Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today so that my colleagues in the House of Representatives can join me in honoring the exemplary career of a distinguished member of the United States Coast Guard, and a good friend of mine--Master Chief Boatswain's Mate John E. ``Jack'' Downey, Ancient Keeper.

Jack Downey has led an exemplary career, having served in the United States Coast Guard for over 40 years. His familiarity with the treacherous local waters around Cape Cod is legendary. He has brought that knowledge to a wide variety of operational, command, and staff assignments over the years, including five Officer-In-Charge multi- mission ashore assignments, two Officer-In-Charge afloat assignments, and a position as a rescue boat crewman for water take-offs and landings.

In 1984, he served as Officer-In-Charge at Station Woods Hole. After a stint in command of Coast Guard Cutter Towline, a 65-foot harbor tug/ icebreaker, Jack returned to the Cape to take control of Coast Guard Station Chatham, which is located on the elbow of Cape Cod. In Chatham, as my friend and colleague Mr. Oberstar already noted, upon taking command, Jack faced a fishing community that had lost faith in the Coast Guard. In a very short period of time, Jack made the Chatham station one of the finest in the Coast Guard and quickly won the respect of the entire Cape Cod fishing community. Downey would also serve as Officer-In-Charge of Station Brant Point in Nantucket and would eventually return to Woods Hole in 2005 to take command of Coast Guard Cutter Hammerhead.

It is without question that Jack has served honorably in all of his assignments and has been given numerous awards. Most notably, Jack became the first recipient of the Joshua James Keeper Award--the ``Ancient Keeper'', which is given to Coast Guard members in recognition of their longevity of service and their outstanding performance in boat forces

operations. Joshua James, referred to as the world's most celebrated lifesaver, rescued over 600 people during his 60 years of service in the 1800s. Jack embodies the traits of Joshua James--traits that all Coast Guardsmen aspire to.

Additionally, the Coast Guard presented to Jack the Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star and operational distinguishing device, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with three gold stars and operational distinguishing device, and the Letter of Commendation with operational distinguishing device. Jack was also awarded the prestigious Navy League Douglas A. Munro Award for his inspirational leadership and professional competence.

A friend of mine, Retired Rear Admiral Jack Linnon, once called Jack Downey an Officer-in-Charge that he would entrust his own child to; a fact that is especially touching considering the dangers of the profession. ``Youngsters turned over to his charge,'' Linnon said, ``when transferred, had grown both in their professional development but also in maturity.'' Jack's greatest legacy may not be his personal heroics, but the wisdom, guidance and experience he has shared with innumerable Coast Guardsmen, from cadets to commanders.

Since 2006, Jack has served as the District One Command Master Chief at the First District Headquarters in Boston. By leaving this position, the Coast Guard loses one of its finest, most talented men. He has earned the respect and admiration from us and from people throughout New England. On behalf of a very grateful constituency, I want to say thank you to Jack and congratulations on a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 350) expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States, through the International Whaling Commission, should use all appropriate measures to end commercial whaling in all of its forms, including scientific and other special permit whaling, coastal whaling, and community-based whaling, and seek to strengthen the conservation and management measures to facilitate the conservation of whale species, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, first let me congratulate my colleague, the Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources, Mr. Rahall, for putting forward this very important resolution.

The resolution sends a very clear message to all International Whaling Commission members as they prepare for their annual meeting in Santiago, Chile, later this month: Protect our whales. Keep the ban on commercial whaling. The resolution also makes it clear that the American people care deeply and passionately about the protection of these magnificent creatures, and that the United States must continue to lead this international effort to protect and save them.

Mr. Speaker, the International Whaling Commission was created in 1946 by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling to address the devastating impact that commercial whaling was having on the entire whale population. For years, the commission failed to manage the commercial hunting of whales, leaving many species facing imminent extinction. However, this changed in 1982 when the commission finally agreed to a moratorium on commercial whaling.

However, since then, a number of countries have worked feverishly to undermine it. Norway resumed commercial whaling in 1993. Japan and Iceland have exploited provisions in the convention that allow permits for ``scientific whaling,'' a provision that enables them to slaughter whales under the guise of science and then sell the meat for commercial profits.

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, more than 30,000 whales have been slaughtered for commercial purposes, with 11,000 whales killed allegedly in the name of science. And here is how they do it. They use harpoons with explosive grenades. Now, if the first explosion is insufficient to kill the whale, then they hoist it by the tail, keeping the blowhole underwater, leaving it helpless and thrashing against the side of the ship until eventually the whale drowns.

This is not science. The commission's own Scientific Committee has repeatedly found that these scientific permits are completely unnecessary, yet this horrific practice still continues.

Japan and other pro-whaling states want to unravel the global consensus against commercial whaling even further.

Their latest proposal is to allow coastal whaling or community whaling. They have worked hard to recruit allies to their side.

The 75-plus member commission is now almost evenly split. This resolution, H. Con. Res. 350, calls on the United States delegation to the commission to fight these efforts and aggressively oppose commercial whaling in all of its forms. It's critical that the State Department take the pro-whaling threat seriously and undertake an aggressive diplomacy to line up the requisite votes to preserve the moratorium.

Mr. Rahall's resolution sets an important marker. Whales constitute a vital component of the world's maritime and marine ecology. They are the largest and one of the most intelligent mammals on earth. Conserving them requires strong U.S. diplomacy to uphold international agreements.

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

Mr. Speaker, let me now recognize the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, the gentlelady from Guam

(Ms. Bordallo) for as much time as she may consume.

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

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Texas is correct, it was from the island of Nantucket that Captain Ahab sailed. I happen to have the honor of representing Nantucket, as well as Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod. So we have a tradition when it comes to whaling, and we appreciate the magnificence of those whales. In fact, anyone wishing to come and visit my district, I will be happy to escort them, and I refer obviously to my colleagues, on an experience that will clearly leave an indelible mark, and that is a whale-watching trip off of Cape Cod.

In response to the gentleman from Alaska, my good friend and someone for whom I have great respect, I would simply point out that the resolution itself specifically distinguishes between commercial whaling and aboriginal sustentative whaling. I appreciate his point and I understand his concerns.

But interestingly, just this past week there was a hearing in front of the Natural Resources Subcommittee where all the witnesses, including individuals from all of the groups that he alluded to, testified in support of a sustentative quota. So I would suggest that if what Japan wants is not sustentative whaling, they could secure that approval now at the IWC. But that is not their purpose.

I yield to the gentleman from Alaska.

I thank the gentleman. And as I said, I appreciate his concerns. But what Japan wants, as I suggested, is commercial whaling and it clearly is not the intent of this resolution to hurt the gentleman's constituents in Alaska. Clearly we have great respect and understand their culture and their tradition. That is not the intent of this resolution. But I'm sure that the gentleman's remarks and observations should be listened to and heeded when the Department of State goes to the IWC in Santiago, Chile.

Having no additional speakers, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor EMD Serono, headquartered in

Rockland, Massachusetts. On June 2nd they were chosen to be the recipient of the prestigious Gold Medal award as a Laureate of the Computerworld Honors Program for their EasyPod Device. This is in addition to earlier recognition by the Medical Design Excellence Awards for this breakthrough technology.

Established in 1988, The Computerworld Honors Program brings together the principals of the world's foremost information technology companies to recognize and document the achievements of the men, women, organizations and institutions around the world whose visionary applications of information technology promote positive social, economic and educational change. It is the longest running global program to honor individuals and organizations that use information technology to benefit society.

EMD Serono's EasyPod was selected based on 10 criteria including use of information technology, originality of its conception, the breadth of its vision, and the significance of its benefit to society. This device administers a medication called Saizen to children requiring growth hormone therapy and then monitors their compliance to the treatment schedule for physicians. It is a first of its kind device in this treatment area and an example of the innovation that EMD Serono and other biopharmaceutical companies in Massachusetts develop every year.

Growth deficiency occurs when the body is unable to release or produce adequate amounts of the appropriate hormones. In children, growth deficiency causes slow growth, and without treatment, studies have shown that 18-20 percent of school children who have growth problems have academic problems, at more than 4 times the rate of normal statured counterparts. It is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 children in the United States have growth failure.

EMD Serono has a long history in Massachusetts of providing for the unmet needs of patients. Through regular innovative breakthroughs, the company is a leader in not only growth deficiency, but also multiple sclerosis, HIV, and infertility. They not only offer the products for physicians to use, but also provide 24 hour call centers to work with doctors and patients supporting their course of therapy.

They also offer robust patient assistance programs and free product to assist families in overcoming financial barriers to treatment.

Congratulations to the employees of EMD Serono for this achievement and the work you do every day to help physicians and patients.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Rogers of Rockland, Massachusetts, and to recognize his long and distinguished career in public service.

John has devoted his life to educating young people most notably as a teacher and then during his twenty-three-year tenure as Superintendent of the Rockland Public Schools. In addition, he has worked to improve the quality of life for people of all ages in Rockland through his service as a Selectman and as President of the Rockland Chamber of Commerce. In recent years, he has played an instrumental role in the redevelopment of the South Weymouth Naval Air Station by representing the people of Rockland on the Board of Directors of the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation.

While serving on the Tri-Town board, he helped shape and build consensus on a redevelopment master plan that will serve as an engine of economic growth in the surrounding communities. The plan has won accolades from local and national groups as a ``smart growth'' initiative and a model for future sustainable development projects throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

John will continue his lifelong service to his community as a newly elected member of the Rockland Housing Authority, and as he retires from his position on the Tri-Town Board, I want to him to know that we are forever grateful for all that he has done. We will always appreciate his unwavering leadership, his vision and his tireless commitment to advancing the quality of life for the people of Rockland and the greater South Shore area.

On behalf of a grateful constituency, I rise today to thank John Rogers for all that he has done for our community, and to wish him success in all his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about an extremely important issue facing many retirees in Massachusetts. Throughout my career in the Congress, I have heard from thousands of my constituents who have been penalized by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

Both of these laws currently require that a modified formula be used to calculate the amount of Social Security benefits a retired or disabled worker and/or the worker's family will receive if the worker also receives a pension from local, State or Federal employment not covered by Social Security. This has resulted in some unintended and unfair consequences.

Millions of public service workers in 15 States are allowed to opt out of the Social Security system and my home State of Massachusetts is one of them. Most of these workers are teachers, town and State employees, nurses, police officers and firefighters who are not required or allowed to pay into the Social Security program. Therefore, they do not collect Social Security benefits upon retirement.

However, the GPO and WEP also prevent public servants from receiving Social Security benefits that they earned through other, non-public service employment. Under these provisions, a widow or widower is denied a spousal benefit because their husband or wife was a public service employee. This is unfair and unacceptable.

Every year those who unselfishly give of themselves by serving others in their communities, find their retirement savings slashed by the GPO and WEP, simply because they left the private sector to serve the public. In Massachusetts alone, nearly 18,700 retirees are affected by the GPO, with more than a third of them being widows or widowers. As many as 32,000 individuals are affected by the WEP.

These provisions are unfairly penalizing the men and women who contribute the vital services that sustain and improve our communities.

With the retirement population continuing to grow, this issue is of increasing importance to millions of Americans and is not going to go away. I have been contacted by thousands, representing every segment of our community, and I am continually saddened and angered by the stories that I hear. Those who are affected by the GPO and WEP are hardworking Americans that do not deserve to be denied the benefits of a Social Security system that they have already contributed to.

A widow relayed the story of how she and her husband planned their retirement believing that each would be able to take care of their bills should one of them pass. She was stunned to find out when she became widowed that she would not be allowed to collect her husband's full survivor benefits because she collects a small pension from her job as an elementary school teacher in Marshfield. Sadly, she was forced to sell the home where she had raised her family because she could no longer afford it.

A single mother of three on Cape Cod with two full-time jobs as a nurse and teacher wrote me of her dilemma. She has made many sacrifices to independently support her children. She consistently paid into her teacher's retirement fund and Social Security for decades hoping to be able to eventually retire without worry in her later years. She recently found out she will not be allowed to collect both of the full retirement benefits she earned and was counting on.

I have heard from a 63-year-old widow who works for the City of Quincy. She would like to retire before her 70th birthday but cannot afford to do so. Because of her participation in the City retirement program, her Social Security benefits will be immediately and drastically reduced.

A municipal retiree in Plymouth wrote me about his concerns with the rising price of gas and medical expenses. He supports a repeal of the GPO and WEP so that he may supplement his already meager retirement income with his Social Security benefits.

I have heard from police officers and firefighters from all over my district who put their lives on the line each and every day. These brave men and women will not be allowed to collect their full Social Security benefits upon retirement.

These stories are very real, and are just a small sample of the thousands of letters that I have received on this issue.

This is not just about senior citizens who worked all their lives believing they were responsibly planning ahead for retirement. This is not just about retirees finding themselves unable to make ends meet, concerned that they may not be able to afford to heat their homes this winter or buy the medications they need.

It's about retired and widowed public servants, who are denied access to their deceased spouse's Social Security benefits because they chose public service as a career.

It's about penalizing honest, hard-working people who dedicated their careers to public service. At a time when our Nation is searching for talented and dedicated teachers, nurses and other public servants--this penalty discourages the best and the brightest from serving in our community. Madam Speaker, the time is long overdue for Congress to resolve this issue.

I want to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act which would repeal both the GPO and WEP. In addition, I'd like to urge you to support H.R. 2772, the Public Servant Retirement Protection Act, which would eliminate the WEP and establish a more equitable formula for calculating Social Security benefits.

Support for these two pieces of legislation has grown significantly each year and it is imperative that they see long-awaited debate in committee and on the floor of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1777) to amend the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 to make permanent the favorable treatment of need-based educational aid under the antitrust laws, as amended.

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

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

First, I want to thank the Chair of the Judiciary Committee for allowing this important piece of legislation to move forward. I particularly want to thank the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Lamar Smith, for the opportunity to work with him on this significant legislation and for

his outstanding work on this issue throughout the year.

The Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2008, as its name suggests, is aimed at making college more affordable and accessible to qualified students, something that this Congress has repeatedly shown its commitment to. With overwhelming bipartisan majorities, we have passed such legislation as the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, and just last week, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act. We have also increased transparency in the higher educational financial aid system by passing the Student Loan Sunshine Act.

H.R. 1777 will further that commitment to enhance educational opportunities. These successes are rooted in clear recognition on both sides of the aisle that access to higher education is vital to our national economy and central to America's promise.

However, the Need-Based Educational Act differs from those bills I just enumerated in two important aspects. First, this bill addresses institutional aid only. That is, aid provided to students from a college or university's own funds, not Federal dollars. Second, this bill is about increasing access to grants, as opposed to loans. Given the current cost of higher education, the financial sacrifices families make to send their children to college, and the amount students owe when they graduate, grants, as opposed to loans, play a vital and unique role in maintaining access to higher education.

This act will permanently extend the current antitrust exemption for colleges and universities that admit all students on a need-blind basis, without regard to a student's ability to pay, and provide institutional aid that is strictly need-based. This safe harbor from the antitrust laws allows two or more of these schools to agree on a common aid application in a common system of analysis of financial need, and to exchange information on commonly admitted students. It does not permit discussion or comparison of institutional awards for individual students. The current exemption expires on September 30 of this year.

Why is this bill necessary? Beginning in the 1950s, a substantial number of our most prestigious private colleges and universities agreed to award institutional financial aid to students solely on the basis of demonstrated financial need. The schools recognized that, without such an agreement, and without a uniform analysis of ``need,'' the schools would spend all of their money competing with each other to offer the largest aid package to a small select group of elite students. As a practical matter, the schools would be unable to fill the available spots in each incoming class because the select top students, who may or may not need such aid, were few in number. In addition, though, there would be many highly meritorious students who would be forced to forego their admission because of limited economic circumstances and insufficient financial aid.

The schools' decision was made in service of a social goal that the antitrust laws do not address, namely, making financial aid available to the broadest pool of students solely on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Congress responded quickly, passing the first temporary antitrust exemption in 1992, and we have reauthorized the exemption three times, each time improving and extending the exemption over the previous iteration.

The current exemption allows the schools to agree on this system of need-blind admissions and need-based aid, and allows a one-time exchange of student financial information through a third party. However, any further information-sharing is prohibited.

Since the last extension, both the GAO and the Antitrust Modernization Commission have examined the exemption and have found it consistent with antitrust principles. The schools themselves have lauded the exemption for increasing access to need-based aid and for bringing greater transparency to financial aid allocations. However, without this safe harbor, the schools fear that their collaboration on financial aid policies would subject them to prosecution.

Many studies show that our Nation's poorest students benefit the most from attendance at a prestigious school and, conversely, stand to lose the most from lack of access. Fortunately, these schools were empowered to continue and expand upon this truly American ideal that no individual should be denied a real chance to succeed because he or she was born poor.

I urge my colleagues to join myself and Mr. Smith in passing the Need-Based Educational Aid Act.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, before yielding my time back, I want to suggest that the eloquence of the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee will result in a more significant margin this year than that 410-0. Again, I sincerely appreciate his fine work.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the Select Committee would like to give the Members a brief update on the activities of the Select Committee to Investigate the Voting Irregularities of August 2. The Select Committee held a series of briefings and hearings designed to inform the members of the Select Committee of the mechanics of conducting a record vote on the House floor, the electronic voting system, and the precedents and procedures relevant to the voting process. The Select Committee has been conducting a thorough investigation of rollcall 814. including the motion to reconsider that vote (rollcall 815). The Select Committee has completed 18 staff interviews and 4 Member interviews, perused almost 5000 pages of documents related to rollcall 814, and engaged in discussions on possible recommendations of changes to the rules and procedures of the House as mandated by the Select Committee's authorizing resolution (House Resolution 611). In the next month, the Select Committee will hold two public hearings relative to its investigation, one public hearing relative to its recommendations, and one public meeting on its final report. The Select Committee intends to file its final report by the end of May.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Coast Guard Station Menemsha, of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, as the recipient of the prestigious Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award.

The Kimball Award is a rarity in the United States Coast Guard, as very few units attain this level of outstanding performance. It demands a grade of 90 percent or higher during a rigorous week-long inspection, requiring a combination of exemplary test scores, crew proficiency, superb vessel condition, excellent performance in drills, a successful and progressive unit training program, survival systems readiness and good administrative work by all members.

This award actually marks the second time that Menemsha has been given this prestigious honor--they won it for the first time in 2004.

This award is named after the Maine native who introduced training, performance standards and accountability into the life saving organization that eventually became the Coast Guard. This honor is extremely difficult to achieve, and even more noteworthy considering the high-tech vessel the crew must master and maintain, the 47-foot Motor Lifeboat. Of the 200 Coast Guard stations throughout the country, only a handful receive the Kimball Award, and only two stations that operate the 47-foot MLB were so honored.

The Menemsha Coast Guard station has come a long way. In the early 1990s it was in danger of closing, but the people of Martha's Vineyard rallied to save it. For a brief period it was used by the Town of Chilmark, and then it became a substation of the Woods Hole station. In recent years, it became a full-time station and--time and time again-- has proven its importance. This award is not just a testament to the station, but it is a tribute to the hard-working men and women who serve our Coast Guard and who are willing to put their life on the line to protect the safety of mariners and the integrity of our coast.

On the Vineyard, the Coast Guard is an important part of the community. Those who first served as life savers came from the island, and are part of a very proud tradition that began here years ago. Today, those who serve in Station Menemsha are not just representing a Federal agency, but are very much members of the community, honoring the proud tradition of service that the people of Martha's Vineyard hold dear.

Station Menemsha's remarkable achievement is not just about receiving an award; it is a testament to the professionalism and dedication that each member of the station brings to the job. In their line of work, readiness and competence is the difference between life and death.

I would like to congratulate and recognize Station Chief Steve Barr and the men and women stationed at Menemsha for their exemplary service:

BM3 Dustin Shaw, BM2 Matthew Sponable, BM2 Bill Robertson, SK2 Rachel Glade, MK3 Christopher Guice, FN Julie Lopatka, BMCM Jack Downey. BMC Chris Bobrowski, FN Shannon Heintzelman, BM3 Rajeah Wilson, BM2 Lance Nelligan, MK3 Greg Lockwood, SN Derek Perendy, BM3 Daniel Carrillo, MK1 Mike Micucci, MK2 Nicholas Prescott, SN Jarrett Dube, RADM Timothy Sullivan, MK3 Andrew Chace, BM2 Patrick Bryant, BM3 Andrew Leblanc, BM3 Joe Pancotti, CAPT Raymond Perry, and BM3 Mark Chaknis.

[From the Martha's Vineyard Times, Jan. 31, 2008]

Station Menemsha Wins Rare Readiness Award

(by Steve Myrick)

Last summer, a fishing boat in a dangerous stretch of water

off Aquinnah was taking on water. The call for help came to

United States Coast Guard Station Menemsha.

Petty Officer Second Class Lance Nelligan scrambled his

crew, and guided the station's 47-foot motor lifeboat to the

distressed vessel, where the fishing crew was moments away

from abandoning their sinking boat.

``They came across Devil's Bridge,'' said Petty Officer

Nelligan, ``bounced a couple of rocks, split a whole bunch of

big cracks in the bottom of their hull. We were able to get

out there, we put two people on board to rig a pump and get

the boat pumped.''

Petty Officer Nelligan recounts the story of his day's work

the way most people mention writing a sales report, replacing

a fan belt, or waiting on a customer. The skill, training,

and preparation of his crew saved a valuable boat and got two

very grateful fisherman safely back to port. But to him, it's

no big deal.

But the Sumner I. Kimball Award? Now that's a big deal to

Petty Officer Nelligan. ``To have somebody come in and say

the job that you're doing is award worthy, is a really big

deal,'' he said. ``The things that we're tested on, it's

absolutely everything you can think of. It takes a lot, a

lot, a lot of work to keep those boats ready, and keep the

crew ready.''

``In my mind,'' adds Petty Officer Second Class Bill

Robertson, ``this is almost the Super Bowl of the Coast

Guard.''

Boat of note

The Kimball Award is named for the Maine native who

introduced training, performance standards, and

accountability into the life saving organization that

eventually became the Coast Guard.

The honor is extremely difficult to achieve, and even more

noteworthy considering the high-tech vessel the crew must

master and maintain. It is a test of readiness, including the

condition of the vessel, along with the skill and training of

the crew, administered by inspectors so tough that they

inspire awe among the enlisted men and women.

``This isn't flag football, everybody gets a trophy sort of

a deal,'' said Rear Admiral Tim Sullivan, who flew to the

Island to present the honor to station personnel this past

Friday. Admiral Sullivan commands the Coast Guard's First

District, which includes eight northeast states and 2000

miles of coastline from the Maine to northern New Jersey.

Of more than 200 Coast Guard stations throughout the

country, only a handful receive the Kimball Award, and only

two stations that operate the 47-foot motor lifeboat were so

honored.

``It's the most complicated boat we have, it's a beast of a

machine,'' said Lieutenant Commander Chris Cederholm, who

represented Coast Guard Group Woods Hole at the ceremony.

``This award will become a benchmark,'' Admiral Sullivan

said. ``You guys really set a benchmark as a crew. Your

outstanding performance is really your gift to a lot of

future generations. A lot of folks will follow behind you,

they will have to stand on a lot of big blue shoulders.

People are going to be standing on your shoulders. This is a

day you'll look back on, maybe when you're an old grey

admiral. Think about that legacy, of people that will follow

behind you.''

Coast Guard Petty Officers (left to right) BM2 Bill

Robertson and BM2 Lance Nelligan were all smiles, holding the

pennant they will fly aboard Station Menemsha's 47-foot motor

lifeboat. The pennant symbolizes the Kimball Award, earned by

only one other boat of this kind in the entire Coast Guard

this year. Click photo for larger version.

Tough test

Seven months after the grueling evaluation, MK First Class

Mike Micucci, the head engineer, still scolds himself about

one of the most serious faults the inspectors found in the

material condition of his vessel: a missing screw in a

plastic cover. It was nothing that would have interfered in

the boat's operation, but it cost him a precious point in the

rating system.

``I can't believe I missed that,'' said Petty Officer

Micucci. ``The guys that come and do the inspections, they

know what to look for, you have to be one step ahead of

them.''

Senior Station Chief Steve Barr was unable to attend the

ceremony. At the moment his station personnel received the

award, he was welcoming newborn son Isaac into the world.

``He's got a good excuse,'' said Admiral Sullivan.

``Another little Coastie coming along.''

``I wish I could have been there, absolutely,'' said Chief

Barr. ``It's a joy for me that my crew got this award, with

or without me. The fact that we got this Kimball with the 47-

foot motor lifeboat is just amazing. It's a big deal, and we

have a lot of junior people there. They did exceptionally

well. I'm very proud of all their hard work.''

Ready and able

As difficult as the Kimball Award is to get, it is not

difficult to understand how the station achieved the honor.

Speaking to the personnel offers a glimpse of the

professionalism, pride, and dedication which courses through

the ranks. They understand that the award represents more

than passing an exam on a specific day. They know an engine

leak, a poorly maintained pump, or a navigation error may

mean points deducted from the Kimball award grade sheet.

``They

watch us plot position, lay down courses,'' said Petty

Officer Nelligan. ``How we organize the crew, how we get our

boat set up, how we're going to respond. They're pretty much

testing everything that could possible go wrong.''

The unit also realizes these things can mean life or death

when it's not a drill. ``We are a search and rescue

station,'' said Petty Officer Nelligan. ``It's the middle of

the night, it's the middle of the day, during a meal, those

are the times you really have to snap to and get the boats

ready.''

Petty Officer Nelligan joined the Coast Guard shortly after

the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in

New York City. ``I wanted to be involved in some branch of

the service that I knew was going to protect my family, and

this country,'' said the Dennis native.

Petty Officer Robertson, who grew up in Wrentham, is a six-

year veteran of the Coast Guard. He flashes a broad grin when

recalling the day Chief Barr told the assembled crew that

they had won the Kimball Award. ``Definitely a lot of big

smiles and high fives,'' he said.

Petty Officer Robertson likes the Menemsha assignment so

much, he asked to extend his duty an extra year. ``I like the

whole Island vibe, the whole atmosphere,'' he said. ``We have

a blast in the summer, we have a really tight-knit crew here.

We work hard and play hard.''

The pride carries over to the town of Chilmark, which has

come to think of the station as its own. ``They are an

integral part of our community,'' said Chilmark selectman

Frank Fenner Jr., who along with selectman Riggs Parker, and

a large contingent of town officers, police officers,

residents, attended the morning ceremony. ``I'm proud that

this station is doing so well.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor those serving in the United States Coast Guard at Station Point Allerton of Hull, Massachusetts. They are the proud recipient of the prestigious Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award.

The crew at Station Point Allerton has upheld a long tradition of life saving and mission excellence that was started by Joshua James and Sumner Kimball, the General Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service from 1878-1916. James and Kimball were among the most celebrated life savers in the world and they both served just a short distance from their current Coast Guard station.

The Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award was established in April of 2001 to recognize United States Coast Guard Boat Force units

that are truly the best of the best. It is a rarity in the Coast Guard, as very few units attain this level of outstanding performance. It demands a grade of 90 percent or higher during a rigorous week-long inspection, requiring a combination of exemplary test scores, crew proficiency, superb vessel condition, excellent performance in drills, a successful and progressive unit training program, survival systems readiness and good administrative work by all members. In their line of work, readiness and competence is the difference between life and death.

What makes this feat more impressive is that all 6 boats and their substation, Station (small) Scituate, had to perform at this remarkably high level. I would like to congratulate Commanding Officer Thomas J. Guthlein and the men and women stationed at Point Allerton for their exemplary service:

BMC Michael Dibartolomeo, MKC Kevin Nuzzolilli, BM1 Luis Catala, BM1 Sean Goodwin, BM1 Wayne Lougee, BM1 Christopher Carson, MK1 Robert Chofay, SK1 Michael Murphy, BM2 Phillip Garrett, BM2 James Mankus, BM2 Nicholas Linstrom, BM2 Kleverson Lemos, BM2 Logan Adkisson, MK2 Dominc Michael, MK2 Michael Cella, MK3 Ryan Fahey, FS2 Patrick Kelly, FS2 John Robbins, BM3 Noah Rowland, BM3 Adam Griffin, BM3 Christopher Dangelo, BM3 Matthew Renner, BM3 Jonathan Cunningham, BM3 Jessica Adams, BM3 Glenn Fenstra, MK3 David Northrop, MK3 Manish Moideen, SN Brittany Coyne, SN Daniel Williams, SN Adam Ruffner, SN Roger Souliere, FN Angela Klingler, SN Tony Layne.

It is very fitting that such this particular Coast Guard unit receive this very prestigious award. It is given in honor of Sumner Kimball who established the tradition of training and preparedness years ago off the waters of Hull. Even more remarkable, is the fact that this is the second time that Station Point Allerton has received this award, with the first being in 2002. This award is not just a testament to the station, but it is a tribute to the hard working men and women who serve our Coast Guard and who are willing to put their life on the line to protect the safety of mariners and the integrity of our coast.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert Mant, a constituent who lost his courageous 9-year battle with colon cancer on March 29, 2007.

This week, the Town of Brewster, Massachusetts, will honor Bob for his many years of dedicated public service by naming a stunning stretch of beach along Cape Cod Bay as ``Mant's Landing''.

First and foremost, ``Captain Bob'', as he was lovingly referred to by family and friends,

was the ultimate family man. He married his high school sweetheart Linda, and was a loving and devoted family man to the very end. His three children, Sara, Joshua and Nicole, were the absolute center of his life, and there was nothing he would not and did not do for them.

A brilliant and passionate leader of men, Bob was voted President of his senior class and captain of his football team at Kearny High School in New Jersey. He would go on to excel at Princeton University, where he pursued his passion for the ocean. Upon graduation, he converted a 100 acre copper mine into a salt water lake and founded Maine Sea Farms, a pioneer aquaculture venture where he raised Pacific Coho Salmon.

Bob would continue to be a leader and innovator in the field of marine biology for the next 40 years, always doing things in his own unique way. He spent his last 20 years as the Director of Natural Resources for the Town of Brewster, and was admired by all for his dedication to protecting the town's beaches, ponds and shellfish. More importantly, Bob was respected for the way he approached his job and for his many acts of kindness.

Bob's one-of-a-kind personality, his unparalleled toughness, and passion for life were an inspiration to all who knew him. This past spring, the town unanimously voted to honor Bob by dedicating a stretch of beach along Cape Cod Bay, ``Mant's Landing''. It is a fitting tribute for such a remarkable man.

Madam Speaker, I rise today so that my colleagues in the House of Representatives can join me in recognizing the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts for its distinguished achievement in being named one of 2007's ``All-America Cities.''

For 58 years, the National Civic League's ``All-America City'' Awards have been presented to localities that demonstrate an exceptional ability to rise to the challenges involved in building and sustaining safe, healthy communities. Toward this end, the Town of Barnstable continues to be a model for civic engagement, excelling in its efforts to involve the business community, nonprofit organizations, and citizens in developing ingenious solutions to local problems.

While the Town of Barnstable has applied the same cooperative approach in tackling a wide array of challenges, three in particular merit its designation as one of this year's ten ``All-America Cities.'' Under its visionary ``economic development stimulus plan,'' the Town of Barnstable breathed new life into the Main Street and waterfront areas of downtown Hyannis. This initiative helped to promote growth in an environmentally and socially responsible way, while boosting the area's cultural richness and scenic beauty.

Thanks to the Town's multi-pronged Affordable Housing Plan--an ambitious project that aims to secure 1,000 units of housing over a 10- year period--residents making below 80 percent of the area's median income will have expanded opportunities to make home ownership a reality.

Finally, the Town's creation of a Youth Commission has ensured the area's young people have a strong voice in the democratic process, advising the Town Council on the legislation and issues that matter most to Barnstable's youth and families.

It gives me pride to see the Town of Barnstable receive national attention for all the hard work and dedication that I have long admired. As we pause to reflect on this prestigious honor, I want to commend all the residents of Barnstable for their collective efforts to make the community a better place to live and work.

I particularly want to thank Town Manager John Klimm for his admirable leadership, and for seeing through the initiatives that have made Barnstable an ``All-America City.'' Congratulations on an award well-deserved. For today, tomorrow, and long into the future, I have great confidence that the Town of Barnstable will continue to serve as a model for communities all across the country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today so that my colleagues in the House of Representatives can join me in recognizing the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts for its distinguished achievement in being named one of 2007's ``All-America Cities.''

For 58 years, the National Civic League's ``All-America City'' Awards have been presented to localities that demonstrate an exceptional ability to rise to the challenges involved in building and sustaining safe, healthy communities. Toward this end, the Town of Barnstable continues to be a model for civic engagement, excelling in its efforts to involve the business community, nonprofit organizations, and citizens in developing ingenious solutions to local problems.

While the Town of Barnstable has applied the same cooperative approach in tackling a wide array of challenges, three in particular merit its designation as one of this year's ten ``All-America Cities.'' Under its visionary ``economic development stimulus plan,'' the Town of Barnstable breathed new life into the Main Street and waterfront areas of downtown Hyannis. This initiative helped to promote growth in an environmentally and socially responsible way, while boosting the area's cultural richness and scenic beauty.

Thanks to the Town's multi-pronged Affordable Housing Plan--an ambitious project that aims to secure 1,000 units of housing over a 10- year period--residents making below 80 percent of the area's median income will have expanded opportunities to make home ownership a reality.

Finally, the Town's creation of a Youth Commission has ensured the area's young people have a strong voice in the democratic process, advising the Town Council on the legislation and issues that matter most to Barnstable's youth and families.

It gives me pride to see the Town of Barnstable receive national attention for all the hard work and dedication that I have long admired. As we pause to reflect on this prestigious honor, I want to commend all the residents of Barnstable for their collective efforts to make the community a better place to live and work.

I particularly want to thank Town Manager John Klimm for his admirable leadership, and for seeing through the initiatives that have made Barnstable an ``All-America City.'' Congratulations on an award well-deserved. For today, tomorrow, and long into the future, I have great confidence that the Town of Barnstable will continue to serve as a model for communities all across the country.

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with clause 2(a) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I respectfully submit the rules of the Select Committee to Investigate the Voting Irregularities of August 2, 2007 for printing in the Congressional Record. The Select Committee adopted these rules by voice vote, a quorum being present, at our organizational meeting on September 27, 2007.

Rules of the Select Committee to Investigate the Voting Irregularities

of August 2, 2007, 110th Congress, Adopted September 27, 2007

Resolved, That the Rules of the Select Committee to

Investigate the Voting Irregularities of August 2, 2007 shall

be as follows: Except as provided in paragraphs (1)--(4),

rule XI and clause 2(c) of rule XIII of the Rules of the

House of Representatives shall be rules of the Select

Committee.

(1) Regular Meeting Days. If the House is in session, the

Committee shall meet on the first Thursday of each month at 9

a.m. for the consideration of any pending business. If the

House is not in session on that day and the Committee has not

met during such month, the Committee shall meet at the

earliest practicable opportunity when the House is again in

session. The Chairman may, at his discretion, cancel, delay,

or defer any meeting required under this section, after

consultation with the Ranking Minority Member.

(2) Questioning Witnesses. The chairman, with the

concurrence of the ranking minority member, may permit an

equal number of majority and minority members to question a

witness for a specified period that is equal for each side

and not longer than 30 minutes for each side at a time. The

chairman and ranking minority member shall each determine how

to allocate this time for their members.

(3) Views. Supplemental, minority, or additional views may

be filed under rule XI and rule XIII of the Rules of the

House of Representatives, and the time allowed for filing of

such views shall be three calendar days, beginning on the day

of notice, but excluding

Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays (unless the House is

in session on such a day), unless the Committee agrees to a

different time.

(4) Quorum. For the purpose of taking testimony and

receiving evidence, one Member from the majority and one

Member from the minority shall constitute a quorum, unless

otherwise agreed to by the ranking minority member.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gracious gentleman from Texas for yielding.

I rise to support this amendment.

As the gentleman from Delaware indicated, 2 years ago Congress authorized the development of renewable energy from wind and wave and tidal sources in Federal waters, and the Department of the Interior was instructed to establish a program in a uniform set of standards. This initiative was based on the successful example of European countries that are now developing thousands of megawatts of clean, renewable energy from their coastal waters.

In Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain, efforts are well under way to identify offshore renewable energy sites with clear standards to protect the environment, wildlife and mariners and to provide companies with a set of guidelines to develop these areas.

With respect to offshore wind energy, Germany has already zoned much of the North Sea to tap into 25,000 megawatts of energy in the next 20 years. Most of these projects are in deep water, far offshore, and using technologies that create thousands of jobs.

Here in the United States, our coastal waters have the potential to generate close to 900,000 megawatts of energy, and much of this is also in deep water. That is an amount that is close to today's electric capacity for the entire Nation. We have the technology, the capital, and the skilled labor to develop a significant amount of this energy. We could become the Saudi Arabia of wind.

However, what we lack is the Interior Department's program. After 2 years, we don't even have a draft set of guidelines.

There are reports that the Interior Department in this initiative is underfunded, that the studies we have called for have not been done, and that the dedicated staff is overworked. We needed to step in now and do what we can to help this effort succeed.

This amendment will help accomplish that goal. I commend my friend and colleague from Delaware, and I urge its adoption.

Madam Speaker, I rise today so that my colleagues in the House of Representatives can join me in honoring the exemplary career of a constituent of mine, Mr. Len Stewart.

Having faithfully served Barnstable County, Massachusetts, for the past 8 years as the director of human services, Len is leaving us to take a similar position in Mesa County, Colorado. During his tenure on Cape Cod, he has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the county's Human Services Department. Len's efforts have brought the region's health and human service providers together, attracting new Federal dollars to deliver vital services to our people.

Len first came to the cape in 1981, serving as the director of the Provincetown AIDS Support Group. Following his success in Provincetown, Len became the director of the county's Human Services Department. His leadership over the past 8 years has led to the establishment of a regional alliance of agencies committed to increasing access to health care for the uninsured and underserved residents of our community. This collaboration has attracted millions of dollars to the region for critical services benefiting thousands of cape and island residents, in areas such as dental and medical care, mental health, and substance abuse needs.

His talents and expertise have also helped those who have become marginalized because of their age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Of all of his endeavors, one of the most note-worthy is the creation of the first human rights commission in Barnstable County, behind which he was the driving force.

I have long admired Len's dedication to the cape and his passion for public service. As he leaves us, I have no doubt that he will bring this same sense of commitment to his new responsibilities in Colorado.

As we pause and reflect on the significance of his achievements, he can take with him the heartfelt gratitude of the people of the cape and the islands for all that he has done to improve the lives of those around him. On behalf of a grateful constituency, I want to say thank you and wish you the very best.