Floor Statements

I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding to me.

It's a great honor and privilege for me to be on the House floor tonight, coming to the well to talk about a very good friend, a dear friend, John Peterson. And I have to tell you about, we go back 12 years, and very little known to Members of this body, but John Peterson ran for Congress in a primary against my brother for Congress. And many would say, well, how can you say, ``your dear friend'' when a guy like John Peterson ran hard and defeated your brother in a primary? But John Peterson and I and my family quickly after that primary election became very close and got behind John and supported him to become the Congressman from the Fifth District.

But John, when I first came to Congress, was one of the first people to come to me and offer me advice, and I took it readily because of his long career in the State Senate and his years here in the House, listening to John and, as I said, becoming very, very good friends.

John is one of my very close and best and dearest friends here in Congress, and it's because John and I share the same principles. We share the same values. We share a similar background, coming from a small business.

John ran a grocery store in the Fifth District of Pennsylvania. He worked extremely hard, and as he worked his political career through the House and the Senate of Pennsylvania, anybody you talk to, whether it's here in Washington or whether it's in Harrisburg, talk about John's hard work and his tenacity. He's one of those guys that my colleague from Lehigh Valley said, you know it's John when he sinks his teeth into something, he doesn't let go. He fights and he fights and he fights, and his career has been an example of that, for the 20 years he served in the State legislature and the 14 years he's served here in Congress.

And he is one of the hardest working Members of the House of Representatives. I go back to, I remember John before I came to Congress on television going to Russia, fighting to get the release of one of his constituents who was arrested because the Russians at the time thought he was a spy. But it was John Peterson on national television, in Russia, pounding and fighting to make sure that his constituent was released. And you know, John Peterson, with that tenacity, that hard work, was able to do that, and that family is grateful to him. The people of his district are grateful for his hard work and his expertise.

I think it's been mentioned here tonight by different colleagues about his expertise on a number of issues, and John really understood the issues of rural America. In his role as the chairman of the Rural Caucus for a number of years, he was out there always fighting for those issues. Whether it was health care, whether it was education, economic development, John Peterson understood it as well or better than any Member of Congress, those issues for rural America, and he was a tireless advocate for those issues.

As well as here in the last several months on the House floor, it was John Peterson and his knowledge and expertise on energy. John Peterson knew energy. Being a representative from the district that the first well in America in 1859 was sunk in his district, John took that issue and made it his own issue, and he was able to talk about that issue with great authority. Many of us went to John to try to understand, try to get the knowledge from John when it came to energy issues. Whether it was OCS, whether it was biomass or renewables, John Peterson knew those issues.

Also, a little known fact is that John's family owns a business that sells furnaces, that sells heating apparatuses that use alternative energy. Whether it's corn, whether it's

wood, it's John Peterson who is up there in the weekends selling those products, talking to people about them because he understands them.

John Peterson is a grassroots politician. He understands the issues from the grassroots up, and this Congress is better today because of people like John Peterson, because of John Peterson, because of his knowledge of the issues. He is going to be missed significantly here in Congress because of that aspect of his knowledge on his grassroots issues and rural America and energy.

I want to make sure that I thank my colleague Mr. English for organizing this Special Order tonight to thank John Peterson and also to say thanks and congratulations to John and his wife Sandy who are celebrating a wedding anniversary.

As I said, I'm going to miss John Peterson personally. I know my colleagues will miss him in the Pennsylvania delegation, and I believe that America will miss John Peterson because of his advocacy of issues that are so, so important to America and especially to rural America.

So, with that, I thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I am placing this statement in the Congressional Record.

Requesting Member: Congressman Bill Shuster (PA-9).

Bill Number: H.R. 2638--The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009.

Military Construction Projects were previously disclosed in a statement on H.R. 6599--The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs FY09 Appropriations bill.

Defense Appropriations Projects

Project Name: Expeditionary Persistent Power.

Account: Research, Development, Test, and Eval, Defensewide.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mission Critical Solutions, LLC.

Address of Requesting Entity: 271 Industrial Lane, Alum Bank, PA 15521.

Description of Request/Justification of Federal Funding: $1.6 million for Expeditionary Persistent Power.

It is my understanding that funding will be used for research, development, testing, and evaluation. This program builds on the recent success and advancements in ground based power and alternative propulsion systems for USSOCOM as well as advancements in the ultra thin film solar and small wind driven regeneration systems. The power/ propulsion system will use latest-generation, commercially available Li-ion polymer batteries storing power from wind, solar, and regeneration techniques.

USSOCOM has a continuing requirement for Expeditionary Power and Clandestine Propulsion Systems for ground, marine, and UVs for all operations environments and tactical scenarios.

It is also my understanding that approximately 55 percent of funding would be used for labor costs, approximately 40 percent of funding would be used for materials, and approximately 5 percent of funding would be used for travel and other costs.

Project Name: Fire Support Technology Improvement Program.

Account: Research, Development, Test, & Eval, Army.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Szanca Solutions, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 100 East Pitt Street, Suite 300, Bedford, PA 15522.

Description of Request/Justification of Federal Funding: $800,000 for Fire Support Technology Improvement Program.

It is my understanding that funding for this project would be used for research, development, testing, and evaluation to leverage and develop advanced artillery battle management technologies and to integrate these advanced technologies into the Army fire support modernization initiatives.

This program will help in Battlefield Damage Assessment (BDA) for target re-fire, to include target of opportunity avoidance due to weighted benefits of a current intel information resource that is supplying crucial tactical intel information. This effort will also decrease the time from target identification to firing. The program will also provide Theater Commanders with the intelligence to determine if a fire mission may affect critical infrastructures or resources (water and oil pipelines, power lines or support facilities) that are critical to the civilian population.

It is also my understanding that approximately 80 percent of funding would be used

for staff, approximately 17 percent of funding would be used to design and implement a test facility, and approximately 3 percent of funding would be used for travel and other costs.

Project Name: Maritime C4ISR System.

Account: Research, Development, Test, & Eval, Army.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mission Critical Solutions, LLC.

Address of Requesting Entity: 271 Industrial Lane, Alum Bank, PA 15521

Description of Request/Justification of Federal Funding: $800,000 for Maritime C4ISR System.

It is my understanding that funding would be used for research, development, testing, and evaluation. This project would be used to support C4ISR situations awareness for maritime protection activities. The Maritime C4ISR System is a comprehensive suite of sensor devices together with IP based network communications to support C4ISR situational awareness for maritime protection activities.

The system was conceived for port and coastal security missions requiring enhanced situational awareness, integrating and fusing existing sensors via IP. The Maritime C4ISR system allows the user to manage several complex and diverse tasks simultaneously through remote access, automation, information management, and the development or enhancement of decision aids to simplify decision-making and support defensive action by joint forces.

It is also my understanding that approximately 50 percent of funding would be used for labor, approximately 42 percent of funding would be used for material, and approximately 8 percent of funding would be used for travel and other costs.

Project Name: Hospital Emergency Planning and Integration (HEPI).

Account: Research, Development, Test, & Eval, Army.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: L. Robert Kimball & Associates.

Address of Requesting Entity: 615 W. Highland Avenue, P.O. Box 1006, Ebensburg, PA 15931. The project will be located at the Letterkenny Army Depot and the Chambersburg Hospital in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Description of Request/Justification of Federal Funding: $800,000 for Hospital Emergency Planning and Integration.

It is my understanding that funding for this project would be used for research, development, testing, and evaluation to establish a network of regional communication and collaboration centers, fielded by the Department of Defense (DOD) that will provide technology to emergency responders for day-to-day use and will provide a system for execution of the DOD Homeland Defense mission. The development of enterprise architecture will link existing state and local systems with the DOD and other federal agencies.

It is also my understanding that approximately 85 percent of funding would be used for the expansion of the HEPI program throughout the South Central Counter- Terrorism Task Force Region and approximately 15 percent of funding would be used to enhance and refine HEPI program capabilities.

Project Name: Rural Health (CERMUSA).

Account: Research, Development, Test, & Eval, Army.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Francis University.

Address of Requesting Entity: 117 Evergreen Drive, P.O. Box 600, Loretto, PA 15940.

Description of Request/Justification of Federal Funding: $2.4 million for Rural Health (CERMUSA).

It is my understanding that funding for this project would be used for research, development, testing, and evaluation to continue the St. Francis University Center of Excellence for Remote & Medically Under- Served Areas (CERMUSA) national test bed for research in telehealth, distance learning, telerehabilitation, and associated technologies.

It is also my understanding that approximately 60 percent of funding would be used for a test bed for informational technologies, approximately 25 percent for a test bed for telehealth, telerehabilitation, and healthcare education research, and approximately 15 percent for a distance learning test bed for rural and under-served areas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the winners of the ``No Limits'' awards from the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona. HealthSouth has presented these rehabilitation awards to members of their community who have remained steadfast in overcoming an illness or disability. This year I congratulate: Trudy White, winner of the ``No Limits'' Advocate Award and Dustin Dillon and Franklin Foster, winners of the ``No Limits'' Personal Achievement Awards.

In March 2007, Trudy White was admitted to the Altoona Hospital for shortness of breath with both respiratory and congestive heart failure and was placed on a ventilator for several

days. Trudy came to HealthSouth in May 2007 and was then transferred to Johnstown Select Specialty Hospital after being diagnosed with critical illness myopathy. Trudy was placed on a ventilator for several weeks while also battling diabetes. Trudy went through an extremely exhausting period but was able to overcome her illness. Trudy is currently in the Wellness Program and even volunteers her time with patient charts and at a lunchtime group. While Trudy's life was completely interrupted by her illness, she was able to overcome each challenge with an embracing smile, a warm heart, and a strong mind. While still working to fight against her illness, Trudy is an active mother and grandmother attending her grandson's baseball games and hosting pizza parties at ``Trudy's Place.''

Dustin Dillon is the recipient of the ``No Limits'' Personal Achievement Award. Dustin was nominated for this award by his father. Dustin was born 10 weeks premature and had a bleed on his brain requiring a shunt when he was only 2 months old. While going to school and attending classes, Dustin would suffer from headaches and stomach problems. As a result, Dustin was taken to the hospital for a CAT scan and then transferred to another hospital. Dustin suffered a stroke while awaiting diagnosis and went into a coma. The doctors told Dustin's parents that his chance for recovery was less than 5 percent. Dustin's father, Gary, would sit and talk with his son in the evenings and encourage him to respond. Dustin was able to move his hands and feet at his father's request. After an examination, Dustin was transferred to HealthSouth Altoona. After spending a month there, Dustin was able to talk, sit up, eat regular foods, and wash and dress himself. Dustin has returned to school and continues his therapy as an outpatient. Thanks to Dustin's hard work and the help of his therapist at HealthSouth, Dustin was able to return to school at West Branch Senior High School.

Franklin Foster is also a recipient of the ``No Limits'' Personal Achievement Award. Frank has suffered four strokes since 2004 and has been a patient of HealthSouth ever since. The strokes have severely impaired Frank's speech and limited his ability to swallow. Though it is difficult to understand Frank's speech, he continues to use his speech clarity strategies he has learned in therapy. Frank has incredible patience and never appears to be frustrated. Frank loves to tell jokes, and he works hard so others can appreciate and comprehend his humor. Frank's cheerfulness has inspired many on staff at HealthSouth, and he continues to work to overcome his disability.

Congratulations to Trudy, Dustin and Franklin. Their accomplishments are a testament 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 their illnesses and disabilities while setting an example for the rest of the community.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 616, rollcall No. 617, and rollcall No. 618, I was not present. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall No. 616, ``yes'' on rollcall No. 617, and ``yes'' on rollcall No. 618.

I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding.

Madam Speaker, today is an important day for our Nation's railroad industry. We are authorizing, as everybody has been talking about, Amtrak, which has not been done in 10 years. We are also considering a comprehensive rail safety legislation which will make our Nation's railways safer for both passengers and freight trains. I'm heartened that we are considering this bill now, and I hope it's offering some small degree of comfort to the families who are suffering after the recent Metrolink disaster in California.

America's railroads are becoming an increasingly important part of our transportation backbone. The gridlock on our highways and in the air and the need to conserve energy makes the case for passenger rail even more compelling. I believe that expanded passenger rail service can do a great deal to ease the congestion and, as I said, to conserve the energy that we so desperately need to conserve.

But it's important that the private sector be given a chance to participate. I believe this bill is an important step towards this goal because it allows the private sector to bid on lines where Amtrak currently operates, and I believe the private sector, if given an opportunity, can greatly improve the efficiencies in our passenger rail system.

I would encourage and would ask those on my side of the aisle who for years have wanted to eliminate, to break up and to kill Amtrak to consider this bill.

We have important private-sector initiatives in this bill. Instead of talking about theory, we can see it go in motion, and then we'll have the evidence that I believe will come about by having the private sector's being involved. As I said, we will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the private sector can operate, once again, a passenger rail service in this country in an effective and efficient manner.

I also support this bill because it has given an important opportunity to the private sector to submit proposals for the construction of high-speed rail lines, starting with the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor, followed by other corridors designated for high-speed rail service.

High-speed rail has been in long use overseas--in Japan with the Bullet train for over 40 years and with the French with their TGV trains that have been in revenue service. I'm excited about the possibility of bringing this technology or similar technology to the United States so that we can open up the Northeast Corridor and can get some cars off the highways and can get people off of planes and into rail service.

I just have to look to Pennsylvania, to the Keystone Corridor from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, which has been a partnership between Amtrak and the States. They have upgraded the lines. They now have service that runs 110 miles an hour between Harrisburg and Philadelphia. In its first year of service, it's up almost 20 percent in ridership. I think that's proof that high-speed rail or that higher speed rail with dependable service is something that Americans will use in significant numbers.

The rail safety component of this bill is equally important, and it will result in a number of things: one being the installation of Positive Train Control by the end of 2015 on all routes that carry passengers and on all mainline routes that carry toxic materials like chlorine. PTC will use state-of-the-art technology to prevent trains from colliding into each other. What happened with the Metrolink disaster possibly could have been avoided or probably would have been avoided if we had had PTC. We are also providing grants to help defray some of these costs because we are mandating it. I think it's the appropriate thing, when we mandate something, to contribute to that cost.

So, as I said, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill. Those who have come to the floor and who have argued in the past against Amtrak, please consider this. As I said, with the private-sector initiatives that are in this bill, it gives us a chance to put those theories forward for practical purposes. So I do urge the passage of this.

Finally, I do want to say thank you to my colleagues: to Chairman Oberstar for his leadership and hard work, to Chairwoman Brown for her hard work and cooperation and for allowing us to participate in a significant manner in the writing of this bill and for putting in some important provisions that we needed to have in here to be able to support this bill, and also to the leader on the Republican side, Mr. Mica, for his leadership and hard work. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to be the ranking

member on this subcommittee. Thank you.

Again, I urge passage.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 589, 590, and 591, I was not present. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall No. 589, ``yes'' on rollcall No. 590, and ``yes'' on rollcall No. 591.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Colonel Robert K. Morgan, pilot of the B-17 Memphis Belle. Colonel Morgan served the United States of America in the Army Air Corp during World War II from 1941-1945 and the United States Air Force Reserve from 1945-1965. Colonel Morgan is being honored by the Kiwanis Club of Altoona on August 20, 2008, at which time his widow, Linda, will reflect upon the great adventures and accomplishments of her husband.

Colonel Morgan was a great serviceman who dedicated much of his life to serving our country. For his service, Colonel Morgan was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters. On May 17, 1943 Colonel Morgan and his crew of the Memphis Belle became the first to complete twenty-five missions over Europe and return to the United States. Colonel Morgan's mission was made into a combat documentary, entitled ``Memphis Belle,'' by Warner Brothers in 1990. Following the historic flight over Europe, Colonel Morgan and his crew departed England in June 1943 for the United States and began a thirty city public relations/war bond tour. Colonel Morgan's crew were recognized as heroes at every stop on their tour and thanked by the American public. Morgan went on to lead the first B-29 bombing raid on Tokyo in 1944, after which he served in the Air Force Reserves and retired as a full Colonel in 1965.

Colonel Morgan's heroic service and leadership in the Army Air Corps during World War II and the United States Air Force Reserve will forever be remembered. His service and dedication brought great pride to our nation, his family, and his community. Colonel Morgan's memory as an Army officer of the highest caliber will not be forgotten. His actions reflected great credit upon himself, his flight crew, and the United States Army. I would like to stand with the Kiwanis Club of Altoona to recognize the late Colonel Robert K. Morgan for all of his leadership and devotion to the United States of America.

Colonel Robert K. Morgan's wife, Linda, his family and friends, and the Kiwanis Club of Altoona are certainly proud of the Colonel's life of service and commitment to our country during a time of war both at home and abroad and it gives me great pleasure to honor his life and selfless service.

Madam Speaker, consistent with the Republican Leadership's policy on earmarks, I am placing this statement in the Congressional Record.

Requesting Member: Congressman Bill Shuster (PA--9).

Bill Number: H.R. 6599--The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs FY09 Appropriations bill.

Project Name: Army Reserve Center, Letterkenny Army Depot.

Account: MILCON, Army Reserve.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Letterkenny Army Depot.

Address of Requesting Entity: Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Description of Request/Justification of Federal Funding:

Provide $14.914 million for Army Reserve Center, Letterkenny Army Depot.

It is my understanding that funding for this project would consolidate three area Army Reserve facilities at the Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD) in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The project will provide a 300 member training facility with administrative areas, classrooms, assembly hall, arms vault, kitchen, equipment storage areas, physical training rooms, and maintenance facilities. LEAD has set aside 7.5 acres of secure federal land for construction of the Reserve Center. The Center will be constructed behind the Letterkenny fence and adjacent to 600 acres of federal land which are used for Reserve training. This facility will also meet all projected force protection and anti-terrorism standards. This project is in the President's FY 2009 budget and the U.S. Army Reserve Fiscal Year 2009 FYDP.

Project Name: Upgrade Munition Igloos, Phase 2, Letterkenny Army Depot.

Account: MILCON, Army.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Letterkenny Army Depot.

Address of Requesting Entity: Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Description of Request / Justification of Federal Funding:

Provide $7.5 million for Upgrade Munition Igloos, Phase 2, Letterkenny Army Depot.

It is my understanding that funding for this project would modify igloo doors and provide concrete ramps to significantly increase productivity and enhance Letterkenny Army Depot's (LEAD), ability to rapidly and safely support mission requirements. Letterkenny is a major receiving, storage, maintenance, and shipping site for both tactical missiles and conventional ammunition. These munitions are stored in 902 igloos constructed in the 1940s to store low technology ammunition that could be carried by hand. 706 of these igloos have 4 foot wide single doors and a two step differential between the pavement and igloo floor. Funding for this project will modify approximately 100 igloos to 10 foot doors and provide concrete ramps direct from the pavement to the igloo. This project is in the U.S. Army Fiscal Year 2011 FYDP. Letterkenny's munitions storage mission continues to grow and its need for upgraded igloos to meet this mission requirement is more immediate than programmed.

Project Name: Carlisle Barracks, Museum Support Facility.

Account: MILCON, Army.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Carlisle Barracks.

Address of Requesting Entity: Carlisle, Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Description of Request/Justification of Federal Funding:

Provide $13.4 million for Museum Support Facility, Carlisle Barracks.

It is my understanding that funding will be used to construct a Museum Support Facility to provide curation, conservation, and storage of historical artifacts and art; conservation of manuscripts and associated paper materials; research areas, office, and associated activities to support the U.S. Army Heritage and Educational Center and other Army historical activities in coordination with the Center of Military History. The facility will also provide a major educational and tourist facility in the Central Pennsylvania region.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments and dedication of the Bedford Rotary Club's 2008 Citizen of the Year, Mr. Glenden Casteel. Mr. Casteel will be recognized for his service at a banquet held in his honor on July 28, 2008.

Over the past decade Mr. Casteel has worked consistently to enhance the value of the community in which he has lived. Since 2003, Mr. Casteel has made every effort as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bedford County Historical Society to lead the society forward in a positive direction. Mr. Casteel's invaluable leadership in this society has opened the door for new beginnings in Bedford. These beginnings include the idea and adoption of a new official flag for Bedford County, as well as, the establishment of ``Bedford County Day''. Mr. Casteel's oversight in both of these new additions truly brings the community together and no doubt illuminates his nomination by the Bedford County Historical Society for the 2008 Citizen of the Year Award.

As a retired school teacher, Mr. Casteel has always understood the immense importance of history and has sought to inform others in his community of the historical uniqueness of Bedford. Historic education is a cornerstone which Mr. Casteel has sought to preserve by helping to establish the Bedford County Heritage Alliance--a coalition to provide a means of cooperation among historians throughout the United States. He also serves as an active member of the Bedford County 250th Anniversary Advisory Group which celebrates the founding of one of the most instrumental counties in Pennsylvania. Mr. Casteel strives to highlight Bedford's venerable historic achievements and bring a community together with knowledge.

As he reflects upon his work as a leader among many, Mr. Casteel can be proud of his life of service with which he has found a great amount of success. Mr. Casteel's dedication has brought a greater appreciation to our area and his accomplishments are a monumental asset to the community. I would like to wish Mr. Glenden Casteel all the best in his future endeavors as he continues to serve Bedford County. I am confident that Mr. Casteel will continue to faithfully contribute his knowledge to the community and I thank him for his dedication and service.

I thank the gentleman for yielding time.

I agree with much of what my colleagues on this side of the aisle have said this evening. I first and foremost commend the chairman for putting forth a bill that is going to increase funding for bridges. Certainly it's a tragedy what happened in Minnesota on I-35, and we have to be concerned in America. But our bridges are in grave danger of those types of incidents occurring. Pennsylvania has thousands of bridges that are in a deficient state, and we need to address that.

This bill, though, in talking to leadership at Penn DOT, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, today, they have grave concern, as I do, that in this bill--I'm not clear how extensively it reduces the flexibility for our States to be able to move money around where they need to do it. I know Pennsylvania, in the past, has been criticized, saying we don't spend as much as we are authorized and appropriated for bridges. But, in fact, because of the flexibility in the past, Pennsylvania spends almost double on fixing new bridges because they're able to move money around in a commonsense way to rebuild bridges that need attention. So I'm concerned that this bill is going to restrict the flexibility.

I'm not quite sure, as we're reading the language and we're trying to work through this to try to understand it, if this legislation is going to reduce the flexibility in the nearly billion dollars that's out there, or if it's going to reach back into our highway funds that we have now, it's going to create stringent requirements on them.

The second thing that concerns me is that there appears to be a new certification program for bridge inspectors. And Pennsylvania, I believe, leads the Nation in training and certifying people to go out and inspect bridges. In fact, in Pennsylvania, it's not always an engineer who's an inspector, but it's somebody who has a tremendous amount of experience building bridges, working around bridges that has gone out and certified these bridges.

And in talking to Pennsylvania today, the Penn DOT, they expressed to me that if this certification program moves forward, it's going to hamper their ability to continue to go out and inspect bridges and decide which bridges need to be dealt with.

In addition to that, the certification program, Penn DOT expressed to me today that it could cost as much as $30 million to recertify bridges under a Federal regime. And as I said, Pennsylvania is a State where we have several thousand bridges that are in desperate need. Pennsylvania is a leader in moving forward, trying to rehab these bridges, making sure they're safe so we don't see tragedies occurring.

And then finally, the risk-based priority regulations in this bill. Pennsylvania doesn't have hurricanes, Pennsylvania doesn't face those kinds of risks. And it's a concern that, with this type of Federal regulation, are we in Pennsylvania going to be hurt by this mandate that's put in place or this type of risk-based priority? Because we do have, as I said, several thousand--I

believe the number is 9,000--bridges that need attention today.

So I have grave reservations about this. I'm trying to work through the bill and trying to understand all that it puts forward, but these are some of the concerns that I've had, not just from me working through the legislation, but in talking to the experts in Pennsylvania. So there are grave concerns here. And again, at this point, I'm going to hold my judgment until I continue to work through the bill and try to understand it.

I certainly would yield to the gentleman.

I appreciate the gentleman's comments. And those are certainly all things we need to consider.

And I raise these issues not because I have a deep understanding of this law, but when I talk to the experts back in Pennsylvania, they raised the concerns that--we have good intentions down here sometimes in the Federal Government in Washington, but when the language comes out, it doesn't exactly meet up to our expectations, and certainly not back to the professionals back in Pennsylvania that are working hard day and night trying to make sure these bridges are taken care of.

But they've expressed to me--and again, I'm going to be in consultation with them tomorrow and hopefully committee staff to make sure that we understand that these aren't putting impediments in place to the State of Pennsylvania, in particular, because we have a tremendous need to fix, repair and replace these bridges that are in very, very bad condition. So I appreciate the gentleman's words and will certainly be talking with the staff.

Absolutely.

I thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, last week I traveled across my district to talk about energy and announce my legislation, H.R. 6421, the Energy Independence Act. My district is fed up with what Congress has not done. It is time for us to do something when it comes to investing in domestic energy policy, and my legislation does just that.

Number one, it opens the Outer Continental Shelf to drilling. Two, it creates a tax credit to develop coal-to-liquid fuel technologies and projects. Three, it opens up ANWR and puts regulations and restrictions on it to make sure that ANWR is developed responsibly. Four, it creates an alternative energy trust fund to pay for renewables and alternative energies. And five, it streamlines the licensing process to allow for new nuclear power plants in our country.

Drilling alone will not earn us energy independence, but it is a critical step that we must do coupled with investment in alternative and renewable energies. Let's join together to begin to solve the energy problem in this country. Americans demand it; but more importantly, they deserve it.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I offer my congratulations to the members and leadership of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1801 in Somerset, Pennsylvania, who will celebrate their 100th anniversary on July 30, 2008.

Originally founded in 1898 by a group of theatre owners, the Fraternal Order of Eagles was created to act as a social haven for the like-minded. As the Fraternal Order of Eagles spread throughout the United States, they sought, as they continue to do so today, to establish a fraternal system to encourage and provide assistance to members and their families through a system of mutual insurance which provided death benefits. In 1908, the citizens of Somerset organized the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #1801. Over the past one hundred years Aerie #1801 has focused on achieving their original objective, to ``make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness, and hope.'' They have truly succeeded in their quest.

Throughout its history, the Fraternal Order of Eagles has sought to leave a truly memorable past on the pages of history. Not only does the Eagles' historical participation consist of seven U.S. presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, but they have also been incredibly charitable. Across the United States the Eagles donate more than $100 million every year to charities. Members of Aerie #1801 lift up their community as well as surrounding communities by raising funds for a multitude of local and national charities. These charities include the Golden Eagles Fund, Robert Hansen Diabetes Fund, and the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund. Through actively pursuing lifting up those around them, the Eagles Aerie #1801 has truly been an integral part of Somerset, Pennsylvania. The leadership and members of Aerie #1801 have continuously provided Somerset with examples of civic leadership, charitable giving, and improving the borough in ways great and small. The Eagles have made Somerset an immeasurably enhanced place to live, work, and raise families.

The Somerset Fraternal Order of Eagles has provided a trustworthy atmosphere which has worked to help a multitude of men, women, and children throughout its history. I would like to congratulate the members and leadership of Aerie #1801 and Eagles who have assembled from across the country to be in Somerset on this occasion. I look forward to celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of such a wonderful organization, as it has brought a greater appreciation to our area and has surely been an asset to the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th Anniversary of Mutual Benefit Insurance Company, a successful business located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Incorporated in 1908, Mutual Benefit is an irreplaceable attribute to the business community in both Pennsylvania and Maryland.

At its founding, Mutual Benefit served the residents of Corry, Pennsylvania and was originally known as the Corry Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The company's strong foundation foreshadowed its future successes. In 1934, Corry Mutual's charter was offered to W. Emmert Swigart, founder of Swigart Associates, one of the largest insurance agencies in the state of Pennsylvania. This financially beneficial relationship lasted almost 50 years, until 1983 when the two companies split into separate entities once more. At this time Mutual Benefit found themselves competing once again against one of the largest insurance companies within the state of Pennsylvania. Led by a driven team of leaders, Mutual Benefit rose to this challenge and exemplified many attributes which have worked to set them apart from their competition. Through active leadership, unparalleled trustworthiness, and service to the community Mutual Benefit has become one of the most respected regional carriers in Pennsylvania.

One hundred years after its humble beginning, Mutual Benefit Group now guarantees nearly $100 million through 250 independent agents located in both Pennsylvania and Maryland. Not only do they serve 78,000 policyholders, but they also serve as an important part of the community by employing 204 people. Known for its customer service, stability and experience, Mutual Benefit Group was recognized as the number one insurance carrier in Pennsylvania and Maryland in 2006.

Mutual Benefit Insurance Company has endeavored throughout its history to improve its policies and atmosphere to fit the needs of the surrounding community. I look forward to celebrating the 100th anniversary of such a wonderful organization, as it has brought a greater appreciation to our area and has surely been an asset to the community. I congratulate Mutual Benefit on reaching this significant milestone and wish the company all the best in its future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, today the average price of gas in the Ninth Congressional District of Pennsylvania is over $4 a gallon. It has had a dramatic impact on families and small businesses across my district and across Pennsylvania.

The American people know that drilling isn't the only answer, which my colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to say, but they do know it is a huge part of the solution. They also know that it will have the greatest impact in the shortest period of time. It is a real solution.

The American people also know that we can explore and drill in places like ANWR and off the coast of the United States. We can do it in environmentally safe ways and extract tremendous amounts of energy in those parts of the world.

The American people also know that this Congress has done nothing, has done nothing to solve the problem at the pump, has done nothing to help this economy with solving our oil and energy crisis that we face today. This Congress needs to act. We need to stop talking and limiting our options available to us. The American people are crying out for us to solve their problem and help them and help this economy grow.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic efforts and dedication of Rendy and Renee Mao. Throughout the past months, Rendy and his sister Renee have worked tirelessly to raise money to feed victims of the devastating earthquake which hit Sichuan Province, China on May 12, 2008.

The Maos' idea of fundraising for earthquake relief began from within the classroom. One of the student's teachers suggested looking further into current events occurring across the globe. Teachers across America plant important seeds in the minds of children, and Rendy's German teacher at Mercersburg Academy is no exception. Through educational discussions about the importance of global awareness and global connections, a teacher sparked the mind of not only Rendy Mao, but also Renee Mao. Together, these students realized the immensity of the devastation which ravaged rural China and felt the need to act. Their decision to act led them to set a goal of raising five thousand dollars by June 30, 2008 for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake. If this goal is reached, over five thousand earthquake victims will be fed for a day. This laudable decision has set an example for all of us.

In order to make their dream of helping others a reality, Rendy and Renee began to increase awareness in their community through several steps. First, they focused on alerting the public to the events which had crumbled part of a nation, through word of mouth and flyers. The flyers provided a variety of information on the earthquake as well as outlined their planned actions for the funding of their effort. As their message spread, the number of volunteers throughout the community increased, which multiplied the effectiveness of their efforts. The goal of this drive is not only to raise money to support the needs of the victims, but also to assure the victims that their plight has not gone unnoticed and will not be ignored. The teens have collected hundreds of signatures to demonstrate to the victims that residents of Franklin County, Pennsylvania support them by sending not only financial aid but also their thoughts and prayers.

These students have truly practiced what they have been taught and have set an example for communities throughout this nation and the world. As Rendy and Renee reflect upon their work and their dedication to helping others, they can certainly be proud of their service to the community of the Sichuan Province. These two students are wonderful representatives of Pennsylvania. They have exhibited compassion and determination to help others who are less fortunate than themselves. The Maos, along with the community of Franklin County, all deserve our thanks and congratulations on their hard work toward giving an extraordinary $5,000 contribution to the victims of the Sichuan Province earthquake. I would like to wish Rendy and Renee the best in their future endeavors as they continue to serve Franklin County and the world. I thank them for their far-reaching commitment and service as they continue to add greatness to their community.