy and energy conservation information, the planners of

the ERC sought to house this information center in a building that embodied the environmental goals of recycling and energy and resource conservation. They succeeded magnificently.

The ERC opened its doors in April in its

‘‘new’’ recycled building as a one-stop center

where customers can find the most efficient,

cost-effective, and environmentally sensitive

solutions to all their energy needs. At the

ERC, people will be able to get answers to energy questions on such diverse subjects as

natural day lighting, gas cooling, and low

emissivity windows. The ERC will also house

an air quality permitting office of the South

Coast Air Quality Management District, that

will allow businesses to make energy decisions and understand air quality permitting requirements in one stop. The ERC will provide

meeting space for up to 700 people.

Designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] as an ‘‘Energy Star

Building,’’ the ERC is one of the Nation’s best

working models of energy efficiency and cutting-edge environmental products—a living example of how to recycle a building and use

energy in the most efficient way. When construction began on the 38-year-old building in

April of 1994, there were no wrecking balls. Instead, builders reused many of the materials

that were already there. They incorporated

those materials with many of the most advanced and environmentally sensitive technologies which are available today.

During the construction process, all of the

550 tons of material removed from the building—asphalt, red clay brick, porcelain plumbing fixtures among others—were sorted and

stockpiled. Materials that could not be used

again in the building were taken to recycling

centers or were given to other builders. About

60 percent of the materials removed—approximately 350 tons—were recycled one way or

another.

Contractors were required to use recycled,

toxic-free, and environmentally-sensitive materials. As a result, 80 percent of the materials

used in the construction of the ERC came

from recycled or reused materials. The ERC

building now features many unusual recycled

materials such as concrete reinforcement bars

made of recycled steel from weapons confiscated by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department; flooring made of wood recovered from a

condemned turn-of-the-century building in San

Francisco; a wall made from recycled aircraft

aluminum; and sections of the movie set used

in the recent Warner Bros. film ‘‘Disclosure.’’

In addition to the construction materials,

other state-of-the art, environmentally-sensitive

methods were used such as soil protection,

dust minimization, and adherence to noise

control regulations. The preservation of existing land resources was not forgotten—whether

they were trees, shrubs, vines, and or top soil.

Drought-resistant plants were used for exterior

landscaping. There are plans for an underground drip irrigation system to be fed by reclaimed water.

The Southern California Gas Company’s

Energy Resource Center in Downey, CA, is

leading the way for sound environmental construction that is economics-friendly. Mr.

Speaker, the Energy Resource Center will enable those who use it to have a much better

energy-efficiency future and that is good news

for our Nation.

TRIBUTE TO COLONEL SCOTT E.

MILLS

HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, May 11, 1995

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

recognize Colonel Scott E. Mills, U.S. Air

Force, on the occasion of his retirement from

the military.

Scott Mills has served as Chief of the U.S.

Air Force Academy Activities Group since

June, 1993. During the last 2 years, he has

worked closely with many of our offices in coordinating Congressional nominations and inquiries for the Academy.

Born in Berkeley, California, Scott Mills received a Bachelor of Science degree as a

member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class

of 1973. He received a Master of Science in

Logistics from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1984. His professional military education includes Squadron Officer School, Air

Command and Staff College, and the Air War

College.

Scott Mills’ Air Force career is one marked

diverse accomplishments. He is a Master Navigator with over 3,000 flying hours, serving as

both C–141 navigator and C–141 navigator instructor. He has served with 4th Military Airlift

Squadron, 323d Flying Training Wing, Headquarters Air Training Command, the Joint

Cruise Missiles Project, and the 323d Support

Group.

Scott Mills has received numerous awards

including the Defense Meritorious Service

Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two

oak leaf clusters and the Air Force

Commodation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Mr. Speaker, Scott Mills’ service to his

country has touched the lives of countless

young men and women either serving in the

U.S. Air Force or attending the United States

Air Force Academy. His integrity and his commitment to excellence are the trademarks of

his career.

I ask my colleagues to joint me in thinking

him for his distinguished and selfless service

to our nation. As he returns to civilian life, may

he and his family enjoy the full blessings of

the freedom he has so ably defended during

this career as a officer in the U.S. Air Force.

CAREERS BILL INTRODUCTION

fHON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, May 11, 1995

Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased

to join Training Subcommittee Chairman BUCK

MCKEON, his Vice Chairman FRANK RIGGS,

YOUTH SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DUKE

CUNNINGHAM, Congressman STEVE GUNDERSON, Majority Whip TOM DELAY, Conference

Chairman JOHN BOEHNER, and Budget Committee Chairman JOHN KASICH, to introduce

the CAREERS (the Consolidated and Reformed Education, Employment, and Rehabilitation Act) Act to reform the Federal job training system.

This bill is the result of a number of Subcommittee hearings, and is the first complete

product of the Opportunities Committee’s