To authorize the establishment at Antietam National Battlefield of a memorial to the officers and enlisted men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light Artillery Battery who fought in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 15, 2005, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Mr. Ben S. Bernanke, of New Jersey, to be a member and chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Tuesday November 15, 2005, at 10 a.m., on Public Policy Options for Encouraging Alternative Automotive Fuel Technologies.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 15, at 10 a.m. The purpose of this hearing is to evaluate and receive a status report on the environmental management programs of the Department of Energy.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet in open Executive Session during the session on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 10 a.m. to consider an original bill that will include the Committee's budget reconciliation instructions pertaining to expiring tax provisions and also additional incentives for hurricane affected areas.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. to hold a hearing on Treaties.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Judicial Nominations'' on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226.

Witness List

Panel I: Members of Congress.

Panel II: Virginia Mary Kendall to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristi DuBose to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama; W. Keith Watkins to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on Airland be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on November 15, 2005, at 2:30 p.m., in open session to receive testimony on defense acquisition issues related to tactical aviation and army programs.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on

Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security be authorized to meet on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at 3 p.m. for a hearing regarding ``Iran: Teheran's Nuclear Recklessness and the U.S. Response--The Experts' Perspective.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on National Parks of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following Bills: S. 431, a Bill to establish a program to award grants to improve and maintain sites honoring Presidents of the United States, S. 505, a bill to amend the Yuma Crossing National Heritage ARA Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, S. 1288, a Bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System, S. 1544, a Bill to establish the Northern Plains National Heritage Area in the State of North Dakota, and for other purposes, S. Con. Res. 60, a concurrent resolution designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, S. 748 and H.R. 1084, Bills to authorize the establishment at Antietam National Battlefield of a memorial to the officers and enlisted men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light Artillery Battery who fought in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and for other purposes, and H.R. 2107, to amend Public Law 104-329 to modify authorities for the use of the Notational Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1084, a bill I introduced regarding a defining historical event for my State of New Hampshire, and indeed, all of the United States. The American Civil War was the deadliest war in all of American history with casualties totaling more than all other American Wars combined. The bloodiest day of the bloodiest war came on September 17, 1862 just outside the small town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. This battle involved 93,000 men and resulted in 23,000 American casualties on the fields surrounding Antietam Creek. The battle of Antietam, even today, is the single most deadly day in all of American history. Among the soldiers fighting that day were men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light Artillery Battery. Unfortunately, these brave men who fought and died in the Battle of Antietam do not have a marker on the field to signify their sacrifice. Although there are over 400 monuments, tablets and markers on the field of battle, none are dedicated to the brave men who fought and died that early fall day. As the 150th anniversary of the Civil War is approaching, I ask that the House help correct an unfortunate oversight and bring deserving recognition to these soldiers.

In this effort, Congressman Bass and I have introduced H.R. 1084, which would authorize the establishment of a Memorial at Antietam National Battlefield for the New Hampshire soldiers who fought in the historic battle. Importantly, this bill does not authorize any Federal appropriations, nor require any local municipality in Maryland to help finance the costs of the construction or maintenance of the monument. Any monument built and maintained at the Antietam National Battlefield Park would be entirely paid for by private sources. Additionally, the design, size, and location of any monument authorized under this bill would be at the total discretion of the Secretary of the Interior and any proposals that do not meet their desires may be rejected. Citizens of New Hampshire have passionately expressed to me, through both direct conversations as well as State passed legislation, that they would relish the opportunity to at last place a deserving monument on the battleground at Antietam.

In closing, I would like to call to mind an excerpt from a report issued by a correspondent of the Manchester Daily Mirror on September 20, 1862, three days after the horrific battle:

For two hours there was never sharper musketry heard or

seen, and New Hampshire blood flowed freely in the contest.

The Ninth suffered terribly but never flinched, and every man

stood before the awful carnage without one thought of

yielding.

Mr. Speaker, these men exemplified the steadfast bravery that is a hallmark of American soldiers across generations. On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, I ask for the assistance of the House in helping to furnish a proper monument to these commendable Americans.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the following hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on National Parks of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 15th, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 431, a bill to establish a program to award grants to improve and maintain sites honoring Presidents of the United States, S. 505, a bill to amend the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, S. 1288, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements to protect natural resources of units of the National Park System through collaborative efforts on land inside and outside of units of the National Park System, S. 1544, a bill to establish the Northern Plains National Heritage Area in the State of North Dakota, and for other purposes, S. Con. Res. 60, a concurrent resolution designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America's National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, S. 748 and H.R. 1084, bills to authorize the establishment at Antietam National Battlefield of a memorial to the officers and enlisted men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light Artillery Battery who fought in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and for other purposes, and H.R. 2107, to amend Public Law 104-329 to modify authorities for the use of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund, and for other purposes.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, SD-364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Tom Lillie at (202) 224-5161 or Brian Carlstrom at (202) 224-6293.

committee on small business and entrepreneurship

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1428) to authorize appropriations for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1428, the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1428 introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the distinguished chairman of the House Resources Committee, which extends the existing authorization levels for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Since its creation in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has funded more than 6,420 conservation projects. These efforts have been coordinated with more than 1,800 different conservation organizations. The fundamental goal of these projects has been to increase resources for fish and wildlife conservation, develop innovative conservation solutions, respect private property rights, and sustain healthy ecosystems.

Unlike most conservation groups, this organization requires its grantees to sign an agreement stipulating that no Federal funds will be used for lobbying or litigation purposes. Instead of simply talking about conserving critical habitat, the foundation has accomplished that effort by taking their limited Federal dollars, and, through its challenge grant approach, generating over $900 million in private matching funds. This is a remarkable achievement.

H.R. 1428 is a simple, noncontroversial and bipartisan bill. I urge an aye vote.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1084) to authorize the establishment at Antietam National Battlefield of a memorial to the officers and enlisted men of the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiments and the First New Hampshire Light Artillery Battery who fought in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1084, the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1084 introduced by the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley) would authorize the construction of a memorial at the Antietam National Battlefield to members of the New Hampshire Infantry that fought in the Battle of Antietam. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to select persons responsible for the establishment of the memorial and prohibits the use of Federal funds in the design, acquisition, preparation, and installation of the memorial. Additionally, the Secretary must approve the size, design, and inscriptions placed on the monument. Once the memorial is in place, the Secretary will accept responsibility for maintenance, but will be permitted to accept donations into a specific account for the New Hampshire memorial.

I urge passage of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I also thank the staffs from both majority and minority to get this bill through.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.