Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman from Delaware.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of the Castle-Dent amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. As of May 2009, just last month, over 147,000 citizens, residents and nationals of foreign countries remain in the United States because the governments of their home nations are delaying or even refusing repatriation, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It's simply unacceptable. The disconcerting detail regarding the situation is that over 17,000 of these individuals are criminal aliens who have been released into our communities and neighborhoods because U.S. courts have ruled that our system cannot legally hold them in custody for longer than 180 days, or 6 months, following

their sentence of imprisonment if their home country refuses or unreasonably delays repatriation.

Detainment will only be extended if an individual has been proven to be especially dangerous by a court and a psychiatrist.

This extension has only been exercised a handful of times since being instituted in 2004. Releasing dangerous criminals back on to our streets is just not fair to our citizenry and the families and individuals who have legally immigrated to America.

That said, the Castle-Dent amendment requires quarterly reports, reports every 90 days, to Congress from the Secretary of Homeland Security publicly listing the countries that refuse or unreasonably delay repatriation, including information on the total number of criminal aliens in the United States.

Furthermore, the Secretary of Homeland Security will have the power to facilitate the repatriation process by denying the entrance to the U.S. of those holding diplomatic visas of the offending country. The administration can exercise discretion regarding diplomatic flexibility with an affected nation if necessary.

Under current statute, the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that the U.S. State Department has the authority to discontinue the granting of immigrant or nonimmigrant visas to nationals from foreign countries that unreasonably delay or deny accepting an alien who is a citizen, subject, national or resident of that country. Although State has threatened to deny visas in this capacity, it has never enforced this authority.

Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office has indicated this amendment has no significant impact on PAYGO. On the other hand, drawn- out repatriation negotiations divert scarce Federal and State resources.

As an example, in one case, the U.S. Government paid $197,000 to fly an alien convicted of assault with a knife back to his home country of Somalia, only to be denied and sent back to the U.S. where he was released and fled to Canada. I don't understand the logic here. We cannot spend taxpayer dollars to remove a dangerous individual from American soil only to discover the nation is refusing the reentry of their citizen.

Congressional action on comprehensive immigration hangs in the future.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Just very briefly, I wanted to say about this whole matter, the offending countries tend to be about eight countries, China, India, Vietnam, Laos, Eritrea, and I am probably neglecting one or two. But there are a handful of countries that are responsible for these 147,000 individuals who have valid removal orders against them. They should be removed.

I thank the gentleman, Mr. Castle, and I thank the gentleman from California for working with us to provide an amendment that I think sends a very strong message that it is unacceptable that we have to expend our limited resources to hold people who should have been returned.

So, again, I thank you for your courtesy and again urge adoption of the Castle-Dent amendment.

Thank you, Congressman Petri, for your part of this legislation.

On May 15, 2009, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, or AOPA, celebrated its 70th anniversary. Since its inception on the eve of the Second World War, AOPA has grown to be one of the strongest voices for general aviation in the United States.

Throughout its rich history, AOPA has developed and maintained close working relationships with Federal Government agencies including the Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Transportation Security Administration. By working closely with these agencies, AOPA has helped us create the safest and most efficient aviation system in the world.

For the last 7 years, AOPA has also fostered a dynamic relationship with Congress, and specifically the members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on which I serve. The association's first political activity was to urge the U.S. Senate to pass legislation establishing the civilian pilot training program which allows thousands of American pilots to gain their certification through Federal Government support. Decades later, AOPA remains a key actor in the development in our Nation's aviation policy having played a vital role in the crafting and passage of this year's FAA Reauthorization Act.

Today, AOPA's membership exceeds 400,000, including seven out of every 10 pilots in this Nation. I'm confident every Member of Congress currently has a valuable relationship with the general aviation pilots flying in their districts.

On a personal note, AOPA members from the Lehigh Valley area serve on my aviation advisory board proved to be some of the most informed and influential participants. Their expertise has truly been a great resource for me as I serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee.

Madam Speaker, I believe the passage of this resolution congratulating AOPA on its 70 years of service is a fitting way to salute the many pilots who help make our aviation system the safest and most efficient in the world. And at this time I would like to encourage everybody to support this legislation and urge its adoption.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from the State of Georgia (Mr. Broun).

I yield an additional 30 seconds to Dr. Broun.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from the State of Alaska (Mr. Young).

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining on this side?

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from the State of Delaware (Mr. Castle).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 90 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Beavercreek, Ohio (Mr. Austria).

Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Macomb County, Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. Chairman, at this time, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished naval aviator from Sugar Land, Texas (Mr. Olson).

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time we have remaining?

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to have Mr. McCaul control the balance of my time for our side.

I would like to reserve the balance of my time at this time.

I would just like at this time to thank Chairman Bennie Thompson, Chairwoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Pete King, everybody else for their collaboration on this important piece of legislation. It is a good bill. I won't get into some of the deficiencies here right now except to say that we need to deal with the Large Aircraft Security Program. I know the Chair has agreed to holding a committee hearing on that very important issue. It's important that we address that issue.

But there are a few things about this bill that are very, very important. It does prohibit tipping off TSA employees of covert testing efforts. I think that's important. This legislation also requires a secure biometrically enhanced system to verify the status of law enforcement officers traveling armed on commercial passenger aircraft. It also authorizes demonstration projects to test technology design to mitigate a terrorist attack against underwater tunnels or open rail lines. It also prohibits the TSA's outsourcing of the terrorist watch list, No Fly List and selectee list verifications to non-governmental entities.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment addresses a number of concerns raised by transit agencies and the GAO in an upcoming report. One of the biggest concerns of stakeholders was that TSA and FEMA were taking too long in distributing grant funding. This amendment requires that applications for grants be made available within 30 days of passage of an appropriations act. It then requires the transit agency to submit an application within 45 days and the Secretary to act within 60 days of receipt. These are the same deadlines that are usually required in any appropriations bills.

This amendment also codifies current practice prohibiting cost sharing required for grants. Previously, public transit agencies were required to share up to 25 percent of the cost of a project. Many agencies found this requirement prohibitive, given that they are largely funded by State and local taxpayers and that the costs associated with improving open architecture public transportation systems were considered too expensive.

This amendment also establishes a technical assistance pilot program that gives grants to transit agencies to conduct comprehensive risk assessments using approved third parties. The Office of Domestic Preparedness previously provided grants for such assessments, but these ended when ODP was combined with FEMA and Preparedness. Many State and local agencies do not necessarily have the in-house expertise to conduct comprehensive risk assessments and require outside assistance.

This amendment requires the GAO to examine the roles of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation with respect to pipeline security. During a recent release of anhydrous ammonium from a pipeline in Florida, local response personnel were given differing opinions of which Federal agency regulated the security of pipelines. The GAO would examine if current responsibilities for protection against and responding to intentional pipeline breaches are adequately identified in interagency MOUs. The time to identify a lead Federal agency for pipeline security is never after an intentional breach.

So, again, I would just like to say I support this manager's amendment. I think it is a good revision to this legislation of which the underlying bill, of course, is a strong bill too. I support it.

At this time, I would yield back the balance of my time.

Real quickly, I just want to say that individuals with Top Secret Security Clearance go through an extensive background check and investigation every 5 years and friends, family members, coworkers and even neighbors are interviewed during this process.

This amendment recognizes the expansive nature of the top secret investigation and the reduced risk individuals with these clearances pose. For these reasons, I strongly support this amendment and urge its adoption.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly support this amendment by Mr. Bachus. It's a good amendment. Expedited screening services are provided to frequent flier travelers and registered travelers at our Nation's commercial airports all the time. And yet our servicemen and women, many with metal items such as combat boots, medals and badges, often need additional screening when they set off the magnetometer.

Our brave servicemen and women are on the front lines in the fight against terrorism. Surely some kind of expedited treatment at an airport checkpoint is the least our country can do for them.

Currently there is no formal TSA requirement or process in place to screen our servicemen and women in any expedited fashion. At some airports, Transportation Security Officers may escort members of the Armed Forces to the front of the checkpoint, but at other airports no such special treatment is given.

So Mr. Bachus' amendment is an excellent one. It's just common sense that a formal checkpoint screening process should be established for servicemen and women who sacrifice so much for their country.

And finally, these men and women place themselves in harm's way to the benefit of our American way of life. The very least we can do is make the airport checkpoint experience as smooth and as pleasurable as possible.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I'm not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment requires the TSA to report on the number of claims it receives for lost and damaged property, as well as the value of that property and an estimation on the time and resources necessary to resolve such claims.

The men and women of the TSA work hard every day to protect the property entrusted into their care. While the underlying premise is faulty, in that it assumes TSA personnel are to blame for loss or damage associated with baggage, the information gleaned from this report might prove useful in allocating additional resources to manage these claims.

The TSA has instituted a process in which a tag is placed inside every bag they open and inspect. This includes bags that are sealed and require a forcible entry.

Unfortunately, the traveling public is sometimes quick to blame the TSA for any loss or damage associated with their luggage, as opposed to the air carriers, baggage handlers, or simple errors in bar code scanning.

This report may prove useful in identifying any possible improvements to the TSA notification and claims process.

So, as I said, I support the amendment.

At this time, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment.

While the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, TWIC, card was intended to be the one security credential required of port workers nationwide, some State governments could not wait for the Federal Government to establish its programs, and they moved forward with their own.

Currently, as has been stated, Florida is one State requiring a separate and, some argue, duplicative security background check and card for workers entering port facilities. While it's unfortunate that Florida port employees are required to pay for background checks twice, TSA cannot share the results of its background checks with Florida.

Florida State law allows for individuals to be disqualified even if they were found qualified by the TSA due to differences in disqualifying crimes. Perhaps a better amendment would have been to allow TSA to share the results of its TWIC background checks with Florida. I would suggest that as a better amendment than the one currently before us.

As written, this amendment would preempt Florida from continuing their security background check program, a program that the Florida State Legislature strongly supports. Additionally, some workers in port facilities receive criminal background checks, drug and alcohol testing, and credit checks as part of their screening process.

Many have distinguished this type of employment screening from the security-focused screening of the TWIC program. It is unclear if DHS would see the Waterfront Commission's background check as being preempted under this amendment because it is an employment-safety criminal background check, not a security background check.

While the amendment does allow a State to demonstrate a ``compelling homeland security reason'' that a separate background check is warranted, this places an extraordinary burden on a State legislature. State legislatures should have the right to determine what offenses qualify as disqualifying offenses in their ports, and this amendment would preempt that.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time, reluctantly, in opposition to the amendment.

Just yesterday, I visited Reagan National Airport and took a look at the whole-body imaging machines over there, and I just have to say a couple of things about this.

I was impressed by the technology. It seems that we have a great deal of satisfaction from passengers who utilize that type of screening. There are limitations to the magnetometer. A magnetometer can pick up metallic items, like keys, but other prohibited items, like liquids and C4 for potential explosives, will be detected under the whole-body imaging technology but not under a magnetometer. So I do believe that this technology is valid.

As for the privacy concerns that have been raised, while I understand them, I think they have been overstated. There are strong, strong restrictions in place to make sure that those individuals, the transportation security officers who actually help the passengers go through the whole-body imaging scanning, are not in contact with the person who is actually viewing the image. Those people are in a separate room, so they're separated. The face of the individual is also blurred, so that's another protection.

So I do think that this technology is very valuable. It will help make us safer. Again, I think it is a step in the right direction. So I would reluctantly oppose the amendment. I understand the concerns expressed, but nevertheless, I feel that this technology is valuable and that it enhances security.

At this time, I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren), who previously served as the ranking member on the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I have no real objections to the amendment.

First, I would like to say I support the amendment. Guam International Airport does not segregate passengers traveling internationally from those passengers traveling domestically. There is no physical separation by either a separate floor or by a solid wall. Prior to 9/11, the commingling of domestic and international travelers was not a concern. Guam International is concerned about the security implications of the current system and is looking for a long-term solution to prevent the commingling of domestic and international passengers.

This amendment would simply require that the TSA review the current procedures in place at the airports of the U.S. territories and make recommendations to the airports on how best to address the commingling of passengers. I have no objections. I support the amendment.

I would yield, at this time, to Ms. Jackson-Lee.

I yield back.

Mr. Chair, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

I do support this amendment. It's a good amendment. I appreciate the gentleman offering it.

New advances in biometric identifications make this technology an exciting new possibility for rapidly identifying individuals approaching a security checkpoint. Imagine if someone with a want or a warrant or a fleeing felon would approach a security checkpoint and be identified as a threat before entering the sterile area of an airport. We may be years away from any real breakthroughs in this technology, but it certainly does hold some real promise.

Some would argue that this technology goes too far or invades one's privacy, but every individual approaching a TSA checkpoint must already provide a valid form of identification. This system, if proven effective, could ensure that documentation provided at the checkpoint is, in fact, authentic.

For all those reasons, I would urge my colleagues to support this Butterfield amendment. It makes sense, and I strongly urge its adoption.

At this time I would yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania for their continued efforts in the battle against hunger.

On May 9th, letter carriers and postal customers across the country joined forces to ``stamp out hunger'' in the nation's largest single- day food drive for the 17th consecutive year. This also marked the 16th year that Second Harvest of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA took part in this extremely important event. Last year this food drive collected over 143,000 pounds of food to help struggling families in Lehigh, Northampton, Pike, Wayne, Monroe and Carbon counties. The local effort helped the National Association of Letter Carriers set a new record of 73.1 million pounds of food collected in 2008 in the ``Stamp it out'' drive.

Food banks like Second Harvest of the Lehigh Valley are even more important during economic downturns like the one we are currently facing. Second Harvest of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania has seen the demand for assistance rise dramatically in the past year and has been able to help 64,000 people so far in 2009, up from 50,000 in 2008. Thankfully, the generosity and compassion of their neighbors in the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA showed again this year as they donated over 155,000 pounds of food exceeding last year's total.

I believe that programs like this by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania bring us closer to achieving the goal of eradicating hunger in our communities. Once again, I would like to thank these organizations for their continued efforts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Patty Carlis, as a community leader in the arts and interfaith understanding.

At the 25th annual Wallenberg Tribute Dinner on Sunday, April 19, 2009 Patty was recognized as this year's Wallenberg Tribute Honoree. The award, given by the Institute for Jewish Christian Understanding (IJCU) at Muhlenberg College, is named for Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from the Nazis during the Second World War. He was taken into Soviet custody just days after Budapest was liberated and was never again accounted for by Western sources. Each year since 1989, the Wallenberg Tribute has honored one or more local individuals who are recognized for their courageous moral action on behalf of others. Patty's lifetime of work makes her truly deserving of such an honor.

Patty served as the IJCU's Schools Program Coordinator from 2000-2006 and before that was responsible for creating the Youth and Prejudice Conference in 1995. The conference, held each spring on Muhlenberg College's Campus in Allentown, has reached over 15,000 students in the Lehigh Valley. Students are able to be a part of a live theatrical performance while learning valuable lessons about interfaith and cultural tolerance. By meeting with Holocaust survivors and relatives of survivors they learn firsthand about prejudice and bigotry. The conference teaches students valuable lessons about human rights and that their own dignity and that of others depends on the choices they make each day.

Throughout her career, Patty has been able to combine her commitment to tolerance and interfaith understanding with her passion for the arts and education. Since 2000 she has been part of the theatre faculty of Muhlenberg College and each year leads her students in the production of the play The Library: the story of a Jewish girl in Nazi Germany. This play, which puts a human face on the history of the Holocaust, is performed at elementary schools across the Lehigh Valley each spring.

Most recently, Patty has implemented after-school drama programs in the Allentown School District. Now students who attend Roosevelt Elementary, Central Elementary, and Trexler Middle School have had the opportunity to explore and express themselves through the arts under the guidance and supervision of Muhlenberg theatre, music and dance majors. Patty is passionate about the power of the arts to spark imaginations, motivate learning and develop life skills.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to Patty Carlis for all her work to build bridges and connect communities through the arts in the Lehigh Valley, the United States, and the world. She has made our community extremely proud.

I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Minnesota, for his kind comments about my legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1178. This bill, which I introduced in February of this year, is similar to the Civil Air Patrol legislation that was passed by this House during the 110th Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. I am pleased to have the opportunity to bring this bill before the House for consideration once again.

I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their cooperation and support in bringing this legislation to the floor today. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Chairman Bennie Thompson and Ranking Member Peter King and the Committee on Homeland Security for their continued support for this initiative. Additionally, I would also like to thank Chairwoman Sheila Jackson-Lee of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, on which I serve as ranking member, for her support as a cosponsor of

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I supported the following national projects that received funding through H.R. 1105, The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.

National Writing Project for activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--The National Writing Project focuses on the teaching of writing and the professional development of writer instructors to ensure elementary and secondary students become successful writers and learners.

Reading is Fundamental authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--RIF promotes youth literacy by providing underserved children access to free and new books in every state and territory across the country.

Center for Civic Education for two programs--We the People and Cooperative Education Exchange--that are authorized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as part of the Civic Education program--The Education for Democracy Act supports civic programs, such as We the People and the Cooperative Education Exchange Program, to educate American students about the fundamental ideals of the United States.

National Council on Economic Education for the Cooperative Education Exchange program, which is authorized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as part of the Civic Education Program--The Education for Democracy Act supports civic programs, such as We the People and the Cooperative Education Exchange Program, to educate American students about the fundamental ideals of the United States.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing on the auspicious occasion of the 125th anniversary of its founding. For well over a century, St. Luke's has provided hands-on, quality training to professionals entering the world of medicine.

On October 17, 1884, St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing opened its doors to its first class of individuals eager and dedicated to caring for the wellness of others. At the time when the school was founded, only a handful of similar institutions existed in the United States, placing St. Luke's at the cutting edge of health care training. As the country's oldest hospital-based school of nursing in continuous operation, St. Luke's continues a well-established tradition of excellence that began 125 years ago.

The impact that St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing has had on American life is pronounced. During America's greatest time of need, the school provided education and training for the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps, giving brave young women the skills they needed to provide medical assistance to American and Allied troops in World War II. When the United States suffered a national shortage of nurses in the late 1960s, again St. Luke's answered its Nation's call by hiring a recruitment director to actively work towards attracting qualified individuals to the nursing profession.

St. Luke's has consistently promoted the virtues of selflessness and caring for others. Year after year the School of Nursing provides training to nearly 100 nurses, a profession that is widely needed yet often underappreciated. The hard work, dedication, and caring of nurses trained by St. Luke's are a great asset to the high quality of care enjoyed by patients in America's hospitals.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to extend my congratulations and heartfelt thanks to St. Luke's as well as its tremendous faculty, staff, students, and alumni that have carried on the school's proud legacy. May St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing's next 125 years be as benevolent and inspiring as the last.

Madam Chair, I rise tonight to oppose the budget under consideration.

We hear a lot of talk about PAYGO, but PAYGO is routinely waived here on matters such as the recent stimulus package. On a $790 billion piece of legislation PAYGO did not apply. I think we need to point that out.

But this budget I think is problematic for a number of reasons. First, it imposes higher taxes on income, investment in energy, and yes, the death tax comes roaring back. The national debt doubles in 5 years. The national debt triples in 10 years. Let me repeat that. The national debt will double in 5 years and will triple in 10 years. It took 43 Presidents 232 years to accumulate $5 billion in debt. This budget gets us to $5 billion in 5 years. In short, this budget spends too much, borrows too much, and taxes too much.

On energy, users of electricity, gasoline, petroleum, natural gas will all pay more. Let me translate that. We will all pay more, the American taxpayer. We are going to pay more because of these so-called cap-and-trade or, as my colleague Mr. Burgess from Texas said, cap-and- tax. Well, this is simply a carbon tax, an energy tax on every American who consumes energy, and again, that is just about every American I know. You know, according to the CBO, we expect that this cap-and-trade tax will cost every household at least $1,600 again in higher energy costs, and actually, there are studies out there that say it will cost even more than that. This will also result in the loss of at least 3 to 4 million jobs, according to NAM, National Association of Manufacturers.

So, in short, I would say to everyone here tonight, because of these higher taxes on income and energy, the very people we're asking to get us out from under this very difficult recession, small business people are going to pay more. Small manufacturers that use natural gas in a very big way, they will be punished because of this. The death tax punishes them, too. It makes it harder for them to pass these businesses on to their children and to their grandchildren.

This is an ill-advised budget. The income tax that we will see go up here, too, will also punish many small businesses because they're organized. These Subchapter S companies, partnerships, and proprietorships, they will pay the bill.

So let's think about this. This budget is ill-advised. It is not in the best interests of the American people. I strongly urge that it be rejected.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009:

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: NOAA--Operations, Research and Facilities, Title: Delaware River Enhanced Flood Warning System, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Delaware River Basin, Commission Address of Requesting Entity: 25 State Police Drive, PO Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628, Description of Request: To assist the Delaware River Basin Commission, in conjunction with NOAA/NWS, USGS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the enhancement of the basin's flood warning system. This enhancement will include the evaluation and improvement of existing precipitation and stream gage networks, development of additional NOAA flood forecast points in both non-tidal and tidal stream reaches, and merger of GIS and Doppler radar technology to improve flash flood warning capabilities for smaller watersheds.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: NOAA--Operations, Research and Facilities, Title: Flood Awareness and Emergency Preparedness Education Campaign Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Nurture Nature Foundation, Address of Requesting Entity: 400 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 18042, Description of Request: The project will support a flood awareness and emergency preparedness education campaign for citizens of flood-prone areas. The campaign will be initiated in the recently flooded regions along the Delaware River, in the four basin states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York, but the materials will be applicable nationwide.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology, Title: Lehigh Valley Regional Crime Center Technology Infrastructure, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Allentown Police Department, Address of Requesting Entity: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: The Lehigh Valley Regional Crime Center Technology Infrastructure project will enhance the effectiveness of a bi-county Regional Crime Center by making necessary improvements to the facility's technology infrastructure. This will enable the development of a comprehensive database that integrates information from 53 local law enforcement agencies, and provides agents with new, critical analysis capabilities. Providing local law enforcement agencies the ability to share and search information will dramatically improve efforts to fight crime throughout the region.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants, Title: Anti-Gang Youth Initiative, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Allentown and ALERT Partnership, Address of Requesting Entity: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101 and 17th and Chew Streets, P.O. Box 7017, Allentown, PA 18105, Description of Request: The project will enhance and sustain model programs developed through the Allentown Anti-Gang Task Force. This task force was created through the Route 222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative, which was funded in 2007 by a Department of Justice grant. The project will allow the task force to slow the recruitment of youth into the gang lifestyle and develop multi-faceted strategies for early intervention to remove young people and teens from gangs. Additionally, the project

will strengthen partnerships between local grassroots and faith-based groups working to combat crime and violence.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: OJP--Byrne Discretionary Grants, Title: Gang and Youth Violence Security Initiative, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: School District of the City of Allentown, Address of Requesting Entity: 31 South Penn Street, PO Box 328, Allentown, PA 18105, Description of Request: For the past three years the Allentown School District has seen an increase in the amount of critical incidents involving violent behavior. Recently, national gangs have penetrated the region and brought with them a more organized and better supported system to augment local gang activity. This has increased the number of adjudicated youth in the area, and has increased the severity and number of disciplinary issues in Allentown's schools. This initiative will enhance security training and equipment to provide for a safer Allentown School District. The additional security measures will help the district get a better handle on the activities occurring in and around its schools.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Corps of Engineers, Investigations--FPMS, Title: FPMS: Southeastern, PA, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District (NAP), Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Description of Request: This funding will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to provide local communities planning tools that could help reduce damages from future flooding in southeastern Pennsylvania. Devastating flooding in 2004, 2005 and 2006 caused tremendous damages in the region. Providing flood mapping, flood warning, and other non- structural measures could help to reduce future damages and even help save lives.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Corps of Engineers, Investigations, Title: Delaware River Comprehensive, NY, NJ, PA & DE, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District (NAP), Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Description of Request: This funding will provide for an interim feasibility study by the Army Corps of Engineers with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) that will be used to develop a flood analysis model and watershed flood management plan, and evaluate and enhance the Delaware River Basin's existing flood warning system.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Corps of Engineers, Expenses, Title: Mid- Atlantic River Commissions, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), Address of Requesting Entity: 25 State Police Drive, P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 06828, Description of Request: This funding will fulfill the federal obligation established in the Delaware River Basin Compact (P.L. 87-328, Article 13, Section 13.3c) to support the Delaware River Basin Commission. Activities to be funded include water quality protection, water supply allocation, flood loss reduction, drought management, watershed planning, permitting, and water conservation.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Title: Advanced Power Batteries for Renewable Energy Applications, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: East Penn Manufacturing, Address of Requesting Entity: Deka Road, Lyon Station, PA 19536, Description of Request: Funding will provide for the design, testing, and fabrication of new advanced lead acid battery energy storage technology that could be used to balance the fluctuating generation of electricity in current wind and solar power systems. This technology would produce larger, safer, cleaner, and more affordable energy storage options than are currently available. This project, conducted with Sandia National Laboratories and the Bonneville Power Administration, will lead to a new advanced lead acid battery that will serve as a longer lasting, cleaner, more affordable, American-made solution to the load leveling challenge plaguing several renewable energy systems.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Title: Clean Technology Commercialization Initiative, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ben Franklin Technology Partners Corporation, Address of Requesting Entity: 125 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, Description of Request: This funding will support clean/alternative energy technology development and commercialization activities to encourage the development and growth of energy-related technologies and companies in Pennsylvania. The initiative will enable the Commonwealth to strategically invest in one of its most competitive sectors, leverage additional public and private investment, create high-wage jobs and help enable sound environmental practices.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Title: Fuel Cell Optimization and Scale-Up, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Dynalene, Inc, Address of Requesting Entity: 5250 West Coplay Street, Whitehall, PA 18052, Description of Request: Funding will provide for the development and optimization of methods to scale-up production of a new patented fuel cell coolant which is already available in sample quantities (1 to 3 gallons). This technology uses a base liquid mixture and an additive package. The base mixture is designed to have a freezing point below -40 deg.C, thermo- physical properties similar to the current automotive antifreeze, and possesses no flash point. The additive package in the coolant has been designed to maintain very low electrical conductivity, a critical requirement for cooling fuel cells. No other coolant available today can do this job by itself.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Title: Lehigh Valley Hospital Photovoltaic Panel Installation, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lehigh Valley Hospital, Address of Requesting Entity: Cedar Crest and I-78, P.O. Box 689, Allentown, PA 18105, Description of Request: This funding will enable the installation of 300 kW of photovoltaic (solar) panels on the roofs of multiple buildings at the Lehigh Valley Hospital campus in the City of Allentown, PA and the Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg campus in the City of Bethlehem, PA. These photovoltaic panels will produce a percentage of the total electricity required for the operation of the hospital buildings.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division C: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Fossil Energy R&D, Title: ITM Reaction- Driven Ceramic Membrane Systems, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Address of Requesting Entity: 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18195, Description of Request: This funding will support the development of ITM Oxygen technology for industrial-scale oxygen production and ITM Syngas technology for production of synthesis gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) from natural gas. The development of ITM Reaction-Driven ceramic membrane systems will synergistically utilize the technology developed in both the ITM Oxygen and ITM Syngas projects. ITM Reaction-Driven membranes can be integrated into a state-of-the-art gasification system to produce synthesis gas to generate advanced electric power, hydrogen, or other clean fuels. This versatile technology can be applied in a cost- effective and environmentally responsible manner to a broad list of energy sources, including coal, natural gas, liquid hydrocarbons, biomaterials, and waste materials.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division D: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, Account: SBA, Title: Northampton Community College Electrotechnology Applications Center, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Northampton Community College, Address of Requesting Entity: 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020, Description of Request: The Northampton Community College Electrotechnology Applications Center (ETAC) provides confidential assistance to businesses and manufacturers to help them increase productivity, improve energy efficiency, and achieve and maintain environmental compliance. Specifically, ETAC helps small businesses gain a competitive advantage by applying alternative technologies to improve heating, drying, coating and curing processes. This project addresses a statewide initiative to provide support for proactively reducing emissions from the manufacturing sector. Funding will be used to continue the Center's small business program which helps manufacturers reduce green house gas (GHG), volatile organic compound (VOC), and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. The ETAC identifies opportunities to quantify and reduce GHG, VOC and HAP emissions by pro-actively marketing grant services, presenting workshops and seminars to raise awareness, and conducting the necessary training programs to implement solutions. Additionally, ETAC staff perform site visits to evaluate businesses'

processes, equipment and facilities, and provide an unbiased assessment of emissions reduction opportunities.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division E: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Save America's Treasures, Title: State Theatre Historic Facade, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: State Theatre Center for the Arts, Inc., Address of Requesting Entity: 453 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 18042, Description of Request: The project will facilitate significant facade repair and preservation, specifically windows and a restored marquee for the State Theatre in Easton, PA. These improvements will help enhance and preserve the Theatre which has been a key component of efforts to revitalize Easton's Historic District.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division E: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, Title: Salford Township, Tylersport Sewer Improvements, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Salford Township, Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 54, Ridge Road, Tylersport, PA 18971, Description of Request: The project will support the implementation of a public sewer system in the Tylersport area. The total project cost is estimated at $2,200,000. Tylersport Village, located in Salford Township, currently has a significantly high percentage rate of failing on-lot septic systems. This funding will allow for approximately 108 village homes to be connected to a public sewer system that is being built to accommodate a new development of 190 homes in close proximity to the village.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division E: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, Title: Lower Milford Township in Lehigh County for wastewater treatment plant construction project, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lower Milford Township, Address of Requesting Entity: 7607 Chestnut Hill Church Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036, Description of Request: The project will assist with the construction and installation of a municipal sewage treatment plant in Lower Milford Township. The plant will provide critically needed infrastructure to reach compliance with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act and the Clean Streams Law. Due to the need for public sewage within the village, no additional businesses have located in Limeport and no expansion of the existing businesses can occur. With the construction of a municipal sewer plant, the village of Limeport can experience economic growth by attracting new and expanded businesses, tourism and the addition of jobs within the community.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Higher Education, Title: Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA for nursing curriculum development, including purchase of equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Cedar Crest College, Address of Requesting Entity: 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104, Description of Request: Funding will be used to develop and implement a community-based, direct-care fall prevention program to reduce the risk of falling among the elderly population and prolong the time in which program participants are able to reside in independent living, senior-housing facilities in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Funding will be used to redesign a bachelor's-level nursing gerontology course, including simulation technology; to fully integrate a gerontological thread across the new Master of Science in Nursing program; to pay for salaries and faculty release-time needed to establish the program; and to provide portable equipment needed to assess and educate senior-citizen participants in their homes.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Higher Education, Title: Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, Schnecksville, PA for purchase of equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Address of Requesting Entity: 4500 Education Park Drive, Schnecksville, PA 18078, Description of Request: This initiative will address the critical workforce shortage of diesel technicians and tractor trailer drivers by enhancing the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute's technological and instructional capabilities. Digital instructional technology investments will enhance distance learning opportunities, interactive simulator training, and vehicle repair and driver training. This initiative will allow LCTI to develop their technological capabilities to include high speed network connections to facilitate distance learning, thin client servers and computer stations, category six network cable, digital web cameras, wireless connectivity, monitors, interactive whiteboards and software. Additionally, the funding will allow secondary and postsecondary instructors at LCTI to learn the most recent repair procedures and logistics operations.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services, Title: HCSC Blood Center, Bethlehem, PA for facilities and equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: HCSC (Miller-Keystone) Blood Center, Address of Requesting Entity: 1465 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA 18017, Description of Request: Funding will support renovations of the Miller-Keystone Blood Center's main laboratory and collection facility. The Miller-Keystone Blood Center is the only supplier of blood products to the hospitals in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Southern Luzerne, Upper Bucks and Upper Montgomery (PA), and Warren (NJ) counties. Donated blood is tested for safety and efficacy and processed into blood products for patient care at the laboratory prior to being transported to 17 local hospitals and other health care providers.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services, Title: Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA for purchase of equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Sacred Heart Hospital of Allentown, Address of Requesting Entity: 421 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18102, Description of Request: This project will support the purchase of operating room equipment essential for treatment and service for Hospital patients. Specifically, funding will be used to purchase an eye microscope for cataract surgeries, a micro drill for orthopedic cases, an ECT monitor for treatment of clinical depression, two electric operating room beds, and a Glidescope for anesthesia for intubations on children and older adults. Sacred Heart Hospital is a 226-bed, acute care teaching hospital in the City of Allentown.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services, Title: St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, Allentown, PA for purchase of equipment, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, Address of Requesting Entity: 1736 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18104, Description of Request: Funding will be used to purchase equipment for a new technologically advanced Operating Suite that is part of a $75 million hospital expansion project in the City of Allentown. The Operating Suite is part of an expansion project to increase hospital services that will allow St. Luke's to meet growing patient needs and improve support service areas.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division F: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Account: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)--Substance Abuse Treatment, Title: Treatment Trends, Inc., Allentown, PA for a substance abuse treatment initiative, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Treatment Trends, Inc., Address of Requesting Entity: 18-22 South Sixth Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: The project will enable the implementation of a community-based drug and alcohol addiction and PTSD treatment center dedicated to serving Veterans and their families. Unfortunately, Veterans returning from combat are at great risk to abuse drugs and alcohol as a means to cope with their experiences. Additionally, many Veterans suffer from the effects of PTSD, which are compounded by substance abuse. The program is designed to provide long-term addiction treatment, specialize in the treatment of PTSD, and assist Veterans and their families by intervening in periods of acute distress.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Buses and Bus Facilities, Title: Bus Purchase, LANTA, PA, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, Address of Requesting Entity: 1060 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA 18103, Description of Request: The project will support the purchase of five heavy-duty transit buses, which will improve and expand public transportation services throughout the Lehigh Valley region. The Authority's existing fleet of 78 buses must be

expanded to continue LANTA's successful development efforts, which has recently seen a 65 percent increase in transit usage.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Surface Transportation Priorities, Title: Realignment and Intersection Improvements on PA Route 248, Bath, PA, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Address of Requesting Entity: 1002 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: This project will provide realignment and intersection improvements on PA Route 248 in the Borough of Bath, PA. This project will better align existing streets in the Borough with PA Route 248 and PA Route 512, which have become major thoroughfares for the area's growing population. These improvements will help alleviate congestion and enhance safety on increasingly critical roads.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Transportation, Community and System Preservation, Title: Old Allentown Streetscape Improvements, PA, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Allentown, Address of Requesting Entity: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: The project will provide streetscape improvements for an urban historic district within the City of Allentown that is experiencing infrastructure deterioration. Improvements will include curbing and sidewalk replacement and the installation of decorative street lighting, trees, new ADA compliant handicap ramps, and street pace for improved safety at busy crosswalks.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Economic Development Initiative, Title: Renovation of a warehouse into a modern facility that will provide services in health, education, social services and community development, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Casa Guadalupe Center, Address of Requesting Entity: 143 Linden Street, Allentown, PA 18101, Description of Request: The project will revitalize a neighborhood warehouse into a modern facility that will provide services in health, education, social services and community development. The renovated warehouse will become a community building that will combine recreation, community activities, employment training for young adults and a health clinic for uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Economic Development Initiative, Title: Establishment of a facility designed to offer specialized therapy and counseling services to children and their families, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Children's Home of Easton, Address of Requesting Entity: 2000 South 25th Street, Easton, PA 18042, Description of Request: The project will allow for the construction of a 1,600 square foot facility designed to offer specialized therapy and counseling services to youth ages 9 to 21 and their families. This will facilitate the Children's Home of Easton's effort to consolidate various locations into one centralized site while expanding services. The Center will include 2 therapy rooms for clinical staff, a family lounge, an activity area and a landscaped courtyard.

Bill Number: H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009-- Division I: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Account: Economic Development Initiative, Title: Renovation of the Bethlehem YMCA's dormitory, Legal Name of Requesting Entity: YMCA of Bethlehem, Address of Requesting Entity: 430 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, Description of Request: The project will renovate the Bethlehem YMCA's 60-year-old dormitory creating Bethlehem YMCA Affordable Housing, LLP. This facility will provide safe and affordable housing for low-income, homeless and the working poor men and women. Additionally, the Bethlehem YMCA project will create a blend of single room occupancy units and efficiency apartments, employ an onsite case manager and provide both on and off site services geared towards enriching the lives of its residents by not only providing a place to stay but means to achieve greater independence.

Mr. Speaker, I just rise today to express my disappointment with the fact that we are operating under a closed rule. I appreciate the fact that we are going to eliminate the pay raise, I think that's appropriate, and I commend everybody involved with that. We should not be getting a raise at a time like this.

But ordinarily we operate under what's called an open rule so that we have the opportunity to offer amendments to appropriations measures, that is our custom. And I'm very disappointed that we're not allowed to do that.

We all talk about bipartisanship, as we should, and we should try to work for bipartisan legislation. In fact, the President just the other day said something to the effect that the majority needs to be inclusive and the minority needs to be constructive. I agree. And in that spirit, I offered an amendment to the Rules Committee yesterday that would have limited the increase in spending in this legislation to the rate of inflation at 3.8 percent. It was rejected on a party line vote. I think it would have been most appropriate. Again, that amendment was substantive, it was constructive, and would have benefited the American taxpayer.

I understand that we have an obligation to govern, that we must pass appropriations bills to fund the government; that is important and that's something we must do. But the fact that we're operating under this closed rule process, though, again, shuts so many people out of the process. It is unfair, it's unreasonable, it is not bipartisan, and I think we should heed President Obama's voice, that the minority should be constructive and the majority should be inclusive. And that is not what is occurring with respect to this Omnibus Appropriations Act.

I am disappointed. And like others, I intend to vote for the rule because it will eliminate the pay raise, so that's a good thing; but again, we need to get back to regular order.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor American veterans who fought in the most pivotal conflict of World War II; the Battle of the Ardennes, more commonly referred to as the Battle of the Bulge. Specifically, I rise to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the many courageous veterans, family members and supporters of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, based in my district.

Next month marks the 64th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Bulge. At 5:30 a.m. on December 16, 1944, over 250,000 German troops launched a massive offensive against Allied forces along an 85 mile stretch of Europe's Western Front in the Ardennes region of Belgium, Luxembourg and France. Initially, German forces were able to advance approximately 50 miles into terrain controlled by Allied armies, but by late January 1945, American units had reclaimed the lost territory and effectively crippled the German Army.

While the Battle of the Bulge was the largest and most pivotal land battle of World War II involving American soldiers, it also proved to be the bloodiest. When the conflict ended on January 25, 1945, roughly 75,000 American troops had lost their lives defending the vital Western Front and thousands more were left terribly injured. The sacrifices of these servicemen and all those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge were not made in vain, as the U.S. Army's expulsion of German forces from Ardennes damaged the German Army to the extent that its full defeat became inevitable.

Ten years ago, a group of motivated veterans in my district established the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. Today, the membership of this group extends far beyond veterans of the Battle of the Bugle to include veterans of more recent conflicts like the Vietnam war, spouses, family members, friends and even local residents who share the group's interest in American military history. The Chapter meets the third Tuesday of every month at the Terrace Restaurant in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, to socialize, share memories and discuss upcoming community events. Typically, these meetings attract anywhere from 75 to 100 enthusiasts.

One of the primary functions of the organization is to educate local students and residents. Members routinely visit schools

throughout the Lehigh Valley to discuss the importance of the Battle of the Bulge and teach students about the great sacrifices made by thousands of American soldiers over time to preserve our freedom. The Chapter estimates its education program has reached over 50,000 students since its inception.

December 16, 2008, represents 64 years since the start of the famous Battle of the Bulge. On this date, members of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge will gather at 5:30 a.m. in two locations in my district to recognize the anniversary of this historic event and remember the many Americans who lost their lives ensuring Allied victory in World War II.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and thanking all members of the Armed Forces for their brave service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Gloria Davis, for a lifetime of musical and theatrical accomplishments.

The child of Italian immigrants, Gloria was born to Anthony and Anna Pacchioli in Easton, Pennsylvania and has lived in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley most of her life. She married Irwin Davis, who ran Dave's Luncheonette in Allentown for 36 years. Gloria and Irwin raised two children, Shari and Robert, who would go on to bless them with four grandchildren, Patrick, Lauren, Brandon, and Becca.

Gloria studied singing at Juilliard and spent years touring the United States. As the first female musical director and orchestral conductor in the Lehigh Valley area, Ms. Davis put on thirty musicals, including Hair, George M. Cohen, Stop the World I Want to Get Off, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, Oliver, No No Nanette, Hello Dolly, and La Cage Aux Folles and many others.

Gloria shared her voice with the world, touring across Europe from 1946 to 1948. During the 1950's, she actively supported our men and women in uniform, participating in three professional USO tours to entertain the troops in Asia and the South Pacific. Gloria has taught voice lessons to amateur and professional singers alike for over forty years, and she continues to coach aspiring singers to this day.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to Gloria Davis for all her work bringing music to the Lehigh Valley, the United States, and the world. She has made our community extremely proud.

Thank you, Congressman English, for organizing this special order tonight in recognition of our good friend, John Peterson.

He has been certainly an extraordinary Member of Congress, a real character, and just been a good friend to so many.

John is one of those people who really makes this Congress a very special place. He does represent the Fifth District, as has been discussed tonight. I wanted to wish him and his wife, Sandy, well. This happens to be the anniversary of their wedding this weekend, so I wish both John and Sandy Peterson all the best on this anniversary weekend for them.

You know, I first met John Peterson back in 1991 when I was first sworn in to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. John was a State senator, and I was just a freshman in the State House; and John was always very kind to me. He would take time out of his busy life to mentor me, to talk to me about issues, just to be a good friend. And I always appreciated that about John.

And John, too, in Washington, perhaps, is best known for his advocacy on the issue of Outer Coaster Shelf exploration for energy. What a lot of people don't know, who've probably listened to John Peterson over the years, he talked about that issue about American exploration for energy when it, perhaps, wasn't as popular. But he would come down with charts and talk about the need to produce energy in America.

And what a lot of people don't know about John Peterson is that he represents much of northwestern Pennsylvania, a very large, rural district. And in that district is a town called Titusville where oil was first discovered by Colonel Drake.

And so John was passionate on this issue of oil and gas exploration. It was something that he brought to this floor. He did a lot to educate many of us, many Members, about the situation in this country with respect to natural gas, especially. John would talk about it and talk about the need for us to develop more of our resources and how this is impacting America's manufacturers, particularly Pennsylvania's manufacturers. And he was just passionate about it. And of course during this Congress, that issue of American energy exploration, the Outer Coastal Shelf, is one that has really taken a very high profile.

And I know that John, because of his leadership in part, is why we saw the moratorium on OCS drilling lifted just recently, and I think that's a great accomplishment for John.

Also, too, he was one of the more tenacious Members I have ever met, and I met him in Harrisburg. He would take up an issue, and there was no one who was more fierce for his cause than John Peterson.

And we saw that this year with respect to the tolling, proposed tolling for Interstate 80. John was, as many of us know in Pennsylvania, rather upset about the proposal. And he just really took to the public airwaves and made his case. And, of course, that proposal was not adopted by the Federal Highway Administrator. So that was an issue that was one where John had taken a strong leadership position and came out successful, just as he did recently on the issue of Outer Coastal Shelf exploration.

So John Peterson has actually had quite a good year. Such a good year that I have teased him at times, ``Are you sure you want to retire now? You're doing so well around here. This is probably not the time for you to leave.''

But John, as you know, is a dedicated public servant, a devoted family man, and I think he wants to spend more time with his family.

I know I will miss him here. As I said, he's a great friend to me. I've known him since our legislative days in Harrisburg.

I, again, want to thank John Peterson for his advocacy, for his friendship, for his leadership on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, northwestern Pennsylvania in particular, and also for his support and leadership for all the American people.