Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 81, the Shark Conservation Act of 2009. Due to an unfortunate court ruling, a loophole was opened in the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000 which allows fishermen to transfer shark fins from fishing vessels to transshipment vessels at sea. This type of at-sea transfer was clearly a violation of the Act, but the court ruled otherwise.

Another provision in the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000 required fishermen to land the carcasses of the sharks they had caught so that fishery managers could determine the number and type of shark species being harvested. H.R. 81 takes that one step further and requires U.S. fishermen to land sharks with the fins still attached.

While the change in shark management included in this legislation is consistent with the regulations developed by the Secretary of Commerce for Atlantic shark fisheries, management measures for sharks in the Pacific are normally developed through the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

During hearings on this bill in the 110th Congress, the Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony from historian David Hackett Fischer. Mr. Fischer's writings on the Revolutionary War point out General Washington's support for property rights and the strong actions he took to ensure that his soldiers respected the property of civilians, even when the property belonged to a Tory sympathizer. Washington personally gave strict orders to forbid looting even though plunder was the norm at the time and even though many of his men were hungry, dressed in rags and marched barefoot in the snow.

It is remarkable that in so desperate a situation and with so noble a cause, he imposed on the Patriot side such a high standard of conduct.

Washington's honorable policy stood in stark contrast to the routine seizures by the British and Hessian troops. It is no accident that over the course of the early years of the war, 1776 and 1777, in the battleground State of New Jersey, a population that was once evenly divided in its loyalty threw its support to the American cause.

There are lessons we can learn from Washington's example. In earlier battlefield protection efforts, the National Park Service used its eminent domain powers to seize lands from unwilling sellers. The justified resentment this caused hurt subsequent efforts.

I hope that as we set out to preserve historic sites, we emulate George Washington and not George III.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present

and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

The American Civil War captures the imagination of people like no other event in our history. In bookstores, most shelves in the history section are devoted to events of the 1860s. On weekends, battles are re-enacted by serious hobbyists who strive for authenticity in costume, weaponry, and skirmish details. Pictures of Lincoln are found in countless homes and classrooms, Confederate flags adorn pick-up trucks, and the words of the Gettysburg Address are as familiar as the 23rd Psalm.

As a Nation, we clearly recognize the continuing importance of the War Between the States, so it is natural that we should try to find appropriate ways to keep safe the places where our great grandfathers witnessed events so noble and so horrific. But since our country is about liberty rather than glorification of the State, we have to safeguard not just the hills and the mud on which they fought, but also the freedoms for which they fought. Therefore, it would be tragic if we would allow our well-meaning enthusiasm for protecting historic sites to result in programs that diminish the property rights of our fellow citizens.

This bill has two important safeguards. First, a ``willing seller'' provision--and we need to make sure the seller's willingness is uncoerced. Second, a sunset provision so that Congress will have an opportunity to see if this program merits continued Federal support. The bill's author, Congressman Gary Miller, is to be commended for including these good government provisions.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

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

I rise in support of H.R. 844, the Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments of 2009. This legislation, introduced by Congressman Don Young, will extend the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.

The program was first authorized in 2000 to address the funding needs of facilities assisting in the recovery and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals. The Prescott Grant Program has been very successful in supporting facilities around the Nation, volunteering facility space and staff time to rehabilitate stranded marine mammals and return many of them to the wild.

While the Prescott Grant Program has been successful in many areas, some areas of the country do not have appropriate coverage. The Alaska region and the southeast region are two examples. This legislation will provide funding for the Department of Commerce to help address the lack of coverage in certain areas, and will also increase the number of grants that can be issued each year.

I urge an ``aye'' vote on H.R. 844.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

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

Mr. Speaker, as a former Realtor, I have seen the hurdles, struggles, and certainly triumphs of homeowners.

Later today, we will be voting on H.R. 1106, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act. I understand the need to help those who need it, but we must be mindful we don't wind up hurting those who are not in dire straits.

Responsible homeowners, many of whom are struggling themselves, should not be saddled with the costs of subsidizing bad behavior on the part of banks or borrowers.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week President Obama stood in this very space and called on Congress to work together to put our country back on the right fiscal track.

I agree wholeheartedly, and I urge my colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner instead of enacting cramdown legislation, adding even more risk to the mortgage market.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember a fellow Nebraskan who made our state proud in so many ways. Jack Pollock, from the town of Ogallala, Nebraska, was long a fixture in the Nebraska newspaper industry and an inductee to the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, Jack passed away earlier this week. My heart goes out to his wife, Beverly, and his family.

Each year, the NEBRASKAland Foundation celebrates Nebraska's entrance into the union.

During this event, the Foundation honors distinguished Nebraskans for the impressive contributions to the State of Nebraska.

This year, Jack was selected to receive the WagonMaster Award, which recognizes citizens for their leadership in causes which benefit our state or nation, and who have set a tremendous example to others. This was an honor which was richly deserved, and I can think of no one better.

Jack's dedication to his craft, his profession, and his community truly sets the bar high for the rest of us. He will be missed, but he will continue to set an example for others to follow.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my hearty congratulations to Ron Hull on his reception of the Pioneer Award from the NEBRASKAIand Foundation for his efforts to portray the spirit of Nebraska's heritage through his good works.

Each year, the NEBRASKAIand Foundation celebrates Nebraska's entrance into the union. During this event, the Foundation honors distinguished Nebraskans for the impressive contributions to the State of Nebraska.

Nothing sums up the spirit and values of Nebraska more than a person's willingness to reach out to friends, neighbors, and even strangers to help make our world a better place. Ron's dedication to tourism, historical leadership, and his career in public broadcasting is an inspiration.

I thank Ron for his dedication and his service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the entire Woods family for their selection as recipients of the NEBRASKAland Foundation's Distinguished Nebraskalander Award for their service to our state's historical, cultural, and economic well-being.

Each year, the NEBRASKAland Foundation celebrates Nebraska's entrance into the union. During this event, the Foundation honors distinguished Nebraskans for the impressive contributions to the State of Nebraska.

The multi-faceted accomplishments the Woods family have achieved and contributed through seven generations of private business, humanities, leadership and philanthropy is to be commended. Nebraska's cultural history is something we should be proud of, and I thank the Woods family for their dedication.

Their example should inspire us, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their dedication and sacrifice.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my warmest congratulations to former Representative Doug Bereuter for receiving the 2009 Trailblazer Award from the NEBRASKAland Foundation.

Each year, the NEBRASKAland Foundation celebrates Nebraska's entrance into the union. During this event, the Foundation honors distinguished Nebraskans for the impressive contributions to the State of Nebraska.

I can think of no one who sums up the spirit of this award better than Representative Bereuter. His 26 years in Congress is a testament to his long-standing dedication to all Nebraskans. When I look at everything he accomplished during his tenure here in Congress, I am both humbled and inspired. He has truly set a tremendous example for others.

Once again, I offer my congratulations to Representative Bereuter and I thank him for his public service, his leadership, and his friendship.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Hamilton County, Nebraska, for being named Progressive Farmer's Best Place to Raise a Family.

Anyone who has ever visited Nebraska has seen first hand it is a wonderful place to raise a family. It looks like the message is getting out.

Founded in 1867 and named after the first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, and anchored by the city of Aurora, this area of my district truly lives up to the moniker ``The Good Life.''

This designation wasn't an accident. Hamilton County is a strong community of people who care for each other, who help out during hard times, and who live up to the benchmarks set by our forefathers.

So, congratulations to the good people of Hamilton County for representing Nebraska and making us proud.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor a brave young man who called Nebraska's Third District home, Army CPT Rob Yllescas, who was laid to rest this week after succumbing to injuries received in Afghanistan on October 28. He commanded B-Troop, 6-4 Cavalry of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.

Rob has been described as a hero both on and off the battlefield. I was honored to speak with his family a few weeks ago, and I was touched by their hope, resolve, and spirit even as Rob struggled against his injuries. Nebraskans throughout our State are sending our thoughts and prayers to his wife, Dena, and his two daughters, Julia and Eva. I know Rob's strength is with them.

Words cannot express our gratitude for Rob's service to our country, or the loss of such a brave friend and father. We can do no less than live up to his ideals.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and women of the Nebraska National Guard, who have recently returned from hurricane duty on the Gulf Coast.

Nearly 1,000 Guardsmen were called up September 2 to help the Gulf Coast recover from Hurricane Gustav. The deployment was the largest out of state domestic emergency response mission in the history of the Nebraska National Guard.

They were deployed to St. Francisville, Louisiana and then to Monroe, Louisiana--north of Baton Rouge. There they were assigned to security detail, making sure businesses were safe, and homes and families were protected. Other members delivered much needed supplies and assisted in clean up efforts.

I'm proud of these Nebraskans, and I'm proud of the job they did. I also want to take a moment to thank the families of our Guardsmen and the employers who provided the flexibility necessary for this deployment.

Finally, I want to welcome home these men and women who represent the best of Nebraska.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. LaVern Franzen, who has recently retired as president of Central Community College and who has been committed to advancing career education in my home state of Nebraska since 1967.

Throughout his career, Dr. Franzen has encouraged teamwork and provided guidance and support for students and college employees alike.

He is known as a man who thinks outside the box, and whose commitment to education knows no bounds.

He has established a drag racing club to provide learning experiences outside the class; organizing a campus chapter of SkillsUSA to enhance the occupational skills of students in communications, leadership, and teamwork; opening Pooh Corner College to provide child care services for students and

staff; and bringing a new medical laboratory technology program to the Hastings campus.

Dr. Franzen is a credit to Nebraska and to the educational community as a whole. Students and educators alike have benefited from his hard work, and I congratulate him on his decades of hard work.

Mr. Speaker, one needs to look no further than the headlines in our Nation's newspapers to see the consequences of doing nothing with regard to the energy crisis facing our Nation.

We have stood idly by while skyrocketing fuel and energy prices undercut consumer confidence and are partially responsible for our current economic straits. But instead of passing a comprehensive energy bill in which all forms of energy were on the table, last week we took up legislation which will not only prove ineffective, but I believe counterproductive.

It was a bill written behind closed doors, with no input from Republicans, and even many Democrats wishing to participate. It bypassed the Natural Resources Committee and was brought to the floor under a closed rule, freezing out members of both parties, all after a promise of the most open Congress in history.

Mr. Speaker, let's not make the same mistake this week. We still have time. Bring the American Energy Act to the floor for a vote before we adjourn, and we can help address the crisis facing our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the men and women who served our country during World War II, and the national non-profit organization dedicated to helping World War II veterans visit the World War II Memorial here in Washington D.C.

I have had the honor of meeting with these veterans--in Nebraska and at the memorial built to thank them for their strength, bravery, and sacrifices.

It has been over 60 years since World War II ended with the surrender of the Japanese, bringing to the close a war in which 16 million American men and women served.

Less than five million are still with us.

This week, nearly 250 Nebraska World War II vets visited D.C. They came from Omaha, Scottsbluff, and towns in between. They came from small towns like Thedford and Nebraska's capital city, Lincoln.

I know their visit to Washington was a trip of a lifetime for each and every one of them, and I know I speak for all of us when I thank them for their service to our country.

I also want to thank the Heartland Honor Flight for their efforts to make this trip a reality. During the past four years, honor flights have transported more than 5,000 veterans to our nation's capital.

I'm proud to live in a country which honors our heroes.