Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Sergeant Dennis Osterman for his forty-five years of dedicated service to the Grand Island Police Department and to the people of Grand Island, Nebraska.

Osterman retired on August 27, 2010, as the longest-serving active police officer in the State of Nebraska. For nearly fifty years Sergeant Osterman has embodied what it means to give back to one's community.

One year after completing his service to the United States Army, Osterman continued to defend and protect his country--only this time in a different uniform. Throughout his incredible tenure, he had held several different roles and accepted various responsibilities without hesitation. The police department and the Grand Island community have changed considerably since that June in 1964 when Osterman joined the force but he has never failed to be an invaluable role model and trusted leader to the incoming generations of police officers and the Grand Island community at large.

I am impressed by Dennis' life-long dedication to the protection of the Grand Island community and I appreciate the sacrifices he has made over the years. I wish him all the best as he starts his retirement and I hope he takes the time to enjoy the community which he spent a lifetime protecting.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to recognize the Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team who late last month claimed the school's second ever National Junior College Championship title. The Cougars' win over San Jacinto College in five sets capped a wonderful season.

The Cougars came out strong--winning the first two sets--and holding off a spirited challenge to win in a five-set thriller. I am proud of the Cougars and Coach Giovana Melo--who has guided her team to top- three finishes in all three of her seasons as coach.

Debora Araujo led the way for WNCC with 22 kills in the final match. Kuulei Kabalis was named to the all-tournament team after totaling a school-record 34 digs against San Jacinto and Fernanda Goncalves was named Most Valuable Player of the national tournament.

The WNCC Cougars earned the right to be called national champions. I offer my congratulations to the team, their fans, and their community, who made the season such a memorable one.

Mr. Speaker, American families are preparing for the holiday season and doing so by paying the highest fuel prices in 2 years.

In addition to gasoline, heating oil and diesel prices are expected to increase year over year for the first time since 2008, and analysts are predicting oil will hit $100 a barrel very soon. At a time when our economy is struggling to recover, such skyrocketing energy prices could be catastrophic.

This is why it makes no sense the administration recently announced plans to cancel further energy exploration and development in deep offshore areas. These sources of American energy are known to contain more than 86 billion barrels of recoverable oil.

This decision to prevent energy development hurts our economy and costs American jobs. Let's give Americans what they deserve. The time is now to expand exploration of American energy resources.

Madam Speaker, time and time again Members from both sides of the aisle have spoken on the need to create jobs and cut government spending. This is what the American people want, and it is past time for Washington to start listening. We have just a few short weeks to take that message to heart and stop the $3 trillion tax hike set to take effect on January 1. Our country needs real economic growth--which can't happen if Washington doesn't prevent these tax increases on farmers, ranchers and small businesses. We won't solve our fiscal challenges until we cut spending, stop the growth of government and extend the current tax rates. The sooner we can provide certainty to American businesses, the sooner they can get our economy back on track and start hiring again. Over the next few weeks, we have the chance to do what is right for our economy. Let's make it sooner rather than later.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor eleven individuals, organizations and businesses from Nebraska for receiving the 2010 Third District Excellence in Economic Development Award.

Nebraska, like many rural states, unfortunately has seen a ``brain drain'' in recent years and, now more than ever, needs entrepreneurs and innovators.

In June, I called for nominations for individuals, businesses, and organizations which have helped strengthen Nebraska communities. These entrepreneurs do more than just build successful businesses. They host charity events, serve on local chambers of commerce, and shape the character of our towns and cities.

The nominations came from many different people, from teenagers starting their own business to leaders in the business communities. All of the nominees have shown they are striving to help their home towns succeed into the future.

Hartelco (Hartington): This firm has contributed significant economic growth and business retention in rural Nebraska by supplying state-of- the-art telecommunications infrastructure, including plans for all businesses and residents to be connected to fiber optics. The company recently completed a $1.5 million dollar office building and donates manpower, equipment, and time to community projects.

Ward Laboratories, Inc. (Kearney): This company provides agricultural testing of soil, plant, and fertilizer samples which lead to more informed land management practices. The company, through principles based on science, has contributed to the economic advancement of many rural areas in Nebraska.

Green Revolution Handbags (Albion): Lauren Bygland, a Boone Central High School senior, produces fashionable purses made of recyclable materials--including film strips, rice bags, and playing cards. She will continue her earth-friendly design business while majoring in business in college.

Don Freeman (York): Don Freeman has followed his family tradition of community service for over 50 years, both as a business owner and by serving on many community boards. He has contributed to job creation through expansion of his own company, and by supporting the economic development efforts of the region.

Tracee Ford/Stacey Adamson (Cody/Kilgore): These two teachers worked with students to secure grant funding, along with community contributions to start a student business incubator, including a student-run and community-owned grocery store. The project has revitalized the area and serves as an example of education in entrepreneurship bringing economic opportunities to rural areas.

Sandhills Country Door Cafe and Coffee House (Mullen): Tim and Jennifer Macke have offered locals a place to get home cooked meals, specialty drinks, computer repairs, and local greeting cards--as well as providing a space for locals to gather to mark a special occasion. The efforts of this couple in providing essential community services contribute to sustaining the community.

Barb Sprague (Red Cloud): Barb has given selflessly to the Red Cloud community through public service, school involvement, and faith-based events. She has recently initiated a leadership group in Red Cloud which has resulted in receiving grant funding to promote business development in the community.

Heartland Shooting Park (Grand Island): Created primarily through private donations and thousands of volunteer hours, this city-operated shooting park has been the site of several national competitive events, including the U.S. Practical Shooting Area 3 Championships and the National 4-H Invitational, bringing hundreds of visitors to the region.

Apogee Retail, LLC (Columbus): Apogee employees conduct outbound phone calls on behalf of various charities requesting donations of household and clothing items. The Columbus facility employs more than 600 area residents and has been recognized for hiring and training employees with disabilities.

Thompson Wildcat Trailers (Albion): Curtis Thompson, a junior at Boone Central High School, designs, builds, and modifies custom trailers. He has utilized his skills in welding and wiring to start his business. Following graduation, he plans to expand his business through continued training in diesel mechanics.

I am proud to be able to recognize all of the honorees today and I thank them for their service to Nebraska.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a Nebraskan who will be laid to rest tomorrow--a brave soldier who paid the ultimate price defending our freedoms and liberties.

2LT Mark Noziska, 24, a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry was taken from us by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan.

Mark joined the Army after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He was a true friend to those who knew him--a man full of life and someone who always had a smile. He loved his country and felt it was his duty to protect those dearest to him.

In a way, it is fitting we pay our respects to Mark on a day we observe the signing of our Constitution. The ideals and freedoms which we so often take for granted have been protected by young men such as Mark and his brothers and sisters in arms for generations. The words which define our country--written so long ago--are his legacy for us all.

My heart and prayers are with Mark's family during this difficult time. Words cannot express the depth of their loss--nor can they convey the debt our country owes this brave man. We can do no less than live up to his ideals.

I sincerely appreciate today's consideration of H.R. 3519, the Veterinarian Services Investment Act. The need for skilled veterinarians has already been stated. It may not be at the forefront of debate here in Washington, but it is an issue which impacts many areas of our country and many aspects of our lives.

Our food animal veterinary workforce is on the front lines of food safety, public health, and animal health. This vital profession, however, is facing a critical shortage in the public, private, industrial, and academic sectors. To make matters worse, the problem is certainly on the rise.

Large animal veterinarians in particular are integral to small rural communities, but in many of these communities--communities with few people but with large numbers of animals--we are seeing a very distressing trend. According to the USDA, Nebraska's Cherry County, one of the top three beef production counties in the United States, has 145,000 food animals per one veterinarian.

To this end, I've introduced H.R. 3519, the Veterinarian Services Investment Act, with Mr. Boswell. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to help develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services especially in identified and underserved areas.

Though we may not realize it, veterinarians make a difference every day. They understand animals and are integral parts of our rural communities. Unfortunately, too many rural communities don't have this necessary support. This investment act will make a difference, and I urge its passage.

Madam Speaker, our Nation's unemployment continues to hover near 10 percent, and 15 million Americans are looking for jobs. That's 7 million more than when the current majority took over.

We've seen the results of these failed economic and fiscal policies-- deficits, debt and an economy which continues to struggle. In fact, unemployment has been above 9 percent for 16 consecutive months. But instead of putting forth a bipartisan plan to spur job creation, Washington Democrats seem to be doing the exact opposite. In just a few months, they may allow the largest tax increase in history on American families and small businesses.

We won't solve our fiscal challenges until we cut spending, stop the growth of government and extend tax relief. It's simple: Businesses do not hire when their taxes go up. I urge my colleagues to join me against any tax increases on working families, small businesses, farmers, and ranchers.

Mr. Chair, I submit the following:

Lloyd & Partners Limited,

London, England, May 10, 2010.

Re Deepwater Horizon/Macondo Well Incident.

To Whom it May Concern:

About Lloyd & Partners

Lloyd & Partners is a London and Bermuda based Major

Account (complex risk) insurance broker specialising in

onshore and offshore energy insurance with premiums placed

annually in excess of USD1.5bn. Overall Lloyd & Partners

employs over 200 people and our 40 plus strong Energy team is

one of the largest and most respected teams in the London

market. We arrange both Property and Liability Insurance for

a wide range of Energy insureds including integrated oil

companies, exploration & production companies and drilling/

service contractors.

Available Liability Insurance Capacity under normal

Insurance conditions (policies with normal terms and

conditions)

Prior to tine recent Gulf of Mexico drilling incident,

worldwide third party pollution liability capacity for

offshore energy operations was in excess of USD1.5bn for each

insured on a 100% basis (meaning the limits scaled to an

individual insured working interest in a project).

Whilst the insurance market previously attempted to limit

their ``clash'' exposures (where they could pick up a loss

from more than one insured from the same loss) by scaling

their limits to an operating group company's working

interest, in the main they had previously thought of clashes

between operators and contractors as the Joint Operating

Agreement would have given them some comfort that only the

operator would be liable for a pollution loss, the concern

now is that a loss of the nature we are witnessing may result

in attempts to hold all the parties responsible regardless of

the provisions of the JOA.

We have therefore already seen in the market a realisation

that if every party involved in the loss (operating group,

drilling contractor, other service contractors--such as mud

or cementing contractors--and blowout preventor manufactures)

are successfully sued then the market will be exposed to a

degree much larger than anticipated when committing capacity

to individual insureds. This has already resulted in at least

one major London energy liability insurance leader advising

us that they are cuffing back their maximum capacity for

individual insureds by a third.

At this stage it is really impossible to accurately predict

what the exact impact of this loss will have on available

capacity but we think it could result in a reduction of such

capacity of around 15% to 30%.

Available Liability Insurance Capacity under OPA

``certificates''

Where insurers are asked to provide full coverage under OPA

(being strict liability with direct access to insurers and no

defence of normal insurance policy terms and conditions)

capacity is much more restricted than normal third party

liability and we estimate available capacity would be no more

than USD150mm--USD200mm.

Pricing

Prior to the recent incident the market was in a ``soft''

phase where rates were low as a result of oversupply of

capacity, as not many insureds purchased the full available

capacity (typically offshore E&P companies would have

purchased on average somewhere around USD 250mm to USD 500mm

in limits.)

There is not likely to be pressure from both sides of the

supply and demand equation, as capacity shrinks and demand

for higher limits materialises (as the recent loss highlights

the potential to insureds for a loss of a magnitude higher

than most are protected for) which coupled with the fact the

market will be looking to recoup the loss they will have to

pay out from this latest incident, is likely to result in a

significant increase in offshore liability insurance

premiums.

Proposed changes to legislation

Currently OPA provides operators of offshore facilities a

limitation of USD 75mm for ``Economic Claims'' (loss of

earnings rather than clean-up costs or property damage caused

by pollution). Any significant increases in this limit will

cause insureds operations in US Waters to face the prospect

of significant self insurance, since (depending on the

amount) the insurance market will not have sufficient

capacity to provide cover for this in addition clean-up costs

and third party properties damage suits).

Your sincerely,

John Lloyd,

Chairman and CEO.

The update of the President's budget estimates released Friday shows Washington still has not gotten the message. Dangerous economic and fiscal policies are not helping our country. They're resulting in deficit, debt, and an economy which continues to struggle.

Now after 18 months of government takeovers, Congress is positioned to allow the largest tax increase in history on American families and small businesses to take effect next year. January 1, 2011, every single tax bracket will increase. That means if a small business in Grand Island, Nebraska, paid 35 percent in Federal taxes this year, next year it will have to pay nearly 40 percent. When Times Square celebrates a new year, Americans who own a farm or ranch will see death taxes rise from 0 to 55 percent.

We cannot tax and spend our way back to a healthy economy. I urge my colleagues to join me against any tax increase on working families, small businesses, and farmers and ranchers before they wake up on January 1 to a brave new world.

Madam Speaker, on Saturday, July 24, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center will celebrate 100 years of service to Western Nebraska.

It goes without saying agriculture is the lifeblood of Nebraska's Third District, and the entire state as well. The Third District of Nebraska encompasses 65,000 square miles. It

is not unheard of for one area of the state to be dealing with drought conditions while another area is having flooding.

This is exactly why this facility is so important to the panhandle of Nebraska. Western Nebraska grows a completely different set of crops from the eastern areas of our state. The land is different, the growing season is shorter, even the kinds of bugs and weeds are different. Timely and appropriate information and research can mean the difference between a successful growing season and a disappointing one.

The original experimental substation was constructed on 160 acres provided by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By July 1910 an office and laboratory had been built, in addition to a barn, grain bin, machine shed and other structures. USDA managed the plots until 1948, when the land and management were turned over the State of Nebraska, and subsequently the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Today, the Panhandle Research and Extension Center has over a dozen faculty members--most of which hold joint appointments in research and extension. Disciplines such as entomology, weed science, irrigation management, machinery systems, plant pathology, alternative crops, dry bean breeding, cow-calf production and range management, and entrepreneur and business development--among others--are represented.

The Center has made a tremendous difference over the last 100 years, and I fully expect the impact to continue on long into the future.

Mr. Speaker, for far too long, the approval of pending trade agreements with countries such as Colombia, South Korea, and Panama have languished, awaiting approval by Congress.

According to research conducted by our colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee, the inaction of these trade agreements is costing America jobs and market access. In fact, implementing the Colombia trade agreement alone could create an estimated 8 million U.S. jobs. Every day we delay, the more ground our Nation and our economy lose to our international competitors.

Earlier this month, the Canadian Parliament ratified a trade agreement with Colombia, improving their access to this market and putting our producers at even more of a disadvantage. Trade is an indispensable part of American prosperity, and Congress needs to take immediate, decisive action on these trade agreements.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a respected Nebraska journalist, Keith Blackledge, who recently passed away at the age of 82.

Keith was a reporter at the North Platte Telegraph from 1952 to 1959. After a series of other assignments, he returned to North Platte in 1967 when he was named the executive editor of the Telegraph, and later named vice-president and director of public affairs for the paper. Keith was named to the Nebraska Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2005.

He retired from the paper in 1992 but, never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Keith continued to write a weekly column for the paper until his death.

During his time in North Platte, Keith authored four books--A Short History of North Platte, The Election of 1951, Letter to Home, and This Town Fights About Everything.

As president of the North Platte Chamber of Commerce during the late 1970s, Keith initiated the creation of the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation and the Clean City Committee, which later became Keep North Platte Beautiful.

He also played a major role in the successful campaign to consolidate two small hospitals and establish the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in the early 1970s. He initiated the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in North Platte in 1998 and served as its first president.

Just two months ago, Lincoln County Commissioners proclaimed May 10th of this year Keith Blackledge Day.

Keith dedicated his life to improving North Platte and surrounding communities while always remaining a dedicated journalist.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the success of the sugar beet industry in the Panhandle region of Nebraska for its relationship with Western Sugar and its various owners over the past 100 years.

Opened in 1909, the sugar beet factory operated by the Great Western Sugar Company--along with the development of improved irrigation canals--soon made the raising of sugar beets a major agricultural industry in Scotts Bluff County and the surrounding areas.

With the aid of the sugar factory, Scottsbluff was rapidly becoming the principal trading center of the valley. As people in surrounding farms and villages acquired automobiles, Scottsbluff was invariably their destination.

A century later--through tough economic times and even a tragic explosion in 1995--this stalwart factory has proven to be the bedrock it was in 1909. The company boasts 260 full time employees (a number which grows substantially during harvest) and a $10.6 million annual payroll.

It is not a stretch to say without Western Sugar, there would be no sugar beet industry in the Scottsbluff-Gering area. Nearly one-third of the acreage in our region is designated for sugar beets--almost all of which are processed through the sugar factory.

Last week we celebrated 100 years of Western Sugar's successful processing factory. This success is directly attributable to the commitment and dedication of its employees, local businesses, sugar beet growers and their families.

Madam Speaker, yesterday the United States Supreme Court upheld a Federal appeals court ruling overturning a law prohibiting private citizens from possessing handguns in the City of Chicago. This is a momentous decision, and I commend the justices for protecting our right to gun ownership.

The Second Amendment guarantees an individual's right to keep and bear arms. However, for too long this right has been denied to some Americans simply because of where they reside. This 5-4 decision was the right one, though the close margin underscores the necessity to remain vigilant to future attempts to curtail our right to bear arms.

Residents across this country should be able to exercise their constitutional rights to protect themselves and their families. I am committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all law-abiding, freedom-loving Americans, and I invite my colleagues to join me.