Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3619, a bill to authorize the activities of the United States Coast Guard.

A version of this legislation passed the House in October of last year and was subsequently amended by the Senate in May.

Action on the resolution before us today would send the bill back to the Senate for passage, clearing it for signature by the President.

H.R. 3619 provides long-overdue resources to the Coast Guard--a multi-mission agency that has been without an authorization for many years.

As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I am especially pleased that the bill strengthens Coast Guard's maritime security operations to meet the challenges of our post-9/11 world.

Specifically, the bill: authorizes an end-of-year strength of 47,000 Service Members for FY 2011; enhances acquisition reform for essential Coast Guard assets, such as the National Security Cutter; strengthens the Coast Guard's Maritime Security Response Team-related activities; increases the number of Canine Detection Teams; expands a maritime biometrics verification system for individuals interdicted at sea; authorizes interagency operational centers for port security; improves port security training for facility security officers; enhances security measures for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other especially hazardous cargos; and authorizes a ``see it, say it'' type public awareness program for recreational boaters to report suspicious activities on the waters.

The bill also includes provisions that I fought hard for to improve the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.

My Committee has done extensive oversight over the implementation of the TWIC program and, through that work, we have identified a number of areas where the program should be improved to take into account the interests of affected workers.

Specifically, H.R. 3619 includes provisions to: help workers who have applied for but are still waiting to receive their TWIC cards continue to work; improve TWIC application processing times; facilitate more convenient methods of applying for the credential; and require

GAO to look at whether DHS could mail credentials to applicants' homes like the State Department does with passports.

We received testimony on September 17, 2008, from a trucker who needlessly spent hours making multiple visits to an enrollment center to complete the TWIC process.

Streamlining that process will save workers and their employers a significant amount of time that would otherwise be wasted.

Though this bill does a great deal to take into account the challenges that workers have experienced with the implementation of the TWIC program, I am disappointed that language from the House-passed version--dealing with prohibiting redundant federal and state background checks--is not included in this version of the legislation.

I was also dismayed that certain House provisions dealing with the Coast Guard Academy are not included in this version of the bill.

When the bill was passed by the House last year, I worked with the Coast Guard Subcommittee Chairman, Mr. Cummings, to include a new process for Members of Congress to nominate candidates for the Coast Guard Academy--as we are able to do for other Military Service academies.

It also included language specifically authorizing a Minority Service Institution Management Internship Program.

Coast Guard lags behind the other Services in diversity and these measures were intended to help make the Coast Guard better reflect the American people.

Unfortunately, the provisions were removed from the bill due to objections by certain Members of the other body.

Nevertheless, what you have before you is a good and necessary bill.

It authorizes the resources and programs necessary to ensure that the Coast Guard is able to live up to its motto--``Always Ready.''

This bill and the United States Coast Guard deserve our support.

In closing, I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Chairman Cummings for working to bring this bill to the floor.

I would also like to express my appreciation to Ranking Member King and his staff for working so cooperatively, particularly to ensure that the maritime security needs of the Coast Guard are met.

It is my hope that our Senate colleagues will act expeditiously to clear the bill for the President.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions made by the Honorable William and Mrs. Elise Winter in the fields of education and race relations in the State of Mississippi.

Mr. Winter served as governor for the State of Mississippi from 1980 to 1984. Mr. and Mrs. Winter have been long-time advocates for public education, racial reconciliation, and historic preservation. Mr. Winter served as a member of President Clinton's National Advisory Board on Race, and was instrumental in founding the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi. In 1989, he became the first holder of the Eudora Welty Chair of Southern Studies at Millsaps College and was awarded the Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2008.

During his tenure, both he and his wife were instrumental in passing the 1982 Mississippi Education Reform Act. The 1982 Mississippi Education Reform Act was credited with building stronger elementary and secondary education systems throughout Mississippi and the South. Under this act, teachers received pay increases, compulsory school attendance was mandated, teacher and school accreditation became based on school performance, and kindergarten was mandated for public schools in Mississippi.

Mrs. Elise Varner Winter, a native of Senatobia, Mississippi graduated from Senatobia High School. She completed her postsecondary education at Northwest Junior College and the University of Mississippi, where her academic focus was history.

Her civic and public service activities include advocacy for education. A member of the Mississippi Easter Seal Society, Mrs. Winter also served as President of the official Mississippi Women's Club and Chair of National Library Week. Additionally, she is a member of the board of trustees of Rust College, a trustee of the Synod of Mid-South of the Presbyterian Church and was the first woman elder of Fondren Presbyterian Church of Jackson. She is also very active in Habitat for Humanity--Metro Jackson.

Not only were Governor and Mrs. Winter very instrumental in education reform for the State of Mississippi but they have brought leadership, vision, and voices of reason to the State of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues please join me in honoring Mr. and Mrs. Winter for their many contributions in public education and racial relations in the State of Mississippi.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 1517) to allow certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who serve under an overseas limited appointment for at least 2 years, and whose service is rated fully successful or higher throughout that time, to be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1517 and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 1517 would allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to correct an employee classification error affecting a few CBP personnel currently serving overseas. Decades ago, the Immigration and Naturalization Service hired a few people, on a temporary, part- time basis, to work in pre-clearance operations at ports in Ireland, Aruba and the Bahamas. Over the past 20 years, their work evolved into full-time, permanent jobs. However, due to a technical issue, it turns out that their positions fell into a ``gray area.''

Though long-term CBP staff, they are ineligible for permanent U.S. civil service positions and, by extension, are not conferred the protections and immunities afforded to permanent CBP employees in the U.S. Additionally, this situation puts CBP in violation of a U.S. agreement with Ireland, ratified after these individuals were hired, which requires all pre-clearance employees to be permanent employees.

CBP, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of State have tried to resolve this matter but congressional action is necessary.

H.R. 1517 grants the CBP commissioner the authority to convert the positions of 24 overseas employees to full-time, permanent civil service positions. This action is not without precedent. It has been done before at the IRS and the Library of Congress. Without this legislation, these long-term CBP employees may face termination and CBP would lose the benefit of their expertise.

Going forward, it is our hope that the commissioner will take the histories of these dedicated individuals into account when determining their futures. H.R. 1517 directs the commissioner to make conversion decisions based on CBP's operational needs and in a manner that, to the extent practicable, does not disrupt these workers. It was introduced by Representative Elliot Engel and the ranking member of my committee, Peter King. The House passed the bill last December and the Senate did so last month with minor changes. Passage today will clear the bill for the President's signature.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill that remedies a discrete personnel issue that jeopardizes the continued employment of a cadre of U.S. citizens who provide a valuable border security service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, the CBP employees affected by H.R. 1517 work every day to help secure our Nation's borders. Retaining their expertise at overseas ports is the right thing to do for them and for DHS. Therefore, I strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1618) urging the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe National Preparedness Month, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1618. I am pleased that House Resolution 1618 is being considered by the full House today during National Preparedness Month. I would like to thank Ranking Member King, as well as Representatives Richardson and Rogers, the chairwoman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, for their support of this resolution and joining me as House congressional co-chairs for National Preparedness Month.

House Resolution 1618 commends the public servants at the Department of Homeland Security for their outstanding dedication to securing our Nation and encourages the American public to participate in National Preparedness Month.

National Preparedness Month is sponsored by DHS. Spearheaded by FEMA's Ready campaign and Citizen Corps program, National Preparedness Month is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. This year, the Ready Campaign has partnered with over 4,000 coalition members across the country to promote the message that preparedness is a shared responsibility.

As a former volunteer firefighter, I know that lives are saved when the public takes steps to prepare for the worst. Individuals across the country can be more prepared for the next disaster by making a family emergency plan, assembling an emergency supply kit and learning about possible threats in their area. Businesses, both large and small, should also make every effort to plan for disasters by conducting a risk assessment, completing a business continuity plan, and preparing an evacuation plan that takes into account the needs of all their employees, including those with disabilities.

We are up to our 12th named storm during this hurricane season, and according to the DHS, the number of attempted terrorist attacks against the U.S. over the last 9 months has surpassed the number of attempts during any other previous 1-year period.

The good news is that today we are more prepared to respond to disasters than at any other time in our history, as we have a stronger FEMA and better equipped first responders standing ready across the country.

Despite all the effort that has gone into building a more secure and resilient Nation, more work needs to be done. In a survey conducted in 2009, FEMA found that just 56 percent of respondents had disaster supply kits in their homes and only 38 percent knew where to find key public safety information. It is my great hope that National Preparedness Month will help improve these numbers.

I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1618 and also ask them to encourage their constituents to visit ready.gov where they can learn how to be vigilant, alert, and prepared for any emergency.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1618 supports the important goals and ideals of National Preparedness Month. I thank the ranking member and all my colleagues on the Committee on Homeland Security for coming together in a bipartisan manner to show support for this important resolution.

I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sister Lannie Spann McBride of Jackson, Mississippi. As a humanitarian, educator and spiritual leader, Sister McBride's life has been a testament to her dedication to the community, the arts and the edification of our youth. She has devoted much of her life to public education and delivering the word of God.

Sister McBride is the sixth of eight children of the late Dr. and Mrs. S.L. Spann. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with an emphasis in Voice/Piano from Tougaloo College in 1970, where she also completed the Summer Curriculum Institute in Black Music in 1972. After one complete year of study at Jackson State University, she obtained her Masters of Music Education Degree in 1982. Due to her devote love of music and her passion for education, Sister McBride continues to work as an adjunct professor in the music department at Jackson State.

For the last several decades, Sister McBride has served her community while carrying out the mission of the Lord. She serves as Minister of Music at the Greater Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi and has devoted countless years to educating students in the Jackson Public School system.

In addition to her work as a minister, Sister McBride has worked as an adjudicator, lecturer, consultant, and clinician. Mrs. McBride has recorded several albums with the Greater Fairview Youth Adult Choir and was casted in the movie, Mississippi Burning by Allen Parker.

Madam Speaker, Sister McBride is founder and Chief Executive Officer of F&S Music KC Publishing in Jackson, Mississippi. Since the start of her company, she has written and published five faith books, nine volumes of music books, and many cross genre products of sheet music. She has also published school products including seven resource books, two scored music books, classroom programs, and one scored patriotic musical.

In 2004, after the catastrophic damage caused to Grenada and the extreme damage caused to Jamaica, the Grand Caymans and the western tip of Cuba, Mrs. McBride devoted much time and resources to the disaster relief efforts to those areas, particularly Jamaica after the destruction of the storm. Sister McBride has traveled all over the world, giving performances in places such as Spain during her affiliation with the Black Heritage Choir of the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating a champion of the arts and Christian and music education, Sister Lannie Spann McBride. Her tenacious and zealous works as an artist, teacher, minister and performer have all been great contributions to both our communities and the arts.

Madam Speaker, in accordance with the Budget Enforcement Resolution, I submit those changes in law resulting from legislation approved or filed by the Committee on Homeland Security that will help achieve deficit reduction by enhancing efficiency, accountability and oversight, while eliminating waste, abuse, mismanagement, and fraud in Government programs within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Below are measures within the Committee's jurisdiction that have, to date, been approved by the House during this Congress and reflect the Committee's efforts to promote efficiency, government reform and result in budgetary savings:

H.R. 553, the Reducing Over-Classification Act, which creates a standard for formatting finished intelligence and eliminates redundant classification efforts.

H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act, which streamlines management at TSA, requires risk-based allocation of resources, and promotes operational efficiency.

H.R. 4842, the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010, which establishes new internal controls, more robust standards, and reforms for all of the research and development conducted by both the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.

H.R. 3978, the First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act, which allows the Department of Homeland Security to accept gifts for its first responder training centers, thereby alleviating need for the Department to purchase certain equipment or material.

H.R. 3980, the Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act, which requires the identification of redundant rules and regulations and a plan to eliminate redundant reports and regulations.

H.R. 1148, a bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a program in the maritime environment for the mobile biometric identification of suspected individuals, including terrorists, to enhance border security, which promotes government efficiency by streamlining processing, prosecution, and deportation of suspected individuals.

H.R. 2868, the Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009, which controls spending by requiring that grants be awarded on a merit and risk based basis, streamlines the regulatory requirements for securing chemical and water treatment facilities and, by enhancing the security of such facilities, mitigates against the potentially astronomical costs associated with the response to and recovery from a successful terrorist attack on such a facility.

H.R. 1617, the Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy Officer Act of 2009, which establishes a privacy officer in each Department of Homeland Security component, thus enhancing efficiency by reducing the potential for the production of regulations or guidelines that are subject to challenge under privacy laws.

H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act of 2010, which enhances the efficiency of governmental efforts to prevent the illegal trafficking of drugs across the northern border by requiring a strategy stating the specific roles and responsibilities of relevant agencies.

H.R. 1178, a bill to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes, which requires a report to Congress focusing on the feasibility and cost effectiveness of using the Civil Air Patrol to supplement Departmental air resources involved in border enforcement and other homeland security missions.

H.R. 1665, the Coast Guard Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, which eliminates massive cost overruns and potential future costs overruns for Coast Guard acquisitions.

H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, which creates an acquisition directorate to provide guidance and oversight for Coast Guard acquisitions, the result of which will be cost savings.

Madam Speaker, the measures I have listed display the Committee on Homeland Security's commitment to advancing legislation that seeks to reduce the national deficit by promoting government efficiency while focusing on our primary mission of pursuing legislation that enhances the security of our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to speak in support of H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act.

As introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Kissell, H.R. 3116 would require the Department of Homeland Security to purchase uniforms and textiles that are Made-

in-America under the Berry Amendment, just as the Department of Defense has done since 1941.

I am pleased to support this legislation which will serve as a means to support hardworking farmers and small textile manufacturers that are, unfortunately, becoming more and more uncommon in the United States.

Moreover, as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I am always looking for ways to provide greater security for the United States. Representative Kissell's legislation does just that.

At present, the uniforms worn by Department of Homeland Security personnel such as Customs and Border Protection Officers and Transportation Security Administration Officers are made in locations outside our Nation's borders.

On August 31, 2010, the Washington Post reported that drug couriers often move illegal drugs across the United States-Mexico border through the use of disguises.

Often times these ``cloners'' as they are referred to by law enforcement officials, wear false law enforcement uniforms made outside of the United States.

Under current policy, there is nothing to prevent these ``cloners'' from obtaining uniforms from foreign factories and using them to transport illegal drugs and other contraband across our borders.

By restricting the manufacturing of Department of Homeland Security uniforms to the United States, we will be taking a smart step forward to prevent foreign access to the badges, patches, and uniforms that identify our homeland security personnel.

This legislation has the support of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, the National Council of Textile Organizations and the American Apparel and Footwear Association.

Considering our Nation's current economic situation and the need to take every effort to secure our borders, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, which will take sensible steps to create opportunities for domestic manufacturing, promote job creation in the United States, and make our country safer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978, a bill that would permit the Center for Domestic Preparedness and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to accept gifts and donations in order to better train our nation's first responders. As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I was pleased that H.R. 3978 received broad bi-partisan support in the House and passed the Senate unanimously. I urge my colleagues to support the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978.

Madam Speaker, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Center for Domestic Preparedness (Center) is the nation's leading all-hazards first-responder training center. The Center trains thousands of first responders and is especially well-known for its weapons of mass destruction training facility. It is of significant interest to the Committee and many of us have visited the campus to see the important training that takes place.

The Center often receives offers of donated goods and services, such as training displays, response equipment, and trailers. These donations would allow the Center to offer stronger training opportunities at a lower cost to the Department of Homeland Security and the American taxpayer. The Center, however, does not have the legal authority to accept gifts that would enhance its ability to deliver superior training.

The Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978 would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to permit the Center to receive donated gifts and services that are related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to all-hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters. The legislation further calls on the Secretary of Homeland Security to annually report to Congress on the gifts accepted, how the gifts contribute to the mission of the Center and the amount of Federal savings that were generated from the acceptance of the gifts.

The bill also amends the Homeland Security Act to authorize the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to accept and use gifts, donations, and services.

Mr. Speaker, the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3978 will pay immediate dividends for our first responder community by enhancing their training with more resources. The Committee will continue to support these important training centers and the brave work of our first responders. I support the passage of the Senate

Amendment to H.R. 3978 and encourage my colleagues to support it as well.

Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 3562, an act to designate the federally occupied building located at 1220 Echelon Parkway in Jackson, Mississippi, as the James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and Roy K. Moore Federal Building.

Madam Speaker, 45 years ago, three young men lost their lives while attempting to organize and register voters during that time known as Freedom Summer. These men were James Chaney, a 21-year-old man from Meridian, Mississippi; Andrew Goodman, a 20-year-old college student from New York; and Michael Schwerner, a 24-year-old CORE organizer and social worker who was also from New York.

On July 21, 1964, the three men were driving from Meridian, Mississippi, to Longdale, Mississippi, to investigate the burning of Mount Zion United Methodist Church, which had been the meeting place for numerous civil rights groups. Along their journey, the trio was stopped by a Neshoba County deputy who was also a known member of the Ku Klux Klan. Subsequently, the three young men were arrested for speeding and were held without the use of a telephone at the Neshoba County jail. Hours later, they were fined and released.

Shortly after the trio continued their journey, they were again pulled over by the sheriff's deputy, who likely unbeknownst to them, was followed by a mob of Klansmen who had assembled to abduct and kill the men. The three individuals were taken to a remote area of the county and were beaten and killed. Their car was burned, and their bodies were buried in an earthen dam.

Days after their disappearances, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover personally selected Agent Roy K. Moore to lead the investigation effort. Agent Moore had become renowned for his investigation of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young girls. As the investigation's lead agent, Moore was charged with commanding hundreds of agents who temporarily flooded the State--many of them reluctant to do their work.

After significant investigation by Agent Moore and the FBI, the three individuals' bodies were found on August 4, 1964. Due to Mississippi's officials' refusal to prosecute the individuals for murder, the Justice Department brought charges against 17 individuals for conspiracy to deprive the three workers of their civil rights. Seven of the 17 individuals were found guilty, but none of them served terms longer than 6 years in jail.

Finally, on June 21, 2005, a Neshoba County jury convicted Edgar Ray Killen on three counts of manslaughter and sentenced him to three consecutive terms of 20 years in prison in connection with the deaths of these young men.

The murder of James Chaney, who was black, and the murders of Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, who were both Jewish, attracted national attention to the reality of the State's racial problems. As a result of their deaths, there was more pressure on the Federal Government to pass the Voting Rights Act.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House for quickly moving this legislation after it was returned from the Senate.

The struggle for justice and equality has eternally bonded James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and Roy K. Moore. Today, Congress will act to link their legacy to Mississippi's newest symbol of justice and equality.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce a bill on behalf of myself and the gentlelady from Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee.

The ``Federal Protective Service Improvement and Accountability Act of 2010'' addresses glaring gaps in security at our Federal buildings by putting the Federal Protective Service (FPS) on the path to fulfilling its homeland security mission.

My legislation would direct FPS to increase its ranks while fostering greater accountability and management of contract guards and security service contracts.

Madam Speaker, today, the House is considering H.R. 6080, legislation to provide $600 million for increased security activities at our Nation's southwest border. As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I have visited the U.S.-Mexico border and heard the concerns of local residents firsthand. I understand the imperative for more resources to combat the drug cartels and the threat of potential violence in the region. Therefore, I support the bill before the House today.

H.R. 6080 is an integral part of providing the Department of Homeland Security and its federal partners with additional personnel and equipment necessary to combat violence and better secure America's borders. Specifically, H.R. 6080 provides funding to put more boots on the ground for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including additional Border Patrol agents and CBP officers who secure the areas at and between our ports of entry. Increased interdictions along the border translate into increased additional referrals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I am pleased that H.R. 6080 also provides funding for additional ICE agents, analysts, and support personnel. These resources will aid ICE in identifying and dismantling cross-border criminal networks.

H.R. 6080 also provides for additional equipment, such as two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and forward operating bases for CBP. Communications in remote areas along the border is a persistent problem, and the bill helps address this problem by including funding for enhanced tactical communications in the area.

Providing additional resources is not a panacea for our border security problems, however. In the absence of a comprehensive border security strategy, this kind of supplemental funding will only do so much. Rather than a piecemeal approach, the Department of Homeland Security must develop and implement a border security strategy that contemplates all border security threats facing our Nation and allocates our border security resources accordingly.

Again, Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 6080 and urge my colleagues to do so as well.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to congratulate the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for its 100 years of operation in New London, Connecticut.

The Academy is one of our Nation's premier institutions of higher learning that attracts the best and brightest students who go on to serve our country with honor and distinction.

The Academy's excellent curriculum and small class sizes provide cadets with the training and character development skills that are necessary for our Nation's leaders of tomorrow. Academy graduates are members of an elite group who have pursued diverse civilian career paths in engineering, government, education and even space exploration. With over 85 percent of graduates choosing to serve beyond their five- year commitment, the Academy's graduates play an important part in fulfilling the Coast Guard's mission responsibilities related to homeland security. In the current threat environment, it is essential that the Academy continues to offer a rigorous academic program that produces diverse leaders who are highly trained to keep America safe and secure. One way to achieve greater diversity--especially geographical diversity--in the next hundred years is by adopting the congressional nomination processes that have served other U.S. military academies so well over the years.

Again, I congratulate the leadership within the Coast Guard and the Academy for all of their accomplishments as they celebrate this important milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act of 2010. The bill is sponsored by Representative Bill Owens of New York, a valued member of the Committee on Homeland Security and a Member representing a congressional district along our Nation's northern border. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the bill.

H.R. 4748 would require the Director of National Drug Control Policy, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to develop and submit to Congress a Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy. The document will set forth the government's strategy for preventing the illegal trafficking of drugs across the U.S.-Canada border; establish the responsibilities of the relevant Federal agencies in carrying out the strategy; and identify the resources necessary for implementation.

Having an effective strategy is an essential step in combating narcotics smuggling and trafficking along our northern border. Much attention is paid to the challenges along our nation's border with Mexico, and rightfully so. However, securing the U.S.-Canada border, while expediting legitimate trade and travel, is also imperative for meaningful border security.

The bill is not only integral to border security, but is vital for economic development in

New York's North Country and other communities along our border with Canada. Thousands of jobs in Upstate New York and elsewhere depend on the swift movement of lawful commerce across the northern border, and any illicit activity along the border may undermine this robust trading relationship. H.R. 4748 will help ensure that the U.S. and Canada continue to enjoy the world's largest bilateral trade relationship.

I commend Representative Owens, a leader on my Committee on northern border security issues, for bringing into focus the need for a strategic approach to stem the movement of illicit drugs across the U.S.-Canadian border, a longstanding northern border security challenge. I congratulate Representative Owens on bringing H.R. 4748 to the House floor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4842, the ``Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010.''

This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, S&T, and Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, DNDO, through fiscal year 2012.

Introduced by Representatives Yvette Clarke and Dan Lungren--the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Committee's Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Subcommittee--H.R. 4842 seeks to strengthen our homeland security by ensuring more effective research, development, testing, and evaluation activities.

As Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I strongly believe that recurring authorizations are important mechanisms to effectuate oversight findings and help steer an agency on the right course.

This legislation represents the first reauthorization of S&T--which was authorized in 2002--and DNDO--which was established in 2006.

Taking into account the Committee's extensive oversight findings as well as findings of GAO, the Inspector General, and the National Academy of Sciences, H.R. 4842 directs DHS to put robust management, administration, and programmatic systems in place at S&T and DNDO.

Specifically, to foster greater alignment between S&T research and the needs of DHS' operational components--such as TSA, CBP, and the Coast Guard--H.R. 4842 directs the establishment of rigorous processes within S&T for identifying, prioritizing, and setting requirements for research opportunities.

The bill also recognizes that, in order to conduct the best research, we need the best people.

H.R. 4842 contains advanced professional development provisions and creates fellowship opportunities for new scientists and engineers to bring their skills to DHS.

H.R. 4842 also takes into account that innovation is often fueled by the private sector and that the challenging and evolving nature of the terrorist threat demands closer collaboration between S&T and the private sector.

Accordingly, in an effort to improve collaboration between S&T and the private sector, H.R. 4842 authorizes an office of Public-Private Partnerships and, within the office, establishes a ``Rapid Review Division'' to evaluate technological proposals and provide feedback within 60 days.

A common concern that I hear from firms with novel homeland security technologies is

that they do not know who to contact at S&T to pursue research opportunities and that they cannot seem to get anyone at S&T to look at their technologies.

Establishment of this new review division will go a long way to improving collaboration and innovation.

Further, H.R. 4842 directs DHS to evaluate whether establishing a venture capital program--modeled after the Defense Department's InQtel program--could facilitate swifter development of homeland security technologies.

H.R. 4842 also authorizes several specific programmatic areas for research including: mobile biometric technologies for deployment at the border; enhanced detection of border tunnels; hand-held detectors for DHS to do rapid detection of biological threats at ports and airports; technologies to mitigate the threat of small vessel attack; research to assess the extent of cyber compromises to federally-owned networks and devices; and enhancements to unmanned aerial surveillance technology for safe and effective deployment for border and maritime missions.

From the very beginning, H.R. 4842 was developed in an open, collegial, and bipartisan manner.

The Full Committee favorably reported H.R. 4842--which authorizes $2.3 billion to S&T and $620 million to DNDO through 2012--by a unanimous vote of ``26 to 0''.

H.R. 4842 also reflects collaboration between my Committee and the Committee on Science and Technology.

I would like to thank Chairman Bart Gordon and Ranking Member Ralph Hall for their contributions to the bill and for working with us to get H.R. 4842 to the floor today.

I think our process has proven that the barriers of partisanship and jurisdiction can be overcome when we put the good of the country first.

Finally, I would like to thank Under Secretary for Science and Technology Tara O'Toole, and the Acting Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Bill Hagan, as well as the dozens of stakeholders who took the time to give their input, as we worked through the process of developing this bill.

Again, I congratulate Representatives Clarke and Lungren on their solid work steering this important homeland security bill and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4842.

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I rise today to express my condolences to the families and loved ones of the three Coast Guard crew members who died on July 7 after their helicopter crashed off the Pacific Northwest coast. Lt. Sean D. Krueger, Petty Officers Adam C. Hoke, and Brett M. Banks fully embraced the Coast Guard's mission as America's maritime guardian and they served our nation with high honor and distinction.

These three men were deeply respected by their colleagues and were the recipients of numerous Coast Guard awards and commendations. Their deaths serve as a reminder of the many risks that confront the men and women of the Coast Guard each day and why we owe them our sincere gratitude for their bravery, service, and sacrifice.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these heroic men as well as Lt. Lance D. Leone, the sole survivor of the crash.

During this difficult time, it is my hope that the families will find some comfort in knowing that their loved ones served their country with distinction and that they will be remembered in the hearts of the American people.