Floor Statements

Thank you, I appreciate that.

First I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar, Chairwoman Brown, Ranking Member Mica and Ranking Member Shuster for their support of this resolution. As you've heard, this resolution would recognize North Platte, Nebraska, as Rail Town USA. North Platte is a thriving community of over 25,000 people possessing a rich history dating back to before it was organized as a city in 1874.

Today North Platte is home to Bailey Yard, owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. Bailey Yard is the largest rail classification yard in the world. Every 24 hours, Bailey Yard handles 10,000 railroad cars and an average of 135 trains bound for cities as distant as the east, west, and gulf coasts of America, as well as the Canadian and Mexican borders.

In addition to the current importance of the railroad to North Platte, the community and railroad also share a storied past of goodwill during World War II. For 54 months between 1941 and 1946, millions of troops found a small bit of comfort when their trains stopped in North Platte. One December day, word spread that Company D of Nebraska's National Guard was going to travel through North Platte later that morning. As it does in close-knit communities, word traveled rapidly. Though the train was scheduled to arrive mid-morning, no train had arrived by 4:30 p.m. Shortly thereafter, the nearly 500 people who had gathered to show support for their fellow Nebraskans were instead surprised to find the train loaded with troops from Kansas. Though not their expected native sons and daughters, the Nebraskans gathered would not let these brave young men travel on without knowing they were supported and honored. They were offered food, coffee and gifts, just as if they were Nebraska's own.

Rae Wilson, in fact, a sister to one of the troops from Nebraska, took it upon herself to write a letter to the local paper suggesting that citizens gather for all trains of troops passing through North Platte. On December 22, 1941, a canteen committee was organized, and Rae was chosen as chairwoman. Just 3 days later, the canteen officially opened its doors from 5 a.m. to midnight, all volunteers. During its busiest period, the canteen would be open 24 hours a day, again, all volunteers honoring the troops.

Before Union Pacific switched to diesel-electric power, North Platte was a designated servicing point. While the trains were being serviced, soldiers visited the canteen. At the war's peak, 3,000 to 5,000 personnel were greeted daily with North Platte sometimes hosting up to 20 trains a day. In fact, these volunteers from 125 communities in and around the State contributed with donations of time, money, supplies, food and smiles. More than 6 million service men and women who traveled through Nebraska during World War II were greeted by the North Platte Canteen. A total of $137,000, and more than that in cash, was contributed to the canteen over its operation.

Today the effort of the North Platte Canteen during World War II is still a source of pride within the community and throughout Nebraska. And the town's relationship with the railroad continues to be recognized as an important part of North Platte's history.

I would like to elaborate, Madam Speaker, that today, as we look at the canteen issues and the railroad in general, we know that North Platte, the railroad and the Bailey Yard contributed significantly to our energy supply, with coal trains coming through from the coal fields of Wyoming. They come through Nebraska and many other places, but this rail yard specifically, and there are thousands of workers, specifically many workers associated with the United Transportation Union, who are employed with good jobs contributing to the energy supply of our Nation.

I only hope that we can come up with a policy that is more friendly to clean coal. And this can help all of us. This provides jobs for those in middle America. But more than that, it provides a stimulus package, if you will, that is through more affordable energy.

Mr. Speaker, we've been hearing a lot about change these days; certain parties claiming more change than others perhaps.

I would suggest that what has changed the most is the definition of the term ``bipartisan.'' To say that this effort is bipartisan is not being honest. To say that the process that we're supposed to engage in 2 years ago of being the most open process in the history of Congress, not so. To criticize the executive branch for energy policies 7 years ago being drafted behind closed doors, and then to participate or not allow participation in this issue, I think, is unconscionable for the American people.

We're talking about way offshore drilling, if at all. We need broad- based energy supply.

If we think that a 9 percent approval rating of Congress is bad, let's pass a bill that won't do anything saying that it will. That is bad policy. If we expect our economy to grow, we need to afford the resources of energy to the growing economy.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow we will look back on a dark day which changed our Nation and the world forever.

On September 11, 2001, we felt the tremors of the World Trade Center collapsing and the attack on the Pentagon. We suffered the destruction of Flight 93 in rural Pennsylvania. And we came together as a country.

On that day, we learned those who would use terror and violence make no distinction between innocent victims and soldiers. We learned the terrible lengths terrorists would go to, and their utter disregard for human life. We mourned the loss of so many of our fellow citizens.

In the days, weeks, months and years since, we have honored the sacrifice and courage of those who showed the world America has men and women willing to lay down their lives for their fellow citizens.

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts should be on the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and of the men and women of our Armed Forces who are fighting for our freedom to this day.

Madam Speaker, I say that wishful thinking on the part of Congress will not bring down gas prices. I truly believe, and evidence shows, that action to bring about more supply will bring down gas prices.

More supply perhaps from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve? Maybe, but not without replacing those reserves, and we know we can do that with Outer Continental Shelf drilling, as well as responsible, environmentally sensitive drilling in Alaska. We can do that.

Consumers will benefit, such as the single mom in my district who called and told me that a one-way drive to work so that she can feed her family is 40 miles, one way. There's no option of a subway. There's no option of public transportation. She has to pay for it. These gas prices are hurting her and her family.

And, Madam Speaker, we can do better. We must do better.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I'm glad that President Bush turned up the heat on Congress when he lifted an executive order barring offshore energy exploration off almost 90 percent of U.S. coastlines.

Mr. Speaker, I have to say that raising the decibel level of the debate in this Chamber does not solve the problem. A good, comprehensive, broad-based energy supply is what solves the problem. Instead of acting to help consumers with high gas prices, Congress still has not taken up legislation which will actually help fight rising gas prices even as the price at the pump rockets past $4.11 a gallon. Instead, we hear the other side of the aisle about use-it-or- lose-it current policy, that oil companies are sitting on 68 million acres, or maybe even more, of land which could be used for energy exploration.

We need to ask ourselves the question then, Why would anyone in the private sector want to engage in even greater expenses then in acquiring more petroleum resources for the American people?

But even a Democratic colleague of mine said, ``You can't produce on every acre or even every 100 acres. I think those numbers come from people who don't understand the business.''

We can do better; we should do better, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 505, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 369, honoring the men and women of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration on the occasion of its 35th Anniversary.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit the DEA's training facility in Quantico, Virginia.

This training facility is designed to prepare local law enforcement agents to deal with the specific hazards surrounding small, clandestine methamphetamine labs. More than 100 law enforcement officers from my home state of Nebraska have taken part in the training.

We also had the opportunity to speak briefly with agent trainees at the DEA training facility.

I truly appreciate these men and women who are battling against the evil of illegal drugs in the heartland of Nebraska and throughout our country.

These individuals--both the agents on the street and their instructors--deserve commendation for their dedication and sacrifice.

Through public education, vigilance, and the efforts of law enforcement, we can curb the spread of dangerous drugs in our communities.

Madam Speaker, recently, I took part in a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing concerning hydropower and exploring its role as a continued source of clean, renewable energy for the future.

In Nebraska, we have benefited from clean, inexpensive and renewable hydropower. These projects in Nebraska's third district serve irrigation, flood control, and recreation activities. Demand for fuel and power continues to grow, giving all sources of domestic resources, including offshore oil fields and ANWR, solar, nuclear, wind, and hydropower, an increasingly important role for the future.

Unfortunately, so many special interest groups have said ``no'' to virtually every solution, including clean, renewable hydropower, non- emitting nuclear power, clean coal technology, wind power, and certainly responsible domestic exploration.

Madam Speaker, we can do better. We must do better.

Mr. Speaker, for many Americans, pulling up to the gas station is becoming a dreaded event. There have been some short-term remedies, but with prices at $4 per gallon, any relief must be paired with a broader energy plan which unlocks American resources.

Current U.S. policy unnecessarily keeps many areas off limits to exploration, restraining additional growth and supply. High fuel prices impact rural areas the hardest. Long commutes are a way of life, and crushing gas prices have hit farmers and ranchers in every aspect of their lives.

Unfortunately, several special interest groups have said no to virtually

every solution, including clean, renewable hydropower, non-emitting nuclear power, clean coal technology, wind power, and domestic exploration and development.

It has been over 20 years since President Ronald Reagan called on Congress to lease ANWR. It has been over 30 years since a new refinery has come on line. Since then, America has paid the price for delay, and we are paying the price every time we pull up to the pump.

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

H.R. 5680 is a technical corrections bill amending several laws concerning Native Americans. This bill has six substantive sections that will increase tribal economic development in several western States, Michigan and also Alaska. The bill is supported by the administration, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

I must add, of course, that opening up American reserves of oil, natural gas, geothermal energy and oil shale here at home would also help economic development, not only for Native Americans, but for all Americans.

Rather than devoting precious hours to legislation that covers a multitude of topics, and I understand many of them are necessary, others are more discretionary, I would ask, I would plead in fact as a member of the minority, that the leadership allow us the opportunity to vote on bills that would address the shortage of energy supply in our country.

I will say that no single answer remains to solve our energy situation. That is why I believe so many sources of energy need to be on the table. We have heard various criticisms and various analogies, but the fact is that we need more energy supply. The economics point to that. The demands of our economy point to that. The checkbooks of every single American point to that. Households all across America, all across our economy need more access, more affordable access to energy.

Congress ought not point a finger at those folks who they think use too much energy. Certainly I would not tell a farmer or rancher in my district of Nebraska they are caught up in consuming too much energy in producing food for America, or feed stocks for alternative energy. It takes energy to produce energy. Yes, I understand that, and we can do better with our policies.

I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you to the gentleman from Utah for yielding me time so that we can have a bit of a conversation on energy. I truly believe that our country is lacking a balanced policy. I think that our country is lacking a commonsense policy, which certainly leaves consumers out of the mix for what they need with food, with fuel for their vehicles, energy to heat their homes, energy to run a small business. The list goes on and on.

But as we do address and look to the future, I think that utilizing today's technology and even tomorrow's technology so that we can certainly use the resources afforded our country, we can do that in a very responsible manner, and that we would not have certain issues become symbols of I think an extreme agenda that are endorsed by I think a relatively small group of Americans.

In 1980, the Congress, and President Carter, I will add, created the nearly 20 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but they set aside 1.5 million acres of ANWR's northern coastal plain for the purpose of future energy exploration and development. Let me repeat that. They set aside, this is Congress and President Carter in 1980, 1.5 million acres of ANWR's northern coastal plain for the purpose of future energy exploration and development. This parcel is known as the 1002 area, named after the section of the act that set it aside for its energy resources.

Energy exploration will be limited to just 2,000 acres of ANWR's 1002 area, an acreage limitation made possible by 21st century technology. This 2,000 acres, I will add, is equivalent to one-tenth of 1 percent of ANWR's total acreage.

According to the U.S. Energy Administration, the mean estimate of recoverable oil in ANWR is 10.4 billion barrels, all of which is now economically recoverable. That is more than the twice the proven oil reserves in all of Texas. That is almost half of the total U.S. proven reserves of 21 billion barrels. That represents a possible 50 percent increase in total U.S. proven reserves.

EIA also estimates daily ANWR would provide 1 million barrels per day for 30 years. Will that affect oil prices? Absolutely. Is that a government subsidy? No. I hope that we can get beyond the policies of just saying ``no'' to domestic sources of energy. This is equivalent to what the entire State of Texas produces daily. ANWR's 30 year, 1 million barrel per day supply, also equals 30 years of imports from Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

Let's talk about the revenue. According to a recent CRS report, at today's prices of $125 per barrel, ANWR development would deliver $191.1 billion in corporate income tax and royalty revenue to the Federal Government. Let's talk about fiscal responsibility. Bonus bids alone would deliver close to $4 billion to the Federal Treasury.

Economically speaking, relating to jobs, ANWR energy production would create between 250,000 and 750,000 good jobs in America across the country. These are good, broad-based jobs in the energy sector that, in the end, help consumers. A study from the National Defense Council Foundation says that the figure could be as high as 1 million new jobs for Americans in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.

In terms of environmental protection, ANWR's leasing plan will be certainly environmentally sound. The Interior Department must administer the leasing program to result in no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, their habitat, subsistence resources or the environment. The leasing program will be subject to stringent regulations that at a minimum will require some of these details. Let me share them.

Meeting or exceeding environmental mitigation measures established in the prior environmental impact statement.

Limiting exploration generally to the period between November and May.

Imposing seasonal limits to protect breeding, spawning and wildlife migration patterns.

Using ice roads, airstrips and other low impact transportation methods while limiting air traffic to reduce disturbance to fish and wildlife.

Requiring pipelines and roads to be designed to minimize adverse effects on migratory caribou, other wildlife and surface water flow.

Protecting streams, springs, rivers, wetlands and riparian habitats from the effects of water used in drilling.

Treating and disposing of all waste products by use of a hazardous material tracking system and filing an annual report on waste management.

Educating crew members on environmental protection methods.

Complying with all applicable air and water quality standards and utilizing the best commercially available technology for the exploration and development, not only today, but in the future as well.

I could go on and on with many of these details that assure the responsible development, exploration and henceforth the development, but let me give some perspective to this briefly.

The size of the small wildlife refuges that currently exist barely measure as a fraction of ANWR's 19.6 million acres, yet the ecosystem and energy production in the refuges coexist without harm. Consider the size of these following National Wildlife Refuges supporting active oil and gas production, according to information provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Montana, total size, 1,680 acres; Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma/Texas, 11,000 acres; Kirtland's Warbler National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan, 6,543 acres; Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, 48,000 acres. We are talking about a good chunk there. San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, 37,000 acres; Crosby Wetland Management District in North Dakota, 86,000 acres. But, my friends, ANWR in Alaska, the total size of the refuge is 19.6 million acres, and proposed development is 2,000 acres.

I would argue that what is best for consumers is a good, balanced energy policy that isn't just about petroleum. It is about many other sources. And the frustration from consumers in the Third District of Nebraska is getting higher and higher and higher, because they understand the economics of various sources of energy, whether it is biofuels that many people are speaking out against, or even nuclear power, nuclear energy that we know is friendly to the environment in terms of carbon emissions.

Hydropower, it was interesting to learn that New Zealand is one of the world's, I would say, most green countries in terms of energy. They are about 80 percent dependent on hydropower. And there is so much pushback here in America on the development of hydropower, consumers are getting frustrated. It is not just policymakers, but it is consumers as well, because they can do the math.

Clean coal technology, we have come so far with clean coal, and there is even greater promise in the future. Why would we want to sell ourselves short on that? Oil shale, that I know will be discussed here momentarily, certainly is a domestic source of energy. We heard earlier about some comments about becoming energy independent, oil independent, but yet there is so much pushback from developing our own resources in a very responsible manner.

I will do my best.

Even bigger than the Third District of Nebraska, which is huge. Well, not acres-wise, but it is a large area.

That is correct.

Correct.

Well, I can't make any promises, but certainly as it

does speak to economics, there is concern that so much of the price of oil per barrel today is based on speculation, that the mere announcement that we would be opening up some domestic sources of petroleum resources, we would be perhaps warning those folks in the speculative world that things may change a bit.

Absolutely. I think the numbers certainly speak for themselves.

Folks, in our economy, on the front lines of our economy, they can do the math. They are very frustrated with what is taking place right now. And while the Third District of Nebraska is a large place, I am not saying it is smaller than this subject area, but we even have opportunities with so many different sources of energy. Why would we want to take something off the table, when there are domestic supplies that with technology today and tomorrow we can do so much more?

But more than that, it strikes me as absolutely amazing that the local folks of these subject areas, specifically ANWR, are supportive of this development. I think you spoke earlier of some places in Utah that you pointed out that the locals support. If it were truly going to plunder the environment, as many would speculate and suggest, the local folks would be fighting against that.

I drive a diesel vehicle, and even though diesel is more efficient on a gallon-for-gallon basis, it is painful. I close with that.

Madam Speaker, since 1946, DECA has been the premier student organization preparing high school and college students for careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Students are able to develop academic, leadership, communication, and civic responsibility skills.

Through the efforts of this organization, thousands of students have become leaders and have improved their communities in countless ways.

Today, I want to congratulate the thirty-nine students from the Scottsbluff DECA Chapter who qualified for and attended the International DECA Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. I also want to congratulate their advisor, Mr. Derek Deaver.

Over 14,000 DECA members from all fifty states as well as Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and Mexico attended the conference, held late last month.

In this international competition, the Scottsbluff DECA Chapter made Nebraska proud. Many members received awards of excellence with one project--whose members include Brittany Shaneman, Jordyn Gray and

Breanna Elley--placed in the top twenty, and Seth Wallace finishing in the top ten, placing third in the nation.

The continued success of Mr. Deaver and his DECA students is a testament to the fact young Nebraskans represent a truly valuable resource. I applaud their achievements and wish them the best next year.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the House of Representatives for taking action on the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program today.

The Platte River has undergone extensive development for irrigation, power generation, and municipal water uses. The river system today contains 15 major dams and reservoirs and provides water for about 3.5 million people.

Existing facilities on the river provide hydroelectric power, irrigation water, flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat. Substantial portions of the economies of the Platte River basin States--Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska--are based on water supplied by the Platte River.

In 1997, the three States and the U.S. Department of the Interior signed an agreement to pursue a basinwide cooperative recovery implementation program to improve and maintain habitat for four threatened and endangered species which use the Platte River.

The legislation we are discussing today is designed to implement a multi-state cooperative approach to assist in the conservation and recovery of habitat for the Platte River's endangered and threatened species and to help prevent the need to list more species under the Endangered Species Act. The bill would also provide regulatory certainty to the cities and industries which rely on flows of the river.

As we move forward with the implementation of the program, positive and negative economic impacts must be assessed and considered in order to minimize adverse effects of the recovery efforts.

This legislation is the first step of many to protect and recover species and provide long-term water use for our communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of one of our nation's greatest advocates for Native Americans, Chief Standing Bear.

I have long said a leader does not make people do the right thing--a leader inspires them to do the right thing.

Chief Standing Bear was such a leader.

Born in Nebraska, the Ponca Chief and his tribe were forcibly moved to Oklahoma. In 1879, Chief Standing Bear was arrested and put on trial for leaving Indian Territory to bury his son in their ancestral home.

After a two-day trial, a federal judge recognized Standing Bear as human under the law and freed him, a landmark decision securing constitutional rights for all Native Americans.

I am proud to cosponsor H. Res. 1043, honoring Chief Standing Bear's life, legacy, and contributions to civil rights.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in appreciation of the brave men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to tour the DEA's anti-meth lab training facility as well as the chance to briefly speak to agent trainees. Meth leaves lives destroyed and communities shaken to the core. These agents have literally devoted their lives to protect our communities and deserve our thanks for their efforts to combat the scourge of illegal drugs.

Though the number of meth labs in America has decreased since 2006, Mexican drug cartels are creating super labs, which produce a huge percentage of the meth in our country. This is why I introduced the Meth Kingpin Elimination Act last year, which would increase penalties on drug manufacturers and smugglers.

Meth abuse and production knows no borders, and I thank the instructors and students at Quantico for taking time to show us how important it truly is to win the war on drugs.