Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fire Chief Reynold ``Renny'' Santone, Jr. of the Altoona Fire Department, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, who has been named ``Person of the Year'' by the Blair Bedford Central Labor Council. The distinguished fire chief was nominated for the award by his fellow members of the fire department. Chief Santone, marking 41 years of protecting the Altoona Area, was recently presented with this distinguished award at the Labor Council's annual awards dinner.

This award honors people like Santone ``who work for a living and who are well respected and well-loved'' for their contributions to employees, co-workers and the community, said the Blair Bedford Central Labor Council's President Robert Kurtz, while delivering remarks at the event. President Kurtz commended Fire Chief Santone, saying that he is ``not a paper chief'' who distances himself from his firefighters, but that ``he's out there in the trenches with them.''

Chief Santone joined ranks with the Altoona Fire Department in 1965, and looking back on the day he joined the force, said: ``They hired me on April Fool's Day. What I was really waiting for was the red International Association of Fire Fighters sticker--to me that means I was a real professional firefighter.''

Chief Santone has certainly proved his abilities as a firefighter in the Altoona Area. Fifteen years after joining the department, Firefighter Reynold Santone was named fire chief in 1984. Today, he leads the department's 4 fire stations and a standing staff of 13 on call firefighters. Chief Santone remarked, ``I've always known what I've wanted to do and where I wanted to be,'' saying that he expects to retire from the same station on Washington Avenue that he joined in 1965.

Fire Chief Reynold ``Renny'' Santone, Jr.'s dedication to the protection of our local community, and its citizens, is admirable. We hope that others will follow in his footsteps and serve our community with the same pride and honor as Chief Santone has done for the past 41 years.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5546) to designate the Federal courthouse to be constructed in Greenville, South Carolina, as the ``Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Federal Courthouse,'' as amended.

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

H.R. 5546, introduced by Representative Bob Inglis of South Carolina, designates the United States Courthouse to be constructed in Greenville, South Carolina, as the Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Federal Courthouse. The bill honors former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Congressman Carroll A. Campbell, Jr.

In 1970, Governor Campbell's political career began with his election to the South Carolina House of Representatives, and later served in the South Carolina Senate. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 until his election as Governor in 1986.

As Governor of South Carolina, Campbell coordinated his State's response to Hurricane Hugo and lured large industry to the State. After two terms in office, Governor Campbell was prevented from seeking a third term by term limits.

In 2001, at the relatively young age of 61, Governor Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Governor Campbell passed away after a severe heart attack on December 7, 2005.

This is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant and a former Member of this Chamber. I support this legislation and encourage all my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5606) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 221 and 211 West Ferguson Street in Tyler, Texas, as the ``William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

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

H.R. 5606, introduced by my good friends Ralph Hall and Louie Gohmert of Texas, designates the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 221 and 211 West Ferguson Street in Tyler, Texas, as the William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse. This bill honors William Steger, who dedicated most of his life to Federal service.

Judge Steger's service began in 1941 when he joined the Army Air Corps the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. By 1952, Judge Steger was a seasoned attorney and appointed to serve as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas by President Eisenhower.

Judge Steger's career as a judge began in 1970 with an appointment to the Federal bench by President Nixon. During his tenure, he closed more than 6,500 cases, issued several landmark decisions and was rarely reversed on an appeal. Judge Steger passed away June 4, 2006.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5026) to designate the Investigations Building of the Food and Drug Administration located at 466 Fernandez Juncos Avenue in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the ``Andres Toro Building''.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5026, introduced by Representative Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico, designates the Investigations Building of the Food and Drug Administration located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the Andres Toro Building.

Andres Toro was the Director of the Compliance Division of the FDA San Juan district office. He joined the FDA in 1977 as an investigator in the San Juan district office and worked his way up through the ranks to Director of the Compliance Division. He is the first and only Puerto Rican to have risen to this high government rank in the FDA without taking a position off the island, and received many awards along the way.

Mr. Toro played a major role in some of the most unprecedented regulatory cases the FDA has initiated against the food and drug industry. He was known for his dedication and commitment in preserving and protecting public health.

Mr. Toro's life of public service came to an end when a sudden heart attack claimed his life June 24, 2005. This bill is a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant.

I support the legislation, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6051) to designate the Federal building located at 2 South Main Street in Akron, Ohio, as the ``John F. Seiberling Federal Building,'' as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6051, introduced by my good friend, Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, designates the Federal Building and Courthouse located in Akron, Ohio, as the John F. Seiberling Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

John Seiberling was born in 1918 in Akron, Ohio. He received his degree from Harvard University and his law degree from Columbia School of Law. After 4 years of duty with the Army during World War II, Seiberling began a career in private practice.

After more than 20 years as an attorney, Seiberling was elected to the 92nd Congress and served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 16 years as a representative of the 14th District of Ohio. During his eight terms in the U.S. Congress, Representative Seiberling led the fight to establish some of our country's most important urban parks, and has received the title of ``patron saint'' of many of today's national parks.

In 1992, Representative Seiberling joined the faculty of the University of Akron's School of Law in Akron, Ohio. He currently resides in Akron, Ohio.

I support this legislation, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1556) to designate a parcel of land located on the site of the Thomas F.

Eagleton United States Courthouse in St. Louis, Missouri, as the ``Clyde S. Cahill Memorial Park''.

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

H.R. 1556, introduced by Representative Lacy Clay, designates a parcel of land located on the site of the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse in St. Louis, Missouri as the Clyde S. Cahill Memorial Park. The bill honors Judge Clyde S. Cahill, who was the first African American to be appointed to the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Missouri.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and acquiring a law degree from St. Louis University Law School, Judge Clyde S. Cahill engaged in the private practice of law in 1951. From 1958 through 1968, he served as chief legal adviser to the Missouri NAACP. While with the NAACP, he filed the first lawsuit in Missouri to implement the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, helping to end school segregation in Missouri.

Judge Cahill was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in 1980. Judge Cahill had a reputation for being courteous and compassionate. He passed away on August 18, 2004, at age 81.

I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2322) to designate the Federal building located at 320 North Main Street in McAllen, Texas, as the ``Kika de la Garza Federal Building''.

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

H.R. 2322, introduced by Representative Lloyd Doggett, designates the Federal building located in McAllen, Texas, as the Kika de la Garza Federal Building. The bill honors former Congressman Kika de la Garza from Texas, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 32 years.

Congressman de la Garza started his career of civil service early when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. After his military service, he earned a law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Following law school, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, where he served for six consecutive terms. Representative de la Garza was elected in 1964 to the U.S. House of Representatives.

During his 32 years of service in Washington, de la Garza accomplished countless goals and participated in a number of historic events, including the creation of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

This bill is a fitting tribute to former Representative de la Garza. I support this legislation, and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 4981, as amended; H.R. 6051, as amended, H.R. 1556; H.R. 5546, as amended; H.R. 5606; H.R. 5026; and

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2832) to reauthorize and improve the program authorized by the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 2832 reauthorizes and improves the Appalachian Regional Commission, the ARC. I want to point out very early on that there are no earmarks in this legislation.

The ARC has been a successful program for the past 40 years and has helped reduce the Appalachian region's poverty level, cut the infant mortality rate, increased the percentage of adults with a high school diploma, provided water and sewer services to a significant number of households and businesses, and created new jobs.

S. 2832 is a simple 5-year reauthorization, increasing authorization levels to adjust for inflation. The reauthorization also makes a minor change to the economic status designations of ARC counties. Currently ARC has four statutory designations which are determined by the unemployment rate, per capita income and poverty rate of each ARC county.

The bill creates an additional designation to assist counties that are at

risk, yet don't fully qualify as distressed. Currently these counties may only be funded up to 50 percent of project costs. At-risk counties have fragile economies and have significant difficulty meeting the current 50 percent match rate to participate in the program.

In many cases, at-risk counties were recently distressed and eligible for an 80 percent Federal match. The addition of the ``at risk'' designation will further assist counties as they transition from distressed to the transitional designation and fund projects in these counties up to 70 percent of the project costs.

The ARC is viewed by most as a successful model for economic development, and the ARC has done a great job encouraging local economic development by making use of local resources for the benefit of the community.

It was recently estimated that each dollar of ARC funding leveraged $2.57 in other public funding and $8.46 in related private funding. The ability to leverage a large amount of other public and private funding makes ARC a very valuable tool for our communities.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is a vital tool for economic development in Appalachia, and the program will end in 10 days unless we pass S. 2832 today. I want to repeat, the program will end in 10 days unless we pass S. 2832 today. We must ensure continuation of the successful program and further express our support of the hard-working people in the Appalachian region.

I want to remind my fellow colleagues that there are no earmarks in this reauthorization.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of S. 2832.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to remind the gentleman, my good friend from Tennessee, that if we oppose this legislation, in 10 days this important legislation and important Commission will expire, so it is imperative that we pass this piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), who has been a great leader on moving forward this reauthorization bill.

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

The gentleman from Minnesota, I appreciate the fact that he loves ARC, but more importantly to me, the gentleman's passion for ARC is most impressive, especially noting that he does not hail from the Appalachian region, which I do, and the people of the Appalachian region that I hail from. Small towns like Hymen, Pennsylvania, and Salisbury, and counties like Fayette and Huntington County, they have seen the good works of the Appalachian Regional Commission, and we do not want to lose that.

I am not so bold to try to explain to the gentleman the legislative process. He knows far better than most in this Chamber that we have been able to, in the Senate bill, get some significant provisions in there that we wanted authorizing as an at-risk category, which is extremely important to counties all throughout the Appalachian region, increasing the authorization funding amounts in this bill.

So the gentleman knows those provisions are in there, and as I said earlier, if we do not act in 10 days, this will sunset. This will terminate. It will end and we may lose it forever, which I am not willing to take that risk. I do not believe that the Senate is going to pass that appropriations bill in 10 days, and as I said, as I read the legislation, it will sunset. It will terminate.

I would encourage Members to look at that fact, and I am willing to work with the gentleman to move forward, because I do understand your concerns about earmarking. And I want to remind Members of this Chamber, there are no earmarks in this reauthorization. This bill is going to move forward and make sure that the ARC survives for another 5 years and can continue to do the great work that it has done in the 13 States in that region.

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

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

Once again, I understand the gentleman's concern, and I would suggest that we take care of this earmarking problem in the appropriations process. I know that the Senate bill has language in their appropriations bills that deal with this, and I think that is the appropriate place to do it.

Again, I have great concern if we do not reauthorize this and get it to the President's desk that we, in fact, could sunset and terminate this program. That is something that I am not willing to take the risk on.

Once again, I appreciate the gentleman's support for ARC, his passion for ARC. I want to remind my colleagues that there are no earmarks in this reauthorization bill and that I would encourage my colleagues to vote to continue ARC, the Appalachian Regional Commission's positive impact that it has had, extremely positive impact it has had on our region of the country that needs it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4653) to repeal a prohibition on the use of certain funds for tunneling in certain areas with respect to the Los Angeles to San Fernando Valley Metro Rail project, California.

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

H.R. 4653 repeals a 20-year-old prohibition on the use of certain Federal transit funds to tunnel in the San Fernando Valley area west of Los Angeles.

In 1985, an explosion of naturally occurring methane gas blew up a department store in the Wilshire Boulevard

corridor in Los Angeles, injuring 22 people. Concerned about the safety of tunneling in this area of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles City Council created a task force to investigate the explosion. The task force identified methane risk zones along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor.

In 1985, the Los Angeles Red Line subway line was in the planning and design stage. Since then, the Red Line has been completely funded and built and has been in operation since 1993, with an extension to North Hollywood that was completed in 2000.

The fiscal year 1986 transportation appropriations bill included a legislative provision that prohibits the use of Federal transit funds associated with the Los Angeles project for tunneling in or through an identified methane risk zone. The language was written very broadly, binding future funds provided by Congress and affecting all parts of the Metro Rail subway project, including future extensions.

However, in November of 2005, a panel of engineering experts reported that tunneling along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor can be done safely if proper procedures and appropriate techniques are used.

This bill, H.R. 4653, was introduced by Congressman Waxman in December of 2005 and will repeal the current prohibition on tunneling in the Wilshire Boulevard corridor. With its passage, a more comprehensive transportation planning process can take place in the corridor, and future transportation proposals that involve tunneling will be eligible for Federal funding.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 4653.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I just want to encourage my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 4653, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3858) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield to the gentleman from Connecticut, who is the prime mover on H.R. 3858, Mr. Shays.

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

I am pleased to be here today to pass an important reform to our emergency management system. Like many Americans, I watched in disbelief last year as our government struggled to respond to the death and destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. I believe we were all shocked by FEMA's performance, given FEMA's outstanding reputation just a few years earlier.

Breaking FEMA up and burying its pieces within the massive Homeland Security bureaucracy was a mistake, I believe. Since Hurricane Katrina, the Transportation Committee, the Select Committee on Hurricane Katrina, held dozens of hearings on Katrina and drafted the most comprehensive report on reforming our emergency management system.

Just a few days ago the chairman of the authorizing committees, Chairman Young, Chairman Davis, Chairman King, Chairman Reichert and I reached an agreement with the Senate authorizers to rebuild FEMA and reform the Nation's emergency management system. With the leadership, authority and resources necessary to respond effectively to the next disaster, FEMA can once again be a premier agency within the Federal Government.

I am pleased to have one of these specific reforms on the floor today, H.R. 3858, the PETS Act, that ensures the needs of people with household pets and service animals are considered by State and local emergency preparedness plans.

The Senate amended the PETS Act to permit FEMA to fund structures that will accommodate pets and service animals and provide essential assistance to people with pets and service animals following a disaster.

People become very attached to their pets. I have a Wheaton terrier that has become part of the family, and it would be very difficult to leave Chloe behind in a disaster. I certainly can understand and empathize with those folks who have household pets.

I would like to thank Chairman Young, who is an original sponsor of this legislation for his leadership and guidance on the bill, and on the broader emergency management reform bill that will be on the floor, we hope, next week.

I would also like to commend Mr. Shays for his dedication and hard work in moving this legislation. Mr. Shays has been a champion of this issue and has worked to ensure that owners don't have to make a choice between their personal safety and their pet's safety.

I would also like to commend Mr. Shays for his leadership on the committee's investigating response to Hurricane Katrina. He worked tirelessly to resolve the flaws in our Nation's emergency management system that became apparent during Hurricane Katrina.

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

That is my understanding, yes, sir.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I will close very quickly because I am in danger of being labeled as a big softy if I give too much in the way of closing comments. I will close by just asking all of my colleagues to support this piece of legislation which is important to millions and millions of Americans.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have up to 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 2832, H.R. 4653 and H.R. 3858.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in solemn support of this resolution

Five years after worst terror attack in U.S. history, the American people's steadfast support for the families and victims of 9/11 is a symbol of the perseverance that we, as a country, have maintained.

The memorial services held around the country on Monday were a sobering reminder of the horror we, as a nation, faced that day.

Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon here in Washington, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania are sacred ground. I am proud to represent Shanksville, Pennsylvania in Congress--the heroes of Flight 93 did what all Americans hope and pray they would have the courage to do in the face of terror. They stood up for freedom and sacrificed themselves to save countless others. They were the first counter-attack in the War on Terror.

Flight 93 was believed to be headed for the Capitol that ill-fated day five years ago. Many of us here today may have been in mortal danger had it not been for the brave passengers on that flight.

I would like to thank the heroes of Flight 93 and their families for their sacrifice, for being the first line of defense against terror, and for showing the world our strength, our resolve and our courage as Americans.

My prayers are with the families of the victims of 9/11.

I thank the gentleman, and, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5013, to help ensure the American people retain their rights to defend their families and property during the chaos which may follow during a disaster.

I also want to commend Congressman Jindal, the sponsor of this bill, and Congressman Kuhl for their hard work in bringing it to the floor today. The gentleman from Louisiana saw the breakdown of law and order following Hurricane Katrina and understands more than most why we need this bill. Congressman Kuhl serves with me on the Emergency Management Subcommittee and is a long-standing champion of our second amendment rights. They both deserve the lion's share of credit for protecting our rights today.

I wish I could say that this bill wasn't needed, but after Katrina I know that it is. Following Katrina's devastation, thousands of law- abiding citizens found themselves in a desperate situation where chaos reigned and the police were overwhelmed. Under these circumstances, bedrock American principles, such as neighbor helping neighbor, self- reliance, self-defense, and even the right to bear arms were often the key to survival.

This bill is needed, because under those horrible conditions, too many Americans were denied their basic rights and had their legal firearms seized. That is simply wrong and must be changed before the next disaster strikes.

I also want to make clear, as I believe Mr. Jindal has made clear, that this bill does not suspend any existing law enforcement, local, State, or Federal; nor does it somehow make it legal to use firearms in a way that is otherwise illegal. I want to repeat that, because some today are trying to confuse that. This bill does not spend any existing law enforcement power, local State, or Federal; nor does it somehow make it legal to use firearms in a way that is otherwise illegal.

If people use their guns illegally, then law enforcement has the legal authority to apprehend suspects and seize their guns. Nothing in this bill changes that.

In closing, let me again thank Mr. Jindal and Mr. Kuhl for their leadership on this issue, and I look forward to working with them and other Members to move this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5187) to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize additional appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for fiscal year 2007.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5187.

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

H.R. 5187 was introduced by Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar on April 25, 2006. The bill amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize additional appropriations for the Kennedy Center for fiscal year 2007.

The current authorization for fiscal year 2007 is $36 million for the capital projects and the maintenance, repair and security accounts. H.R. 5187 raises the previously authorized level for fiscal year 2007 from $36 million to $39.1 million to align the authorized level with that requested in the President's budget.

The slight increase in authorization will allow the Kennedy Center to proceed with the scheduled renovation of the Eisenhower Theater. Programing for the theater has been cancelled because of the renovation. It is critical that renovation proceed as scheduled to minimize the time the theater is offline. The additional authorization will also allow the Kennedy Center to continue necessary operations, maintenance requirements, including many life safety upgrades.

H.R. 5187 will help ensure that the Kennedy Center is authorized to use all funds appropriated in support of the President's budget for fiscal year 2007.

I support this measure, and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.