Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable young woman, Ms. Ariel Kominique Taylor. Ariel was born in Indianola, Mississippi, to LaShunda King and Kamia Taylor. She is a dedicated member of Weeping Mary Baptist Church and proud member of the Humphreys County High School Class of 2012.

Ariel's commitment to academic excellence earned her the title of Salutatorian for Humphreys County High School Class of 2012. At Humphreys County High School, Ariel was a charter member of Students Making a Change, SMAC, a participant in The Mayor's City Youth Council, and was a member of the Youth with a Vision Community Choir. She also served as a sports journalist for the school's newspaper, a member of the Varsity Cheerleader Squad, and the school's tennis team.

After graduating, Ariel plans to attend Jackson State University and major in mathematics with an emphasis in accounting.

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Ariel Kominique Taylor for her continued effort in achieving excellence in education and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a determined young man, Mr. Melvin Young, Jr.

Melvin Savelle Young, Jr. was born June 28, 1994 in Vicksburg, Mississippi to the proud parents of Melvin Young, Sr. and Rhonda Morris Young. He is also the proud grandson of Bernice Profit of Hollandale, Mississippi and the late Emma Lee Dorsey of Rolling Fork, Mississippi.

While in high school, Melvin was the runner up for Mr. South Delta High School, a member of the varsity football, baseball, and the track team. He also participated in the JROTC program. He is a faithful member of Salem Missionary Baptist Church where he is a devoted choir member. In conjunction with his hopes to positively impact his community, Melvin became a member of the Mayor Youth Council and has worked as a volunteer at the Sharkey County Tax Assessor and Collector Office. Melvin also volunteered in the emergency response efforts of the county to save public records during a flooding crisis; as a volunteer he worked to move official records to a secure location.

In the fall Melvin plans to attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Mississippi where he will pursue a degree in Pre-Engineering.

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Melvin Savelle Young, Jr. for his hard work and dedication in his efforts to achieve his goals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a young woman whose commitment to her academics has earned her this recognition.

Ms. Cherry Mathis. Ms. Mathis is a straight-A honors graduate of Charleston High School in Charleston, Mississippi.

She has been consistent in maintaining the highest average in nearly all of her courses throughout high school. Her grade point average is an astounding 4.1, which gives her the highest average among her peers in the twelfth grade. As a result of her studious feat, Ms. Mathis was designated as the Valedictorian of the Charleston High School Class of 2012.

Receiving this honor implies that Ms. Mathis is incredibly hard working, and dedicated to her education. She has earned numerous awards and distinctions such as being inducted into the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. However, her proudest accomplishment was being named as a National Merit Scholar. In addition to her academic responsibilities, Ms. Mathis has also held leadership positions in several school organizations including the Yearbook Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Science Club, and Student Council.

Ms. Mathis plans to attend the University of Mississippi where she will major in Integrated Marketing Communications. She believes that obtaining this degree will be a primary tool in achieving her future goals.

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Cherry Mathis for her outstanding academic achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable educator, Lucille Holmes.

Ms. Holmes is the second of four children born to the late Mr. Arthur D. Randle and Mrs. Josephine Randle of Starkville, Mississippi. Her maternal grandparents are the late Walter and her paternal grandparents are Earlene Franklin and the late Charlie and Lydia Randle She was born in a small community known as Rock Hill and was a member of Rock Hill United Methodist Church. After marrying her husband Clarence Holmes, she joined Bethel A.M.E. Church in Mound Bayou, Mississippi.

Upon completing high school Lucille graduated from Mississippi State University in 1978 where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. Upon graduation she obtained a position at Boswell Retardation Center, now known as Boswell Regional Center in Sanatorium, Mississippi, as a special adult education teacher.

Her goal early in her youth was to become an educator due to her second grade teacher Ms. Viola Johnson. Ms. Johnson's teaching techniques and methods impacted her decision to become an educator.

Mrs. Holmes educational philosophy is that all children can learn and they have the right to be taught the way they learn. As an educator she believes it is her responsibility to learn how each child learns and teach him or her accordingly. Furthermore, she is always willing to do the unthinkable to ensure that each and every life she touches is changed in a positive way.

In 1981 she began employment with the Cleveland School District at East Side High School, as a special education teacher. In 1983 she went to Delta State University and completed her Master Degree in Guidance and Counseling. After completion of her degree she went to work in the Shaw School District as an elementary school counselor at McEvans. She left Shaw to work in the Shelby school system as an elementary, middle school and high school counselor. In 1997 Lucille returned to the Cleveland School District as a counselor at East Side High School. She has since received her certification in school administration.

Mrs. Holmes is the mother of two children, Cristal Arlette and Clarence Anthony Holmes Jr. whom she has instilled the importance of getting an education, just as she has for the students in her classroom.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that our colleagues join me in recognizing Mrs. Lucille Holmes for her commitment to education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a remarkable young woman: Shundraria Roneisha Tribble. Shundraria is the only daughter of Michelle Tribble of Falcon, Mississippi.

She graduated as an outstanding scholar of Madison Shannon Plamer High School. Throughout her high school career she has remained on the Principal and Superintendent Lists. She was a member of the Beta Club, the Student Council, and the United States Achievement Academy. Shundraria was also elected as Miss Madison Shannon Palmer High School 2011-2012.

As a freshman, Shundraria set a goal to graduate in the top ten of her senior class, and through hard work and determination she was named class Salutatorian on May 12, 2012. Shundraria aspires to enter the medical field as a Registered Nurse to later venture on to become a physician.

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Shundraria Roneisha Tribble, Salutatorian for Madison Shannon Palmer High School Class of 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a phenomenal young woman, Ms. McKenzie JoAnn Pollock, daughter of Philip and Cheryl Pollock. Throughout her time in high school, McKenzie has been extremely devoted to both her academics and extracurricular activities.

McKenzie's motivation to excel prompted her to do anything she could to ensure that she would be successful academically. In accordance with this, she took Advanced Placement classes throughout high school and she maintained all ``A's'' throughout her high school career. As a result of McKenzie's work ethic, she was rewarded numerous scholarships to college. She received the Lucky Day Citizenship Scholarship and the Choral Service Award from the University of Southern Mississippi, as well as the Best Buy Scholarship Award, the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, and the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant.

Not only has McKenzie excelled academically, but she has also been heavily involved in numerous extra-curricular activities. She served as the Warren Central Hall of Fame Club President, Student Government Senior Class Secretary; was a member of the Mock Trial Attorney and Witness team, Mu Alpha Theta Society, Varsity Choir, the Band, Drama Club, School Musical, National Honors Society, Youth Advisory Council, and she worked with the Children of the American Revolution and Fundraising for the Children's Miracle Network. She also works for the U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center as a Civil Engineering Technician.

McKenzie has competed in several competitions in addition to her other responsibilities. She was the Poetry Out Loud School winner in 2009, and she has received the Gold Medal at the Mississippi Music Teachers' Association Evaluations (MMTA) and Federated Music Clubs of America for her singing. In 2011, McKenzie was crowned Miss Vicksburg's Outstanding Teen, and she went on to finish in the top ten in the Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant.

Per her interest in the performing arts McKenzie is an active theatre participant. She has performed in many productions at the Vicksburg Theatre Guild and the Westside Theatre Foundation. McKenzie strongly believes that the performing arts should be an integral part of a child's education, and she enjoys every opportunity that allows her to introduce children to the arts. During summer of 2011, she was an assistant instructor in the Southern Cultural Center's Spectrum summer arts camp, which allows children the opportunity to explore the arts.

To culminate her high school career, McKenzie is honored to be named Valedictorian of the Warren Central High School's senior class of 2012. In the fall, McKenzie plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where she will major in Music-Vocal Performance with a minor in dance.

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in honoring the Valedictorian of Warren Central High School's senior class of 2012, Ms. McKenzie Joann Pollock an outstanding young woman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor, Lemuel McWilliams. Mr. McWilliams is the third of five children born to Mrs. Eva McWilliams and the late Mr. Milton McWilliams of Ruleville, Mississippi. He was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Mr. McWilliams is a member of Merry Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he is a Sunday School Teacher, usher, and he is also active in other church auxiliaries.

From the time Lemuel entered school he always worked to excel. While at Ruleville Middle School he received numerous academic awards and graduated Salutatorian of his class. When Lemuel entered high school he continued to make education his priority, and has received numerous awards. He received the highest average in English III, Algebra II, Advance Placement History, and Creative Writing; and Lemuel was also awarded the Sunflower County Chamber of Commerce scholarship, and both the Principal's and the Superintendent's Scholar Awards.

As a member of the Leaders Envisioning a Future, he has also been involved in community service projects. Mr. McWilliams has been a mentor to fellow classmates by encouraging and helping them reach their educational goals. He wants to encourage younger students that they can accomplish any of their goals as long as they are committed to working hard to achieve it.

Mr. Williams received full scholarships to Jackson State University and Alcorn State University. In the fall he plans to attend Jackson State University where he will major in PreMed and Biology. After obtaining his degree, Lemuel wants to become a Pediatrician.

Mr. Lemuel McWilliams credits his parents for encouraging and supporting him to pursue his dreams of becoming a physician. His siblings Toni, Rahman, Ivan, and Ezra also encourage him to achieve his educational and career dreams, because they understand

Lemuel's passion for achieving his goals and helping others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Lemuel McWilliams as the 2012 Valedictorian at Ruleville Central High School Class.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor, Lemuel McWilliams. Mr. McWilliams is the third of five children born to Mrs. Eva McWilliams and the late Mr. Milton McWilliams of Ruleville, Mississippi. He was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Mr. McWilliams is a member of Merry Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he is a Sunday School Teacher, usher, and he is also active in other church auxiliaries.

From the time Lemuel entered school he always worked to excel. While at Ruleville Middle School he received numerous academic awards and graduated Salutatorian of his class. When Lemuel entered high school he continued to make education his priority, and has received numerous awards. He received the highest average in English III, Algebra II, Advance Placement History, and Creative Writing; and Lemuel was also awarded the Sunflower County Chamber of Commerce scholarship, and both the Principal's and the Superintendent's Scholar Awards.

As a member of the Leaders Envisioning a Future, he has also been involved in community service projects. Mr. McWilliams has been a mentor to fellow classmates by encouraging and helping them reach their educational goals. He wants to encourage younger students that they can accomplish any of their goals as long as they are committed to working hard to achieve it.

Mr. Williams received full scholarships to Jackson State University and Alcorn State University. In the fall he plans to attend Jackson State University where he will major in PreMed and Biology. After obtaining his degree, Lemuel wants to become a Pediatrician.

Mr. Lemuel McWilliams credits his parents for encouraging and supporting him to pursue his dreams of becoming a physician. His siblings Toni, Rahman, Ivan, and Ezra also encourage him to achieve his educational and career dreams, because they understand Lemuel's passion for achieving his goals and helping others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Lemuel McWilliams as the 2012 Valedictorian at Ruleville Central High School Class.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3772, which seeks to designate the United States postal facility located at 150 South Union Street in Canton, Mississippi, as the First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office.

I introduced this bill to bring recognition to the outstanding works and commitment of Retired First Sergeant Landres Cheeks to both the United States of America and to the city of Canton, Mississippi. I'm pleased to have my colleagues in the Mississippi delegation join me as original cosponsors: Congressmen Harper, Palazzo, and Nunnelee.

First, Sergeant Cheeks has been a true patriot of our country and an integral part of his community for more than 60 years. He's dedicated his life, after serving our country for three decades, to giving back to the citizens of Canton. His mission to economically empower, inspire, and motivate the people of Canton has proved him to be an invaluable asset to the community.

Sergeant Cheeks served the United States Army Medical Corps for 30 years, participating in Germany and France during World War II and the Vietnam war. He's a decorated serviceman, having received the National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Occupational Medal of Germany, Bronze Star Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and a Good Service Conduct Medal.

In 2001, he was awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Ageless Hero Award. This honor is given in celebration of the spirit and vitality of our Nation's seniors aged 65 and over who have proven themselves exemplary in the areas of community involvement, creativity, good neighboring, love of learning, new beginning and vitality. Sergeant Cheeks has proven himself to be a role model of his community.

After having been honorably discharged from the military, it was later discovered that Sergeant Cheeks had contacted agent orange and developed post-traumatic stress syndrome. Nevertheless, Sergeant Cheeks persevered and began actively assisting the people of Canton with searches for employment and with formulating and sponsoring extracurricular activities for the youth of Canton.

Not only is Sergeant Cheeks committed to economic quality and bettering the community, but he's also committed to civic engagement and involvement. He currently sits on the Voter Registration Committee and serves as chairman of the membership of the Canton branch of the

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4251, the SMART Port Security Act, and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I'm pleased that the House is meeting today to consider H.R. 4251, the SMART Port Security Act. This bill includes a number of Democratic-sponsored provisions aimed at improving our Nation's maritime security.

Representative Loretta Sanchez authored a provision to strengthen the integrity of the TWIC program. Representative Laura Richardson authored language to allow port operators to use their grant funds for security provided by local law enforcement. Representative Clarke of Michigan authored a provision relating to northern border security.

H.R. 4251 also includes language modeled after a bill I introduced, H.R. 1105, to relieve the Nation's port and transportation workers from the hassle and expense of renewing their 5-year TWIC cards, given that DHS has not done its job to fully implement this security program.

Specifically, section 206 of this bill will relieve current TWIC holders, the men and women who work in our ports, from being required to secure new identification cards beginning in October 2012, given that DHS has not even issued a draft rule for biometric readers.

For the full security potential of the TWIC program to be realized, there must be readers installed at ports to match the biometric cards with the individuals presenting them. Since 2007, over 2.1 million longshoremen, truckers, merchant mariners, and rail and vessel crew members have undergone extensive homeland security and criminal background checks and paid a $132.50 fee to secure TWICs.

Since H.R. 4251 was considered by the full committee, DHS has taken positive steps to address the upcoming TWIC renewal predicament. Specifically, DHS recently announced that, starting this August, workers will be eligible for a 3-year TWIC renewal card at a discounted rate and with fewer visits to the enrollment center. While this is a positive development, more must be done.

The bill before us today allows workers to continue to use their TWICs for the next 2 years, while providing an incentive for DHS to move forward on readers as soon as possible.

I insert into the Record a letter we received today from Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, expressing their support for this bill and the provisions making commonsense changes to the TWIC program.

Transportation Trades

Department, AFL-CIO,

Washington, DC, June 26, 2012.

Dear Representative: On behalf of the Transportation Trades

Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I write to express our support for

H.R. 4251, the SMART Port Security Act, offered by Rep.

Candice Miller (R-MI), which will be voted under suspension

later today.

The SMART Port Security Act, among other things, makes

needed reforms to the Transportation Worker Identification

Credential (TWIC) program enrollment, activation, issuance

and renewal process. Specifically, this legislation postpones

the requirement of workers to renew TWIC cards in the absence

of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final regulations

mandating biometric card readers.

Since the TWIC program began, over two million workers have

fulfilled their obligation to enroll in the TWIC program,

incurring the significant cost and time commitment to comply

with the program. However, DHS has yet to issue a final rule

on the biometric readers, rendering the expensive biometric

component of the TWIC cards virtually useless. Despite the

readers not being in place, workers will have to renew their

TWIC cards beginning in October, 2012. This legislation would

spare workers the financial and procedural burden of renewing

their application until DHS puts the infrastructure in place

to make the program fully functional.

This legislation also includes language which ensures that

workers are only required to make one in-person visit to an

enrollment center either for a first enrollment

or a renewal. This will lift a logistical burden for workers,

many of whom may be hundreds of miles away from a TWIC

enrollment facility while on the job.

Transportation workers have been asked for too long to bear

the financial burden of supporting a program that is

incomplete and ineffective. I urge all Members to vote for

Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Richardson).

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close.

I would note that my support for the SMART Port Security Act is rooted in not only the improvements in the TWIC Program but also in what it seeks to do in order to improve the coordination and cooperation between DHS's maritime components and strengthened procurement practices. This bill is the result of a bipartisan effort to strengthen the security of America's ports and waterways and to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security's maritime security efforts are as effective and efficient as practicable.

With that, Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 4251, and 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.

I rise in support of H.R. 4005, the Gauging American Port Security Act.

This bill, authored by Representative Janice Hahn, who is a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study of the gaps in port security in the United States. The study, which will be submitted to Congress, must set forth the prioritization of those security gaps and a plan for addressing them.

Finally, the bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to share relevant port security information, as appropriate, with Federal, State and local government partners, as well as with those port owners and operators who are involved in protecting ports.

Given the importance of America's ports and waterways to our Nation and its economy, they are an attractive target for terrorists and criminals. The

impact of a terrorist attack on a major port would be catastrophic-- with massive economic losses in addition to the probable loss of life. By requiring a comprehensive assessment of port security vulnerabilities and a plan for addressing them, we will be one step closer to making our ports and our Nation more secure.

With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California, a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and the original sponsor of H.R. 4005, Ms. Hahn.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. If the gentleman from New York has no more speakers, then I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's ports are as diverse as the people they serve. The importance of this infrastructure to the global supply chain cannot be overstated.

Enactment of H.R. 4005 will help ensure that our limited security resources can be targeted to those threats that put our ports at the greatest risk.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 4005, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in strong support of H.R. 1447, the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act. Mr. Speaker, effective coordination between stakeholders and their regulators is critical to the implementation of policies that work. To that end, we have the responsibility to ensure that policy is informed by the realities on the ground. Arguably, nowhere is the need for policy coordination more important than at our Nation's airports.

Given that the aviation sector remains an attractive target for terrorists, the difference between a security policy that works and one that does not can be all that stands between life and death.

That is why I introduced H.R. 1447, the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act. This legislation will ensure that the voices of those subject to policies and protocols put in place by TSA are heard and their recommendations are considered. It does so by directing the TSA to establish an Aviation Security Advisory Committee.

For years, such an advisory committee existed and worked effectively with TSA on matters such as aviation security methods, equipment, and procedures. For instance, in 2003, the ASAC's cargo working group, which included the Cargo Airline Association, made recommendations that formed the basis of TSA's program for 100 percent screening of air cargo. Unfortunately, during the last administration, the charter for this advisory committee was allowed to lapse, and the committee ceased operations.

While I am pleased that in response to my bill, the Obama administration reestablished this committee on its own authority, I strongly believe that it is critical that the Aviation Security Advisory Committee be codified in law to ensure that TSA's aviation security policy continues to be informed by the private sector. That is why my bill would, for the first time, establish the Aviation Security Advisory Committee in statute and require representatives from up to 27 member organizations participate.

I introduced H.R. 1447 in April of 2011, with the ranking member of the Transportation Security Subcommittee of the Committee on Homeland Security, Representative Jackson Lee. It was favorably reported on a bipartisan basis in November 2011.

TSA has the responsibility to secure the American public from threats posed to our transportation sector. However, it cannot do so in a vacuum. TSA must leverage technical and operational expertise from our Nation's airports to deliver a collaborative and robust security system across our aviation sector. Strong partnerships with aviation stakeholders are critical to informing aviation security policy.

Just last month, the committee received testimony from the Airport Minority Advisory Council about arbitrary limitations set forth by TSA on the issuance of airport worker badges to airport-based small businesses, like newsstands, coffee, and souvenir shops. Since then, TSA has committed to reevaluate the policy and work with the private sector to address the concerns raised.

This is just one example of how a TSA policy--developed without input from the advisory committee--was not informed by economic realities. Now TSA is in the position of having to revisit this and other ill- informed policies to ensure that they enhance security in a manner that does not unduly burden the private sector.

My bill also directs the administrator of TSA to establish three targeted working groups to address the unique homeland security challenges related to air cargo security, general aviation security, and perimeter security.

Mr. Speaker, all of us have a stake in ensuring the security of our Nation. Let us pass this bill so that stakeholders who are expected to comply with the policies and procedures developed by TSA have a seat at the table. That way, we can be confident that TSA's policies are both effective from the security standpoint and address the economic and commercial realities of our Nation's airports.

Before reserving the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to engage in a brief colloquy with the gentleman from New York, the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Mr. King.

Mr. Speaker, as this bill has made its way to the House floor, the chairman and I have been engaged in ongoing dialogue over how to strike the right balance on who should be represented on the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. I am dedicated to ensuring that the voices of passengers and small and minority-owned businesses impacted by TSA's policies, procedures, and regulations are heard. It is important persons representing those groups have a seat at the table when TSA makes decisions that affect both passengers' rights and businesses' bottom line.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York for his assurance that as this bill continues its movement through the legislative process, he will work with me to ensure these important populations are included in this Aviation Security Advisory Committee legislation.

I thank the gentleman from New York for his commitment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. Since the gentleman from New York is prepared to close, I also am prepared to close.

I would like to express my gratitude to all the members of the Committee on Homeland Security for their unanimous support of this legislation when it was considered by the committee last September.

While the Committee on Homeland Security has not been as active on the legislative front as I had hoped it would be this Congress, I am pleased that several discrete bills introduced by both Democrats and Republicans have received bipartisan support on the House floor during the last month.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

U.S. Travel Association,

June 25, 2012.

Hon. Peter King,

Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security, Washington,

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

Mr. Speaker, I'm perplexed that the House is considering H.R. 5843 today. I cannot understand why this bill is on the schedule. It was introduced just over a month ago and has not been vetted by the committee. Why are we giving expedited attention to a bill that has just two cosponsors, both of whom are Republican? Whatever the problem it purports to solve has not been the subject of so much as a Member- level briefing, let alone a hearing or a markup.

Section 208(a)(13) of the Homeland Security Act already allows the Department to approve the spending of grant funds on training by national labs. Without so much as a hearing where the committee can take testimony on this matter, it is hard to justify taking up precious House floor time on this bill, especially in a week where we must take urgent action on Pell Grants and highway funding. So instead, I choose to use this time to discuss the dwindling Federal support for homeland security activities, a far more timely concern for State, local, and tribal authorities than H.R. 5843.

In the wake of the September 11 attack, as a government, we committed to safeguarding our homeland by building and preserving preparedness capabilities. Yet since the beginning of the 112th Congress, that commitment seems to have dangerously wavered.

In just 2 short years, vital Homeland Security Grant Programs have been significantly cut, and, as a result, the level of preparedness fostered by the programs, such as the Urban Areas Security Initiative, Port Security Grant Program, Transit Security Grant Program, and the Metropolitan Medical Response System, have been undermined. Given that the authorizations for many of these targeted programs are expiring, a far better use of our time would be to reauthorize the Transit Security Grant Program or the Metropolitan Medical Response program.

Mr. Speaker, before I reserve my time, I would note for the record that there are two other much more plausible candidates for consideration by the full House that were introduced by the gentleman from California. One addressed the cybersecurity threat and was ordered reported in April. The other authorizes DHS's chemical facility security program and is pending on the Union Calendar.

Mr. Speaker, speaking of the Union Calendar, I would also note that this bill is receiving expedited consideration while four measures ordered reported by the Committee on Homeland Security remain on the Union Calendar without action.

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

Mr. Speaker, I'm prepared to close. I don't have any more speakers.

Mr. Speaker, we owe it to our Nation's first responders to ensure that they have the resources needed to perform their jobs and to get it right when we alter the allowable uses for those funds. Getting it right in this body requires deliberation and debate in the committee of jurisdiction.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the bill we are considering today failed to receive such deliberation or debate. Therefore, it is hard to say whether it is responsive to the needs of first responders. What I can say for a fact is reauthorizing key Homeland Security grant programs would bolster preparedness and be responsive to the needs of our first responders.

And with that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3173, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this measure directs the Department of Homeland Security to reform the process for the enrollment, activation, issuance, and renewal of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC, to require not more than one in-person visit to an enrollment center to obtain a credential. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill.

Since the inception of the TWIC program in 2007, mariners and other transportation workers have had to make at least two trips to a TWIC enrollment center to enroll and activate their cards. In contrast, other federally issued secure identity documents, such as passports and merchant mariner credentials, are mailed to the applicants. It is unreasonable to continue to require workers to take off from work to make a second trip to the nearest TWIC enrollment center, which in some cases is hundreds of miles away, to obtain their credential. The bill before us today would simply treat TWICs like those other federally issued identity documents.

In response to this legislation and concern expressed by worker representatives and Members of Congress, including me, the Obama administration recently announced a new option for port and transportation security workers who, starting this fall, will need to renew their expiring TWIC cards. Under this new option, TWIC holders may renew their cards for 3 years at a reduced rate of $60 and go to the enrollment center just once.

I'm pleased that the administration heard us on this issue because these changes should help lessen the burden of our Nation's 2.1 million port and transportation security workers, as DHS moves toward issuance of a final rule for biometric readers for the TWICs.

Despite these improvements, H.R. 3173 is still very necessary, as the recently announced option only applies to renewals, not first-time applicants, and there are no guarantees that it will remain in effect for the duration of the program.

Passage of H.R. 3173 will be an important step forward in reforming a cumbersome bureaucratic process and providing relief for the more than 2 million transportation workers.

I urge my colleagues to give H.R. 3173 their support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, with more than 40 bipartisan cosponsors, passage of this measure will make a strong statement of support for reform of the TWIC issuance process and American workers. I compliment the gentleman from Louisiana for introducing this legislation.

I encourage passage of H.R. 3173, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable valedictorian, Ms. Kendra Haywood. Kendra is the daughter of Mr. Kenneth Haywood Sr. and Mrs. Jacklon Haywood and resides in Shelby, Mississippi. Kendra is a member of Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as the Sunday School Secretary and volunteers with various auxiliaries in the church. She is a senior at Broad Street High School in Shelby, Mississippi and graduated on May 26, 2012.

Kendra acknowledged early on that it would take self-discipline and motivation to achieve her academic goals. So during the last three semesters of high school, she participated in Coahoma Community College Dual Enrollment Program, which allowed her to take college courses while still in high school.

Ms. Haywood is co-founder of Students Involved in Community Change (SICC), an organization that strives for both community and educational excellence. Students work with citizens in their community on beautification

projects, hosting weekly community discussions to address littering, drug use, gang activity and the importance of community involvement.

Ms. Haywood's sense of obligation to improve her community and educational opportunities for others led her to tutor her peers after school. Her philosophy is, ``knowledge is power and the more you know the more power you have.'' She participates in various school activities including the Alpha Kappa Alpha Bolivar County Community Humanity Involvement Club, Coahoma Community College Tr-County Workforce Job Shadowing Program, and other civic organizations.

After completing her Bachelor of Science degree, Kendra has plans to pursue a professional degree in Clinical Psychology at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ms. Haywood has expressed a desire to become part of Teach for America as a way of giving back to a rural community and inspiring youth, because Teach for America has had a profound impact in her education.

Ms. Kendra Haywood has three siblings, Kenneth Jr., Darrius, and Jarvis. She says they, along with her parents, had a positive impact on her desire to reach for the stars in life.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Kendra Haywood as the valedictorian of Broad Street High School Class of 2012.