Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today to recognize Mr. Donald Schneider, a pioneer who transformed the transportation industry as we know it. I am pleased to have the opportunity to call attention to his service and his remarkable story of American entrepreneurship and ingenuity.

Mr. Schneider, chairman emeritus and former president of Schneider National, Inc., ran one of the nation's largest truckload carriers with nearly 12,500 tractors and 35,000 trailers, all painted in a distinct shade of orange. You may have seen his trucks driving down our great national highways, hauling goods from coast to coast. Behind these trucks was a stellar businessman who leveraged new technologies and innovations to grow his company into one of the most successful, recognizable, and respected transportation and logistics companies in North America. In the process, an industry was transformed and millions of Americans benefited from his life's work without them even realizing.

Mr. Schneider was a hard working man who began as a mechanic's assistant and truck driver at the age of 18. He graduated from St. Norbert College with an undergraduate degree in business and married his wife Pat in 1957. After serving a 13 month military tour of duty in Korea, Schneider graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton Business School, then began to work in his father's trucking business in 1961, fusing his passion for trucking with a keen business sense.

Over the next three decades, Mr. Schneider expanded his fleet substantially, using modern management techniques and acquisition of regional trucking companies to grow his business. Under Mr. Schneider's leadership, Schneider National was one of only a few pre-deregulation truckload carriers that survived and flourished after the Motor Carrier Act of 1980.

Later in that same decade, his company even began to install satellite communication in trucks. By allowing companies to track their trucks in real time, consumers benefitted from faster package deliveries and just-in-time inventory management.

His company's entrance into the logistics business in 1993 heralded a new frontier in trucking by enhancing the ability of companies to manage time-sensitive deliveries and inventories. Meanwhile, his use of standard-sized trailers that could run over the road and ride on railroad flatcars--known as intermodal transportation--established partnerships with the railroads and was followed by all others in the industry.

Now, it is unimaginable how the trucking industry ever fared without Mr. Schneider's visionary ways.

Though Mr. Schneider was a great man, he never lost his common touch. He insisted on being called by his first name, and was a community philanthropist who was active in several charities. In a 1997 interview, he was quoted as saying, ``My job is important, but it's no more important than the driver or the people in the service center.''

Mr. Schneider was a man who had a true servant's heart, and America has been enriched by his service to this country. His entrepreneurial spirit will endure not only in his company's orange trucks and trailers, but in the homes of countless Americans who have benefitted from his innovations. I invite the American people to join me in celebrating his life.

It is my privilege today to celebrate the life and mourn the passing of Donald Schneider, a pioneer who transformed the transportation industry through his ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Mr. Schneider, who was chairman emeritus and former president of

Schneider National, ran one of the Nation's largest trucking companies with over 12,500 tractors, 35,000 trailers, and thousands and thousands of employees. Some of you may recognize those trucks painted in a distinct shade of orange that travel the highways and byways of America.

Mr. Schneider was a hardworking man who began his career driving a truck and as a mechanic's assistant at age 18 in his family's business. He served in Korea, went to the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, and began working in the family business in 1961.

Over three decades, Mr. Schneider expanded his fleet substantially, using modern management techniques and acquisition of regional companies to grow his business. Again, his leadership pushed Schneider National to one of the largest trucking companies in America and, of course, one of the most successful, especially after the deregulation which occurred in 1980.

Donald Schneider was a great man who never lost his common touch. He insisted on being called by his first name and, in a 1970 interview, was quoted as saying: My job is important, but not as important as the driver or the people in the service center.

That's how he grew his business--caring about the common man, caring about the customer, and growing his business into one of the great businesses in America.

Mr. Schneider was a man who served with a true servant's heart, and America has been enriched by his service to this country. I invite all Americans to join me in celebrating his life.

Mr. Speaker, as the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I rise today to join with the people of Azerbaijan to commemorate the tragic events of ``Black January.''

On January 19, 1990, approximately 26,000 Soviet troops stormed Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku in tanks and armored vehicles. That night, the Soviet military bulldozed innocent Azeris and opened indiscriminate fire on peaceful demonstrators, including women and children. According to Azerbaijani sources, as a result of these merciless acts 131 people were killed, 611 were injured, 841 were arrested, and 5 went missing.

The Human Rights Watch report ``Black January in Azerbaijan'' states that ``among the most heinous violations of human rights during the Baku incursion were the numerous attacks on medical personnel, ambulances, and even hospitals.'' The report concludes that the violence used by the Soviet Army constituted an exercise in collective punishment and that the punishment inflicted on Baku by Soviet soldiers may have been intended as a warning to nationalists, not only in Azerbaijan, but in other Republics of the Soviet Union.

In their honor, every January 20, thousands gather in Martyr's Cemetery in Baku to honor the dead and the nation's commitment to independence and freedom. In doing so, it is clear the victims of ``Black January'' did not perish in vain.

Far from crushing the spirit of Azeris, the atrocities of Black January instead consolidated the rising independence movements in the country and united the Azerbaijani nation in its quest for freedom. Today, Azerbaijan is a critical and strategic ally of the United States and is preparing to celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations with the United States.

It is my honor to thank the Azerbaijani people for their friendship and to offer my thoughts and prayers to the families of those who gave their lives for the independence of Azerbaijan. I encourage my colleagues to visit the very moving memorial to Black January in Baku that honors the memories of those killed in these attacks by the Soviet military and to join with me today in standing with Azerbaijanis as they commemorate this tragedy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Slovak Explosive Ordinance Disposal, EOD, Maj. Roland Bartakovics and the entire Slovak EOD team for their role in resisting an assault by armed insurgents on Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar. I would like to recognize the Slovaks for their bravery during a failed enemy attack on the base.

The camp in Kandahar, which houses the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team, KPRT, was attacked by four armed insurgents with rocket-propelled grenades and small fire arms. The attack lasted nearly 11 hours, and was ended by the Afghan National Police supported by coalition forces, including the Slovak EOD team. Thanks to the determined professionalism of the Slovak unit, at no point did the attackers gain access to the compound.

I would like to offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and injured during the attack. The heroic leadership of the entire Slovak unit will forever be remembered. Their service and dedication has brought great pride to their nation, families and communities.

Echoed throughout Afghanistan, the KPRT reflects a productive civilian-military partnership. The United States stands with the Afghan people and their government in pursuing the mutual goal of a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. The United States owes a great debt of gratitude to Maj. Roland Bartakovics and the entire Slovak EOD team for putting themselves in harm's way in the pursuit of freedom.

Madam Speaker, I send to the desk a concurrent resolution and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and mark the retirement of Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority. Donna is a friend and colleague whose work has left an indelible mark on her community. It has been an honor to work with her over her extensive career in the Commissioner's office to help improve the lives of our shared constituents. I join many other local elected officials, friends and neighbors in wishing her well in her retirement.

It is difficult to fit in all of the things Donna has accomplished over her 28 years in public office. First and foremost, Donna has the distinction of serving as the first female member of the Blair County Board of Commissioners. Donna has long been known for being a champion for children and health and human services issues throughout the county. Over her time in office, Donna developed a track record as a strong advocate for funding the county's Human Services Office, which provides support for homeless families and juvenile delinquency prevention.

In addition, Donna has been deeply involved in a program that is also very important to me: Operation Our Town in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Operation Our Town is a successful partnership between businesses and communities throughout Central Pennsylvania whose mission is to rid neighborhoods of drugs and drug-related violent crime. Operation Our Town completes its mission through community policing and proven treatment and prevention techniques. I am proud to have had her as an ally in applying Operation Our Town's techniques to Altoona.

Donna has been the recipient of a number of awards over her career. She was recognized as part of the ``Outstanding Young Women in America'' in 1978, was named Boss of the Year in 1986 by the American Business Women's Association, won the President's Award by the County Commissioner's Association of Pennsylvania in 1994, received the Leadership Award from the Blair County NAACP in 2003 and the Lifetime Achievement Award this year by Blair Countians for Drug Free Communities. Again, these are but a few of her accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Donna Gority on her successful 28 years in public office and wish her well in her retirement. She will leave Blair County's government and the people it represents in better shape than when she found it. In the end, I believe that should be the goal of every public servant. Without question, Donna accomplished that goal.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise today in support of the Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act, which I introduced earlier this year in honor of the 10th anniversary of September 11. I represent Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the area where Flight 93 went down, and, more importantly, where the first counterattack of the war on terror occurred.

It has been an honor for me to work closely with the Families of Flight 93 over the years on key initiatives, including funding the Flight 93 National Memorial and awarding the 9/11 heroes a Congressional Gold Medal. The Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act would award one collective Congressional Gold Medal to honor the heroes that perished on 9/11, to be displayed at each memorial site--the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, and the Pentagon Memorial. The tragic deaths at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in rural Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, have forever changed our Nation.

The officers, emergency workers, and other employees of State and local government agencies, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and of the United States Government and others, who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and perished as a result of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, took heroic and noble action on that day.

The officers, emergency rescue workers and employees of local and United States Government agencies who responded to the attack on the Pentagon and Washington took heroic and noble action to evacuate the premises and prevent further casualties of the Pentagon employees.

And the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, recognizing the imminent danger that the aircraft that they had boarded posed to large numbers of innocent men, women, and children, American institutions, and the symbols of American democracy, took heroic and noble action to ensure that that aircraft could not be used as a weapon.

Given the unprecedented nature of the attacks against the United States of America and the need to properly demonstrate the support of the country for those who lost their lives to terrorism, it is fitting that their sacrifice be recognized with the award of an appropriate medal.

Awarding this medal would give Congress and the American people an opportunity to further pay tribute and honor the heroic men and women that lost their lives that day. There would be no better gift this holiday season to those who lost loved ones than passing this bill and officially recognizing those that lost their lives that fateful day.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill, the Fallen Heroes of 9/11 Act, and I want to thank the over 350 Members I believe it was that signed on to this bill to make it possible that we're here today, going to pass this and hopefully send it to the President.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2845) to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for enhanced safety and environmental protection in pipeline transportation, to provide for enhanced reliability in the transportation of the Nation's energy products by pipeline, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 2845.

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

This important legislation improves safety, enhances reliability, and provides the regulatory certainty necessary to create jobs.

I am very proud of the work that has gone into this bill, both across the aisle and between the committees. This legislation represents a bipartisan and bicameral agreement reached by the House Transportation Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I am also proud this legislation is supported by both the pipeline industry and key safety advocates.

The United States has the largest network of energy pipelines in the world, and pipelines are the energy lifelines that power nearly all of our daily activities. The hallmark of America's 2.5 million-mile pipeline network continues to be that it delivers extraordinary volumes of product reliably, safely, efficiently, and economically. Pipelines are the safest and the most cost-effective means to transport the natural gas and hazardous liquid products that fuel our economy. Since 1986, the volume of energy products transported through pipelines has increased by one-third, yet the number of reportable incidents has decreased by 28 percent. While the data show that Federal pipeline safety programs have been on the right track, recent pipeline incidents suggest there continues to be room for improvement.

H.R. 2845 builds on our strong commitment to the improved safety and enhanced reliability of the transportation of our Nation's energy products by pipeline.

Specifically, the legislation reauthorizes the Federal pipeline safety programs of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration through FY 2015. It improves pipeline transportation by strengthening the enforcement of our current laws and by filling gaps in existing laws where necessary. It provides the regulatory certainty necessary for pipeline owners and operators to plan infrastructure investments and create jobs. It ensures a sensible and practical regulatory approach to improving safety that applies cost-benefit principles. It protects and preserves congressional authority, keeping regulators on a tight leash by ensuring certain key rulemakings are not finalized until Congress has an opportunity to act. It addresses National Transportation Safety Board recommendations resulting from recent pipeline incidents with balanced and reasonable responses, including addressing the incidents in California, Michigan, Montana, and Pennsylvania.

There are a few key priority issues I want to highlight in this legislation.

During my time in Congress, I've been disappointed to see the executive branch and unelected bureaucrats attempt to take more and more control and decisionmaking authority from Congress. These actions harm Congress as an institution and make our government further and further removed from the American people.

In this bill, when we call for substantial changes to the Federal pipeline safety program, we ask the administration to consider specific factors, take into account costs and benefits, and provide Congress with recommendations on how the programs should be changed. Congress will then have an opportunity to act on those recommendations before key rulemakings are finalized. This approach preserves congressional authority and will keep regulators from overreaching.

Another issue I've highlighted on the floor in the past is damage prevention, which is the leading cause of pipeline incidents. Our legislation improves pipeline damage prevention and cracks down on third-party pipeline damage by eliminating unnecessary exemptions.

At this time I would also like to urge everybody to call before you dig and to dial 8-1-1, which is an extremely important part of this program in preventing third-party damage in this country.

In field hearings leading up to the drafting of this legislation, my colleague from Pennsylvania, Jim Gerlach, suggested ways in which we could use State and local government personnel as force multipliers to supplement Federal pipeline safety inspectors. We have built on this idea. In this bill, we have included a provision that will allow PHMSA to provide training to State and local government personnel and to potentially establish regional training centers paid for by the pipeline industry at no cost to the Federal Government.

There is great interest in this unique and permissive approach in my home State of Pennsylvania, and I will closely be following the implementation of these provisions.

I was deeply disappointed that language I had included in our committee's version of this legislation regarding pipeline permitting issues was not included in the final bill. We have big issues with the Army Corps of Engineers in Pennsylvania in the permitting of pipes. The Corps is encroaching on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and it has led to significant increases in permitting timelines for projects with limited environmental impacts. My colleague from West Virginia, Mr. Rahall, has experienced similar issues in his home State, all related to the Marcellus shale gas. In the interest of compromise and of moving this legislation forward, I was willing to withdraw my language and settle on a study on this critical issue, but I will continue to monitor this issue closely in Pennsylvania and across the United States.

I am proud of this bill and of the hard work that Chairman Mica, Ranking Member Rahall, Subcommittee Ranking Member Brown, and the staffs have put in on both sides of the aisle. I would especially like to point out Jim Tymon and Steve Martinko, who have logged countless hours in helping to move this bill forward. I also want to thank the Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairman Fred Upton and Ranking Member Waxman, and their staffs for their efforts.

Our legislation makes a strong program even stronger by keeping in place regulatory measures that are working and by making adjustments to those that don't. I would urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation that increases safety and creates jobs.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,

and Technology,

Washington, DC, November 22, 2011.

Hon. John L. Mica,

Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Mica: I am writing to you concerning the

jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Science, Space,

and Technology in H.R. 2845, the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory

Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011. The bill contains

provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee

on Science, Space, and Technology, including those amending

Section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49

U.S.C. 60101 Note; Public Law 107-355).

I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this

legislation before the House of Representatives in an

expeditious manner, and accordingly, I will waive further

consideration of this bill in Committee. This, of course,

being conditional on our mutual understanding that language

negotiated with the Science, Space, and Technology Committee

will be included in this or similar legislation considered on

the House floor. However, agreeing to waive consideration of

this bill should not be construed as waiving, reducing, or

affecting the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science,

Space, and Technology.

Additionally, the Committee on Science, Space, and

Technology expressly reserves its authority to seek conferees

on any provision within its jurisdiction during any House-

Senate conference that may be convened on this, or any

similar legislation. I ask for your commitment to support any

request by the Committee for conferees on H.R. 2845 as well

as any similar or related legislation.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for

the positive outcome of the negotiation between our

Committees resulting in provisions that seek to ensure a

continued positive role for the National Institute of

Standards and Technology in the area of pipeline

transportation research and development.

I ask that a copy of this letter and your response be

included in the report on H.R. 2845

and also be placed in the Congressional Record during

consideration of this bill on the House floor.

I look forward to working with you on matters of mutual

concern.

Sincerely,

Ralph M. Hall,

Chairman,

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Enclosure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), the distinguished chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to just note in the legislation, section 6 of H.R. 2845 includes a requirement that the Secretary of Transportation provide a person, upon written request, a copy of a pipeline company's response plan.

I think it's important to note and point out to my colleagues that these

plans often contain security-sensitive information about pipelines' operating characteristics. If this information fell into the wrong hands, it could be a real threat to public safety. In recognition of this threat, we've included a provision that directs the Secretary to redact security-sensitive information.

It is my hope that the Secretary ensures that no security-sensitive information is released to the public; and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will aggressively oversee the implementation of this provision to ensure that it is being implemented according to congressional intent.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 8 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), the distinguished chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee.

I have no further speakers; so I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to associate myself with the words of the gentleman from Washington. He is really one of the experts in Congress when it comes to pipeline safety, and it has been my pleasure to work with him on this bill.

As I said earlier, I'm very, very proud of the work that's gone into this bill on both sides of the aisle. This truly is a bipartisan agreement and a bicameral agreement, and I think we can all be proud of the product we've produced and look forward to it being passed into law, because pipelines are the safest way to move the gas and the hazardous products that this Nation needs to fuel the economy. And this important legislation does improve safety. It enhances the reliability and provides the regulatory certainty so that the owners and operators of pipelines will make the investments in their systems that will create jobs across America.

So I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2845; and with that, I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank my friend from Pennsylvania. Thank you for bringing us all together here on the floor this evening to talk about such an important issue and an important bipartisan piece of legislation.

H.R. 1861, the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act, is a bill whose time has come. We came together, Republicans and Democrats, to figure out ways to find the funds without raising taxes to invest in America's infrastructure. And this bill does that from investing in clean energy, rebuilding America's aging locks, dams, bridges and roads, creating jobs which, of course, all the American people are very focused on; and this bill will do just that.

It invests in cleaning up our environment and it, again, has one of the largest infrastructure investments in the history of the United States. With this bill we can do that and, again, it doesn't raise taxes. Opening up our offshore resources and bringing that energy to bear to make us less energy independent is absolutely critical.

In Pennsylvania we know firsthand with the Marcellus shale gas play that's there. It gives Pennsylvania a second chance, a second chance to revitalize our economy in Pennsylvania and once again become one of the driving States in the economy of the United States of America. So we know that firsthand, and it was Pennsylvania 150 years ago with its coal and its oil that was found there that made Pennsylvania so key in the growing and the building up of America.

I want to focus on the funding that would go towards transportation, and my colleague has a great visual aid up there talking about the needs, almost a trillion dollars we need to invest over the next 15, 20 years in our roads and bridges. Aviation, $87 billion; our dams are very much in need; sewer and water, we have about a $300 billion backlog across this country to rebuild the infrastructure, to get rid of sewage waste and make sure we have clean drinking water; $5 billion in inland waterways and locks and dams, which are so critical.

This country grew up, became a power because of our waterways and able to move goods at a very inexpensive rate. We need to revitalize those to continue to use those waterways that we have naturally. But it takes money to rebuild those locks and dams.

When you look around America, I think everybody has driven across a pothole or sees a bridge that's crumbling or many of us live with tremendous congestion and, in fact, the congestion is crippling America. It costs American commuters approximately $115 billion a year because of wasted time and fuel, and those numbers continue to rise; 4.8 billion hours per year Americans are stuck in traffic. We have to find out a way to reinvest in the infrastructure that's made our country.

When you talk about trade, how can you talk about trade and increasing trade if you can't figure out how to get those bulldozers, those Caterpillar tractors that are going to be shipped overseas. If you can't get them from Peoria, Illinois, to the ports of Philadelphia and the ports of Los Angeles to send them over there, they're going to sit in those yards.

We've got to figure out a way to get commerce, not only in foreign markets, but also it's coming into this country. It's the transportation system that's absolutely vital to that.

Today we currently are spending about $44 billion on our transportation system, highways, bridges, transit systems, when we actually should be spending at the Federal level about $62

billion. That number is going down because of our budget constraints. So we have got to find new revenues, and Congressman Murphy's H.R. 1861, this plan that we support in a bipartisan way, is going to do just that, get the funds to be able to invest in our infrastructure.

Our infrastructure, by the way, when you look back to the Constitution of the United States, a lot of people say, well, government shouldn't be investing in a lot of things. And I agree, there's a lot of things we do in Washington, DC we shouldn't be investing in; but transportation is not one of those.

From the time of our Founding Fathers in article I of the Constitution, it talks about the Federal Government regulating commerce with foreign nations and among the several States regulating and encouraging commerce to build post offices and post roads. The post roads of the 1800s are the highways and byways of today.

This Nation wouldn't be the great Nation it was if it weren't connected. And James Madison, the Father of the Constitution said: ``The power of establishing post roads must, in every view, be a harmless power, and may, perhaps, be judicious management, become productive of great public conveniency. Nothing which tends to facilitate the intercourse between the States can be deemed unworthy of the public care.'' Madison made that argument.

Also early on in our history, under the Jefferson administration, they authorized the building, 100 percent Federal dollars, of Route 40, which went from Baltimore into the Ohio territory. They authorized it under Jefferson, and the construction was completed under Madison. It opened up the territory, the Ohio Territory, to be able to produce commerce and prosperity to America. So early on in our Nation, the Founding Fathers knew the importance of our waterways, of building roads, of connecting this country.

And I on this side of the aisle can proudly say that it's been a Republican tradition in the United States Government and the United States Congress. Abraham Lincoln built the transcontinental railroad, not in the middle of a recession, but in the middle of the great Civil War.

He knew how important it was to connect America, to make sure that we move commerce in an efficient way and a safe way. From there, Teddy Roosevelt building the Panama Canal, which connected the two coasts together by water, extremely important for us to become an international power in commerce and in trade.

And then, of course, Eisenhower coming back from World War II, seeing what the Germans did with being able to move their troops around, had the idea that not only would it be good for America's security, but it would be good for America's commerce to connect this country. And that's exactly what he went about doing in the 1950s: we built the interstate highway system.

I have talked to many of my colleagues that have said the roads have been built, we don't need to spend on them. But they're crumbling; they need to be rebuilt. And one of the facts that I think we all ought to remember, it took us 65 years to go from 200 million to 300 million people, and we crossed that threshold in about 2005 or 2006. It's only going to take us 30-some years to go from 300 million to 400 million.

This Nation is going to continue to grow. We've got to be able to move people; we've got to be able to move our products throughout this country, to the ports to be able to trade globally. So this is something that has to become a national priority.

I believe that this bill, 1861, will help it to become a reality with the funding levels needed to invest in our transportation system. Again, you invest in transportation, you can see the return on investment, whether it's economic development or jobs created in the short term from building it or the long term and the commerce that it produces and the efficiencies that it allows our businesses to have.

Again, I thank the gentleman for bringing us together on a bipartisan basis. I would hope that more of our Members would sign up for this bill so we can push it to the finish line.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I couldn't agree more with my colleague from Florida (Ms. Brown) on her support for H.R. 2594. And to my colleagues watching or listening to this debate tonight, I would urge you to listen closely because this is a serious situation that's going to occur, and it's up to Congress to send a message to the European capitals of the world that the United States will not stand for this. This will be a terrible burden for not only our carriers but for aviation airlines, air travel, commercial travel around the world.

There has never been to my knowledge a more ill-conceived program than what the European Union is putting forth in this emissions trading scheme. They're going forth with this; and first of all, I believe it's violating international law, the Chicago Convention which was signed in the mid-1940s, which set up ICAO which is the International Civil Aviation Organization, which coordinates and allows for transportation, commercial transportation, aviation transportation around the world to go forth in a way that is orderly. We come together at this international organization and build on consensus with rule-makings and regulations that help us to not only build our airplanes but to fly them around the world.

What the Europeans are doing is they want to impose a tax on American air carriers, on all air carriers from their points of departure. So from our sovereign Nation and sovereign nations around the world, they're going to tax us to fly from, for instance, Los Angeles to Paris, which I believe, again, is a violation of the international agreement. I believe it is going to throw international aviation into an uncertain time period and may cause tremendous disruption in the flow of commerce through the air.

The air transportation industry worldwide accounts for 8 percent of global GDP, but only accounts for 2 percent of the CO2 emissions. And the airline industry has a great incentive to decrease the amount of fuel they have because it is one of if not their largest expense. So air travel with the airliners we build today, with the way we organize our air traffic control patterns in the United States, we've been able to reduce CO2 emissions over the last 10 years significantly, and we'll continue to do that because, as I said, the incentive is there for the airline industry in America to use less fuel, not more fuel. It's better for their bottom lines.

Once again, this trading scheme, this emissions trading scheme is going to impose a tax on our carriers. The Europeans estimate it will be about $2 a ticket. Our aviation industry believes it will be somewhere between $2.50 and $4 a ticket. We're not sure, but let's take the European numbers. So $2 a ticket, if you look over the last 10 years in the aviation industry in this country, we have lost $2.80 per ticket sold. So you're talking about an industry that is now recovering, an industry that seems to be making profits. If the Europeans are allowed to impose a $2 tax, it will probably wipe out the entire profits of our airline industry, so we can't let it stand.

Also, it is a counterproductive measure. The Europeans say they're going to reduce emissions by this. I believe it is going to do the opposite. What's going to happen is these planes, not the new planes, but the old ones, refurbished ones, are going to go to other parts of the world. And these old planes do emit more CO2, and so there are going to be places in Africa and Asia

and countries that can't afford the newest, latest, greatest Boeing or Airbus planes; and they're going to be spewing more emissions into the air. So it's counterproductive.

And if you want an industry to invest in more fuel-efficient airliners, they need to make a profit. So you're going to take that profit away, and they will not be able to invest in new ways to reduce emissions coming from these airliners. So it's counterproductive.

Also, if the Europeans want to reduce emissions, which they have not in their airline industry over the last 10 years, one of the things they could do, a huge step in the right direction, is to create a single European airspace. And they've been unable to do that.

Today, when you fly in the United States, because we're so much more efficient than the Europeans, our planes land quicker. That means they're not up in the atmosphere putting out CO2 emissions. In the European theater, what you have are 25 or 30 different airspaces. So planes tend to circle around the airport for longer periods of time emitting more CO2. So if the Europeans are really serious about this, instead of just doing the easy thing and tax the Americans or tax the Chinese or tax the Russians, they should look seriously at turning their 30 different airspaces into a single European airspace. That would be a tremendous improvement and be a tremendous reduction in the CO2 that they are putting into the air.

So my colleagues, if you're listening to this tonight, I urge you strongly to support the gentlelady from Florida and myself and others in a bipartisan way to send a strong vote, a strong message to the Europeans to don't go down this path. Let's sit down at the table and work together. We can do something that reduces CO2 without taxing American carriers and disrupting an international organization that's been so positive and so vital to commerce in this world.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to again stand up in support of what my colleagues from Wisconsin and from Florida have said over and over again. This is about sovereignty as well as doing what's right for the American traveling public.

Mr. Waxman from California, he represents Los Angeles, folks from that part of the country, as my colleague from Florida said, will probably see direct flights no longer exist because if you start off from Los Angeles and fly to Paris, it's going to cost you more money. So I can see the airlines trying to save money by stopping in Philadelphia or stopping in New York so that they can decrease the tax that's going to be imposed upon them.

As Mr. Petri has said, they're imposing it on the air over America. If they want to impose a tax in Europe on people doing business in Europe, they have the ability to do that. But to do it and start it over American airspace, over American departure, it's the wrong thing to do. And the Europeans know it. You already have the Italians and the Dutch already questioning the wisdom of doing this.

So I think you're going to see people in Europe starting to change their attitude. And tonight is going to send a very, very strong signal to Europe that America is not going to allow the Europeans to impose a tax on us on our sovereign airspace.

Mr. Speaker, as the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence.

Located in a geopolitically dynamic region between Europe and Asia and sandwiched between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan is a secular county with a predominantly Muslim population that has also been home for more than a millennia for vibrant Christian and Jewish communities.

Azerbaijan and the United States enjoy a strong partnership founded on shared interests in global and regional security, energy and economic development, democratic reforms, and respect for human rights. President Obama has called Azerbaijan a ``young democracy'' during his meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in September 2010, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed during her July 2010 trip to Azerbaijan that ``the bonds between the United States and Azerbaijan and deep, important, and durable.''

The past 20 years have seen Azerbaijan make great leaps in consolidating its sovereignty and political independence, and they are on the path towards building strong democratic institutions and a diversified economy that will further contribute to the welfare of the people of Azerbaijan. As I frequently remind my colleagues, the United States has more than 230 years of experience developing into the modern democracy we are today. It is critical that the United States provide our support and friendship to our partners in Azerbaijan as they continue to develop.

Azerbaijan has opened Caspian energy resources to development by U.S. companies and has emerged as a key player for global energy security. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project is the most successful project contributing to the development of the South Caucasus region and has become the main artery delivering Caspian Sea hydrocarbons to the U.S. and our partners in Europe. Notably, in 2009 Azerbaijan provided nearly one quarter of all crude oil supplies to Israel and is considered a leading potential natural gas provider for the U.S.-supported Nabucco pipeline. It is important for the United States to continue to provide support for the development of the Southern Corridor that will further strengthen energy security.

On the security front, immediately after 9/11 Azerbaijan was among the first to offer strong support and assistance to the United States. Azerbaijan participated in operations in Kosovo and Iraq and is actively engaged in Afghanistan, having recently doubled its military presence there. Azerbaijan has extended important over-flight clearances for U.S. and NATO flights to support ISAF and has regularly provided landing and refueling operations at its airports for U.S. and NATO forces. Also, Azerbaijan, as highlighted by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, plays an important role in the Northern Distribution Network, a supply route to Afghanistan by making available its ground and Caspian naval transportation facilities. Moreover, Azerbaijan provides vital support for U.S. nonproliferation efforts.

Again, as the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, it is my distinct pleasure to congratulate the people of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of this important anniversary. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this important milestone in the history of Azerbaijan also encourage my colleagues who are interested in supporting Azerbaijan to join me as a member of Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, a bipartisan group of nearly 40 Members of Congress working to help foster the growing partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan and to advance U.S. interests in this pivotal region.

I thank the Speaker.

Today, I rise to honor the distinguished service of my good friend, His Excellency Yashar Aliyev, who in October 2006 was appointed by President Ilham Aliyez as Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States of America.

I am proud to serve as the cochairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus.

Azerbaijan is an important strategic partner of the United States. Located in a geopolitically dynamic region between Europe and Asia and sandwiched between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan is a secular country with a predominantly Muslim population that has also been home for more than a millennia to vibrant Christian and Jewish communities. Azerbaijan has opened Caspian energy resources to development by U.S. companies and has emerged as a key player for global energy security.

On the security front, immediately after 9/11, Azerbaijan was among the first to offer strong support and assistance to the United States. Azerbaijan participated in operations in Kosova and Iraq and is actively engaged in Afghanistan, having recently doubled its military presence there.

Ambassador Aliyev has made an indelible mark on deepening U.S. and Azerbaijan relations.

Bilateral trade is expanding as Azerbaijan diversifies its economy, enabling it to increasingly contribute to the economic growth of the United States.

Baku and Washington cooperate on counterterrorism and nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Moreover, this continued development of Azerbaijan's natural resources contributes greatly to the energy security of the United States and Europe. Working with Ambassador Aliyev, we have more than doubled the size of the Azerbaijan Caucus in Congress and continue to bring attention to this vital strategic partner.

Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Aliyev served as Azerbaijan's permanent representative to the United Nations from 2002 to 2006. During this period he was chairman of the Fourth Committee of Special Political and Decolonization of the 60th U.N. General Assembly, vice president of the 59th General Assembly, vice president of the Economic and Social Council from 2004 to 2005, and vice president of the U.N. Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects in 2001.

Ambassador Aliyev began his diplomatic career at the United Nations in 1992, serving as political affairs counselor and charge d'affaires of Azerbaijan's permanent mission. He was also Azerbaijan's first delegate to the First and Fourth Committees at the 47th through 56th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.

Having joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Azerbaijan in 1989, Ambassador Aliyev held the posts of political officer, first secretary and deputy director in the Ministry's Department of Information and Political Analysis, as well as director of the Department of International Organizations.

Ambassador Aliyev took up oriental studies at Azerbaijan State University in 1972 and received the school's highest degree in 1977. He pursued postgraduate research at the Oriental Studies Institute of Russia's Academy of Sciences in Moscow from 1980 to 1982. In the early 1990s, he also studied for a year at the Diplomatic Academy of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is fluent in English, Arabic, Russian, and Turkish.

On a personal note, I will miss Ambassador Aliyev, and I extend to him my highest regards and well wishes, to him and to his family in all their future endeavors. In our years working together, the Ambassador has become a truly valued friend.

It has been my pleasure to visit Azerbaijan twice with him and also to host him in my district in Pennsylvania on two occasions, including sharing a recent birthday celebration together.

Ambassador Aliyev, best wishes in all your future endeavors. I look forward to building on our future partnership with Azerbaijan and continuing our friendship in years to come.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Azerbaijan and the Azeri people for their ongoing support of the United States and our allies in the Global War on Terror. Azerbaijan has been a consistent supporter of U.S. efforts in the fight against terrorism, and the Azeris have worked with us to strengthen economic and political stability in the Caspian region. It is important that we recognize the sacrifices made by our allies and continue to thank them for their support.

As we reflect back on the recently passed 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, we must remember that the fight against terrorism is not a fight against Islam. On September 11, 2001, Americans of all faiths and citizens from around the world tragically lost their lives.

Today, uniformed and civilian men and women around the world work shoulder to shoulder to combat the ongoing threat of terrorist attacks that don't just affect the United States, but virtually every nation. This effort is not one of faith; rather it is an effort to keep citizens of all nations safe from barbaric acts of terrorism.

Immediately after 9/11, Azerbaijan, a majority Muslim nation, was among the first to offer strong support and assistance to the United States. Azerbaijan participated in operations Iraq and is actively engaged in Afghanistan, having recently doubled its military presence there. Azerbaijan has extended important over-flight clearances for U.S. and NATO flights to support ISAF and has regularly provided landing and refueling operations at its airports for U.S. and NATO forces. Also, Azerbaijan plays an important role in the Northern

Distribution Network, a supply route to Afghanistan by making available its ground and Caspian naval transportation facilities.

Additionally, Azerbaijan provides specialized training for Afghan police, border guard officers and de-miners, education and training of Afghan civilian and military medical doctors, and medical treatment of Afghan citizens at Azeri hospitals. Azerbaijan has provided medical equipment and supplies to Afghanistan as well as assisting in the construction of schools and hospitals there.

Azerbaijan remains a reliable partner of NATO and the EU in the South Caucuses through its consistent and effective contribution to common goals and objectives. Azerbaijan is also an active partner of the United States in efforts regarding the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction through its participation in programs such as Caspian Guard and Cooperative Threat Reduction.

On July 5, 2011, an Azerbaijani aircraft flying a support mission for NATO troops crashed as it descended into Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. While it is my understanding that investigations are ongoing, it has come to my attention that one leading theory is that Taliban fighters may have shot down the aircraft as it made its final approach. While we await further information on exactly what happened that night in Afghanistan, it is important that we recognize the loss of life of the nine crew members on board that flight who made the ultimate sacrifice.

While we can take comfort knowing that we are not alone in this fight, we must also make sure we comfort those who make sacrifices alongside us. It is with a heavy heart that I offer my thanks and appreciation to the family, friends, and countrymen to those crew members of Silk Way Airlines IL-76. The world is a safer place due to their commitment to support and supply our troops and allies in their hunt for those seeking to harm peace-loving people around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the winners of the ``Consider the Possibilities'' Personal Achievement award from the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona, given to encourage and reward personal achievement within its community. HealthSouth has presented rehabilitation awards to members of their community who have remained steadfast in overcoming an illness or disability. This year I congratulate: Danielle Gibbons and Frank Germino, winners of the ``Consider the Possibilities'' Personal Achievement Award; and Shelly Beaver, Sherri McGregor, and Joe Reed, winners of the Advocate Award.

Danielle Gibbons is the winner of the HealthSouth ``Consider the Possibilities'' Personal Achievement Award. On June 18, 2010, Danielle, 37 years old at the time and a single mother of two, was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Danielle was driving when another vehicle crossed the center line and hit her head on. The other driver was killed and Danielle was left with life threatening injuries. Danielle had to be cut out of the car, and was transported to the hospital where surgeons were ready to amputate her right leg. Instead, she insisted that she be flown to Pittsburgh where she underwent nine surgeries in order to keep her right leg. In October 2010, Danielle began physical therapy and she made remarkable progress. In less than one year, she was ambulating independently. Danielle has returned to work full time as a nurse practitioner. I commend her for her perseverance and good attitude.

Frank Germino is also the recipient of the HealthSouth ``Consider the Possibilities'' Personal Achievement Award. On October 9, 2010, Frank's life was changed forever when he fell 12 feet from a tree stand while hunting. Frank broke his back in five places. After a five hour surgery, he was told that he would never walk again due to the extensive damage that was incurred. Frank was determined to walk again and after months of rehab and therapy, Frank did just that. His courageous spirit is an inspiration to everyone around him.

Shelly Beaver and Sherri McGregor are the recipients of the HealthSouth Advocate Award. Through the efforts of Shelly Beaver, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, and Sherri McGregor, Education and Training Specialist at Penn State Altoona, ``Sense- ational Endeavors'' was developed. The program creates a combination of sensory activities, physical movement, and social skill development. In addition to therapeutic programs, campers engage in recreational activities and exercise tailored to their ability. Both Shelly and Sherri have dedicated their lives to enriching the lives of countless children.

Joe Reed is also the recipient of the HealthSouth Advocate Award. Joe is responsible for bringing a Miracle League to Blair County. The Miracle League provides baseball for all children with special needs. The field is constructed using a cushioned rubber surface with everything flat and level so there is nothing to trip over. Joe first heard about the Miracle League during a trip to Moody, Alabama while visiting friends in the fall of 2003. About two weeks later he read about it in the Kiwanis Magazine and knew this was something that Blair County needed. He returned to the Moody field, and then went to see the original Miracle League field in Conyers, Georgia. There, he met with the Executive Director of the Miracle League Association, Diane Alford. After getting permission to use the land owned by the Kiwanis Club of Eldorado, he assembled a Board of Directors in early 2004 and began fundraising and promotion. Joe raised over $150,000. Construction began in the fall of 2006. The total cost of the project was $497,000. Opening day was July 21, 2007 with 24 children. Today they have 125 players and over 175 volunteers.

Congratulations to Danielle, Frank, Shelly, Sherri, and Joe. Their accomplishments are a testament to us all that with hard work, persistence, and a big heart, we can overcome any hardship. I congratulate each of them on their perseverance, and I wish them the best as they continue to overcome illnesses and disabilities while setting an example for the rest of the community.

Where was the outrage when they passed the stimulus bill, as the chairman pointed out, that only 60-some billion dollars went to the highways and infrastructure of this country? That's when the outrage should have been put forth.

Where was the outrage on that side? There were more than just one of you over there. You should have stood up and you should have said right then and right there, as I did to the former chairman, I said, This is going to mess up a long-range highway bill. They're going to take that money and they're going to squander it.

We could have done half of a stimulus bill, put most of the money into the infrastructure of this country, and we wouldn't be sitting here today hearing this outrage on the House floor.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Let's move forward with a bill that's within our means.

Once again, I want to remind my friends on the other side, you had both bodies and the White House for 2 years. Where was the bill? There was no bill. Where were the jobs? There are no jobs.

I just would remind my colleagues we are borrowing 40 cents on every dollar this government spends. We've got to live within our means. And I'm willing to suggest that the bill that the chairman and our side is crafting is going to streamline this. We do have less money. There's no doubt about it. I'd like to see more money. We've got to find different revenue sources. But taxing the American people in economic downtime is not the right time to do it.

We can take that $230 billion or $240 billion going into the trust fund and by streamlining and by taking all of these other programs that don't do anything to rebuild our roads and increase our capacity, take them off the table and let's focus on what we need to do, and that's build roads and bridges in this country.

So, again, I remind my colleagues, let's direct the outrage where it's due, and that's in a failed stimulus bill.

Again, I do rise today to support H.R. 2887, the surface and air transportation program. It's a clean extension for 3 months and 6 months. I think it's extremely important that this moves forward so that we don't stop the important bridge and road jobs and, of course, the safety programs and commerce that moves safely through the air. I think that's extremely important.

So again, I intended to stand up and speak more about these two bills, but again, when I hear this outrage, I want to make sure that there is outrage on our side about what's happened in this Congress over the last 4 years.