Floor Statements

I thank my friend from Texas.

I rise to support this bill which is built on a bipartisan foundation. I thank my friend from California (Mr. Costa) who worked with a number of us to put together a strong food safety bill, and many of the key principles embedded in that bill have been built into the bill that we're debating here today. This is an issue that brings together America's farmers, ranchers and the consumers. There is no difference or distinction between the interests of those two parties. As the FDA's false information about the tomatoes implicated in the food-borne illness outbreak illustrates, when there is false information out there, the industry suffers; and when there is food- borne illness out there, consumer confidence is eroded. Both of those outcomes are unacceptable. So there is a need for both sides to come together on this, and I am proud that this is a bipartisan effort.

I would highlight some issues, though, that need additional work as this moves into the Senate. Most importantly, the quarantine and traceability issues need further work as well as the work that is done by our State and local Departments of Health and Departments of Agriculture. They are delegated 80 percent of FDA's authority to implement most of this bill and the other responsibilities of FDA. They must have better coordination and cooperation from the FDA in implementing this legislation as well as

the rest of the food safety mandates already in the law. But overall, it is important that this Nation move forward with a modernization of the food safety system, some of which has not been built upon since the Teddy Roosevelt administration. It is important to our farmers and ranchers, and it is important to our consumers.

So for that reason, I am proud to stand in support of this bill and urge its passage, recognizing that there are issues that we need to continue to work with our friends and colleagues in the Senate on.

Mr. Speaker, with just 1 week left before we return to our districts, it is alarming that we do not have a final health care bill to read despite the Speaker's determination to have a vote on it this weekend. To get a head start though, I decided to look through the incomplete version available to the public online.

No further along than page 16, there is a provision that essentially says, A private insurance provider cannot enroll new beneficiaries into a health care plan. In short order, government-approved health care will be the only option. Current nonpartisan estimates project that as many as 114 million people will lose private health insurance. Nearly 5 million jobs will be lost due to the new taxes and mandates, and a whopping $1.3 trillion will be added to Federal spending over 10 years.

The bill creates 53 new commissions, councils, bureaus, advisory panels, and offices. If the American people think it's difficult to navigate the current health care system, just wait until more bureaucrats are involved. Why have the authors of this bill declared war on small business only to grow the Federal Government? Americans do not need more government. They need private sector jobs and affordable, quality health care. This bill provides neither.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326--the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: Operations and Maintenance (Army)

Project Funding Amount: $3,000,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of South Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: 3702 Spectrum Blvd Suite 175, Tampa, Florida 33612-9444

Description of Request: The Center for the Study of International Languages and Cultures (CSILC) is a resource within the University of South Florida that promotes global understanding through integrated programs of language and culture studies in critical world regions. In its first two years of existence, it has garnered $1.5 million in support of its programs above and beyond previous appropriations.

Current military doctrine provides for preparation of personnel with language competency together with knowledge of the relevant culture and expertise in the given region. At CSILC, USF has been creating a wide variety of integrated language and culture-based lessons designed to fulfill our urgent need to better understand critical world regions.

In 2007, our military commanders in the Gulf region requested that military personnel engaged in sensitive diplomatic work on behalf of the United States be afforded a much higher degree of language training in mid-east language dialects, S.E. Asian languages as well as Chinese and Korean. In an effort to meet this demand, Congress funded a unique project in the State of Florida, headquartered at the University of South Florida, to work in tandem with the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, California. This project, now in its third year, has grown to include not only continuing distance learning education and training for military personnel who leave DLI after short intensive training in languages such as Arabic, Farsi (Persian), Dari and Pashto (from Afghanistan), and Urdu (from Pakistan). These programs will allow potential military and civilian personnel to better prepare themselves for assignments in these world regions.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Representative Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: Operations and Maintenance, Army National Guard (2060)

Project Funding Amount: $2,900,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida National Guard

Address of Requesting Entity: 82 Marine Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Description of Request: The Florida National Guard has the foremost Counterdrug Program in the nation. Florida is a key gateway for drugs entering the Southeastern United States. These Drug Supply Reduction efforts support Federal, State, and Local partners in numerous initiatives that resulted in the seizure of more than $2.6 billion in narcotics and drug related assets in FY08. The program also leads Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) efforts by presenting its nationally recognized, anti-drug curriculums to more than 98,000 school-aged children during the last year alone. Utilizing mobile training teams and traditional residential classes, the Florida Counterdrug Training Academy continues to provide law enforcement and community coalition students valuable procedural and technical training, that many of them would otherwise not be able to receive or afford. Annual contributions of the Florida National Guard Counterdrug Program equate to a taxpayer return of $233 for each $1 spent. Requested funding will ensure continued successful execution of the President's and Governor's counter-narcotics initiatives, operationally posture the program to meet evolving threats, and ensure the re-employment of Florida National Guard Counterdrug Members returning from deployment in support of the ``War on Terrorism''.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act of 2010:

transportation, housing, and urban development--polk county

agricultural center building renovation

Requesting Member: Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: HUD--Economic Development Initiative

Project Funding Amount: $200,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Polk County, Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: 300 West Church Street, Bartow, FL 33831

Description of Request: Funding to be used for renovation improvements to the Polk County Agricultural Center, which also serves as an Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for Polk County. Originally constructed in 1948, the facility plays a central role in the Polk County community, contributing to the region's economic strength and well-being. Renovations are needed to meet fire and safety standards, enabling its continued benefit to the area. Substantial contributions are being made by the state and local government.

Requesting Member: Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Federal Highway Administration--Transportation & Community & System Preservation

Project Funding Amount: $500,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Polk County, Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: 300 West Church Street, Bartow, FL 33831

Description of Request: Funding to be utilized for improvements to U.S. Highway 98 to reduce existing traffic congestion and improve mobility along the corridor, which links Bartow to Lakeland, FL one of the largest metropolitan areas in the region. Specifically, funding would be used for right of way acquisition and construction of a continuous 6-lane corridor between SR 60 and SR 570 (Polk Parkway), two intersecting Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) facilities.

transportation, housing, and urban development--lakeland area mass

transit authority bus replacement and facility maintenance, fl

Requesting Member; Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Federal Transit Administration--Buses & Bus Facilities

Project Funding Amount: $200,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Polk County, Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: 300 West Church Street, Bartow, FL 33831

Description of Request: To continue to provide vital transportation bus service to several regional locations. For the replacement of aging buses and security technology upgrades.

transportation, housing, and urban development--winter haven/polk

county buses, fl

Requesting Member; Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Federal Transit Administration--Buses & Bus Facilities

Project Funding Amount: $200,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Polk County, Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: 300 West Church Street, Bartow, FL 33831

Description of Request: To continue to provide vital transportation bus service to several regional locations. For the replacement of aging buses and security technology upgrades.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Department of Health and Human Services--Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Project Funding Amount: $400,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida Southern College

Address of Requesting Entity: 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland,

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3293, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Department of Education--Elementary & Secondary Education, Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE)

Project Funding Amount: $150,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Polk County Public Schools

Address of Requesting Entity: 1915 South Floral Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830

Description of Request: It is my understanding that the funding would be used to help fund the Polk County Safety Surveillance System Pilot Project, specifically the purchase and installment of alarm systems and surveillance equipment at 27 campuses throughout the school district. Implementation of these security systems would enable school officials and local law enforcement to monitor for and assess invasive acts of violence, theft and vandalism, coordinate effective responses to bring situations under control and protect approximately 20,000 students, teachers and other staff on these campuses. Educators and school administrators alike know that students who do not feel safe in school have difficulty concentrating in class and retaining what is taught and that positive student engagement in the classroom is a key factor in promoting student achievement. The participating pilot schools were selected based on the frequency and volume of theft, vandalism and violent incidents and requests for additional security guards to protect the people attending afterschool events at these locations. Selections were determined by the Director of the Department of Safe Schools whose department records and processes these incidents.

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Department of Education--Higher Education, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)

Project Funding Amount: $300,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Polk State College (The legal name of Polk Community College changed to Polk State College following the approval of their Board of Trustees in March 2009, to reflect the addition of baccalaureate offerings at the college. The change took effect on July 1, 2009, the beginning of the new fiscal year).

Address of Requesting Entity: 999 Avenue H, N.E., Winter Haven, FL 33881

Description of Request: It is my understanding that funding would be used to address a skills gap currently hampering the ability of hospitals and clinics in Polk County, Florida to fill critical positions, expand, and adapt to meet the needs of an aging population. Polk State College (PSC) seeks funding to enhance its Nursing, Cardiovascular Technology (CVT), Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS), Radiography, and Emergency Medical Technology programs in order to address the critical need for qualified Allied Health professionals in the region. Funding would be used to develop an Echocardiography track in addition to the Cardiovascular Technology Invasive track Associate of Science (AS) degree program, hire additional faculty and staff, and purchase updated training technology. Funding is also requested to equip two classrooms with computer technology necessary for PSC's Educator Preparation Institute's (EPI) teacher-training courses in Technology.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3170, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, FY 2010:

Requesting Member: Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3170

Account: Small Business Account

Project Funding Amount: $100,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Florida Department of Citrus

Address of Requesting Entity: Post Office Box 148, Lakeland, FL 33802

Description of Request: In order for small business citrus operations, in my district and throughout Florida, to remain viable in an ever competitive marketplace and lessen their reliance on manual labor, an effective mechanical harvesting technology must be developed. For this reason, funding is sought for the benefit of citrus small business operators, directed to the Florida Department of Citrus to continue completion of the development of a mechanical harvesting abscission compound. Florida citrus operators have invested over $20 million toward this end, currently in the sixth year of a seven-year process.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3183, the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act:

fl renewable energy program

Requesting Member: Rep. Adam Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Biomass Account

Project Funding Amount: $1 million

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The University of Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: Institute for Food and Agriculture Sciences, Post Office Box 110180, Gainesville, FL 32611-0180

Description of Request: Promotes the development and production of bioenergy fuel sources to assist in the development of new energy technologies and improve existing energy efficiencies. The overall goal of this project is to decrease U.S. dependence on imported energy through the creation of renewable fuel sources, and is coordinated by the University of Florida's Florida Center for Renewable Chemicals and Fuel. Funding will aid in the development of renewable energy technologies through the integration of cost-effective research methods, the identification and funding of near-term R&D opportunities ripe for advancement, and by the creation of novel renewable energy systems.

tampa harbor operations and maintenance

Requesting Member: Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance (O&M)

Project Funding Amount: $5,620,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Army Corps of Engineers

Address of Requesting Entity: Army Corp of Engineers, 701 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Description of Request: Army Corps of Engineers, annual Operation and Maintenance (O&M) funds are needed for periodic dredging in the 70 miles of federal channels in the Tampa Harbor. For FY 2010, the Army Corps' estimated capability is $5,620,000, to include various sections of the Tampa Harbor project, with an emphasis on the upper harbor. The Tampa Harbor is a major shipping channel both for domestic and international trade, and of importance to national commerce. As Florida's largest cargo port, the Port of Tampa handles approximately 50 million tons of cargo per year. The Port of Tampa is also the largest economic engine in West Central Florida and the nation's 14th largest port in terms of short tons.

tampa harbor construction

Requesting Member: Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12)

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: Corps of Engineers, Construction, General--Planning, Engineering and Design

Project Funding Amount: $500,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Army Corps of Engineers

Address of Requesting Entity: Army Corp of Engineers, 701 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Description of Request: In January, 2008, the Army Corps of Engineers completed the draft General Reevaluation Report (GRR), which focuses on traffic congestion in the main Tampa Harbor channel, where extensive delays occur due to lack of adequate channel width. The Corps' GRR found that the ship channel is too narrow to allow for safe two way vessel traffic due to the introduction of new longer and broader cruise ships. The impacts associated with having a restriction of this nature include vessels waiting at berth or at the sea buoy while large cruise ships transit the channel. The GRR concurs with the Tampa Port Authority and the port community that the resulting congestion causes safety hazards and economic inefficiencies, and recommended widening select portions of the main channel. Therefore, $500,000 is requested to complete Planning, Engineering and Design (PED).

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Funding Amount: $300,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Hillsborough County/University of Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: University of Florida, Institute for Food and Agriculture Sciences, Post Office Box 110180, Gainesville, FL 32611-0180

Description of Request: The Hillsborough County--Ruskin Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory is a cooperative venture of Hillsborough County and the University of Florida. Research from the laboratory provides much needed science-based technologies in nutrition, reproduction, health, and water quality management issues for the tropical ornamental aquaculture industry, based primarily in the county.

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Funding Amount: $1,217,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: University of Florida, Institute for Food and Agriculture Sciences, Post Office Box 110180, Gainesville, FL 32611-0180

Description of Request: For critical continuation and expansion of vital Citrus Greening and Citrus Canker research to improve technologies for treatment and detection, methods of movement and containment, and means to control and eliminate these devastating diseases.

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Funding Amount: $6,677,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of Florida

Address of Requesting Entity: University of Florida, Institute for Food and Agriculture Sciences, Post Office Box 110180, Gainesville, FL 32611-0180

Description of Request: The Tropical/Subtropical Agricultural Research (T-STAR) program conducts research and education for interdiction, eradication, and suppression of invasive plants, animals, insects and disease. The objective of this critical initiative is to develop strategies and tactics to stem the influx of invasive species into the United States to protect American agriculture.

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Project Funding Amount: $43.6 million

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Address of Requesting Entity: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250

Description of Request: Due to the rapidly spreading nature of citrus pests and disease and their enormous potential economic impact, it is important that the Federal government actively support a coordinated plan to control, suppress and prevent further spread of the Citrus Greening and Citrus Canker through the Citrus Health Response Plan.

Madam Speaker, a great education is a well-rounded education. This means students should not only be exposed to technical subjects such as math and the sciences, but the humanities and arts as well. Today I wish to honor the life and career of a woman who made great contributions to Florida's music culture as well as inspiring many young students, Mrs. Billye-Mullins Smith.

A resident of Winter Haven, Florida, Mrs. Smith was a musician, music educator, and music composer who has impacted the life of many young school children since the mid-1940s. She authored the Opus I Music Study program, which provided a great study for aspiring young musicians. Her late husband, Carroll Smith II, provided the lyrics for the song she composed entitled, ``I Want To Wake Up In The Morning Where The Orange Blossoms Grow,'' which is more commonly known as, ``The Florida Song.''

This song touched many Floridians statewide. It originally started as a piece to be played in front of the Winter Haven Lions Club meeting with her husband singing backed by her piano. In short order, this piece made its way from the Lions Club meeting into elementary school classrooms. Since then, several generations grew up singing about the orange blossoms and birds of the great state of Florida.

Mrs. Smith was honored on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at the Lakeland Center in the Yourkey Theater.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, June 15, 2009, I was not present for 4 recorded votes. Please let the Record show that had I been present, I would have voted the following way: Roll No. 336-- ``yea,'' Roll No. 337--``yea,'' Roll No. 338--``yea,'' Roll No. 339-- ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 2847

Account: Department of Justice-Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Meth

Project Funding Amount: $250,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Hillsborough County

Address of Requesting Entity: 3110 Clay Mangum Lane, Tampa, Florida 33618

Description of Request: On behalf of Hillsborough County, I respectfully requested $250,000 in funding for the County's Methamphetamine Enforcement and Cleanup project. Methamphetamine use and distribution is a major problem in the Tampa Bay/Hillsborough County area. Realizing that methamphetamine has clear and tragic consequences, whether it's the obvious striking physical and mental affects or the cleanup of the toxic production laboratories, Hillsborough County will use this funding to combat this problem through meth prevention, treatment and the cleanup of drug sites.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as a part of H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 2847

Account: Department of Justice--Office of Justice Programs (OJP)-- Juvenile Justice Project Funding Amount: $250,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Polk County Sheriff

Address of Requesting Entity: 455 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, Florida 33830

Description of Request: The Polk County Sheriff's Office has placed an earmark request of $250,000 in order to supplement funding for the Polk County Gang Prevention Initiative. This critical program will continue work to thwart gang activity in Central Florida. According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) Gang Unit, there are currently 16 known national gangs and 24 known local ``hybrid'' gangs operating in the Polk County area. Funding for this project will expand the PCSO current anti-gang programs in Polk County to investigate, document, coordinate, and suppress gang related activity. Currently, the Polk County Sheriff's Office has a specialized Gang Unit which will utilize the federal dollars to develop strategies to combat gangs through community patrols. Funding will also be used toward the creation of presentations directed at children, adults, parents, teachers, school administrators, and other law enforcement officials to educate individuals on the threats posed by gang activity and to promote overall awareness in an effort to reduce gang activity and violence.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Adam H. Putnam

Bill Number: H.R. 2847

Account: Department of Justice--Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Meth

Project Funding Amount: $250,000

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Polk County Sheriff

Address of Requesting Entity: 455 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, Florida 33830

Description of Request: The Polk County Sheriff's Office has placed an earmark request of $250,000 in continued funding for the Polk County Methamphetamine Project. This critical program has received previous federal funding to carry out methamphetamine prevention and mitigation programs that have shown positive results in cracking down on the growth of methamphetamine production and distribution in Central Florida. This funding will cover equipment, and training, thus enabling the Polk County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) to make a dedicated effort to combat the distribution and use of methamphetamine in Polk County, Florida. From 2003 through 2007, the PCSO made 3,481 methamphetamine related arrests, seized over 150,000 grams of methamphetamine, and eliminated 27 methamphetamine labs.