Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16 - Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 for September 8, 2009

[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Issue]
[Pages 21037-21165]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

[[Page 21037]]

VOLUME 155--PART 16

SENATE--Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Senate met at 2 p.m. and was called to order by the Honorable
Thomas R. Carper, a Senator from the State of Delaware.
______

prayer

The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer:
O merciful Lord, we thank You for the refreshment and accomplishments
of our time away and for Your clear, shining inward light that directs
our steps. May the Members of this body feel Your peace and power
today. Restrain wandering thoughts and break in pieces those
temptations that lead them away from Your will. Lord, join our Senators
to Yourself with an inseparable bond of love, for You alone truly
satisfy. Grant that their love may abound more and more in knowledge
and depth of insight, so that they may be able to discern what is best,
and may be pure and blameless when they stand before You.
Lord, this is the first time in nearly 50 years that the Senate will
convene without Senator Edward Kennedy as one of its Members. Thank You
for his life and legacy.
We pray in Your sovereign name. Amen.

____________________

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Honorable Thomas R. Carper led the Pledge of Allegiance, as
follows:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

____________________

APPOINTMENT OF ACTING PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will please read a communication to
the Senate from the President pro tempore (Mr. Byrd).
The legislative clerk read the following letter:

U.S. Senate,

President pro tempore,

Washington, DC, September 8, 2009.
To the Senate:
Under the provisions of rule I, section 3, of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, I hereby appoint the Honorable Thomas R.
Carper, a Senator from the State of Delaware, to perform the
duties of the Chair.
Robert C. Byrd,
President pro tempore.

Mr. CARPER thereupon assumed the chair as Acting President pro
tempore.

____________________

RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The majority leader is recognized.

____________________

SCHEDULE

Mr. REID. Mr. President, following leader remarks, the Senate will be
in a period of morning business until 4:30 this afternoon, and Senators
will be allowed to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of
S. 1023, the Travel Promotion Act, with the time until 5:30 equally
divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees. I
designate Senator Dorgan to control the time on our side.
At 5:30, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the Dorgan
amendment No. 1347, which was provided for in an agreement reached
prior to the recess. If cloture is invoked, upon the use or yielding
back of the debate time, the Dorgan amendment will be agreed to and the
Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended. That
vote is expected to occur tomorrow.

____________________

MOVING AMERICA FORWARD

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I welcome my colleagues back to the Senate
after an August work period that saw passionate and profound sadness
across our country. Each of us has heard from our constituents over the
past few weeks. In Nevada, I heard from citizens across my State who
are ready for us to pick up where we left off. They are ready for us to
get back to the hard work of legislating. They are ready for us to move
forward on one of the most critical issues of our time and the life's
cause of our late colleague, Senator Ted Kennedy, making it easier to
afford a healthy life in America.

Moment of Silence in Honor of the Late Senator Edward M. Kennedy

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now observe a moment of
silence in memory of our friend and departed colleague, the late
Senator Edward Kennedy.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
[Moment of silence.]
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have to acknowledge that as I came into
the Chamber this afternoon, I came upon Senator Kennedy's desk, which
is covered with the traditional black velvet, with the flowers and his
favorite poem on the desk. I read the poem and a tear came to my eye.
I cherish the time that I can spend with the people of Nevada when I
go home and talk with them and learn from them. The people in Nevada
care about the volatility of our turbulent economy.
Nevadans see as clearly as anyone in America that we are going
forward. In fact, we are getting back on our feet after long years of
neglect. They watched as Wall Street went wild, foreclosures reached
record highs, and jobs vanished into thin air. But thanks to the
leadership of President Obama, the hard work of the Congress, and the
unwavering determination of our constituents, they now are seeing these
wounds beginning to heal.
This Senate has risen to the challenges we inherited. In the face of
unprecedented conditions, we responded with the most significant
collection of accomplishments in recent history. We are proud of our
important efforts to revive our economy, strengthen our national
security, protect our environment, demand accountability, and promote
equality and ensure progress.
In the first months of this year, we passed an economic recovery plan
that is creating jobs as we speak, strengthening the middle class, and
investing in

[[Page 21038]]

our future. Just last week, the Wall Street Journal acknowledged that
the plan we passed is helping us recover from the recession faster than
expected.
We also put people ahead of big business by protecting credit card
users, cracking down on mortgage scams, and rooting out corporate
fraud.
We helped millions of children stay healthy by making it easier for
them to get the care they need; that is, the CHIP program, Children's
Health Insurance Program, and by making it harder for tobacco companies
to prey on our kids.
We made it easier for Americans to serve their country like our
heroes of generations past, and we protected our public lands for
generations to come.
We passed overdue appropriations bills, new appropriations bills, and
an honest, responsible budget that makes sound investments in every
part of our country.
This Congress also made history by pursuing justice and ensuring
equality for every single American. We stood up for those who are
victims of violence because of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and
for those who are targets of discrimination in the workplace because of
gender or background--Lilly Ledbetter.
The Senate confirmed President Obama's outstanding nominee for the
Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic and only
the third woman to sit on the highest bench in the land. I think
tomorrow the first argument she will participate in will take place.
This is an impressive record for any Congress. I am particularly
proud that we have accomplished all of this in little more than 6
months.
How did we get there? We did each of these critical things because we
found ourselves in exceptional circumstances. We faced daunting tests
and unparalleled problems.
As in any emergency, it is important to understand how we got here. I
am not interested in looking backward to place blame on others or
pointing fingers. But it is important to learn from past mistakes so we
don't repeat them. As I see it, there are two primary reasons we found
ourselves in such a deep hole. The first is that for far too long we
have put off today's problems until tomorrow. Second is that too many
focus only on where we differ, not where we agree. We no longer have
the luxury of doing either. Only by working together--not as Democrats
or Republicans but as Americans, not as partisans but as partners--can
we put the jobless back to work, make sure everyone can afford to stay
healthy, and create a new clean energy economy for this new century.
Health care. Learning those two lessons--that we can no longer put
off today's problems until tomorrow and that we cannot afford to focus
only on where we disagree--will be the difference between reforming
health insurance in a meaningful way or letting the status quo and
scare tactics hold us back.
Thanks to Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd, we have made progress
toward passing comprehensive health reform. Four out of five
congressional committees responsible for this issue have reported
bills, and we will soon see the same from the Finance Committee.
While many important choices remain, we are as committed as ever to a
plan that will protect what works, fix what doesn't, and help the
middle class get ahead. We will stabilize health insurance for those
who have it and secure it for those who do not. We will keep the
insurance industry honest and lower costs to ensure that every American
can afford to stay healthy. And we are determined to pass a good,
bipartisan bill this year.
I have listened to hard-working Nevadans across my State who know the
difference between fact and fiction. They know the difference between
the misinformation spread by opponents of progress and the reality that
our vision of reform means patients and their doctors should be the
only ones making decisions about their medical care. Those decisions
belong to the people, not to the insurance industry or to government
bureaucrats.
The American people know our vision of reform means keeping insurance
companies honest and not letting them deny you care because you have a
preexisting condition. The way things are now, if you have anything
from heart disease to high cholesterol to hay fever, you might be out
of luck. That is not right.
They know our vision of reform means not allowing health insurance
companies to drop your coverage if you become seriously ill. It means
ensuring that if you change or lose your job, you will have affordable
options to cover your family.
They know we are fighting for reform that will make quality,
affordable care available to every single American citizen.
It is easy to focus only on the part of the road we have yet to go,
but it is essential to remember the great distance we have traveled to
get to this point, and the common ground we already share.
We have heard a lot from opponents of progress. One of their main
arguments is that they think we cannot afford health insurance reform.
My response is simply this: We cannot afford not to make it easier to
live a healthy life in America.
The American people have rejected those who pretend things are fine
the way they are. They know that unless we get this done, they could
lose their health care, and so much more along with it. They know
America has no place for those who hope for failure.
Inaction is not an option. We have already seen what happens when we
do nothing. Over the past 8 years of inaction, the costs of health care
rose to record levels and the number of Americans who cannot afford
insurance has done the same.
For the millions of families who file foreclosure because they cannot
afford both their house and their health care, not acting is not an
option.
For the millions of Americans who file for bankruptcy because their
medical bills grow higher and higher, not acting is not an option.
For the millions of Americans who skip doctor visits or treatments
they need to stay healthy or who never fill the prescriptions their
doctor gives them because health care is simply too expensive, not
acting is not an option.
Our health care system is not healthy. Americans' physical health and
America's fiscal health are at stake, and not acting is not an option.
We have to work in good faith. This past April, I sent my Republican
counterpart a letter outlining our priorities for the health care
debate. I wrote, of course, that Democrats are committed to lowering
health care costs, expanding access, and improving the quality of care.
I said in that letter we looked forward to a dialog about how to
prevent disease, reduce health disparities, and encourage early
detection and effective treatments that save lives.
But in the letter of more than 4 months ago, I also said that in
order to help struggling Americans, we cannot drown in distractions and
distortions.
I made clear bipartisanship depended on Republicans demonstrating a
sincere interest in legislating, offering concrete and constructive
proposals, and working together in our common interest rather than
against each other and against the interests of the American people.
I stand by that assessment as strongly today as I did this spring, 4
months ago. It is painfully clear to everyone who heard this debate's
disturbing turns and dishonest tactics that, more than ever, we now
need people willing to work together in good faith.
Today is the first day since January 2, 1953, that a man named
Kennedy does not have a desk on the floor of the Senate or in the Oval
Office at the White House.
When I think of all the groundbreaking progress we have made over
those 56\1/2\ years--in civil rights, education, health care, America's
global leadership--I know we have no choice but to keep going. Now is
no time to let up.
Tomorrow night, the President of the United States will stand on the
other side of the Capitol and tell a joint session of Congress his
vision for the

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health care debate that is ensuing. He will do that, and then over the
coming weeks and months, we will contemplate and think about what he
said.
It is not insignificant that President Obama will be speaking to such
a gathering. We will come together in a joint session because we share
a joint future and a joint destiny. We are all in this together--
Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, every American citizen and
each of their representatives here, Members of Congress, Senators, and
the President of the United States.
Senator Ted Kennedy said last December, just months ago:

We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe
that all of us will live on in the future we make.

This is a historic moment. This is our time to shape our future. We
stand closer to real health insurance reform than ever before. We are
closer than ever to getting this right. We will not give up. We will
not bet on failure. We will not let fear obscure the facts. We will not
let the priorities of the partisan overpower those of the people.
We have goal lines ahead of us. I say to the Presiding Officer, a
member of the Finance Committee, we have to do everything we can to
join together to do health care reform that is meaningful to this
country. I think I speak for everyone in Nevada and I think I speak for
everyone on this side of the aisle and I am confident my friend, the
distinguished Republican leader, agrees with me.

____________________

RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Republican leader is
recognized.

____________________

SENATOR TED KENNEDY

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the Senate grieves the loss of one of
its giants and one of our great friends. All of us were, of course,
moved by the many tributes that have poured in since Senator Kennedy's
passing. We will make time later in the week for Senators, including
myself, to deliver tributes of our own on the Senate floor.

____________________

HEALTH CARE REFORM

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I previously had an opportunity to
welcome my friend, the majority leader, back and welcome all our other
colleagues from an active month in August. I know we always enjoy
spending this time with our constituents and hearing their particular
concerns. This year, most of us got an earful, and I hope the
experience has an effect on our work as we move forward.
Health care reform is clearly a critical issue for many Americans,
and I think we have an obligation to show them we have been listening
closely to their concerns.
At this point, there should be no doubt about where the American
people stand: The status quo is not acceptable but neither are any of
the proposals we have seen from the White House or the Democrats in
Congress so far.
The White House has attempted to retool its message on health care
many times. It should be clear by now that the problem is not the sales
pitch. The problem is what they are selling.
Over the past several weeks, I have visited with a lot of doctors,
nurses, seniors, hospital workers, small business men and women and a
whole lot of other citizens across Kentucky and, for that matter,
throughout the country. None of them would call our current health care
system perfect. But all of them are worried about so-called reforms
that would undermine the things they like about the American health
care system.
The American people are asking us to start over. They want reforms,
but they want the right reforms, not some grand scheme that increases
the national debt, expands the Federal Government, raises taxes, cuts
seniors' benefits, and forces Americans off the plans they currently
have and like. They want reforms that work within the system we have.
We have a lot of work to do in the weeks ahead, but these past few
weeks have given us all something valuable. They have given us real
clarity about the direction Americans want us to take and, as
importantly, the direction they do not want us to take. Now it is our
turn to show them we have been listening and to act.
Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I believe I have 15 minutes, and I
would ask the Chair to let me know when 2 minutes remains.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair will do so.

____________________

LISTENING TO THE PRESIDENT

Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, we have two speeches by the President
of the United States today and tomorrow. The speech today is to the
schoolchildren of America, and the one tomorrow night is to us--to a
joint session of Congress and to the country.
For the last several days, there has been a small uproar about the
President's speech to schoolchildren. In some ways, that is very
understandable. The country is very wary right now of more Washington
takeovers. We have seen takeovers of banks and insurance companies and
car companies and student loans and even farm ponds and health care,
and all of a sudden some people may have thought the President was
intending to take over the classrooms of America as well. That was
compounded by the fact that the early lesson plans--probably drawn up
by someone either in the White House or the Department of Education--
made the speech seem more about the President than about the children
and inviting the children to help the President fulfill his goal of the
way he wants to transform America.
Well, all that has been changed. The lesson plan has been altered.
The President has released a copy of his speech. I read it this morning
in Tennessee on my way coming up. It is a good speech. It is about the
importance of studying and education. It is about how the President
grew up, which is an inspiring story, as is the case with almost all of
our Presidents.
So I am glad the President has spoken to the schoolchildren of this
country. Of course, the President of the United States ought to be able
to speak to the schoolchildren of America. President Reagan did it. Not
long after he was elected, he talked about how our country was founded.
When I was Education Secretary in 1991, the first President Bush did
it. He talked primarily about drugs, with a warning about the dangers
of drug use. Presidents should speak to our students, but, of course,
parents and teachers should decide whether the children hear the speech
and in what context they hear it.
Tomorrow night, when the President addresses the country, no one has
to listen to him, except those of us, perhaps, who volunteered to serve
in the Congress. We will be here. Millions will listen out of respect
to the office, but some could turn off their televisions, some could
just read about it, some could listen to the commentators talk about
it, and some could watch it on the Web. Children have a different
situation. They are captive in their classrooms and they are
inexperienced, so we rely on parents and teachers to use their good
judgment to decide whether any speech is appropriate for children to
hear and in what context.
If I were a teacher, I would jump at the chance to take advantage of
this speech. I believe I would put up a picture of Reagan and one of
FDR and one of Abraham Lincoln, and I would talk about the Presidency
and I would talk about how he is the agenda setter and how the
President's election--this President and other Presidents--represents
the unique American characteristic that anything is possible for

[[Page 21040]]

any American of any background. I would point out that there is a
Congress as well and the Congress often disagrees with the President.
And then I would put up a picture of the leader of North Korea, and I
would say: There is the dear leader of North Korea. If you criticize
him, you go to jail. If you criticize the President of the United
States, you have a constitutional right to do that.
I believe we need more teaching of U.S. history and civics in our
classrooms so our children can grow up to learn what it means to be an
American. The lowest scores high school seniors have in America are not
in math, they are not in science, they are in U.S. history. So we ought
to take advantage of opportunities for children to learn about history
and about civics, but parents and teachers ought to be in charge of it.
They should decide in what context it is done, and I hope a great many
have taken advantage of that and will take advantage of that.
There is a second speech, tomorrow night, which the country is
looking forward to, and that is about health care. Here are my hopes
for that speech.
First, respectfully, I would say to the President, I hope he says: My
fellow Americans, let's start over. It is obvious we need health care
reform, but it is also obvious that most Americans, or at least a
majority, aren't comfortable with the direction in which we are going.
So since this affects 17 or 18 percent of our economy, since it affects
the 250 million Americans who have health insurance, let's start over.
This has gone from being an issue to being something personal, or as we
say in Tennessee, they have gone from preaching to meddling. That is
why at the town meetings, which would normally attract 30 people, we
have had a thousand people show up, because their health is at issue
and they want to know what is going on. So it is a very healthy thing
for people to show up and ask questions, and I hope that the President
has heard the American people and that we start over.
Next, I hope the President says: We will start with cost--the cost to
you, Mr. and Miss American, the cost to your government. Health care
costs too much for you to buy your policy, and it is about to bankrupt
the government unless we do something about it. So that is where we
will start.
Third, I hope the President will say: One of the lessons I think we
have learned--not just during the last several months while I have been
President--if I were President Obama--but in President Bush's time and
before that is that we don't do comprehensive very well. We found that
out in immigration. We had a bipartisan effort here on immigration. We
tried hard to solve a problem only the Congress can solve, and we
failed. By the time it came up for a vote, it just fell around our
necks. We have tried it with health care. We have tried to bite off the
whole thing at once, and I think it is more than we can chew. We have
been trying it with economy-wide cap and trade for climate change, and
it looks as if we are biting off more than we can chew there as well.
That should be no big surprise. This is a huge country--300 million
people--an economy that produces 25 percent of all the wealth in the
world, so diverse that if we were to put ourselves all in one room, it
would explode, which is why it is such a good reason we have such a big
country.
So I hope the President will say we don't do comprehensive well. We
have heard the American people, so let's see if we can agree on a few
things. Let's go step by step in the right direction, which is one good
way to get where you want to go--step by step to re-earn the trust of
the American people, starting with health care.
I can think of some things on which I believe we have bipartisan
agreement in the Senate which would make a difference: Small business
health insurance--allow small businesses to pool their resources. It
has been estimated that you could offer insurance to a million more
workers at a lower cost. That is one thing. Make it possible for people
not to lose their insurance. If they are able to buy insurance, make it
possible for them to buy insurance if they have a preexisting health
condition--we could probably do that. Allow people to buy insurance
across State lines. The Presiding Officer and I were both Governors. We
are jealously protective of States' responsibilities and rights. But
maybe we need to allow insurance to be bought more often across State
lines to make it available to more people and less expensive. Junk
lawsuits against doctors--that increases the cost of health care from 1
percent to 10 percent, depending on whom you believe. But we could take
that step. It is an important step in the right direction. As far as
those who are uninsured, about 20 percent of those who are uninsured
are already eligible for existing programs. We could see if we could
find ways to help them sign up for programs that already exist. Step by
step in the right direction will help us get where we need to go in
health care. Step by step will re-earn the trust of the American
people.
Fourth, I would hope the President would say: Let's do this in a
bipartisan way. There is some talk of just ramming this through the
Senate with a bare majority of votes. I hope that doesn't happen. It
would be bad for the country and it would be bad for the majority
party, if I may say so. The reason it would be bad for the country is
it would be a bad bill.
The way our rules work, the Parliamentarian, who is a very wise
individual, would end up writing the health care bill because he would
have to make all these decisions about what was germane and about what
fit in the bill. For example, he might have to say: Well, you can't put
a provision about preexisting conditions in the bill under the Senate
rules. All you can vote on is whether to raise taxes or cut Medicare.
Now, that would be a very unappetizing vote, I would think, for many
Members of the Senate, and it would be a very bad health care bill,
which would cause me to think that such an unappetizing vote would be
bad medicine for those who insisted on ramming it through. But it would
be bad medicine for another reason. It would be thumbing our nose at
the people of America who have been trying to say to us over the last
several weeks: Whoa. Slow down. This is my health care you are talking
about. Let's make sure we do this right. Start over, and let's take it
step by step.
Health care is not the only issue. Health care is the entry into a
larger issue, which is too many takeovers, too much debt, too many
czars, and the American people would like for us to settle down and
deal with this issue. Some of the people have said over the last few
weeks that the American people didn't know what they were talking
about; that they thought there weren't any real issues out there. I am
afraid that is wrong. When you have the Mayo Clinic and the Democratic
Governors and the Congressional Budget Office telling you that you are
headed in the wrong direction, maybe you are. When you read about a new
trillion-dollar debt added to a debt that is already going to double in
the next 4 or 5 years, maybe you are going in the wrong direction. When
the New York Times editorial says the new program is going to be paid
for about half by cuts in Medicare, that is a serious issue for the 40
million people on Medicare.
There are 177 million people with employer insurance, and they worry
they might lose that employer insurance. People are worried that they
might be dumped, if they are low-income, into a government program that
already exists called Medicaid, which 40 percent of the doctors won't
serve because they are underpaid, or they are worried they might be
dumped into a new government program, if they are middle income, and
they might not want to be dumped into a government program. There is
worry, especially among older Americans, because someone might say: You
are 70 years old and you can't have a hip replacement. And there are
employers who in a recession aren't interested in paying more of an
employer tax. And the Democratic Governors and the Republican Governors
have said: Don't send us more costs for Medicaid or we won't be able to
afford it here. We will have to raise taxes. And Federal taxes would go
up.
Those are real issues. Those aren't made-up issues. Those are all
part of

[[Page 21041]]

the bills that are making their way through Congress, and that is why
people are saying: Whoa.
Finally, I hope President Obama will say: I am the President. I am
the agenda setter. I am going to take charge of this debate.
The President and his team are very smart. We admire them very much.
But in some ways, it reminds me of a Harvard Law Review meeting, with
everyone sitting around the room thinking of very bright ideas and
nobody getting anything done. When you are dealing with a big and
complex issue such as health care, the President needs to clear the
decks, set the agenda, tell us what to do, and sit down with the
Democratic leader and the Republican leader and say: What can we do?
And then the President, I respectfully suggest, needs to say--as
President Eisenhower did half a century ago when he said, ``I shall go
to Korea''--that health care is the issue. I am the President, here is
what I think we should do, and I am going to stay on this issue until
it is done. Now, a Governor knows--and most Presidents know--that if
they say that and do that and stick to it for as long as it takes, they
can very usually wear everybody else out. The President may not get
exactly what he wants. Of course, he probably won't. But there might be
improvements to the bill. When the Democratic majority in Tennessee
used to improve my proposals, I could either attack them or say: You
have improved my proposals. I usually said: You have improved my
proposals, gave them credit, and went on to the next issue.
So people all over America are alarmed, some are even scared about
Washington takeovers, debt doubling and tripling, and I suggest the
right course for us is for the President to say: Let's start over with
health care. Let's go step by step to re-earn the trust of the American
people. Careful steps in the right direction are a very good way to get
where we want to go, and I hope he tells us exactly what those steps
should be.
I made a statement at the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park last Wednesday. It is our most visited national
park. Secretary Salazar was there. He did a beautiful job, only
exceeded by Dolly Parton, who was there and who made all the rest of us
completely irrelevant by her performance. But to have that great park
for 75 years in the Eastern United States, where 9 million people
visit--three times as many visiting our great western parks--is a great
advantage for our country. I am grateful to the Secretary for coming,
and I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a copy of my
remarks.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:

Statement of U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander at the 75th Anniversary of
the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Newfound Gap, Tenn.--U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)
delivered the following remarks here today at the 75th
Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
``Governors Bredesen and Perdue, Secretary Salazar, Dolly
Parton, my colleagues in Congress, fellow friends of the
Smokies, in 1934 a ranger wrote a memo identifying the
wildlife he had found in this new park. There were 100 black
bears. Today there are 1,600. There were 315 wild turkeys
then. The other day I saw 21 outside my home two miles from
the park boundary. 75 years ago there were 12 whitetail deer
in Tennessee and six in North Carolina. Today they're
everywhere. Then there were no peregrine falcons, no river
otters, no elk in the Great Smokies, but they are all here
today.
``25 years ago, as Governor, I spoke at the 50th
anniversary. There was no law then controlling acid rain and
no organization called `Friends of the Smokies.' Today, acid
rain laws are working and the `Friends' have contributed $28
million.
``So what should we hope for as we look to the 100th
anniversary? I hope we have finished cleaning the air so
that, instead of seeing smog, we can always see the blue haze
about which the Cherokee sang; and that we will have done
more to celebrate the way of life of families who lived here;
that we will have become better students of the remarkable
environmental diversity here--more different kinds of trees
than in all of Europe, new species discovered every year;
that we do a better jobs of creating picturesque entrances
and encouraging conservation easements along the park
boundaries to protect the wildlife and the magnificent views.
And I hope there are more private contributions and federal
dollars to protect and maintain one of the dozen most visited
places in the world.
``India has its Taj Mahal, Italy has its art, England its
history, but we have the Great American Outdoors. Ken Burns
says our national Parks are `America's Best Idea.' Well, then
the Great Smokies must be the very best idea of all because
so many more people come here.
``Just as remarkable, I believe, is how we who live here
feel about the park. We feel like we own it because our
families did. We love it because we grew up hiking here or
adopted it as home. And we are proud we gave this park to the
country for others to enjoy.
``The psalmist wrote, `I will lift up mine eyes unto the
hills.' There are 151 cemeteries in the Great Smokies,
usually on a hilltop, closer to God. The headstones face east
because, as mountaineers will tell you, `You don't want to
have your back to Jesus when he comes again.'
``There was a reverential feeling among the thousands who
came to Cades Cove on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in June to
hear fiddles imitate bagpipes as the Knoxville Symphony
played `Amazing Grace.' At the 50th anniversary, I tried to
explain that feeling this way: `These mountains . . . (Blount
County) . . . my home . . . are where I enjoy being, where I
swap people for nature and feel closer to God . . . when I am
here, it helps get the rest of my life in a little better
order.'
``That is why I celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park.''

____________________

MORNING BUSINESS

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the
Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 4:30 p.m.,
with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Senator from Illinois is recognized.

____________________

JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR

Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, 45 minutes ago exactly, history was made
in America just across the street, not far from the steps of the
Senate. If you go to those steps at this moment and look directly to
the east, you will see the U.S. Supreme Court building. At 2 o'clock
eastern time in that building the 111th Justice appointed to the U.S.
Supreme Court received her official investiture. It was a moment of
great historic significance because the elevation of Sonia Sotomayor to
serve on the U.S. Supreme Court marks the first time in our history
that a person of Hispanic descent will serve on the highest Court of
our land. In the course of our history, with 111 Supreme Court
Justices, if my memory serves, only four have not been White males--two
African Americans, two women, and now Justice Sotomayor.
The ceremony was very short. The President of the United States was
there, the Vice President, a number of Members of Congress, and of
course the other eight Supreme Court Justices and the retiring Justice
Souter. There was a very stately, dignified, gracious presence as the
Court was convened. After Eric Holder, the Attorney General, read the
commission which authorizes the investiture of Justice Sotomayor, the
oath was administered to her by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,
John Roberts. The entire ceremony took 4 minutes. One of the Senators
standing next to me, Mel Martinez, who will retire from the Senate this
week, said it would have taken longer if they had television cameras
here. Those of us who serve in the Senate and served in the House know
of what he speaks.
But the fact is, in that 4-minute period of time a page was turned in
American history. We are offering an opportunity now for a person to
serve on the Supreme Court--immensely qualified, a person with a great
background in her life and her achievement to serve on the highest
Court of the land.
Across America, in neighborhoods and towns and communities and
schools, perhaps a child will look up and, when they learn of the
appointment and ascension of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court,
realize that the great promise of America continues, that this still is
a land of opportunity, and that door to opportunity was opened a little
wider just

[[Page 21042]]

across the street at the U.S. Supreme Court about 45 minutes ago.

____________________

RESPECTING THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE

Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, earlier today the President of the United
States went back to school. He went to a local high school in the DC
area to give a speech. It turned out that this speech became
controversial.
I thought about that over the weekend because my wife and I went down
to Mount Vernon, in Virginia, to the home of George Washington. It was
a trip I promised my wife because the first time we went down there
when I was a college student and drove down there in my little VW bug
back in the 1960s, I got there to find out I did not have enough money
for admission so we had to turn around and leave. I always told her:
Loretta, we are going to get back down here someday. It took a few
years, but we made it.
Touring the grounds there as well as the education and learning
center, learning a little bit more about our first President, you
realize what an opportunity he had to define the institution of the
Presidency. One of the first things they asked of George Washington,
the first President, was: What do we call you? Your Excellency? Your
Highness? He said: Just call me Mr. President.
His decision at that moment created a tradition, not just a formal
tradition of how we address the President of the United States, but,
more importantly, a tradition of how we view the President of the
United States. He is not royalty nor is he to be treated as royalty. He
is to be treated as another American, but one who at this moment in
time, by the will of the American people, serves in the highest office
in the land. So George Washington established a standard, a standard of
respect but not awe, when it comes to the office of President.
I thought of that over the years. In my lifetime there have been
Presidents I genuinely admired, their politics and personalities, and
others I was more critical of, but I always believed the office
deserved respect whoever occupies that office. If you believe in this
form of government and you believe in this Nation, the election to that
office at the least--at the least--should gather the respect that each
American owes to the office.
This President announced he wanted to speak to the schoolchildren of
America today on what is roughly the first day of school across our
Nation. He was not the first President to make that suggestion.
President Ronald Reagan offered a speech to the schoolchildren of
America; President George Herbert Walker Bush the same. I can't recall
any controversy associated with the addresses by either of those
previous Presidents, but for reasons I cannot understand, critics came
forward criticizing President Obama for wanting to speak to our
schoolchildren. Even in my home State of Illinois, the President's home
State, some school districts made a conscious decision that they would
not broadcast or make available the President's speech. Others allowed
children to opt out if their parents didn't want them to hear the
President's speech.
I think that is unfortunate. It is unfortunate and I am happy to say
there are those of both political parties who said that. Senator Lamar
Alexander, from Tennessee, a Republican, was just on the floor--a
former Secretary of Education, former Presidential candidate. He spoke
out and said of course the President should be allowed to speak to
schoolchildren across America. Laura Bush, the former First Lady, said
that this morning. Others have said the same.
I think they understand two things: first, respect for the
institution of the Presidency, and, second, the fact that the President
speaking may have some impact on young people across America. The
President gave his speech. I hope his critics have been silenced
because, as a parent and now as a grandparent, as I read his speech I
would like every kid in America to hear it. He explained his own
background and the tough times he went through growing up, the
sacrifices made by his single mom, the fact that his father left at an
early age, the fact that education became an important part of their
lives even as they traveled around the world.
Barack, now President Obama, used to tell the story here in the
Senate of his mother waking him up early in the morning when he lived
overseas and saying: Let's get ready for school. When he would whine
and cry about 5:30 in the morning and he is doing homework, his mom
would say: It's no picnic for me either, buddy. She was a parent who
cared, a mother who cared, and he a son who profited and benefited from
her caring.
When I read his speech and elements of it today, I am glad the
President spoke these words to the students of Virginia, and those
school districts that decided their children should not hear this ought
to stop and reflect on whether that was the right decision. When the
President says:

But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life--
what you look like, where you come from, how much money you
have, what you've got going on at home--that's no excuse for
neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That's no
excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or
dropping out of school. That's no excuse for not trying.
Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where
you'll end up.

The President said:

No one's written your destiny for you. Here in America, you
write your own destiny. You make your own future.

He talked to these students not only about doing their homework and
reading, getting involved in extracurricular activities, volunteering
in their community, deciding to

. . . stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied
because of who they are or how they look, because you
believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment
to study and learn.

The President went on to say:

No one is born being good at things. You become good at
things through hard work.

And then he said:

And even when you're struggling, even when you're
discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on
you--don't ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up
on yourself, you give up on your country.
The story of America isn't about people who quit when
things got tough. It's about people who kept going, who tried
harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less
than their best.

That speech by President Obama to the schoolchildren of America was a
positive thing. It was a good thing. Some said it was a way to promote
his socialist agenda, it was political propaganda. I find nothing
political about these comments. This is good advice to any child, any
student across this country, and I am glad the President took this
opportunity to use whatever influence he has over these young people to
guide them in the right path as they start out in their school year.

____________________

HEALTH CARE REFORM

Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, the last issue I wish to address for a
moment is the August recess. August is a blazing hot month in the
Midwest, with high temperatures and high humidity--though they were
tempered a little this year, a little cooler than usual, a little
wetter than is usual, but we had our hot days. But the hottest days
were reserved for the political scene because in town meetings across
the Midwest and across the Nation many times tempers flared, people
were upset, there was shoving and shouting going on at these town
meetings. If you have been on the political scene you know there are
moments when the emotions of the American people are raised to a high
fever pitch. Fortunately for us, the reason for this interest was
genuine. We are talking about an issue, the changing of the health care
system in America, which literally affects every person in our country.
It is rare that we would tackle an issue that is that all embracing,
that touches everybody. It is understandable that people have
legitimate questions about what it means to their lives.
I found the same thing in Illinois. I traveled around the State. I
met with doctors and nurses and hospital administrators, small business
people, average folks, patients struggling with illness and disease,
those who had been

[[Page 21043]]

turned down by health insurance companies, even people coming up to me
in restaurants and folks at the airport talking to me about their
life's experience when it came to health care. It is an issue we all
share in common and an issue we all care about.
But, sadly, there was an organized effort to disrupt many of these
town meetings. These were not people who wanted to express their
opposition to any pending legislation so much as to end the meeting, to
try to raise their voices above all others and to stop the dialog that
is so important as part of this. I don't think that point of view
prevailed at the end of the day.
There are still legitimate, tough questions on health care reform,
questions that will have to be answered directly and honestly as we
proceed in this debate. But there is no question in my mind that the
majority of the American people understand that we need to make some
changes in our health care system.
There are some things that are very troubling. The cost of health
insurance is going up three times faster than the wages of working
Americans. We know what this means. It will reach a point where more
and more of your take-home pay will pay for health insurance which
sadly will not provide as much coverage next year as it did this year.
We also know that sometimes the people who have health insurance find
out it is not there when they need it.
I ran into that. I had a gentleman in Quincy, IL, at one of my
meetings the other day. He and his wife both lost their jobs. For 19
years he had been at the local bank, with health insurance, and he lost
his job. Because he and his wife had a special needs child, they paid
the COBRA premium. If you understand how this works, once you have lost
a job you can keep your health insurance if you will pay the employer
and employee portions. Even though we have made that more reasonable in
cost, it is still very expensive, but because of the special needs
child he decided he and his wife had to dip into their savings to keep
the health insurance coverage for their kids and the family, even while
they are unemployed.
Sadly, during this period of time of unemployment his son fell down
the stairs and needed brain surgery. They shipped him across the river
into Iowa where he was successfully operated on. That is the good news
here. The father kept looking for a job, only to learn that the
insurance company was going to deny their claim for this brain surgery.
It would have been extremely expensive if the insurance company failed
to pay. But now this man, unemployed, looking for a job, with a son who
does have those special needs and a wife who is trying to find
substitute teaching jobs to help out, has to spend a good part of his
day fighting with the insurance company over whether his son is going
to be covered for that emergency surgery.
It is not rare. In fact, it is too common that the average person,
when they need the coverage of health insurance, finds out that they
are in a battle, not with their doctor, a battle with someone who works
for a health insurance company who says no.
That has to change. One of the things I hope both sides agree on,
Republican and Democratic, is that people should not be denied health
insurance coverage because of a preexisting condition. You should not
be denied health insurance coverage when it turns out you are sick and
you need it. You should also be able to take your health insurance from
one job to another. You should not have a cap on the total amount of
coverage in your lifetime. Your children should not be high and dry at
23 when they have to pay for their own health insurance or they are
completely unprotected. These are things most people agree should be
part of health insurance reform and I hope we can make it part of a
common bipartisan effort when we talk about this issue.
There is another issue and it is one that I will address as I talk
about this issue later in the week, and I think it is a fundamental
issue of social justice, that 47 million Americans today have no health
insurance. We have about 300 million people in our country. About 100
million of them are under some sort of government health plan--
Medicaid for the poor and disabled; Medicare for those in advanced
years, which I am soon approaching; people covered by veterans' health
care, and those who are covered in other forms, by children's health
insurance programs.
So take the 100 million under government health programs aside, and
in the remaining 200 million people in America, about 1 out of 4 has no
health insurance. They are not the poorest people in America because
the poorest people in America have Medicaid. They are not the fortunate
like those of us who already have health insurance. They are people who
get up and go to work every single day and have no health insurance.
I met plenty of them as I traveled around the State of Illinois. I do
not understand--I do understand, but I certainly sympathize with the
situation where you wake up in the morning and look at those children
in that bed as a father and realize they are one accident or one
diagnosis away from a medical catastrophe that could threaten their
lives and wipe out your savings. That is what people without health
insurance face every single day.
So in addition to the cost, in addition to whether the health
insurance is there when you need it, is the fundamental question about
whether if everybody in America should be drawn in under the protection
of health insurance. I believe they should. The people without health
insurance, when they reach a critical time in their lives and are
desperate, show up at a hospital, and our hospitals treat them and pass
along the expense of treating them to everyone else.
It would be far better in America for us to provide coverage and
protection for everyone and to help those in the lowest income
categories pay for that protection. I think that is fundamentally just.
It is American. It is good, sound policy so that this have and have-not
situation would not apply to circumstances of life and death, which is
the way it does today.
Finally, we have to find a way to change this health care system when
it comes to incentives. Currently, we have something called fee for
service, which means if a doctor or hospital comes up with a new
procedure or a new service, they are paid more. It creates an extra
incentive to do more than may be necessary. We have to change that. And
I think we can. We have to try to stress preventive care and wellness.
We do not do enough of that, instead of just in rescue care and
sickness, which is the hallmark of our current system.
Preventive care and wellness means having access to clinics and
primary care providers across the United States. And I want to salute
the Association of Family Physicians. They have joined me in every town
in my State. They fully support this. They understand that health care
reform is essential if families are going to have a fighting chance for
good health care.
Well, those are the basics in the debate. There are all sorts of
separate questions about a public option and individual mandates and
many other issues with which we are going to have to wrestle. Senator
Alexander of Tennessee, whom I mentioned earlier in my comments, said a
moment or two ago: Well, it is time for us to start over when it comes
to the health care debate and engage both sides of the aisle in the
debate.
I would say to Senator Alexander: We have spent a lot of time
learning a lot of things about the health care challenges in America
and how to reach them, the way to deal with them. We have kept the door
open for those on the other side of the aisle who are willing to come
forward and discuss it. Some have said, no; they are not interested for
a variety of reasons. Today, to date, only three have stepped into the
bipartisan conversation, three Republican Senators. I hope more will.
It would be healthy and positive.
The worst thing we can do is to walk away from this issue, to say
that because some town meetings were disrupted or some people have
strong emotional feelings about this issue we need to walk away from
it, because the

[[Page 21044]]

current health care system in America is unsustainable. It is too
expensive. We spend twice as much per person for health care in America
as any nation on Earth. Although there are positive things to point to
in terms of our health care in our country, some countries spending far
less, and get much better results in many areas. We can do better.
Secondly, who would oppose health insurance reform? I would hope
everyone understands that at the end of the day what needs to be done
should be done on a bipartisan basis. I hope there are those who feel
we should create opportunities for those who are uninsured to have
basic health insurance protection.
Those who criticize the cost of health care reform overlook the
obvious: If we do not help low-income families and individuals in
America pay for health insurance, they will not have it. If they do not
have that coverage, we will be right where we are today, with one-
fourth of those not covered by government plans having no health
insurance protection whatsoever.
We need to change the system to focus on prevention and wellness.
That means encouraging more primary care physicians and health care
professionals to reach out to families in communities across Illinois
and across the Nation. If we do not do something about this, I am not
sure we can sustain the system much longer.
Just a few years ago, one out of three people filing for bankruptcy
in America did so because of medical costs-- one out of three. Today it
is two out of three. Two out of every three personal bankruptcies are
over medical costs. Listen to this: 78 percent of the people filing for
bankruptcy because of medical costs, 78 percent of them have health
insurance. It is not very good. It does not protect them when they need
it. It leaves them high and dry when major medical bills come through.
So those who are watching this debate saying: I am sorry people do
not have health insurance, I am sorry some people are complaining, but
I am OK, I am covered, they should pause and reflect for a moment that
many of the people in bankruptcy court today facing bankruptcy and the
loss of virtually all of their assets are people who also had health
insurance and were also in the belief and security----
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Udall of Colorado.) The Senator's time has
expired.
Mr. DURBIN. Let me conclude by saying that we have a chance in the
coming weeks, after the President's speech tomorrow night, to come
together on a bipartisan basis. I hope Republicans and Democrats who
listen carefully at home understand that despite the anger and the
temper and the emotions that we cannot leave the current system as it
is. If we do not make a positive change, it is unsustainable.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina.

____________________

TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT

Mr. DeMINT. Mr. President, if you were like me, you probably held a
number of townhalls. I know a number of our colleagues over the
holidays did. I saw a number of them on television and saw the many
thousands of Americans who came to townhalls, as they did to mine, who
were very concerned about the direction of our country.
Frankly, in South Carolina, I had several thousand people come to
different townhall meetings, all with a very similar point of view.
They thought this government had gotten too big, was spending too much
money, or taxing too much and taking over too much of our economy.
A lot of people were very concerned, not just about health care. I
cannot agree with the Senator. There are many things we need to do, but
the last thing we should do is have this government take it over. There
are many things we can do to make sure people get more insured. But the
people who came to my townhalls and across the country in many other
townhalls were not just concerned about one issue. They looked back
over the last year, over a Republican and Democratic President, to see
two failed stimulus bills, two bailouts--which many believe were
unconstitutional--the proposed takeover of the energy and health care
industries, and the actual takeover of banks and insurance companies
and carmakers.
People are fed up. The Federal Government is simply too big. The
debts we are looking at now for ourselves and our children and our
grandchildren are truly unsustainable. People do not know where the
money is coming from. They wonder what we are thinking about.
The amazing thing is, after what we saw over the break, the genuine
outrage and concern by the American people, the very first item of
business we are going to vote on in this Senate today after the August
break is to vote to start another government program, to spend $400
million, to increase taxes, to get the Federal Government involved in
another private sector business.
What did we learn over our summer vacation? If we vote to pass this
bill, we obviously learned very little. What I am talking about is the
Travel Promotion Act. Many of you here in the gallery and around the
country think I am probably making this up; that after what we saw
across America we would actually have the nerve to bring up a bill that
forms a new government-sponsored enterprise, a la Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac, and it is going to be a government-sponsored enterprise
that promotes travel and tourism in America. I guess we can call it
Fannie Travel.
Well, now, let me tell you a little bit about the idea because the
idea is that travel and tourism in America is a very important
industry, which it is. It is the No. 1 industry in South Carolina. It
is actually one of the most prosperous. That is the main reason we do
not want the Federal Government to get involved.
But the idea is, that we are going to charge a $10 fee for everyone
who comes to visit America in order to pay for this advertising program
that will promote America to people all over the world. All these fees
would be pooled, and they would be matched by some of the major tourism
industries such as Disney, and we would have a government-sponsored
enterprise that is promoting tourism.
But they are saying it will not cost Americans anything because this
is a tax on foreigners coming to this country. But I have a letter in
my office from the European Union and other allies of this country that
says this is violating the agreements we have with them, and if we do
this they are going to add a similar fee to Americans visiting their
country. We are going to start a war with some of our friends. It will
ultimately end up costing Americans money. It will create another
government entity.
Folks, it is not a crisis. This is not one of those emergencies that
we have to do ``this week.'' Why, when we have all of this debt, would
we create another program with another tax that this Federal Government
is going to run? Maybe it is Fannie Travel, maybe it is Cash for
Tourism, but, folks, the problem with tourism in America is not that
people do not know we are here. The problem is we have one of the most
notoriously unfriendly customs and immigration services in the world.
We also are one of the most difficult countries to get a visa for.
I have a major international employer back in my home State who
regularly needs to bring people from other parts of the world to train
American workers. But they cannot get visas, so they send American
workers to other countries to get the training they need because it is
so much trouble to get the visas to get them here.
Major industries have trade shows outside of this country because
they cannot get the visas for customers coming in looking at our
products. The problem is not that people do not know we are here, it is
that the government involvement that is already involved with tourism
and travel in our country is not doing a good job.
When you have problems with the quality of your product, the last
thing you do is raise your prices and increase advertising, which is
what we are talking about doing with this bill. The first

[[Page 21045]]

thing we need to do is make sure we have the most friendly and
efficient customs system in the world and that people who want to come
to our country can get a visa and a very quick background check so that
we know the people who are coming here are safe.
But we are not going to solve those problems with hundreds of
millions of dollars of advertising from a new government agency that is
run by major corporate sponsors in our country. Tourism is too
important to turn over to the government.
A lot of people around the country are concerned, as they look at
what we are spending and the level of debt we are creating, that we are
ignoring the constitutional principles we swore an oath to, and they
are going to ask us when we vote on this bill: Where in the
Constitution of the United States do we find the authority to run
travel promotion?
Major tourism companies such as Disney are not having trouble. In
fact, I think Disney reported a $4 billion profit from last year, and
they bought Marvel Comics for $4 billion. Certainly, our economy has
put a strain on tourism, but the Federal Government is the last entity
that needs to try to bail them out. We don't have any money. We are
going to have to borrow money or tax someone to create this new
government program.
This is a debate that gets back to what does the Constitution allow
us to do? One can't read the Constitution without seeing some very
severe limits on what is expected of the Federal Government. Certainly,
the bailout and cash for clunkers and this new travel and tourism
agency they are starting has nothing to do with our constitutional
functions.
We have over $11 trillion in debt already. We are projecting to
almost double that over the next 10 years with what we already have on
the books. With Social Security and Medicare alone, the unfunded
liability out many years is like $100 trillion. We have no idea where
we are going to get all this money. How can we even discuss starting a
new government entity when the ones we have started are at the heart of
our economic problems. One can't understand our economy without seeing
that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac played a key role in bringing the
worldwide economy to its knees. We don't have to look back but 1 month
to see what the last government program we created in cash for clunkers
did. It was going to be a $1 billion, 6-month promotion to sell a lot
of cars. We were out of money in 1 week, and we voted to pass another
$2 billion. A couple weeks later, they canceled the program. We can't
run the travel and promotion industry from Washington, DC.
I have to draw a very difficult conclusion. Any of my fellow Senators
who vote for this either don't understand the severity of our economic
and fiscal problems or they don't care. They certainly didn't hear the
millions of Americans speaking over the August break and telling us
they want us to get back to the business of a constitutional form of
government and stop trying to win votes by bringing home the bacon--
wasteful spending, earmarks, and new government programs, all the
false, empty promises based on government solutions.
I encourage colleagues, let us get the rest of the year started off
in a reasonable way. Let's talk about how to fix health care. Let's
talk about how to create jobs. For heaven's sake, let's not create a
new government program as the first vote we take in the Senate.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.

____________________

HEALTH CARE REFORM

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today Congress returns from the August
recess. Perhaps one of the most important issues of recent times
affecting one-sixth of America's gross domestic product and rising to
as much as one-fifth, the issue of health care and health care reform,
will be front and center, including a highly unusual appearance
tomorrow night before a joint session of Congress by the President. The
last time such a joint session of Congress was called for, aside from
the regular one, was by former President Bush concerning the events
surrounding the attacks on the United States of 9/11.
During the recess, I had, similar to all my colleagues, a very busy
schedule of meetings addressing various issues, including travel to
Iraq and Afghanistan. That visit will be the subject of other
statements on the floor. But in Arizona, I hosted townhall meetings
with my constituents. I also attended meetings and forums with health
care providers in Missouri, North Carolina, and Florida so I could,
along with my colleagues, better understand America's thoughts and
ideas on reforming our Nation's health care system. I have no doubt
there is a peaceful revolution going on out in America. I have not
seen, in the years I have been a Member of Congress, such anger and
dissatisfaction with the way the Congress and we in Washington are
doing business. We all know the President's approval numbers continue
to fall.
The unruly and sometimes disruptive behavior at townhall meetings has
been an exhibit of the anger and dissatisfaction Americans feel. I
would like to make it clear that I think the townhall meetings should
be conducted with respect. They should be conducted in a way that is an
American tradition, that all Americans can be heard from as well as
their elected representatives. But there is no doubt people attended
townhall meetings that never before in their lives have been engaged in
any debate in America. There is something going on out there. I
certainly got the message. I hope the majority of my colleagues did as
well.
It is more clear to me that we have to reform the way health care is
provided, but we have to do it in the right way, without a government
takeover of the health care system. The problem with health care is not
the quality of health care. The problem with health care in America is
the cost of health care and almost double-digit inflation that takes
place annually which deprives more and more Americans of their ability
to acquire and keep health insurance.
Among other places I visited recently, one of them was a place called
M.D. Anderson, a cancer treatment facility in Houston, TX. There were
patients there from 90 countries around the world. Why? Because it is
the highest quality health care.
The fundamental difference we have here between those of us who want
to reform health care to reduce the cost and maintain the quality is
the argument from the President and the other side of the aisle that
they want a government option. They refuse to address the issue of
medical malpractice reform. They refuse to allow someone to go across
State lines and acquire the health insurance of their choice, and they
continue to allow practices to go on that breed fraud, abuse, and waste
in Medicare, which are well documented to the tune of hundreds of
billions of dollars a year.
We must reform health care. We can't do it with a government solution
that is advocated by the other side. That is why we have been unable to
reach agreement--because we have two fundamental philosophical
differences between ourselves and those who want to have a government
option, who want to have greater and greater intervention in the health
care system.
On the way over I read this:

Washington (AP)--A top senator is calling for fines of up
to $3,800 on families who fail to get medical insurance after
a health care overhaul goes into effect.

Do we want to do that to the American people, a $3,800 fine? That is
why we also need to step back and examine the 600-page bill passed
through the HELP Committee, without a financing provision, the 1,000
pages or so bill passed through the House before they left, and figure
out what else we have added in this bill.
Why are Americans angry and upset? They are angry and upset because
of this, because we spent $787 billion on the stimulus, which is $1.1
trillion with interest; $700 billion on TARP; $410 billion with 9,000
earmarks in it on the Omnibus appropriations bill; $3.5 trillion on the
budget resolution; $83 billion to bail out the auto companies; $33

[[Page 21046]]

billion to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program; and a $1 to
$2 trillion cost associated with the HELP Committee's plan that went
through the HELP Committee, according to the Congressional Budget
Office, which would not bend the curve, according to the Congressional
Budget Office.
What have we gotten for all this? We have gone to 9.7 percent
unemployment. We have gone to 9.7 percent unemployment in this country,
after the President and all his economic advisers said that if we pass
this stimulus bill, unemployment will be a maximum of 8 percent. As
they say: You can look it up. It is now at 9.7 percent. The public debt
is $11.7 trillion. Sometime in October, we are going to have to
increase the Federal debt limit which is going to go beyond $12.1
trillion.
We are all responsible for what we say. In 2006, the current
President spoke in opposition to raising the debt limit to $9 trillion
saying:

Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today on
to the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a
debt problem and a failure of leadership.

That was from the then-Senator from Illinois, now President of the
United States. Where did we go? Where did we go from 11 to 12 and now,
of course, a few weeks ago, a small rounding error, the 10-year deficit
was raised $7 to $9 trillion, just a $2 trillion rounding error. That
is what the American people are worried about, the commission of
generational theft on our children and grandchildren. No one in the
administration has a plan for bringing the budget back into balance. I
think the American people at least deserve it.
Yesterday the President spoke in front of union allies in a partisan,
campaign-style speech, where he questioned the motives of those who
raise concerns about too much government control over our health care
economy and instead wrongly criticized our side for having no ideas of
our own. We have plenty of ideas. None of them have been considered in
the HELP Committee or by the Senate or by the House of Representatives.
The HELP Committee bill was written only by the Democrats. There was no
input from this side of the aisle. Every meaningful amendment proposed
was rejected, including malpractice reform. How can we possibly look
the American people in the face and say: We are going to bring down the
cost of health care without medical malpractice reform.
Ask any physician and they will tell you physicians are required to
practice defensive medicine because of the fear of being sued.
Unnecessary tests and procedures are performed time after time after
time. I was in Miami at the Palmetto Hospital, a fine institution. I
asked one of the surgeons: How can you afford your health insurance
premiums? He said: We don't keep insurance anymore. We can't afford it.
We will probably not get sued because they know we only have so much in
assets.
Now we are putting physicians and care providers in a position where
they basically cannot afford, nor can they get, malpractice insurance
because the premiums are so high, and they are targets for the trial
lawyers.
We have a number of alternatives. Most of them are market based. Most
of them have to do with preserving the quality of health care yet
bringing down the cost, which should be our goal. Why don't we have
insurance reforms to improve access? That means someone can go across
State lines. If a citizen of Arizona wants to go to North Dakota and
get health insurance there, why can't they? Why can't that family do
that? Why can't they? They cannot today.
Why is it we cannot reform medical malpractice? Let's have tax
reforms. Let's have incentives to purchase insurance either in the form
of tax credits for families in America or--or--why don't we give the
same tax treatment to families that businesses get in the provision of
health insurance? Why don't we have real competition in any State? Why
don't we set up the risk pools that are necessary to ensure those who
were previously uninsurable or for those with ``preexisting
conditions''? Let's set up those risk pools. Yes, that will take some
taxpayer dollars.
Why don't we allow the insurance companies to compete so they can
provide insurance, so we can provide affordable and available health
care to all Americans? Why don't we look at cost reductions? Why don't
we look at incentives for wellness and fitness? One of the most famous
corporations in America recently is Safeway. We have heard from their
CEO. They reward people financially for wellness and fitness. And--
guess what--their costs for health care have gone down because there
are incentives to do so.
Here is a small idea: Why don't we see what the school lunch program
is in our local schools? Why don't we see what the physical education
requirements are in our local school districts? Why don't parents do
that? I was appalled, and I am sure my colleagues and all Americans
were, to see recently there is one State in America where one-third of
the population suffers from obesity. We know what obesity does to
health care costs, not to mention the lives of individuals.
Why don't we also look at what has been tried and done before: an
outcome treatment of patients. A patient has diabetes. You pay that
provider for 6 months or a year or 2 years and say: OK, here is the
amount of money, and if you keep that patient well, you will receive a
reward at the end of that treatment period, rather than to pay for
every single test and procedure.
My friends, there are cases of abuse of Medicare that stretch into
the hundreds of billions of dollars. We have to go after these people
who abuse health care, Medicare, and Medicaid.
And a practical question: Suppose we adopted what passed through the
HELP Committee and through the House. There are dramatic increases in
State Medicaid payments. What States can afford the additional burden
of Medicaid that is envisioned by this legislation? Not many. Not many,
my friends.
So we do have legitimate, workable, doable, viable alternatives to
the government option. When the President of the United States stands
up and says we do not, he either is not paying attention to what we are
saying--which has been one of the big problems with this debate--or he
willfully ignores the fact there are solutions we can move forward with
to reduce health care costs in America and preserve the quality.
I wish to make a comment about the so-called co-op approach. My
friends, you can call it the government option. You can call it a co-
op. You can call it a banana. But the fact is, it is government
intervention into the free marketplace, which will lead to crowding
out, which over time will lead to government control of health care in
America.
A co-op can exist today. They do not have to wait for legislation.
They can exist today. Yet very few do. If there was a pressing need for
more co-ops, wouldn't more of them have been created? Under the co-op
approach, the Federal Government would design, fund, and foster their
creation. But let's not kid ourselves. Creating a new, massive
government plan designed in Washington is still Washington involvement
in health care. And if we did not learn any lessons from the Fannie Mae
and Freddie Mac co-ops, nobody has been paying attention.
Let me talk about the ``trigger'' for a second. The trigger in the
bill would implement the public option only if private insurance
companies failed to meet certain benchmarks, such as lowering overall
health spending or shrinking the number of the uninsured.
The Wall Street Journal stated yesterday:

Liberals should love the idea because a trigger isn't a
substantive concession; it merely ensures that the public
option will arrive eventually, instead of immediately.
Democrats will tweak the tests so that private insurers can't
possibly meet them, mainly by imposing new regulations and
other costly burdens.

Additionally, this trigger appears to blatantly and patently violate
the Constitution's delegation of lawmaking powers to Congress and not
the executive branch. We must decide whether to implement a
``government option'' or not. I vote to not do so and oppose any
suggestion that abdicates my duties as a lawmaker and allows the
executive

[[Page 21047]]

branch to create a ``government option'' based on a trigger.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Wall Street Journal
column entitled ``Whoa, Trigger''--a good name--be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:

[From the Wall Street Journal, Sept. 8, 2009]

Whoa, Trigger

President Obama has decided that another oration will
rejuvenate his health-care agenda--despite having given 27
speeches entirely on health care, and another 92 in which it
figured prominently. We'll see how tomorrow night's
Congressional appeal works out, but the important maneuvers
are taking place in the cloak rooms, as the White House tries
to staple together a majority.
The latest political gimmick is the notion of a ``trigger''
for the public option: A new government program for the
middle class would only come on line if private insurance
companies fail to meet certain benchmarks, such as lowering
overall health spending or shrinking the number of the
uninsured. This is supposed to appeal to Maine Republican
Olympia Snowe, who could end up as ObamaCare's 60th Senator,
while still appeasing the single-payer left.
Liberals should love the idea because a trigger isn't a
substantive concession; it merely ensures that the public
option will arrive eventually, instead of immediately.
Democrats will goose the tests so that private insurers can't
possibly meet them, mainly by imposing new regulations and
other costly burdens.
Keep in mind that every version of ObamaCare now under
consideration essentially turns all private insurers into
subsidiaries of Congress. All coverage will be strictly
regulated down to the fine print, and politics will dictate
the level of benefits as well as premiums, deductibles and
copays. Under the House bill, a ``health choices
commissioner'' will have the final say, no doubt with
Democrats Henry Waxman and Pete Stark at his elbow, if not
another part of his anatomy.
The same bill also rewrites the 1974 federal law known as
Erisa that lets large and mid-sized employers offer insurance
with little regulation. Many businesses--including Safeway,
General Mills and Marriott--are finding innovative ways to
drive down spending, largely with worker incentives to live
healthier and be more sensitive to the costs of care. Many
Democrats call this discriminatory.
In the individual insurance market, Democrats intend to
outlaw medical underwriting: Everyone must be charged the
same rate or close to it for the same policies, regardless of
health status or history. But this ``community rating'' tends
to price younger and low-risk consumers out of the market. In
a 2006 NBER paper, Bradley Herring of John Hopkins and Mark
Pauly of the University of Pennsylvania found that community
rating results in an overall increase in the uninsured in the
individual market, maybe as high as 7.4%. For that reason, 35
states have no community rating at all, and another six allow
very wide variations.
The larger reality is that private insurance won't be less
expensive until overall health-care costs go down. Democrats
may be confused on this point because government, which paid
nearly 47 cents of every medical dollar in 2007, simply sets
lower prices when Congress feels like it. On average, doctors
and hospitals are forced to accept 20% to 30% less for their
services in Medicare. That's another reason insurers wouldn't
meet a trigger's thresholds, given that providers shift costs
onto private under-65 patients to make up government
shortfalls.
Conceivably insurers could make their products more
affordable by cracking down on treatments and refusing
payment more often, much as HMOs held down spending in the
1990s. But both patients and doctors hated this ``managed
care''--and in any case, Democrats would find a new rationale
for the public option in the inevitable voter outcry about
private ``rationing.''
It's true that there was a trigger in the Medicare
prescription drug benefit and the world didn't end. But
recall the dynamics in 2003: The GOP decided that private
stand-alone or Medicare Advantage plans should manage the
benefit. As a concession to Democrats, they agreed to trigger
a ``public option'' for drugs--in which the government would
have bought them directly, with its typical ``negotiating''
tactics--if seniors didn't have more than two plans in a
given region.
Today, there are 1,689 stand-alone and 2,099 Advantage
plans, and on average seniors have 50 to choose from--and
costs in 2007 were $26 billion lower than expected. For all
its problems, the Medicare drug plan created more choice for
seniors and more competition among providers to offer
packages that they found most attractive, holding down costs.
In short, it created the incentives for multiple ``private
options.''
ObamaCare doesn't bother with incentives, instead merely
increasing government command and control of private
insurance while making it more expensive in the process.
That's why a trigger will inevitably lead to the public
option, and also why ObamaCare will make all of our current
health problems worse.

Mr. McCAIN. So, Mr. President, let me summarize. I come back from
this recess--and I see my colleague also from Arizona in the Chamber--
both of us come back, as a lot of my colleagues do, in the face of
extreme unease, anger, and frustration on the part of the American
people, not just over the issue of health care but over the issue, as I
pointed out, of this massive spending and debt and deficit we have laid
on future generations of Americans.
They want us to act in their interests. So wouldn't it be appropriate
for the President, tomorrow night, if I may be so bold, to say: My
friends and colleagues, the citizens have spoken. They want us to sit
down together, and they want us to do what is doable. They want us to
fix this cost escalation of health care in America, which is making it
less and less affordable to all Americans. But the message we have
gotten is, they are very skeptical about ``government-run health care''
or a ``government option.''
When the President says: If you like your health insurance policy,
you can keep it, that is not true either. It is not true either.
Because if you had a government option, and it looked more attractive
to your employer, and your employer decided to select the government
option rather than the health insurance policy you now have, then you
cannot keep it. So it is simply not true that under the government
option, if you like your health insurance policy, you can keep it.
But the real point is, why don't we sit down--which we did not do; we
did not do that at the beginning of this process--why don't we sit down
with the smartest people on both sides of the aisle and say: OK, what
can we get gone? What can we get done here together and go to the
American people and say we are going to make significant progress in
eliminating this problem of out-of-control costs in health care in
America.
I recall when I first came to the Congress of the United States--and
it was pretty partisan then--Ronald Reagan had only been elected a
couple years before that time, and Social Security was about to go
broke. Social Security was going broke, and two old Irishmen--Tip
O'Neill, a liberal Democrat from Massachusetts, and the conservative
from California--sat down together and said: OK, we are going to sit
together. We are going to fix Social Security. And they did. There
American people were not only proud and grateful but they benefited.
Let's go back to square one. Let's sit down together and get this
issue resolved.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican whip is recognized.

____________________

ORDER OF PROCEDURE

Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning
business for not to exceed 15 minutes.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, will the Senator yield for a unanimous
consent request?
Mr. KYL. Yes.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I would make a request that Senator
Whitehouse be recognized following the presentation by the Senator from
Arizona, that I be recognized following Senator Whitehouse, and Senator
Inhofe be recognized following my presentation.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. KYL. Thank you, Mr. President. I thank my colleague.

____________________

REMEMBERING SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY

Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I want to speak to the same issue my
colleague Senator McCain spoke to in a couple minutes. But first I wish
to make some brief comments about two of our colleagues who will no
longer be with us--of course, our friend and colleague, Senator
Kennedy, and Senator Martinez.
Let me, first of all, speak to Senator Kennedy's departure from this
body due to his untimely death.

[[Page 21048]]

During his five decades of public service, Senator Kennedy served
with diligence, tireless passion, and, of course, vigor--the word that
immediately evokes the Kennedy spirit.
Because of who he was, he could have gotten by without a lot of hard
work. But that was not his way. He believed deeply, so he worked hard--
as hard as any Senator I have known.
One thing that has been commented on by many who worked with Senator
Kennedy was his willingness to compromise. I have characterized Senator
Kennedy as a legislator's legislator, often a results-oriented
pragmatist, who knew that clashes between the two parties are
inevitable and, in fact, an integral part of our political system, and
that it was important to reach across the aisle if you wanted to get
things done. He believed that people with dramatically different points
of view could usually find some common ground.
While Senator Kennedy and I did not share a perspective on very many
issues, and he was always ready to make an ideological or political
point, my colleagues and I appreciated his efforts to actually
legislate as well. His dedication, his hard work, humor, and high
spirit will always be remembered. My wife Caryll and I extend our
thoughts and prayers to his family.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO SENATOR MEL MARTINEZ

Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I also want to say a couple words about our
colleague Mel Martinez from Florida who will be leaving the Senate on
this coming Thursday. He has been an admirable public servant, both in
this body and as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. To each
position he brought his considerable talent and devoted himself to
solving problems in a practical, thoughtful, and bipartisan way.
Senator Martinez never sought the limelight; he simply wanted to make
a difference. He was disappointed, I know, that he was unable to move
immigration reform forward. But we will try to apply what he has taught
us about that issue. His positive influence here in Washington will be
greatly missed.
A farewell to Senator Martinez would not be complete without a note
about his compelling life story and about his wife Kitty. As a Cuban
emigre who came to America with few ties, Senator Martinez represents
one of the most inspiring aspects of American life: that talent and
hard work unlock the door to great success. He has not forgotten those
who helped him, just as all of us will not forget him. His wife Kitty
has, likewise, made many friends in Washington and will also be missed.
Although I know he will not need it, I wish him all the best in his
future endeavors, and I know he will remain an important voice in our
party and on issues important to all Americans.

____________________

HEALTH CARE

Mr. KYL. Mr. President, my colleague, Senator McCain, has spoken to
the issue that is on the minds of all Americans today and which the
Senate and House of Representatives will again take up as we return
from the August recess; that is, how to deal with the issues that
confront us in the delivery of health care today without doing damage
to the care and the coverage that most Americans have and believe
serves them well.
The approach I heard from my constituents over the recess was very
similar to what Senator McCain has spoken about, which should not seem
to be a big coincidence since we represent the same State. On one
occasion we called about 50,000 Arizonans, had them on the telephone
for about an hour and a half, and asked for their views, and gave our
thoughts in response to their questions.
What I have been struck by is the consistency of the views that have
been expressed in the various forums I had around the State, consistent
with the townhall meetings Senator McCain had right in the heart of the
Phoenix metropolitan area, views people expressed to me in every
location, from the doctor's office I went to, to people meeting with me
in my office, to folks at church. The message seems to be pretty much
the same. And I think Senator McCain articulated it well when he
characterized it as anxiety and concern.
One of my colleagues said he denoted in his constituents, in these
townhall meetings, real fear. I think that is true. Because even though
we know there are some things that need to be done to improve health
care delivery in this country, most people, according to surveys, have
insurance and believe what they have serves them very well or at least
well. Our goal, therefore, is to try to solve the specific problems
that exist without doing harm to the system that treats the others.
As I said, a lot of our constituents were very fearful that they were
going to have to pay much more in taxes; that their debt burden as a
part of what this entire country owes would be increased significantly
because of the costs of the health care reforms that have been
proposed; that they wouldn't be able to keep the insurance they have
even if they like it; that the way they receive care--the advice they
get from their doctor about what their family's needs are--would not
necessarily be respected if the government has a large role in deciding
what to pay for and what not to pay for; and generally that the
government's continued takeover piece by piece of the American economy
would not serve individual Americans well. To be sure, they agreed that
some health care costs are growing too fast and need to be controlled
and that there are some Americans who don't have health coverage and
really don't have a way to get it without public health. Those are the
two key areas in which they recognize there is a role for government to
play in reform.
But they also wonder why certain problems are not being tackled--the
problem, for example, of what one characterized as ``jackpot justice,''
where trial lawyers bring lawsuits and sometimes get big rewards but
frequently simply settle the cases, and the net result is that the
medical profession in this country--doctors primarily but hospitals and
others--spend an enormous amount of money, estimated to be at least
$100 billion a year, on what is called the practice of defensive
medicine; that is to say, doing things--ordering tests, referring
patients to other physicians and so on--all of which are really
unnecessary for the care and treatment of the patient but which will
protect the doctor in the event there is a claim of medical
malpractice. This happens because the lawyers involved get so-called
expert witnesses who come to court and tell the jury that the standard
of care in the community is that if the child falls down on the
playground and gets a bump on the head, you order a CAT scan. It
doesn't matter whether or not from the physician's observations he can
see that the child really, if the parents just watch him carefully that
evening, should be just fine; no, to protect himself or herself against
medical liability or malpractice claims, they order a CAT scan or some
other kind of test. The net result of that, as I said, is an expense of
over $100 billion a year in unnecessary medical tests and procedures.
The cost of those items, of course, is passed on to all the rest of us.
Another estimate is that 10 percent of every health care dollar is
spent on the premiums physicians spend for their malpractice insurance.
As lawyers, some of us know you have to pay some money for malpractice
insurance before you can start work on January 1. That is fair. But how
about $200,000 in medical malpractice premiums for a neurosurgeon, for
example. That is an awful lot of money if you are an OB-GYN, for
example. This estimate of 10 percent of health care dollars spent on
premiums means that if we could reduce the incidence of malpractice
claims, we could reduce that premium cost, the physicians wouldn't have
to pass it on to the insurance companies, who wouldn't have to pass it
on to us, and again, our health care could be cheaper.
So because of premium costs and because of the practice of defensive
medicine, this jackpot justice system has not served us well.

[[Page 21049]]

One would think that if we are interested in controlling costs, if we
are making insurance more affordable for small businesses--for big
businesses, for that matter--for their employees, and for us as
individuals, and if we want to encourage more physicians to stay in
practice, then what we would do is tackle this problem. Is there one
word about medical malpractice reform in any of the bills, the bill
that came out of the HELP Committee in the Senate, the bill currently
pending in the Finance Committee, or the bill that came out of the
House of Representatives? The answer is no, not a word about medical
malpractice reform. Why? Well, Howard Dean, the former Democratic
Governor of Vermont and Democratic National Committee chairman, was
very honest about this on August 17 at a townhall meeting with
Representative Moran in Virginia. He was asked that question, and he
said: When you write a big bill, you don't want to take on too many
special interests, and the people who wrote this bill simply didn't
want to take on the trial lawyers, and, he said, that is the truth. It
is the truth.
The reality is that the President is going to ask everybody else to
sacrifice. For example, seniors are going to have to take a $400
billion to $500 billion cut in Medicare, which will mean less care for
them. If small businesses are going to have to pay a tax on every one
of their employees in order to make sure they get covered with
insurance; if the pharmaceutical companies are going to have to pony
up--I have forgotten how many hundreds of billions of dollars it was
for more drugs for seniors, for example; if everybody else is going to
have to sacrifice, why didn't we ask the poor trial lawyers to give up
just a little bit here? We are not saying malpractice claims couldn't
be filed. That is the way doctors and hospitals and others are kept
honest. When you make a mistake, you are going to have to pay for it.
But we can make sure the system works to prevent the kind of jackpot
justice I spoke about.
There are at least five different kinds of medical malpractice
reforms that have worked. One was offered by Senator Enzi in the HELP
Committee; it is called health courts. The State of Texas and the State
of Arizona have both adopted certain kinds of medical malpractice
reforms. In Arizona, it has begun to work. In Texas, something like
7,000 doctors have moved into the State, with premiums being reduced by
either 21 or 23 percent. In other words, medical malpractice costs can
be reduced to provide care, and by reducing that cost, people's
premiums can be cut, and that will make insurance more affordable and
more people will be able to get it.
My point here is simply to say this: What we found as we talked to
our constituents was a fear that in order to solve two or three very
discrete problems, there were people here in Washington who wanted to
remake the whole system, throw out what we have, and impose on it a new
regulatory regime. Whether there is a government option or government
insurance plan is only part of the issue. The problem is that there is
government control of everybody irrespective of that, and people are
concerned as a result that their care will be rationed, that taxes will
go up, and that, in fact, their premiums will go up.
How could that be if we are going to try to make care less expensive?
I will give one example. I talked to people who are relatively young
and relatively healthy, and they are very aware that if they are put in
the same pool with everybody else, with the people who are sicker and
older, they are all put into one pot and you can't discriminate on the
basis of health condition--and we do believe people with preexisting
conditions should be able to get insurance--then, naturally, the people
who are younger and healthier are going to be paying more for their
insurance than they would if they were in a category all by themselves,
and that is what the actuarial data shows us. So it might make
insurance more affordable for somebody who is older and sicker, but it
will definitely raise the cost of insurance for those who are younger
and healthier. There have to be ways to avoid that perverse result.
There are, in fact, and Senator McCain talked about a couple of those
that I will mention in just a moment.
There ought to be a way to ensure that everyone in this country can
get affordable, quality health insurance without taxing all employers,
especially small businesses--the very entities we are counting on to
bring us out of this recession. We know that almost all of the jobs
created in this country in the last 2 or 3 years were created by small
business. Large businesses lost--in fact, we have lost about 3 million
jobs in this country. In this recession, 3 million jobs have been lost.
How are those jobs going to come back? It is going to be through small
business. That is where over 80 percent of the jobs are created, and
that is where they will be re-created to get us out of this recession.
Why, when we are in the middle of this recession, would we want to tax
people to say: If you want to hire somebody, it is going to cost you X
amount. Why don't we give them an incentive to hire more people, not
give them a disincentive through taxation. Why would we raise the taxes
of all businesses, including, by the way, raising taxes on insurance?
Insurance companies are fun to pick on, I grant. But does the insurance
company just pass the cost of that tax that is going to be imposed on
it to its premium holders? Of course. There is no free lunch. We end up
paying the taxes. As everybody knows, corporations don't pay taxes,
people do.
The net result is that when people are concerned about the economy,
No. 1, about our rising debt, about the potential they are going to be
taxed, and about the need to re-create jobs, what they are telling us
and what they told me when I was back home is: Solve those problems
first. When you get that solved, then if you still want to look at
health care, go ahead and do that. But in the process of doing that,
don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Don't try to throw out a
system that works for most people. If you have a specific problem,
target solutions to that problem. You could cover the 12 million people
who can't afford insurance and who need to get it today, you could buy
them all insurance with the savings you get with malpractice reform.
Why don't we do that? The jackpot justice system is a problem in and of
itself, and we have a problem because some people can't afford
insurance and we need to help them get it. The money we save from one
can help pay for insurance for the other. Why not do that? We don't
need to change the entire system of health in this country in order to
do that.
Since everyone knows Medicare is in trouble, why would we get it in
further trouble by cutting it by $500 billion, and instead applying
that savings back in to help make Medicare solvent, provide coverage
for people with that money when, in fact, you could get the money
elsewhere.
That is what people are concerned about. They see some problems, but
they see a solution that does not fit the problems, and they are afraid
of it because it is too big, it is too much. People are trying to do it
too fast. In fact, one asked why were they trying to rush this bill
through before the end of August when it doesn't even take effect in
most aspects until the year 2013. Good question. It has been a good
thing that the American people have had a chance to consider this, that
we have had a chance to read it and we have had a chance to talk about
it.
Here is the bottom line. Republicans have a lot of alternatives.
Senator McCain talked about them: the malpractice reform; getting rid
of the waste, fraud, and abuse in programs such as Medicare; selling
insurance across State lines; providing association health plans so
that small businesses can compete with the insurance companies in the
same way the big businesses compete. These are ideas that can
discretely be put into place to solve specific problems, and at the end
of the day we will have achieved two things: We will have reduced the
cost of health care premiums and the cost of health care for everybody,
not just a few, and at the same time we will have been able to, with
that savings, provide

[[Page 21050]]

coverage for people who need it and cannot get it. To do that, it is
not necessary to scrap everything we have and create a whole new system
where the government takes over health care just as it has insurance
and banking and automobiles and everything else.
So that is what I am hearing from my constituents, and I hope, as we
are reengaged in this debate, we will do the one fundamental thing our
Founding Fathers had in mind when they set up the kind of system we
have here, and that is that we will listen to our constituents, never
forgetting they are our bosses and we work for them.
I thank the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Kaufman). The Senator from Rhode Island is
recognized.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for
up to 15 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, why are we working so hard on health
care reform right now? Well, one reason is because the present system
is out of control and unsustainable. This is the cost curve of our
national health expenditures. In 2009, it hit $2.5 trillion, and it is
going to continue to go up to the point where right now it is estimated
that in the year 2016--which is not too far from where we are right
now--in the year 2016, a standard family policy on average in Rhode
Island will cost that family $26,000 a year. A middle-class family in
Rhode Island cannot afford $26,000 a year just for health insurance.
Something urgent has to be done.
During the 8 years of the Bush administration, it probably increased
by nearly $1 trillion, and nothing got done. Our friends on the other
side of the aisle were happy as clams with that state of affairs. Now,
in the first year of the Obama administration, with more progress made
on health care than at any time since back when the Clintons tried it,
we hear once again the catcalls and the criticisms from our
colleagues--anything to stand in the way of progress. But that is why
it is so important. We simply can't afford not to do so when we look at
the risks our country faces economically.
There has been some criticism of the stimulus bill, the Economic
Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This is it right here: $0.8 trillion.
From all the noise on the other side of this Chamber, one would think
this dwarfed, shadowed the fiscal health of the Republic, but, in fact,
it is a tiny little sliver compared to the debt that was run up during
the Bush administration. We see that $8.9 trillion is the difference
between what the nonpartisan CBO projected when President Bush took
office from President Clinton and when President Bush left us when he
was done--$8.9 trillion. This doesn't even count the Bush hangover of
all the spending President Obama has had to do to help save the banks,
to help save the financial system, and to help save the American auto
industry.
He campaigned on none of that. None of us wanted to do that. When
catastrophe asserted itself, we had to respond. The catastrophe took
place not on President Obama's watch but beforehand. He has led this
effort to put out the fires. The big risk is the $38 trillion in
unfunded liability for Medicare alone. That is part of that climbing
cost picture that is driving us out of control.
Of that, the Lewin Group--a pretty respected group around these parts
for their opinions on health care--says the excess costs in the health
care system add about $1 trillion a year: $151 billion for excess costs
for incentives to overuse services; $519 billion for excess costs from
poor care management and lifestyle factors; $135 billion a year for
excess costs due to competition and regulatory factors; $203 billion a
year from excess costs due to transactional inefficiencies.
We can reform this health care system in a way that improves the
quality of care, while addressing this $1 trillion in excess costs,
which, according to George Bush's former Treasury Secretary, Paul
O'Neil, who ran the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative and knows
something about health care, is associated with ``process failures.''
Process failures can be corrected. One of the ways you can correct
them is with a competitive public option. We have had a lock in the
main middle market of health care by the private insurance market for
all these years. This is what we are left with--$1 trillion in waste
from process failures. Obviously, they failed at the job. They have
catastrophically, indisputably failed.
All we ask is to put a public option in side by side to compete with
them--in the same way a public option in workers' compensation
insurance competes in Senator McCain's home State of Arizona with the
private insurance providers in workers' compensation. I don't hear
complaints from him about the business community and the workers'
compensation.
In the home State of Senator Ensign, Nevada, there is actually a
single-payer public option for workers' compensation health insurance,
and his employers seem absolutely fine with it. So it is not as if it
is some strange, bizarre idea out on the fringes; it is a way of doing
business in some of the home States of the opponents of this.
Our colleagues and their predecessors in this Chamber opposed
Medicare when it was first proposed. Now it is probably the most
popular program in the country. We have seen them in this Chamber
fighting against children's health insurance. It was only thanks to our
beloved colleague, Senator Kennedy, coming back from his sick bed to
cast the tie-breaking vote, that we actually were able to win that
against Republican opposition.
The ideas they have seem, to me, to be abject failures. One is to
continue the lock for private health insurance companies so they are
the only place you can get coverage, unless you are old enough for
Medicare or you qualify for Medicaid or you are in the military. That
is clearly not a sign of success.
As Senator McCain indicated, it would be good to be able to cross
State lines and buy insurance from out-of-State insurance companies.
Yes, look how well that turned out for us with the credit card
industry. We just had to pass legislation, thanks to Chairman Dodd, to
rein in the abuse and practices of the credit card industry because you
can go to practically unregulated States and get credit cards that
don't have basic consumer protections.
We don't want to see that in health insurance. We want careful,
thoughtful local regulation of health insurance. We have 100,000 people
who are killed every year by medical errors--and who knows how many
injured--and the solution our friends across the aisle see is to take
away the damages that the worst injured Americans are entitled to. That
is how the reform they proposed in the HELP Committee works. It cuts
damages, caps them, meaning it only would affect the people for whom
the damages are the highest, who are harmed the worst, who would
disproportionately be women because of the way it was organized,
focusing on economic damages. So if you take a system where you kill
100,000 Americans every year because of medical errors--and injure who
knows how many more--and your solution to the problem is to put the
cost of it entirely on the backs of the worst victims of that error and
injury, I think that is a mistake.
We would prefer, as Democrats--and I think as rational people--to
reduce the incidence of malpractice and error, reduce the errors of
malpractice claims by reducing the incidence of malpractice and error.
We put enormous effort in this bill into putting structures into place
to allow that to happen.
In terms of the real fear people heard when they went back home, it
was a little disingenuous when that fear was whipped up by our
colleagues with false statements about death panels in the legislation,
how this was socialized medicine, and how a bureaucrat would jump in
between you and your doctor if the bill passed. That is patently false.
It spread like wildfire. Who wouldn't be afraid of those things? Now
they observe there is real fear out there. I also had the opportunity
to travel around my State during this break, similar to many
colleagues, and I sat down with

[[Page 21051]]

my constituents and heard what they had to say about health care
reform. I sat down with hospital executives; pediatricians; OB/GYNs;
family physicians; critical care doctors; the State medical society;
health insurers; CVS, the pharmaceutical chain that makes its home in
Rhode Island; the Rhode Island MS chapter; business community leaders;
members of our Rhode Island quality institute, which is reforming
health care at the State level and it gives great leadership to our
country right now; and with members of all walks of life who have come
together and are working tirelessly to help build our State's
information technology infrastructure.
I learned a great deal from those individuals and institutions. I
learned a great deal also at two community dinners I held in West
Warwick and in Johnston, RI, where hundreds of Rhode Islanders came out
to join me and our senior Senator Jack Reed, not only for spaghetti and
meatballs--and they were good. I think I might be the only Senator to
introduce meatballs into the townhall formula, and it worked fine. They
were for a serious, civil, and constructive debate on the state of our
current health care system. It brought out some stories I wish to share
quickly this afternoon.
The first story is about Christine, who is a wife and mother, from
Coventry, RI. Her family's struggle to maintain health insurance has
left her and her husband with very difficult choices and few options.
In 2007, Christine was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Shortly
thereafter, she lost her job. She was shifting the family's coverage to
her husband's employer, when her husband was laid off as well. That
left Christine and her husband and their 6-year-old son with no health
insurance. Still reeling from those bits of bad news, Christine and her
husband were faced with decisions no one should be forced to make.
Without medical insurance, with no affordable options for health
coverage because of Christine's preexisting condition, they faced a
choice now of leaving their home--think about that. You have a 6-year-
old son who might lose his home--or paying for health insurance. At the
moment, they cannot see a way to manage both.
As Christine told me:

I don't want any handouts. Unfortunately, life has handed
me and my family a difficult path, and right now my family
needs a little help. We should not have to make a decision
between our health and our financial stability.

Until her husband finds a job, Christine says that every day they
hold their breath and pray nothing will happen because that is all our
broken health care system now has to offer them.
I also met Anna from Johnston, RI, who shared the story of her sister
Tina. As is the story of so many today, Tina's husband lost his job.
Their only option for health insurance was through COBRA. At $1,500 a
month, on top of mortgage and car payments and groceries, Tina knew,
financially, this coverage was unsustainable. Finally, she had to give
it up.
Shortly after dropping coverage, Tina began to lose weight. Anna
explained that, at first, she thought her sister's weight loss was a
reaction to the stress of the family's financial situation. But then
the weight loss continued, and they realized something was seriously
wrong. Despite urging from her family, Tina resisted going to the
doctor because she was afraid the medical bills would make a very
difficult financial situation unbearable.
Eventually, Tina felt so sick they called the ambulance, and she was
taken to the hospital. Tina died 3 days later of a heart attack,
complicated by bone cancer and diabetes. When Anna talked to the doctor
who treated Tina, they asked the family why Tina had avoided coming to
the hospital for so long because, with proper early intervention, her
sister's conditions would have been treatable.
Anna told me she understands people get sick and die, but the manner
in which her sister passed away was tragic because it didn't have to
happen.
Over the August recess, I also heard from Rhode Islanders through the
health care storyboard I ran on my Web site. Two of the stories are
remarkable.
The first is from Ken, a recent Rhode Island College graduate from
Greenville. He worked hard, dreaming he would be the first in his
family to achieve a college degree. A year after graduation, Ken has
that college degree, but he cannot find a full-time job with health
insurance benefits. In this difficult economy, he works two part-time
jobs at minimum wage, and he has no health benefits.
Ken wasn't looking to make a six-figure salary after graduation, but
he was looking to be able to get by. On his current income, he has
difficulty making ends meet with his day-to-day expenses, and he says
it will take years to pay off his student loans at this rate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent for 5 more minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Ken is having a hard time making ends meet with his
day-to-day expenses, and it will take years to pay off his student
loans. On such a limited income and in this situation, health insurance
is simply not an option for Ken.
Ken is discouraged and frustrated. Despite his hard work and
achievement, he knows that at any moment he is one sickness or injury
away from thousands of dollars in debt or ruined credit that would
affect his chances for a prosperous future. He has worked for
everything he has earned, but health care costs are so high he is
scared about his future, if nothing is done to fix our health care
system.
Last is Beth, a small business owner in Providence. She and her
husband have two full-time and two part-time employees. They find
themselves at the whim of insurance companies. Because they don't have
the bargaining power to negotiate the terms of their health insurance
package, they have seen 41 percent increases in their insurance rates
for 2 years in a row.
Beth told me the cost of health insurance is breaking the backs of
small entrepreneurs, those critical drivers of innovation and building
blocks of our Nation's economy. She doesn't understand how or why
anyone would start their own business under the deep financial burdens
imposed on small business by our current health insurance system.
Beth also cannot afford health insurance coverage for her twin 3-
year-old girls. Beth admits she is terrified about what might happen to
them without the safety net that health coverage offers. She urges us
to work quickly toward reform so others do not have to struggle with
the same fear and frustration as her family.
The Senate has been working hard on health reform legislation since
the very beginning of this year. The process is trying and tiring and
extremely complex. As we turn up the heat even more the next few weeks
and become mired in the intense process of drafting a final bill and
getting it to the floor, I urge my colleagues to remember health care
reform is not about the interest groups, it is not about parliamentary
procedures, it is not about secret meetings, and it is not about CBO
scores. Reforming our health care system in America is about Christine
and Tina and Beth and Ken and thousands like them in every one of our
States across the country. And it means injecting some fairness and
some reason into a system that has punished the sick, rewarded the
greedy, and discouraged those who try to do the right thing.
For me, these stories reinforce the urgency of what we need to get
done in the Senate. I am fully committed to completing this task, as I
know the Presiding Officer is, and I look forward to getting it done
over the next few weeks.
In closing, let me just say this is the first time I have spoken on
the Senate floor since our colleague, Senator Kennedy, has left us. His
desk is three down from me. I don't know if the camera shows it now,
but there is a black drape over it and some flowers and a

[[Page 21052]]

copy of Robert Frost's ``The Road Less Traveled.'' I know this poem
meant a lot to him, and he certainly meant a lot to me as a very
gracious mentor with vast experience who could easily have ignored a
new colleague. But he took an interest, and I will never forget his
kindness to me.
We all will miss his booming voice. He could fill this Chamber with
his voice. We will miss his rollicking good humor. No one enjoyed life
and enjoyed his colleagues more than the senior Senator from
Massachusetts. We will miss his masterful legislative skills as we try
to work our way through the obstructions the other side will be
throwing up against progress on health care reform. His wise voice and
counsel will be missed.
Finally, we will miss his lion's heart. He knew when the fight was
right, he knew when it was worth fighting for, and he was in it to win
it.
Ted, God bless you. We miss you.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in
morning business for 15 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, let me follow on the remarks of my
colleague from Rhode Island as he discussed briefly at the end of his
remarks the loss of our colleague and friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.
The desk that is now cloaked in black and adorned with flowers is a
desk that was once occupied by Senator John F. Kennedy, then occupied
by Senator Robert Kennedy, and for many years occupied by Senator Ted
Kennedy.
He was an extraordinary friend to all of us, a remarkable legislator.
This is not a case of the Senate just losing one Senator. He was such a
much larger presence than that in the public life of our country and
particularly in the workings of this Congress.
My thoughts and prayers have been with Ted Kennedy and his family
over these many months as he has battled brain cancer. Now, since his
death, we have all reflected on what he meant to us and to this
country.
Today it seems inappropriate to take the floor of the Senate without
at least acknowledging the absence of our friend, Ted Kennedy, and to
send our prayers to his family.

____________________

WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE IN PUBLIC SPENDING

Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, when Senator Kennedy would come to the
floor with a booming voice, full of passion about an issue, it was an
extraordinary thing to watch and to listen to. He had that kind of
passion. I do want to say there are a lot of things for us to be
passionate about. One of the things I have talked about on the floor of
the Senate is the waste, fraud and abuse in public spending. All of us
believe in investing in programs that work to try to help make life
better in this country and advance the interests of this country. But
it makes me furious to see the kinds of things I see from time to time
that represent waste, fraud, and abuse and unbelievable incompetence.
Let me describe just one.
We know this not because of some extraordinary work by this body. We
know this because of some extraordinary work by C.J. Chivers and Eric
Schmitt at the New York Times because they wrote a story about it.
Let me tell you the story, and I am sure it will make every American
as angry as it makes me. This is a picture of Efraim Diveroli, a 22-
year-old CEO of a firm awarded $300 million in U.S. contracts to
provide armaments, bullets, and guns to the Afghan fighters. That is
right. A 22-year-old man using a shell corporation established by his
father, working out of a building with an unmarked door in Miami, got
$300 million in contracts from the Department of Defense. He was a CEO.
By the way, there is no evidence of any other employees except him and
his vice president. Yes, his vice president was older, 25 years old and
a massage therapist.
Let me say that again. The Department of Defense gave $300 million in
contracts to a 22-year-old CEO of a company--a company that was run by
a 22-year-old CEO--and a 25-year-old vice president massage therapist.
Why do I tell you this today? Because a new story just recently
described the fact that Mr. Diveroli pled guilty to a fraud conspiracy
charge relating to the $300 million in U.S. contracts. He faces up to 5
years in prison.
I have spoken about this man and this circumstance probably three or
four times on the floor of the Senate to ask the question: How on Earth
could this have happened?
Let me just show, if I might, what this was about. This was about
products. No, not staplers or reams of paper. These were killer
products, ammunition; ammunition that was supposed to be provided to
the Afghan fighters. As it turns out, ammunition that spills out of
boxes. Here are some other examples.
In this chart, these are bullets, 40-year-old, Chinese-made
cartridges they found somewhere in the world and sent them over to
Afghanistan and the Afghan fighters.
Here we can see spilling out of boxes 42-year-old Chinese ammunition
that was delivered in Afghanistan from these two folks.
The 22-year-old CEO with whom both the Defense Department and the
State Department did business, by the way had previous contracts with
the State Department. They were unsatisfactory, and despite that, he
got $300 million in contracts from the Defense Department. This
photograph is from 2007. That is when he got the $300 million in
defense contracts. This photograph happens to be a police photograph
because he was arrested for assaulting a parking lot attendant. At the
time, he was found to have had a forged driver's license which made him
out to be 4 years older than he really was. He said he forged the
license and didn't need it any longer now that he is 21 because he only
wanted to buy alcohol in the first place.
They ran the company, AEY--the 22- and 25-year-olds getting $300
million in defense contracts after they had gotten contracts with the
State Department and judged to be unsatisfactory--out of a building in
Miami. It was an unmarked door in a Miami Beach building. That is all
you could see. The only evidence that exists suggests that this was a
company with just two people.
Mr. Packouz, the 25-year-old massage therapist, has also pled guilty.
So both have now pled guilty. I have shown examples of the arms they
were supposed to have procured for the Afghan fighters, and when they
were delivered, the Afghan fighters called them ``junk''--junk--stuff
that was made in the 1960s in China.
The way they purchased this so-called junk violated U.S. law in the
first place. The New York Times originally published this story. That
is when I saw it. That is when I came to the floor of the Senate and
asked a very simple question: How did this happen? How on Earth could
this have happened? Who is minding the store? If the Army had made the
slightest effort to look into the backgrounds of Mr. Diveroli and Mr.
Packouz, they never would have granted contracts to them.
The award was made in January 2007 by the Army Sustainment Command.
On May 7, 2008, I met with Army LTG William Mortensen to find out why
on Earth they gave contracts in this circumstance. Mr. Mortensen was a
three-star general, Deputy Commander of the Army Materiel Command,
which commanded authority over the Army Sustainment Command. They had
awarded this contract. General Mortensen has since retired. He was
completely unapologetic about this, by the way. He said the Army
contracts were with companies, not individuals, and on paper the
Diveroli company looked just fine.
Of course it didn't because they had not looked at the paper. Had
they looked at the State Department with which that company previously
contracted, they would have found out this is nobody with whom to
contract. He told me nobody in the Army had thought to look through the
background of Mr. Diveroli and Mr. Packouz, even though this was a
company which consisted, as we know, of

[[Page 21053]]

just two people. He told me, under similar circumstances, the Army
would probably make the same decision again and give contracts to such
people again. Then he told me if Mr. Diveroli and Mr. Packouz were
acquitted, the Army would go back to doing business with them.
If General Mortensen had wanted to know a little bit about with whom
they were doing business to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars
he could have gone to MySpace. Mr. Diveroli had a page on MySpace. He
describes himself as a super nice guy. He said on MySpace:

I had problems in high school so I was forced to I work and
probably grew up way too fast.

He said:

Basically I'm just chilling with my boys.

And he likes to go clubbing and see movies.
He could have checked, of course, more than MySpace.
He could have checked perhaps a criminal record and found he had been
charged with domestic violence and with drunk driving. He could have
Googled his name and discovered the vice president, in addition to
being a massage therapist, was a professional song writer.
With these kinds of backgrounds, I am just wondering, where is there
accountability? Where is the accountability? I understand that because
two enterprising reporters for the New York Times broke this story, and
we probably would not know it now because this did not come from
oversight hearings, it did not come from a Truman committee we should
have in this Chamber investigating these things, but it was
enterprising reporting that did this. I understand that. So because of
that, we have a couple of people charged criminally.
The question I ask is, where is the accountability in the Department
of Defense for deciding they are going to move $300 million through the
hands of these two? Who did that? Who is responsible? Were they asked
to account for it and to answer for it to the American taxpayers and
the government for which they worked?
The answer is no, and that is what is wrong, and it is why I come to
the Senate floor to recite this again. There is some good news.
Finally, we have criminal charges that have been adjudicated, and the
fact is, two people have pled guilty. But will this be happening today
somewhere in the Pentagon? Will it? Did it happen with water that was
sent by a contractor to all the military bases in Iraq, the nonpotable
water that has more contamination than raw water from the Euphrates
River? Did it happen there? The Army said no. The inspector general, at
my request, investigated and said, yes, it did happen.
I can go on at length about dozens and dozens of similar
circumstances. The question is, who is accountable for the spending of
this money? Who has been made to be accountable? Who had to answer for
it?
I ask the Secretary of Defense and others: Is there somebody made
accountable for this situation? I understand there is criminal
accountability for these two people. But is there accountability for
the people who decided to employ them, despite all the evidence that
this made no sense for our country?
I ask that question for a very important reason. We are going to have
a debate about Afghanistan. I have very strong feelings about that
issue as well. What we are seeing now is more and more contracting
being done in Afghanistan just as the ratcheting up of contracts
occurred in Iraq. More and more and more contracting. Who is minding
the store? What kind of oversight can we expect? Or will we a week from
now, a month from now, or a year from now read another story by a
couple of good reporters who dug it out to say something happened that
is unbelievable and the American people got defrauded to the tune of
millions of dollars or, in this case, hundreds of millions of dollars.
All of us have responsibility at this point to make accountable those
who allowed this sort of thing to happen and not just in this case. I
have done 20 hearings now as chairman of the Policy Committee, which
have helped to unearth a great amount of evidence of waste, fraud and
abuse.
Well, I know my colleague in Oklahoma is patiently waiting, and I
wish to give him an opportunity to speak. I only want to say this. This
is a conclusion with criminal charges and guilty pleas with respect to
this issue, which I think is a metaphor for a much larger set of
problems that we in the Congress and in the administration have a
responsibility to address and to address soon. This issue of big
Federal budget deficits is very real. They are unsustainable and
dangerous. One of the ways to deal with them is to tighten our belts
and start cutting spending where spending is being wasted. This was an
unbelievable waste of the taxpayers' money, and my hat is off to the
reporters who discovered it. I have been following it now for a couple
years on the floor of the Senate, and at least I am able to say guilty
pleas have been received.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I have been here this afternoon and hope
to get a little more time than we are getting. Right now we are into
the final debate on the vote that will take place at 5:30. The Senator
from Nevada, Senator Ensign, has agreed to let me have 10 minutes, so I
ask unanimous consent to speak for 10 minutes as in morning business.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, could we point out that we are to go to
the bill at 4:30. I discussed with my colleague that we have 30 minutes
on each side on the bill, and if we could go to the bill and then have
my colleague speak on that portion of the bill, I think that would be
the right approach.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma is recognized for 10
minutes.

____________________

ISSUES FACING THE SENATE

Mr. INHOFE. I thank the Chair.
Well, first of all, I had a few stories I was going to tell about my
very good friend who is deceased now, Senator Kennedy, and if there is
time before my time expires I will get into that. I have a feeling more
will take place on that tomorrow or later on tonight.
Let me mention one thing because I think it is so fresh on our minds
now, having come back from the August recess. I did my town meetings in
smaller communities in Oklahoma. I was in Stigler, Coweta, Chickasha,
Grove, Woodward, Guymon, McAlester, and Lawton. I did this because so
many times smaller communities are left out, and I wanted to know what
kind of response they had. I made the comment when I was in Grove, OK,
that the very institutions that have historically set America aside
from the rest of the world are the ones that seem to be under attack by
this administration. I am talking about free enterprise, talking about
the fact of little government, big people, and all these things.
Since the junior Senator from Oklahoma, Mr. Coburn, is one of the two
medical doctors in the Senate, I decided to talk about the other
issues. My fear is this: There was concern about socialized medicine.
Everyone is concerned about what this President wants to do with the
health issues in America, but we are forgetting there are other very
serious issues. So I covered these, as opposed to the health problems,
because these are things we are going to be dealing with in the Senate
in the next few days or weeks, and they are very significant.
One of them is the cap-and-trade issue that we have talked about at
some length, and I will get into that in a minute; the other is the
closing of Guantanamo Bay Naval Station, or Gitmo as it is known to
most people, and the other is what has happened to our military. So let
me, real briefly, get into these areas. These are three areas where I
will be providing leadership. These are the areas of specialty I have
and I am very much concerned about.
First of all, I positioned myself in Afghanistan in February, when
Secretary of Defense Gates came out with his announcement as to the
portion of the

[[Page 21054]]

President's budget dealing with defense because I knew I was going to
be opposed to it, and I thought that would give me a national forum,
and it did. I was concerned about such things as the F-22. Right now,
the only fifth-generation fighter we have is the F-22. Initially, we
were going to have 750 of them. We now have 187, and the President, in
his budget, stopped it right there. He didn't say terminate, but I will
use the word ``terminate,'' because when you suspend something for an
undetermined period of time, I think it is terminated.
At the same time that happened, we know that China is now working on
their J-12s and Russia on their PAK-FAs. These are fifth-generation
fighters they are going to be using to export to countries that could
be potential enemies of ours. I have looked at the C-17 program--
stopping that program--the future combat system. We haven't had in
America a transition in ground capability in quite some time--about 60
years. So we have been working on the future combat system. That system
has been terminated.
I think the one that probably has the greatest danger on the lives of
Americans could probably be the system we had negotiated with the
Parliaments of Poland and the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic was
asked if they would agree to have a radar system to see any kind of
incoming missile which might have been coming from Iran, and they
agreed to do that. Then Poland agreed to have an interception
capability that would knock down such a missile coming from Iran. I
don't think there is anyone in America who doesn't realize that Iran is
going to have their nuclear capability and delivery systems just as
soon as they can. For the sake of Western Europe and the Eastern United
States, I think it is critical we put ourselves in a position to have
that capability. Well, he stopped that. So we will be talking about
that for quite some time.
Gitmo. I think most people realize now that Guantanamo Bay is an
asset we have had since 1903. It has all kinds of capabilities. It is
the only place in the world you can put terrorist detainees where you
can have a facility built for them--some seven degrees of security. We
have a system there where we use military tribunals. I will never
understand why President Obama is obsessed with bringing these
detainees into the United States either for trial or for incarceration.
For a trial, it would be the worst plan in the world because, by
definition, a terrorist trains people to become terrorists. We don't
need to have terrorists in our prison system teaching other people how
to become terrorists.
Some of the places the President talked about sending them included
my State, at Fort Sill. We will talk about that maybe some other time.
But I do think, when we see just a matter of days ago, the release of
Mohammed Jawad from Gitmo, nobody knows--or at least I don't know, and
I should know, being the second-ranking member on the Armed Services
Committee--why he would be released. We also know Mullah Zakir, who was
killing American marines in the Helmand Province for quite some period
of time, was released and is now back. He went into Gitmo in 2006, they
released him in 2008, and he is back. Now we have received evidence
that is conclusive that he is fighting on the side of the Taliban. So
you can't turn these guys loose.
The third area I was concentrating on is one I will go back to 8
years ago. Redemption is kind of good for the soul, I think, because 8
years ago I was looking at the science on the notion that manmade
gases--anthropogenic gases, CO2, methane--caused global
warming. It was something everybody believed. Until I looked into the
science, frankly, I believed it too. Now we see the science is not
there. I made the statement 8 years ago that perhaps those liberals--
mostly from Hollywood and that type of mentality--who want us to
believe in the notion that manmade gases cause global warming is the
most significant hoax ever perpetrated on the American people. I think
now there are a lot fewer people today who are upset with the statement
I made 8 years ago than there were then. This is something that is
critical.
I wish to conclude with that, but first of all I wish to mention that
there is a document that is too long to put in the Record. It is some
65 pages. I will have it on my Web site. This is a brave paper done by
Robert P. Smith. He has a Ph.D., he is a petroleum engineer, and he
talks about the energy crisis and what we can do in the United States
to resolve that energy crisis--such commonsense things as continuing to
conserve, to continue to support the free market, to oppose the cap-
and-trade taxes--which I will talk about in a second--to oppose the
alternative energy subsidies because we have to continue to develop and
to supply energy for America while we are developing the technologies,
so we need to continue coal-powered generation. We need to fast-track
oil and gas exploration and use natural gas wisely. It includes nuclear
plants.
I would suggest to anyone who is interested in getting into the best
piece I have seen on this subject to go to my Web site--
inhofe.senate.gov--and we have a lot of that information on this. But
he does have only 3 pages out of the 65 pages detailing the idea that
global warming is caused by manmade gases, and I think it is done in a
way that is very understandable by people who are not necessarily
scientists or don't have a background in it. So I strongly recommend
this document--called ``Energy: Present and Future,'' by Robert P.
Smith--to the reading list of the American people or anyone who is
concerned about that issue.
Lastly, prior to the Republicans losing the majority in the Senate, I
was the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee. That
chairman is now Senator Barbara Boxer. She took over the committee from
my leadership.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has used 10 minutes.
Mr. INHOFE. I was given an additional 5 minutes from our side, Mr.
President.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. INHOFE. I thank the Chair. I will conclude with this.
During the time that all the hearings--over 30 hearings--that Senator
Boxer has had on the subject of global warming were taking place--and
it was not just the Republicans but a total turnaround--the Democrats
started to look into this and realized the Democrats, as a party--who
always supported cap-and-trade systems, such as the 2003 bill and the
2005 bill and the 2008 bill--are now looking at it and they are cutting
to the chase. I will give a few quotes here. These are all quotes from
Democrats.
President Obama said: Electricity prices would necessarily skyrocket.
Democratic Representative John Dingell from Michigan said: Cap and
trade is a tax and a great big one. Democratic Representative Pete
DeFazio said: A cap and trade system is prone to market manipulation
and speculation without any guarantee of meaningful GHG emission
reductions.
The best is from my good friend from North Dakota, Senator Byron
Dorgan, when he said about cap and trade: The Wall Street crowd can't
wait to sink their teeth into a new trillion-dollar trading market in
which hedge funds and investment banks would trade and speculate on
carbon credits and securities. I totally agree with my good friend,
Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan.
Democratic Senator Cantwell from Washington: A cap and trade program
might allow Wall Street to distort a carbon market for its own profits.
We learned, of course, from Lisa Jackson, who is the new
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, when I asked her
this question in a public hearing. I said: If we should pass the Markey
bill in the Senate and it gets signed into law, will this reduce carbon
emissions in the world?
She said: No.
Logically, obviously, she is right. If we drive our jobs overseas to
places such as China and India, where they have no intention of having
any kind of emission requirements, then that would have the effect of
increasing, not decreasing, the amount of emissions in the air.

[[Page 21055]]

Senator Kerry said: There is no way the United States of America
acting alone can solve this problem. So we have to have China; we have
to have India.
I say we are not going to have China and India.
Senator McCaskill said: If we go too far with this cap and trade,
then all we are going to do is chase more jobs to China and India,
where they have been putting up coal-fired plants every 10 minutes.
Not quite true. I would say to my good friend, Senator McCaskill, it
is about two coal-fired generation plants that are built every week in
China. We haven't done one in 12 years here. So we know what their
intentions are.
So we have had all these hearings, and we have recognized that things
have changed now. You look at the groups now, and you have the
agricultural community, the American Farm Bureau, and a vast majority
of the agricultural groups who oppose it. The GAO says it will send our
jobs to China and India. The very eloquent chairman of the National
Black Chamber of Commerce did a great job of testifying before our
committee and said it would destroy over 2 million jobs. The EPA and
the EIA--that is the Energy Information Agency--said it would not
reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The EPA said it will do nothing
to reduce global temperatures. So when all is said and done, the
American people will reject it. We are sure a lot further now.
I have to say this: This was a breath of fresh air, to listen to the
American people standing up at these townhall meetings all around the
country. In my 12 or 14 meetings I had in my State of Oklahoma, people
know the right thing is going to happen. We are here to make that
happen.
With that, I thank the Senator from Nevada for allowing me to have 15
minutes of his time, and I yield the floor.

____________________

CONCLUSION OF MORNING BUSINESS

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Morning business is closed.

____________________

TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT OF 2009

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate resumes
consideration of S. 1023, which the clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:

A bill (S. 1023) to establish a nonprofit corporation to
communicate United States entry policies and otherwise
promote leisure, business, and scholarly travel to the United
States.

Pending:

Reid (for Dorgan/Rockefeller) amendment No. 1347, of a
perfecting nature.
Reid amendment No. 1348 (to amendment No. 1347), to change
the enactment date.
Reid amendment No. 1349 (to the language proposed to be
stricken by amendment No. 1347), to change the enactment
date.
Reid amendment No. 1350 (to amendment No. 1349), of a
perfecting nature.
Reid motion to commit the bill to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, with instructions.
Reid amendment No. 1351 (to the instructions on the motion
to recommit), to change the enactment date.
Reid amendment No. 1352 (to amendment No. 1351), of a
perfecting nature.
Reid amendment No. 1353 (to amendment No. 1352), of a
perfecting nature.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the time until 5:30
p.m. will be divided or controlled between the leaders or their
designees.
The Senator from North Dakota is recognized.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I want to begin the discussion, then I
believe my colleague, Senator Ensign, who has worked hard on this
legislation, will follow. Then Senator Klobuchar who also has played a
significant role in this will follow with comments. If others arrive,
of course we want them to be able to involve themselves in the debate.
At a time when there is so much discussion about partisanship and how
things don't work so well, this legislation, the cloture motion we vote
on at 5:30 today, is bipartisan. Unlike some other discussions about
partisanship, this is bipartisan. This legislation is called the Travel
Promotion Act of 2009. It has 53 cosponsors. There are many Democrats
and Republicans cosponsoring this legislation.
Just today the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to all Members
of Congress saying they strongly support this legislation. The Chamber
urges Members to support the legislation and to vote for cloture.
Let me talk just for a moment about what this is. First of all, at a
time when we need jobs, this is about jobs. At a time when we need to
find ways to address budget deficits, this is one piece of legislation
that is not going to cost money. In fact, the Congressional Budget
Office scores it as actually a $425 million reduction in deficits over
a 10-year period. Let me say again, it is pretty unusual. It is
bipartisan, doesn't cost money--actually saves money--and addresses one
of the most critical areas of our need, and that is jobs.
What is the Travel Promotion Act and why the concern? Let me describe
it this way. We all know travel and promoting travel and tourism is job
creating. It creates jobs in many areas--yes, hotels and gas stations
and restaurants and tourist attractions, but with visitors just
traveling across our country means people are spending money. It
creates a lot of jobs.
Let me talk especially about the issue of international or foreign
travel to the United States. Did you know foreign travel is up very
dramatically in this world? There is a great deal of foreign travel--56
million more overseas trips were taken in 2008 than were taken in 2000.
So in 8 years the number of overseas trips increased by 56 million
people. But at the same time, overseas travel to the United States has
decreased. We had 634,000 fewer foreign visitors to the United States.
It means a lot of people are traveling, but since the year 2000 we have
had a loss in our share of international tourists.
Why is that important? Because when overseas travelers come to this
country, on average they spend about $4,500. That supports a lot of
jobs and a lot of businesses in this country. So why do we have
600,000-plus fewer visitors to the United States? In 2001, after the
terrorist attack against our country, we tightened visa requirements
and so on. The Iraq war occurred. There was a lot of concern by people
that maybe the United States didn't want them to come: They have
tightened visa requirements.
All of a sudden we discover that more people are traveling overseas,
but they are not traveling here. Incidentally, the tourism that is
happening internationally is not accidental. Most other countries are
very aggressively going after the international traveler, saying: Come
to our country.
Let me go through a list of just a few of those. Here is a big travel
promotion campaign that talks about ``Come to Australia. Arrived
looking for an experience to remember, departed with an adventure we'll
never forget.''
The country of Ireland saying: ``Come to Ireland. Go where Ireland
takes you.''
The list goes on. Virtually every country is saying we want foreign
tourists to come to our country. ``Sweet secrets from Japan.'' Come and
visit Japan.
We have all seen these. All of these countries are very aggressive.
Come to France. I can't read the French piece down here, but I know
what it says. It says come to France. Come here, be a part of what we
are doing.
Belgium, here is the Belgian approach: ``Where fun is always in
fashion. Visit Belgium.''
Finally, India. ``One special reason to visit India in 2009. Any time
is a good time to visit the land of the Taj, but there is no time like
now.''
Virtually every country is saying: Come to our country; come visit
us. But we are not, and we propose that we do promote our country
because it will create a lot of jobs. Just as important, when people
come here and experience what this country is about, they leave with a
wonderful impression about what America is.
So what we have put together is a piece of legislation that is
bipartisan. It is funded by and large with an entry-exit fee--that is
imposed by most other countries, by the way--a $10 fee on visa waiver
countries, the people who come

[[Page 21056]]

from those countries who visit our country. It is a minimal fee
compared to what many other countries are charging. We establish with
that fee a corporation for travel promotion, an independent nonprofit
corporation governed by an 11-member board of directors appointed by
the Secretary of Commerce. It sets up this travel promotion fund
financed by a public-private matching program.
In short, this is a very simple proposition. It will not only create
a lot of new jobs in this country at a time when we desperately need
new jobs by saying to foreign travelers come to our country, be a part
of what America has to offer you, come see our wonderful country,
experience what America is about, we know when they come to this
country they have an unbelievably good impression of what they have
just seen--the greatest democracy on the face of this planet by far,
and they experience the magic and wonders of this country.
What we are saying to them is, at a time when travel around the world
is up, that is visitors to other countries, and ours is down, let's
solve this problem and let's do it without breaking the bank. In fact,
this will not cost money; this will save money. Let's do it by working
in a bipartisan way on one of the significant problems we face in
America, and that is the loss of jobs.
In case someone thinks perhaps there are just a few of us who think
this is a good idea, here are a few examples of others who think this
is a great idea. The Dallas Morning News:

The travel promotion act is a sensible first step toward
putting the welcome mat back on America's doorstep.

What a wonderful way to put it.
The Los Angeles Times:

Considering the U.S. spends hundreds of millions of dollars
on public diplomacy with dubious results and nearly nothing
on promoting tourism, it might do well to invest a little
money in wooing travelers.

Sacramento Bee:

This country needs to reclaim its stand as a global magnet
for visitors even in this post-9/11 climate--and Congress can
help by passing the Travel Promotion Act by the end of this
year.

Duluth News Tribune:

Ideas to bolster economic recovery without plunging the
Nation any deeper into debt would be welcomed by taxpayers
from coast to coast.

The Detroit Free Press:

Doesn't it make sense to encourage, at no cost to
taxpayers, foreign visitors to come here and leave us some
money? There is no good reason not to pass this bill.

I needn't go on. This is not rocket science. This is something our
country should do. If, in fact, in a smaller and smaller world, more
and more people are traveling, then why should fewer people travel to
the United States of America? This ought to be one of the great
destination places on the entire planet. I expect and hope most people
want to come to this country and see what America has to offer. But I
think post-9/11 what we have done with visas and so on, which we are
now correcting and have corrected by and large--longer waiting times,
we have made them shorter and so on--I think there was a notion out
there somehow that the welcome mat doesn't exist. We are changing that.
Republicans and Democrats can work together to change that. This
legislation is good legislation, and I hope my colleagues will join me
today in voting for cloture and moving this bill as soon as possible
through the Senate, through the House, and to the President for
signature.
When we do, those people who have had to come home to say to their
spouse: Honey, I have lost my job--some of those millions of people,
are going to be able to come home someday and say: I have a new job.
There is some new activity going on in our State. I have a new job that
relates to the substantial increase in international tourism to the
United States.
That will be a good thing for our country. So as the principal
author, along with Senator Ensign, of this legislation--and let me say
also the chair of the Tourism Subcommittee, Senator Klobuchar--I am
pleased to be able to work together with my colleagues to get this
legislation completed today.
I reserve the remainder of my time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada is recognized.
Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, first let me thank the coauthor of this
legislation, Senator Dorgan, for his leadership on recognizing how
important this legislation is to our country, especially at this
critical time when our country need jobs. All of us who just went back
to our home States realize there are a lot of people who are truly
hurting out there. It is not just people who have already lost their
jobs, but there are a lot of people who are afraid they are going to
lose their jobs.
There are people who are afraid to invest to create jobs. I would say
the number one emotion I heard during the August recess was that of
fear. It is fear of what is going to happen in this country. I think
Senator Dorgan eloquently put it that this bill is about jobs. It is
about creating jobs without adding to the Federal debt.
Another thing I heard throughout the State of Nevada is that people
are very concerned about Federal spending and the deficits this year we
are facing. This looming Federal debt that people believe is a threat
to the future of the United States. This bipartisan bill helps create
jobs without adding to the deficit. The bill is paid for through
contributions from the private sector plus $10 entry fee into the
United States. Countries are able to participate in what is called a
visa waiver program. It is cheaper for those countries who participate
in the visa waiver program because $10 is actually cheaper than if you
were to get a full visa. Most countries charge more than $10 for such a
program; the $10 entry fee will not deter people from coming to the
United States. As a matter of fact, the money is going to let people
know that the United States is open for business.
I am obviously from a tourist-driven State. We spend a lot of money
advertising, whether it is Las Vegas, Reno or Lake Tahoe, we spend a
lot of money advertising to other places, including internationally.
Nevada does a lot of advertising. The Las Vegas Convention Authority
and private businesses advertise because it works.
What we are saying in this bill is, let's do it as a country. Let us
show how many amazing places there are to see. Let's tell the rest of
the world about it.
You know the old saying: If you build it they will come? We already
have built it, or God built it with our natural resources we have, but
you have to let them know they are welcome and it is easy to travel to
the United States. That is what this legislation will do.
Plus, when you tell them about the United States, it will paint a
mental picture in their minds when they are thinking about where to
spend their next holiday or vacation. They say: You know what, I just
saw that ad. It is kind of in the back of my mind. I always wanted to
go to the United States.
Maybe they want to see some of our national wonders, whether it is
Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Alaska, or Hawaii. Nevada has
Lake Tahoe, one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in the entire world.
I would argue it is the most beautiful Alpine lake in the entire world.
There are so many places to see that are manmade in this country.
Washington, DC is one of the most incredible cities in the world. If we
tell people about it, and they come and learn about our history and our
democracy, they may get a better view of the people and of the
Government of the United States. The statistics are clear. People who
visit the United States have a much more favorable view of the United
States. There are plenty of other places to see, whether it is going to
see the amazing culture of New York City or some of the other amazing
cities, such as Chicago.
My hometown of Las Vegas is a world-class destination with some of
the most amazing restaurants and entertainment on the planet. There are
great beaches in California and on the East Coast. There are some of
the most amazing golf destinations, whether it is Hilton Head, SC, or
the Monterey Peninsula in California.
The United States has some amazing places to see. If we tell people
about it,

[[Page 21057]]

they will come in greater numbers. The studies are fairly significant
on this. If you spend money to bring people, they will come. And when
they come, they will bring their money.
Senator Dorgan talked about the average visitor who comes from
overseas comes from a long ways away; not just Canada or Mexico. When
they come from a long way away, they spend, on average, $4,500 in the
United States. If we can attract some of those 58 million new visitors
who are traveling worldwide now since the year 2000, even a small piece
of that number, it is going to create tens of thousands of jobs in the
United States. Who around here does not think we need jobs? The
unemployment rate of Clark County, NV, which is where Las Vegas is
located, is 14 percent now.
Tourism, when you total it all together, is the number one industry
in the United States. We ought to do something to promote it. That is
why this legislation, I believe, is so important. This country is
crying out for bipartisanship. This bill does not add to the deficit.
That is why this bill makes so much sense at this time in our country's
history.
Over the next couple of days, we are going to be debating this bill.
Tonight is a procedural vote to get on the bill. I believe all Senators
should support it. When we get on the bill, we will have a lot more to
say about it, a lot more examples of why this is good legislation.
I appreciate the work that has been done. I will yield the floor to
allow the Subcommittee Chairwoman to speak, Senator Klobuchar. She has
done great work on this bill. We appreciate her support as well. This
is a bipartisan piece of legislation that this country needs right now.
Our country needs anything that is going to create jobs and not add to
the deficit.
I yield the floor and I reserve the remainder of our time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
Mr. DORGAN. I yield 10 minutes of our time to Senator Klobuchar.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is recognized.
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, as the Senator from Nevada was
discussing, all of us were home in the last month. I heard a lot about
health care and I know we will be having an extensive debate and doing
some very important work in this area. I heard a lot about the economy.
Well, this bill is about an industry that one out of every eight
Americans is employed in--one out of every eight Americans. And if
there is something we know we can do, which we know we can do in this
bill to help promote more jobs in this country without costing
taxpayers any money, this is the time to do it.
I first thank Senator Dorgan from North Dakota for his tireless work
for years on this bill. I was listening as Senator Ensign went through
all of the wonders of Nevada. And we all know there is some great
tourism there. But he failed to mention Teddy Roosevelt Park in North
Dakota, a place I have been visited myself. And, of course, I hope many
people have come to the Mall of America in Minnesota as well as a lot
of our beautiful forests and lakes.
Every State has something to be proud of when it comes to travel.
Today we have the opportunity to help this industry with the Travel
Promotion Act. We should not let it go to waste. As was mentioned, I am
the Chair of the Commerce Subcommittee that deals with tourism. But I
also come from a State that values common sense. And supporting
legislation that will create jobs, generate spending, and reduce the
deficit, all at no cost to the taxpayer, is the definition of common
sense.
Look at the numbers. This bill is expected to bring in 1.6 million
new international visitors each year--1.6 million. And you know how
much they spend? They spend $4,500, on average, when they come here.
You can do the math: some 1.6 million new visitors times $4,500 every
single year in this country. In fact, some economists expect the bill
to generate $4 billion in new spending and $321 million in new Federal
tax revenue.
It is estimated to create 40,000 new jobs. The Congressional Budget
Office estimates that this bill will reduce the budget deficit by $425
million over the next 10 years. Remember those numbers: $4,500 per
person for every new visitor; 1.6 million new people every year coming
to our country; $4 billion in new spending, 40,000 new jobs. Costs to
the taxpayer: zero.
During these tough economic times, how could we not pass this bill
right now when we know it would do so much good? This past summer I
visited, along with my family, many areas in our State and we did
tourism hearings and various events around this bill.
In Northern Minnesota, I will be honest, at first I thought: Well,
they want tourism, it is a big industry in our State, but do they care
about this bill. That is when I found out that they do care about this
bill. Because so many visitors traditionally have come down from
Canada. And some of the barriers in getting the visas processed, and
the barriers at the border have affected tourism up in northern
Minnesota, in places such as Grand Marais and International Falls, and
Bemidji, and the Brainerd Lakes area, home of the statue of Paul Bunyan
and Babe the Blue Ox.
Minnesota shares this border with Canada. I was very surprised at how
much interest there was in getting this bill passed. They understand
that we want to promote our country internationally, like other
countries which Senator Dorgan and Senator Ensign have pointed out have
done for so long. But they also want to make it easier to process these
visas.
As you know, this problem started way before the economy started
having trouble. It occurred after 9/11 where, for very good reasons,
there were some tighter visa requirements put in place. The problem is,
we have gotten so behind that a lot of people who are living in, say,
France think: Well, am I going to go to America where it is maybe going
to take months to process my visa? Maybe I will go over to England or
maybe I will go to Japan. And so we need to speed up that process.
We know that tourism creates good jobs that cannot be outsourced. It
increases sales for local businesses and it brings in tax revenue for
local and State economies. One of my favorite examples is Duluth. It is
not Las Vegas but listen to this story. Duluth is a port city that was
hit hard by recessions of the 1970s and the early 1980s.
My dad is from northern Minnesota. We would go up there a lot. I
could see how much that community was hurting during that time. At one
point it was so bad that they put a famous billboard on the edge of
town that said: Will the last one out please turn off the lights.
Well, the lights are still on in Duluth; they are as bright as ever.
A lot has to do with the promotion of tourism. The city has transformed
itself on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior into a popular tourist
destination, welcoming nearly 4 million visitors each year with an
annual economic impact of over $700 million.
We know that the tourism industry is feeling the effects of the
economic downturn. On top of that, as I mentioned, the United States
has seen its decline in the tourism industry in the past decade. As we
see here, the U.S. share of the world travel market has decreased by
nearly 20 percent, costing us hundreds of thousands of jobs and
billions of dollars in revenue.
When a traveler decides to go somewhere else besides the United
States, there is a ripple effect throughout our economy. You think
about the hotels, of course; you think about the airlines. But you know
who else you should be thinking about? You should be thinking about
that person who is working making beds in the hotel or the waitress who
is working in the restaurant where people would stop by on their drive
or you think about the florist who is getting those flowers ready for
the business conference. These are all jobs, those are all jobs in this
economy.
Last year nearly 200,000 travel-related jobs were lost, and the
Commerce Department predicts that we will lose another 247,000 jobs
this year. We can do something about this. We can bring in more
travelers, we can create more

[[Page 21058]]

jobs, and we can boost our economy. That is why we need to pass the
Travel Promotion Act.
First, this bill will create the Corporation for Travel Promotion, a
public-private partnership to promote the United States as an
international travel destination, and finally establish a coordinated
national tourism program.
Senator Dorgan has some amazing blowups of some of the work that you
have seen in other countries. Just look. Indonesia has its own tourism
program. The Bahamas entice people to go there; Scotland, Taiwan, South
Korea; Australia with their kangaroo. What do we have right now?
Nothing. Individual cities are going out there, places such as New
York, places such as Las Vegas. It is not so easy for some small
resorts in Minnesota or North Dakota or Vermont or New Hampshire to do
that.
But this is the chance where we can actually promote our country
internationally. And we are in major competition for international
travel, but we are not competing. In 2005, Greece spent more than $150
million on travel promotion; France spent $63 million. That is what we
are up against. It is time for the United States to catch up to the
rest of the world. It is time for us to play on an even playing field.
Second, the bill will establish the Office of Travel Promotion in the
Department of Commerce to work with the Corporation for Travel
Promotion and the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to make
sure that international visitors are processed efficiently. It is time
to cut through the redtape so we can get the people who are going to
these countries to come to our country.
We have always been a country that has opened our arms to people who
want to come and visit. We have been proud of that, because we know
that it does not only have an economic benefit, it has also a
diplomatic benefit. People who visit the United States are 74 percent
more likely to have a favorable opinion of our country than those who
have not visited.
As we enter a new era in our international relations, travel can play
an important role in building bridges between Americans and people from
across the globe.
Finally, as I mentioned earlier, this legislation will not cost
taxpayers a dime. I say to Senator Dorgan, it is a very good way to
begin this session, to begin it by looking at something that is paid
for by combination of private sector contributions and a small fee on
international travelers, non-U.S. taxpayers, who are entering the
United States. This is commonsense legislation.
When you think about the positive ripple effect that will happen as
more international visitors visit our country, it will increase sales
for businesses ranging from airlines to hotels, to those little flower
shops. It will increase revenues in our local economy, and it will
increase jobs.
The United States is home to some of the world's wonders. And the
Travel Promotion Act will give us the tools we need to promote the
United States as a premiere travel destination.
As Chair of the Commerce Subcommittee that includes tourism, I have
seen how important tourism is to communities, both small and large
across our country. We have the opportunity to boost travel and boost
our economy. We cannot let that go to waste.
I am glad we are debating this bill today. I am looking forward to
this vote and the days that we have here to focus on this. But I urge
my colleagues to support this. They have been home. They know people
are crying out for jobs. They know this is something at no cost to the
taxpayers, bipartisan support, which will help to get us there. Let's
get this done.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
Mr. DORGAN. How much time remains?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is 8 minutes, 15 seconds.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, first, let me thank Senator Klobuchar for
her work, and Senator Ensign. I think they have said what needs to be
said.
If 48 million more people are now traveling internationally, foreign
travelers moving around the world, 48 million more, but 600,000 fewer
are traveling in the United States as foreign travelers, then something
is wrong and we need to fix it.
I want to market this country to foreign travelers, to say: Come to
all of America. Yes, come to see the Statue of Liberty, and come to see
New York City and its vibrancy, and the Empire State Building, and Las
Vegas, and Universal Studios in Los Angeles, and the Golden Gate
Bridge. And in my State, the Pembina Gorge, the Red River Valley, and
the Badlands
I would love to have foreign tourists come to experience the history
and the culture the values of all of our country. I have told the story
before on the floor of the Senate about Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore
Roosevelt was in his home in New York when on the same day, on
different floors of his home, his mother died and his wife died. In his
diary for that day, there is a big mark. It is just an X for that day.
He lost both his wife and his mother. Same day, different floors of his
house.
A broken spirit, he went to what was then North Dakota and began to
ranch in the Badlands of North Dakota, in what is now the Theodore
Roosevelt National Park.
I would love to encourage foreign tourists to come to the heartland
of America, the northern Great Plains, and see what restored the spirit
of Theodore Roosevelt. What a great way to understand and see the
history and the culture and values of this country. Isn't it
interesting and alarming that 48 million more people are traveling
around the world as foreign tourists and 600,000 fewer are traveling in
the United States? The United States, which should be the premier
destination for travel of anywhere on this Earth, and yet we have
633,000 fewer foreign travelers than we had 9 years ago. There is
something not connected here. We propose to connect it with something
that is bipartisan, something that doesn't cost money but something
that reduces the Federal budget deficit, something that creates jobs
when we have lost so many, to be able to do that working together, to
say: Here is something on which we can agree. Here is something we
think would boost America's economic strength, here is something we
believe would contribute to building new jobs, and, most importantly
for me, here is something that when people come to our country and
leave, it will allow them to leave America with a positive impression
about what this country is, who the American people are, what they
believe, what they practice. This is a remarkable place. To come here
and then leave here after having visited America is to experience one
of the great travel opportunities on this planet.
When we look at a problem and see that something is not working
right, the question is, How do we fix it? I have said so often before,
but I will say it again--because I know we have had some discussion
today in opposition to this that I think mischaracterizes it--Mark
Twain, when asked if he would engage in a debate, said: Of course, as
long as I can take the negative side.
They said: We haven't even told you the subject.
He said: It doesn't matter. The negative side will take no
preparation at all.
So it is with legislation. It is so much easier with no preparation
to come and say: I am opposed to this; I don't support this; this won't
work. The fact is, this is a problem that hurts this country. Losing
our share of international tourism at a time when more people are
traveling around the world, finding fewer people traveling to our
country, that is a problem. We can fix it in a way that doesn't spend
more, doesn't increase the Federal budget deficit, but attracts more
people to this country and creates more jobs. What a remarkable piece
of legislation that is a good investment in the future.
We have a lot to be proud of in this country, all of us. We take it
for granted every day because we wake up in this country, but, boy, do
we have a lot to be proud of. We want to show it off to foreign
visitors.

[[Page 21059]]

Since 9/11, I understand there has been a notion somehow that it is
harder to come to America. It is more hassle. What we want to say is:
That is done. It is not a hassle. We invite you to come here. Come here
and be a part of our experience.
Here is what we see in the Sidney Morning Herald: ``Coming to America
Isn't Easy''; in the Guardian, United Kingdom: ``America--more hassle
than it's worth?''; the Sunday Times of London: ``Travel to America? No
thanks.'' These are all 2008 headlines. We want to say: This country
has a welcome mat out for you. Come here. Experience what we have to
experience in America. We invite you to be a part of our experience. We
want you to come to the United States when you are considering
traveling internationally.
That is what this legislation is about. This is not complicated. It
is the right thing to do. It is the reason there are so many Democrats
and Republicans who have joined together in something we think will
strengthen the country.
I yield the floor and reserve the remainder of my time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.
Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I wish to make a couple other points
before the vote.
Some folks have questioned why we need the Travel Promotion Act. They
say that tourism will take care of itself and that this is not a role
for the Federal Government. One of the reasons I remember for years why
I wanted to go to Australia was because they advertised in the United
States. The advertisements talked about the various places, whether it
was the Great Barrier Reef, some of the sites of Sydney, Australia, or
the gorgeous beaches they have. The United States and our resources
here are so vast for people to come and see, I think to not tell folks
of the world what we have here or to remind them of what we have is a
disservice to our country. If we remind them, whether by brochures,
internet advertising, television advertising, or whatever the
advertising media we choose, we will attract people here.
There is no question that a lot of folks would love to visit the
United States. It may just take a little spark to get them to realize
that is someplace they want to go. I have thought about that. Hey,
let's take the kids. Let's go to America. Let's see some of the
incredible sites. We have heard about the Grand Canyon. We have heard
about some of the national parks. Let's go to Washington, DC, and see
the Capitol, that beacon of democracy throughout the world. Let's
remind folks of the types of things we have here in New York City.
When people come here, not only will they bring their money and
create jobs, but I believe, very importantly, people will come away
from America with a different attitude about our country. They will
come away talking about an America that is different than what they get
told about in their news media. If you are in Europe and other places,
their news media is not necessarily kind to the United States. When
people come here and meet Americans, they see our places that we have
and learn some of the history of our country. They come away with a
different attitude. That is important today when America needs friends
in the world. I believe this legislation is important not only for the
jobs it will create but for America's image in the world. This
legislation really is needed at this point.
In 1996, we eliminated a Federal program that was basically about
promoting travel to the United States. We have had private programs and
we have had public programs. None of them worked very well on their
own--privately, because they couldn't get the funding necessary; on a
public side, it was because the government doesn't run those things
very well.
This is a public-private partnership that I believe can work. That is
the reason I support this. It is the reason I think a public-private
partnership, where some of the public funding is matched with private
expertise, can bring more tourists to the United States.
Senator Klobuchar mentioned that 1.6 to 1.8 million new visitors will
come to the United States because of this legislation. That creates
many jobs. That brings a lot of revenue. That also creates a lot more
people who have visited here and will go back to their countries and
talk positively about the United States. I believe in our country, and
I believe in the goodness of our country. When people are exposed to
that goodness, I believe they will go home and talk about the goodness
of the country and the goodness of the people in the United States.
Mr. DORGAN. Will the Senator yield for a question?
Mr. ENSIGN. I am happy to yield.
Mr. DORGAN. I should also mention that Senator Reid, along with
Senator Ensign, has played a significant role in working on this
legislation. That is very important to mention. Obviously, both come
from a State that relies a great deal on tourism. My State's tourism
industry is second in the State. It plays a very large role in every
State, even though most of us don't have a traditional tourist
destination city like Las Vegas, for example.
Early on Senators talked about how companies advertise because
advertising works. It is the case that companies advertise only on
behalf of their company. I just described circumstances of aggressive
efforts for countries to advertise on behalf of their countries saying:
Come to Italy, experience what Italy has to offer. Come to France. Come
to India. The countries are very aggressive in saying: If you are
thinking of traveling around this planet, take a look at this; come to
see the Eiffel Tower.
Our country is not doing that. We are not involved in trying to reach
out to people to say: You are welcome in this country. We have so much
to offer, so much for you to see. We want you to come here and
experience it, to understand it.
This legislation creates a public-private partnership in which our
country will advertise to the world and say: Come to America. Isn't
that the case with respect to advertising of companies versus
countries?
Mr. ENSIGN. My friend is correct. It is absolutely the case. It has
been proven time and time again. These countries wouldn't continue to
spend the money if it wasn't working. Certainly, companies wouldn't
continue to spend the money if it wasn't working to bring more people,
for instance, to Las Vegas. The individual companies, as well as the
Convention and Visitors Authority, spend a lot of money to bring people
to Las Vegas. Most Americans have heard the slogans: What happens in
Vegas stays in Vegas. That became a very famous slogan. But it is the
sights, the sounds, the smells, everything together that attracts
people to come.
If tourists come to the Grand Canyon, most people will also go to
California, Las Vegas, New York City or someplace else. When folks come
from overseas, they usually don't just visit one place, they visit
several places. If we attract people using some of the iconic places we
have in the United States, other places around the country will
benefit. That is why a national advertising campaign is very important
for the country.
Mr. DORGAN. If the Senator will yield further, the fact is, we have
lost a lot of jobs in the deepest recession since the Great Depression.
All of us are striving to find ways to put people back to work. There
is not going to be some Big Bang theory by which everyone goes back to
work. We can do this incrementally. We need manufacturing to be
restored. We need tourism, a significant job creator. A lot of people
don't understand that it is not some big hotel that benefits from
tourism. In most cases, it is a small business someplace struggling to
make a living. It is a lot of small businesses, rental car companies,
and so on. That is why we have such faith that if we do what we say we
can do in this legislation, we will put a lot of people back to work.
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Will the Senator yield for a question?
Mr. ENSIGN. Yes.
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. As Senator Dorgan was discussing, it seems to me that
the people don't always think

[[Page 21060]]

about the ripple effect. I know Nevada has suffered because of some of
the economic downturn with tourism. Could the Senator talk a little bit
about what he has seen in terms of other businesses that have lost
business when we don't promote tourism the way we are supposed to? I
think that is something people don't think about. They think about the
big airlines, the big hotels, but they don't think about the ripple
effect on some of the other jobs that matter.
Mr. ENSIGN. Tourism is such a huge part of our economy today. For
instance, somebody who cleans hotel rooms is out of a job, they don't
have that money to go down to a fast-food restaurant or go to a store
to buy clothes. They have to tighten their belts. Many people also work
for tips.
Those tips have gone down, that ripple effect has happened through
the American economy today. Nevada has felt it probably more than any
other.
But there is no question of the ripple effect. It affects
restaurants. I am a veterinarian; it affects the veterinary business.
It affects dentists. It affects the construction industry. It is almost
like a negative ripple effect when those jobs are being lost in the
tourism industry. What we are trying to with this legislation is to
create a positive ripple effect where we actually create tourism jobs
that will then help to create other jobs in other sectors. So I think
that is a great question on the ripple effect with the tourism
industry.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, let me mention again the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce has sent out a letter today in strong support of this
legislation precisely because of the job-creating nature of this
legislation.
Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I guess all time
has expired.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time has expired.

Cloture Motion

Under the previous order, the motion to proceed to the motion to
reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on amendment No.
1347 is agreed to, the motion to reconsider is agreed to, and the
Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture, which the clerk will
report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Cloture Motion

We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the
provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
hereby move to bring to a close the debate on the Dorgan
amendment, No. 1347, to S. 1023, the Travel Promotion Act of
2009.
Harry Reid, Byron L. Dorgan, Barbara Boxer, Ron Wyden,
Mark Begich, Evan Bayh, Charles Schumer, Max Baucus,
Jon Tester, Patty Murray, Jack Reed, Amy Klobuchar,
Patrick Leahy, Barbara Mikulski, Robert Menendez, Jeff
Bingaman, Joseph Lieberman.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. By unanimous consent, the mandatory quorum
call is waived.
The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate on
amendment No. 1347, offered by the Senator from Nevada, Mr. Reid, for
Mr. Dorgan, to S. 1023, the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, shall be
brought to a close?
The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.
The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 80, nays 19, as follows:

[Rollcall Vote No. 271 Leg.]

YEAS--80

Akaka
Alexander
Baucus
Bayh
Begich
Bennet
Bennett
Bingaman
Bond
Boxer
Brown
Burris
Byrd
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Chambliss
Cochran
Collins
Conrad
Corker
Dodd
Dorgan
Durbin
Ensign
Feingold
Feinstein
Franken
Gillibrand
Graham
Hagan
Harkin
Hatch
Inouye
Isakson
Johanns
Johnson
Kaufman
Kerry
Klobuchar
Kohl
Landrieu
Lautenberg
Leahy
Levin
Lieberman
Lincoln
Lugar
Martinez
McCaskill
Menendez
Merkley
Mikulski
Murkowski
Murray
Nelson (NE)
Nelson (FL)
Pryor
Reed
Reid
Rockefeller
Sanders
Schumer
Shaheen
Shelby
Snowe
Specter
Stabenow
Tester
Thune
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Vitter
Voinovich
Warner
Webb
Whitehouse
Wicker
Wyden

NAYS--19

Barrasso
Brownback
Bunning
Burr
Coburn
Cornyn
Crapo
DeMint
Enzi
Grassley
Gregg
Hutchison
Inhofe
Kyl
McCain
McConnell
Risch
Roberts
Sessions
The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this vote, the yeas are 80, the nays are
19. Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in
the affirmative, the motion is agreed to.
Cloture having been invoked, the motion to commit falls.

____________________

CONGRATULATING SENATOR LAUTENBERG

Mr. REID. Mr. President, our colleague Frank Lautenberg has given so
much to his country. Frank's parents settled as poor immigrants from
Eastern Europe. If there were ever an example of someone who has come
from the most basic circumstances to a man of wealth, a man of stature,
it is Frank Lautenberg. He has done it all. He fought bravely in World
War II, put himself through Columbia University with the GI Bill of
Rights, after having earned that with his service to our country in
World War II.
As I have mentioned, he had great success in business. He has a mind
that is very insightful, and he sees the big picture. He was one of the
first to succeed in a business that now a lot of people are succeeding
in, but he was one of the first there.
After having done so well in the great free enterprise system, he
decided to turn to public service, and he was elected by the State of
New Jersey to the U.S. Senate. He left the Senate in 2000 but came back
when the State asked him to serve again. We needed Frank Lautenberg. He
came back, and he has served with such remarkable stature since then.
When I first came to the Senate, I had the good fortune to serve with
him on the Environment and Public Works Committee. His love of the
matters within the jurisdiction of that committee is significant. He
legislates with his heart, but it is always backed up with his
brilliant mind. He has been chairman of the Budget Committee.
Just weeks ago, he set the record for casting the most votes by any
U.S. Senator in the history of the State of New Jersey. Like any great
legislator, Senator Lautenberg is best understood not by the number of
times he has said ``yea'' or ``nay'' but what those laws say about his
commitment to the people of New Jersey and all Americans.
He was a leader in establishing the threshold of drunk driving,
saving countless lives. His work has helped to clean up toxic sites in
communities across his State and our country. It has kept our drinking
water clean and made our buildings more energy efficient.
The thing that I personally will always look at Frank Lautenberg for
having done is taking care of one of my children. One of my boys was
allergic to tobacco smoke. When we would fly across the country, they
had those artificial barriers where you could not smoke past a line.
But it didn't matter because the smoke went everywhere. On every trip,
my boy was miserable; it made him sick. Because of Frank Lautenberg,
millions of Americans are now protected from secondhand smoke. He wrote
the law banning smoking on airplanes.
In addition to his being such a good friend, I commend and applaud
the people of New Jersey for sending this good man to the Senate. He is
someone who is deserving of all the accolades being given to him. I am
proud to have known him.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Tester). The Senator from New Jersey is
recognized.
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I wish to say briefly that we are
incredibly proud in New Jersey that Frank Lautenberg is our Senator. It
is not just the number of votes he cast, it is what he has stood up
for. Senator Lautenberg has been known as standing up for New Jerseyans
first, but he has also stood up for the Nation, millions

[[Page 21061]]

of people, since he passed the ban on smoking on airlines and what he
has done with Superfund sites and what he has done on domestic violence
abusers, who can no longer possess a gun, which means people are alive
today as a result of Senator Lautenberg's work in New Jersey and across
the Nation. The landmark legislation he has participated in over his
career in the Senate is exemplary.
I wanted to join in the tribute because it is not just his number of
votes, it is the type of effect he has had on the lives of people in
New Jersey and across the country.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey is recognized.
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I thank the majority leader for his
kind remarks and for the leadership he has provided for all of us. I
never dreamed I would be here this long. I had 30 years in business
before I got to this place.
Harry Reid mentioned twice something about wealth. The wealth I
acquired by being in this place--by being able to say to my country
that I have had a chance to give back for the wonderfully good fortune
that has occurred in the lives of myself, my children, my parents--if
they could see this. My mother was critical when I ran for the Senate.
She expressed a little disappointment. I said, ``Mom, how can that
be?'' She said, ``Because I thought you would be running for
President.'' In any event, my dad would not have believed it, but he
would have encouraged it nevertheless.
I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for the patience
sometimes that I exhaust on my friends, and I thank particularly my
friend and colleague, Bob Menendez, with whom I had the pleasure of
serving while he was in leadership in the House, and especially since
he has been here in the Senate, with the important responsibilities we
have.
It is a good day, and I am glad to be back here to get on with the
people's business. I thank you all for your patience and friendship,
and particularly our majority leader.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

____________________

TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am very grateful we have moved forward on
a very important bill for the country--the Travel Promotion Act. I
commend and applaud Senator Dorgan for his good work on the
legislation. It is extremely important. He was a real advocate, as he
is on issues which he sinks his teeth into.
Travel and tourism generate $1 trillion in the economy every year.
Whether it is the State of Minnesota, Nevada--you can pick any of the
States--tourism is the No. 1, 2, or 3 most important driving economic
factor in the States. This year, tourism will create 40,000 new jobs.
The bill will also cut the deficit by $425 million over the next 10
years. That is significant. We would be taking the strategies that have
made Las Vegas such a success and bringing them to our entire Nation's
tourism industry.
Nevada's tourism has been hit hard by the slowing worldwide economy,
and when tourism in Nevada hurts, the entire State suffers. Hard-
working people have lost their jobs. The State's budget has taken a
major hit. Because that budget is largely funded by tourism, funding
for vital programs in our State is at risk.
Nevada is not alone. Tourism is one of the top industries in every
State. That is why this bill is so important. It is an opportunity to
not only give American tourism a boost, but it is one of the many ways
we are working to create jobs and help our economy rebuild.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

____________________

LABOR DAY

Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, over the last few months, I have stood in
the Chamber and read letters sent to me by Ohioans from all over my
State, stories explaining how health insurance costs are threatening
the economic stability of middle-class families. These stories reflect
the many challenges facing our Nation's middle class and facing my
State's workers.
The fight for health insurance reform is part of a larger effort to
put our Nation on a new, progressive path that invests in our labor
force, honors our industrial and manufacturing traditions, and helps
rebuild our middle class.
Yesterday, I joined President Obama in Cincinnati at the largest
Labor Day picnic in the country to honor the achievement and
contribution of the American worker. Labor Day is an important American
tradition that also recognizes the courage of generations of workers
and activists who demanded a standard of living deserving of all
Americans.
In Ohio, the tradition of Labor Day began in 1890, when Cleveland's
first African-American lawyer and Ohio's first African-American State
senator, John Patterson Green, introduced ``Labor Day in Ohio'' to
celebrate the contribution of workers. The bill passed the general
assembly on April 28, 1890, 4 years before Congress declared Labor Day
a national holiday. It is easy to surmise that Labor Day began in Ohio.
As the ``father of Labor Day in Ohio,'' John Patterson Green, who
befriended captains of industry, civil rights pioneers, and sitting
Presidents alike, exemplifies how simple recognition can give powerful
meaning to working men and women.
Yesterday, in Cincinnati, during the Nation's largest Labor Day
picnic, the President spoke to thousands of workers gathered in support
of policies that put American workers, and business, first. The
President reminded us that:

Much of what we take for granted--the 40-hour work week,
the minimum wage, health insurance, paid leave, pensions,
Social Security, Medicare--all bear the union label. So even
if you're not a union member, every American owes something
to America's labor movement.

At Labor Day events across the State, workers and their families,
friends, and neighbors gathered together, regardless of profession--
electricians, communications workers, steelworkers, teachers,
truckdrivers, and laborers--to celebrate all working men and women.
That is what Labor Day is. The celebrations brought together the
families of union brothers and sisters who fight for each other.
That is what the labor movement is about--to recognize and speak out
for health care that works for workers. That is why this Labor Day is
ever more meaningful.
I recently--before Labor Day--visited Open M, a free health clinic in
Akron, where I met Christine, who runs a small gift basket delivery
business by herself but cannot afford health insurance. Fourteen years
ago, while working, Christine was seriously injured in a car accident,
leaving her with multiple knee surgeries, foot and back problems, and a
cane to help her walk. She had to pay these expenses out of her pocket,
draining her savings and compromising her economic security.
Last week, I spoke at the Center for Working Class Studies at
Youngstown State University, one of the Nation's first and certainly
one of the Nation's premier academic programs devoted to the many
phases of the American worker--the factory worker in Lordstown or the
home care nurse in Niles, the teacher in Youngstown or the truckdriver
in Boardman. The center tells the story of working-class communities to
a nation that it helped build.
Ohioans from across the Mahoning Valley showed up and listened while
others told the story of working-class families struggling with the
crushing costs of health care.

[[Page 21062]]

John from Champion, OH, described how his sick nephew lacks health
insurance and cannot afford the neurologist he is supposed to see. He
said that if health reform doesn't pass soon, his nephew probably won't
live long enough to receive the care he so desperately needs.
Michelle from Youngstown asked the question at the root of all of the
struggles that define the progressive labor movement. In her early
thirties, she is one of the nearly 50 million Americans who are
uninsured. She asked:

Isn't health reform a moral issue, where people in need and
deserve care should have access to it?

The question of morality--whether coal miners' lives should be
protected or food safety should be essential or the right to fair wages
should be absolute--has long defined the labor movement's progressive
mission.
The passing of Senator Kennedy, a champion of the American worker,
reminds all of us what government can, and should, do on behalf of
American workers.
The history of our Nation shows that our workers helped transition
our Nation from one industry to the next, driving innovation and
creating economic prosperity for workers, communities, and industries,
creating the middle class.
The history of our Nation shows that those who worked hard and played
by the rules had something to show for it--a secure and good-paying job
that supported their family and gave meaning to their community.
But today the American worker is confronted with economic challenges
that threaten to undermine our economic security. Workers from Lorain
to Wilmington, from Xenia to Zanesville, deserve a government that does
more and does better for them.
Today President Obama and many in Congress are working to ensure
workers be justly rewarded for their labor. As Ohioans understand,
manufacturing recognizes the value of an honest day's pay for an honest
day's work. We know that manufacturing is a ticket to the middle class.
We know a strong middle class makes a stronger nation. That is why
Americans deserve a manufacturing policy that works for them.
Manufacturing accounts for more than 10 percent of our entire economy
and nearly three-fourths of our Nation's industrial research and
development. Manufacturing jobs pay 20 percent more on average than
service jobs. For every massive auto plant you see driving from east to
west along the Ohio Turnpike, from Youngstown past Toledo, there are
dozens of manufacturers making component parts and services for
emerging industries in clean energy, aerospace, and biotechnology.
I applaud the administration's decision to tap Ron Bloom to direct a
national strategy which will help manufacturers transition to the 21st
century economy. It is not an easy task. It is one that requires hard
work and progressive vision.
But in no uncertain terms, our Nation must establish a national
policy to once again invest in our most important American asset--the
American worker.
In the Economic Policy Subcommittee that I chair, we have looked at
the elements of a national manufacturing strategy--investing in
innovation, strengthening our component parts supply line, connecting
workers with jobs in emerging industries, improving assistance for
distressed communities, and revamping how our Nation does trade.
Done right, we can reinvest in our workers' capacity to build the
next generation of technologies and rebuild our next generation of
middle-class families.
Done right, we can create new industry, and we can create good-paying
jobs and secure jobs.
Done right, we can ensure the future of our Nation's global economic
competitiveness.
Let us honor the story of the American worker who built this country,
who sustains our middle class by reinvesting in them. Labor Day is a
time to honor a movement that respects the dignity of work and reflects
the decency and dedication of our workers.
This year's Labor Day comes at a historic time in the progressive
labor movement's ongoing march toward economic security and a new era
of productivity for our Nation.
Along with a national manufacturing policy, health insurance reform
must be part of this Nation's legacy of giving meaning to workers and
giving hope to the middle class.
The vote on health insurance reform will be, next to my vote in
opposition to the Iraq war 6 years ago as a Member of the House of
Representatives, the most important vote I cast in this Chamber. I hope
at this time next year I will be reading the stories of Ohio workers
who live with the health care they deserve and the dignity they have
earned.
Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

____________________

MORNING BUSINESS

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the
Senate proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted
to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

____________________

RENO HIGH SCHOOL 130TH ANNIVERSARY

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise to call the attention of the Senate
to the 130th anniversary of Reno High School. Located in Washoe County,
NV, Reno High School is the first and oldest high school in the city.
Until 1879, all Reno students went to school in a one-room building.
That year they moved into a building officially named Central School,
which gave high school-aged students their own floors. Though the
school accommodated students from elementary through high school, it
was often referred to as Reno High School throughout the community. In
1912, Reno's high school students moved into their own building and
this school was properly dedicated as Reno High School.
I would like to take a moment to celebrate and cherish the rich
history of Reno High School. It serves as a wonderful example of how a
school can succeed through the hard work of its community members. Over
the course of its history, Reno High School has educated thousands of
bright individuals, cultivating their talent, and providing them with a
nurturing environment in which to grow.
Notable alumni include U.S. Treasury Secretary Eva Adams, Pulitzer
Prize winners Ann Telnaes and Warren LeRude, and Nevada State senator
Bill Raggio. Its ranks also include a long list of local leaders who
have made the Reno High School Alumni Association a robust
organization, which now boasts the beautiful Link Piazzo Alumni Center
on campus. This freestanding building, completed in 2000, houses
memorabilia dating back to Reno's earliest academic beginnings.
This school year begins by bringing students and alumni together in
numerous events acknowledging the school's heritage. Festivities will
honor the school's legacy by looking at the past, the present, and the
great memories in between. I am confident that Reno High School will
continue to be a beacon of academic excellence in the State of Nevada,
as it has been during the last 130 years.
I ask my colleagues to join me in offering our heartfelt
congratulations to the faculty, staff, students, families, and proud
alumni of Reno High School. The leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm
you possess and share with the community help continue the school's
legacy and make Nevada a better place to live.

____________________

NOMINATION OF CARMEN R. NAZARIO

Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I, Senator Chuck Grassley, do not object

[[Page 21063]]

to proceeding to the nomination of Carmen R. Nazario to be Assistant
Secretary for Family Support of the Department of Health and Human
Services, Calendar No. 304, dated September 8, 2009.

____________________

REMEMBERING SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY

Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I rise to bid farewell to Ted
Kennedy, a man who spent so many hours on this floor. It was here that
he engaged in the cause that shaped his life, and now shapes our
memories his commitment to everyday people in their pursuit of the
American dream.
It is hard for me, as it is for all my colleagues, to imagine this
place without Ted Kennedy. To serve here with him was a great honor. At
the age of 14, I was already wearing a Ted Kennedy for President
button. Then when I arrived here, this man, this lion of the Senate,
was so friendly and funny and generous. He helped to teach me the ropes
in the Senate, and I felt so fortunate to know him as a person, not
just to admire him from afar.
He and his family are one of the reasons I stand here today. His work
in the Senate, his brother John's call for a new generation to serve
their country, and his brother Bobby's call for social justice all
these inspired me to run for office to in some way serve my country as
Senator Kennedy and his family had. One of the greatest honors of my
life was winning the Profiles in Courage Award with Senator McCain, and
being recognized by members of the Kennedy family for our work on
campaign finance reform.
Having Senator Kennedy there that day was part of what made that such
an honor. There was no one else like him; he was truly one of a kind.
Who else could be such a fierce advocate, and at the same time such a
skilled negotiator? Who else could engage in such heated debate, but
still count so many of us, on both sides of the aisle, as devoted
friends? No one but Ted Kennedy could do that.
His qualities were legendary he was the hardest worker, he was the
quickest debater, and he was the guy who lit up a room with his warmth
and wit. It was all there in one extraordinary man, who became one of
the greatest United States Senators in our Nation's history. Even
putting aside Ted's legendary personal qualities, his legislative
record speaks volumes about how effective he was. It is a record for
the ages, with hundreds of his legislative efforts becoming law.
His achievements in civil rights, education, health care, and
workers' rights speak to the absolute commitment he had to the people
he saw who struggled to live the American dream; the dedicated people
who are the lifeblood of this country, but who struggle--especially in
times like these--when they lose their job, or their health insurance
or their home. In Ted Kennedy, those Americans found their champion,
and we thank him for everything he achieved on their behalf.
I admired so many things Ted Kennedy did, but most of all I was
inspired by his work on civil rights. His commitment, through his 47
years in the Senate, to the cause of equality for every American, was
perhaps his greatest achievement of all. In his very first speech on
the Senate floor, just 4 months after his brother John's assassination,
he called for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He played a
key role in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, was the chief sponsor of the
Voting Rights Amendments Act of 1982, and just a few years ago was a
key cosponsor of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott
King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. He
was one of the chief cosponsors of the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990, the chief sponsor of the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988,
and a key proponent of theCivil Rights Act of 1991. And the list goes
on, Mr. President. There simply is no doubt that he was the most
important legislative architect of the expansion of civil rights in the
last half century. I am committed to helping to continue that work here
in the Senate in his memory.
Ted was also someone who suffered many personal tragedies, but he
bore those burdens with a quiet dignity that came from his tremendous
inner strength. You couldn't know him without being awed by that
strength, and sensing it whenever he entered the room, or when he took
up an issue. When he spoke, his words echoed not just in this Chamber,
but across the country and around the world. This was a man who could
change the momentum on a bill or an issue just through his own personal
will. He was a powerful person determined to help the powerless in our
society, and we loved him for it.
I think ``beloved'' is the best word to describe how we felt about
him here in the Senate, and how so many Americans felt about him around
the country. We are grateful that he lived to achieve so much, and to
inspire so many.
And now we wish, as he did when he laid his brother Robert Kennedy to
rest, that ``what he wished for others will someday come to pass for
all the world.'' And now we pledge, as he did at the Democratic
Convention in 1980, that ``the work goes on, the cause endures, the
hope still lives and the dream shall never die. `` And now, as we
grieve his loss, we say goodbye to our friend, Senator Edward M.
Kennedy. We thank him for his lifetime of service to our country, and
for his profound commitment to the cause of justice here in the United
States and throughout the world.

____________________

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

______

REMEMBERING ALLAN TESCHE

Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate the life of a
very special friend from my home State of Alaska, Allan Tesche.
Former Anchorage Assemblyman Allan Tesche passed away July 14, 2009,
after complications from heart surgery.
Allan Tesche was the embodiment of a true Alaskan and an incredible
public servant. While I was mayor of Anchorage, Allan served on the
Assembly. During this time, I got to know Allan and his family well. He
was committed to the residents of Anchorage, and his dedication to
making our city a better place was second to none. He and his wife Pam
were active members of the community and raised their two children in
Anchorage.
On behalf of his family, many friends, and colleagues, I ask today we
honor Allan Tesche's memory. I ask his obituary, published July 26,
2009, in the Anchorage Daily News, be printed in the Record.
The information follows:

[From the Anchorage Daily News, July 26, 2009]

Allan Edward Tesche, 60, died in Houston, Texas on July 14,
2009, from complications from heart surgery. A memorial
service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Central Lutheran Church.
Allan was born Aug. 3, 1948, to Marilyn and Frederick
Rutledge Tesche in Los Alamos, N.M. He graduated with honors
from the University of California at Davis in 1970. In the
Peace Corps, he spent two years in El Salvador supporting
Community Development projects. Upon his return, he enrolled
in law school at the University of California at Davis, where
he was an honorary member of The Chicano Law Students
Association. In his second year he was recruited by the
Greater Anchorage Area Borough to serve a six-month
internship in the Anchorage Borough Attorney's Office; thus
began his long association with Alaska government. Allan was
invited by Mayor Jack Roderick to return after graduation as
a staff attorney. Allan's work on borough-city unification in
1975-76 led Mayor George Sullivan to elevate him to deputy
municipal attorney, a position he held until his appointment
to lead the Mat-Su Borough Legal Department in 1980. In 1982,
Allan returned to Anchorage to head the Department of
Property & Facilities. In 1988, he left city employment to
join law firm Russell & Tesche, where he practiced until
retiring in 2006.
In 1978, Allan married Pamela Dunham. Together they raised
two children, operated the G Street B&B and went on family
adventures. After seeing the community work of friend Nick
Aguilar in San Diego, Pam supported Allan's plunge into local
politics. Allan served nine years on the Anchorage Assembly.
He championed many progressive policies and is credited with
the adoption of property tax relief, liquor and tobacco
control measures and urban beautification initiatives. Allan
was a member of Central Lutheran Church, where he mentored
neighborhood youths and served as Church Council

[[Page 21064]]

president. After leaving the Assembly, Allan helped launch
municipal consulting firm RMA Consulting Group and served as
acting city administrator for the City of Akutan. He worked
for Akutan until his death, and his efforts supporting new
developments in Akutan are an ongoing testimony.
Allan is survived by his wife, Pamela; son, Frederick;
daughter, Mary; brothers, Frederick and wife Sharon of
Saluda, N.C., Thomas and wife Kim of Covington, Ky., and
Daniel of Clovis, Calif.; sister, Caroline of Tampa, Fla.;
father and mother-in-law, Richard and Carrie Dunham of
Whidbey Island, Wash.; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Paul and
Kathleen Dunham of Fresno, Calif., Larry and Susan Goodman of
Seattle, Cynthia and Eric Olsen of Spokane, Wash., and Linda
Wesson of Clovis, Calif.; and by his nieces and
nephews.

____________________

RECOGNIZING J. THOMAS CALHOON

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I wish to speak about a
member of our country's greatest generation, the generation of my
parents who selflessly served our Nation during a time of great turmoil
in the world. This generation made countless contributions to our
society and continues to give unselfishly today. I offer my warmest
wishes to one of them--Mr. J. Thomas Calhoon, of Hilliard, OH--on his
84th birthday, on this Friday, the eighth anniversary of the attacks of
September 11. I want to thank him for the many sacrifices he has made
and continues to make for our great country.
Born on September 11, 1925, in Wellsville, OH, Tom Calhoon was raised
in East Liverpool, OH, and graduated from Grandview High School, class
of 1943.
On December 15, 1943, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. While
serving in Japan during World War II, Corporal Calhoon sustained
extensive combat injuries in Okinawa in June of 1945, including the
loss of his right leg and a bullet in his left arm that remains there
today. He spent over 2 years in hospitals throughout the United States,
including Philadelphia Hospital, where he met his wife, Sarah Mae
Shoemaker, who was a volunteer.
He survived his injuries, and on August 29, 1947, Tom and Sarah were
married and went on to have four sons, Thomas, Samuel, Donald, and
Robert, and a daughter, Sarah. All five are children any parent would
be proud of. Today, the Calhoon family has expanded to include seven
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren due later this fall.
During his time in the Marines, Cpl Tom Calhoon received two Purple
Hearts and was a rifleman and an expert with the bayonet. After being
discharged, he enrolled, in the fall of 1948, at the Ohio State
University, of which he and all five of his children are alumni. It was
at the Ohio State University that I first met two of his sons, one of
whom is a close friend to this day.
Corporal Calhoon worked in public relations and advertising for 50
years in Columbus, OH. In addition to this full-time career, he spent
countless hours of his time volunteering. As a member of the Lions
Club, he received three national awards, including a Life Membership
from the International Association of Lions Clubs Award in 1998 for 50
years of Outstanding Dedicated Service. He also served as president of
the Tri-Village Lions, former director of the Franklin County
Agriculture Society, is a life member of the Northwest Franklin County
Historical Society, and a former director of Pilot Dogs, Inc.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Tom enjoys reading and watching war
movies, which I hope he is getting to do on his birthday. Best wishes
to you and your family, Tom, for many more.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO DORIS WALLACE

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I honor a woman who has
contributed so much to the fabric of my home State of Idaho. Doris
Wallace, the manager of the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot, ID,
will retire at the end of this month, following the completion of the
2009 Eastern Idaho State Fair. That will mark her 26th year with one of
Idaho's most well-known fairs. The eastern Idaho State Fair covers 16
counties in eastern Idaho. Each county holds their individual county
fairs with the blue ribbon winners advancing to competition at the
Eastern Idaho State Fair.
Doris is a hometown girl, born in Blackfoot and raised in Bingham
County. She married Ray Wallace. Together they have three children:
Nicole, Stephanie, and Todd.
She began her career at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in 1983 when she
began working as the office secretary. She was the ``front desk'' for
the fair, and her personality, patience and friendliness represented
the entire fair to those who entered her office to ask questions and
complain about situations.
In 1987, Doris became the assistant manager, where she became the
center of the fair operations. Her responsibilities included the
exhibitor's handbook, all financial transactions, commercial and
concession vendors and coordinator for spring, summer, and fall events
taking place on the fairgrounds.
In 2000, Doris was promoted to fair manager by a five-member Fair
Board. As manager, Doris used her years of experience to enhance an
already-thriving annual event. She has encouraged participation of 4-H
and Future Farmer of America projects and activities including the 4-H
dog show, 4-H horse show, and 4-H livestock, canning, cooking and
sewing demonstration projects. Future Farmers of America leave their
classrooms on Friday to spend the day on the fairgrounds to personally
experience and participate in judging competitions.
In 2002, she was able to plan the celebration of the 100th
anniversary of the Eastern Idaho State Fair. She produced an
extravaganza of historical and colorful memories, which have made the
fair a family tradition for those living in eastern Idaho.
Doris has competently managed fair operations of the Eastern Idaho
State Fair, which attracts 250,000 fairgoers over the 8-day fair,
beginning each year on Saturday proceeding Labor Day. Events include
traditional horse pulling, pari-mutuel horse racing, Indian relay
races, junior and adult rodeos, professional entertainers, petting zoos
and educational exhibits. The traditional tractor pull, demolition
derby, and extreme bike riders are all part of Doris's management
responsibilities as she has provided a fair of diverse attractions for
a fairgoing audience of diverse ages, backgrounds and interests.
As manager, Doris supervises six full-time employees and
approximately 400 employees during the fair week, including ticket
takers, car parkers, custodial services, ground crews, and security.
Throughout her life and particularly during her career at the Eastern
Idaho State Fair, Doris has contributed enormously, both privately and
professionally, to the fair community, the city of Blackfoot, and all
of eastern Idaho. Please join me in congratulating Doris Wallace on her
years of service at the Eastern Idaho State Fair and wishing her well
in her pending retirement.

____________________

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE DURING ADJOURNMENT

enrolled bill signed

Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2009,
the Secretary of the Senate, on August 10, 2009, during the adjournment
of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives
announcing that the Speaker had signed the following bill:

H.R. 3325. An act to amend title XI of the Social Security
Act to reauthorize for 1 year the Work Incentives Planning
and Assistance program and the Protection and Advocacy for
Beneficiaries of Social Security program.

The enrolled bill was subsequently signed during the session of the
Senate by the President pro tempore (Mr. Byrd).

____________________

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

At 3:51 p.m., a message from the House of Representatives, delivered
by Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has
agreed to the following concurrent resolution, in which it requests the
concurrence of the Senate:

[[Page 21065]]

H. Con. Res. 179. Concurrent resolution providing for a
joint session of Congress to receive a message from the
President.

____________________

EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

The following communications were laid before the Senate, together
with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as
indicated:

EC-2636. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Office of Policy, Economics,
and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Sodium Lauryl Sulfate; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance'' (FRL No. 8430--5) as received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 13, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry.
EC-2637. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Office of Policy, Economics,
and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Certain Chemical Substances; Withdrawal of Significant New
Use Rules'' (FRL No. 8433--9) as received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry.
EC-2638. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Office of Policy, Economics,
and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Chlorantraniliprole; Pesticide Tolerances'' (FRL No. 8413--
6) as received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office
of the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2639. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Office of Policy, Economics,
and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``1,2--ethanediamine, N,N,N',N'--tetramethyl, Polymer with
1,1'--oxybis[2--chloroethane]; Exemption from the Requirement
of a Tolerance'' (FRL No. 8430--6) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2640. A communication from the Administrator of Fruit
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Nectarines and Peaches Grown in
California; Changes in Handling Requirements for Fresh
Nectarines and Peaches'' ((Docket No. AMS--FV--08--0108)(FV--
09--916/917--1 FIR)) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on August
31, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
EC-2641. A communication from the Acting Administrator of
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Nectarines and Peaches Grown in
California; Decreased Assessment Rates'' ((Docket No. AMS--
FV--09--0013)(FV--09--916/917--2 IFR)) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2642. A communication from the Administrator of Fruit
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Grapes Grown in a Designated Area
of Southeastern California; Decreased Assessment Rate''
((Docket No. AMS--FV--08--0107)(FV--09--925--2 FIR)) as
received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of
the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2643. A communication from the Administrator of Fruit
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Apricots Grown in Designated
Counties in Washington; Decreased Assessment Rate'' ((Docket
No. AMS--FV--09--0038)(FV--09--922--1 IFR)) as received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2644. A communication from the Administrator of Fruit
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Onions Grown in South Texas;
Decreased Assessment Rate'' ((Docket No. AMS--FV--09--
0044)(FV--09--959--2 IFR)) as received during adjournment of
the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry.
EC-2645. A communication from the Administrator of Fruit
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Irish Potatoes Grown in Colorado;
Modification of the Handling Regulation for Area No. 2''
((Docket No. AMS--FV--08--0094)(FV--09--948--1 FIR)) as
received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of
the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2646. A communication from the Administrator of Fruit
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Grapes Grown in a Designated Area
of Southeastern California and Imported Table Grapes;
Relaxation of Handling Requirements'' ((Docket No. AMS--FV--
08--0106)(FV--09--925--1 FIR)) as received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry.
EC-2647. A communication from the Acting Administrator of
Cotton and Tobacco Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``User Fees for 2009 Crop Cotton
Classification Services to Growers' ((Docket No. AMS--CN--
09--0011)(CN--09--001)) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on August
31, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
EC-2648. A communication from the Acting Administrator of
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Almonds Grown in California;
Revision of Outgoing Quality Control Requirements'' ((Docket
No. AMS--FV--08--0045)(FV08--981--2 IFR)) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2649. A communication from the Acting Administrator of
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Peanut Promotion, Research, and
Information Order; Section 610 Review'' ((Docket No. AMS--
FV--08--0110)(FV--08--704)) as received during adjournment of
the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry.
EC-2650. A communication from the Acting Administrator of
Cotton and Tobacco Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Cotton Board Rules and
Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports
(2009 Amendments)'' ((Docket No. AMS--CN--09--0015)(CN--09--
002)) as received during adjournment of the Senate in the
Office of the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2651. A communication from the Acting Associate
Administrator of Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural
Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Country of
Origin Labeling of Packed Honey'' ((Docket No. AMS--FV--08--
0075)(FV--08--330)(RIN0581--AC89)) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2652. A communication from the Administrator, Risk
Management Agency, Department of Agriculture, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Common Crop
Insurance Regulations; Grape Crop Insurance Provisions and
Table Grape Crop Insurance Provisions'' ((7 CFR Part
457)(RIN0563--AC09)) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on August
18, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
EC-2653. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Review Group, Commodity Credit Corporation,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Farm Storage Facility Loan and
Sugar Storage Facility Loan Programs'' ((7 CFR
1436)(RIN0560--AH60)) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on August
31, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
EC-2654. A communication from the Acting Assistant Director
of Directives and Regulations, Forest Service, Department of
Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a
rule entitled ``Sale and Disposal of National Forest System
Timber; Downpayment and Periodic Payments'' ((36 CFR Part
223)(RIN0596--AC80)) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on August
20, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
EC-2655. A communication from the Administrator of Fruit
and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Olives Grown in California;
Increased Assessment Rate'' ((Docket No. AMS--FV--08--

[[Page 21066]]

0105)(FV09--932--1 FIR)) as received during adjournment of
the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry.
EC-2656. A communication from the Executive Director,
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, transmitting, pursuant
to law, a report entitled ``Fiscal Year 2009 FAIR Act
Inventory''; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry.
EC-2657. A communication from the Administrator, Food and
Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and
Children (WIC): Implementation of Nondiscretionary WIC
Certification and General Administrative Provisions''
((RIN0584--AD73)(7 CFR Part 246)) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2658. A communication from the Secretary of the
Department of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report entitled ``Herger--Feinstein Quincy Library Group
Forest Recovery Act Pilot Project Status Report to Congress
for Fiscal Year 2008''; to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry.
EC-2659. A communication from the Secretary of Defense,
transmitting a report on the approved retirement of
Lieutenant General Loyd S. Utterback, United States Air
Force, and his advancement to the grade of lieutenant general
on the retired list; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2660. A communication from the Principal Deputy, Office
of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness),
transmitting, pursuant to law, notification of the
Department's intent to close the Defense commissary store at
Neubrucke, Germany; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2661. A joint communication from the Deputy Secretary of
Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
communicating, pursuant to law, a report relative to the
extension of the Senior Oversight Committee; to the Committee
on Armed Services.
EC-2662. A communication from the Acting Assistant
Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and
Technology), transmitting, pursuant to law, the Annual Status
Report on the Disposal of Chemical Weapons and Material for
Fiscal Year 2008; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2663. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of
Defense (Reserve Affairs), transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report relative to the quarterly reporting of withdrawals or
diversions of equipment from Reserve component units; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2664. A communication from the Assistant Secretary of
Defense (Reserve Affairs), transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report relative to specifying for each Reserve component the
additional items of equipment that would be procured, and the
additional military construction projects that would be
carried out; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2665. A communication from the Deputy Secretary of
Defense, transmitting the report of the authorization of an
officer to wear the authorized insignia of the grade of major
general in accordance with title 10, United States Code,
section 777; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2666. A communication from the Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense (Acquisition and Technology), transmitting, a report
relative to the Department's purchases from foreign entities
in fiscal year 2008; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2667. A communication from the Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense (Acquisition and Technology), transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of Inventories of Contracts for Services
for the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2668. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``TRICARE: Civilian Health and Medical Program of the
Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) Changes Included in the John
Warner National Defense Authorization ACT (NDA) for Fiscal
Year 2007; Authorization for Forensic Examinations''
(RIN0720-AB18) as received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 10,
2009; to the Committee on Armed Services.
EC-2669. A communication from the Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Defense,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Private Security Contractors (PSCs) Operating in
Contingency Operations'' (RIN0790-AI38) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 10, 2009; to the Committee on Armed
Services.
EC-2670. A communication from the President of the United
States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report on the
continuation of a national emergency declared in Executive
Order 13222 with respect to the lapse of the Export
Administration Act of 1979; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2671. A communication from the Deputy Secretary, Office
of the Chief Accountant, Securities and Exchange Commission,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Commission Guidance Regarding the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Accounting Standards Codification'' ((17
CFR Parts 211, 231, and 241) (Release Nos. 33-9062; 34-60519;
FR-80)) as received during adjournment of the Senate in the
Office of the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2672. A communication from the Assistant to the Board,
Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Truth in
Lending'' (Regulation Z; Docket No. R-1365) as received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2673. A communication from the Secretary of the
Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report on the continuation of a national emergency declared
in Executive Order 13222 with respect to the lapse of the
Export Administration Act of 1979; to the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2674. A communication from the Secretary of the
Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic
report on the national emergency that was declared in
Executive Order 13313 with respect to the Middle East peace
process; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
EC-2675. A communication from the Secretary of the
Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic
report on the national emergency that was declared in
Executive Order 13396 with respect to Cote d'Ivoire
Sanctions; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
EC-2676. A communication from the Director, Office of
Legislative Affairs, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Procedures to Enhance the Accuracy and Integrity of
Information Furnished to Consumer Reporting Agencies Under
Section 312 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act;
Final Rule'' (RIN3064-AC99) as received during adjournment of
the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 12, 2009; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
EC-2677. A communication from the Assistant to the Board,
Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Truth in
Lending'' (Regulation Z; Docket No. R-1353) as received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2678. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); Assistance to
Private Sector Property Insurers; Write-Your-Own
Arrangement'' (RIN1660-AA58) as received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 19, 2008; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
EC-2679. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Suspension of Community Eligibility'' ((44 CFR Part 64)
(Docket ID FEMA-2008-0020; Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-
8083)) as received during adjournment of the Senate in the
Office of the President of the Senate on August 19, 2009; to
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2680. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Suspension of Community Eligibility'' ((44 CFR Part
64)(Docket ID FEMA-2008-0020; Internal Agency Docket No.
FEMA-8085)) as received during adjournment of the Senate in
the Office of the President of the Senate on August 19, 2009;
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2681. A communication from the Chief Counsel, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Suspension of Community Eligibility'' ((44 CFR Part 64)
(Docket ID FEMA-2008-0020; Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-
8087)) as received during adjournment of the Senate in the
Office of the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2682. A communication from the Regulatory Specialist,
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the
Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Procedures to Enhance the Accuracy and Integrity
of Information Furnished to Consumer Reporting Agencies Under
Section 312 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions
Act'' (RIN1557-AC89) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the

[[Page 21067]]

Senate on August 13, 2009; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2683. A communication from the Regulatory Specialist,
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the
Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Risk-Based Capital Guidelines; Capital Adequacy
Guidelines; Capital Maintenance; Capital--Residential
Mortgage Loans Modified Pursuant to the Making Home
Affordable Program'' (RIN1550-AC34) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 13, 2009; to the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2684. A communication from the Chairman and President of
the Export-Import Bank, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report relative to transactions involving U.S. exports to
Singapore; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
EC-2685. A communication from the Chairman and President of
the Export-Import Bank, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report relative to transactions involving U.S. exports to
Japan; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
EC-2686. A communication from the General Counsel of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a vacancy in the position of
Assistant Secretary for Housing and a nomination and
confirmation in the position of Assistant Secretary for
Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner; to the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2687. A communication from the General Counsel of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a confirmation in the position
of Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research in
the Department of Housing and Urban Development; to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2688. A communication from the General Counsel of the
National Credit Union Administration, transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Credit Union
Reporting'' (RIN3133-AD56) as received during adjournment of
the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
EC-2689. A communication from the General Counsel of the
National Credit Union Administration, transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Truth in Savings''
(RIN3133-AD57) as received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 10,
2009; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
EC-2690. A communication from the Director, Office of
Legislative Affairs, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Risk-Based Capital Guidelines; Capital Adequacy Guidelines;
Capital Maintenance; Capital--Residential Mortgage Loans
Modified Pursuant to the Making Home Affordable Program''
(RIN3064-AD42) as received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 12,
2009; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs.
EC-2691. A communication from the Director, Office of
Legislative Affairs, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Interest Rate Restrictions on Insured Depository
Institutions That Are Not Well Capitalized'' (12 CFR Part
337) as received during adjournment of the Senate in the
Office of the President of the Senate on August 12, 2009; to
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
EC-2692. A communication from the Secretary of Energy,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled ``Smart Grid
System Report''; to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources.
EC-2693. A communication from the Secretary of Energy,
transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to the
procurement of additional services on a noncompetitive basis
from the United States Enrichment Corporation; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2694. A communication from the Acting Administrator,
Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the Annual Energy Review 2008;
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2695. A communication from the Deputy Chief, National
Forest System, Department of Agriculture, transmitting,
pursuant to law, a report relative to the boundary for the
North Fork Smith and Upper Rogue Rivers in Oregon; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2696. A communication from the Secretary of the
Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to
the acceptance of gifted land in Socorro County, New Mexico
adjacent to the Chupadera Wilderness; to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2697. A communication from the Chairman of the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant to law,
a report relative to the progress made in licensing and
constructing the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2698. A communication from the Environmental Project
Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, transmitting,
a report relative to construction clearances; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2699. A communication from the Deputy Chief, National
Forest System, Department of Agriculture, transmitting,
pursuant to law, a report relative to the boundary for the
Carp, Indian and Whitefish Rivers in Michigan; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2700. A communication from the Acting Assistant
Secretary of Land and Minerals Management, Minerals
Management Service, Department of the Interior, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Technical
Changes to Production Measurement and Training Requirements''
(RIN1010-AD55) as received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 31,
2009; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2701. A communication from the Acting Director, Office
of Surface Mining, Department of the Interior, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Utah
Regulatory Program'' ((SATS No. UT-045-FOR) (Docket No. OSM-
2008-0011)) as received during adjournment of the Senate in
the Office of the President of the Senate on September 1,
2009; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2702. A communication from the Executive Director of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Final Rule; Annual
Update of Commission Filing Fees'' ((18 CFR Part 381) (Docket
No. RM09-17-000)) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on August
19, 2009; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
EC-2703. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for
Fish and Wildlife Parks, Department of the Interior,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``2009-2010 Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations for the
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge''
(RIN1018-AW48) as received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 19,
2009; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-2704. A communication from the Assistant Secretary for
Fish and Wildlife Parks, Department of the Interior,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``2008-2009 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing
Regulations - Modifications'' (RIN1018-AV80) as received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works.
EC-2705. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Office of Policy, Economics,
and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulations Consistency Update
for California'' (FRL No. 8941-3) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
EC-2706. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Office of Policy, Economics,
and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, San
Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District and
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District'' (FRL
No. 8948-6) as received during adjournment of the Senate in
the Office of the President of the Senate on August 24, 2009;
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-2707. A communication from the Director of the
Regulatory Management Division, Office of Policy, Economics,
and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan,
Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District'' (FRL No.
8945-1) as received during adjournment of the Senate in the
Office of the President of the Senate on August 24, 2009; to
the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
EC-2708. A communication from the Acting Assistant
Secretary of Land and Minerals Management, Minerals
Management Service, Department of the Interior, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Geological
and Geophysical (G&G) Explorations of the Outer Continental
Shelf-Changing Proprietary Term of Certain Geophysical
Information'' (RIN1010-AD41) as received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.
EC-2709. A communication from the Acting Director of Human
Resources, Office of Administration and Resources Management,
Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to
law, (2) reports relative to nominations and (2) reports
relative to confirmations within the Environmental Protection
Agency; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

[[Page 21068]]

EC-2710. A communication from the Program Manager,
Administration for Children and Families, Department of
Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families Carry-Over Funds'' (RIN0970-AC40) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-2711. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Modification of Revenue Procedure 2007-44''
(Notice No. 2009-36) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on August
31, 2009; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-2712. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Special Rules Governing Eligible Combined
Plans'' (Notice No. 2009-71) as received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-2713. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Applicable Federal Rates - September 2009''
(Notice No. 2009-29) as received during adjournment of the
Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on August
31, 2009; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-2714. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Work Opportunity Tax Credit'' (Notice No.
2009-69) as received during adjournment of the Senate in the
Office of the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to
the Committee on Finance.
EC-2715. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Examination of Returns and Claims for
Refund, Credit, or Abatement; Determination of Tax
Liability'' (Notice No. 2009-34) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 13, 2009; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-2716. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Qualifying Advanced Energy Project
Program'' (Notice No. 2009-72) as received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Finance.
EC-2717. A communication from the Chief of the Publications
and Regulations Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Department
of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of
a rule entitled ``Tier I Issue -- Section 936 Exit
Strategies'' ((LMSB-4-0809-031)(Uniform List No. 482.11-00;
482.11-08; 482.12-00; 482.09-00; 367.30-00; 367.05-00)) as
received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of
the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the
Committee on Finance.
EC-2718. A communication from the Secretary of Labor,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the 2008 Annual Report of the
Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training of
the Department of Labor; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-2719. A communication from the Railroad Retirement
Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Board's annual
report for fiscal year 2008; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-2720. A communication from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report
entitled ``Changing the Future of Drug Safety: FDA
Initiatives to Strengthen and Transform the Drug Safety
System''; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions.
EC-2721. A communication from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report
relative to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 1992
(PDUFA) for fiscal year 2008; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-2722. A communication from the Program Manager, Office
of Civil Rights, Department of Health and Human Services,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Breach Notification for Unsecured Protected Health
Information'' (RIN0991-AB56) as received during adjournment
of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on
August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.
EC-2723. A communication from the Assistant General Counsel
of the Division of Regulatory Services, Office of
Postsecondary Education, Department of Education,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``International Education Programs' (RIN1840-AC97) as
received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of
the President of the Senate on August 18, 2009; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-2724. A communication from the Acting Director,
Legislative and Regulatory Department, Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a rule entitled ``Benefits Payable in Terminated
Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Valuing and
Paying Benefits'' (29 CFR Part 4022) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-2725. A communication from the Director of Regulations
and Policy Management Staff, Food and Drug Administration,
Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Applications
for Food and Drug Administration Approval to Market a New
Drug; Postmarketing Reports; Reporting Information About
Authorized Generic Drugs'' (RIN0910-AG19) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 10, 2009; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-2726. A communication from the Director of Regulations
and Policy Management Staff, Food and Drug Administration,
Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Advisory
Committee; Risk Communication Advisory Committee; Termination
and Recharter'' (Docket No. FDA-2009-N-0310) as received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on August 13, 2009; to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
EC-2727. A communication from the President of the United
States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to
an alternative plan for pay increases for civilian Federal
employees covered by the General Schedule and certain other
pay systems in January 2010; to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-2728. A communication from Chairman of the National
Transportation Safety Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report entitled ``Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report on the
Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and
Retaliation Act of 2002''; to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-2729. A communication from the Secretary of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Semi-
Annual Report of the Inspector General for the period from
October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009; to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-2730. A communication from the Director, Strategic Human
Resources Policy Division, Office of Personnel Management,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Boise, ID and
Utah Appropriated Fund Federal Wage System Wage Areas''
(RIN3206-AL82) as received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 31,
2009; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-2731. A communication from the Director, Strategic Human
Resources Policy Division, Office of Personnel Management,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Lake Charles--
Alexandria and New Orleans, LA Appropriated Fund Federal Wage
System Wage Areas'' (RIN3206-AL81) as received during
adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of
the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-2732. A communication from the Director, Strategic Human
Resources Policy Division, Office of Personnel Management,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Time-in-Grade Eliminated'' (RIN3206-AL18) as received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
EC-2733. A communication from the Director, Strategic Human
Resources Policy Division, Office of Personnel Management,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
``Noncompetitive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses''
(RIN3206-AL73) as received during adjournment of the Senate
in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 31,
2009; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
EC-2734. A communication from the Regulatory and Policy
Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the
Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled ``Job Placement and Training'' (RIN1076-AE88) as
received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of
the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the
Committee on Indian Affairs.
EC-2735. A communication from the Acting General Counsel,
National Indian Gaming Commission, transmitting, pursuant to
law, the report of a rule entitled ``Amendments to Various
National Indian Gaming Commission Regulations'' (RIN3141-
0001) as received

[[Page 21069]]

during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on August 10, 2009; to the Committee
on Indian Affairs.
EC-2736. A communication from the Acting Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Office of the
Secretary, Department of the Interior, transmitting, pursuant
to law, a proposed settlement agreement entered into by the
Department of Justice and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm
Springs Reservation of Oregon on January 16, 2009; to the
Committee on Indian Affairs.
EC-2737. A communication from the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, an annual
report entitled ``Report to the Congress on the Refugee
Resettlement Program''; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-2738. A communication from the Director, Administrative
Office of the United States Courts, transmitting, pursuant to
law, a report entitled ``2008 Report of Statistics Required
by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection
Act of 2005''; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-2739. A joint communication from the Secretary General
and the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Campaign,
transmitting, a report entitled ``A Parliamentary Response to
Violence Against Women''; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-2740. A communication from the President, American
Academy of Arts and Letters, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report relative to the Academy's activities during the year
ending December 31, 2008; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-2741. A communication from the Staff Director, U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights, transmitting, pursuant to law, a
report relative to the Commission's recent appointment of
members to the Virginia Advisory Committee; to the Committee
on the Judiciary.
EC-2742. A communication from the Deputy Associate Director
for Management and Administration and Designated Reporting
Official, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive
Office of the President, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
report of a nomination in the position of Deputy Director for
State, Local and Tribal Affairs in the Office of National
Drug Control Policy; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-2743. A communication from the Director, Office of
National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the
President, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled
``Fiscal Year 2008 Accounting of Drug Control Funds''; to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
EC-2744. A communication from the Director of Regulations
Management, Compensation and Pension Service, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report
of a rule entitled ``Presumption of Service Connection for
Osteoporosis for Former Prisoners of War'' (RIN2900-AN16) as
received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of
the President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
EC-2745. A communication from the Director of Regulations
Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting,
pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ``Medication
Prescribed by Non-VA Physicians'' (RIN2900-AL68) as received
during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the
President of the Senate on August 31, 2009; to the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs.
EC-2746. A communication from the Assistant Attorney
General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of
Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Third Quarterly
Report from the Attorney General to Congress; to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

____________________

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES DURING ADJOURNMENT OF THE SENATE

Under the authority of the order of the Senate of August 7, 2009, the
following reports of committees were submitted on September 2, 2009:

By Mr. AKAKA, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, with
an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
S. 728. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
enhance veterans' insurance benefits, and for other purposes
(Rept. No. 111-71).

____________________

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

The following reports of committees were submitted:

By Mr. ROCKEFELLER, from the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation, with an amendment in the nature
of a substitute:
S. 588. A bill to amend title 46, United States Code, to
establish requirements to ensure the security and safety of
passengers and crew on cruise vessels, and for other purposes
(Rept. No. 111-72).

____________________

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the
first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:

____________________

SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS

The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were
read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated:

By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr.
Menendez, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Casey,
and Mr. Cardin):
S. Res. 253. A resolution expressing the sense of the
Senate that the Government of Libya should apologize for the
welcome home ceremony held to celebrate the release of
convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mrs. GILLIBRAND:
S. Res. 254. A resolution honoring, commemorating, and
celebrating the historic ties of the United States and the
Netherlands on the quadricentennial celebration of the
discovery of the Hudson River, and recognizing the settlement
and enduring values of New Netherland, which continue to
influence American society; to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
By Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Kerry, Mr.
Dodd, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Barrasso, Mr.
Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Begich, Mr. Bennet, Mr.
Bennett, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mrs. Boxer, Mr.
Brown, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Burr, Mr.
Burris, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cardin, Mr.
Carper, Mr. Casey, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Coburn, Mr.
Cochran, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Corker, Mr.
Cornyn, Mr. Crapo, Mr. DeMint, Mr. Dorgan, Mr.
Durbin, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Feingold, Mrs.
Feinstein, Mr. Franken, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Graham,
Mr. Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Harkin, Mr.
Hatch, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr.
Isakson, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kaufman, Ms.
Klobuchar, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr.
Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs.
Lincoln, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. McCain, Mrs.
McCaskill, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Mikulski,
Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska,
Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr.
Risch, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Sanders, Mr.
Schumer, Mr. Sessions, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Shelby, Ms.
Snowe, Mr. Specter, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Tester, Mr.
Thune, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Udall of New
Mexico, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, Mr.
Webb, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Wyden):
S. Res. 255. A resolution relative to the death of Edward
Moore Kennedy, a Senator from the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts; considered and agreed to.

____________________

ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS

S. 23

At the request of Ms. Cantwell, the name of the Senator from
Tennessee (Mr. Corker) was added as a cosponsor of S. 23, a bill to
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the
election to deduct State and local sales taxes.

[[Page 21070]]

S. 144

At the request of Mr. Kerry, the name of the Senator from Texas (Mrs.
Hutchison) was added as a cosponsor of S. 144, a bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove cell phones from listed
property under section 280F.

S. 354

At the request of Mr. Webb, the name of the Senator from Virginia
(Mr. Warner) was added as a cosponsor of S. 354, a bill to provide that
4 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal
employee shall be paid leave, and for other purposes.

S. 384

At the request of Mr. Lugar, the name of the Senator from Michigan
(Ms. Stabenow) was added as a cosponsor of S. 384, a bill to authorize
appropriations for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to provide assistance
to foreign countries to promote food security, to stimulate rural
economies, and to improve emergency response to food crises, to amend
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and for other purposes.

S. 416

At the request of Mrs. Feinstein, the name of the Senator from
Minnesota (Ms. Klobuchar) was added as a cosponsor of S. 416, a bill to
limit the use of cluster munitions.

S. 433

At the request of Mr. Udall of New Mexico, the names of the Senator
from Oregon (Mr. Merkley), the Senator from Maryland (Mr. Cardin) and
the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Lautenberg) were added as cosponsors
of S. 433, a bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act
of 1978 to establish a renewable electricity standard, and for other
purposes.

S. 451

At the request of Ms. Mikulski, the name of the Senator from New York
(Mr. Schumer) was added as a cosponsor of S. 451, a bill to require the
Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the
centennial of the establishment of the Girl Scouts of the United States
of America.
At the request of Ms. Collins, the names of the Senator from Missouri
(Mr. Bond), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) and the Senator from
Montana (Mr. Tester) were added as cosponsors of S. 451, supra.

S. 456

At the request of Mr. Dodd, the name of the Senator from Minnesota
(Ms. Klobuchar) was added as a cosponsor of S. 456, a bill to direct
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the
Secretary of Education, to develop guidelines to be used on a voluntary
basis to develop plans to manage the risk of food allergy and
anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood education programs, to
establish school-based food allergy management grants, and for other
purposes.

S. 461

At the request of Mrs. Lincoln, the name of the Senator from Alaska
(Mr. Begich) was added as a cosponsor of S. 461, a bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and modify the railroad track
maintenance credit.

S. 491

At the request of Mr. Webb, the name of the Senator from Texas (Mrs.
Hutchison) was added as a cosponsor of S. 491, a bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military
retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to
allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums.

S. 584

At the request of Mr. Harkin, the name of the Senator from Michigan
(Mr. Levin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 584, a bill to ensure that
all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians,
bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals
with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on and
across federally funded streets and highways.

S. 624

At the request of Mr. Durbin, the names of the Senator from Nevada
(Mr. Reid) and the Senator from California (Mrs. Feinstein) were added
as cosponsors of S. 624, a bill to provide 100,000,000 people with
first-time access to safe drinking water and sanitation on a
sustainable basis by 2015 by improving the capacity of the United
States Government to fully implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for
the Poor Act of 2005.

S. 632

At the request of Mr. Baucus, the name of the Senator from Maine (Ms.
Collins) was added as a cosponsor of S. 632, a bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that the payment of the
manufacturers' excise tax on recreational equipment be paid quarterly.

S. 653

At the request of Mr. Cardin, the name of the Senator from Michigan
(Ms. Stabenow) was added as a cosponsor of S. 653, a bill to require
the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the
bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, and for other
purposes.

S. 654

At the request of Mr. Bunning, the name of the Senator from Michigan
(Ms. Stabenow) was added as a cosponsor of S. 654, a bill to amend
title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician services
delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by Medicaid
beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care.

S. 693

At the request of Mr. Harkin, the name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr.
Brown) was added as a cosponsor of S. 693, a bill to amend the Public
Health Service Act to provide grants for the training of graduate
medical residents in preventive medicine.

S. 694

At the request of Mr. Dodd, the names of the Senator from Maine (Ms.
Snowe) and the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Lieberman) were added as
cosponsors of S. 694, a bill to provide assistance to Best Buddies to
support the expansion and development of mentoring programs, and for
other purposes.

S. 714

At the request of Mr. Webb, the names of the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. Sanders) and the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Lautenberg) were
added as cosponsors of S. 714, a bill to establish the National
Criminal Justice Commission.

S. 727

At the request of Ms. Landrieu, the names of the Senator from
Connecticut (Mr. Dodd), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) and the
Senator from Maryland (Ms. Mikulski) were added as cosponsors of S.
727, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain
conduct relating to the use of horses for human consumption.

S. 730

At the request of Mr. Ensign, the name of the Senator from Illinois
(Mr. Durbin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 730, a bill to amend the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify the tariffs
on certain footwear, and for other purposes.

S. 823

At the request of Ms. Snowe, the name of the Senator from Utah (Mr.
Bennett) was added as a cosponsor of S. 823, a bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a 5-year carryback of operating
losses, and for other purposes.

S. 846

At the request of Mr. Durbin, the names of the Senator from Missouri
(Mr. Bond) and the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller) were
added as cosponsors of S. 846, a bill to award a congressional gold
medal to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in recognition of his contributions to the
fight against global poverty.

S. 870

At the request of Mrs. Lincoln, the name of the Senator from Texas
(Mr. Cornyn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 870, a bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the credit for renewable
electricity production to include electricity produced from biomass for
on-site use and to modify the credit period for certain facilities
producing electricity from open-loop biomass.

S. 883

At the request of Mr. Kerry, the names of the Senator from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Casey), the Senator from

[[Page 21071]]

Pennsylvania (Mr. Specter) and the Senator from Arizona (Mr. McCain)
were added as cosponsors of S. 883, a bill to require the Secretary of
the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the
establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861, America's highest award
for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon
an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States, to
honor the American military men and women who have been recipients of
the Medal of Honor, and to promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor
represents and how ordinary Americans, through courage, sacrifice,
selfless service and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the
course of history.

S. 944

At the request of Mr. Feingold, the name of the Senator from Texas
(Mrs. Hutchison) was added as a cosponsor of S. 944, a bill to amend
title 10, United States Code, to require the Secretaries of the
military departments to give wounded members of the reserve components
of the Armed Forces the option of remaining on active duty during the
transition process in order to continue to receive military pay and
allowances, to authorize members to reside at their permanent places of
residence during the process, and for other purposes.

S. 970

At the request of Ms. Landrieu, the name of the Senator from Illinois
(Mr. Burris) was added as a cosponsor of S. 970, a bill to promote and
enhance the operation of local building code enforcement administration
across the country by establishing a competitive Federal matching grant
program.

S. 987

At the request of Mr. Durbin, the names of the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. Sanders), the Senator from Arkansas (Mrs. Lincoln), and the
Senator from California (Mrs. Feinstein) were added as cosponsors of S.
987, a bill to protect girls in developing countries through the
prevention of child marriage, and for other purposes.

S. 994

At the request of Ms. Klobuchar, the name of the Senator from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Casey) was added as a cosponsor of S. 994, a bill to
amend the Public Health Service Act to increase awareness of the risks
of breast cancer in young women and provide support for young women
diagnosed with breast cancer.

S. 1019

At the request of Mr. Harkin, the name of the Senator from New York
(Mrs. Gillibrand) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1019, a bill to amend
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax
for the purchase of hearing aids.

S. 1020

At the request of Mr. Whitehouse, the name of the Senator from
Illinois (Mr. Durbin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1020, a bill to
optimize the delivery of critical care medicine and expand the critical
care workforce.

S. 1023

At the request of Mr. Dorgan, the name of the Senator from Illinois
(Mr. Burris) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1023, a bill to establish a
non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and
otherwise promote leisure, business, and scholarly travel to the United
States.

S. 1038

At the request of Mrs. Feinstein, the name of the Senator from New
York (Mrs. Gillibrand) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1038, a bill to
improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for
aliens in the United States and for other purposes.

S. 1052

At the request of Mr. Conrad, the name of the Senator from Montana
(Mr. Baucus) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1052, a bill to amend the
small, rural school achievement program and the rural and low-income
school program under part B of title VI of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965.

S. 1055

At the request of Mrs. Boxer, the names of the Senator from Illinois
(Mr. Burris) and the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. Rockefeller) were
added as cosponsors of S. 1055, a bill to grant the congressional gold
medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd
Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in recognition of their
dedicated service during World War II.

S. 1073

At the request of Mr. Reed, the names of the Senator from New York
(Mr. Schumer) and the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner) were added as
cosponsors of S. 1073, a bill to provide for credit rating reforms, and
for other purposes.

S. 1156

At the request of Mr. Harkin, the name of the Senator from Michigan
(Mr. Levin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1156, a bill to amend the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
Legacy for Users to reauthorize and improve the safe routes to school
program.

S. 1160

At the request of Mr. Schumer, the name of the Senator from Montana
(Mr. Tester) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1160, a bill to provide
housing assistance for very low-income veterans.

S. 1214

At the request of Mr. Lieberman, the name of the Senator from New
Mexico (Mr. Bingaman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1214, a bill to
conserve fish and aquatic communities in the United States through
partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation, to improve the
quality of life for the people of the United States, and for other
purposes.

S. 1279

At the request of Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, the name of the Senator
from New Mexico (Mr. Bingaman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1279, a
bill to amend the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003 to extend the Rural Community Hospital
Demonstration Program.

S. 1281

At the request of Mrs. Lincoln, the name of the Senator from Ohio
(Mr. Brown) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1281, a bill to enhance
after-school programs in rural areas of the United States by
establishing a pilot program to help communities establish and improve
rural after-school programs.

S. 1304

At the request of Mr. Grassley, the name of the Senator from Ohio
(Mr. Brown) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1304, a bill to restore the
economic rights of automobile dealers, and for other purposes.

S. 1324

At the request of Mr. DeMint, the name of the Senator from Texas
(Mrs. Hutchison) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1324, a bill to ensure
that every American has a health insurance plan that they can afford,
own, and keep.

S. 1329

At the request of Mr. Kohl, the name of the Senator from Delaware
(Mr. Kaufman) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1329, a bill to authorize
the Attorney General to award grants to State courts to develop and
implement State courts interpreter programs.

S. 1340

At the request of Mr. Leahy, the name of the Senator from Minnesota
(Ms. Klobuchar) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1340, a bill to
establish a minimum funding level for programs under the Victims of
Crime Act of 1984 for fiscal years 2010 to 2014 that ensures a
reasonable growth in victim programs without jeopardizing the long-term
sustainability of the Crime Victims Fund.

S. 1352

At the request of Mr. Dodd, the name of the Senator from New York
(Mr. Schumer) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1352, a bill to provide
for the expansion of Federal efforts concerning the prevention,
education, treatment, and research activities related to Lyme and other
tick-borne diseases, including the establishment of a Tick-Borne
Diseases Advisory Committee.

S. 1361

At the request of Mr. Leahy, the names of the Senator from New Jersey
(Mr. Lautenberg) and the Senator

[[Page 21072]]

from Arkansas (Mrs. Lincoln) were added as cosponsors of S. 1361, a
bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the national
defense through empowerment of the National Guard, enhancement of the
functions of the National Guard Bureau, and improvement of Federal-
State military coordination in domestic emergency response, and for
other purposes.

S. 1362

At the request of Mr. Reed, the name of the Senator from Arkansas
(Mrs. Lincoln) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1362, a bill to provide
grants to States to ensure that all students in the middle grades are
taught an academically rigorous curriculum with effective supports so
that students complete the middle grades prepared for success in high
school and postsecondary endeavors, to improve State and district
policies and programs relating to the academic achievement of students
in the middle grades, to develop and implement effective middle grades
models for struggling students, and for other purposes.

S. 1382

At the request of Mr. Dodd, the name of the Senator from Nevada (Mr.
Reid) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1382, a bill to improve and expand
the Peace Corps for the 21st century, and for other purposes.

S. 1397

At the request of Ms. Klobuchar, the name of the Senator from
Louisiana (Mr. Landrieu) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1397, a bill to
authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to
award grants for electronic device recycling research, development, and
demonstration projects, and for other purposes.

S. 1422

At the request of Mrs. Murray, the names of the Senator from Maine
(Ms. Snowe) and the Senator from New York (Mrs. Gillibrand) were added
as cosponsors of S. 1422, a bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave
Act of 1993 to clarify the eligibility requirements with respect to
airline flight crews.

S. 1425

At the request of Mr. Durbin, the name of the Senator from Illinois
(Mr. Burris) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1425, a bill to increase
the United States financial and programmatic contributions to promote
economic opportunities for women in developing countries.

S. 1456

At the request of Mr. Schumer, the name of the Senator from New York
(Mrs. Gillibrand) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1456, a bill to fully
compensate local educational agencies and local governments for tax
revenues lost when the Federal Government takes land into trust for the
benefit of a federally recognized Indian tribe or an individual Indian.

S. 1461

At the request of Mrs. Boxer, the name of the Senator from Georgia
(Mr. Chambliss) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1461, a bill to amend
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat trees and vines producing
fruit, nuts, or other crops as placed in service in the year in which
it is planted for purposes of special allowance for depreciation.

S. 1492

At the request of Ms. Mikulski, the names of the Senator from Rhode
Island (Mr. Whitehouse), the Senator from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), the
Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Dodd), the Senator from California (Mrs.
Boxer) and the Senator from Montana (Mr. Tester) were added as
cosponsors of S. 1492, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to
fund breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease research while providing more
help to caregivers and increasing public education about prevention.

S. 1524

At the request of Mr. Kerry, the name of the Senator from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Casey) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1524, a bill to
strengthen the capacity, transparency, and accountability of United
States foreign assistance programs to effectively adapt and respond to
new challenges of the 21st century, and for other purposes.
At the request of Mr. Merkley, his name was added as a cosponsor of
S. 1524, supra.

S. 1545

At the request of Mrs. Gillibrand, the name of the Senator from Ohio
(Mr. Brown) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1545, a bill to expand the
research and awareness activities of the National Institute of
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention with respect to scleroderma, and for
other purposes.

S. 1616

At the request of Ms. Cantwell, the name of the Senator from Utah
(Mr. Hatch) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1616, a bill to authorize
assistance to small- and medium-sized businesses to promote exports to
the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes.

S. 1634

At the request of Mr. Rockefeller, the name of the Senator from Rhode
Island (Mr. Whitehouse) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1634, a bill to
amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to protect and
improve the benefits provided to dual eligible individuals under the
Medicare and Medicaid programs.

S. 1635

At the request of Mr. Dorgan, the name of the Senator from North
Dakota (Mr. Conrad) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1635, a bill to
establish an Indian Youth telemental health demonstration project, to
enhance the provision of mental health care services to Indian youth,
to encourage Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and other mental
health care providers serving residents of Indian country to obtain the
services of predoctoral psychology and psychiatry interns, and for
other purposes.

S. 1638

At the request of Mr. Wicker, the name of the Senator from Louisiana
(Mr. Vitter) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1638, a bill to permit
Amtrak passengers to safely transport firearms and ammunition in their
checked baggage.

S. CON. RES. 25

At the request of Mr. Menendez, the name of the Senator from New
Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen) was added as a cosponsor of S. Con. Res. 25, a
concurrent resolution recognizing the value and benefits that community
health centers provide as health care homes for over 18,000,000
individuals, and the importance of enabling health centers and other
safety net providers to continue to offer accessible, affordable, and
continuous care to their current patients and to every American who
lacks access to preventive and primary care services.

S. RES. 158

At the request of Mr. Kerry, the name of the Senator from Rhode
Island (Mr. Whitehouse) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 158, a
resolution to commend the American Sail Training Association for
advancing international goodwill and character building under sail.

S. RES. 161

At the request of Mr. Johnson, the name of the Senator from Maryland
(Ms. Mikulski) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 161, a resolution
recognizing June 2009 as the first National Hereditary Hemorrhagic
Telangiectasia (HHT) month, established to increase awareness of HHT,
which is a complex genetic blood vessel disorder that affects
approximately 70,000 people in the United States.

S. RES. 210

At the request of Mrs. Lincoln, the names of the Senator from Ohio
(Mr. Brown) and the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez) were added
as cosponsors of S. Res. 210, a resolution designating the week
beginning on November 9, 2009, as National School Psychology Week.

S. RES. 245

At the request of Mr. Schumer, the name of the Senator from Wisconsin
(Mr. Kohl) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 245, a resolution
recognizing September 11 as a ``National Day of Service and
Remembrance''.

[[Page 21073]]

S. RES. 247

At the request of Mr. Whitehouse, the name of the Senator from New
Jersey (Mr. Menendez) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 247, a
resolution designating September 26, 2009, as ``National Estuaries
Day''.

____________________

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

By Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself and Ms. Collins):
S. 1649. A bill to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, to prepare for attacks using weapons of mass destruction,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senator Lieberman in
introducing the Weapons of Mass Destruction Prevention and Preparedness
Act of 2009. This legislation would increase our Nation's protections
against an attack using WMDs.
The bill implements many of the recommendations of the Commission on
the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and
Terrorism. Congress established that Commission in 2007 in legislation
that Senator Lieberman and I coauthored.
Heading the WMD Commission were former Senators Bob Graham and Jim
Talent. Last December, the Commission produced a comprehensive report
on the WMD threats to our Nation and provided recommendations to
prevent further proliferation and acts of terrorism using these deadly
weapons. The Commission's ``World at Risk'' report warned that it is
``more likely than not that a weapon of mass destruction will be used
in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013.''
The Commission's report is a call to action.
The Commission reinforces the sense of urgency that the Homeland
Security Committee has felt during its many hearings on deadly threats
to the American people--threats that include terrorists dispersing
anthrax spores, detonating a nuclear device in a major city, or
striking with other weapons of mass destruction.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress
created the Department of Homeland Security, reformed our intelligence
agencies, strengthened FEMA, increased grants for State and local first
responders, and enhanced security at our seaports and chemical
facilities. As the Commission observes, however, ``the terrorists have
been active, too,'' and we must continue our efforts. Nuclear
proliferation and advances in biotechnology give terrorists new methods
to carry out their avowed intention to commit mass murder.
The mental images of nuclear blasts and mushroom clouds are powerful
and frightening. As the WMD Commission rightly notes, however, the more
likely threat is from a biological weapon. In contrast to nuclear
weapons, the technological hurdle is lower to develop and disseminate
bioweapons, access to pathogens is more widespread, and pathogens are
harder to contain. The spread of biotechnology, the difficulty of
detecting such pathogens, and terrorists' known interest in
bioterrorism combine to produce an even greater menace.
Bio-weapons are appealing to terrorists in part because we are
unlikely to realize that an attack has occurred before it begins to
kill many of its victims.
Worldwide security has lagged behind the growth of this threat. Even
within our own country, the Commission and GAO have found that we fail
to secure potential biological weapons effectively. In July, the GAO
found significant deficiencies in perimeter security at biological labs
that handle the world's most dangerous biological agents and diseases,
such as the Ebola virus and smallpox. Because no cure or treatment
exists for some of the pathogens handled by these labs, this is
alarming.
Thousands of individuals in the United States have access to
dangerous pathogens. Currently there are about 400 research facilities
and nearly 15,000 individuals in the U.S. authorized to handle the
deadly pathogens on the ``Select Agent List.'' Indeed, the FBI has
determined that a cleared scientist who worked at a regulated research
lab likely carried out the Anthrax attacks on the Senate and the U.S.
postal system in 2001.
To counter this threat, the WMD Commission recommends increasing the
security of biological laboratories that handle dangerous pathogens.
This legislation would do so by establishing additional security
measures for the most dangerous pathogens that terrorists are likely to
use in an attack. A negotiated rulemaking--with Federal agencies and
research institutions at the table--would develop these enhanced
security standards. This would ensure that regulations, which make our
Nation's labs more secure, would not have the unintended consequence of
deterring legitimate research endeavors.
In order to help fund the security enhancements at the highest-risk
biolabs and avoid diverting research funding to security upgrades, the
bill authorizes a grant program at $50 million for each of the next
four years. This is a sufficient level of funding to ensure that each
of the labs registered to handle the most dangerous pathogens could
access funding.
In response to another Commission finding that many research
facilities that handle less strictly controlled, yet still dangerous
pathogens are not even known to the government, the legislation
requires registration of these labs. This system of enhanced security
for labs with the most dangerous pathogens and the registration of labs
that handle less dangerous pathogens will result in facility security
requirements that are tiered based on the risk that a pathogen at a
particular facility could be used in a biological attack.
To better prepare the American people for a bio-weapon attack, the
bill improves the government's ability to distribute medical
countermeasures and requires actions to improve communications with the
public before and during a biological attack. As the Commission wisely
advised, citizens need to know what to expect during a biological
attack and how they should respond.
While security controls must be improved within our own country,
global security problems are daunting. Countries like Syria do not
adhere to the Biological Weapons Convention, which is the multilateral
treaty that banned the development, production, and stockpiling of
biological weapons. Other countries that signed the treaty may not be
living up to these commitments.
To address these international biosecurity threats, the bill requires
that the Director of National Intelligence, DNI, report on countries
that have facilities with the highest-risk pathogens and the security
measures in place at these facilities. The DNI also must develop a
strategy for improving the Federal Government's capabilities to
collect, analyze, and disseminate intelligence related to weapons of
mass destruction.
In addition, the bill would direct the Secretary of State to provide
assistance to enhance security at laboratories with dangerous pathogens
worldwide and to use exchange programs to train foreign nationals. In
this way, foreign nationals can promote lab safety and detect disease
outbreaks in their home countries.
This legislation, which would implement the WMD Commission's
recommendations, is an important and significant step forward in
addressing the growing threat of weapons of mass destruction, and of
bio-weapons in particular. Countering this threat is critical for the
security of our Nation.
______

By Mr. LEVIN:
S. 1651. A bill to modify a land grant patent issued by the Secretary
of the Interior; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today I am introducing a companion bill to
Representative Stupak's bill, which is also being introduced today,
that would modify a patent issued to the Great Lakes Shipwreck
Historical Society for the conveyance of a parcel of land at Whitefish
Point, Michigan at

[[Page 21074]]

the U.S. Coast Guard Whitefish Point Light Station. The land patent was
originally issued ten years ago for the interpretation and preservation
of maritime history. In accordance with the land patent, the Great
Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society established and has operated a
museum that brings to life the strength and fury of the Great Lakes and
the bravery of the U.S. Life Saving Service who rescued thousands of
people from Great Lakes shipwrecks.
This legislation modifies the land patent such that development of
new facilities and expansion of existing facilities or infrastructure
would be implemented in accordance with the 2002 Human Use/Natural
Resource Plan instead of the 1992 Whitefish Point Comprehensive Plan.
The 2002 plan was developed pursuant to a court-ordered settlement
agreement regarding the 1992 plan.
The modification of the land patent is intended to further the
purposes of the original patent, which is for preservation and
interpretation of maritime history, while maintaining the conservation
of natural habitat and wildlife areas, since Whitefish Point is an
important birding area as well. This bill would ensure that the vibrant
stories of the Great Lakes can be preserved and interpreted for future
generations.
______

By Mr. HARKIN (for himself and Mr. Roberts):
S. 1652. A bill to amend part B of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act to provide full Federal funding of such part; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague from
Kansas, Senator Roberts, in introducing the IDEA Full Funding Act. The
aim of this legislation is to ensure, at long last, that Congress makes
good on a commitment it made more than three decades ago when we passed
what is now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. At
that time, in 1975, we told children with disabilities, their families,
schools, and States that the Federal Government would pay 40 percent of
the extra cost of special education. We have never lived up to that
commitment and only recently came close because of the one-time
investment through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
As we introduce this bill, our children are beginning another school
year. Some are meeting new teachers and going to new classrooms. Some
are starting at a completely new school with new opportunities for
success and new challenges. Yet we are still shortchanging children
with disabilities and their educational opportunities.
We tell our children all the time to keep their promises, to live up
to their commitments, to do as they say they are going to do. We teach
them that if they fail to do so, other people can be hurt. Well, that
is what Congress has done by failing to appropriately fund IDEA: We
have hurt school children all across America. We have pitted children
with disabilities against other children for a limited pool of school
funds. We have put parents in the position of not demanding services
that their child with a disability truly needs, because they have been
told that the services cost too much and other children would suffer.
We have hurt school districts, which are forced, in effect, to rob
Peter to pay Paul in order to provide services to students with
disabilities. We have also hurt local taxpayers, who are obliged to pay
higher property taxes and other local taxes in order to pay for IDEA
services because the Federal Government has reneged on its commitment.
I was pleased that we were able to increase funding for the IDEA
grants to States program as part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act this year to $22.8 billion. That represents 34 percent
of the additional funding needed to support special education. However,
the Recovery Act is a one-time investment designed to address a crisis
caused by the recession that could have resulted in the loss of
thousands of teachers and programs students need to be successful.
Without the Recovery Act, IDEA grants are currently funded at around 17
percent of the cost of special education programs. So we have a long
way to go to reach the 40 percent level. But it is time to do so. It is
time for the Federal Government to make good on its promise to students
with disabilities in this country.
The IDEA Full Funding Act is pretty straightforward. It authorizes
increasing amounts of mandatory funding in 6 year increments that, in
addition to the discretionary funding allocated through the
Appropriations Committee, will finally meet the Federal Government's
commitment to educating children with disabilities.
This bill is a win-win-win for the American people. Students with
disabilities will get the education services that they need in order to
achieve and succeed. School districts will be able to provide these
services without cutting into their general education budgets. Local
property tax payers will get relief.
Full funding of IDEA is not a partisan issue. We all share an
interest in ensuring that children with disabilities get an appropriate
education, and that local school districts do not have to slash their
general education budgets in order to pay for special education. We all
share a sense of responsibility to make good on the promise Congress
made to fully fund its promised share of special education costs.
In the 3 decades since Congress passed IDEA, and in the 8 years since
we passed the No Child Left Behind Act, we have dramatically increased
opportunities for students with disabilities. Likewise, we are holding
local systems accountable in unprecedented ways. It is time for us in
Congress also to be held accountable. It is time for us to make good on
our promise to fully fund IDEA. To that end, I urge my colleagues to
support this bill.
Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I rise today to offer legislation with
Senator Harkin to fulfill a promise that we made over 30 years ago. We
made a commitment to pay 40 percent of the excess cost of educating a
special needs child. However, we have not fulfilled that promise.
Our legislation annually increases funding for Part B of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act over a 6-year period. With
these increases, we will be able to fully fund Part B in 2015.
I encourage my colleagues to add their support to this needed
legislation. If the Federal Government would provide its promised share
of special education funding, our schools could then use any state and
local funds for other educational needs, such as art and music.
______

By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Schumer, Mr.
Whitehouse, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Kaufman, Mr. Franken, Mr.
Harkin, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Brown, Mr. Bayh, Mr.
Bennet, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Kerry, and
Mr. Akaka):
S. 1653. A bill to provide for the appointment of additional Federal
circuit and district judges, and for other purposes; to the Committee
on the Judiciary.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today, I am reintroducing a comprehensive
bill to address the resource needs of the Federal judiciary by
authorizing additional courts of appeals and district court judgeships.
This good government bill will improve the effectiveness of our Federal
courts and provide Federal judges with the tools to promptly render the
justice that Americans so desperately need.
The Federal Judgeship Act of 2009 establishes 12 new judgeships in
six courts of appeals and 51 new judgeships in 25 district courts
across the country. The legislation I introduce today is based on the
recommendations of the Judicial Conference of the United States, which
identified the judiciary's resource needs during the completion of its
biennial survey in March.
Last Congress, I joined Senator Hatch and 20 other Senators from both
sides of the aisle to introduce this legislation. A bipartisan majority
of the Judiciary Committee voted to report the bill to the Senate last
year. Unfortunately, the Senate did not act on the bill before the end
of the last Congress.

[[Page 21075]]

We used to consider judgeship bills at six year intervals. It has
been 19 years since the last comprehensive judgeship bill was enacted
to address the growth in the workload of the Federal judiciary. That
legislation established 11 additional circuit court judgeships, as well
as 61 permanent and 13 temporary district court judgeships. Since 1990,
case filings in the Federal appellate courts have increased by 42
percent, and case filings in the district courts have risen by 34
percent. Congress has authorized only a few additional district court
judgeships and extended a few temporary judgeships. We should pass a
comprehensive judgeship bill in this Congress that will ease the strain
of heavy caseloads that has burdened the courts and thwarted the
administration of justice.
Last year, the weighted number of filings in district courts, which
takes into account an assessment of case complexity, was 472 per
judgeship. This figure is well above the Judicial Conference's standard
of 430 weighted filings per district court judgeship. In the 25
district courts that would receive additional judgeships under this
bill, the weighted filings averaged 573 per judgeship, and 10 courts
had caseloads near or above 600 weighted filings per judgeship. Today,
the national average circuit court caseload per three judge panel has
reached 1,104 filings. That statistic approaches the record number of
1,230 cases recorded in 2005 and far exceeds the 773 average circuit
court caseload filings recorded in 1991.
Federal judges are working harder than ever, but in order to maintain
the integrity of the Federal courts and the promptness that justice
demands, judges must have a manageable workload. To address the
excessive caseloads that burden Federal courts, the Federal Judgeship
Act of 2009 would add nine permanent circuit court judgeships, 38
permanent district court judgeships, and convert five existing
temporary judgeships into permanent positions. These additional
judgeships would help to alleviate the significant increase in
caseloads that the Federal courts have seen over the nearly two decades
since the last comprehensive judgeship bill was enacted.
The bill would also add 13 temporary district court judgeships, three
temporary circuit court judgeships, and would extend one existing
temporary district court judgeship. These additional temporary
judgeships will allow Congress some flexibility with regard to future
judgeship needs. If caseloads continue to increase, Congress has the
option to introduce legislation making permanent or renewing these
temporary judgeships. If those caseloads do not increase, when the next
judge in that circuit or district retires they will not be replaced.
After years of debate and Federal courts struggling to adjudicate
cases despite the overwhelming burden of heavy caseloads, the time to
enact a comprehensive Federal judgeship bill is long overdue.
The ability of Federal courts to effectively administer justice will
continue to be challenged unless adequate resources are provided. The
Federal Judgeship Act of 2009 responds to the increasing workload of
the Federal judiciary, and it is long overdue. I thank Senators
Feinstein, Schumer, Whitehouse, Klobuchar, Kaufman, Franken, Harkin,
Bingaman, Murray, Brown, Bayh, Bennet, Boxer, Shaheen, Inouye, Akaka,
and Kerry for their support. I urge Senators on both sides of the aisle
to give this legislation their serious consideration and support.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:

S. 1653

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Judgeship Act of
2009''.

SEC. 2. CIRCUIT JUDGES FOR THE CIRCUIT COURTS OF APPEALS.

(a) In General.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(1) 1 additional circuit judge for the first circuit court
of appeals;
(2) 2 additional circuit judges for the second circuit
court of appeals;
(3) 1 additional circuit judge for the third circuit court
of appeals;

(4) 1 additional circuit judge for the sixth circuit court
of appeals; and
(5) 4 additional circuit judges for the ninth circuit court
of appeals.
(b) Temporary Judgeships.--The President shall appoint, by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate--
(1) 1 additional circuit judge for the third circuit court
of appeals;
(2) 1 additional circuit judge for the eighth circuit court
of appeals; and
(3) 1 additional circuit judge for the ninth circuit court
of appeals.

For each of the judicial circuits named in this subsection,
the first vacancy arising on the circuit court 10 years or
more after a judge is first confirmed to fill the temporary
circuit judgeship created in that circuit by this subsection
shall not be filled.
(c) Tables.--In order that the table contained in section
44 of title 28, United States Code, will, with respect to
each judicial circuit, reflect the changes in the total
number of permanent circuit judgeships authorized as a result
of subsection (a) of this section, such table is amended to
read as follows:

Number of
``Circuits judges

District of Columbia....................................... 11
First...................................................... 7
Second..................................................... 15
Third...................................................... 15
Fourth..................................................... 15
Fifth...................................................... 17
Sixth...................................................... 17
Seventh.................................................... 11
Eighth..................................................... 11
Ninth...................................................... 33
Tenth...................................................... 12
Eleventh................................................... 12
Federal.................................................... 12.''.

SEC. 3. DISTRICT JUDGES FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS.

(a) In General.--The President shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate--
(1) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Arizona;
(2) 4 additional district judges for the northern district
of California;
(3) 4 additional district judges for the eastern district
of California;
(4) 4 additional district judges for the central district
of California;
(5) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Colorado;
(6) 4 additional district judges for the middle district of
Florida;
(7) 3 additional district judges for the southern district
of Florida;
(8) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of Indiana;
(9) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Minnesota;
(10) 1 additional district judge for the district of New
Jersey;
(11) 1 additional district judge for the district of New
Mexico;
(12) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of New York;
(13) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of New York;
(14) 1 additional district judge for the western district
of New York;
(15) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Oregon;
(16) 1 additional district judge for the district of South
Carolina;
(17) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of Texas;
(18) 2 additional district judges for the southern district
of Texas;
(19) 4 additional district judges for the western district
of Texas; and
(20) 1 additional district judge for the western district
of Washington.
(b) Temporary Judgeships.--The President shall appoint, by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate--
(1) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of
Alabama;
(2) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Arizona;
(3) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of California;
(4) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of
California;
(5) 1 additional district judge for the central district of
California;
(6) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of
Florida;
(7) 1 additional district judge for the district of Idaho;
(8) 1 additional district judge for the northern district
of Iowa;
(9) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Minnesota;
(10) 1 additional district judge for the district of
Nebraska;
(11) 1 additional district judge for the southern district
of New York;
(12) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of New York; and
(13) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district
of Virginia.

[[Page 21076]]

For each of the judicial districts named in this subsection,
the first vacancy arising on the district court 10 years or
more after a judge is first confirmed to fill the temporary
district judgeship created in that district by this
subsection shall not be filled.
(c) Existing Judgeships.--
(1) The existing judgeships for the district of Kansas, and
the eastern district of Missouri authorized by section 203(c)
of the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-650;
104 Stat. 5089) as amended by Public Law 111-8 (relating to
the district of Kansas) and Public Law 109-115 (relating to
the eastern district of Missouri), and the existing
judgeships for the district of Arizona, the district of New
Mexico, and the eastern district of Texas authorized by
section 312(c) of the 21st Century Department of Justice
Appropriations Authorization Act (Public Law 107-273, 116
Stat. 1758), as of the effective date of this Act, shall be
authorized under section 133 of title 28, United States Code,
and the incumbents in those offices shall hold the office
under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, as amended
by this Act.
(2) The existing judgeship for the northern district of
Ohio authorized by section 203(c) of the Judicial
Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-650, 104 Stat. 5089)
as amended by Public Law 111-8, as of the effective date of
this Act, shall be extended. The first vacancy in the office
of district judge in this district occurring 23 years or more
after the confirmation date of the judge named to fill the
temporary judgeship created by section 302(c) shall not be
filled.
(d) Tables.--In order that the table contained in section
133 of title 28, United States Code, will, with respect to
each judicial district, reflect the changes in the total
number of permanent district judgeships authorized as a
result of subsections (a) and (c) of this section, such table
is amended to read as follows:

``Districts Judges

Alabama:
Northern..................................................... 7
Middle....................................................... 3
Southern..................................................... 3
Alaska......................................................... 3
Arizona........................................................ 14
Arkansas:
Eastern...................................................... 5
Western...................................................... 3
California:
Northern..................................................... 18
Eastern...................................................... 10
Central...................................................... 31
Southern..................................................... 13
Colorado....................................................... 8
Connecticut.................................................... 8
Delaware....................................................... 4
District of Columbia........................................... 15
Florida:
Northern..................................................... 4
Middle....................................................... 19
Southern..................................................... 20
Georgia:
Northern..................................................... 11
Middle....................................................... 4
Southern..................................................... 3
Hawaii......................................................... 3
Idaho.......................................................... 2
Illinois:
Northern..................................................... 22
Central...................................................... 4
Southern..................................................... 4
Indiana:
Northern..................................................... 5
Southern..................................................... 6
Iowa:
Northern..................................................... 2
Southern..................................................... 3
Kansas......................................................... 6
Kentucky:
Eastern...................................................... 5
Western...................................................... 4
Eastern and Western.......................................... 1
Louisiana:
Eastern...................................................... 12
Middle....................................................... 3
Western...................................................... 7
Maine.......................................................... 3
Maryland....................................................... 10
Massachusetts.................................................. 13
Michigan:
Eastern...................................................... 15
Western...................................................... 4
Minnesota...................................................... 8
Mississippi:
Northern..................................................... 3
Southern..................................................... 6
Missouri:
Eastern...................................................... 7
Western...................................................... 5
Eastern and Western.......................................... 2
Montana........................................................ 3
Nebraska....................................................... 3
Nevada......................................................... 7
New Hampshire.................................................. 3
New Jersey..................................................... 18
New Mexico..................................................... 8
New York:
Northern..................................................... 5
Southern..................................................... 29
Eastern...................................................... 16
Western...................................................... 5
North Carolina:
Eastern...................................................... 4
Middle....................................................... 4
Western...................................................... 4
North Dakota................................................... 2
Ohio:
Northern..................................................... 11
Southern..................................................... 8
Oklahoma:
Northern..................................................... 3
Eastern...................................................... 1
Western...................................................... 6
Northern, Eastern, and Western............................... 1
Oregon......................................................... 7
Pennsylvania:
Eastern...................................................... 22
Middle....................................................... 6
Western...................................................... 10
Puerto Rico.................................................... 7
Rhode Island................................................... 3
South Carolina................................................. 11
South Dakota................................................... 3
Tennessee:
Eastern...................................................... 5
Middle....................................................... 4
Western...................................................... 5
Texas:
Northern..................................................... 12
Southern..................................................... 21
Eastern...................................................... 9
Western...................................................... 17
Utah........................................................... 5
Vermont........................................................ 2
Virginia:
Eastern...................................................... 11
Western...................................................... 4
Washington:
Eastern...................................................... 4
Western...................................................... 8
West Virginia:
Northern..................................................... 3
Southern..................................................... 5
Wisconsin:
Eastern...................................................... 5
Western...................................................... 2
Wyoming........................................................ 3.''.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, including
such sums as may be necessary to provide appropriate space
and facilities for the judicial positions created by this
Act.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Act (including the amendments made by this Act) shall
take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to state my strong support for
the Federal Judgeship Act of 2009.
I am an original cosponsor of this bill, and I think it is a critical
bill for good government.
The bill would create new judgeships in circuit and district courts
where they are badly needed.
In the U.S. Courts of Appeals, it would create 9 new permanent and 3
new temporary judgeships.
In the U.S. District Courts, it would create 38 new permanent and 13
new temporary judgeships.
When caseloads get too heavy, the quality of justice in our Nation
suffers.
Victims of crime are forced to endure long periods of waiting for
justice to be done. Citizens are unable to resolve their civil disputes
promptly; plaintiffs face long delays in getting damages or restitution
for harms they have suffered. Morale plummets for judges and other
court staff.
I have seen this in my own state, where judges in three of the four
Federal districts are overwhelmed with case filings.
Let me tell you about one district in particular.
In the Eastern District of California, each Federal judge carried a
caseload last year of over 1,000 weighted filings.
The Judicial Conference of the U.S. recommends that Congress create a
new judgeship anytime a district reaches a caseload of 430 cases per
judge. But in the Eastern District, the number exceeds 1,000.
The situation has become so dire that the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Ninth Circuit has stepped in. Last summer, the Chief Judge of the
Ninth Circuit sent a letter asking every judge in the Circuit to
volunteer to hear approximately 25 cases from the Eastern District to
try to get the caseload down.
The court has literally brought in Federal judges from all over the
country to help deal with the crushing workload. District judges from
Alaska, Alabama, and Washington State, as well as from Los Angeles and
Oakland, handled hundreds of cases in Sacramento and Fresno last year.
A senior Ninth Circuit judge from Los Angeles handled hundreds more.
The help is welcome but it is not nearly enough. You see, the problem
in the Eastern District is not a temporary one.
The Eastern District is home to Sacramento, Fresno, and the Central
Valley. In 2008, the District included 18 of

[[Page 21077]]

California's 25 fastest growing counties.
The District is also home to 19 of California's State and Federal
prisons and to 100,000 of the State's 167,000 prisoners. Since Congress
last created a new permanent judgeship in the District in 1978,
prisoner filings have skyrocketed 700 percent.
The result is that the judges are severely overworked and justice for
everyone is delayed. Civil litigants in the District are facing delays
of approximately 42 months--that's 3-and-a-half years--from filing to
verdict.
The situation, put simply, is unacceptable.
In 1992, Congress did authorize a 10 year temporary judgeship for the
District, but that judgeship expired and despite repeated efforts by
Chairman Leahy, Senator Boxer, and myself, it has not been renewed.
In the meantime, for the last 12 years, every time the Judicial
Conference has surveyed the U.S. Courts it has said that the Eastern
District needs more judges, but new judgeships have not been created.
The Federal Judgeship Act of 2009 that Chairman Leahy has introduced
today would finally provide a solution. It would authorize four new
permanent judgeships and one new temporary judgeship in the Eastern
District.
This would almost double the number of judges in the District by
changing from 6 to 11 judges and would substantially reduce the
caseload and delays.
This is a necessary solution to a real problem.
But the Eastern District is only one example. There are plenty of
others. As I said, the Judicial Conference recommends that Congress
create a new judgeship whenever there are 430 weighted filings per U.S.
District Judge. But according to the 2009 survey of the courts, in the
Northern District of California, the judges are handling 624 weighted
filings per judge; in the Central District of California, it is 551 per
judge; in the Middle District of Florida, it is 569 per judge; in the
Southern District of Florida, it is 549 per judge; in the Southern
District of Indiana, it is 594 per judge; in the District of Minnesota,
it is 743 per judge; in the Eastern District of Texas, it is 674 per
judge; in the Southern District of Texas, it is 543 per judge; and in
the Western District of Texas, it is 650 per judge.
So this is a problem in courts across the country; and it is up to
Congress to craft a solution.
The last time Congress passed a comprehensive bill to create new
judgeships was in 1990. Since that time, case filings across the
country in the federal appeals courts have increased by approximately
45 percent, and filings in the district courts have increased by 27
percent.
The current situation in the courts is not sustainable.
Neither the Eastern District of California nor any other Court should
be forced to rely on temporary visits from colleagues who generously
offer their help. Districts should have enough judges to handle their
caseloads on their own.
This Federal Judgeship Act of 2009 is based on recommendations made
by the Judicial Conference after an extensive review of case filings
and caseload trends in every federal circuit and district court across
the country.
It is time for Congress to act and give the federal courts the
resources they need to ensure a fail and timely trial for every civil
and criminal litigant.
I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

____________________

SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

______

SENATE RESOLUTION 253--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE
GOVERNMENT OF LIBYA SHOULD APOLOGIZE FOR THE WELCOME HOME CEREMONY HELD
TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF CONVICTED LOCKERBIE BOMBER ABDEL BASET AL-
MEGRAHI.

Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Menendez, Mrs.
Gillibrand, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Cardin) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.

S. Res. 253

Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the August 20, 2009, release from prison in
Scotland of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the lone person convicted
in connection with the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over
Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people, including 189
Americans;
(2) condemns the lavish welcome home ceremony held in
Tripoli, Libya, to celebrate the release of Mr. al-Megrahi;
and
(3) calls on the Government of Libya to apologize for the
public celebration of Mr. al-Megrahi's release.

____________________

SENATE RESOLUTION 254--HONORING, COMMEMORATING, AND CELEBRATING THE
HISTORIC TIES OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE NETHERLANDS ON THE
QUADRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE HUDSON RIVER, AND
RECOGNIZING THE SETTLEMENT AND ENDURING VALUES OF NEW NETHERLAND, WHICH
CONTINUE TO INFLUENCE AMERICAN SOCIETY

Mrs. GILLIBRAND submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

S. Res. 254

Whereas the Netherlands and the United States are 2
countries with one spirit united by values, history, and a
vision for the future;
Whereas 2009 marks the quadricentennial year that Henry
Hudson captained the Ship ``Halve Maen'', under the auspices
of the Dutch East India Company, and discovered the Hudson
River;
Whereas the discovery of the Hudson River and its fertile
lands gave rise to the establishment of the New Netherland
settlement and the ensuing historical ties between the
Netherlands and the United States;
Whereas the Netherlands, in 1776 at Sint Eustatius, was the
first country to salute the United States flag, influenced
the writing of the United States Declaration of Independence,
and has remained a staunch ally to the United States, from
providing necessary loans during the Revolutionary War to
standing shoulder-to-shoulder in Afghanistan in defense of
values and the rule of law;
Whereas the New Netherland settlement left a legacy of
values such as open-mindedness, entrepreneurship, democracy,
tolerance, and hard work, as well as freedom of religion and
speech;
Whereas the bonds of free trade, open markets, and commerce
have continuously linked the Netherlands and the United
States to such an extent that the Netherlands remains among
the top 4 foreign investors in the United States;
Whereas the Netherlands provided assistance in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and is sharing expertise in
water management and helping to rebuild New Orleans and its
levees; and
Whereas the heritage of 400 years of friendship between the
Netherlands and the United States is a laudable example and
should be properly extolled: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) on the quadricentennial celebration of the discovery of
the Hudson River, honors, commemorates, and celebrates the
historic ties and friendship between the United States and
the Netherlands; and
(2) recognizes the settlement and enduring values of New
Netherland which continue to influence American society.

____________________

SENATE RESOLUTION 255--RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF EDWARD MOORE KENNEDY, A
SENATOR FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Akaka,
Mr. Alexander, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Begich, Mr.
Bennet, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Brown, Mr.
Brownback, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Burr, Mr. Burris, Mr. Byrd, Ms. Cantwell,
Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Coburn, Mr.
Cochran, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Corker, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Crapo,
Mr. DeMint, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Ensign, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Feingold,
Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Franken, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Graham, Mr. Grassley,
Mr. Gregg, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr.
Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kaufman,
Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr.
Leahy, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mrs.

[[Page 21078]]

Lincoln, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Martinez, Mr. McCain, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr.
Menendez, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr.
Nelson of Nebraska, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reed, Mr.
Risch, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schumer, Mr.
Sessions, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Shelby, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Specter, Ms.
Stabenow, Mr. Tester, Mr. Thune, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Udall of
New Mexico, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Warner, Mr. Webb, Mr.
Whitehouse, Mr. Wicker, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

S. Res. 255

Whereas the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy was elected to
the Senate in 1962 and served the people of Massachusetts in
the United States Senate with devotion and distinction for
nearly 47 years, the third longest term of service in Senate
history;
Whereas the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy became the
youngest Majority Whip in Senate history at the age of 36;
Whereas the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy served as
Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1979-1981 and
as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions Committee for nearly 13 years between 1987-2009;
Whereas the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy made the needs
of working families and the less fortunate among us the work
of his life, particularly those of the poor, the
disenfranchised, the disabled, the young, the old, the
working class, the servicemember and the immigrant;
Whereas his efforts on behalf of the citizens of
Massachusetts and all Americans earned him the esteem and
high regard of his colleagues;
Whereas more than 300 laws bear his name and he co-
sponsored more than 2000 others covering civil rights, health
care, the minimum wage, education, human rights and many
other issues; and
Whereas with his death his State and the Nation have lost
an outstanding lawmaker and public servant: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the Senate has received with profound sorrow
and deep regret the announcement of the passing of the
Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy, the great Senator from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate
these resolutions to the House of Representatives and
transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the Kennedy family.
Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns today, it stand
adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the
deceased Senator.

____________________

NOTICES OF HEARINGS

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the
information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been
scheduled before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at 2:30 p.m.,
in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The purpose of the hearing is to explore potential costs and price
volatility in the energy sector as a result of a greenhouse gas trading
program and ways to reduce or contain those costs.
Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may
testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written
testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate,
Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by e-mail to
Gina_W[email protected].
For further information, please contact Jonathan Black at (202) 224-
6722 or Gina Weinstock at (202) 224-5684.

committee on energy and natural resources

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the
information of the Senate and the public that a business meeting has
been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The business meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at
2:30 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building,
immediately preceding the full committee hearing.
The purpose of the business meeting is to consider pending
nominations. For further information, please contact Sam Fowler at
(202) 224-7571 or Amanda Kelly at (202) 224-6836.

____________________

PROVIDING FOR A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS TO RECEIVE A MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 179, at
the desk and just received from the House.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent
resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:

A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 179) providing for a
joint session of Congress to receive a message from the
President.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
concurrent resolution.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be
laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 179) was agreed to.

____________________

AUTHORIZATION TO APPOINT ESCORT COMMITTEE

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the Presiding Officer of the Senate be authorized to appoint a
committee on the part of the Senate to join with a like committee on
the part of the House of Representatives to escort the President of the
United States into the House Chamber for the joint session to be held
at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

____________________

APPOINTMENTS DURING ADJOURNMENT OF THE SENATE

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I understand appointments were
made during adjournment of the Senate, and I ask unanimous consent they
be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The appointments are as follows:
On behalf of the majority leader, pursuant to Public Law 106-567, the
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001, to serve as a
member of the Public Interest Declassification Board: Gen. Michael V.
Hayden of Virginia.
On behalf of the Republican leader, pursuant to provisions of Public
Law 110-343, as a member of the Congressional Oversight Panel: Mr. Paul
S. Atkins of Virginia, vice John Sununu of New Hampshire.

____________________

FLOOR PRIVILEGES

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
during the period that Senator Mikulski is confined to a wheelchair, a
member of her staff be permitted on the floor as is necessary to
facilitate the Senator's movement.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the
quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

____________________

EXECUTIVE SESSION

______

EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the Senate proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 302,
the nomination of George Madison to be general counsel for the
Department of the Treasury; that the nomination be confirmed, the
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that no further
motions be in order; that any statements be printed in the Record; and
that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and
the Senate resume legislative session.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

[[Page 21079]]

The nomination considered and confirmed is as follows:

department of the treasury

George Wheeler Madison, of Connecticut, to be General
Counsel for the Department of the Treasury.

____________________

LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will
resume legislative session.

____________________

EDWARD MOORE KENNEDY

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 255,
submitted earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:

A resolution (S. Res. 255) relative to the death of the
Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy, a Senator from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion
to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements be
printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 255) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

S. Res. 255

Whereas the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy was elected to
the Senate in 1962 and served the people of Massachusetts in
the United States Senate with devotion and distinction for
nearly 47 years, the third longest term of service in Senate
history;
Whereas the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy became the
youngest Majority Whip in Senate history at the age of 36;
Whereas the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy served as
Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1979-1981 and
as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and
Pensions Committee for nearly 13 years between 1987-2009;
Whereas the Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy made the needs
of working families and the less fortunate among us the work
of his life, particularly those of the poor, the
disenfranchised, the disabled, the young, the old, the
working class, the service member and the immigrant;
Whereas his efforts on behalf of the citizens of
Massachusetts and all Americans earned him the esteem and
high regard of his colleagues;
Whereas more than 300 laws bear his name and he co-
sponsored more than 2000 others covering civil rights, health
care, the minimum wage, education, human rights and many
other issues; and
Whereas with his death his State and the Nation have lost
an outstanding lawmaker and public servant: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the Senate has received with profound sorrow
and deep regret the announcement of the passing of the
Honorable Edward Moore Kennedy, the great Senator from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate
these resolutions to the House of Representatives and
transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the Kennedy family.
Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns today, it stand
adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the
deceased Senator.

____________________

ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate
completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. tomorrow,
Wednesday, September 9; that following the prayer and pledge, the
Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed
expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later
in the day, and there then be a period of morning business for 1 hour,
with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each,
with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or
their designees, with the majority controlling the first half and the
Republicans controlling the second half; that following morning
business, the Senate resume consideration of S. 1023, the Travel
Promotion Act, postcloture; further, I ask the time during any
adjournment, recess or period of morning business count against the
postcloture time; finally, I ask that the Senate recess from 12:30 to
2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

____________________

PROGRAM

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, the postcloture debate time
expires at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. We hope we will be able to
yield back some of the time and vote on passage of the bill before 4:30
p.m. Senators will be notified when that vote is scheduled.

____________________

ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. TOMORROW

Mr. UDALL of Colorado. If there is no further business to come before
the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the
provisions of S. Res. 255 as a further mark of respect for the memory
of our late colleague, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy.
There being no objection, the Senate, at 7:06 p.m., adjourned until
Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at 10 a.m.

____________________

CONFIRMATION

Executive nomination confirmed by the Senate, Tuesday, September 8,
2009:

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

GEORGE WHEELER MADISON, OF CONNECTICUT, TO BE GENERAL
COUNSEL FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.

The above nomination was approved subject to the nominee's
commitment to respond to requests to appear and testify
before any duly constituted committee of the Senate.

[[Page 21080]]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The House met at 2 p.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro
tempore (Mr. Driehaus).

____________________

DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Speaker:

Washington, DC,

September 8, 2009.
I hereby appoint the Honorable Steve Driehaus to act as
Speaker pro tempore on this day.
Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.

____________________

PRAYER

The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following
prayer:
Lord God, creator of the Earth, the sea and the sky, everything is of
Your making and all gives You glory.
This holiday weekend urges us to beg Your blessing upon our labors.
Whether our work is handcrafted or managed by computer or machine,
harvested from the field or designed in a laboratory, whether our
service takes shape in public form, in aerospace or private industry,
whether in courtroom, hospital, school, home, or in the halls of
government, Lord, bless the work of Your people. Bless this Nation.
Our human labor drains our energy, fixes our mind, and uncovers our
creativity. Daily work adds dignity and accomplishment to daily life
and all human effort. When our work is expanded to others, hopefully it
benefits our brothers and sisters. When offered to You as an act of
worship, it becomes holy. Grant success to the work of our hands, Lord,
now and forever.
Amen.

____________________

THE JOURNAL

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has examined the Journal of the
last day's proceedings and announces to the House his approval thereof.
Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

____________________

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs.
Kirkpatrick) come forward and lead the House in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

____________________

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives:

Office of the Clerk,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, August 4, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to the permission granted in
Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives, the Clerk received the following message
from the Secretary of the Senate on August 4, 2009, at 12:01
p.m.:
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 774.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 987.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 1271.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 1397.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 2090.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 2162.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 2325.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 2422.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 2470.
Appointments:
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission.
With best wishes, I am
Sincerely,
Lorraine C. Miller,
Clerk of the House.

____________________

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives:

Office of the Clerk,

____________________

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives:

Office of the Clerk,

Washington, DC, August 5, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to the permission granted in
Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives, the Clerk received the following message
from the Secretary of the Senate on August 5, 2009, at 10:03
a.m.:
That the Senate agreed to without amendment H.J. Res. 44.
With best wishes, I am
Sincerely,
Lorraine C. Miller,
Clerk of the House.

____________________

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives:

Office of the Clerk,

Washington, DC, August 5, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to the permission granted in
Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives, the Clerk received the following message
from the Secretary of the Senate on August 5, 2009, at 4:47
p.m.:
That the Senate passed with an amendment, requests a
conference with the House, and appoints conferees H.R. 2997.
That the Senate passed S. 475.
With best wishes, I am
Sincerely,
Lorraine C. Miller,
Clerk of the House.

____________________

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives:

Office of the Clerk,

Washington, DC, August 6, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to the permission granted in
Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives, the Clerk received the following message
from the Secretary of the Senate on August 6, 2009, at 9:59
a.m.:
That the Senate passed S. 713.

[[Page 21081]]

That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 1275.
That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 2938.
That the Senate agreed to without amendment H. Con. Res.
171.
With best wishes, I am
Sincerely,
Lorraine C. Miller,
Clerk of the House.

____________________

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives:

Office of the Clerk,

Washington, DC, September 3, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: Pursuant to the permission granted in
Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives, the Clerk received the following message
from the Secretary of the Senate on September 3, 2009, at
10:42 a.m.:
Appointments:
Public Interest Declassification Board
With best wishes, I am
Sincerely,
Lorraine C. Miller,
Clerk of the House.

____________________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 4 of rule I, the
following enrolled bills and joint resolutions were signed by Speaker
pro tempore Hoyer on Thursday, August 6, 2009:
H.R. 774, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 46-02 21st Street in Long Island City, New York, as
the ``Geraldine Ferraro Post Office Building''
H.R. 987, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the
``John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office''
H.R. 1271, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 2351 West Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach,
Florida, as the ``Elijah Pat Larkins Post Office Building''
H.R. 1275, to direct the exchange of certain land in Grand, San Juan,
and Uintah Counties, Utah, and for other purposes
H.R. 1397, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 41 Purdy Avenue in Rye, New York, as the ``Caroline
O'Day Post Office Building''
H.R. 2090, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 431 State Street in Ogdensburg, New York, as the
``Frederic Remington Post Office Building''
H.R. 2162, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 123 11th Avenue South in Nampa, Idaho, as the
``Herbert A Littleton Postal Station''
H.R. 2325, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1300 Matamoros Street in Laredo, Texas, as the
``Laredo Veterans Post Office''
H.R. 2422, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 2300 Scenic Drive in Georgetown, Texas, as the
``Kile G. West Post Office Building''
H.R. 2470, to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 19190 Cochran Boulevard FRNT in Port Charlotte,
Florida, as the ``Lieutenant Commander Roy H. Boehm Post Office
Building''
H.R. 2938, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of
a hydroelectric project
H.R. 3435, making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2009
for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program
H.J. Res. 44, recognizing the service, sacrifice, honor, and
professionalism of the Noncommissioned Officers of the United States
Army
S.J. Res. 19, granting the consent and approval of Congress to
amendments made by the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia,
and the District of Columbia to the Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Regulation Compact

____________________

CONGRATULATING AMY McBROOM, 2009 RURAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

(Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute.)
Mrs. KIRKPATRICK of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Amy
McBroom of Grand Canyon, Arizona, who has been named the 2009 Rural
Teacher of the Year by the National Rural Education Association.
As the only art teacher at the Grand Canyon Unified School District,
Amy teaches students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. She founded a
juried art show for students and led efforts to bring new international
baccalaureate programs to our schools.
Like so many of our teachers, Amy's work educating our kids does not
stop when the school year ends. She spends her summers helping Native
American children experience different cultures, and she has led field
trips to Europe and Washington, D.C.
A quality education is more important than ever to succeeding in
today's global economy, and getting a quality education takes great
teachers like Amy McBroom. Northern Arizona is lucky to have her.
Congratulations to Amy for this recognition for her work.

____________________

WE NEED HEALTH CARE REFORM THAT PUTS PATIENTS FIRST

(Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, it was a long, hot August for many Members of
Congress who returned home to face the displeasure of constituents fed
up with Washington's tin ear syndrome.
Over the past month I have heard from more people than I can count
who have had enough of the explosion of Washington-style big
government. And of course it was no comfort that in the middle of
August the White House announced that they expect $9.1 trillion in new
government debt over the next 10 years. So how is it that the American
people are expected to stomach a new government-run health care
proposal that is estimated to cost up to $1.6 trillion?
Let's scrap the Democrat government-run health care proposal and
return to the drawing board for a plan like ones that Republicans have
offered that puts patients, not government, first.

____________________

CALIFORNIA DROUGHT

(Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, Congress has come back here in September and
the primary focus is on health care, as it should be. But I rise today
to speak about the health of millions of Californians that are
dependent upon a reliable water supply. I'm speaking on behalf of
farmers, farm workers, and people who live in our cities.
This manmade--with the aid of Mother Nature--drought crisis will not
go away. It could go a fourth year. We are living on borrowed time to
fix California's broken water system. Wishful thinking will not wish it
away.
With over 30 lawsuits pending on two biological opinions, we can't
have the courts making the most important decisions. It is time that we
take action. Now is the time for the Federal Government to keep its
commitment to being a partner in helping to solve California's water
problems. We need administrative flexibility immediately. We need near-
term assistance with the Two-Gates and Intertie projects. And in the
long term, we must address all the stressors that are impacting water
quality and fisheries in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. And
finally, we need to increase our water supply.
This is not, nor should it be, a partisan issue.

[[Page 21082]]

____________________

GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE FORCE-FEEDS TAX INCREASES

(Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, one of the things I heard most from my
neighbors at recent town hall health care meetings is they don't want
the government in charge of their health. They believe government-run
health care means rationing and substandard treatment. And the people
in southeast Texas don't want the additional $800 billion tax increases
to pay for what is yet more government intrusion into their lives.
This massive 1,017-page bill requires heavyhanded tax increases to
pay for all the new government programs that don't treat one patient,
nor will they provide for a healthier America. In this time of economic
hardship, no one in America should be force-fed tax increases to pay
for this glittering illusion that Big Government is the answer.
America has the best health care in the world. There are problems,
such as affordability and access, but complete government takeover is
not the answer. Fix these problems rather than destroy American health
care.
Does anyone really think the government can do a better job of
running the entire medical health of this Nation? This government-run
health care plan will have the competence of FEMA, the efficiency of
the Post Office, and the compassion of the IRS.
And that's just the way it is.

____________________

CONGRATULATING BELLA VISTA POLICE CHIEF JIM WOZNIAK

(Mr. BOOZMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bella Vista Police
Chief Jim Wozniak, who has devoted his life to protecting the public,
upholding the law, and serving his country.
Wozniak is retiring at the end of September after 38 years in law
enforcement, the last 14 as the head of the Bella Vista Police
Department. He helped the department grow from nine officers to 20, and
he is always looking for ways to improve the police force and the
services it offers. He is proud of his department, and rightfully so,
because he makes sure his staff put the people first.
His coworkers describe him as a man with a big heart, and I describe
him as a friend. Bella Vista will undoubtedly be losing an amazing man
who contributed to the safety of the community. We were blessed to have
such caring, devoted citizens as Jim.
I commend him for his service as well as his good work and wish him
continued success in the future. I ask my colleagues today to join with
me in honoring Jim Wozniak, a wonderful public servant who is, and
always will be, dedicated to the people of Bella Vista.

____________________

{time} 1415
WE'D BETTER LISTEN

(Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California asked and was given permission
to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of
the American people. I had five townhall meetings this summer. I did a
teletownhall in which I had 19,000 people on the line.
With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, I saw no mobs. I saw nothing that
was un-American. I saw no evil mongers out there. I saw average,
everyday Americans coming to my townhall meetings in ones and twos and
threes, not being bussed in by anybody. They were educated about the
issue of health care. They understood what was on the floor. These
people are concerned about what we might do here. They are also
concerned about taxes, spending, debt, and the size of the Federal
Government. No, they were not American mobs. These were real Americans,
expressing what they're allowed to do under the Constitution in the
best way they can, directly speaking with their Members of Congress.
We'd better listen.

____________________

GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE AND FISCAL IRRESPONSIBILITY

(Mr. LAMBORN asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, since Democrats took control of Washington
last January, they have gone on an unprecedented spending spree with
the American taxpayers' credit card. It began with a $1 trillion
stimulus bill, which has only stimulated more government and more debt.
Then came a more than $400 billion omnibus spending bill, followed by a
$3.5 trillion budget for the next fiscal year. Budget officials predict
that this year's deficit will reach an historic level of nearly $2
trillion--money borrowed from our children and grandchildren.
After 6 months of fiscal irresponsibility, they are now pushing for a
government takeover of health care that will grow our national debt and
will do little to extend quality care to the American people. Despite
raising more than $800 billion in new taxes to pay for this plan, we
will also go into debt by $239 billion over the next 10 years to pay
for it.
Republicans have a better plan for health care reform, one that does
not saddle our children and grandchildren with a mountain of new debt.

____________________

EIGHT YEARS OF RUINOUS REPUBLICAN CONTROL

(Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to respond to some of
what I've just heard on the floor of the House of Representatives. I
think it's important to know--and certainly my constituents do--that
the crushing debt left behind from the last 8 years of ruinous
Republican control was a debt inherited by this Congress and this
administration because of Republican policies, of the refusal to pay
for the programs they undertook, of the willingness to allow PAYGO
legislation to expire, to provide a medical care provision in the
Medicare D prescription drug benefit that was not paid for, and to have
two ruinous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that were off budget. I think
it's important that our constituents understand who was responsible for
the debt we now have to manage and the debt we have to get away from.

____________________

PROVIDING FOR A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS TO RECEIVE A MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT

Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a
privileged concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 179) and ask for its
immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

H. Con. Res. 179

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the two Houses of Congress assemble in the
Hall of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September
9, 2009, at 8 p.m., for the purpose of receiving such
communication as the President of the United States shall be
pleased to make to them.

The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Connolly of Virginia). Pursuant to
clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone further proceedings today
on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas
and nays are ordered, or on which the vote incurs objection under
clause 6 of rule XX.
Record votes on postponed questions will be taken after 6:30 p.m.
today.

____________________

DEAFY GLADE LAND EXCHANGE ACT

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill

[[Page 21083]]

(H.R. 1043) to provide for a land exchange involving certain National
Forest System lands in the Mendocino National Forest in the State of
California, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 1043

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Deafy Glade Land Exchange
Act''.

SEC. 2. LAND EXCHANGE, MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, CALIFORNIA.

(a) Land Exchange Required.--If Solano County, California
(in this section referred to as the ``County'') conveys to
the Secretary of Agriculture all right, title, and interest
of the County in and to four parcels of land consisting of a
total of approximately 160 acres identified on the map
entitled ``Fouts Springs-Deafy Glade Federal and Non-Federal
Lands'' and dated July 17, 2008, the Secretary shall convey
to the County, in exchange, all right, title, and interest of
the United States in and to the parcel of land in the
Mendocino National Forest in the State of California
(including any improvements on the land) comprising
approximately 82 acres and known as the Fouts Springs Ranch,
as also depicted on the map.
(b) Availability of Map.--The map referred to in subsection
(a) shall be on file and available for public inspection in
the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service. With the
agreement of the County, the Secretary may make technical
corrections to the map and the legal descriptions of the land
to be exchanged under this section.
(c) Land Exchange Process.--Section 206 of the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716) shall
apply to the land exchange under this section.
(d) Survey and Administrative Costs.--The exact acreage and
legal description of the land to be exchanged under
subsection (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory
to the Secretary. The costs of the survey and any
administrative costs related to the land exchange shall be
borne by the County.
(e) Condition on Use of Conveyed Land.--As a condition of
the conveyance to the County under subsection (a), the County
shall agree to continue to use the land acquired by the
County under such subsection for purposes consistent with the
purposes listed in the special use authorization for the
Fouts Springs Ranch in effect as of the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(f) Easement Authority.--The Secretary may grant an
easement to provide continued access to, and maintenance and
use of, the facilities covered by the special use
authorization referred to in subsection (e) as necessary for
the continued operation of the Fouts Springs Ranch conveyed
under subsection (a).
(g) Management of Acquired Land.--The lands acquired by the
Secretary under subsection (a) shall be added to and
administered as part of the Mendocino National Forest and
managed in accordance with the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly
known as the Weeks Act; 16 U.S.C. 480 et seq.) and the laws
and regulations applicable to the National Forest System.
(h) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The land exchange
under subsection (a) shall be subject to such additional
terms and conditions as the Secretary and the County may
agree upon.
(i) Cancellation of Portion of Unobligated Balance in FLREA
Special Account.--The amount available for obligation as of
the date of the enactment of this Act from the unobligated
balance in the special account established for the Forest
Service under section 807 of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6806) is reduced by a total of
$60,000, and the amount so reduced is hereby cancelled.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.

General Leave

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1043 provides for a land exchange between the
Forest Service and Solano County, California. Solano County currently
has a special use permit from the Forest Service to operate the Fouts
Springs Youth Correctional Facility on 82 acres of land in the
Mendocino National Forest. The county has been working diligently for
years to acquire wilderness-quality forest lands to exchange with the
Forest Service in order to acquire the lands occupied by the youth
correctional facility. The lands the Forest Service would acquire are
wilderness-quality lands bordering the Snow Mountain Wilderness Area,
and have been identified as priority areas for acquisition dating as
far back as 1992. The land exchange would be for equal value.
Mr. Speaker, the chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor,
Chairman George Miller, is to be commended for his efforts on behalf of
Solano County and this youth facility. An earlier version of this
legislation passed the House last year by voice vote. I ask my
colleagues to, once again, support the passage of this measure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the majority has adequately and has very well explained
this bill. I don't believe there is anything to add at this time.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I would yield as much time as he may
consume to the chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, Mr.
George Miller, for his comments on his legislation, H.R. 1043.
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1043, the Deafy Glade
Land Exchange Act. I want to thank Chairman Rahall and Chairman
Grijalva of the Natural Resources Committee and the minority for
bringing this legislation to the floor. As it was noted, this similar
legislation passed on a voice vote in the last Congress.
The Fouts Springs Youth Facility has been managed by Solano County,
Colusa County, and their partners for nearly 50 years. The bill before
the House today guarantees that they can continue to do their good
work. Fouts Springs has helped rehabilitate California's young
offenders and has provided these young offenders from across the State
with much-needed structure and significant vocational educational
opportunities.
Presently, Solano County operates Fouts Springs on behalf of several
other California counties under a special use authorization. This
legislation, the Deafy Glade Land Exchange Act, will give Solano County
the 82 acres that they use at Fouts Springs, and in exchange, it would
give to the Mendocino National Forest 160 acres of nearby land known as
Deafy Glade.
The Deafy Glade property has access to the Snow Mountain Wilderness
Area, and it has been a high priority for acquisition by the Forest
Service since at least the early 1990s. Last year, the Natural
Resources Committee received testimony that the Deafy Glade parcels
would be a key addition to the Mendocino National Forest's trail
system.
Again, I want to thank the committee for its timely consideration of
this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this
matter when it comes before the House.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1043, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

DOROTHY BUELL MEMORIAL VISITOR CENTER PARTNERSHIP ACT

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1287) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter
into a partnership with the Porter County Convention, Recreation and
Visitor Commission regarding the use of the Dorothy Buell Memorial
Visitor Center as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National
Lakeshore, and for other purposes.

[[Page 21084]]

The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 1287

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. DOROTHY BUELL MEMORIAL VISITOR CENTER.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Partnership Act''.
(b) Memorandum of Understanding.--The Secretary of the
Interior may enter into a memorandum of understanding to
establish a joint partnership with the Porter County
Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission. The memorandum
of understanding shall--
(1) identify the overall goals and purpose of the Dorothy
Buell Memorial Visitor Center;
(2) establish how management and operational duties will be
shared;
(3) determine how exhibits, signs, and other information
are developed;
(4) indicate how various activities will be funded;
(5) identify who is responsible for providing site
amenities;
(6) establish procedures for changing or dissolving the
joint partnership; and
(7) address any other issues deemed necessary by the
Secretary or the Porter County Convention, Recreation and
Visitor Commission.
(c) Development of Exhibits.--The Secretary may plan,
design, construct, and install exhibits in the Dorothy Buell
Memorial Visitor Center related to the use and management of
the resources at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, at a cost
not to exceed $1,500,000.
(d) National Lakeshore Presence.--The Secretary may use
park staff from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in the
Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center to provide visitor
information and education.

SEC. 2. INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE.

Section 19 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the
establishment of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and
for other purposes'' (16 U.S.C. 460u-19) is amended--
(1) by striking ``After notifying'' and inserting ``(a)
After notifying''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Contiguous Clarified.--For purposes of subsection
(a), lands may be considered contiguous to other lands if the
lands touch the other lands, or are separated from the other
lands by only a public or private right-of-way, such as a
road, railroad, or utility corridor.''.

General Leave

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1287 will allow the National Park Service to share
visitor center facilities for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore with
the local county's Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission. The
bill also allows the National Park Service to construct exhibits at the
visitor center, and authorizes NPS employees to work there since the
visitor center lies outside the established boundaries of the park.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1287 would clarify the definition of
``contiguous lands'' in the park's original legislation so that NPS
could accept donations of contiguous land even if that land is
separated by a right-of-way, such as a road, a railway line or a
utility corridor.
Mr. Speaker, Congressman Visclosky has been working hard on this bill
for a long time and is to be commended for his diligence and
persistence. The legislation passed the House last Congress by an
overwhelming vote. I ask my colleagues, once again, to support this
measure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1287 has been well explained by the majority, and
we support this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I would yield as much time as he may
consume to the sponsor of H.R. 1287, Mr. Visclosky.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the gentleman's yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1287, the Dorothy
Buell Memorial Visitor Center Lease Act. I am the proud sponsor of this
legislation, and as I have in the previous Congress, I thank Mr.
Donnelly for joining me as a cosponsor.
I also do want to thank Chairman Rahall, Ranking Member Hastings,
Subcommittee Ranking Member Bishop, and especially Subcommittee
Chairman Grijalva for all of their hard work in ensuring that this
legislation is brought to the floor.
It has been explained and I will simply say that it is my sincere
hope that this legislation will enable the continuance of our efforts
to protect and to enhance the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and to
ensure that all Americans can benefit from the park. The Indiana Dunes
National Lakeshore, which was established in 1966, is relatively new,
but as it continues to mature, the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor
Center will be vital in helping to provide each lakeshore visitor a
complete and rewarding experience.
Mr. Speaker, we should not delay the lakeshore's ability to mature,
thus allowing more people to appreciate the natural beauty of northwest
Indiana.
Again, I urge my colleagues, as they did in the last Congress, to
support this measure.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, if there are no further speakers, then I
would yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1287.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

{time} 1430
SANTA CRUZ VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 324) to establish the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage
Area, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 324

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Santa Cruz
Valley National Heritage Area Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Designation of Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area.
Sec. 5. Management plan.
Sec. 6. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 7. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 8. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 9. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 10. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 11. Use of Federal funds from other sources.
Sec. 12. Sunset for grants and other assistance.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this Act include--
(1) to establish the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage
Area in the State of Arizona;
(2) to implement the recommendations of the ``Alternative
Concepts for Commemorating Spanish Colonization'' study
completed by the National Park Service in 1991, and the
``Feasibility Study for the Santa Cruz Valley National
Heritage Area'' prepared by the Center for Desert Archaeology
in July 2005;
(3) to provide a management framework to foster a close
working relationship with all levels of government, the
private sector, and the local communities in the region and
to conserve the region's heritage while continuing to pursue
compatible economic opportunities;
(4) to assist communities, organizations, and citizens in
the State of Arizona in identifying, preserving,
interpreting, and developing the historical, cultural,
scenic, and natural resources of the region for the
educational and inspirational benefit of current and future
generations; and

[[Page 21085]]

(5) to provide appropriate linkages between units of the
National Park System and communities, governments, and
organizations within the National Heritage Area.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage
Area'' means the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area
established in this Act.
(2) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local
coordinating entity'' means the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage
Alliance, Inc., which is hereby designated by Congress--
(A) to develop, in partnership with others, the management
plan for the National Heritage Area; and
(B) to act as a catalyst for the implementation of projects
and programs among diverse partners in the National Heritage
Area.
(3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
the plan prepared by the local coordinating entity for the
National Heritage Area that specifies actions, policies,
strategies, performance goals, and recommendations to meet
the goals of the National Heritage Area, in accordance with
this Act.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF SANTA CRUZ VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE
AREA.

(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Santa
Cruz Valley National Heritage Area.
(b) Boundaries.--
(1) In general.--The National Heritage Area shall consist
of portions of the counties of Santa Cruz and Pima.
(2) Map.--The boundaries of the National Heritage Area
shall be as generally depicted on the map titled ``Santa Cruz
Valley National Heritage Area'', and numbered T09/80,000, and
dated November 13, 2007. The map shall be on file and
available to the public in the appropriate offices of the
National Park Service and the local coordinating entity.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

(a) Requirements.--The management plan for the National
Heritage Area shall--
(1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and
recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the
area covered by the National Heritage Area and encouraging
long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation,
funding, management, and development of the National Heritage
Area;
(2) include a description of actions and commitments that
Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, private
organizations, and citizens will take to protect, enhance,
interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical,
cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of
the National Heritage Area;
(3) specify existing and potential sources of funding or
economic development strategies to protect, enhance,
interpret, fund, manage, and develop the National Heritage
Area;
(4) include an inventory of the natural, historical,
cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of
the National Heritage Area related to the national importance
and themes of the National Heritage Area that should be
protected, enhanced, interpreted, managed, funded, and
developed;
(5) recommend policies and strategies for resource
management, including the development of intergovernmental
and interagency agreements to protect, enhance, interpret,
fund, manage, and develop the natural, historical, cultural,
educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the
National Heritage Area;
(6) describe a program for implementation for the
management plan, including--
(A) performance goals;
(B) plans for resource protection, enhancement,
interpretation, funding, management, and development; and
(C) specific commitments for implementation that have been
made by the local coordinating entity or any Federal, State,
Tribal, or local government agency, organization, business,
or individual;
(7) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, means
by which Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs may best
be coordinated (including the role of the National Park
Service and other Federal agencies associated with the
National Heritage Area) to further the purposes of this Act;
and
(8) include a business plan that--
(A) describes the role, operation, financing, and functions
of the local coordinating entity and of each of the major
activities contained in the management plan; and
(B) provides adequate assurances that the local
coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial and
other resources necessary to implement the management plan
for the National Heritage Area.
(b) Deadline.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on
which funds are first made available to develop the
management plan after designation as a National Heritage
Area, the local coordinating entity shall submit the
management plan to the Secretary for approval.
(2) Termination of funding.--If the management plan is not
submitted to the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1),
the local coordinating entity shall not qualify for any
additional financial assistance under this Act until such
time as the management plan is submitted to and approved by
the Secretary.
(c) Approval of Management Plan.--
(1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the
plan, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove
the management plan for a National Heritage Area on the basis
of the criteria established under paragraph (3).
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the
Governor of each State in which the National Heritage Area is
located before approving a management plan for the National
Heritage Area.
(3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to
approve a management plan for a National Heritage Area, the
Secretary shall consider whether--
(A) the local coordinating entity represents the diverse
interests of the National Heritage Area, including Federal,
State, Tribal, and local governments, natural and historic
resource protection organizations, educational institutions,
businesses, recreational organizations, community residents,
and private property owners;
(B) the local coordinating entity--
(i) has afforded adequate opportunity for public and
Federal, State, Tribal, and local governmental involvement
(including through workshops and hearings) in the preparation
of the management plan; and
(ii) provides for at least semiannual public meetings to
ensure adequate implementation of the management plan;
(C) the resource protection, enhancement, interpretation,
funding, management, and development strategies described in
the management plan, if implemented, would adequately
protect, enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the
natural, historic, cultural, educational, scenic, and
recreational resources of the National Heritage Area;
(D) the management plan would not adversely affect any
activities authorized on Federal land under public land laws
or land use plans;
(E) the local coordinating entity has demonstrated the
financial capability, in partnership with others, to carry
out the plan;
(F) the Secretary has received adequate assurances from the
appropriate State, Tribal, and local officials whose support
is needed to ensure the effective implementation of the
State, Tribal, and local elements of the management plan; and
(G) the management plan demonstrates partnerships among the
local coordinating entity, Federal, State, Tribal, and local
governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofit
organizations, or private sector parties for implementation
of the management plan.
(4) Disapproval.--
(A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the
management plan, the Secretary--
(i) shall advise the local coordinating entity in writing
of the reasons for the disapproval; and
(ii) may make recommendations to the local coordinating
entity for revisions to the management plan.
(B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a
revised management plan, the Secretary shall approve or
disapprove the revised management plan.
(5) Amendments.--
(A) In general.--An amendment to the management plan that
substantially alters the purposes of the National Heritage
Area shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or
disapproved in the same manner as the original management
plan.
(B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity shall
not use Federal funds authorized by this Act to implement an
amendment to the management plan until the Secretary approves
the amendment.
(6) Authorities.--The Secretary may--
(A) provide technical assistance under the authority of
this Act for the development and implementation of the
management plan; and
(B) enter into cooperative agreements with interested
parties to carry out this Act.

SEC. 6. EVALUATION; REPORT.

(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years before the date on
which authority for Federal funding terminates for the
National Heritage Area under this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) conduct an evaluation of the accomplishments of the
National Heritage Area; and
(2) prepare a report in accordance with subsection (c).
(b) Evaluation.--An evaluation conducted under subsection
(a)(1) shall--
(1) assess the progress of the local coordinating entity
with respect to--
(A) accomplishing the purposes of the authorizing
legislation for the National Heritage Area; and
(B) achieving the goals and objectives of the approved
management plan for the National Heritage Area;
(2) analyze the Federal, State, Tribal, and local, and
private investments in the National Heritage Area to
determine the impact of the investments; and

[[Page 21086]]

(3) review the management structure, partnership
relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for
purposes of identifying the critical components for
sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
(c) Report.--Based on the evaluation conducted under
subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the
Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the United States Senate. The report shall
include recommendations for the future role of the National
Park Service, if any, with respect to the National Heritage
Area.

SEC. 7. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

(a) Duties.--To further the purposes of the National
Heritage Area, the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, Inc.,
as the local coordinating entity, shall--
(1) prepare a management plan for the National Heritage
Area, and submit the management plan to the Secretary, in
accordance with this Act;
(2) submit an annual report to the Secretary for each
fiscal year for which the local coordinating entity receives
Federal funds under this Act, specifying--
(A) the specific performance goals and accomplishments of
the local coordinating entity;
(B) the expenses and income of the local coordinating
entity;
(C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
(D) the amounts leveraged with Federal funds and sources of
the leveraging; and
(E) grants made to any other entities during the fiscal
year;
(3) make available for audit for each fiscal year for which
the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds under
this Act, all information pertaining to the expenditure of
the funds and any matching funds; and
(4) encourage economic viability and sustainability that is
consistent with the purposes of the National Heritage Area.
(b) Authorities.--For the purposes of preparing and
implementing the approved management plan for the National
Heritage Area, the local coordinating entity may use Federal
funds made available under this Act to--
(1) make grants to political jurisdictions, nonprofit
organizations, and other parties within the National Heritage
Area;
(2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide
technical assistance to political jurisdictions, nonprofit
organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested
parties;
(3) hire and compensate staff, including individuals with
expertise in--
(A) natural, historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and
recreational resource conservation;
(B) economic and community development; and
(C) heritage planning;
(4) obtain funds or services from any source, including
other Federal programs;
(5) contract for goods or services; and
(6) support activities of partners and any other activities
that further the purposes of the National Heritage Area and
are consistent with the approved management plan.
(c) Prohibition on Acquisition of Real Property.--The local
coordinating entity may not use Federal funds authorized
under this Act to acquire any interest in real property.

SEC. 8. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act affects the authority
of a Federal agency to provide technical or financial
assistance under any other law.
(b) Consultation and Coordination.--The head of any Federal
agency planning to conduct activities that may have an impact
on a National Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and
coordinate the activities with the Secretary and the local
coordinating entity to the maximum extent practicable.
(c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this Act--
(1) modifies, alters, or amends any law or regulation
authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal land under the
jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
(2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to
implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of
a National Heritage Area; or
(3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of
Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

SEC. 9. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

Nothing in this Act--
(1) abridges the rights of any property owner (whether
public or private), including the right to refrain from
participating in any plan, project, program, or activity
conducted within the National Heritage Area;
(2) requires any property owner to permit public access
(including access by Federal, State, Tribal, or local
agencies) to the property of the property owner, or to modify
public access or use of property of the property owner under
any other Federal, State, Tribal, or local law;
(3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved
land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal,
State, Tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land use or
other regulatory authority to any local coordinating entity,
including but not necessarily limited to development and
management of energy, water, or water-related infrastructure;
(4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation
of water or water rights;
(5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish
and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting
within the National Heritage Area; or
(6) creates any liability, or affects any liability under
any other law, of any private property owner with respect to
any person injured on the private property.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subject to subsection
(b), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Funds
so appropriated shall remain available until expended.
(b) Limitation on Total Amounts Appropriated.--Not more
than $15,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out this Act.
(c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--The Federal share of the
total cost of any activity under this Act shall be not more
than 50 percent; the non-Federal contribution may be in the
form of in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly
valued.

SEC. 11. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

Nothing in this Act shall preclude the local coordinating
entity from using Federal funds available under other laws
for the purposes for which those funds were authorized.

SEC. 12. SUNSET FOR GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

The authority of the Secretary to provide financial
assistance under this Act terminates on the date that is 15
years after the date of enactment of this Act.

General Leave

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 324 would create the Santa Cruz
Valley National Heritage Area. I introduced this legislation on January
8 and am proud that my neighbor in the valley, the gentlelady from
Arizona (Ms. Giffords), is an original cosponsor.
My own history began in the Santa Cruz Valley, at Canoa Ranch where
my father worked. My earliest memories are of a life in that
extraordinary scenic valley and they comprise an important part of who
I am today.
Sharing a border with Mexico, the Santa Cruz Valley encompasses a
multitude of cultures, a rich and diverse history, as well as a host of
nationally recognized national treasures that are situated within its
borders.
The amount of support for this proposal, both in my district and in
Ms. Giffords', is astounding. Every county, municipality, tribe,
Federal and State park and land management agency within the proposed
heritage area, plus a long list of chambers of commerce, tourism
organizations, conservation and historic preservation groups, ranchers,
farmers and businesses, all support H.R. 324.
The House has already approved this legislation as part of a heritage
area package in the last Congress. Mr. Speaker, this bill is important
to many of us and to me, to my district, and to Ms. Giffords and to her
constituents. I ask my colleagues to support the passage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I have to rise in opposition
to H.R. 324. As many of us have discovered, the National Heritage Area
program, although well intended, is not a new program and has no
established framework. Many of our colleagues have sought to ensure
that despite a lack of guidance, heritage areas would include basic
property rights protections. Unfortunately, this bill does not have
sufficient protection for the property owners within the boundaries of
this area, and it is likely many of them have no idea that they are to
be included.
To remedy this problem, we request, and we have requested in the
past, that

[[Page 21087]]

the bill be amended to allow property owners the opportunity to remove
their property from the heritage area.
While the current language allows owners to ``refrain from
participation,'' nothing changes the fact that this bill places them
within a new Federal designation that provides a basis for ambitious
Federal land managers to claim that they now have a mandate and
millions of Federal dollars to interfere with local decisions affecting
their neighbors' property.
Three years ago, this point was brought to the forefront when my
friend, the sponsor of this legislation, authored legislation to reduce
the size of the Yuma Crossing Heritage Area. When that heritage area
was established in 2000, it was much larger than local farmers were
expecting. Further exacerbating the problem, local zoning bureaucrats
began to use the heritage area boundaries in planning.
Because the language designating the heritage area included no
recourse for property owners who wanted out, or who never wanted to be
included in the heritage area in the first place, their only option was
to come to Congress to adjust the boundary and solve the zoning assault
that they faced. We must not make that mistake again.
Complicating this particular proposed heritage area is the inclusion
of some of the most heavily traveled human and narcotics trafficking
routes in our country. We have already seen what happens when we lock
up Federal border lands within Federal wilderness areas. The cartels
run rampant knowing that Border Patrol is hamstrung by draconian rules
making them subservient to land managers and the accompanying
bureaucratic red tape. Now is not the time to place yet another layer
of Federal interference over this region. The border lands are far from
secure.
I urge my colleagues to support private property rights and the
effort to secure the border by opposing H.R. 324.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, every time we bring up a national heritage
proposal, we hear concerns expressed about private property
protections. We should be clear that during the 20-plus years of this
program's existence, opponents have not been able to identify a single
instance in which someone has been deprived of the use of their
property as a result of this designation.
Tens of millions of Americans in States across the country have
lived, worked and recreated and made their living within a heritage
area. Despite the best efforts of opponents of these designations, they
have never found a case where property rights were violated.
The Government Accountability Office even investigated potential
property rights violations and found none. Nevertheless, this bill
contains extensive private property provisions. These private property
protections are the same language approved by Congress in earlier bills
and signed into law by both the Obama and Bush administrations. If the
problem existed, the bill has the language necessary to take care of
it.
The other issue, in terms of law enforcement, this designation in no
way restricts local, county, State or national law enforcement from
carrying out its enforcement mission and its responsibility to uphold
the law. There is no restriction, no impediment, and no redesignation
of their mission. The mission continues. The heritage area in no way
hinders or prohibits that mission from going on.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. I would like to inquire if there are any additional
speakers at this point from the majority, and if not, I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield
back the balance of our time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 324.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

____________________

ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT AND LAND CONVEYANCES

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1858) to provide for a boundary adjustment and land
conveyances involving Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado, to correct
the effects of an erroneous land survey that resulted in approximately
7 acres of the Crystal Lakes Subdivision, Ninth Filing, encroaching on
National Forest System land, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 1858

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT AND LAND CONVEYANCES,
ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO.

(a) Boundary Adjustment.--The boundaries of Roosevelt
National Forest, Colorado, are hereby modified to exclude
from the national forest a parcel of real property consisting
of approximately 7 acres within the Crystal Lakes Subdivision
as depicted on the map entitled ``Crystal Lakes Encroachment,
HR 3299'' and dated July 15, 2008.
(b) Conveyance of Land Removed From National Forest.--The
Secretary of Agriculture shall use the authority provided by
Public Law 97-465 (commonly known as the Small Tracts Act; 16
U.S.C. 521c-521i) to convey all right, title, and interest of
the United States in and to the real property excluded from
the boundaries of Roosevelt National Forest under subsection
(a) to the landowners whose real property adjoins the
excluded land and who, as of the date of the enactment of
this Act, occupy the excluded land.
(c) Consideration.--The conveyances required by subsection
(b) shall be made without consideration.
(d) Description of Real Property.--The exact acreage and
legal description of the land excluded from the boundaries of
Roosevelt National Forest under subsection (a) and conveyed
under subsection (b) shall be determined by a survey
satisfactory to the Secretary.
(e) Cancellation of Portion of Unobligated Balance in FLREA
Special Account.--The amount available for obligation as of
the date of the enactment of this Act from the unobligated
balance in the special account established for the Forest
Service under section 807 of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6806) is reduced by a total of
$200,000, and the amount so reduced is hereby cancelled.

General Leave

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1858, introduced by Representative
Betsy Markey of Colorado, would provide for a boundary adjustment and
land conveyances involving the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado to
correct the effects of erroneous land survey. The bill responds to an
ongoing boundary dispute between the Forest Service and private land
owners with property adjacent to the forest.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend our colleague, Representative Markey,
for her work on this bill. As a freshman, she has demonstrated
remarkable ability to get things done on behalf of her constituents. I
ask my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 1858.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This bill provides a legislative solution for a number of homeowners
in Larimer County, Colorado, who own real property adjacent to the
Roosevelt

[[Page 21088]]

National Forest. These homeowners have occupied or improved their
property in good faith and in reliance on 1975 land surveys.
It was introduced in the last Congress by Congresswoman Marilyn
Musgrave. It is needed to resolve the issue fairly because a recent
Forest Service resurvey now claims that a small portion of Roosevelt
National Forest is occupied by these adjacent landowners.
This bill conveys approximately 7 acres occupied by the affected
landowners to those landowners, and I support its passage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, at this point let me yield as much time as
she may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, Representative
Markey.
Ms. MARKEY of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R.
1858 and for private property rights. Imagine for a moment that the
Federal Government sent you a notification that you need to repurchase
land that you have owned for over 30 years. This is exactly what
happened to landowners in the Crystal Lakes subdivision on the border
of the Roosevelt National Forest.
When the Crystal Lakes subdivision was developed in 1975, an
inaccurate land survey resulted in a 7-acre overlap with the U.S.
Forest Service land. In 2006, the Crystal Lakes landowners were
notified that parts of their property were on Federal land, and they
would be required to purchase this land at current market price from
the Forest Service.
It is simply unacceptable in these tough economic times to penalize
the Crystal Lakes landowners for a mistake made through no fault of
their own and a mistake the Federal Government has waited for over 30
years to rectify. The current property value is, without question,
higher than it was at the time of the sale in the 1970s and 1980s.
If forced to repurchase their land, some landowners may be in danger
of foreclosure. These property owners have bought their land in good
faith and have been paying taxes on that land.
While I support the national forest system and the need to preserve
land in the West for future generations, for the Federal Government to
ask these landowners to repurchase land they have owned for decades
stands against reason.
Therefore, I urge all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 1858 today to
adjust the boundaries of the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado.
With your vote, we can ensure the landowners in Crystal Lakes will be
able to remain on their land.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague from Colorado for
bringing this bill. She is building on the good work that was begun by
her predecessor, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave. This is a bill that I
would urge all of my colleagues to support.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1858, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

HALE SCOUTS ACT

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 310) to provide for the conveyance of approximately 140
acres of land in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma to the Indian
Nations Council, Inc., of the Boy Scouts of America, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 310

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Help to Access Land for the
Education of Scouts'' or ``HALE Scouts Act''.

SEC. 2. LAND CONVEYANCE, OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST, OKLAHOMA.

(a) Finding.--Congress finds that it is in the public
interest to provide for the sale of certain federally owned
land in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma to the
Indian Nations Council, Inc., of the Boy Scouts of America,
for market value consideration.
(b) Conveyance Required.--Subject to valid existing rights,
the Secretary of Agriculture shall convey, by quitclaim deed,
to the Indian Nations Council, Inc., of the Boy Scouts of
America (in this section referred to as the ``Council'') all
right, title, and interest of the United States in and to
certain National Forest System land in the Ouachita National
Forest in the State of Oklahoma consisting of approximately
140 acres, depending on the final measurement of the road set
back and the actual size of the affected sections, as more
fully described in subsection (c). The conveyance may not
include any land located within the Indian Nations National
Scenic and Wildlife Area designated by section 10 of the
Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation and Wilderness
Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460vv-8).
(c) Covered Lands.--The National Forest System land to be
conveyed under subsection (b) is depicted on the map entitled
``Boy Scout Land Request-Ouachita NF''. The map shall be on
file and available for public inspection in the Forest
Service Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia.
(d) Consideration.--As consideration for the land conveyed
under subsection (b), the Council shall pay to the Secretary
an amount equal to the fair market value of the land, as
determined by an appraisal approved by the Secretary and done
in conformity with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for
Federal Land Acquisitions and section 206 of the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716).
(e) Use of Proceeds.--The consideration received under
subsection (d) shall be deposited in the fund established by
Public Law 90-171 (commonly known as the ``Sisk Act''; 16
U.S.C. 484a). The amount so deposited shall be available to
the Secretary, without further appropriation, for expenditure
for the acquisition of land and interests in land in the
Ouachita National Forest.
(f) Survey and Administrative Costs.--The exact acreage and
legal description of the land to be conveyed under subsection
(b) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the
Secretary. The Council shall pay the reasonable costs of
survey, appraisal, and any administrative analyses required
by law.
(g) Access.--Access to the land conveyed under subsection
(b) shall be from the adjacent land of the Council or its
successor. Notwithstanding section 1323(a) of the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3210(a)),
the Secretary shall not be required to provide additional
access to the conveyed land.
(h) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may
prescribe such terms and conditions on the conveyance under
subsection (b) as the Secretary considers in the public
interest, including the reservation of access rights to the
conveyed land for administrative purposes.

General Leave

[[Page 21089]]

the Boy Scouts to expand their summer camp within the national forest
to accommodate the fast-growing number of campers. This speaks volumes
about the excellent organization that is the Boy Scouts of America.

{time} 1445

I strongly support this legislation, and urge all of my colleagues to
do so as well.
Mr. BOREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this measure, H.R.
310, the HALE Scouts Act, granting the U.S. Forest Service authority to
sell roughly 140 acres of land to the Indian Nations Council of Boy
Scouts, which is adjacent to the Scout's summer camp, Camp Tom Hale
located in Talihina, OK. The Indian Nations Council of Boy Scouts is a
non-profit organization providing educational programs for boys and
young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of
citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.
Camp Tom Hale first opened in June 1930 to serve Boy Scouts in the
McAlester, Oklahoma area. It was originally located at what is now
Robbers Cave State Park near Wilburton, Oklahoma. In 1963, the Boy
Scout Council in McAlester worked with the State of Oklahoma and the
U.S. Forest Service to exchange the camp at Robbers Cave for 480 acres
of wilderness area in the Ouachita National Forest. This ``new'' Camp
Hale has continued as a summer adventure camp serving thousands of
scouts during the intervening 41 years.
In 1997, the Council board developed a strategic plan for a $3.5
million expansion and renovation of the camp. Since then, the Council
has spent in excess of $1 million continually updating and expanding
facilities to meet the needs of scouts. As a result, a renewed emphasis
on wilderness and the outdoors has flourished, with over 6000 scouts
and leaders from a five state area attending weekly sessions offered in
June and July and enjoying the beautiful Ouachita Forest.
Attendance has now exceeded the maximum number of available campsites
and program areas, which is causing Camp Hale to begin turning away
hundreds of scouts each summer. It is now critical for camp growth that
the boundaries be extended to include more area for camping and
additional program & training services. Successful completion of this
objective will allow the Boy Scouts to continue the expansion of
outdoor & leadership training for thousands of youth living in the
Central Southwest and bring additional usage and enjoyment of the
Ouachita Forest to more families.
It is for the benefit of these thousands of young Oklahomans that I
proudly sponsored this measure. I greatly appreciate this House's
consideration of this bill, and would like to urge my colleagues to
support the measure.
Mr. LAMBORN. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 310.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

____________________

LEADVILLE MINE DRAINAGE TUNNEL REMEDIATION ACT OF 2009

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3123) to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Bureau of Reclamation, to remedy problems caused by a
collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 3123

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. LEADVILLE MINE DRAINAGE TUNNEL REMEDIATION.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2009''.
(b) Tunnel Remediation.--The Reclamation Projects
Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-575)
is amended as follows:
(1) By striking section 705.
(2) In section 708(a)--
(A) by striking ``(a)'' and inserting ``(a)(1)'';
(B) by striking ``The Secretary shall have'' and inserting
``Except as provided by paragraph (2), the Secretary shall
have''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) The Secretary shall participate in the implementation
of the operable unit 6 remedy for the California Gulch
Superfund Site, including, but not limited to, the following
actions:
``(A) Treating water behind any blockage or bulkhead in the
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel, including surface water
diverted into the Tunnel workings as part of the remedy.
``(B) Managing and maintaining the mine pool behind such
blockage or bulkhead at a level that precludes surface runoff
and releases and minimizes the potential for tunnel failure
due to excessive water pressure in the tunnel.''.
(3) In section 708(f), by striking ``and 708'' and
inserting ``, 708, and 709''.
(4) By adding at the end of title VII the following:

``SEC. 709. TUNNEL MAINTENANCE.

``The Secretary shall take such steps to repair or maintain
the structural integrity of the Leadville Mine Drainage
Tunnel (LMDT) as may be necessary in order to prevent tunnel
failure and to preclude uncontrolled release of water from
any portion of the tunnel.''.
(5) In the table of sections contained in section 2--
(A) by striking the item relating to section 705; and
(B) by inserting after the item relating to section 708 the
following new item:

``Sec. 709. Tunnel maintenance.''.

General Leave

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3123, introduced by our colleague
Representative Lamborn, will direct the Bureau of Reclamation to remedy
problems caused by collapses in the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. Due
to structural deterioration, contaminated water has backed up in the
tunnel, posing a public health and environmental threat.
I ask my colleagues to support the bill's passage.
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington, DC, September 8, 2009.
Hon. Nick Rahall,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Rahall: I write to you regarding H.R. 3123, a
bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to remedy
problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville,
Colorado.
H.R. 3123 contains provisions that fall within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. I recognize and appreciate your desire to
bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious
manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential
referral of the bill. However, I agree to waive consideration
of this bill with the mutual understanding that my decision
to forego a sequential referral of the bill does not waive,
reduce, or otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure over H.R. 3123.
Further, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees
during any House-Senate conference convened on this
legislation on provisions of the bill that are within the
Committee's jurisdiction. I ask for your commitment to
support any request by the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure for the appointment of conferees on H.R. 3123
or similar legislation.
Please place a copy of this letter and your response
acknowledging the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure's jurisdictional interest in the Congressional
Record during consideration of the measure on the House
Floor.
I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass
this important legislation.
Sincerely,
James L. Oberstar, M.C.
Chairman.

[[Page 21090]]

____

House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, September 8, 2009.
Hon. James Oberstar,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your willingness to
expedite floor consideration of H.R. 3123, a bill to direct
the Secretary of the Interior to remedy problems caused by a
collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado.
I appreciate your willingness to waive rights to further
consideration of H.R. 3123, notwithstanding the
jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure. Of course, this waiver does not prejudice
any further jurisdictional claims by your Committee over this
legislation or similar language. Furthermore, I agree to
support your request for appointment of conferees from the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure if a
conference is held on this matter.
This exchange of letters will be inserted in the
Congressional Record as part of the consideration of the bill
on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in
which you have worked regarding this matter and others
between our respective committees.
With warm regards, I am
Sincerely,
Nick J. Rahall, II,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel was
originally constructed by the Federal Bureau of Mines in the forties
and fifties to facilitate the extraction of lead and zinc ore for the
World War II and Korean War efforts. The Bureau of Reclamation acquired
the tunnel in 1959, hoping to use it as a source of water for the
Frying Pan, Arkansas, project. Although the tunnel was never used for
that project, water that flows out of the tunnel is considered part of
the natural flow of the Arkansas River.
With the passage and subsequent signing into law of H.R. 429 during
the 102nd Congress in 1992, the Bureau of Reclamation constructed and
continues to operate a water treatment plant at the mouth of the
tunnel. Groundwater levels at the tunnel have fluctuated in recent
years. In addition, a collapse inside the tunnel has increased the
tunnel's mine pool significantly, leading to new seeps and springs in
the area. Estimates suggest that at one time, up to 1 billion gallons
of water may have built up within the mine pool.
In November 2007, the EPA sent a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation
expressing concerns over a catastrophic blowout, and in February 2008
the Lake County Commissioners declared a state of emergency.
Emergency measures are currently being undertaken by the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Reclamation to
relieve water pressure in the vicinity. Their success has been notable
to date. However, many of the problems reported at this site are not
new. Legislation addressing this matter and authorizing the Secretary
of the Interior to rehabilitate its tunnel dates back to at least 1976.
In response to the request for action from the local community, I
have again worked together in a bipartisan manner with Senator Mark
Udall from Colorado and reintroduced H.R. 3123. This bill would direct
the Bureau of Reclamation to relieve water pressure behind certain
blockages in the tunnel, permanently manage the mine pool behind any
blockage to prevent releases of contaminated water, and manage the
tunnel in such a way to prevent failure of the structure.
I look forward to seeing this situation remedied so that concerns
about human safety and environmental integrity may be appropriately and
responsibly addressed. I remind Members that only minor technical
changes have been made since the bill was originally passed by the
House of Representatives in the previous Congress.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3123, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

____________________

HONORING RESTORATION AND RENOVATION OF BISHOP MUSEUM'S HISTORIC
HAWAIIAN HALL

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 541) recognizing and honoring the restoration
and renovation of the Bishop Museum's historic Hawaiian Hall, the
Nation's premier showcase for Hawaiian culture and history, on the
occasion of the Museum's 120th anniversary.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 541

Whereas the Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 in Honolulu,
Hawai`i, by Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his beloved
wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the great granddaughter
of Kamehameha I, to house the personal legacies and bequests
of the royal Kamehameha and Kalakaua families;
Whereas the mission of the Bishop Museum since its
inception is to study, preserve, and tell the stories of the
cultures and natural history of Hawai`i and the Pacific
Ocean;
Whereas the Bishop Museum's collections include some
24,000,000 objects, collectively the largest Hawai`i and
Pacific area collection in the world, including over
1,200,000 cultural objects representing Native Hawaiian,
Pacific Islands, and Hawai`i immigrant life, more than
125,000 historical publications including many in the
Hawaiian language, 1,000,000 historical photographs, films,
works of art, audio recordings, and manuscripts, and over
22,000,000 plant and animal specimens;
Whereas a primary goal of the Bishop Museum is to serve and
represent the interests of Native Hawaiians by advancing
Native Hawaiian culture and education, protecting the
collections and increasing access to such collections, and
strengthening the Museum's connections with the schools of
Hawai`i;
Whereas the national significance of the Bishop Museum's
cultural collection lies in the Native Hawaiian collection,
which collectively represents the largest public resource in
the world documenting a unique way of life and a source of
knowledge and inspiration for numerous visitors, researchers,
students, Native Hawaiian craftsmen, teachers, community, and
spiritual leaders over the years, especially since the
Hawaiian cultural revival, which has been steadily growing
and gaining in popularity in recent years;
Whereas over 300,000 people visit the Bishop Museum each
year to learn about Hawaiian culture and experience Hawaiian
Hall;
Whereas the primary reason for visiting the Bishop Museum,
given by an average of 400,000 visitors each year, is their
desire to see Hawaiian Hall and to learn about Hawaiian
culture;
Whereas Hawaiian Hall is the Nation's only showcase of its
size, proportions, design, and historic context that is
devoted to the magnificent legacy of Hawai`i's kings and
queens, and the legacies of its Native Hawaiian people of all
walks of life and ages;
Whereas Hawaiian Hall, one of three interconnected
structures known as the Hawaiian Hall Complex and constructed
between 1889 and 1903, is considered a masterpiece of late
Victorian museum design with its Kamehameha blue stone
exterior quarried on site and extensive use of Native koa
wood, and is one of the few examples of Romanesque
Richardsonian-style museum buildings to have survived
basically unchanged;
Whereas Hawaiian Hall, designed by noted Hawai`i architects
C.B. Ripley and C.W. Dickey in 1898, was placed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1982 based on its
unique combination of architectural, cultural, scientific,
educational, and historical significance;
Whereas the restoration and renovation of Hawaiian Hall and
its exhibits, conducted by noted Hawai`i architect Glenn
Mason and noted national and international museum exhibit
designer Ralph Appelbaum, is integral to the Bishop Museum's
ability to fulfill its mission and achieve its primary goal
of serving and representing the interests of Native
Hawaiians;
Whereas the restoration and renovation of Hawaiian Hall,
commenced in 2005, included the building of a new gathering
place in an enclosed, glass walled atrium, improved access
through the installation of an elevator in the new atrium to
all three floors of the Hall and other buildings in the
Hawaiian

[[Page 21091]]

Hall Complex, improved collection preservation through the
installation of new, state of the art environmental controls,
lighting, security, and fire suppression systems, and
restored original woodwork and metalwork;
Whereas the restoration and renovation of the Hawaiian
Hall's exhibits brings multiple voices and a Native Hawaiian
perspective to bear on the Bishop Museum's treasures by
conveying the essential values, beliefs, complexity, and
achievements of Hawaiian culture through exquisite and
fragile artifacts in a setting that emphasizes their mana
(power and essence) and the place in which such artifacts
were created;
Whereas the new exhibit incorporates contemporary Native
Hawaiian artwork illustrating traditional stories, legends,
and practices, and contemporary Native Hawaiian voices
interpreting the practices and traditions through multiple
video presentations;
Whereas the new exhibit features over 2,000 objects and
images from the Bishop Museum's collections on the open
floor, mezzanines, and the center space conceptually
organized to represent three traditional realms or wao of the
Hawaiian world--Kai Akea, the expansive sea from which gods
and people came, Wao Kanaka, the realm of people, and Wao
Lani, the realm of gods and the ali`i, or chiefs, who
descended from them;
Whereas the new exhibit's ending display celebrates the
strength, glory, and achievements of Native Hawaiians with a
large 40-panel mural titled Ho`ohuli, To Cause An
Overturning, A Change, made by students of Native Hawaiian
charter schools in collaboration with Native Hawaiian artists
and other students, and interpreted by Native Hawaiian
artists and teachers in a video presentation; and
Whereas the people of the United States wish to convey
their sincerest appreciation to the Bishop Museum for its
service and devotion: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the reopening of historic Hawaiian Hall on
the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Bishop Museum in
Honolulu, Hawai`i; and
(2) honors and praises the Bishop Museum, on the occasion
of its reopening and 120th anniversary, for its work to
ensure the preservation, study, education, and appreciation
of Native Hawaiian culture and history.

General Leave

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, the Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 in
Honolulu, Hawaii, and for 120 years has served as the Nation's
preeminent resource documenting, preserving and educating others on
Native Hawaiian culture. The museum's collection of 24 million objects
is the largest Hawaiian and Pacific Island collection in the world.
Over 2,000 of these objects and images are on display in the newly
renovated Hawaiian Hall.
H. Res. 541, introduced by our distinguished colleague from Hawaii,
Representative Neil Abercrombie, would express the appreciation of the
House of Representatives to the Bishop Museum for 120 years of service
to the people of Hawaii and the United States. We commend
Representative Abercrombie for his tireless efforts on behalf of his
constituents and the preservation of Hawaiian history and culture.
We support passage of House Resolution 541 and urge its adoption in
the House today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the resolution has been explained well by the majority.
We have no objection.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.
Res. 541, recognizing and honoring the restoration and renovation of
the Bishop Museum's Historic Hawaiian Hall, the Nation's premier
showcase for Hawaiian culture and history, on the occasion of the
Museum's 120th anniversary.
I thank the gentleman from the State of Hawaii, my good friend, Mr.
Abercrombie, for his leadership on this important issue. I also want to
thank Chairman Rahall of the Natural Resources Committee for bringing
this resolution for House floor consideration.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 541 conveys our sincerest appreciation to the
Bishop Museum for its service and devotion. Founded in 1889 by Charles
Reed Bishop in memory of his beloved wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi
Bishop, the great granddaughter of Kamehameha I, the Bishop Museum is
essential to study, preserve and tell the stories of the cultures and
natural history of Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean.
Collectively, the Museum houses the largest Hawaii and Pacific area
collection in the world, including 1,200,000 cultural objects
representing Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islands, and Hawaii immigrant
life, more than 125,000 historical publications including many in the
Hawaiian language, 1,000,000 historical photographs, films, works of
art, audio recordings, and manuscripts and over 22,000,000 plant and
animal specimens. This cultural collection creates a significantly
important public resource for academic studies and for public
information.
Not only that, the Bishop Museum is also very significant because of
the fact that it houses the Hawaiian Hall, the Nation's only showcase
of its size, proportions, design, and historical context that is
devoted to the magnificent legacy of Hawaii's kings and queens, and the
legacies of its Native Hawaiian people of all walks of life and ages.
Over the years lead paint and termite damage rendered the building
unable to meet modern standards and requirements for any museum until
in 2005, the restoration and renovation of the Hawaiian Hall commenced.
Multiple parties came together to collaborate in this effort. The
museum was redefined conceptually as well as given physical
reconstruction. The end product stands as testament to the efforts of
all those involved.
The new exhibit incorporates Native Hawaiian artwork depicting
traditional stories, legends, and practices, and contemporary Native
Hawaiian voices interpreting the practices and traditions through
multiple video presentations. In addition, the new exhibit is
conceptually organized to represent three traditional realms or wao of
the Hawaiian world including: Kai Akea--the expansive sea from which
gods and people came; Wao Kanaka--the realm of people; and Wao Lani--
the realm of gods and the alii or chiefs, who descended from them. The
new exhibit even includes a large 40-panel mural which celebrates the
strength, glory, and achievements of Native Hawaiians.
Mr. Speaker, the Bishop Museum is very important to the Native
Hawaiians, especially in their efforts to revive their culture and
their Hawaiian traditions. I congratulate the Bishop Museum on its
120th anniversary and for its service and devotion, and I urge my
colleagues to vote in support of H. Res. 541.
Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 541,
recognizing and honoring the restoration and renovation of the Bishop
Museum's historic Hawaiian Hall, the Nation's premier showcase for
Hawaiian culture and history, on the occasion of the Museum's 120th
anniversary.
Founded more than a century ago, in the memory of Princess Bernice
Pauahi Bishop by her husband, Charles Reed Bishop, Bishop Museum has
contributed to the world's understanding of the natural and cultural
history of the Pacific and Hawai`i. It has collected and preserved
nearly 25 million scientific animal and plant specimens and 2.4 million
cultural objects that together help tell the full story of Hawai`i and
the Pacific.
I attended the celebration of the Bishop Museum's 120th anniversary
in Honolulu during our August district work period. The magnificent
historic Hawaiian Hall has been beautifully restored and now serves as
a more fitting setting for the irreplaceable and precious cultural and
historical artifacts it showcases. Listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall has traditionally housed
Hawaii's most sacred and beloved artifacts. With its volcanic stone
exterior and extensive use of native koa wood, Hawaiian Hall is
considered a masterwork of late Victorian museum design.
With this important renovation, hundreds of thousand visitors and
local residents will enter the world of Hawai`i. They will hear the
oral tradition of oli and mo `olelo. They will experience Hawai`i's
deep connection between its natural and cultural worlds. Bishop Museum
has served as an essential repository and education institution for
over a century.
I urge my colleagues to join me voting for H. Res. 451 and encourage
you to visit the restored Hawaiian Hall when you next visit Hawaii.
Mr. LAMBORN. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by

[[Page 21092]]

the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 541.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORIC VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 361) recognizing the historical significance of
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park of Miami, Florida, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 361

Whereas in the early 1900s, Historic Virginia Key Beach
Park of Miami, Florida, was frequented by African-American
and Caribbean settlers arriving by ferry from mainland South
Florida;
Whereas in the summer of 1945, on the beach at Baker's
Haulover County Park, a group of black men led by then
attorney Lawson E. Thomas staged a protest against the unjust
segregation laws that prohibited black people from using the
public beaches in South Florida;
Whereas in response to the protest, county officials
designated Virginia Key Beach Park as the ``Colored Beach'',
a segregated beach site for the African-American community
which opened on August 1, 1945;
Whereas, even after civil rights laws opened all the public
beaches in South Florida to people of all races and
ethnicities, Virginia Key Beach Park remained a popular
destination for many in the African-American community for
several decades;
Whereas in 1979, the site was transferred from the county
to the City of Miami with the stipulation that the beach be
kept open and maintained as a public park and recreation
area;
Whereas in 1982, citing the high cost of maintenance and
operations, the City of Miami closed Virginia Key Beach Park
shortly after assuming its responsibility;
Whereas in 1990, the City of Miami Commission responded to
citizen outcry and established the Virginia Key Beach Park
Trust (hereafter referred to as the ``Trust'') to restore,
reopen, and preserve the site for public use;
Whereas the late M. Athalie Range, an African-American
community leader and the first woman to sit on the City of
Miami Commission, worked with the community to save Virginia
Key Beach Park from the grasp of developers, and deliver it
back to the people. She lobbied to place the property on the
National Register of Historic Places, spearheaded funding for
a multi-billion dollar restoration program, and planned a new
museum/cultural center that would one day, impart the message
of social equality and responsible citizenry for future
generations;
Whereas in June 2002, the Trust successfully petitioned
Federal and State government officials to place the site on
the National Register of Historic Places and give it a
Florida Historical Marker;
Whereas in 2003, the Dade Community Foundation established
the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Trust Fund to collect
charitable donations to help restore and preserve the park;
and
Whereas on February 22, 2008, after extensive renovation by
the Trust, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park celebrated its
grand re-opening for public use by the entire community with
a ribbon cutting ceremony and community concert: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the extraordinary historical, cultural, and
recreational significance of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
of Miami, Florida;
(2) recommits its attempt to protect and preserve American
history through national parks and historic sites; and
(3) acknowledges the significance of the African-American
community's struggle for equality through its collaborative
efforts to preserve this historic site.

General Leave

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, in 1945 a group of black men, led by
Lawson E. Thomas, courageously protested the banning of African
Americans from the public beaches of south Florida. As a result,
Virginia Key Beach Park was established as a ``Colored Beach'' under
the segregation laws that persisted throughout the civil rights
movement.
The park was transferred to the city of Miami in 1979, which
attempted to close it three years later, citing a lack of operating
funds. Since then, dedicated community leaders have fought to not only
keep the park open, but also add it to the National Register of
Historic Places and establish a trust to manage it.
With this resolution, sponsored by Representative Ros-Lehtinen of
Florida, the House of Representatives recognizes the historic
significance of the site and honors the African American struggle for
equality represented there.
I ask my colleagues to support the passage of this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
In the 1920s, Virginia Key Beach, located about 2 miles south of
Miami, Florida, became the area's public beach that was used primarily
by African Americans. In 1945, Dade County officials designated the
beach as a legally segregated beach for use by the African American
community. Today, the beach is managed by the Virginia Key Beach Park
Trust and is owned by the City of Miami.
This resolution recognizes the historical significance of Virginia
Key Beach Park. I congratulate Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen for her work,
and I urge passage of this resolution.
At this time, I yield such time as she may consume to my friend and
colleague, the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado,
my good friend, Mr. Lamborn, for the time, and I also thank Mr.
Grijalva of Arizona. Thank you so much for bringing this resolution
before us today.
I rise in strong support of House Resolution 361, which is a
bipartisan bill recognizing the national significance of historic
Virginia Key Beach Park, which is located in my congressional district
in south Florida. I also would like to thank my dear friends and fellow
south Floridians, my colleagues, Representatives Kendrick Meek, Alcee
Hastings, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz for their
support of this legislation.
A segregated beach during the 1900s, Virginia Key Beach Park serves
as a reminder of our Nation's struggle for equality and justice for all
members of our society. During World War II, the beach was a training
ground for African American soldiers serving in the United States Army.
Shortly following the war's end, the beach was established as the only
public beach open to the African American community. In the 1950s, the
beach played a prominent role in south Florida's efforts to desegregate
during the civil rights movement.
In the years following desegregation, leaders of the African American
community in south Florida, including the influential and late
wonderful leader in our area, Athalie Range, fought tirelessly to
preserve this unique site.
Today's resolution serves as a tribute to Athalie Range and to so
many African American pioneers, including our former colleague,
Congresswoman Carrie Meek, who authored a bill in 2001 to include
Virginia Key Beach Park into the National Park System. I was honored to
work with Carrie in her quest to include this beach in the National
Park System, and years later I am joined by her beloved son Kendrick in
honoring the importance of this historic and often overlooked site.
I thank Congressman Grijalva for the time, and I thank my dear friend
Mr. Lamborn for the time to talk about this historic part of south
Florida history.

[[Page 21093]]

Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, let me also congratulate the gentlelady
from Florida for the resolution.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 361, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

{time} 1500
AKRON VETERANS MEMORIAL POST OFFICE

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2004) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 4282 Beach Street in Akron, Michigan, as the ``Akron
Veterans Memorial Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 2004

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. AKRON VETERANS MEMORIAL POST OFFICE.

(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 4282 Beach Street in Akron, Michigan,
shall be known and designated as the ``Akron Veterans
Memorial Post Office''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Akron Veterans Memorial Post Office''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.

General Leave

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. WATSON. I now yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I am pleased to present H.R. 2004 for consideration. This
legislation will designate the United States postal facility located as
4282 Beach Street in Akron, Michigan, as the Akron Veterans Memorial
Post Office.
Introduced by my colleague, Representative Dale Kildee of Michigan,
on April 21, 2009, and favorably reported out of the Oversight and
Government Reform Committee by unanimous consent on June 18, 2009, H.R.
2004 enjoys the support of the entire House Michigan delegation.
Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us pays tribute to the brave men
and women from Akron Village, the State of Michigan, and across the
United States who have served our Nation in the United States military,
both at home and abroad. Over 23 million American military veterans are
currently living in the United States, including approximately 742,000
living in the State of Michigan alone. They, as well as those that are
no longer with us, have devoted their lives to the defense and security
of our Nation, and always at a great personal risk and sacrifice. We
are eternally in their debt and forever grateful for their noble and
selfless dedication to our Nation and the preservation of its founding
principles.
Mr. Speaker, let us pay tribute to the distinguished service of our
veterans from the village of Akron, the State of Michigan, and across
the country by designating the Akron post office in their honor.
I urge my colleagues to me in supporting H.R. 2004.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of the renaming of the
Akron, Michigan post office. From its humble beginnings on July 23,
1857, this post office has been part of the community in small town
Michigan. Rather noteworthy, Mr. Kildee has chosen a rather unusual
naming for a post office, and one that I wholeheartedly support. This
post office is not named after one brave American or one now-departed
politician. Instead, it's named after the countless thousands of men
and women of Michigan who have served in the Armed Forces or are
serving today and deserve our respect as veterans.
I would urge support of this, and I would urge all of my colleagues
to take note that this post office represents a symbol of service more
than the symbol of any one person.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again urge my colleagues to
join me in honoring America's military veterans through the passage of
H.R. 2004.
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill H.R.
2004, which would designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 4282 Beach Street in Akron, Michigan, as the ``Akron
Veterans Memorial Post Office''.
The Akron Post Office was first established at the house of its first
postmaster, Samuel B. Covey. At the beginning of the Civil War, the
post office was moved to the home of Lucius Waldo, about 7 miles south
west of Unionville, Michigan, and relocated to Akron village in 1882.
As the only Federal office in the town of Akron, Michigan, this
facility should have the honor of recognizing all of the brave men and
women who have served our country in uniform.
It has long been a goal of mine to honor all veterans. As a father of
two sons, both of whom served as captains in the United States Army, I
am a firm believer that our Nation owes an immense debt of gratitude to
its armed forces veterans.
That is why I will continue to advocate for America's most important
obligation, caring for its defenders and honoring they for their
service.
Designating this facility will provide citizens with the opportunity
to be mindful of the sacrifices our armed forces' veterans have made,
and continue to make today.
I would like to thank the entire Michigan delegation for their
support on this legislation and urge my colleagues support in passing
this legislation.
Ms. WATSON. I yield back the remainder of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2004.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HATCH ACT REFORM ACT OF 2009

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1345) to amend title 5, United States Code, to eliminate the
discriminatory treatment of the District of Columbia under the
provisions of law commonly referred to as the ``Hatch Act''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 1345

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``District of Columbia Hatch
Act Reform Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. EMPLOYEES OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TO BE SUBJECT
TO THE SAME RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL ACTIVITY
AS APPLY TO STATE AND LOCAL EMPLOYEES.

(a) Applicability of Provisions Relating to State and Local
Employees.--Section 1501(1) of title 5, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``a State or territory'' and inserting
``a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory''.
(b) Provisions Relating to Federal Employees Made
Inapplicable.--Section 7322(1) of such title is amended--
(1) by inserting ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
(2) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
(3) by striking subparagraph (C); and
(4) by striking ``services;'' and inserting ``services or
an individual employed or holding office in the government of
the District of Columbia;''.

[[Page 21094]]

SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by this Act--
(1) shall take effect on the effective date of a law,
enacted by the government of the District of Columbia after
the date of the enactment of this Act, which places
restrictions on political activities of employees of the
government of the District of Columbia; and
(2) shall apply with respect to actions occurring on or
after the effective date referred to in paragraph (1).

General Leave

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. WATSON. I now yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise for the consideration of H.R. 1345,
which is designed to ensure that employees of the District of Columbia
are subject to the same rules of political activity under the Hatch Act
that apply to all other State and local government employees, thereby
ending the discriminatory treatment they have received since 1993.
In October of 1993, Congress passed the Hatch Act Reform Amendments,
allowing Federal employees to take part in political campaigns on their
off-duty, personal time. The legislation of 1993 did continue to
prohibit Federal employees from seeking public office in partisan
elections. However, it also retained a measure which subjected D.C.
employees to Federal Hatch Act provisions. This ignored the District's
authority to self-govern and enact its own local laws; not to mention
that employees in all other State and local jurisdictions are subjected
to laws written by their own State and local governments and are not
subject to the Federal Hatch Act like D.C. government employees. H.R.
1345 ends this disparate treatment by placing D.C. employees under the
same Federal Hatch Act restrictions that apply to all other States and
localities.
This bill was offered by the gentlewoman from the District of
Columbia (Ms. Norton) on March 5, 2009. Having been considered by the
Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of
Columbia, chaired by Representative Stephen Lynch, the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform under Chairman Towns ordered the bill
reported to the full House by voice vote on June 4, 2009.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1345 is a commonsense measure, treating employees
of the District of Columbia the same way that other State and local
government employees are treated. The difference in treatment under the
Hatch Act has persisted for far too long. I urge my colleagues to help
end the disparate treatment by supporting this measure.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this is a bipartisan bill authored by Eleanor Holmes
Norton that is, in fact, timely or perhaps beyond its time. This was
passed by our committee on a voice vote and is supported by all members
of the committee.
Mr. Speaker, home rule by the District of Columbia will not be
complete until we harmonize as many rights and responsibilities as we
can to the District. Our committee is dedicated to do that
harmonization, to look for inequities, either by too much or too
little, much of it well-intended in the past, some of it even needed in
the past. But as the District of Columbia takes on its immediate
responsibilities, we must also treat it appropriately and not have it
governed by special rules. This narrowly constructed change will, in
fact, cause the Hatch Act to be identical in the way it is implemented
throughout the country, being implemented toward the District of
Columbia. I think every American appreciates that if you lived in a
city in Maryland or in a city in Virginia, you would have the same
expectation of the rules of national governance as you should have here
in the Nation's capital if you're involved in similar activity.

{time} 1515

For that reason, on a bipartisan basis, we support this simple but
technically necessary fix.
I reserve my time.
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to have the distinguished
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton from the great District of
Columbia recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. NORTON. First off, Mr. Speaker, may I thank the gentlewoman from
California for her work on this bill and for managing this bill as well
and explaining it to the House.
I'm very grateful to the ranking member of the full committee for his
work on this bill and his cooperation in helping us to move this bill
forward.
Mr. Speaker, this is nothing more or nothing less than a holdover
from the old pre-Home Rule days in the District of Columbia. The
Congress passed the Home Rule Act and intended that local laws would be
a matter for the District of Columbia, and somehow, this got left out
of the mix. And the OPM, the Office of Personnel Management, and its
council's office has been vexed--that's the only word for it--vexed by
these complaints that these sometimes come and sometimes don't.
For example, advisory neighborhood commissioners, peculiar to the
District of Columbia, are ``elected officials.'' They're unpaid. If you
look at the council of the District of Columbia, almost all of them
were advisory neighborhood commissioners. But somehow, people bring
complaints against them when they run for office because they're not
regarded in Federal law as elected officials. They're elected
officials; unpaid, but they're elected officials. They run for office.
Those are not matters that you would expect a Federal regulatory agency
to pay any attention to. And I don't want the OPM, in fact, spending
the time of its special council on the arcane laws of the District of
Columbia.
What this law says is you, D.C., will have to have your own Hatch
Act. The Hatch Act was one of the great reforms in government. Perhaps
there's no reform ever in government that's been more important than
the Hatch Act. This bill can't go into effect until the District of
Columbia has its own Hatch Act for its own local law, the way
California and all the States of the Union have their own version of
the Hatch Act. As I heard the ranking member say, When you're getting
Federal money and you're involved in Federal matters--and often matters
in the State are Federal matters--the Hatch Act applies as always.
When you're dealing in D.C. with D.C. management, you need your own
Hatch Act, and you need OPM to deal with the often more serious matters
that affect the Federal Government when millions of dollars may be
involved in Hatch Act violations.
I want to thank my good friends from California, both of them, for
their work on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, the District of Columbia Hatch Act Reform Act of 2009
eliminates anomalous treatment of the District of Columbia which, alone
among U.S. jurisdictions, still falls under the Federal Hatch Act as an
uncorrected leftover provision from before the Congress made the
District an independent jurisdiction that today enacts its own local
laws. Fortunately, the House recognized that the present Federal Hatch
Act jurisdiction over the District was inappropriate and obsolete and
removed this Federal responsibility several years ago, but the Senate
failed to act. H.R. 1345 will eliminate the double indignity of placing
a local burden on the Federal Government while depriving the District
of a responsibility that only local jurisdictions familiar with local
laws can be expected to handle appropriately. H.R. 1345 retains Federal
Hatch Act authority concerning prohibited partisan and political
activity that applies to every State and locality upon receipt of
Federal funds or functions, and importantly, requires the District to
enact its own local version of the Hatch Act barring similar local
violations before H.R. 1345 can become effective. Local Hatch Act
violations in the District are rare, but the District needs its own
Hatch Act to fully account and be responsible for local violations,
with which only a local, objective body would be familiar.

[[Page 21095]]

H.R. 1345 leaves in place the Federal Hatch Act restrictions that
apply to other jurisdictions on the use of official authority,
specifically as it relates to elections; the solicitation, acceptance,
or receipt of political campaign contributions; the prohibitions on
running for public office in partisan elections; and the use of on-duty
time and resources to engage in partisan campaign activity when Federal
funds or responsibilities are involved. My bill would remove only the
Federal Hatch Act jurisdiction that applies to the District of Columbia
and would require the District to enact its own local Hatch Act,
similar to those in other jurisdictions, instead of requiring the
Federal Office of Personnel Management, OPM, and its Special Counsel to
devote staff time and other resources to investigation, fact-finding
and judgment of unfamiliar local matters.
In fact, OPM has asked for the Federal guidance my bill offers. In
recent cases, OPM was confused by protests after citing an ANC
(Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner) for violations of the Hatch Act
when he ran for higher office, even though ANCs are ``elected
officials'' under D.C. law and therefore should be permitted to run for
higher office. As a result of the failure to clear up the confusion,
the application of the Hatch Act to ANCs has been selectively enforced
by OPM. For example, although OPM has filed cases charging Hatch Act
violations against an ANC running for the D.C. Council, it more often
has not filed when several members of the current D.C. City Council ran
for the D.C. Council from positions as ANCs. These examples show the
difficulty created because Congress has failed to conform D.C.'s local
jurisdiction created by the Home Rule Act of 1974 with the OPM's
Federal jurisdiction over Federal Hatch Act matters today.
This is an uncomplicated and straightforward bill. It is not
controversial, and it has been enacted by the House before. I ask that
the House approve H.R. 1345.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I am in support of this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge my colleagues to
support this much-needed measure.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1345.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

JOHNNY GRANT HOLLYWOOD POST OFFICE BUILDING

Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2760) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 1615 North Wilcox Avenue in Los Angeles, California,
as the ``Johnny Grant Hollywood Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 2760

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. JOHNNY GRANT HOLLYWOOD POST OFFICE BUILDING.

(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1615 North Wilcox Avenue in Los
Angeles, California, shall be known and designated as the
``Johnny Grant Hollywood Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Johnny Grant Hollywood Post Office
Building''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Watson).
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2760, a bill
which I introduced to designate a post office in my district as the
``Johnny Grant Hollywood Post Office Building''.
Johnny Grant and Hollywood are synonymous. As Tinseltown's honorary
mayor, he was one of the community's most enthusiastic supporters for
more than 50 years. He served as chairman of the Walk of Fame Selection
Committee and the Hollywood Historic Trust. He not only created what
was to become part of Hollywood's history but had been a longtime
supporter for preserving Cinema City's past.
Johnny Grant was also a big supporter of public diplomacy. Over the
Memorial Day recess period, I took 30 films donated by Johnny Grant
before he passed away to South Africa and donated them to the Rosa
Parks Library and Information Center at the U.S. Embassy. The films
will be accessible to the public and will be used to promote the United
States' moral values, principles, and culture.
Grant was a retired major general in the California State Military
Reserve. He was sought out to advise the Guard in his areas of
expertise: morale, public affairs, recruiting, and special events.
Though retired, he continued to be recalled by California's Adjutant
General for special duties.
In 1982, the State of California showed their appreciation for Johnny
Grant's 30 years of service by awarding him the Order of California,
the State's highest honor. Governor George Deukmejian, in an
unprecedented act, awarded Johnny Grant a second Order of California at
the State Capitol in 1990. General Grant was also the recipient of the
National Guard's Medal of Merit.
In June of 1999, retired Major General Johnny Grant was recalled to
temporary active duty to promote and produce events saluting the
California National Guard on its 150th birthday.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for the time, and I urge my colleagues to
support this bill to honor Johnny Grant for a lifetime of public
service.
And I just want you to know, before his sudden death, he had
completed 60 trips to entertain our troops, more than any other
celebrity who has gone overseas and around the country, so we honor him
also for that.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I join with the gentlelady in supporting her legislation. Every
member of the California delegation, in fact, has supported this.
Because it's in Representative Watson's district, of course, it's her
bill, but Johnny Grant was bigger than Hollywood, bigger than
California.
During his decades of service outside of Hollywood, Johnny Grant
represented the finest in American service. After his service in the
Army Air Corps during World War II, he continued supporting in many
ways our men and women in uniform for the rest of his life.
In 1952, when Mr. Grant, along with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Frank
Sinatra, hosted the first national telethon, a fundraiser to send
American Olympic athletes to the Summer Olympics in Finland, he, in
fact, set a path of service in all aspects of public life continuing
with the Olympics, adding to that the Boy Scouts, the USO, fire and
police services and, of course, his many trips overseas.
In addition to the 60 USO trips that Mr. Grant did, I want to note
two of them, because during the very difficult times in 1982 and 1983,
he distinguished himself by being willing to go to Beirut to support
and entertain our marines there long after many people had considered
that to be out of the way. He also made two trips to Saudi Arabia
during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He continued to support the USO
along with Bob Hope and his many other friends throughout his life.
Mr. Speaker, I believe we've given a lot of awards to a lot of people
less deserving and who dedicated less their entire lives. Many
celebrities are for causes when they're in their active career. Mr.
Grant was for causes that were fully supported by the American people
but fully funded by the generosity of people like him with his time and
his energy for so many years.
So I join with the gentlelady in supporting H.R. 2760, urge its
passage, remind all of us that, in fact, there are those who give far
less that have had these honors bestowed on them, and I certainly thank
the gentlelady for picking this Hollywood post office to be the
``Johnny Grant Hollywood Post Office Building''.

[[Page 21096]]

I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Darrell Issa, my colleague,
for his words about Johnny Grant. And I want you to know, Johnny knew
he would live forever, and now that we're going to have a building
named after him in the new remodeled and revitalized Hollywood, he,
indeed, his image, will live forever. So I thank my colleague.
And in closing, I again urge my colleagues to join me in honoring
Johnny Grant through the passage of H.R. 2760.
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, there could be no more appropriate moniker
for a Hollywood post office than Johnny Grant's. The unofficial mayor
of Hollywood for more than half a century, Johnny's name is synonymous
with the community he loved and promoted so well.
It is especially appropriate that the post office at 1615 North
Wilcox Avenue, just off of Hollywood Boulevard, would bear his name, as
he managed to secure a Hollywood postmark, despite the fact that it's
not its own city. Only Johnny Grant could have pulled that off. While
celebrating his 84th birthday, Johnny said that the Hollywood postmark
was one of three accomplishments of which he was most proud, along with
the Hollywood sign and the Walk of Fame.
I had the privilege of knowing Johnny and calling him a friend for
many years. I always admired his incredible zeal for life. He brought a
tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm to everything he did--which
was never on greater display than when he tirelessly supported our
Nation's veterans. While serving in the Army Air Corps during World War
II, his ``Strictly GI'' radio show was broadcast in New York City and
North Carolina, featuring stories of interest to servicemen and women.
He went on to do 60 USO tours and personally sponsored trips in Korea
and Vietnam to show his deep support and commitment to our men and
women in uniform, to encourage them and boost morale during very
difficult times.
Johnny produced and hosted the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots telethon
for ten years, and organized countless other events raising millions
for the USO, the Boy Scouts of America, police and fire services and
veterans organizations.
Hollywood, the City of Los Angeles and the entire Nation mourned his
death in January of last year. H.R. 2760 is a modest but fitting
tribute to Hollywood's favorite son, and I think he would appreciate
seeing his name live on in the community he loved and called home for
over fifty years.
Ms. WATSON. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2760.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________

RECESS

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the
Chair declares the House in recess until approximately 6:30 p.m. today.
Accordingly (at 3 o'clock and 26 minutes p.m.), the House stood in
recess until approximately 6:30 p.m.

____________________

{time} 1830
AFTER RECESS

The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore (Mrs. Dahlkemper) at 6 o'clock and 30 minutes p.m.

____________________

GENERAL LEAVE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, general leave to revise
and extend is granted on the motion to suspend the rules on H.R. 2760.
There was no objection.

____________________

APPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF NATIONAL URBAN AIR
TOXICS RESEARCH CENTER

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 112 of the Clean Air Act
(42 U.S.C. 7412), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the
Chair announces the Speaker's appointment of the following members on
the part of the House to the Board of Directors of the National Urban
Air Toxics Research Center:
Mrs. Herminia Palacio, M.D., M.P.H., Bellaire, Texas
Mr. John Walke, Washington, D.C.

____________________

COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF MEMBER, THE HONORABLE GEORGE RADANOVICH,
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following
communication from Donna J. Dami, Special Projects, the Honorable
George Radanovich, Member of Congress:

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, August 17, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: This is to notify you formally,
pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, that I have been served with a subpoena,
issued in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
California, for testimony in a criminal case.
After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, I
have determined that compliance with the subpoena is
consistent with the precedents and privileges of the House.
Sincerely,
Donna J. Dami,
Special Projects.

____________________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings
will resume on motions to suspend the rules previously postponed.
Votes will be taken in the following order:
H.R. 324, by the yeas and nays;
H.R. 310, by the yeas and nays;
H.R. 3123, by the yeas and nays.
The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.
Remaining electronic votes will be conducted as 5-minute votes.

____________________

SANTA CRUZ VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the
motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 324, on which the
yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 324.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 249,
nays 145, not voting 39, as follows:

[Roll No. 687]

YEAS--249

Abercrombie
Ackerman
Adler (NJ)
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Baca
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Bean
Becerra
Berman
Berry
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boccieri
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Bright
Butterfield
Cao
Capps
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson (IN)
Castor (FL)
Chandler
Childers
Chu
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly (VA)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Dahlkemper
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (TN)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Donnelly (IN)
Doyle
Driehaus
Edwards (MD)
Edwards (TX)
Ehlers
Ellison
Ellsworth
Engel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Fortenberry
Foster
Frank (MA)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Giffords
Gonzalez
Gordon (TN)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grijalva
Hall (NY)
Halvorson
Hare
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Heinrich
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hodes
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hoyer
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilroy
Kind
Kirkpatrick (AZ)
Kissell
Klein (FL)
Kosmas
Kratovil
Kucinich
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lee (CA)
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lujan
Lynch
Maffei
Maloney
Markey (CO)
Marshall
Massa
Matheson
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McIntyre
McMahon
McNerney
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Michaud
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Minnick
Mitchell
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)

[[Page 21097]]

Murphy (NY)
Murphy, Patrick
Murphy, Tim
Nadler (NY)
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Nye
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor (AZ)
Payne
Perlmutter
Perriello
Peters
Peterson
Pingree (ME)
Platts
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rahall
Rangel
Reichert
Reyes
Richardson
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman (NJ)
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schauer
Schiff
Schrader
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shuler
Sires
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Space
Speier
Spratt
Stark
Stupak
Sutton
Teague
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Titus
Tonko
Towns
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walz
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Welch
Wexler
Whitfield
Wilson (OH)
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth

NAYS--145

Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Austria
Bachmann
Bachus
Bartlett
Barton (TX)
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boustany
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Cantor
Capito
Carter
Cassidy
Castle
Chaffetz
Coble
Coffman (CO)
Cole
Conaway
Crenshaw
Culberson
Davis (KY)
Dent
Duncan
Emerson
Fallin
Flake
Fleming
Forbes
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett (NJ)
Gingrey (GA)
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Guthrie
Hall (TX)
Harper
Hastings (WA)
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Hoekstra
Hunter
Inglis
Issa
Jenkins
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jordan (OH)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kline (MN)
Lamborn
Latta
Lee (NY)
Lewis (CA)
Linder
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Manzullo
Marchant
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul
McClintock
McCotter
McHenry
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Myrick
Neugebauer
Nunes
Olson
Paul
Paulsen
Pence
Petri
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Posey
Price (GA)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rehberg
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rooney
Roskam
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Scalise
Schmidt
Schock
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shuster
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Souder
Stearns
Sullivan
Terry
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Walden
Wamp
Westmoreland
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Young (FL)

NOT VOTING--39

Barrett (SC)
Berkley
Bishop (UT)
Boyd
Brady (TX)
Brown, Corrine
Campbell
Capuano
Carney
Clarke
Davis (AL)
Deal (GA)
Delahunt
Dreier
Filner
Gallegly
Gerlach
Gutierrez
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kirk
Latham
LaTourette
Markey (MA)
McCarthy (NY)
Murtha
Polis (CO)
Rodriguez
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Loretta
Sestak
Shimkus
Simpson
Tanner
Taylor
Young (AK)

{time} 1902

Mrs. CAPITO, Messrs. CRENSHAW, TERRY, SCHOCK and HALL of Texas
changed their vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
So (two-thirds not being in the affirmative) the motion was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated for:
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall 687, I was unable to vote, as
I was away from the Capitol in my capacity as Chairman of the House
Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted
``yea.''

____________________

MOMENT OF SILENCE IN REMEMBRANCE OF MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES AND THEIR
FAMILIES

The SPEAKER. The Chair would ask all present to rise for the purpose
of a moment of silence.
The Chair asks that the House now observe a moment of silence in
remembrance of our brave men and women in uniform who have given their
lives in the service of our Nation in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their
families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.

____________________

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER

The SPEAKER. Without objection, 5-minute voting will continue.
There was no objection.

____________________

HALE SCOUTS ACT

The SPEAKER. The unfinished business is the vote on the motion to
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 310, on which the yeas and
nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Dahlkemper). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 310.
This will be a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 388,
nays 0, answered ``present'' 7, not voting 38, as follows:

[Roll No. 688]

YEAS--388

Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Adler (NJ)
Akin
Alexander
Altmire
Andrews
Arcuri
Austria
Baca
Bachmann
Bachus
Baird
Barrow
Bartlett
Barton (TX)
Bean
Becerra
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boccieri
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boustany
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Bright
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Butterfield
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Cantor
Cao
Capito
Capps
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson (IN)
Carter
Cassidy
Castle
Castor (FL)
Chaffetz
Chandler
Childers
Chu
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Coffman (CO)
Cohen
Cole
Conaway
Connolly (VA)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Dahlkemper
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis (TN)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Donnelly (IN)
Doyle
Driehaus
Duncan
Edwards (MD)
Edwards (TX)
Ehlers
Ellison
Ellsworth
Emerson
Engel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Fallin
Farr
Fattah
Flake
Fleming
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Garrett (NJ)
Giffords
Gingrey (GA)
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Goodlatte
Gordon (TN)
Granger
Graves
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grijalva
Guthrie
Hall (NY)
Hall (TX)
Halvorson
Hare
Harman
Harper
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Heinrich
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Himes
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hodes
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hoyer
Hunter
Inglis
Inslee
Israel
Issa
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jenkins
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan (OH)
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kilroy
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirkpatrick (AZ)
Kissell
Klein (FL)
Kline (MN)
Kosmas
Kratovil
Lamborn
Lance
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
Lee (CA)
Lee (NY)
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan
Lummis
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mack
Maffei
Maloney
Manzullo
Marchant
Markey (CO)
Marshall
Massa
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul
McClintock
McCollum
McCotter
McDermott
McGovern
McHenry
McHugh
McIntyre
McKeon
McMahon
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Mitchell
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy (NY)
Murphy, Patrick
Murphy, Tim
Myrick
Nadler (NY)
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Neugebauer
Nunes
Nye
Oberstar
Obey
Olson
Olver
Ortiz
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor (AZ)
Paul
Paulsen
Payne
Pence
Perlmutter
Perriello
Peters
Peterson
Petri
Pingree (ME)
Pitts
Platts
Poe (TX)
Pomeroy
Posey
Price (GA)
Price (NC)
Putnam
Quigley
Radanovich
Rahall
Rangel
Rehberg
Reichert
Reyes
Richardson
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rooney
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothman (NJ)
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sarbanes
Scalise
Schakowsky
Schauer
Schiff
Schmidt
Schock
Schrader

[[Page 21098]]

Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shuler
Shuster
Sires
Skelton
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Souder
Space
Speier
Spratt
Stearns
Stupak
Sullivan
Sutton
Teague
Terry
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Titus
Tonko
Towns
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden
Walz
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Weiner
Welch
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield
Wilson (OH)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Wu
Yarmuth
Young (FL)

ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--7

Baldwin
Frank (MA)
Kucinich
Miller, George
Stark
Waxman
Woolsey

NOT VOTING--38

Barrett (SC)
Berkley
Boyd
Brady (TX)
Brown, Corrine
Campbell
Capuano
Carney
Clarke
Davis (AL)
Deal (GA)
Delahunt
Dreier
Filner
Gallegly
Gerlach
Gutierrez
Kirk
Latham
LaTourette
Markey (MA)
McCarthy (NY)
Minnick
Murtha
Polis (CO)
Rodriguez
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Rush
Sanchez, Loretta
Sestak
Shimkus
Simpson
Slaughter
Tanner
Taylor
Young (AK)

{time} 1914

Messrs. GEORGE MILLER of California and KUCINICH changed their vote
from ``yea'' to ``present.''
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and
the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Stated for:
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall 688, I was unable to vote, as
I was away from the Capitol in my capacity as Chairman of the House
Veterans' Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted
``yea.''

____________________

LEADVILLE MINE DRAINAGE TUNNEL REMEDIATION ACT OF 2009

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The unfinished business is the vote on the
motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3123, as amended,
on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3123, as amended.
This will be a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 206,
nays 191, not voting 36, as follows:

[Roll No. 689]

YEAS--206

Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Altmire
Arcuri
Austria
Bachmann
Bachus
Barton (TX)
Bean
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boccieri
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boren
Boucher
Boustany
Bright
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Cantor
Cao
Capito
Carnahan
Carter
Cassidy
Castle
Chaffetz
Childers
Coffman (CO)
Cole
Conaway
Crenshaw
Culberson
Dahlkemper
Davis (KY)
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Donnelly (IN)
Ehlers
Emerson
Fallin
Fattah
Fleming
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foster
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Garrett (NJ)
Gingrey (GA)
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Griffith
Guthrie
Hall (NY)
Hall (TX)
Harper
Hastings (WA)
Heinrich
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth Sandlin
Higgins
Hill
Hoekstra
Hunter
Inglis
Issa
Jenkins
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan (OH)
Kaptur
Kilroy
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirkpatrick (AZ)
Kline (MN)
Kratovil
Lamborn
Lance
LaTourette
Latta
Lee (NY)
Lewis (CA)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Manzullo
Marchant
Marshall
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul
McClintock
McCotter
McHenry
McHugh
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Minnick
Mitchell
Moran (KS)
Murphy (NY)
Murphy, Tim
Myrick
Neugebauer
Nunes
Nye
Oberstar
Olson
Paulsen
Pence
Perlmutter
Perriello
Pitts
Platts
Poe (TX)
Posey
Price (GA)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rehberg
Reichert
Richardson
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rooney
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (WI)
Salazar
Scalise
Schmidt
Schock
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shuster
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Snyder
Souder
Space
Spratt
Stearns
Sullivan
Teague
Terry
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Titus
Towns
Turner
Upton
Visclosky
Walden
Wamp
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Young (FL)

NAYS--191

Abercrombie
Ackerman
Adler (NJ)
Andrews
Baca
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Bartlett
Becerra
Berry
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boswell
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Broun (GA)
Butterfield
Capps
Cardoza
Carson (IN)
Castor (FL)
Chandler
Chu
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Cohen
Connolly (VA)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello
Courtney
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (TN)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle
Driehaus
Duncan
Edwards (MD)
Edwards (TX)
Ellison
Ellsworth
Engel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Flake
Frank (MA)
Fudge
Giffords
Gonzalez
Gordon (TN)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Halvorson
Hare
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Himes
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hirono
Hodes
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hoyer
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson, E. B.
Kagen
Kanjorski
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kissell
Klein (FL)
Kosmas
Kucinich
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lee (CA)
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Loebsack
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lujan
Lynch
Maffei
Maloney
Markey (CO)
Massa
Matheson
Matsui
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McMahon
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy (CT)
Murphy, Patrick
Nadler (NY)
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor (AZ)
Paul
Payne
Peters
Peterson
Petri
Pingree (ME)
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rahall
Rangel
Reyes
Rothman (NJ)
Roybal-Allard
Ryan (OH)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sarbanes
Schakowsky
Schauer
Schiff
Schrader
Schwartz
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Shea-Porter
Sherman
Shuler
Sires
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (WA)
Speier
Stark
Stupak
Sutton
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Tonko
Tsongas
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Walz
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Welch
Wexler
Wilson (OH)
Woolsey
Wu
Yarmuth

NOT VOTING--36

Barrett (SC)
Berkley
Berman
Boyd
Brady (TX)
Brown, Corrine
Campbell
Capuano
Carney
Clarke
Davis (AL)
Deal (GA)
Delahunt
Dreier
Filner
Gallegly
Gerlach
Gutierrez
Kirk
Latham
Markey (MA)
McCarthy (NY)
Murtha
Polis (CO)
Rodriguez
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Rush
Sanchez, Loretta
Sestak
Shimkus
Simpson
Tanner
Taylor
Young (AK)

{time} 1922

Messrs. CARSON of Indiana and LANGEVIN and Ms. McCOLLUM changed their
vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
Messrs. JOHNSON of Illinois and CRENSHAW changed their vote from
``nay'' to ``yea.''
So (two-thirds not being in the affirmative) the motion was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated for:
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall 689, I was unable to vote as I
was away from the Capitol in my capacity as Chairman of the House
Veterans' Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted
``yea.''

____________________

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

Ms. CLARKE. Madam Speaker, today, I experienced unavoidable travel
delays while returning to Washington from my congressional district and
regretfully missed three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would
have voted ``yea'' on all three bills: H.R. 324--Santa Cruz Valley
National Heritage Area Act; H.R. 310--

[[Page 21099]]

HALE Scouts Act; H.R. 3123--Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation
Act of 2009.

____________________

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from this
Chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on
rollcall votes 687, 688 and 689.

____________________

RYAN WHITE REAUTHORIZATION

(Mr. QUIGLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, welcome back. I rise today to urge my
colleagues to act swiftly to reauthorize the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Act
before it sunsets at the end of this month.
Nineteen years ago, Ryan White, a young man who contracted HIV from a
routine blood transfusion for his hemophilia, died from AIDS. Out of
Ryan's death came life in the form of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment
Modernization Act, which now provides care to 500,000 victims of AIDS
and their families each year. The Ryan White Act is considered the
``payer of last resort,'' providing assistance to those who would
otherwise go without care.
Reauthorizing the Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act is
imperative, and so is passing health care reform. While Ryan White is
gone, we owe it to work together to swiftly pass the Ryan White Act and
health care reform.

____________________

HISTORIC TURNOUTS FOR TOWNHALLS

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, during August, people
all across America stood up to have their voices heard on the issue of
health care.
In South Carolina, I was grateful to host four townhalls with the
largest turnout in the history of our State. We had 1,700 people at
Keenan High School in Columbia, 1,500 people at Lexington High School,
1,500 people at Beaufort High School, and 1,200 people at Hilton Head
High School. The discussions were lively, but respectful, with over 95
percent of constituents opposed to the government takeover of the
health care system. They want to see health insurance reform.
Every quarter during my 25-year service in the State Senate and
Congress I have hosted townhalls, but this August the turnout was
absolutely historic. It is important to share with the American people
that there is another choice for reform. Republicans offered positive
reforms, including the Empowering Patients First Act, H.R. 3400. This
will fix what is failing in our health care system while protecting the
doctor-patient relationship. We want to expand affordability and
accessibility without adding billions to our Nation's debt and
eliminating 1.6 million jobs, as cited by the NFIB.
In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget
September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

____________________

9/11 HEALTH AND COMPENSATION ACT

(Mr. BISHOP of New York asked and was given permission to address the
House for 1 minute.)
Mr. BISHOP of New York. This Friday, we remember the Americans whose
lives were taken 8 years ago as well as those sickened by the ensuing
rescue and recovery efforts.
In the wake of that horrific crime, America's first responders did
not back down or turn away. However, we as a Nation have not honored
them with the same care and commitment and have yet to repay their
sacrifices.
I wish to call to the attention of my colleagues and the entire
Nation the services of firefighter and 9/11 first responder, John
McNamara. A 10-year veteran of the New York Fire Department, John was a
first responder who assisted the rescue efforts following September 11
and answered the call again for the citizens of Louisiana during the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
For years John fought for the passage of legislation to help his
fellow sick first responders even as he himself was dying from colon
cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2006. John was 44 when he passed
away earlier this year, leaving behind his wife, Jennifer, and 2-year-
old son, Jack.
Like John McNamara, many of the brave first responders who served at
Ground Zero are struggling with debilitating diseases as a result of
their courageous efforts. Too many people have moved on from 9/11, but
the first responders and their families whose health is suffering
cannot move on, and neither should we until we have kept our promise.
We must pass the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act this year and take
care of these heroes.
In the words of one of John McNamara's fellow first responders,
``Until his last day, John made us promise that we would carry on what
he started. John's work is not done, and neither is ours.''

____________________

HONORING OFFICER CRITTENDEN

(Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great Minnesotan
who lost his life in the line of duty yesterday, Officer Richard
Crittenden.
A 9-year veteran of the North St. Paul Police Department, Officer
Crittenden dedicated his life to protecting others. Part of his life of
service included being a 4-year deputy with the Wabasha County
Sheriff's Department, and before that an enforcement officer for the
Hennepin County Parks Department. And if that wasn't enough, he also
served our Nation as a member of the U.S. Army. Unfortunately, when
Officer Crittenden responded to a domestic disturbance call, things
went tragically awry and we lost one of Minnesota's finest.
This husband, father and grandfather chose a life of service,
protecting and defending his friends, neighbors, and the public. His
life and work demonstrate a public service of the highest caliber. With
this loss, I offer my prayers and deepest sympathies to the family and
friends of Officer Crittenden, and I urge all Americans to take the
time to thank those who put their lives in danger every day in order to
protect us.

____________________

{time} 1930
ADDRESSING HEALTH CARE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES

(Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the 85 Members of the
House who signed onto H.R. 676, the bill which John Conyers and I
authored, which establishes Medicare for all. It's very clear that
there is only one way that you can control costs and can make it
possible for people to have the doctor of choice. That legislation,
H.R. 676, accomplishes that.
I would like to suggest that the underlying angst that we have seen
reflected across this country in the last couple of months at townhall
meetings and in individual confrontations is not simply about health
care, and we ignore at our peril the underlying economic issues that
are confronting this country. The fact that there are 15 million
Americans out of work, the fact that so many people have lost their
investments, that so many people have lost their pensions is what is
moving the American people to revolt against their own government.
So we need to look at this in a broader way, not only to address the
health care issue but also to address the underlying economic
questions.

____________________

QUIT TALKING--START LISTENING

(Mr. GOHMERT asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, the President of the United States was
addressing a group yesterday, and he came after, once again, the
critics of his health care proposal. We got the health care bill that
was filed in the

[[Page 21100]]

House, and that's what we've been working from. He has said that, if
you like your policy, you can keep it. Obviously, he hasn't read the
policy. I would recommend he read page 16, and he'll find out that what
he's saying is not true.
He went on and is quoted in talking about his critics as saying,
``You've heard all the lies. I've got a question for all those folks:
What are you going to do? What's your answer? What's your solution? And
you know what? They don't have one.''
Madam Speaker, I would like to encourage the President to quit
talking so much and listen. There are lots of proposals out there. Read
Human Events today. You'll see there are plenty of proposals. Quit
talking. Start listening.

____________________

HEALTH CARE REFORM WITH A PUBLIC OPTION

(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is a delight to be back
with my colleagues, but more importantly, it was enriching to be with
my constituents at some 10 townhall meetings and at any number of
personal appearances before organizations to talk about changing
America's health care system for the better of all Americans. After 60
years, we now have an opportunity to address the question of the
uninsured and to make sure that those who have insurance can keep it.
I have read page 16. What it says is that your private insurance is
grandfathered in and that, if your insurance in 5 years does not meet
basic standards, we'll require your insurers to do so. There is nothing
on page 16 that says anything about eliminating your insurance, but it
does reform the insurance industry of America--no preexisting disease;
preventative care. We can pay for it. The Congressional Budget Office
said so.
So today, Madam Speaker, I am here gladly to stand with the President
and to join him in the question: What will you do? It's time to move on
health care reform with a vigorous public option.

____________________

RESPECTING THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

(Mr. CAO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. CAO. Madam Speaker, the Office of the President of the United
States is higher than the individual who occupies the seat. It is a
symbol of freedom, respect and of the enduring values of our Republic.
Like every American, the President has the right to speak freely. In
fact, it is his duty to address the American people. So, as I watched
the events this past weekend, which suggested that his words would be
subversive, controversial or otherwise inappropriate, I was very
disappointed. Every American President has had the opportunity to speak
to schoolchildren. President Obama is no exception.
The President's address to students this morning promoted students
setting high standards, supporting our teachers and principals and
reforming our schools. He encouraged students to take advantage of
educational opportunities for successful careers and the opportunities
to achieve the American Dream.
I ask that we, as Americans, learn to make the distinction between
our disagreements with the man in the Oval Office and our history of
respecting the office, itself.

____________________

THE PRESIDENT FOR ALL AMERICANS AND HEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL

(Mr. ENGEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague who
just spoke before me because I think he hit the nail right on the head.
President Obama spoke to schoolchildren today. I listened to it. It
was very moving. It was very good to see the President of the United
States talk directly to America's youth, and it was disgraceful to see,
during the past week, parents, some teachers and some schools saying
that they weren't going to allow their children to listen to the
President of the United States. What a sad day it is when people can
talk that way.
The President of the United States is to be respected by all. He is
all of our President, not just the President for the people who voted
for him. I voted for him, and I'm proud that I did, but he is
everybody's President; he is every Americans' President.
I believe that tomorrow, as he did today with schoolchildren, the
President will make a very, very good speech on health care--
highlighting health care, why we need health care reform, why it's
important to have it. There are 40 million Americans who have no health
insurance coverage whatsoever--47 million--and it will soon be 60 and
70 million. That's why we need health coverage, and I welcome the
President's speech tomorrow.

____________________

SPECIAL ORDERS

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 2009, and under a previous order of the House, the following
Members will be recognized for 5 minutes each.

____________________

REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF SVEND AUKEN

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise to mark the death of a good friend
and of a good friend of America--Svend Auken--who died last month after
a long struggle with cancer.
Svend was the first Vice President of the Danish Parliament, the
Folketing, and he was a political legend in his country. I had the
opportunity to meet and work closely with Svend on many occasions, most
recently when he was one of my gracious hosts on a trip to Denmark this
May.
Each time, I was impressed by the vitality, the sense of humor and
the idealism of this man who devoted his life to public service from
the day he entered politics at the age of 28, right up to his death a
few weeks ago. Svend was a kind, wise and insightful friend, and I will
miss him.
Today, I rise to offer my condolences to his wife, Anne, to his
children and to other friends and family whom he left behind. I also,
of course, rise to pay him tribute.
Svend's country is home to a proud political tradition. It stretches
from the solidarity Danes showed when they protected their Jewish
fellow citizens from the onslaught of the Holocaust to the foresight
Denmark proved by becoming entirely energy independent.
Svend Auken was a real humanitarian and a visionary political thinker
who was worthy of his proud heritage. As leader of the Social Democrats
and as a long-serving minister for the environment and energy, Svend
left a powerful mark on his country and on Europe, and he became an
inspiration to leaders around the world who are struggling to confront
common threats such as global warming.
As a leading Danish paper wrote, ``The country's landscape, specked
with the thousands of windmills that have become a symbol of Denmark,
can be traced back to Auken's efforts.'' Svend deserves credit for his
country's secure retirement system as well.
Svend's friendship wasn't just meaningful to me on a personal level;
the relationships and respect he cultivated on both sides of our
political aisle helped to cement the powerful friendship between
America and its key NATO ally, Denmark.
As a Danish-American myself and as a Member of Congress, I have been
proud to support and nurture this key alliance. I chair the
Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus, along with my friend Howard
Coble, and I meet frequently with visiting Danish leaders, whose
inquisitive and analytical

[[Page 21101]]

approach in meetings is always very notable.
Though Svend is gone, I know that the progress he made for his
country and the friendship he helped sustain with ours will be among
his lasting legacies. I also know that he lived a full, committed and
creative life.
As Svend said when he announced his decision to continue serving
despite his cancer, ``The amount of time you have left to live, be it
short or long, is life, itself, and you shouldn't squander it.'' Svend
did not squander his life. I believe that Svend died secure in the
knowledge that he made everything he could of the time he was given,
and there is no better end than that.
I pay respect to a friend, a colleague, a great Danish leader, a
great European leader, a great international citizen--Svend Auken.

____________________

U.S. PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, on June 25, 2009, I joined Congressman Jim
McGovern in offering an amendment to the National Defense Authorization
Act. The amendment would have required the Secretary of Defense to
submit a report to Congress which outlines an exit strategy for our
Armed Forces in Afghanistan.
During the floor debate that day, I, along with other Members, talked
about the history of Afghanistan and about the difficulties that other
nations have had there--from Alexander the Great to England and Russia.
As just one measure of the hazardous conditions facing our troops in
Afghanistan, 99 American servicemembers have been killed in Afghanistan
since June 25, 2009--the day we debated the amendment.
While I regret that the amendment was not approved, I still believe
it is critical for the current administration to clearly articulate
benchmarks for success and an end point to its war strategy in
Afghanistan.
Last week, on September 1, 2009, conservative columnist George Will
wrote an op-ed, titled ``Time to Get Out of Afghanistan.'' In it, he
shares his insights on our Nation's current strategy in Afghanistan.
I submit the full text of this op-ed for the Record.

[From the Washington Post, Sept. 1, 2009]

Time to Get Out of Afghanistan

(By George F. Will)

``Yesterday,'' reads the e-mail from Allen, a Marine in
Afghanistan, ``I gave blood because a Marine, while out on
patrol, stepped on a [mine's] pressure plate and lost both
legs.'' Then ``another Marine with a bullet wound to the head
was brought in. Both Marines died this morning.''
``I'm sorry about the drama,'' writes Allen, an
enthusiastic infantryman willing to die ``so that each of you
may grow old.'' He says: ``I put everything in God's hands.''
And: ``Semper Fi!''
Allen and others of America's finest are also in
Washington's hands. This city should keep faith with them by
rapidly reversing the trajectory of America's involvement in
Afghanistan, where, says the Dutch commander of coalition
forces in a southern province, walking through the region is
``like walking through the Old Testament.''
U.S. strategy--protecting the population--is increasingly
troop-intensive while Americans are increasingly impatient
about ``deteriorating'' (says Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff) conditions. The war already is
nearly 50 percent longer than the combined U.S. involvements
in two world wars, and NATO assistance is reluctant and often
risible.
The U.S. strategy is ``clear, hold and build.'' Clear?
Taliban forces can evaporate and then return, confident that
U.S. forces will forever be too few to hold gains. Hence
nation-building would be impossible even if we knew how, and
even if Afghanistan were not the second-worst place to try:
The Brookings Institution ranks Somalia as the only nation
with a weaker state.
Military historian Max Hastings says Kabul controls only
about a third of the country--``control'' is an elastic
concept--and `` `our' Afghans may prove no more viable than
were `our' Vietnamese, the Saigon regime.'' Just 4,000
Marines are contesting control of Helmand province, which is
the size of West Virginia. The New York Times reports a
Helmand official saying he has only ``police officers who
steal and a small group of Afghan soldiers who say they are
here for `vacation.' '' Afghanistan's $23 billion gross
domestic product is the size of Boise's. Counterinsurgency
doctrine teaches, not very helpfully, that development
depends on security, and that security depends on
development. Three-quarters of Afghanistan's poppy production
for opium comes from Helmand. In what should be called
Operation Sisyphus, U.S. officials are urging farmers to grow
other crops. Endive, perhaps?
Even though violence exploded across Iraq after, and partly
because of, three elections, Afghanistan's recent elections
were called ``crucial.'' To what? They came, they went, they
altered no fundamentals, all of which militate against
American ``success,'' whatever that might mean. Creation of
an effective central government? Afghanistan has never had
one. U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry hopes for a ``renewal of
trust'' of the Afghan people in the government, but the
Economist describes President Hamid Karzai's government--his
vice presidential running mate is a drug trafficker--as so
``inept, corrupt and predatory'' that people sometimes yearn
for restoration of the warlords, ``who were less venal and
less brutal than Mr. Karzai's lot.''
Mullen speaks of combating Afghanistan's ``culture of
poverty.'' But that took decades in just a few square miles
of the South Bronx. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the U.S.
commander in Afghanistan, thinks jobs programs and local
government services might entice many ``accidental
guerrillas'' to leave the Taliban. But before launching New
Deal 2.0 in Afghanistan, the Obama administration should ask
itself: If U.S. forces are there to prevent reestablishment
of al-Qaeda bases--evidently there are none now--must there
be nation-building invasions of Somalia, Yemen and other
sovereignty vacuums?
U.S. forces are being increased by 21,000, to 68,000,
bringing the coalition total to 110,000. About 9,000 are from
Britain, where support for the war is waning.
Counterinsurgency theory concerning the time and the ratio of
forces required to protect the population indicates that,
nationwide, Afghanistan would need hundreds of thousands of
coalition troops, perhaps for a decade or more. That is
inconceivable.
So, instead, forces should be substantially reduced to
serve a comprehensively revised policy: America should do
only what can be done from offshore, using intelligence,
drones, cruise missiles, airstrikes and small, potent Special
Forces units, concentrating on the porous 1,500-mile border
with Pakistan, a nation that actually matters.
Genius, said de Gaulle, recalling Bismarck's decision to
halt German forces short of Paris in 1870, sometimes consists
of knowing when to stop. Genius is not required to recognize
that in Afghanistan, when means now, before more American
valor, such as Allen's, is squandered.

{time} 1945

I would like to highlight just a couple of Will's key points. He
wrote, ``The war already is nearly 50 percent longer than the combined
U.S. involvement in two world wars, and NATO assistance is reluctant.
``The U.S. strategy is `clear, hold and build.' Clear? Taliban forces
can evaporate and then return, confident that U.S. forces will forever
be too few to hold gains. Hence nation-building would be impossible
even if we knew how, and even if Afghanistan were not the second-worst
place to try.''
Will further states, ``Counterinsurgency theory concerning the time
and the ratio of forces required to protect the population indicates
that, nationwide, Afghanistan would need hundreds of thousands of
coalition troops, perhaps for a decade or more. That is
inconceivable.''
Madam Speaker, on this same morning this op-ed was published, the
retired Marine general Chuck Krulak, the 31st commandant of the Marine
Corps, responded by writing an e-mail to Will.
Madam Speaker, I submit the full text of the e-mail for the Record.

September 1, 2009.
Subject: Afghanistan
Sir, I would imagine that your article, ``Time to Get Out
of Afghanistan'' will result in some ``incoming'' on your
Command Post. First and foremost, let me say that I am in
total agreement with your assessment. Simply put, no desired
end state has ever been clearly articulated and no strategy
formulated that would lead us to achieve even an ill defined
end state.
A few points:
1. The strategy of ``clear, hold and build'' would lead one
to believe that the US and its Allies are capable of
coordinating the elements of national power needed to affect
such a strategy. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Just getting DOS and DOD on the same page is difficult enough
. . . getting NGO's and nation building expertise into the
fight is simply a non-starter in a country as dysfunctional
as Afghanistan.
2. Your point about troop strength required to ``protect''
the population and carry out effective counterinsurgency
operations is spot

[[Page 21102]]

on. Instead of a surge of 21,000 troops, McChrystal would
need a surge of hundreds of thousands. Not only would our
Nation not support such a surge but, MOST distressing, the
Military could not support such a surge. Not only are our
troops being run ragged but, equally important and totally
off most people's radar screens, our equipment is being run
ragged. At some point in time, the bill for that equipment
will come due and it will be a very large bill.
3. Typical of the 21st Century fight, we are fighting ideas
as well as warriors. You cannot defeat ideas with bullets . .
. you must defeat them with better ideas. For many reasons
such as the dysfunction found in the Karzai government, the
tribal nature of the country, the abject poverty of the
average citizen, the inextricable link to Pakistan, we have
been unable to come up with better ideas. We are
systematically destroying the poppy fields . . . the
country's major source of revenue. At the same time, we are
trying to encourage other agricultural efforts. This is one
of our ``better ideas''?? Sad as it is to say, we would do
better to buy the poppy crop ourselves . . . ridding the
world of a source of drugs and maintaining the Afghan
economy.
4. What in Afghanistan is deemed in our Nation's vital
interest? Seriously? Who is the enemy? Seriously? Is the
enemy of the United States the Taliban? Is the enemy al
Queda? We need to determine the answer to those questions
immediately. One would think we would have answered them
already but none of our actions to date would indicate that
we have.
Finally, your recommendation is sound. I would put
``hunter-killer teams'' along the borders and in suspected al
Queda strongholds. I would support them with intelligence,
logistics thru the use of parasail's, responsive airpower
(need to be close), armed and unarmed (fitted with cameras,
infrared, etc) drones, ``reach back'' capability for cruise
missiles, and other capability as needed. The H-K Teams
should be given minimal rules of engagement . . . when they
identify the bad guys, they need to be empowered to take them
out.
Again, don't be dismayed by the people who disagree with
you. There are many retired and active duty military who feel
you hit the bull's eye.
Semper Fidelis,

Chuck Krulak,

General, USMC (Ret),
31st Commandant of the Marine Corps.

In the e-mail General Krulak expressed his ``total agreement'' with
Will's assessment and concluded, ``There are many retired and active-
duty military who feel you hit the bull's eye.''
The general also wrote, ``Simply put, no desired end state has ever
been as clearly articulated and no strategy formulated that would lead
us to achieve even an ill-defined end state. Instead of a surge of
21,000 troops, McChrystal would need a surge of hundreds of thousands.
The military could not support such a surge. You cannot defeat ideas
with bullets. You must defeat them with better ideas.''
Madam Speaker, President Obama is in the midst of reviewing a report
by the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal. It is
expected that this review will determine whether or not the President
decides to alter the number of U.S. troops to Afghanistan.
The men and women of our military who have served in Iraq and
Afghanistan have done a magnificent job. Many have been deployed four
and five times. Their desire to serve is greater than ever, but the
stress placed on our all-volunteer forces and their families cannot
continue forever. That's why it is so important for the current
administration to articulate an end point to its war strategy rather
than simply ordering another surge of troops.
With that, Madam Speaker, I close by asking God to please bless our
men and women in uniform. I ask God to please bless the families who
have given a child dying for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq.
And I close by asking God, please, God, please, God, please continue
to bless America.

____________________

U.S. POLICY IN AFGHANISTAN

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my strong concern over
U.S. policy in Afghanistan. I worry that we are getting sucked deeper
and deeper into a war with no end. Our mission continues to grow and
grow, with no clear sense of where we are ultimately going. It has been
8 long years. We have lost too many brave men and women, and we have
spent billions and billions of dollars.
The Government of Afghanistan, led by President Hamid Karzai, is
incompetent and corrupt. The Afghan president has formed alliances with
warlords and drug-lords who have no interest in a better Afghanistan.
His military is not reliable and his police are a mess. By all
accounts, forces close to Mr. Karzai stuffed ballot boxes in the most
recent elections.
Madam Speaker, if this fraud had occurred in virtually every other
country in the world, the condemnations from Congress and the
administration would be loud and forceful.
After all the sacrifices our troops have made, after all the
financial and development assistance, after all the training and
military aid, is this the best that we can expect? Don't we deserve
better? Don't the Afghan people deserve better?
At a very minimum, we must insist that any aid be contingent on a
responsible Afghan government. Without that, then all our investments
and good intentions could achieve very little that is sustainable.
The United States has an incredible and magnificent team assembled in
Afghanistan. I had the pleasure of meeting many of them during a brief
visit to the country over the recess. Both the military and State
Department personnel are impressive. I only wish they were in place 8
years ago.
But even a brilliant team can't make up for the inadequacies of the
current Afghan government. Our troops are exceptional. I had the
privilege of eating dinner with many of them from Massachusetts. I am
in awe of their courage and commitment and their patriotism. We owe
them a policy that is worthy of their sacrifice. Everyone, Madam
Speaker, from the President on down, agrees that a political solution
is the only path for a successful, stable Afghanistan.
During consideration of the Department of Defense authorization bill
a few months ago, I, along with my colleague, Walter Jones, offered an
amendment that would have simply required the Secretary of Defense to
report to Congress by the end of the year what our exit strategy for
Afghanistan was. We are not asking for a date certain, we are not
advocating an immediate withdrawal, but we wanted an answer to this
fundamental question: At what point has our military contribution to
the political solution in Afghanistan come to an end so that we can
bring our troops home?
I don't believe that the United States should enter into a war
without a clearly defined mission, and that means a mission with a
beginning, a middle, a transition period and an end. Without that
definition and clarity, we will continue to drift from year to year,
from administration to administration. Madam Speaker, we need an exit
strategy for Afghanistan.
I believe that sending thousands more American troops into
Afghanistan, as some in the administration appear to be urging, is a
mistake. An escalation of U.S. military forces would further create the
impression of an occupation and, in turn, provide a powerful rallying
point for those we are trying to defeat.
In last Sunday's New York Times, Nicholas Kristoff cites a statement
by many former U.S. intelligence officials warning that the more troops
we put in, the greater the opposition.
Madam Speaker, I am not suggesting that we walk away from
Afghanistan. We, along with the international community, should help
with development aid, investments in education, school feeding,
training of their police and military and help with strengthening their
civilian institutions.
I also understand the threat from al Qaeda. I still strongly believe
that we should hold those responsible for September 11, the attacks of
September 11, accountable; and we should be committed to defeating
them. I voted for the authorization to use military force after the
terrorist attacks.
But, Madam Speaker, al Qaeda is more of a problem in Pakistan than in
Afghanistan. And for those who justify

[[Page 21103]]

our expanded military presence in Afghanistan as a way to prevent al
Qaeda from ever coming back and establishing a safe haven, I would ask,
are we going to send more troops to Somalia and Sudan and other
countries that have provided safe havens for al Qaeda in the past?
Madam Speaker, there are no easy answers in Afghanistan. It is a
complicated place, from its people to its geography. I don't pretend to
have all the answers.
But I do feel deeply that an escalation of American military forces
there would be a mistake and would not solve the many problems and
challenges of that country. I fear it would only further complicate
matters at a very high cost to our troops and our country.

[From the New York Times, Sept. 6, 2009]

The Afghanistan Abyss

(By Nicholas D. Kristof)

President Obama has already dispatched an additional 21,000
American troops to Afghanistan and soon will decide whether
to send thousands more. That would be a fateful decision for
his presidency, and a group of former intelligence officials
and other experts is now reluctantly going public to warn
that more troops would be a historic mistake.
The group's concern--dead right, in my view--is that
sending more American troops into ethnic Pashtun areas in the
Afghan south may only galvanize local people to back the
Taliban in repelling the infidels.
``Our policy makers do not understand that the very
presence of our forces in the Pashtun areas is the problem,''
the group said in a statement to me. ``The more troops we put
in, the greater the opposition. We do not mitigate the
opposition by increasing troop levels, but rather we increase
the opposition and prove to the Pashtuns that the Taliban are
correct.
``The basic ignorance by our leadership is going to cause
the deaths of many fine American troops with no positive
outcome,'' the statement said.
The group includes Howard Hart, a former Central
Intelligence Agency station chief in Pakistan; David Miller,
a former ambassador and National Security Council official;
William J. Olson, a counterinsurgency scholar at the National
Defense University; and another C.I.A. veteran who does not
want his name published but who spent 12 years in the region,
was station chief in Kabul at the time the Soviets invaded
Afghanistan in 1979, and later headed the C.I.A.'s
Counterterrorism Center.
``We share a concern that the country is driving over a
cliff,'' Mr. Miller said.
Mr. Hart, who helped organize the anti-Soviet insurgency in
the 1980s, cautions that Americans just don't understand the
toughness, determination and fighting skills of the Pashtun
tribes. He adds that if the U.S. escalates the war, the
result will be radicalization of Pashtuns in Pakistan and
further instability there--possibly even the collapse of
Pakistan.
These experts are not people who crave publicity; I had to
persuade them to go public with their concerns. And their
views are widely shared among others who also know
Afghanistan well.
``We've bitten off more than we can chew; we're setting
ourselves up for failure,'' said Rory Stewart, a former
British diplomat who teaches at Harvard when he is not
running a large aid program in Afghanistan. Mr. Stewart
describes the American military strategy in Afghanistan as
``nonsense.''
I'm writing about these concerns because I share them. I'm
also troubled because officials in Washington seem to make
decisions based on a simplistic caricature of the Taliban
that doesn't match what I've found in my reporting trips to
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Among the Pashtuns, the population is not neatly divisible
into ``Taliban'' or ``non-Taliban.'' Rather, the Pashtuns are
torn by complex aspirations and fears.
Many Pashtuns I've interviewed are appalled by the
Taliban's periodic brutality and think they are too extreme;
they think they're a little nuts. But these Pashtuns also
admire the Taliban's personal honesty and religious piety, a
contrast to the corruption of so many officials around
President Hamid Karzai.
Some Taliban are hard-core ideologues, but many join the
fight because friends or elders suggest it, because they are
avenging the deaths of relatives in previous fighting,
because it's a way to earn money, or because they want to
expel the infidels from their land--particularly because the
foreigners haven't brought the roads, bridges and irrigation
projects that had been anticipated.
Frankly, if a bunch of foreign Muslim troops in turbans
showed up in my hometown in rural Oregon, searching our homes
without bringing any obvious benefit, then we might all take
to the hills with our deer rifles as well.
In fairness, the American military has hugely improved its
sensitivity, and some commanders in the field have been
superb in building trust with Afghans. That works. But all
commanders can't be superb, and over all, our increased
presence makes Pashtuns more likely to see us as alien
occupiers.
That may be why the troop increase this year hasn't calmed
things. Instead, 2009 is already the bloodiest year for
American troops in Afghanistan--with four months left to go.
The solution is neither to pull out of Afghanistan nor to
double down. Rather, we need to continue our presence with a
lighter military footprint, limited to training the Afghan
forces and helping them hold major cities, and ensuring that
Al Qaeda does not regroup. We must also invest more in
education and agriculture development, for that is a way over
time to peel Pashtuns away from the Taliban.
This would be a muddled, imperfect strategy with
frustratingly modest goals, but it would be sustainable
politically and militarily. And it does not require heavy
investments of American and Afghan blood.

____________________

VAN JONES' RADICAL PAST

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, one of the important functions
of a President is to make sure that the people he puts into important
positions have no real background problems that will cause the
administration to founder. This administration, this President, has
appointed a whole bunch of czars and special assistants to the
President, and they really haven't been vetted. They haven't been
checked out thoroughly.
One of those is a gentleman who was appointed a special environmental
adviser to the President. And, Mr. Jones, who we have all heard about
in the last few days, has been found to be an admitted radical
communist and leader. Now, that does not reflect well on the
administration, and it does not reflect well on the entire Government
of the United States because we are not supportive of the communist
philosophy.
Now, Mr. Jones said that he was slandered when he resigned, and that
was the reason he resigned. So tonight I would like to put some things
in the Record that show exactly why he should not have been appointed
in the first place. And I think it's important that my colleagues
understand that these czars and these people that are being appointed
really need to be properly vetted. And we certainly don't want people
that have a radical agenda being put in positions of leadership.
Jones was a founder and leader of the communist revolutionary
organization called Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary
Movement, or STORM. That organization had its roots in a grouping of
black people organizing to protest the first Gulf War. STORM was
formally founded in 1994, becoming one of the most influential and
active radical groups in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The leftist blog Machete 48 identifies STORM's influences as ``third-
world Marxism (an often vulgar Maoism).''
Speaking to the East Bay Express, Jones said he first became
radicalized in the wake of the 1992 Rodney King riots, during which
time he was arrested. He said, ``I was a rowdy nationalist on April 28,
and then the verdicts came down on April 29. By August, I was a
communist.
``I met all of these young radical people of color--I mean really
radical: communists and anarchists. And it was, like, `This is what I
need to be a part of.' I spent the next 10 years of my life working
with a lot of those people I met in jail, trying to be a
revolutionary.''
Trevor Loudon, a communist researcher and administrator of the New
Zeal Blog, identified several Bay Area communists who worked with
STORM, including Elizabeth Martinez, who helped advise Jones' Ella
Baker Human Rights Center, which Jones founded to advocate civil
justice. Jones and Martinez also attended a ``Challenging White
Supremacy'' workshop together challenging white supremacy.
Martinez was a long-time Maoist who went on to join the Communist
Party USA breakaway organization Committees of Correspondence for
Democracy and Socialism, the CCDS, in the early 1990s. According to
Loudon, Martinez still serves on the CCDS council and is

[[Page 21104]]

also a board member of the Movement for a Democratic Society, where she
sits alongside former Weathermen radicals Bill Ayers and Bernadine
Dorhn.
One of STORM's newsletters featured a tribute to Amilcar Cabral, the
late Marxist revolutionary leader of Guinea-Bissau and the Cape Verde
Islands. The tribute is noteworthy because Jones reportedly named his
son after Cabral and repeatedly concludes every e-mail with a quote
from the communist leader.
Jones then, of course, moved on to environmentalism, and that's the
position that he took with the administration. But there is no question
he is a radical and a member of the Communist Party and has been for a
long time and supported their goals and approaches to government.
So I just would like to say, if I were talking to the President
tonight, Mr. President, please be careful who you are appointing to
these positions of leadership. It's important for the country; it's
important for your administration and the image of the United States
throughout the world as a beacon of freedom, justice and democracy.

____________________

MOST AMERICANS SAY WAR IN AFGHANISTAN IS NOT WORTH FIGHTING

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my deep concern about
the recent developments in Afghanistan. Sadly, 51 American troops were
killed in August, making it the deadliest month for the United States
since the conflict began 8 years ago.
August also was the deadliest month of the war for the combined
coalition force. Many innocent civilians were tragically killed in the
air strikes during the month of August, and there is growing evidence
that the recent elections may have been marred by fraud.
Madam Speaker, for over 8 years we have relied almost exclusively on
the military to stop violent extremism in Afghanistan. But these recent
events show that this strategy isn't giving us a victory on the ground
or political solutions to the problem. The American people are
beginning to recognize that relying on the military option alone isn't
the best way to go.
The latest Washington Post-ABC poll shows that 45 percent of the
American people want to reduce our forces in Afghanistan, while only 24
percent want to increase our forces. This latest poll from the
McClatchy Newspapers came up with similar results.

{time} 2000

It is clearly time, Madam Speaker, to develop a new strategy and a
new mission for America in Afghanistan. We must begin to use all of the
tools of ``smart power.''
Smart power means improving police and intelligence work in the
communities where extremists hide. Well-trained Afghan policemen, who
are familiar with local people, with customs and conditions, can often
do the best job of hunting down extremists. Smart power also includes
regional diplomatic efforts, education, better governance, and a
civilian surge of experts and workers to support economic development
in Afghanistan. These are the things that will give the Afghan people
real hope for their future and eliminate the root causes of violent
extremism.
As National Security Advisor James L. Jones has said, This war will
not be won by the military alone. We tried that for years. The piece of
our strategy that has to work in the next year is economic development.
If that is not done right, there are not enough troops in the world to
succeed.
I know that President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton agree that
improving the lives of the Afghan people is the key to victory. They
have pledged to do everything they can to help rebuild Afghanistan and
show the Afghan people that we offer them a better future than the
Taliban.
Madam Speaker, I and other Members of the House who oppose our
occupation of Iraq watched for years as Congress did nothing to prevent
that disaster. But we still have time to get it right when it comes to
Afghanistan. This time, let's use smart power. It will save lives, save
money, and make our country safer.

____________________

PRESIDENT SHOULD HOST CONGRESSIONAL TOWNHALL

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, Congress will gladly welcome the
President tomorrow night to speak to a joint session of Congress about
health care. All of us here have been asked hundreds of questions by
our constituents over the past month. The President is an innovator in
communications. He tries new ideas and is a trend-setter when it comes
to new ways to be in touch with the American people.
So as the President addresses Congress on his health care ideas
tomorrow night, why doesn't he take some health care questions from
Members of Congress, questions that have been asked by the people we
represent? After all, we call this the People's House, so why not
address questions the American people have?
The questions could be submitted before the President speaks and he
can choose the ones he wants to address. This could be a congressional
townhall hosted by the President.
Here are just some of the questions I have been asked by the people
of Texas.
One: The health care bill seems to cost too much. How are we going to
pay for it? This question brought much concern to the people in my
district. The Congressional Budget Office says that the pending House
bill will cost anywhere from billions to even $1 trillion to just
implement.
Tax increases are in the current plan to pay for this bill, more
spending of what we don't have. I made a pledge to my constituents not
to vote for a bill that will raise taxes, and I haven't. So how do we
pay for this without a force-fed tax increase on the American people?
Two: Why is this bill so confusing? It is written in a way that even
the most reasonable people from even the same political party can
honestly disagree on its meaning. The 1,017-page bill, if it passes,
will then allow the bureaucrats to determine the meaning of the bill.
Also, Texans don't want unelected bureaucrats in this city making their
medical decisions on what services they get and don't get. Can we get a
clearly written bill that everyone can understand?
Three: Why shouldn't Congress, the czars and members of the Cabinet
be required to sign up for the public option? If it is going to be so
good for the American people, shouldn't everyone supporting this plan
be required to be under the public option, like government officials?
Four: People on Medicare are scared and afraid they are not going to
receive any medical treatment. What is in the plan to make sure there
is no rationing of medical care for the elderly?
Five: Why not eliminate the hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud
and waste in our current Medicare system before we tackle anything
else?
Six: All of the amendments offered in committee that would
specifically require proof of citizenship to sign up for this new
government-run health care were defeated. Americans and legal residents
should not be required to pay for the health care of illegals. The bill
is confusing on this issue since it doesn't require proof of
citizenship.
Seven: Small business owners are afraid they will have to lay off
people or shut their doors altogether if they are hit with more new
taxes. What is the plan to protect small business from bearing the
brunt of new taxes for this health care idea?
Madam Speaker, these are seven of the questions I have been asked by
the people I represent, and I would hope the President could address
some them and questions by other Members of Congress.
Madam Speaker, does anyone really believe that big government can do
a better job of running health care? It is a glittering illusion to
think our health care problems can be solved by

[[Page 21105]]

more expensive, big-bureaucratic government. We do need reform, but a
government takeover will only add to the problems we have now. We need
to fix what is broken, not break what already works.
So, Madam Speaker, since our President is an innovator of new
communication ideas, I respectfully submit that a townhall meeting
between the President and Congress might just be the way to cut to the
chase in this health care debate and allow the President time to answer
the questions of the American people.
And that's just the way it is.

____________________

THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS THE ISSUE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, our economy is the issue. Today, the World
Economic Forum released its annual Global Competitiveness Report.
Switzerland has now replaced the United States as the most competitive
economy in the world. The United States fell out of first place due to
its weakened financial markets and macroeconomic instability.
This, Madam Speaker, is another wake-up call for our country, if
anyone is listening. Due to the global economic crisis, precipitated by
irresponsible U.S. financial institutions, nations throughout the world
continue to struggle managing their financial futures.
Let's take note of an important fact: Switzerland maintains a
positive trade balance, not a trade deficit. In 2008, Switzerland
enjoyed a $17 billion trade surplus, a third straight record year. And
yet the nation is also now ranked as the most competitive in the world.
We have almost a trillion-dollar trade deficit.
Now, think about this: Free trade fundamentalists here in the United
States would say that it is not possible, that you can't be competitive
while running an enormous trade surplus. Some of them even try to tell
us that trade deficits are good.
Well, here in the United States, the free trade fundamentalists would
have us believe we have to roll over for the Chinese or anyone else who
wants to dominate our domestic market in order to be competitive. But
facts are facts. Switzerland is both the world's most economically
competitive nation, according to the World Economic Forum, while
enjoying an enormous trade surplus.
Madam Speaker, we have a lot of work to do here in our country and in
this Congress to help our Nation regain its world-leading position in
the competitiveness ranking. We now rank, shockingly, 108th in the
world in the soundness of our banks. Switzerland fell in that category
too, down to 44th, but not as far as the United States.
In regulation of securities exchanges, the United States ranked a
dismal 47th in the world, compared to Switzerland's third-place
ranking.
In property rights, Switzerland was first, and the United States
30th.
In infrastructure, that is, roads, bridges and so forth, Switzerland
was first. The United States, 14th.
In math and science education, Switzerland was fifth and the United
States 48th.
In infant mortality, the United States ranked 36th. Doesn't that
speak to a decent health insurance program in this country?
In life expectancy, we were 30th. In the quality of primary
education, 30th.
Madam Speaker, we have a lot of work to do. Our Nation is losing
ground internationally. Second place overall isn't bad, but we have to
make the necessary investments in our physical and social
infrastructure or we will fall even further.
One the authors of the World Economic Report, Dr. Sala-i-Martin, a
professor of economics at Columbia, put it this way: ``Amid the present
crisis, it is critical that policymakers not lose sight of long-term
competitiveness fundamentals amid short-term urgencies. Competitive
economies are those that have in place the factors driving productivity
enhancements on which their present and future prosperity is built. A
competitiveness-supporting economic environment can help national
economies to weather business cycle downturns and ensure that the
mechanisms enabling solid economic performance going into the future
are in place.''
We have a lot of work to do as a Congress. We need strong reform of
the financial sector to restore strength to our banks, not cosmetic
changes; we need investments in infrastructure and education; and we
need health insurance reform. Our economic competitiveness as a nation
and our ability to create jobs hang in the balance.
Madam Speaker, it is time for Congress to take the reins and stop
this stampede of greed, to provide leadership that will help our Nation
and help our people through these tough times. We want the United
States to be a world leader again in job creation, innovation and
economic competitiveness. We can do it, but not unless the financial
industry is a part of the team, pulling in the same direction, making
our country stronger, not putting us further at risk, and not taking
huge bonuses while 15 million Americans remain unemployed.
Madam Speaker, the economy is the issue. The American people know
that. The President and Congress have our work cut out for us.

____________________

IMPLEMENTING A PROPER U.S. APPROACH TO HONDURAS

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep
concern regarding the most recent strong-arm tactics of the U.S.
Government to coerce the people of Honduras into accepting the return
of former President Manuel Zelaya into power.
Have some U.S. officials forgotten what democracy really is?
Democracy does not belong to nor is defined by one man nor one
government. It cannot survive without respect for the rule of law. Yet
this has been forgotten.
The U.S. and the international community failed the Honduran people
and Honduran democracy as Zelaya violated the constitution and took
unilateral actions to extend his hold on power. Our government said and
did nothing as democracy came under attack in the months leading up to
Zelaya's removal from office. Yet when the Honduran Supreme Court, the
Attorney General, the National Congress and the human rights ombudsman
took the necessary steps in accordance with the constitutional tenets,
then the U.S. and the amorphous international community quickly sprung
into action to defend Zelaya and punish Honduran democratic
institutions and virtually all of Honduran civil society.
With no apparent regard for U.S. security or political or economic
interests, the United States is doing all we can to ensure that Zelaya
is put back in charge. The U.S. has terminated millions of dollars in
U.S. assistance to the people of Honduras. We have stopped critical
counternarcotics cooperation. We have suspended necessary visa
services. Last week, the State Department declared that the
presidential elections to be held in late November in Honduras will not
be recognized unless Zelaya is returned to power.
As the U.S. has been employing its harshest tactics against the
Honduran government and the Honduran people, the U.S. has also at the
same time eased restrictions on the Cuban dictatorship, pushed for
engagement and dialogue with the Cuban, Syrian and Iranian regimes,
while failing to hold Chavez and Correa accountable for the blatant
violations of freedom of expression and other fundamental rights of
their citizens.
The U.S. has crossed a dangerous threshold by announcing, as I
stated, that we will not acknowledge the upcoming Honduran elections
unless the current democratic government of Honduras accepts Zelaya's
return to power. This threat not only deliberately ignores the rule of
law and the checks and balances carefully crafted in the Honduran
constitution to prevent the rise of tyranny, but it also

[[Page 21106]]

seeks to replace them with mandates from outside actors who are
carrying water for Chavez, for Castro, for Zelaya and the like. The
U.S. position undermines the fundamental right of the Honduran people
to elect their own leaders in multiparty, transparent democratic
elections, free from coercion.
How our present course of action serves our interests or supports
Honduran democracy remains an important yet unanswered question. Elliot
Abrams, currently at the Council of Foreign Relations and a former
official with the Reagan Administration, recently wrote it was Zelaya
who wanted to mess around with that election and hold a referendum on
that date, allowing him to be reelected in perpetuity, just as his
mentor Chavez had done in Venezuela, and now that Hondurans want to go
back to regular elections, what does the U.S. do? The United States
won't allow them to do so.
The presidential candidates in Honduras, Madam Speaker, have not
changed since Zelaya was removed from office. The dates of the election
have not changed. The presidential term has not been moved or modified.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is taking steps to ensure that this is
the most transparent election in Honduran history.

{time} 2015

The U.S. should be assisting rather than undermining the preparations
for the upcoming elections to ensure that there is no interference with
the democratic electoral process in Honduras. Mary Anastasia O'Grady of
the Wall Street Journal wrote, ``A lot of Hondurans believe that the
U.S. isn't using its brass knuckles to serve their democratic
aspirations at all, but quite the opposite, the aspirations of a
neighborhood thug. Though some in our country believe that being
popular among Latin America's left-wing dictators is the key to a
successful U.S. policy in our hemisphere, freedom must be and must
remain our driving force.'' Freedom, Madam Speaker. If it is not, the
U.S. would have not only forgotten the meaning of democracy but would
have forgotten what our Nation is, what we stand for and what defines
us. Freedom.

____________________

HONORING ERNIE HARWELL

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, I quote:
``For, lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.''
Every April, we Michiganders heard Ernie Harwell recite these lines
from the Song of Solomon from his broadcast booth; and we welcomed him
and another season of Detroit Tigers baseball back into our homes.
Ernie Harwell is not only a part of our culture; he is a part of our
families.
For 42 summers around radios and sand lots throughout Michigan and
America, Ernie's voice embodied and expressed the grace, skill,
triumphs and travails of the greatest of American games--baseball.
Everyone either tried or knew someone who tried to mimic his legendary
calls of ``long gone,'' ``he stood there like a house by the side of
the road,'' or ``that foul ball was caught by a youngster from''--and
on pins and needles we'd wait to hear from what city the lucky fan
hailed. Of course, down inside we knew no one, including Ernie, knew
where the fan was from, but it didn't matter. We knew where Ernie's
heart was. It was and is with baseball and with us.
But a heart as big as Ernie's is not confined solely to Detroit or to
baseball. Across the country, generations of sports fans grew up
listening to Ernie. He announced games for both NCAA and pro football
teams; for the Masters golf tournament in his native State of Georgia;
for the Major League Baseball All Star Game and World Series; for the
Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and yes, for the
Detroit Tigers, who, in gratitude and admiration, placed Ernie's statue
in the main concourse at Comerica Park.
Yes, Ernie is also a part of the Detroit Tigers' family, as Tiger
Hall of Famer Al Kaline affirmed: ``Ernie is probably the most beloved
person who has ever been in Detroit with the Detroit Tigers. He is
loved by everybody and rightfully so. He's a great broadcaster, but an
even better person.''
Yet while we and the Tigers and sports fans across the Nation embrace
him, no one, of course, loves Ernie more than his wife of 68 years,
Lulu, and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. So
blessed with their love and support, and faithful and thankful to God
for bestowing this bounty upon him, Ernie now courageously faces the
recent diagnosis that he is afflicted with incurable bile duct cancer.
Viewing his condition not as an end, but as a beginning, Ernie says,
``Whatever's in store, I'm ready for a new adventure. That's the way I
look at it.''
Madam Speaker, may we all honor this man, savor his company amongst
us in the time God grants, and greet all of our lives' challenges with
the faith, equanimity and dignity of Ernie Harwell.

____________________

ESCALATION OF THE CZARS DEBATE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. SOUDER. With the embarrassing demise of Mr. Jones, the czars
debate has escalated even beyond where it was when we left for the July
break. Depending on how you count, there are some 30 czars. It's been
said, in many different places actually, that there are more czars in
this administration than the Romanovs who ruled Russia for three
centuries had czars. There's an energy czar, an urban czar, an infotech
czar, a faith-based czar, a TARP czar, a stimulus accountability czar,
a non-proliferation czar, a terrorism czar, a regulatory czar, a
Guantanamo closure czar, a climate czar, a cyberspace czar, many more.
They even had for a while a de facto car czar, Steve Ratner, who wasn't
a czar but ultimately he became the car czar even though initially they
said there wasn't going to be a car czar.
Now, the challenge here is that this appears to be an extra-
constitutional approach. Now, the Constitution says government officers
with significant authority, principal officers of the government, are
to be appointed by the President subject to approval by the Senate.
Now, this has been interpreted, with the expansion of government,
even to go five layers down; that they're expected to have delineated
duties, deputy secretaries, assistant deputy secretaries, directors of
different offices, come up to congressional committees, come up to the
Hill, if not actually to get approved by the Senate, but at least to be
accountable for what they do. We have it in the Government Reform and
Oversight Committee, we call in many of these different people who have
all sorts of delineated duties.
Now, a clear way to avoid the checks and balances of this system is
to put them under the White House rather than having a delineated
position. This gives them potentially a consulting position as though
they were a policy person at the White House, even though they're
moving through the bureaucracy. The motive behind this obviously is
that many things are not just in one department. For example, almost
any of these different categories; obviously faith-based czar, there
are departments in each part of the administration. TARP crossed
multiple things. Terrorism crosses many of the departments. So the
question is, when you have a traditional line structure, what do you do
when you have things kind of stove-piped, and how do you interrelate
with this?
Well, it's one thing to have advisers in the White House. Quite
frankly, the Bush administration was pushing the edges of this in their
faith-based office

[[Page 21107]]

that went from an office inside the White House to then appointing a
faith-based office in each department that then the faith-based policy
person had some influence over, although it wasn't as direct.
By calling somebody a czar presumably means they have the power of
the President to go behind and use their staff authority as though they
were line, which is exactly what the founding fathers were debating
about. There's a great new book, Plain Honest Men--The Making of the
American Constitution, by Richard Beeman, a professor at the University
of Pennsylvania. It's the first update probably in about 30 years of
actual minutes, letters and things during the constitutional debates.
And one thing through that book you constantly see is they couldn't
agree on what powers the President was supposed to have. They went back
and forth. Alexander Hamilton got so mad because he wanted it to be a
permanent position that went basically for life, like a Supreme Court
Justice, and he stormed out of the convention for nearly 30 days, only
came back to sign it. So clearly there was a debate, and Hamilton lost,
for accountability and a checks and balances of the system. And the
czar approach is avoiding those checks and balances.
Now, my friend and colleague, Congressman Kingston has introduced a
bill, the Czar Accountability and Reform Act, the CZAR Act, that has
three simple points to it. The person has to have advice and consent of
the Senate. He is to not be exempted from the competitive service by
reason of confidential, policy-determining, policy-making or public-
advocating character, which is kind of the debates we've had on the
task forces around health care. With the former President Clinton it
came up in multiple debates in the last White House where they say that
Congress can't get e-mail oversight, we can't call certain people up
because it's a policy-making decision, advice to the President. This
bill would say it doesn't apply to a czar.
And also if they perform or delegate functions which but for the
establishment of such task force, council, or similar office would be
performed or delegated by an individual in a position to which the
President appoints an individual by and with advice and consent of the
Senate, which basically means a czar can't take authorities from people
who would have been approved by the Senate.
Now, we actually have a model for this. It's the Office of the
National Drug Control Policy. The so-called drug czar was the first
czar. But we actually have legislation that guides his budget, that
even gives the duties and delineation of his duties and the deputy
director's duties and other people underneath it. It says which things
he has line authority for. As chairman of the committee that did the
last five-year reauthorization of this, we had all sorts of how high-
intensity drug trafficking areas are supposed to be used; the national
youth anti-drug media campaign; the counter drug technology assessment
center. We had appropriations for his staff and how much he would have
for his staff and how much for his appropriations. We had specifics on
how he was going to relate to the Department of Interior, the
Department of Agriculture, the Attorney General, homeland security,
defense. We had guidelines of what reports come to Congress and of the
different relevant committees. Because while Government Reform had
primary jurisdiction over the drug czar, it also went to Judiciary, to
Energy and Commerce and other committees, so there were different
reporting strategies. In fact, czar was a slang term up until this
administration.
For example, in high intensity drug trafficking area it says,
``Designation--The director, upon consultation with the Attorney
General, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Homeland Security, heads
of the National Drug Control Program agencies and the Governor of each
applicable State may designate any specified area of the United States
as a high-intensity drug trafficking area.'' That's explicit. That's
not somebody wandering around with undefined authority. He's got a
specific budget and so on.
Here's the great irony. We had one czar who was in the cabinet,
approved with the advice and consent of the Senate with a specific
budget. And our current director of the Office of National Drug
Control, Gil Kerlokowski, is a good man and would have been clearly
cleared. But this administration chose to take the one czar that was
approved with advice and consent of the Senate and take him out of the
Cabinet, and now he's not certified either. So now even the one czar
who has descriptions, who was following the pattern under this
administration, has been changed. And the danger here is we do not know
how the interrelationships between the people cleared by the United
States Senate are working with noncleared people. We run into
background check problems like Mr. Jones. But we run into other huge
questions, and that is so much power centered in one place that's not
accountable to Congress, that it's not even clear how we do oversight
of that function.
I criticized the last administration when they did too much of this
and we had some back and forth about why they wouldn't appear in front
of the different committees, even on policy advisers. We need to have
direct, aggressive oversight in this House and in the Senate to find
out how this is working, how decisions are being made, who's commanding
what, and are the people now running the agencies' hands tied. The
people who we delineated their duties, who were cleared with advice and
consent of the Senate, are their hands now tied by a bunch of people
who haven't gone through this process, who haven't been vetted, who do
not have clear line authority, but are using the staff power coming out
of the President of the United States to usurp the constitutional power
of those who are designated principal officers and commanded by the
Constitution to report to the House and Senate.

____________________

HEALTH CARE REFORM

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. BARTLETT. Madam Speaker, I believe that we can all agree the
health care reform proposals ignited debates in homes and workplaces
all over the country. The intense interest in health care policy by so
many Americans made this August district work period unusually
exciting. My offices were busy taking phone calls, e-mails, and having
people drop by voicing their concerns. This healthy health care debate
has led many Americans to become involved in politics for the first
time.
Whenever we in Congress do something really important, we need to get
outside the Beltway because that's where the great wisdom in our
country lies. All of us in the Congress share three goals for health
care reform legislation: We want to make health care insurance more
affordable and accessible. We want to improve the quality of health
care. We want to reduce the cost of health care. Where we disagree is
how to accomplish these goals.
I would like to share some of what I did and learned concerning
health care over the recess period. As a scientist and engineer, I seek
out the facts to guide my decisions. I also earned my master's and
doctorate degrees in human physiology, the basic medical science.

{time} 2030

This training led me to a 20-year career teaching anatomy and
physiology to both medical and nursing students. That's why one of the
things I did and that my staff did was to read the House leadership
bill, H.R. 3200, and the amendments by three House committees.
I'm very proud that so many of my constituents were also interested
in learning what proposed health care reform bills would do and exactly
what they say. That's why I posted on my Web site the House Majority
Bill 3200 with information about the approved amendments.
I also posted on my Web site an alternative bill that I support, H.R.
3400, the

[[Page 21108]]

Empowering Patients First Act, developed out of suggestions by my
colleagues in the Republican Study Committee. For those constituents
without computer access, I provided hard copies of these bills to eight
libraries and my four district offices.
Besides reading legislation, I also engaged in a lot of listening and
dialogue. I visited with local doctors in my district to get their
perspective about health care.
At the recommendation of one of my constituents, Dr. John Vitarello,
who is a cardiologist who practices at Frederick Memorial Hospital in
my district, I toured the cardiac catherization ``cath'' labs at
Washington Adventist Hospital on August 27. I was invited to tour the
lab by Dr. Mark Turco, an interventional cardiologist. Dr. Turco is
also a leader of the three-member physician team from Washington
Adventist Hospital which volunteered to supervise and assist a joint
training venture for physicians in Frederick Memorial Hospital so they
could also perform innovative procedures in cath labs that shorten
patients' recoveries and hospital stays compared to traditional
surgical repairs.
While I was there in scrubs and mask, I observed a procedure called
an endograft. An endograft is an innovative procedure in this case used
to repair an aneurysm in the patient's aorta.
In the image-guided endovascular repair, a stent graft, a woven
polyester tube with a metallic skeleton, was compressed inside a
carrier catheter. While viewed on an x-ray monitor, the endograft was
inserted through a small incision in the patient's groin and threaded
through the catheter through arteries to the site of the aneurysm. The
stent graft was then placed across the aneurysm and released. As the
stent graft expanded, it gripped the normal arterial wall on both ends
of the aneurysm, bypassing the bulge from the inside.
As I observed this procedure, I marveled at both the advances of our
medical research and technology as well as the dedication in caring for
human lives represented by this joint venture between Frederick
Memorial Hospital and Washington Adventist Hospital. This procedure
cuts down the recovery time for patients as well as the time required
for patients to be in the hospital.
One of my greatest concerns about health care reform is that we don't
curtail the innovations in health care that are invented predominantly
here in the United States.
There is also a lot of concern about competition in health care.
Competition is important. Competition always does two things: It drives
down costs and increases quality. However, there is also a lot of
cooperation in medical care today. Here, I observed physicians at one
hospital helping physicians at another local hospital to increase the
availability, the competition, for innovative medical treatments that
benefit patients with improved outcome and less time in the hospital.
I am 83 years old. I have seen in my own career and life and that of
my family that innovation in modern medicine, American style, moves at
an astonishing speed. It is this innovation that has so improved the
quality of our lives as well as extending the lifespans of Americans.
By far, the most enlightening and informative exercise was three
nights of teletownhalls that I held during the break. On two nights,
Dr. John Vitarello joined me as a guest for these townhall meetings.
Over 180,000 telephone calls were placed; almost 20,000 people were
home and listened to some part of the townhall.
Madam Speaker, I believe that the prescription for health care reform
in the present bill will make it worse and more expensive. These
changes are the opposite of what we need and Americans want.

____________________

HONORING BILL HEFNER

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 2009, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Kissell) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
Mr. KISSELL. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
It is truly with mixed emotions that I rise tonight on the floor of
the House of Representatives. It's a sadness in noting that last week
we lost Congressman W.G. Bill Hefner, a Congressman from North Carolina
for 24 years from 1974 to 1998. And we truly give our condolences and
our regards to his daughters Stacye and Shelly and to his wonderful
wife, Nancy.
But the legacy of Bill Hefner did not end last week, as we're going
to see tonight as we spend some time remembering and talking about and
telling stories of Bill Hefner, that his memory will go forth because
of the things he did, the person he was, and the Congressman that
represented his district in North Carolina so well.
Now, I have to tell you, Madam Speaker, that tonight I shall refer to
Congressman Hefner as ``Mr. Hefner'' quite often because I was raised
in a time and a place when the ultimate respect that you could give to
someone is to call him ``Mister.'' And while his wonderful, loving,
lovely wife, Nancy, convinced me that I could call her ``Nancy,'' I
could not bring myself to call Bill Hefner anything but ``Mr. Hefner''
because that's the respect that people in the district had for him.
And, Madam Speaker, as some might be saying, you know, Why is a
freshman Congressman from North Carolina the first one to speak
tonight? It's because Bill Hefner, Mr. Hefner, was my Congressman from
the Eighth District of North Carolina. And with all of the
reconfiguring that took place from time to time in my home county,
Montgomery County, North Carolina, was always in Mr. Hefner's district.
And it was the way that Mr. Hefner represented us and, once again, who
he was that we want to talk about tonight.
Madam Speaker, I believe that one of the greatest ways we can
remember is by telling stories, and tonight we're going to talk about
Mr. Hefner. And I have several colleagues and friends of not only
myself but who knew Mr. Hefner at the time, and they have been so
generous with their time to be here tonight to help us remember.
And I just want to start out very briefly by just letting the story
of Bill Hefner be told a little bit.
Bill Hefner was born in Tennessee. He went to Alabama. He was a son
of a sharecropper. He saw that his way out of poverty was through a
gift that he had been given by God, and that's through the singing of
gospel music. And he was very good, and he received an invitation to
come to North Carolina.
And this was the time period of the late 1950s and early 1960s where
television was much different than it is today, when there was only
just a few stations there in North Carolina, and they often filled
their time in the afternoon with gospel singing.
And Mr. Hefner was so good and his group was so good that they were
asked to be part of three television stations in North Carolina. Now,
we didn't have that many stations, so this was a great majority of the
stations that were represented, and he became known to the people in
North Carolina with his group, The Harvesters.
He eventually was successful enough and a good businessman that he
bought a radio station. And at some point in time, a former Congressman
came in and was interviewed by Mr. Hefner, and Mr. Hefner went home and
told his wife, You know, I believe I can do that, because Mr. Hefner
had never been elected to a public office, never sought public office.
He was the president of his PTA and that was his background, but his
background was much stronger. He had the background of knowing the
people of his district.
So he went out, Madam Speaker, and he ran for Congress. And without
any political background other than knowing the people and caring about
the people and having a sense of who the people were, he was elected in
a landslide.
So that's the background as to this man W.G. Bill Hefner that I want
everybody to be aware of.
Now we want to fill it in with some personal stories, and I would
like to

[[Page 21109]]

start out by recognizing David Obey from Wisconsin.
Mr. OBEY. I thank the gentleman for the time.
Let me simply say that I see Bill in two ways. First of all, I see
him as a legislator. He was a good, solid legislator, a member of the
Appropriation's Committee, and I watched him day after day conduct his
business with grace and with courage. It was not popular to oppose some
of the tax and budget proposals that President Reagan was pushing, for
instance, in the 1980s. I know in my district at the time, 70 percent
of the country favored those changes. Bill Hefner had courage enough to
point out that the numbers just didn't add up and that he carried on
his conviction, and eventually facts proved him to be correct.
Bill was also a person who respected this institution. He respected
the Congress, he respected the country, he respected his party, he
respected the other party, and he respected virtually every person in
this institution, and it showed in the way he dealt with others in this
body.
But my greatest and fondest memory of Bill is rooted in his gospel
singing. I happen to like bluegrass, and I belong to a bluegrass band
called The Capitol Offenses, and I learned to love gospel music. And on
many occasions, Bill would sing and I and members of my band would back
him up. And I have to say, he was one of the best singers we ever
performed with. He knew a wide range of gospel but he also had a solid
voice, and he had fun doing it. He loved it, and anyone who listened to
him knew that he loved it.
He was a man of courage. He had a terrific sense of humor, and he
could find a lot of ways to get things done by simply charming people
in this place. If logic wouldn't work, if substance wouldn't work,
there was always the Hefner charm to push things over the edge.

{time} 2045

I was greatly saddened to learn of his death last week. I have to say
that I am proud to have served in the same institution with a man of
his courage, with a man of his integrity, and with a man of his good
humor. I'm certain that he will be missed by his family and his
friends. I very much am grateful for the fact that I was able to know
him and to work with him for all of those years. I thank the gentleman
for the time.
Mr. KISSELL. Thank you, Mr. Obey. I would like to add there about Mr.
Hefner and his showbiz background. One of the descriptions that was
given of Mr. Hefner at one time that I think he enjoyed the most was
that it would be recognized that he had a showbiz background, but he
was a workhorse, not a show horse. That summed his career up very
appropriately, and he did enjoy that comparison.
His humor and his ability to charm were pointed out to me one time on
the House floor. Evidently, there was quite a serious debate taking
place between two sides of the aisle, and Mr. Hefner somehow got the
attention, Madam Speaker, of the Speaker at the time, and got the
attention of the full House and looked at his watch and supposedly
said, How much longer is this going to go on? Because I have to get
home to watch the ``Andy Griffith Show.'' And in North Carolina there
is no higher calling than to go watch the ``Andy Griffith Show.''
At this point in time, I would like to yield to Chet Edwards of Texas
for the time he may consume.
Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I consider myself blessed to
have known Congressman Bill Hefner. He was a good, decent and caring
person, and I will miss him dearly. While this man of faith has gone on
to a better place now, his work here on Earth will continue to enrich
the lives of millions of American citizens. There are untold thousands
of our troops and families who are living in better housing today
because Bill Hefner was their champion. He not only worked hard for his
beloved Fort Bragg, North Carolina; he fought for a better quality of
life for servicemen and -women and their families wherever they might
live in the world. As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee
on Military Construction, Chairman Hefner saw to it that the service
and sacrifice of our troops would be honored in a meaningful way.
While Members of Congress sometimes take ourselves too seriously,
Bill Hefner was a voice of self-deprecating humor and humility. He took
his work seriously, but never himself too seriously. In doing so, he
helped us keep our proper perspective on ourselves and our work here.
He used to joke that he had worked hard for over 20 years to take a
perfectly safe Democratic seat in North Carolina and turn it into a
marginal one. That was a reflection of his humor and his humility,
because the truth was that any political challenges that Bill Hefner
might have ever faced were because he was a person of courage.
As Mr. Obey pointed out, in 1981 he was one of the very few Southern
Democrats who voted against the popular Reagan tax cuts because he felt
they would lead to large Federal deficits and ultimately undermine
programs important to everyday working Americans. As long as I knew
him, he always did what he thought was right for his district, for our
great country and for average working families.
In an age of special interests, Bill Hefner's cause was to fight for
the interests of everyday, hardworking families, the kind of people who
fight our fires, protect our streets, defend our shores, educate our
children and make our factories run. He believed to his core in the
dignity of hardworking everyday American citizens.
Even after he retired from Congress, Bill would often call me, and he
called when he was concerned that the views of working Americans were
not being considered in Washington, D.C. Whether in office or out of
office, Bill Hefner lived his faith by always being his brother's
keeper.
Bill Hefner was a special personal friend and a mentor to me. While I
cannot fill his shoes or come close to it, I'm a better Congressman and
a better person for having known him and having learned from him. I
cherish the many, many personal conversations we had right here on the
floor, Madam Speaker. I will always be grateful to the very sage advice
he gave me on a golf course one day when he and I happened to be
partnered against then-President Clinton and the President's partner,
when on the 15th hole in a very close match, the President had about a
3\1/2\-foot putt. I was not going to give it to the President, and
Chairman Hefner called me over and put me under his arm and said, Son,
let me just tell you something. Right now we have this line item veto
in existence, and the Military Construction bill is sitting on the
President's desk for signature, and you represent Fort Hood. I gave the
President his putt, and the Fort Hood soldiers got their barracks
thanks to the sage advice of Bill Hefner.
The moment of so many wonderful moments, but the moment I shall never
forget, was on June 4 of 1998 when Bill Hefner stood in this very same
spot. We were debating an issue of the school prayer constitutional
amendment. And I, consistent with my belief in the constitutional
principle of church-State separation, was opposing the Istook
constitutional amendment. During that process I was personally attacked
by one particular faith-based group that claimed by not wanting to
amend the First Amendment to the Constitution I was somehow un-American
and even worse yet, I was accused of being un-Texan. Leave it to Bill
Hefner, the man of the South, the gentleman from North Carolina who
sang gospel music his entire life, a man of deep faith, leave it to him
to come to this very spot to stand up and defend the integrity of his
colleague who had been challenged. That was Bill Hefner, a man of
deepest integrity. And that is why I will always revere him and what he
stood for.
To Stacye and Shelly, his daughters, and to Nancy, his widow, I would
simply say that if my two sons had every right to be half as proud of
me as you have a right to be proud of your father and your husband, I
would consider my life a success.
May God forever keep our friend, our colleague, and a great American,
Bill

[[Page 21110]]

Hefner, forever in His loving arms. Thank you.
Mr. KISSELL. Madam Speaker, to kind of point out the legacy of how
Mr. Hefner influenced people continues today to reflect that, I had not
been sworn in but a matter of hours before I got a phone call from
Representative Edwards telling me what a great influence that Bill
Hefner was on him and how that mentorship and role model is not
forgotten. It continues from year to year to year.
At this point in time, I would like to yield to our friend from South
Carolina, Representative John Spratt.
Mr. SPRATT. Madam Speaker, I came here in 1983. And as I did, Bill
Hefner was just coming into his own. Speaking of his name, you want to
call him only ``Mr. Hefner.'' I will never forget one night we got on
an airplane, as we did many nights, US Airways, and someone spoke to
him as Congressman this and Congressman that. And the stewardess said,
I didn't know you were a Member of Congress. What's your name? He said,
Bill Hefner. She said, I don't believe I've ever heard of you. He said,
well, you probably know my brother Hugh. He was always ready for a quip
like that.
I rise to salute this wonderful guy with great sadness learning of
his passing. I didn't know him well, but I knew him when I came here
because from the time I was a boy I had watched the Harvesters on WBTV
in Charlotte, North Carolina, right after Arthur Smith. He was the lead
tenor on the Harvesters, and they were good. And they stayed that good
harmonizing for the next 50 years. You couldn't beat them. They were
just top rate.
Howard Coble got into a little fray with Bill sometime back because
he went into his district and spoke against him in an election. Next
election, Bill returned the compliment. This time, he was not speaking,
though, he was singing. He went in and made three to four gospel
singing experiences and packed the houses and everything, and Howard
called him up and said, I was awfully surprised to see you come
directly into my district. He said, Howard, you came into my district.
Let's just have this understanding. If you come back, next time, I'm
not coming in by myself. I'm bringing the whole quartet and we're going
to sing you right out of that seat, too. From there after, they had a
mutual accord that the one would stay out of the other's district.
That's the kind of guy this is that we're talking about, a wonderful
guy.
He put on the airs of being a populist sometimes, but he was a lot
smarter than he put on, and a lot richer for that matter. He looked at
the Reagan tax cuts that probably would have profited him and a lot of
his constituents, and said, it's not the right time. It will only add
to the deficit. And he was proven only too right. We were debating in
our caucus one morning years ago another tax cut that was not nearly
the same size, and he finally got up and said, I don't know why we are
spending so much time talking about this tax cut. It ain't going to
benefit anybody but two people in this caucus. One of them is Norm
Sisisky, and the other is John Spratt.
I got up and I said, point of personal privilege, Mr. Chairman, this
poor-mouthing populist owns the second largest Cadillac dealership in
North Carolina and a radio station in Concord. He loved it. He never
let me forget it. He never jumped me again for benefiting from tax cuts
either.
He became a voice that people listened to because he could get up and
speak to something and go right to the pith of it. It's really a gift.
He had that gift. As I said, he was a lot smarter than he let on being.
One of my favorite recollections of Bill's debate, we were debating
the B2 bomber. He got up and said, you know, if this bomber is so
stealthy as everybody says it is and you can't see it, you can't find
it, radar can't even see it, what I would suggest is we save ourselves
$50 billion. Let's don't build it, but let's tell the Russians we have
built it, and they will go crazy trying to find it. That's the kind of
humor he brought to the people's House, talking like that all the time
with a humorous cover to it but a for-real serious substance to it as
well.
He was a great guy. This place has been known through the centuries
as the House of the people. Bill Hefner helped this House earn its
reputation as a House of the people. We will miss him greatly. He
served here with real distinction. He deserves every word of praise
being said about him tonight.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. KISSELL. Thank you, Mr. Spratt.
Madam Speaker, if we had opened this up to everybody who knew
Congressman Hefner who could have been here tonight, we couldn't have
come close to getting this in within an hour. There are so many people
that he affected, and I certainly appreciate the colleagues that are
with us tonight.
Next I would like to recognize a fellow Congressman from North
Carolina, Mr. David Price.
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. I thank my colleagues for scheduling
this time tonight for us to remember our friend and colleague, Bill
Hefner, to honor his memory.
I first got to know Bill when I came to this body in 1987. He was
already a fairly senior Member. He became an important mentor to me and
a valued friend and colleague. As many have said already, Bill came
from a humble background. He never lost touch with working people. He
had a natural empathy and understanding of people who were struggling
in life, great sympathy for the underdog. He was a man of great
compassion, and that compassion was not feigned. It was something that
came naturally to Bill, an innate sense, I think, in Bill, of fairness
and decency. There is not going to be a speaker here tonight, I promise
you, that doesn't refer to Bill's sense of humor. He was the funniest
man probably that ever served in this Chamber. He could cut through
tense moments in these overheated debates in a way that was a marvel to
behold.
Sometimes, as Mr. Edwards said, he showed great courage in the way he
dealt with those debates. I have a memory very similar to Chet Edwards.
This one comes earlier when I had been here only a year or so. It was a
debate of the so-called ``Grove City'' bill which was a proposal to
reverse an adverse interpretation of civil rights laws. And it was a
bill the effect of which was being greatly exaggerated by a prominent
figure of the religious right of that time. He said that if this bill
was passed, churches would have to, and I'm quoting him here, to hire a
practicing active homosexual drug addict with AIDS to be a teacher or
youth pastor.
Well, Bill Hefner was watching this go on, and like all of us, he was
getting his switchboard flooded with calls coming in alarmed about this
from well-meaning people who didn't know what to make of this. I wrote
a book a couple of years later and remembered, looked back at this
episode because it impressed me so much at the time. In my chapter on
religion and politics, I quoted Bill Hefner, what he said coming to
this floor and cutting through that debate, and the words I'm going to
read don't do justice to the effect he had just in his commonsense way.
Bill said, ``I find reprehensible not those thousands of people who
have made the phone calls, but the people that have instigated this
misinformation. If it means I lose my position in the U.S. House of
Representatives if I do not cave in and base my vote on what people
believe to be true but what I know not to be true, I say to my
colleagues, this job is not worth that to me.'' I remembered that and
looked it up. And it still stands for me as a memory of effective
debate in this House, effective not just rhetorically but because of
its being said from the heart and its being said with true conviction.
Bill was a member of the Appropriations Committee, chairman of the
Subcommittee on Military Construction, a champion of our servicemen and
-women, of their housing and of their quality of life. An elementary
school at Fort Bragg bears his name, as does the Salisbury Veterans
Administration Hospital.
Bill was a mentor to many of us. He gave me pep talks on more than
one difficult vote. He could put everything

[[Page 21111]]

in perspective. I valued that mentorship, that support, and that
encouragement.

{time} 2100

He helped me get on the Appropriations Committee, and then he helped
me figure out how to get things done once I got on the Appropriations
Committee.
He was a mainstay of our delegation, one of our most influential
Members, yes, but also a Member who helped us all stick together, whom
we all liked and respected. We enjoyed his company. And I think it's
fair to say that Bill's role in our delegation has never quite been
filled since he left.
I remember very well the dinner that was given for Bill shortly
before his retirement. The Harvesters Quartet, pretty elderly gentlemen
by that time, they were gathered from all over the country, they came
in and sang one more time. And Bill's friends and associates and
colleagues got up one after the other and told many stories like those
we heard tonight. It was one of the most enjoyable and heart-warming
evenings I have ever experienced in this city or anywhere else.
So I'm pleased to join tonight in honoring Bill, in recalling our
friendship, our common labors with him. He served North Carolina and
this Nation faithfully and well in ways that continue to inspire.
Mr. KISSELL. Thank you, David. And I think, as was just pointed out,
that while we have memories of Mr. Hefner and how he could turn serious
conversations with humor and charm, that when necessary he stood up for
his beliefs and effectively stated those in a way that spoke of the
core being that he was.
Madam Speaker, I would like to next recognize another gentleman from
North Carolina, Representative Bob Etheridge.
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague,
Representative Kissell, for organizing this Special Order this evening
for a good friend and, as all of you already heard, a 12-term Member of
this body.
Bill Hefner, who passed away on Wednesday, September 2 of this year,
provided a selfless service to our State of North Carolina and to this
Nation, as you heard from a number of my colleagues already. But in his
passing, we've lost a good friend; North Carolina has lost an
outstanding citizen and a man who was instrumental not only in this
body, but in his community, in his State, in everything he did; Nancy
has lost a devoted husband; and Stacy and Shelly have lost a loving
father. He was a grandfather, also, who loved children. You've heard he
was a native of Tennessee.
The first time I remember meeting Bill Hefner was more years ago than
either one of us want to admit. I was running for State superintendent,
and if you run in North Carolina, it's an elected office. So you run,
and anybody who has a good size group, you wanted to be there. And I
went to the Eighth District, they were having an Eighth District rally.
And it was the largest group I went to I think all year, other than one
where all the educators get together, and Bill Hefner was doing his own
singing at his own rally. And I note that's the most unusual political
rally I had ever been to.
I heard of Bill, but I hadn't met him. I learned very quickly he knew
how to politic in a unique way. Those people who left that gospel sing
that he was singing at, it made no difference to them whether he was
Democrat, Republican, liberal, or conservative; they loved Bill Hefner.
He was their man. And there were people at that rally I didn't see at
any other rally I went to all year. It was because he had a message.
They believed in him, and he made a difference in their lives.
Yes, he was president and owner of a radio station, and he made a
difference. And he was a bright person, much smarter than he wanted to
admit. And yes, he had more resources than he would ever acknowledge.
You would think he was the poorest guy in the room if you were around
him, but he did okay.
He was the leader of the Harvesters Quartet, yes, but the last time I
remember hearing Bill sing--I enjoyed the meeting as Congressman Price
talked about--he came to my district, held a gospel sing, and he called
me ahead of time to let me know he was going to be there. He said, Now
if you can be available, you might want to show up. He said, I might
say a good word for you. Well, I recognized if Bill came to your
district, you better show up--he filled up the Civic Center. And Bill
enjoyed that as much as he loved his family, as he loved being in this
body. And he was a businessman at heart because as soon as he finished
on that stage he was selling those cassettes. He had a delightful time
and the people loved him. But that was Bill Hefner. Bill Hefner enjoyed
what he was doing, whether he was legislating or whether he was singing
or telling a good story.
As I came to know Bill over the years--and I only served with him
here two--I understood that his political service really was an
extension of his gospel singing, which really was what he loved to do.
He cared about people. He cared about what he did. But he cared about
his religion. And both of those were powerful ways for him to serve his
fellow man.
Many of the members of the North Carolina delegation, as you already
heard from Congressman Price, learned the ropes of effectively
advocating for our constituents here in Washington from Bill. When I
first came--any Member who is a freshman here, you get a lot better
services now than you did when I came 14 years ago, even though people
tried to help you--Bill was the first one to offer. He said, If you
need a place to meet with folks, you can use my office.
Well, you know, somebody who is coming up here, hadn't been to
Washington much even though I served at the State level, that meant a
lot. He opened the doors of his office; I used it to meet constituents
and other people. But that's what Bill Hefner was about; he was about
making you feel at home. He led by example, both as a public official
and later as a private citizen.
He was known for his passionate support of our military veterans, as
you've already heard this evening. He only represented Fort Bragg in
the last few years it was in his district of his years here in
Congress, but he represented them every day as a Member of this body.
And that's why you have a school on that base named for him and you
have military hospitals named for him, because they knew that Bill
Hefner was a friend of veterans, he was a friend of the small business
owners, and as you've heard this evening, he really was a friend of the
working poor as well as the working class.
His life of service will continue to inspire all that knew him. And
his love for North Carolina can be seen through his work on our
highways, in our schools, in our veterans hospitals, and yes, in the
laws that he helped pass in this body.
He retired from Congress almost a decade ago, but his work and
influence will not be forgotten. He was a respected legislator, a
dedicated public servant, and a great North Carolinian. It is fitting
that we honor Bill Hefner and his family this evening.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague Representative
Kissell for organizing this Special Order in honor of a good friend and
twelve-term Member of this House of Representatives. Former Eighth
District Congressman Bill Hefner, who passed away on Wednesday,
September 2, 2009, provided selfless service to our State of North
Carolina and to this Nation. In his passing, I lost a friend and North
Carolina lost an outstanding citizen; a man who was instrumental in his
community, county, State, and country.
A native of Elora, Tennessee, Bill moved to North Carolina after
graduating from the University of Alabama and became the president and
owner of radio station WRKB in Kannapolis from 1954 to 1967.
I met Bill Hefner at a political rally in North Carolina decades ago
while he was with the radio station. He was the lead singer in the
`Harvesters Quartet', a gospel music group, and he led that political
rally with his voice because he just loved to sing. As I came to know
him through the years, I understood that his political service was an
extension of his gospel singing. Both were powerful ways for him to be
of service to his fellow man.

[[Page 21112]]

Many members of the North Carolina congressional delegation learned
the ropes of effectively advocating for our constituents while in
Washington, DC, from Bill Hefner. Bill lead by example, both as a
public official and later as a private citizen. Congressman Hefner was
known for his passionate support for military veterans. In fact, the
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina, was named
in his honor in 1999. He was a friend to veterans, small business
owners, the working poor, and the middle class. His life of service
will continue to inspire all who knew him. His love for North Carolina
can be seen through his work on our highways, our schools, our
veterans' hospitals, and in our laws.
Bill Hefner retired from Congress almost a decade ago, but his work
and influence will never be forgotten. He was a respected legislator, a
dedicated public servant, and a great North Carolinian. It is fitting
that we honor him and his family today.
Madam Speaker, I join his family and our State in mourning a great
legislator and a tremendous human being. I yield back.
Mr. KISSELL. Thank you, Bob.
Madam Speaker, continuing the North Carolina trend, I would like to
recognize Representative Brad Miller from North Carolina.
Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I also rise to honor
Congressman Bill Hefner, and I appreciate Mr. Kissell organizing this
tribute tonight.
Congressman Hefner had a down-home style that never changed. Some
folks in Washington thought it didn't really fit with their idea of
what an influential Member of Congress, an effective Member of Congress
is supposed to be like, but that was always their problem, not his
problem. He never changed.
Everyone who spoke tonight has spoken of the Harvesters, his gospel
music group that he continued to sing in. His political rallies
continued to be gospel sings, the Harvesters performing. Now, that
sounds like something out of the 1930s from the movie, ``O Brother,
Where Art Thou?'', but this was still in the '90s that he was doing
this. That was long past the era that was dominated by political
consultants, smart guys who read polls and produced TV ads. And
political rallies at that time were supposed to be three people who
were sitting in front of their television when a political ad came on.
During that period Bill Hefner was still doing political rallies that
were gospel sings and packing large halls.
And it wasn't just at political rallies. He had the Harvesters come
perform at veteran hospitals, including the one in Salisbury that is
now named after him, and was very popular with the veterans who were in
those hospitals. And he did become a great advocate for veterans, a
great advocate for our men and women in uniform. He visited military
installations, saw the conditions in which our military were living,
and became a crusader for better housing for our troops.
Bill Hefner ran for Congress on the promise to be a spokesman, a
representative, a voice for the common man. He remained faithful to
that promise. He never changed. He was the same guy when he ended his
service after 24 years, one of the most influential members of the
Appropriations Committee, a subcommittee chairman, a cardinal. He was
the same guy as he was when he was elected.
He understood working Americans because he was one. He may eventually
have done very well, but that's where he started and that's where his
heart always was. He always understood what life was like for ordinary
Americans.
I am proud to be here tonight to honor Bill Hefner. And I am very
grateful that he is an example for all of us who still represent North
Carolina in Congress.
Mr. KISSELL. Madam Speaker, at this point in time I would like to
recognize Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, and my
friend, Larry Kissell, who is doing a wonderful job representing the
District that Bill Hefner loved and whose people loved Bill Hefner, I
came to Congress in 1981. Bill had been here for 6 or 7 years when I
got here. He was on the Appropriations Committee; I went on the
Appropriations Committee not too long after coming here.
Bill Hefner has been regaled by all of his friends from North
Carolina. And I know Chairman Obey, who served with Bill on the
Appropriations Committee as I did for well over a decade, can tell, I'm
sure, numerous stories late into the night about Bill Hefner. And what
warm memories I have of Bill Hefner sitting on the aisle back here. And
all my colleagues remember he would sit on the aisle and you would go
by and Bill would sort of look up with a twinkle in his eye and he
would tell you story after story after story.
I remember one night I was going to give a speech and I wanted a few
jokes, so I called Bill Hefner up and he gave me a couple of jokes, and
I used them, and they worked very well. So I can say Bill Hefner was my
writer, I suppose. But he was a wonderful, wonderful representative,
and he was a representative in the best sense of that term. He
represented his people. He represented North Carolina. He represented
his country. He represented the men and women in our Armed Forces whom
he loved and whom he served with great fervor and affection. Bill
Hefner loved his country, he loved his colleagues, and his colleagues
loved Bill Hefner.
It's been talked about how he loved to play golf. I like to play golf
as well--I'm not very good, but I love to play, like so many other
hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of people in this country who
like to say we play golf. We play at it, I suppose. But Bill was a good
golfer. And he had a tournament down at Pinehurst every year. And I
used to go down and play at Pinehurst with Bill. And you not only went
down to play golf, you just went down to have this warm, gracious,
outreaching human being make you feel good about serving with him in
the Congress and make you feel good about North Carolina and your
country.
Bill Hefner was a great resource of North Carolina. He then moved
further south and became a county commissioner for a little bit, my
good friend is telling me.
Bill Hefner will be missed. Bill Hefner used to tell me, he said, You
know, Steny, I was elected in my district; it was a safe district then,
and I've worked very hard and I've turned it into a marginal district.
I think you all heard him say that. That was one of his favorite
sayings, Larry.

{time} 2115

Now, the good news for you, Mr. Kissell, is you're going to do the
opposite. You're going to take a district that could have gone either
way, and you're going to turn it into a safe district. I appreciate
that, but nobody would have appreciated it more than Bill Hefner. My
friend Brad Miller, a friend of Bill Hefner's and a colleague from
North Carolina, told a story.
Bill Hefner was a singer. He was a real talent. He loved to sing, and
he loved to entertain, and he loved to be a comedian, and he loved to
make people, as I said, feel good. He accomplished that with great
frequency and with great ability. We'll miss Bill Hefner. Bill Hefner
was what's good about our country, which he loved so dearly.
As I said, he loved the men and women who served in the Armed Forces,
and he served them so well as chairman of the Military Construction
Committee. I remember I had the opportunity to travel to Germany and to
some other NATO allies in Europe with him in the 1980s, and it was
clear that he was extraordinarily knowledgeable about the needs of our
men and women stationed overseas in terms of the quality of their
lives. He mirrored Ike Skelton or Ike Skelton mirrors Bill Hefner in
terms of his commitment to our men and women in the Armed Forces.
So I am pleased, Larry Kissell, to join you, your colleagues from
North Carolina, my chairman--I served on the committee for 23 years--
Chairman Obey, and my good friend Chet Edwards, who now chairs the same
subcommittee that Bill Hefner chaired. Bill was also a member of the
Armed Services Committee, of course. So I thank you for letting me know
that

[[Page 21113]]

you were doing this Special Order to rise in memory, respect and deep
affection for a wonderful American, for a wonderful advocate of his
faith, for a wonderful family man, and for a wonderful Member of this
body.
God blessed America when he gave us William G. Hefner. I yield back.
Mr. KISSELL. Thank you, Steny.
Madam Speaker, I am going to conclude now, but you don't finish when
you talk about Bill Hefner, because, as we've seen tonight, the legacy
will not end. It will continue for all the good things he did, but I
want to talk a little bit about the personal side of Bill Hefner and
what he meant to me.
There are all of these things we've heard tonight, and as I mentioned
earlier, he was my Congressman. I must say that, while those many years
he represented us, I wasn't involved in party politics. I never ran for
public office like Mr. Hefner, and there came a time when I felt that
maybe that was what people like me should do because that's what Bill
Hefner had done. He was a man of the people. He recognized the working
people, and he stood up for those people.
I said, you know, we have seen in our district, the wonderful Eighth
District of North Carolina, that, if you go out to the people and if
you tell them who you are and if they recognize in you the knowledge
that you know who they are and if they know that you respect them and
that you are concerned about them, as we saw for 24 years, those people
will reward you by sending you to Congress. So it was with knowledge of
what Mr. Hefner had done that I ran for Congress. I come from a very
small town, Biscoe, North Carolina--1,500 people--and needless to say,
it wasn't exactly a turning moment in North Carolina politics when I
announced that I would run for Congress. It is with the legacy, though,
of Mr. Bill Hefner that people look to the person for what he says and
not who he is and not where he comes from.
One time in my home county, Montgomery County, which is also a small
county, President Bill Clinton was coming to visit our local hospital.
He was accompanied by Mr. Hefner, and together they went visiting there
in the hospital. I heard this story, and I think it kind of sums up
everything about Bill Hefner. They went into the room. The President
and Mr. Hefner went into the room of a patient's.
Mr. Hefner said, I'm Bill Hefner, and this is President Clinton.
The gentleman, the patient, said, You're Bill Hefner? I've been
wanting to meet you all my life. You're a wonderful Congressman. I've
even sent you a little bit of money, and I love the way you sing.
You're the best singer ever.
He never once recognized that the President of the United States was
also in the room. It was all about Bill Hefner. Bill Hefner's favorite
song was ``If I Can Help Someone.''
Mr. Hefner, Shelly, Stacye, and Nancy, please know that you have
helped many people. Thank you so much, and God bless Bill Hefner.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

____________________

THE RULE OF LAW AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Markey of Colorado). Under the Speaker's
announced policy of January 6, 2009, the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Carter) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority
leader.
Mr. CARTER. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for recognizing me for this
hour.
For many weeks now, I've been coming to the floor with my colleagues
to talk about something that, I think, is the glue that holds our
Republic together, and that is the fact that the rule of law does and
should prevail in this Nation. By ``the rule of law,'' it means that we
are able, as a people, to establish a set of rules. Whether they be
legal rules, whether they be ethical rules, whether they be rules of
this House or rules of this Nation, we agree to abide by those rules,
and those rules cover every element of our lives. There is the rule of
contract. We don't violate criminal laws. We have laws that govern this
House. We have rules that govern this House, and they're the glue that
holds a society together.
When we see the society having people or events that cause the glue
to weaken, I think it's our duty and our responsibility as Members of
this House to step up and say, hey, this is out of control; this has
got to stop; the rule of law has to prevail. We have rules. We have
responsibilities to keep those rules, and we as a Congress should hold
each other to those rules.
The Congress of the United States, like many other bodies in this
country, has a set of rules, and we police ourselves up. We're not the
only group of people who does this. The medical associations do it. The
bar associations do it. They have, within their own memberships,
committees that police up the activities of their own members. The
whole purpose is so that they can correct issues before they get out of
hand and, if something is out of hand, so that they can have the
strength of their convictions of their associations to stand for what
is right even if it's difficult and to do the right thing even if it's
difficult.
I've been raising issues on the floor of this House with the help of
my colleagues now for about 10 weeks. Of these issues, there is one in
particular with which I've had some amount of fun. Actually, I've
created what's called the Rangel Rule to put a spotlight on some issues
that involve the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee; but over
this August break, after talking about all of the things that were not
resolved by our present Ethics Committee concerning Chairman Rangel,
more things have arisen which raise the issues to such a level that
they just absolutely cannot be ignored anymore.
We have an Ethics Committee, and the American people should demand
that, if we are going to set up a system where we police up this House,
then we need to get behind the business of policing up this House. If
it has to do with a Member who, by his own admission, has either
through error or intent broken the rules of this House, then the Ethics
Committee should not be deadlocked on political lines but should
resolve this issue. If it's not going to be done, then the leadership
of this House should take control of this House. The Speaker of the
House was given the authority to be in charge of this House of
Representatives, and it's her job. It's the job she signed onto. It's
the responsibility she took to make sure that this House runs by
certain rules. When blatant issues come forward and when newspapers
across this Nation are crying out that some kind of justice needs to be
done on an issue, if we're not going to do it, we're failing the very
foundation of our Republic.
Tonight, I am joined by my colleagues--and there may be many of them
here tonight--and we're going to talk about some of these issues that
involve our friend. I want to say that specifically. I have no personal
animosity whatsoever against Mr. Rangel. In fact, I will tell you he
has been nothing but kind to me since I've been in this House, and I've
tried to be kind back, but there is an issue that needs to be resolved,
and it should not be resolved just by saying on the floor of this House
``I'm sorry.'' It should be resolved by following the rules established
by this House, and that's what this is all about. It is not personally
aimed at anyone. It is about this institution and about the fact that
the American people are more and more distrusting of this Congress for
reasons just like the reason we're talking about tonight. They see
things that upset them and that would upset them in their workplaces if
they were to have that happen, so they ask: Why aren't the people we
sent to Washington resolving this issue? What is wrong with those
people? Now we need to ask those questions of ourselves. So I want to
make it clear that this is not personal. This is about the rule of law
and about the responsibility of this House.
I am joined by my good friend Virginia Foxx, who is going to talk to
us. She is from North Carolina. She is going to talk to us a little bit
tonight.

[[Page 21114]]

I yield her as much time as she may consume.
Ms. FOXX. I want to thank my colleague from Texas for having begun
this dialogue and this talk tonight about the rule of law.
I often say when I'm speaking to groups, particularly of young
people, that what has made our country so great are several things, but
underlying all of those is the rule of law. I think the three most
outstanding are the rule of law, our Judeo-Christian heritage, and our
capitalistic society--our economic system. We couldn't have our ability
to worship God as we please and our capitalistic economic system if it
weren't for the rule of law undergirding those.
When you look at other countries in this world, at other countries in
this hemisphere, you will see that Mexico, for example, has been in the
news a lot lately. They have many, many natural resources, as we do
here, but what has created the problems for Mexico is that it is such a
corrupt system. They do not operate by the rule of law. Most Americans
just accept what we have in this country as something that exists
everywhere. It doesn't. If we allow the rule of law to be torn down,
then we really undermine our entire country and our entire culture.
I want to tell a little story, because I agree with Congressman
Carter on everything that he has said tonight. None of this is
personal. This is all about the very strong and positive feelings that
all of us have for the House of Representatives and for our government.

{time} 2130

And I may get choked up in telling this story, but it was a great
thing that happened today, because it allows me to explain to people
why I feel so strongly about what has happened.
I was on my way over here this afternoon a little after 6 o'clock to
vote, and I was coming a little bit early, because I like to watch the
news at 6 o'clock, and I was coming a little early so I could get in
between commercials and watch a little bit more of the news before we
had to come in to vote.
But as I was coming up the steps towards the Capitol, I noticed this
couple, I don't know their age, I would say middle-age couple, since I
don't want to guess people's ages. And I noticed that the woman spoke
to one of our great security guys out there. And then I saw her walk up
to the Capitol Building, up on the steps, and touch the building and
then walk away.
And I could tell that she had asked permission to do that. And so I
walked over to her husband and I said to her, Would you all like to go
inside the Capitol? And she got very emotional, and she said, Well, you
know, we have never been to Washington before. This is our first time
here. And she said, All I thought that I had the hope of doing was
touching the outside of the building. She said, I just, I don't have
the words to express what a thrill it would be to go inside the
building.
I asked them if I could use their names, it was Gary and Vicki
Klassen from Oregon. And so they said, yes, they would like to come in.
And so I brought them up, brought them up into the Members gallery and
explained a little bit about the gallery here and told them that we
were about to vote. And I explained some things to them and answered
their questions and told them that between the first and second vote I
would come back and answer the rest of their questions.
And they just kept on exclaiming, We are so thrilled to be in this
building. We are in such awe of the building. We are in such awe of our
government.
And, you know, I thought, we need more people like that in our
country. We need more people who feel in awe of our government. We need
people who get a thrill out of walking inside the Capitol.
After voting, I gave them a little bit more of a tour, and they just
stayed that way. They were so grateful to me.
But I was grateful to them because when we meet people like that, we
need to cherish that because these are folks who understand what this
country is all about, and they feel an awe toward their government.
And I don't want people to stop feeling that way. And if we as
Members of Congress don't uphold the highest standards amongst
ourselves, then the majority of the people will stop feeling that way
about our country, and we will lose our country.
You know, Mr. Franklin was asked when they signed the Constitution,
What kind of country have you given us, and what kind of government
have you given us? And he said, A Republic, if you can keep it. Well,
if we are going to maintain our Republic, if we are going to maintain
what's good about this country and we are going to maintain the rule of
law, then we cannot have a double standard.
I agree with the President in his comment: we cannot have two sets of
standards, one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks.
It is bad policy to have different rules for Members of Congress than
for the rest of the public. And I have told the people I represent, I
will never, ever vote for anything knowingly giving a different set of
rules for people in Congress than we have for everybody else. We
shouldn't have a double standard. And I am very concerned.
I also point out to people when we come into this room, the ancient
law givers whose faces are in profile around the top of the Chamber
here, I know C-SPAN doesn't show them. But what I point out to them
they are all in profile except one, and that's the one over the center
door, and that's Moses looking down on us.
When Moses brought us the Ten Commandments, they weren't divided into
A and B. They weren't divided into saying, you know, some people shalt
not but others may because they have power. All of those 10
commandments apply to all of us.
And it's very important that we make sure that we pay attention to
the fact that Moses is looking down on us every day and that we have a
responsibility to the people of this country to live by the laws that
have been set for everyone in this country.
And like my colleague from Texas, I have personally a good
relationship with Mr. Rangel, as far as I know. He is a very affable
person, always smiling or almost always smiling, always jovial. So this
is nothing to do with him personally. It is that the Congress and the
House of Representatives in particular must abide by our own laws.
And if we establish laws that say, particularly here, that we have to
report our income, that we have to report our assets, it is not right
for some Members to leave things out and other Members to report
everything. We must uphold the rules and the laws.
And so I want to commend again my colleague from Texas for putting
together this Special Order tonight. And I know that there are others
here who will add to the discussion that we are having.
Mr. CARTER. We have a poster here that has a picture of our
President. And as the gentlelady just pointed out, he points out, I
campaigned on changing Washington and bottom-up politics. I don't want
to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of
standards, one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks who are
working every day and paying their taxes.
I think that's a commendable statement by the President of the United
States. And the issue we are talking about here today is an issue that
involves what some would argue is the most powerful chairmanship in the
House of Representatives, and that is the chairmanship of the Ways and
Means Committee.
I have a brief exhibit that we can talk about of some of the
allegations that concern Mr. Rangel: underreporting income and assets
in 2007 by more than half, including failure to report income from his
Caribbean resort property again. And those who have been listening will
recall this all started because the chairman got up here on the floor
of the House and told us that he had failed to report rental incomes
for certain years on his Caribbean property.
And he said, But I paid the taxes. And if they assess any penalties
and interest, I will pay the penalties and interest.

[[Page 21115]]

And it seemed to me very curious that after a long time of not--this
is an income tax situation--and after a long time of not paying income
tax on income, that no penalties and interest were assessed. And so I
came up with the idea of the Rangel Rule, which said that if the
chairman of the Ways and Means can be excused of his penalties and
interest for failing to pay his taxes, then any other American who
fails to pay theirs and goes in and pays those taxes and catches up can
exercise the Rangel Rule and have the penalties and interests waived.
I did that to point out what the President of the United States said
he did not want to happen in this country: people of power are getting
special treatment over ordinary folks.
And so the purpose of it was to point out, it looked like to me
that's what was going on here. So that's happened again, underreporting
of income and assets by Rangel aides.
Not only did the chairman not report these things, but people he is
responsible for didn't report them. Lease of a--multi rent-controlled
apartments in Harlem, a special lease. Rangel's use of a House parking
spot for long-term storage of his Mercedes. Failure to report and pay
taxes on rental income on his resort villa in the Dominican Republic.
Alleged quid pro quo trading legislative action in exchange for
donations to a center named for Rangel at the City College of New York,
and a gift rule violation on a trip to a Caribbean resort by the Carib
News Foundation in 2007 and 2008. These are a list of some of the
allegations that are going on.
And there is more. There is more to be discussed.
I am joined by many of my colleagues, and I am glad to see my friend
Lynn Westmoreland from Georgia is here with us. I yield to my friend,
Mr. Westmoreland.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. I want to thank my friend from Texas in the spirit
that you are doing this. And I think you are doing this in the right
spirit, that it is nothing personal against anybody. All we are saying
is that we feel like what the President said back in February of this
year should be lived up to by the Members of his party that are in
control of this House.
It is interesting that you brought up the Caribbean trip and the fact
that the chairman of the investigation of this Caribbean trip to my
friend from Texas was a participant in one of these Caribbean trips.
That seems to be a little bit of a conflict of interest in itself.
And then, as you mentioned, some of these are in the hands of the
House Ethics Committee; they are being investigated. But Mr. Rangel has
given political contributions to three of the five Democrats that are
on this panel that are investigating him.
And so there seems to be some conflict of interest. And as the
gentleman stated and my friend from North Carolina stated, I think the
American people want to be free from any sort of insinuation that there
could be some corruption, not only from his filings or his reporting of
his assets and liabilities as we are required by the House rules, but
in this investigation.
And I think it's very interesting that, and I am sure the gentleman
from Texas will get into it later, but I would like to bring up that
under H.R. 3200, when this bill, the health care bill, went through Mr.
Rangel's committee, the Ways and Means Committee, who was looking for
revenue to pay for this, that it was interesting that they came up with
some new tax laws that would actually punish those who failed to alert
the IRS to potentially questionable tax exemptions, those people who
are willing to come clean and kind of tell them yourself if they find
out that something has been in error, bar the IRS from waiving
penalties against taxpayers who clearly erred in good faith.
And I think this goes back to what my friend from Texas was talking
about and the fact that Mr. Rangel has acknowledged that this was a
mistake, and that he paid his taxes, but there was no penalty and
interest. Yet, it seems unbelievable that in this legislation that came
out of his committee that he wants to almost double the fines in those
instances.
In fact, one provision of the measure would double the fine against
the taxpayer from 20 percent of the underpayment to 40 percent. And
this goes back to what the President's statement said, you know, we
don't need to have one set of standards for those people who are
powerful. And nobody can deny the power of the chairman of the Ways and
Means Committee in this House versus that of the ordinary person, the
guy that works every day and is paying his taxes and that may have made
some type of mistake. We all make mistakes.
That brings us back to the House rules. And we are talking about
being a country of laws. And this body certainly should live by the
laws that it sets for itself in the reporting.
And I am sure that many of us in here have had to amend these things
or think of something and will amend it. But when you amend it for
twice of what it was of things that you forgot, and there is a whole
list of the things that Chairman Rangel said that he had just forgot to
list, but some of those were pretty eye-opening things that he had
forgotten.
And it not only goes to him, but his staff that help him write
legislation. And certainly one of them, I think, is his legal staff,
one is his chief, that have gone back and actually filed amendments
back since 2002. And so I think that just under the cloud of this
suspicion, that the right thing for Chairman Rangel to do would be to
step down until this investigation is complete. And I don't think
that's too much to ask.
And there is a lady that writes for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
that I have not agreed with a lot. But in this case, I do agree with
her. Her name is Cynthia Tucker.

{time} 2145

I would like to read for the Record the comment that she made on
September 4 of this year.
``Rangel ought to do the honorable thing and step down. Just last
week, he amended financial disclosure forms to report hundreds of
thousands of dollars in income he earned between 2002 and 2006. He
forgot a Merrill Lynch account valued between $250,000 and $500,000.''
I don't know about my friend from Texas, but if I had that much
money, I don't know that I would forget about it.
``He neglected to mention tens of thousands in rent from a New York
brownstone he once owned, and his ownership of tens of thousands of
dollars in municipal bonds also slipped his mind.''
This comes from a very liberal writer for the AJC, and there are many
more from the Buffalo News, the Washington Post and so on and so on, of
people that see this for what it is and the fact that under this cloud
of suspicion, the right thing for the chairman to do would be to step
aside until the air can be cleared and this investigation can be
completed.
Again, I want to thank my friend from Texas for bringing this up and
the spirit in which he is bringing it up. I have had a lot of
constituents ask me if they could claim the ``Rangel rule'' on their
tax.
So my friend from Texas has certainly got that message out. We don't
know what the outcome of this will be, but I think the eyes of this
country are on this one particular interest, to see how we handle it
and how we handle ourselves.
With that, I yield back.
Mr. CARTER. I thank the gentleman for yielding back. I want to point
out the timeline so everyone has a clear picture.
It was almost a year ago when the chairman took this floor and told
us about the first event where he had failed to pay taxes on rental
income. He said he inadvertently did it. He didn't realize how he had
it structured, that he was actually getting income from it, and that he
was paying the taxes and that he did not expect any penalties and
interest to be assessed.
Now, that was a year ago. What the gentleman from Georgia was just
describing was a provision that was placed in this health care bill
that we

[[Page 21116]]

are debating today and we are going to hear from the President of the
United States on tomorrow, and we have been discussing for the entire
August recess. We have been discussing this in town hall meetings
across this country. I did 10, one of which was a TEA party.
Thousands of people showed up to talk about this, and they are
talking about this bill. And I think that is what really should upset
you is to realize that when the chairman did not have penalties and
interest assessed against him in his misfiling, he is putting a
provision in the law that they, the Democrats, are trying to pass
through Congress right now which would mean the ordinary person would
pay double penalties and interest for failing to alert the IRS of
potential questionable tax exemptions and that would bar the IRS from
waiving penalties. They wouldn't be able to waive penalties, like they
did for Chairman Rangel.
By his own provision in the bill that he placed in there, there would
be double fines under certain circumstances. I don't know what those
circumstances are, but obviously if this keeps going on and on and on
and on in the chairman's life, at some point in time it would seem to
me that someone would say this is getting blatant. And yet the American
people will have double fines, and we are seeing the chairman having no
penalties and no interest being assessed against him.
That is what we are talking about. That is what the President of the
United States said. That is what he wanted for the American people, is
that ordinary people and people who have positions of influence in this
country should be treated exactly the same under the law.
That is what the rule of law is all about. We establish rules, and
those rules will be for everybody and there will be no exception for
the prince nor the pauper. That is the way it is supposed to be. This
prince of the House has actually written new rules into this bill.
Another reason not to vote for this bill, as far as I am concerned, is
because it doesn't treat the American people as fairly, if this is
fair, as he got treated.
So when we are talking about the rule of law, we are trying to tell
you that this cement binds us together as a people.
One of my good friends is here from the State of Georgia, another
great Georgian--you know, the one thing is Georgians will answer the
call, they are always there--is my friend Phil Gingrey, a physician
from the great State of Georgia, one of my classmates and personal
friends. I yield to him on this issue.
Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Texas for yielding. It pains me in a way to be on the floor tonight to
join with Representative Carter and Representative Westmoreland, my
colleague from Georgia who just spoke, and Representative Virginia
Foxx, a great Member on our side of the aisle from North Carolina, and
the gentleman from Texas, another gentleman from Texas, another judge
from Texas, which we will be hearing from in a few minutes.
But as painful as it is, Madam Speaker, to discuss a subject of this
manner and this magnitude, I think it is important that we do it. I
think it is important that we have the courage to do it, because I
think the American people are watching what we do.
I think that this recent district work period, the month of August,
the traditional time when Members are back in the district meeting with
their constituents holding these town hall meetings, and this is
something that didn't just happen this August, by the way, Madam
Speaker, it has been a tradition probably, I don't know, for 100 years.
People this year though, while we might typically have 25 or 50 or on a
really good day 75 people, it was 500 and 1,000 and 1,500 and it was
unbelievable how engaged the American people are now, who want
desperately to be heard.
Madam Speaker, this business of ``being out of control'' and ``being
a gang'' and ``being a mob,'' no, no. They are patriots, is what they
are, Madam Speaker. They are mostly seniors who are worried about
losing their coverage under Medicare.
When they hear, particularly if they are on Medicare Advantage, that
that program is going to be cut about 17 percent per year over the next
10 years, I think $170 billion taken out of that one program, where 20
percent of seniors, by the way, like that so much that that is what
they choose to receive their health care is Medicare Advantage and not
Medicare fee-for-service.
So the point I am making is people are outraged. They are so
frustrated that powerful Members of Congress are not listening to them.
And it is not always their Member, but it is the leadership. It is the
committee chairs that have control over significant pieces of
legislation, such as the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of
2009, H.R. 3200.
They know that Mr. Waxman is chairman of the Energy and Commerce
Committee, where most of the bill was written. They know that
Representative Charles Rangel from New York, a long-serving Member
since 1971, chairs the most powerful Ways and Means Committee. They
know that George Miller, the gentleman from California, a long-serving
senior Member, chairs the Education and Labor Committee. So they are
very frustrated and want to be heard.
So here we are talking tonight about grave concerns that we fellow
Members have in regard to the ethical standards and behavior of people
in this body who are in the highest positions. My goodness, the two
most powerful standing committees of the House of Representatives are
probably the Appropriations Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.
On the one hand, the Appropriations Committee is charged with spending
the $3 trillion or so a year in the Federal budget, and the Ways and
Means Committee, led by the chairman, is charged with raising the money
to fund all these Federal Government programs.
People are getting a little concerned and upset with $787 billion
stimulus packages and deficit spending in the year 2009 of $1.8
trillion, and a deficit that is calculated, not by me, not by my
Republican colleagues, but by the Office of Management and Budget,
which is the number cruncher, the Ph.D. economists hired by and who are
part of the Obama administration, that says that over the next 10 years
there is going to be $9 trillion of deficit in the aggregate, that much
more debt, $20 trillion worth of debt at the end of the next 10 years.
So people are very concerned about the integrity, the honesty and the
fair play of these powerful Members.
Our colleague from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is so outstanding, and
she was talking just a few minutes ago about the Old Testament and
Moses and the commands, and she can turn a phrase better than I think
most every Member in this body.
But, I was reading recently in the Old Testament in the Book of
Deuteronomy, and Moses was saying to the Jewish people, look, God gave
me these laws to give to you. These are not suggestions, these are
commands, and you are not to add to them and you are not to take away
from them. You are to follow them exactly as God has commanded and has
given that command to me to give to you. Well, you know, that is pretty
sacred stuff, the ultimate sacred stuff, I should say.
But here in the House of Representatives, the rules of behavior, the
standards of official conduct, indeed, the House Committee on Standards
of Official Conduct, are pretty darn sacred too, Madam Speaker. And
they are not suggestions. They are really there so that every Member is
treated fairly, from the least to the greatest, from the freshman
Member to the Member that has served 35 years and is chairing one of
the most powerful committees in this House of Representatives.
So when we see things like this and what Representative Carter has
brought out in regard to these new findings of, oops, I just overlooked
$600,000 worth of income, it was a stock account that I had forgotten
about, well, you know, you don't forget about things like that. You
don't forget about it.

[[Page 21117]]

To make sure, Madam Speaker, that everybody understands, when we have
to fill out these financial disclosure reports on an annual basis as
required by the standards of official conduct, my chief of staff will
come to me and say, Congressman, we need to go through this 401(k),
this IRA that you have had when you were working as a physician, and,
of course, it is kind of frozen now because you are not continuing to
put any money into it, but we have to look at every mutual fund and go
through each one and see on each individual stock within a mutual fund,
and you may have six or eight or ten different mutual funds in a 401(k)
or an IRA, and my chief of staff says to me, Congressman, every stock
in this, you have to list whether it gained money or lost money,
whether something was bought or something was sold.
It is very time-consuming and rather painful, but it is for a good
purpose, because the American people want to know, they want to be able
to look in a very transparent way. They want to know who are the
wealthiest Members of Congress, and they also want to know who are
those who have absolutely no assets, no wealth other than their annual
salary they receive from the taxpayer from this House of
Representatives.

{time} 2200

It's a point for a lot of people to try to understand that, to follow
the dollar and see where maybe influences are applied and why people
vote in the way--or if there's any suggestion that someone might cast
their vote based on contributions or anything of that sort and that no
one is in here enriching themselves at the expense of John Q. Public
who is struggling every day just to maintain a job and to feed his
family and support his children and hope that they get to go to college
some day. And unfortunately, in this deep recession that we're in, some
6 million have lost their jobs over the last couple of years.
So this is a very, very serious issue that Judge Carter, Madam
Speaker, brings before us, and I think that the gentleman from New York
who chairs this powerful committee should step aside while the House
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is doing its investigation.
Now, to his credit, he asked the committee to look into this over a
year ago. But, Madam Speaker, I feel that he should have stepped aside
at that point. But now here we are a year later and all of a sudden
this additional ``Oops, I forgot.'' Well, you know, if he won't
voluntarily do this, then I think it's the responsibility of the
leadership, and ultimately the leadership of this body, Madam Speaker,
as you know, is the Speaker whose seat you're sitting in right now as
her designee this evening. And she will be there tomorrow night sitting
right beside the President of the Senate, the gentleman from Delaware,
Mr. Biden, and of course we will be hearing from President Obama. We
don't want this body, this House, this Chamber to be tainted.
And I think it's time for the gentleman from New York to be strong.
Maybe he will be found to have not violated any ethical rules of this
Chamber. We're not certainly putting him on trial here tonight, and I'm
sure my colleagues would agree with that, but I think it's the right
thing to do. I think it's courageous for Judge Carter to bring this
forward. And none of us are perfect, but every one of us needs to be
honest with the American people and explain our actions or have others
who are officially designated to do that look into it and let's get to
the bottom of it.
With that, I will yield back to my friend from Texas.
Mr. CARTER. I thank my friend from Georgia, and reclaiming my time, I
want to point out it's something that is part of this forum that we're
discussing here today, because this is--I want to say something that's
very important. This weekend, I had a couple of opportunities where I
was interviewed by national news organizations on television. One of
the questions that was asked of me was that at least there's been some
inference that this is a racially motivated situation that I am in
right here. And my statement--and I stick to this statement because
it's the truth--this issue is not about race. This issue is about
responsibility and meeting the responsibilities of this House. Mr.
Rangel needs to meet his responsibilities and, quite frankly, the
Speaker of the House needs to meet her responsibilities.
I will refer you to the Buffalo News, ``Rangel Should Resign,'' and
it tells us what we've been talking about. And it says if he won't,
Speaker Nancy Pelosi needs to push him.
Last year he tells us he had $75,000 worth of unreported income. Now
it gets worse. Rangel failed to report at least half a million dollars
in assets in 2007, and his net worth is about twice of what he claimed
in 2008. The odds of simple error fall to near zero when it happens
twice and when both times are in your financial favor.
This is Pelosi's sternest test. She should give Rangel a week to do
the right thing, and then if he doesn't, she must.
So this is about responsibility, and that's what we're talking about,
being responsible to the rules of this House and to the rules of law.
And there are two individuals here that have the opportunity to do what
is right and be responsible, and that is the chairman and the Speaker.
Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. If the gentleman would yield for just a
second.
Mr. CARTER. Yes, I will.
Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. You've hit on a point I've got to address.
The President spoke to the American schoolchildren today, and I think
the President did a fine job. The speech, I know early on there may
have been concerns about curriculum recommendations, that sort of
thing, but I heard the Secretary of Education over the weekend,
Secretary Arne Duncan, talk about this upcoming speech, and I couldn't
agree more with what he said on Sunday morning; very logical, made
sense to me. And the President, of course, gave a very powerful speech
to America's schoolchildren and taught just what Judge Carter just
mentioned about personal responsibility and doing the right thing even
when it's tough, even when it's hard to do that.
And golly, if our leaders in the highest positions of our country
can't do that, how can we expect kids in the fifth grade to do it? How
can I expect my 11-year-old twin granddaughters who are in the fourth
grade--and I talk to them all the time about the personal
responsibility of going a little beyond what's required, doing more,
getting up earlier if you need to to do your homework, turn that
television off at night or that video game. The President said the same
thing, and I commend him for that.
But he's talking to all of us, Madam Speaker, about personal
responsibility and doing the right thing.
You know, I don't know--and I will yield back quickly, Judge. But it
may be that the gentleman from New York, the chairman of the Ways and
Means Committee, wishes his boss, the Speaker of this House, would ask
him to temporarily step aside while this investigation was ongoing.
Maybe he doesn't want to do it himself. He's a World War II veteran, a
Korean war veteran, in fact, a hero. I read part of his book. As has
been mentioned here earlier, he's a very likable individual, without
question. You can understand how he keeps getting reelected with such
overwhelming majorities. But he may, as a soldier, as a hero, he may
feel that, gosh, you know, I don't want to be the one to step aside,
but I sure wish my boss would tell me to step aside.
So, as you point out, there are two people here that have a
responsibility. And I'm glad you brought that up, because that's--I
mean, you know, it was Harry Truman, a Democratic President, back in
1948 or so, who says, Hey the buck stops on my desk. Well, the buck
stops on the Speaker of the House of Representatives' desk in regard to
this issue.
I yield back.
Mr. CARTER. I would like to recognize my good friend and fellow
judge, former judge Louie Gohmert from Texas to speak and use as much
time as he wishes to consume.
Mr. GOHMERT. I appreciate my friend, also the former judge from
Texas, in pointing out some of the

[[Page 21118]]

problems that are being created by the inaction. And I know this was
touched on earlier, but this New York Post article, editorial dated
September 2 of this year talking about some of the hypocrisy here with
this bill and provisions that were added coming out of the Ways and
Means Committee, and I think it's important for people to understand
also that Chairman Rangel doesn't get to act by himself. The majority
party that controls the Ways and Means Committee has authority to
overrule the chairman. They've got enough members on their side to
overrule the chairman and let him know there is a problem. There is a
responsibility for the members of those committees. They're not
supposed to be empty suits and dresses. They were elected by their
constituents to come up here and do the right thing and not be
hypocrites on any issue.

{time} 2210

So I hope we won't have that experience.
When you look at some of the things this article points out, it says
in the editorial, in fact, the provisions that were added to this
health care bill increase fines, in some cases even for honest
mistakes, this expert added, even punishing those who fail to alert the
IRS to potentially questionable tax exemptions, bar the IRS from
waiving penalties against taxpayers who clearly erred in good faith.
The article goes on and talks about the provisions, it says here, that
would prevent the IRS from waiving punishment in cases where tax
officials thought the penalty was clearly excessive.
It also adds that under another provision, the IRS would require that
taxpayers self-report areas where they may have gone over the line
seeking tax advantages, and if they fail to self-report and problems
are not found, the tax penalties would skyrocket. As this article says,
the IRS becomes judge, jury and executioner. One provision says the
measure doubles the fine against the taxpayer from 20 percent of the
underpayment to 40 percent. So there is a problem here.
With regard to the issue of race, I cannot tell you how much I look
forward to the day when there is not an application in this country
that has a provision for race, because it doesn't matter. People don't
care. We finally experienced the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., talked about when we are judged by the content of our character
and not by the color of the skin. That's the way it's supposed to be.
And in fact, I have got recently called a racist by information I was
told by one reporter who called over the Posey bill that does something
very simple, and I know there are people out there who are
conservatives, maybe radicals, that think that there is some kind of
conspiracy theory behind the President, that he is not really supposed
to be President, that he is not qualified. Look, he is President. He is
going to be President at least until another election.
But the Posey bill actually is implementing legislation that brings
out the fact that the Constitution requires these, and since The New
York Times and The Washington Post pointed out a year and a half ago
that they thought John McCain may not be qualified because he was born
in the Panama Canal Zone that this legislation, it's just simply two or
three pages that says anybody running for President beginning in 2012
will have to show that they're qualified.
It's not ex post facto. It doesn't do anything like that. It is
implementing legislation. There are some judicial officials and experts
that believe unless there is implementing legislation like this, even
if everybody in the country knew that a candidate was born in Moscow,
you still couldn't raise it because nobody would have standing unless
we do some kind of implementing legislation. So the bill very simply
just says that beginning in 2012 you have to show you're qualified.
Well, all of a sudden, I start getting calls. I even got mentioned in
Doonesbury by name, and they're using the same language. One reporter
says that she got it from a high source at the White House that I was
trying to delegitimize the President and was trying to throw him out of
office. When I recommended the reporter read the bill, and she did, we
didn't have any more about it. But it concerns me.
I have also gotten all kinds of information. Apparently this
information, supposedly some of it came from the White House, and they
have now branded me a racist. And now I think it is appropriate to
note, with my apologies to the Texas former Senator Phil Gramm, who I
really appreciate his politics, I liked Alan Keyes better in 1996. I
voted for Alan Keyes for President in 1996. And somebody has mentioned
that he doesn't happen to be white. I didn't care. I liked his
politics. Race didn't matter. But there are sources here in Washington
trying to brand people racist when it has no application whatsoever.
That is one example.
I will tell you another example is I came down here on the floor and
raised the issue with the chairman of the budget over the Justice
Department if since he recused himself 2 years ago over the budget
process for the Justice Department if it wouldn't be appropriate to do
that now. He said 2 years ago that he was recusing himself, would step
aside and not handle the budget for the Justice Department while he was
being investigated. Well, there's no indication that that investigation
has ended. And yet this time there was no stepping aside.
My understanding was one reporter who asked for a comment from me
said that they didn't think it was a big story like they did 2 years
before when he did step aside because he had said, well, he wasn't
actually going to preside over the FBI's budget, the people that were
investigating. So it's okay to preside over the budget for the bosses
of the FBI, the Justice Department, but not okay to supervise the FBI
budget?
I mean, if we want to talk about the appearance of a problem, good
grief, can you imagine anyone being a judge over a case and they are
going to rule or preside over a case of somebody that gets to cut off
their funds if they don't like what the judge does? It's just absurd.
Anybody would look and go, there is an appearance of a problem here,
and it destroys the reputation of this body.
Here again, it was the President who has continued to demand that
Americans listen. And he has had town halls, listen to me, let me tell
you, and he has had some listening sessions where they ship in people
and it appears that some of them even have prepared questions to ask
him that were given to them. It's not exactly listening to the people
if you tell them what questions to ask.
In any event, we keep being told we have to listen because the
President has a plan, and the bill that we have had, we discussed,
because that's what's in front of us, we are told if you like your
insurance you get to keep it. And yet page 16 of the bill that we are
given says, if your insurance policy changes at all, any term or
condition, you lose it. Then that doesn't seem to be all that honest of
an approach, which to give the benefit of the doubt, apparently just
means he didn't read it.
But now, the President wants to come in here and talk to us again
because apparently we haven't been listening well enough, so he wanted
to come speak. So he gets the invitation. He is going to come talk to
us about health care.
Well, do you know what? There was another President that did the same
thing on September 22 of 1993 because he didn't think that Americans
were listening well enough about what he had to say about health care.
So we had a joint session, and President Clinton told us, America, he
told people in this room that they needed to listen and do what he was
saying about health care reform. And so here we are, all these years
later, and now we're going to have to listen again, September 9, it is
actually 13 days short of where President Clinton was when he came and
started telling people about it.
There is a problem when you don't listen to other people. And some of
us have gotten an earful out there listening. I love to comment about
one of my

[[Page 21119]]

constituents when he says, look, he is telling us there are 45 million
or 46 million people that don't have insurance, 15 percent of Americans
don't have insurance, and so there is a problem. Well, you don't throw
out the whole system to change that. In fact, one constituent said,
look, when my ice maker broke, I didn't remodel the whole kitchen. And
I think when you listen to Americans across the country, it's amazing
the wisdom you get.

{time} 2220

And I think it is a problem in this body when all we do is talk and
we don't listen.
Well, I tell you, I know my friends, and Madam Speaker, that we've
all gotten an earful over August, and I loved it. I enjoyed hearing
what people had to say because they had given it a lot of thought. So
this is what we need to do: Listen. And some great points have been
made.
We need to preserve the appearance of propriety and protect against
the appearance of impropriety, and that appearance is all over here.
And some of the same people who are refusing to do anything about an
appearance of impropriety are the same people we listened to my first 2
years rightfully talk about a problem when there is an appearance of
impropriety. Well, it's high time they went back and listened to
themselves 4 years ago and do what they said 4 years ago and quit
ignoring the damage that's being done to this body when there is
important business that needs to be done.
I would also encourage those same people who say that people on this
side have no answers. If they would read a little bit, listen a little
bit, they would find out there are all kinds of proposals. They are
just so caught up in trying to fight against reform that would fix the
appearance of impropriety that they're not actually doing the business
this body ought to be doing. And with that, I yield back to my friend.
Mr. CARTER. Reclaiming my time, I would like to point out that as
I've been talking about some of these issues, just so we can make it
very clear, this is not just about Chairman Rangel; I've also talked
about John Murtha, Al Mollohan, Jim Moran, Pete Visclosky. All these
are issues that are before the Ethics Committee or the Justice
Department in some form or fashion. And so we are clearly saying we
have appearances that are concerning us at every level.

____________________

30-SOMETHING WORKING GROUP

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 2009, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) is recognized
for half the remaining time until midnight.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to be before the
House once again.
As many Members of the House know, we've had an opportunity to go
back not only to our districts, but to our States to deal with the
issues in our districts and also talk to a number of our constituents.
And I wanted to come before the House tonight with some of my
colleagues to talk about one of the main issues that were discussed
during the break. But as you know, when I come to the floor, I always
like to bring to the attention of the House, so that we will never
forget, that we do have men and women in harm's way. As of September 8,
1:30 p.m. today, the total American military deaths in Iraq is 4,341,
wounded in action returned back to duty is 17,623, and wounded in
action and did not return to duty is 3,872. And I think it is very
important to not only have that in the Congressional Record, but also
for all of us here that are passing not only policy, but also
appropriations, make sure that we remember the families and those
individuals that continue to serve to allow us to salute under one
flag. So as policymakers, we have to pay very close attention.
Madam Speaker, I come to the floor tonight because I believe now more
than ever, since I've been here for 7 years, that we need leadership
not only in this House, but in the Congress in general, and that's
including the Senate. And I think when we look at this issue of health
care, there has been a lot said by many people, but there are only 535
some odd people in this country, including the President of the United
States and members of his Cabinet, that are going to have to implement
and provide this leadership on behalf of a country that needs people to
man up and woman up and leader up and stop just saying, well, we
shouldn't do anything about health care because every man and woman for
themselves. Well, you know, that's not the American spirit. And it
pushes against logic because when you look at rising health care costs,
when you're looking at small business men and women that are having
issues of being able to provide health care for themselves, leave alone
the employees that they have, at affordable rates, when their employees
are able to have health care that they can afford for their families,
it's one thing to have health care, it is another thing to be able to
afford it. And I brought a couple of personal testimonies from my State
that I think it's important for people to pay very close attention to.
Now, tomorrow night we know that this Chamber will be filled with
policymakers. We will have a number of the President's Cabinet here.
And the President will walk down this center aisle just like other
Presidents have done in the past. And Americans will definitely tune
in, the world will tune in to see if we're willing to be able to do
what we must do to be able to keep this country competitive. This is
bigger than just ideology or a public plan, or no plan at all, or I'm
going to score political points because it's an issue that is a
landmark piece of legislation and only leaders can play in that room so
I'm going to stand on our side and throw rocks at the building and
break as much glass as I can and hopefully, hopefully I may confuse
people enough to where when they're confused they will just say no, I
don't necessarily think that we need to carry out this health care
issue.
I want to know who's hiding and who's running around here in the dark
saying, oh, let's bring this thing up with health care. Hello. The
whole 2008 election was based on health care. Some issues that some
Members thought would come up--immigration reform, the war will play
more of a substantial role, qualifications of how long you serve will
play a major role--no, it was health care. And it was Democrats and
Republicans and Independents and first-time voters that were voting for
hope and just believing this time that something good will come out of
their vote.
Now I'm going to tell you something. I'm from Florida. I'm from one
of those States that over 3,600 Floridians lose their health care every
week, every week. And it's kind of good for me to be here in
Washington, D.C., along with my colleagues, all of them. And we all
have health care, so there is no urgency on our side. There are no
letters that are written by Members of Congress saying, oh, woe is my
copayment; oh my goodness, the premiums have gone up, I can't afford
it, I've been denied as a Member of Congress of an operation that I
desperately need or a family member. That doesn't happen in our world;
it doesn't happen in the House, it doesn't happen in the Senate, but it
definitely happens in America and it definitely happens to Floridians
that show up at town hall meetings. And I had some constituents saying,
Kendrick, I would love to come to your town hall meeting, but I'm not
into the whole bodily harm thing if I come. And that's something else
that we have to pay attention to. So I think it's very, very important.
For those of us that came to Congress to make sure that our
representation and our presence here is about representing people,
people that are counting on us to do the right thing, people that are
making sure that they don't find themselves in a situation to where
that--well, I'm going to vote for my Member of Congress so he or she
can have health care and I'll sit by and be a part of a debate over a
public plan or a nonpublic plan. Hello. In the State of Florida you
have 20 percent of the individuals that are under the age of 65 that
are uninsured. Guess what, ladies and gentlemen. Eighty percent of us
that have health care insurance are

[[Page 21120]]

paying more every year because of the 20 percent. People want to talk
about, well, you know, somebody has to do this and this is not
guaranteed. Well, you know something? When you show up and you make
that phone call, when you find out your child is sick or you find out
that your husband now has to get that operation that you weren't able
to detect every time you all had breakfast, but finally this kind of
ache in his side or what have you has now become a situation that now
you have to deal with and now you're spending $3,000 of a copay that
you don't have already, we can't prioritize it then and say, oh, I care
about health care.
So I wanted to come tonight with my colleagues--and I see that they
have joined me--because I did talk with my neighboring colleague in
Florida, Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz, about the fact that we have to
come back to the floor even though we have families, we have leadership
positions in the House, we have major pieces of legislation moving
through our committees, to come back here in the middle of the night
like we did when we beat back the forces who wanted to privatize Social
Security.

{time} 2230

Think about it. Just think about it, Madam Speaker, if we'd listened
to those voices when they had wanted to privatize Social Security.
Hello again. Not only would the people over the age of 65 have had a
lot to worry about, but there would have been a lot of young people who
would have taken their money and put it out in this unregulated Wall
Street and would have lost even their Social Security benefits.
So I'm here to tell you that I look forward to coming back to the
floor with my colleagues to talk about this issue of health care. We
know the President will come tomorrow and will, in his best effort, try
to bring Republicans, Democrats and the two Independents, who serve in
the Senate, together to bring about quality health care on behalf of
all Americans.
When we talk about health care, I am talking about every person who
lives in the United States of America. This will affect you. If you are
insured, this will affect you, and it will affect you, hopefully, in a
positive way because, every time you pay a premium, it's higher. Every
time you pay a copay, it's higher. Folks are talking about the public
plan issue, and I'll just close with this and then will yield to my
colleagues.
I had a young lady call my office. I pick up the phone from time to
time when it's ringing, and, you know, she was like, Well, Congressman,
I just want to tell you that I'm against the public plan.
Okay. Well, tell me: What are you against? I want to know. You know,
tell me a little bit about it.
I wasn't trying to be intimidating by, you know, going into sections
and chapters.
Tell me.
Well, you know, I don't know if I want, you know, the government in
the business of health care.
Well, that sounds like something that might have been said on the
radio and not necessarily something that I felt that I failed her on
because I didn't do what I was supposed to do as a Member of Congress
and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee in saying that, if
there's another plan out there that will achieve bringing the private
insurance companies' costs down, knowing that they're charging every
last one of us with the monopoly that they have, then we will find
ourselves in a better situation. But guess what? No one has a plan that
will bring that cost down like a public plan will.
As I close, the U.S. Postal Service is a public plan, the last I
checked. If the U.S. Postal Service went out of business tomorrow, do
you think folks would be complaining? If you think they're complaining
about the price of a stamp now, wait until you allow just the private
sector to run by itself something that has broad application and that
so many people have to deal with. See where that cost goes.
Medicare, the last time I checked, was a public plan for those over
the age of 65. The public plan that we're talking about now is even far
more conservative than that plan because, regardless of what your
income may be or what it may not be, you're eligible for it. This
public plan will be paid for with just premiums and not with taxpayer
dollars.
Now, you know, I'm not one of these Members who says, Oh, my
goodness. Without a public plan, I don't know if I can vote for this.
I'm saying, if there's nothing else there--and I do mean nothing else
there--that will bring down the cost of health care for everyday
Floridians and Americans, then the public plan is the option to be able
to deal with those issues and to be able to make sure that we make
health care affordable.
Members of Congress, we don't have a problem. We have health care,
and we will have health care, and we will not be denied an operation,
and we will not wait in long lines. So I want to make sure that every
American, regardless of your party affiliation and regardless of the
fact if you've ever voted before in your life, pays attention to what
I'm saying. It's not about those of us who are here. We're fine. It's
about you and it's about your family.
Ms. Wasserman Schultz.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank you. Thank you so much to my good friend
and colleague, Mr. Meek from Florida. It is great to be back here in
the 30-Something Working Group.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. We're pushing the ``something'' far.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. We're pushing that ``something'' far--
exactly--given that your birthday was the other day, mine is in 2 weeks
and that we're a little bit past 30-something. I like to say that we're
the ``something'' in ``30-something,'' so I'm hanging my hat on that.
We have been reconvened by you, under your chairmanship of this
working group, because yet again it is time to make sure that we can be
clear and straight and direct with the American people. This is the
season now of hard bargaining and of hard choices, and we have an
opportunity for the first time in our lifetimes and in the lifetime of
our generation to really, finally, achieve comprehensive health care
reform.
What does that mean?
That is a term that has been thrown around for weeks and weeks now,
and we've gotten to the point probably where most people's eyes glaze
over or where they turn the channel or where they, you know, just begin
to tune out, but it's to their peril if people tune out to this debate
and to this discussion, because we have the best opportunity for reform
that we've had in American history. We have brought health care reform
the furthest that it has ever been brought.
Five of six House and Senate committees have passed legislation
reforming the health care system--to do what?--to ensure that never
again will an insurance company be able to drop you or to deny you
coverage based on a preexisting condition and to ensure that never
again will your insurance and your health care be tied to your job
instead of to you. We'll make that insurance coverage portable so that
wherever you go and whatever decisions are made either to continue to
employ you or if you move on to another job that health care will be
attached to you.
Never again will we have to deal with health care-related
bankruptcies or deaths as a result of not having health insurance, both
of which happen now because people are facing catastrophic illness and
because they don't have health insurance coverage. They have to wait
until they're so sick that they have to use the most expensive ways of
getting their health care treatment, whether it's the emergency room or
because they are so sick that they have much more significant costs to
their health care, and as a result, are bankrupted directly as a result
of their health care problems.
There were 1,210 health care-related bankruptcies, Mr. Meek, in my
congressional district last year. I know we have the numbers for every
congressional district; 1,210 individuals went bankrupt because of
their health care problems. Families USA talked about how we had six
health care-related deaths in Florida directly attributable to the fact
that people did not have health insurance. How did they come

[[Page 21121]]

to that conclusion? Because, if you don't have health insurance and if
you have a basic health care problem, a simple health care problem, you
can't afford to go to the doctor, so you get sicker and sicker until,
one day, some folks just die because they become so sick that they
can't get the problem taken care of, and then the problem overwhelms
them even when they are able to access emergency care. So this directly
attributes death to the lack of health care coverage. In 2009 in
America, that is just unconscionable.
Over the last few weeks, I have spent a lot of time in my district
going around and speaking to small business owners and individuals who
either have preexisting conditions or who face astronomically high
health care insurance premiums. They're frustrated. They say it's long
past time that we get a handle on these costs; but what is the response
on the other side?
You know, there are a lot of folks who are friends of ours on the
other side of the aisle who are saying that they're for reform, that
they support health care reform--and this is the nice version--but that
they just don't like the direction that we're taking it. They don't
want socialized medicine. They don't want the government takeover of
health care or the government to get in between you and your doctor.
Let me read you this passage, my colleagues, and just see what you
think about this expression of sentiment. This is a voice on a record,
urging listeners to write their Members of Congress and to ask them to
oppose this legislation:
``And, if you don't do this and if I don't do it, one of these days,
you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and
our children's children what it was once like in America when men were
free.''
Now, does that sound familiar? It does sound familiar because it
sounds like what our friends on the other side of the aisle are doing
to scare people, particularly senior citizens, into believing that
somehow they're going to be giving up their freedom if we pass health
care reform. Well, actually, that was Ronald Reagan back in 1961 when
he was trying to scare seniors and scare doctors and scare Americans
into believing that somehow Medicare was going to be the end of the
health care system and of health care coverage as they knew it.

{time} 2240

And now it would be to any of our peril if we went home and suggested
that people be separated from their Medicare, because it's been one of
the most successful health care programs in American history covering
seniors who would have certainly died if not for having that health
care coverage. And we have got to make sure that we have this
discussion in this debate in a responsible manner.
We are not going to get in between you and your doctor, Americans and
their doctor. On the contrary, we want to make sure that the people who
are between you and your doctor, which are the insurance company
bureaucrats, who are looking more at the bottom line than they are at
making sure you stay healthy, that they are moved aside and we can have
health care reform and health care coverage that ensures that people
stay healthy, that they can get the access to health care that they and
their health care provider decide is appropriate, that we bring down
the cost of that health care and that we make sure that we force,
especially in some of the communities--not that you and I represent,
because the three of us represent fairly urban areas, but in the places
in this country where there is maybe one or two private plans and very
little competition.
So they can charge whatever they want. They can include whatever they
want in those policies, that side by side, with the private plans, is a
public option that keeps those private plans honest, that forces them
to be more innovative, forces them, in order to hold on to those
customers, to provide coverage that's more comprehensive and more
affordable.
Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. I thank the gentlewoman and I thank
Representative Meek for convening here tonight.
Here is how I look at the issue of the public option. First of all, I
think it has gotten a lot more attention in the debate than it takes up
in the bill. There are a lot of very important pieces to this health
care reform bill, and public option is one of them; but I look at it
this way: I have faith in my constituents. I think that if we give them
choice, they are going to make the right choice for themselves and for
their families.
And just like in countries in Europe, where you may only have one
choice, you have got to buy, take public insurance, in this country we
also have only one choice as well: you have to take private insurance.
And this notion that we shouldn't give our constituents the choice,
up to them, as to whether they want to stay on their private plan or
for a variety of reasons, they think it might be better to be on a
publicly offered plan, I think that shows a lack of faith in the
American people.
And I think if it's good enough for every single Member of Congress,
if it's good enough for every Federal employee and State employee in
this country, if it's good enough for our veterans, if it's good enough
for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, and if it's good enough
for every single individual in this country over 65, well then maybe
our constituents should have a choice of whether it's good enough for
them or not.
So to me it just comes down to choice, as was mentioned about the
lack of choice that's out there right now. If you are working, odds are
that you might have one choice, maybe two choices, maybe three choices.
But you are lucky if you have that many.
If you live in a State like Connecticut, we have one insurer that
covers over 50 percent of the people in our State. That's 50 percent of
the States in this Nation where one insurer has over half the market,
70 percent of States in this country have two insurers that cover 70-75
percent of the market. There is not enough choice out there as it
stands right now.
So I just have faith that my constituents are going to be able to
make the right choice for themselves.
And for all those people that say, you know, well, the government
can't run anything, but the public option is going to run private
insurers out of business, those arguments don't work together, right.
Because if the government can't run anything, then they are not going
to be able to run an insurance plan, nobody is going to join. But it
should be up to people whether they do that. That's how you put
competition back in a very, very broken marketplace.
And so to me, to me the one unifying theme that when I was home this
August, as it has been throughout the entire time that I have been
doing this job for the last 2\1/2\ years, that has united the people
who support this specific proposal and the people that are undecided
and the people who don't like it is cost.
I mean, everybody agrees that the system costs too much right now. I
mean, over and over again, I hear the same story that you, Mr. Meek,
Mr. Ryan heard, business owners talking about a 20 percent increase
last year in their health insurance premiums, individuals looking down
the barrel in Connecticut of a 30 percent increase in our major
insurance plan. Employees having seen wage increases be put off year
after year after year because their employers are taking all the extra
money they are making and putting it to health insurance premium
increases.
And everybody understands that we need to tackle costs here. Well,
guess what. The Congressional Budget Office, right, which Republicans
and Democrats alike hate because they think it's too nonpartisan, that
budget office, which we listened to, which guides our decisions here,
says that the public option is going to save our health care system
$100 billion, $100 billion because it's going to offer something
cheaper to people and it's going to put pressure on the private
insurers to bring their costs down.
So if we really care about costs, and this has to be part of the
discussion, there is a lot of other things we can do here. We will talk
about the insurance

[[Page 21122]]

exchange which is going to force insurance companies to compete against
each other, the tax credits we are going to give to businesses to try
to have them offer insurance to their employees. But when all is said
and done, we should be keeping every possible tool in the tool box that
can bring the costs down. That's one of the things amongst many that
can unite us in this building, in this Chamber and throughout this
country.
And I think if there is one thing that I found when I was home, it is
that when you really got down beyond some of the shouting, beyond the
rhetoric, beyond the talking points that both sides were handing out,
that there was actually a lot more that united us here.
And I think our job here, as we hit that witching hour on this bill,
is to distill that down to something we can all be proud of when we go
home.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. I appreciate it. One of the things--we have got a
little old school thing going here too that I ought to mention. But one
of the things that I think is very important that everyone I talked to
in August, Canfield Fair, St. Mathias, Slovak Festival, Irish plans,
Italian-American Festival, every single time people were understanding
the fact that they are paying for all of these uninsured people right
now.
They get it. They know this $1,800 a year increase they are going to
get next year is because there are going to be another 50 million
people going to the emergency rooms. Doesn't make any sense. But I
think one of the things too that we need to remember when we were
talking to seniors about Medicare is that we have this population,
especially, I think, in the industrial Midwest where people are 55, 60
years old, have lost their jobs, lost their insurance. Maybe they are
still working, but the insurance company or their employer is not going
to pay for their insurance anymore.
We have a very unhealthy segment of our population going into the
Medicare program. And so if you are living in northeast Ohio, and if
you are 55 or 60 years old, you lose your health care, a lot of people
are saying to themselves, I am going to wait until I get into Medicare
to get my heart surgery. I am going to wait until I get into Medicare
to get my hip surgery. Or I am going to wait until I get into Medicare
for you name it.
And so from 60 to Medicare age, a lot of things go wrong that you
probably could have managed better. So we have this very unhealthy
population going into the Medicare program.
So what our seniors need to know because our friends on the other
side who don't want any kind of health care reform at all are saying,
well, they are going to cut Medicare. Well, it's nice to see a few
Republicans stand up and actually have some concern about Medicare
because Newt Gingrich and Grover Norquist and these guys are talking
about letting it wither on the vine and those kinds of things.
But it's going to save Medicare money if we have this 50-, 55-, 60-
year-old population getting the kind of preventive, manageable care so
that they don't all of a sudden say, I am going to wait until I get
into Medicare. And then you go into Medicare and you need something
that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars more. That's what is
hurting our Medicare system more. So we need to bring some of those
costs down.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Just to continue your point to its next
logical step, shifting this health care system from a sick care system
to what it is now, to a prevention and wellness-based system, ensuring
that people can get their health care needs and their checkups taken
care of before they get sick, is going to prevent those catastrophic,
maybe not completely preventible catastrophic illness, but stave off
chronic and catastrophic illness so that the actual health care that
people go and get is less expensive health care, is preventive-based
health care, and we will have a generally healthier population.

{time} 2250

I will add to that the description that you provided of 60- to 65-
year-olds. There are many people in that category, and you can extend
it actually down to about age 50, people who are sort of past their
quality working years and should be retiring, maybe continuing to work
and wearing themselves down. It is going to actually make them more
sick, but because they have preexisting conditions and they are not yet
Medicare-eligible and the only insurance many of them have is tied to
their job, they are anchored to those jobs.
My own mom is one of those individuals. She has a preexisting
condition and she gets her insurance coverage through her work. She is
63 years old and is not Medicare-eligible yet, so she has to continue
to work full time in order to keep the coverage. There are countless
stories like that in America. And she is the mother of a Member of
Congress.
Just to show you, people are bandying about how privileged we are and
our families. We have good coverage, decent coverage, but basic
coverage, and our family members are just like any other family members
across America. We all can list out countless examples of people who
would benefit from comprehensive health care coverage.
Before I yield back to the gentleman, I want to go back to our
friends on the other side of the aisle, because it has been frustrating
to me as I have debated, and I am sure each of you has debated
colleagues of ours on the other side of the aisle on this subject over
the last few weeks, to hear them say that they are for reform, because,
quite frankly, I just don't think that passes the smell test.
They were in charge here for 12 years. The last eight, they were in
charge of everything. They had the opportunity. The ball was in their
court. They certainly could have taken the ball and run with it. But
health care reform was not a priority for them. It never has been, and
it isn't now.
It is disingenuous for them to suggest that they are for reform, but
not the reform that we are proposing. If they were for reform, they
could have gotten it done. The reform that they offered the American
people was some lame prescription drug part D program for Medicare that
left a giant doughnut hole that thousands and thousands, tens of
thousands of senior citizens are falling into that our health care
reform proposal would fill and make sure that people wouldn't have to
decide not to stop taking their medicine once they fall into it, and be
able to again focus on getting people well and keeping them well
instead of spiraling ever downward into a more sickly state.
Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Let me just add to that, that for all of
the talk we have heard on this floor from our Republican friends about
fiscal responsibility with respect to health care and respect to the
overall budget, when that bill came up for debate, when they made their
one foray into health care, a bill written for the drug industry and
the insurance industry which have made record profits off of this
program and many others, they didn't pay for a dime of it. They
borrowed every cent in order to fund that Medicare prescription drug
benefit.
You want to talk about the things that added to the deficit that
Barack Obama inherited? Right at the top of that list is the only major
effort that the Republican House and the Republican Senate made to
health care.
So not only when they constructed the Medicare benefit did they get
it wrong, but for all of their talk about making sure that this health
care bill is deficit neutral, which is a commitment, a commitment from
this President and from the House and from the Senate, when they had
the opportunity to do it, they borrowed every single dime to do health
care.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. It may sound good to say if we just fix this or fix
that, fix this and fix that, we will be okay. The problem we have now
is we have this patchwork system that we just have been constantly
patching up, and it is not addressing one of the main problems, and
that is we have got all of these uninsured people. Some people say it
is 10 million, some people say 15 million, so it is probably somewhere
in between.

[[Page 21123]]

But the bottom line is, Mr. Meek, all these people are going to the
emergency room. That makes no sense to anybody. So you go in with your
insurance card, you are paying for the person who is walking in there.
What we are asking people to do in this reform package is for people
who are now using the emergency room as their primary care doctor, that
they will have to pay something now. They will have skin in the game.
They will have a copay, they will have a premium. You are going to get
something out of them.
That is how we are going to help build this new system, is by having
people who are now getting something for nothing will have to pay and
have skin in the game and take money out of their own pocket, Mr. Meek,
and pay for their health care, and that will help everybody.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. You know, Mr. Ryan, it is just so good to see
Mr. Murphy and you and Ms. Wasserman Schultz here back on the floor
again, and the fact that some of the arguments that you hear, that I
don't think we are here for some big, let's-build-the-government-even-
more, you know, that the reason why we are here is to make sure that
the government gets bigger and more control, that that is what we ran
for.
No. We are here because we care about the people that sent us here. I
said it earlier when I was here on the floor, just me at the top of
this hour, when I said, you know something? No one came up to me and
said, Congressman, I woke up at 7 a.m. in the morning voting for
representation. I am so happy to send you, your wife and your two kids
to Washington so you can have health care that I will never have. Okay?
The bottom line is I am sitting here, I am going to put these
testimonials on my web site that some people have e-mailed to me and
some I got from my town hall meeting.
I am looking at Robert here from Wellington, Florida. He says as a
self-employed person, I am not eligible for any group coverage.
Therefore, I must pay $4,000 a year for my family of four, and I have
deductibles totaling up to $7,000 out-of-pocket before anything gets
covered, in his plan that he has now.
In this current economy, my income has been greatly reduced, but I
cannot change for a less expensive plan until the open enrollment
period comes around, and that is almost a year away. It is nuts.
He says, in a nutshell, health care could well bankrupt me, even
without a medical catastrophic event taking place, and I am trying to
figure out what will the new Congress and the President do for me. That
was his e-mail to me as a Congressman.
Now, I am not his Congressman, but he is just reaching out to Members
of Congress. And the bottom line is there are real people out there
that are dealing with it.
Mr. Ryan, you make so much sense when you say folks walk through--I
know that is kind of hard for you to believe, me saying that--walk
through the doors of an emergency room getting care, and you are
watching these public hospitals going under. Think about it. They are
reducing staff.
I was in Daytona the other day at a Labor Day picnic. A lady came up
to me and said, Congressman, this is my first time meeting you. I have
a mother in a hospital, the public hospital there in Volusia County,
and we have to take turns being in the room with her because of the
staff cuts that are there.
This is all coming from uncompensated health care that is driving up
the costs, not only for public hospitals and private hospitals, but
also driving up the costs for us who pay premiums and copays and all of
those things.
So I would say this also to my friends that live in rural
communities. I heard you talk about Ohio, and, of course, we can all
talk about our States. But I can tell you this: In rural communities
right now in this bill we incentivize doctors to stay in those
communities. They are communities that are in need and they don't have
specialists there.
We also look at addressing the disparities as they relate to rural
America. Right now we have individuals that have to drive for miles and
miles and miles. That is not okay, especially when you are in need of
care.
So when we look at this whole comprehensive piece, we are looking at
something that is going to bring about better coverage for all
Americans, make sure that those of us that have insurance, that we
bring our costs down, making sure that people who have preexisting or
family conditions, God forbid this gentleman from Bradenton, if
something was to happen, one of his family members, he discovered his
daughter had some sort of illness to where that she has to go operation
to operation, and then that insurance that he has, which is not as good
as mine, runs out, he is on his own, by himself. And folks can't say
well, that is his personal problem. No, that is going to be my problem
too and it is going to be the individual's problem who has health care,
because he or she is going to pay for the fact that he can't get
coverage and he works and provides, he is a business person and he just
wants to insure his family.

{time} 2300

Mr. Ryan, I'm going to say this, and then I'm not going to say
anything else during this hour, but we'll yield back when that time
comes, 10 minutes after the hour.
I will tell you this: that those of us in this Chamber didn't know
better, because all while I was listening to people throughout the
State of Florida during the break, I couldn't help but--like a lady
posed a question to me in a townhall meeting: Congressman, what are you
going to do to bring about the kind of change we need in Washington,
D.C.? Are you going to be on the fence? Are you going to say, Well, you
know, I don't want to necessarily say anything, don't want to do
anything? I'm going to run in the back of the Chamber, put my card in
and run out the door. Or am I going to come here and fight for those
individuals who sent me here to fight for them.
And those are businesspeople, and those are individuals, and those
are people who are listening to us right now that have a health care
crisis or have an imminent health care crisis coming and wondering if
they're going to have insurance. I would much rather go down fighting
for them than sitting here trying to be safe and trying to score
political points and win a couple more seats in Congress because it
will help my political ideology. We're beyond that right now.
We are dealing with the real deals that are crippling our
multinational companies that are here, based here in the United States,
to compete with other countries who have health care reform and have a
policy to where that doesn't bankrupt big and small companies.
So I'm just asking my colleagues, be they either Democrat or
Republican, be a man, be a woman, be a leader, come here to Washington,
D.C., and speak fact and not fiction and make sure that we fight,
because we're as close as we have ever been to doing this right now,
Debbie, and I think it's important that if we're going to go down,
we're going to go down fighting. And I tell you if I have anything to
do with it, we're not going down. That's one. Two, people are going to
get health care. And in the final analysis, they're going to look at
the leaders, either Democrat or Republican, and say, You know
something? I'm glad they fought. They did not retreat.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. You know, Mr. Meek, I can't help in listening
to you but think of this debate through my eyes as a mom. There's
nothing more important to moms than making sure that your children stay
healthy, and there's nothing that tears out a mother's heart worse than
looking at your child, knowing they're sick and knowing that you can't
do anything to make them well, and you would do anything to make your
child well if you could.
Imagine layering on top of that angst for a mother the fact that she
wasn't covered by health insurance nor were her children, and as a
result, she couldn't even take her child to the doctor when they first
got sick and she has to wait and wait and wait until her

[[Page 21124]]

child gets sicker and sicker and sicker until she has to use the
emergency room as her primary access point for health care for her
child.
Now, for me, we are at the point in this country in our Nation's
history where you should not be separated from our ability to provide
for the health and well-being of your child due to the difference in
your wealth.
When a child turns 5 years old in this county, Mr. Meek, Mr. Ryan,
Mr. Murphy, no parent has to worry about whether they're going to be
able to pay for their children's education because we have education
that's universal in America. It's a given. It was decided over 100
years ago. Everyone gets equal access to education and the government
pays for it.
We're not even going that far here. What we're saying is health care
should be a right and should not be a privilege.
Mr. Ryan, one of the things that just galls me, which is why I keep
going back to it, is how disingenuous our colleagues on the other side
of the aisle have been.
Let me quote one of our colleagues, and I won't name her. She said
this last week to a conservative organization, and this was reported in
the newspaper. A colleague of ours, in talking about their views on
health care reform said, ``What we have to do today is make a covenant,
to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this thing. This will not
pass. We will do whatever it takes to make sure this doesn't pass.''
And then she continued, ``Right now, we are looking at reaching down
the throat and ripping the guts out of freedom, and we may never be
able to restore it if we don't man up and take this one on.''
That is a direct quote from one of our colleagues who I won't name,
but, Madam Speaker, I would like to enter this into the Record.

Talking Points Memo: 9/1

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) spoke yesterday to the right-
wing Independence Institute, the Colorado Independent
reports, and she called on conservative to really come
together in the fight against President Obama on health care.
``What we have to do today is make a covenant, to slit our
wrists, be blood brothers on this thing,'' said Bachmann.
``This will not pass. We will do whatever it takes to make
sure this doesn't pass.''
The sanguinary rhetoric continued. ``Right now, we are
looking at reaching down the throat and ripping the guts out
of freedom,'' she said. ``And we may never be able to restore
it if we don't man up and take this one on.''
Bachmann also denounced a system under which some Americans
pay half their income in taxes: ``It's nothing more than
slavery.''

We don't even have to deal with transparency because it's clear that
the stakes are so high for them. If I hadn't read it myself, I wouldn't
have believed it. The stakes are so high here. They know that if we're
successful at finally reforming the health care system and covering
everyone, that politically next year they won't be able to be too
successful in the elections. And that's what it's about for them, it's
about power.
Mr. RYAN of Ohio. I want to say two things and then I will be done
for the night, too.
There was this interesting article in Newsweek this week. It was
about a book about William F. Buckley and about the battle between the
extreme right wing of the Republican Party and the William F. Buckley
National Review kind of wing, and there was this little battle post-New
Deal.
But it's interesting to note that right after Roosevelt got in, there
was this extreme reaction, very similar to what we're seeing where
every critique of what Roosevelt was doing was socialism, communism,
and all of these fancy names. But there were also these vigilante
minutemen who would show up at these events carrying their guns, and it
was amazing, because that's exactly what we're dealing with here.
There's no solution. There are just these critiques of how the train
is moving down the track. The American people want to go in another
direction.
But I wanted to share this story because I think this is what we're
all talking about.
I ran into this woman at the Canfield Fair. I stood outside the
Democratic Party tent. This is one of the biggest fairs in Ohio over
Labor Day. I stood there for 4 hours, 4 hours, just south of
Youngstown, Ohio. I had two people out of all the entire time come up
to me and say, What are you doing with this socialist--and they're also
against the energy bill, so it was totally the right wing talk radio
crowd that was like inundating them with this stuff. Two people came up
against this.
But what this one woman said, she's 35 years old, married, kid.
Husband just lost a job. They made about $58,000 a year when he worked.
They now make $32,000 a year. She is working. He, after he lost his
job, is going back to school. No income, trying to better their life.
The daughter was in the stroller there.
This woman is telling me this story. She has a condition. She's got
to take medication. It's very expensive. She can't afford it. Now
they're paying out of pocket. She makes $32,000 a year, down from
$58,000 because the husband lost the job. And she said, Do you want me
to go on welfare and go on Medicaid? Because that's what I'm forced to
do.
Now, if there's any value we respect here in America, it's somebody
that wants to work. She wants to work. She wants to provide for her
kids, her husband. She wants to have a nice family. She wants to have
the dignity of work. And the system now is set up that that really may
be the best decision for her and her family is to go on Medicaid and
take welfare benefits. That's not what we want.
And what we're saying is why should this woman who's working her rear
end off, her husband is going back to school to get retrained, those
are the people we want to help. That's what this whole thing, the whole
thousand pages that everyone keeps talking about, that's what this
whole thing is about. It's about helping that woman, her husband, and
that kid.
And that's why, Debbie, as you said, the stakes are high. Kendrick,
the stakes are high, and we need to pass this thing.
Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. If our friends on the other side of the
aisle want to have a debate about freedom, let's have a debate about
freedom.
Listen, we don't legislate on anecdote here. We legislate on data and
statistics and evidence. But the anecdotes are powerful because they're
representative of what the data tells us.
And I think about the woman in my district who raised her hand at an
event I had at Town Green last week, and she said, Listen. I work for
an employer who's downsizing and looking to cut costs wherever they
can, and I've got a child with a very serious illness. She's on this
employer's health care plan, and I know that I am targeted. I know that
if they can get rid of me and get rid of the expenses associated with
my daughter, they've just saved a lot of money. And I know if I lose
this job, I'm not going to be able to find another one because there's
no way that somebody is going to pick me up if they have to cover the
cost of my daughter who has an illness through no fault of her own, no
fault of mine.
What kind of freedom is that?
I think about the guy who raised his hand and told me the story about
the fact that he had been working for a new company that had just hired
him in New Britain, Connecticut, a couple of years ago. He had had a
good, steady income for 2 years, but he got diagnosed with gallbladder
cancer and he couldn't show up for work any longer, and they fired him.
They fired him and he lost his health insurance.

{time} 2310

Now he spends every single dime that he makes off of his unemployment
checks to pay for cancer treatment. What kind of freedom is that? When
we want to talk about freedom, health care reform, giving freedom to
people who have insurance and want to keep it, giving freedom to people
who lose it and need to get medical care, let's have a debate about
freedom, because the proponents of reform are going to win that debate,
Mr. Meek.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. We have 30 seconds left.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I just appreciate being together again and
knowing that on a regular basis over

[[Page 21125]]

the next several weeks and months we will be getting together to press
for health care reform for everyone.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Absolutely. Madam Speaker, with that, from these
Members that came before the House tonight, we want to definitely let
other Members know that we will be coming to the floor. We will be
sharing accurate information as we have done over the years, and we
will continue to do it good or bad. We look forward to the President
coming and addressing us tomorrow in a joint session.
With that, we yield back the balance of our time. Thank you.

____________________

HEALTH CARE REFORM

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 2009, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) is recognized
for the remaining time until midnight.
Mr. BURGESS. I thank the Speaker for the recognition. I almost feel
like now that I have got equal time for a reply from the last 45-minute
segment, I would remind my friends on the majority that they are in the
majority. This is the House of Representatives of the United States.
Any bill can pass on the floor of this House with 218 votes. As I
recall the last numbers, we have 177 Members on the Republican side,
you have 258 members on the Democratic side. That means you can pass
pretty much whatever you want whenever you want as long as you keep
only 40 Members of your party from straying, and you can only lose 40
Members from your side and you can pass whatever you want.
Now we read some articles in the paper today where there are 23
Democrats who say no way are they voting for this health care bill
after they have been through the summer that they have had. Okay, you
still have a comfortable margin of 20 votes to pass whatever bill you
want. So, please, don't set this up as a straw man Republican versus
Democratic argument. The Republican Party in the House of
Representatives in this Congress cannot stop you from passing anything
that you want to pass. We do not have the numbers. We do not have the
organization. Some might argue we don't have the leadership to block
anything that you want to pass.
So your argument is an internal argument. It is Democrat versus
Democrat. Bring the bill to the floor of the House that you want to
bring. Bring it to the Rules Committee. You certainly have done it
plenty of times. Bring it to the floor of the House. We will have our
obligatory 2 hours of debate. We will have the vote, win the vote, and
send it over to the Senate. You have 60 votes on the Senate side. This
should not be a challenge for you. Send it down to the White House. You
have a President who will sign virtually anything you send down to him.
This is not an argument that you are having with Republicans. This is
an argument you are having internally within your own caucus. And why
are you having that argument internally within your own caucus? Because
you have not sold this proposal to the American people. And you felt
that acutely during the August recess.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is reminded to address his
remarks to the Chair and not to others in the second person.
Mr. BURGESS. Absolutely. I will refer to the Chair.
Madam Speaker, this is because the other side did not make the sale
to the American people. They did not engage the American people from
the bottom up, from the grass-roots up, which is the way you have to do
tough legislative proposals, transformative legislative proposals. You
don't start at the top and work down. That's the Soviet style of doing
things, Madam Speaker. This is America. We go from the grass-roots up.
Our friends on the Democratic side chose not to do it that way.
Instead, they would rather vilify Republicans because, after all,
that's what helps them raise money and win votes. And after all, isn't
it all about just winning votes and maintaining your majority? You're
not really held to account by the American people as to whether or not
you pass your agenda or not, apparently, if we are to believe the poll
numbers.
But, Madam Speaker, I do not believe this can be done from the top
down. I do believe this has to come from the grass-roots up. We saw a
Member of Congress, a Democrat in one of the midwestern States,
plaintively ask her audience on YouTube during the month of August
during one of the August town halls, don't you trust me? And the
response she got back from her audience was, well, apparently not. The
audience didn't trust her.
All across this country, Members of Congress have heard the voices of
August. The question is, the real question for this House is, was
anyone listening to those voices as they were speaking to us?
Right now, this Congress has historic low credibility ratings. We
have some of the lowest credibility ratings in the last 26 years. Two
years ago, 2\1/2\ years ago, when the Senate tried to pass massive
immigration reform, they found because of the very low credibility
levels that they had that no one trusted the United States Senate to
pass this type of immigration reform. As a consequence, despite the
backing of two very powerful Senators, one on the Republican side and
one on the Democratic side, despite that very powerful backing, they
were unable to pass sweeping immigration reform in 2007. The American
people recoiled in horror when they saw what was happening, flooded the
Senate switchboard, shut down the Senate servers, and the Senate got
the message and very quickly went on to other things that might occupy
their time for the rest of that summer.
Well, this summer has been no different. Switchboards have been shut
down. Servers have been overwhelmed. The American people have weighed
in on this issue, and it is overwhelmingly opposed to what the Speaker
of the House has pushed through the three committees here on the House
side.
Now, if we do not have the credibility to do a sweeping proposal, a
sweeping legislative proposal such as has been before us, to
essentially allow the government to claim one-seventh of the Nation's
economy, if we don't have the credibility to do that, should we just do
nothing? Or should we, in fact, try to achieve some deliverables for
the American people? I think every one of us heard that the American
people are interested in us effecting some reforms. We heard some of
them mentioned just in the last hour on the Democratic side. There are
things on which we do agree. There are things on which we can work. And
there are deliverables we can accomplish for the American people.
But the fact of the matter is the American people do not trust us, do
not trust us to undertake this type of sweeping reform and transform
the way health care is delivered in this country such that many people
may not even recognize it.
Now, I do take some exception to some of the comments that I heard in
the last hour. I was a physician. For 25 years, I practiced medicine.
There are plenty of times I got up in the middle of the night, and I
knew that delivery I was going to do or that operation I was going to
perform was something for which I would never be compensated. That's
just part of the job. American physicians, men and women, show up all
hours of the day and night to render this type of care, and they don't
ask where the payment is coming from.
People get taken care of in this country in a timely and respectful
manner, and it happens every day of the week. And quite honestly, I am
very tired of hearing the type of rhetoric we just heard on this House
floor where America's physicians are seemingly indifferent to the
plights of people who happen to be ill and uninsured. Patients are
taken care of all the time across this country in clinics, in hospitals
and in emergency rooms by caring physicians, caring nurses and caring
hospital staff without regard for that patient's ability to pay. It
happens every day of the week.
It is so frustrating to hear people talk about the only way to pay
for health care in this country is either

[[Page 21126]]

through a private insurance or a government program. There is plenty of
care that is just donated by the generosity of America's physicians,
America's nurses and America's hospitals.
In fact, the only thing standing in the way of this sweeping health
care reform that the President is going to come talk to us about
tomorrow night is, again, an internal conflict on the Democratic side.
If we had done this bill in July, as had been proposed, if, in fact, we
had voted on this bill on July 31, which was what the chairman of the
three committees desired, which is what the President at the White
House desired, had we voted on this bill by the 31st of July, we would
have gone home to face our town halls; but it would have been a
different equation because the bill would have already been passed and
would be off to the Senate. But we didn't do that.
A funny thing happened on the way to ramming this thing through, and
many Members on the Democratic side began to hear from their
constituents and began to hear that this was not perhaps such a good
idea after all.
Do bear in mind, Madam Speaker, 218 votes are what are required to
pass any bill out of the floor of this House under a rule. The Rules
Committee is the Speaker's Committee. The Speaker has a 9-4 advantage
in that committee. The Speaker could get any rule pushed through the
Rules Committee that she wishes. She could bring any bill to the floor
that she wishes. We have seen it time and time and time again; 218
votes are what is required.

{time} 2320

Do not tell me, do not continue to perpetuate the fantasy that
somehow 177 Republicans are able to prevent this bill from coming to
the floor. And again, I would reiterate, you have the magic 60 votes in
the Senate. You don't need reconciliation; you don't need a fancy
procedural maneuver, you have the votes, 60 votes in the Senate, to
pass whatever you care to pass. And of course you have a President who
has already committed to signing this bill.
One of the things that I heard a lot back home was a concern about
the cost. And this is something that is going to continue to come up
and continue to be problematic for anyone who wants to undertake a bill
that is as sweeping as the one that we had before our committees last
month. The bill itself had very little in the way of cost containment
contained within the bill. Oh, sure, there were some physician cuts--we
always rely on those--there were some cuts to home health care, there
were some cuts to our radiologists and imaging, but in general there
was very little in the way of cost containment in the bill.
Now, we do hear a lot of talk and there is a lot of rhetoric on the
issue of preventive care. Preventive care, preventive medicine, you
bet, I'm for that. The cost savings from preventive care, though, are
much less certain and the timeline to achieving those cost savings is
also uncertain. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office in its report
to our committee in July delineated the very low rate of return on
those savings and the fact that it might be years before those cost
containments were achieved. That doesn't mean that it's not worthwhile,
it doesn't mean that it's not worth doing, but to go to the American
people with the statement that we're going to do all of these things
and we're going to be able to pay for all this additional care by not
cutting anyone's services, but because we're going to do things better,
faster, cheaper, smarter just, in fact, does not square with the facts
and the American people have seen through that.
Now, many of the studies have shown that in fact in the early years,
by increasing the preventive regimen, the cost may in fact increase.
And you would expect this to be the case because there is going to be
more spent on the infrastructure necessary, more spent on the clinics,
the exam rooms, professional personnel, nurse practitioners,
paramedics, the physician extenders that are going to be necessary to
see the increased numbers of patients who will be coming through those
clinics as we increase the throughput through those clinics. So it is
going to cost more money up front. I think there is broad recognition
of that.
Now, we did hear some concern about the Medicare part D program. I
would just simply remind people that Medicare part D, when it was
passed in this House of Representatives back in 2003, Medicare part D
was a prevention-based strategy. It only made sense, if you were going
to cover the doctor's expense, if you were going to cover the
hospitalization as was covered under Medicare's part A and B at the
time and you did not allow for the coverage of a prescription drug
benefit, that it was going to be much harder to deliver on the promise
of preventative care without the medicines available to prevent the
illnesses that you wish to prevent. It seemed relatively simple and
straight forward in 2003, it seems relatively simple and
straightforward now.
I think this Congress, I think the people who have written this bill
would have done well to look at some of the things from the Medicare
part D program that actually have worked very well. And true enough,
there were some problems with Medicare part D as it was passed. There
were some problems with implementation, I don't think anyone would deny
that. But the fact of the matter is that under the Medicare part D
program, remember, there was no mandate. There was never a mandate that
said a senior had to take a certain type of prescription drug coverage.
Different levels of coverage were available to every senior. Every
senior was encouraged to have some type of credible coverage for
prescription drugs. There was a cut-off date beyond which there would
be an increased cost for buying into the insurance program if someone
did not enroll during the open enrollment period, but it did not come
to us under the mantle of a mandate.
There was no requirement that every senior buy coverage. There was
simply the recommendation that every senior have credible coverage
under the plan. In fact, there were some benefits for people if they
went ahead and established that credible coverage by a certain cut-off
date. And what that meant was that the companies that were involved in
providing the coverage then were competitive on the basis of trying to
create programs that people actually wanted rather than saying we know
you've got to buy this, so we're just going to put one or two programs
out there and you can pick or choose from one or two and take it or
leave it. Dr. McClellan, Mark McClellan, who at the time was head of
Medicare and Medicaid Services, said there were going to be six
protected classes of drugs within the program. Within each of those six
classes there have to be at least two different choices. And with those
relatively simple parameters, the companies were allowed to go out and
construct programs and go out there and compete in the marketplace.
Now, we were told early on when we talked about this type of change
in the Medicare part D program that in fact you will never get
companies showing up to provide these products; you would have to
mandate something, otherwise people just simply won't have any program
at all from which to choose. But Dr. McClellan stuck to plan, and as a
consequence, in some States we have well over 40 different plans that
were there making available different types of Medicare part D
coverage. In fact, we were criticized a year into the plan that there
were too many choices, people couldn't possibly decide what to buy
because there was too much choice out there. Well, in fact, it was a
good problem to have. And as a consequence, now we have the Medicare
part D program where the coverage rate is in excess of 90 percent, the
satisfaction rate is in excessive 90 percent.
And it rivals any insurance program with a mandatory or coverage
mandate, whether it be an individual or employer mandate. By creating
the type of program that people actually want, that is actually useful,
that actually matters to them in their lives, we have been able to
provide more coverage to more people at lower costs than anyone thought
possible back in 2003 when the legislation was passed.

[[Page 21127]]

Now, we heard very many compelling anecdotes in the past 45 minutes
about people with difficult problems in tough medical situations. And
no one would argue that those are not compelling stories. I would just
remind people that are studying this issue that the bill that we had
before us that came out of the three committees, the bill that will
likely come to the floor sometime this month, while it does provide for
a public option and it does provide for a public option for coverage,
those methods of coverage do not become generally available to the
general population until 2013, 3 years after the enactment of the bill.
So those are not going to be immediate benefits that are going to be
accessible by any of the tough situations that you've heard described
here in the last hour. In fact, those programs are going to lag
significantly behind the start-up time of that bill.
Well, what can we expect in January when the bill starts if the bill
is passed and signed as is planned? What can we count on in January?
Well, you can count on the taxes occurring. Those certainly will. The
taxes will begin January 1 of 2010. An 8 percent payroll tax on small
business in this country. An 8 percent payroll tax may will be the
largest single employment tax that has ever been passed in this
country.
This may be the largest single job-killing event to occur in this
young century. This is something that we need to be very, very careful
about as we go about enacting this legislation because we are in the
midst of a recession. We are hopeful that the recession is ending, but
one of the difficult things about ending a recession, as we found in my
early years here in 2003 and 2004, that as a recession ends, job growth
does not necessarily follow immediately. What is the major engine of
job growth in this country? Well, it's small business. So if we don't
do anything to encourage small business and in fact we go so far as to
hurt small business, it will be very, very difficult to grow those jobs
that are actually going to be what ultimately lifts us out of this
recession.
None of us likes to look forward to a jobless recovery, and yet that
seems to be what's in the cards for us right now. This is a very
serious situation and something to which this Congress should best
place some heed because the absence of job growth in this economy will
lead to that double dip or W-shaped recession that many economists talk
about.
I did have several meetings with small business owners in my
district. I conducted forums with small business owners just to hear
their concerns about what Congress was doing. And yes, we heard some on
the energy bill that was passed earlier this year and how that would be
a job killing piece of legislation, but a lot of concern over what is
happening in health care. And even more to the point, there is so much
uncertainty out there in the country right now. No one knows what we're
going to do, Madam Speaker. Are we going to pass this bill? Are we
going to put an 8 percent payroll tax on top of the taxes that small
businesses already pay?

{time} 2330

Many employers with whom I spoke told me, Yeah, the recession may be
ending. We see some signs. Things seem to be easing up a little bit.
Well, are you going to expand your business? Are you going to be
adding jobs? Are you going to be bringing back some of those jobs that
you outsourced or laid off?
Well, I'm not so sure about that because the environment out there is
kind of unsettled right now. We don't know what you're going to do with
this health care bill. We don't know what you're going to do with that
energy bill. As a consequence, we're going to put our expansion plans
on hold for right now.
I heard this over and over and over again.
Now, to be sure, every business that I talked to was, perhaps,
talking about adding one or two or three jobs, and they put those plans
on hold, but when small businesses across the country are putting on
hold plans of adding one, two or three jobs, spread over the entire
country and over the entire economy, that's a significant number of
jobs that are right now being held in limbo because, again, employers
are not certain about what Congress is going to do next.
Well, I think one of the things that came through loud and clear for
me in listening to my constituents during the month of August was that
Congress fundamentally lacks the trust of the American people to do
something this large, and it is very, very difficult to do this in a
top-down centralized fashion. We really do need to recruit, to
encourage and to educate the American people as to what we are trying
to do and as to where the value for them is in it on what we are trying
to do rather than to just simply superimpose this large government
program on the American people.
You've heard it over and over again: Have you read the bill? Who can
read the bill? It's too big. It's too complex. No one can understand
it.
This is a valid complaint, and it's reflective of the fact that this
legislation is large, that it is sweeping and that people do not trust
the Congress to make those kinds of changes on a portion of their lives
that is that important to them. People do not trust the Congress to be
able to do the right thing.
We've heard over and over again from our constituents: Hey, if this
is not even good enough for Members of Congress, why should we sign up
for it? Why should we accept what you won't even take yourselves?
Now, to be sure, during the debates in the committees, there were a
number of amendments that were offered. Some suggested that whatever
the public option is and whatever it turns out to be should be the type
of insurance that Members of Congress and that members of the
administration and their staffs are required to take. That is, if it is
good enough for the American people, it ought to be good enough for the
governing class as well. I don't disagree with that. That amendment was
knocked out on a technicality in our committee, and we never had the
chance to vote for it. That ruling was appealed, and the appeal of the
motion of the Chair was upheld on a party-line vote. So, essentially,
every Democrat said, Hey, we don't want this coverage for ourselves.
Every Republican said that we should at least have the debate, that we
should at least hear the amendment and that we should hear from both
sides on this issue, but we weren't allowed to do it. It was shut down
in committee on a party-line vote.
I had an amendment that would have made Medicaid available to every
Member of Congress. Congress could be a mandatory population under
Medicaid, so every Member of Congress would be covered under the
Medicaid system, and every Member of Congress would then understand
what it is like to try to find a physician--doctor--for themselves or
for a family member in the Medicaid system. It can be very difficult to
do that. Why is that? Because reimbursement rates under Medicaid are so
low that members of the medical profession simply cannot afford to take
large numbers of Medicaid patients into their practices for fear that
they won't be able to cover their overhead and for fear that they will
not be able to keep their practices open.
Again, on a technicality, this was prevented from a vote, and it just
underscores the hubris of the United States Congress when it will
consider doing things to the American people, those things it would
never consider doing to Members of Congress. People see that and they
resent that. They can feel that it is not right that a Member of
Congress would vote on a type of bill that would require Americans to
take a certain type of insurance when that Member of Congress would
have no intention of taking that insurance himself.
We heard it in some of the townhalls that were conducted by the White
House: Is this insurance something that will be good enough for members
in the White House and for members of their staffs?
No, not necessarily. We want something good for members of the White
House.

[[Page 21128]]

It is exactly that type of hubris that has gotten people so upset. We
could deal with that. We could deal with that by requiring that any
public option or that even Medicaid is something that is not just made
available but required of Members of Congress, but we won't have that
discussion. We won't have that debate. It somehow seems to be demeaning
or beneath us to have that debate, but certainly that's a problem we
could fix and that we could fix pronto.
There was nothing in this bill that dealt with liability reform. As a
physician, I will tell you that that is one of the single largest
issues that faces physicians in this country. It is the constant threat
of medical litigation, the expense of medical liability insurance and
the cost of defensive medicine that drives the cost of the practice of
medicine literally through the roof.
A study back in 1996 by Dr. McClellan from Stanford University at
that time estimated a cost of nearly $30 billion for two diagnoses in
the Medicare system because of defensive medicine. Well, that was in
dollars of 12 or 13 years ago. Imagine what those dollars have grown to
today in our current liability climate.
This is something that the American people understand needs to be
fixed, and they simply do not understand why Congress will not at least
consider entertaining the debate. What they see is that this is
something that is being blocked by special interests and that this is
something that is being blocked by a certain lobbyist group that is
being prevented from even being discussed in a congressional committee.
The American people look at that and say, Well, that's not right. We
cannot possibly believe anything else that's in that bill, because we
don't trust you to have a rational discussion about this.
I dare say, if liability reform and fairness in the physician
compensation system had been on the table at the very beginning, you
might well have had some Republicans on board for this bill right from
the start.
What I do know is that you never tried. Never did any of the
committee chairmen, Madam Speaker, and never did the President or the
White House seriously try to achieve any type of bipartisan balance in
this bill. It simply was of no interest to them because--and I'll go
back to my early remarks about the arithmetic in the House--they can
lose 40 votes in the House and still pass a bill. They have 60 votes in
the Senate. They can cut off debate at any time and pass a bill and
send it down to the White House and get it signed into law.
We heard over and over again in our townhalls this summer about the
problems with preexisting conditions and about the problems with
insurance recision. We're talking about insurance reform. That is
something that we could accomplish. Yes, there are some thorny issues
to be addressed, but it's certainly no more difficult than anything
else we've taken on. We could have solved that problem. We could have
debated that problem. We could have voted on that problem before we
went home for the August recess, and we could have shown the American
people that, in fact, we were serious about taking care of a very
serious problem that affects 8 to 10 million people in this country, a
problem that prevents them from getting the health care coverage they
would like to have.
Yes, there are going to be some difficult arguments to have over
rating bans. Yes, there are going to be some difficult arguments as to
whether or not there is a premium cap or whether or not there is a
premium to be paid for someone's not having had insurance before
someone got a tough diagnosis. We can have those arguments. There
perhaps could be new moneys made available in State and Federal
subsidies for people who can't afford the cost of a State high-risk
pool. Nevertheless, we could have those debates. We could have those
arguments. We could look at those figures and decide what a correct
number would be. Again, that is something that is easily within our
level of achievement, and this House could have done it before we went
home for August, but for some reason, we chose not to.
On the issue of portability, we could have dealt with that before we
went home for the August recess. One of the biggest problems that
people are having right now is job loss because of the recession. Yes,
if someone loses his job and he has employer-sponsored insurance, it
becomes tough to continue that insurance. Under COBRA, employer-
sponsored insurance has to be offered for the next 18 months, but it's
extremely expensive. For someone who has just lost his job, to be able
to cover his portion and the employer's portion and an administrative
fee becomes terribly difficult, but we could have dealt with that. The
fact of the matter is we chose not to. We chose to go home for the
August recess with our work being undone, and the American people saw
right through that. That's why they were so frustrated with us in the
month of August.
Now, we heard on one of the Sunday shows this weekend that the
President's main adviser said, In some States, why, there is no
competition. There's only one insurer.
Well, how do you deal with that if there is only one insurer in some
States? Do you really make the situation measurably better by adding a
second insurer? Well, maybe. If it's a government-run program, then
maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it's a bad thing. Maybe you run out
the one insurer who was there already, and you're back to one insurer
which is now the public option. There are 1,300 different insurance
companies out there. If we would simply relax some of the restrictions
against selling across State lines, we could open those markets up, not
to one other insurer, not to ten other insurers, but to hundreds of
other insurers.

{time} 2340

That's real competition in the marketplace. The same type of
competition you see today for car insurance and for life insurance and
with the power of the Internet, those costs have come down
significantly for those two products. We could have achieved the same
type of success in the health insurance market if we were just clever
enough to have the discussion and begin to negotiate how we would go
about putting the protections in place so that people weren't taken
advantage of in that situation, and that's well within our power to do
that, Madam Speaker.
I again come back to the concept that Members of Congress were not
willing to take the very insurance that they were requiring the
American people to take. When you talk about hubris, that's one of the
things I heard over and over again. The bill is too big; nobody knows
what's in it. You haven't even read the darn thing and why won't; if
it's so darn good, why won't a Member of Congress sign up for it?
We heard those same comments over and over and over again. And what
did they tell us? It's a big bill. People are frightened of Congress'
ability to actually deliver on a bill like this or ability to deliver
on a promise like this. And if it is so darn good, then why aren't you
willing to step up and take it yourself?
And that really distills the arguments that we heard during the month
of August. Now, unfortunately, coupled with all of this--and we heard
some of the comments in the last hour when the Democrats had the
floor--you heard the comment made, Madam Speaker, that it's the right-
wing talk radio crowd that's causing the objections to this health care
bill, otherwise it would be done.
I submit to you the right-wing talk radio crowd is my crowd. They
talk to Republicans. But it's only 177 Republicans in the House of
Representatives. You have got 258 Democrats. The right-wing talk radio
crowd doesn't talk to the 258 Democrats, and you can still lose 39
Democrats and pass almost any bill that you want out of the House.
So, please, it is not a Republican that is preventing you from doing
this. Recognize what's happening here. It is the fact that you have not
sold this bill to the American people. That's what's preventing this
from being done.
Now, the other unfortunate thing this summer was the Speaker of the
House took it upon herself and the majority leader took it upon himself
to

[[Page 21129]]

write a joint op-ed piece for USA Today where they vilified the
American people. Well, you know, if you are trying to build a grass-
roots consensus for what you are trying to do, for something as big as
transforming the delivery of health care in this country, is it really
a smart idea to vilify the very people whom you are trying to recruit
to help you to do this project? I don't think so.
I mean, that's Politics 101. That's one of the first tenets. You
don't, you don't, you don't irritate the very people that you are going
to be asking to help you pass a bill of this magnitude.
I do believe it is possible, that it is reasonable for us to get down
and work on some of these things that I have outlined tonight. I
suspect there are others out there that people on both sides of the
aisle might like to see. These are just mine that came up during my
town halls.
I would like to see us have some serious discussions on this. I think
the American people really do want to see this done in a bipartisan
fashion.
Now, tomorrow night we are going to have a big speech here in the
House. The President will come down; all of our friends from the Senate
will be here. We may well have members of the Cabinet here as well to
hear what the President is going to say.
Will there be something new brought up tomorrow night? I don't know.
Will we simply see, hear a rehash of the same things? Will we hear
criticisms of Republicans for not working with Democrats on this issue?
We might.
I would just simply again offer that we don't have the numbers to
stop anything; and when I made overtures to the other side early this
year, in fact, even during the transition period before the President
was sworn in on inauguration day, completely rebuffed by the chairman
of my committee, by the President's transition team. No one seemed
interested in any Republican input at that point.
We have got the votes, we won the election, we can do it all and so
we shall.
Well, it's August. It was a hot month; things got a little heated at
home. And now that we are back here in the fall working on this,
perhaps it is time to rethink this.
I saw it on one of the Web sites the other day: maybe it's time for
the President to hit the reset button. Maybe that's not a bad idea.
This is a big, big change in the way things are being handled in
America in regards to health care.
The benefits in this bill don't go into effect for 3 years' time.
There is no rush to do this thing this month. There is time for us to
get this right.
And, you know, like the old saying goes, if you don't have time to do
it right when are you going to find time to do it over? Or as one of my
surgery professors used to tell me years ago, this is so important,
let's go slowly. We don't have time to be in a hurry.
Well, I think those are words that might serve us well as we continue
to work on this legislation.
We are going to hear from the President tomorrow night. I, for one,
am looking forward to what he is going to say. I would welcome the fact
that perhaps we can all get back together and work on some of these
things. My concept would be on let's keep it a little bit simpler so
that we do build some trust back with the American people.
Certainly the President enjoys a much higher popularity figure, much
higher poll numbers than any of us in the United States House of
Representatives have. But, on the other hand, that popularity is waning
as well.
I think it's important that the American people see that we can work
together on this, that we can produce deliverables for the country. And
I, for one, would be happy to get on with that work.
With that, Madam Speaker, I am going to yield back the balance of my
time.

____________________

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

By unanimous consent, leave of absence was granted to:
Mrs. McCarthy of New York (at the request of Mr. Hoyer) for today and
the balance of the week on account of recovering from back surgery.
Mr. Rodriguez (at the request of Mr. Hoyer) for today on account of
travel issues.
Mr. Tanner (at the request of Mr. Hoyer) for today and September 9 on
account of attending a funeral.
Mr. Dreier (at the request of Mr. Boehner) for today on account of
events in the district.

____________________

SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED

By unanimous consent, permission to address the House, following the
legislative program and any special orders heretofore entered, was
granted to:
(The following Members (at the request of Ms. Woolsey) to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material:)
Mr. Hoyer, for 5 minutes, today.
Ms. Woolsey, for 5 minutes, today.
Mr. McGovern, for 5 minutes, today.
Ms. Kaptur, for 5 minutes, today.
(The following Members (at the request of Mr. Poe of Texas) to revise
and extend their remarks and include extraneous material:)
Mr. Jones, for 5 minutes, today, September 9, 10, 14 and 15.
Mr. Burton of Indiana, for 5 minutes, today, September 9 and 10.
Mr. Poe of Texas, for 5 minutes, today, September 9, 10, 14 and 15.
Mr. McCotter, for 5 minutes, today.
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for 5 minutes, today and September 14.
Mr. Neugebauer, for 5 minutes, today and September 10.
Mr. Souder, for 5 minutes, today.
Mr. Inglis, for 5 minutes, today.
Mr. Moran of Kansas, for 5 minutes, today, September 10, 14 and 15.
Mr. Bartlett, for 5 minutes, today.

____________________

SENATE BILLS REFERRED

Bills of the Senate of the following titles were taken from the
Speaker's table and, under the rule, referred as follows:

S. 713. An act to require the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to quickly and fairly address the
abundance of surplus manufactured housing units stored by the
Federal Government around the country at taxpayer expense,
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
S. 748. An act to redesignate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 2777 Logan Avenue in San
Diego, California, as the ``Cesar E. Chavez Post Office'';
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
S. 1211. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 60 School Street, Orchard
Park, New York, as the ``Jack F. Kemp Post Office Building'';
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

____________________

ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House, reported and found truly
enrolled bills and a joint resolution of the House of the following
titles, which were thereupon signed by the Speaker pro tempore, Mr.
Hoyer, on Thursday, August 6, 2009:

H.R. 774. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 46-02 21st Street in Long
Island City, New York, as the ``Geraldine Ferraro Post Office
Building''.
H.R. 987. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom,
Pennsylvania, as the ``John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office''.
H.R. 1271. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located 2351 West Atlantic Boulevard in
Pompano Beach, Florida, as the ``Elijah Pat Larkins Post
Office Building''.
H.R. 1275. An act to direct the exchange of certain land in
Grand, San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, and for other
purposes.
H.R. 1397. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 41 Purdy Avenue in Rye, New
York, as the ``Caroline O'Day Post Office Building''.
H.R. 2090. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 431 State Street in
Ogdensburg, New York, as the ``Frederic Remington Post Office
Building''.
H.R. 2162. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 123 11th Avenue South in
Nampa, Idaho, as the ``Herbert A Littleton Postal Station''.
H.R. 2325. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 1300 Matamoros Street in
Laredo, Texas, as the ``Laredo Veterans Post Office''.
H.R. 2422. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located

[[Page 21130]]

at 2300 Scenic Drive in Georgetown, Texas, as the ``Kile G.
West Post Office Building''.
H.R. 2470. An act to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 19190 Cochran Boulevard FRNT
in Port Charlotte, Florida, as the ``Lieutenant Commander Roy
H. Boehm Post Office Building''.
H.R. 2938. An act to extend the deadline for commencement
of construction of a hydroelectric project.
H.R. 3435. An act making supplemental appropriations for
fiscal year 2009 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and
Save Program.
H.J. Res. 44. Joint resolution recognizing the service,
sacrifice, honor, and professionalism of the Noncommissioned
Officers of the United States Army.

____________________

SENATE ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION SIGNED

The Speaker pro tempore, Mr. Hoyer, announced his signature on
Thursday, August 6, 2009 to an enrolled joint resolution of the Senate
of the following title:

S.J. Res. 19. Joint resolution granting the consent and
approval of Congress to amendments made by the State of
Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of
Columbia to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Regulation Compact.

____________________

BILLS PRESENTED TO THE PRESIDENT

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House reports that on August 4, 2009
she presented to the President of the United States, for his approval,
the following bill.

H.R. 3357. To restore sums to the Highway Trust Fund, and
for other purposes.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House also reports that on August 6,
2009 she presented to the President of the United States, for his
approval, the following bill.

H.R. 3435. Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal
year 2009 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save
Program.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House also reports that on August
11, 2009 she presented to the President of the United States, for his
approval, the following bills.

H.R. 2938. To extend the deadline for commencement of
construction of a hydroelectric project.
H.R. 1275. To direct the exchange of certain land in Grand,
San Juan, and Uintah Counties, Utah, and for other purposes.
H.J. Res. 44. Recognizing the service, sacrifice, honor,
and professionalism of the Noncommissioned Officers of the
United States Army.
H.R. 2470. To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 19190 Cochran Boulevard FRNT in
Port Charlotte, Florida, as the ``Lieutenant Commander Roy H.
Boehm Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2325. To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 1300 Matamoros Street in Laredo,
Texas, as the ``Laredo Veterans Post Office.''
H.R. 2422. To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2300 Scenic Drive in Georgetown,
Texas, as the ``Kile G. West Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2090. To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 431 State Street in Ogdensburg, New
York, as the ``Frederic Remington Post Office Building.''
H.R. 2162. To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 123 11th Avenue South in Nampa,
Idaho, as the ``Herbert A. Littleton Postal Station.''
H.R. 1397. To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 41 Purdy Avenue in Rye, New York,
as the ``Caroline O'Day Post Office Building.''
H.R. 1271. to designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 2351 West Atlantic Boulevard in
Pompano Beach, Florida, as the ``Elijah Pat Larkins Post
Office Building.''
H.R. 987. To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom,
Pennsylvania, as the ``John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office.''
H.R. 774. To designate the facility of the United States
Postal Service located at 46-02 21st Street in Long Island
City, New York, as the ``Geraldine Ferraro Post Office
Building.''

____________________

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 45 minutes
p.m.), the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9,
2009, at 10 a.m.

____________________

EXPENDITURE REPORTS CONCERNING OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL

Reports concerning the foreign currencies and U.S. dollars utilized
for speaker-authorized official travel during the second quarter of
2009 pursuant to Public Law 95-384 are as follows:

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, KAY A. KING, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 14 AND APR. 20, 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Per diem \1\ Transportation Other purposes Total
---------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\----
Kay A. King............................ 4/14 4/15 Cyprus................... ........... 424.85 ........... (\3\) ........... ........... ........... 424.85
4/15 4/19 India.................... ........... 1,392.74 ........... (\3\) ........... ........... ........... 1,392.74
4/19 4/20 Italy.................... ........... 331.76 ........... (\3\) ........... ........... ........... 331.76
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee totals................. ........ .......... ......................... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... 2,149.35
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.
\2\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.
\3\ Military air transportation.
KAY A. KING, May 14, 2009.

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 1 AND JUNE 30, 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Per diem \1\ Transportation Other purposes Total
---------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\----
HOUSE COMMITTEES
Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.
\2\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.
HON. JOHN M. SPRATT, Jr., Chairman,
July 13, 2009.

[[Page 21131]]

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON RULES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 1 AND JUNE 30, 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Per diem \1\ Transportation Other purposes Total
---------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\----
HOUSE COMMITTEES
Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.
\2\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.
HON. LOUISE M. SLAUGHTER, Chairwoman,
July 16, 2009.

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 1 AND JUNE 30, 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Per diem \1\ Transportation Other purposes Total
---------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\----
HOUSE COMMITTEES
Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.
\2\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.
HON. ZOE LOFGREN, Chairwoman, July 17,
2009.

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON TAXATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 1 AND JUNE 30, 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Per diem \1\ Transportation Other purposes Total
---------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar
Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent
Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S.
currency currency currency currency
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\-----------------------\2\----
HOUSE COMMITTEES
Please Note: If there were no expenditures during the calendar quarter noted above, please check the box at right to so indicate and return. x
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Per diem constitutes lodging and meals.
\2\ If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended.
HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL, Chairman, July
27, 2009.

____________________

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC.

Under clause 2 of Rule XXIV, executive communications were taken from
the Speaker's table and referred as follows:

3012. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Pasteuria usage; Temporary Exemption
From the Requirement of a Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0881;
FRL-8429-1] received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agriculture.
3013. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Alkyl Alcohol Alkoxylate Phosphate and
Sulfate Derivatives; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0131; FRL-8424-6] received July
29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Agriculture.
3014. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Methl Poly(Oxyethylene)C8-C18
Alkylammonium Chlorides; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0042; FRL-8424-4] received July
29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Agriculture.
3015. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- N-alkyl (C8-C18) Primary Amines and
Acetate Salts; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0046; FRL-8428-9] received July 29, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Agriculture.
3016. A letter from the Director, Regulation Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Sodium salts of N-alkyl (C8-C18)-beta-
iminodipropionic acid; Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0098; FRL-8425-5] received July
29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Agriculture.
3017. A letter from the Under Secretary, Department of
Defense, transmitting a letter providing ``the waiver, the
determination, and the reasons for the determination'', in
reference to the Department's June 11, 2009 letter required
by Department of Defense Instruction 5000.02, and in
accordance with title 10 U.S.C. section 2366b(a)(1)(B) and
(D); to the Committee on Armed Services.
3018. A letter from the Comptroller, Department of Defense,
transmitting the Department's quarterly report entitled,
``Acceptance of contributions for defense programs, projects,
and activities; Defense Cooperation Account'', for the period
ending June 30, 2009, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2608; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
3019. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Defense,
transmitting authorization of an officer to wear the
authorized insignia of the grade of rear admiral, pursuant to
10 U.S.C. 777; to the Committee on Armed Services.
3020. A letter from the Under Secretary, Acquisition,
Technology and Logistics, Department of Defense, transmitting
the Department's annual report on the Acquisition Challenge
Program for Fiscal Year 2008, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2359 (B)
(J); to the Committee on Armed Services.
3021. A letter from the Acting General Counsel, Government
Accountability Office, transmitting the Office's legal
opinion on whether the Department of Defense violated
appropriations prohibitions on publicity or propaganda
activities by offering special access to prominent persons in
the private sector who serve as media analysts, pursuant to
Public Law 110-417, section 1056(c); to the Committee on
Armed Services.
3022. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, transmitting notification that it is
estimated that the limitation on the Government National
Mortgage Association's (Ginnie Mae's) authority to make
commitments for a fiscal year will be reached before the end
of that fiscal year, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1721 nt.; to the
Committee on Financial Services.
3023. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative
Affairs, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the
Department's report covering the activities of the Office of
Financial Stability and the TARP during the period of June 1,
2009 to June 30, 2009; to the Committee on Financial
Services.
3024. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Financial
Stability, Department of the Treasury, transmitting the
Department's summary of response to the Special Inspector
General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program's (SIGTARP)
April 21, 2009 recommendations; to the Committee on Financial
Services.
3025. A letter from the Office of the Inspector General for
the Troubled Asset Relief Program, transmitting the Office's
quarterly report to Congress of the Office of the Special
Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program
SIGTARP, for the period ending June 30, 2009; to the
Committee on Financial Services.
3026. A letter from the Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, transmitting

[[Page 21132]]

the Department's final rule -- Amendments to Regulation SHO
[Release No. 34-60388; File No. S7-19-07] (RIN: 3235-AK22)
received July 28, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Financial Services.
3027. A letter from the Special Inspector General For The
Troubled Asset Relief Program, transmitting the Office's
quarterly report on the actions undertaken by the Department
of the Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the
activities of SIGTARP, and SIGTARP'S recommendations with
respect to operations of TARP, for the period ending June 30,
2009; to the Committee on Financial Services.
3028. A letter from the Assistant General Counsel for
Regulatory Services, Department of Education, transmitting
the Department's final rule -- Enhancing the Health and
Wellness of Individuals With Neuromuscular Diseases and
Enhancing the Health and Wellness of Individuals with
Arthritis--received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Education and Labor.
3029. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Health and
Human Services, transmitting renewal of the April 26, 2009
determination of a public health emergency existing
nationwide involving Swine Influenza A (now called 2009--H1N1
flu), pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 247d(a) Public Law 107-188,
section 144(a); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
3030. A letter from the General Counsel, Department of
Commerce, transmitting draft legislation to implement several
proposals included in the President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget
that will improve management of the radio spectrum and
represent sound economic policy; to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
3031. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans; Texas; Control of Emissions of
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) [EPA-R06-OAR-2009-0214; FRL-8939-4]
received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
3032. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air
Quality Implementation Plans; West Virginia; Clean Air
Interstate Rule [EPA-R03-OAR-2009-0033; FRL-8939-7] received
July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
3033. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of State Air
Quality Plans for Designated Facilities and Pollutants, West
Virginia; Control of Emissions from Commercial and Industrial
Solid Waste Incinerator Units, Plan Revision [EPA-R03-OAR-
2009-0482; FRL-8938-6] received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
3034. A letter from the Director, Regulatory Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of State Air
Quality Plans for Designated Facilities and Pollutants, West
Virginia; Control of Emissions from Hospital/Medical/
Infectious Waste Incinerator Units, Plan revision [EPA-R03-
OAR-2009-0463; FRL-8938-8] received July 29, 2009, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
3035. A letter from the Director, Regulation Management
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the
Agency's final rule -- Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattaiment New Source Review (NSR):
Reconsideration of Inclusion of Fugitive Emissions [EPA-HQ-
OAR-2004-0014; FRL-8937-8] received July 29, 2009, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
3036. A letter from the Director, International
Cooperation, Department of Defense, transmitting Pursuant to
Section 27(f) of the Arms Export Control Act and Section 1(f)
of Executive Order 11958, Transmittal No. 06-09 informing of
an intent to sign a Project Agreement, pursuant to 22 U.S.C.
2767(f); to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3037. A letter from the Special Inspector General,
Afghanistan Reconstruction, transmitting the July 2009
Quarterly Report on reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan,
pursuant to Public Law 110-181; to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
3038. A letter from the Director, International
Cooperation, Department of Defense, transmitting Transmittal
No. 09-09, the Department's intent to sign Memorandum of
Understanding with Canada Concerning Special Forces Equipment
Capability, pursuant to Section 27(f) of the Arms Export
Control Act Section 1(f) of Executive Order 11958; to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3039. A letter from the Director, International
Cooperation, Department of Defense, transmitting the
Department's intent to sign Amendment Number 9 to the
Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Cooperative
Framework for System Development and Demonstration of the
Joint Strike Fighter, Transmittal No. 05-09, pursuant to
Section 27(f) of the Arms Export Control Act Section 1(f) of
Executive Order 11958; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3040. A letter from the Director, International
Cooperation, Department of Defense, transmitting Pursuant to
Section 27(f) of the Arms Export Control Act and Section 1(f)
of Executive Order 11958, Transmittal No. 08-09 informing of
an intent to sign a Project Agreement with Canada and the
United Kingdom; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3041. A letter from the Deputy Director, Defense Security
Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense, transmitting
Transmittal No. 09-42, pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3042. A letter from the Acting Director, Defense Security
Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense, transmitting
Transmittal No. 09-20, pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
Amended; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3043. A letter from the Vice Admiral, USN, Director,
Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense,
transmitting Transmittal No. 09-33, pursuant to the reporting
requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control
Act, as amended; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3044. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting pursuant to
section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act, certification
regarding the proposed technical assistance agreement to
include the export of technical data, defense services, and
defense articles (Transmittal No. DDTC 047-09); to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3045. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a report
concerning an amendment to Section 123.17(f) of the
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), promulgated
pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act, 22 U.S.C. Section
2778, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801; to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
3046. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting pursuant to
section 36(c) and 36(d) of the Arms Export Control Act
certification of a proposed manufacturing license agreement
for the manufacture of significant military equipment abroad
and the export of defense articles and defense services,
(Transmittal No. DDTC 060-09); to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
3047. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary,
Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting
correspondence from Speaker Luka Bebic of the Croatian
Parliament; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3048. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting pursant to section
36(c) and 36(d) of the Arms Export Control Act, certification
of a proposed manufacturing license agreement for the export
of defense articles, including technical data, and defense
services, Transmittal No. DDTC 049-09; to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
3049. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting pursuant to
section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act, certification
of a proposed technical assistance agreement to include the
export of technical data, defense services, and defense
articles, Transmittal No. DDTC 048-09; to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
3050. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting pursuant to
section 3(d)(3) of the Arms Control Act, certification of a
proposed transfer of technical data, defense services, and
defense articles, Transmittal No. DDTC 034-09; to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3051. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary,
Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting the
Department's 2009 Report on Achieving Maximum Compatibility
among Foreign Service Agencies (pursuant to Section 601(c)(4)
of the Foreign Service Agencies) and the Five-Year Workforce
Plan for Fiscal Years 2008 through 2012; to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
3052. A letter from the Assistant Secretary, Legislative
Affairs, Department of State, transmitting the Department's
report entitled, ``Advancing Freedom and Democracy'',
pursuant to Public Law 110-53, section 2121; to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs.
3053. A letter from the Maj. Gen. USMC (ret.), Special
Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction,
transmitting the fourth quarterly report on the Afghanistan
reconstruction, pursuant to Public Law 110-181, section 1229;
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3054. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Commerce,
transmitting the Inspector General's semiannual report to
Congress for the reporting period October 1, 2008 through
March 31, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. app. (Insp. Gen. Act)
section 5(b); to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform.
3055. A letter from the Auditor, District of Columbia,
transmitting a report entitled, ``Fiscal Year 2008 Annual
Report on Advisory

[[Page 21133]]

Neighborhood Commissions'', pursuant to D.C. Code section 47-
117(d); to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
3056. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3057. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3058. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3059. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3060. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3061. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3062. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3063. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3064. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3065. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3066. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3067. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3068. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3069. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3070. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3071. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3072. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3073. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3074. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3075. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3076. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3077. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3078. A letter from the Deputy General Counsel, Department
of Agriculture, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3079. A letter from the Secretary, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's report on
competitive sourcing efforts for FY 2008, in accordance with
Section 647(b) of Division F of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, FY 2004, Pub. L. 108-199, and the Office
of Management and Budget Memorandum M-09-04; to the Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform.
3080. A letter from the Associate General Counsel, Peace
Corps, transmitting a report pursuant to the Federal
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998; to the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
3081. A letter from the Secretary, Department of the
Interior, transmitting a report to Congress on a gift of Land
in Socorro County, New Mexico, from the Friends of Bosque del
Apache National Wildlife Refuge, pursuant to Public Law 93-
632; to the Committee on Natural Resources.
3082. A letter from the Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, transmitting the Administration's final rule
-- Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to the Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal
Redevelopment Project, Anchorage, Alaska [Docket No.:
090206146-91055-02] (RIN: 0648-AX32) received June 30, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Natural Resources.
3083. A letter from the Acting Fiscal Assistant Secretary,
Department of the Treasury, transmitting the Department's FY
2008 Report to Congress U.S. Government Receivables and Debt
Collection Activities of Federal Agencies, pursuant to 31
U.S.C. 3716(c)(3)(B); to the Committee on the Judiciary.
3084. A letter from the transmitting the Department's final
rule -- Safety Zone; Missouri River, Mile 028.2 to 028.8
[COTP Upper Mississippi River-08-004] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3085. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety and Security Zones, Sabine Bank Channel and Sabine
Pass Channel, Sabine, TX [COTP Port Arthur 08-015] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3086. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galvaston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-07-025] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3087. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-07-019] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3088. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- 2009 Rates for Pilotage on the Great Lakes [Docket No.:
USCG-2008-1126] (RIN: 1625-AB29) received July 29, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3089. A letter from the Attorney--Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Friends of Fireworks Celebration, Lake Huron,
St. Ignace, MI [Docket No.: USCG-2009-0649] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3090. A letter from the Attorney--Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone, Kinnickinnic River Sediment Removal Project,
Milwaukee, WI [Docket No.: USCG-2009-0399-] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3091. A letter from the Attorney--Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Oak Island,
NC [Docket No.: USCG-2009-0565] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received
July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

[[Page 21134]]

3092. A letter from the Attorney--Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Ernest Lyons (SR A1A),
Stuart FL, and Memorial Clearwater Causeway (SR 60),
Clearwater, FL [Docket No.: USCG-2007-0129] (RIN: 1625-AA09)
received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3093. A letter from the Attorney--Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting Safety Zone; James River,
Navy Live Fire and Explosive Training [Docket No.: USCG-2009-
0568] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3094. A letter from the Attorney--Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Fireworks Display at the Craneway Building,
Richmond, CA [Docket No.: USCG-2009-0521] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3095. A letter from the Attorney, Department of Homeland
Security, transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety
Zones; Fireworks displays within the Captain of the Port
Pudget Sound Zone [Docket No.: USCG-2009-0532] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3096. A letter from the Attorney--Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Norfolk Tides Post-Game Fireworks Displays,
Elizabeth River, Norfolk, VA [Docket No.: USCG-2009-0274]
(RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3097. A letter from the Attorney--Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Manasquan River, NJ
[Docket No.: USCG-2009-0233] (RIN: 1625-AA09) received July
29, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3098. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Intercoastal Waterway, Mile 418 Sargent, TX
[COTP Houston-Galveston-07-0028] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received
July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3099. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-001] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3100. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-002] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3101. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-003] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3102. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-004] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3103. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-005] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3104. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone, Northeast Cape Fear River and Holly Shelter
Creek, Pender County, North Carolina [CGD05-09-114] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3105. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intercoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-006] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3106. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-007] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3107. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Ohio River, Mile Marker 598.0 to Mile Marker
605.0, Louisville, KY [Docket No.: COTP Ohio Valley 08-006]
(RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3108. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety zone; Houston Ship Channel, Houston, TX [COTP
Houston-Galveston-06-007] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 30,
2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3109. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Ohio River, Mile Markers 602.5 to 603.5,
Louisville, KY [COTP Ohio Vally-08-008] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3110. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-06-0010] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3111. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Tennessee River Mile Marker 602.3 to 603,
Lenoir City, TN [Docket No.: COTP Ohio Valley-08-009] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3112. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-06-0032] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3113. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Sabine River, Orange, TX [COTP Port Arthur-
07-014] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3114. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-06-0033] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3115. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Sabine River, Orange, TX [COTP Port Arthur-
07-015] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3116. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galvaston-06-0034] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009), pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3117. A letter from the Attorney General, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-06-0035] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3118. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-07-001] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3119. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-07-0002) received July
30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3120. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Ohio River Mile Marker 845.5 to 846.5, J. T.
Myers Lock and Dam, IN [COTP Ohio Valley-08-005] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July

[[Page 21135]]

30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3121. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-07-012] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3122. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety and Security Zones, Sabine Bank Channel and Sabine
Pass Channel, Sabine, TX [COTP Port Arthur 08-014] (RIN:
1625-AA87) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3123. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Houston Ship Channel, Houston, TX [COTP
Houston-Galveston-07-017] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 30,
2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3124. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 363.0 to
405.0 [Docket No.: COTP Lower Mississippi River 08-010] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3125. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 585 to
581 [Docket No.: COTP Lower Mississippi River 08-019] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3126. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-07-020] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3127. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's Final
Report--Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile 839.8 to
840.2 [COTP Upper Mississippi River-07-035] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3128. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-07-024] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3129. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile 211.0 to 212.0
[COTP Upper Mississippi River-07-036] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3130. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lake of the Ozarks, Mile 012.8 to 013.2 [COTP
Upper Mississippi River-08-001] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received
July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3131. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-07-027] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30,2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3132. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Sabine River, Orange, TX [COPT Port Arthur-
08-001] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to
5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3133. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile 403.7 to 404.3
[COPT Upper Mississippi River-08-006] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3134. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile 633.7 to 634.3
[COTP Upper Mississippi River-08-007] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3135. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile 772.4 to 772.8
[COTP Upper Mississippi River-08-008] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3136. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile 697.5 to 698.5
[COTP Upper Mississippi River-08-014] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3137. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Illinois River, Mile 118.7 to 119.3 [COTP
Upper Mississippi River-08-020] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received
July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3138. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile 849.7 to 852.9
[COTP Upper Mississippi River-08-036] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3139. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lake of the Ozarks, Mile 13.7 to 14.3 [COTP
Upper Mississippi River-08-09] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July
30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3140. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lake of the Ozarks, Mile 13.7 to 14.3 [COTP
Upper Mississippi River-08-10] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July
30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3141. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lake of the Ozarks, Mile 13.7 to 14.3 [COTP
Upper Mississippi River-08-11] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July
30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3142. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Missouri River, Mile 364.5 to 365.5 [COTP
Upper Mississippi River-08-12] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July
30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3143. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lake of the Ozarks, Mile 006.5 to 007.5 [COPT
Upper Mississippi River-08-13] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July
30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3144. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Ohio River Mile Marker 729 to 731, Troy, IN
[Docket No.: COTP Ohio Valley-07-045] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3145. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Ohio River Miles 182.2 to 184.2, Parkersburg,
West Virginia [Docket No.: COTP Ohio Valley 08-001] received
July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3146. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Tennessee River Mile Marker 206.7 to 208,
Pickwick, TN [Docket No.: COTP Ohio Valley-08-002] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3147. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Kanawha River Miles 59.4 to 61.9, Charleston,
West Virginia [Docket No.: COTP Ohio Valley 08-003] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3148. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Ohio River, Mile 602.5 to 605.0, Louisville,
KY [Docket No.: COTP Ohio Valley 08-004] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3149. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-008] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.

[[Page 21136]]

3150. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-009] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3151. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-010] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3152. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-010] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30,2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3153. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Freeport Entrance Channel, Between Green Buoy
#3 and Red Buoy #4, Freeport, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-
013] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3154. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-014] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3155. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-015] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3156. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-016] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3157. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile marker 328
to 330 [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-017] (RIN: 1625-AA00)
received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3158. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-018] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3159. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Mile 357.3
Galveston, TX [COTP Houston-Galveston-08-019] (RIN: 1625-
AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3160. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, MM 653 to 650,
Westover Landing [COTP Lower Mississippi River-08-011] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3161. A letter from the Attorney Advisor, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's final rule
-- Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River (LMR), Mile Marker
433.0 to 439.0 [COTP Lower Mississippi River-08-012] (RIN:
1625-AA00) received July 30, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3162. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Minneapolis, MN [Docket No.:
FAA-2009-0062; Airspace Docket No. 09-AGL-2] received July
28, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3163. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Sioux City, IA [Docket No.:
FAA-2008-1104; Airspace Docket No. 08-ACE-2] received June 4,
2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3164. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class E Airspsace; Columbus, OH [Docket No.:
FAA-2008-1185; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-11] received June
4, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3165. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Milwaukee, WI [Docket No.:
FAA-2008-1291; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-20] received June
4, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3166. A letter from the Secretary, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's fifth report on
the breakdown of the disability-related complaints that U.S.
and foreign passenger air carriers operating to and from the
U.S. received during 2008, pursuant to Section 707 of the
Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the
21st Century; to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3167. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Ankeny, IA [Docket No.: FAA-
2009-0187; Airspace Docket No. 09-ACE-3] received July 28,
2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3168. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10,
DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10),
DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, and MD-11F
Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2008-0735; Directorate Indentifier
2008-NM-085-AD; Amendment 39-15803; AD 2009-03-02] (RIN:
2120-AA64) received June 4, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3169. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Umiat, AK [Docket No.:
FAA-2008-0455; Airspace Docket No. 08-AAL-14] received June
4, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3170. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd.
Model GA8 Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2009-0155; Directorate
Indentifier 2009-CE-007-AD; Amendment 39-15825; AD 2009-05-
01] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received June 4, 2009, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3171. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Establishment of Class E Airspace; Tower, MN [Docket No.:
FAA-2008-1186; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-12] received June
4, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3172. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Medford, WI [Docket No.: FAA-
2008-1211; Airspace Docket No. 08-AGL-13] received June 4,
2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3173. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums
and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
[Docket No.: 30647, Amdt. No. 3304] received June 4, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3174. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums
and Obstacle Departure Procedures Miscellaneous Amendments
[Docket No.: 30648; Amdt. 3305] received June 4, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3175. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co
KG, BR700-715A1-30, BR700-715B1-30, and BR700-715C1-30
Turbofan Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2007-0169; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NE-45-AD; Amendment 39-15819; AD 2009-04-13]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received June 4, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3176. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Model DHC-6-1,
DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, and DHC-6-300 Airplanes [Docket No.:
FAA-2008-1267; Directorate Identifier 2008-CD-069-AD;
Amendment 39-15815; AD 2009-04-09] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received
June 4, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

[[Page 21137]]

3177. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Model PC-12/
47E Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2009-0146; Directorate
Identifier 2009-CE-009-AD; Amendment 39-15820; AD 2009-04-14]
(RIN: 2120-AA64), pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3178. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Airplanes
[Docket No.: FAA-2008-0613; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
066-AD; Amendment 39-15794; AD 2009-02-04] (RIN: 2120-AA64)
received June 4, 2004, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3179. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums
and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
[Docket No.: 30650; Amdt. 3307] received June 4, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3180. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums
and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
[Docket No.: 30649; Amdt. No. 3306] received June 4, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3181. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums
and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
[Docket No.: 30676; Amdt. No. 3330] received July 28, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3182. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8-
103, DHC-8-106, DHC-8-201, DHC-8-202, DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311,
and DHC-8-315 Airplanes Equipped with a Cockpit Door
Electronic Strike System Installed in Accordance with
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST02014NY [Docket No.:
FAA-2009-0313; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-144-AD;
Amendment 39-15769; AD 2008-26-03] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received
July 28, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3183. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes
[Docket No.: FAA-2008-1201; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
007-AD; Amendment 39-15922; AD 2009-11-12] (RIN: 2120-AA64)
received July 28, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
3184. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums
and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
[Docket No.: 30677; Amdt. No. 3331] received July 28, 2009,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3185. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc., T5313
and T5317 Series Turboshaft Engines [Docket No.: FAA-2008-
1311; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-48-AD; Amendment 39-
15976; AD 2009-15-13] (RIN: 2120-AA64) received July 28,
2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure.
3186. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and -400D
Series Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2007-28988; Directorate
Identifier 2007-NM-047-AD; Amendment 39-15975; AD 2009-15-12]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received July 28, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3187. A letter from the Program Analyst, Department of
Transportation, transmitting the Department's final rule --
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, A321
Series Airplanes [Docket No.: FAA-2008-1365; Directorate
Identifer 2008-NM-076-AD; Amendment 39-15970; AD 2009-15-07]
(RIN: 2120-AA64) received July 28, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
3188. A letter from the Dir, Regulation Policy &
Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the
Department's final rule -- Elimination of Requirement for
Prior Signature Consent and Pre- and Post-Test Counseling for
HIV Testing (RIN: 2900-AN20) received July 28, 2009, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
3189. A letter from the Chief, Trade and Commercial
Regulations Branch, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Department's final rule -- Cargo Container
and Road Vehicle Certification Pursuant to International
Conventions: Designated Certifying Authorities (RIN: 1651-
AA78) received July 23, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
3190. A letter from the Federal Register Liaison,
Department of the Treasury, transmitting the Department's
final rule -- Liquor Dealer Recordkeeping and Registration,
and Repeal of Certain Special (Occupational) Taxes [Docket
No.: TTB-2009-0003; T.D. TTB-79; Re: Notice No. 96] (RIN:
1513-AB63) received July 3, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Ways and Means.
3191. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule -- Section 126.-Certain Cost-Sharing
Payments Forest Health Protection Program [Rev. Rul. 2009-03]
received July 28, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Ways and Means.
3192. A letter from the Chief, Publications and
Regulations, Internal Revenue Service, transmitting the
Service's final rule -- Treatment of Fails Charges for
purposes of sections 871, 881, 1441 and 1442 [Notice 2009-61]
received July 28, 2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to
the Committee on Ways and Means.
3193. A letter from the Chairman, International Trade
Commission, transmitting a report entitled, ``The Year in
Trade 2008'', pursuant to Section 163(c) of the Trade Act of
1974; to the Committee on Ways and Means.
3194. A letter from the Acting Associate Administrator,
Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations,
Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting a draft of
proposed legislation to collect certain fees under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as indicated in the
President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget; jointly to the
Committees on Energy and Commerce and Agriculture.
3195. A letter from the Inspector General, Special
Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, transmitting the
Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR)
July 2009 Quarterly Report and Semiannual Report, pursuant to
Public Law 108-106, section 3001; jointly to the Committees
on Foreign Affairs and Appropriations.
3196. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Commerce,
transmitting the annual report on the activites of the
Economic Development Administration for Fiscal Year 2008,
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 3217; jointly to the Committees on
Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce.
3197. A letter from the Acting Assistant Secretary of the
Army, Department of Defense, transmitting Proposal to
imporove the way the Nation raises the revenues need to cover
the non-Federal share of capital costs of inland and
intracoastal waterways projects; jointly to the Committees on
Ways and Means and Transportation and Infrastructure.
3198. A letter from the Regulation Coordinator, Department
of Health and Human Services, transmitting the Department's
final rule -- Medicare Program; Hospice Wage Index for Fiscal
Year 2010 [CMS-1420-F] (RIN: 0938-AP45) received July 30,
2009, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); jointly to the
Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce.
3199. A letter from the Director, Office of National Drug
Control Policy, Executive Office of the President,
transmitting the Office's 2009 Report on the Technology
Transfer Program (TTP) for the Previous Year, pursuant to
ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 2006; jointly to the Committees
on Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, and Energy
and Commerce.
3200. A letter from the Administrator, FEMA, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's report on
the Preliminary Damage Assessment information on FEMA-1842-DR
for the state of Alabama, pursuant to Public Law 110-329,
section 539; jointly to the Committees on Homeland Security,
Transportation and Infrastructure, and Appropriations.
3201. A letter from the Administrator, FEMA, Department of
Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's report on
the Preliminary Damage Assessment information on FEMA-1841-DR
for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, pursuant to Public Law 110-
329 section 539; jointly to the Committees on Homeland
Security, Transportation and Infrastructure, and
Appropriations.
3202. A letter from the Acting Fiscal Assistant Secretary,
Department of the Treasury, transmitting the annual reports
that appear on page 119-144 of the March 2009 ``Treasury
Bulletin'', pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 9602(a); jointly to the
Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and
Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce,
Agriculture, and Education and Labor.

____________________

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS-

Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to
the Clerk

[[Page 21138]]

for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows:

Mr. OBERSTAR: Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. H.R. 3193. A bill to designate the United
States courthouse under construction at 101 South United
States Route 1 in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ``Alto Lee
Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse'' (Rept. 111-245).
Referred to the House Calendar.
Mr. OBERSTAR: Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. H.R. 2121. A bill to provide for the transfer
of certain Federal property to the Galveston Historical
Foundation; with amendments (Rept. 111-246). Referred to the
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.
Mr. OBERSTAR: Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. House Concurrent Resolution 136. A resolution
authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for a celebration
of Citizenship Day (Rept. 111-247). Referred to the House
Calendar.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee: Committee on Science and
Technology. H.R. 3165. A bill to provide for a program of
wind energy research, development, and demonstration, and for
other purposes; with an amendment (Rept. 111-248). Referred
to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the
Union.

____________________

PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions of the
following titles were introduced and severally referred, as follows:

By Mr. BURGESS:
H.R. 3533. A bill to amend the Consumer Product Safety Act
to clarify and ensure the effective implementation of certain
children's product safety provisions added by the Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008; to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
By Mr. RAHALL:
H.R. 3534. A bill to provide greater efficiencies,
transparency, returns, and accountability in the
administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by
consolidating administration of various Federal energy
minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to
be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing
of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Natural Resources.
By Mrs. McCARTHY of New York (for herself, Mrs. Lowey,
and Mr. Cummings):
H.R. 3535. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to
reduce the amount of Federal highway funding available to
States that do not enact a law prohibiting an individual from
sending or receiving text messages while operating a motor
vehicle; to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
By Mrs. McCARTHY of New York (for herself, Mr. Kildee,
Ms. Fudge, Mr. Filner, Mr. Peters, Mr. Rothman of New
Jersey, Mr. Boucher, Mr. Costello, Mr. Hare, and Mr.
Bishop of New York):
H.R. 3536. A bill to provide for an increase of $150 in
social security benefits for one month in 2010 to compensate
for the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment for that year; to
the Committee on Ways and Means.
By Mr. ORTIZ (for himself and Mr. Brown of South
Carolina):
H.R. 3537. A bill to amend and reauthorize the Junior Duck
Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994; to the
Committee on Natural Resources.
By Mr. SIMPSON (for himself and Mr. Minnick):
H.R. 3538. A bill to authorize the continued use of certain
water diversions located on National Forest System land in
the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the
Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in the State of Idaho, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources.
By Mr. SIRES (for himself, Mr. Lance, Mr. Rothman of
New Jersey, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Andrews,
Mr. Adler of New Jersey, Mr. Payne, Mr. Holt, Mr.
Pascrell, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Smith of New Jersey,
and Mr. Garrett of New Jersey):
H.R. 3539. A bill to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 427 Harrison Avenue in
Harrison, New Jersey, as the ``Patricia D. McGinty-Juhl Post
Office Building''; to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform.
By Mr. STUPAK:
H.R. 3540. A bill to modify a land grant patent issued by
the Secretary of the Interior; to the Committee on Natural
Resources.
By Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia:
H. Con. Res. 179. Concurrent resolution providing for a
joint session of Congress to receive a message from the
President; considered and agreed to.
By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. Tim Murphy of
Pennsylvania, Mr. Moore of Kansas, Mr. Wu, and Mr.
Gonzalez):
H. Con. Res. 180. Concurrent resolution expressing support
for designation of the period beginning on September 21,
2009, and ending on September 25, 2009, as ``National Health
Information Technology Week''; to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
By Mr. LEWIS of California:
H. Res. 721. A resolution expressing the sense of the House
of Representatives that any major health care reform bill
considered on the floor of the House should be available for
viewing for 30 calendar days; to the Committee on Rules.
By Mr. HOYER (for himself and Mr. Boehner):
H. Res. 722. A resolution expressing the sense of the House
of Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched
against the United States on September 11, 2001; to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition
to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services,
Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Homeland
Security, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

____________________

MEMORIALS

Under clause 4 of Rule XXII, memorials were presented and referred as
follows:

161. The SPEAKER presented a memorial of the Senate of the
State of Louisiana, relative to SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
NO. 114 memorializing the Congress of the United States to
take such actions as are necessary to maintain the private,
dual charter banking system as well as to preserve the thrift
charter and mutuality; to the Committee on Financial
Services.
162. Also, a memorial of the House of Representatives of
the State of Michigan, relative to House Resolution No. 102
memorializing the United States Congress to enact H.R. 521,
the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act of 2009; to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
163. Also, a memorial of the House of Representatives of
the State of Illinois, relative to House Resolution No. 339
memorializing that the President of the United States and the
Congress to work together with the State of Illinois to
ensure the viability of the Chrysler plant in Belvidere; to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
164. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the State of
Arizona, relative to Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004
memorializing the United States Congress to pass the American
Sovereignty Restoration Act; to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
165. Also, a memorial of the House of Representatives of
the State of Arizona, relative to House Concurrent Memorial
2006 memorializing the United States Congress to refrain from
enacting any legislation affecting Arizona's Public Lands; to
the Committee on Natural Resources.
166. Also, a memorial of the House of Representatives of
the State of Louisiana, relative to HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 208 memorializing the United States Congress
to take such actions as are necessary to oppose changes in
the federal tax policy and to reject these changes in the
President's Budget in order to avoid catastrophic damage to
Louisiana's oil and gas industry; to the Committee on Ways
and Means.
167. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the State of North
Dakota, relative to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4022
memorializing the Congress of the United States and the
President to enact federal legislation to repeal perverse
federal tax subsidies to United States companies that move
manufacturing operations and American jobs offshore; to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
168. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the State of Hawaii,
relative to Senate Resolution No. 36 memorializing the
Department of the Interior and the Congress of the United
States to provide additional aid to the State of Hawai'i for
state services to migrants from the Compact of Free
Association Nations; to the Committee on Select Comm
Narcotics Abuse & Control.
169. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the State of Hawaii,
relative to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 62 memorializing
the Department of the Interior and the United States Congress
to provide additional federal aid to the State of Hawai'i for
the provision of various state services to migrants from the
Compact of Free Association Nations; to the Committee on
Select Comm Narcotics Abuse & Control.
170. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the State of Hawaii,
relative to Senate Resolution No. 67 memorializing the United
States Cognress to oppose specified proposed rule amendments
for the Developmental Disabilities Programs that implement
the Developmental Disablities Assistance and Bill of Rights
and to support new sections in the upcoming reauthorization;
jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and
Education and Labor.
171. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the State of Hawaii,
relative to Senate Resolution No. 90 memorializing the United
States Congress to oppose specified proposed rule amendments
for the Developmental Disablities program and to support new
sections in the upcoming reauthorization; jointly to the
Committees on Energy and Commerce and Education and Labor.

[[Page 21139]]

172. Also, a memorial of the House of Representatives of
the State of Louisiana, relative to HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 215 memorializing the United States Congress
to take such actions as are necessary to promptly consider
and pass the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans
Solutions Act of 2009 (H.R. 1835) and to urge each member of
the Louisiana congressional delegation to express their
support for the Act by becoming a cosponsor; jointly to the
Committees on Ways and Means, Oversight and Government
Reform, and Science and Technology.
173. Also, a memorial of the Senate of the State of
Louisiana, relative to SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 158
memorializing the Congress of the United States to support
the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009; jointly
to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs,
Ways and Means, Financial Services, Science and Technology,
Education and Labor, Transportation and Infrastructure,
Natural Resources, Agriculture, Oversight and Government
Reform, and the Judiciary.

____________________

PRIVATE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

Under clause 3 of rule XII,

Ms. WATERS introduced a bill (H.R. 3541) for the relief of
Rafael Camacho, Rosa B. Camacho, and Rosa Camacho; which was
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

____________________

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and
resolutions as follows:

H.R. 17: Mr. Cole.
H.R. 55: Mr. Quigley.
H.R. 163: Mr. Thompson of Mississippi.
H.R. 235: Mr. Goodlatte and Ms. Castor of Florida.
H.R. 303: Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. Chandler.
H.R. 330: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 370: Mr. Connolly of Virginia.
H.R. 426: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 537: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Payne, and Mr.
Sestak.
H.R. 571: Mr. Bonner, Mr. Inslee, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Andrews,
Mr. Price of Georgia, Mr. Cao, Mr. Rooney, and Mr. Coble.
H.R. 614: Mr. Platts.
H.R. 615: Mr. McCotter.
H.R. 618: Ms. Lee of California and Mr. Kildee.
H.R. 621: Mr. Fattah, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mrs.
Blackburn, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Towns, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr.
Edwards of Texas, Ms. Bean, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Harper, Mr.
Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Royce, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr.
Ellsworth, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Ruppersberger, and
Ms. Speier.
H.R. 622: Mr. Roskam.
H.R. 635: Mr. Wexler and Mr. Hare.
H.R. 690: Mr. McCotter, Mr. Carney, Mr. Ross, and Mr.
Levin.
H.R. 716: Mr. Honda, Mrs. Napolitano, and Mr. McCotter.
H.R. 881: Ms. Fallin, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Lucas, and
Mr. Rogers of Michigan.
H.R. 916: Mr. Murphy of Connecticut and Mr. Young of
Alaska.
H.R. 930: Mr. Shuler, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Cummings, Mr.
Frank of Massachusetts, and Mr. Boucher.
H.R. 932: Mr. Turner, Mr. Fattah, and Mr. Doyle.
H.R. 953: Mr. Rooney and Mr. Hinojosa.
H.R. 965: Mr. Connolly of Virginia.
H.R. 997: Mr. Bonner, Mr. Mica, Mrs. Emerson, and Mr.
Pence.
H.R. 1020: Mr. Cummings and Mr. Carnahan.
H.R. 1086: Mr. Platts.
H.R. 1101: Mr. Young of Alaska.
H.R. 1173: Mr. Poe of Texas and Mr. Boyd.
H.R. 1179: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Rooney, and Mr.
Shuster.
H.R. 1182: Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Boswell, Mr. Honda, Ms.
Baldwin, Mr. Filner, Mr. Sablan, and Ms. Giffords.
H.R. 1189: Mr. McCotter.
H.R. 1193: Mr. Fattah.
H.R. 1203: Mr. Shuler, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Speier,
Mr. Minnick, Ms. Pingree of Maine, Ms. Castor of Florida, and
Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin.
H.R. 1207: Mr. Langevin and Mr. Gordon of Tennessee.
H.R. 1215: Mr. Markey of Massachusetts, Mr. Israel, Ms.
Baldwin, Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Serrano.
H.R. 1230: Mr. Engel, Mr. Stark, Mr. Hinchey, and Mrs.
Miller of Michigan.
H.R. 1254: Mr. Massa.
H.R. 1327: Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Shuler, Ms. Kilroy,
Mr. Wittman, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr.
Buyer, and Mr. Kingston.
H.R. 1392: Mr. Massa, Mr. Ehlers, and Mr. Himes.
H.R. 1409: Ms. Chu.
H.R. 1410: Mr. Waxman.
H.R. 1441: Mr. Davis of Kentucky.
H.R. 1443: Mrs. Dahlkemper and Ms. DeLauro.
H.R. 1458: Mr. Levin, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rogers of
Michigan, Mr. Conyers, and Mr. Boucher.
H.R. 1499: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 1505: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 1507: Mr. Doggett.
H.R. 1521: Mr. Boozman and Mr. McCotter.
H.R. 1523: Mr. Olver and Mr. Moore of Kansas.
H.R. 1526: Mr. Grijalva.
H.R. 1544: Ms. Sutton.
H.R. 1547: Mr. LaTourette, Mrs. Bono Mack, and Mr. Gingrey
of Georgia.
H.R. 1549: Mr. Israel and Mr. Markey of Massachusetts.
H.R. 1558: Mr. Kucinich.
H.R. 1587: Mr. Costello.
H.R. 1588: Mr. Bonner and Mr. Tiahrt.
H.R. 1597: Mr. Carney.
H.R. 1608: Mr. McDermott and Ms. Tsongas.
H.R. 1614: Mr. Larsen of Washington.
H.R. 1670: Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California and Mr.
Tiahrt.
H.R. 1685: Mr. Honda and Mr. Serrano.
H.R. 1700: Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California and Ms. Eddie
Bernice Johnson of Texas.
H.R. 1707: Mr. Calvert.
H.R. 1708: Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Chandler, and Mr.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida.
H.R. 1710: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 1719: Mr. Israel and Mr. Honda.
H.R. 1744: Mr. Lee of New York, Mr. Bright, Mr. Mario Diaz-
Balart of Florida, and Mr. Wolf.
H.R. 1751: Ms. Chu, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Tonko, Ms.
Baldwin, and Mr. Heinrich.
H.R. 1815: Mr. Latham.
H.R. 1816: Mr. Davis of Illinois.
H.R. 1835: Mr. Sestak, Mr. Jones, Mr. Berry, and Mr.
Ellison.
H.R. 1844: Mr. Miller of North Carolina and Mr. Altmire.
H.R. 1866: Mr. Cohen.
H.R. 1887: Mr. Moran of Virginia.
H.R. 1894: Mr. Platts, Mr. Baca, and Mr. Barrow.
H.R. 1895: Mr. Cohen, Mr. Rangel, and Mr. Gerlach.
H.R. 1927: Mr. Sestak, Mr. Boucher, Mr. Ellison, Mr.
McGovern, Mr. Ross, and Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas.
H.R. 1993: Mr. Hinchey and Ms. Bordallo.
H.R. 2006: Mr. Courtney, Mr. Israel, Mr. Doggett, and Mr.
Davis of Alabama.
H.R. 2017: Mr. Taylor, Mr. Connolly of Virginia, Mr.
Shuler, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Mica, Mr. Boucher, and Mr.
Heinrich.
H.R. 2055: Mr. Faleomavaega, Mrs. Christensen, and Mr.
Stark.
H.R. 2058: Mr. Boucher and Mr. Payne.
H.R. 2084: Mr. Kucinich and Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 2085: Mr. Honda.
H.R. 2103: Mr. Sestak, Mr. Holt, and Ms. Baldwin.
H.R. 2139: Mr. Davis of Kentucky, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Clay, Mrs.
Biggert, and Mr. Johnson of Georgia.
H.R. 2149: Mr. Dent, Mr. Rothman of New Jersey, and Mr.
Jones.
H.R. 2214: Mr. Ellison, Mr. Filner, Mr. Wu, Mr. Schiff, Mr.
Hodes, and Mr. Farr.
H.R. 2215: Mr. Ehlers and Mr. Schauer.
H.R. 2239: Mr. Payne.
H.R. 2243: Mr. Barrow, Mr. Carter, and Mr. Platts.
H.R. 2261: Mr. Brown of South Carolina.
H.R. 2269: Mr. Clay and Mr. Hinchey.
H.R. 2276: Ms. Lee of California.
H.R. 2329: Mr. Payne and Mr. Souder.
H.R. 2332: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 2358: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas and Ms. Castor of
Florida.
H.R. 2387: Mr. Manzullo.
H.R. 2404: Ms. Harman and Mr. Peters.
H.R. 2408: Mr. Gordon of Tennessee, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Ryan
of Ohio, Mr. McHugh, Mr. Towns, and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen.
H.R. 2414: Ms. Chu, Mr. Higgins, and Mr. Hinchey.
H.R. 2478: Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Tiahrt, and Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 2480: Ms. Shea-Porter.
H.R. 2492: Mr. Davis of Kentucky, Mr. Ellison, Mr.
McDermott, Mr. Sarbanes, and Mrs. Napolitano.
H.R. 2499: Mr. Baca.
H.R. 2523: Mrs. Christensen.
H.R. 2547: Ms. Herseth Sandlin.
H.R. 2558: Mr. Cao.
H.R. 2560: Mr. Forbes, Mr. Braley of Iowa, and Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 2563: Mr. Wexler.
H.R. 2567: Mr. Paul, Ms. Speier, and Mr. Tierney.
H.R. 2612: Mr. Israel.
H.R. 2690: Ms. Moore of Wisconsin.
H.R. 2709: Mr. Cohen, Mr. Towns, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr.
George Miller of California, and Mr. Lewis of Georgia.
H.R. 2721: Mr. Cohen.
H.R. 2724: Mr. Honda and Mr. Hall of New York.
H.R. 2737: Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Olver,
Mr. Connolly of Virginia, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Heinrich, Mr.
Doggett, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Holden, Mr. Moran
of Virginia, Mr. Stark, Mr. Moran of Kansas, Mr.
Sensenbrenner, Mr. Souder, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Cao, Mr. Latham,
Mr. Daniel E. Lungren of California, Mr. Johnson of Illinois,
Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Roskam, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Van
Hollen.
H.R. 2756: Mr. DeFazio and Ms. Baldwin.
H.R. 2766: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 2802: Mr. Markey of Massachusetts.

[[Page 21140]]

H.R. 2819: Ms. Lee of California and Mr. Engel.
H.R. 2840: Mr. Rahall.
H.R. 2842: Mr. Fleming.
H.R. 2859: Mrs. Capps.
H.R. 2866: Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Platts, Mr.
Bonner, Mr. Filner, Mr. Boucher, and Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of
California.
H.R. 2882: Ms. Edwards of Maryland, Ms. Speier, and Mr.
Waxman.
H.R. 2891: Mr. Ellison.
H.R. 2906: Mr. Courtney and Mr. Cohen.
H.R. 2935: Mr. Platts, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Lincoln
Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Jones, Mr. Tierney, and Ms.
Baldwin.
H.R. 3008: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 3010: Mr. McGovern.
H.R. 3012: Ms. Richardson.
H.R. 3017: Mr. Sarbanes and Mr. Baca.
H.R. 3040: Mr. Cohen.
H.R. 3042: Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Mr. Lewis of Georgia,
Ms. Norton, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, and Mrs. Maloney.
H.R. 3044: Mrs. Halvorson, Mr. McKeon, Mr. Calvert, Mr.
Brown of South Carolina, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Neal of
Massachusetts, Mr. Boucher, Mr. Platts, Mr. Price of Georgia,
Ms. Foxx, Mr. Abercrombie, Ms. Granger, Mr. Heinrich, Mr.
Perriello, Mr. Stearns, Mr. Honda, and Mr. Peters.
H.R. 3046: Mr. Minnick.
H.R. 3127: Mr. Payne.
H.R. 3140: Mr. Manzullo.
H.R. 3165: Mr. Braley of Iowa and Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 3177: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 3188: Ms. Fallin.
H.R. 3191: Ms. Baldwin.
H.R. 3225: Mr. Scott of Virginia and Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 3226: Mr. Rooney, Mr. Clay, Mr. Bonner, Mr. Aderholt,
Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Ms. Foxx,
Mr. Westmoreland, Mr. McCotter, Mr. Tiberi, Mr. Sessions, Mr.
Souder, Mrs. Bono Mack , Mr. Austria, and Mr. Wamp.
H.R. 3227: Mr. Sestak and Mrs. Emerson.
H.R. 3242: Ms. Shea-Porter.
H.R. 3246: Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Dingell, and Mr.
Schauer.
H.R. 3249: Mr. Abercrombie and Mr. Quigley.
H.R. 3250: Ms. Watson, Mr. Massa, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Sestak,
and Mr. Hall of New York.
H.R. 3287: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 3308: Mr. Platts, Mr. Lewis of California, and Mr.
Gerlach.
H.R. 3322: Mr. Hall of New York.
H.R. 3339: Mr. Sestak.
H.R. 3348: Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Bonner, Mr. Mario
Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Honda, and Mr.
Rehberg.
H.R. 3400: Mr. Brown of South Carolina, Mr. Wilson of South
Carolina, Mr. Duncan, and Mrs. Blackburn.
H.R. 3401: Mr. Kildee, Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California,
Mr. Holden, Mr. Moore of Kansas, and Ms. Baldwin.
H.R. 3407: Mr. Rodriguez.
H.R. 3415: Mrs. Capps.
H.R. 3416: Mr. Hinojosa.
H.R. 3467: Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr. Loebsack, and Mr.
Smith of New Jersey.
H.R. 3488: Mr. Price of North Carolina, Ms. Titus, and Mr.
Sestak.
H.J. Res. 61: Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Cummings, Mrs.
McCarthy of New York, and Ms. Bean.
H. Con. Res. 22: Mr. Hoekstra and Mr. Manzullo.
H. Con. Res. 98: Mr. Sestak and Ms. Bordallo.
H. Con. Res. 149: Mr. Roskam.
H. Con. Res. 151: Mr. Pitts, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, and
Mr. Frank of Massachusetts.
H. Con. Res. 163: Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Sestak, Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen, Mr. Altmire, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Welch, and
Mr. Payne.
H. Con. Res. 178: Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Brown of South Carolina,
Mr. Towns, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Payne, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Doggett,
Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Hall of New York, and Mr. Ackerman.
H. Res. 90: Mr. Larsen of Washington.
H. Res. 167: Mr. Holt, Mr. Moore of Kansas, Mr. Grijalva,
Mr. Whitfield, Mr. Olver, Mr. Etheridge, Mr. Meek of Florida,
and Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania.
H. Res. 231: Mr. Dicks.
H. Res. 236: Mr. Israel.
H. Res. 267: Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas.
H. Res. 383: Mr. Kucinich.
H. Res. 447: Mr. Dent, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mrs.
Halvorson, Mr. Brown of South Carolina, Mr. Connolly of
Virginia, Mr. Perriello, Mr. Shuster, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Franks
of Arizona, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Israel,
Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Cao, Mr. Hill, and
Mr. Coble.
H. Res. 486: Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. Royce.
H. Res. 494: Mr. Sestak.
H. Res. 577: Mr. Sessions.
H. Res. 581: Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart
of Florida, and Mr. Davis of Alabama.
H. Res. 615: Mr. Flake, Mr. Neugebauer, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr.
Bachus, Mr. Davis of Kentucky, Mrs. Myrick, Mr. Inglis, Mr.
Dent, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Brown of South Carolina, Ms. Jenkins,
Mr. Chaffetz, Mr. Harper, Mr. Herger, and Mr. Shadegg.
H. Res. 619: Mr. Gallegly and Mr. Gingrey of Georgia.
H. Res. 641: Mr. Alexander, Mr. Latta, and Mr. Conaway.
H. Res. 676: Ms. Baldwin and Mr. Holden.
H. Res. 679: Ms. Berkley, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Carney, Mrs.
Christensen, Mr. Costello, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Ellison, Mr.
Fortenberry, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Hall of New York, Mr. Heller, Mr.
Himes, Mr. Hodes, Mr. Honda, Mr. Israel, Ms. Matsui, Mr.
Murphy of New York, Mr. Price of Georgia, Mr. Roe of
Tennessee, Mr. Rooney, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Tiahrt, Mr. Wu, Ms.
Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Scalise, Mr. Meek of Florida, Mr. Hastings
of Florida, and Mr. Ehlers.
H. Res. 686: Mr. Capuano, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Ms.
Zoe Lofgren of California, and Mr. Sestak.
H. Res. 695: Mr. Grijalva and Mr. Reyes.
H. Res. 700: Mr. Courtney, Mr. Sestak, and Mr. Moran of
Kansas.
H. Res. 701: Ms. Hirono and Mr. McCotter.
H. Res. 703: Mr. Rush.
H. Res. 707: Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Langevin, Mr.
Kennedy, Mr. Ross, Mr. Markey of Massachusetts, Mr. Gordon of
Tennessee, Mr. McGovern, and Mr. Kucinich.
H. Res. 718: Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Platts, Mr.
Ehlers, Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr.
Arcuri, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Berman, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Corrine
Brown of Florida, Mr. Butterfield, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Cardoza,
Mr. Carney, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Ms. Castor of Florida,
Mrs. Christensen, Ms. Chu, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Clay, Mr. Conyers,
Mr. Courtney, Mr. Crowley, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. Fudge, Ms.
Giffords, Mr. Hall of New York, Mrs. Halvorson, Mr. Hare, Ms.
Harman, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Hodes, Mr. Holt, Mr. Honda, Mr.
Israel, Mr. Lance, Mr. Lee of New York, Mr. Lewis of Georgia,
Mr. Loebsack, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. McGovern, Mr. McMahon, Mr.
McNerney, Mr. Melancon, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr.
Mitchell, Mr. Moore of Kansas, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr.
Murphy of New York, Mr. Olver, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Pascrell, Mr.
Payne, Mr. Perriello, Mr. Sablan, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of
California, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Schauer, Mr. Scott of
Virginia, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Sestak, Mr. Sires, Ms. Slaughter,
Mr. Space, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Tierney, Mr.
Waxman, Mr. Wolf, and Mr. Hastings of Florida.

____________________

PETITIONS, ETC.

Under clause 1 of Rule XXII,

65. The SPEAKER presented a petition of City of Miami
Commission, Florida, relative to City of Miami Legislation
Resolution: R-09-0282 petitioning for the immediate enactment
of the Administration's Health Care Reform Principles; to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.

[[Page 21141]]

EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS
____________________

HONORING THE MOST REVEREND JAMES H. GARLAND ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS
EPISCOPAL ORDINATION AND PRIESTLY ORDINATION

______

HON. BART STUPAK

of michigan

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the Most Reverend James H.
Garland on the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal ordination and the
50th anniversary of his priestly ordination. For 50 years Bishop
Garland has served the Lord, the Catholic Church, and countless members
in his parishes. For 13 years Bishop Garland served the Diocese of
Marquette, which remains today a church that is intrinsically linked to
the spirit of the Upper Peninsula.
Bishop Garland received his bachelor's degree in education from Ohio
State University in 1953. During that year he began studies at the
seminaries of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and was ordained to the
priesthood for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on August 15, 1959.
Following ordination, Bishop Garland served in several parishes and
directed offices of Catholic Charities in Springfield and Dayton, Ohio,
as well as the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Charities. Bishop
Garland also went on to receive a master's degree in philosophy from
Mount Saint Mary's Seminary of the West in 1960, and a master's degree
in social work from Catholic University of America in 1965.
On June 2, 1984, Bishop Garland was appointed to the Episcopacy by
Pope John Paul II and ordained Titular Bishop of Garriana and Auxiliary
to the Archbishop of Cincinnati on July 25, 1984. He has also directed
the Archdiocesan Departments of Community Services and Pastoral
Services of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
On November 11, 1992, Bishop Garland was installed as the eleventh
Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, Michigan--a diocese rich in
history, rich in faith and rich in the Lord's spirit. During his tenure
as Bishop of Marquette, Bishop Garland became known throughout the
diocese for his service, his generosity, and the cookies he baked for
volunteers. My hometown church, the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in
Menominee, Michigan, resides in the Diocese of Marquette and I am
personally grateful for Bishop Garland's steady leadership and strong
commitment to the members of the diocese.
Bishop Garland implemented the Legacy of Faith endowment program to
develop faith formation and to keep Catholic schools throughout our
diocese on solid financial ground. My wife, Laurie, and I are proud to
serve as two of the bishop's ambassadors, helping to preserve Catholic
faith throughout the Upper Peninsula.
Bishop Garland's committed work ethic extended beyond the Diocese of
Marquette as well. He served on the Administrative Committee and Board
of the United States Catholic Conference/National Conference of
Catholic Bishops; he served as chairman of the United States Catholic
Conference Committee for the Campaign for Human Development from 1992
to 1995; and he served as chairperson of the Bishops of Region VI of
the National Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1995 to 1997.
Bishop Garland retired as Bishop of Marquette on December 13, 2005,
but he remains active in spreading the Word of the Lord, serving as
executive director of the Bishop Baraga Association and writing
articles for the diocesan Catholic newspaper. He also continues to care
for those in the Marquette community as a hospice volunteer and enjoys
reading, music, and gardening in his retirement.
Madam Speaker, the story of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is deeply
intertwined with the history of the Diocese of Marquette. Bishop
Garland's years of service are now an important part of this history.
In honor of the countless lives he has touched, his dedication to the
Roman Catholic Church, and his unwavering faith in the Lord I would
ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of
Representatives join me in recognizing the Most Reverend Bishop James
H. Garland on the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal ordination and the
50th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

____________________

HONORING DAVID BORUNDA

______

HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, Mr. Costa and I rise today to commend
and congratulate David Borunda upon being named the ``2009 Businessman
of the Year'' by the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Borunda will be recognized at the 21st Annual Central California
Business Expo, to be held in Fresno, California on Friday, August 7,
2009.
Mr. Borunda has been treating his customers to, as he describes,
``Mexican food with a passion'' in Fresno since he established Plaza
Ventana in 1977. Plaza Ventana remains one of the most awarded
restaurants in Fresno and enjoys the distinction of receiving the
``Best of Fresno'' award by Fresno Magazine and receiving ``The Central
Valley's People's Choice Award'' awarded to Mr. Borunda by the Fresno
Bee. With two locations in Fresno, Plaza Ventana offers an extensive
menu and is considered one of the top Mexican restaurants in the
Central Valley by residents and visitors alike.
Mr. Borunda is one of the founding members of the Central California
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and he has served on the board of
directors since the chamber was founded during a meeting in his
restaurant at the original Plaza Ventana location in 1983. He has been
very active in the community serving on the board of the California
Restaurant Association of Fresno and as a member of the Central
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters. Mr. Borunda's
steadfast commitment to the community has set an example for other
business owners to follow.
Through years of hard work and dedication, Mr. Borunda's investment
in his business makes him worthy of this esteemed recognition. He has
managed to stand alone as a family-run and operated business among many
competitors and continues to put his customers first. It is for those
reasons that we take great pride and honor in joining the Central
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in recognizing David Borunda as
``2009 Businessman of the Year'' and we invite our colleagues to join
in wishing Mr. Borunda much continued success and prosperity.
Mr. Costa and I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr.
Borunda many years of continued success.

____________________

HONORING REAR ADMIRAL MICHAEL K. MAHON

______

HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

of maryland

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor
Rear Admiral Michael K. Mahon upon his retirement from the position of
Director of Surface Warfare for the United States Navy.
A 1979 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Rear Admiral
Mahon furthered his education as he earned a Master's degree in
strategic planning from the Naval Postgraduate School and national
security strategy from the National War College, where he graduated
with distinction.
Rear Admiral Mahon's first sea tour was aboard the USS Dewey (DDG 45)
where he served as Electronic Warfare Officer, Assistant CIC Officer
and CIC Officer. Since then, he has served as the Operations Officer
aboard USS Gallery and COMDESRON 24 in 1986 and 1987, respectively. In
early 1990, he reported to the OPNAV staff and served as the Joint
Strategic Planning System Officer for the Deputy Chief of Naval
Operations for Plans, Policy, and Operations.
In 1992, Rear Admiral Mahon served as the Commissioning Executive
Officer of USS Cape St. George. Cape St. George was selected as the
first ship other than a battleship

[[Page 21142]]

to ever win the Arizona Memorial Trophy. He went on to serve as the
Flag Secretary to CINCUSNAVEUR from 1994 to 1996 and Deputy Executive
Assistant to the Commander of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) in
Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina.
Rear Admiral Mahon's most recent assignment was as Deputy Chief of
Staff for Operations, Allied Maritime Component Command, Northwood
United Kingdom. Additionally, he was the U.S. Naval Forces Europe
representative from October 2005 to January 2007.
His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of
Merit (with two gold stars), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service
Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal (with three gold stars), among
many others.
Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me today to honor Rear Admiral
Michael K. Mahon in his retirement from the position of Director of
Surface Warfare. It is with great pride that I congratulate Admiral
Mahon on his exemplary defense career.

____________________

A TRIBUTE TO THE BOWLING GREEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

______

HON. BRETT GUTHRIE

of kentucky

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bowling Green
Area Chamber of Commerce for being recognized as Chamber of the Year.
This acknowledgement was made during the American Chamber of Commerce
Executives' annual conference.
Through the leadership of Chairman of the Board Todd Davis, President
Jim Hizer, and the teamwork of the community, the Bowling Green Area
Chamber of Commerce was recognized by their peers for their hard work
and achievements.
Success in economic development efforts and community programs led to
the Chamber being elevated as the top organization in its class. The
region's business community has seen tremendous growth due to the
leadership programs, educational initiatives, and other opportunities
provided by the Chamber to its members.
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has shown a strong
commitment to bringing success and prosperity to the community. I
commend the Board of Directors, staff, membership, and volunteers of
the Chamber on receiving this prestigious honor.

____________________

RECOGNIZING THE SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM AT DELANEY PLAZA

______

HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

of texas

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to
salute the Sixth Floor Museum at Delaney Plaza for being accepted into
the prestigious Museum Assessment Program. The Sixth Floor Museum is
located on the sixth and seventh floors of the Texas School Book
Depository, the warehouse from which Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated
President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The Sixth Floor Museum
at Delaney Plaza opened in 1989 to commemorate the life and detail the
events surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The Museum Assessment Program is a highly selective program
administered by the American Association of Museums through a
cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services
that helps museums to improve their services through a rigorous
evaluation process. Museums of all sizes and types apply for acceptance
into the Management Assessment Program in hopes of becoming even
stronger institutions. The program contains elements of peer review and
self-study that enable museums to identify ways to allocate resources
more efficiently, approach funders more successfully, and cater more
directly to audiences of museum goers.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Delaney Plaza rightfully deserves its
recent acceptance into the Museum Assessment Program, as it has
serviced over 6 million visitors since its opening in 1989. The museum
highlights the impacts of President John F. Kennedy's death on the
nation and the world through films, photographs, artifacts and
interpretive displays. The Sixth Floor Museum is one of only four
museums in Texas to achieve this high honor in 2009.
I applaud the staff and volunteers at the Sixth Floor Museum at
Delaney Plaza for their hard work and ability to operate a museum that
has gained acceptance into such a widely respected assessment program.
I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in recognizing the Sixth Floor
Museum at Delaney Plaza for having received such a high honor.

____________________

HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TROUT UNLIMITED

______

HON. BART STUPAK

of michigan

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the national Trout
Unlimited on the group's Anniversary celebration. Throughout the past
50 years, members of Trout Unlimited have shown continued dedication
toward conserving, protecting and restoring North America's coldwater
fisheries and their watersheds.
In 1955 former auto executive and conservationist George Mason
approached George Griffith about starting an organization dedicated to
fly-fishing and natural trout reproduction. In September 1959, 16
fishermen and conservationists gathered in Grayling, Michigan at
Griffith's Fishing Lodge, ``The Barbless Hook,'' to hold the first
Trout Unlimited meeting.
The next year, 300 people attended an organizational meeting for
Trout Unlimited at the American Legion Lounge and Lanes in Grayling.
Over the past 50 years, membership in Trout Unlimited has grown to
140,000 members with more than 400 chapters around the country. The
organization continues to be guided by the principle if we ``take care
of the fish, then the fishing will take care of itself.''
Today, the education and conservation efforts of Trout Unlimited span
from Southern California steelhead, to sockeye salmon in Alaska's
Bristol Bay, to the headwater spring chinook streams of central Idaho,
then east to Maine Atlantic salmon and south to Georgia brook trout.
Trout Unlimited volunteers have done everything from installing habitat
improvement structures, fencing out cattle, replacing stream banks and
implementing educational campaigns. This work amounts to 125,000
volunteer hours and $1,500,000 in restoration work each year.
Trout and salmon set the standard for the overall health of an eco-
system--a standard that benefits all living creatures and plants that
share it, including humans. From birth to death they serve as a
critical part of the food chain that sustains us and wildlife far
beyond the streams and rivers in which they live. They provide food for
animals such as bald eagles, bear, and other fish and their carcasses
contribute rich nutrients to the water and nearby trees and plants.
Because of their actions, the continual conservation efforts of Trout
Unlimited have positive repercussions for critical eco-systems far
beyond the salmon and trout themselves.
During its 50-year history Trout Unlimited has carried out hundreds
of local stream restoration projects; updated and reformed the use of
hatcheries to recover imperiled fish populations; worked with
landowners, government agencies, Native American tribes, and other
conservation groups to repair damaged fish habitats; protected
remaining health habitats; revised harvest practices to support
sustainable trout and salmon populations; and, worked through the
federal licensing process and negotiated with private landowners to
ensure dams cause minimal harm to fish runs.
Madam Speaker, the determined efforts of all members of Trout
Unlimited have shown that restoring a river can result in stronger
local communities as well as stronger aquatic environments. For their
work to preserve and protect not only trout and salmon, but coldwater
fisheries and watersheds across North America, I would ask, Madam
Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me
in recognizing Trout Unlimited on its 50th Anniversary.

____________________

RECOGNIZING THE JANE ADDAMS RESOURCE CORPORATION

______

HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

of illinois

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the
outstanding impact that the Jane Addams Resource Corporation has had on
the lives of Chicago's residents and the strength of its communities
through their groundbreaking and exemplary job training and community
building programs.
First created in 1985 to stem the flow of manufacturing jobs out of
the Ravenswood Industrial corridor, the work of the Jane Addams

[[Page 21143]]

Resource Corporation has been met with enthusiasm and success.
Providing a variety of Education and Human Development Programs,
excellent skills training and support services to low-income and
unemployed workers, and Business and Real Estate Programs, the JARC has
helped to transform and revitalize Chicago's neighborhoods by
strengthening the local economy and putting people back to work. The
Corporation's extraordinary efforts have been recognized both
regionally and nationally, and its programs have become a model for
community and economic development throughout the United States.
Over the past 24 years, JARC has emerged as an invaluable benefactor
of communities and neighborhoods throughout the Chicagoland area.
Recognizing that strong local communities are often a product of a
vibrant local economy, the JARC has employed a dynamic approach to
community development by providing high quality skills training to low-
income and unemployed workers, and at the same time building strong
relationships with Chicago-area manufacturers to provide JARC graduates
with well paying jobs. As a result, Chicago neighborhoods and
businesses have been strengthened and low-wage earners and the
unemployed have found self-sufficiency and hope.
Madam Speaker, in the midst of economic turmoil and the worst
recession since the 1930s, the Jane Addams Resource Center has been a
beacon of hope and help for the people who need it most. In the last
year alone, 1,191 low-wage workers received employer-based
manufacturing skills training with a completion rate of 99%, 25
previously unemployed individuals were trained and placed in full-time
jobs with an average hourly wage of over $13.00, and in just the past 6
weeks, 7 trainees were placed in jobs. In working to improve Chicago's
neighborhoods and provide valuable training to low-wage workers and the
unemployed, the JARC has emerged as a unifying and beneficial force in
the Chicagoland area, and I thank them for their 24 years of
exceptional service to Chicago's communities and citizens.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON

of texas

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. CULBERSON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership
standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information
regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326, the FY 2010
Department of Defense Appropriations Act:
Requesting Member: Congressman John Culberson
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account: Department of Defense, Army Research, Development, Test and
Evaluation account.
Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: Rice University; 6100
Main Street, MS 603; Houston, TX 77005
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $5,000,000 to the
Alliance for NanoHealth. This project will support collaborative
research to advance nanomedicine, which has the potential to provide
significant medical breakthroughs in disease diagnosis, treatment and
prevention.
Requesting Member: Congressman John Culberson
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account: Department of Defense, Army Research, Development, Test and
Evaluation account.
Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center; 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 169; Houston, TX 77030
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,000,000 to the M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center. This project will support equipment, supplies
and production at the Center for Cancer Immunology, a center utilizing
innovation in immunotherapies and vaccinations to cure cancer. In the
near future, the center will vaccinate children and adults against
Leukemia.
Requesting Member: Congressman John Culberson
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account: Department of Defense, Air Force Research, Development, Test
and Evaluation account.
Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: Rice University; 6100
Main Street, MS 603; Houston, TX 77005
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,000,000 for the
Carbon Nano-Materials Advanced Aerospace Applications project to
dramatically improve the efficiency of electrical systems used by the
Air Force and in the longer term, to help make America energy
independent.
Requesting Member: Congressman John Culberson
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account: Department of Defense, Army Research, Development, Test and
Evaluation account.
Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: Methodist Hospital
System; 8060 El Rio; Houston, TX 77054
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,000,000 for the
Nano-imaging Agents for Early Disease Detection project to support the
research and creation of nano-imaging agents for early disease
detection. Nano-imaging agents are safely injected into a patient and
provide a three-dimensional image, creating a ``night vision'' that
lights up tissue changes and cell anomalies and enabling more accurate
diagnostics.
Requesting Member: Congressman John Culberson
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account: Department of Defense, Army Research, Development, Test and
Evaluation account.
Legal Name and Address of Requesting Entity: CureSearch; 4600 East
West Highway, Suite 600; Bethesda, MD 20814
Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,000,000 for
Pediatric Cancer Research and Clinical Trials project to support
pediatric cancer clinical care trials throughout the nation. Clinical
trials have significantly increased the cancer cure rate for children
from less than 10 percent in the 1950s to over 80 percent today.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. JEFF MILLER

of florida

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican
Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following
information regarding earmarks I received as part of the Fiscal Year
2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.
Requesting Member: Congressman Jeff Miller
Project Name: Eglin Air Force Base Range Operations Control Center
(ROCC)
Account: RDAF
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Cubic Corporation
Address of Requesting Entity: 1225 South Clark Street, Suite 702,
Arlington, VA 22202
Description of Request: $2,500,000--Eglin Air Force Base Range
Operations Control Center (ROCC), Cubic Corporation. I requested these
funds to address the increased testing and evaluation at Eglin AFB, the
46th Test Wing Super ROCC initiative is a phased effort involving
development, procurement and military construction (MILCON) funding to
meet the future need in the 2015-2020 timeframe. This project provides
more effective control to better optimize range scheduling and
increases flexibility in meeting the Eglin AFB test and training
missions. By knowing the locations of all entities on the range, the
Super ROCC will have great flexibility in reassigning missions to
ground and air space previously not being used.
The entity to receive funding for this project is Cubic Corporation
located at 1225 South Clark Street, Suite 702, Arlington, VA 22202. I
certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this
project. Consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on
earmarks, I hereby certify that this request (1) is not directed to any
entity or program named after a sitting Member of Congress; (2) is not
intended for a ``front'' or ``pass through'' entity; and (3) meets or
exceeds all statutory requirements for matching funds where applicable.
Requesting Member: Congressman Jeff Miller
Project Name: Gulf Range Mobile Instrumentation Capability
Account: RDDW
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Prologic
Address of Requesting Entity: 9400 Innovation Drive, Manassas, VA
20110
Description of Request: $3,000,000--Gulf Range Mobile Instrumentation
Capability, Prologic. I requested these funds for Gulf Range Mobile
Instrumentation Capability for the 46th Range Group (46 RANG). The 46th
Range Group (46 RANG) has a need for a capability for remote test,
collection, storage and relay of various data types. This capability
can be accomplished with a Gulf Range Mobile Instrumentation Capability
(GR-MIC). The GR-MIC is needed to support test events on the Eglin AFB
range which occur over large geographic areas (land and sea based).
The entity to receive funding for this project is Prologic located at
9400 Innovation Drive, Manassas, VA 20110. I certify that neither I

[[Page 21144]]

nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project. Consistent
with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I hereby certify
that this request (1) is not directed to any entity or program named
after a sitting Member of Congress; (2) is not intended for a ``front''
or ``pass through'' entity; and (3) meets or exceeds all statutory
requirements for matching funds where applicable.
Requesting Member: Congressman Jeff Miller
Project Name: Intelligence Broadcast Receiver (IBR) for AFSOC MC-130
Aircraft
Account: PDW
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: DRS Technologies
Address of Requesting Entity: 651 Anchors St., Fort Walton Beach, FL
32548
Description of Request: $1,000,000--Intelligence Broadcast Receiver
(IBR) for AFSOC MC-130 Aircraft, DRS Technologies. I requested these
funds to procure equipment that provides Air Force Special Operations
Command (AFSOC) MC-130 Combat Shadow aircraft with vastly improved
situational awareness in high threat arenas. These aircraft provide
clandestine or low visibility, low level missions into denied areas to
provide support to small SOF ground teams as well as to provide air
refueling for specialized infiltration aircraft. This equipment
provides real time information to include; immediate intelligence, Blue
Force tracking (friendly units), and survivor information, greatly
improving mission success and survivability.
The entity to receive funding for this project is DRS Technologies
located at 651 Anchors St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. I certify that
neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.
Consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I
hereby certify that this request (1) is not directed to any entity or
program named after a sitting Member of Congress; (2) is not intended
for a ``front'' or ``pass through'' entity; and (3) meets or exceeds
all statutory requirements for matching funds where applicable.
Requesting Member: Congressman Jeff Miller
Project Name: Joint Gulf Complex Test and Training
Account: RDDW
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Boeing
Address of Requesting Entity: 634 Anchors St. NW., Fort Walton Beach,
FL 32548
Description of Request: $3,000,000--Joint Gulf Complex Test and
Training, Boeing. I requested these funds to provide critical training
and mission rehearsal for Iraq and Afghanistan deployments. The range
must accommodate requirements for joint testing of weapons systems that
are revolutionary in nature and being developed for the War, on
Terrorism. The Joint Gulf Range must accommodate critical joint
training requirements specifically in support of U.S. Air Force Special
Operations Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.
The entity to receive funding for this project is Boeing located at
634 Anchors St. NW., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. I certify that
neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.
Consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I
hereby certify that this request (1) is not directed to any entity or
program named after a sitting Member of Congress; (2) is not intended
for a ``front'' or ``pass through'' entity; and (3) meets or exceeds
all statutory requirements for matching funds where applicable.

____________________

A TRIBUTE RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF OUR LADY
OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC CHURCH IN DOWNEY

______

HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th
anniversary of the founding of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, the
first Catholic church established in the City of Downey in the 34th
Congressional District.
From its initial opening as St. Anthony's Church with just a few
families in 1909, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish today boasts a
membership of approximately 3,500 families. The church also educates
290 students in grades K-8 at its Our Lady of Perpetual Help School,
which opened more than 60 years ago in 1948.
Under its guiding mission to ``proclaim our love for God through
social justice outreach,'' the church's involvement in the community
extends well beyond religious services. Each year, Our Lady of
Perpetual Help parishioners join together to help out with a wide range
of community activities, including cleaning up around railroad tracks
as part of ``Keep Downey Beautiful,'' building houses with Habitat for
Humanity, and participating in the Arc of Southeast Los Angeles County
walk to raise funds for the organization that provides opportunities
for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.
In celebration of the church's centennial milestone, Cardinal Roger
Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, will preside over an outdoor Mass in
the Marian Courtyard on the grounds of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
School on Sunday, September 20.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me along with Cardinal
Roger Mahony and the parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
in celebrating the parish's 100 years of service to its members and the
community. I would also like to submit for the Record the church's
detailed historical overview of this parish that today stands as a
spiritual home for so many Downey families.

A History of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

The 100 year history of the growth and development of Our
Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church closely parallels that
of Downey and all of Southern California. Our Lady of
Perpetual Help Church, which began as St. Anthony Church,
grew from a scattering of Catholic families in a small
mission church into a large and vigorous Catholic community
whose original parish was sectioned off to aid in the
establishment of 5 additional parishes.
Late in 1907 Downey area Catholics, numbering about 100,
sent a petition to the Bishop requesting that mass be held
there on a regular basis. Bishop Thomas Conaty, in response
to their plea, arranged to have a priest say mass at Mannings
Hall in Downey every Sunday morning.
In preparation for the construction of Downey's first
Catholic Church, property was purchased on May 23, 1908. It
was described as ``a triangular lot bounded on the east by
Crawford Street (Downey Avenue), on the south by Fifth Street
and on the west by New Street.'' The following year a small
frame church named in honor of St. Anthony was built on this
property facing Fifth Street. The church was blessed by Fr.
McGrath, pastor of St. Aloysius, in September, 1909 and
dedicated by Bishop Conaty in 1911.
At the time of its dedication, St. Anthony parish
boundaries extended from the Los Angeles River on the west to
the San Gabriel River on the east, from just south of Slauson
Avenue along the Pacific Electric tracks on the north, to
Imperial Highway on the south.
St. Anthony Church continued as a mission of St. Aloysius
Church until 1913 when its first resident pastor, Rev.
Bartholomew O'Rorke was appointed. He was succeeded by Rev.
Thomas Blackwell who remained pastor until 1918. From 1918 to
1921, Dominican Fathers served in the parish. The
Redemptorist Fathers, who were assigned to St. Anthony Church
from April, 1921 to mid-1922, were responsible for changing
the name of the Church to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
In 1929, ground was broken just north of the existing frame
church for a new larger church with a seating capacity of
450. Bishop John Cantwell officiated at the solemn dedication
of the new church on Sunday, January 25, 1931.
A period of tremendous growth throughout Southern
California began in the 1940s during and following World War
H. With the great increase in the number of parishioners, the
church was enlarged in the early 1950s.
The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 caused severe
damage to the original portion of the Church and it was
declared unsafe for occupancy. Following feasibility studies
and a parish survey, the church was restored with certain
alterations. The older portion of the church was razed and an
entirely new section was built onto the remaining portion of
the church. The church construction was completed in 1992.
Today, under the spiritual direction of Pastor Mark
Warnstedt and Associate Pastor Vivian Ben Lima, parishioners
attend services--in English and Spanish--in keeping with its
fitting centennial theme to ``remember, rejoice, and renew.''

____________________

HONORING MIKE PURL

______

HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and
congratulate Mike Purl upon being named by the Madera District Chamber
of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. Mr. Purl was
recognized on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime
Achievement Awards and Installation Dinner.
Mike Purl was born and raised in Madera, California. He graduated
from Madera Union High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree in
Communications from Fresno State.

[[Page 21145]]

During his college years, he began to work at KFSN channel 30, the
local ABC affiliate and had a part-time job in radio. Mr. Purl
continued to work for KFSN for ten years as a producer and director of
news programs. In 1984, he took over the family business, Purl's Sheet
Metal, and has been managing the company since that time.
Mr. Purl has always been an active member in the community. He was
involved with many activities that involved his children, including the
Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scouts, Future Farmers of America and 4-H.
He is also involved with the Kiwanis Club of Madera, where he served as
president from 1989 to 1990. Mr. Purl served on the board for Campfire
USA, is involved with the Madera County Historical Society, Madera
Method Wagon Train, Children's Hospital Central California, Madera
Community Hospital and Madera County Arts Council.
Madera has always been home to Mr. Purl and his family. He loves the
small town feel that Madera has still today. Mr. Purl and his wife,
Mickie, have three daughters, one son and seven grandchildren.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Mike Purl
upon being honored as the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime
Achievement Award Honoree. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing
Mr. Purl many years of continued success.

____________________

THE RECOGNITION OF 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE
OFFICERS AND INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

______

HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

of pennsylvania

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, as I did last year, I rise
today to congratulate and recognize outstanding employees of the
Officers (Clerk of the House, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief
Administrative Officer) and Inspector General of the U.S. House of
Representatives who have reached the milestone of 25 years of service
to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Our most important asset in the House is our dedicated employees, and
their work, often behind the scenes, is vital in keeping the operations
and services of the House running smoothly and efficiently. The
employees we recognize today are acknowledged and commended for their
hard work, dedication, and support of House Members, their staffs and
constituents, and for their contributions day-in and day-out to the
overall operations of the House. These employees have a wide range of
responsibilities that support the legislative process, assure the
security of the institution, and maintain our technology and service
infrastructure. They have accomplished a great many things in a wide
range of activities, and the House of Representatives and its Members,
staff, and the general public, are better served because of them. The
individuals we honor today have collectively provided 225 years of
service to the U.S. House of Representatives:
Tina M. Agee, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Peter L.
Baer, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Joseph M. Dean,
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Alan Deluca, Office of the
Chief Administrative Officer; Patrick T. Kenealy, Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer; John A. King, Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer; Patricia A. Mattimore, Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer; Thoa N. Nguyen, Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer; Charles D. Woodson, Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer.
On behalf of the entire House community, I extend congratulations and
once again recognize and thank these employees for their commitment to
the U.S. House of Representatives as a whole, and to their respective
House Officers and Inspector General in particular. Their long hours
and hard work are invaluable, and their years of unwavering service,
dedication, and commitment to the House set an example for their
colleagues and other employees who will follow in their footsteps. I
celebrate our honorees, and I am proud to stand before you and the
nation on their behalf to recognize the importance of their public
service.

____________________

HONORING DICK JOHNSON

______

HON. MIKE PENCE

of indiana

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay
tribute to a dear friend and to honor the memory of a great man who
will long be remembered in Columbus and across the State of Indiana as
a business and community leader.
For years, Dick Johnson was regarded as a role model in the business
community of eastern Indiana. Dick will be remembered for his
willingness to share in his successes with others; he will undoubtedly
be missed by his wonderful family, but also all those whose lives he
touched.
Dick Johnson was born on November 25, 1932 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to
Samuel Gideon and Jessie Loomis Johnson. Dick spent his youth in Fort
Wayne before graduating from the Indiana University School of Business
in 1955.
At IU, Dick showed the promise of a young man committed to honesty
and integrity that would be fulfilled each day of his life. Dick earned
the nickname ``honest Abe'' and was elected president of his
fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Dick also demonstrated his love for country, completing ROTC training
and serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957.
Dick began his business career in 1957 when he purchased a Shell Oil
distributorship which would become the Johnson Oil Company. Dick's
business acumen was evident as the company grew and diversified under
his leadership.
In 1981, Johnson Oil Company opened its first convenience store in
Nashville, Indiana. Now the Bigfoot Food Store chain operates more than
200 locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
Dick was often recognized for his leadership in the business
community, serving as President of the Indiana Oil Marketers
Association and on the National Distributor Council for Shell Oil. He
was also honored as the 1988 Columbus Small Business Person of the
Year, the 1994 IU Distinguished Entrepreneur and the 2000 Ernst and
Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Dick Johnson will always be remembered for what he accomplished in
the business world, but those closest to him also know of a kind-
hearted man with a commitment to his community.
He chaired the Columbus Front Door Committee and served as the
president of many organizations over the years including the Columbus
Chamber of Commerce, the Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County, the
Columbus Economic Development Board, and the Columbus Regional Hospital
Foundation.
Dick and his beloved wife Ruth were also significant philanthropists,
donating to causes such as the Columbus Area Arts Council and the
Columbus Senior Citizens Center.
As a proud graduate of Indiana University, Dick was so very proud of
his founding sponsorship of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and
Innovation at the Kelley School of Business.
I first came to know Dick Johnson as a respected competitor of my
father in the business world. Then, as now, Dick Johnson was admired
for his devotion to his faith, his family, his business acumen and his
unblemished reputation for integrity.
Dick Johnson was a public man who saw business as a means to improve
his community, his state, his university and his nation.
To his loving wife Ruth, his children and entire family I offer my
deepest condolences and prayer that they may be comforted with the
faith we share.
Columbus and Indiana have lost a giant and I have lost a cherished
mentor and friend.

____________________

HONORING KENNETH TAYLOR

______

HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of
Kenneth ``Kenny'' Taylor upon being named by the Madera District
Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award, Memorial
Honoree. The life of Mr. Taylor will be honored on Wednesday, August
26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and
Installation Dinner.
Mr. Kenny Taylor was born at Dearborn Hospital in Madera, California,
to Minnie and Marie Taylor. He graduated from Madera High School in
1968. He attended Fresno City College, and in 1970 joined the family
business, Taylor Insurance; he later bought the company from his
father. Throughout his career he was a trusted and respected
professional. Mr. Taylor treated his business and customers with
unquestionable integrity.
Mr. Taylor was proud of his community and Madera High School. He was
a member of Saint Joachim's Church, the 20/30 Club, Exchange Club,
Kiwanis Club, Madera Babe

[[Page 21146]]

Ruth, Madera Elks Lodge, Fresno/Madera Basque Club, and Madera Golf and
Country Club. While active with the Exchange Club, Mr. Taylor created
the ``Boy of the Month Award'' to recognize the all-around achievement
of senior high school students in Madera. When the Exchange Club closed
its doors, Mr. Taylor joined the Kiwanis Club and brought the award
with him; he funded the program out of his own pocket. He attended as
many Madera High sporting events as possible; he coached baseball and
played golf. Once, Mr. Taylor attended a Madera High cross country meet
and realized many of the athletes did not have proper shoes. Without a
word, or attention brought to the situation, those athletes had new
shoes provided to them at no cost. That was the kind of person he was.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life of Kenny
Taylor upon being named the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime
Achievement Award Memorial Honoree. I invite my colleagues to join me
in honoring Mr. Taylor's life and best wishes for his family.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO WEST MORGAN HIGH SCHOOL

______

HON. PARKER GRIFFITH

of alabama

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, Mr. Aderholt and I rise today to
recognize the Lady Rebels of West Morgan High School in Trinity,
Alabama. In May, West Morgan's softball team captured the first Alabama
State Championship for West Morgan in 42 years of athletic competition.
West Morgan High School has always upheld the highest standards of
excellence in all its endeavors, and this team of outstanding athletes
is no exception.
We commend the leadership of Principal Billy Hopkins and Coaches
Keith Harris, Alesha Hutto, and Kenda Bradford on their successful
careers with West Morgan High, and we look forward to the continuation
of a tradition of solid and consistent performance in both academics
and athletics.
Madam Speaker, we congratulate each member of the dedicated Lady
Rebels softball team--Hannah Harris; Haley Willingham; Madison Jones;
Whitlee Potter; Hayden Hamby; Britanny Thompson; Ashley Hooper; Rachel
Harbin; Brilley Stephenson; Hallie Cunningham; Lauren Seibert; Hannah
Amos; Hannah Draper; Heather Amos; Mary Kelley; Chelsea Boston; Delissa
Tidwell; Baylee Carpenter; Mikinzie Steele; Ashley Crow; Jamie Rohr;
Katie Brazier; Alexis Casteel; Kimberlee Denard; Bari Jones; Kristen
Parrish--and their staff for their commitment to achieving this
championship.

____________________

IN HONOR OF RON SARGENT

______

HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

of new jersey

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of
Representatives to join me as I rise to extend warm greetings and offer
my congratulations to Ron Sargent as he retires from the YMCA
Retirement Fund. When Ron came to the Newark YMCA 40 years ago, I
immediately saw his potential. He was eager to do the job as a well
prepared and dedicated employee. During his 40 years in various roles
with multiple YMCAs, he has been a credit to the YMCA's programs and we
owe him our respect and gratitude for a job well done. It was a
pleasure for me to personally work with him during his tenure with the
YMWCA of Newark and Vicinity.
As Ron Sargent begins a new phase in his life, I want him to know the
dedication and commitment he exhibited during his YMCA career will
always be appreciated. It takes a special person to contribute to
society in the way of YMCA service. Fortunately, while acting in his
different capacities, he was able to make a difference in the lives of
many through the programs he was involved in and/or instituted. Ron's
effectiveness and creativity led to multiple awards being presented to
him and his programs were featured in the YMCA Discovery Magazine. His
career with the YMCA has certainly been one of accomplishment and
leadership by example. As he is feted at a dinner in his honor on July
31, 2009, Ron should know that his many years of service to the YMCA
are true testaments of his character and that his significant
contributions will never be forgotten.
Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that Ron Sargent has been a
true asset to the YMCA and that they join me in wishing him well as he
enters his retirement years.

____________________

HONORING THE LIFE OF NAOMI DURST BOWDEN

______

HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN

of south dakota

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of
Naomi Jane Durst Bowden.
Mrs. Bowden was born in Custer, South Dakota, on June 13, 1915, and
lived there until 1948. She was the daughter of pioneers and a loving
mother and homemaker. She moved to Jesup, Georgia in 1948 and was an
integral part of the community, serving as a founding member and Lay
Leader of the Epworth United Methodist Church. She taught as a
substitute teacher in the Jesup schools, and, for a number of years,
hosted a women's radio program on WBGR in Jesup. She had six sons,
eighteen grandchildren, and twenty-four great grandchildren. Up until a
short time before her death, she could name the names of all her
grandchildren and great grandchildren--something she routinely did
before she fell asleep. At age 93, Naomi Jane Durst Bowden passed away
in her sleep on Monday, May 25th in Athens, Georgia.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life and works of
Naomi Jane Durst Bowden.

____________________

IN TRIBUTE TO THE FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S 20TH
ANNIVERSARY

______

HON. GWEN MOORE

of wisconsin

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation. The Forest County
Potawatomi Community Foundation was created in 1999 founded on the
Potawatomi belief ``to take what we need and give back what we can.''
A review of the history of the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe will
help to understand their desire to give back to the community. The
tribe was forcibly removed from its homeland, endured strained
relationships with governments, and lived in hardship and poverty. They
survived by relying upon their internal strength and sharing with each
other.
Through its foundation, the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe now
provides to others who are struggling in the community. I believe that
despite of or rather because of these centuries' old struggles, the
Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation has emerged to reflect
their tribal values and beliefs to return assistance to the communities
where they live and work. The Forest County Potawatomi Community
Foundation supports civic and community projects, such as public health
care issues, education, economic development, and the arts. They have
funded many different types of organizations ranging from large, well
known associations to small grassroots organizations. The foundation
meets with any organization that applies for a grant and, if funded,
works in partnership with the group to ensure success. The foundation
feels each agency it funds allows them to carry on the Potawatomi
tradition of ``giving back what we can.''
Now celebrating their 20th Anniversary, the Forest County Potawatomi
Community Foundation has delivered over $18 million dollars to more
than 250 charities and nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater
Milwaukee area. I am grateful for their empathetic spirit of giving.
Madam Speaker for these reasons, I am honored to pay tribute to the
Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation for their support,
dedication and service to the people of my district and throughout
Wisconsin.

[[Page 21147]]

____________________

HONORING MRS. MELENA BOGHOSIAN

______

HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an
Armenian Genocide survivor, Mrs. Melena Boghosian. She passed away at
her home in Fresno, California at the age of one hundred and three.
A fifty-five year resident of Fresno, California, Mrs. Boghosian was
known around the community for her amazing survival story during the
First World War, when the Ottoman Turks massacred an estimated 1.5
million Armenians. Born in Erzurum Turkey, she fled her home as a young
child after her parents and siblings were murdered, in an attempt by
the Ottoman Empire to eliminate any Armenian presence in the area.
Missionaries took young Melena to an orphanage in Syria where she lived
for several years.
During her stay at the orphanage, Melena began corresponding with her
future husband Avedis Gegaregian. At the age of sixteen, she left the
orphanage and married Avedis in Beirut, Lebanon. Shortly after they
were married, the two traveled by ship to the United States and
immigrated through Ellis Island in New York City. Avedis and Melena
settled in Camden, New Jersey until Avedis' death in the mid-1950's.
After the death of her first husband, Melena moved to the Central
Valley of California, to be closer to family and friends. While living
in Fresno, she worked in alterations at Berkeley's Department Store.
She later met, and married, her second husband, Nooregan Boghosian, and
they lived together until his death. Melena was an active member of the
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and a life long member of the
Armenian Relief Society. She is survived by her daughter Jessy
Shahbazian.
Madam Speaker, I stand today to honor the extraordinary life of Mrs.
Melena Boghosian. I invite my colleagues to join me in this tribute to
this incredible woman, and hope that her legacy lives on for future
generations.

____________________

HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF NCIS DIRECTOR THOMAS A. BETRO

______

HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

of maine

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Special
Agent Thomas A. Betro, Director of the Naval Criminal Investigative
Service, who announced his retirement from that organization in August
2009 after nearly 27 years of highly distinguished service. In addition
to his service to NCIS and the nation, Director Betro is among the
notable graduates of Colby College, in Waterville, ME.
Mr. Betro joined NCIS in 1982, and during his tenure he has served in
a variety of organizational assignments and mission areas, both within
the United States and overseas. As a Special Agent, Mr. Betro served
overseas in both the Republic of the Philippines and in Iceland.
Domestically he held leadership positions in Philadelphia, PA and
Newport, RI. He served two separate tours as an NCIS Special Agent
Afloat during deployments of the USS John F. Kennedy and USS
Enterprise.
As Deputy Assistant Director, DAD, for Counterintelligence, CI,
investigations and operations, Mr. Betro oversaw the development and
implementation of the NCIS response to the USS Cole bombing, which led
to the significant increase of NCIS force protection support to Naval
expeditionary forces. Further, he established new criteria for on-the-
ground NCIS port visit support, opened new NCIS offices to increase CI
support to in-transit units, and greatly expanded counterterrorism, CT,
operations for safeguarding naval equities.
In April 2001, Mr. Betro was selected to serve as a Deputy to the
National Counterintelligence Executive, NCIX. He later was appointed to
the position of National Counterintelligence Executive (Acting) by the
NCIX Board of Directors, on behalf of the President of the United
States. Mr. Betro was promoted to the Senior Executive Service in March
2002.
Upon returning to NCIS in January 2003, Mr. Betro served as Executive
Assistant Director, EAD, for CI until August 2003, when he was promoted
to Deputy Director for Operations, DDO. During his time as DDO, NCIS
established its Contingency Response Field Office, CRFO, located aboard
the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, GA. CRFO
trains NCIS personnel to be rapidly deployed globally in support of the
NCIS core missions of criminal investigations, counterterrorism
investigations and operations, counterintelligence investigations and
operations, protective operations, and force protection/antiterrorism
operations.
On January 8, 2006 Mr. Betro was appointed Director of NCIS and at
that time became the agency's third civilian director. Under Director
Betro's leadership, NCIS has filled every validated Combatant Commander
request for forces for Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa on a
volunteer basis. Since 2002, there have been approximately 700 NCIS
personnel that have deployed to the above mentioned locations as well
as to Kuwait, Djibouti, Guantanamo Bay, and other sites.
In February 2007, Director Betro established the NCIS Diversity
Office, which is charged with developing and sustaining a model program
that recognizes the critical role diversity plays in the NCIS global
mission. Key functions that are aligned under the Diversity Office at
NCIS include the Equal Opportunity Program; Alternative Dispute
Resolution; Diversity Research and Analysis; and Recruiting Outreach.
Through his leadership in action, Director Betro has ensured that
diversity awareness is now reflected in all core business functions at
NCIS and that NCIS is a model for other agencies to follow.
Mr. Betro has received numerous commendations and awards. He is a
recipient of the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award, as well
as the Department of the Navy, DON, Distinguished Civilian Service
Award and the U.S. Attorney's Award for Outstanding Leadership. He was
recognized in 2008 with the Roger W. Jones Award for Executive
Leadership and is a prior recipient of the DON Meritorious Civilian
Service Award. While assigned to NCIX, he received the National
Intelligence Certificate of Distinction and a Meritorious Unit
Citation.
In addition to his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Colby
College, Mr. Betro holds a Master of Arts degree from the Naval War
College, where he earned the James Forrestal Award for ``Excellence in
Strategy and Force Planning.''
Though he is formally retiring from NCIS, Mr. Betro has accepted a
position with an international security firm based in New York.
Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr.
Betro for his 27 years of outstanding public service and to wish him
fair winds and following seas as he begins the next chapter of his
life.

____________________

IN RECOGNITION OF THE PASSING OF CHARLES SHANKLIN

______

HON. JEFF MILLER

of florida

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize
Charles E. Shanklin, a Northwest Florida community leader who passed
away on August 26, 2009. Charles spent his entire life serving his
community and family, and I am proud to honor his life of dedication
and service.
Charles Shanklin was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1929. He attended
Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University, earning his
Juris Doctor in 1952. Charles became a brilliant and outstanding
attorney at Baker & Hostetler in Columbus, Ohio, and served as the
managing partner. He remained at the firm for thirty-two years. After
his retirement from Baker & Hostetler, Charles became the owner and
manager of Marion Steel in 1981, where he worked until 1989.
In 1990, Charles purchased Crestview Aerospace in Crestview, Florida.
He operated the company as a family business until 2006, when it became
a part of the L-3 Communications Corporation. During his years in
Northwest Florida, Charles became an integral part of the business and
local communities. Over his lifetime, he worked with Bowling Green
State University, the Sigma Chi Fraternity organization, the American
Bar Association, Urbana University, and the Niceville Exchange Club.
Charles was awarded Director Emeritus of Bowling Green in 2009, and the
school endowed a meritorious scholarship in his name to recognize
excellence in original research by graduate students.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am
privileged to honor Mr. Charles Shanklin. Charles will be remembered by
all as a loving husband and father, a successful lawyer and
businessman, and an important part of our Northwest Florida community.
Vicki and I will keep his wife, Bernice, and children, Chuck, John,
Tom, Jean, and Ann, in our prayers.

[[Page 21148]]

____________________

HONORING MARINE LANCE CORPORAL BRIAN K. SCHRAMM

______

HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN LEE

of new york

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. LEE of New York. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I
rise today to honor fallen Marine Brian Schramm, the first resident of
the 26th Congressional District to lose his life in Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
On June 20, 2009, President Obama signed into law H.R. 1595,
legislation renaming the post office at 3245 Latta Road in Greece, New
York in honor of Lance Corporal Schramm.
Brian Schramm made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the values that
sustain this country--family, community, hard work, and freedom. It is
no surprise that one friend of Brian's described him as the ``most
genuine person you'd ever meet in your entire life.'' That is why I
introduced legislation to rename the post office just a few miles down
the road from where Brian grew up in his honor. I am heartened that the
people of the Town of Greece will have this opportunity to pay lasting
tribute to Brian's life and legacy.
Lance Corporal Schramm was born and raised in the Town of Greece.
Brian fulfilled a lifelong dream by signing up for the Marines shortly
after graduating from Greece Olympia High School in 2001. On his second
tour of Iraq, Marine Lance Corporal Schramm was assigned to the 2nd
Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. On Oct. 15, 2004,
he died as a result of enemy action in Babil province, Iraq. He was 22.
Brian is survived by his parents, Keith and Mary Ellen, his older
sister, Jennifer, and his two younger brothers, Kyle and Michael. Mary
Ellen is a co-founder of the Rochester chapter of Gold Star Mothers.
Madam Speaker, in recognition of this selfless individual and brave
patriot who gave his life to protect this nation, I ask this Honorable
Body to join me in honoring the legacy of Lance Corporal Brian K.
Schramm.

____________________

H.R. 2014, AWARDING A CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO WOMEN AIRFORCE
SERVICE PILOTS

______

HON. CHET EDWARDS

of texas

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise as an original co-sponsor
of this bill, which honors a group of courageous women pilots--all of
whom earned their wings in Texas. During World War II, Women Airforce
Service Pilots, or WASP, were stationed at 2 air bases located in Waco,
Texas: Waco Army Air Field and Blackland Army Air Base.
One of the 38 members of WASP who died while flying for their country
was killed in Waco while flight-testing a BT-13 to make sure that it
had been properly repaired. Bettie Mae Scott was killed on July 8,
1944, her body sent home in a cheap pine box, with not so much as an
American flag draping her coffin.
Madam Speaker, my district not only played an important part in the
history of the WASP, my district is also the home of WASP Deanie
Parrish, a Martin Marauder D-26 pilot, who towed a sleeved target
behind her aircraft while a B-24 would pass by and gunnery trainees in
the turrets would practice for combat by firing live ammunition, using
color coated bullets, at the target.
Wings Across America, founded by Deanie's daughter, Nancy Parrish,
located at Baylor University, has played a key role in the creation and
implementation of the bill we have before us today. Along with
interviewing over 100 WASP, creating the website, ``WASP on the Web,''
founding the National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater, Texas in 2003 and
creating all the exhibits for the opening of the museum in 2005,
successfully nominating the WASP for the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame,
and designing and creating the ``Fly Girls of WWII'' WASP exhibit,
which is now on display at the Women's Memorial at Arlington, these 2
volunteers have worked tirelessly to educate and inspire America with
the history of the WASP.
This bill honors the WASP and place the WASP history in the national
spotlight, where I believe it rightly belongs.

____________________

HONORING LONG-TIME COMMUNITY ACTIVIST & ADULT EDUCATION ADVOCATE MR.
HOWARD RANSOM

______

HON. JUDY CHU

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. CHU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great loss to our
community, Mr. Howard Ransom Jr., who passed on the morning of July 26,
2009, at the young age of 55. My heart goes out to his wife, Linda;
father; brother, Phillip Ransom; sister, Sheila Ransom; a niece; three
stepchildren; his grandson, and the rest of his family.
Ransom was an extraordinary citizen, an activist for at-risk youth
and disadvantaged adults in the South Los Angeles community for more
than 30 years. His volunteerism spans several organizations including
the Brotherhood Crusade, Young Foundation and the United Way.
Born on April 4, 1954, in Chicago to Howard Ransom Sr. and Ollie B.
(Cooper) Ransom, Howard Jr. was reared in Oakland. He graduated from
Oakland High School and went on to receive bachelor degrees in Theatre
Art and African American studies at California State University,
Hayward.
As an instructor with the Los Angeles Unified School District for
over two decades, Ransom was a tenured ``master teacher'' at the Maxine
Waters Employment Preparation Center in Watts, where he succeeded in
preparing at-risk youth and educating adults in human development and
skill enhancement curriculums. He was noted nationwide for his success
in preparing students for GED testing.
In 1992, Ransom co-designed a civil service training program that
focused on postal employment for the residents of Watts. More than 800
men and women (many on welfare) enrolled in the program during its
first year, with 68 percent completing the class and passing the exam
with scores in the top percentile.
Ransom received numerous recognitions for his accomplishments, such
as ``Educator of the Year'' Award from the Young Center for Academic
and Cultural Enrichment, and was chosen as a ``Living History Maker''
by Turning Point Magazine.
I urge all my House colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Howard
Ransom for his remarkable service and contribution to our community. He
has made a true impact on the lives of many youth and adults, and will
be truly missed.

____________________

RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS OF FORMER PUBLIC CITIZEN PRESIDENT JOAN
CLAYBROOK

______

HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

of connecticut

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure I rise to
recognize and show my appreciation for Joan Claybrook, the former
president of Public Citizen, who recently stepped down after a long
career of fighting for consumer safety and social change.
Joan has been an inspiration to me and to countless others on the
Hill and around Washington. As a private citizen, as head of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Association, and as president of Public
Citizen for 27 years, she has been a fearless advocate for American
consumers. Every life saved by a shoulder belt or air bag in this
country is indebted to Joan's decades of commitment to the issue of
auto safety.
Indeed, Joan has been fighting this fight since the beginning. Even
before a full career dedicated to protecting American consumers, Joan
had worked as a research analyst, congressional fellow, and legislative
aide to Sen. Walter Mondale. Then, in 1966, she and Ralph Nader
successfully pushed for passage of the nation's first motor safety
laws--the Highway Safety Act and the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act. Four years later, she began work for Public Citizen,
running the organization's Congress Watch division by 1972. After
serving as head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
during the Carter administration, Claybrook returned to Public Citizen.
She became president of the organization in 1982, and commenced an
impressive 27-year tenure in the post that would be the envy of any
advocate or administrator.
Thanks to Joan's efforts, airbags are now standard equipment in all
cars sold in the United States, and our government now issues vehicle
safety standards that save thousands of lives a year. But safer cars
are just the beginning of Joan's contributions to our civic life. Over
the years, she has dedicated herself to countless issues of consumer

[[Page 21149]]

advocacy, public health, and social justice. Day after day, week after
week, in good times and bad, Joan has kept unrelenting pressure on
companies and elected officials to live up to their public
responsibilities. She has strived to make our government more
responsive to the needs and aspirations of its citizens. In short, this
nation is a safer, fairer, better place because of her efforts.
Although Joan has left Public Citizen, her work and her inspiration
goes on. Generations of leaders and activists have looked to her
perseverance, her toughness, her smarts, and her compassion as a model
for how to get things changed here in Washington. From Ralph Nader to
Robert Redford and Jimmy Carter to John McCain, Joan has taught us all
so much about what it takes to effect real change.
She has taught us to keep an unyielding idealism about the way things
can and should be, and to combine it with an unblinking, no-nonsense
understanding of the foibles of Washington and a tough-as-nails
approach to pragmatic, consumer-oriented policy-making. And she has
always reminded the powerful that the people come first.
Joan has been a model of courage, conviction, independence and
ingenuity, one to which we all aspire. I am so proud of all she has
accomplished, which is why I rise to thank her.

____________________

THE LOSS OF JEANNE MALCHON

______

HON. KATHY CASTOR

of florida

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the death
of former Florida State Senator Jeanne Malchon. The state of Florida
suffered a great loss on August 23, 2009, when she passed away.
In 1982, she successfully ran for the Florida Senate. My mother,
Betty Castor, was serving also in the Senate at that time and remarked
on the dedication and fervor she had for bettering the lives of
Floridians. Senator Malchon pledged to strengthen social services for
the elderly and poor and promoted concern for environmental causes. She
sponsored the 1985 Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, which prevented
smoking in shared public areas. Senator Malchon also successfully
raised the penalties for driving under the influence, increased funding
for teen runaway shelters, and raised standards which required
employers to report toxic chemicals that were used in the work place.
Senator Malchon's was known amongst her peers in the Florida Senate
as a smart and candid legislator who got things done. She was said to
be so effective because she didn't play political games or allow
partisan politics to get in her way. She has been called ``a steady
hand in a perilous time.'' Those that knew her can agree that she was
an extremely knowledgeable and determined woman.
Jeanne Malchon was a very dedicated individual who helped others even
before she became involved with politics. Born in Newark, New Jersey,
she was trained to make mechanical drawings as a draftsman. When her
country called during World War II, Senator Malchon became a civilian
employee for the Army even though it required her to leave home for
Hawaii. In 1952, Senator Malchon and her family moved to St. Petersburg
where her political interest and involvement started when she became a
lobbyist for the League of Women Voters. She was appointed to a seat on
the Pinellas County Commission in 1975.
Madam Speaker, Senator Jeanne Malchon will be greatly missed by the
state of Florida. My thoughts are with her family in this time of loss.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. ERIK PAULSEN

of minnesota

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican standards on
member requests, I am submitting the following information regarding
congressionally directed appropriations projects I sponsored as part of
H.R. 3326, FY 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations bill.
Account: Defense
Amount: $2,000,000
Requesting entity: Minnesota National Guard
Address: 20 West 12th Street, St. Paul, MN 55155
Description of Project Request: Funding will help meet the needs of
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon reintegration program for service members,
which is implemented across all congressional districts throughout
Minnesota and over all phases of the deployment cycle. During FY 2010
the Minnesota National Guard will experience a surge in support
requirements as Minnesota soldiers return home from mobilization
Funding will be used to support reintegration services for soldiers
returning from mobilization, as well as services for family members.
Funding will support wounded soldiers, transition events, mental health
services, research and additional needs.
I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable
effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.
Account: Army Other Procurement
Amount: $2,360,000
Requesting entity: Minnesota National Guard
Address: 20 West 12th Street, St. Paul, MN 55155
Description of Project Request: Funding will be used for the
Minnesota National Guard initiative, Communications Aerial Platforms
for Increased Situational Awareness (Phase II), which will provide
improved situational awareness to on-scene incident commanders during
responses to state emergencies such as floods or other natural
disasters. The system provides on-scene communications linking together
all response organizations; site command communication, including
voice, video, data, and cellular; and real-time streaming data to
responders; resulting efficiency saves lives and property.
I certify that this project does not have a direct and foreseeable
effect on the pecuniary interests of me or my spouse.

____________________

IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF THE 68TH BIRTHDAY OF KARL E. PEACE

______

HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

of virginia

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Dr.
Karl E. Peace on the occasion of his 68th birthday.
Dr. Peace is a distinguished scholar and academic in the field of
biostatistics and mathematics. Born in southwest Georgia, Dr. Peace
attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and
Virginia Commonwealth University, receiving his doctorate from the
Medical College of Virginia/ Virginia Commonwealth University in 1976.
Dr. Peace has authored eight books, received numerous awards and
contributed to a variety of publications and peer reviews in the field
of biostatistics, mathematics, drug development and public health
policy. He has held professorships at several colleges including
Randolph-Macon College and Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Peace
is currently the Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholar,
Founder of the Center for Biostatistics, professor of biostatistics and
senior research scientist in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public at
Georgia Southern University.
Dr. Peace has been a member of several professional and honorary
societies including the Committee on Applied and Theoretical
Statistics, the National Research Council and the National Academy of
Science. In 1994, Dr. Peace founded the Biopharmaceutical Applied
Statistics Symposium to provide a forum for pharmaceutical and medical
researchers and regulators to share timely and pertinent information
concerning the application of biostatistics in the pharmaceutical
field. Dr. Peace is the founding editor of the Journal of
Biopharmaceutical Statistics and reviewer and editor of several
additional journals including the American Statistical Association,
Communications in Statistics, the Journal of the American Medical
Association and the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Dr. Peace has a dedicated record of philanthropy to education. He has
created twenty- one endowments at five institutions including three at
his alma mater, the Medical College of Virginia and one at Randolph-
Macon College. He endowed the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health,
the first school of public health in the U GA System. His endowments
have enabled hundreds of students to complete their undergraduate or
graduate degrees. Dr. Peace has generously donated time and resources
to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Georgia
Cancer Coalition, the Southeast Georgia Cancer Alliance and the
Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition that are dedicated to cancer
research, treatments and cures.
Madam Speaker, I am honored today to recognize Dr. Peace in
celebration of his 68th

[[Page 21150]]

birthday. I hope the year to come will bring him health, happiness and
special times with family and friends.

____________________

HONORING THE SERVICE OF JEAN FRUCI

______

HON. BART GORDON

of tennessee

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
service of a valued staff member of the Committee on Science and
Technology, Jean Fruci.
Jean has served on the Committee staff since July 1995. In 2007, she
became Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment,
which handles issues related to U.S. energy policy and environmental
science. It oversees civilian R&D programs within the Department of
Energy; R&D programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, including climate, weather, and ocean research; and
research at the Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to joining the
Committee, she worked as a Legislative Assistant to Rep. George E.
Brown (D-CA) in the areas of agriculture, resource management, energy,
and the environment.
Since becoming Staff Director, Jean has played a pivotal role in
several of the Committee's key pieces of legislation including the
Energy Independence and Security Act, the America COMPETES Act, and the
National Climate Service Act.
Jean's expertise is unmatched, especially in environmental research
and development, and weather and climate monitoring. She is a scientist
at her core--she holds a Ph.D. in soil science from Cornell
University--but she also can effortlessly negotiate the intricacies of
policy and government agencies. She is an invaluable resource to
Members and a mentor to the people working under her.
Madam Speaker, Jean's service, expertise, and institutional knowledge
has made her a valued member of the Committee staff. I know that all of
the Science and Technology Committee's Members and staff wish her well
with the next phase of her life and career. In closing, I just want to
say thank you, Jean, for your many years of dedicated and loyal
service. We will miss you, and we hope that our paths cross again in
the future.

____________________

RECOGNIZING STEVE MOSES

______

HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

of illinois

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long and
distinguished career of Mr. Steve Moses. Mr. Moses retired on August
28, 2009 after working for the Federal Government since he was 35.
For the past twelve years, Mr. Moses has served as the Chicago
Passport Agency's Customer Service Manager and Congressional Liaison.
Since he began, his duties have grown from helping 250 Passport
Acceptance Facilities in the Chicago Passport Region (Illinois and
Michigan) to over 950. His office expanded from a one person operation
to the recent addition of a night-shift Customer Service Manager along
with a team of two passport specialists and a customer service
assistant.
The increased workload did not dampen his bright attitude, however.
Mr. Moses consistently does all he can to solve passport problems and
ensure positive outcomes. Over the years, he has proven to be a model
government employee, and he will be missed.
Madam Speaker, I congratulate Steve Moses for his lengthy and
influential career, and thank him for his many outstanding
contributions to the city of Chicago. I wish him the best of luck and
continued happiness in his retirement and all his future endeavors.

____________________

HONORING WILLIAM A. LaMARCH, U.P. VETERAN OF THE YEAR

______

HON. BART STUPAK

of michigan

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a constituent who has
distinguished himself both in service to his country and to his
community. Mr. William A. LaMarch has been named ``Upper Peninsula
Veteran of the Year'' by the U.P. Veterans Committee. It is an honor
befitting the dedication and patriotism Mr. LaMarch embodied both in
the Armed Forces and in civilian life.
Mr. LaMarch, a resident of Escanaba, Michigan, is a decorated Marine
who served his country with honor. In 1961, Mr. LaMarch received the
Good Conduct Medal, awarded to enlisted members of the military who
complete three consecutive years of honorable and faithful service. Mr.
LaMarch also received two Meritorious Mast Awards, first in 1961 and
again in 1963.
After being discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. LaMarch
continued to build a legacy of service. He is currently serving as
commander of American Legion Post #82, and is a life member of AmVets
#123 and of Marine Corps League #444. He can be heard calling bingo at
the V.A. Hospital in Iron Mountain, a position he has held for eight
years. He has also served as the finance officer of Post #82, a member
of the Marine Corps League Funeral Honor Guard and the Delta County
Veterans Council Funeral Honor Guard.
Mr. LaMarch has also played a vigorous role in the community beyond
his extensive activities as a dedicated veteran. He served six years on
the City of Escanaba Board of Review and volunteers for the Salvation
Army as a bell ringer, food bank, and basket worker. He is also a
member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks.
William A. LaMarch is one of the driving forces behind the U.P.
Whitetails Association and the highly successful Delta County Wildlife
Unlimited.
Over the years, Mr. LaMarch's accomplishments and devotion to his
community have been recognized with numerous awards and recognitions.
He has been named Legionnaire of the Year, twice named Elk of the Year,
and received the Elks Grand Exalted Ruler's Commendation for
Excellence. He received the Dan Patch Outstanding Volunteer Award and
has been recognized by the Red Cross as a 22 gallon donor.
William LaMarch is a man who understands profoundly the value of
service and the responsibility we have to help others. He stands as an
example of what it means to be a true American hero, both in battle and
within our own communities. His character and his generosity are a
shining example of the spirit and strength that have defined the Upper
Peninsula throughout its history.
Madam Speaker, William A. LaMarch embodies the words bravery,
dignity, and service. He is an individual who has been recognized by
his community and his fellow veterans as a leader and a model citizen.
With that in mind Madam Speaker, I ask that you, and all of my
colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, join me in saluting
William A. LaMarch for his lifetime of service and in congratulating
him on being awarded U.P. Veteran of the Year.

____________________

MOURNING THE DEATH OF SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY

______

HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

of texas

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to
express my deep sadness and regret for the passing of Senator Edward
Kennedy. The world has lost a tremendous leader and an exceptional
spirit. Senator Kennedy's voice was a unique source of inspiration on
the Senate floor, and he will be greatly missed for his public service
and work to improve the lives of the less fortunate.
Senator Kennedy was arguably one of the most influential Senators in
United States history. He was an exceptionally accomplished legislator
who authored roughly 2,500 pieces of legislation over the course of his
46-year-long career in the United States Senate. More than 300 of
Senator Kennedy's bills went on to become law, and he had a rare
ability to reach across party lines in the interest of passing
important pieces of legislation. He was always well versed on policy
issues and highly prepared for committee hearings and floor debates.
As the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee, Senator Kennedy courageously led the push to reform our
nation's failing health care system. He strongly believed that all
Americans deserved to have access to affordable health care options and
supported a number of initiatives, including America's Affordable
Health Choices Act of 2009. Senator Kennedy also helped enact the State
Children's Health Insurance Program, the Medicare prescription drug
benefit, the Ryan White Care Act and the Family Medical Leave Act.
Although health care was Senator Kennedy's passion, he was also
committed to combating discrimination. Even when it was

[[Page 21151]]

politically unpopular, Senator Kennedy believed in an America where
ethnic minorities and women were treated equally. He supported Title
IX, which outlawed discrimination on the basis of sex in institutions
of higher education and the renewal of the Voting Rights Act, which
banned racially discriminatory voting requirements.
My prayers go out to the Kennedy family in this time of profound
grief. I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in remembering the life of
a true American hero who dedicated his life to improving the lives of
others.

____________________

A TRIBUTE TO THE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WESTERN KENTUCKY

______

HON. BRETT GUTHRIE

of kentucky

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Junior
Achievement of Western Kentucky on their 50th anniversary. This
important organization deserves recognition for achieving this
milestone.
The Junior Achievement of Western Kentucky was established in July of
1959 and has served over 125,000 students in the last half-century. As
a partnership between education and business, Junior Achievement helps
students understand the economy and better prepare them for their
future.
The Junior Achievement of Western Kentucky should be proud of their
contribution to the community. I commend the organization, students,
and volunteers on their 50th anniversary.

____________________

HONORING MR. JOHN RAILEY

______

HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

of maryland

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor
Mr. John Railey in recognition of his 50 years of dedicated federal
service.
``The fun part of accounting is finding the things that went wrong
and figuring out how to fix them.'' This statement by John Railey
summarizes the attitude that has made him an anchor at the Coast Guard
Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, where he has served both on the waterfront
and in the Fiscal Department for five decades.
A lifelong resident of Baltimore, Mr. Railey began his federal career
at the Coast Guard Yard in the Sheet Metal Shop as an apprentice. Upon
completion of his apprenticeship program, Mr. Railey excelled as a
sheet metal worker. He was selected as the first tradesman at the Yard
to be trained to program and operate the first computer-controlled
equipment at the Yard. Seeking to become a foreman, Mr. Railey pursued
Yard-required management courses at the University of Baltimore. In
1968, Mr. Railey successfully completed his college degree in Business
Management.
In 1969, Mr. Railey took a position as a Planner/Scheduler in the
Industrial Engineering Division. Interested in learning the business-
end of the Yard, he took a position as an Accounting Technician in the
Fiscal Department in 1974. With his attention to detail and relentless
problem solving skills, Mr. Railey was promoted from an Accounting
Technician to an Accountant, where he has excelled as the Yard's expert
on the financial administration of Yard Project Orders. Mr. Railey has
mentored numerous members of the Fiscal Staff and has assisted scores
of project managers in the Industrial Staff. Throughout his tenure with
the Coast Guard Yard, he has continued to demonstrate remarkable
conscientiousness. Mr. Railey's eagerness to troubleshoot accounting
anomalies in any project is inspiring to each and every colleague.
Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Mr. John
Railey for achieving a remarkable milestone in his career. His
dedication to the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Yard, and his fellow
employees has made him a valuable asset to all throughout his 50 years
of devoted service.

____________________

HONORING COLONEL MOHAMMED A. ``MO'' KHAN, JR.

______

HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

of west virginia

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Mohammed A.
``Mo'' Khan, Jr., who accepted command of the 341 Operations Group on
May 20 in a change of command ceremony.
Colonel Khan is originally from Ronceverte, West Virginia, born
November 5, 1966. After graduation from California Lutheran University
in 1988, Colonel Khan received his commission through the University of
California at Los Angeles Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Over
the past twenty years, Mo has been promoted from Second Lieutenant to
the rank of Colonel. Upon accepting command of the 341st OG, Colonel
Khan stated his three main priorities, which are to do your absolute
very best at all times; to take care of each other and your families;
and to give freely of yourself, both on and off base. It is because of
these values that Mo has advanced so far and received so many
decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak
Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal
with Oak Leaf Cluster, and National Defense Service Medal with Star
Device.
Early in his Air Force career, Colonel Khan served in a variety of
positions in a missile combat crew, advancing to squadron, group and
wing level positions. In 2002, Colonel Khan assumed command of the
564th Missile Squadron where he led over 200 operations. His extensive
operations experience led to several positions at the Pentagon in the
space operations division, where until March of 2008 he held the title
of director of space operations. Most recently, he was chief of the
space superiority division before assuming command of the 341st
Operations Group.
It is an honor to recognize Colonel Mohammed A. ``Mo'' Khan, Jr.--he
is a man that represents the best of West Virginia. I would like to
congratulate him for his invaluable service to the Air Force. I know
his wife, Lisa, and two children, Mo III and Simeon, are extremely
proud.

____________________

THANKING KAREN WESS FOR HER SERVICE TO THE HOUSE

______

HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

of pennsylvania

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, on the occasion of her
retirement on August 7, 2009 we rise to thank Mrs. Karen Wess for her
seventeen years of distinguished service to the United States House of
Representatives. Karen has served this great institution as a valued
employee of House Information Resources (HIR), in the Office of the
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
Karen began her tenure with the United States House of
Representatives in 1992 as a Systems Programmer working with the
mainframe Customer Information Control System (CICS) transaction
services. Her technical expertise in the delivery of mainframe CICS
transaction services led to Karen being selected to work on a team
tasked with the initiative to combine several disparate e-mail systems
into an efficient and sustainable enterprise e-mail system for the
House. Karen has been involved with the House e-mail systems since
their early inception and has helped to make them the mission-critical
service the House relies on today. Karen applied her leadership
abilities to help deploy an anti-spam component for the House e-mail
service and currently serves as a Senior Systems Engineer in the CAO's
HIR Enterprise Technology Systems Branch.
Karen has been one of the primary engineers providing the House's
Internet e-mail functionality. She has acted as a technical liaison
between the House, other legislative organizations, and government
agencies in the field of e-mail connectivity. She has provided
consulting services to House customers, internal and external, making
the delivery of House e-mail systems the success they are today.
On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to
Karen for her many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to
the United States House of Representatives.

____________________

HONORING ROSS THORNTON

______

HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and
congratulate Ross Thornton upon being named by the Madera District
Chamber of Commerce as a 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. Mr.
Thornton was recognized on Wednesday, August

[[Page 21152]]

26, 2009 at the Fifth Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards and
Installation Dinner.
Ross Thornton was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In May 1964, Mr. Thornton
moved to Madera, California to become the voice behind the mic at KHOT
radio, a local radio station. In 1967, he went to work for CalFarm
Insurance, and two years later made a career change into the medical
supply business. In 1986, Mr. Thornton moved back into the insurance
profession with Foster and Parker Insurance; where he still works
today.
Mr. Thornton has had a very successful career in the insurance
industry. He was named ``Trustee of the Year'' in 2001 and ``Agent of
the Year'' in 2003 by the National Association of Insurance and
Financial Advisors. He is as successful in his commitment to the
community as he is in his profession. Mr. Thornton is a long time
member of the Madera Chamber of Commerce, where he has served on
several committees, including the Ambassador Corps and the Mayor's
Prayer Breakfast Committee. He has been a member of the Madera Sunrise
Rotary for twenty-nine years and has maintained perfect attendance. He
is the past-president of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where he also
served on the board from 1986 through 1996. Mr. Thornton served on the
Board of Directors of Madera Community Hospital from 1988 through 1994.
He served for nine years with Valley Public Television Board, was a
seventeen year board member of the Darin Camarena Health Clinics,
served as a Trustee of the National Association of Insurance and
Financial Advisors at the state level and is past-president of the
Fresno area Chapter. He is a current member of the Madera Elks,
President of the Board of Directors for Sherman Thomas Charter School
and Vice-President of Valley West Christian Center Board of Directors.
For twenty-five years, he has served as a Speech Judge for the Madera
Scholastic Decathlon. Mr. Thornton was appointed to the Planning
Commission for the City of Madera and continues to serve in this civic
capacity. For his dedicated service to the community, Mr. Thornton has
been honored by being named the 1998-99 Citizen of the Year by the
Madera Elks and the Madera Hispanic Chamber's Businessman of the Year
in 1998.
Mr. Thornton has three sons and three grandchildren. His mother,
Alberta, is ninety-six years old and lives with him and his wife
Barbara, who has a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Ross Thornton
upon being honored as the Madera Chamber of Commerce 2009 Lifetime
Achievement Award Honoree. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing
Mr. Thornton many years of continued success.

____________________

HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MANISTIQUE ELKS TEMPLE

______

HON. BART STUPAK

of michigan

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Manistique Elks
Lodge #632 on the 100th Anniversary of the group's landmark building.
The Manistique Elks Temple was built in 1909 and continues to be a
source of pride for the community and a unique venue for activities
including civic events, receptions and patriotic ceremonies. The
building has seen both high times and low times, but throughout its 100
years of existence it has touched nearly every person in the Manistique
community in some way or another.
Visitors to the Temple step onto a sweeping front porch and through
grand pillars to enter the building. Once inside they look up to the
ornate ceiling of stamped tin, richly painted with gold filigree and
accented in burgundy and hunter green. They walk across hardwood floors
that are a testament to the timber industry that has helped sustain the
city of Manistique throughout the years. The sun shines through newly
restored windows to create a bright atmosphere. It is a place that
echoes the natural beauty found throughout Manistique and Michigan's
Upper Peninsula.
While so many buildings from the beginning of the 20th century have
been destroyed or replaced, the Elks Temple continues to stand proudly
in the center of downtown. Throughout the years the Temple has
undergone significant renovations. Its first renovation was in 1927
when new lighting fixtures and a new kitchen were added. In 1939 two
new bowling alleys were installed. The bowling alleys were updated
again in 1962, 1981, and in 2002. The Temple suffered a serious fire in
2005, only three years after extensive renovations were completed. Once
again members were determined to restore the building to greatness.
Each time the Temple has been faced with adversity, members of Lodge
#632 have banded together to invest in and restore the beauty and
functionality of this local gem. The Temple is a symbol of the
perseverance and spirit of the residents of Manistique. Whether hosting
an annual graduation party, traditional fish and steak dinners, or
community functions such as the local Chamber of Commerce banquet, the
Manistique Elks Temple is a place that brings members of the community
together and strengthens local ties.
Madam Speaker, members of Elks Lodge #632 have shown continued
support for the city of Manistique and its residents. Their willingness
to open the Manistique Elks Temple for community use and their years of
dedication to maintaining and improving this historic building is a
testament to the organization's long tradition of community pride.
Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of
Representatives join me in congratulating Elks Lodge #632 on the
Centennial of the Elks Temple as well as thanking members for their
active involvement in preserving this Manistique landmark.

____________________

HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DR. H. DOUGLAS LEE

______

HON. JOHN L. MICA

of florida

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, on August 25th, Florida lost one of its
great leaders in education with the passing of recently retired Stetson
University President H. Douglas Lee.
Not only was Dr. Lee recognized for his outstanding leadership and
dedication to Stetson, he was also well known for his contributions to
community, state and nation. It was an honor and privilege to know Doug
and his wife of 44 years, Margaret, and to call them wonderful friends.
In his 22 years as President, Doug worked on countless projects to
enhance the educational opportunities at Stetson. Most recently, I had
the privilege to work with Doug in the renovation of Sage Hall.
In 2007, Doug came to me and shared his vision for renovating
Stetson's Sage Hall to strengthen the science curriculum at the
University. Through private fundraising, federal support and an
enormous amount of dedication, Doug saw this project through to
completion. The Sage Hall project, a 20,000 square foot addition with
new science equipment, was completed and rededicated earlier this year,
and will remain a testament to Doug's commitment to quality education.
To Doug's wife Margaret; his son Gregory Lee and wife Lara; daughter
Elizabeth Lee Williamson and husband Heath; grandsons Parker Lee,
Grayson Lee and Ayers Williamson; granddaughters Maggie Williamson and
Piper Williamson; father, Dr. Howard Lee; brother David Lee and wife
Ethel and their children and grandchildren; sister-in-law Sarah Easley
Drummond and her children and grandchildren; and brother-in-law,
Charles Easley III and wife Claudia and their children; we extend our
deepest condolences.
Doug truly made an indelible mark on education in Florida and the
United States. In our community, he always stressed integrity,
compassion and public service, and through that principled dedication
he leaves a proud and distinguished legacy. Madam Speaker, I ask all
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing Dr.
H. Douglas Lee's contributions to higher education and a life
commitment to making Stetson University the great institution it is
today.

____________________

RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHRIST CHURCH

______

HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

of tennessee

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in
congratulating Christ Church, of Nashville, Tennessee, which will be
celebrating its 60th anniversary on Sunday, September 13.
From humble beginnings in 1950, Pastor L.H. Hardwick has led,
nurtured, and grown this fine congregation into one of Nashville's
leading churches. With over 3500 members, Christ Church impacts the
entire Middle Tennessee region through its wide array of community
involvement. One small example is the church's activity center, which
includes fitness facilities and an indoor playground. Rather than
restricting access to the church's members, the activity center is open
to both friends and neighbors to utilize.

[[Page 21153]]

I am awed by the personal commitment Pastor Hardwick has demonstrated
through his service to Christ Church. When one considers the many
changes that have occurred in our country over the past sixty years,
Pastor Hardwick's continuous service is real inspiration.
Please join me in honoring 60 years of Christ Church's past, and
celebrating the next 60 years of Christ Church's future.

____________________

HONORING THE MEMORY OF JAMES C. VAN ANTWERP, JR.

______

HON. JO BONNER

of alabama

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile recently lost a dear
friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory.
James Callahan Van Antwerp Jr. was a remarkable businessman, active
citizen and committed U.S. Naval officer. He will be remembered as a
man devoted to his family, his Catholic faith, his country and his
community.
After graduating from Murphy High School in 1940, Jim attended the
U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Pacific, Far East, Atlantic and
Mediterranean. He became an instructor at Auburn University's Naval
ROTC Unit and then served as commander of the Naval Reserve base in
Mobile.
Jim worked as an independent insurance agent before he began running
the family business, Van Antwerp Realty Corp., in the 1950s. He was
active in the Mobile business community, serving as a member of the
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and as the president of both the Mobile
Real Estate Association and the Mobile Association of Independent
Insurance Agents.
Jim also played an active role in city government. He served as
director of the executive committee of Downtown Mobile Unlimited and of
the Mobile City Planning Commission. He was also the former chairman of
the First Congressional District Committee and the Mobile Republican
Executive Committee.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a
dedicated and generous community leader and a dear friend to many. Mr.
James Van Antwerp will be deeply missed by his family--his wife,
Margaret; his children, James Callahan Van Antwerp III, Elizabeth Van
Antwerp Reasonover, and John David Van Antwerp; his brother, Daniel
Janse Van Antwerp; and his seven grandchildren--as well as his many
friends and colleagues.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

____________________

RECOGNIZING MATTHEW TRAVIS TERRELL

______

HON. SAM GRAVES

of missouri

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Matthew
Terrell of Liberty, Missouri. Matthew is a very special young man who
has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by
taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, and earning the
most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.
Matthew has been very active with his troop, participating in many
scout activities. Over the many years Matthew has been involved with
scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the
respect of his family, peers, and community.
Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Matthew
Terrell for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for
his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle
Scout.

____________________

ROBERT T. CONNOR

______

HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

of new york

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge, congratulate
and celebrate the life of former Staten Island Borough President Robert
T. Connor, Sr.
For over fifty years, Robert Connor served his country and his
community through the military and our civic institutions. From the
United States Navy, to the Central Intelligence Agency to Borough Hall,
Robert Connor could always be found protecting and promoting the
interests of the United States and Staten Island.
After attending Boston College and the U.S. Naval Academy, he was
commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy in November 1940 and served on
active duty throughout WWII, seeing action in both the Pacific and the
Atlantic Theatres.
After the war, Connor entered the Central Intelligence Agency as an
Operations Officer and was stationed at headquarters in Washington, DC
and on foreign assignment. Following his CIA duty, Connor worked in the
maritime industry in New York Harbor and other North Atlantic ports.
Returning home, Robert Connor first ran for public office in 1962.
Although he was narrowly defeated in his bid for Staten Island's
Congressional seat, he would never again be defeated in an election.
The following year, he was elected as Councilman-At-Large to the New
York City Council. From that position, Connor was a tireless advocate
for improving the piers and harbors in the Port of New York.
In 1965, Connor was elected as Borough President of Staten Island, a
position he held until 1977. Connor's tenure was marked by his
commitment prudent management of government expenses and fiscal
conservatism. He was dedicated to serving the people of New York,
placing that goal ahead of any partisan ideology. Connor believed that
neither political party had a monopoly on good ideas, and he was able
to serve his constituents through close personal friendships with both
Democratic and Republican elected officials.
In 1977 Robert Connor again returned to Washington, accepting an
appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy from President
Carter. He served into the administration of President Reagan,
primarily representing the Secretary of the Navy on visits to ships and
stations throughout the world.
Although he left Washington in 1981, Robert Connor never lost
interest in public service. He continued to advocate for maritime
interests through various consulting jobs including the Port Authority
of New York and New Jersey and Barber Steamship Lines in Annapolis, MD.
While there, he volunteered as a coach of the Naval Academy Sailing
Squadron.
Robert Connor dedicated his life to helping others without ever
asking anyone for anything in return. I am honored to stand here today
to both recognize and honor the life of Robert T. Connor, Sr.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. J. GRESHAM BARRETT

of south carolina

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the
Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the
following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R.
3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act FY 2010.
Name of Requesting Member: J. Gresham Barrett
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account Number: 0601101E 2 Defense Research Sciences
Name and address of requesting entity: The entity to receive funding
for this project is Clemson University, located at Clemson University,
South Carolina.
Description of earmark including amount and spending plan: I am
requesting $1.6 million of funding for Clemson University Advanced
Photonic Composites Research. This program will be used for development
of the next generation of materials for use in optical and laser-based
communication, health, automotive, and defense platforms. It will
provide the necessary coordinated and concentrated effort to bring high
information capacity, low power consuming optical technologies to the
soldier. The research will continue to focus on novel active and
passive materials and optical devices for advanced lighting, directed
energy, sensing and switching, as well as ways to make their
performance controllably adaptive, such that one technology may now be
used for a myriad of applications. I certify that this project does not
have a direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of my
spouse or me.

____________________

IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF FRANCIS ``BUTCH'' TAYLOR

______

HON. JACKIE SPEIER

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, 100 years ago, Francis ``Butch'' Taylor
was born in Akron, Iowa and shortly after, made the journey west with
his family to California. While

[[Page 21154]]

completing his graduate degree in Social Work at the University of
California, Berkeley, he married Betty Lou Taylor. Intrigued by their
common last name, they spoke, fell in love and married in 1940. A year
later Butch was hired as the Assistant Field Director for the American
Red Cross and assigned to the Presidio Army base in San Francisco.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Mr. Taylor was indispensable in
keeping up with the rapidly increasing responsibilities of the American
Red Cross as service to the military grew exponentially. In 1943, he
was dispatched with 36 other Red Cross employees on a Liberty ship--
part of a hundred-ship convoy to Algeria. Upon transferring to British
troopships in the Mediterranean, the convoy was attacked by German
planes, resulting in the loss of three Red Cross men and more than
1,100 American troops. Butch continued on to Bombay and Calcutta, India
and eventually arrived in southern China, where he became Field
Supervisor in charge of Red Cross Services to the armed forces in
China.
After the Communists took power in China, Mr. Taylor returned home to
California and became manager of the San Mateo Chapter of the Red
Cross, later assisting in its merger with the San Francisco Chapter.
Madam Speaker, I owe a personal debt to this remarkable man. In 1965,
when I was a teenage volunteer with the Red Cross Youth, Butch Taylor
inspired me with his passion for public service and encouraged me to
chart a similar course. Like so many others, my life would be very
different were it not for Butch Taylor.
Upon his retirement from the Red Cross, Butch went to work for FEMA,
serving the Western Region--including Guam, Hawaii and Samoa--and
assisted with floods in the Sacramento Delta and other local
emergencies throughout the 1970s.
Butch and Betty Lou have two children, Mike and Trish, and a
grandson, Mark. Butch continues to be involved with the Burlingame
Rotary Club and still attends functions every Monday. Next year, Butch
and Betty Lou will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.
Madam Speaker, few men or women can say with absolute certainty that
their service made the world a better place. Butch Taylor is one who
can. And for that, we are all eternally grateful.

____________________

COMMANDER MARK DICKINSON

______

HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

of minnesota

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant
Commander Mark Dickinson, a Minnesota native with St. Cloud and Big
Lake roots, upon his retirement from the United States Navy. After 20
years of service, Mark is retiring from military service but will
continue to serve his country as a civilian working for the Navy. I am
proud to share Mark's distinguished career with this Congress today.
In 1989, Mark enlisted in the Navy and worked his way up to Petty
Officer First Class serving on the USS Kamehameha, USS Nebraska and PCU
Louisiana. As a commissioned officer, Mark served as Supply Department
Head on the USS Maryland, which, under his leadership, won the Supply
Blue ``E'' awarded to the finest supply department in the squadron and
the prestigious Edward F. Ney Award for outstanding food service--
something every sailor can appreciate!
Mark began work at Naval Reactors as Manager of Shipbuilding
Contracts in 2003. In this role, he successfully oversaw the
construction, repair and modification of nuclear powered ships and also
helped negotiate the acquisition of private shipyard facility upgrades
necessary to refueling and defueling operations of nuclear aircraft
carriers. Mark's negotiation and implementation of cost incentive
programs has set the Navy up to save more than $850 million dollars.
Since 2007, Mark has been the Deputy Director of Acquisition and this
March he assumed his current responsibilities as Director of
Acquisition at Naval Reactors where he continues to lead shipbuilding
efforts.
It is with great honor that I congratulate LCDR Mark Dickinson on 20
years of dedicated service to the United States Navy. Madame Speaker, I
rise so that this Congress may also pay tribute to Mark and wish him
and his family all the best in their future endeavors.

____________________

HONORING STAFF SGT JASON DAHLKE

______

HON. JOHN L. MICA

of florida

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to
Staff Sergeant Jason Dahlke, 29, who died August 29, 2009, while
serving our Nation in Afghanistan on his sixth deployment in support of
the War on Terror. Staff Sergeant Dahlke was a distinguished soldier
serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
SSG Jason Dahlke was born on November 8, 1979, in Tampa and was
raised in Jacksonville with his brother and three sisters. Prior to
joining the Army, he attended the University of Central Florida where
he graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and married his grade
school sweetheart Niki Marie Norvell Dahlke. Mrs. Dahlke recalls her
husband as her ``best friend'' and ``hero.''
We should all remember SSG Dahlke's courage and his ultimate
sacrifice for our nation. The freedom and liberty we enjoy and the
peace in the world for others for which he fought are part of the great
legacy that SSG Dahlke leaves behind. He was laid to rest at the new
Jacksonville National Veterans Cemetery on September 5, 2009. SSG Jason
Dahlke is the first American killed in combat to be interred at
Florida's newest veterans cemetery.
SSG Dahlke will be remembered as a dedicated servant of the country
he loved. During his time in the Army, SSG Dahlke received a Purple
Heart and two Army Commendation Medals that he never mentioned to his
parents. They only learned of their son's achievements by way of the
internet. In one of his last conversations with his parents, SSG Dahlke
told his family that he loved his job and that he would continue to do
it as long as he could serve. Col. Michael E. Kurilla, 75th Ranger
Regiment commander stated that SSG Dahlke ``embodied the Ranger Creed
and all that is good, noble and honored in our Rangers.''
With the passing of SSG Dahike, America has lost an outstanding
citizen and a shining example of service to our Nation. He will be
remembered as a patriotic American, a pillar of our community and a
compassionate husband and a loving son.
To his wife Niki, his mother Deborah, his father Roger and his loving
family and friends, we offer our deepest sympathy.
Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize SSG Jason Dahlke's
contributions and to ask that all Members of the U.S. House of
Representatives join me in recognizing his heroic service in our
Nation's Armed Forces.

____________________

RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF MR. JOHN ``TOMMY'' STEPHENSON

______

HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

of tennessee

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in
congratulating Tommy Stephenson upon his retirement from the United
States Postal Service.
Mr. Stephenson has serviced the same route for over 30 years,
becoming an important part of the community in Southern Madison County,
Northern Hardeman County, and Western Chester County, Tennessee. Over
three generations of West Tennessee families have come to know and love
Mr. Tommy. The humble spirit and cheerful whistle he brought to work
each and every day has touched these families in many ways.
Most inspiring to me is the fact that Mr. Stephenson has endured a
physical disability that limits the use of his right hand, yet he has
always been able to adapt to the many changes these past thirty years.
The type of dependability and dedication he has brought to his work is
rare, indeed, and we honor him for it.
Please join me in celebrating Mr. Stephenson's achievement, and
wishing him well upon his retirement.

____________________

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS FOR AAHOA

______

HON. EDWARD R. ROYCE

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the success of the
Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Founded in 1989, the
AAHOA has grown to nearly 10,000 members who own more than 22,000
hotels valued at $60 billion. These small business owners have created
or supported more than one million jobs. It is my understanding that
their business acumen and

[[Page 21155]]

dedication to the hospitality industry has made AAHOA a strong leader
in the tourism sector of our economy.
It was my honor to attend AAHOA's national convention earlier this
year, where its members celebrated 20 years of excellence and service
to their respective communities. Many AAHOA members belong to their
local chambers of commerce and network with pro-business associations.
I share many of the concerns of AAHOA's membership, including card
check, our spiraling deficit, excessive litigation, and the proposed
expansion of government into the health care arena. This is not what
our country needs. We need to allow private sector businesses, like
AAHOA members, to do what they do best: grow the economy, create new
jobs, and provide safe, reliable, and affordable hospitality for
millions of travelers.
I want to recognize the officers and leadership of AAHOA for their
service to the organization: Chairman Tarun S. Patel; Vice Chairman
ChandraKant I. (C.K.) Patel; Treasurer Hemant D. (Henry) Patel;
Secretary Alkesh R. (Al) Patel; past Chairman Ashwin (Ash) Patel;
President Fred Schwartz; Washington District Regional Director and Co-
Chairman of the Legislation Committee Paul (Prashant) Patel; Southwest
Regional Director and Co-Chairman of the Legislation Committee Hitesh
L. Patel; and Vice President for Fair Franchising and Government
Affairs and General Counsel Laura Lee Blake.
I understand that the AAHOA donated more than $100,000 for the
victims of Hurricane Katrina, contributed more than $25,000 for the
victims of the Asian tsunami in 2004, they have helped open doors for
investment opportunities in India, and they partnered with the United
Service Organizations (USO) to create the ``101,000 Room Nights for
America'' program, which provided complimentary rooms for deployed
members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize AAHOA and the Indian
American community and look forward to working together in the future.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO MRS. HELEN DAUGHTREY

______

HON. J. RANDY FORBES

of virginia

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Helen
Daughtrey, who was 80 years old when she passed away on Saturday,
August 15, 2009. America lost a community icon, public servant, and
devoted daughter, wife, sister, and mother with the death of Helen
Daughtrey. Helen will be remembered for her strong voice for fairness,
civic duty, equality, and justice.
A long-time resident of Suffolk, Virginia, Helen was active in a
myriad of service groups that improved the lives of those in the
community. She served as the NAACP's Vice President for the Suffolk
Branch. Helen was also a member of the American Red Cross, the Suffolk
Beautification Committee, the Order of the Eastern Star of Virginia,
the International Black Women's Congress, and Chesapeake Silver Strands
Senior Citizens Club.
Helen was perhaps best known for her leadership and tireless efforts
to see through the community improvement projects at The Fairgrounds
and the East Washington Street corridor. Helen also tirelessly
championed the conversion of the 1921 Phoenix Bank, Suffolk's first
African-American bank into a black history museum.
As a lifelong member of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Helen was a
dutiful woman of faith. Her commitment to her community of faith was
evident in her service on the Deaconess Board, and as a member of the
Mass and Chapel choirs and the Harvesters' Missionary Circle. She also
taught a Sunday school class and was the founder of the Afro-Centric
Ministry.
Helen was a 1946 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and
remained involved in the alumni chapter. Helen was the proud wife of
James Otis ``Buck'' Daughtrey. They had four daughters--Brenda, Rhonda,
Sharon, and Ida. Helen deeply touched each one of her many friends in
the community, and I am proud to count myself among them.
Helen Daughtrey was the personification of determination,
volunteerism, and persistence. Her deep faith drove her efforts to
improve her city and the lives of the people within it. Helen's
contributions to the citizens of Suffolk will not be forgotten or
easily replaced, and her work will live on for generations. I can say
with certainty, that at another ceremony in Helen's honor that we
cannot see with our eyes, Helen is hearing the words: ``Well done, my
good and faithful servant.''

____________________

CONGRATULATING DR. REGINA BENJAMIN ON HER NOMINATION AS SURGEON GENERAL
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

______

HON. JO BONNER

of alabama

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Regina
Benjamin on her nomination as United States surgeon general. Upon
confirmation, Dr. Benjamin will become the third Alabamian to serve as
the nation's chief health educator.
A native of Mobile, Dr. Benjamin earned a bachelor's degree from
Xavier University in New Orleans, and she attended the University of
Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. Following the completion of
her residency at the Medical Center of Central Georgia, Dr. Benjamin
returned to south Alabama and founded the Bayou La Batre Rural Health
Clinic. Dr. Benjamin also holds a masters of business administration
from Tulane University.
Founded in 1990, Dr. Benjamin's non-profit clinic strives to provide
high-quality medical care for the uninsured citizens of Alabama's
bayou. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Georges and Katrina, despite the
devastation of her own clinic, Dr. Benjamin selflessly continued to
serve her patients, making house calls in order to treat those who were
isolated, injured, and unable to leave their homes.
Dr. Benjamin's resume boasts an extensive list of accomplishments. In
1995, she became the first African-American woman and first person
under age 40 to serve on the American Medical Association board of
trustees. In addition, as president of the Medical Association of
Alabama, she was the first African-American woman president of a state
medical society. In September 2008, she was one of 25 honored with a
$500,000 ``genius award'' from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation Fellowship. She also previously served as associate dean for
Rural Health at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and
chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States.
Dr. Benjamin has received numerous awards throughout her career. In
1998, she was the United States recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award
for Health and Human Rights. Time magazine named her as one of the
``Nation's 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under.'' She has been profiled
by the New York Times and ABC's ``World News Tonight.'' She was named
``Woman of the Year'' by both CBS ``This Morning'' and People Magazine.
In 2008, U.S. News and World Report named Dr. Benjamin one of America's
Best Leaders.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the proud citizens of the First
Congressional District and the entire state of Alabama, I ask my
colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Benjamin on this
distinguished nomination.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. JERRY LEWIS

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I submit the following:
Project name: Synchrotron-Based Scanning Research
Requested amount: $6,000,000.00
Recipient: Loma Linda University Medical Center, 11175 Campus Drive,
Loma Linda, CA 92354
Purpose: The Synchrotron-based Neuroscience and Proton Institute
(NSPI) is pioneering new possibilities in medical technology and
neuroscience for the service of patients with previously untreatable
benign diseases. The potential of the NSPI is to expand efforts in the
treatment of people with uncontrollable serious behavioral conditions,
including military personnel and veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder as well as persons who are currently incarcerated in
prisons and who volunteer for this treatment. Eventually the treatment
would be an available medical option to all persons seeking a non-
invasive, non-drug alternative to behavioral disorders, both in the
military and civilian populations.
Project name: Center for Innovative Geospatial Technology-
Requested amount: $7,000,000.00
Recipient: ESRI, 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373

[[Page 21156]]

Purpose: Geospatial support to the warfighter has proven its value on
the battlefield. Successes to date, together with advances in GIS
technology, create the demand and the opportunity to apply geospatial
analysis to a much larger set of military intelligence issues, and to
embed advanced geospatial analysis techniques in critical warfighter
support systems. These tasks can also help to integrate the national
intelligence, defense intelligence, and military operational
communities, all of which are heavily invested in geospatial technology
and applications. Building on widely used information systems will
expedite the work, facilitate ready application to new problems, create
a foundation for sharing, and in the process create opportunities for
economies. For the taxpayer, this means more efficient use of
intelligence assets and resources to support military and other
government operations, and lower operating costs in the intelligence
community due to better integration of intelligence information and
better quality of information to a large number of intelligence users.
Project name: Facility Security using Tactical Surveys
Requested amount: $4,500,000.00
Recipient: TSG, 301 Vanderbilt Way, San Bernardino, California 92408
Purpose: The Tactical Survey System is an innovative computer-based,
interactive tool that provides crisis personnel access to a vast
database of reliable pre-incident information on a facility, thereby
enhancing their ability to effectively respond to an emergency
situation. The Tactical Survey System includes immersive imagery with
embedded tactical intelligence including hazardous material types and
locations, aerial photos, ingress and egress videos, key personnel,
building construction information, utility shutoff locations with
instructions, communications infrastructure, fire fighting assets, fire
and security alarm systems, and perimeter control systems. Completion
of a survey at a federal installation allows precise advanced planning
of emergency response, conduct of realistic exercises, and detailed
training of individuals.
Project name: Commercialization of Advanced Technology
Requested amount: $2,500,000.00
Recipient: California State University, San Bernardino, 5500
University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407-2393
Purpose: A collaborative partnership between California State
University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) and San Diego State University, with
the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, other
government, academic, and industry representatives, offers a proven
process for accelerating technology to meet priority military and
homeland defense requirements. Key focus is on commercializing
technologies developed in government labs and/ or funded under the SBIR
program, transitioning technologies from the commercial sector to meet
government priorities. The need for advanced technological solutions
for personnel protection, enhanced situational awareness, NBCR
protection, and critical military operations is paramount.
Project name: Integrated Information Technology Policy Analysis
Research and Technology Commercialization and Management Network
Requested amount: $4,000,000.00
Recipient: California State University, San Bernardino, 5500
University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407-2393
Purpose: Integrated Information Technology Policy Analysis Research
creates a more strategic, adaptive IT policy to advance the Army's
Network Centric Operations vision for the future force, especially with
regard to providing situational intelligence to soldiers on the
battlefield. Technology Commercialization and Management Network
accelerates DoD spiraling technologies acquisition strategy, lowers
defense costs by accelerating government technologies, promotes higher
educational institutions & small businesses technological innovation,
increases commercial application of innovations derived from DoD R&D.
Project name: Research to Treat Cancerous Brain Tumors using Neural
Stem Cells
Requested amount: $2,000,000.00
Recipient: Loma Linda University Medical Center, 11175 Campus Drive,
Loma Linda, CA 92354
Purpose: Current cancer treatments do not work on a majority of brain
tumors. New breakthrough research has led to the theory that cancerous
brain tumors develop and are propagated by a small sub-population of
rogue transformed neural stem cells that are highly resistant to
existing cancer therapies due to their self-renewal capacity.
With the proposed project, Loma Linda seeks to partner with the
Department of Defense and a leading industry research company to
achieve the following goals over the next four years: 1. Establish an
in vitro brain tumor stem cell model sufficient for systematic
screening of potential agents with anti-tumor activity; 2. Search for
potential anti-tumor agents that block tumor-activating proteins or
enhance tumor-suppressing proteins in the human neural stem cell model
of brain tumor; 3. Create an animal model of human glioblastoma for
efficacy testing of potential anti-tumor agents; 4. Create a drug form
or route of administration of the anti-tumor agent that can be
selectively delivered to the brain without exposing peripheral organs
to potentially high toxic dose; 5. Demonstrate a proof-of-principle
anti-tumor activity with the most promising test agent in the animal
model.
Project name: Norton AFB Infrastructure Improvements
Requested amount: $6,000,000.00
Recipient: Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA), 294 South Leland
Norton Way, Suite #1, San Bernardino, CA 92408-0131
Purpose: The Office of Economic Adjustment in the Department of
Defense is tasked to assist communities that are adversely impacted by
Defense program changes, including base closures or realignments, base
expansions, and contract or program cancellations. The San Bernardino
International Airport, formerly Norton Air Force Base, is a 2,100-acre
facility, wholly within the jurisdiction of the City of San Bernardino.
Officially closed as a military base in March of 1994, the former Base
has been operated by two joint powers authorities, the Inland Valley
Development Agency (IVDA) which was formed in 1990, and the San
Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) which was formed in
1992. The IVDA and the SBIAA are in the process of replacing and
upgrading the infrastructure of the former Norton Air Force Base. These
improvements include ongoing base structure repair and environmental
remediation, water system improvements and base floodwater runoff
mitigation. In addition to the federal funds requested, the IVDA and
the SBIAA are committing their own significant financial resources to
the various projects.
Project name: Spintronics Memory Storage Technology
Requested amount: $3,500,000.00
Recipient: University of California, Riverside, 900 University
Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521
Purpose: This project aims to take advantage of recent advances in
nanomaterials, nanodevices and spintronics to bring about revolutionary
advances in magnetic storage technologies and to develop chip-scale
packaging and thermal dissipation solutions for this new generation of
devices. Current hard disk drives are now contending with the
superparamagnetic limit, which limits the magnetic grain size for
recording information. This effort will explore the use of multilevel
recording techniques and examine the use of new nanomaterials for the
development of highly efficient thermal interface materials in order to
accommodate the high thermal dissipation required in compact devices.
Project name: Carbon Nanotube Thin Film Near Infrared Detector
Requested amount: $2,000,000.00
Recipient: Carbon Solutions, Inc., 1200 Columbia Avenue, Riverside,
CA 92507
Purpose: There is an urgent need for improved infrared (IR) detectors
for use in thermal imaging, night vision and other military, homeland
and border security applications. This project aims to build on the
revolutionary discovery of the broad spectrum bolometric response of
carbon nanotube thin films to develop a new generation of near infrared
detectors. This breakthrough by California scientists offers the
possibility of broadly available, room temperature, low cost imaging
devices that could find widespread military applications.
Project name: Magneto Inductive Remote Activation Munitions System
(MI-RAMS) M156/M39 Kits and M40 Receivers
Requested amount: $9,000,000.00
Recipient: Magneto Inductive USA, 115 North Del Rosa Drive, Suite A,
San Bernardino, California 92408
Purpose: The purpose of the request is to ensure timely deployment of
this cutting edge MI-RAMS technology to US warfighters, enabling them
to gain significant tactical advantage in difficult urban, cave and
tunnel environments where they are required to undertake demolition
missions. Continued funding at the requested level will save lives by
fielding this technology identified as critical to the safety of the
Army Combat Engineers and Special Operations Forces as soon as
possible. This project will also save taxpayer dollars by ensuring that
the unique industrial base established in San Bernardino, California to
manufacture this equipment remains active, preventing line closures and
layoffs and be able to respond to the high demand from the warfighters
for this important technology in 2011 and beyond.
Project name: Cyber Threat Analytics
Requested amount: $3,000,000.00

[[Page 21157]]

Recipient: MetaFlows, 22N 6th Street A, Redlands, CA 92373
Purpose: Cyber-TA is a research project to develop the next-
generation of real-time national-scale Internet-threat analysis
technologies, and conduct critical deployment evaluation and
operational transition of new research concepts in large-scale network
defense to protect critical DoD and IC networks. Cyber-TA has brought
together many of the world's most established researchers across the
fields of data privacy, cryptography, malware and intrusion detection
research, as well as operational experts in Internet-scale sensor
management, to develop leading edge solutions to the evolving threat of
increasingly virulent and widespread self-propagating malicious
software.
Project name: Geospatial Intelligence Analysis Education (O&M)
Requested amount: $1,000,000.00
Recipient: University of Redlands, 1200 E Colton Ave, Redlands, CA
92374
Purpose: This project supports continuing efforts to strategically
enhance the human and scientific infrastructure of the Intelligence
Community (IC), as well as other federal agencies which employ staff
who should be using advanced Geospatial Analysis methods. The effort
involves collaborating with the Intelligence and Federal Geospatial
Communities in the design, development, and implementation of a
graduate program, including research, short courses and basic studies
in geographic information science (GIS). A key objective is to equip
officers at federal agencies with advanced geospatial analysis skills.
Project name: Integrated Propulsion Analysis and Spacecraft
Engineering Tools (IPAT/ISET)
Requested amount: $6,000,000.00
Recipient: Advatech Pacific Inc., 1849 N. Wabash Avenue, Redlands, CA
92374
Purpose: IPAT directly supports many of the Air Force's new major
system acquisitions including Land-based Strategic Deterrent, Prompt
Global Strike and Operationally Responsive Spacelift and is a key tool
to support our nation's world leadership in space.
The ISET radically improves AFRL's ability to quickly assess advanced
spacecraft design concepts' strengths, weaknesses, costs, and viability
in support of Air Force Space Command, Air Force Space & Missile
Systems Center, and U.S. Strategic Command requirements.
Project name: Advanced Technology Sensors and Payloads/Unattended
SIGINT Node
Requested amount: $6,000,000.00
Recipient: Trident Systems, 1615 Orange Tree Lane, Ste 104, Redlands,
CA 92374
Purpose: This program is urgently required to address the growing
complexity of ground operations associated with Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle-based Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. There are
multiple types of small unmanned aerial vehicles operating in theater,
each with its own unique command and control, payload management, and
status monitoring interface systems. These UAVs generally carry only an
EO/IR camera payload due to the size and weight of existing multiband
radars. ATSP provides a common ground station, simplified integration
environment for new sensor payload capabilities and unprecedented
communications range plus agility around interference. This project
provides critically needed capabilities to extend the reach and
operational flexibility of UAVs in theater. By developing and deploying
this project, our Armed Forces will be equipped with technology
enabling them to accelerate intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance missions, improve a vital communications link and
increase overall safety and survivability. Information superiority has
become a key factor in force protection and operational effectiveness.
The use of commercial communications technology has enabled even
unsophisticated adversaries to coordinate their efforts, narrowing the
tactical advantage that US forces achieved in the previous decade and
allowing new threats like IEDs. This use of commercial communications
assets can be countered with signals intelligence & communications
intelligence techniques, helping to restore the information superiority
tactical advantage. This project will provide an affordable miniature
wide band, SIGINT/COMINT payload for employment on small and mid-size
UAV platforms and in ground sensors.
Project name: Enhancing Commercial Joint Mapping Toolkit (CJMTK)
Requested amount: $4,000,000.00
Recipient: ESRI, 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373
Purpose: Integrating ESRI's Network Analyst technology in the CJMTK
baseline affords a rapid and very cost effective path for meeting
urgent requirements of the U.S. Army, and affording the same
capabilities to the other military services and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Several DOD programs have explored independently adding Network Analyst
capabilities to their systems, and have determined that the cost for
each would range in the tens of millions of dollars. Providing Network
Analyst capabilities through CJMTK, then, is extremely cost effective;
will enable rapid, parallel adoption of these capabilities in multiple
DOD systems; and will provide a common standard for analyzing movements
across all of their systems, thereby supporting interoperability and
joint/combined operations. For the taxpayer, this means that these Army
systems will be more efficient. It also means better decisions can be
made by government officials, and the annual cost of Army systems will
be lower through the infusion of modern analytical software tools.
Project name: Flow Path Analysis Tool (FPAT)
Requested amount: $2,000,000.00
Recipient: Advatech Pacific, Inc., 1849 N. Wabash Avenue, Redlands,
CA 92374
Purpose: The Flow Path Analysis Tool (FPAT) is the first tool to
accurately model the complex physics of the gas flow through a
hypersonic ramjet/scramjet engine. This tool will save many millions of
dollars by evaluating feasibility, predicting performance, and
eliminating non-viable or too costly design concepts for future Navy
weapon systems--all without having to actually build them (or scale
models of them) for testing. The Flow Path Analysis Tool effort is an
ongoing, but under-funded, program at the Navy's High Speed Weapons
Center at China Lake. Previous funding has demonstrated the viability
of the approach and is providing the first increment of computational
fluid dynamics modeling of the ramjet/scramjet air inlet. The FPAT
project, when completed, will provide the Navy's High Speed Weapons
Center at China Lake and other DoD organizations with computational
fluid dynamics capabilities to analyze and predict performance
characteristics of future weapon systems that use ramjet/scramjet
hypersonic engine technology. FPAT will capture an unprecedented amount
of engine hypersonic flow data from the air inlet, through the engine,
and out the exhaust. The cost benefits of physics-based tools that
integrate modern design and analysis codes have been well documented.
Project name: Rare Earth Mining Separation and Metal Production
Requested amount: $3,000,000.00
Recipient: Molycorp, 67750 Bailey Road, Mountain Pass, CA 92366
Purpose: Rare earth metals and magnets are vital to a wide variety of
Department of Defense applications. These metals and magnets are used
in virtually all advanced military systems and clean energy
technologies, yet currently, China controls nearly 100% of the world's
rare earth metal production. This funding will speed the development of
the critical manufacturing technologies necessary to revitalize U.S.
domestic rare earth separation and metal production for DOD
applications. To this end, the appropriated funds will be leveraged
against more than $20 million in private capital to accelerate the
engineering and scale of this work.
Project name: National Eye Evaluation and Research Network
Requested amount: $3,000,000.00
Recipient: Foundation Fighting Blindness, 11435 Cronhill Drive,
Owings Mills, MD, 21117-2220
Purpose: NEER will directly benefit the warfighter by providing a
readily available source to screen, enroll, and follow military
patients and their families through clinical trials. Additionally, NEER
will continue to interact with the newly formed DOD Vision Center of
Excellence, which will eventually be housed at the Bethesda National
Naval Medical Center. Many of the diseases to be studied are orphan
diseases, impacting small populations. Consequently, they do not
receive the attention of major government and private research and
pharmaceutical organizations. Additionally, much of the research
conducted on degenerative retinal diseases has a direct benefit to
ongoing traumatic brain injury research to better understand the vision
deficits associated with TBI.
Project name: Inter Turbine Burner for Turbo Shaft Engines
Requested amount: $3,000,000.00
Recipient: Advanced Projects Research, Incorporated, 2850 U Street,
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Purpose: The Inter Turbine Burner is an engine alteration that adds a
second combustor within a turbo shaft engine to increase power output
and engine efficiency. This technology can be used as an upgrade to
existing engines to provide greater power and performance in response
to increased air or ground vehicle capability requirements and can be
incorporated in new engine designs to provide both higher performance
and greater fuel efficiency at lower engine speeds. This technology can
be used on helicopters such as the

[[Page 21158]]

UH-60 Blackhawk and military ground vehicles such as the M1 Abrams tank
to increase fuel efficiency and peak power, which are critical in the
Global War on Terror.

____________________

RECOGNIZING STEVE CULVER

______

HON. SAM GRAVES

of missouri

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Steve Culver
of St. Joseph, Missouri. Steve is a St. Joseph native who has been an
instrumental member of the community for many years. Not only is he a
successful business owner, but also a volunteer, father, husband, and
well respected individual in his community.
Steve was employed with Western Dairy and Leo Robertson Tire Company
before buying into Midland Bottling Company, which he co-owned for 26
years. He is currently President of Recycling Corporation. Steve has
generously volunteered his time to many organizations including the
Aviation Board and Citizens Crime Commission for the City of St.
Joseph, American Cancer Society, United Cerebral Palsy, Nodaway Valley
Bank, and Missouri Western State University Foundation. Steve also
founded both the St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Heart of America
Chili Challenge in St. Joseph.
Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Steve
Culver for his accomplishments and his desire to enhance the lives of
others in his community.

____________________

JOHN SOLLAZZO

______

HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

of new york

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Sollazzo, a
lifelong Staten Islander, dear friend, dedicated community organizer
and Staten Island's own ``Mr. Democrat,'' who turned 70 on July 25,
2009. From his service in the Navy to his active participation in
various community organizations, Mr. Sollazzo is the premier example of
the engaged citizen, the truly civic individual who I know will
continue to be for generations to come.
Born and raised on Staten Island by his father, the late Nicolas
Sollazzo, and his mother, Helen Trifoglio, he attended P.S. 22, also
known as the Granitville School, and Port Richmond High School.
Mr. Sollazzo served with the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1960 on the Ships
Company of the USS Intrepid. After his service to our nation he became
a New York City Firefighter, one of New York's Bravest, and continued
to serve his community until his retirement in 1983.
Mr. Sollazzo has always been willing to give of his time to help
others. He has worked to keep kids off streets and spent hours teaching
them valuable skills as an instructor for Youth Against Crime of Staten
Island. As an executive board member of Meals on Wheels, he fought to
maintain and expand this essential program for our neediest seniors. He
has also been involved in various other organizations such as Rotary
International, Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, and the
Knights of Columbus.
Because of his continued service to our island, Mr. Sollazzo has been
the recipient of many awards from various youth, service, and political
organizations. He has been recognized by the New York City Council and
the New York State Senate for his outstanding contributions.
Outside of his professional life, Mr. Sollazzo is a devoted family
man. He has been married to Frances Adamo for more than 48 years. He is
the father to John, Jr., Elizabeth and Ellen Mary and the beloved
grandfather of Nicholas, Laura, Vincent, Maria and Levi.
Mr. Sollazzo has been active in democratic politics for as long as
anyone can remember. Now serving as the 1st Vice Chairman of the
Richmond County Democratic Committee, John has been involved in every
democratic campaign for the last 25 years. He continues to be the top
petition canvasser in the borough. He is well known for his ability to
run successful judicial campaigns; having insured that every judicial
candidate's campaign he has run has won. He carried the party flag as a
candidate on three occasions. Through his personal zeal and undying
commitment, he has built the Richmond County Democratic Party into a
vibrant, active political organization.
Without John's invaluable assistance in my last campaign, I might not
be standing here today. His limitless energy and enthusiasm for his
family, his Democratic Party and his community, belie the fact that he
has just turned 70 years old.
John Sollazzo celebrated his 70th birthday on July 25, 2009. This
celebration will not only be an anniversary of the birth of Mr.
Sollazzo but also a celebration of his contributions to the people of
Staten Island. I am proud to call John my friend and I wish him many
more years to come. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in
commending John Sollazzo on his dedication to the citizens of Staten
Island.

____________________

HONORING LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES G. ROUDEBUSH

______

HON. JEFF FORTENBERRY

of nebraska

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
Lieutenant General James G. Roudebush. As his 34-year career in the
United States Air Force draws to a close, I would like to draw
attention to some of his significant accomplishments and enduring
contributions to our great Nation.
Lieutenant General James G. Roudebush is the Surgeon General of the
Air Force, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Educated at the University
of Nebraska at Lincoln, he received a direct commission in the Medical
Service Corps upon completing his master's degree from the University
of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1975. In his distinguished career,
he served as the Vice Commander at the Human Systems Center and the
Command Surgeon General for United States Central Command. Lieutenant
General Roudebush also served as the Command Surgeon for Pacific Air
Forces Command, United States Transportation Command and Air Mobility
Command. His commands include the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing Hospital
at Bitburg Air Base, Germany, and 89th Medical Group, Andrews Air Force
Base, Maryland. Prior to his current assignment, General Roudebush was
the Deputy Surgeon General at the U.S. Air Force Headquarters.
In his career, General Roudebush has been awarded the Distinguished
Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf
cluster, the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious
Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force
Commendation Medal. He holds a Chief Flight Surgeon rating with more
than 1,100 flight hours in fourteen different aircraft including the C-
5 Galaxy, F-15 Eagle and KC-135 Stratotanker.
General Roudebush has served his career with dedication and honor in
the service of his country. He significantly transformed the role and
impact of the Air Force Medical Service. The breadth of his enormously
positive impact on the Air Force--medical readiness; pre- and post-
deployment physical and mental health assessments; suicide prevention
initiatives; and the successful aero-medical evacuation of tens of
thousands of wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan--are key
pillars of his contributions to government service. As the architect
for the Surgeon General's Force Development Flight Path, each of the
five Corps--Medical, Medical Service, Dental, Biomedical Services, and
Nurse--now have a career pathway for all medical officers from
lieutenant to general specific to their Corps.
Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending
Lieutenant General James G. Roudebush for his lifetime of dedication
and self-sacrifice in the service of our great Nation.

____________________

TRIBUTE TO LAWRENCE HAHN

______

HON. ZACH WAMP

of tennessee

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. WAMP. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Lawrence A. Hahn of
Oak Ridge, Tenn., as he retires as the Executive Director of the Boys
and Girls Club of Oak Ridge.
For more than 55 years, Lawrence has dedicated himself to the youth
of Oak Ridge and surrounding areas as Executive Director of the Boys
and Girls Club. He has worked considerably more than ``40 hours-a-
week'' and has contributed from his own finances to create a better
quality of life for countless young people. He has helped change lives
by providing a safe environment and great role-models that have helped
many become caring, responsible and productive citizens.
He has served hundreds of thousands of youth with his service on the
Tennessee Area

[[Page 21159]]

Council as its Executive Secretary in addition to his service to the
National Boys and Girls Clubs.
The local Boys and Girls Club Alumni Chapter that Lawrence
established has been recognized as one of the largest and most
effective in the nation. He continues to lead this group, which
includes past Club members now working as professionals across the
region and around the nation.
He has been an inspiration to hundreds of volunteers who have served
on the Club's Board of Directors as educational tutors and athletic
coaches--giving them the same desire that he has to carry on the
unwavering compassion and commitment to the mission of the Club.
The national headquarters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has
given Lawrence their highest professional award and he continues to be
honored at national forums.
Lawrence is without a doubt one of the most respected, honored and
legendary citizens of Oak Ridge. His 55 years as the Boys and Girls
Club Executive Director far exceeds the years of service than that of
any other person in the history of the National Boys and Girls Clubs
movement. It is with great pleasure that I honor my friend, Lawrence
Hahn, for his commitment to the youth of Oak Ridge and East Tennessee.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. FRED UPTON

of michigan

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership
standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information
regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293, the Labor/HHS
spending bill for Fiscal Year 2009.
Requesting Member: Congressman Fred Upton
Benton Harbor Workforce Transformation Program
Department: Labor
Account: Employment and Training Administration--Training and
Employment Services
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Michigan Works--Benton Harbor, Ml
Address of Requesting Entity: Michigan Works, 499 W. Main St., Benton
Harbor, MI 49022
Description of Request: Michigan Works, a state-supported job
recruitment and training organization, is starting a job-training
program designed to work in tandem with the upcoming $500 million
Harbor Shores mixed-use economic development project being undertaken
by Benton Harbor. The basic workforce transformation program, which
would be funded by the monies requested here, includes at least three
core elements: basic skills training, including workforce literacy
remediation; skills training for in-demand, high-growth occupations;
and transitional job services. All activities will be based on proven
programs administered by workforce training professionals as part of
the region's existing and ongoing workforce development activities. All
programs will be designed to reduce the unemployment rate, increase the
local labor participation rate, increase job readiness, place people
into jobs, and increase per capita income. These funds are consistent
with the mission of the Employment and Training Administration. Benton
Harbor, Michigan is the poorest city in one of the most economically
challenged states in America. The magnitude of Benton Harbor's problems
is stunning--a workforce with an average 6th grade literacy level and
an 80 percent high school dropout rate by young males. In Benton Harbor
42 percent of the available workers are out of the workforce, a fact
exacerbated by the lack of basic skills needed to maintain employment
which has only served as a barrier to attract new employers into the
area
Amount: $381,000
Financial Breakdown: The majority of this funding (around 70 percent)
will go to staffing services, stipends for program participants, as
well as literacy remediation services. The remainder of the funding
will be provided for training scholarships, community outreach,
participant assessments and support services. Michigan Works will
provide supplemental funds.
Kalamazoo Community Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services Nursing
Distance Learning Initiative
Department: Health
Account: Health Resources and Services Administration--Health
Facilities and Services
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Kalamazoo Community Mental Health &
Substance Abuse Services
Address of Requesting Entity: 3299 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Description of Request: The Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services agency will partner with Wayne State
University's School of Nursing, the only nursing school in Michigan
offering an Advanced Psychiatric and Community Public Health Nurse
Practitioner degree program, to bring the opportunity through the use
of distance learning technology for nurses in Kalamazoo and surrounding
communities to participate in this three-year program right in their
home communities, rather than have to travel all the way across the
State to Detroit. The plan would provide scholarships to local nurses
who wish to participate in exchange for a commitment to remain in and
serve their Southwest Michigan communities. Southwest Michigan is a
medically underserved area, with a shortage of nurses, and a
particularly acute shortage of nurses with advanced training to meet
community mental health needs. The Kalamazoo Community Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Services Nursing Distance Learning proposal
promises to be an innovative and successful way to address this
pressing need.
Amount: $100,000
Financial Breakdown: The majority of funding for this project (around
60%) will go to nursing faculty, with supplemental funding going to
polycom and video conferencing equipment, as well as scholarships for
nursing students.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College Wind Technician Academy
Department: Education
Account: Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Address of Requesting Entity: 6767 West 0 Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49003
KVCC Wind Energy Center will launch a Wind Turbine Technician Academy
in the fall of 2009. The competency based program will provide
graduates with multi craft credentials which are highly sought after by
the wind power industry for the construction, operation and maintenance
of utility size wind turbines. The training uses established curriculum
based on globally recognized BZEE utility grade turbine technician
standards. The KVCC program will be the first BZEE certification
program in the US, and will include training on a decommissioned
utility grade turbine in a lab at KVCC. The Wind Turbine Technician
Academy can be completed in less than 6 months, making the program
viable for retraining of workers and for the training of the next
generation workforce. The Wind Turbine Technician Academy will consist
of three integrated segments: Pre-Employment Electrical Apprenticeship,
Wind Turbine Technology Education, and Field Experience. Michigan ranks
14th in terms of wind energy potential, but is currently well behind
other states in terms of installed wind generating capacity. The
Academy will promote Michigan's potential through their ability to
produce highly qualified workers in 6 months and through their plan to
create an advisory panel made up of national wind energy employers.
Amount: $350,000
Financial Breakdown: Approximately 75% of this funding will go toward
the purchase of wind turbine components, tools and training equipment.
The remaining 25% will be split between purchasing lab equipment and
curriculum development. KVCC has been, and will continue to provide,
supplemental funding for the program.
Lake Michigan College Energy Job Training Program
Department: Education
Account: Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education
Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lake Michigan College
Address of Requesting Entity: 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor,
MI 49022
This funding will go toward equipment purchases and curriculum
development for an energy production job training program at Lake
Michigan College. According to Nuclear Energy Institute research, the
nuclear power production industry and their community college partners
need to establish forty-four new programs for training non-licensed
operators, twelve for radiation protection technicians, and sixty-five
to train maintenance workers. To address the projected shortage of
energy industry professionals for the region it serves, Lake Michigan
College, in collaboration with D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman and
Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert, has developed the Energy
Production Technology degree to give local residents the opportunity to
prepare for one of these high-skill, high-wage jobs. According to the
Nuclear Energy Institute, about thirty percent of the nuclear energy
workforce will retire within the next five years. Locally, that
percentage is as high as 35%. Consumers Energy, over the next five

[[Page 21160]]

years, expects 120-130 retirements among generating plant operations
and maintenance personnel. That translates into over four hundred
anticipated job openings in this region in just the next few years.
This project will help train a local workforce to fill those openings.
Amount: $150,000

____________________

IN MEMORY OF KEN BACON, PRESIDENT, REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL

______

HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

of massachusetts

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, it was with deep sorrow and shock that I
learned of the death of Mr. Ken Bacon, President of Refugees
International. Ken was a great man, who accomplished so much in his
lifetime, both inside and outside the U.S. government. His wit, focus,
passion and vision will be sorely missed by me and everyone who knew
him.
One of the first actions I did with Ken in his capacity as the new
president of Refugees International was an event in 2001 on the need to
ban anti-personnel landmines. His background and experience at the
Pentagon made Ken an especially authoritative voice in support of the
international treaty to ban landmines and on the horror and
humanitarian consequences of landmines. I found him inspiring and
energizing.
In the years to come, we would work together on issues ranging from
internally displaced people in Colombia, to the tragedy of Darfur, and
the need to ban the use of cluster munitions. I last saw Ken at a
breakfast on Capitol Hill on June 17th, where we had a chance to join
forces once again to talk about the special needs of displaced women
and girls.
Ken Bacon helped strengthen and revitalize Refugees International
into one of the most internationally recognized voices and advocates on
behalf of refugees and the internally displaced. And like all his
friends, family and colleagues, I pledge to carry on his work as if he
were still right by my side.
I would like to insert into the Record the statement on the death of
Ken Bacon by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; the August 16th
obituary in the New York Times; and the August 15th tribute posted by
Refugees International on its web site.

Death of Ken Bacon, President of Refugees International

(Hillary Rodham Clinton, Aug. 15, 2009)

The United States and the world lost a great humanitarian
leader with the passing today of Ken Bacon, President of
Refugees International. Most Americans remember Ken as the
unflappable civilian voice of the Department of Defense,
where he served with distinction as spokesperson for many
years. But for millions of the world's most vulnerable
people--refugees and other victims of conflict--Ken was an
invaluable source of hope, inspiration and support. From
Central Africa to South Asia to the Americas, Ken shone the
spotlight on the causes of humanitarian suffering, and served
as an impassioned yet reasoned advocate for the principles of
humanitarian protection and assistance. We will miss Ken, but
we will be inspired by the contributions he has made and the
example he has set.
____

[From the New York Times, Aug. 16, 2009]

K. Bacon, an Advocate for Refugees, Is Dead at 64

(By Douglas Martin)

Kenneth H. Bacon, a former journalist and Pentagon
spokesman who devoted his last years to highlighting
refugees' problems and urging policymakers to find solutions,
died Saturday morning at his summer home on Block Island,
R.I. He was 64 and a resident of Washington.
The cause was complications of melanoma, his daughter Sarah
said.
Mr. Bacon, as an assistant secretary of defense in the
Clinton administration, was the spokesman for the Defense
Department during NATO's campaign to end the violence in
Kosovo in 1999. He then visited his first refugee camp during
a trip to the Balkans with William S. Cohen, then the defense
secretary.
``I had never seen refugees before, never fully appreciated
the sheer magnitude of one million people leaving their homes
and needing food, shelter and medical care and then one
million people going back home after the war,'' he said in an
interview with The New York Times in 2001.
``This fascinated me,'' he continued. ``I knew it was rare
for the world to help refugees so completely, and I wondered
if somebody could help give the same attention to the
refugees in the Congo, Afghanistan and Sudan.''
Mr. Bacon became president of Refugees International, which
advocates for assistance to save the lives of the world's
41.9 million people who flee their homes to escape violence,
either in their own countries or across borders. The
organization also aids the 12 million stateless people living
in limbo without citizenship rights.
Refugees International helps abandoned refugees receive
food, medicine and education; helps displaced families to
return home and helps stateless families obtain legal status.
It also urges policymakers at the national and international
levels to send peacekeepers to protect displaced people.
In a biography he wrote for the organization's Web site,
Mr. Bacon said the most important thing Refugees
International does is push governments and the United Nations
to overcome what he called the ``commitment gap'' that
prevents the world from ending genocide, human rights abuses
and wars.
Mr. Bacon wrote and spoke extensively about these issues.
In remarks at the Brookings Institution in February 2003,
just five weeks before the United States attacked Iraq, he
suggested ways to reduce the number of refugees in a war,
including choosing targets outside of urban areas.
In an article in Newsday in September 2003 he urged the
United States to persuade France to contribute peacekeepers
to Iraq, because of France's success in peacekeeping
elsewhere. At the time, many Americans resented France
because of its strong opposition to the American attack.
Kenneth Hogate Bacon was born in Bronxville, N.Y., on Nov.
21, 1944. He graduated from the Phillips Exeter Academy and
Amherst College, where his father was a political science
professor. He earned master's degrees in journalism and
business from Columbia.
In 1968 and 1969, he was a legislative assistant to United
States Senator Thomas J. McIntyre, Democrat of New Hampshire.
He then joined The Wall Street Journal's Washington bureau,
where he worked for 25 years as a reporter, columnist and
editor. From 1968 to 1974, he served in the Army Reserve.
Mr. Bacon had covered the Pentagon during the Carter
administration and had come to respect William J. Perry, a
senior official. When President Bill Clinton appointed Mr.
Perry as his second secretary of defense in 1994, Mr. Perry
asked Mr. Bacon to be his spokesman.
Mr. Bacon joined the Clinton administration as assistant to
the secretary of defense for public affairs, and was promoted
to assistant secretary in 1996. He served until 2001,
becoming a familiar face on broadcast and cable television
news shows donned in his signature bow tie.
Mr. Bacon is survived by his wife, the former Darcy
Wheeler, and his daughters, Katharine and Sarah; his father,
Theodore S. Bacon of Peterborough, N.H.; and his brother,
Douglas A. Bacon of Concord, Mass.
To Mr. Bacon, being a refugee was something that could
happen to anybody at any time.
``Even blue-blooded WASPs were refugees at one time; mine
came over from England in 1630, fleeing debts for all I
know,'' he said.
____

[From Refugees International, Aug. 15, 2009]

Refugees International Mourns the Death of Kenneth H. Bacon

Washington, DC.--With grief and a deep sense of loss,
Refugees International announces that Kenneth H. Bacon,
President of Refugees International, died this morning from
an aggressive melanoma that spread into his brain. Mr. Bacon,
who became President of Refugees International in 2001 and
was only 64 years old at the time of his death, devoted the
final years of his life to building the organization into the
leading advocacy group on refugee crises.
``Ken Bacon was an extraordinary human being. He led by
example and dedicated his efforts to help those most
vulnerable--refugees and displaced persons across the
globe,'' said Farooq Kathwari, Chair of the Board of
Directors of Refugees International. ``We are inspired by his
passion, his integrity, his humility, and the dignity with
which he faced the inevitable. We will sorely miss our friend
and colleague.''
Under Mr. Bacon's leadership, Refugees International
doubled in size and grew from an organization that largely
sounded the alarm on the latest refugee crisis to a program
built on sustained advocacy to transform unwieldy and often
ineffective international systems. During his tenure, the
organization successfully advocated for increased protection
and assistance for displaced people in places like Darfur and
Iraq, where he focused much of his own work, as well as in
Afghanistan, Burma, the DR Congo, Colombia, and Thailand. Mr.
Bacon also launched new advocacy programs on peacekeeping and
statelessness.
In the last few months of his life, Mr. Bacon turned his
passion towards the growing threat of climate displacement.
Just a few weeks prior to his death, he and his wife Darcy
provided a generous donation to establish the Ken and Darcy
Bacon Center for the Study of Climate Displacement.
``Ken's death is an enormous loss--to his family, his
friends, and Refugees International. All of us here will miss
his leadership, his kindness, and his quiet passion,'' said
Joel Charny acting president of Refugees International. ``He
never stopped looking for new ways to bring attention to the

[[Page 21161]]

millions of people who have been uprooted by violence and
conflict. The world's most vulnerable people have lost one of
their most tireless advocates.''
In 2004, Mr. Bacon made Darfur his primary regional focus
before throngs of activists and celebrities began calling for
support to the region. In 2005, he accompanied UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan to Darfur, and he met with Sudanese
President Al-Bashir in 2007 to push for a ceasefire and
greater access for relief workers in Darfur. Over the years,
he travelled to Darfur four times, wrote op-ed pieces,
conducted media interviews and testified to Congress in his
trademark bowtie, participated in think-tank working groups,
debated the merits of military action with journalists and
humanitarian workers and gave advice to the leaders of the
grassroots movements that made Darfur a household name. These
efforts helped lead to the substantial funding the U.S. has
provided for aid to the people of Darfur and to African Union
and United Nations peacekeepers in the region.
``Ken would walk the corridors of power one day and then
meet with refugees in the most remote areas of Darfur the
next. His unique mixture of expertise in the media, military
affairs, and U.S. government policy, added to his compassion
for vulnerable refugees, made him one of the great voices in
humanitarian advocacy,'' continued Charny. ``Ken always saw
the best in people. His ability to connect with nearly
everyone he met made it possible for him to convince
officials at the highest levels of government and the United
Nations to make the necessary changes to save lives and
protect people from harm.''
In 2006, Mr. Bacon pushed Refugees International to
investigate the plight of Iraqi refugees at a time when no
one was willing to acknowledge or speak out about this
matter. Drawing on the findings of Refugees International's
field research teams, Mr. Bacon was a leader in pushing the
U.S. government and the UN to recognize the world's fastest
growing refugee crisis at that time. His advocacy with senior
administration officials and key members of Congress, such as
Senator Edward Kennedy, was instrumental in achieving
extensive press coverage and policy discussions on Iraqi
displacement, the creation of a State Department task force
on the problem, a sharp increase in international assistance
for displaced Iraqis, and greater numbers of Iraqis being
resettled in this country.
Mr. Bacon wrote a few months before his death, ``When I
came to Refugees International in 2001, I planned to stay for
several years and then retire or move on to teaching or
writing, but the challenge of the work and the commitment of
the staff are too exciting to leave.'' When he thanked people
for their support of the organization, he regularly noted,
``We have a lot to do.''
In 1994, Mr. Bacon became Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Public Affairs and Pentagon spokesman. During the U.S.
and NATO operations in Kosovo, Mr. Bacon became convinced
that the world needed more people working to stop human
rights abuses and to assist people displaced by man-made and
natural disasters. He became president of Refugees
International in 2001 to help further that goal.
From 1969 to 1994 Mr. Bacon worked as a reporter and editor
at The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Bacon received his Bachelor's
degree from Amherst College, and a Master's degree in
Business Administration and Master's degree in Journalism
from Columbia University. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve
from 1968 to 1974.
Mr. Bacon is survived by his wife, two daughters, two
grandchildren, his brother and his father. The board and
staff of Refugees International express their deepest
condolences to his family and friends.
A memorial service will take place in Washington, DC in
September and forthcoming details will be posted on the
Refugees International website. In lieu of flowers or gifts,
the family has designated Refugees International for memorial
contributions in honor of Mr. Bacon. For more information, go
to http://www.refugeesinternational.org/ken-bacon.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. MARY BONO MACK

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mrs. BONO MACK. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership
standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information
regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326, the Department of
Defense Appropriations Act, 2010:
Requesting Member: Mary Bono Mack
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDTE), Air Force
Entity Requesting: Exotic-Electro-Optics, 36570 Briggs Road,
Murrieta, CA 92563.
Description of Earmark: $3,000,000 is provided and will be utilized
from the Advanced Materials for Weapon Systems program solely for the
purpose of completing the research started in FY08 to address the
challenges of EMI-shielding for large panel sapphire windows for the
EOTS sensor and to ensure production-ready domestic sources for defense
critical materials required for the production of the Joint Strike
Fighter. This aircraft has been designed to be an affordable and
stealthy tactical aircraft for the 21st century.
Spending Plan: Project Expenditures--Materials: Total- $525,000;
Labor: Total--$2,528,202.
Requesting Member: Mary Bono Mack
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account: Defense Production Act
Entity Requesting: Surmet Precision Optics, 41618 Eastman Drive,
Murrieta, CA 92562.
Description of Earmark: $3,000,000 is provided in the legislation to
meet the objective of the overall program which creates components for
major defense acquisition programs, such as Mine Resistant Ambush
Protected (MRAP) vehicles, C-17 aircraft, Small Diameter Bomb-II (SDB-
II), Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), and Joint Air to Ground Missile
(JAGM).
Spending Plan: Project Expenditures--During the previous years'
effort, Surmet provided a 10-20 percent in-kind contribution to funding
received from the Title III. Breakdown of the total FY10 program cost
is projected as follows:
60 percent will go towards labor for design, production and
evaluation of a large quantity of components. They anticipate an
addition of 10 positions for this effort;
35 percent will go towards raw materials and equipment; and
5 percent will go towards infrastructure improvements.

____________________

HONORING ALLISON JACOBS FOR HER EXEMPLARY SERVICE

______

HON. JERRY McNERNEY

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to honor
Officer Allison Jacobs of Brentwood for her work unraveling an 18-year-
old case and helping reunite a long-separated family. By acting on
their instincts, Officer Jacobs, and her colleague Lisa Campbell, were
able to serve justice by acting on suspicious behavior that resulted in
removing an innocent mother and her two young children from a monstrous
situation.
11-year-old Jaycee Dugard was tragically kidnapped on her way to
school. For 18 years, she was subjected to unspeakable abuse. Ms.
Dugard was denied contact with the outside world, and had it not been
for Officer Jacobs' outstanding performance of her duties, the abuse
for Jaycee and her daughters would have continued indefinitely.
Allison Jacobs' and Lisa Campbell's intuition, combined with an
effective utilization of their training, saved innocent people from
further harm, led to the removal of a dangerous person from our
streets, and reunited a family torn apart by a deranged criminal. I
have the highest regard and admiration for their actions and am proud
to represent such an outstanding officer.

____________________

TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL GOLDEN EAGLE MARCHING BAND

______

HON. JAMES A. HIMES

of connecticut

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. HIMES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the many
accomplishments of the Trumbull High School Golden Eagle Marching Band
and its esteemed director, Peter Horton.
The Golden Eagles have had a remarkable year. Their numerous
accomplishments include a distinguished season of competitions,
participating in the Hollywood Santa Parade, and performing nationally
on the ABC show Good Morning America.
I.was very proud to support their participation in the 56th Inaugural
Parade. The Golden Eagles represented Connecticut during this momentous
occasion in our nation's history and created memories that will last a
lifetime.
These accomplished students have not only continued to distinguish
themselves musically, they have also shown their commitment to public
service. This year, the band organized the collection of almost 4,000
coats for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, a non-profit dedicated to
providing aid and services to the urban poor and addicted. I applaud
these efforts, and believe the students of the Golden Eagle Marching
Band to be outstanding role models to the young people of our Nation.

[[Page 21162]]

While the Trumbull High School Golden Eagle Marching Band is lucky to
count such talented students as members, these achievements would not
have been possible without the direction and commitment of their
director Peter Horton. In celebrating his 20 years as band director, I
am thankful for Peter's service and dedication to the community, the
school, and above all, the students. He has left an indelible mark on
the minds of all those who have been given the opportunity to learn
under his care, and reminded us all of the importance and value of
musical education.
This fall, the band will be hosting its 27th Annual Trumbull Golden
Eagle Marching Band Classic competition on Saturday, October 3, 2009.
As many as 18 bands from the surrounding area will once again converge
on Trumbull to compete. I wish the Golden Eagles and Peter Horton good
luck, and congratulate them on their impressive achievements thus far.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. J. GRESHAM BARRETT

of south carolina

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the
Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the
following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R.
3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act FY 2010.
Name of Requesting Member: J. Gresham Barrett
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account Number: 0603001A 29 Warfighter Advanced Technology
Name and address of requesting entity: The entity to receive funding
for this project is Greenwood Mills, Inc., 300 Morgan Avenue,
Greenwood, South Carolina, 29646.
Description of earmark including amount and spending plan: I am
requesting $1.5 million of funding for Improved Thermal Resistant Nylon
for Enhanced Durability and Thermal Protection in Combat Uniforms. The
objective of this program is to develop increased thermal protection
for our soldiers due to the changing improvised explosive device (IED)
threat. This program will develop and provide flame resistant combat
uniforms with proven performance and enhanced durability to ensure
comfort and safety to the deployed forces and cost-savings to the DOD.
This program aims to develop a nylon product with increased ignition
resistance and self-extinguishing performance for protection against
extremely high intensity, short duration exposure to blast effects and
low intensity flash fires. I certify that this project does not have a
direct and foreseeable effect on the pecuniary interests of my spouse
or me.

____________________

IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF MR. AND MRS. RICHARD
AND MYRNA WHITNER

______

HON. JOE WILSON

of south carolina

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on August 8, 2009,
Richard ``Preacher'' Church Whitner and his wife Myrna Allen Whitner
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. In 1959, they were married
in Moncks Corner, South Carolina--Myrna's hometown. Preacher hails from
Rock Hill, South Carolina.
As long time friends, I want to congratulate Preacher and Myrna of
Indigo Run on Hilton Head Island on five decades of marriage and wish
them many more years of health and happiness.

____________________

RUSS KIMBALL NAMED TO FLORIDA TOURISM HALL OF FAME

______

HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

of florida

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, Russ Kimball, the General
Manager of the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater, Florida, since
its opening more than 30 years ago, was inducted into the Florida
Tourism Hall of Fame last month.
Russ is not only a constituent and good friend, but he is one of our
community's most respected business leaders and experts in the tourism
industry. He is the longest serving member on the Pinellas Tourist
Development Council, which oversees an industry in Pinellas County that
welcomes 13.5 million visitors to our community annually and generates
almost $7.0 billion for our local economy.
Russ is an outstanding businessman but he runs his business as if his
employees are his family. That explains why his hotel has one of the
longest serving staffs of any establishment in Florida and our nation.
Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Russ Kimball on this
great honor for all his work and his leadership in Florida tourism. He
joins some of the greats of this industry including Walt Disney in
being honored by his peers for his hard-work and vision in making
Florida not only a national but an international tourist destination.

____________________

HONORING MAMIE GEORGE

______

HON. PETE OLSON

of texas

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Mrs. Mamie
George--a very special woman who devoted her life to serving those in
Fort Bend County, Texas.
Mamie is remembered as a gracious and selfless community servant and
philanthropist. In 1896, she married Albert George, and they began to
grow the thriving 22,000 acre George Ranch, in Richmond, Texas. With
the fortune that they created, they set out on a lifetime of helping
those around them. Having no living children of her own, Mamie was
famous for making everyone feel like family, regardless of social
status or race. She was very active in her own church and began
studying the financial needs of other churches throughout Richmond.
Overwhelmed by the need, she was inspired to create the George
Foundation, a private charitable trust for religious, charitable, and
educational purposes for the residents of Fort Bend County.
To date, the foundation has made well over $50 million in grants to
Texas organizations, ministries, humanitarian and educational
foundations.
The legacy of Mamie George will long live on through the
organizations that are supported by her generous contributions. I am
honored to recognize her years of service here on the floor of the
House of Representatives.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. ROB BISHOP

of utah

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican
Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following
information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293, Labor,
Health and Education Appropriations Bill of 2010.
Requesting Member: Rob Bishop
Bill number: H.R. 3293
Account: Elementary & Secondary Education (includes FIE)
Legal name and address of requesting entity: Ogden City School
District, located at 1950 Monroe Blvd., Ogden, UT 84401
Description of project: $250,000 for a teacher training initiative,
including purchasing of equipment.
Requesting Member: Rob Bishop
Bill number: H.R. 3293
Account: Higher Education (includes FIPSE)
Legal name and address of requesting entity: Western Governors
University located at 4001 South 700 East, Suite 700, SLC, UT 84107
Description of project: $100,000 for curriculum development.
Requesting Member: Rob Bishop
Bill number: H.R. 3293
Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health
Legal name and address of requesting entity: McKay-Dee Hospital
Center located at 4401 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, UT 84403
Description of project: $150,000 for facilities and equipment.
Requesting Member: Rob Bishop
Bill number: H.R. 3293
Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health
Legal name and address of requesting entity: Weber State University
located at 4018 University Circle, Ogden, UT 84408

[[Page 21163]]

Description of project: $350,000 for expansion of nursing programs,
including purchase of equipment.

____________________

43RD ANNUAL CONSTITUTION DAY PARADE; NEVADA CITY, CA

______

HON. TOM McCLINTOCK

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, on September 17, 1787, thirty-nine
delegates from twelve states met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania to sign the Constitution. The Constitution went into
effect two years later, on March 4, 1789.
Each September 17 is designated as Constitution Day. Constitution Day
is a day to display the flag of the United States of America and many
Americans observe it in our nation's history by attending local events.
One such event is Nevada City's Constitution Day Parade, which has been
a local tradition since 1967 and is reported to be the oldest and
largest Constitution observance in western America.
Festivities include a parade through the downtown historic district
with marching bands, floats, antique autos, equestrians, politicians
and perennial crowd favorites such as the Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo
Band and the Famous Marching Presidents of Nevada City, a humorous but
reverent group that portrays each U.S. president. Members of the
American Civil War Association also offer living history and battle
reenactments and more than 200 military and settler reenactors are
expected to take part.
Nevada City is located on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada
mountains midway between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe and is known for its
classic small town spirit and unique events. With a population of
3,001, Nevada City swells to 10,000 or more on Constitution Day.

____________________

IN HONOR OF DR. J. MICHAEL BISHOP

______

HON. JACKIE SPEIER

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, when Dr. J. Michael Bishop retired as
Chancellor of UCSF on June 30, 2009, our premier research institution
lost not only its leader, but one of the greatest minds ever to serve
at its helm.
In 1989, Dr. Bishop was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or
Medicine for his advancements in understanding the origins of cancer.
His groundbreaking discovery of proto-oncogenes--genes that can be
converted to cancer genes by genetic damage--revolutionized the way
medical professionals looked at the detection and treatment of cancer.
He has received numerous other distinguished honors including the
National Medal of Science and an appointment as Chair of the National
Cancer Advisory Board created by President Bill Clinton.
This is all the more remarkable when you learn that Dr. Bishop's
education began in a two-room school in Pennsylvania where the science
curriculum was limited to the collection and pressing of flowers. True
to his humble nature, he asked that he receive no special recognition
on his retirement, but nonetheless, our community and our nation owe an
immense debt of gratitude to Dr. Bishop.
During the ten years he served as Chancellor of UCSF, Dr. Bishop
oversaw monumental achievements and growth to an already distinguished
institution. The construction of the Mission Bay campus will result in
57.5 acres focused on innovative ideas from scholars and scientists.
Madam Speaker, I met Dr. Bishop when he first became Chancellor and
was immediately struck by his humility, his engaging personality and
his ability to explain science to audiences at every level. He
exemplifies everything that is exceptional about UCSF--leadership,
innovative thinking, and a commitment to public service through
research and medical advancements.
Dr. Bishop has focused a great deal on creating an environment that
emphasizes a balance between the personal and professional. This is
without a doubt the result of his marriage to the love of his life,
Kathryn Ione Putman and their two sons, Dylan Michael Dwight and Eliot
John Putman.
Madam Speaker, Dr. Bishop is no longer in the Chancellor's office,
but without a doubt, his legacy as an educator, scientist, Nobel Prize
winner, and cancer researcher will be felt for generations at UCSF and
around the world.

____________________

HONORING THE MEMORY OF JOHN C.H. ``JACK'' MILLER, JR.

______

HON. JO BONNER

of alabama

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and indeed the entire
state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor
him and pay tribute to his memory.
Mr. John C.H. ``Jack'' Miller was a Duke University graduate who
earned his law degree from the University of Alabama. In 1977, he
established the Mobile based law firm Miller, Hamilton, Snider and
Odom, which just recently merged with the New Orleans firm Jones
Walker. Mr. Miller was also a founding director of Colonial Bank.
In the political world, Mr. Miller played an active role in the
Alabama Democratic Party. He served as chairman of the Alabama
Democratic Party from 1998 until 2001. He also played an instrumental
role in the successful gubernatorial campaigns of Fob James and Don
Siegelman.
Mr. Miller, along with former Mobile Mayor Mike Dow, led Mobile's
Downtown Redevelopment Commission from 1990 until 2006. He coined the
phrase ``String of Pearls,'' which was a series of projects that
dramatically improved downtown Mobile. Mr. Miller and Mayor Dow's
``String of Pearls'' campaign helped to revitalize downtown Mobile
which is now home to a cruise ship terminal, the tallest building in
Alabama, a number of new hotels and a waterfront park.
Among other achievements, Mr. Miller served as an Auburn University
trustee since 2000. He supported many Auburn academic programs and in
June, the Auburn Board of Trustees named the university's recently
established writing center in his honor.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a
dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout the state of
Alabama. Mr. Jack Miller will be deeply missed by his family--his wife
of 38 years, Susan Ross Miller; his mother, Emily Townsend of Mobile;
his children, Emily Miller Washburn and her husband, James; John
Cleveland Hays Miller III and his wife, Julia; and Edward Aubert
Roberts Miller and his wife, Meredith; and his two grandsons, Jackson
Roberts Washburn and Jesse Townsend Washburn--as well as the many
friends he leaves behind.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. J. GRESHAM BARRETT

of south carolina

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the
Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the
following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R.
3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act FY 2010.
Name of Requesting Member: J. Gresham Barrett
Bill Number: H.R. 3326
Account Number: 0603384BP 33 Chemical and Biological Defense
Program--Advanced Development
Name and address of requesting entity: The entity to receive funding
for this project is Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, located at 511
Leitner Street, Graniteville, South Carolina 29829.
Description of earmark including amount and spending plan: I am
requesting $3.0 million of funding for Chemical and Biological Threat
Protection Coating. The objective of this program is to develop self-
decontaminating chemical and biological fabric with a comfort profile
necessary to maintain extended protection during pandemics. This new
and advanced material can be deployed either as an individual
protective garment, respiratory mask, or protective shelter. The
technology will adhere to the U.S. DOD requirements for the Joint
Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD). This program will ultimately develop
advanced chemical technology for coating suits, tents and other
equipment for military and first responder personnel. I certify that
this project does not have a direct and foreseeable effect on the
pecuniary interests of my spouse or me.

[[Page 21164]]

____________________

EARMARK DECLARATION

______

HON. DANIEL E. LUNGREN

of california

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the
Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I rise today to submit the
following information regarding earmarks I received as part of the
Department of Defense FY10 Appropriations Bill.
The following earmarks were requested by my office and are listed for
funding in this bill:
Federal Technology Center--Feature Size Yield Enhancement DMEA's
Advanced Reconfigurable Manufacturing for Semiconductors (ARMS) Foundry
Requesting Member: Daniel E. Lungren
Bill Number: H.R. 3326--FY10 Department of Defense Appropriations
Bill
Account: R-1PE# 0603720S; Microelectronics Technology Development and
Support
Requesting Agency: Defense Microelectronics Activity
Requesting Agency Address: 4234 54th Street, McClellan, CA 95662
Amount: $3,000,000
This project will allow Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) to
proceed with its plan to acquire the more complex processes required to
support newer weapon system microelectronics, install these processes
in its ARMS Foundry and increase the first pass yield of these new
processes. It will also work to reduce the time required to switch from
one process to another and to maximize the yield of the reinstalled
process. This project represents an appropriate use of taxpayer funds
due to the need for domestic capability for technologies conversion to
maintain and improve upon our national defense system.
Federal Technology Center--Heterogeneous Gallium Nitride/Silicon
Microcircuit Technology
Requesting Member: Daniel E. Lungren
Bill Number: H.R. 3326--FY10 Department of Defense Appropriations
Bill
Account: R-1PE# 0603720S; Microelectronics Technology Development and
Support
Requesting Agency: Defense Microelectronics Activity
Requesting Agency Address: 4234 54th Street, McClellan, CA 95662
Amount: $2,000,000
This project will develop a replacement for gallium arsenide
technology currently used in input amplification and frequency
conversion circuits of military radar and communications systems. DMEA
will use Gallium Nitride/Silicon to replace old gallium arsenide
components. This project represents an appropriate use of taxpayer
funds due to the crucial need to upgrade and further develop military
radar and communications systems, which are of seminal importance to
the safety and success of our military personnel and missions
Aerojet--Minuteman III Advanced Third Stage Domestic Fiber Motor Case
Development
Requesting Member: Daniel E. Lungren
Bill Number: H.R. 3326--FY10 Department of Defense Appropriations
Bill
Account: RDT&E Line 46 ICBM Propulsion Applications, PE 0603851F/1021
Requesting Agency: Air Force ICBM Propellant Applications Program
Requesting Agency Address: Hill Air Force Base, UT
Amount: $3,000,000
This project will develop a domestic supply of the composite fibers
used to construct the motor case. Japanese fibers traditionally used to
construct the motor case are no longer available as the Japanese
Ministry of Economics, Trade, & Industry requires pre-approval for all
military applications. This project represents an appropriate use of
taxpayer funds due to the need for a domestic, reliable source of
composite fibers to ensure the success and maintained capabilities of
this segment of our national defense system.
American Burn Association--Military Burn Trauma Research Program
Requesting Member: Daniel E. Lungren
Bill Number: H.R. 3326--FY10 Department of Defense Appropriations
Bill
Account: R&D--Army--Defense Health-United States Medical and Material
Command/Army Institute of Surgical Research--Peer Reviewed Burn,
Orthopedic and Trauma Research--PE 0603115HP--BA: 2
Requesting Agency: American Burn Association
Requesting Agency Address: 625 N. Michigan Ave., Ste 2550, Chicago,
IL 60611
Amount: $2,000,000
The requested funding would be used to foster collaboration between
military and civilian burn surgeons and researchers and to identify
best practices to ensure better treatment and outcomes for military
burn patients, specifically improved clinical outcomes for combat burn
casualties. This project represents an appropriate use of taxpayer
funds due to the critical need to address military burn casualties with
the greatest of medicinal technology, providing the greatest
possibility for recovery and rehabilitation of our nation's military
personnel.
Technikon, LLC--Renewable Energy Testing Center
Requesting Member: Daniel E. Lungren
Bill Number: H.R. 3326--FY10 Department of Defense Appropriations
Bill
Account: RDT&E, A, Line#66
Requesting Agency: Technikon LLC
Requesting Agency Address: 5301 Price Ave, McClellan, CA 95652
Amount: $1,000,000
This funding would be used to provide the State of California and
Department of Defense with an independent ``Underwriters Laboratory''
resource for evaluating the performance of renewable energy and
renewable fuel production technologies. RETC will provide metrics on
robustness, safety, energy efficiency, environmental effectiveness, and
other key parameters of these technologies needed for successful
commercialization. This project represents an appropriate use of
taxpayer funds due to the need to develop reliable technology
verification to meet requisites placed on the Department of Defense
regarding development and deployment of renewable energy technologies

____________________

DEATH OF EVERETT DIRKSEN

______

HON. AARON SCHOCK

of illinois

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Mr. SCHOCK. Madam Speaker, yesterday marked the 40th Anniversary of
the death of Everett Dirksen. To celebrate the remarkable life of my
predecessor and to mark this occasion, I respectfully ask that the
following article be placed in the Record.

Dirksen's Last Days

(By Frank H. Mackaman, The Dirksen Congressional Center, Pekin, IL)

On August 12, 1969, just before the U.S. Senate recessed
for a few weeks, Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen held a
press conference in his office. It would be his last. Dirksen
seemed relaxed and in a genial mood, chatting amiably with
reporters and joking with his staff. To the casual observer
everything seemed normal but it was not. Doctors had just
told the Senate Minority Leader he was seriously ill. They
had discovered a spot on Dirksen's right lung and suspected
cancer. A second x-ray on the 14th showed the tumor had
grown, making an operation necessary.
To prepare, the senator from Pekin rested for three weeks
at ``Heart's Desire,'' his home outside Washington DC,
rummaging in his beloved garden and working on a memoir he
would never complete. A realist, Dirksen transferred title to
most of his property to his wife, Louella. He also gave her a
pre-signed resignation from the Senate if the operation left
him incapacitated. He loved the Senate, and it was ever on
his mind.
Dirksen entered Walter Reed Hospital on Sunday, August 31,
to ready himself for the operation two days later. He took
with him a briefcase loaded with work, the contents of which
were transferred to The Dirksen Center several years after
his death. These documents show the amazing breadth of his
interests and the substantial burden of his office.
The briefcase contained notes for upcoming speeches,
including one in his own handwriting entitled, ``God,
Country, and Grandchildren: Soliloquy with Grandchildren'' in
which he mused about the legacy his generation would leave
and harkened back to the lives his parents led in Pekin. He
made notes concerning the congressional session about to end.
Dirksen reviewed letters from constituents, information about
pending legislation, requests for appearances, a plea from
Illinois Governor Richard B. Ogilvie to revise the federal
revenue-sharing calculation, letters about federal jobs, an
early draft of what was called the ``Everett McKinley Dirksen
Library Project,'' and much, much more.
On Tuesday morning, September 2, at 8:45, Colonel Alan R.
Hopeman and a team of Army surgeons began to operate. The
spot on Dirksen's lung could not be readily examined without
surgery, but, in surgical terms, it was in an almost ideal
position, close to the periphery of his chest, so that
surgeons could remove it with only a small incision. They did
so without difficulty. The tumor, which had grown to an inch
in diameter, proved to be malignant.
As they had planned in this eventuality, the surgeons took
the next step of removing the entire upper lobe of Dirksen's
right lung. What had begun as a relatively simple operation
became major surgery consuming three hours. The doctors found
no evidence the cancer had spread, however.

[[Page 21165]]

Dirksen's strong constitution and vigor brought him through
the procedure with flying colors, and his recuperation was
rapid. Mrs. Dirksen and their daughter, Joy, and son-in-law,
Senator Howard Baker, found him alert and cheerful when they
were first allowed to see him on Wednesday. The next day,
however, Dirksen complained of pain and became confused and
restless, perhaps the result of a minor stroke, insufficient
oxygen, or even withdrawal symptoms from cigarettes (Dirksen
complained to his doctors and his son-in-law about not being
able to smoke). A second procedure became necessary to
replace the tube draining his lung.
Senator Dirksen suffered a crisis that evening, and it
wasn't until 8:00 Saturday morning that his doctors
stabilized him. This episode probably caused the
bronchopneumonia which soon developed. He rallied after this
operation, though, even sitting up in bed to eat his meals.
He spent a restful night and ate a good breakfast with
Louella. He appeared to be past the immediate crisis of a
post-operation heart failure and was already making plans to
resume a work schedule. He even took a few minutes to go over
the papers in his briefcase. For example, a Seattle radio
station requested a tape about the marigold to which Dirksen
replied with this hand-written note:
Dear Day--Just now I'm languishing in a hospital as a
result of surgery. An op'g [operating] room no match for my
marigold gardens. Guess the tape must wait. Sorry.
The doctors assured Senator Baker that Dirksen was well on
the road to recovery and that Baker could travel to
California to join President Richard Nixon. The optimism
proved premature.
Abruptly at 2:51 that afternoon, Sunday, September 7,
Dirksen collapsed and stopped breathing. His heart, which had
enlarged over the years to twice-normal size as the result of
emphysema, just quit. The desk sergeant at the Forest Glen
section of the hospital, Roger Brooks, received an urgent
call from the main hospital summoning a surgeon. Brooks took
a police cruiser to pick up a Col. Blake for the trip to
Dirksen's room. Army doctors were already at his side,
massaging his chest, trying to restart his heart. They gave
him sodium bicarbonate, calcium, and other medicines. They
used a defibrillator to try to shock his heart into action.
The doctors worked so vigorously that they cracked five of
his ribs. But Dirksen did not respond. At 4:52 p.m., the
doctors pronounced him dead at age 73. Louella and Joy were
with him at the end. Forty years ago.
Mourning for the Senator was national and of a personal
quality, particularly among his colleagues in Congress and
his friends in Pekin. His body lay in state under the great
dome of the Capitol, an honor accorded to only three members
of the Senate before him.
In his eulogy to the fallen leader, President Nixon
recalled remarks Daniel Webster had made more than a century
before in testimony to a political opponent: ``Our great men
are the common property of the country.'' That described
Dirksen well. His public service spanned an era of enormous
change, and he played a vital part in that change. Through
six presidencies, as Nixon put it, ``Everett Dirksen has had
a hand in shaping almost every important law that affects our
lives,'' and while he never became president, ``his impact
and influence on the Nation was greater than that of most
Presidents in our history.''
Air Force One brought Dirksen home on Thursday, September
11. Pekin deserves much of the credit for Dirksen's influence
on the national stage. The senator knew that, and he said so
on a return visit to his hometown in 1961:
After long absences enforced by the duties of office in
Washington, there always comes back to me some lines from
that poem which I learned long ago, ``Breathes there a man
with soul so dead, who never to himself has said, this is my
own, my native land.'' This is my own, my native land, my
native city, where the family taproot went deep many
generations ago, and it will ever be so, no matter what tasks
life may assign me. All the major decisions in my life have
been made here . . .
The inspiration which I received here from a saintly
mother, a devoted family, steadfast friends, the constant
faith of teachers who taught me, the inspiration I found here
in church, and the atmosphere of a quiet and well ordered
community were the forces which helped to fashion those
decisions, and for these I shall be always and eternally
grateful. . . .
An estimated 80,000 people watched the funeral procession
proceed the 15 miles from the Peoria airport, south on Route
24, through Pekin on Route 9, to the Glendale Memorial
Gardens on the east side of town where more than 6,000 stood
in waiting. Among the dignitaries accompanying the procession
were Vice President Spiro Agnew, five members of President
Richard Nixon's cabinet, 42 U.S. senators, and 27 U.S.
representatives. Dozens of state officials joined them, as
did over 200 members of the press.
The 1:00 p.m. ceremony itself was brief, lasting only 15
minutes. Six pallbearers, representing the armed forces,
carried the casket to the gravesite. The Rev. Edward L.R.
Elson, chaplain of the Senate and pastor of the National
Presbyterian Church in Washington DC, conducted the service.
The Rev. Ralph Cordes, pastor of Pekin's Second Reformed
Church, and the Rev. Charles Rechard, pastor of Woodland
Presbyterian Church in New Orleans and a friend of the Baker
family, also delivered prayers. Members of the Pekin American
Legion post color guard participated in the ceremony, too,
along with the honor guard and the Chanute Air Force band.
Lt. Gen. Vernon P. Mock, commanding general of the Fifth
Army, presented the American flag, which had been draped over
the casket, to Mrs. Dirksen.
When the ceremony ended, mourners passed by the casket. One
of the first was Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, who
placed a spray of marigolds, Dirksen's favorite flower, on
the casket. The two of them had enjoyed a friendly rivalry
over the years to name the national floral emblem--she a
proponent of the rose.
The Rev. Elson had ended his eulogy fittingly with these
words, ``The last march has ended. A mighty man of God has
answered his last roll call. His battles are all fought, his
victories all won.''