Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and welcome to Washington, DC Ambassador Elin Suleymanov of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On January 18 Ambassador Suleymanov presented his credentials to President Obama.

Ambassador Suleymanov has a distinguished diplomatic career. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Mr. Suleymanov served as Azerbaijan's first Consul General in Los Angeles.

While Azerbaijan has a new Ambassador to the United States, I bring to my colleague's attention that once again Azerbaijan lacks an Ambassador from the United States. After over a year of vacancy, President Obama nominated Matthew Bryza as Ambassador. After a stalled confirmation process President Obama appointed Matthew Bryza to the position in 2010. Unfortunately he was not given the opportunity for a confirmation vote in the Senate and has recently returned to the U.S.

Azerbaijan is a key strategic partner to the U.S. by providing an important transportation route for supplies to our troops in Afghanistan and transit of Caspian oil and gas to the Mediterranean via the BTC pipeline. The relationship between the U.S. and Azerbaijan is too important not to have an Ambassador in place. As one of our few predominately Muslim allies we must do what is right.

I encourage my colleagues to urge the Administration to nominate a new Ambassador to Azerbaijan and ask the Senate to act in the best interest of our national security and have an expeditious confirmation vote.

Mr. Speaker, as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I note that January 20 marked the 22nd anniversary of an historic and tragic day in the history of the country of Azerbaijan.

On the night of January 19, 1990, 26,000 Soviet troops invaded the capital city of Baku and surrounding areas. As a result of this violent crackdown on the Azerbaijani people more than 130 innocent civilians died, 611 were injured, 841 were arrested and many more were missing. This event remained in the history and in the minds of all the citizens as ``Black January''.

This attack was an attempt to stop the independence movement that was gaining momentum in Azerbaijan and to rescue the totalitarian regime, the rule of Communist Party, and the whole Soviet Union. However, this invasion produced the opposite result. It further inflamed the national movement for independence in Azerbaijan and other Republics of the Soviet Union. In a resolution on January 22, 1990, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR declared that the decree used by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to impose emergency rule in Baku and military deployment constituted an act of aggression. This event is seen as the rebirth of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Popular pressure led the country to break away from Soviet rule and declare its independence. On August 30, 1991, Azerbaijan's Parliament adopted the Declaration on the Restoration of the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and on October 18, 1991, the Constitutional Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was approved. November 1991 marked the beginning of international recognition of Azerbaijan's independence. The United States was among the first nations to recognize independence of this young country. It established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan on February 28, 1992, and opened an embassy in Baku in March of that year.

Today, Azerbaijan has developed into a thriving country with sustainable economic growth and developing democratic institutions. The United States and Azerbaijan are cooperating on a broad range of issues and share a common vision for the future of the region and beyond.

I encourage my colleagues to join with me today in standing with Azerbaijanis as they commemorate this tragedy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Act of 2011. The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution provides citizens with the individual right to keep and bear arms. This right enables Americans to use firearms for self- protection, for hunting, and for other lawful activities.

H.R. 822 would guarantee that individuals who are legally licensed to carry a concealed weapon in their home State could also legally carry a concealed weapon in another State. The bill seeks to protect our fundamental liberty, not restrict it. Just as one State recognizes a driver's license issued by another State, I believe States should recognize conceal-and-carry licenses issued by another.

Today, some States already have reciprocity agreements to recognize the conceal-and-carry laws of other States, while some do not. The result is a piecemeal system where a law-abiding citizen may be required to give up his or her weapon at a State line. If passed, this bill would streamline the system by making it more simple and uniform. H.R. 822 does not create Federal standards for obtaining permits nor does it require States to adopt a specific licensing system. Each State's right to determine its own permitting system will remain intact regardless of H.R. 822.

Since the founding of our Nation, American citizens have had the constitutional right to bear arms, and I believe this legislation is a commonsense solution to preserve that right. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule today and to support final passage of H.R. 822.

Mr. Speaker, as the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I rise today to honor the distinguished service of His Excellency Yashar Aliyev, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States.

Soon, Ambassador Aliyev will return to Azerbaijan after the conclusion of a successful tour in Washington. His leadership has been critical to strengthening the friendship between the United States and Azerbaijan, and I want to recognize and thank him for his service.

Before being named Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States of America by President Ilham Aliyev in October 2006, Ambassador Aliyev served four years as Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. During this time, he was chairman of the Fourth Committee of Special Political and Decolonization of the 60th U.N. General Assembly, vice president of the 59th General Assembly, vice president of the Economic and Social Council, and vice president of the U.N. Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

As Ambassador to the United States, he has worked with great skill and dedication to enhance the bond between the United States and Azerbaijan. To this important end, he has been tremendously successful on several fronts.

Ambassador Aliyev has solidified the strategic partnership between our nations. In recent years, Azerbaijan has participated in initiatives to curb nuclear proliferation, fight international terrorism, and maintain regional security in southwestern Asia. Moreover, it has provided multi-faceted support to U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Also during his tenure, Ambassador Aliyev has deepened economic ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan supplies oil and gas to the United States and other Western countries, thereby providing vital energy to the global economy. Moreover, American energy companies are participants in a collaborative effort to further develop Azerbaijan's oil and gas reserves in the Caspian Sea.

Of great importance to me, the relationship between my home state of Oklahoma and Azerbaijan has continued to grow under the leadership of Ambassador Aliyev. In recent years, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan and the Oklahoma National Guard have engaged in joint training exercises and operations through the National Guard State Partnership Program.

Ambassador Aliyev has broadened collaboration between his country and Oklahoma beyond military cooperation. Earlier this year, he visited Oklahoma and met with various elected officials and business leaders. I am confident his visit laid the groundwork for expanding opportunities for Azerbaijan to cooperate with Oklahoma's business community and universities.

It has been an honor to work with Ambassador Aliyev. I hope he will reflect on his time served in Washington with a sense of pride. As a result of his work, the relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan has never been stronger.

In closing, it has been a pleasure to work with Ambassador Aliyev. I thank him for his dedicated service. He will forever be a trusted friend of the United States. I wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of H.R. 473, the HALE Scouts Act. This bill grants the U.S. Forest Service the authority to sell roughly 140 acres of land to the Indian Nation's Council of Boy Scouts. The land for conveyance is adjacent to the Scouts' summer camp, Camp Tom Hale, located in Talihina, Oklahoma.

The Indian Nation's Council of Boy Scouts is a nonprofit organization, providing educational programs for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and to develop personal fitness.

Camp Tom Hale first opened in June 1930 to serve Boy Scouts in McAlester, Oklahoma. It was originally located in what is now Robbers Cave State Park near Wilburton, Oklahoma. In 1963, the Boy Scout Council in McAlester worked with the State of Oklahoma and the U.S. Forest Service to exchange the camp at Robbers Cave for 480 acres of wilderness area in the Ouachita National Forest. This ``new'' Camp Hale has continued as a summer adventure camp, serving thousands of Scouts during the intervening 41 years.

In 1997, the council board developed a strategic plan for a $3.5 million expansion and renovation of the camp. Since then, the council has spent in excess of $1 million continually updating and expanding facilities to meet the needs of scouts. As a result, a renewed emphasis on wilderness and outdoors has flourished, with over 6,000 scouts and leaders from a five-State area attending weekly sessions offered in June and July and enjoying the beautiful Ouachita Forest.

Attendance has now exceeded the maximum number of available campsites and program areas, which is causing Camp Hale to begin turning away hundreds of scouts each summer. It is now critical for camp growth that the boundaries be extended to include more area for camping and additional program and training services.

Successful completion of this objective will allow the Boy Scouts to continue the expansion of outdoor and leadership training for thousands of youths living in the central Southwest and bring additional usage and enjoyment of the Ouachita Forest for more families.

I want to emphasize that the Boy Scouts will pay fair market value, as was mentioned before, for this land, so that this bill will actually bring money to the U.S. Government.

It is for the benefit of these thousands of young men across a five- State area that I proudly sponsored this measure. I greatly appreciate the House's consideration of the bill and would like to urge my colleagues to support this bill, this legislation. I can think of no greater thing that we can do than to invest in our young people. And how can you be against the Boy Scouts?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today and ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an important day for the Republic of China (ROC), National Day, also known as ``Double Ten Day''. On October 10, 1911, the Qing Dynasty collapsed as a result of the Wuchang Uprising and ushered in the beginning of representative government in China. This year, Double Ten Day holds special significance as the Republic of China marks its 100th birthday. This will be a day of great celebration and thanksgiving throughout the country, and I call on my colleagues to join me in offering congratulations and good wishes to President Ma Ying-jeou and the people of Taiwan.

It was under the leadership of Dr. Sun Yat-sen that over two thousand years of dynasties were brought to an end. The past century has seen tremendous growth and development for the Republic of China on Taiwan. It has developed a dynamic democratic system of government, spurred steady economic growth, and encouraged the flourishing of the arts and sciences with an emphasis on free and open dialogue and debate.

Under the leadership of President Ma, Taiwan has continued to strengthen its economy through extensive foreign trade. The United States recently welcomed another Taiwanese agricultural trade mission, which offers the promise of strong export market for our farmers and a steady supply of food supply for the citizens of Taiwan. President Ma has also helped ease tensions with mainland China through economic agreements which have led to benefits for all.

Because of this, I stand today with the people of Taiwan as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China. May their commitment to freedom and democracy continue to flourish in the decades and centuries to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of Imogene Johnson of Okemah, Oklahoma, who passed away on September 14, 2011, at the age of 90.

Imi, as we all knew her, was a very close friend of the Boren family, and I can remember seeing her face at some of my earliest campaign events. She was always there.

She was the wife of Oklahoma Fourth District Congressman Glen D. Johnson, Sr., and the mother to Glen D. Johnson, Jr., the former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and now our current Chancellor for Higher Education. She supported both her husband and her son faithfully, and I know her son especially will miss her.

Imi was a civic leader and a dedicated public servant. She was a member of the Okemah Chamber of Commerce, an active member and past president of the American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the PEO. In 1999, the city of Okemah honored her by inducting her into the Okemah Hall of Fame for her dedication to her hometown.

Again, Imi was truly an inspiration to her beloved Oklahoma, and I am honored to have called her a friend. I know she has her son and other family scattered across the State of Oklahoma, particularly in Okemah. She has touched them and many, many other Oklahomans. Again, we will greatly miss her.

Mr. Speaker, as co-chairmen of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, Congressman Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania and I would like to bring a letter to the attention of our House colleagues that we received from the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yashar Aliyev.

Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United

States of America,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Dan Boren,

Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Boren, I am writing to express my

concerns of the reports that on September 13, 2011 the so-

called ``Office of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in the

USA'', the Embassy of Armenia to the United States and major

Armenian-American organizations are organizing event on the

premises of the U.S. Congress, dedicated to the so-called

``20th Anniversary of Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh

Republic''. According to the news reports Mr. Ashot Ghulian,

who presents himself as the ``Chairman of the NKR

Parliament'', will be visiting Washington D.C. and will be

the keynote speaker at the event.

In this regard, I draw your attention to the fact that so-

called ``Nagorno-Karabakh Republic'' is a self-proclaimed

entity created on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan,

supported by Armenia and essentially is under its direction

and control. It is entirely unrecognized as such, even by

Armenia.

As a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict hundreds of

thousands of the Azerbaijanis were expelled from the Nagorno-

Karabakh region and surrounding territories of Azerbaijan.

Four UN Security Council resolutions adopted in 1993

following the armed seizure of Azerbaijani territory reaffirm

the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of

Azerbaijan, demand immediate, complete and unconditional

withdrawal of the occupying forces from all occupied regions.

By engaging in public campaigns using the Congress premises

the agents of the separatist regime pursue the goal of

distracting the attention of the Members of Congress and

broad American public from the continued occupation of the

territories of Azerbaijan by the Armenian armed forces,

accompanied by gross violation of human rights of hundreds of

thousands of the Azerbaijani IDPs. Their ultimate goal is to

consolidate the occupation of these territories and to

prevent return of the displaced Azerbaijani population to

their homes and properties from which they were forcibly

expelled.

Allowing organization of such activities on American soil

encourages the Government of Armenia to hold on to its

uncompromised position in peace negotiations and complicates

the already difficult settlement process. Participation of

Members of Congress in these events may be qualified as

support for the separatist regime and negatively affects the

honest broker image of the United States as a Co-Chair of the

OSCE Minsk Group tasked to find just and peaceful solution to

the conflict.

Azerbaijan is an important strategic partner of the United

States. Azerbaijan provides multi-faceted support for U.S.

operations in Afghanistan and remains a steadfast supporter

of Israel. Our two countries cooperate on counterterrorism

and nonproliferation issues. Moreover, Azerbaijan greatly

contributes to the energy security of the United States and

Europe.

I ask you to refrain from participating in this event that

is directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity

of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a key ally of the United

States in the strategic Caspian region and to voice your

opposition to using Capitol grounds for such activities.

Sincerely,

Yashar Aliyev,

Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an important milestone for a prestigious institution of higher learning in eastern Oklahoma. Bacone College, the oldest college or university in Oklahoma, recently dedicated the statue ``Chickasaw Warrior'' at its Founders' Day ceremony. This statue is a gift from its artist, Enoch Kelly Haney, and the Chickasaw Nation. Its dedication is a very special moment for this institution. Standing proudly at the center of campus, this tall, imposing statue depicts a battle-ready Native American man clenching arrows gazing into the distance.

In the six months this statue has been on campus, it has become symbolic of the common spirit found everywhere at Bacone. Founded in 1880 by Professor Almon C. Bacone in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Bacone College has been educating students of all backgrounds for the past 131 years. With more than two dozen Native American tribes represented in Bacone College's diverse student body, Bacone is known for preparing its students for success and preserving their cultural heritage. This statue aptly represents Bacone's long-standing relationship with the Native American community.

This impressive statue was sculpted by Enoch Kelly Haney. A 1962 graduate of Bacone College, Haney has become an internationally renowned artist and sculptor. His work spans four decades and his statue, The Guardian, stands proudly atop the Oklahoma State Capitol. In addition to his contributions to the field of art, Haney served in the Oklahoma legislature and in 2005 was elected Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. I would like to honor him for his time and effort in creating this generous gift to Bacone College and for his continuing service to the citizens of the state of Oklahoma.

Finally, I want to commend the Chickasaw Nation for donating this impressive statue to the college. Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby described this occasion perfectly when he said this statue reflects the ``unconquerable'' nature of the Chickasaw people and their unwavering determination to persevere. Now this statue will stand as a testament to their spirit, and there is no doubt this extraordinary gift will serve as an icon for Bacone College's future.

In these times of limited federal funding for higher education, it is important for the United States Congress to remember the local and regional universities that educate so many of our citizens, thereby empowering them to improve the future of their families and communities. Bacone College is a tremendous asset to eastern Oklahoma, and I recognize the Chickasaw Nation for their contribution to this important institution of higher learning.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment that I've coauthored with Mr. Schock. During my time in Congress I have been a consistent supporter of small businesses. Here on the House floor we are told nearly every day that small businesses are the engine of our Nation's economy, and there's no discounting that fact.

If included in the final bill, I believe section 18 will pose a devastating threat to America's small business community. Business method patents already endure a lengthy approval process, and section 18 would only make it more difficult for inventors to defend their patents.

I ask my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, Speaker, as the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the Republic of Azerbaijan as it celebrates its 93rd Republic Day on May 28, 2011. Later this year, Azerbaijan will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of its freedom from the Soviet Union and the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States. These events both represent important milestones in Azerbaijan's history.

Azerbaijan has progressed over twenty years to become a key ally to the United States in a strategically important region. Azerbaijan is located between Russia and Iran in the geopolitically dynamic region between Europe and Asia. It is a secular democracy with a predominantly Muslim population that has been home to vibrant Christian and Jewish communities for over a millennium.

Azerbaijan continues to offer multi-faceted support for U.S. and NATO operations in Afghanistan, in part by providing medical services for injured Afghanis and training for Afghan Security Forces. As highlighted by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Azerbaijan plays a key role in supporting the Northern Distribution Network, which provides passage for Coalition supplies bound for Afghanistan. Finally, Azerbaijan provides vital support to U.S. nonproliferation efforts.

In addition to supporting U.S. security interests in the region, Azerbaijan serves a paramount role in supplying the United States and Europe with oil and gas. It is the only secular Muslim country that maintains close ties with Israel, supplying roughly a quarter of Israel's oil.

Again, as the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, it is my pleasure to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of its 93rd Republic Day. For my colleagues who are interested in supporting Azerbaijan, I encourage them to consider joining the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, which works to strengthen and grow the valuable partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.

I want to thank Chairman Rogers, and I also want to thank Ranking Member Ruppersberger for working together in a bipartisan way to produce this bill. Their leadership was invaluable in moving this bill forward, and it has been critical to all of the committee's efforts during the 112th Congress.

Last year, the President signed into law an Intelligence Authorization Act for the first time since 2005. That bill included a number of important provisions to address the foreign language needs of the intelligence community, including a provision I sponsored, which created a pilot program in African languages under the National Security Education Program.

I am glad we can build upon the FY10 bill and can get another authorization bill signed into law for the second straight year. This bill authorizes the annual funding for the 16 member agencies of the intelligence community; aligns the national counterterrorism strategy with the policies and strategies of the DNI; and requires the DNI to establish an insider threat detection program to prevent unauthorized leaks of classified information.

While this bill is important to our intelligence community's ability to be the first line of defense for America, as we recently saw with the killing of bin Laden in Pakistan, the intelligence community often forms the first line of offense against our enemies as well.

Last month, I traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and witnessed firsthand the tremendous challenge of locating bin Laden and other members of al Qaeda. Finding him would not have been possible without the robust capabilities that are available to the dedicated intelligence professionals at the CIA and other agencies. That is why Congress must continue to provide the intelligence community with every resource it needs to complete its missions.

Again, I extend my gratitude to Chairman Rogers and to Ranking Member Ruppersberger for their exceptional work on this legislation, and I also thank the Intelligence Committee staff for its tireless efforts in preparing this year's bill.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon with a heavy heart.

Last night, powerful storms ripped through my district and the State of Oklahoma killing multiple people and causing millions of dollars in damage.

According to the National Weather Service, yesterday at 8:16 pm Oklahoma time, a tornado touched down near the town of Tushka, Oklahoma in Pushmataha County, killing at least two of my constituents and causing millions of dollars in damage.

This is a terrible tragedy.

Oklahomans are well aware of the threat they face every year from severe weather.

But this tragedy and these types of storms are never easy for anyone to bear.

In fact, the damage caused by yesterday's storm is very personal to me.

During my time representing eastern Oklahoma in the House of Representatives, I have visited the school in Tushka that has been destroyed by this storm.

Tushka is a small rural town in Southeastern Oklahoma.

A town much like many of the small communities each of us represent here in Congress.

The people of Tushka are a group of hardworking and resilient Oklahomans who will undoubtedly get through this tragedy.

But at this difficult moment, I want to pause and let the victims and families who are suffering because of these storms know that my wife Andrea and I are praying for them during this difficult hour.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of Chairman Upton's bill, H.R. 910, a bill to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. By passing this bill, Congress will rein in the EPA and save thousands of American jobs.

This is a very sensitive issue to me. Georgia-Pacific, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, is the largest employer in my hometown of Muskogee, Oklahoma, employing almost 1,000 Oklahomans. I am proud of the work Koch Industries brings to my district and of its record of environmental stewardship. I want to make sure that Georgia-Pacific employees keep their jobs and that Koch can continue to invest in Oklahoma.

Every Member of Congress understands the delicate balance between creating jobs and preserving the environment, but I ask my colleagues to see that the answer to America's economic and environmental challenges is not a more powerful EPA. Let's pass the Upton bill and put an end to this job-killing idea.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man of determination, conviction and integrity--State Representative John Carey of Durant, Ok.

Carey, a former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, served his district and state with distinction during the years of 2002 to 2010.

John's legislative work has been devoted to improving education, making the state government more efficient and helping the brave men and women who have served our nation in the military.

His personal career has also been focused on improving the lives of hard-working Oklahoma families through economic development, business growth and community outreach.

Representative Carey has been active in civic affairs for several years, serving as a Gear-Up mentor, a Crisis Control board member, a board member of the Oklahoma State University Consumer & Family Services Advisory Committee, past chairman of the Bryan County Junior Livestock Show and as a member of the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Homecoming Committee.

It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to acknowledge not only his successes in the Oklahoma legislature, but also his work as a devoted father and a steadfast friend.

John Carey is the husband of Pam Carey and father of G.W., Emma, and Anna Carey.

The 21st House District of Oklahoma is a better place because of the service of my friend and colleague, John Carey.