Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Pierce County Library System Executive Director Neel Parikh, who the American Library Association has named the recipient of the 2010 Sullivan Award. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Ms. Parikh.

The American Library Association's Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children is presented annually to an individual who demonstrates an extraordinary capacity to support and enrich children through public library services. The Award highlights individuals who demonstrate exceptional understanding and support of public library service for children and produce the best projects and partnerships that help public libraries provide for young learners.

It is a privilege to commend Neel Parikh, Executive Director of the Pierce County Library System, as the recipient of the 2010 Sullivan Award. Ms. Parikh originally studied to

become a South Asia specialist, while simultaneously working as a children's librarian at the Berkeley Public Library in Berkeley, California. However, after finding her true passion with the public library, Ms. Parikh changed her educational focus to library science and has since been serving as a librarian and administrator in Pierce County.

Ms. Parikh has become a leader in providing early learning, training, and support for families, childcare providers, and library staff both locally and across the state. While Parikh believes that early learning is a critical service for all public libraries, she maintains that teen services are equally important. She supported Pierce County Library System in becoming one of the first Libraries of Promise, which seeks to encourage people to build the character and competence of children by providing them access to additional educational outlets.

Ms. Parikh's leadership as a strong community collaborator is a testament to her success for advancing early learning forward throughout Pierce County. She has collaborated with social service organizations, schools, and community leaders to build services for young learners.

Ms. Parikh is a founding member and chair of the Early Learning Public Library Partnership, a consortium created with the vision that public libraries are full, essential partners in the early learning movement in Washington State. The consortium puts public libraries at the table with other early learning organizations. Under her leadership, the partnership has grown to include 27 public libraries across the state.

In addition to her library responsibilities, Ms. Parikh has been active in the Association for Library Service to Children, served on the Public Library Association Board of Directors, and held a seat on the Executive Committee of the Washington Library Association.

Parikh is the seventh winner of this award, provided by former American Library Association President Peggy Sullivan.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Neel Parikh on this impressive achievement, and celebrate her commitment to furthering children's education through positive library experiences.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Nisqually Land Trust and their exceptional efforts to address the Northwest's continuously challenging coastal issues.

The Coastal America Partnership awarded the Nisqually Land Trust and its Red Salmon Restoration Team partners with the 13th Annual 2010 Coastal America Spirit Award. This national award was given in recognition of the Red Salmon Restoration Team's restoration of salmon and migratory bird habitat located in the Land Trust's Red Salmon Creek Management Unit in the Nisqually River Delta.

In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nisqually Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Veterans Conservation Corps, Nisqually Stream Stewards, Pierce County Stream Team, Intel Corporation, and various school groups, the Nisqually Land Trust has provided superior leadership in protecting, preserving, and restoring the region's coastal resources and ecosystems.

Established in 1992, the Coastal America Partnership is a coalition of Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private organizations that work to protect, preserve, and restore the nation's coasts. Coastal America regional teams have initiated more than 700 restoration protection projects in 26 states, restoring thousands of acres of wetlands and protecting critical habitats.

Continuing the tradition of preserving the region's coasts and wetlands, the Nisqually Land Trust manages and protects over 2700 acres of land and habitat within the Nisqually Watershed. In addition, the Land Trust and its partners have been successful in permanently protecting 71 percent of the river's salmon-producing shoreline. As these efforts have helped to ensure the continued health and sustainable population of the Pacific Northwest Native Wild Salmon, it is clear why Coastal America selected this effort for its Spirit Award.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Nisqually Land Trust on its excellent work to protect and manage the critical wildlife and habitat areas of the Nisqually River Delta.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pearl Harbor survivor and influential community member, Ardill Wright, Jr., for his life of service to his community and country.

Mr. Wright enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Wichita Falls, Texas on February 14, 1940. On the morning of December 7, 1941, while stationed in Hawaii, Ardill Wright's peaceful morning was suddenly disrupted by the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. While on the deck of the USS Raleigh, Mr. Wright narrowly survived a Japanese attack on his ship. Overcoming the chaos and disaster of that morning, Mr. Wright valiantly and courageously saved several of his fellow service members, most notably rescuing multiple sailors trapped in the USS Utah by cutting a hole in the ship's keel. Following the attack, Mr. Wright resumed his service aboard the Raleigh until the conclusion of World War II.

Following his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Mr. Wright moved to Washington State and became a member of the American Legion, Kent Post 15. Consistent with the American Legion's objectives to benefit and serve the community through the organization of local programs for veterans and their families, Mr. Wright co-founded the highly successful Kent American Legion baseball program in 1961. Additionally, Mr. Wright contributed to the Kent community by serving as team manager well into the 1990s, and ran concessions at Kent Memorial Park until 2004.

In honor of his tireless service to his community, the main diamond at Kent Memorial Park was renamed Art Wright Field in 2003. Additionally, that same year, Mr. Wright was presented with the Kent Kiwanis Citizen of the Year award.

Ardill Wright, Jr. passed away on May 25, 2010, in his Kent home. Mr. Wright is survived by his three sons: Joe, Ardill III, and Shannon, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His life profoundly reflected selfless commitment to others, and his admirable citizenship and character continue to live on in the Kent community today.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ardill Wright, Jr., for his selfless commitment to others, his military service

and heroism, and his dedication to his community and country.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, July 26, 2010, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 467 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1320, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 468 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1504, as amended), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 469 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3101, as amended).

Madam Speaker, on Monday, July 19, 2010, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 450, on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1219, had I been present for the last vote of the series.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 337 (on passage of H.R. 1061, as amended), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 338 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 518, as amended).

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2011.

I want to first thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Skelton, for his outstanding leadership of this committee. He has once again put together a bill that reflects the priorities that should be in place for national defense: first and foremost, support our troops. I know nobody on that committee cares more about that issue than Mr. Skelton. He has once again made sure that this bill reflects that. It gives them a higher pay raise than was recommended by the Department of Defense and, across the board, makes sure that our troops and our families get the support they need to continue to do the amazing job that they are doing of defending this country. It is a great privilege to serve on this committee with Mr. Skelton and with Mr. McKeon and to have the responsibility for supporting our troops who have

served us so well. I thank him for his great leadership and for this bill.

On the Air and Land Subcommittee, I want to thank Mr. Bartlett, the ranking member on the committee. We have truly worked together in a very bipartisan fashion on this bill. That's one of the great things about being on the Armed Services Committee. We have a lot that we disagree on on a partisan basis in this body, but on the Armed Services Committee we work in a bipartisan way to make sure that we have a defense bill that protects our national security and supports our troops. And Mr. Bartlett certainly upholds that standard, and it's been a great pleasure working with him.

On our subcommittee, our top priority is to support our soldiers and airmen in the fight they are now fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. We want to make sure that they have the equipment they need to fulfill the mission that we have asked them to do. Towards that end, we have $3.9 billion in the bill to upgrade and improve our helicopters, which are so critical to the mission that they are fighting; $3.4 billion to fully fund the MRAP, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles that have done such an amazing job at improving the survivability of our troops when hit by IEDs; $3.4 billion for the JIEDDO account, which continues to find more and better ways to protect our troops from improvised explosive devices; $3.7 billion to fund intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, which is critical to make sure that our troops get the information they need when they need it to be in the best position to protect themselves on the battlefield; a billion dollars for new Strykers, a vehicle that has been critical for our combat infantry brigades and their ability to be maneuverable enough to survive in the fight.

We are making sure in this bill that our troops in the field get the equipment they need to fulfill the mission we have asked them to do. We also set aside an additional $700 million in this bill for the Army and Air Force Guard and Reserve equipment accounts. As we all know, Guard and Reserve members have been asked to do far more than they ever have in the history of this country. They are stressed and strained, and their equipment is being used at a far greater pace than anyone anticipated. We want to make sure that they have the funds available to replenish that equipment and make sure that they get the training they need so that they are able to do the job here in the U.S. we ask them to do, and also the job that we ask them to do in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We are also concerned in this bill and continue to be concerned about our procurement and acquisition process. We passed acquisition reform again under Chairman Skelton's great leadership, but we have a fair number of programs, certainly the Joint Strike Fighter, future combat systems that have not delivered on time and on budget. We have to make sure that we get every penny that we spend, and it is spent efficiently and effectively. We need to continue to work to make sure the programs that we procure meet that standard.

That is why I, too, along with Mr. McKeon, am strongly supportive of the second engine program. And it has been our committee's position for a long time to support that program. We believe that it is an efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

So I thank you, Mr. Chairman, again for your great leadership. I believe this bill gives us a very strong national security.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment regarding military family leave. This committee and this body has, in the past, taken great steps to make sure that our military families, when they're deployed, they have and do qualify for the Military Family Leave Act. Unfortunately, there are some specifics of the military family--sorry, of the Family Leave Act--that leave out some of our military personnel when they are deployed because of the jobs that they have. They do not qualify for the existing Family Leave Act.

What this amendment does is it makes sure that all military personnel, even if they don't qualify for the Family and Medical Leave Act, will have the ability to take at least--I'm sorry, the spouses, children and parents of our military personnel, will have the ability to take at least 2 weeks of unpaid leave when a servicemember receives a notification or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation or is deployed in connection with such an operation.

One of the things that we've really struggled to deal with is the amount that we have asked of the members of the Guard and Reserve. They have been deployed far more since 9/11 than they ever were before, and that has a tremendous impact on their families.

Now, the Guard and Reserve has performed an unbelievable service to this country. Every time I travel abroad, go to Iraq and Afghanistan and meet members of the Guard and Reserve who are serving over there, I come away enormously impressed with their immense dedication and the job they're doing on our behalf. They continue to do it. They continue to sign up. Recruitment and retention are at all-time highs. They are absolutely committed to serving this country.

But they also need our help and support because members of the Guard and Reserve typically have families and jobs here at home, and that is disrupted every time they're called up and sent overseas. This is one small way that we can help them deal with that disruption, by making sure that their loved ones qualify for the Family Medical Leave Act.

This would be unpaid leave, but it would make sure that they have the time to help support their loved one who is being deployed.

I ask the body to support this amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I will assume that there is support for my amendment. I just want to quickly address what Mr. McKeon has said on two levels. First of all, the amendment that we will be voting on later today on Don't Ask, Don't Tell specifically leaves it in the hands of the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to be the one who will chair the policy. The policy will not be changed as a result of the amendment that we are passing. It will meet, absolutely, the requirement that the Secretary of Defense and others have put out to get input from the Armed Forces. And it will not, let me repeat, will not be changed until the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that change. They will have to certify it before we go forward.

Second of all, this policy, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, this ridiculous policy that has driven people out of the military who are only too anxious to serve, has been in existence for 16 years.

And I cannot speak for the gentleman from California, but I have spoken to many members of the Armed Forces during the course of that 16-year period about this policy, as I'm sure others have. So the main thing I object to is the characterization that the men and women of our Armed Forces have been left out of this debate. Nothing could be further from the truth. We've had 16 years, and a year and a half since President Obama said that he felt the policy should be changed, to have those conversations, and we're having them. And again, we will continue to have them, even after Congress pulls itself out of this policy. We're the ones who inserted ourselves into the debate by passing it in the first place 16 years ago. This will now go back to the Secretary of Defense to have precisely those conversations that Mr. McKeon wants them to have. And I'm sure that they will.

I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

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

Mr. Chairman, the second engine is all about fiscal responsibility and saving the taxpayers money. The Pentagon themselves funded this program for 10 years, and they funded it because they knew that competition mattered.

One thing has already been said in this debate that simply isn't true: The first engine was not competitively bid. It was the engine that Lockheed had when they won the bid. There was no competition. They didn't win that. That is why the Pentagon originally created the second engine program, to make sure that over the 30- to 40-year lifecycle of a $100 billion program, they had options.

A GAO study on the competitive engine program for the F-16 from the early 1980s showed savings of almost 20 percent over the lifetime of that program. Those of us who for years have supported this second engine program, have support it precisely because we want to save the taxpayers money.

The simple argument is competition works, and being penny-wise and pound-foolish doesn't. We have already spent $3 billion. To save $2 billion on the front end, we risk a $100 billion program. Please oppose this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1208.

I would like to thank Chairman Conyers as well as his staff for their support in bringing this resolution to the floor, and for the kind remarks from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble). I also want to thank the other Chairs of the House Intellectual Property Caucus, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono Mack) and, again, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble), who have joined me in sponsoring House Resolution 1208.

This important resolution commemorates World Intellectual Property Day, which was observed yesterday, April 26. Each year since 2001, World IP Day has been held in observance of the establishment of the World Intellectual Property Organization by the United Nations. World Intellectual Property Day calls attention to the importance of IP for both our Nation and the international economy. It recognizes the contributions made by the countless artists, innovators, and other creative minds that enrich, assist, and inform us in many ways.

In and around my district in Washington State, I am able to observe daily the critically important role played by innovation and intellectual property to the economies of the South Sound region and the United States. As many of my colleagues are aware, Washington State is fortunate to boast a robust technological and innovative economy, with companies that range in size from major corporations to hundreds of smaller and medium-size businesses. Together, these industries directly and indirectly create hundreds of thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in economic activity. Each relies upon innovation and respect for intellectual property to remain successful and internationally competitive.

Similarly, in States and localities throughout America, artists, inventors, and employees in IP-intensive industries play a major role in supporting economic vitality. IP creates well-paying job opportunities for workers of multiple skill levels, drives research and development investment, creates new products and services that make our Nation more globally competitive, and drives American exports to foreign markets.

For intellectual property to work, it has to be protected; people have to know that they will get the value of their inventions and of their brain power. We must protect intellectual property to grow jobs here in the U.S. It is critical.

I am proud to recognize World Intellectual Property Day, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to recognize World Intellectual Property Day and the role that intellectual property plays in our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rebuilding Together organization in their efforts to improve the lives of American homeowners with the greatest need, and help to ensure they have a safe and healthy place to call home.

Established in 1988, Rebuilding Together currently maintains over 200 active affiliates nationwide and works with more than 200,000 volunteers to rehabilitate 10,000 homes and community centers each year. The homeowners that Rebuilding Together serves include the elderly, disabled, veterans, and families displaced by natural disasters.

Rebuilding Together is the Nation's largest domestic housing organization that works to preserve homeownership and revitalize communities in a cost-effective manner by providing critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy saving upgrades all at no charge to America's low-income homeowners. With the support of large volunteer teams, major corporations, and other contributors, Rebuilding Together leverages each dollar donated into an average of four dollars in added market value invested into the low-income homes they serve.

In a time of widespread housing challenges and economic turmoil, Rebuilding Together's work allows the residents it serves to remain and live safely in their own homes. Rebuilding Together's efforts help prevent homeowners from losing their homes and help homeowners maintain their independence and retain what is in many cases their most significant asset of personal savings and intergenerational wealth. These efforts also help to support neighborhoods and keep communities from losing residents and experiencing declines in real estate value.

This weekend, I will have the pleasure of joining volunteers and Rebuilding Together South Sound in Washington State as they hold their annual Rebuilding Day. I look forward to supporting their work and helping to achieve their important goals.

With the help of community partners, corporate sponsors, and political leadership, Rebuilding Together makes it possible for thousands of Americans to thrive in their own homes and live in healthy communities. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Rebuilding Together for their efforts to ensure proper housing for veterans, senior citizens, the disabled, and displaced families in Washington and throughout the United States.

Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, I was unable to be present for rollcall vote No. 216 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1216). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, this year's Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver were an incredible display of America's finest athletes representing our country. It is my great privilege to commend two of these athletes from the great State of Washington.

The Ninth District of Washington was honored to be represented by short track speedskater John Robert ``J.R.'' Celski of Federal Way, Washington. Celski sustained a severe injury during the Olympic Trials in which his skate blade cut deeply into his left quadriceps muscle, barely missing his artery, only 5 months before the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Prior to his injury, he put up record performances in U.S. competitions against other world-class athletes.

Celski displayed an astonishing level of perseverance when he overcame this adversity to capture the bronze medal in the Men's 1500m and the Men's 5000m Relay. J.R. Celski embodied the spirit of this country with his resolve and determination.

Apolo Anton Ohno of Seattle, Washington, was another inspirational athlete at the Olympic Winter Games with ties to the Ninth District of Washington. Both Ohno and Celski grew up skating at Pattison's West Skating Center in Federal Way, Washington.

I am proud to represent a district that has significantly contributed to the success of U.S. speedskating. I ask my colleagues to please join me in congratulating both Apolo Anton Ohno and John Robert ``J.R.'' Celski for their perseverance and determination to overcome adversity and give historic performances in short track speedskating at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, March 15, 2010, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 112 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1145, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 113 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1170), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1163), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 115 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 267).

Madam Speaker, on Friday, March 12, 2010, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. I request that the Record show that had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 109 (on passage of H.R. 3650), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 110 (on approving the journal), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 111 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4506, as amended).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Washington State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos for receiving the 2010 Desjardin Financial Literacy Award.

The Desjardin Financial Literacy Award, given by the Credit Union National Association, annually recognizes one State lawmaker for their exemplary leadership and legislative efforts in the field of youth financial education.

Financial literacy is a crucial skill for all to have in today's society, from balancing a checkbook to budgeting for retirement. This skill allows us to make wise decisions about our finances and our financial future. The earlier that our youth attain this knowledge, the more successful and prepared they are later in life.

In Washington State, financial literacy training supports the goals of Washington's Basic Education Act. This Act seeks to provide students with the skills necessary to ``understand the importance of work and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.''

Washington State Representative Santos has exemplified the effort to provide financial literacy opportunities for our youth statewide since being elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1998. Representative Santos led the campaign to establish the Financial Education Public Private Partnership (previously the Financial Literacy Public Private Partnership) in 2003, as well as to secure public funding for the project.

The Partnership works to increase students' financial education, provide financial education information for school districts, and provides financial education instructional materials. Additionally, the Partnership has grown because of Representative Santos' enduring support and her legislative work throughout the years.

The work of Representative Santos stands as a model for all States in the effort to promote fiscal responsibility and literacy. I commend her for her efforts and congratulate her again on this tremendous achievement.

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, March 4, 2010, I was unable to be present for the recorded vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 1079, as amended. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 91.