Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel James Eli Crowther, a distinguished officer who served his country and his home state of Pennsylvania throughout his life. As a native of Tyrone, the Colonel was the third Burgess (Mayor) of Tyrone and was serving in that capacity as the American Civil War began.

Colonel Crowther served the Pennsylvania militia in the mid 1800's, where he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Washington Infantry in early August of 1842. From there he was again commissioned as a First Lieutenant for the Tyrone Artillery in early July of 1858. Less than one year later he began service as the Caption of the Tyrone Cavalry. His command of that Cavalry was influential during the first 90 days of service at the beginning of the American Civil War. The Cavalry then became Company D of the 14th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Crowther volunteered as an Officer through the Civil War, commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel in 1861 and then Colonel in March of 1863. It was less than 2 months later that Colonel James E. Crowther was killed in action at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863.

His service to his country was noble, and his rank was earned through hard work and dedication to American principles and values. The leadership that Colonel Crowther displayed throughout his service and lifetime is to be remembered and respected as our country continues to move forward honoring those values.

In his memory, the Colonel Crowther Foundation was established. This organization's intent is to protect, teach and re-live the rich and storied history of Pennsylvania and continue to honor the distinguished Colonel. As can be found in their mission statement, the Foundation strives to `create a living heritage environment where preservation is enhanced by demonstration and education.' It is only through our history that we are able to create a future.

As a tribute to this man's great accomplishments the Tyrone Borough Council has declared Saturday August 6th, 2006 to be Colonel Crowther Day. Crowther's military service to the state of Pennsylvania and our country will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, July 17, 2006, I could not be present for rollcall votes 375, 376, and 377 due to a previous commitment in my district.

Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes: ``yes'' on rollcall 375 (H.R. 3085--To amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail); ``no'' on rollcall 376 (H.R. 3496-- National Capital Transportation Amendments Act of 2005); and ``yes'' on rollcall 377 (H.R. 3729--Federal Judiciary Emergency Tolling Act of 2005).

Mr. Speaker, in a letter to a friend, Benjamin Franklin wrote that ``In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.'' The two will soon go hand in hand unless Congress acts to fully and permanently repeal the Death Tax. After a lifetime of paying taxes the Death Tax unfairly imposes a double tax on small, family-owned businesses and farms. Our family farmers appear rich on paper, but in reality are two poor growing seasons from bankruptcy. The Death Tax does not discriminate--it just forces the family to sell off the land to another larger farm in order to pay the tax. If Congress truly cares about the family farmer the best thing that can be done is to kill the Death Tax.

Mr. Speaker, most small business owners have the entire value of their business in their estate. With the Death Tax, the government immediately ``inherits'' a 37 to 55 percent piece of the estate, a blow that many family businesses and farms cannot survive. Taxing small business owner's hard work in death punishes their families and threatens family businesses across the country. The mere threat of the tax forces business owners to spend thousands of dollars on accountants, lawyers, and financial planners so that they can attempt to ensure the survival of their business after their death.

Mr. Speaker, I grew up on a family farm, and owned and operated a small business before serving in this House. The Death Tax is real and has tangible effects on real people. The Death Tax penalizes hard- working family farmers and business owners hoping to pass on their land or shop--their legacy--onto their children. The Death Tax is an insult to all those who spend a lifetime of hard work to ensure that their children can continue the family business.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have until midnight, Friday, June 23, 2006, to file a report to accompany the bill, H.R. 5316, the RESPOND Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nancy Pyle, President of Heartland Hall, Inc. of Bedford, Pennsylvania, who has been honored as the 2006 Citizen of the Year by the Bedford Rotary Club. The Club annually recognizes a local individual who epitomizes the Rotary Motto of ``Service Above Self.''

Nancy Pyle has made numerous and significant contributions to her community. After a distinguished 16-year career in the healthcare industry holding positions that ranged from hospital staff nurse to management, Nancy embarked on a new challenge. In July 2004, she displayed vision and enthusiasm in building a new hi-tech conference center to serve Bedford County. Heartland Hall opened in 2005 with Nancy as its President, bringing a wealth of new opportunities for businesses, organizations, and families in the region.

Today, not only is Nancy a successful businesswoman who remains active in the medical field, but she is selflessly devoted to serving her family and community. She is a dedicated wife, and mother of three children. And she consistently finds time to be involved in numerous local organizations. Nancy has touched many lives in a positive way through her association with an impressive list of groups like Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the March of Dimes, the county Drug-Free Schools Task Force, the Bedford County Redevelopment Authority, and the Chamber of Commerce and Arts Council, just to name a few.

The thousands of people who know Nancy Pyle--and who have benefited from her hard work and dedication--would certainly join me in thanking Nancy for her contributions to business, community, and family, as well as serving as an inspiration for the spirit of chivalrous virtue.

Mr. Speaker, I want to first rise tonight to thank the men and women of our military for their efforts in Iraq, in Afghanistan and other places around the world in the war on terror. Their sacrifice, their families' sacrifice, has value and will never, never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, there are many members of the minority that have forgotten an important lesson of history, and that is you cannot appease tyrants and evil. We need to remember the 1930s, the voice of Winston Churchill that said we must confront Hitler and the Nazis as they began to build up the German military machine. Well, we waited and we waited until they invaded their neighbors. And it was the blood and lives of hundreds of thousands of Europeans and Americans that defeated that evil.

In the 1960s and the 1970s, we failed to confront the growing Soviet threat. We waited and we waited until Ronald Reagan inspired this Nation to have the will to stand up to the Soviets and engage them in an arms buildup that cost Americans billions of dollars, but bankrupted the Soviets, and we defeated that evil.

In the 1990s the terrorists attacked us over and over again. We failed to respond, as President Clinton dismantled our intelligence capabilities. Appeasement does not work. History shows us that over and over again.

President Bush learned this lesson, and he and this Congress did not wait until Saddam had nuclear weapons. We acted on intelligence, not just our intelligence, but intelligence from agencies around the world. We thought it was accurate. Unfortunately, it was wrong. But it took us going into Iraq to find out that he did not have the biological, chemical and nuclear capabilities we thought he might be building. But we removed a tyrant. We freed a people and we focused the war on terror in Iraq. And today we are helping to build a democracy in an Arab world which can be a model to other nations to create liberty, justice and, most importantly, hope, hope for a better tomorrow for millions of Arabs.

We must stay the course, as this resolution states, until Iraq can secure its nation and we defeat terror. This struggle will be as long as it is hard. But in the end, the lesson of history will be reaffirmed that appeasement is a failed strategy, and that sacrifice for freedom is always worthwhile.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John L. ``Jack'' Asher, who has played a vital role in the development of Asher's Chocolates, in Lewistown and Souderton, Pennsylvania, over the last 51 years. Started by his grandfather in 1892, Jack has led the company since 1966.

With over 1,000 molds, Asher's can be respected as one of the largest candy molding companies, and one of the oldest family owned and operated candy manufacturers in America. The time-tested recipe for success is epitomized in the daily operation of one of the foremost confectioners in the country. I owned a small business for years and I understand, along with many others across Pennsylvania, the day-in and day-out work it takes to succeed. I applaud Jack for his commitment to his community and his business.

In early April, Jack was bestowed with the national honor of induction into the Candy Hall of Fame. This award recognizes Jack for his life's achievements and dedication to the company, as his contributions to the business and the confectionery industry are immeasurable.

As our economy continues to move in the right direction, our small businesses are the driving force. These businesses make up our communities, neighborhoods and towns. The Pennsylvanians who have benefited from the efforts of Asher's Chocolates--as employees, chocolate lovers and more--would certainly join me in thanking Jack for his contributions to the community and the economy, as well as serving as an inspiration for the spirit of familial virtue.

Mr. Chairman, I raise a point of order against the paragraph.

Mr. Chairman, I raise a point of order against the phrase beginning with the comma on page 38, line 11, through ``funds'' on line 14.

This provision violates clause 2 of rule XXI. It changes existing law and therefore constitutes legislating on an appropriation bill in violation of the House rules.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to my colleague's amendment, which seeks to eliminate an important research and development program that would take place in the Juniata locomotive shop, which is in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Yes, that is my district. I am proud to stand up and take claim for this earmark.

But I am also proud to stand up and say this has been authorized. This has gone through the authorization program, and it has gone through the appropriations committees.

In the 2005 Energy Bill that we passed, the Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2005, we are pushing, we are prodding, we are forcing our companies in this country to reduce emissions. And when we are encouraging and when we are prodding and forcing people to do that, companies to do that, I think that we have an obligation to assist in getting those things developed

and doing the public and private assistance that comes together to reduce emissions, especially in our aging diesel fleet in the rail industry.

In 2006, the rail industry will embark on a new program to produce cleaner locomotives that utilize conventional truck engines to charge large stacks of batteries that power locomotives. In this account also there is a 50/50 match on this legislation. But what this earmark does, it is a 90/10. Norfolk Southern is providing 90 percent of the funding to do this important research and develop this initiative, and the taxpayers are putting in 10 percent.

This new hybrid locomotive will reduce harmful emissions, increase fuel efficiency and take locomotive research and development in a new direction.

The freight rail industry consumed over 4 billion gallons of diesel fuel in 2005 and freight rail traffic has grown at unprecedented levels in the past 3 years. Finding new technologies to save fuel in the movement of freight will benefit everybody.

Additionally, it is important to note that any technology gains from this project and research development will be open to the public. So this a 10 percent investment by the public, and everybody will benefit. General Electric will benefit. The other rail companies will benefit by this research and development.

Further, Mr. Chairman, this is about more than just reducing energy use. It is about improving our environment.

I prefer working cooperatively with the private sector to reduce harmful emissions of nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. This program seeks to accomplish this as well.

Last year, America's freight rail industry spent nearly $1 billion on new locomotive purchases. This money helped buy newer, more fuel efficient equipment.

While the newer locomotives are 40 percent more fuel efficient than just a decade ago, we need to take the next step in moving emissions reductions to extremely low levels, something we cannot accomplish with conventional locomotive engines.

This program will encourage industry to work on a prototype hybrid ultra-low emissions locomotive that will reduce nitrous oxide emissions by 80 to 90 percent, which is the primary component of smog, reduce diesel fuel consumption by 40 percent and lower particulate matter by 80 percent.

In a time when increasing fuel efficiency and reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy are vital to ensuring our Nation's energy independence, we should be encouraging public-private partnerships that seek to further these goals.

We need to build on our Nation's advantages, one of which is the best freight rail system in the world, which helps us compete globally. By making this mode even more fuel efficient, it will be reducing costs of transportation to our Nation's consumers and making the air we breath even cleaner.

Mr. Chairman, I would encourage my colleague from Arizona to withdraw the amendment, but, if not, I hope my colleagues will support me and vote down this amendment. This initiative, if enacted, it will, by 2008, will have hybrid locomotives as well as hybrid cars moving us into the future.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4530) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 101 Barr Street in Lexington, Kentucky, as the ``Scott Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

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 material on H.R. 4530.

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

H.R. 4530 was introduced by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Chandler). The bill designates the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 101 Barr Street in Lexington, Kentucky, as the Scott Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

Judge Scott Reed was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on July 3, 1921. He graduated from Henry Clay High School and the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he received many honors.

During his years as a private attorney, he distinguished himself as a trial lawyer of great integrity. His career as a jurist began in 1964 when he became a Fayette Circuit Court judge. Five years later, he was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, where he sat for over 7 years.

During the mid-1970s, Kentucky's judicial system experienced a significant reorganization with the creation of the new Kentucky Supreme Court. Judge Reed played an instrumental role in the reorganization and was elected to serve as the first chief justice of Kentucky in 1976. He was considered a strict interpreter of Kentucky's constitution and a staunch advocate of the separation of the judiciary from the other branches of government.

In 1979, he was named U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky. He served as a U.S. district judge until he retired in 1990.

His opinions from the Supreme Court of Kentucky have received national acclaim for their scholarly content, and he has been recognized by many in a comparable light to Brandeis, Holmes, and Marshall.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman working on this, and just to let the gentleman know, I have a Henry Clay Township in Pennsylvania, which happens to be in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, so Pennsylvania and Kentucky have more in common than one would think.

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. 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, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3858.

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

H.R. 3858, originally sponsored by Representative Lantos of California and Representative Shays of Connecticut amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require the Director of FEMA to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans take into account the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

During the evacuation of the gulf coast region last fall, we learned of the difficulty of evacuating household pets and service animals. Concerns over whether pets would be permitted to accompany their owners made some victims reluctant or unwilling to evacuate, choosing to wait out the disaster. The PETS Act would help ensure that household pets and service animals are considered by State and local emergency preparedness plans.

I would like to recognize my colleague, Mr. Lantos, who introduced this bill soon after Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast. Mr. Lantos, a founding member of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, has been an outspoken champion for animals.

I would also like to commend Mr. Shays for his dedication in moving this legislation and strong desire to resolve flaws in our Nation's emergency management system made apparent by Hurricane Katrina. I was lucky to have the opportunity to work with Mr. Shays on the Katrina investigation committee.

Both Mr. Lantos and Mr. Shays have been champions of this issue and have worked to ensure that owners don't have to make a choice between their personal safety and their pets' safety.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).

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

I also want to thank Mr. Lantos and Mr. Shays for their work on this bill.

The PETS Act would help ensure that household pets and service animals are considered by State and local emergency preparedness plans because there are people in this country, myself included, I have a dog Chloe that has a close relationship with my family, and I know people throughout this country have pets that are near and dear to their hearts.

When you go to a rooftop, as we saw down in New Orleans as Mr. Shays and Mr. Lantos pointed out, people are unwilling to get aboard a boat or helicopter if they have to leave their beloved pet behind. Once again, this is so States and local emergency preparedness plans take into consideration situations that might occur if someone has to abandon their pets. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to be here to participate in this naming of the United States Post Office after John Hammerschmidt. It is a life that certainly is representative of a true American patriot and servant of the people.

He was a member of the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, a member of the Air Force Reserves, a member of the District of Columbia Army Reserves, the first Republican Member to represent Arkansas since reconstruction, also a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airport. These are just a few of the roles in which Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt has served; and, as I said, it truly is a life of service to his country.

First elected to the House of Representatives in 1966, John Paul Hammerschmidt was noted for his dedication and attention to constituent services. A native son of Harrison, Arkansas, Congressman Hammerschmidt went on to represent the region for 13 consecutive terms. In all of those elections, only two of Congressman Hammerschmidt's opponents were able to achieve more than one-third of the vote, and that included one candidate by the name of Bill Clinton.

During his tenure in the House, Congressman Hammerschmidt was known for his expertise regarding infrastructure and veterans-related issues. As the ranking member of the Public Works Committee from 1986 to 1993, John was influential in many of the improvements that have taken place on our Nation's highways, airports and waterway systems. John was a true steward of our Nation's infrastructure; and users of roads, water systems and the airways will all long benefit from his efforts.

Mr. Speaker, my father, Bud Shuster, had the pleasure of serving with Congressman Hammerschmidt both in the House and on the Public Works Committee for many years. I asked him to relate a few stories, reflections on John Paul Hammerschmidt, and he said he certainly was one of the experts on infrastructure in this country. And then he said quite simply, ``He is a gentleman's gentleman;'' and I think that is a very accurate assessment of Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the measure offered by my colleague, Mr. Boozman, to name the post office in Harrison, Arkansas, after Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William Mock, who has been named Historian of the Year by the Bedford County Historical Society. Bill, a Vietnam veteran and retired biology teacher from Bedford County, will be honored with this distinguished award at the Bedford County Historical Society's annual banquet in April.

Bedford County is an area rich with historical value and meaning, dating back to the revolutionary era. Bill has worked to promote it by proposing the establishment of a Bedford County historical center to exhibit historical records and artifacts from the area. As he often says of himself, Bill lives in the past. His love of history has propelled him to take on many meaningful, honorable activities to commemorate our Nation's heroes and ensure they are never forgotten.

A member of the Bedford County Historical Society, the Gettysburg Blues and the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Gettysburg Camp No. 112, Bill takes immense pride in working with these organizations to preserve our Nation's history. He planned and executed the rededication of the Pennsylvania Monument in Andersonville National Cemetery for its 1OOth anniversary. To mark the occasion, Bill spent months researching and fundraising to reproduce the 138th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regimental flag, which he carried in the March of Honor to the monument.

William Mock's dedication to the preservation of our local and national history is admirable, and we can hope that others will follow in his footsteps and view our history with the same pride and honor as those that came before us.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 349) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 349.

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

House Concurrent Resolution 349 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 65th Annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to be held June 17, 2006. The resolution also authorizes the Architect of the Capitol; the U.S. Capitol Police; and the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association, the sponsor of the event, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying out this traditional event in compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds.

The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is one of the largest qualifying races in the country. This race takes place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Street, NW. Participants are residents of the Washington metropolitan area and range in age from 8 to 17. The winners of these races will represent the Washington metropolitan area at the national finals, held annually in Akron, Ohio.

I support this concurrent resolution, which continues our custom of authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for this exciting event, and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 360) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

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 material on H. Con. Res. 360.

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

House Concurrent Resolution 360 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service to be held on Monday, May 15, 2006.

I am pleased to join the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for the second consecutive year in sponsoring the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

The Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary annually sponsor this event honoring some of America's bravest men and women. The memorial service will honor the 155 Federal, State and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their communities in 2005.

I would also like to recognize the five peace officers killed in the line of duty in 2005 from my home State of Pennsylvania: Edward Schroeder, Jr., Jesse Sollman, Paris Williams, Sr., Brian Gregg, and Joseph Pokorny. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice.

This will be the 25th time that this event has been held on the grounds of the Capitol. This memorial service is part of National Police Week, which was created by law in 1962 and runs this year from May 9 through May 15.

Police Week draws officers, their families, and survivors of fallen officers from around the country, and includes such events as the Blue Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral Church, a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Memorial, and a 50-K relay race.

The memorial service begins at noon on Monday. Following the ceremony on the Capitol Grounds, there will be a procession to the Law Enforcement Memorial and a wreath-laying ceremony.

I encourage my colleagues to attend this much-deserved memorial service and honor those who protect our communities on the front lines.

I would also like to recognize Jacob Joseph Chestnut and John Michael Gibson, the two Capitol Police officers killed in the line of duty in 1998. Both 18-year veterans of the Capitol Police, their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

The authorization of the use of the Capitol Grounds is just one of the ways Members of Congress recognize the service of peace officers and memorialize those who have fallen in the line of duty.

I was proud to be part of the First Annual Congressional Longest Yard Classic, a bipartisan fund-raiser to benefit the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, which assists the families of the fallen Capitol Police officers like Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, who bravely gave their lives defending the United States Capitol and many of us who work here.

The idea of a football game fund-raiser was conceived by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi). It was a takeoff of the movie ``The Longest Yard'' with Members of Congress acting as the inmates and the Capitol Hill Police the guards. We were to battle it out on the gridiron. I thank Mr. Renzi for his help in organizing the fund-raiser and thank the 33 Members of Congress who participated. Some would say it was a wonderful experience despite the rain, but I would say it was a wonderful experience because of the rain.

Those 33 Members of Congress, all of us washed-up athletes, were able to

play the much-superior Capitol Police Force to a 12-12 tie. For us it was a great joy. But most importantly, we were able to raise nearly $60,000 for the Capitol Police Memorial Fund. I look forward to next year and for the match-up to continue to honor these brave men and women, and also for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which will be held on Monday, May 15. I support this measure and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this measure and thank my colleague from New York for his tribute to those fallen officers and people who serve and protect us every day.

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