Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for this needed economic stimulus legislation. This bipartisan bill will provide timely, targeted and temporary relief to American families suffering from the national economic downturn and provide a shot in the arm to boost growth and avert a recession.

I commend Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader John Boehner, Treasury Secretary Harry Paulson for working together across party lines to find common ground. As North Carolina's only member of the Democratic Majority on the House Budget Committee, I have been working on a bipartisan basis to pass responsible legislation to respond to worsening economic conditions. High energy prices, mounting national debt, the crisis in the Nation's housing market and rising unemployment levels have prompted calls for emergency legislation to arrest the decline in the

economy and put us back on a path of sustainable growth.

First, this economic trouble serves as a reminder of the importance of putting our Nation's fiscal house in order to free America's future generations from the crushing debt burden they now face. Unfortunately, the record of this current Administration is the transformation of record budget surplus projections into record national debt and massive annual deficits without end. Although short-term deficits can be useful to correct hurtful economic downswings, the current structural budget problems featuring perpetual debt and deficits hamstring our ability to invest in the future and build broad-based prosperity for hard-working Americans.

This economic stimulus package will be effective because it is targeted, timely and temporary. It will be targeted to families that need the money and can be expected to spend it quickly on necessities like food and clothing. It will be timely to yield the economic benefits within the timeframe of the anticipated problem. And it will be temporary to prevent exacerbation of the fiscal imbalance and make our economic problems worse.

Specifically, H.R. 5140 will provide tax rebate checks to working people of up to $600 for individuals and up to $1,200 for families, as well as a $300 tax credit per dependent child. This immediate infusion of cash will provide real relief to North Carolinians struggling to pay their bills. Economic experts tell us this action will help stimulate consumer spending and spur economic growth across the board to mitigate the slowdown we are otherwise experiencing in the economy. Tax incentives to encourage business investment and help small business weather this economic storm should also be included in a responsible package. I understand Governor Easley and others have raised concerns about the impact of some of the business tax provisions in this bill. At today's Budget Committee hearing, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers suggested slight revisions to these provisions to minimize any negative impact, and I support modifications that will achieve that goal as the process moves forward. I am hopeful the House will pass this bill today and Congress can get a final version to the President to sign into law within the next few weeks.

Over the longer term, Congress must invest in neglected priorities like school construction to put workers back on the job and improve our communities with better schools and healthier learning environments. We must take better care of our military families and veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We must expand quality health care so working families no longer face economic ruin when a loved one gets sick. And we must continue to support our first responders to keep our communities safe and secure.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support for this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to pass it.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Mabel Claire Maddrey, who passed away on Monday, January 14, 2008, at the tender age of 100. In her passing, North Carolina lost a heroine and a woman who was instrumental in her community, county, and State.

A native of Ahoskie, NC, Mabel was born on April 27, 1907, the daughter of Charlie C. Hoggard and Tulie E. Hoggard. She graduated from Meredith College in 1928 and from Columbia University with a masters degree in History in 1929. In 1931, she married Charles Gordon Maddrey. She remained active at Meredith College her entire life and was named a trustee emerita and was a recipient of Outstanding Alumna Award. She was the first chairperson of Meredith College Heritage Society--Planned Giving-- and established the Mabel Claire Maddrey Scholarship Fund. She was very proud of being instrumental in the planning, design and fund- raising of Jones Chapel, dedicated in 1982. Meredith College honored her by dedicating the Mabel Claire Maddrey Parlor in the Alumnae House.

She was past president of the North Carolina Baptist Women's Missionary Union and in the 1950s was the first woman to be elected nationwide to the Southern Baptist Convention Board. She was a gifted speaker and spoke in numerous Baptist churches throughout North Carolina. She served as a deaconess in both First Baptist Church of Ahoskie and First Baptist Church of Raleigh. In July 1998, she was featured on the front page of the New York Times in front of First Baptist Church, Raleigh, in an article about Baptist churches withdrawing from the Southern Baptist Convention because of its positions on women and their role in the Baptist Church.

She was active in the N.C. Federation of Women's Clubs for over 60 years and served as State president and as a past president of the Raleigh Woman's Club. A parlor in the Raleigh Woman's Club building is named in her honor. Politically, she has been chairperson for North Carolina women for a major gubernatorial candidate, chairperson for North Carolina women for a major Presidential candidate and past president of the Democratic Women of Wake County. In the late 1960s, she initiated the highly popular annual Jefferson-Jackson Day breakfast, hosted by Democrats of Wake County, which is held annually. She was a past president and member of the Sir Walter Cabinet for over 50 years. She was a past member of the North Carolina Economic Development Board and a director of the North Carolina Museum of Natural History. Mrs. Maddrey was the recipient of the Governor's Award for Distinguished Service, inductee in Raleigh's YWCA Academy of Women and North Carolina Council for Women Distinguished Women Award. She has been featured as a News & Observer Tar Heel of the Week.

On the occasion of her 90th birthday, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., proclaimed that day Mabel Claire Maddrey Appreciation Day and the proclamation stated in part, ``Mabel Claire Maddrey embodies the spirit of public service and neighbor helping neighbor, inspiring the best in others, and Whereas Mabel Claire Maddrey personifies dignity, grace and perfection in all her endeavors and Whereas Mabel Claire Maddrey continues to serve the people of North Carolina and cares deeply about the community and the State.'' Mabel was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Gordon Maddrey. She is survived by her children, Charles H. Maddrey and wife, Rose Maddrey, Joseph G. Maddrey and wife, Elizabeth Maddrey; and 4 grandchildren, Charles Gordon Maddrey II, Gregory Hoggard Maddrey, Claire Webb Maddrey and Joseph Huntley Maddrey.

Madam Speaker, Mabel Claire Maddrey had a commitment to excellence in everything she did, and she had a way of bringing out excellence in everyone around her. Mabel was a respected and a successful dedicated public servant, and a great North Carolinian. It is fitting that we honor her and her family today.

Madam Speaker, today I use to honor the life of Loretta S. Woodard of Princeton, North Carolina, who passed on Friday, January 4, 2008 at the age of 64. In her passing, I have lost a dear friend and North Carolina has lost one of its most outstanding citizens and a woman who was instrumental in her community, county, and State.

One of the area's most beloved women, my friend Loretta S. Woodard, was a native of Johnston County and the daughter of the late Muldrow and Hilda Barbour Sawyer. Loretta was a graduate of Elizabeth City Schools and received her business degree from Hardbarger's Business College in Raleigh. She worked in the dental project at the UNC School of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology. She was married to Carlyle Woodard in 1966, and following his graduation from the UNC School of Pharmacy, they moved to Princeton to make their home.

Loretta was a long-time member of Princeton Baptist Church and served in many capacities through the years. She was involved in all areas of life in Johnston County--educational, civic and political. She was a member of the board of trustees of Johnston Community College, the Johnston Community College Foundation, and the Paul A Johnston Auditorium on stage series board. At the time of her death she served on the Johnston County Heritage Commission and was a founding member of the Heritage Center following the Johnston County's 250th anniversary celebration, where she was a member of the steering committee.

Loretta Woodard was brought into the political arena by her mentor, the late NC House Representative, Barney Paul Woodard. She became active in the Democratic Party, on the precinct and county levels. She served as chairperson of the Johnston County Democratic Party and later as president of the Johnston County Democratic Women. She served 13 years as chairman of the Second District Democratic Party. She also served on the State Democratic Executive Committee, was a former national convention delegate, and for a number of years was responsible for the decorations at the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner. She successfully chaired political campaigns in the county for Representative Woodard and Jack Gardner and for numerous other candidates, including Jim Speed, Charlie Whitley, Martin Lancaster, Allen Wellons, and she also worked on my campaigns. Loretta served on the restoration committee for the Goodwin House, home to the North Carolina Demarcated party. Loretta is survived by her husband Carlyle Woodard, and her two sons Carlyle ``Lyle'' Woodard III and wife, Janet, and Bradford Stuart Woodard.

Madam Speaker, Loretta was an outstanding person who used every minute of her long and productive life to make the world a better place. She was a well respected and dedicated public servant, and a great North Carolinian. It is fitting that we honor her and her family today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my son David and his wife Casey on the birth of their first child, Walker Blair Etheridge. Walker was born on December 22, 2007, and weighed 8 pounds and 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. My wife Faye and I are ecstatic about the birth of our fourth grandchild, and she joins me in wishing David and Casey all the happiness and love that a first child brings into your life.

Faye and I are truly blessed by the arrival of Walker Blair Etheridge. The birth of a new child is a joyous occasion that reminds us of the promise of a new life. Children remind us of the incredible miracle of life, and they keep us young-at-heart. Every day they show us a new way to view the world.

God has truly blessed my family with this new addition. My family and I are looking forward to spending a lot time with our new bundle of joy and introducing him to all of our friends and neighbors in North Carolina's Second Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my daughter Catherine and her husband Tim Otto on the birth of their second child and my fifth grandchild Andrew Timothy Otto. Andrew was born yesterday, January 14, 2008, and weighed 8 pounds and was 20.5 inches long. My wife Faye and I are

delighted to welcome Andrew as he joins our four other grandchildren, William, Virginia, Cameron, and Walker. Faye and I wish Catherine and Tim and big brother William great happiness upon this new addition to our family.

Faye and I are truly blessed by the arrival of little Andrew Timothy Otto. The birth of a new child is a joyous occasion that reminds us of the promise of a new life. Children remind us of the incredible miracle of life, and they keep us young-at-heart. Every day they show us a new way to view the world.

My family and I are looking forward to spending a lot time with our new bundle of joy and introducing him to all of our friends and neighbors in North Carolina's Second Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I raise to honor the legacy and accomplishments of our recently passed colleague and dear friend Julia Carson.

In 1996 Julia's deep commitment to those she served led her to become the first African-American woman to be elected to the U.S. House from Indiana. I had the opportunity to get to know Julia during our freshman terms in the 105th Congress and build a relationship with her over the past 10 years that we have both served. Julia spent her time in Congress working for children's issues, women's rights and efforts to reduce homelessness. One of her biggest accomplishment in the House was passing legislation granting the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa Parks, the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement who was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated city bus in Montgomery, AL. She leaves behind an unmated record of service to the people and an unequaled legacy of leadership.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in paying respect to the family of Julia Carson and in honoring her career in service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation and the critical services provided by Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This legislation ensures continued access to our nation's health care system for our most vulnerable citizens--children, seniors, the poor, and the disabled. It also extends incentives that allow health care providers to maintain practices in rural areas. These federal efforts are critical to maintaining healthy and productive communities across the country, and particularly in North Carolina's 2nd District.

North Carolina's citizens are at risk when reimbursements to physicians fall below the cost of providing care, and doctors must shut their doors or turn away patients because they cannot afford to attend to them. North Carolina's citizens are at risk when children go without care, and untreated illnesses or foregone preventative care reduces the health and productivity of those who will build our future. North Carolina's citizens are at risk when Congress fails to act to preserve benefits that they depend on.

The health of Americans and the future health of America depend upon the availability of and access to health care. I applaud our leaders in the House and Senate for working in a bicameral, bipartisan manner to craft this legislation so that our doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers can continue their service to keep our citizens healthy.

This legislation improves physician quality and access by averting the planned 10 percent cut in physician payments and extending the Medicare physician quality reporting system. It continues Medicare policy that provides a measure of fairness to the payment system for rural providers so that they can continue providing valuable services to individuals in rural parts of the 2nd District and across the country. I am hopeful that when Congress returns in 2008, we make extending these provisions on a long-term basis a priority so that providers can plan to remain in our communities for the long-term.

As the only former State schools chief serving in Congress, my life's work has been to provide for a better future for the next generation, and health care is critically important to that effort. This legislation averts the threat that States will run out of funds for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP. North Carolina's Health Choice, which serves over 250,000 needy children, will now be able to plan enrollment for the next year, whereas without this legislation it would have run out of money next March. While I am disappointed that this legislation does not enable the coverage of additional children, we owe it to the children currently served by SCHIP to ensure that they are continuously covered and can get the health care they need when they need it. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the future to fulfill the vision of health access for all children.

Madam Speaker, a lack of access to health care has impact beyond the individual who suffers a sickness without treatment. Untreated illnesses have long-term consequences, and ensuring access to health care contributes to a healthy and productive society and heads off expensive treatments down the road. This legislation is necessary to keep providers in our communities, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and the omnibus appropriations bill. Finally, some good news from Washington. I am very pleased that the House has scheduled to vote on the disaster assistance package to provide relief to our farmers suffering from a record drought and record heat in the Southeast. My farmers are hurting. This omnibus appropriations bill will provide some $600 million for disaster assistance.

My congressional district in North Carolina has been affected by what is called ``exceptional drought.'' That is the most serious category that you can have. This aid will bring real relief to our rural communities. I have been proud to lead the charge on this effort. In September, I wrote a bipartisan letter to the President, signed by 54 of my colleagues from both political parties, to make the case for drought relief.

I have been very pleased to be able to work with Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, Ag Chair Peterson, and Appropriations Chairman Obey to get this done. I want to thank them for their critical help. This is important to rural America. I also want to thank the Governor of North Carolina, Mike Easley, for his leadership.

Madam Speaker, I grew up in Johnston County and lived in farm country all my life. As a senior member of the House Ag Committee, I am also pleased that we have finally gotten this football to the end zone. This disaster assistance and the other things in this bill are a major achievement, and it's an important step forward, especially for America's farmers and the consumers of this country.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for it.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3996, Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007 and urge my colleagues to join me in voting for its passage.

This bill provides tax relief for millions of Americans by raising the exemption amounts on the Alternative Minimum Tax, and ensuring that no new taxpayers would be subject to this higher rate. H.R. 3996 would prevent a tax increase on 21 million taxpayers when they file their 2007 tax returns. The Alternative Minimum Tax was originally enacted to prevent only the very wealthiest of Americans from avoiding income tax payment. However, over the years its reach has grown to affect more and more middle income taxpayers, and estimates show that as many as 30 million taxpayers would be ensnared by this higher tax rate by 2010. This bill will spare over 15,000 people in my district alone, from paying the Alternative Minimum Tax. As a part-time farmer and a former small business owner, I know the crucial importance of this sector to the economy as a whole. I support tax relief for the middle class workers and families who help drive our economy.

However, I am concerned that this bill does not include an offset and is not budget-neutral. I am strongly in favor of providing tax relief to millions of Americans, but we need to address this problem in a responsible way that maintains the integrity of our budget, and avoids adding to the budget deficit and our national debt. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I am hopeful that we can address the Alternative Minimum Tax issue further when Congress returns in the new year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. It has been a long process, and this bill is far trom perfect, but I enthusiastically support this measure as an important first step in a long-overdue effort to provide for the needs of our most vulnerable citizens and begin to invest in priority items here at home to build a brighter future for America.

As a member of the House Budget Committee, I believe that budget- making is about more than just numbers on a ledger or a spreadsheet. Budgets reflect our Nation's priorities, and Congress has a solemn duty to pass a funding that honors the values of the American people. I have worked with the leadership of this new Democratic Congress to reverse the misguided budget course of the current administration that has neglected America's domestic needs and created massive annual deficits and record national debt. I am pleased that the New Direction Congress has rejected the President's misguided budget cuts for critical American priorities like education, medical research and energy independence. This responsible legislation fulfills Congress's obligation to govern and charts a better course for the American people.

I especially want to thank the House Democratic Leadership for including $600 million for disaster assistance for victims of the record drought in North Carolina and throughout the southeastern United States. My farmers are hurting, and this disaster assistance will provide real relief and some measure of hope for the future. I have been proud to lead the fight for this funding, and I want to thank Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey and Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson for their leadership on this priority item.

Beyond disaster assistance, I support this omnibus appropriations bill because it invests in:

K-12 Education: $767 million above the President's request with targeted increases to Title I, Special Education, Teacher Quality Grants, After-School Initiatives and Head Start.

Student Aid: $1.7 billion above the President's request for Pell Grants and other student aid.

Vocational Education: $575 million above the President's request for technical training at high schools and community colleges.

State and Local Law Enforcement: $1.2 billion above the President's request to help local communities across the country.

Homeland Security Grants: $1.8 billion above the President's request, recognizing that homeland security begins with hometown security.

Medical Research: $607 million above the President's request to study diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.

Health Care Access: $1 billion above the President's request, making targeted increases to efforts like Community Health Centers to provide 280,000 more uninsured Americans with access to health care and High Risk Insurance Pools to help 200,000 more people afford health insurance.

Rural Health Care: $147 million above the President's request to help 1,200 small rural hospitals.

Veterans: $3.7 billion more than the President's request for VA health care, medical and prosthetic research, medical services for injured and ill veterans, and the construction of new VA medical facilities.

Highway Infrastructure: Meets the guaranteed levels set in the authorization bill and provides a $1 billion initiative to repair our bridges.

Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency: $486 million above the President's request for critical investments in Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Biofuels, and Energy Efficiency, with a careful blend of new scientific investments and conservation efforts.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill contains funding the President requested for ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to support our troops and avoid any risk that Defense Department employees could be subject to furlough notices this holiday season. I regret that the stubborn opposition of the President and his allies in Congress to investing more in America's priorities prevent us from making more progress. But I strongly support this compromise legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for it.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and the omnibus appropriations bill.

This is good news from Washington. We can always find problems with things if we look for them. For education, for veterans, for health care for children, many other programs, these are things people have been waiting for.

And I'm very pleased that the House is scheduled to vote on a disaster assistance package to provide relief to our farmers suffering from record droughts in the Southeast. My farmers are hurting, and this omnibus appropriations bill will provide some $600 million for disaster assistance.

My congressional district in North Carolina has been afflicted by what's called ``Exceptional Drought.'' This is the most serious category in America. Every county in the State is experiencing drought conditions. The whole Southeast is experiencing record drought. This aid will bring real relief to rural communities.

I have been proud to lead this effort. In September I wrote a bipartisan letter to the President signed by 54 of my colleagues from both political parties to make the case for disaster relief. I've been very pleased to work with Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Majority Whip Clyburn, Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson, and Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey to get this done, and I want to thank them for their leadership, and our farmers thank them.

I grew up on a Johnston County farm, and I have lived in a farm community all my life. And as a senior member of the House Ag Committee, I am pleased that we have finally gotten this football into the end zone. Now we will do the clincher. This disaster assistance is a major achievement and an important step forward for America's farmers.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this rule and then voting for the underlying omnibus bill that will make a difference not only for rural America but for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, as chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, which has jurisdiction over the derivatives industry, I am particularly pleased to introduce legislation to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and make significant improvements to the Commodity Exchange Act.

As most of my colleagues know, in the previous Congress, under the leadership of Representatives Bob Goodlatte and Jerry Moran, this committee and the House of Representatives passed a very good CFTC reauthorization bill. Unfortunately the other body

had a little trouble getting its work done, so our efforts went for naught.

I believe we have put together another very good bill. And I want to express my appreciation to the full committee ranking member and my subcommittee ranking member, and their staffs for their hard work with us on this legislation and for cosponsoring this bill along with Full Committee Chairman Collin Peterson.

In 2000, Congress took a bold step in dramatically changing how the CFTC oversees derivatives markets. By moving from a prescriptive regulatory regime to a principles-based structure, the Commodity Futures Modernization Act, CFMA, removed the shackles that restrained an industry; and we have seen tremendous growth in the derivatives industry as a result of Congress' work.

But with growth often comes growing pains, and the industry has experienced that too. We have seen court decisions that call into question the CFTC's authority over certain foreign currency contracts and principal-to-principal transactions. We heard testimony about problems seen in the retail foreign currency business and concerns about how growth in some of the newer exempt commercial markets (ECMs) is impacting traditional futures markets. I believe we have developed a bill that addresses these issues in a fair and equitable manner.

To correct the Seventh Circuit Appeals Court's ruling in CFTC vs. Zelener, which denied CFTC authority over certain foreign currency contracts, the bill adopts the language included in last Congress's reauthorization bill, H.R. 4473. Likewise, this legislation includes the provisions from H.R. 4473 which clarifies the CFTC's fraud authority over principal-to-principal transactions. Both of these provisions are solutions supported by the President's Working Group.

During hearings we held this Congress, and those held by Representative Moran last Congress, we heard about problems in the retail foreign exchange industry. Like any industry, you have your good apples and your bad apples. The problem is that the bad apples have given the industry a black eye.

Look at the statistics. According to the National Futures Association, members who act as counterparties to retail forex transactions account for less than 1 percent of NFA's membership, but account for more than 20 percent of the customer complaints filed with NFA's arbitration program.

Additionally, more than 50 percent of NFA's current enforcement docket and more than 50 percent of NFA's emergency enforcement actions have also dealt with retail forex trading.

CFTC Chairman Lukken testified that the Commission has brought 98 cases against retail foreign exchange companies with 26,000 victims who invested over $461 million, and the caseload is only increasing. These figures demand greater oversight over this industry, and the provisions included in this legislation provide just that.

In addition, we heard of problems with solicitors and other entities that seek out customer funds to invest into the retail foreign exchange business. These firms are unregulated and have made fraudulent or deceptive sales pitches in order to entice working men and women to give them their money. The legislation brings greater CFTC oversight over them as well.

In July, in between farm bill mark-ups, my Subcommittee held a hearing to review trading of energy-based derivatives. The CFTC held its own hearing in September. What came from those hearings is the understanding that the CFTC needs some additional tools in its tool box to ensure that the successful growth we have seen in the derivatives industry is not having unintended consequences.

To that end, this legislation would require additional oversight regarding contracts traded on exempt commercial markets that perform a significant price discovery function. Just as parents require more responsibility of their children as they grow and mature, so we are asking the exempt commercial markets to take on some self-regulatory responsibilities as their markets mature and individual contracts start serving significant price discovery functions.

There were some other issues and some requests that members made for language to be included that I wish we could have addressed. However, as we move forward, I hope there will be opportunities to have those issues included.

Whether it is energy trading, foreign currency trading, or trading in other commodities, the bottom line is keeping these derivatives markets functioning properly and protecting the American public's interest in having these markets available for offsetting risk. The issues affecting futures trading are often complex and esoteric. However, it is important that we work through the tough issues if we want to maintain a vibrant and healthy derivatives industry.

The derivatives industry profoundly impacts the lives of every American from the food we eat to the cost of energy to what we pay for our homes. So it is important that we get it right, and I believe we have.

I look forward to floor consideration of this legislation in the coming year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important legislation, and I commend my friend, Chairman Ike Skelton for his leadership in crafting this bipartisan product.

I support this conference report because it focuses on the readiness crisis of the United States military and puts our men and women in uniform first and foremost. It will provide our soldiers in harm's way with the best gear and force protection possible. As a veteran of the U.S. Army and as the Representative for Fort Bragg, I support this bill that will provide our troops better health care, better pay, and the benefits they have earned.

America has the finest military in the world. Unfortunately, the current Administration's policies in Iraq have depleted our great military and put tremendous strain on our troops. Army readiness has dropped to unprecedented levels, and Army National Guard units have, on average, only 40 percent of the required equipment. And many stateside units are not fully equipped and would not be considered ready if called upon to respond during an emergency such as a hurricane.

This conference report helps restore our nation's military readiness by creating a $1 billion Strategic Readiness Fund to address equipment shortfalls, fully funding the Army's and Marine Corps' equipment reset requirements and authorizing $980 million to provide the National Guard and Reserve critically needed equipment.

This bill protects our troops in harm's way by authorizing $17.6 billion, an increase of $865 million, for additional MRAPs vehicle armor, $4.8 billion for anti-IED road-side bomb efforts, $3.3 billion for up-armored Humvees, $1.5 billion for add-on armor for other vehicles and $1.2 billion for body armor.

The measure supports our troops and their families, by giving the military a pay raise larger than requested by the President, prohibiting fee increases in TRICARE and the TRICARE pharmacy program, and strengthening benefits for the troops and their families, as promised in the GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.

It includes the Wounded Warrior Act, which responds to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal by improving the care of injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan--addressing many of the issues raised by the Dole-Shalala Commission and implementing several of its recommendations.

It improves accountability and cracks down on waste, fraud and abuse in contracting including requiring new steps to manage and oversee contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan and requiring detailed new regulations for private security contractors, such as Blackwater employees, mandating the appropriate use of force.

The bill also includes new bipartisan reporting requirements under which DOD will regularly brief Congress on the planning taking place to responsibly redeploy U.S. forces from Iraq. It incorporates the National Guard Empowerment Act, which gives the National Guard enhanced authorities to fulfill its expanded role in the Nation's defense, including authorizing a fourth star for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, requiring at least one deputy of the Northern Command to be a National Guard Officer, and making the National Guard Bureau a joint activity of the DOD. And it requires the Pentagon to include in its quarterly readiness reports the state-by-state capability of the National Guard to achieve its homeland and civil support missions, such as disaster response. The bill increases end strength by authorizing 13,000 additional soldiers for the Army and 9,000 additional Marines in

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007.

Let me congratulate Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Dingell, and the House Democratic leadership for bringing this legislation to the floor for a new direction for America's energy independence.

Anyone who has filled up a gas tank in the past year knows that gas prices are highly volatile and too high for the average American. Yet while Americans are struggling to make ends meet, oil companies are making record profits. As a former North Carolina small businessman, and a part-time farmer, I believe that it is our duty to find alternatives to what has become a dangerous reliance on foreign oil.

And let me be clear, our Nation has the capability to gain its energy independence. H.R. 6 will move us close to this goal by promoting the use of renewable fuel. This legislation will create a fund, which will be used to extend and expand tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel, extend loan guarantees to farmers to produce renewable energy, and increase the use of flex fuel vehicles.

Today we have the technology to solve our energy crisis growing in our fields. We have the ability to turn soybeans and peanuts, both grown in large numbers in my home State of North Carolina, into biodiesel, and the technology to turn sugarcane and corn into ethanol. What we haven't had up to this point is the leadership to develop the infrastructure needed to facilitate the use of these fuels.

The legislation before us today will begin to do just that. I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 6.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Shaw University Bears football team for winning the 2007 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, CIAA, Championship, under the leadership of head coach Darrell Asberry. After a hard fought season, the Bears defeated Virginia Union University in a dazzling double overtime performance 31-24 at the Charlotte Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 10, 2007.

Madam Speaker, Shaw University has contributed significantly to the growth and development of North Carolina and the enrichment of countless of its citizens. I am proud to have the honor of representing this outstanding institution. It is fitting that we take a moment today to honor these young athletes as shining stars for the university.