Time	Speaker	Text
00:00:08	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE HOUSE WILL BE IN ORDER. THE PRAYER WILL BE OFFERED BY OUR CHAPLAIN, FATHER COUGHLIN. CHAPLAIN COUGHLIN: GOD OUR SAVIOR AND GUIDE, OVER THIS WEEKEND YOUR PEOPLE GATHERED FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP. COMMUNAL PRAYER TEACHES US TO LIVE WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS. BE IT INTENSE AND PRESSING TIMES, WE THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE GIFTS OF FAMILY, THE BENEFITS OF DAILY WORK, AND THE FREEDOMS OF THIS NATION. AS CONGRESS ASSEMBLES FOR ANOTHER WEEK, MAY OUR PRAYER TOGETHER TURN OUR HEARTS FROM SELF-SEEKING TO A TRUE AWARENESS OF OUR COMMUNAL SHARE IN YOUR GOODNESS AND THE NECESSARY EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS AND CLEAR THE WAY TO ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR ALL. MAY YOUR HOLY WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH JUST LEGISLATION AND GIVE YOU GLORY NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN.
00:01:22	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 OF RULE 1, THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL BE LED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, CONGRESSMAN FILNER.
00:01:41	Filner, Robert "Bob"	WILL EVERYONE PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE TO OUR FLAG. 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.
00:01:59	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN REQUESTS FOR ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA RISE?
00:02:07	Stearns, Clifford	ONE MINUTE --
00:02:08	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
00:02:09	Stearns, Clifford	GOOD MORNING, MADAM SPEAKER. THE TITLE OF MY ONE MINUTE IS CALLED TAXPAYERS SACRIFICE ALL AND RECEIVE NOTHING. THE PLAN THAT DEVELOPED THIS WEEKEND FOR A COMPREHENSIVE BAILOUT OF PRIVATE SECTOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PUT TAXPAYERS AT RISK WITH LITTLE OR NO BENEFIT TO THOSE WHO PAY THE TAXES. THIS PLAN WILL PUT TAXPAYERS AT A RISK FOR LOSS THAT IS BELONG TO THOSE COMPANIES THAT WRECK RESTLY SOUGHT PROFITS. PROFITS FOR THE STOCKHOLDERS, EXECUTIVES THROUGH DIVIDEND SALARIES, BONUSES, AND PRESUMED STOCK APPRECIATION. INSTEAD, TAXPAYERS WHO ASSUME THIS RISK SHOULD ALSO ENJOY AN EQUITY PREMIUM THAT GOES BEYOND THE RETURN OF THEIR FUNDS WITH INTEREST FOR THIS BAILOUT. THE TAXPAYERS AFTER BEING AWARDED INTEREST FROM THEIR FUNDS AS IF THEY HAD INVESTED IN BONDS SHOULD HAVE WARRANTS AS AN EQUITY KICKER TO SWEETEN THEIR DEAL GIVING THEM PREMIUM FOR THEIR RISK. ANY INSTITUTIONAL LENDER WOULD DEMAND AS MUCH AND MORE. IN THIS WAY THE TAXPAYERS COULD SHARE IN THE UPSIDE SUCCESS OF THE COMPANIES THAT THEY RESCUE.
00:03:17	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 , 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 RECORD IS OBJECTED TO UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF RULE 20. RECORDED VOTES ON POSTPONED QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKE TAKE -- WILL BE TAKEN AFTER 6:30 P.M. TODAY. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE?
00:03:44	Filner, Robert "Bob"	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1287.
00:03:48	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE -- THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
00:03:53	Stearns, Clifford	HOUSE RESOLUTION 1287. RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK, ITS VOLUNTEERS, AND DONORS, FOR ENABLING WORLD WAR II VETERANS FOR TRAVELING TO OUR NATION'S CAPITAL TO SEE THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
00:04:07	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. FILNER, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. STEARNS, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
00:04:17	Filner, Robert "Bob"	THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
00:04:20	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
00:04:24	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I RISE TODAY TO SUPPORT HOUSE RESOLUTION 1287, A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK, ITS VOLUNTEERS, ITS DONORS, AND FRIENDS FOR ENABLING WORLD WAR II VETERANS TO TRAVEL TO OUR NATION'S CAPITAL TO SEE THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL CREATED IN THEIR HONOR. IT IS A PLEASURE FOR ME TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK. THIS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WAS CREATED SOLELY TO HONOR AMERICA'S WORLD WAR II VETERANS FOR ALL THEIR SACRIFICES BY BRINGING THEM TO WASHINGTON, D.C., WITHOUT CHARGING THEM A PENY. THE VISIT -- PENNY. THE VISIT FOR THEM IS TO REFLECT AT THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL AND VISIT WITH THEIR FELLOW VETERANS. THE MEMORIAL AS YOU-ALL KNOW HONORS THE 16 MILLION VETERANS WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES DURING WORLD WAR II. THE MORE THAN 400,000 THAT MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF OUR NATION, AND THE MILLIONS WHO SUPPORTED THE WAR EFFORT AT HOME. THE MEMORIAL ITSELF IS A TESTAMENT TO THE SPIRIT, SACRIFICE, AND COMMITMENT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO THE COMMON DEFENSE OF OUR NATION AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO THE BROADER CAUSES OF PEACE AND FREEDOM FROM TYRANNY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. ABOVE ALL, THE MEMORIAL STANDS AS AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL OF AMERICAN NATIONAL UNITY, A TIMELESS REMINDER OF THE MORAL STRENGTH AND AWESOME POW THEY'RE CAN FLOW WHEN FREE PEOPLE ARE UNITED AND BONDED TOGETHER IN A COMMON AND JUST CAUSE. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT EVERY WORLD WAR II VETERAN WILL EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THIS GREAT MEMORIAL WHICH WE SPECIFICALLY CREATED IN THEIR HONOR. I'M SADDENED, MADAM SPEAKER, THAT NOT ALL VETERANS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THIS REMARKABLE SITE, BUT FORTUNATELY THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK HAS MADE THIS DREAM A REALITY FOR MANY VETERANS BY HELPING THEM SEE FIRSTHAND THE MEMORIAL, AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL LIVE WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. THIS PROGRAM WAS CONCEIVED BY EARL MORRIS, A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT AND RETIRED AIR FORCE CAPTAIN TO HONOR THE VETERANS THAT HE HAS TAKEN CARE OF FOR ALMOST THREE DECADES. AFTER RETIRING FROM THE AIR FORCE IN 1998, EARL WAS HIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO WORK IN A SMALL CLINIC IN SPRINGFIELD, OHIO. IN MAY OF 2004, THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL WAS FINALLY COMPLETED AND DEDICATED IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WHICH QUICKLY BECAME THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AMONGST HIS WORLD WAR II VETERAN PATIENTS. EARL REPEATEDLY ASKED THESE VETERANS IF THEY WOULD EVER TRAVEL OUT TO VISIT THE MEMORIAL. MOST FELT EVENTUALLY SOMEHOW THEY WOULD MAKE IT TO D.C. PERHAPS WITH A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. AS SUMMERER TURNED TO FALL AND WINTER, THESE SAME VETERANS RETURNED TO THE CLINIC FOR THEIR FOLLOW-UP VISITS. EARL ASKED IF THEY ACCOMPLISHED THEIR DREAM OF VISITING THE WORLD WAR WAR II MEMORIAL. BY NOW FOR MOST OF THE VETERANS WHO WERE ASKED THE QUESTION, REALITY HAD SETTLED IN. IT WAS CLEAR TO MOST OF THEM THERE WAS SIMPLY NOT FINANCIALLY OR PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO MAKE THE JOURNEY. MOST OF THESE SENIOR HEROES WERE IN THEIR 80'S AND LACKED THE WHEREWITH ALL TO COMPLETE A TRIP OF THEIR OWN. FAMILY AND FRIENDS LACKED THE RESOURCES AND TIME TO COMPLETE A TRIP TO D.C. EARL COULD TELL THE MAJORITY OF VETERANS HAD GIVEN UP ALL HOPE OF EVER VISITING THE MEMORIAL THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY CREATED TO HONOR THEM, THEIR SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE. THAT'S WHEN HE DECIDED THERE HAD TO BE A WAY TO GET THESE HEROES TO D.C. TO SEE THE MEMORIAL N DECEMBER OF 2004, EARL ASKED ONE OF HIS WORLD WAR II PATIENTS IF HE COULD FLY HIM OUT TO D.C. FREE OF CHARGE TO VISIT THE MEMORIAL. THE PATIENT, MR. LLOYD, BROKE DOWN AND CRIED. HE SAID AT HIS AGE HE WOULD PROBABLY NEVER GET TO SEE HIS MEMORIAL. HE ACCEPTED THE OFFER AND SOON THEREAFTER EARL RECEIVED HELP FROM OTHER PILOTS TO MAKE THESE HOPES AND DREAMS A REALITY FOR OTHER VETERANS. AT THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR, HONOR FLIGHT TOOK 1237 WORLD WAR II VETERANS TO THEIR MEMORIAL. THE MISSION AND IDENTIFY -- AND IDEALS OF THE PROGRAM BEGAN TO SPREAD ACROSS AMERICA. ONE INDIVIDUAL, EVERYMILLER, FROM NORTH CAROLINA LED THE EXPANSION INTO AREAS NOT SERVICED BY DIRECT COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS TO THE WASHINGTON D.C. AREA, AND HONOR AIR WAS BORN. IN FEBRUARY OF 2006, EARL AND JEFF COMBINED EFFORTS AND CO-FOUNDED THIS HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK. BY THE END OF 2006, ALMOST 1,000 WORLD WAR II VETERANS REALIZED THEIR DREAM OF VISITING THEIR MEMORIAL. THE PROGRAM PRESENTLY HAS 69 HUBS IN 30 STATES. AND BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK HOPES TO HAVE A HUB IN ALL 50 STATES. ONE VET RAABE WHO WAS ABLE TO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE PUT IT BEST, HE SAID IT'S A TRIP OF A LIFETIME. IN THE FUTURE, HONOR FLIGHTS -- HONOR FLIGHT PLANS ON PAYING TRIBUTE TO OTHER HEROES THAT SERVED DURING THE KOREAN AND VIETNAM WARS FOLLOWED BY VETERANS OF CURRENT WARS. TODAY BY PASSING THIS RESOLUTION WE EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE AND HEARTFELT THANKS TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO OUR VETERANS BY COMMENDING THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK, ITS VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS, FOR ENABLING WORLD WAR II VETERANS TO TRAVEL TO OUR NATION'S CAPITAL TO SEE THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL CREATED IN THEIR HONOR. MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR COLLEAGUES, JERRY MORAN FROM KANSAS, DAVID HOBSON FROM MICHIGAN, AND HEATH SHULER FROM NORTH CAROLINA FOR SUBMITTING THIS RESOLUTION. I ASK ALL MY COLLEAGUES FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:09:39	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA RISE?
00:09:42	Stearns, Clifford	MADAM SPEAKER, I REQUEST AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
00:09:46	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.
00:09:50	Stearns, Clifford	THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THIS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1287 WOULD PROVIDE COMMENDATION TO THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK, ITS VOLUNTEERS, AND DONORS FOR ENABLING WORLD WAR II VETERANS TO TRAVEL TO OUR NATION'S CAPITAL TO SEE THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL CREATED IN THEIR HONOR. HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK WAS INITIALLY CONCEIVED IN 2004 BY EARL MORRIS A. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT AND RETIRED AIR FORCE CAPTAIN TO SIMPLY HONOR VETERANS HE HAS TAKEN CARE OF FOR THE PAST 27 YEARS. ITS SOUL PURPOSE WAS TO FLY VETERANS TO WASHINGTON, D.C., TO VISIT THE MEMORIALS DEDICATED TO HONOR THEIR SACRIFICE. TODAY HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK HAS FLOWN MORE THAN 800 WORLD WAR II VETERANS TO THE MEMORIAL. IT IS A GRASSROOTS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND CURRENTLY OPERATES SUCCESSFULLY IN 30 STATES. MY OFFICE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN SETTING UP THREE OF THESE SPECIAL HONOR FLIGHTS FOR WORLD WAR II VETERANS AND IN JUNE OF 2007 HI THE PLEASURE OF PARTAKING IN ONE OF THESE EVENTS MYSELF. THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK RELIES ON SUPPORT FROM VOLUNTEERS AND THE FUNDING FROM DONORS. THESE INDIVIDUALS HELP US TO HONOR OUR VETERANS IN RETURN FOR ALL THEY HAVE SACRIFICED TO MAKE THIS A BETTER WORLD. WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE OUR HEROES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FLY TO WASHINGTON, D.C., TO SEE THE MEMORIAL CREATED IN THEIR HONOR. IN REVIEWING THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK, IT IS EVIDENT THAT THEIR EFFORTS HAVE CONTINUED TO SUPPLY SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION TO WORLD WAR II VETERANS THROUGH DEMOCRACY. SO, MADAM SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1287 AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:11:46	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I HAVE NO REQUESTS FOR SPEAKERS. NO FURTHER SPEAKERS.
00:11:50	Stearns, Clifford	MADAM SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS. I RETURN THE BALANCE OF OUR TIME.
00:12:03	Filner, Robert "Bob"	MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 1287. JUST IN CONCLUTION -- JUST IN CONCLUSION, MAYBE AS A SEGUE TO A BILL WE HAVE IN A COUPLE MINUTES, THIS IS A MEMORIAL TO WORLD WAR II VETERANS. FOR OVER 62 YEARS THE FILIPINOS WHO WERE DRAFTED TO FIGHT IN WORLD WAR II AND TO HELP -- AND HELPED US WIN THE BATTLE IN THE PACIFIC HAVE NOT BEEN GRANTED THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF BEING VETERANS OF OUR NATION. THEY WERE DRAFTED INTO WORLD WAR II, THEY PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE SLOWING UP THE JAPANESE ADVANCE, HARASSING THEM SO MACARTHUR COULD RETURN AND CONTINUING TO HELP US FIGHT THE BATTLE OF THE PACIFIC. WE WOULD NOT HAVE WON AS EASILY OR EARLY A BATTLE IN THE PACIFIC WERE IT NOT FOR OUR FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS. I WANT TO SAY FOR THE RECORD THAT I AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY REGARD THIS WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL ON THE MALL AS ALSO COMMEMORATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FILIPINOS WHO FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR II BY OUR SIDE. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:13:22	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1287. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TORQUES AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE?
00:13:50	Filner, Robert "Bob"	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL H.R. 6897, AS AMENDED.
00:13:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE BILL.
00:13:59	THE CLERK	H.R. 6897, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS TO MAKE CERTAIN PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS WHO SERVED IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING WORLD WAR II. .
00:14:09	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. FILNER, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA, MR. STEARNS, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
00:14:19	Filner, Robert "Bob"	MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
00:14:21	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
00:14:24	Filner, Robert "Bob"	MADAM SPEAKER, THIS BILL AS I JUST SAID ON THE PREVIOUS BILL ABOUT THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL RIGHTS A WRONG THAT HAS EXISTED FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS. . FILIPINO SERVICEMENS PAID A CRITICAL ROLL IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE PACIFIC IN WORLD WAR II. THEY EXHIBITED GREAT COURAGE IN THE EPIC BATTLES. MANY DIED IN THE FAMOUS BATAN DEATH MARCH. THOSE WHO SURVIVED AND OTHERS WHO ESCAPED CONTINUED TO HARASS THE JAPANESE AS GUERRILLA UNITS. WHEN MCARTHUR RETURNED, THEY JOINED IN THE VICTORY OF THE RETAKING OF THE PHILIPPINES. THIS BILL WOULD PROVIDE A ONE-TIME PAYMENT TO THE COURAGEOUS FILIPINO SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH THE AMERICAN OFFICERS. THERE IS NO DENYING THE VALUABLE SERVICE THEY GAVE IN THE PACIFIC. HOWEVER, CONGRESS PASSED A BILL THAT DENIED THEM THE RIGHT OF ANY BENEFIT. WHILE SOME VETERANS' BENEFITS HAVE BEEN RESTORED FOR SOME SOLDIERS, FOR THE LARGE MAJORITY, THEY HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A DIME FOR THEIR SERVICE. THIS IS WRONG. WHEN THESE MEN WERE CALLED UP TO SERVICE BY PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, THEY WERE STILL CONSIDERED AMERICAN CITIZENS. I'M SORRY, AMERICANS UNDER TERRITORIAL RULE. EVEN IF DECADES LATER, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE SERVICE OF OUR FILIPINO SOLDIERS AND DEMONSTRATE THE GRATITUDE OUR SOLDIERS FOR DOING WHAT THEY WERE ASKED TO DO NOBLY AND WITHOUT COMPLAINT. LET ME REMIND YOU WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMAN SAID WHEN HE SIGNED THE SO-CALLED RESCISSIONS ACT HE SAID THE PASSAGE AND APPROVAL OF THIS LEGISLATION DOES NOT RELEASE THE UNITED STATES FROM ITS MORAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE HOE ROIK FILIPINO VETERANS WHO SACRIFICED SO MUCH. THEY FOUGHT AS AMERICAN NATIONALS UNDER THE AMERICAN FLAG AND UNDER DIRECTION OF OUR MILITARY LEADERS. H.R. 6897 AS AMENDED WILL GIVE A LONG OVERDUE ONE-TIME PAYMENT FOR $15,000 FOR U.S. CITIZENS AND $9,000 FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT CITIZENS. BY DOING THIS, WE PROVIDE A SMALL YET MEANINGFUL RECOGNITION TO THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DESERVE FAR, FAR MORE. IT IS TIME WE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUABLE SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II AND RECOGNIZE THE INJUSTICE ACTED UPON THEM. TO TO THOSE WHO SAY WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REDEEM THIS DEBT, I SAY WE CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO. I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING THESE VET ANS AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:17:23	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE SKWLELTSFR FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED.
00:17:27	Stearns, Clifford	THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I REQUEST SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
00:17:32	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
00:17:35	Stearns, Clifford	LET ME START OUT IN DISCUSSION OF THIS BILL THAT MR. FILNER FROM SAN DIEGO HAS DONE A VERY EXCEPTIONAL JOB IN HIS EFFORTS TO PASS THIS BILL AND I ADMIRE HIM FOR HIS EFFORTS. I DON'T ALTOGETHER AGREE TO HIM, I'LL POINT THAT OUT IN MY SPEECH, BUT THIS IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT HIS EFFORTS AREN'T APPRECIATE NERD FILIPINOS WHO FOUGHT FOR US IN WORLD WAR II AND FOR THOSE FILIPINOS WHO WILL RECEIVE MONEY WHO ARE NOT U.S. CITIZENS BECAUSE OF THIS BILL. I WOULD HAVE TO POINT OUT THAT HE HAS SAID THAT THERE'S NO BENEFIT PROSSVIDED FOR THE PHILIPPINE -- FILIPINO VETERANS. I HAVE HERE AN OVERVIEW OF FILIPINO VETERANS' BENEFITS THAT INDICATES IN FACT IN 1946, $200 MILLION WAS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE THEM BEN FITS, SO HIS -- GIVE THEM BENEFITS, SO HIS STATEMENT IS NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE. WE DO HAVE A REPORT OF CONGRESS THAT SHOWS MONEY WAS AUTHORIZED. AND $200 MILLION IN 1946 IS WORTH A LOT OF MONEY, SO I THINK WE SHOULD PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE BEFORE WE START DISCUSSING THIS FURTHER. AS POINTED OUT, A LUMP SUM PAYMENT TO FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II, THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND, THERE'S NO MONEY IN HERE AUTHORIZED FOR THIS, THIS IS SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS. THEY HAVE TO FIND THE MONEY SYSTEM OF WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS MONEY, ROUGHLY $200 MILLION, IS GOING TO COME FROM. I DON'T AGREE WITH THE NOTION FREQUENTLY PUT FORTH THERE WAS A A BREACH OF PROMISE MADE TO THE FILIPINO VETERANS BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND WE MUST MAKE SOME SORT OF BELATED PAYMENT TO THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR II. THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE, AS I POINTED OUT, PROVIDED AN EXCELLENT OBJECTIVE AND NONPARTISAN REPORT ON THE FILIPINO VETERANS' BENEFITS FROM WORLD WAR II. IT DOES NOT, AS I POINTED OUT, SUPPORT THE BREACH OF PROMISE WE OFTEN HEAR FROM MY DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN. AND ALSO, FROM A LOT OF THE FILIPINO VETERANS' GROUPS. BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENTS ARE ALREADY PROVIDING BENEFITS TO MANY FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS. SO THEY'RE ALREADY GETTING BENEFITS. THIS BILL IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY MARKED UP LAST JULY, H.R. 760 THE FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT OF 2007 AND IT DIFFERS FROM THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE OF THE SENATE PASSED VERSION, S. 1315. THOTHE BILLS UTILIZE FUNDING FROM OVERTURNING THE COURT'S DECISION IN HARKNESS VS. NICHOLSON TO PAY FILIPINO IN WORLD WAR II. AT LEAST IN THAT CASE THEY DID ATTEMPT TO FIND SOME MONEY, SO THEY HAD A LEGITIMATE WAY TO GET MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS. THAT'S NOT TRUE IN THIS BILL TODAY. IT'S TAKEN OUT OF DISTREGSNARE SPENDING, LEFT TO APPROPRIATORS AND THE APPROPRIATORS DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GET MONEY EITHER. IT'S CLEAR THAT MY DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN TOOK PAUSE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. HE LISTENED TO THE VETERANS' SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS WHO OPPOSED HIS ORIGINAL BILL HE LISTENED TO HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE VETERANS' AFFAIR COMMITTEE AND THEN CAREFULLY DRAFTED THE BILL WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY. IT DOES NOT TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM ANY OTHER VETERAN GROUP TO PAY FOR THESE FUNDS AND IT MAKES A PAYMENT OF A LUMP SUM SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION. THIS BILL WOULD AUTHORIZE A PAYMENT OF $15,000 FOR WORLD WAR II FILIPINO VETERANS WHO ARE UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND $9,000 FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES AND LIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES. I APPRECIATE THE COMMITTEE ACCEPTING OUR RANKING MEMBER, MR. BUYER'S AMENDMENT TO THE BILL WHICH PROVIDES A PAYMENT OF THE LUMP SUM BENEFIT WOULD BE FINAL AND CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE RELEASE OF ANY CLAIM AGAINST THE UNITED STATES BY THOSE RECIPIENTS WHAT ARE COVERED UNDER THIS LEGISLATION. HOWEVER, WORLD WAR II FILIPINO VETERANS WOULD CONTINUE TO RECEIVE BENEFITS ALREADY AWARDED. MADAM SPEAKER, DURING DISCUSSIONS OF THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED FILIPINO VETERANS' EQUITY BILLS WHICH UTILIZED OFFSETS FROM OVERTURNING THE HARKNESS DECISION, RANKING MEMBER BUYER HAD STAFF CONTACT THE VARIOUS VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION ORGANIZATION REGARDING THE USE OF THE FUNDS. CONTACTED THE AMERICAN LEON, NAUS, STRONGLY DISAPPROVED OF USING THE FUNDS FOR THE HARKNESS VETS. WHILE THEIR POSITIONS REGARDING OVERTURNING THE HARKNESS DECISION, THERE ARE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS THE MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AND THE GOLD STAR WIVES OF AMERICA BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY HIGHER PRIORITIES THAN ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II. WHY DON'T WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE HIGHER PRIORITIES. BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THE VETERANS' SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT. IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE THIS MONEY TO THE FILIPINOS WHAT ABOUT THE HIGHER PRIORITIES OF THESE OTHER PEOPLE? HOW ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING GRANT, IMPROVEMENT TO THE SPECIALLY ADAPTIVE AUTOMOBILE GRANT, P.V.A., INCREASES TO THE MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE, INCREASES IN SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE COVERAGE, MOAA, INCREASES TO THE D.I.C. RATE FOR AMERICAN SURVIVING SPOUSES, G.S.W. INCREASES TO THE MAXIMUM DEATH BENEFIT, PENSION FOR THE SURVIVING WIDOW OF A VETERAN NOT ENTITLED TO V.A. COMPENSATION, G.S.W. WHY, I WOULD THINK, WOULD WE GO TO $200 MILLION FOR FILIPINO VETERANS WHO ARE NOT EVEN U.S. CITIZENS, WHILE NOT PROVIDING A PRIORITY FOR THESE, MADAM SPEAKER? OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE MANY, MANY HIGHER PRIORITIES THAT WE AS A NATION AT WAR SHOULD BE MEETING. WE SHOULD BE DWOIRGET AVAILABLE RESOURCES SO MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR VETERANS AND THE RETURNING WARRIORS THAT ARE COMING BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN AND FROM IRAQ. NOW DURING LAST WEDNESDAY'S MARKUP SESSION, MR. BUYER, THE RANKING REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE FULL COMMITTEE, OFFERED AND THEN HAD TO WITHDRAW A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THIS BILL WHICH WOULD HAVE AUTHORIZED $198 MILLION TO FUND THE V.A. VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM THAT WAS TERMINATED IN 1986. THINK OF THAT. WE COULD HAVE INSTEAD OF THIS BILL, WE COULD HAVE HAD THE V.A. VETERANS' SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM, RE-ENACTED FOR ALL THESE VETERANS COMING BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ. SURELY THAW THEY COULD USE THIS TO HELP CREATE JOBS AND START THEIR OWN COMPANIES AND PROVIDE MORE JOBS FOR MORE AMERICANS. THE PROGRAM AUTHORIZED V.A. TO EITHER GRARNE TEE A LOAN OR MAKE A DIRECTLY UP TO $200 TO A VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS. SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA TO ME. THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM GAVE PREFERENCE TO DISABLED VETERANS AND MR. BUYER ADDED A PREFERENCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES WHO HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN SUPPORT OF THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR. EACH OF US ON THIS COMMITTEE HAS VETERANS CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE ALSO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. AND MANY OF THESE VETERANS ARE MEMBERS OF THE GUARD OR RESERVES. UNFORTUNATELY, MADAM SPEAKER, ONE OF THE PRICES MANY OF THESE DEDICATED CITIZEN SOLDIERS HAVE PAID IS BEING FORED TO CLOSE THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES OR AT LEAST SEE THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES DECLINE SIGNIFICANTLY WHILE THEY ARE SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY. SO OBVIOUSLY THIS PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS LOANS, WHICH TERMINATED IN 1986, WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD AND COULD HAVE BEEN DONE AS A HIGH PRIORITY THAN THE MEASURE THIS AFTERNOON. BY AUTHORIZING A LOAN PROGRAM FOR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONDING TO THAT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE THEIR NATION. WHILE THE AMENDMENT WAS WITHDRAWN DUE TO PROCEDURAL ISSUES, IT RECEIVED SUCH STRONG INTEREST AMONG THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT MR. BUYER PLANS TO INTRODUCE THE AMENDMENT AS A BILL JUST SIMPLY LATER THIS WEEK. SO WE'LL ALL HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT. I ENCOURAGE ANY INTERESTED MEMBER TO CONTACT EITHER THE V.A. COMMITTEE REPUBLICAN STAFF OR CO-SPONSOR MR. BUYER'S BILL. MADAM SPEAKER, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BETTER AIR CYST OUR NATION'S VETERANS. I KNOW YOU AND EVERYBODY IN THIS CHAMBER AGREES WITH THAT, AND HELPING OUR RETURNING WARRIORS INSTEAD OF SETTLING QUESTIONABLE CLAIMS. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO CONSIDER THE PRIORITIES OF ALL VETERANS. I FOR ONE IN GOOD CONSCIENCE HAVE TROUBLE SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL, PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE THIS WEEK WITH THE TREASURY ASKING TO RAISE THE DEBT CEILING, ASKING FOR $700 BILLION FOR WALL STREET, THERE ARE SO MANY HIGHER PRIORITIES FOR OUR NATION'S VETERANS AND FOR THIS BILL, AND AS POINTED OUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE FUNDING FOR THIS BILL IS GOING TO COME FROM, WITH A PRICE TAG OF ALMOST $200 MILLION, IT'S AUGET IS APPROPRIATIONS. AND I CONCLUDE BY SAYING, WHILE FILIPINOS OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP ARE LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES WILL RECEIVE $15,000, WE'RE GIVING $9,000 TO FILIPINO VETERANS WHAT ARE NOT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES. AND MADAM SPEAKER IF YOU TAKE $9,000, BASED UPON THE COST OF LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES, VERSUS WHAT IT IS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, THE PHILIPPINES IN THE -- THE FILIPINOS VETERANS ARE GETTING A HUGE SUM OF MONEY. SO I CAN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SAY THAT THIS BILL HAS A HIGHER PRIORITY THAN THE OTHER ONES I'M TALKING ABOUT SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO LOOK AT THIS AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE OVERVIEW OF THE FILIPINO VETERANS BENEFIT REPORT THAT SHOWS THEY WERE AUTHORIZED MONEY OF $200 MILLION IN 1946 AND INDEED I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE PRIORITIES YOU'LL SEE THERE'S OTHER PRIORITIES WE SHOULD CONSIDER FIRST. WITH THAT, I WITHHOLD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME
00:28:50	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
00:28:53	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I YIELD AS MUCH TIME AS SHE MIGHT CONSUME TO THE GENTLELADY FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO, WHO'S BEEN A STRONG FIGHTER ON BEHALF OF THE FILIPINO VETERANS DURING HER CAREER IN CONGRESS.
00:29:05	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
00:29:08	Bordallo, Madeleine	THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 6897, THE FILIPINO VETERANS' EQUITY ACT. H.R. 6897 WOULD RECOGNIZE THE VALOR OF THE FILIPINO VETERANS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR. BY PROVIDING A ONE-TIME PAYMENT TO THE SURVIVING 18,000 FILIPINO SOLDIERS WHO ARE SCATTERED TODAY AND LIVING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ALSO IN MY OWN DISTRICT IN THE TERRITORY OF GUAM. AS A MEMBER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN CAUCUS AND THE UNITED STATES-PHILIPPINES FRIENDSHIP CAUCUS, I STRONGLY URGE THIS HOUSE TO PASS H.R. 6897 AND HELP RESTORE DUE JUSTICE WHICH IS LONG OVERDUE. OTHER -- OVER 60 YEARS, MANY ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THIS CONGRESS TO CORRECT THIS INJUSTICE, SO IT IS TIME TO CLOSE THIS CHAPTER. . THESE ARE HEROESES WHO SERVED SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH OUR NATION'S ARMED FORCES. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT DRAFTED THESE BRAVE FILIPINO SOLDIERS DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ALLIES AND THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE FORCES. AND THEIR PRESENCE TURNED THE TIDE IN BATTLES SUCH AS BATAAN AND CORREGIDOR. THEIR BRAVERY AND LOYALTY TO AMERICA WAS QUESTIONED BY NONE. HOWEVER THE RESCISSION ACT OF 1946 STRIPPED THESE SOLDIERS OF THEIR VETERAN STATUS. AS A CONGRESS, MADAM SPEAKER, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE SERVICE OF THESE BRAVE FILIPINO SOLDIERS AND CORRECT THIS INJUSTICE ONCE AND FOR ALL. WHILE I HOPE THIS CONGRESS WILL RESTORE FULL EQUITY TO OUR FILIPINO VETERANS, THE LUMP SUM PAYMENT PROPOSED BY THIS BILL TO THE REMAINING 18,000 FILIPINO VETERANS IS A STEP FORWARD. I RECOGNIZE THE LEGISLATIVE CONSTRAINTS SURROUNDING THE PASSAGE OF H.R. 6897, AND I SUPPORT ITS ADVANCEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. I WANT TO GO ON RECORD THIS AFTERNOON TO COMMEND CHAIRMAN FILNER OF THE HOUSE VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. AND I ALSO COMMEND CONGRESSMAN MIKE HONDA AND OUR SPEAKER OF CONGRESS, NANCY PELOSI, FOR THEIR DEDICATED WORK ON THIS BILL. IT IS THE DUTY OF THIS CONGRESS TO RECOGNIZE THE SERVICE OF THESE FILIPINO VETERANS DURING WORLD WAR II AND TO CORRECT THE INJUSTICE PLACED UPON THEM. SO I URGE US TO VOTE YES ON H.R. 6897 AND TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE FULL JUSTICE AND EQUITY FOR OUR FILIPINO VETERANS.
00:32:14	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED.
00:32:22	Stearns, Clifford	I HAVE NO MORE -- FURTHER SPEAKERS. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:32:29	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	SO RECOGNIZED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
00:32:31	Filner, Robert "Bob"	THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON H.R. 6897, AS AMENDED.
00:32:41	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
00:32:43	Filner, Robert "Bob"	LET ME JUST SAY IN CONCLUSION, MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BILL FOR OUR NATION, FOR OUR MORAL STANDARDING, FOR OUR HISTORICAL STANDING. THERE'S BEEN A BLOT ON OUR RECORD FOR THE LAST 62 YEARS. WE NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO REMOVE IT. I'M SURPRISED TO HEAR FROM MY FRIEND, MR. STEARNS, THAT HE WANTS TO PLAY OFF ONE VETERAN AGAINST ANOTHER AND SAY THERE ARE HIGHER PRIORITIES. THAT'S WHAT HE AND HIS RANKING MEMBER OBJECTED TO IN OUR PAY FOR AND S. 1315. AS WE DEAL WITH THE VERY REAL PROBLEMS WITH OUR VETERANS RETURNING FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, WE HAVE 24 MILLION OTHER VETERANS TO CARE FOR WHETHER THEY BE FROM PERSIAN GULF WAR ONE, KOREA, VIETNAM, OR WORLD WAR II. WE HAVE INJUSTICES. I DON'T THINK THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA WOULD HAVE ANY PROBLEM IN DEALING WITH THE INJUSTICES FROM VIETNAM WHERE WE HAVE NOT HONORED OUR AGENT ORANGE CLAIMS AND WE WILL TRY TO TAKE CARE OF THAT. I DON'T THINK WOULD HE HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH HONORING THE ATOMIC VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II WHO INVOLVED IN THE TESTING OF THE -- OF ATOMIC WEAPONS WERE NOT TOLD OF THE DANGERS AND RISKS. THEY HAVE CANCERS TODAY THAT THEY CANNOT GET COMPENSATION FOR. AND WE HAVE TO CORRECT THAT. SO, YES, WE ARE INVOLVED WITH THE CURRENT VETERANS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO CORRECT INJUSTICES OF THE PAST AS WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE IN THIS BILL ON FILIPINO VETERANS. MADAM SPEAKER, I MISSPOKE WHEN I SAID I DIDN'T HAVE ANY FURTHER SPEAKERS. I WOULD ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT IF MR. STEARNS WANTS MORE TIME HE CAN TAKE FROM US BEFORE MS. RICHARDSON TAKES THE FLOOR.
00:34:52	Stearns, Clifford	THAT'S VERY KIND. DR. FILNER KNOWS HOW MUCH I RESPECT HIM AND HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM ON THE VETERANS. HE AND I HAVE BEEN ON TRIPS TOGETHER AND I THINK BOTH OUR WIVES APPRECIATE EACH OTHER AND UNDERSTAND OUR FRIENDSHIP. I THINK I MADE MY POINTS. THE ONLY THING I WOULD SAY TO HIM IS HE ADVOCATING THAT WE GIVE VETERANS BENEFITS TO SOLDIERS IN VIETNAM WHO ARE NOT U.S. CITIZENS? IS HE SUGGESTING THAT NEW PROGRAM THIS MORNING -- THIS AFTERNOON THAT WE GO BACK AND IDENTIFY ALL THOSE VETERANS IN VIETNAM WHO ARE NOW VIETNAM CITIZENS, NOT U.S. CITIZENS, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PRO-AMERICAN BACK THERE --
00:35:36	Filner, Robert "Bob"	WOULD THE GENTLEMAN YIELD BACK? THAT HAS OCCURRED, MR. STEARNS.
00:35:44	Stearns, Clifford	THE TIME IS YOURS. YOU MIGHT ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
00:35:47	Filner, Robert "Bob"	WHAT YOU ASK HAS TAKEN PLACE. WE DO COMPENSATE THOSE WHO WERE OUR ALLIES WHETHER FROM LAOS, CAMBODIA, OR THAILAND. MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT, MR. STEARNS N. WORLD WAR II THERE WERE NATIONALS OF 67 -- NATIONALITIES OF 67 COUNTRIES WHO FOUGHT IN THE WAR TO HELP US. WE HAVE COMPENSATED THE NATIONALS WHO WERE NOT OUR CITIZENS OF 66 OF THOSE COUNTRIES. ONLY ONE HAS NOT BEEN AND THAT'S THE PHILIPPINES. IT IS TRUE THAT THEY GOT THEIR INDEPENDENCE AFTER THE WAR, 1946, AND THE 200 MILLION YOU REFERRED TO AS GIVEN TO THAT NEW GOVERNMENT. BUT THEY SIMPLY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS THAT WE GRANTED TO OTHER NATIONALS OF WORLD WAR II, TO OTHER ENABLES IN KOREA, OTHER NATIONALS IN VIETNAM. THERE'S A REAL HISTORICAL PRECEDENT FOR ALL THAT.
00:36:41	Stearns, Clifford	WOULD THE GENTLEMAN YIELD? I JUST ADD TO THAT, IT'S 66 OUT OF 66 BECAUSE THE OVERVIEW OF THE FILIPINO VETERANS BENEFIT STUDY SHOWED THAT WE AUTHORIZED $200 MILLION IN 1946 FOR THE FILIPINOS. SO ACTUALLY YOU'RE CORRECT, BUT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY DONE THIS. SO THIS BILL HERE IS SEEKING TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE.
00:37:09	Filner, Robert "Bob"	TAKING BACK MY TIME, MR. STEARNS F. YOU WERE A FILIPINO VETERAN AT THE TIME, I'M NOT SURE WHAT -- THAT MONEY WAS AWARDED TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY ENDED UP GIVING BACK. WE ARE 62 YEARS LATER. THAT WOULD NEVER HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE ANALAGOUS BENEFITS THAT OUR BRAVE VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II HAVE RECEIVED. I YIELD AS MUCH TIME AS SHE MAY CONSUME TO MS. RICHARDSON FROM CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
00:37:37	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
00:37:39	Richardson, Laura	THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H.R. 6897, THE FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT AND URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN LAST YEAR'S 1 16 CO-SPONSORS WHO FELT STRONGLY ABOUT THE NEED FOR US TO FINALLY MOVE FORWARD AND TO ACT IN A MORAL WAY. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE CHAIRMAN FILNER FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON BRINGING THIS LEGISLATION BEFORE US TODAY. HE HAS PLEADED WITH ALL OF US OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. BEING AN AMERICAN IS MORE THAN STANDING UP ON MEMORIAL DAY AND SALUTING THE FLAG. ALSO BEING AMERICAN IS ONE WHO IS WILLING TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY WHO HAVE ENABLED US TO HAVE THAT FREEDOM. MR. FILNER HAS NEVER HESITATED IN MY SHORT ONE YEAR OF BEING HERE, HE HAS CONSTANTLY PLEADED FOR US TO FINALLY MAKE THIS RIGHT. AT THE END OF WORLD WAR II PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN STATED IT WAS A MORAL OBLIGATION OF OUR NATION TO LOOK AT THE WELFARE OF FILIPINO VETERANS. HERE WE ARE TODAY IN THIS GREAT, INCREDIBLE BUILDING, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WHERE OUR NATION HAS AN OPPORTUNITY FINALLY LONG OVERDUE PROCESS TO FULFILL OUR MORAL OBLIGATION. INDEED MANY WOULD NOT BE ENJOYING THE FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE TODAY IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE COURAGEOUS EFFORTS OF THOSE 470,000 FILIPINO VETERANS THAT ANSWERED THE CALL DURING WORLD WAR II. NOW, AS A NATION SOME TEND TO MEASURE OR WAR HEROES BASED UPON THE SUFFERING. THEY SUFFERED AS WELL. AND I'M NOT JUST GIVING A SPEECH AND RECITING HISTORY, I HAVE A LARGE FILIPINO POPULATION IN MY DISTRICT. IT'S WITHOUT HESITATION THAT THEY STAND SIDE BY SIDE ON MEMORIAL DAY, ARMED SERVICES DAY, AND REALLY HAVE A DESIRE FOR US TO RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE COMMITMENT THAT THEY DID. 60,000 FILIPINO SOLDIERS WERE FORCED TO MARCH 65 MILES WITHOUT FOOD, WATER, AND MEDICINE WHILE THEY WERE BEING BACON NETTED AND KILLED. THEY ARE OUR -- BACON NETTED -- BAYONETTEN AND KILLED. IN 1946 GENERAL OMAR BRADLEY, THE U.S. ADMINISTRATOR FOR VETERANS' AFFAIRS, PUT IT BEST WHEN HE SAID THE SERVICE OF FILIPINO COMMONWEALTH ARMY AND U.S. ARMED FORCES DURING WORLD WAR II HAS MET THE DEFINITION AFTER U.S. VETERAN. HAS MET THE DEFINITION OF A U.S. VETERAN. IN MY DISTRICT AS I SAID I HAVE NUMEROUS FILIPINO VETERANS WHO IN THEIR GOLDEN YEARS, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT AS OUR CHAIRMAN SAID, 62 YEARS AGO, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN HAVE FAILED TO HAVE ADEQUATE BENEFITS FOR A WORK THAT THEY DID. ISN'T THAT WHAT THIS CONGRESS IS ALL ABOUT? THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT. SOME, MADAM SPEAKER, I JOIN CHAIRMAN FILNER AND ALL OF US WHO LOOK FORWARD TO PASSING FINALLY THIS RESOLUTION. THIS RESOLUTION WHICH WILL BRING BACK NOT A STAIN IN AMERICA BUT ONE WE CAN LOOK BACK AND SAY, YES, FOR THOSE WHO HELPED US TO HAVE FREEDOM, WE RECOGNIZE THAT AND WE ARE WILLING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:40:54	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
00:40:57	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I SEE MY FRIEND, MR. STEARNS, WOULD LIKE -- I YIELD TO HIM.
00:41:02	Stearns, Clifford	AN ADDITIONAL COMMENT. THIS IS SORT OF A COMPLIMENT IN WAY.
00:41:09	Filner, Robert "Bob"	BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT.
00:41:12	Stearns, Clifford	H.R. 670 WHICH YOU OFFERED WHICH WAS ROUGHLY $1.4 BILLION, GIVE OR TAKE. THIS BILL IS FOR $198 MILLION. SO YOU ARE TO BE COMMENDED IN YOUR PERSEVERANCE HERE IN TRYING TO PASS THIS BILL. YOU HAVE REDUCED THE AMOUNT FROM $1.4 BILLION TO $198 MILLION. BUT I WOULD SAY TO YOU IN ALL RESPECT, IS THIS THE TIMING THAT YOU WANT IN THE MIDDLE OF A POSSIBLE FINANCIAL MELTDOWN IN AMERICA THAT YOU WANT TO GIVE FUNDS, TAXPAYERS FUNDS, TO PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES WHO ARE NOT U.S. CITIZENS? I JUST WONDER WHETHER THE TIMING IS APPROPRIATE HERE IN CONGRESS.
00:41:55	Filner, Robert "Bob"	RECLAIMING MY TIME. I YIELD TO MS. RICHARDSON.
00:42:00	Richardson, Laura	MR. STEARNS, WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA. RESIDENTS OF MINE, PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS, PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE ADEQUATE PAY FOR THE WORK THAT WE DO. IF WE CAN SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AS WILL BE COMING BEFORE THIS HOUSE, $700 BILLION TO ASSIST CORPORATIONS OF PEOPLE WHO MADE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, SURELY WE CAN ISSUE A CHECK FOR WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE. ALL THE MORE REASON WHY THEY NEED THE MONEY TODAY. BECAUSE THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE. THESE ARE NOT CORPORATIONS. THESE ARE NOT PRESIDENTS. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE SURVIVING ON PAYCHECKS OF $500 AND $600 A MONTH. MR. MR. --
00:42:58	Filner, Robert "Bob"	RECLAIMING MY TIME. I WOULD RATHER END THE DEBATE NOW. I APPRECIATE IT. YOU POINTED OUT THE DISCREPANCY IN THE FUNDS BETWEEN THIS ONE AND MY 760 WHICH I HEY WAS ABOUT $900 MILLION. ARE YOU RIGHT. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST CHOICE. THIS IS A SECOND CHOICE BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO OPPOSED IT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW IT TO PASS. I WOULD JUST WANT TO END THE DEBATE. YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE $200 MILLION FROM 1946. BY MY QUICK CALCULATION THAT IS WOULD -- EACH OF THE QUARTER MILLION OF VETERANS AT THAT TIME WOULD HAVE RECEIVED LESS THAN $1,000. AT THAT MOMENT. MADAM SPEAKER, I THINK WE HAVE A HISTORICAL RECORD TO CORRECT. I STRONGLY URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO CORRECT IT. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:43:45	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6897. SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE --
00:44:01	Stearns, Clifford	MADAM SPEAKER, ON THAT I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.
00:44:04	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE. AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. . LET ME JUST STATE, FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES, THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AND THE ONE THAT WILL BE VOTED ON IS TO PASS THE RESOLUTION, H.R. 6 97 AS AMEND -- H.R. 6897 AS AMENDED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RISE IN
00:44:57	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I WOULD MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL S. 1315 AS AMENDED.
00:45:05	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE.
00:45:07	THE CLERK	AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 38 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE TO ENHANCE VETERANS' INSURANCE AND HOUSING BENEFITS, TO PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR TRANSITIONING SERVICES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
00:45:21	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. FILNER AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. STEARNS, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
00:45:32	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
00:45:37	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
00:45:39	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I FORGOT TO SAY ON THE LAST BILL THAT MY COLLEAGUES FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. ROHRABACHER AND MR. ISSA STRONGLY SUPPORT IT AND WILL PARTICIPATE IN HELPING US GET THE REQUIRED VOTES TO PASS THIS BILL. S. 1315, I WANT TO POINT OUT, IS AMENDED. IT WAS AND IS STILL A COMPREHENSIVE BILL THAT WILL HELP MILLIONS OF OUR VETERANS, INCLUDING RECENTLY WOUNDED AND TRANSITIONING VETERANS. WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO AMEND IT IS TO MOVE FRIT A MANDATORY SPENDING BILL TO A DISCRETIONARY SPENDING BILLITY BIREMOVING THE MANDATORY PROVISION AND THE PAY-GO PROVISION THAT CAUSED SO MUCH CONTROVERSY. NOW WE HAVE A BILL THAT WILL CONTINUE THIS CONGRESS' UNPRECEDENTED RECORD OF PUTTING OUR VETERANS FIRST. THIS WILL WOULD PROVIDE EXTENSIVE BENEFITS TO EDUCATION, PENSION, HOUSING AND OTHER CRITICAL V.A. BENEFITS. IT WOULD ONLY INVOKES -- INVOKE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING AND WOULD NOT INVOKE AN OFFSET UNDER THE PAY-GO RULES OF CONGRESS. IT WOULD REQUIRE THAT VETERANS RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE AND TREATMENT CAN RECEIVE STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS TO THEIR HOMES BEFORE THEY COME HOME. THERE'S A PROVISION MR. STEARNS MENTIONED AS A HIGH-PRIORITY ITEM IN HIS PREVIOUS LIST. IT ALSO SAYS THAT AGENCIES COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR OUR SERVICEMENS AND VETERANS AS WELL AS ESTABLISH OUTCOME ORIENTED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF OUR NEW G.I. BENEFITS. IT WOULD BETTER ENABLE CONGRESS PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR APPEALS OF VETERANS' CLAIMS WHILE ALLOWING THE HIGHLY SPECIALIZED COURT TO MAINTAIN ITS DISCRETION FOR THOSE FILING APPEALS OF V.A. DECISIONS. I WANT TO STATE AGAIN FOR THE RECORD THAT THIS BILL DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY MANDATORY SPENDING AND VETERANS MAY STAND TO BENEFIT IF IT IS PASSED AND ULTIMATELY ENACTED. I HOPE PEOPLE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW BILL AND SEE IT AS A COMPREHENSIVE VETERANS BILL THAT WILL HELP VETERANS IN ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO GIVE THIS BILL SUPPORT AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:48:08	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM FLORIDA IS RECOGNIZED.
00:48:13	Stearns, Clifford	I REQUEST AS MUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL, AS AMENDED. IT'S A MODEST BILL BUT IT WOULD ENHANCE VETERANS' INSURANCE AND HOUSING BENEFITS AND IMPROVE BENEFITS AND SERVICES FOR TRANSITIONING FOR SERVICEMENS. THE MANAGER'S AMENDMENT TO THIS BILL WOULD REMOVE THE LANGUAGE IN THE ORIGINAL SENATE-PASSED BILL THAT WOULD HAVE OVERTURNED THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS' CLAIMS. IN THE CASE OF HARKNESS VS. NICHOLSON THAT HELD V.A. MUST PAY A SPECIAL MONTHLY PENSION BENEFIT TO SEVERELY DISABLED, ELDERLY, HOME-BOUND, AND POOR WAR-TIME VETERANS PURSUANT TO A LAW ENACTED IN 2001. I'M PLEASED THIS DETRIMENTAL PROVISION THAT WOULD HAVE IMPACTED OUR MOST VULNERABLE VETERANS HAS SIMPLY BEEN REMOVED FROM THIS BILL. THAT'S GOD. THE MANAGER'S AMENDMENT ALSO REMOVES ALL MANDATORY SPENDING PROVISIONS IN THE SENATE-PASSED BILL THAT WOULD HAVE UTILIZED THE FUNDING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE IF THE DISABLED VETERANS NO LONGER WERE TO RECEIVE THEIR SPECIAL MONTHLY MENTIONS -- PENSIONS. WHAT REMAINS IS A BILL THAT IS A COMPILATION OF NUMEROUS VETERAN BENEFIT PROVISIONS. AMONG THESE, I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR SERVICEMENS AND OUR VETERANS. THIS BILL WOULD ENSURE THAT SEVERELY DISABLED SERVICEMENS CAN RECEIVE STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS TO THEIR HOMES PRIOR TO DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY. RIGHT NOW, EVEN IF THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE DISCHARGED, THEY MUST WAIT UNTIL DISCHARGE TO RECEIVE THIS VERY NECESSARY HOUSING BENEFIT. THIS BILL WOULD EXPAND SGLI TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT WOULD ALLOW THE TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF CELLULAR TELEPHONE CONTRACTS ON THE REQUEST OF SERVICEMENS UNDERGOING DEPLOYMENT OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. THAT IS GOOD. AND FINALLY, MADAM SPEAKER, THE LEGISLATION WOULD IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF VETERANS' EDUCATION AND EMMITT EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS AND OF -- AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS AND FOR VETERANS' CLAIMS. PASSAGE OF THIS AMENDMENT WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED BENEFITS TO OUR NEIGH'S VETERANS. THESE HERO VGS SACRIFICED SO MUCH FOR OUR NATION'S FREEDOM AND WE MUST ENSURE THAT THEIR NEEDS ARE MET. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE BILL AS AMENDED AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:50:57	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
00:51:01	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS.
00:51:10	Stearns, Clifford	I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND YIELD BACK.
00:51:14	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I ASK THAT MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO RHETT THEIR REMARKS AND YIELD BACK MY TIME.
00:51:21	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS SENATE BILL 1315 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE.
00:52:35	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM RISE?
00:52:41	Bordallo, Madeleine	I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 160 AS AMENDED.
00:52:46	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
00:52:50	Bordallo, Madeleine	UNION CALENDAR 514, H.R. 160RK A BILL TO AMEND THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION ACT OF 1996 TO ESTABLISH A BATTLEFIELD ACQUISITION GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE ACCUSATION AND PROTECTION OF NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT BATTLEFIELDS AND ASSOCIATED SITES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WARRED ON ETHE WAR OF 1812 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
00:53:12	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZED THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
00:53:24	Bordallo, Madeleine	I ASK THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
00:53:33	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
00:53:36	Bordallo, Madeleine	H.R. 160, THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812 BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION ACT, WAS INTRODUCED BY MY COLLEAGUE ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE, THE HONORABLE CONGRESSMAN RUSH HOLT. THIS BILL WOULD PROVIDE FEDERAL MATCHING GRANTS TO HELP IN THE ACCUSATION AND PRESERVATION OF NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT BATTLEFIELDS AND ASSOCIATED SITES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND THE WAR OF 1812. URBANIZATION, SUBURBAN SPRAWL AND UNCOMPLANNED -- UNPLANNED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT HAVE ENCROACHED ON THESE SITE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF SOME SITES ALTOGETHER. A 2007 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY CONCLUDED THAT AS MANY AS 170 REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812 BATTLEFIELDS AND ASSOCIATED SITES FACE IMMEANT INJURY OR DESTRUCTION IN THE NEXT DECADE. H.R. 160 WILL ENABLE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO OBTAIN FEDERAL GRANTS TO LEVERAGE MATCHING PRIVATE FUNDS TO ACQUIRE ENDANGERED SITES FOR PRESERVATION OF THESE PLACES WHICH INFLUENCED THE COURSE OF OUR AMERICAN HISTORY. I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW JERSEY, MR. HOLT, FOR ALL HIS WORK ON THIS LEGISLATION AND HIS COMMITMENT TO THE PRESERVATION OF THESE HISTORIC PLACES. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
00:55:15	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA.
00:55:19	Young, Donald "Don"	I ASK PERMISSION TO REVISE AND EXTEND.
00:55:23	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
00:55:26	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. THE COMMITTEE HEARD FROM THE HISTORIAN WHOSE WRITINGS POINTED OUT THAT GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SUPPORT FOR PROPERTY RIGHTS AND THE STRONG ACTIONS HE TOOK TO MAKE SURE HIS SOLDIERS RESPECTED THE PROPERTY EVEN OF TORY SYMPATHIZERS. EVEN THOUGH PLOUNDER WAS THE NORM AT THE TIME AND EVEN THOUGH MANY OF HIS MEN WERE HUNGRY AND DRESSED IN RAGS AND MARCHED BAREFOOT IN THE SNOW. IT'S AMAZING THAT HE PUT SUCH A HIGH STANDARD ON PERSONAL PROPERTY. THIS STOOD IN STARK CONTRAST TO THE ROUTINE SEIZURE OF BOOTY OF BRITISH TROOPS. IT'S NO DIDN'T THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE WAR, 1776 AND 1777, IN THE BATTLEGROUND OF NEW JERSEY THAT WAS EVENLY DIVIDE NITS SUPPORT AND LOYALTY TO THE AMERICAN CAUSE, THERE ARE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM WASHINGTON'S EXAMPLE. IN EARLIER BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION EFFORT, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE USED EMINENT DO MAIN TO SEIZE LANDS FROM UNWILLING SELLERS. THIS CAUSES HURT. I HOPE WE SET OUT TO PRESERVE HISTORIC SITES WE COPY GEORGE WASHINGTON AND NOT GEORGE 36R78
00:57:04	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZE.
00:57:09	Bordallo, Madeleine	I YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO MR. HOLT, THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL.
00:57:13	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
00:57:16	Holt, Rush	I RISE AT THE AUTHOR OF H.R. 160, THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812 BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION ACT AND URGE SUPPORT OF THIS BY MY COLLEAGUES. I'D LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN RAHALL AND MR. GRIJALVA FOR THEIR HELP IN BRINGING THIS TO THE FLOOR TODAY. FROM THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD AT LEXINGTON TO THE BEGINNING OF THE WINNING WHEN WASHINGTON CROSSED THE DELAWARE, TO THE SURRENDER OF LORD GORDON WALLIS AT YORKTOWN, THE STORY MOFSE AMERICAN -- STORIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION BRING TO LIFE THE IDEALS OF LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY FOSTERED BY OUR NATION'S FOUNDERS. HISTORY IS BEST EXPERIENCED BY THOSE WHO CAN TOUCH IT, FEEL IT, LIVE IT AND THE BATTLEFIELDS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE WAR OF 1812 PROVIDE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR AMERICANS TO EXPERIENCE WHERE AND HOW THE EPIC STRUGGLE FOR OUR NATION'S INDEPENDENCE TOOK PLACE. PRESERVING THESE AMERICAN HISTORIC TREASURES IS ESSENTIAL IN REMEMBERING THE SACRIFICES THAT OUR FOREFATHERS MADE TO SECURE OUR FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE AND ESSENTIAL FOR EDUCATING FUTURE GENERATIONS ABOUT OUR RICH CULTURAL HISTORY. UNFORTUNATELY, URBANIZATION, SUBURBAN SMALL, UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT ARE CONSTANTLY ENCROACHING ON MANY OF THE SIGNIFICANT BATTLEFIELDS OF THAT PERIOD. THIS ENCROACHMENT POSES A SEVERE AND GROWING RISK TO THE PRESERVATION OF THESE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT SITES. AS MS. BORDALLO HAS JUST SAID, THIS SPRING, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PUBLISHED ITS REPORT TO CONGRESS AN THONE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812 SITES IN THE UNITED STATES AND THIS REPORT SHOWS THERE'S A GREAT NEED TO ACT AND ACT QUICKLY TO PRESERVE THESE SITES. OUT OF THE 677 NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT BATTLEFIELDS AND ASSOCIATED SITES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND THE WAR OF 1812, 99 ARE ALREADY LOST FOREVER. 234 ARE FRAGMENTED OR IN POOR CONDITION, AN ADDITIONAL 170 ARE IN DANGER OF BEING DESTROYED IN THE NEXT DECADE. H.R. 160 WILL AUTHORIZE THE USE OF MONEY IN THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FOR THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812 BATTLEFIELDS AND RELATED HISTORICAL SITES AND IN ADDITION TO THE CIVIL WAR SITES ALREADY COVERED UNDER CURRENT LAW. AND I MIGHT ADD THAT LAW HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. THIS LEGISLATION IS PATTERNED AFTER THE CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD'S LEGISLATION WHICH HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL. THIS BILL WILL ALLOW OFFICIALS OF THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION PROGRAM TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO APPRECIATE AND PROTECT THE MOST ENDANGERED HISTORICAL SITES AND TO PROVIDE UP TO 50% OF THE COST OF PURCHASING BATTLEFIELD LAND THREATENED BY SPRAWL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE STORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE WAR OF 1812 CHRISCROSSES 33 STATES FROM NEW YORK TO LOUISIANA, FROM GEORGIA TO OREGON. AND ENACTING THIS LEGISLATION WILL ALLOW THESE STATES BETTER TO PRESERVE THEIR HISTORY AND THEIR ROLE IN THESE ENGAGEMENTS. I'VE ALSO INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT I HOPE CONGRESS WILL PASS NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THIS. IT WOULD BE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND WAR OF 1812 COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT. AS THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA ALLUDED, MY HOME STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAS A UNIQUE ROLE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. AND IN 2006 I'M PLEASED TO REPORT CONGRESS TOOK ACTION TO HELP PROTECT THE BATTLEFIELDS AND HISTORIC SITES WHERE THIS CONFLICT TOOK PLACE. WE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT CREATED THE CROSS ROADS OF THE MEDGE REVOLUTION NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA, LINKING TWOTH 14 COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY -- LINKING TOGETHER 14 COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY WHERE MORE ENGAGEMENTS, MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS, TOOK PLACE THAN IN ANY OTHER STATE. NEW JERSEY WAS TRULY THE CROSSROADS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. AND I'M PLEASED THAT WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO PRESERVE THE RECORD OF THAT -- OF THOSE ENGAGEMENTS. H.R. 160 WILL ALLOW MANY MORE HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS TO BE RESERVED -- PRESERVED FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN TO ENJOY. WE WANT TO GIVE AMERICANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HISTORY. PEOPLE WHO KNOW HISTORY CAN BE BETTER CITIZENS TODAY, MORE ENGAGED IN CURRENT CIVIC AFFAIRS. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION. AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. WITH THANKS.
01:02:10	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED.
01:02:15	>>	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY USE. UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO REVISE AND EXTEND.
01:02:20	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT
01:02:23	>>	I APOLOGIZE. I THOUGHT WE WERE ON THE NEXT BILL. I APOLOGIZE ON THAT. I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:02:34	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	SO ORDERED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:02:41	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I AGAIN URGE MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE BILL AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:02:46	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 160 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE --
01:03:01	Young, Donald "Don"	MADAM CHAIR. I OBJECT ON THE VOTE ON THE GROUNDS THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AND MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT.
01:03:10	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:03:20	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 2933 AS AMENDED.
01:03:26	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE.
01:03:28	THE CLERK	UNION CALENDAR NUMBER 510, H.R. 2933, A BILL TO AMEND THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION ACT OF 1996, TO EXTEND THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THAT ACT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
01:03:39	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO, THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:03:51	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:04:03	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:04:05	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1996, THE AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED GRANTS FOR PRESERVING ENDANGERED CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS WHICH ARE SPECIFICALLY NOT PART OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM CONTAINS TWO COMPONENTS, THE BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION GRANTS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ORGANIZATIONS AND CITIZENS PROTECT BATTLEFIELD SITES. THE BATTLEFIELD ACQUISITION GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES MATCHING FUNDS TO HELP STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ACQUIRE AND PRESERVE BATTLEFIELD SITES. TOGETHER THESE GRANT PROGRAMS HAVE HELPED TO PROTECT MORE THAN 15,000 ACRES AT 72 CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS AND HAVE LEVERAGED 52 -- $52 MILLION IN NONFEDERAL FUNDING FOR BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION. WITH ENACTMENT OF H.R. 160 WHICH WAS JUST CONSIDERED THIS PROGRAM WILL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND WAR OF 1812 SITES. MAKEING THE PROGRAM EVEN STRONGER. SO I COMMEND OUR COLLEAGUE, REPRESENTATIVE GARY MILLER OF CALIFORNIA, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE AND HIS COMMITMENT TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION. THIS IS TRULY A BIPARTISAN MEASURE WITH MORE THAN 100 CO-SPONSORS FROM BOTH PARTIES. SO I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:05:39	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED. YOUNG YOUNG NOW I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:05:45	Young, Donald "Don"	WITHOUT OBJECTION. YOUNG YOUNG THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR CAPTURES THE IMAGINATION OF NO OTHER EVENT IN OUR HISTORY AND THE HISTORY SECTION IS DEVOTED TO EVENTS OF THE 1860'S. ON WEEKENDS BATTLES ARE REENACTED BY SERIOUS HOBBYISTS WHO STRIVE FOR COSTUME WEAPONRY AND DETAILS. PICTURES OF LINCOLN ARE FOUND IN COUNTLESS HOMES AND CLASSROOMS. CONFEDERATE FLAGS ADORN PICKUP TRUCKS AND THE WORDS OF THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS ARE FAMILIAR. WE CLEARLY RECOGNIZE THE CONTINUED IMPORTANCE OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATE. IT IS SO NATURAL WE SHOULD TRY TO FIND APPROPRIATE WAYS TO KEEP SAFE THE PLACES WHERE OUR GREAT-GRANDFATHERS WITNESSED EVTS. BUT SINCE OUR COUNTRY IS ABOUT LIBERTY RATHER THAN GLORIFICATION OF THE STATE, WE HAVE TO SAFEGUARD NOT JUST THE HILLS AND THE MUD ON WHICH THEY FOUGHT BUT ALSO THE FREEDOMS FOR WHICH THEY FOUGHT. THEREFORE IT WOULD BE TRAGEDY FIGURE WE ALLOW OUR WELL-MEANING ENTHUSIASM TO PROTECT HISTORIC SITES TO RESULT IN PROGRAMS THAT DIMINISH THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS. THIS BILL HAS TWO IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS. FIRST, A WILLING SELLER PROVISION. AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE SELLERS' WILLINGNESS IS NOT COERCED. SECOND A SUNSET PROVISION ON THE PROGRAM'S FUNDING AUTHORIZATION. THE BILL SPONSORED ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR INCLUDING THESE SAFEGUARDS AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:07:07	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:07:12	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS BUT I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. YOUNG YOUNG I YIELD TO MR. CAMEL FROM CALIFORNIA.
01:07:20	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.
01:07:26	Campbell, John	THERE ARE NO CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD SITES IN CALIFORNIA. THERE WAS ONE PLACE WHERE SHOTS WERE FIRED NEAR THE ARIZONA BORDER. BUT DO I ADMIT TO HAVING MORE THAN A PASSING INTEREST IN THE STUDY OF AND LEARNING ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR. I STAND TODAY STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I INVOKE THE QUOTES OR THE DEEDS OR THE ACTIONS OF POLITICIANS AND GENERALS AND CITIZENS FROM THE CIVIL WAR AND THE CIVIL WAR ERA. IN GIVING US GUIDANCE AND PERSPECTIVE ON HOW WE DEAL WITH SOME OF OUR PROBLEMS TODAY. AS WE TODAY AND THIS WEEK ARE FACING A FINANCIAL CRISIS, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE EVER BEEN CONCEIVED IN THE CIVIL WAR, BUT THEY CERTAINLY DEALT WITH CRISES OF THEIR OWN. AND HOW THEY DEALT WITH THEM AND HOW THEY WORKED WITH THEM AND THE COURAGE WITH WHICH THEY FACED THEM ARE INSTRUCTIVE TO ALL OF US TODAY. THESE BATTLEFIELD SITES BRING THAT HISTORY ALIVE. THEY REMIND US OF THE SACRIFICES THAT THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US MADE TO GIVE US WHAT WE HAVE TODAY AND THEY INSTRUCT US AND TEACH US OF THE BRAVERY AND THE COURAGE AND THE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THEY STOOD AND HOW WE CAN REMEMBER AND USE THOSE SAME AND CALL UPON THAT SAME BRAVERY AND COURAGE AND PRINCIPLES TODAY. AS WAS SAID, THIS BILL NOT ONLY PROTECTS PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS BUT ALSO LEVERAGES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRIVATE FUNDS, LARGELY PRIVATE FUNDS, THAT ARE COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE WORLD -- AROUND THE COUNTRY, TO PRESERVE THESE BATTLEFIELD SITES. SO, MADAM SPEAKER, AGAIN I STAND IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS BILL, BOTH FOR WHAT THE CIVIL WAR SITES HAVE DONE FOR US IN THE PAST AND WHAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DO TO TEACH NEWS THE FUTURE. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:09:24	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:09:29	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. YOUNG YOUNG MADAM SPEAKER, WE HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR SPEAKERS SO I YIELD BACK.
01:09:39	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:09:43	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I THINK IT IS -- I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION AND I THINK IT IS FITTING THAT WE ARE ENTERTAINING THIS BILL TODAY. THIS IS THE 146TH ANNIVERSARY, IT MARKS THAT ANNIVERSARY AND I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:10:04	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	SO ORDERED. THE QUESTION NOW IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 2933 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED AND THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS -- YOUNG YOUNG MADAM SPEAKER.
01:10:25	Young, Donald "Don"	SIR. YOUNG YNG I OBJECT ON THE GROUNDS THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AND MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT.
01:10:32	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:10:44	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 4828 AS AMENDED.
01:10:51	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE.
01:11:00	THE CLERK	UNION CALENDAR NUMBER 509. H.R. 4828, A BILL TO AMEND THE PALO ALTO BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE ACT OF 1991 TO EXPAND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HISTORIC SITE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
01:11:10	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GRAHAM -- GUAM.
01:11:21	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:11:30	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT
01:11:32	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, PALO ALTO BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE LOCATED IN BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, IS THE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE UNIT DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION AND THE INTERPRETATION OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR. THE PARK PRESERVES THE SITE OF THE BATTLE OF PALO ALTO, THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE WAR. BUT FIGHTING WAS NOT LIMITED TO THE PARCEL OF LAND CURRENTLY PRESERVED BY THE PARK. FIGHTING AT A SITE CALLED SOMETHING ELSE PROVED PIVOTAL IN PERMANENTLY REPULSING THE MEXICAN ARMY FROM TEXAS. H.R. 4828 WOULD AMEND THE ACT TO CREATE PALO ALTO BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, TO DESIGNATE THE 34 ACRES OF THE SITE AS A UNIT OF THE PARK. IN RECOGNITION OF THE EXPANSION OF THE PARK TO INCLUDE THE NONCON CONTINGENTOUS UNIT, THE BILL WILL ALSO REDESIGNATE PALO ALTO BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE AS PALO ALTO BATTLE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK. THIS IS A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND I COMMEND MY COLLEAGUE AND MY GOOD FRIEND, REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ, FROM TEXAS, FOR HIS HARD WORK ON ADDING THIS UNIT TO THE PARK. AND I ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:13:05	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED. YOUNG YOUNG MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:13:12	Young, Donald "Don"	SO ORDERED. YOUNG YOUNG I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF HAD LEGISLATION. IT IS A SITE OF THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE U.S. WAR WITH MEXICO. DURING THE BATTLE, AMERICAN FORCES DROVE MEXICAN TROOPS BACK ACROSS THE RIO GRANDE RIVER. THIS BILL ADDS 34 ACRES TO THE PALO ALTO NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE AND PROVIDES COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT UNDER THE BROWNSVILLE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WHO CO-MANAGE THIS PLAN, THAT IS OWNED BY THE FOUNDATION. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:13:39	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:13:42	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MY GOOD FRIEND, MR. ORTIZ. THE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL.
01:13:50	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED.
01:13:54	Ortiz, Solomon P.	THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM CHAIRMAN, AND SPEAKER, SO MUCH. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO BOTH CHAIRMAN BORDALLO BECAUSE SHE AND MY GOOD FRIEND FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, HAVE HAD TIME TO SPEND TIME IN MY DISTRICT. AND TODAY I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 4828, THE PALO ALTO BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORIC BOUNDARY EXPANSION AND REDESIGNATION ACT OF 2008. THE BATTLE OF THE -- FOUGHT IN 1846 IN WHAT IS NOW THE CITY OF BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, MARKED ONE OF THE EARLY VICTORIES IN THE UNITED STATES-MEXICAN WAR FOR THE AMERICAN FORCES. GENERAL TAYLOR, WHO WOULD LATER BECOME THE 12TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, WAS A -- WAS A NOTABLE PARTICIPANT IN THIS BATTLE. THE UNITED STATES TROOPS SUFFERED 45 DEAD, 228 WOUNDED. THE MEXICAN FORCES COUNTED 169 DEAD, 228 WOUNDED. H.R. 4828 WILL EXPAND THE PALO ALTO BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE TO INCLUDE THE BATTLEFIELD SITE. THE BILL WILL PRESERVE THE BATTLEFIELD SITE, SUPPORT EDUCATION AND SPECIAL EVENTS THERE AND DEVELOP AN INTERPRETIVE TRAIL WITH EXHIBITS, LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY GATHERINGS. THE SITE WILL ALSO CONSERVE INCREASINGLY RARE RIO -- RIO GRANDE AND OTHER LANDSCAPE AND PROTECT NATIVE SPECIES. ONCE MORE, IT USED TO BE MORE THAN 100 ACRES, NOW IT'S BEEN REDUCED TO 34 ACRES OF LAND SO WE NEED TO PRESERVE THIS SITE. THE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT BY TWO WARRING NATIONS. IT IS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT IS UNIQUE TO THE SOUTH TEXAS BORDER CULTURE. MORE THAN JUST A RELIC OF THE PAST, THE BATTLEFIELD IS A VAST OUTDOOR CLASSROOM THAT PRESERVES A VITAL PIECE OF OUR NATION'S HISTORY. MY HOPE IS THAT SCHOLARS, HISTORIANS, AND EVERYDAY CITIZENS WILL LEARN AND APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ALL THOSE WHO PERISHED ON THIS BATTLE FEEL. A COIGS WILL HAVE LOCAL GROUPS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB IN MAINTAINING THE SITE AND I WISH TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN PRESERVING A PIECE OF THE NATION'S HISTORY. IT IS VITAL FOR THE SITE TO HAVE FULL SUPPORT THAT ONLY THE PARK SERVICE CAN PROVIDE. SKI MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN SUPPORT OF THIS LEGISLATION AND I THANK YOU AND CHAIRMAN YOUNG AND CHAIRMAN BORDALLO FOR SUPPORTING THIS BILL. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:16:51	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED.
01:16:54	Young, Donald "Don"	I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR SPEAKERS, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:16:59	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:17:03	Bordallo, Madeleine	I URGE MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:17:09	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION NOW IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 4828 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMIVE, THE RULE IS SUSPENDED AND THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE PAYABLE.
01:17:31	Young, Donald "Don"	I OBJECT TO THE VOTE ON THE GROUNDS A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AND MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT.
01:17:39	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS WILL BE POSTPONED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:17:48	Bordallo, Madeleine	I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 5853.
01:17:54	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
01:18:00	THE CLERK	UNION CALENDAR 583, TO EXPAND THE MINUTEMAN NATIONAL HIS COR IIC PARK TO INCLUTE BARRETT'S FARM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
01:18:11	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:18:23	Bordallo, Madeleine	I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:18:33	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	SO ORDERED.
01:18:38	Bordallo, Madeleine	H.R. 5853, THE MINUTEMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC CALL PARK BOUNDARY REVISION ACT WAS INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSWOMAN SON GAS. THIS WOULD MODIFY THE BOUND ROIF THE MINUTEMAN HISTORIC PARK TO INCLUDE THE HISTORIC SITE OF BARRETT'S FARM. COLONEL JAMES BARRETT WAS A LEADING REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT AND HIS FARM IN CONCORD PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLL IN THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE BATTLES AT LEXINGTON AND CONCORD IN APRIL OF 1775. A 2007 STUDY FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONCLUDED THAT THE BOUNDY ADJUSTMENT WAS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF THESE NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES AND VALUES AND THIS BILL ENJOYS EXTENSIVE PUBLIC SUPPORT AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. I THANK REPRESENTATIVE SON GAS FOR HER LEADERSHIP -- REPRESENTATIVESON GAS FOR HER LEADER -- REPRESENTATIVE TSONGAS FOR HER READERSHIP AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:19:52	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA.
01:19:54	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:19:57	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:19:59	Young, Donald "Don"	THE BILL HAS BEEN EXPLAINED ADEQUATELY AND WE HAVE NO OBJECTIONS, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:20:06	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:20:12	Bordallo, Madeleine	I YIELD SUCH TIME AS SHE MAY CONSUME TO THE GENTLELADY FROM MASSACHUSETTS, CONGRESSMAN TSONGAS, THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL.
01:20:22	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
01:20:27	Tsongas, Nicola "Niki" S.	I AM PLEASED TO BE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF H.R. 5853, WHICH EXTENDS THE BOUNDARY OF THE MINUTEMAN NATIONAL PARK LOCATED IN CON COURT, MASSACHUSETTS, INCLUDE HISTORIC BARRETT'S FARM. THIS IS A SIMPLE, NONCONTROVERSIAL BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT AND ENJOYS THE SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND SAVE OUR HERITAGE, THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH CURRENTLY OWNS BARRETT FARM. IT MAY SEEM A SMALL CHANGE BUT THE PRESERVATION OF SUCH A SIGNIFICANT SITE IS MONUMENTAL TO THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY. IT WAS USED TO STORE THE MILITIA'S MUNITIONS IN THE WEEKS PRECEDING THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND CON CONSIDERED. ON APRIL 19, 1775RK THE COMMANDER OF ALL BRITISH FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA, ORDERED 700 OF HIS TROOPS TO MARCH TO BARE RIT'S FARM AND DESTROY THE SUPPLIES. OUR COLONIAL MILITIA LEARNED OF THE PLOT IN ADVANCE AND PAUL REVERE MADE HIS FAMOUS RIDE, CALLING HIS FELLOW COUNTRYMEN TO ARMS. BY THE TIME THE BRITISH REACHED THE FARM, THE ARMS WERE HIDDEN AND THE MILITIA WERE ABLE TO STRIKE AT THE ARM. THINK CONFRONTED THEM AT CONCORD WHERE THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD WAS FIRE DEPARTMENT. THROUGH THE NONPLOFT GROUP OF SAVE OUR HERITAGE, THE FARM HAS BEEN KEPT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. PRIVATE DONATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAVE BEEN USED FOR UPKEEP AND RESTORATION. OUR COUNTRY IS INDEBTED TO THESE COMMITTED PEOPLE FOR PRESERVING THIS NATIONAL HISTORICAL TREASURE. BUT IT IS TIME FOR THIS IMPORTANT LOCATION TO BE PART OF THE LARGER MINUTEMAN NATIONAL PARK SO THE CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CAN BE PUT TOWARD THE RESTORATION AND PERMANENT PRESERVATION OF THIS REMARKABLE PIECE OF MASSACHUSETTS' RICH REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. IT WILL ALSO ENABLE PARK VISITORS TO HAVE A MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW AND WHERE OUR REVOLUTION BEGAN. I URGE THE HOUSE TO PASS THIS BILL TO PROTECT BARRETT'S FARM SO THAT CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN LEARN ABOUT THE ROLE THIS SITE PLAYED IN THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION. I WANT TO THANK CHAIRMAN RAHALL AND CHAIRMAN GRIJALVA FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON THIS BILL AND I'D LIKE TO THANK THE CO-SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TODAY TO VOTE FOR THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:23:14	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED.
01:23:18	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:23:21	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	SO ORDERED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:23:25	Bordallo, Madeleine	I AGAIN URGE MEMBERS -- MADAM SPEAKER, I AGAIN URGE MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE BILL AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:23:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	SO ORDERED. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 5853. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:24:02	Bordallo, Madeleine	I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PAMPLET H.R. 6176.
01:24:06	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
01:24:09	THE CLERK	UNION CALENDAR 4515, H.R. 6176, A BILL AUTHORIZE THE EXPANSION OF THE FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE IN FORT DAVIS, TEXAS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
01:24:20	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:24:33	Bordallo, Madeleine	I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:24:42	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:24:48	Bordallo, Madeleine	H.R. 5716 -- 5176 WAS INTRODUCED BY MR. RODRIGUEZ OF TEXAS. IT AUTHORIZES THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TIE CHOIR FROM WILLING SELLERS APPROXIMATELY 55 ACRES ADJACENT TO THE PARK. FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE AUTHORIZED IN 1961, IS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED FORTS IN THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST. THE FORT WAS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS. MAIL COACHES AND FREIGHT WAGONS TRAVELING THROUGH THE SOUTHWEST. THE FORT IS ALSO KNOWN BECAUSE OF THE FAMED ALL-BLACK BUFFALO SOLDIER REGIMENTS, ESTABLISHED AFTER THE CIVIL WAR -- THEY WERE STATIONED THERE. THE BILL WOULD EXPAND THE BOUNDARY OF THE PARK TONE COMPASS SOME ALREADY COMPLETED ACCUSATIONS AND TO PERMIT THE THE ACCUSATION OF THREE PARCELS THAT TOTAL APPROXIMATELY 55 ACRES ON THE SOUTHWESTERN BOUND THROIF PARK. -- BOUNDARY OF THE PARK. CONGRESSMAN RODRIGUEZ IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR HIS TIRELESS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THIS LEGISLATION AND I WOULD ALSO NOTE THE ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT THIS IS BILL. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:26:10	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED.
01:26:15	MR. JUNGE	I YIELD MYSELF --
01:26:18	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. I BELIEVE THE BILL HAS BEEN EXPLAINED WELL AND I DO SUPPORT THE BILL. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:26:28	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:26:30	Young, Donald "Don"	I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS, I YIELD BACK.
01:26:33	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:26:36	Bordallo, Madeleine	I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATIONENED I YIELD BACK.
01:26:40	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6176. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:27:04	Bordallo, Madeleine	I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6159 AS AMENDED.
01:27:10	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE.
01:27:13	THE CLERK	A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR LAND EXCHANGE FOR CERTAIN LANDS IN MEND SEE NOAH NATIONAL FOREST IN CALIFORNIA AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
01:27:24	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, WILL HAVE 20 MINUTES.
01:27:37	Bordallo, Madeleine	I ASK THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:27:47	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:27:50	Bordallo, Madeleine	THIS BILL PROVIDE FOR A LAND EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE FOREST SERVICE AND SOLANO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. SOLANO COUNTY CURRENTLY HAS A SPECIAL USE PERMIT ON 82 ACRES OF LAND IN THE MEND SEE NOAH NATIONAL -- MEND SEE KNOW NATIONAL FOREST. THEY'VE BEEN WORKING TO ACQUIRE FOREST QUALITY LANDS TO EXCHANGE WITH THE FOREST SERVICE TO GAIN THE LANDS OCCUPY BY THE YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. WE BELIEVE THERE ARE NUMEROUS PUBLIC BENEFITS TO THIS LAND EXCHANGE AN ANALYSIS PRODUCED BY THE FOREST SERVICE FOUND THAT THIS EXCHANGE WOULD HELP REDUCE THE THREAT OF CATASTROPHIC FIRE AND THE LAND EXCHANGE WOULD BE OF EQUAL VALUE. FURTHERMORE, THE LANDS THE SERVICE WOULD ACQUIRE ARE WILDERNESS QUALITY LANDS BORDERING THE SNOW MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AREA AND HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS PRIORITY AREAS FOR LAND ACQUISITION BY THE FOREST SERVICE DATING AS FAR BACK AS 1992. MADAM SPEAKER, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR, REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE MILLER, IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR HIS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE SOLANO THAN YOUTH FACILITY SYSTEM OF I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE AND I RESERVE ME BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:29:19	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA RISE?
01:29:23	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:29:26	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:29:29	Young, Donald "Don"	THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT'S BEEN ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED AND I SUPPORT THE LGS AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:29:36	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	SO ORDERED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:29:41	Bordallo, Madeleine	I AGAIN URGE ALL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE BILL AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:29:46	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 5169 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:30:10	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 5335 AS AMENDED.
01:30:15	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
01:30:19	Bordallo, Madeleine	UNION CALENDAR NUMBER 540, H.R. 5335, A BILL TO AMEND THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEMS ACT, TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCLUSION OF NEW TRAIL SEGMENTS, LAND COMPONENTS AND CAMP GROUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRAIL OF TEARS NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
01:30:36	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:30:46	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:30:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:30:58	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, H.R. 5335 INTRODUCED BY OUR COLLEAGUE FROM TENNESSEE, REPRESENTATIVE WAMP, IMPLEMENTS THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY THAT EXAMINES THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDING SEVERAL SIDE TRAILS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRAIL OF TEARS NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL. CONGRESS DESIGNATED THE ORIGINAL NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL IN 1987 TO COMMEMORATE THE TWO MAIN ROUTES USED DURING THE FORCED REMOVAL OF MORE THAN 15,000 CHEROKEE INDIANS FROM THEIR ANCESTRAL HOMELANDS IN SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. AT THAT TIME, MANY OF THE SIDE ROUTES USED DURING THE REMOVAL WERE NOT WELL DOCUMENTED. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH HAS IDENTIFIED THESE ROUTES AND IN 2006 CONGRESS DIRECTED THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO DETERMINE WHICH, IF ANY OF THESE, ROUTES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADDITION TO THE EXISTING TRAIL. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOUND A NUMBER OF COMPONENTS ELIGIBLE FOR DESIGNATION AND RECOMMENDED ADDING ROUTES IN TENNESSEE AND ALABAMA. SO H.R. 5335 ADDS THOSE ROUTES TO THE EXISTING TRAIL. AND I ASK MY COLLEAGUES IT TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:32:21	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS NOW RECOGNIZED.
01:32:25	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:32:28	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:32:30	Young, Donald "Don"	THIS LEGISLATION, HAD H.R. 5335, HAS BEEN EXPLAINED. WE SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION. I WOULD LIKE TO AT THIS TIME ACKNOWLEDGE THE BILL'S AUTHOR AS CONGRESSMAN ZACK WAMP, AND OF COURSE THE CONGRESSMAN SHULER, BOTH OF THEM HAVE ASKED ME AND ASKED THE LEADERSHIP OF THE RESOURCES COMMITTEE TO MOVE THIS LEGISLATION. I SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION BECAUSE IT DOES RECOGNIZE THE ANGUISH OF THOSE WHO MARCHED ON THIS TRAIL. I STRONGLY COMPLIMENT BOTH THOSE GENTLEMEN FOR THEIR HARD WORK. I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:33:07	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:33:09	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND I AGAIN URGE MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE BILL AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:33:16	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE QUESTION NOW IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 5335 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:33:40	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 3336 AS AMEPPEDED.
01:33:45	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
01:33:49	Bordallo, Madeleine	UNION CALENDAR NUMBER 516. H.R. 3336, A BILL TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO CARRY OUT A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE SUITABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A HISTORIC DISTRICT TO THE CAMP HALE ON PARCELS OF LAND IN THE STATE OF COLORADO.
01:34:06	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:34:17	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR RARKES -- REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:34:27	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:34:29	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, H.R. 3336 WAS INTRODUCED BY OUR COLLEAGUE FROM COLORADO, REPRESENTATIVE DOUG LAMBORN. THE BILL DIRECTS THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO STUDY HOW BEST TO PRESERVE CAMP HALE NEAR LEDVILLE, COLORADO. CAMP HALE OPERATED FROM 1942 TO 1965 AS A WINTER AND A HIGH ALTITUDE TRAINING VENUE FOR THE 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES. THE 250,000-ACRE CAMP WAS ALSO USED BY THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AS A SECRET CENTER FOR TRAINING TIBETAN REFUGEES IN GUERRILLA WARFARE TO RESIST THE CHINESE OCCUPATION. THE LANDS WERE RETURNED TO THE FOREST SERVICE IN 1966. TODAY THE CAMP IS PART OF THE WHITE RIVER AND SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FORESTS. CAMP HALE WAS PLACED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES IN 1992. MADAM SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS MEASURE AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:35:35	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED.
01:35:38	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:35:42	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:35:43	Young, Donald "Don"	I WANT TO THANK CONGRESSMAN LAMBORN FOR INITIATING THIS NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY OF CAMP HALE SO AMERICANS CAN APPRECIATE THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED THERE IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND THE COLD WAR. PEOPLE FORGET ABOUT THE COLD WAR. A LOT OF ACTIVITY WENT ON. THE TENNESSEE PASS IN CAMP HALE SERVED AS A TRAINING SITE FOR THE 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION, A SPECIALIZED SKIING UNIT WHOSE HEROISM DURING WORLD WAR II INSPIRING OUR NATION. LATER THE SITE WAS USED TO CONVERT TRAINING OPERATIONS FURTHERING THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM DURING THE COLD WAR. COLORADO TODAY BENEFITS FROM THE SKI AREA AND THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY THIS UNIQUE LANDMARK. LISTING TP PASS IN CAMP HALE AS A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WILL ALLOW US TO LEARN ABOUT AND EXPERIENCE THIS UNIQUE PIECE OF HISTORY. I URGE THE PASSAGE OF THIS LEGISLATION AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:36:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:36:34	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:36:39	Young, Donald "Don"	I HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKERS AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:36:44	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:36:50	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 3336 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE TITLE IS AMENDED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:37:18	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 3849 AS AMENDED.
01:37:22	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
01:37:26	THE CLERK	UNION CALENDAR NUMBER 508. H.R. 3849, A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF PARCELS OF LAND TO BOX ELDER COUNTY, UTAH.
01:37:35	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:37:45	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:37:54	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:37:56	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, H.R. 3849, INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BISHOP OF UTAH, REQUIRES THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TO CONVEY WITHOUT CONSIDERATION APPROXIMATELY 31.5 ACRES OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND IN THE NATIONAL FOREST IN. TO THE TOWN OF MANTUA, UTAH. THE CONVEYED LAND WILL BE USED BY THE TOWN OF MANTUA TO DEVELOP A NEW TOWN CEMETERY, A NEW TOWN HALL, A FIRE STATION, AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A COURT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FACILITY AND A MEMORIAL PARK. MADAM SPEAKER, THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AMENDED THIS MEASURE TO REQUIRE THAT AS A CONDITION OF THE CONVEYANCE, THE TOWN OF MANTUA SHALL USE THE LAND FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES ONLY ANDED LAND SHALL REVERT TO THE SECRETARY IF USED FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE. WE HAVE NO OBJECTIONS TO H.R. 3849 AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:39:03	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED.
01:39:08	Young, Donald "Don"	MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:39:13	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:39:15	Young, Donald "Don"	I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND CONGRESSMAN ROB BISHOP AND HIS STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE ON THIS LAND CONVEYANCE. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN RAHALL FOR ALLOWING THIS BILL TO GO FORWARD. THIS LEGISLATION WILL HELP THE COMMUNITY OF BOX ELDER, UTAH, GAIN MUCH-NEEDED LAND AND HELP THE FOREST SERVICE BETTER MEET ITS MANAGEMENT NEEDS. AT THIS TIME, MADAM SPEAKER, I HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKERS AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:39:37	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:39:39	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, AGAIN I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS BILL AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:39:45	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 3849 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. AND THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES -- THE SPEAKER RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:40:14	Bordallo, Madeleine	THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 3299 AS AMENDED.
01:40:19	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
01:40:22	Bordallo, Madeleine	H.R. 3299. A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT OF LAND CON VAINTSES INVOLVING ROSEVILLE NATIONAL FOREST, COLORADO, TO CORRECT THE AFFECTS OF AN ERRONEOUS LAND SURVEY THAT RESULTED IN SEVEN ACRES OF THE CRYSTAL LAKE SUBDIVISION ENCROACHING ON NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.
01:40:41	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:40:52	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:41:04	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:41:06	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, H.R. 3299, INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MUSGRAVE FROM COLORADO, WOULD PROVIDE FOR A BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT IN LAND CONVEYANCES INVOLVING THE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST IN COLORADO TO CORRECT THE AFFECTS OF AN ERRONEOUS LAND SURVEY. THIS BILL RESPONDS TO AN ONGOING BOUNDARY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE FOREST SERVICE AND PRIVATE LAND OWNERS WITH PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE FOREST. SO, MADAM SPEAKER, WE HAVE NO OBJECTIONS TO H.R. 3299 AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:41:40	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED.
01:41:43	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:41:46	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:41:48	Young, Donald "Don"	I WISH TO CONGRATULATE CONGRESSMAN MUSGRAVE ON THIS BILL. H.R. 3299 PROVIDES A LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION FOR A NUMBER OF HOMEOWNERS, OWNERS IN COLORADO WHO OWN REAL PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST FROM HAVING OCCUPIED OR IMPROVE THEIR PROPERTY IN GOOD FAITH IN RELIANCE TO THE 1975 LAND SURVEYS. A RECENT FOREST SURVEY NOW CLAIMS THAT A SMALL PORTION OF THE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST IS OCCUPIED BY THESE ADJACENT LAND OWNERS. THIS BILL CONVEYS APPROXIMATELY SEVEN ACRES OCCUPIED BY THE AFFECTED LAND OWNERS TO THE LAND OWNERS AND IS LONG OVERDUE. I HAVE NO OTHER REQUESTS FOR SPEAKERS AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:42:27	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:42:30	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I, AGAIN, URGE ALL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:42:37	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 3299 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE TITLE IS AMENDED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:43:02	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1376 -- 4.
01:43:08	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION.
01:43:11	Bordallo, Madeleine	HOUSE RESOLUTION 1374. RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND COULEE DAM AND RECOGNIZING ITS CRITICAL ROLE IN THE NATIONAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HYDROELECTRIC POWER TO THE REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
01:43:27	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR NOW RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:43:39	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN WHICH TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE RECORD -- RESOLUTION UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:43:49	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:43:52	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, HOUSE RESOLUTION 1374 RECOGNIZES THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND COULEE DAM. IN PROVIDING FOR AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF ENERGY GENERATION IN THE NORTHWEST. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND MY COLLEAGUE, CONGRESSWOMAN MCMORRIS ROGERS, FOR HIS SPONSORSHIP OF THIS RESOLUTION AND HER EFFORTS TO CHAMPION HYDROPOWER AS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF ENERGY GENERATION. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS RESOLUTION AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:44:24	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS NOW RECOGNIZED.
01:44:27	Young, Donald "Don"	MADAM SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:44:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:44:35	Young, Donald "Don"	I RISE TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. THE GRAND COULEE DAM IS THE LARGEST STRUCTURE BUILT IN THE UNITED STATES WITH ENOUGH CONCRETE TO BUILD A SIDEWALK AROUND THE EARTH TWICE. THE DAM HELPED US WIN WORLD WAR II BY ENABLING US TO BUILD FIGHTER PLANES AND SHIPS. IT PROVIDES FLOOD CONTROL, RECREATION AND IRRIGATION. TODAY IT SERVES OVER 100,000 ACRES OF CROPLAND WHICH FEED CONSUMERS NATIONWIDE AND AROUND THE WORLD. WE HAVE MAJOR ENERGY PROBLEMS IN THIS NATION. GRAND COULEE DAM IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT OUR COUNTRY HAS DONE RIGHT, IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF CLEAN DOMESTIC ENERGY. IN 2006, IT PROVIDED 2,000 GIG WATTS OF -- GIGA WATTS OF ELECTRICITY. THIS TRANSLATED TO 55,000 SULFUR DIOXIDE WITHOUT THIS CLEAN FORM OF ENERGY, 36.4 BARRELS OF FUEL OIL, 10.7 MILLION TONS OF COAL OR 223 BILLION CUBIC FEET OF NATURAL GAS WOULD BE USED TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON. THIS FOCUS SOLELY ON THE DAM AS PART OF THE EARTH DAY BROADCAST. DESPITE ITS CLEAN, RENEWABLE AND EMISSIONS FREE, THE DEMOCRAT PARTY CONTINUES TO EXCLUDE HYDROPOWER RESOURCES SUCH AS GRAND COULEE DAM FROM THE ENERGY PLANS. THIS IS LOGIC-FREE GIVEN WHAT I JUST MENTIONED. WE HOPE THE DEMOCRATS COME TO THEIR SENSES AND SEE THAT DAMS SHOULD BE COUNTED AS RENEWABLE RESOURCES IN FUTURE BILLS THIS RESOLUTION COULDN'T BE BROUGHT UP AT A BETTER TIME. I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:46:41	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:46:46	Bordallo, Madeleine	I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS. I URGE MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE BILL. AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:46:53	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:46:58	Bordallo, Madeleine	I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:47:01	THE SPEAKER	THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1374? THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID UPON THE TABLE. AND THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED. MERCHANDISE BORDALLO: I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6685.
01:47:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
01:47:39	THE CLERK	H.R. 6685, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL GRANT TO FACILITATE AN IRON WORKING TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NATIVE AMERICANS.
01:47:47	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:47:58	Bordallo, Madeleine	I ASK THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE RESOLUTION UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:48:08	Bordallo, Madeleine	WITHOUT OBJECTION. MS. BORDALLO H.R. 6685 WOULD PROVITE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATION THAT WAS BEEN MADE FOR MANY YEARS FOR AN INTERIOR DEPARTMENT PROGRAM WHICH MAKES GRANTS AVAILABLE TO FUND A NATIVE AMERICAN IRON WORKER TRAINING PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM WOULD PROVIDE MEMBERS OF FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBES WITH CLASSROOM AND ON THE JOB IRONWORK TRAINING. ONE EMPLOYMENT RATES INCREASING TO A STAGGERING RATE OF OVER 80% ON SOME INDIAN RESERVATIONS THIS PROGRAM IS DESPERATELY NEEDED. IT WILL PROVIDE THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO JOIN A SKILL LAID BOAR FORCE AS A CAREER. I WANT TO COMMEND OUR COLLEAGUE, MR. LYNCH, OF MASSACHUSETTS FOR HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT ITS PASSAGE. I REJEMB THE -- I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:49:08	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA.
01:49:11	Young, Donald "Don"	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:49:13	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
01:49:16	Young, Donald "Don"	H.R. 6685 RE-AUTHORIZES A VITAL EDUCATIONAL GRANT PROGRAM TO TRAIN MEMBERS OF FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBES TO BE BECOME IRON WORKERS. THEY ARE OUTSTANDING IRON WORKERS AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. THEY'VE BUILT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND I HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THEIR CAPABILITY BUT THIS APPRENTICE PROGRAM HAS TRAINED THOUSANDS OF NATIVE AMERICANS OVER THE YEARS. GRADUATES OF THIS PROGRAM HAVE BEEN A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF ECONOMIC SUPPORT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION, I HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKERS AND YIELD BACK. 13R0EU7 THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:49:57	Bordallo, Madeleine	ANY OF ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS. I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:50:05	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6685? THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE.
01:50:24	>>	I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.
01:50:25	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING RISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. THE CLERK -- THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:50:52	Bordallo, Madeleine	MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 1907 AS AMENDED.
01:50:59	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
01:51:02	Bordallo, Madeleine	A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCUSATION OF LAND, AN INTEREST IN LAND FROM WILLING SELLERS TO IMFRIVE THE CONSERVATION OF AND ENHANCE THE VALUE OF COASTAL AND ESTUARINE AREAS. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
01:51:22	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM, MS. BORDALLO AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, MR. YOUNG, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM GUAM.
01:51:33	Bordallo, Madeleine	I ASK THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
01:51:42	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WOK.
01:51:44	Bordallo, Madeleine	H.R. 1907 WOULD AUTHORIZE THE EXISTING COASTAL AND ESTUARINE LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY THE NONO. -- BY THE NATIONAL ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC ASSOCIATION. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE PROGRAM HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $176 MILLION IN MATCHING GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE COASTAL STATES AND TERRITORIES TO ACQUIRE PROPERTIES OR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS FROM WILLING SELLERS TO PROTECT FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT FROM FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND TO PRESERVE SCARCE COASTAL OPEN SPACE. THIS BILL WAS INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN SAXSON AND SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES THIS LEGISLATION WOULD FORMALLY AUTHORIZE THE PROGRAM CONSISTENT WITH PAST APPROPRIATION ACTS AND WITH NOAA'S OWN PROGRAM GUIDELINES. MADAM SPEAKER, THE EXISTING CELC PROGRAM IS TARGETED AND EFFECTIVE AND ADDRESSES A CRITICAL CONSERVATION NEED IN MANY COASTAL STATES AND TERRITORIES. IT IS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, THE COASTAL STATES ORGANIZATION AND BY SEVERAL RESPECTED CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE NATURAL CONSERVANCY AND THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND. I COMMEND CONGRESSMAN SAXSON FOR HIS STEADFAST EFFORTS TO AUTHORIZE THIS PROGRAM AND TO PROTECT AND CONSERVE THE COASTAL ZONE OF THE UNITED STATES. I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION. I THANK YOU AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:53:42	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA IS RECOGNIZED.
01:53:46	Young, Donald "Don"	MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
01:53:50	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
01:53:52	Young, Donald "Don"	MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE CONGRESSMAN JIM SAXSON WHO HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY ON THIS LEGISLATION AND TO HAVE IT SCHEDULED FOR FLOOR DEBATE TODAY. I HE CANNOT BH HERE BECAUSE HE'S EN ROUTE. HE'S HAD A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER CHAMPIONING OCEAN AND COASTAL CAUSES. HE'LL BE MISSED AT THE END OF HIS SERVICE IN CONGRESS. I WISH HIM GOOD WINDS AND FAIR SEAS IN HIS NEXT VOYAGE IN LIFE I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
01:54:32	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE YOM FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
01:54:37	Bordallo, Madeleine	I YIELD SUCH TIME AS SHE MAY CONSUME TO THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. CAPPS.
01:54:43	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED. MRS. CAPPS I RISE IN STRONG --
01:54:50	Capps, Lois	I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF H.R. 6685, I WANT TO THANK CHAIRMAN RAHALL AND MS. BORDALLO FOR BRINGING H R. 19 07 BEFORE US TODAY. I WANT TO JOIN WITH RANKING MEMBER MR. YOUNG IN RECOGNIZING THE AUTHOR OF THIS LEGISLATION, MR. SAXSON FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN ALL THE AREAS HE'S WORKED ON ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA AND THE COMMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUE FROM ALASKA WERE VERY WELL SAID. FOR YEARS, MR. SAXSON HAS BEEN A CHAMPION FOR THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND HIS PASSION FOR OUR OCEANS WILL BE MISSED. IT'S WELL KNOWN THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO THE COAST TO ENJOY ITS BEAUTY AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. AN ESTIMATED 60% OF AMERICANS WILL LIVE ALONG OUR COAST IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND MORE THAN EVER, THE PRESSURES OF URBANIZATION AND COASTAL POLLUTION THREATEN TO IMPAIR WATER SHEDS, IMPACT WILDLIFE HABITAT AND CAUSE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO OUR FRAGILE COASTAL ECOLOGY. WE SEE STRONG SIGNALS OF WHAT CONTINUING DOWN THIS PATH COULD BRING US -- BEACH CLOSINGS, FISH KILLS AND LACK OF PUBLIC ACCESS TO BEACH AND COASTAL WATERS. THAT'S WHY WE NEED THIS PROGRAM. THIS EXISTING PROGRAM PAIRS WILLING SELLERS THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES WITH SOURCES OF FEDERAL FUNDS IN ORDER TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. LANDS CAN BE ACQUIRED IN FULL OR THROUGH EASEMENTS AND NONE OF THE LANDS PURCHASED THROUGH THIS WOULD BE HELD BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS. IT PUTS LAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVES IN THE HANDS OF STATE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SUPPORTED BY THE COASTAL STATES ORGANIZATION. WE'VE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH COASTAL COMMUNITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, WILLING SELLERS AND THE STATES TO CONSERVE LANDS AROUND THINKEST WAY RAY AND NEAR THE PIEDRAS BLANCAS AREA. THEY ARE HOME TO A WIDE VARIETY OF PLANT AND ANAL SPECIES THAT ARE INCREASINGLY THREATENED. CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY PRESERVE THE NATURAL AND SCENIC HERITAGE OF SOME OF ITS LAST UNDEVELOPED STRETCHES OF COASTLINE. MR. SPEAKER, PROGRAMS LIKE THIS WILL HELP OTHER COASTAL STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE COMMUNITY BASED EFFORTS. GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE COASTAL AREAS, IT'S TIME TO FORMALLY RECOGNIZE THIS. THIS LEGISLATION MAKES IMPORTANT IMMATERIAL PRUFMENTES IN THE PROGRAM, PROVIDES A BETTER FRAMEWORK FOR HIS ADMINISTRATION AND WOMEN ENSURE CONSISTENT IMPLEMENTATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. I KNOW WE'D ALL LIKE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THE HONOR AND MEMORY OF OUR GOOD FRIEND AND HIS DAYS IN CONGRESS, MR. SAXSON. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM TO ENSURE ITS PASSAGE. I URGE ALL MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT H.R. 1907. I YIELD BACK.
01:58:09	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM SKE IS RECOGNIZED.
01:58:13	Young, Donald "Don"	I RECOGNIZE MRS. MUSGRAVE FROM COLORADO FOR AS MUCH TIME AS SHE MAY CONSUME.
01:58:20	Musgrave, Marilyn	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. DUE TO A TRAFFIC PROBLEM, I'D A LITTLE LATE GETTING THIS INTO THE CHAMBER TO COMMENT ON H.R. 3299. THAT BILL PROVIDES FOR A BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT TO THE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST TO CORRECT AN ERRONEOUS SURVEY. IN MAY OF 2006 A NUMBER OF MY CONSTITUENTS WHO LIVE IN THE KRIS CALL SUBDIVISION CONTACTED MY OFFICE AFTER THEY RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THE FOREST SERVICE THAT THEY WERE ENCROACHING UPON FEDERAL PROPERTY. YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT A SURPRISE THIS WAS TO THOSE FOLKS, MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAD PURCHASED THE LANDS IN 1970, IMPROVED IT, BUILT HOMES AND LITERALLY HAD LIVED THERE FOR DECADES. HOWEVER THE FOREST SERVICE INFORMED THEM THAT A SURVEY CONDUCTED IN 2003 AND 2004 FOUND THAT THE EARLIER SURVEY THAT WAS CONDUCTED IN 1975 WAS INDEED INACCURATE. THIS 1975 SURVEY WAS PRIVATELY COMMISSIONED AND USED IN THE DWHOFMENTE CRYSTAL LAKE SUBDIVISION. 30 YEARS AFTER THE PROPERTY WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED, LANDOWNERS HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE PORTIONS OF THE LAND THEY PAID FOR, THAT THEY IMPROVED, MAY BE ON FEDERAL PROPERTY. EVEN MORE A NUMBER OF THESE LAND OWNERS WERE FACED WITH THE REALITY THAT THEIR HOMES MIGHT BE ON FEDERAL LAND. THE PROPERTY OWNERS BOUGHT THIS LAND AND MADE THE IMPROVEMENTS ALL IN GOOD FAITH AND ARE NOW FACED WITH AN UNDUE BURDEN TO DEAL WITH THIS MISTAKE. THE ONLY RECOURSE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE HOMES ARE WITHIN THE AREA OF DISPUTE EST THE SMALL TRABBLINGS ACT THIS REQUIRES HOMEOWNERS TO PAY FOR THE LAND A SECOND TIME AT CURRENT FAIR MARKET VALUE. OBVIOUSLY THE LAND PRICES IN THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE PAST THREE DENG AIDS AND THIS PURCHASE -- THREE DECADES AND THIS PURCHASE WOULD PLACE AN UNFAIR BURDEN ON THE LAND OWNERS THIS HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR IMPACTED PROPERTY OWNERS TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY. H.R. 3299 WOULD REMEDY THESE PROBLEMS BY CONVEYING WITHOUT OBJECTION THE DISPUTED AREAS TO THE IMPACTED HOMEOWNERS. THE SEVEN ACRES INVOLVED IN THIS BOUNDARY DISPUTE ARE A MIN US KUHL FRACTION OF THE 1.3 ACRES IN THE NATIONAL FOREST. BECAUSE THIS LAND HAS BEEN CLEARED AND IT'S BEEN OCCUPIED, OBVIOUSLY, FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, TRANSFERRING IT BACK TO THE FOREST SERVICE WOULD NOT ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT OR THE SCENIC ATTRIBUTES OF THE AREA. ADDITIONAL H.R. 3299 WOULD NOT IMPACT THE INTEGRITY OR AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE FOREST. THE LAND OWNERS IMPACTED BY THIS BOUNDARY DISPUTE NEED RESOLUTION AND CERTAINTY. H.R. 3299 DID THAT BY ALLOWING THEM TO KEEP THE LAND THEY'VE PURCHASED AND IMPROVED. I WANT TO TAKE THIS 2U7B9 TO THANK CHAIRMAN RAHALL AND CONGRESSMAN YOUNG AS WELL AS CHAIRMAN GRIJALVA AND MR. BISHOP FOR MOVING THIS THROUGH THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF H.R. 3299. THANK YOU, I YIELD BACK.
02:01:33	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM GUAM IS RECOGNIZED.
02:01:37	Bordallo, Madeleine	I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:01:40	Young, Donald "Don"	NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME, I YIELD BACK.
02:01:43	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
02:01:46	Bordallo, Madeleine	MR. SPEAKER, I, TOO, WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD FOR COMMAND COMMENDING MR. SAXTON FOR HIS LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS A CHAMPION FOR THE OCEANS. WE WILL ALL MISS HIM AND HIS PASSION FOR PROTECTING THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT. MR. SPEAKER, I URGE ALL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE BILL BEFORE US TODAY. IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA, THE DISTINGUISHED RANKING MEMBER OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE, MR. YOUNG, FOR MANAGING THE BILLS WITH ME TODAY. AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:02:22	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM ALASKA YIELDS BACK. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE AND PASS H.R. 1907 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE --
02:02:42	Young, Donald "Don"	MR. SPEAKER, I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.
02:02:44	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN REQUESTS -- THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO RISE?
02:03:19	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE SENATE BILL, SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 45.
02:03:26	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION.
02:03:29	Sutton, Betty	SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 45. JOINT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE CONSENT AND APPROVAL OF CONGRESS TO AN INTERSTATE COMPACT REGARDING WATER RESOURCES AND THE GREAT LAKES ST. LAURENCE RIVER BASIN.
02:03:41	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO, MS. SUTTON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MR. COBBLE, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO.
02:03:53	Bordallo, Madeleine	I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
02:04:02	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
02:04:05	Sutton, Betty	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
02:04:07	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
02:04:09	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, THIS LEGISLATION GIVES CONGRESSIONAL CONSENT TO THE GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN WATER COMPACT OF BEFORE I CONTINUE I'D LIKE TO COMMEND THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE, MR. JAMES OBERSTAR, WHO SPONSORED THE HOUSE VERSION OF THIS LEGISLATION AS WELL AS THE SENIOR SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN, CARL LEVIN, FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN SPEAR HEADING THIS EFFORT. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, CONGRESSMAN JOHN CONYERS, FOR HIS SUPPORT. TODAY CONGRESS CONSIDERS THIS LEGISLATION PURSUANT TO OUR DUTY IN ARTICLE 1, SECTION 10, CLAUSE 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION. THE COMPACTS CLAUSE, TO REVIEW AND APPROVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN STATES OR BETWEEN STATES AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE BROADER NATIONAL INTEREST. IN THE CASE BEFORE US, THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE COMPACT DESIGNED AND AGREED TO BY EIGHT STATES IS IN OUR NATIONAL INTEREST. THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT WILL HELP PRESERVE AND IMPROVE THE THIS NATURAL RESOURCE, OUR GREAT LAKES, FOR YEARS TO COME. THE GREAT LAKES ARE ONE OF OUR GREATEST TREASURES AND IMPORTANT NATURAL ASSET THAT WE MUST NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED AND THAT WE MUST ALWAYS PROTECT. WITH 1/5 OF THE WORLD'S FRESHWATER, THE GREAT LAKES ATTRACTED THE EARLY SETTLERS TO THE REGION AND TODAY NEARLY 33 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE AND WORK WITHIN THE BASIN, SPANNING EIGHT STATES, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK AND MY HOME STATE OF OHIO. MR. SPEAKER, THE GREAT LAKES ARE NOT ONLY A SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER, BUT THEY ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL FOR RECREATION, JOBS AND THE OVERALL HEALTH OF OUR ECONOMY. LAKE ERIE ALONE SUPPORTS 240,000 JOBS AND $5.8 BILLION IN WAGES. THE GREAT LAKES ARE ALSO HIGHWAYS, MOVING GOODS, PEOPLE AND SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. IN ADDITION, THE GREAT LAKES SUPPORT A MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR A YEAR BOATING INDUSTRIES AND SUPPORT TRAVEL AND TOURISM THROUGHOUT THE REGION. HOWEVER, THE GREAT LAKES ARE VULNERABLE TO DEPLETION. EACH YEAR, RAINFALL AND SNOW MELT REPLENISH ONLY ABOUT 1% OF THE WATER IN THE BASIN. UNCONTROLLED AND CARELESS DIVERSIONS OF WATER COULD THUS BE HIGHLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH OF THE GREAT LAKES. THIS COMPACT WILL BRING AN END TO DESTRUCTIVE DIVERSIONS OF WATER FROM THE BASIN. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPACT IS TO FORMALIZE COOPERATION AMONG THE GREAT LAKES STATES, TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT REGIONAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR WATER CONSERVATION. WHILE PRESERVING THE STATES' FLEXIBILITY REGARDING THEIR WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. NEW OR INCREASED DIVERSIONS OF WATER FROM THE BASIN WILL BE BANNED AND COMMUNITY RIGHTS WILL BE RESPECTED AS LONG AS APPROPRIATELY RIGOROUS STANDARDS ARE MET. IN ADDITION, EVERY FIVE YEARS THE REGIONAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR WATER CONSERVATION WILL BE REVIEWED TO DEAL WITH ANY NEW ISSUES THAT ARISE. AS IS ROUTINELY THE CASE, MR. SPEAKER, CONGRESS EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER, AMEND OR REPEAL THIS RESOLUTION IN THE FUTURE AND TO STRENGTHEN THE COMPACT IF NECESSARY. THE PEOPLE OF THE EIGHT STATES HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO CRAFT THIS COMPACT, TO PRESERVE THIS VITAL RESOURCE AND IT IS URGENT THAT WE HE APPROVE IT NOW. TO ENSURE THAT OUR GREAT LAKES ARE HERE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. I URGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:07:44	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM, MR. COBLE, FROM NORTH CAROLINA, IS RECOGNIZED.
02:07:49	Coble, Howard	I THANK THE SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. MR. SPEAKER, THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO PRETTY THOROUGHLY COVERED THIS ALREADY. THE COMPACT WE WOULD CALL UPON TO APPROVE TODAY CAPS OFF YEARS OF EFFORT. THAT EFFORT HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY THE GREAT LAKES STATES TO ADDRESS JOINTLY THE USE OF ONE OF OUR NATION'S GREATEST FEATURES, THE ABUNDANT WATERS OF THE GREAT LAKES AND THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN. THIS COMPACT EMBODIES IMPORTANT ADVANCES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE EXTRAORDINARY BODIES OF WATER. THE STATES, USERS OF THESE WATERS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND CANADIAN AUTHORITIES THAT SHARE INTEREST IN THE BASIN ALL SUPPORT THE COMPACT. EARLIER THIS YEAR WE PASSED H.R. 6577 TO APPROVE THIS COMPACT. IN ALL ESSENTIAL RESPECT, SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 45 IS IDENTICAL TO H.R. 6577. I AM THEREFORE PLEASED TO SUPPORT OUR ADOPTION OF THE SENATE RESOLUTION SO THAT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION CAN BE PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:09:06	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED.
02:09:10	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, BEFORE I YIELD TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO INSERT INTO THE RECORD CORRESPONDENT BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES AND GOVERNORS. THIS CORRESPONDENT CLARIFIES THE COUNCIL'S INTENT AND INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 4.11.2 OF THE COMPACT'S DECISIONMAKING STANDARD RELATING IT TO THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF IMPACTS THAT WOULD BE DEEMED SUFFICIENTLY SIGNIFICANT SUCH TO PRECLUDE APPROVAL OF A WITHDRAWAL PROPOSAL. I'D LIKE TO THANK REPRESENTATIVES VISCLOSKY AND HOBSON FOR THEIR DEDICATED EFFORTS ON THIS MANNER AND THEIR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO PRESERVING OUR GREAT LAKES.
02:09:47	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
02:09:51	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM MICHIGAN, BATTER STUPAK.
02:09:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM -- BART STEW SPACK -- STUPAK -- STUPAK.
02:10:01	Stupak, Bart	I THANK THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM FOR HER CONSENT. I RISE IN OPPOSITION TO THE GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN RESOURCE COMPACT. I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THIS COMPACT WOULD ALLOW GREAT LAKES WATER TO BE FINED AS A PRODUCT, ALLOWING WATER TO BE DEFINED AS A PRODUCT, IT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS SUCH AS A NORTH AMERICA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT OR WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. THERE IS ALSO NO LANGUAGE IN THE COMPACT THAT RECOGNIZES THE GREAT LAKES WATERS HELD IN TRUST. THE PUBLIC OWNS THE WATER OF THE GREAT LAKES. ANYTHING WE PASS SHOULD PRESERVE THIS. WHILE THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT WAS TO PROTECT OUR WATER FROM DIVERSIONS, THE COMPACT THAT THE STATES HAVE SENT TO CONGRESS MAY HAVE UNINTENTIONALLY THE OPPOSITE EFFECT AND SET A PRECEDENT THAT WOULD OPEN THE DOOR TO DIVERSIONS. THE GREAT LAKES GOVERNERS HAVE SPENT MORE THAN THREE YEARS ADDRESSING THE LOCAL AND STATE IMPLICATIONS OF THE COMPACT. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE NOT DONE THE SAME DELIBERATETIVE PROCESS. WE HAVE SPENT LESS THAN 20 LEGISLATIVE DAYS SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS LEGISLATION. WE'VE HAD NO HEARINGS IN THE HOUSE TO CONSIDER IT A FEDERAL OR INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS. WE'RE RUSHING TO A VOTE WHEN ONE OF OUR NATION'S MOST PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCES, THE GREAT LAKES, IS AT STAKE. BEFORE WE RATIFY THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT, THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS MUST BE FULLY INVESTIGATED. HOW DOES THE COMPACT'S EXEMPTION OF WATER IN A CONTAINER SMALLER THAN 5.7 GALLONS AFFECT THE FEDERAL PRO PRO-I HAD BIGS ON DIVERSIONS OF WATER UNDER THE WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ACT? WILL CREATING A DEFINITION OF GREAT LAKES WATER AS A PRODUCT SUBJECT IT TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW OR AGREEMENTS SUCH AS NAFTA? WOULD ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE GREAT LAKES STATES TO PROTECT THE GREAT LAKES AGAINST EFFORTS BY INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ENTITIES WHO SEEK TO PRIVATIZE THE GREAT LAKES EVER BE SUBJECT TO CLAIMS UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENTS ON TARIFFS AND TRADE OR TO W.T.O.? I'VE ASKED THESE QUESTIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE BEFORE CONGRESS ADJOURNED FOR THE AUGUST RECESS. WHILE THESE AGENCIES HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED MY REQUEST, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSES. THIS ALONE SHOULD BE REASON ENOUGH TO VOTE ON THIS LEGISLATION UNTIL WE HAVE THE ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS. I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE VOTE TO APPROVE LEGISLATION THAT MAY OPEN THE GREAT LAKES TO DIVERSIONS THROUGH PRIVATIZATION, COMMERCIALIZATION AND EXPORTATION. IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE TAKE OUR TIME TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGAL PROTECTIONS WE SEEK TO ENACT AND PRESERVE, TO RESTORE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF THE GREAT LAKES WATER, BE DONE PROPERLY. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON SENATE RESOLUTION 45 SO WE MAY FULLY ADDRESS THE QUESTIONS AND PASS A COMPACT THAT PROTECTS THE GREAT LAKES. IN MY 16 YEARS HERE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I FOUGHT TO PROTECT THESE GREAT LAKES. WHY ARE WE RUSHING NOW TO DO A COMPACT THAT WE'VE HAD NOT TIME TO EXAMINE? WHEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT CANNOT ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS, WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS. AFTER WE PASS THIS LEGISLATION, IT WILL BE TOO LATE THAN TO SAY, OH, WE MIGHT HAVE MADE A MISTAKE HERE. LET'S NOT OPEN UP OUR GREAT LAKES WATER TO COMMERCIALIZATION AND TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. LET'S GET THE ANSWERS BEFORE WE PASS IT LEGISLATION. I YIELD BACK.
02:13:34	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED.
02:13:37	Coble, Howard	MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:13:40	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS. THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED.
02:13:45	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK FOR HIS PASSIONATE STATEMENT. WE HAVE SPECIFICALLY RETAINED THE RIGHT TO AMEND AND ALTER THE COMPACT AND I WOULD JUST ALSO MENTION THAT WE HAVE WORKED TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE GENTLEMAN'S CONCERNS IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT. MR. SPEAKER, AT THIS TIME -- I WILL YIELD TO THE GENTLEMAN.
02:14:07	Stupak, Bart	WHAT ASSURANCES DO WE HAVE IF WE SEEK TO MEND A COMPACT AFTER THIS PASSED THAT THE STATES ARE GOING TO GO ALONG WITH US?
02:14:14	Sutton, Betty	I THINK WE HAVE THE ASSURANCES THAT THE STATES WILL ACT REASONABLY IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS AND OUR BEST INTERESTS AS A -- AS A REGION. SPUPESPUPE BUT ONCE THE LAW IS PASSED, YOU CAN'T GO BACK --
02:14:28	Stupak, Bart	BUT ONCE THE LAW IS PASSED YOU CAN'T GO BACK. UNDER WRDA, STATES WOULD HAVE CONTROL OVER IT. EVEN IF THE CONGRESS WANTED US TO CHANGE THE COMPACT BECAUSE THEY'RE DIVERTING OUR WATER, WE CAN'T DO IT UNLESS THE STATES ACT FIRST. YOU'RE GIVING UP THE RIGHT, YOU'RE RATIFYING THIS COMPACT AND WE COME BACK INTO THIS COMPACT THROUGH THE STATES AND NOT NECESSARILY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
02:14:49	Sutton, Betty	I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE GENTLEMAN. WE'RE NOT GIVING UP OUR RIGHTS. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A JOINT EFFORT WITH A SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITY LEFT WITH THE STATES, A SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITY LEFT WITH THIS CONGRESS AND WE RETAIN THIS.
02:15:03	Stupak, Bart	FOUR OF THE FIVE GREAT LAKES ARE INTERNATIONAL BODIES OF WATER WHERE THE STATES HAVE NO SAY OVER IT. THAT'S WHY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST RATIFY IT AND IF WE CONTINUE TO RATIFY THIS COMPACT WITHOUT GETTING OUR ANSWERS YOU CANNOT GO BACK AND REOPEN THE INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT UNLESS BOTH SIDES AGREE, INCLUDING THE EIGHT STATES AND TWO PROVINCES OF CANADA.
02:15:24	Sutton, Betty	I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR THE POINT HE RAISES. I ATHINK THE LANGUAGE ADDRESSES THAT CONCERN AND I TAKE BACK MY TIME.
02:15:32	Sutton, Betty	ONE OTHER PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. WHY ARE WE RUSHING THIS? WHAT IS THE RUSH? WHY ARE WE RUSHING THIS COMPACT? THERE IS NO END DATE THAT HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. IT'S AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT, SO WHY CAN'T WE WAIT? WHAT'S THE RUSH? MS. SUTTON:LY ANSWER THE GENTLEMAN'S QUESTION. MR. SPEAKER, OUR GREAT LAKES WATER IS CURRENTLY AT PRESENT AT RISK TO BE CARELESSLY DIVERTED FROM OUR BASIN AND THAT IS WHY ACTION IS SO IMPORTANT HERE TODAY. THIS WATER WILL NEVER RETURN. ALL EIGHT GREAT LAKE STATES HAVE AGREED TO THIS COMPACT. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK OHIO'S GOVERNOR GUIDING THIS ESSENTIAL COMPACT THROUGH THE OHIO STATE HOUSE AND SENATE. MR. SPEAKER, A STRETCH OF LAKE ERIE'S SHORELINE TOUCHES MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. AND LAKE ERIE STRIBTS OVER $9 BILLION A YEAR IN TOURISM AND TRAVEL, REVENUE TO OUR STATE'S ECONOMY. IN MY DISTRICT, WE ALREADY UTILIZE LAKE ERIE THROUGH LORRAINE HARBOR. WE NEED THIS COMPACT TO PROTECT OUR GREAT LAKES, OUR WATER, OUR SOURCE OF RECREATION, OUR JOBS AND OUR ECONOMY. WE NEED THIS COMPACT NOW. FOR THE OVERALL HEALTH OF OUR GREAT LAKES AND THIS REGION, WE MUST ENSURE THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL HAVE THIS GREAT RESOURCE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT. AND, MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:16:57	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 45. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE --
02:17:16	Stupak, Bart	MR. SPEAKER, I MAKE A -- I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS AND I MAKE A POINT THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT.
02:17:25	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO.
02:17:43	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6853.
02:17:48	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL. DOES THE GENTLELADY CALL UP THE
02:17:59	Sutton, Betty	AS AMENDED.
02:18:00	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
02:18:05	THE CLERK	H.R. 6853, A BILL TO ESTABLISH IN THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION THE NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE FRAUD TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS MORTGAGE FRAUD IN THE UNITED STATES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
02:18:14	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO, MS. SUTTON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MR. COBLE, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO.
02:18:26	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
02:18:36	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
02:18:39	Sutton, Betty	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. MR. SPEAKER, H.R. 6853, AS AMENDED, THE NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE FRAUD TASK FORCE ACT, WAS INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN MEEK FROM FLORIDA. H.R. 6853 DIRECTS THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION TO DESIGNATE A HIGH LEVEL OFFICIAL TO COORDINATE MORTGAGE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS. MORTGAGE FRAUD IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING WHITE COLLAR CRIMES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE F.B.I. ESTIMATES THAT THE NUMBER OF CASES GREW FROM APPROXIMATELY 17,000 IN 2004 TO 46,000 IN 2007. THE LOSSES FROM THESE CRIMES AMOUNT TO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. SPREAD AMONG THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING IN THE WAKE OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE REAL ESTATE MARKET. BEYOND THE DIRECT HARM TO THE DEFRAUDED LENDER, THIS CRIME HAS FAR WIDER RIPPLE EFFECTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND IN OUR NATIONAL ECONOMY. IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, MORTGAGE FRAUD HAS RESULTED IN ABANDONED HOUSES THAT CANNOT BE EASILY RESOLD BECAUSE THEY ARE NOW OWNED BY A BANK AND TIED UP IN LITIGATION. THESE HOUSES OFTEN SIT EMPTY, DETERIORATING AND OVERGROWN WITH WEEDS, AN INVITATION TO BUG LAHRERS AND OUR -- BURGLARS AND OTHER CRIMINALS. THE SUBPRIME LOAN CRISIS IS HAVING WIDESPREAD EFFECTS ON THE ENTIRE FINANCIAL SYSTEM. MORTGAGE FRAUD MAY HAVE LOAN OFFICERS, BROKERS OR OTHER PERSONS, INCLUDING PHONY STRAW PURCHASERS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF OTHERS. THESE CAN BE DIFFICULT, TIME CONSUMING AND RESOURCE INTENSIVE CASES TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE. THIS BILL WILL HELP THE F.B.I. MEET THESE CHALLENGES BY DIRECTING IT TO A POINT OF A NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE FRAUD COORDINATOR TO COORDINATE THE F.B.I.'S EFFORTS. THE COORDINATOR WOULD SUPERVISOR REGIONAL TASK FORCE -- COORDINATE INVESTIGATIONS AND FACILITATE APPROPRIATE TRAINING AND INFORMATION SHARING. THEY WOULD ALSO PREPARE REPORTS TO ASSIST CONGRESS IN UNDERTAKING ANY ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE RESPONSES THAT MAY BE WARRANTED. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BILL THAT ADDRESSES AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR FAMILIES. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION, AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:21:05	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MR. COBLE, IS RECOGNIZED.
02:21:09	Coble, Howard	I THANK THE SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. I RISE, MR. SPEAKER, IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 6853, THE NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE FRAUD TASK FORCE ACT OF 2008. I APPRECIATE THE WILLINGNESS OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TO ADDRESS SOME CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE WITH THE BILL. HOWEVER, I UNDERSTAND THAT DESPITE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BILL THERE WAS A RUSH TO BRING IT TO THE FLOOR. THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HELD NO HEARINGS OR MAKEUPS ON THE BILL. AT A MINIMUM, THE COMMITTEE COULD HAVE SOLVED THE INPUT OF -- SOUGHT THE INPUT OF THE F.B.I. DIRECTOR. HOWEVER, WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE MAJORITY'S DESIRE TO MOVE THIS LEGISLATION AT THAT TIME. MR. SPEAKER, THE SUBPRIME MORTGAGE CRISIS IS TAKING A TOLL ON MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. INFLATED HOUSING PRICES COMBINED WITH FLUCTUATING MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES HAVE LEFT MANY HOMEOWNERS STRUGGLING TO MAKE THEIR MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS OR WORSE FACING FORECLOSURE ON THEIR HOMES. MANY FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS CRISIS, INCLUDING PREDATORY LENDING BY CORRUPT LENDERS, MORTGAGE FRAUD, AND EVEN FORECLOSURE FRAUD. ESTIMATED LOSSES, MR. SPEAKER, FOR MORTGAGE FRAUD ARE BETWEEN $4 BILLION AND $6 BILLION WITH $813 MILLION IN LOSSES IN FISCAL YEAR 2007 ALONE. ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, THE WESTERN REGION OF THE UNITED STATES LED THE NATION WITH 37% OF MORTGAGE FRAUD-RELATED REPORTS FILED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2007. STATES WITH THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MORTGAGE FRAUD PROBLEMS IN 2008 INCLUDE FLORIDA, NEVADA, MICHIGAN, CALIFORNIA, UTAH, GEORGIA, VIRGINIA, ILLINOIS, NEW YORK AND MINNESOTA. OTHER STATES SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY MORTGAGE FRAUD INCLUDED ARIZONA, MARYLAND, UTAH, NEVADA, MISSOURI, INDIANA, TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA, NEW JERSEY AND CONNECTICUT. CLEARLY, THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM. THE F.B.I. HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING MORTGAGE FRAUD SINCE 1999. IN HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE OUR JUDICIARY COMMITTEE LAST WEEK, F.B.I. DIRECTOR ROBERT BUELLER INFORMED US THAT 42 F.B.I. MORTGAGE FRAUD TASK FORCES ARE CURRENTLY HANDLING 1,400 MORTGAGE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS INCLUDES 24 INVESTIGATIONS INTO LARGE-SCALE CORPORATE FRAUD. THE F.B.I.'S OPERATION MALICIOUS MORTGAGE IS AN IMMENSE MULTIAGENCY OPERATION WITH THREE TYPES OF MORTGAGE FRAUD, LENDING FRAUD, FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCHEMES AND MORTGAGE-RELATED BANKRUPTCY SCHEMES. AS OF JUNE, THIS OPERATION HAS NABBED MORE THAN 400 DEFENDANTS, 173 CONVICTIONS AND 81 SENTENCING IN CRIMES OF COUNTING FOR MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN ESTIMATED LOSSES. JUST LAST MONTH IN MY HOME STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, FOUR DEFENDANTS WERE INDICTED IN FEDERAL COURT FOR USING VARIOUS FRAUD SCHEMES, INCLUDING INFLATED PROPERTY VALUES AND FALSE REPRESENTATIONS TO LENDERS TO SECURE FINANCING FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND MOBILE HOMES. H.R. 6853 LENDS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE F.B.I. FOR THEIR MORTGAGE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE BILL DESIGNATES THE CHIEF OF THE F.B.I.'S FINANCIAL CRIMES SECTION AS THE NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE FRAUD COORDINATOR AND DIRECTS HER TO OVERSEE ALL MORTGAGE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAINING TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND COLLECT AND REPORT ANNUAL MORTGAGE FRAUD DATA TO THE CONGRESS. AGAIN, I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR AMENDMENTING THE BILL TO -- AMENDING THE BILL TO ADDRESS OUR OBJECTIONS AND CONCERNS, AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE BILL, AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:25:54	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO'S RECOGNIZED.
02:25:58	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AT THIS TIME IT'S MY HONOR TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM FLORIDA, THE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL, MR. MEEK.
02:26:05	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
02:26:09	Meek, Kendrick	THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT TO THANK THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM THE GREAT STATE OF OHIO FOR YIELDING TO ME. MY GOOD FRIEND FROM NORTH CAROLINA, HIS SPECULATION -- BOTH THEIR SPECULATIONS, MR. SPEAKER -- BOTH THEIR EXPLANATIONS, MR. SPEAKER, IS VERY ACCURATE OF THE SITUATION. I MEAN, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF AMERICANS THAT ARE TRYING TO GET HOMES, TRIED TO GET HOMES AND WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE PREYING UPON THEM. THIS IS REALLY ONE OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS WHITE COLLAR CRIMES THAT ARE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. AND WITH THIS BILL, IT WILL HELP THE F.B.I., GIVE THE F.B.I. SOME DIRECTION IN WORKING WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BRING ABOUT THE KIND OF COORDINATION WE NEED IN OUR COUNTRY TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST AMERICANS OR BE ABLE TO SAVE AMERICANS FROM BEFALLING VICTIM TO MORTGAGE FRAUD. IN MY COMMUNITY ALONE IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, THERE IS A TASK FORCE SET UP. THEY NOT ONLY ARRESTED 71 INDIVIDUALS, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO GENERATE MORE CASES BECAUSE OF THE COORDINATION THAT THEY HAVE AND THE EXPERTISE THEY HAVE. THAT'S A METROPOLITAN CITY. WITH THIS LEGISLATION, IT WILL BRING ABOUT THE COORDINATION OF SMALLER POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND ALSO PROSECUTOR OFFICES THAT WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE FASTER ON THESE MORTGAGE CRIMES. MANY OF THE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE STATISTICS THAT HAS PLAGUED OUR COUNTRY THUS FAR. BUT THIS LEGISLATION IS VERY, VERY URGENT. RIGHT NOW WE'RE FACING A CRISIS ON WALL STREET, BUT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF AMERICANS THAT ARE FACING A CRISIS BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN HAD BY THOSE THAT ARE OUT THERE PREYING UPON THEM AND THAT ARE COORDINATING THEMSELVES IN A MORE DETAILED WAY THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THIS TIME. BUT WE'RE CATCHING UP. AND LEGISLATION LIKE THE LEGISLATION THAT'S BEFORE US, MR. SPEAKER, WILL ALLOW US TO DO SO. I WANT TO COMMEND THE F.B.I. FOR WHAT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THUS FAR. BUT WITH THIS LEGISLATION IT WILL EVEN GIVE MORE FOCUS TO MORTGAGE FRAUD. ALSO, I JUST WANT TO STATE FOR THE RECORD, MR. SPEAKER, THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE F.B.I. THEY'RE FULLY AWARE OF THIS. I THINK THE REASON WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT, THIS BILL HAS BEEN AMENDED IS THE FACT THAT THE COORDINATOR WILL SERVE BETTER THAN JUST AN OVERALL TASK FORCE THAT WILL CREATE REGIONAL TASK FORCE THAT IS WILL THEN COME BACK TO THE CONGRESS AND GIVE US SOME LEGISLATIVE IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN EVEN PINPOINT MORE EFFORTS TOWARDS THIS PARTICULAR CRIME. AS YOU KNOW, MANY, MANY AMERICANS HAVE SAVED UP THEIR MONEY TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THEIR FIRST HOME. AND MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE OUT THERE COORDINATING TO TAKE THEIR MONEY, TO TAKE THEIR LIFE SAVINGS, TO BE ABLE TO TAKE EVERY LITTLE THING THAT THEY PUNCHED IN AND PUNCHED OUT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, SOME OF THEM HAVE TAKEN THE MONEY THAT THEIR LOVED ONES HAVE LEFT FOR THEM ONCE THEY PASSED ON TO BE ABLE TO BUY THEIR FIRST HOME. FOR THEM TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IS ONE OF THE -- ONE OF THE BAD THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT IN OUR SOCIETY. WE DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE UNDESIRABLES OUT THERE THAT ARE WILLING TO PREY ON HARD-WORKING AMERICANS, AND THIS LEGISLATION IS URGENT AND IT'S RIGHT NOW FOR THE MOMENT, AND I'M GLAD WE'RE ON THE FLOOR. I WANT TO THANK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, AND ALSO MY COLLEAGUE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE FOR WORKING TO PUSH THIS LEGISLATION TO PASSAGE HERE IN THE HOUSE AND HOPEFULLY THROUGH THE SENATE AND ONTO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SO WE DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO SEE THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS, ESPECIALLY SENIORS, ESPECIALLY FIRSTTIME HOMEBUYERS. SO I ASK, MR. SPEAKER, FOR THE MEMBERS TO PLEASE SUPPORT H.R. 6853, THE LEGISLATION THAT WILL CREATE AN F.B.I. NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE COORDINATOR IN THE F.B.I. THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:30:10	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED.
02:30:14	Coble, Howard	MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD THREE MINUTES TO THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA, MR. BROWN.
02:30:19	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM IS RECOGNIZED.
02:30:22	Broun, Paul C. Jr., M.D.	I THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR YIELDING. MR. SPEAKER, I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WHO COMMIT FRAUD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AT THE HIGHEST DELING -- DEGREE. I THINK THE GREATEST FORM OF FRAUD THAT WE HAVE IN AMERICA TODAY, THIS -- BEING PART OF THE PROBLEMS THAT'S CREATED THIS FINANCIAL CRISIS IS AN ACT PASSED BY CONGRESS CALLED THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT. THIS HAS CREATED A SYSTEM THAT PEOPLE ARE FRAUDULENTLY GIVING MORTGAGES, BUT IT'S ALSO CREATED A SYSTEM THIS WHERE GROUPS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS ACORN, ARE HOLDING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HOSTAGE. THEY USE THREATS, THEY USE EXTORTION AND BRIBES TO TRY TO GET THESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO GIVE LOANS TO PEOPLE WHO CAN'T PAY. AND IT'S CREATED A SYSTEM IN AMERICA THAT HAS CAUSED A MELTDOWN IN OUR WHOLE FINANCIAL SYSTEM. IF WE'RE GOING TO START DEALING WITH FRAUD IN AMERICA WE NEED TO START DEALING WITH THE GREATEST SOURCE OF FRAUD IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT IS ONE OF THOSE. WE NEED TO REPEAL THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT. WE NEED TO STOP ACORPS AND OTHER STIPES -- TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS FROM THREATENING OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. WE NEED TO PUT AMERICA BACK ON A STRONG FINANCIAL BASIS. ONLY BY REPEALING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT WILL WE DO SO. WE'VE GOT TO FIND THE SOLUTIONS. WE CAN'T JUST PLAY AROUND AROUND THE EDGES AS WE'RE DOING NOW. WE'RE GOING TO BE VOTING ON A BILL VERY SHORTLY TO TRY TO BAIL OUT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN AMERICA. I'M VERY SKEPTICAL OF THE BILL, FRANKLY. BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME VERY INHERENT PROBLEMS IN BILLS THAT WERE PASSED BY THIS CONGRESS -- HOUSE AS WELL AS THE SENATE AND PUT INTO THE LAW. WE NEED TO REPEAL THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT AS WELL AS OTHER ACTS SUCH AS THAT HAS CREATED THIS HOUSE OF CARDS FINANCIALLY THAT'S COLLAPSING AROUND OUR EARS. MR. SPEAKER, I THANK YOU, THANK THE GENTLEMAN FOR THE TIME AND I YIELD BACK.
02:32:25	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED.
02:32:28	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, MAY I INQUIRE HOW MANY MORE SPEAKERS MIGHT THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA HAS?
02:32:34	Coble, Howard	NO MORE SPEAKERS ON OUR SIDE.
02:32:36	Sutton, Betty	I'M THE LAST SPEAKER ON OUR SIDE SO I'LL WAIT TO CLOSE. I'LL RESERVE UNTIL YOU CLOSE.
02:32:41	Coble, Howard	I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:32:43	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED.
02:32:48	Sutton, Betty	I THANK THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA. MR. SPEAKER, AS I SAID EARLIER, H.R. 6853 IS AN IMPORTANT BILL THAT ADDRESSES A LARGE PROBLEM FACING OUR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:33:04	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 4853 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR --
02:33:15	Broun, Paul C. Jr., M.D.	MR. SPEAKER. I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.
02:33:18	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE -- THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
02:33:22	Broun, Paul C. Jr., M.D.	MR. SPEAKER, I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.
02:33:25	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 OF THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED.
02:33:53	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 5352, THE ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS ACT OF 2008 AS AMENDED.
02:34:03	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
02:34:07	Sutton, Betty	H.R. 5352. A BILL TO PROTECT SENIORS IN THE UNITED STATES FROM ELDERLY ABUSE BY ESTABLISHING -- SPECIALIZING ELDER ABUSE PROSECUTION AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES TO AID VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE, TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO PROSECUTORS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATED TO ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
02:34:28	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO, MS. SUTTON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MR. COBLE, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
02:34:39	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
02:34:50	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED. WITHOUT OBJECTION.
02:34:54	Sutton, Betty	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
02:34:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
02:34:59	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT EACH YEAR PERHAPS AS MANY AS FIVE MILLION ELDERS ARE ABUSED, NEGLECTED AND EXPLOITED. AND THE INCIDENTS OF ELDER ABUSE IS LIKELY TO ONLY GET WORSE IN COMING YEARS AS 76 MILLION BABY BOOMERS REACH RETIREMENT AGE. THE LEGAL PROTECTIONS AGAINST ELDER ABUSE VARIES SIGNIFICANTLY FROM STATE TO STATE AND THE NATIONAL CENTER ON ELDER ABUSE HAS ESTIMATED THAT ONLY ONE IN SIX CASES EVEN GETS REPORTED. H.R. 5352, THE ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS ACT OF 2008, IS SPONSORED BY THE GENTLEMAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA, JOE SESTAK. H.R. 5352 WILL HELP PROVIDE TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER SUPPORT TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO HELP THEM CATCH AND PROSECUTE THOSE WHO PRAY ON ELDERS -- PREY ON ELDERS. THIS WILL AUTHORIZE FUNDING FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND UNITS ASLE WELL AS FOR SPECIAL ELDER JUSTICE POSITIONS AND UNITS WITHIN STATE AND LOCAL PROSECUTORS' OFFICES AND COURTS. IT WILL ALSO HELP PROVIDE OTHER SERVICES TO ELDERS WHO ARE VICTIMIZED AND IN ADDITION FOR TRAINING, FOR HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL AND PROTECTIVE SERVICE PROVIDERS, IT ESTABLISHES AN ELDER-SERVED VICTIM GRANT PROGRAM WITH REGIONAL EMERGENCY CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS. THESE TEAMS WILL PROVIDE SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY SERVICE TO ELDER VICTIMS, INCLUDING SHELTER, CARE, FOOD, CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION TO MEDICAL OR LEGAL APPOINTMENTS AND OTHER LIFE SERVICES AS WARRANTED. AND FINALLY, IT ASKS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE G.A.O. TO EXAMINE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND RECOMMEND WAYS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THIS OUTRAGEOUS AND GROWING PROBLEM. IN ADDITION TO CONGRESSMAN SESTAK, I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS, RALM EMANUEL, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, PETER KING, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM KENTUCKY, MR. YARMUTH, FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP IN MAKING THIS A BIPARTISAN INITIATIVE. AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:37:02	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM, MR. COBLE, FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED.
02:37:06	Coble, Howard	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
02:37:09	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
02:37:12	Coble, Howard	I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS ACT OF 2008 AND WISH TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE FOR HAVING WORKED WITH THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS WITH THIS BILL. I AM PLEASED THAT WE NOW HAVE LEGISLATION BEFORE US THAT ENJOYS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. ELDER ABUSE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FACING OUR OLDER AMERICANS. ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 50 ACCOUNT FOR 12% OF OUR NATION'S MURDER VICTIMS AND 7% OF OUR SERIOUS AND VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS. AND OUR ELDEST SENIORS, THOSE OVER 80 YEARS OF AGE, ARE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED AT TWO TO THREE TIMES THE PROPORTION OF ALL OTHER SENIOR CITIZENS. WITH THE POPULATION OF PEOPLE AGED 85 OR OLDER EXPECTED TO DOUBLE TO 8.9 MILLION BY THE YEAR 2030, THE PROBLEM IS INEVITABLY SURE TO GROW. H.R. 5352, THE ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS ACT, SEEKS TO CURB THESE ACTS OF ABUSE AGAINST THE ELDERLY. THE BILL AUTHORIZES GRANTS TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PROSECUTORS AND COURTS TO AID IN THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF ELDER ABUSE. THE BILL DIRECTS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE A STUDY OF STATE LAWS AND -- AND PRACTICES RELATING TO ELDER ABUSE NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION. THE BILL ALSO DIRECTS, MR. SPEAKER, THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP A LONG-TERM PLAN ADDRESSING THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF ELDER ABUSE, INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT OF VICTIMS AND TRAINING AND EVALUATION OF ELDER ABUSE PROGRAMS. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN STUDYING ELDER JUSTICE ISSUES FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND ISSUED A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE SUBJECT IN 2006. IT IS FITTING THAT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE'S CONTINUOUS WORK AND UNDERTAKE THE STUDY DIRECTED BY THIS LEGISLATION. DURING THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MARKUP OF H.R. 5352 WE EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THESE GRANTS TO INCLUDE IDENTITY THEFT, MAIL FRAUD AND TELEMARKETTING FRAUD AS ADDITIONAL TYPES OF VICTIMIZATION FOR ELDER ABUSE GRANTS. THE BILL NOW ALSO AUTHORIZES THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO AWARD GRANTS FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF OLDER AMERICANS. THESE FUNDS WILL SUPPORT MONITORING PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND FIRST RESPONDERS TO LOCATE MISSING ELDERLY. THESE CHANGES, AMONG OTHERS, HAVE IMPROVED H.R. 5352 AND WILL ASSIST STATES WITH PROTECTING OUR SENIOR CITIZEN AND PROSECUTING ELDER ABUSE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE BILL AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:40:29	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED.
02:40:32	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'M THE LAST REMAINING SPEAKER ON MY SIDE SO I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK AND I WILL RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:40:40	Young, Donald "Don"	--
02:40:42	Coble, Howard	I HAVE NO SPEAKERS AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:40:46	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. JEAMENT IS RECOGNIZED.
02:40:50	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THIS IS A GOOD BILL. AND OUR SENIORS DESERVE TO KNOW THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT THEM FROM ABUSE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE BILL AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:41:02	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 5352 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE --
02:41:17	Broun, Paul C. Jr., M.D.	MR. SPEAKER.
02:41:19	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
02:41:22	Broun, Paul C. Jr., M.D.	I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.
02:41:24	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING ARISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THE MOTHS WILL BE -- ON THE MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO IS RECOGNIZED.
02:41:52	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1438.
02:41:55	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION.
02:41:58	Sutton, Betty	HOUSE RESOLUTION 1438. RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT OF 1958 AND CELEBRATING THE EXTENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PORTUGUESE-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TO THE UNITED STATES.
02:42:12	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO, MS. SUTTON, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MR. COBLE, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM OHIO.
02:42:24	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS IN TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
02:42:35	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
02:42:38	Sutton, Betty	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
02:42:40	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
02:42:42	Sutton, Betty	MR. SPEAKER, HOUSE RESOLUTION 1438 IS SPONSORED BY OUR COLLEAGUES FROM CALIFORNIA, REPRESENTATIVE NUNES ANDS COULD CAN. H.RES. 1438 COMMEMORATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT OF 1958 AND CELEBRATES THE EXTENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PORTUGUESE-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TO THE UNITED STATES. FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 1957, UNTIL OCTOBER 24, 1958, A SERIES OF VIOLENT ERUPTIONS AND EARTHQUAKES DESTROYED THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF AN NILED PORT GAL AND IMPACTED THE OTHER EIGHT ISLANDS THERE AS WELL. THE MAJORITY OF THE ISLAND'S 25,000 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVELIHOODS IN THE MIDST OF FUMES, SMOKE, LAVA AND CONSTANT EARTHQUAKES AND HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO ESCAPE OTHER ISLANDS. THE UNITED STATES, AS WE SO OFTEN HAVE IN CRISES OF THESE MAGNITUDE, OFFERED A HELPING HAND TO THE DISTRESSED PEOPLE OF THE REGION THROUGH THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT. THIS WAS SPEARHEADED BY SENATORS JOHN PASTOR OF RHODE ISLAND AND JOHN F. KENNEDY OF MASSACHUSETTS. THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT MADE 1,500 SPECIAL NONQUOTEA IMMIGRANT VISAS AVAILABLE TO THE DESTITUTE VICTIMS THERE. IT WAS LATER EXTENDED TO ALLOW HE ENTRY OF AN EVEN GREATER NUMBER OF REFUGEES. AS A RESULT, MORE THAN 175,000 AZOREANS CAME TO THE UNITED STATES BETWEEN 1960 AND 1980. THE 2000 CENSUS PLACED THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PORTUGUESE-AMERICANS AT 1,174,615. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE ARE OF AZOREAN DESCENT. THE COMMUNITIES FOUNDED BY THOSE IMMIGRANTS CAN BE FOUND IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND, THE AREAS AROUND SAN FRANCISCO, SAN DIEGO AND CALIFORNIA. HAWAII AND THE NEW JERSEY-NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA. AND A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THESE IMMIGRANTS HAVE BUILT ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EARLIER ARRIVALS. THEY HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN ENUMERABLE FIELDS OF ENDEAVORS. ROUGHLY HALF OF ALL THE DAIRY FARMS IN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY WERE OPERATED BY PORTUGEUSE AMERICANS, HELPING CALIFORNIA BECOME THE NUMBER ONE DAIRY PRODUCING STATE IN AMERICA. AND ON THE EAST COAST, PORTUGEUSE AMERICANS HAVE PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND HAS MADE NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ONE OF THE TOP PORTS FOR FISHING. PORTUGEUSE AMERICANS ARE LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE AND MANY OTHER PROFESSIONS. THEY ARE FOUND AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT AND IN OUR MILITARY, PROUDLY SERVE THE NATION THAT OFFERED THEM A HELPING HAND WHEN THEY NEEDED IT THE MOST. THIS NATION HAS BEEN REPAID MANY TIMES OVER FROM THE AZORES AND THEIR DESCENDENTS. THEY MAKE OUR COUNTRY SO GREAT AND SO STRONG. BY WELCOMING PEOPLE WITH TALENT AND INITIATIVE FROM AROUND THE WORLD, WE HAVE BECOME A BETTER NATION. THE AZOREANS ARE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW WELL THIS HAS BEEN FOR THE UNITED STATES OVER THE GENERATIONS. I'M PLEASED TO STAND WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AZOREAN REF -- REFUGEE ACT OF 1958. IT'S GLAD THAT WE RECALL HOW THEY'VE REPAID OUR GENEROSITY AND OPENNESS. IT'S A LESSON FOR THIS GENERATION AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:46:27	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED.
02:46:31	Coble, Howard	I THANK THE MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
02:46:36	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
02:46:39	Coble, Howard	I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. H.RES. 1438, MR. SPEAKER, COMMEMORATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT OF 1958 AND CELEBRATES THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT PORTUGEUSE AMERICANS HAVE MADE TO THE UNITED STATES. IN THE LATE 1950'S, A SERIES OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS AND EARTHQUAKES DEVASTATED THE PORTUGEUSE AZOREAN ISLANDS. THE UNITED STATES ABSORBED THOUSANDS OF AZOREAN REFUGEES, FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT OF 1958. SINCE THAT TIME, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AZOREANS AND OTHER PORTUGEUSE HAVE MIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES. THEY HAVE MADE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO MANY ASPECTS OF AMERICAN SOCIETY AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. THEY ARE MOST WELL-KNOWN FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA'S FISHING AND DAIRY INDUSTRIES. FOR INSTANCE, ONE FROM THE PORTUGEUSE PARLIAMENT, THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC, IS CURRENTLY HEARING -- STRIKE THAT -- IS CURRENTLY HEADING A DELEGATION VISITING WASHINGTON. THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PASS H.RES. 1438 TO COMMEMORATE THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONTINUING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND THE PORTUGEUSE PEOPLE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:48:11	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO'S RECOGNIZED.
02:48:16	Sutton, Betty	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AT THIS TIME IT'S MY HONOR TO YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MR. COSTA.
02:48:24	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
02:48:26	Costa, Jim	THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR. SPEAKER, TODAY IT IS MY HONOR TO RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 1438, WHICH COMMEMORATES, AS NOTED BY THE TWO PREVIOUS SPEAKERS, THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT OF 1958. THIS RESOLUTION IS SPONSORED BY THE PORTUGEUSE CAUCUS, MY COLLEAGUES AND GOOD FRIEND, CONGRESSMAN DEVIN NUNES AND CONGRESSMAN CARDOZA. WE HAVE WORKED ON THIS TOGETHER, NOT ONLY TO TAKE NOTE OF THIS SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARY, BUT ALSO TO COORDINATE WITH OUR GUESTS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGEUSE PARLIAMENT AND THREE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES. IT WAS SEPTEMBER 27, 1957, WHEN THE ISLAND OF FAIAL HAD A SERIES OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS AND SHATTERED THE ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE OF THAT ISLAND AND HAD IMPACTS THROUGHOUT THE ARCHIPELAGO. DURING THAT TIME, TWO GREAT SENATORS, JOHN PASTORE OF RHODE ISLAND, WHO REPRESENTED A LARGE PORTUGEUSE CONSTITUENCY, AND SENATOR JOHN F. KENNEDY OF MASSACHUSETTS, LATER TO BECOME THE 35TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, OFFERED TO HELP THOSE WHO WERE SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF THIS NATURAL EVENT THAT DEVASTATED THE ISLANDS. THEY DID SO BY DRAFTING AND PASSING THE LAW OF AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT OF 1958. IT MADE AVAILABLE SPECIAL NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT VISAS AVAILABLE TO THE VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKES AND VON CANEOS. AND IT WAS EXTENDED TO 1962. BETWEEN 1960 AND 1980 OVER 175,000 AZOREANS HAVE COME TO ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP THEIR ROOTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAIN THEIR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS TO THEIR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES IN THE AZORS AND IN SPORT -- IN THE AZORES AND IN PORTUGAL. THERE ARE ALMOST TWO MILLION PORTUGEUSE IN THE UNITED STATES, MANY OF THEM OF AZOREAN DESCENT. MR. SPEAKER, THESE PORTUGEUSE IMMIGRANTS HAVE CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE FABRIC OF OUR NATION. NOT ONLY IN THE NORTHEAST AND NEW ENGLAND BUT IN CALIFORNIA AS WELL. AS HAS BEEN NOTED, THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE. IN MY DISTRICT AND MR. CARDOZA AND MR. NUNES, THE PORTUGEUSE AMERICANS HAVE BEEN DOMINANT IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, NOT JUST IN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY, BUT, YES, THEY'VE ALSO BECOME TEACHERS AND DOCTORS AND JUDGES. AND, YES, EVEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. THE PORTUGEUSE CULTURE IS THRIVING IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, AND THERE ARE MANY FESTIVES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, FAMILY REUNIONS, THE TIES THAT BIND US QUITE WELL. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE, AS I MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO, A VISITING DELEGATION. UP IN THE GALLERY, WE HAVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PORTUGAL, PRESIDENT GAMMA. WITH HIM ARE THE FORMER SPEAKER . NEXT TO HIM IS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES, AN TONE PHILIPPE, AS WELL AS RICARDO RODRIGUEZ. WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE THEM. BECAUSE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NO MORE THAN JUST LIKE IMMIGRANTS BEFORE AND IMMIGRANTS SINCE. WE HAVE HAD A SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH PORTUGAL, WITH THE AIR FORCE BASE, MILITARY, STRATEGIC, DIPLOMATIC INVOLVEMENT AS IT RELATES TO NOT JUST EUROPE BUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, ALL VERY VITAL TO AMERICA'S INTERESTS. AGAIN, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL THOSE PORTUGEUSE AMERICANS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR NATION, THE AZOREANS WHO CAME TO AMERICA UNDER THIS AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT, AND WE WANT TO THANK OUR PORTUGEUSE CAUCUS, CONGRESSMAN NUNES, CARDOZA, KENNEDY AND MCGOVERN, ALL WHO ARE CO-SPONSORS OF THIS RESOLUTION WHO REPRESENT SIGNIFICANT PORTUGEUSE COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO WANT TO THANK CHAIRMAN CONYERS, RANKING MEMBER LAMAR SMITH, AND THE LEADERSHIP ON BOTH SIDES FOR MOVING THIS RESOLUTION IN AN EXPEDITED FASHION THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS AND ON TO THE FLOOR. WE URGE AN AYE VOTE AND I YIELD
02:52:52	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS IMPROPER TO INTRODUCE GUESTS IN THE GALLERY. THE GENTLELADY FROM OHIO'S RECOGNIZED.
02:53:05	Sutton, Betty	MAY I INQUIRE HOW MANY MORE SPEAKERS THE GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA HAS?
02:53:11	Coble, Howard	I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS AND I YIELD BACK, MR. SPEAKER.
02:53:15	Sutton, Betty	I THANK MY FRIEND FROM NORTH CAROLINA, NOT ONLY FOR HIS WORK AND HIS SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION BUT FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER ON IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. MR. SPEAKER, HOUSE RESOLUTION 1438 IS AN IMPORTANT BILL TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AZOREAN REFUGEE ACT AND CELEBRATE THE EXTENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PORTUGEUSE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TO OUR NATION. I COMMEND THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN, MR. COSTA, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:53:51	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN YIELDS BACK. THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1438. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED AND THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION A MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE.
02:54:45	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY RISE -- FROM CALIFORNIA RISE?
02:54:50	>>	MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1464.
02:54:55	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION.
02:54:59	THE CLERK	HOUSE RESOLUTION 1464. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF AARP.
02:55:07	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. DAVIS, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. BOUSTANY, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
02:55:21	Davis, Susan	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I REQUEST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAY REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 1464 INTO THE RECORD.
02:55:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
02:55:34	MRS. DAVIS	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
02:55:36	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
02:55:39	Davis, Susan	MR. SPEAKER, IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE THAT I RISE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1464, IN COMMEMORATION AND RECOGNITION OF THE AARP'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY. AND WHAT STARTED -- IN WHAT STARTED AS A CAMPAIGN TO OBTAIN AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR RETIRED TEACHERS, AARP FOUNDER, ETHEL PERCY ANDRUS, BEGAN A MOVEMENT DEDICATED TO SERVING AND ADVOCATING FOR ITS NEARLY 40 MILLION MEMBERS AND ALL AMERICANS OVER THE AGE OF 50. FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS, THE AARP HAS ADVOCATED TIRELESSLY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, CONTRIBUTING IMMENSELY TO THE GREATER WELL-BEING OF SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. DURING THIS TIME, THE AARP HAS ALSO PROVIDED TRUSTED RESEARCH AND INFORMATION THAT CONTINUES TO SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY. THIS NATIONAL ORGANIZATION EXEMPLIFIES THE IDEALS OF SERVICE AND ADVOCACY AND HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS FORCE AND ENHANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER AMERICANS IN THEIR SEARCH FOR QUALITY HEALTH CARE, PENSION AND RETIREMENT SECURITY, FINANCIAL AND OVERALL WELL-BEING. IN ADDITION, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK AND CONGRATULATE AARP C.E.O. AND THE COUNTLESS VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF FOR FURTHERING THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OF A HEALTHY AND SECURE ELDERLY POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS AND APPRECIATION TO THE AARP FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION AND SERVICE, AND I WISH THIS ORGANIZATION CONTINUED SUCCESS IN YEARS TO COME. I URGE THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:57:16	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED.
02:57:20	Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I JOIN MY COLLEAGUE FROM CALIFORNIA IN SUPPORT OF THIS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1464, RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE AARP. AND WHILE I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, I MUST ALSO REMIND ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE IN CONGRESS MUST DO OUR PART TO SERVE OUR CONSTITUENTS OVER THE AGE OF 50 BY APPROVING AN ALL-OF-THE-ABOVE COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY PACKAGE THAT WILL PUT OUR NATION ON THE PATH TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, A REAL ENERGY POLICY AND NOT ONE THAT PAYS LIP SERVICE TO JUST PARTS AND PARCEL OF ENERGY POLICY. ONE THAT REALLY LOOKS AT SOLVING OUR ENERGY PROBLEMS GOING FORWARD. WITH THAT, I WOULD SAY THAT I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, AND I URGE MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES TO WORK WITH US ACROSS THE AISLE AND TO SERVE THOSE CONSTITUENTS AT THE AARP SERVES AND IMPROVE AN ESSENTIAL ENERGY POLICY AS WELL. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:58:23	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA.
02:58:27	MRS. DAVIS	I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
02:58:29	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA.
02:58:32	Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	I YIELD BACK.
02:58:33	MRS. DAVIS	I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU.
02:58:36	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1464. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION A MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
02:58:59	MRS. DAVIS	MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6890, AS AMENDED.
02:59:05	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
02:59:09	Davis, Susan	H.R. 6890, A BILL TO EXTEND THE WAIVER AUTHORITY FOR THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION UNDER SECTION 105 OF SUBTITLE A OF TITLE 4 OF DIVISION B OF PUBLIC LAW 109-148, RELATING TO ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION HURRICANE RECOVERY RELIEF.
02:59:25	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. DAVIS, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. BOUSTANY, EACH CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA.
02:59:44	MRS. DAVIS	I ASK FOR MEMBERS TO HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL.
02:59:52	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
03:00:00	Davis, Susan	THIS WILL PROVIDE RELIEF TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA AND RITA AS WELL AS THE RECENT HURRICANE THIS IS YEAR. IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS SINCE HURRICANES KA TREE NEA AND RETARK PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES, THEIR LIVELIHOODS, MANY CITIES WERE DESTROYED. MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS STRUGGLE TO DEAL WITH THE LOSS OF SCHOOL TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND FUNDING. AND ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO, HURRICANES GUSTAV AND IKE HIT THIS STILL-RECOVERING REGION CAUSING AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE COMMUNITIES, THE EXTENT OF WHICH HAS YET TO BE FULLY REALIZED. MANY STUDENTS ARE NOT BACK IN THEIR HOMES. MANY SCHOOLS WERE DESTROYED BY STORMS OR FLOODING. MANY TEACH VERSE NOT YET RETURNED AND MUCH OF THE EFFECTIVE STATES RESOURCES HAVE GONE TO ADDRESSING OTHER RECOVERY NEEDS. IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT AS A RESULT OF STORMS LIKE THESE, SCHOOL BUDGETS ARE STRETCHED THIN AND STUDENTS' EDUCATION SUFFERS. AS PART OF THE HURRICANE EDUCATION RECOVERY ACT OF 2005, CONGRESS GRANTED THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION THE AUTHORITY TO WAIVE SEVERAL REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO EASE FISCAL BURDENS ON THE STATES WHERE A MAJOR DISASTER HAD BEEN DECLARED. THESE PROVISIONS HAVE PROVED USEFUL TO ALL STATES AFFECTED BY HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA, WITH ALABAMA, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, AND TEXAS ALL APPLYING FOR AND RECEIVING WAIVERS. THIS BILL EXTENDS THE WAIVERS, ALLOW REGULAR START PROGRAMS TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE WITH RESOURCES. IT WILL ALLOW SCHOOLS IN THE AFFECTED REGIONS TO CONTINUE ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY BY DEVOTING FUNDS TO THEIR MOST PRESSING NEEDS SO THEY CAN BETTER SERVE THE STUDENT WHO WAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. THIS BILL ALSO GUARANTEES THAT SCHOOLS AFFECTED -- SCHOOLED AFFECTED BY THE MOST RECENT STORMS AND FLOODING WILL RETAIN THE SAME FUNDING AS THEY RECEIVED FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR. BY ALLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR PRECIOUS LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR THE NEXT YEAR THIS PROVISION ALLOWS THEM TO REBUILD AND PREPARE FOR THE RETURN OF THEIR STUDENTS WITHOUT THE ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE OF REDUCED RESOURCES. IT REASSURES FAMILIES THAT WHEN THEY DO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION WILL NOT SUFFER. BY BRINGING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES BACK TO THE REGION IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN HELPING THOSE DEVASTATED AREAS ARE RECOVER AND BECOME VIBRANT COMMUNITIES ONCE MORE. MR. SPEAKER, ONCE AGAIN, I URGE THE ADOPTION OF H.R. 6890 AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:02:54	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZE.
03:03:01	Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	I YIELD SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
03:03:03	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE SQUELT IS RECOGNIZED.
03:03:06	Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 6890, WHICH WOULD EXTEND THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION TO WAIVE SYRIAN REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE STATES IMPACTED BY KATRINA AND RITA AND WOULD ENSURE THAT THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT SUFFERED WIDESPREAD DAMAGE BY THE STORMS AND FLOODING IN THE MIDWEST OR THE HURRICANES IN THE GULF COAST RECEIVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDING UNDER THE TITLE 1 PROGRAM AS THEY DID LAST YEAR. I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE LOUISIANA DELEGATION FOR WORKING WITH ME AND INTRODUCING THIS BILL AND THEIR ONGOING WORK ALONGSIDE ME TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THE DEVASTATING NATURAL DISASTERS. MR. SPEAKER, THE EVENTS OVER THE PAST MONTH WHEN HURRICANE IKE HIT THE TEXAS AND LOUISIANA COAST AND HURRICANE GUSTAV HIT THE LOUISIANA COAST REMIND US OF THE DAMAGING IMPACT THAT NATURAL DISASTERS HAVE ON OUR NATION'S RESIDENTS AND THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. AS THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS RETURN TO THEIR HOMES AND TOWNS, THEY'LL NEED HELP IN REBUILDING HOUSES AND LIVELIHOODS. LOCAL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, WILL NEED HELP REPLACING TEXTBOOKS SO STUDENTS CAN GET BACK TO LEARNING AND A LITTLE BIT OF NORMALCY. JUST OVER THREE YEARS AGO, OUR NATION EXPERIENCED ONE OF THE WORST NATURAL DISASTERS IN OUR HISTORY WHEN HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA DEVASTATED LOUISIANA AND THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST. MORE THAN 1,100 SCHOOLS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE AND 5,800 STUDENTS WERE DISPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE HURRICANES. THE LOSS OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE, JOBS, AND HOUSES DEPRIVED LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF PROPERTY TAXES THAT NORMALLY FUND SCHOOL OPERATIONS. IN THE MIDWEST, WE KNOW THAT MASSIVE FLOODING EXPERIENCED OVER THE SUMNER IOWA HAS DEVASTATED SCHOOLS. LOUISIANA AND TEXAS ARE STILL ASSESSING THE DAMAGE DONE AS A RESULT OF HURRICANES GUSTAV AND IKE BUT THE INITIAL ASSESS. S PAINT A GRIM PICTURE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THESE NATURAL DISASTERS, CONGRESS SHOULD ASSIST THOSE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS TRYING TO REOPEN TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN DEVASTATED AREAS. IN 2006 WE PROVIDED FUNDS TO STATES IN THE GULF REGION IMPACTED BY HURRICANES KATRINA AND RETA, TO RECOVER STUDENT AND PERSONNEL DATA SYSTEMS AND OTHER IMPORTANT SERVICES TO GET SCHOOLS UP AND RUNNING. WE ALSO GUARANTEED THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS RECEIVED THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 AS THEY RECEIVED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005. WE PROVIDED THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION WITH LIMITED AUTHORITY TO WAIVE CERTAIN FINANCIAL R50EUR789S TO ENSURE THAT THOSE -- FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE STATES COULD USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO MEET COMMITMENTS. THESE HAVE PROVED CRITICAL TO SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND ENABLED THEM TO ACCESS MUCH-NEEDED RECONSTRUCTION FUNDS. THE BILL WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY RK H.R. 6890 WOULD EXTEND THIS AUTHORITY FOR ANOTHER FISCAL YEAR THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. AS WE CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE IN THE MIDWEST AND ALONG THE GULF COAST, SIMILAR TO THE ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BACK IN 2006, H.R. 6890 ALSO GUARANTEES THAT THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE MIDWEST IMPACTED BY FLOODING AND THE GULF COAST IMPACTED BY HURRICANES GUSTAV AND IKE RECEIVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDING UNDER THE TITLE ONE PROGRAM FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR AS THEY RECEIVED LAST YEAR. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT H.R. 6890 AND I'M THANKFUL TO THE COMMITTEE AND THE GENTLELADY FROM CALIFORNIA FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION TO THE FLOOR AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:06:54	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. GENTLELADY THE FROM CALIFORNIA.
03:06:59	MRS. DAVIS	I CONTINUE TO RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:07:01	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN -- MR. BOUSTANY: I YIELD BACK.
03:07:05	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:07:12	MRS. DAVIS	I URGE THE ADOPTION OF H.R. 6890 AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:07:17	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6890 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE TITLE IS AMENDED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:07:50	MRS. DAVIS	I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE PRULES AND PASS HOUSES RELOSE 1463 AS AMENDED.
03:07:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION.
03:08:04	Davis, Susan	HOUSE RESOLUTION 1463, RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS OF SERVICE-LEARNING AS A TEACHING STRATEGY TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND CLASSROOM AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF THE NATIONAL LEARN AND SERVE CHALLENGE.
03:08:17	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. DAVIS, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. BOUSTANY EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
03:08:28	Davis, Susan	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I REQUEST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAY REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON HOUSE RESOLUTION 1463 INTO THE RECORD.
03:08:38	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
03:08:41	MRS. DAVIS	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
03:08:43	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN MAY PROCEED.
03:08:46	Davis, Susan	I RISE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE THE BENEFITS OF SERVICE LEARNING AS A TEACHING STRATSTRATHJI AND TO SUPPORT THE GOALS OF NATIONAL SERVE AND LEARN CHALLENGE. SERVICE LEARNING IS A MODEL THAT CAN BE USED FROM KINDERGARTEN TO THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL ACROSS ALL DISCIPLINES. MORE THAN JUST COMMUNITY SERVICE, SERVICE LEARNING ASKS STUDENTS TO APPLY CLASSROOM LEARNING BY ASKING THEM TO INVESTIGATE A PROBLEM IN THEIR COMMUNITY, PLAN SOLUTIONS, TAKE ACTION THROUGH SERVICE AND THEN REFLECT ON THEIR EXPERIENCE. BY INTEGRATING CLASSROOM LEARNING WITH REAL WORLD CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY, SERVICE LEARNING CAN MAKE SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS COME ALIVE FOR OUR STUDENTS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE ALSO ENCOURAGING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO HELP IMPROVE OUR LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN A CONNECTION BETWEEN SERVICE LEARNING AND HIGHER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, ENHANCED CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENT, INCREASED ATTENDANCE, BETTER PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS AND A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF COGNITIVE COMPLEXITIES. RESEARCH ALSO SUGGESTS THAT STUDENTS INVOLVED IN SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND INCREASE THEIR TOLERANCE OF OTHERS. THIS ALL MAKES SERVICE LEARNING A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY AND REDUCING NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS SUCH AS THOSE WHAT THAT LEAD TO DROPPING OUT, ARRESTS, OR UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES. IN ADDITION, SERVICE LEARNING PROMOTES INVOLVEMENT IN OUR DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG ETHICS, AND A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. FOR EXAMPLE, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN SERVICE LEARNING ARE MORE LIKELY TO VOTE 15 YEARS AFTER THEIR EXPERIENCE THAN THOSE THAT DID NOT PARTICIPATE. FINALLY, STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO SERVICE LEARNING BUILD IMPORTANT SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS. SERVICE LEARNING IS AN ONRAMP TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FOR A LIFETIME. IN ORDER TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE MANY BENEFITS OF SERVICE LEARNING THE NATIONAL LEARN AND SERVE CHALLENGE WILL TAKE PLACE OCTOBER 6 THROUGH 12. THIS WEEK-LONG NATIONWIDE CELEBRATION OF SERVICE WILL RAISE AWARENESS OF SERVICE LEARNING AND FOSTER COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN LOCAL SCHOOLS, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THEIR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. THE ORGANIZATION HAS SET AN AMBITIOUS GOAL OF HAVING FIVE MILLION COLLEGE STUDENTS AND 50% OF K-12 SCHOOLS ENGAGED IN MEANINGFUL SERVICE BY 2010. MR. SPEAKER, ONCE AGAIN, I EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL LEARN AND SERVE CHALLENGE AND I ENCOURAGE MORE SCHOOLS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MANY BENEFITS SERVICE LEARNING CAN HAVE ON OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES. I URGE THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:11:42	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:11:50	Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MIGHT CONSUME. I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1463 WHICH RECOGNIZES THE BENEFITS OF SERVICE LEARNING AS A TEACHING STRATEGY TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND CLASSROOM AND IT SUPPORTS THE GOALS OF THE NATIONAL LEARN AND SERVICE CHALLENGE. YOUNG AMERICANS FROM KINDERGARTENERS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS, HAVE THE DESIRE, POWER, AND ABILITY TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. SERVICE LEARNING OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET INVOLVED IN A CONCRETE WAY BY INTEGRATING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS WITH CLASSROOM LEARNING. IT ENRICHING THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE, TEACHES CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS CAN HAVE POSITIVE IMPACTS ON YOUTH IN THREE GENERAL AREAS, ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT AND SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS. THE STUDIES ALSO DEMONSTRATE THAT STUDENTS GAIN THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT WHEN THEIR SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE INCLUDES A DIRECT TIE TO THE CURRICULUM, PLANNING AND DESIGN OF SERVICE PROJECTS, STRUCTURED REFLECTION ON THE EXPERIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM AND CONTINUITY OF SERVICE FOR AT LEAST ONE SEMESTER. SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS WORK, THEY MEET THE NEIGH'S NEEDS BY PUTTING THE TALENTS AND ENERGIES OF AMERICA'S YOUTH TO WORK SOLVING REAL ISSUES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS AND OTHER PROBLEMS. STUDENTS' LIVES ARE ENRICHED AS THEY BECOME ENGAGED IN THE LEARNING PROCESS. THEY BECOME CIVIC-MINDED AMERICANS WHO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE. LEARN AND SERVICE AMERICA IS THE ONLY FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM DEDICATED TO SERVICE LEARNING AND ENABLES OVER 1.5 MILLION SFUENTSTOSS -- STUDENTS TO MAKE MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS WHILE BUILDING CIVIC SKILLS. THE PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS THE VALUE OF SERVICE LEARNING TO YOUTH, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES AND INSTILLS AN ETHIC OF LIFELONG COMMUNITY SERVICE. IN THRIFINGT RECENT NATURAL DISASTER THAT HAVE STRICKEN OUR NATION, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO INCORPORATE SERVICE INTO THEIR LIVES AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY. THE INTANGIBLE BENEFITS ALONE SUCH AS PRIDE, SATISFACTION, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE WORTHWHILE REASONS TO SERVE. TODAY, I APPLAUD THE EFFORTS OF LEARN AND SERVE AMERICAS AND THE MILLIONS OF DEDICATED YOUTH VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR SERVICE AND I ENCOURAGE ALL AMERICANS TO WORK TOGETHER SO WE CAN EFFECTIVELY MEET THE PRESSING NEEDS FACING OUR NATION. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:14:35	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA RESERVES, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:14:40	MRS. DAVIS	I CONTINUE TO RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:14:43	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN CONTINUES TO RESERVE THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA.
03:14:50	Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	I YIELD BACK.
03:14:51	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:14:57	MS. DAVIS	I URGE THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:15:01	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 147 -- 1463 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION A MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:15:34	MRS. DAVIS	MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 642, AS AMENDED.
03:15:45	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	DOES THE GENTLEWOMAN CALL UP THE BILL AS INTRODUCED OR AMENDED?
03:15:52	MRS. DAVIS	PASS H.R. 642 AS AMENDED.
03:15:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	AS AMENDED. THE COPIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE DESK. WE WILL CHECK AND SUSPEND WITH PROCEEDINGS.
03:17:10	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
03:17:14	Davis, Susan	H.R. 642, A BILL TO ESTABLISH A DEMONSTRATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROMOTE INSTALLATION OF FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS OR OTHER FIRE SUPRESSION OR PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES IN QUALIFIED STUDENT HOUSING AND DORMITORIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
03:17:32	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, MRS. DAVIS, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA, MR. BOUSTANY, WILL EACH CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
03:17:46	Davis, Susan	THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, I REQUEST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS DURING WHICH MEMBERS MAY REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INSERT EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON H.R. 642
03:17:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
03:17:59	MRS. DAVIS	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
03:18:01	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN MAY PROCEED.
03:18:04	Davis, Susan	MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 642, THE COLLEGE FIRE PREVENTION ACT. THIS LEGISLATION IS THE RESULT OF THE LIFE WORK OF THE LATE REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES. MANY OF US KNOW THE COMMITMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TUBBS JONES IN THE CAUSE OF CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY. EVERY SEPTEMBER SHE WOULD COME TO THE FLOOR TO ADVOCATE FOR THE RECOGNITION OF SEPTEMBER AS CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MONTH. BECAUSE OF HER EFFORTS, STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY ALSO RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER AS CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MONTH AND HELP TO MAKE STUDENTS AWARE OF THE DANGERS THEY FACE AND TO ENSURE THAT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES DO ALL THEY CAN TO ASSIST STUDENTS. H.R. 642 BUILDS ON REPRESENTATIVE TUBBS JONES' WORK TO PROTECT STUDENTS ON CAMPUS BY CREATING A DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENCOURAGE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO INSTALL FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AND OTHER FIRE SUPRESSION AND PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES IN STUDENT HOUSING AND DORMITORIES. I CAN THINK OF NO BETTER TIME TO TALK ABOUT CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY NOW WHEN OUR STUDENTS ARE RETURNING TO SCHOOLS. WE ALL KNOW THAT IN THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF MOVING IN AND GETTING READY FOR CLASS, THOUGHTS OF WHETHER ONE IS PREPARED FOR A FIRE CAN SOMETIMES GET LOST. HISTORICALLY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER ARE TWO OF THE MOST FATAL MONTHS FOR CAMPUS FIRES. WE CAN ASSIST INSTITUTIONS IN AVOIDING THESE PREVENTABLE TRAGEDIES BY ENCOURAGING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY BEFORE THEY ARIFF ON CAMPUS. -- THEY ARRIVE ON CAMPUS. IN PASSING THIS LEGISLATION HERE TODAY, WE NOT ONLY HONOR THE WORK OF REPRESENTATIVE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES BUT WE ALSO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS ON CAMPUS. I URGE THE PASSAGE OF THIS TIMELY AND IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AND RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:19:57	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:20:03	Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 642, THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES COLLEGE FIRE PREVENTION ACT, AND I JOIN MY COLLEAGUES IN HONG OUR COLLEAGUE. SO OFTEN -- IN HONORING OUR COLLEGE. SO OFTEN IN THIS CHAMBER WE STRENGTHEN OUR FEDERAL HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. TODAY WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE NEED TO BOLSTER SAFETY ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES, SPECIFICALLY FIRE SAFETY. THE TIMING AND THE NAME OF THIS BILL ARE APPROPRIATE BECAUSE THIS MONTH IS OFTEN DESIGNATED AS CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MONTH, AND THERE WAS NO MEMBER MORE CONCERNED THAN PROTECTING OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO THE DANGERS OF FIRES THAN THE LATE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES. THIS BILL WOULD HONOR REPRESENTATIVE TUBBS JONES BY NAMING A DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM IN HER HONOR. OUR NATION'S COLLEGE STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE ON CAMPUS WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WILL BE SAFE IN THEIR DORMS, APARTMENTS OUR OTHER HOUSING. THIS MEASURE WILL TAKE A STEP TOWARD ENSURING THAT COLLEGES HAVE THE ABILITY TO ENSURE THEIR BUILDINGS ARE PROPERLY EEQUIPPED WITH THE LATEST FIRE -- EQUIPPED WITH THE LATEST FIRE SAFETY MEASURES. THIS WILL INCREASE CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THE PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT REQUIRED COLLEGES TO PROVIDE A FIRE SAFETY REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. THE REPORT MUST INCLUDE STATISTICS SHOWING THE NUMBER OF FIRES AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM FIRES ON CAMPUS OVER THE PAST YEAR. IT WILL ALSO REQUIRE COLLEGES TO REPORT ON THE TYPE OF FIRE PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES THEY ARE UTILIZING, AND ANY PLANS THE COLLEGES MAY HAVE TO IMPROVE THEIR FIRE PREVENTION AND DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES. THE BILL BEFORE US TODAY WILL HELP COLLEGES THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT FIRE SAFETY AND ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE FUNDS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR PLANS. TODAY WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR REPRESENTATIVE TUBBS JONES' COMMITMENT TO THE SAFETY OF COLLEGE STUDENTS AND PASS A MEASURE THAT WILL HELP COLLEGES KEEP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE FROM DEVASTATING FIRES. WHILE I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, OUR EFFORTS TO HELP COLLEGE STUDENTS WILL BE INCOMPLETE UNTIL WE ALSO APPROVE A TRUE AND HONEST ALL-OF-THE-ABOVE ENERGY REFORM PACKAGE THAT PUTS OUR NATION ON THE PATH TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE. OUR HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IS BEING SQUEEZED BY HIGHER ENERGY COSTS, JUST AS THE REST OF SOCIETY IS. SCHOOLS ARE BEING FORCED TO LIMIT THEIR OPERATIONS AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL DAYS JUST TO SAVE ON UTILITY COSTS AND SAVE THEIR STUDENTS THE COST OF A DAY'S COMMUTE. THE MAJORITY MET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO CRAFT NOT A REAL ENERGY REFORM. THIS IS THE NOT CHANGE AMERICANS NEED AND IT'S NOT THE CHANGE WE DESERVE. WE NEED A REAL ENERGY POLICY, NOT ONE THAT LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER BUT ONE THAT KEEPS VITAL AMERICAN RESOURCES UNDER LOCK AND KEY. MR. SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:22:59	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA RESERVES HIS TIME. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:23:05	Davis, Susan	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'M PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, MR. CLYBURN, FOR AS MUCH TIME AS HE MAY CONSUME.
03:23:13	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE ESTEEMED MAJORITY WHIP FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR AS MUCH TIME.
03:23:18	Clyburn, James	THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. AND I THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR YIELDING ME THIS TIME. MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT I MAY HEREAFTER BE CONSIDERED THE FIRST SPONSOR OF H.R. 642, A BILL ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE TUBBS JONES OF OHIO FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADDING CO-SPONSORS AND REQUESTING REPRINTING PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 7 OF RULE 12.
03:23:40	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
03:23:43	Clyburn, James	THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. LET ME BEGIN BY THANKING REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DAVIS FOR ALLOWING ME TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SESSION HERE THIS AFTERNOON. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY A PERSONAL WORD ABOUT MY DEAR FRIEND, STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES, WHO WAS A POWERFUL VOICE FOR JUSTICE, UE QUALITY AND OPPORTUNITY. WHO SERVED THE PEOPLE OF OHIO'S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND THIS NATION WITH PASSION AND DEDICATION. UNFORTUNATELY STEPHANIE PASSED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY LAST MONTH, AND IT IS A GREAT LOSS TO THIS CAUSE AND TO OUR COUNTRY. THROUGHOUT HER FIVE TERMS IN CONGRESS, REPRESENTATIVE TUBBS JONES TIRELESSLY ADVOCATED FOR CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY AND WAS THE AUTHOR OF NUMEROUS PIECES OF LEGISLATION ON THE ISSUE. SHE INTRODUCED AND SAW PASS A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MONTH. SHE WAS ALSO THE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF A COLLEGE FIRE PREVENTION ACT WHICH SHE INTRODUCED IN THE 107TH AND THEN REINTRODUCED IN THE 108TH, THE 109TH AND THE 110TH. I AM HERE TODAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO HER EFFORTS AS A CHAMPION FOR CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY AND AM PROUD TO TAKE HER PLACE AS THE LEAD SPONSOR OF THE COLLEGE FIRE PREVENTION ACT SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE HER LEGACY BY PASSING THIS IMPORTANT MEASURE AND RENAMING IT THE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES COLLEGE FIRE PREVENTION ACT. THE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES COLLEGE FIRE PREVENTION ACT WILL ESTABLISH A DEMONSTRATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROMOTE THE INSTALLATION OF FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS OR OTHER FIRE SUPRESSION OR PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES. IN QUALIFIED STUDENT HOUSING OR DORMITORIES. SINCE JANUARY, 2000, OVER 125 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN CAMPUS-RELATED FIRES. WITH OVER 83% OF THEM OCCURRING IN OFFCAMPUS HOUSING. THAT IS WHY NATIONAL CAMPUS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH IS FOCUSED ON EDUCATING STUDENTS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY SO THEY CAN BE PREPARED NO MATTER WHERE A FIRE SHOULD IGNITE. CONGRESS HAS NOT IGNORED THIS GROWING PROBLEM. WE REALIZE THAT KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, AND THAT IS WHY WE PASSED THE PROVISIONS OF THE CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY RIGHT TO KNOW ACT IN THE 2008 HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACT WHICH BECAME LAW LAST MONTH. THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION TO REPORT THE NUMBER OF CAMPUS-RELATED FIRES THAT HAVE OCCURRED AND THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INJURIES THAT RESULTED FROM THOSE FIRES. THE REPORT WILL ALSO CONTAIN THE NUMBER OF RESIDENCE HALLS -- HALL ROOMS EQUIP WITH FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AND FIRE ALARMS. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THIS REPORT GIVE PARENTS AND STUDENTS AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MUCH FIRE PREVENTION TRAINING IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS AND STAFF. THE COLLEGE OUR UNIVERSITY'S FIRE SAFETY POLICIES AND ANY FUTURE PLANS FOR IMPROVING FIRE SAFETY. NEARLY A YEAR AGO, I TOOK TO THIS FLOOR TO OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES OF STUDENTS LOST IN THE FIRE AT OCEAN ISLE, NORTH CAROLINA. SEVEN OF THOSE STUDENTS PERISHED IN THAT FIRE. SIX FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, WHICH I PROUDLY REPRESENT IN THIS BODY, AND ONE FROM CLIPSON UNIVERSITY. AT THAT TIME WE MOURNED THEIR LIVES AND THE FUTURE PROMISE THAT THEY HELD AND THE FACT THAT THEY WERE TOOK IN SUCH A DRAMATIC WAY. HOWEVER, TODAY I THINK WE CAN SEE THE LEGACY OF THEIR LIVES IN THIS ROOM. WE HAVE MADE STRIDES IN PROMOTING COMBUSS FIRE SAFETY BECAUSE OF -- CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY BECAUSE OF THEIR MOVING STORIES, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY TO PREVENT OTHER FAMILIES FROM SHARING IN THIS TRAGIC EXPERIENCE. TODAY, I'M HERE TO PAY THAT FAVOR FORWARD. I ADD MY VOICE TO THOSE HERE TODAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO REPRESENTATIVE TUBBS JONES' COURAGEOUS EFFORTS AND SAY THAT I AM COMMITTED TO THE ISSUE OF CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME TO THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
03:29:18	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA IS RECOGNIZED.
03:29:24	Boustany, Charles W. Jr.	MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME. AND I WOULD INQUIRE IF MY COLLEAGUE FROM CALIFORNIA IS READY TO CLOSE. THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, WE'RE PLEASED TO JOIN OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE IN PAYING THIS TRIBUTE TO OUR COLLEAGUE, AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:29:43	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM LOUISIANA YIELDS BACK, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA.
03:29:48	Davis, Susan	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WE COME ON THE FLOOR ONCE AGAIN TO HONOR THE LIFE WORK ON THE LATE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES AND WE DO THAT WITH THIS BILL, VERY IMPORTANT BILL, H.R. 642, THE COLLEGE FIRE PREVENTION ACT, I'M DELIGHTED THAT MR. CLYBURN WAS ABLE TO BE HERE AND TO CONTINUE HER LEGACY IN THIS WAY AND I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:30:12	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 642? AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S HAVING -- BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED.
03:30:33	>>	MR. SPEAKER.
03:30:34	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM GEORGIA.
03:30:37	>>	I ASK FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS.
03:30:40	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY THE YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING WHILE COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING RISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED, PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20, AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON IS RECOGNIZED.
03:31:24	>>	I MOVE TO PASS H.R. 6370, THE OREGON SURPLUS FEDERAL LAND ACT.
03:31:30	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
03:31:32	>>	A BILL TO TRANSFER EXCESS FEDERAL PROPERTY TO THE CONFEDERATED TRIBE OF SEVERAL TRIBES OF INDIAN.
03:31:43	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR. DEFAZIO AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS, MR. BOOZMAN EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON.
03:31:59	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL.
03:32:06	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
03:32:09	DeFazio, Peter A.	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MOI MAY CONSUME.
03:32:13	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN MAY PROCEED.
03:32:23	DeFazio, Peter A.	THIS AUTHORIZES TO HOLD THE AREA IN TRUST FOR THE INDIANS. THUNDER BILL, THE TRIBES WILL MAINTAIN AND MUST PROVIDE REASONABLE PUBLIC ACCESS. H. REFORM 6370 LEAVES IT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO DETERMINE THE EXACT AMOUNT OF LAND TO BE TRANSFERRED AND TO DEVELOP THE APPROPRIATE MAPS. THIS BODY HAS PASSED SIMILAR BILLS IN THE PAST. THIS CLEARLY LEAVES ALL AUTHORITY FOR THINK TRANSFER AND TRUST TO THE RELEVANT AGENCIES. THIS BILL WILL PUT A HISTORIC PIECE OF LAND TO GOOD USE WHILE PROTECTING AND PRESERVING ITS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:33:09	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS IS RECOGNIZED.
03:33:20	Boozman, John	I SUPPORT THIS MOTION TO TRANSFER THE LIGHT STATION FROM THE COAST GUARD TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. THE LAND AND STRUCTURES WOULD BE HELD IN TRUST FOR A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE AND WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR TRIBAL AND PUBLIC INTERESTS THAT WERE APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ENTIRE OR. LASTLY, THE BILL WOULD PROHIBIT THE EYES OF THE LAND FOR ANY COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY THAT IS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY. HOWEVER, I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THE BILL IS BEING BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT A MAP SPECIFICALLY DETAILING THE LOCATION AND AMOUNT OF LAND WHICH IS TO BE TRANSFERRED UNDER THE BILL. THE LAND IS -- HAS NOT BEEN SURVEYED AND THERE'S A QUESTION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND COAST GUARD ON THE BOUND CRIS OF THE LAND PROPOSED FOR TRANSFER. I SUPPORT THE BILL BUT I DO HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE LACK OF A PRECISE DESCRIPTION OF THE LAND TO BE TRANSFERRED. I KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY UNDER MR. DEFAZIO'S LEADERSHIP WILL WORK WITH OUR SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE LAND IS SURVEYED PROMPTLY AND THAT THE FINAL TRANSFER SHOULD BE DELAYED UNTIL SUCH MAPS ARE AVAILABLE. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:34:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON IS RECOGNIZED.
03:34:39	DeFazio, Peter A.	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. I THOUGHT THAT WE COULD HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BEFORE WE CAME TO THE FLOOR, UNFORTUNATELY, THE COAST GUARD HAS TO CONTRACT FOR A SURVEY WHICH THROUGH THE FEDERAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS TAKES A WHILE. I CAN ASSURE THE GENTLEMAN THAT THIS -- THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER BILLS I'M FAMILIAR WITH, MOSTLY UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THESE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED TPWHEVER INTERAGENCY TRANSFER WAS FINALIZED AND TOOK PLACE. THAT IS JUST SORT OF LOGICAL, THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TRANSFERRING AND NEED TO HAVE A LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND MAP. I ASSURE THE GENTLEMAN TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH WILL FULFILL THEIR DUTIES IN THIS MATTER. WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:35:28	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
03:35:31	Boozman, John	IF THE GENTLEMAN HAS NO FURTHER SPEAKERS, I WILL CLOSE. AGAIN WE SUPPORT H.R. 6370 AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:35:40	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
03:35:43	DeFazio, Peter A.	I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:35:46	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6370? THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON.
03:36:11	DeFazio, Peter A.	I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6520 TO AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN EASTLAKE, OHIO, AND KOOCHICHING COUNTY, MINNESOTA. HENCEFORTH THAT'S TO BE REFERRED TO AS K COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
03:36:33	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL KCH
03:36:37	DeFazio, Peter A.	H.R. 6524, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN EASTLAKE, OHIO, AND KOOCHICHING COUNTY, MINNESOTA. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
03:36:49	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON, MR. DEFAZIO AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS, MR. BOOZMAN EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM OREGON.
03:37:02	Filner, Robert "Bob"	I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEDGE SLATHIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON H.R. 65 246789
03:37:13	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
03:37:16	DeFazio, Peter A.	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
03:37:18	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
03:37:21	DeFazio, Peter A.	I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 6524, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN EASTLAKE, OHIO, AND KOOCHICHING COUNTY, MINNESOTA. THE BILL FURTHER AUTHORIZES THE TRANSFER OF PROPERTY IN THE K ARMY RESERVE TRAINING CENT FOR THE K COUNTY, MINNESOTA, IN THE COUNTY OF K. THOSE WILL BE FILLED OUT IN MY FORMAL STATEMENT. IT COMPENSATES THEM $30,000 FOR THE REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER IN THE COUNTY OF KOOCHICHING. THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION WILL FORWARD TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY THE NET PROCEEDS FOR THE TRANSFER. THE PARCEL OF REAL PROPERTY IN EASTLAKE IS APPROXIMATELY A 10-ACRE SITE WHICH INCLUDES THE JOHN F. KENNEDY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER. THE CITY PURCHASED THE PROPERTY AND USED IT FOR 40 YEARS. THE BILL WILL LIFT THE DEIDRE STRIXES AND ALLOW THEM TO USE IT FOR ECONOMIC PURPOSES. THE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER HAS BEEN MOVED TO A BETTER LOCATION AND THE CITY HAS PURCHASED 14 ACRES OF PARKLAND. THE FIRST PARCEL IS 15 ACRES WHICH INCLUDES THE ARMORY BUILD CHG WILL PAY TO HAVE THE ROOF REPLACED AND MAKE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS TO THE CEILING. THE ARMY REPORTED THE PROPERTY EXCESS IN 2006, FWMPLET S.A. SCREENED THE PROPERTY WITH OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, THERE WERE NO EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTS NOR WERE EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST RECEIVED FROM HOMELESS SHELTERS. I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR WORKING ON THIS ASSURING THAT COMPENSATION WILL BE MADE AND THE FEDERAL TAXPAYERS WILL BE FULLY PROTECTED. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:39:18	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS IS RECOGNIZED.
03:39:21	Boozman, John	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
03:39:24	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN MAY PROCEED.
03:39:28	Boozman, John	I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 6524 TO ALLOW THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION TO REMOVE THINK PUBLIC USE DEIDRE STRIX ON A FORMER NATIONAL PARK PROPERTY IN THE COMMUNITY OF EASTLAKE, OHIO, AND DISPOSE OF A SURPLUS PROPERTY IN KOOCHICHING COUNTY, MINNESOTA. SINCE ITS TRANSFER TO EASTLAKE IN 1964, THE FORMER NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROPERTY HAS MADE ITS -- MET ITS PUBLIC USE REQUIREMENTS BY SERVING AS A SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER. BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY HAS BUILT A NEW CENTER TO REPLACE THE AGING JOHN F. KENNEDY SENIOR CENTER, EASTLAKE DESIRES TO MAKE USE OF THE PROPERTY FOR OTHER PURPOSES. THE CITY OF EASTLAKE WILL PAY THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION $30,000 FOR REMOVE OF RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF THE PROPERTY. FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, THE REAL ESTATE HAS SERVED THE PURPOSE INTENDED TO THE INITIAL AGREEMENT AND THIS BILL WILL ALLOW THE PROPERTY TO BE REPURPOSED. THE COMMUNITY OF KOOCHICHING COUNTY, MINNESOTA, HAS SIMILAR PLANS FOR A PARCEL OF PROPERTY THAT HAS FOR YEARS SERVED AS A MILITARY TRAINING FRA SILTY. THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE U.S. ARMY RESERVE AND THE COMMUNITY MEAN THE PROPERTY CAN SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY HOUSING SEVERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. THE CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY IN KOOCHICHING HAS RESTRICTIONS TO ENSURE THE PROPERTY CONTINUES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. G.S.A. DOES NOT OPPOSE EITHER PROVISION. G.S.A. STAFF INDICATED IF G.S.A. HAD THE AUTHORITY, IT WOULD REMOVE THE DEIDRE STRIX AND CONVEY THE MINNESOTA PROPERTY AT NO COST BECAUSE G.S.A. BELIEVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST HAS BEEN AND IS BEING SERVED BY THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL. EACH OF THESE HAS SERVED THE PURPOSES WELL. THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES OF EASTLAKE AND KOOCHICHING COUNTY NOW REQUIRE THAT THE PROPERTIES BE REPURPOSED. IN BOTH CASES, THE DEEDS OF THE -- THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN BE BETTER SERVED THROUGH ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THE PROPERTIES. I SUPPORT THE BILL AND ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO THE SAME AND IF THE CHAIRMAN HAS NO FURTHER SPEAKERS, I'LL GO AHEAD AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:41:51	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
03:41:56	DeFazio, Peter A.	I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:41:59	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PE THE QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6524. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED, AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. THE CHAIR LAYS BEFORE THE HOUSE THE FOLLOWING ENROLLED BILL.
03:42:34	THE CLERK	S. -- SENATE 996, AN ACT TO I A MIND TITLE 49 UNITED STATES CODE TO EXPAND PASSENGER FACILITY FEE FOR CERTAIN NOISE COMPATIBILITY PROJECTS.
03:43:09	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND IS RECOGNIZED.
03:43:18	>>	MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS RESOLUTION 1466 HONORING DR. GEEON S. "GUY" BEAUFORD JR. AND THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS HISTORIC FLIGHT AS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN IN SPACE.
03:43:40	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
03:43:44	THE CLERK	S. 2606, HONORING DR. GEEON S. "GUY" BLUFORD JR. AND THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS HISTORIC FLIGHT AS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN IN SPACE.
03:43:52	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND, MS. EDWARDS AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. HALL, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES AND THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND.
03:44:06	Edwards, Donna F.	I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON H.RES. 1466, THE RESOLUTION UNDER CONSIDERATION.
03:44:19	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE GENTLEWOMAN MAY PROCEED.
03:44:26	Edwards, Donna F.	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1466 HONORING DR. GEEON SKMPLET "GUY" BLUFORD JR. AND HIS FIRST FLIGHT AS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN IN SPACE. THIS MARKS THE FIVE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION. THE PAST FIVE DECADES OF OUR SPACE PROGRAM BROUGHT REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT AND HUMAN EXPLORATION. MR. SPEAKER, THESE ACHIEVEMENTS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SERVED NASA AND OUR SPACE PROGRAM. SOME OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS ALSO BROKE BARRIERS ALONG THE WAY AND HAVE PROVIDED INSPIRATION TO ALL THOSE WHO FOLLOWED THEM. WE HONORED DR. SAMPLETTY K. RIDE -- SALLY K. RIDE AS THE FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE AND NOW WE CELEBRATE GUION S. BLUEFORD AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN SPACE. HIS PATH TO HIS PIONEERING FLIGHT WAS SO CHARACTERISTIC ABOUT NASA'S ASTRONAUTS. HE GRADUATED FROM PEB STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN ARROWSPACE ENGINEERING AND AS A DISTINGUISHED AIR FORCE ROTC GRADUATE, HE WENT ON TO COMPLETE PILOT TRAINING AND COMBAT CREW TRAINING, RETURNED TO SERVE WITH THE 3630TH AT SHEPHERD AIR FORCE BASE IN TEXAS. DR. BLUFORD WENT ON TO EARN DOCTORATE DEGREES FROM THE ARROWSPACE INSTITUTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND HELD -- AEROSPACE INSTITUTION OF TECHNOLOGY. IN 1979, DR. BLUFORD BECAME A NASA ASTRONAUT, AND ON AUGUST 30, 1983, HE MADE HISTORY WHEN HE LIFTED OFF WITH THE SPACE SHUTTLE CREW OF STS-8 AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN SPACE. DURING THE MISSION, THE CREW SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOYED A SATELLITE, COLLECTED MEASUREMENTS TO IMPROVE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW SCIENCE AFFECTS BIO PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS. ON OCTOBER 30, 1985, DR. BLUFORD FLEW WITH THE CREW OF A GERMAN D-1 SPACE LAB MISSION THAT INCLUDED OVER 70 SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS AND MATERIALS PROCESSING LIFE SCIENCES, FLUID PHYSICS AND NAVIGATION. AND I WOULD ADD, MR. SPEAKER, THAT INDEED THAT WAS MY MISSION AT SPACE LAB WHILE I WAS AT GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER. HIS THIRD AND FOURTH FLIGHTS ON SHUTTLE STS-39 IN 1991, AND STS-53 IN 1992 INVOLVED DEPLOYING EXPERIMENTS. DURING HIS ASTRONAUT SERVICE, DR. BLUFORD LOGGED OVER 688 HOURS IN SPACE. IN 1993, DR. BLUFORD LEFT NASA AND RETIRED FROM THE AIR FORCE TO ACCEPT A POSITION IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY. MR. SPEAKER, DR. GUION BLUFORD IS AN INSPIRATION FOR ALL AMERICANS. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS TO JOIN ME IN SALUTING DR. GUION S. "GUY" BLUEFORD ON THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY -- BLUFORD ON THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS HISTORIC FLIGHT. AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:48:26	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALASKA.
03:48:34	Boozman, John	MR. SPEAKER --
03:48:36	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	SORRY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS IS RECOGNIZED.
03:48:43	Boozman, John	I RISE TODAY IN HOUSE OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1466, WHICH HONORS THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF AN AMAZING MAN. ASTRONAUT DR. GUY BLUFORD JR. HE WAS BORN IN WEST PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ON NOVEMBER 22, 1942, AND IS PERHAPS BEST KNOWN AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN SPACE. HE WAS SELECTED FOR NASA'S ASTRONAUT PROGRAM IN AUGUST, 1979, AND BECAME A MISSION SPECIALIST ON THE EIGHTH SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION WHICH LAUNCHED FROM THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA, ON AUGUST 30, 1983. THIS WAS THE THIRD FLIGHT OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER AND THE FIRST MISSION WITH THE NIGHT LAUNCH AND NIGHT LANDING. DR. BLUFORD IS A VETERAN OF FOUR SPACE FLIGHTS. DR. BLUFORD WENT ON TO SERVE AS MISSION SPECIALIST ON STS-61-A, STS-39, STS-53 AND LOGGED OVER 688 HOURS IN SPACE. THESE EARLY MISSIONS PAVED THE WAY FOR THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION THAT TODAY ARE VITAL ASPECTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. PRIOR TO HIS SERVICE WITH NASA, GUY BLUFORD RECEIVED A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY IN 1964. A MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE WITH DISTINCTION IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING FROM THE AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN 1974. A DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING WITH A MINOR IN LASER PHYSICS FROM THE AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN 1978. AND A MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-CLEARLAKE, IN 1987. WHAT IS PERHAPS LESS WELL-KNOWN OF GUY BLUFORD IS HIS SERVICE OF GIVING TO THE NATION SINCE LEAVING THE ASTRONAUT CORPS. SINCE LEAVING NASA IN 1993, HE RETIRED FROM THE AIR FORCE AND HELD SEVERAL EXECUTIVE LEVEL POSITIONS IN AMERICA'S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY. DR. BLUFORD SERVED THE NATION AS A MEMBER OF THE COLOMBIA ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD. HE WAS PART OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, AREO -- AERONAUTICS, THE BOARD OF ADVISORS FOR THE COALITION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION. I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION HONORING SUCH A PROMINENT AMERICAN CITIZEN, EXECUTIVE AND ASTRONAUT. AND, MR. SPEAKER, I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT HOUSE RESOLUTION 1466. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:51:35	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS RESERVES. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND.
03:51:40	Edwards, Donna F.	I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:51:45	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN CONTINUES TO RESERVE.
03:51:49	Boozman, John	IF THE GENTLELADY HAS NO OTHER SPEAKERS, I WILL GO AHEAD AND YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:51:59	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARKANSAS YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND.
03:52:05	Edwards, Donna F.	MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:52:09	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1466. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 HAVING RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION A MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND IS RECOGNIZED.
03:52:39	Edwards, Donna F.	MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS S. 2606, TO RE-AUTHORIZE THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
03:52:49	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
03:52:52	THE CLERK	SENATE 2606, AN ACT TO RE-AUTHORIZE THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
03:52:59	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND, MS. EDWARDS, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. HALL, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND.
03:53:13	Edwards, Donna F.	MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND TO INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON S. 2606, THE BILL NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION.
03:53:25	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	IT IS SO HONORED. THE GENTLEWOMAN MAY PROCEED.
03:53:29	Edwards, Donna F.	MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF S. 2206, THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION RE-AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008. THIS BILL IS A COMPANION BILL TO THE -- TO H.R. 4847, THAT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE LAST APRIL. THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION IS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE FOR OUR NATION'S FIREFIGHTERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY PROTECT. THROUGH TRAINING, DATA COLLECTION, FIRE EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC AND SUPPORT FOR FIRE-RELATED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, THE USFA PROVIDES CRITICAL TOOLS AND LEADERSHIP TO THE FIRE SERVICE. FROM SMALL-SCALE INDIVIDUAL TRAGEDIES, SUCH AS HOUSE FIRES AND CAR ACCIDENTS, TO THE COMMUNITY AND REGIONWIDE DISASTERS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS OR FLOODS, FIREFIGHTERS ARE OFTEN THE FIRST TO ARRIVE ON THE SCENE AND THE LAST TO LEAVE. WE DEPEND ON OUR FIREFIGHTERS. BUT FIREFIGHTERS ALSO DEPEND ON US. THEY DEPEND ON THE PUBLIC AND THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES, THE EQUIPMENT AND THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOB. IF THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY EQUIPPED, WE ARE ALL AT RISK. CONGRESS SAW THE NEED TO CREATE THE USFA IN 1973 WHEN THE AMERICA BURNING REPORT CALLED ATTENTION TO OVER 6,000 AMERICANS EACH YEAR WHO DIED IN FIRES AND THE 100,000 WHO WERE INJURED. THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE USFA AND OTHERS, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED IN FIRES EACH YEAR HAS DROPPED BY 50%. DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 3,000 AND INJURIES HAVE DROPPED BY 84%. WHILE IMPRESSIVE, 3,000 DEATHS IS STILL FAR TOO MANY, ESPECIALLY WHEN SO MANY OF THESE DEATHS AND INJURIES ARE FROM OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY. S. 2206 IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE HOUSE BILL THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY ON THIS FLOOR IN APRIL. THE BILL RE-AUTHORIZES THIS IMPORTANT AGENCY FOR FOUR YEARS AT FUNDING LEVELS THAT WILL ENABLE THE USFA TO FULLY CARRY OUT ITS MISSION. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT S. 2206 REFLECTS THE PRIORITIES FOR THIS AGENCY EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICE COMMUNITY AT A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE HEARING HELD EARLIER LAST YEAR. S. 2206 AUTHORIZES THE USFA TO FOCUS ON THE PRESSING CHALLENGES OF FIGHTING FIRES IN THE WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE. AS COMMUENTS SPREAD DEEPER INTO FIRE-PRONE AREAS, THEY HAVE THE DAUNTING CHALLENGES TO FIGHT FIRES DIFFERENT THAN THOSE THEY ARE TRAINED TO TACKLE. THE BILL ALSO AUTHORIZES THE USFA TO OFFER TRAINING FOR FIRES IMPROVING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AS WELL AS ADVANCED TOPICS IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. FIREFIGHTERS TODAY ARE CALLED UPON TO RESPOND TO AN EVER-BROADER ARRAY OF EMERGENCIES. THIS AUTHORIZATION BILL GIVES THE USFA THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE SURE ITS TRAINING PROGRAM KEEPS PACE WITH THE INCREASING CHALLENGES TO THE FIRE SERVICE. S. 2206 IS A PRODUCT OF BIPARTISAN AND BICAMERAL COLLABORATION AND IS SUPPORTED BY MAJOR FIRE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS, THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, AND THE NATIONAL VOLUME UNER TEAR FIRE COUNCIL, THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION, AND THE CONGRESSIONAL FIRE SERVICES INSTITUTE. THE RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP OF USFA ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE ABILITY OF THE FIRE SERVICE TO PROTECT OUR CITIES, TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:57:19	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS RECOGNIZED.
03:57:27	MR. HALL	MR. SPEAKER, I RISE, OF COURSE, IN SUPPORT OF S. 2606, A BILL TO RE-AUTHORIZE THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION. IT'S A COMPANION BILL TO H.R. 4807 WHICH PASSED THE HOUSE IN APRIL WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT AFTER MOVING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BY REGULAR ORDER. THIS ACT AUTHORIZES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2012. USFA PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT TO OUR NATION'S FIREFIGHTERS THROUGH TRAINING, THROUGH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT. FOR INSTANCE, THE USFA PROVIDES FIREFIGHTING TRAINING FOR OVER 80,000 FIREFIGHTERS PER YEAR, COMPILES NATIONWIDE DATA ON PREVENTION ACTIVITIES AND OVERSEES THE FIRE GRANTS PROGRAM -- PROGRAMS THAT HAVE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED THE CAPABILITIES AND PREPAREDNESS OF OUR NATION'S FIRE SERVICES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AGENCY IN OUR COMMITTEE'S JURISDICTION. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR. MITCHELL AND DR. GINGREY, VICE CHAIR AND RANKING MEMBER OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION SUBCOMMITTEE FOR THEIR HARD WORK OVER THE PAST YEAR ON THIS MATTER. THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION DOES A WONDERFUL JOB OF PROVIDING SUPPORT TO FIRST RESPONDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. RE-AUTHORIZATION OF THIS AGENCY IS AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY FOR ME, AND I URGE THE PASSAGE OF S. 2606, AND I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:58:58	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND IS RECOGNIZED.
03:59:06	Edwards, Donna F.	MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:59:12	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.
03:59:17	MR. HALL	I HAVE NO OTHER SPEAKERS. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:59:22	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND IS RECOGNIZED.
03:59:29	Edwards, Donna F.	MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
03:59:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS SENATE 2606. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S --
03:59:47	>>	I REQUEST THE YEAS AND NAYS.
03:59:49	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS REQUESTS THE YEAS AND NAYS. THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE REQUESTED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS VOTE BY YEAS AND NAYS WILL RISE AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL COUNTED. A SUFFICIENT NUMBER HAVING RISEN, THE YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE 20 AND THE CHAIR'S PRIOR ANNOUNCEMENT, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND.
04:00:21	Edwards, Donna F.	I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1390, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF A 4-H NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE DAY.
04:00:34	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
04:00:37	THE CLERK	HOUSE RESOLUTION 1390, RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT FOR THE EZZIG NATION OF A 4-H NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE DAY.
04:00:46	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN MS. ED WANDS AND THE YET FROM TEXAS, MR. HALL EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND.
04:01:00	Edwards, Donna F.	I ASK THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL IN H.R. 1390, THE RESOLUTION UNDER CONSIDERATION.
04:01:12	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE GENTLEWOMAN MAY PROCEED.
04:01:16	Edwards, Donna F.	MR. SPEAKER, I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1390 AND 4-H POLICEMANS -- PROGRAMS ACROSS AMERICA. 4-H WORKS WITH OVER SIX MILLION YOUTHS IN ALL 50 STATES TO HELP DEVELOP CITIZENSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND LIFE SKILLS. 4-46RBINGS -- 4-H HAS BEEN DOING THIS AND DOING IT WELL FOR OVER 100 YEARS. WHAT SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW IS ONE OF 4-H'S PRIMARY FOCUSES TODAY IS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. THROUGH SUMMER CAMPS, FAIRS, CULTURAL EVENTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS, 4-H IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING AMERICAN YOUTHS WITH SOLID BACKGROUNDS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. PLFER, 4-H RAMS GET CHILDREN EXCITED AND INTERESTED IN THESE FIELDS WHICH WE KNOW IS A CRITICAL ELEMENT IN A CHILD'S EDUCATION SUCCESS IN THE SCIENCES. AMERICAN STUDENTS CONSISTENTLY RANK BEHIND OUR INTERNATIONAL PIERCE IN THE FIELDS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. WE CLEARLY NEED TO DO MORE IF WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE NEXT GENERATION OF AMERICANS HAVE THE HIGH TECH SKILLS TO COMPETE IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE. THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE 4- H CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK THEY'RE DOING. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPON OF THIS RESOLUTION, MR. CARDOZA, FOR RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF 4-H IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND REQUEST MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:02:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.
04:02:59	MR. HALL	MR. SPEAKER, THE RESOLUTION BEFORE US TODAY WOULD DESIGNATE OCTOBER AS 4-H NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE DAY. I AS WELL AS 21 OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS BODY WAS A PROUD MEMBER OF 4-H AND KNEW FIRSTHAND THE GOOD WORK THIS ORGANIZATION PERFORMS, HEAD, HEART, HANDS, HEALTH, THAT'S WHAT THE FOUR H'S STAND FOR WITH OVER SIX MILLION YOUTH PARTICIPATING, IT'S A MUCH LARGER ORGANIZATION TODAY THAN IT WAS WHEN I WAS A BOY BUT IT'S THE FOCUS OF HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THAT FOCUS REMAINS THE SAME. AS WE DISCUSS FREQUENTLY ON THIS FLOOR AND AS THE NEWSPAPERS REFLECT ALMOST DAILY, OUR INNOVATIVE SPIRIT IS THE STRONGHOLD OF THE NATION'S SUCCESS BUT WE MUST DO A BETTER JOB OF ENERGIZING OUR CHILDREN TO BE INTERESTED IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IF WE'RE TO REMAIN THE WORLD LEADER IN INNO VAGUE. THE NOIMP 4-H SCIENCE DAY IS TO DO JUST THAT. IT'S A DESIGNATED ACTIVITY FOR THE FIRST 4-H NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE DAY WILL FOCUS ON WATER CONSERVATION. THROUGH THIS SPECIAL DAY AND THROUGH ITS SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND NECKNOLOGY -- TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS, THEY HAVE A GOAL TO HAVE REPAIRING ONE MILLION NEW YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXCEL IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BY 2013. I APPLAUD THEM IN THESE TH EVERY DEN -- ENDEAVOR AND URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
04:04:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND.
04:04:35	Edwards, Donna F.	I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:04:37	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.
04:04:40	MR. HALL	I YIELD BACK MY TIME.
04:04:43	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK. THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND.
04:04:48	Edwards, Donna F.	I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:04:50	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1390? THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF HE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND RISE?
04:05:16	Edwards, Donna F.	I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 6323 TO ESTABLISH A RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION PROGRAM TO PROMOTE RESEARCH OF APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGIES FOR HEAVY DUTY PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLES.
04:05:36	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	DOES THE GENTLELADY CALL UP THE BILL AS AMENDED?
04:05:40	Edwards, Donna F.	YES.
04:05:42	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
04:05:45	Edwards, Donna F.	H.R. 6323, A BILL TO AMEND A RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT DEMONSTRATION AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION PROGRAM TO PROMOTE RESEARCH OF APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGIES FOR HEAVY DUTY PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
04:05:59	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND, MS. EDWARDS AND THE YET FROM TEXAS, MR. HALL, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND.
04:06:10	Edwards, Donna F.	I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON H.R. 6323, THE BILL NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION.
04:06:19	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
04:06:22	Edwards, Donna F.	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
04:06:26	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
04:06:29	Edwards, Donna F.	IT IS MY PLEASURE TO PUT BEFORE THE HOUSE TODAY H.R. 6323 BY MR. JIM SENSENBRENNER, RANKING MEMBER OF THE INVESTIGATIONS AND OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE. BY ENHANCING THE DEPARTMENT OF NVERAGE'S RESEARCH PROGRAM IN HEAVY DUTY HYBRID TRUCKS THIS BILL DRAWS MUCH-NEEDED FOCUS TO A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR, COMMERCIAL TRUCKS. WE ARE LEARNING THE HARD WAY HOW MUCH THE HEALTH OF OUR ECONOMY CAN HINGE ON THE COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION SECTOR. SKYROCKETING FUEL COSTS TRANSLATE INTO HIGHER PRICES FOR CONSUMERS. STHINS LARGE MAJORITY OF PRODUCTS WE CONSUME OR USE, FROM FOOD TO BUILDING MATERIALS ARE AT SOME POINT TRANSPORTED BY MEDIUM TO HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK. WE MUST TAKE MEASURES TO MAKE SURE THIS REMAINS A VIBRANT ECONOMIC SECTOR. THE HEAVY DUTY TRUCK SECTOR ALSO PLAYS A ROLE IN ENERGY SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. ABOUT 1/4 OF THE NATION'S FUEL USE AND THE MAJORITY OF EMISSIONS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. ONE LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER RIG USED AS -- USES AS MUCH FUEL ANNUALLY AS 48 PASSENGER VEHICLES. WE CAN SEE HOW EVEN SMALL IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR EFFICIENCY CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. AS WITH PASSENGER VEHICLES, HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES HOLD THE GREATEST PROMISE FOR IMPROVING THE FUEL ECONOMY IN COMMERCIAL TRUCKS, BUT CONSIDER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IS REQUIRED TO PUT THEM ON THE ROAD. WHILE THEY WILL TECHNOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR HYBRID TRUCKS ARE VERY DIFFERENT, THEY CAN BENEFIT THE DOMESTIC AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR AS A WHOLE BY PROVIDING INVALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED IN DESIGNING THESE SYSTEMS. MR. SENSENBRENNER AND HIS STAFF WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE MAJORITY TO ENSURE THAT GRANTS THUNDER PROGRAM EXPLORE A WIDE RANGE OF HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS. MR. SENSENBRENNER'S BILL REPRESENTS A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO CHIPPING AWAY AT OUR ENERGY CHALLENGE. I I BELIEVE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN THE LARGE AND COMPLEX PUZZLE THAT IS OUR TRANSPORTATION SECTOR AND I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:08:49	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY RESERVES THE BALANCE OF HER TIME. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. HALL, IS RECOGNIZED.
04:08:56	MR. HALL	MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 6323. HEAVY DUTY HYBRID VEHICLE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT DEMONSTRATION ACT OF 2008. SPONSORED BY MY GOOD FRIEND, CONGRESSMAN SENSENBRENNER. WHILE MOVES THE ATTENTION OF HYBRID VEHICLES HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON PASSENGER CARS, LARGE, HEAVY-DUTY HYBRID TRUCKS HAVE RECEIVED LIMITED FUNDS FOR FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, BECAUSE TRUCKS GENERALLY USE MUCH MORE FUEL PER YEAR THAN PASSENGER CARS, THE OVERALL POTENTIAL SAVINGS IS VERY SIGNIFICANT. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ESTIMATES TYPICAL DELIVERY TRUCK USING A TRY TRIE DRAWLIC HYBRID SYSTEM COULD SAVE UP TO ONE00 GALLONS OF FUEL A YEAR. IN LIGHT OF THE SAVINGS, THE HEAVY DUTY HYBRID VEHICLE ACT OF 2008 AIMS TO ENCOURAGE THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE NEEDED TECHNOLOGY TO BRING ABOUT THE SAVING. THE BILL DIRECTS THE SECRETARY OF MORTGAGE ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED HEAVY DUTY HYBRID VEHICLES. THE GRANTS ARE AWARDED IN TWO PHASES. IN PHASE ONE, GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BUILD OR RETROFIT ONE OR MORE HEAVY DUTY HYBRID VEHICLES AND COLLECT DATA IN FAZE TWO, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE 50 HEAVY DUTY ADVANCE HYBRID SPEAKS AND REPORT ON THE RESULTS. IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR OTHER DESIGNS IN HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. IT DIRECTS THE SECRETARY TO ESTABLISH A STUDY PROGRAM TO RESEARCH AND TEST THE EFFECTS ON THE DOMESTIC ELECTRIC POWER GRID OF THEWIDE SPRED USE OF PLUG-IN PRY HYBRID VEHICLES, INCLUDING HEAVY DUTY, PLUG-IN HIGH DRID TRUCKS. H.R. 6323 PASSED OUT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND INPUT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. I THANK CONGRESSMAN SENSENBRENNER FOR INTRODUCING THE BILL AND CHAIRMAN GARDENER FOR HELPING US ADVANCE IT. I THINK IT MAKES GOOD SENSE. WITH THAT, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:11:21	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND.
04:11:26	Edwards, Donna F.	I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS OF THE TIME. I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:11:33	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.
04:11:35	MR. HALL	I YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
04:11:39	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
04:11:43	Foxx, Virginia	I THANK MY COLLEAGUE FROM TEXAS FOR YIELDING. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE NEED TOIM PROVE OUR ABILITY TO USE THE ENERGY THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND CERTAINLY TO GET ADDITIONAL COUNTRY. -- ADDITIONAL ENERGY. I WANT TO CALL TO ATTENTION, PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS DEBATE, SOMETHING THAT'S COME OUT IN THE PRESS WHICH REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR A LONG TIME AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE BILL THAT THE -- THE NO ENERGY BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE LAST WEEK. I'M GOING TO HIT SOME HIGH SPOTS AND MR. SPEAKER, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO PUT THE REST OF THE MATERIAL INTO THE RECORD WITHOUT OBJECTION. WITHOUT OBJECTION. THE "BOSTON GLOBE" OP-ED ON 9/21/0 , SPEAKER PELOSI'S BILL THAT WOULD MAKE DRILL MANAGER DIFFICULT. THE BILL PERMANENTLY BANS ALL DRILLING WITHIN 50 MILES OF THE U.S. COAST, WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE WHERE MOST OF THE RECOVERABLE OIL AND GAS RESERVES ARE. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" -- "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" EDITORIAL, PELOSI'S DRILLING RUSE, THE SUDDEN PRO-DRILLING MAKEOVER OF THE PELOSI DEMOCRAT HAS ALWAYS HAD AN AIR A GALE OF ELECTION YEAR CONVENIENCE AND THE HOUSE PROVED IT TUESDAY BY PASSING AN ENERGY BILL THAT WOULD PUT ANY CON MAN TO SHAME. IT WON'T EXPAND OIL AND GAS SUPPLIES EVEN A BIT. THE REAL GAME WAS TO GIVE VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS POLITICAL COVER BY LETTING THEM VOTE FOR OFFSHORE DRILLING WHILE MAKING IT ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE, APPEASING THE PARTY'S GREEN WING. THE PELOSI DEMOCRATS AREN'T SERIOUS ABOUT EXPANDING DOMESTIC ENERGY SUPPLIES, "WALL STREET JOURNAL," 9/19/2008. THE OREGONIAN, FROM 9/17, 2008, THIS IS A COLUMN BY DAVID REINHART, NANCY PELOSI'S DRILLING CHARADE. PE LOW CEASE'S ALTERNATIVE DRILLING CHOICE, SNAKE OIL. LOUISIANA SENATOR MARY LANDRIEUX SAID BEFORE THE VOTE THAT PELOSI'S HANDYWORK WOULD BE, QUOTE, DEAD ON ARRIVAL, END QUOTE, IN THE SENATE AND THE TITLE OF THAT ARTICLE IS "PE LOW' CEASE -- PELOSI'S BILL IS AN OBVIOUS CHARADE." SOME OTHER EDTORIAL, THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE, NOTHING, THAT'S WHAT THIS CONGRESS CAME UP WITH AFTER MONTHS OF HIGH FUEL COSTS AND CONCERN OVER OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL AND AFTER A SUMMER RECESS IN WHICH SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES COULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BUT DID NOT. CONGRESS CAME UP WITH NOTHING, A FAKE ENERGY EXPLORATION THAT WOULD ONLY WEAKEN AMERICA. THE TITLE OF THAT WAS "THEY'VE BLOWN A RUSE: CONGRESS FAILS YET QUEN," "AUGUSTA CHRONICLE" EDTORIAL, SEPTEMBER 21, 2008. ANOTHER ONE, THE "NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS" EDTORIAL, DON'T BE FOOLED BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS' DISENGENERALS YOU BILL TO LIFT THE BAN ON OFFSHORE DRILLING. IT'S A BILL INTENDED TO GIVE VOTERS THE IMPRESSION THAT DEMOCRATS FAVOR OFFSHORE DRILLING WHILE MAINTAINING THEIR OPPOSITION TO IT. THAT'S IN AN ARTICLE CALLED "DRILLING FOR POLITICAL ADVANTAGE," SEPTEMBER 20, 2008. . IT IS REFRESHING TO SEE THAT OUR NEWSPAPER FOLKS ARE PAYING ATTENTION WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND CALLING ATTENTION TO IT TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. REPUBLICANS DID THAT ALL THE MONTH OF AUGUST, CALLING ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE DEMOCRATS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP HARD-WORKING AMERICANS BY LOWERING THE PRICE OF GASOLINE. MR. SPEAKER, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS. AND I'M GOING TO GIVE ONE MORE QUOTE FROM "WALL STREET JOURNAL"." THIS CONFIDENCE TRICK WON'T EXPAND DOMESTIC OIL AND GAS SUPPLIES EVEN A BIT AS CONGRESS RUNS DOWN THE CLOCK FOR THIS TERM, THE LIKELIHOOD OF REACHING SOME GRAND PRE-ELECTION ENERGY BARGAIN IS COMING TO AN END. PELOSI ISN'T SERIOUS ABOUT EXPANDING ENERGY DOMESTIC SUPPLIES. THAT WAS IN THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL." REPUBLICANS HAVE A COMMONSENSE PLAN CALLED THE AMERICAN ENERGY ACT. WE BELIEVE IN ALL OF THE ABOVE CONSERVATION ALTERNATIVES, DRILLING FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPLY, USING THE MONEY THAT WOULD COME FROM THOSE LEASES TO PROVIDE THE ALTERNATIVES. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:16:49	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND.
04:16:52	Edwards, Donna F.	MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD JUST YIELD TIME TO MYSELF. MR. SPEAKER, THE BILL THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING NOW IS A STEP TOWARD ENERGY FOR THE FUTURE, TOWARD INVESTING IN THE KINDS OF TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL TRANSFORM WHERE WE ARE TODAY ON ENERGY TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE TO COMPETE IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE. AND I'M PLEASED TO BE HERE IN SUPPORT OF MR. SENSENBRENNER'S BILL TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN HYBRID TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL TRANSFORM OUR COMMERCIAL TRUCKING SECTOR SO WE MAKE THE KINDS OF INVESTMENTS IN ENERGY THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE TODAY TO COMPETE IN TOMORROW'S MARKETPLACE. AND I YIELD THE BALANCE -- I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:17:41	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.
04:17:45	MR. HALL	I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME AND I YIELD BACK.
04:17:48	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE BALANCE OF HIS TIME. THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND.
04:17:54	Edwards, Donna F.	I YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:17:56	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R. 6323 AS AMENDED. THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3 BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE FABLE -- TABLE.
04:18:16	Young, Donald "Don"	OBJECT TO THE VOTE ON THE GROUND THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AND MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT.
04:18:26	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THIS MOTION WILL BE POSTPONED. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND RISE?
04:18:37	Edwards, Donna F.	I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 1471, HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION OF THE FIRST INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
04:18:52	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION.
04:18:55	THE CLERK	HOUSE RESOLUTION 1471, RESOLUTION HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION OF THE FIRST INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
04:19:06	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND, MS. EDWARDS, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, MR. HALL, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEWOMAN FROM MARYLAND.
04:19:18	Bordallo, Madeleine	I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
04:19:31	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
04:19:34	Edwards, Donna F.	I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. SEPTEMBER 12 OF THIS YEAR CAME AND WENT WITH LITTLE MENTION OF THE 50THS ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE 20TH CENTURY. WE OWE A DEBT TO CONGRESSMAN HALL TO REMIND US OF THE EXPERIMENT OF JACK KILDEE'S EXPERIMENT AND GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY TO OUR WELL-BEING. JACK KILDEE KNEW HE WAS ON TO SOMETHING IMPORTANT. HE TURNED DOWN OFFERS FROM ELECTRONICS COMPANIES TO GO TO TEXAS INSTRUMENTS BECAUSE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS WAS THE ONE COMPANY THAT WOULD LET HIM WORK FULL-TIME ON ELECTRONICS. JUST FOUR MONTHS LATER, HE DEMONSTRATED WHAT OTHERS HAD BEEN UNABLE TO DO, THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO CREATE AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT BY COMBINING RESIST TORS. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITHIN A YEAR OF SPUTNIK, THAT WAS A WAKEUP CALL TO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. THERE WERE COMPUTERS THEN BUT THEY WERE VACUUM TUBES AND WIRES THAT FILLED A ROOM BUT PROVIDED VERY LITTLE COMPUTING POWER. RADIOS, TELEVISION AND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ALSO EXISTED, BUT ONCE AGAIN WERE FAIRLY COMPLICATED DEVICES WITH LIMITED UTILITY. THE MINIATURIZATION REVOLUTIONIZED ELECTRONICS. THANKS TO HIS COLLEAGUES AT FAIRCHILD INTEGRATED CIRCUITS MOVED FROM SILICON. EARLY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT APPLICATIONS ALLOWED MANKIND TO REACH THE MOON BY THE END OF THE 1960'S. IT COMPLETELY CHANGED THE FACE OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE. IT ALLOWED HIM TO INVENT THE CALCULATOR AND MADE THE INTERNET POSSIBLE. IT ALLOWED ELECTRONICS TO BE THE FUTURE OF AUTOMOBILES, AIRPLANES, ENTERTAINMENT, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING CONTROLS. BEFORE HE DIED, THE TEAMS HAD BECOME MICROSCOPIC AND DECREASED IN PRICE BY A FACTOR OF A MILLION. DURING OUR LIFE TIMES THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DROP IN PRICE, INCREASE IN SOPHISTICATION AND BE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR LIFE AS WE KNOW IT. I'M EXTREMELY PLEASED OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND SEEN FIT TO PUSH THIS TRIBUTE TO SUCH AN IMPORTANT SET OF ACHEEFLTS. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR THIS LEGISLATION THAT HONORS A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO TRULY CHANGED THE WORLD FOR BETTER. I RESEVERE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:22:15	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY RESERVES. THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.
04:22:19	MR. HALL	MR. SPEAKER, I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H. RES. 1471, WHICH HONORS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INVENTION OF THE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT BY JACK ST. CLAIRE KIRBY ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1958 IN A DALLAS LAB OF TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. JACK GATHERED A SMALL GROUP OF CO-WORKERS TO UNVEIL A STUNNING ACHIEVEMENT FOR THEM SO THAT A THIN PIECE OF METAL ATTACHED TO MONITORING EQUIPMENT. WHEN POWERED, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE SINGLE PIECE OF METAL WAS DOING THE WORK OF SEVERAL PEOPLE. SEVERAL ELECTRONICS COMPONENTS INCLUDING RESIST TORES. HE CREATED THE FIRST MICROCHIP. I GO BACK A LONG WAYS WITH PARTICULARS AS INSTRUMENTS. I KNOW VERY WELL ERIC JOHNSON WHO STARTED TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. I HAVE TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT T.I. AND HOW HE BOUGHT IT AND SAID HE BOUGHT IT ON A SATURDAY MORNING AND NEXT MORNING, HE IS DRIVING OUT TO LOOK WHAT HE HAD BOUGHT AND TURNED ON HIS RADIO BECAUSE HE PROMISED HIS WIFE HE WOULD BE BACK IN TIME TO GO TO CHURCH. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS THAT THE JAPANESE WERE BOMBING PEARL HARBOR. I SAID TO ERIC JOHNSON, MR. JOHNSON, AS AN ENGINEER, YOU ARE WONDERFUL, BUT AS A MATTER OF TIMING, YOU ARE PERFECT, BECAUSE THAT LAUNCHED THE WORLD INTO WAR AND HELPED THEM LAUNCH A VICTORY. THIS BREAKTHROUGH IS A SIMILAR BREAKTHROUGH THEY HAVE HAD TIME AND TIME AGAIN AT T.I. FOR MANY OF THE 20TH CENTURY, THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY HAS RELIED ON VACUUM TUBES. BY 1958, THESE BULKY AND FRAGILE DEVICES WERE WIDELY REPLACED BY TRANSSCISSORS, WHICH WERE SMALLER AND PRODUCED LESS HEAT. THESE FEATURES ALLOWED ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS TO DESIGN MUCH MORE COMPLICATED SYSTEMS. HOWEVER, AS A NUMBER OF COMPONENTS INCREASED, ENGINEERS WERE HAVING A HARDER TIME CONNECTING EVERYTHING. CUTTING-EDGE DEVICES MIGHT REQUIRE CONNECTING THOUSANDS OF COMPONENTS BY THOUSANDS OF TINY WIRES BY HAND. JACK SOLVED THAT PROBLEM. OVER THE SUMMER OF 1958, JACK CREATED A WAY TO BUILD ALL OF THE WIRES AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INTO A SINGLE PIECE OF METAL. IN ESSENCE, ELECTION TRON NICKS MANUFACTURERS COULD TAKE A SOLID PIECE OF METAL, NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED. THIS BREAKTHROUGH REVOLUTIONIZED THE WORLD. HIS INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PIONEERS, HERALDED THE BEGINNING OF TRANSFORMATION OF MODERN SOCIETY. THEIR WORK PAVED THE WAY FOR THE MODERN ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY. DEVICES THAT REQUIRED A SMALL BUILDING AND TEAMS OF ENGINEERS NOW FIT NEATLY INTO A POCKET. INTEGRATED CIRCUITS CONTINUE TO BE THE CONCH STONE OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY AND IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT OF OUR RESEARCH INSTRUTIONSTUTIONS. 50 YEARS, IT IS FITTING THAT CONGRESS RECOGNIZE THIS ACHIEVEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SECTOR NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT H. RES. 1461 AND MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:25:57	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN RESERVES. THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND.
04:26:01	Edwards, Donna F.	I HAVE NO FURTHER REQUESTS FOR TIME AND I RESERVE.
04:26:07	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.
04:26:09	MR. HALL	I YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA, MRS. FOXX.
04:26:13	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
04:26:19	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	--
04:26:22	Foxx, Virginia	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE HERALDING THIS INNOVATION TODAY AND I WANT TO TIE THIS IN ON WHAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO ALL THIS YEAR, AND THAT IS TO ALLOW US TO CREATE MORE AMERICAN-MADE ENERGY BY DRILLING IN ALASKA AND DRILLING ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF AND USING THAT MONEY THAT WE WOULD -- THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD GET FOR THE LEASES TO FIND NEW AND EXCITING ALTERNATIVES FOR OUR ENERGY SITUATION, THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AGAIN WHAT SOME NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE SAID ABOUT THE CYNICAL BILL THAT WAS PASSED LAST WEEK BY SPEAKER PELOSI AND THE DEMOCRATS AND SHOW THAT THIS IS UNDERSTOOD ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. "THE NEW HAMPSHIRE UNION LEADER" EDITORIAL SAID, DRILLING FOR COVER, PELOSI AND COMPANY'S PHONY BILL. DEMOCRATS IN THE U.S. HOUSE WANT YOU TO THINK THEY SUPPORT EXPANDED DRILLING FOR OIL AND GAS. THEY DON'T. THEIR VOTE ON TUESDAY PROVED IT. THIS BILL IS A TOTAL FRAUD. IT GIVES ACCESS TO ONLY 12% OF THE ESTIMATED OIL RESERVES WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT ALLOWED ACCESS OF THE THE BILL DOES NOT ALLOW STATES TO SHARE REVENUES FROM OIL LEASES GRANTED THERE. SO STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, WHICH FACES A HUGE BUDGET SHORTFALL HAVE LESSONS IN IT TO GIVE THEIR APPROVAL. DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSED EXPANDED DOMESTIC DRILLING FOREVER SUDDENLY FOUND THEMSELVES ON THE LUDESING END ON A MAJOR ECONOMIC ISSUE AFTER GAS PRICES HIT $4 A GALLON. THEY ARE PUSHING A PHONY DRILLING BILL TO FOOL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE INTO BELIEVING THAT DEMOCRATS SUPPORT OIL EXPLORATION. IN THE HONOLULU JOURNAL, BILL FALLS SHORT OF BIPARTISAN SOLUTION. REPRESENTATIVE ABERCROMBIE'S ADMIRABLE EFFORT TO CRAFT A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY PLAN WORTH OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT HAS BEEN CAST ASIDE. THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP HAS PUSHED THROUGH A SURROGATE MEASURE THAT IS DOOMED EITHER IN THE SENATE OR BY PRESIDENTIAL VETO WHILE PROVIDING DEMOCRATS POLITICAL COVER FROM VOTERS ANGRY ABOUT HOW HIGH GASOLINE PRICES. THE BILL PACKED BY PELOSI WOULD KEEP THE BAN IN EFFECT WITHIN 50 MILES OF THE SHORE. IT WOULD ALLOW DRILLING FROM 50 TO 100 MILES IF ADJACENT STATES GAVE THEIR APPROVAL AND WOULD EXTEND IT BEYOND 100 MILES WITHOUT SUCH APPROVAL. 88% OF THE ESTIMATED 18 BILLION BARRELS OF OIL NOW UNDER DRILLING BANS WOULD REMAIN OFF LIMITS. "THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER," PELOSI'S SHAM ENERGY BILL IS AN OILY DODGE. AND IT SAYS, THE REALITY IS THE SHAM LEGISLATION EFFECTIVELY KEEPS THE 26-YEAR-OLD CONGRESSIONAL DRILLING BAN IN PLACE FOR 85% OF ALL OFFSHORE PETROLEUM RESERVES. PELOSI'S MEASURE ALLOWS VIRTUALLY NO DRILLING WITHIN 100 MILES OF U.S. COASTLINE, YET THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THE UNTAPPED RESOURCES ARE. INCREDIBLY, THAT'S NOT THE WORST OF IT. PELOSI'S BILL LEAVES IN PLACE THE ENDLESS DELAYS CREATED VIA LAWSUITS FILED BY ENVIRONMENTALISTS. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JOHN SHADEGG CALLS THIS PROBLEM THE BILL'S LITIGATION LOOPHOLE. . CHARLESTON, VIRGINIA "DAILY MAIL" EDTORIAL, HOUSE DOES NOTHING. WHEN THE HOUSE CAME BACK TO WASHINGTON, THEY QUICKLY PASSED A BILL THAT SENATOR MARY LANDRIEUX PRONOUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN THE SENATE. IT GOES ON TO TO SAY PELOSI'S PLAN IS A SLAP IN THE FACE OF AMERICANS. AMERICANS NEED TO BE AS INDEPENDENT OF FOREIGN OIL AS POSSIBLE. THE PUBLIC SEES THAT, YET DEMOCRATS REFUSE TO PURSUE POLICIES THAT WILL INCREASE AMERICAN OIL PRODUCTION. THIS POSITION IS SENSELESS AND IT IS ESPECIALLY SO IN AN ELECTION YEAR. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" EDTORIAL, WASTED ENERGY BILL. HOUSE DEMOCRATS PUSH FOR EXPANDED OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS DRILLING WAS MORE ABOUT ELECTORAL POSITIONING THAN DRILLING, AIMED AT CONVINCING VOTERS THE PARTY SHARES THEIR PAIN AT THE PUMP THEN AN OP NED "FORBES," WASHINGTON'S OFFSHORE SNAKE OIL. ON TUESDAY THE DEMOCRAT HOUSE -- THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS WENT ON RECORD SUPPORTING AN OFFSHORE DRILLING BILL THAT HEADS OVER TO THE SENATE TO DIE. MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT THE REMAINDER OF MY COMMENTS IN THE RECORD.
04:31:30	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	WITHOUT OBJECTION.
04:31:33	Foxx, Virginia	THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
04:31:35	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY FROM MARYLAND.
04:31:38	Edwards, Donna F.	I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:31:42	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS.
04:31:44	MR. HALL	I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:31:47	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLEMAN FROM MARYLAND.
04:31:49	Edwards, Donna F.	I YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
04:31:52	THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE	THE GENTLELADY YIELDS BACK. THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1471? THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, NO. IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR, 2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE TABLE. PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 12-A OF RULE