Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on May 8, 2005, we will mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. So I rise today to honor the men and women that did their duty in this war to comfort the families that lost loved ones.

World War II was truly a world war conflict, spread across the globe, and it is estimated that some 50 million people died as a result. The impact of the war was felt everywhere. Men and woman from every walk of life were encouraged to do their bit for the war effort, and they responded magnificently.

It is hard to imagine the relief and joy that those who had lived through the war experienced when at last the war finally ended. Veterans remember ripping the blackout curtains from their windows, turning on their lights, and sharing with their family, friends and neighbors or complete strangers their joy at hearing the news that the war was over.

However, we should remember that for many, the end of the war came over a period of months. For those who were serving in the Far East and their loved ones, the war continued long after the victory celebrations that are etched in our popular memory. World War II extracted a terrible toll, most brutally in terms of the dreadful human cost in dead, injured and of course disabled.

Year after year of sacrifice and uncertainty, of making do and going without, left its mark on each and every Nation. But it also helped forge an attitude of never again.

The images we see of people celebrating the end of the war are people shaking off their recent past and looking forward to a better peaceful future. As we look back on these images, we might stop to reflect upon not only the debt that we owe them, but to consider too the responsibility for the future that we have inherited.

As we look towards the future we look towards democracy. President Bush's trip to Europe, in particular the Soviet Union, exemplified his strong push towards his foreign policy agenda of spreading democracy. As we look towards the future today, President Bush also looked towards the past in remembrance of World War II.

He connected the struggles against Nazi and Communist tyranny in the part of the world to his own campaign to bring democracy to the Middle East. In an effort to encourage President Putin to acknowledge past national mistakes he said, ``In regard to our occupation of the Middle East, we will not repeat the mistakes of other generations, appeasing or excusing tyranny, and sacrificing freedom in the vain pursuit of stability. We have learned our lesson. No one's life is expendable. In the long run our security and our true stability depends upon the freedom of others.''

It is a remarkable statement that the President issued. It is this freedom, the freedom and benefits of a democratic Nation that President Bush is trying to encourage people to reflect on. His scheduled stop in Latvia was a way of easing his participation into Monday's anniversary celebration in Moscow's Red Square.

But, of course, a trip like this reopened old wounds between Moscow and the Baltic States, which of course were absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1940 after the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop deal between Hitler and Joseph Stalin in 1939.

The agreement provided for Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia, part of Finland and later Lithuania in return for Nazi Germany's control over most of Poland. As President Bush looked back on the history of the Soviet Union, he tried to compare the United States' past mistakes to that of the Soviet Union.

President Bush noted that lengthy and difficult journey for us here in the United States for democracy, with our own civil war that we struggled through. As we look to the future, it is essential to remember the past and the mistakes we made as a Nation, and other Nations should do the same.

World War II embodies what certain mistakes can result in. Sixty years ago, millions of Europeans were suffering from homelessness or having been released from captivity or expelled as part of an act of vengeance.

So thousands of Americans and American families were left with a gapping hole, as they had lost loved ones in the battles during World War II. It is today that we make a stand and seek to liberalize other nations and encourage freedom and democracy throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to praise President Bush for his statements that were made in Europe this week and again honor the lives of millions of soldiers that fought for the end of the war, World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental, especially the provision that would postpone reducing the number of Navy aircraft carriers from 12 to 11. Our nation is at war against global terrorism and reducing the number of aircraft carriers would be a huge blow to our nation's defense at this very critical time.

Since the end of the Cold War, carriers have been kept very busy and have proven their value in numerous operations. In this era of uncertain U.S. access to overseas air bases, the value of carriers as sovereign U.S. bases that can operate in international waters, free from political constraints, is particularly significant.

During the past half century, the carrier force has never dropped below 12 ships, illustrating the enduring need for a force of at least that many ships. After experimenting with an ``11 + 1'' carrier force in FY1995-FY2000, DOD returned to a force of 12 fully active carriers, suggesting that DOD was dissatisfied with a force of less than 12 fully active carriers.

This provision in the Supplemental would effectively delay the decommissioning of the USS Kennedy until 6 months after the Quadrennial Defense Review is released. The Kennedy is based at the Mayport Naval Station near Jacksonville, Florida. Aside from concerns of this move striking a blow to national security, the carrier's retirement would mean an estimated loss of $300 million a year to the local economy.

Furthermore, if the Kennedy were retired, all of the Atlantic Fleet's carriers would be, for some time at least, home ported in a single location. This, of course, would not be in the best interest of national security.

Decommissioning the Kennedy before the QDR is complete could prove to be a very costly and ill-timed decision. The QDR may conclude that a fleet of 12 aircraft carriers is essential to our nation, thus necessitating that the USS Kennedy be operational. In a time of war, it is unwise to retire an aircraft carrier without knowing whether or not it will be needed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge members of congress to carefully examine the effects that retiring the Kennedy and reducing the number of carriers would not only have on our nation, but the world at large. Please join me in supporting the Supplemental and the provision that keeps the number of carriers in the Navy's fleet contained therein.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate both the University of Florida's Men's and Women's Tennis teams on claiming the South Eastern Conference's Tournament Titles. The second-seeded and fifth-ranked University of Florida men's tennis team won the SEC tournament for the third time in school history, as the Gators defeated fifth-seeded and 26th ranked Tennessee on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA. With the victory, the Men's team moved to 20-5 on the year and earned the SEC's automatic invitation to the NCAA Championships marking their 15th consecutive trip. Likewise, the University of Florida women's tennis team staged an unbelievable comeback rallying to win its 4th consecutive and 14th overall SEC Tournament title with a 4-2 victory over third-ranked Kentucky, Sunday afternoon at the Alabama Tennis Stadium. I congratulate both of Florida's Men's and Women's tennis teams on their SEC tournament title and wish them much luck as they head into the NCAA Tournament!

Mr. Speaker, recently the Supreme Court announced it would

decide whether some law schools might curb military recruiters' access to their students. The issue in question is the Solomon amendment, a Federal law that requires universities to give military recruiters equal access or risk losing millions of dollars in Federal funding. These universities allow IBM, GE and other corporations access, but not the military. I commend the Supreme Court for taking up this case and urge them to reverse a lower court injunction against enforcement of the Solomon amendment.

The Solomon amendment is necessary to protect the military against the antimilitary sentiment of some universities and colleges. Yet many of these universities receive millions and millions of hardworking American tax dollars in Federal funds. These universities will take taxpayers' money, but then will discriminate against the very people who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. This is not right. I urge support for the Solomon amendment.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Asthma Awareness Day. I rise to celebrate the October 2003 enacted Asthmatic Students Treatment and Health Management Act, ASTHMA. It is now Public Law 108-377 and was H.R. 2023 in the House and the Senate bill was S. 2815. I introduced this with the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy), and Senator Enzi and Senator Kennedy carried the mantle there.

Mr. Speaker, this law provides incentives for States to pass favorable laws that guarantee that students can carry and use prescribed medicine and anaphylaxis medications while in school. It is not a mandate, and incurs no new spending. The idea has been germinating since the early 1990s and has been building momentum since.

On Asthma Awareness Day, May 7, 2003, there were only 20 asthma- friendly States in our United States. Even more limiting, of these 20, only nine extended that protection even further to anaphylaxis medication like epinephrine auto-injectors. Today, according to the Allergy and Asthma Network, Mothers of Asthmatics, we have a strong number of 41 States protecting for asthma, 26 for asthma plus anaphylaxis, and four have legislation pending for both conditions. Four that have asthma laws have legislation pending for anaphylaxis, and there is one State just getting started and has legislation that is pending for asthma anaphylaxis-carrying students.

Mr. Speaker, this is a dramatic upswing for our children. I am especially proud to report what is going on in Florida. Florida has been an inhaler-friendly State for years, but now there is legislation pending to include epinephrine auto-injectors.

My friend and constituent, Dr. Karl Altenberger, an allergist in Ocala, Florida, has been active in advancing this for his patients in the Florida State legislature. He is to be commended. This bill passed last week and is ready for the Governor's signature.

Just yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel reported ``Girl fights for allergy law as lives depend on it.'' In Celebration, a central Florida town, lives 9-year-old Kelsey Ryan. ``Severely allergic to peanuts, she has never known life without her EpiPen. The dose of adrenaline inside could save her life and is with her at all times: in classrooms, on field trips, and during school activities. Now Kelsey has been urging Tallahassee lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow the estimated 100,000 Florida school children with life-threatening allergies the same access to this EpiPen.

Kelsey has testified before four Tallahassee committees since February, meeting lawmakers and passing out practice injectors urging them to pass the bill. We might call Kelsey a true respiration inspiration. She shares a quote, ``My mom told me in some schools, there are children like myself who need the EpiPen with them, but it is locked far away in the clinic.'' She told the committee that if someone needed their EpiPen, it might not get to them in time.

Kelsey's charisma and dedication led legislators in Tallahassee to rename H.B. 279 the Kelsey Ryan Act. More than 60 State legislators cosponsored the bill which the House passed earlier this month 114 to 0. The Senate passed it last week, and it is on the desk of Governor Jeb Bush.

Brenda Olson, director of governmental affairs for the American Lung Association of Florida points out that ``most schools in Florida do not allow students to carry the EpiPen.'' As we have been saying for years, ``Moments count when these reactions start.''

Kelsey's mother, Blair Ryan, emphasized another point we made in our bill, H.R. 2023, that this is a team effort between the student, the parents, the physician, and the school. If a parent and physician believe that a student is mature and competent to treat him or herself, a school should not impede this medical regimen, but help it work for the student.

Currently, school districts across Florida have different policies on this matter, and some may well not serve a student who just accidentally got stung by a bee or ate a cookie with an unknown walnut. Officials in Volusia and Orange counties said the majority of EpiPen are kept locked in school clinics. This is disastrous for the student's health and potentially a lawsuit on the school.

In conclusion, I am pleased with the strong progress on this issue here in our Nation's Capitol and in the State houses. I invite everyone to join us in the Cannon Caucus Room tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. for a congressional briefing followed by free asthma screenings and asthma health clinics and exhibits from 1 to 3:30 p.m. This year, Asthma Awareness Day is truly a breath of fresh air.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, is Asthma Awareness Day and I rise to celebrate the October 2003-enacted Asthmatic Students Treatment and Health Management Act (ASTHMA). What is now P.l. 108-377, and was H.R. 2023 in the House and S. 2815 in the Senate, I had introduced on 2003's Asthma Awareness Day with my friend Representative Patrick Kennedy from Rhode Island. In the Senate, Senator Enzi and Senator Kennedy carried the mantel.

This law provides incentives for States to pass favorable laws guaranteeing that students can carry and use prescribed asthma and anaphylaxis (anna full AXE iss) medications while at school. It is not a mandate, and it incurs no new spending. This idea has been germinating since the late 1990s, and has been building momentum since. On Asthma Awareness Day, May 7, 2003, there were only 20 ``asthma- friendly'' States. Even more limiting, of these 20 only 9 extended that protection even further to anaphylaxis (anna full AXE

iss) medication, like epinephrine auto-injectors. Today, according to the Allergy and Asthma Network, Mothers of Asthmatics, a grand-slam of 41 States protect for asthma, 26 for asthma plus anaphylaxis, 4 have legislation pending for both conditions, 4 that already have asthma laws have legislation pending for anaphylaxis, and 1 State is just getting started and has legislation pending for asthma. This is a dramatic upswing for our children.

I am especially proud to report what is going on in Florida. Florida has been inhaler-friendly for years, but now there is legislation pending to include epinephrine auto-injectors. My friend and constituent Karl Altenberger, MD, an allergist in Ocala, FL has been active on advancing this for his patients for years in the Florida State legislature. The bill passed last week and is ready for the Governor.

Just yesterday (May 2nd), the Orlando Sentinel reported that ``Girl fights for allergy law as if lives depend on it.'' In Celebration, a central Florida town, lives 9-year-old Kelsey Ryan. ``Severely allergic to peanuts, (she) has never known life without her EpiPen. The dose of adrenaline inside could save her life and is with her at all times: in her classroom, on field trips and during after-school activities.

Now Kelsey has been urging Tallahassee lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow the estimated 100,000 Florida schoolchildren with life- threatening allergies the same access to their EpiPens--also known as epinephrine auto-injectors.

Kelsey has testified before four Tallahassee committees since February, meeting lawmakers and passing out practice injectors with tags urging them to pass the bill.'' We might call Kelsey a true respiration inspiration. She shares that ``My mom told me that in some other schools there's children like myself who need their EpiPen with them, but it's locked up far away in the clinic,'' Kelsey told one committee. ``If they somehow needed their EpiPen, it might not get to them in time.''

Kelsey's ``charisma and dedication led legislators in Tallahassee to rename H.B. 279 the ``Kelsey Ryan Act.'' More than 60 State representatives co-sponsored the bill, which the House passed earlier this month 114-0. The Senate passed it last week and it is on the desk of Governor Jeb Bush.

Brenda Olsen, director of governmental affairs for the American Lung Association of Florida, points out that ``Most schools in the State of Florida do not allow students to carry their EpiPens,'' and, as we have been saying for years, ``Moments count when these reactions start.''

Kelsey's mother, Blair Ryan, emphasizes another point we made in H.R. 2003: This is a ``team effort'' between the student, the parents, the physician, and the school. If a parent and physician believe that a student is mature and competent to treat him or herself, a school should not impede this medical regimen, but help it work for the student. Currently, school districts across Florida vary on their policies, and some may not well-serve a student who just accidentally got stung by a bee, or ate a cookie with an unknown walnut. In the Sentinel article, officials in Volusia and Orange counties said the majority of EpiPens are kept locked in school clinics. This could prove to be just disastrous, for the student's health, and potentially as a lawsuit to the school.

I am pleased with the strong momentous progress of this issue here in our Nation's capital and in our statehouses. I invite everyone to join us in the Cannon Caucus room tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. for a Congressional Briefing, followed by free asthma screenings and asthma health exhibits from 1-2:30 p.m. This year's Asthma Awareness Day is truly a breath of fresh air.

Madam Speaker, the AARP has publicly denounced any plans to reform Social Security that might include personal savings retirement accounts. They have taken out full-page ads claiming that investing for retirement is like playing the slot machines in Las Vegas. But the AARP Web site tells its senior members to invest their money in a 401(k) or an IRA, and also says that seniors do not invest enough in retirement plans. Why are these retirement plans safe and advisable but personal retirement accounts through Social Security are too risky? In addition, the AARP has its own investment plan through Scudder Investments that invests in mutual funds and stock index funds.

If the AARP exists to look out for the interests of retired persons and they advise their membership to invest their money in mutual funds and stock index funds, my colleagues, it seems suspect that they would not support a program that would allow some, some flexibility through the Social Security program.

Mr. Speaker, recently I had the opportunity to visit Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and spend time with the commander of the Air Combat Command, Lieutenant General William Fraser, and many dedicated, indeed dedicated, members of the United States Air Force. As part of the Air Force Caucus trip, we had almost 50 people participating in the trip.

Much of this trip focused on the F/A-22 Raptor and its importance to the future of the United States Air Force. After visiting with General Fraser and seeing the Raptor up close, I am more convinced and I think the participants who went on this trip are also convinced that the F/A- 22 will become an integral part of future military successes.

Mr. Speaker, during my visit I was briefed not only about the warfighting capabilities of this plane but about the maintenance program as well. The Air Force uses cutting-edge technology to maintain this plane; and this, of course, leads to more efficient maintenance. It is the first jet to use an entirely paperless maintenance program, allowing new parts to be ordered or changes to be made significantly faster.

The engine also utilizes new technologies. Its design allows it to be worked on while still on the plane, that is, the engine. In the past, engines often needed to be removed in order to be maintained. This is not the case for the F/A-22. These new technologies mean less time in the shop and, of course, more time in the air.

Also, the maintenance training program has been improved. No longer are there these big, bulky maintenance manuals. The training is digital in real-time, with real-world conditions. It leads to more effective and efficient training. Maintainers spend less time in training and more time actually working on the plane. This, of course, leads to faster maintenance and thus the F/A-22s are not grounded for longer than is necessary.

In the past, and particularly in the post-September 11 environment, homeland security has been our top priority here in Congress and our Nation. The F/A-22 plays a large role in protecting the homeland. According to the Air Force, 238 legacy fighters would be required and needed to protect this homeland while only 150 F/A-22s would be needed.

The Bush administration unfortunately has proposed cutting $10 billion from the F/A-22 program over the next 5 years, leaving enough to buy 183 of the 381 planes the Air Force says it needs. Simply put, in my judgment, this number is just not sufficient.

The Air Force will not be able to guarantee air superiority without a sufficient quantity of F/A-22s. The U.S. has not lost a soldier due to an air attack since 1952. The Air Force has made air superiority look so easy that we have begun to take it for granted, but maintaining this air dominance is not easy.

For now, the United States Air Force is the best trained, the best equipped in the world; but Russia, China, India have made huge strides in achieving parity, and, in some cases, have even surpassed U.S. capabilities.

Our current, but badly aging, fighters no longer enjoy technological or aerodynamic superiority when compared to the modern aircraft of potential adversaries. There have been some recent exercises pitting the F-15s, which the F/A-22 Raptor will replace, against one of Russia's primary export fighters, resulting in kill ratios favoring the

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance and effectiveness of defibrillators. Heart disease kills more than 250,000 Americans each year and many of these deaths result from sudden cardiac arrest, SCA. The most effective treatment for SCA is immediate defibrillation, in which thousands of lives are saved. Recognizing this years ago, I had the honor of working with the American Heart Association, AHA, in developing legislation addressing SCA. This cooperation led to the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act. Now, I am pleased to see that the AHA is donating, to Alachua County, Florida, defibrillators to be placed in each public school in Alachua County. The move comes in light of two incidents earlier this school year, in which area high school students collapsed. In Florida, nearly 12,800 people suffer a cardiac arrest each year, and 95 percent of them die. AHA's goal is to increase the survival rate from 5 to 20 percent and I support and stand behind them in reaching this end.

Mr. Speaker, this morning I wish to brag on my talented young constituents, the cover girls and boys that were featured in Roll Call this week. The band and color guard of the Keystone Heights Marching Indian, Florida, high school band visited Washington, D.C., this weekend. While here with Band Director Jason Dobson, they performed at the Jefferson Memorial and Capitol Hill. They played ``El Capitan,'' a John Philip Sousa march; ``Pevensey Castle'' by Robert Sheldon; ``Tis the Gift to Be Simple,'' an 18th century Shaker folk tune; and saving, of course, the best for last, student conductor Ashley Poplin conducted them in ``The Washington Post,'' another Sousa march.

French horn player Karlo Martin, still fresh after three sleepless nights, described the trip as ``really enjoyable.''

I am proud of the students in Florida's Sixth Congressional District for their hard work and their skill. Being in a marching band is strenuous enough, but central Florida with all its heat adds an extra impediment to the challenge. Job well done.

Mr. Chairman, here we go again. As I said, this is the third time, and it should be a charm.

We have passed this comprehensive legislation before; and I know I speak for a lot of my colleagues, probably on both sides of the aisle, that we should finally move forward after the large increases in gasoline. This is a timely piece of legislation.

The Department of Energy predicts by the year 2025, U.S. oil and natural gas demand will rise by 46 percent with energy demand increasing 1 percent for every 2 percent in GDP growth. This increase in demand at home, coupled with the explosion of demand worldwide, has led to the increase in the cost of crude oil.

To combat this, and the resulting record gas prices, the American people today are looking for Congress to act and we are doing it. This legislation contains a number of provisions that would lower gas prices. H.R. 6 encourages more domestic production of oil, promotes a greater refining capacity, and increases the gasoline supply by stopping the proliferation of expensive regional boutique fuels.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6 and finally enact solid, comprehensive energy legislation for the American people.

Mr. Chairman, here we go again. As they say, the third time's the charm. This is the third Congress in a row we have tried to pass comprehensive energy legislation. I know I speak for many of my colleagues in saying I hope we can finally move forward and enact this very important and increasingly timely legislation.

As we all know too well, energy is the lifeblood of the economy. The availability of energy at reasonable prices is key to economic growth and stability. Comprehensive national energy policy must ensure affordable, reliable energy and also promote national security. H.R. 6 does that and I urge all my colleagues to support it.

The Department of Energy predicts that by the year 2025, U.S. oil and natural gas demand will rise by 46 percent, with energy demand increasing 1 percent for every 2 percent growth in GDP. This increased demand at home, coupled with an explosion of demand worldwide, has lead to an increase in the cost of crude oil. To combat this and the resulting record gas prices, the American people are looking to Congress to act.

This legislation contains a number of provisions that would lower gas prices. H.R. 6 encourages more domestic production of oil, promotes a greater refining capacity, and increases the gasoline supply by stopping the proliferation of expensive regional boutique fuels.

Ending our dependence on foreign oil is not only important to the economy but also doubly important to national security. Currently, the U.S. imports about 60 percent of its oil. The Department of Energy projects this number will increase to 73 percent by the year 2025. In order to ensure reliable and secure supplies of oil, we have no choice but to increase the domestic supply.

Another way H.R. 6 increases domestic production of oil is by opening ANWR to oil and gas exploration. USGS estimates that there is between 5.7 and 16.0 billion barrels of oil that is technically recoverable. This estimate does not take into account that with new technology, the share will become higher. A resource of this magnitude cannot simply be ignored. H.R. 6 goes a long way to end our reliance on foreign oil.

I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6 and finally enact solid, comprehensive energy legislation for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, as the summer driving season is set to begin, gasoline prices are at a record high. While some continue to blame the Bush administration and the Republicans in Congress, the truth is that neither is responsible for the record highs. The reason for the high gas prices includes the cost of crude oil due to a worldwide explosion in demand, the lack of refinery processing capacity, and the overregulation here in Washington.

The House will get the opportunity to address this problem this week with the House bringing to the floor the Energy Policy Act of 2005, H.R. 6. The long-awaited legislation contains a number of provisions that would lower gas prices. H.R. 6 encourages more domestic production of oil with incentives such as a streamlined permit process, promotes a greater refining capacity to bring more oil to market, and increases the gasoline supply by stopping the proliferation of expensive regional boutique fuels.

The Department of Energy predicts by 2025 U.S. oil and natural gas demand will rise by 46 percent, with energy demand increasing 1 percent for every 2 percent in GDP growth. Critics of H.R. 6 claim that it would do little to curb consumption or drive down prices. In fact, this legislation includes provisions to do just that. In order to scale back demand for oil, the proposal encourages vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells and increases funding for the Department of Transportation to work to improve fuel efficiency standards. Furthermore, it authorizes $200 million for the clean cities program which will provide grants to State and local governments to acquire alternative-fueled vehicles.

Curbing demand is necessary, but it is not nearly enough to lower the price of gas. We also need to increase domestic production of oil. Ending our dependence on foreign oil is not only important to the economy but also doubly important to national security. Currently, the U.S. imports about 60 percent of its oil. The Department of Energy projects this number will increase to 73 percent by 2025. In order to ensure reliable and secure supplies of oil, we have no choice but simply to increase our domestic supply.

Domestic energy production must be increased without compromising a clean environment. There have been giant leaps in technology that would produce oil and natural gas in an environmentally safe manner. We need a comprehensive energy policy that recognizes that sophisticated new technology greatly reduces adverse impacts on the environment by exploration and production. Along with the incredible advances in technology, transportation, and medicine that improve our lives comes the increased need for energy.

In addition, overregulation by the government also contributes to regional and seasonal price fluctuations that increase costs and, of course, reduce flexibility to meet consumer demand. According to the Energy Information Agency, last year refining costs represented about 20 percent of the retail cost of gasoline. By simply scaling back the excessive and cumbersome Federal regulations on refiners, we could significantly reduce these costs. For example, the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments mandate the sale of cleaner burning reformulated gasoline in order to reduce summer smog in nine major metropolitan areas. The law also requires that RFG contain at least 2 percent oxygen by weight.

To comply with these regulations, refiners must switch from winter grade fuel to costlier summer blend gasoline. According to the Federal Trade Commission, this adds 4 cents to 8 cents per gallon to the price of gasoline. Likewise, complying with a national low sulfur gasoline regulation for passenger cars not only represents scientific challenges for refiners but also could adversely affect gasoline supply and, of course, availability. The industry will need to invest more than $8 billion over the next 3 years to meet this requirement, which will result in higher prices at the pump.

This hodgepodge of customized fuel requirements increases production costs which are ultimately reflected in the price of gasoline that we pay today. These varied gasoline specifications also restrict the ability of refiners and distributors to move supplies around the country in response to local and, of course, regional shortages.

High gas prices affect every sector of the American economy and especially hit families the hardest. Congress has been debating and debating this issue for too long. We now have the chance to enact this week comprehensive energy legislation that will go a long way to lower the cost of gasoline. We need to fully embrace this opportunity before it is too late.

Madam Speaker, it has been 2 years since the United

States troops entered Iraq, and it has become clear that the democratic elections that have been provided to the people of Iraq through this campaign have begun to spread throughout the region.

In Beirut on Monday, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese protesters gathered in Martyr Square, which some are now calling Freedom Square, to demonstrate for the removal of Syrian troops to withdraw from Lebanon. They chanted, ``Sovereignty, Freedom, and Independence.''

When their prime minister was assassinated 4 weeks ago and replaced with a pro-Syrian prime minister, the Lebanese people took to the streets and called for freedom. Their protests sparked the resignation of the pro-Syrian prime minister.

Because of U.S. efforts in the Middle East, freedom is no longer something inconceivable to the people of this region. Instead, they have witnessed the spread of freedom to their neighbors and have been empowered by it.

We must continue to support policies which promote freedom in the Middle East.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell my colleagues and the country about a problem that has plagued our country for some 30 years, but continues unabated today. It is a problem that travels our highways and threatens our interstate commerce. It is a problem that affects our entire country and demands a Federal response. The problem is the crime of cargo theft.

Every year, tens of billions of dollars are lost due to cargo theft, by one estimate, up to $60 billion a year in losses. But there are indirect costs as well. This huge amount of business and profit translates into the loss of at least 300,000 mid-level manufacturing jobs. Prices are increasing due to higher insurance premiums. People are losing their jobs and consumers are paying higher prices because of cargo theft. Making matters worse, law enforcement officials estimate 60 percent of cargo theft incidents go unreported, so these costs could be even greater.

Typical targets for cargo theft often include shipments of clothing, prescription drugs, computers, and jewelry. A truckload of computer microprocessors can be worth millions of dollars. A truckload of cigarettes, just another common target, can be worth up to $2 million.

Cargo thieves employ creative and highly efficient means to prey on cargo carriers and have managed to stay one step ahead of our authorities. Thieves know what they want, where they can find it, and how they can get it.

And let us not forget that cargo theft is a national security issue. We know that terrorists can make a lot of money stealing and selling cargo, not to mention the fact that terrorists have a proven record of using trucks to either smuggle weapons of mass destruction or as an instrument of delivery.

Make no mistake about it, cargo theft is a big business, and business is booming.

But despite the incredible costs and high stakes involved, we still have not been able to come up with an effective way to fight cargo theft. The trouble is, cargo theft is not well-known or a high-profile issue. And one of the reasons that cargo theft does not receive the attention it deserves is because very little information exists concerning the problem. For example, there currently is no all- inclusive database that collects, contains, or processes distinct information and data regarding cargo theft.

In order to combat the growing problem of cargo theft, I have introduced legislation, the Cargo Theft Prevention Act, which proposes commonsense solutions to this widespread crime. My legislation would require the creation of just such a database, providing a valuable source of information that would allow State and local law enforcement officials to coordinate reports of cargo theft. This information could then be used to help fight this theft in everyday law enforcement and estimating, and very importantly, estimating the exact cost of this crime.

My act, the Cargo Theft Prevention Act, proposes that cargo theft reports be reflected as a separate category in the Uniform Crime Reporting System, or the UCR, the data collection system that is used by the FBI today. Currently, no such category exists in the UCR, resulting in ambiguous data and the inability to track and monitor trends.

The last thing my bill does is have the United States Sentencing Commission take a look at whether criminals who commit cargo theft deserve stiffer penalties. This needs to be done because the high value-to-volume ratio of hi-tech and high-profit goods cargo theft has encouraged criminals previously involved in drug dealing to move into this area of activity, where they run less risk of detection and suffer less penalties if they are caught.

As it now stands, Mr. Speaker, punishment for cargo theft is a relative slap on the wrist. Throw in the fact that cargo thieves are tough to catch, and what we have here is a low-risk, high-reward crime that easily entices potential criminals. We need to determine what sentencing enhancements and increases must be made, if at all.

Members in this Chamber need to be made aware of this problem, a problem not only specific to the large port cities of this country, but a problem specific to all of our congressional districts. Billions of dollars are being sapped from our economy and this body is doing little to stop it. It is time that we get aggressive and make our highways again safe for commerce.

The Cargo Theft Prevention Act proposes to finally give law enforcement officials and lawmakers the commonsense tools they need to combat the costly and growing crime of cargo theft. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, our Western Civilization reflects the contributions of many peoples, cultures, and nations. One vital source that gave much toward the depth and richness of our culture is ancient Greece.

One of the great legacies of the city-states of Greece is the practice of self determination or democracy, the rule of the people. Many of the functions of our government are drawn from the Greek political system. Similarly, Greece greatly influenced the development of one of our major religions demonstrated through the word christos, or Jesus Christ. The Letters to the Corinthians and Thessalonians are essential parts of the New Testament.

In countless high schools and colleges throughout the nation, students study the Iliad, a poem originating nearly 3,000 years ago. Modern philosophy still revolves around the thoughts and discussions of Plato and Aristotle. Also, early Greeks developed many of the mathematical disciplines that make our world add up. And, just this past summer the world met in the glory of athletic competition, the modern Olympics, another gift of the Greeks.

I cannot imagine what our society would look like without the rich contributions of the Hellenistic age--architecture, literature, science, and art--but I am sure that it would be more drab and impoverished. In fact, the

early roots of Western Civilization trace back to Greece, from where it grew out across the European continent and later across the Atlantic Ocean to the Western Hemisphere.

Unfortunately, modern shortcuts such as the English language and 21st century culture are undermining the Greek language and traditions. As the incubators of so many wonders, the Greek language and the Greek culture deserve to be preserved and celebrated. This is essential for the benefit of the current generation and the enrichment of future generations.

I have had the honor of meeting an individual dedicated to preserving the Hellenic spirit, Captain Panayotis Tsakos. He undertook this mission of love by creating the Maria Tsakos Foundation, which is devoted to honoring the various aspects of ancient, modern, and contemporary Greek culture. The Foundation provides multifaceted activities that teach the Greek language, dances, and literature. So far, more than 3,000 students have learned the language and culture. In addition, the Foundation provides scholarships for study in Greece and supports charities that uphold Greek traditions.

I appreciate this opportunity to share this information with my colleagues, and to commend Captain Tsakos for his dedication to preserving the richness of the Hellenic world.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent on official business and missed rollcall 90. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''