Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, investing in transportation and infrastructure is one of the best ways to put people back to work while increasing our global competitiveness. These investments must be made not just publicly but also by private companies. So we need to support policies that encourage private investment.

One such policy is the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation Tax Credit, which has been critical in boosting private investment in rail infrastructure. In Chicagoland, which suffers greatly from rail congestion, this credit has been put to good use by railroads such as the Belt Railway Company and the Indiana Harbor Belt. These railroads have made improvements that reduce congestion, boosting local business competitiveness and easing traffic on the roads.

Unfortunately, this credit expired at the end of last year. So we must act now. Let's help put people to work and improve American transportation and enhance and extend the short line tax credit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill. As chairman of the Research and Science Education Subcommittee, I want to thank Dr. Ehlers not only for his support of the COMPETES Act, but also all the work that he has done as the ranking Republican on the subcommittee and all the years he has put in on these issues in Congress.

I firmly believe that this bill is critical to maintaining America's global competitiveness. I thank Chairman Gordon for all his hard work on this bill and also his work through the years on these issues.

Passage of this bill will help produce a brighter future for our Nation and our Nation's workers. Simply put, this bill creates jobs. As a former college professor and engineer and unceasing advocate for American manufacturing, I want to focus on the National Science Foundation title. This act keeps funding for the NSF on a doubling path, and it significantly increases support for basic research, graduate education, STEM education, and turning research into jobs. America is at risk of falling behind in all these areas. We cannot stand still while our competitors move forward. If we do, we will see the jobs created on their soil, not here in America.

This bill also contains a number of critical programs that support innovation and manufacturing. These provisions can help reverse the outsourcing of American jobs. In addition, the COMPETES Act also includes provisions that address serious deteriorations in the state of our research infrastructure which threatens America's competitiveness. Our competitors, especially China, are stealing scientists from our country, and I hear this all the time because they are offering better opportunities, better research infrastructure for their scientists. This means they will create the innovations, they will create the jobs over in their countries.

The COMPETES Reauthorization Act takes a proactive bipartisan approach to securing America's position in the 21st century global economy and putting Americans to work.

With no investment, we have no gains. It's as simple as that. We cannot lose the race of competition to other nations. America's future depends on that. We must have the jobs. People are asking every day where are the jobs going to come from. They are going to come from the innovations that come from Americans, and this bill will help create the environment that will allow that to be done and provide a better future for our Nation.

Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of this bill, and I want to thank Chairman Gordon for his tremendous leadership on this issue. Passage of this bill will help produce a brighter future for our Nation and our Nation's workers or, put more simply, this bill means jobs.

As a former college professor, an engineer, and a ceaseless advocate for American manufacturing, I want to focus on the National Science Foundation title, which comes from my bill, H.R. 4997. Besides keeping NSF on its doubling path, it significantly increases support for basic research, STEM education, graduate education, and technology transfer. That is turning research into jobs.

In addition to our newly created NSF manufacturing and research program and a reauthorization of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, it includes a funding increase for MEP programs and a new innovative technology loan guarantee program.

The COMPETES Act also includes provisions to address the serious deterioration in the state of our research infrastructure, both at universities and our national labs, which threatens America's competitiveness. In addition, the GENIUS Act is included, a bipartisan bill I introduced with Representative Wolf to allow the NSF to offer innovative inducement prizes.

The COMPETES Reauthorization Act takes a proactive and bipartisan approach to securing America's position in a 21st century global economy and creating jobs, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Madam Chair, section 404 of the bill reorganizes the NIST laboratories, including creating an engineering laboratory for manufacturing and construction research. As you are aware, NIST currently performs important research on fire safety. Will this restructuring of the current Building and Fire Research Lab prevent NIST from engaging in this important fire safety research?

I thank Chairman Gordon.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the work of our Nation's nurses as we commemorate National Nurses Week and in particular to remember the service of the Cadet Nurse Program participants during World War II.

Nurses have long provided invaluable service in a wide array of medical settings. But few circumstances call for greater service to others or place more demands on society than times of conflict and war. Sixty-seven years ago, thousands of nurses answered this call and rose to these demands by taking part in the Cadet Nurse Program established in the midst of one of the greatest conflicts of the last century.

The demand for medical services caused by WWII led to a critical shortage of nurses both within the military and domestically. Congress responded by passing the Nurse Training Act

of 1943, which provided an opportunity for accredited nursing schools to offer accelerated training programs, greatly increasing the number of nurses available to serve at home and overseas. In addition, nursing students were able to receive subsidies for the cost of their training and a modest living stipend, which permitted many students to advance economically.

However, the Cadet Nurses' path through this program was not simple or easy. In addition to the daily stresses and high demands of nursing work, these future nurses faced the additional burdens of completing their studies faster than regular students and learning critical skills on the job instead of in the classroom. Yet, by responding to these challenges, the nursing students receiving training through the Cadet Nurse Program were critical to supporting the increased need for services during this difficult time in our Nation's history.

As we celebrate National Nurses Week, let us remember the difficult work that all nurses carry out. They serve at the front lines of medical care: often, they are the first and most familiar medical provider patients will see.

This week, I ask you to join me in remembering and honoring the work of Cadet Nurses and making sure that their outstanding service to their communities and our Nation is not forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Illinois students Stephanie Calderon of Reavis High School in Burbank, Lauren Gryczewski of Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Sofia Ramos of Mother McAuley High School in Chicago, and Sara Seweryn of the Queen of Peace High School in Burbank. These four young leaders are among 105 Illinois students selected from 2,125 nominations as 2010 Golden Apple Scholars.

The Golden Apple Scholars program recognizes Illinois high school seniors dedicated to the profession of teaching. The Golden Apple Scholars program is run by the Golden Apple Foundation, which promotes excellence in teaching through a vast array of support programs for current teachers and by training students to enter the teaching profession. Those selected as Golden Apple Scholars receive a $15,000 college scholarship, as well as valuable, hands-on professional summer training. In return Golden Apple Scholars commit to working for five years in high-need Illinois schools.

Thanks to this award, these four students will be able to bring their energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge to classrooms across Illinois that are in desperate need of highly qualified teachers. It is an honor to represent students whose own continued education will become a foundation for the education of others.

As a former educator, I understand the hard work and dedication it takes to succeed in such a demanding, important profession. I ask you to join me in honoring these four future teachers for their outstanding commitment to their community and state, and in recognition of their designation as 2010 Golden Apple Scholars.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution congratulating and thanking the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin for his 10 years of service as Chaplain of the House of Representatives.

For the past decade, Father Coughlin has admirably fulfilled his duties as Chaplain, blessing this Chamber with his thoughtful, eloquent prayers, conducting prayer meetings and spiritual exercises, and, most importantly, fortifying Members, their families, and congressional staff with his wise and generous counsel.

March 23 marked the 10th anniversary of Father Coughlin's swearing in as the 59th Chaplain of the House of Representatives and, most importantly, as some of my colleagues have mentioned, the first Catholic to hold this position. If you look back to the day that Father Coughlin assumed office, Pope John Paul II was visiting Israel for the first time. Gas was under $2 a gallon. And a certain attorney from the South Side of Chicago, the newspapers were just reporting on his bid, unsuccessfully, to join this body. It was indeed a long time ago and a lot has changed in those 10 years, but through it all Father Coughlin has responded to the demands of history, tradition, and faith with great devotion.

As many residents of my district in the Chicago region know, Father Coughlin's service dates back far beyond what he has rendered here over the past decade. In fact, just this past Saturday, as Representative Sensenbrenner was just mentioning, I also had the opportunity, with my wife, Judy, to be a part of the celebration of Father Coughlin's 50th anniversary as a Catholic priest.

Father Coughlin grew up on the North Side of Chicago and knew from a young age he would become a priest. He received degrees from St. Mary of the Lake University and Loyola University.

He was a parish priest before he was named the first Director of the Office of Divine Worship in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1969. His time during his year-long sabbatical, spending 5 months at a Trappist monastery in Kentucky, serving the poor in India, and serving as scholar-in-residence at North American College in Vatican City really shows the breadth and the depth of Father Coughlin's abilities. Upon his return, he spent 5 years as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Grange in my district. I know that he is much beloved at his parish at St. Francis. I hear about it very often from many of my constituents and friends. Following this, he became Vicar for Priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

After 4 decades of service, Father Coughlin was appointed House Chaplain by Illinois' own former Speaker, Dennis Hastert, on the recommendation of Cardinal Francis George. In announcing his choice, former Speaker Hastert predicted that ``Daniel Coughlin will bring to the House a caring and healing heart.'' The past 10 years has shown that he was undoubtedly correct. I know this from my own time in the House, having seen and experienced this. My own experiences with Father Coughlin range from the opportunity I had with him 5 years ago this week in Rome to be a part of the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI and also the many conversations I have had with Father Coughlin on what is currently happening in Chicago, including how his ageless mother and her Chicago Cubs are doing. I think this connection, being a Catholic from Chicago, has really especially made our relationship close over these 5-plus years I have been in the House.

Mr. Speaker, Father Coughlin's devotion to his faith and spiritual welfare of his fellow men and women is an inspiration. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise to share my deepest sympathies and solemn condolences with the people of Poland and all those who are impacted by this tragic plane crash. President Kaczynski will be deeply missed. He was determined to ensure the strength, prosperity, and sovereignty of Poland and was a strong ally of the United States.

Chicago also mourns the loss of one of our own, Wojciech Seweryn, who perished in the crash.

The Polish and American people have long shared a deep attachment to the values of freedom and independence. Today, with over 9 million people of Polish ancestry in the U.S., including roughly 1 million in Illinois, Poland remains one of America's closest allies. Our two nations continue to cooperate closely on issues of national security, regional and global security, democratization, and human rights. Our friendship and partnership have been and will continue to be steadfast.

Nothing we say today will make up for the tremendous loss that Poland has suffered and continues to grieve. However, as a proud Polish American, I hope that by sharing our own grief, sympathy, and unity with the Polish people, we will be able to help them gather the resolve and strength needed to get through such difficult times.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order.

We have all heard of the tragic events that occurred over the weekend in Russia where an official delegation from Poland, including President Lech Kaczynski, the First Lady, and 94 others, were killed in a plane crash.

This tragedy is made only more painful by the fact that they were traveling to commemorate the Katyn massacre, the 1940 murder of more than 20,000 Polish officers, intellectuals, and others by the Soviet secret police.

The citizens of the United States and Poland have a deep and long- lasting friendship based on mutual values and respect, and we are proud to call Poland a trusted and close ally.

Today we are joined by Polish Ambassador Robert Kupiecki and others from the Polish Embassy. As we mourn the loss of the President and other members of the Polish delegation, we extend our most solemn condolences to their families, the people of Poland, and those of Polish descent everywhere.

I now request that we observe a moment of silence to honor those who passed away in this tragic event.

Moment of Silence

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this motion from Chairman Oberstar. I would like to commend Chairman Jim Oberstar and Chairman Jerry Costello for their leadership and for making FAA reauthorization and aviation safety top priorities of our committee and of this House. We've held over 20 hearings and five roundtables on the FAA reauthorization in the last couple of years.

The House-passed FAA reauthorization will not only modernize our Nation's air transportation system--which is crucially needed right now--but will also significantly boost safety and enhance protections for consumers and the environment.

I was especially pleased to work with the chairman to incorporate a number of pro-consumer/pro-environment provisions into the bill, including holding airlines more accountable for delayed passenger bags; requiring airports to consider the implementation of recycling programs; establishing a Federal research center to develop alternative jet fuel; funding research to eliminate the use of lead in aviation gas; and requiring an open, competitive process for airport projects with the use of QBS.

I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Oberstar, Chairman Costello, and the ranking member as we move to conference with the Senate. Right now we have to continue to look forward, especially with NextGen. We need to get this done for the American flying public, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert Workman, an acclaimed artist from Mt. Greenwood, Illinois. On January 15, 2010, Robert Workman's pen and ink drawing became the first American work of the 21st century admitted to the internationally renowned Louvre Museum in Paris.

A passionate artistic practitioner, Mr. Workman is a graduate of the Ecole du Louvre and the Art Institute of Chicago--two of the preeminent art institutions in the world. In addition to having a place in the Louvre, his work is part of the Archives of the Musees Nationaux de France. The specific piece of art admitted to the Louvre was a pen and ink work featuring an ancient Egyptian theme--mixing the human form with an array of hieroglyphic text. This work was credited by the head of the Department of Sculptures with bearing ``witness to the international renown of the Louvre.''

Mr. Workman's art is only part of his contribution to society. He is a tireless author and illustrator, and has published numerous children's books and a graphic novel.

I ask you to join me in honoring Robert Workman for his remarkable achievements in art, and his recognition by the Musee du Louvre.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I have a background as an engineer. I actually have a master's degree in systems engineering. I understand the need for understanding how systems work and for understanding what can be done in preparation so that, in the case of Mr. Wu's bill, we can do the best that we can to mitigate, to avoid the problems, and to deal with what happens in the aftermath of earthquakes and windstorms.

I thank Mr. Wu for this bill, and I thank Chairman Gordon also for moving this bill forward and for bringing it to the House floor. I thank the Republicans for their work, and I thank Mr. Broun here today.

I think this is something that we often forget about until after a disaster strikes. With the earthquake in Chile, we've heard so much talk about the planning beforehand, about the requirements that buildings have to be designed in a certain way to withstand earthquakes, and about the lives that were saved. Probably tens of thousands of lives were saved from this. This was all through a type of planning that can come through this bill.

I think it is also important--and I see this so often, not just in the NSF, NIST, USGS, or NOAA. We see all these silos--all these departments, agencies--which are doing separate work, and they don't oftentimes enough coordinate the work that they are doing. So I think this bill does a very good job of making sure that we have the coordination when it comes to planning for earthquakes and for looking into what we can do about that for windstorms.

So I thank Mr. Wu for introducing this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1097, supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week. As one of only a handful of engineers in Congress, as Chairman Wu mentioned, I am proud to again sponsor this resolution honoring National Engineers Week.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers, for working with me on this resolution and on many other issues. Unfortunately for this institution and for America's science and technology policy, Dr. Ehlers announced a couple of weeks ago that he is retiring at the end of the year. We are going to miss his leadership and knowledge, especially in the area of science, technology, engineering, and math education. I will particularly miss working with him as a co-Chair of the STEM Ed Caucus. Promoting STEM Ed, and especially engineering education, is a big part of what National Engineers Week is all about.

Two weeks ago marked the 20th anniversary of National Engineers Week, and for each of the 5 years I have introduced this resolution, it seems to get more important.

We continue to fall behind other countries in the STEM fields, with China seemingly poised to overtake us as the leading producer of knowledge within a decade. Our infrastructure continues to languish, and we face serious energy and water challenges in our country. At the same time, we face an urgent need to create jobs.

If we want to solve these problems, any of these problems, we need engineers. Of course, engineers build bridges and airplanes, but they also are the ones who design our computer networks and turn new discoveries into products, industries, and jobs. The more than 2 million engineers in the U.S. have helped make our country great, but we need more of them, and we need to recognize the contributions they have made and continue to make to our Nation.

National Engineers Week seeks to address this problem through events aimed at educating youth and fostering public awareness about the vital contributions made by engineers to our quality of life and our economic prosperity. Through programs like Future City Competition, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, and the first robotics competition, the National Engineers Week Foundation confronts the challenge of encouraging more students to pursue careers in engineering. Engineering Week comprises numerous events like the ones I just mentioned.

Another example is students learning the value of teamwork as they work in groups to create creative and practical solutions to some of the most important problems facing our Nation and the world. Projects like designing future cities make engineering come alive for students, planting a seed that can lead to further studies or a career in engineering. In fact, research shows our children's early experience with science and engineering are a stronger prediction of long-lasting interest in science fields than aptitude tests. By drawing upon volunteers throughout country, Engineers Week reaches thousands of parents, teachers, and students, exposing them to the excitement of engineering in a real and tangible way.

I can attest that my own childhood experiences with science and engineering captivated me. As I grew up, I was always fascinated with the way things work. I remember going to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Touring the coal mine and watching the model trains run over this enormous track layout that they had were two of my favorite activities. These exhibits excited and captivated me. Most importantly, though, I remember the teachers in school who helped mold this childhood fascination into an interest in engineering. All these experiences instilled in me the knowledge, confidence, and intellectual curiosity needed to pursue an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Northwestern University, and a master's degree in systems engineering at Stanford.

One of the central goals of National Engineers Week is to provide this kind of inspiration, inspiration that I had as a child, to inspire the next generation of students. We desperately need these students, since it's projected that by 2012, about 46 percent of all engineering jobs could become vacant due to retirement by the aging workforce. Educating and exciting America's youth about engineering and science needs to be a national priority. I understand personally that an engineering education is useful, no matter what someone decides to do. My education helps me understand science and technology issues, STEM education, transportation, manufacturing, and risk analysis.

But it is more than knowledge. Engineering is problem-solving. There are so many problems that we need to find solutions to, in our Nation and in the world, and engineers will be involved in finding all of these solutions.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to again thank the gentleman from Michigan, Dr. Ehlers, as well as the 27 other cosponsors of this resolution. I'd also like to thank Senator Kaufman for introducing a companion resolution in the Senate. Above all, I'd especially like to thank the engineers who have contributed so much to America and honor them for their commitment to continuing to better our society. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be introducing today the National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2010. I would like to especially thank the 27 members of Congress who have joined me in supporting this bipartisan bill.

While our Nation reaps enormous benefits from a strong domestic manufacturing base, it is increasingly clear to me that we need a coherent and forward-looking plan for supporting America's manufacturers. I believe that by requiring the President to develop and submit to Congress a National Manufacturing Strategy every four years, we can ensure the government is doing all it can to ensure this vital industry is able to succeed. Manufacturing is too important for us to continue to manage it in an ad hoc, unplanned fashion.

Currently, Federal, State and local governments interact with and strive to support manufacturing in their own ways. Unfortunately, these efforts are too often reactive, uncoordinated, and stovepiped within agencies and jurisdictions. What we need instead is an approach that is coordinated, proactive, and fulfills both short- and long-term goals to improve our manufacturers' international competitiveness.

My bill would require the President to closely consult with industry leaders and stakeholders in undertaking a far-reaching analysis of factors related to domestic manufacturing, its workforce, research and development, investment, the defense industrial base, and other related areas. Based on this analysis, the President shall develop a National Manufacturing Strategy that includes specific goals and recommendations for improving the manufacturing sector's competitiveness. Importantly, my bill will establish a Manufacturing Strategy Board. This advisory group of experts in manufacturing, innovation, and the workforce will provide the President advice and guidance on manufacturing issues, both specific to the development of the Strategy, as well as on a regular, continuous basis.

I very much appreciate the support, feedback and guidance that my office has received from a wide range of individuals and organizations during the development of this bill. Individuals from the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council, National Defense Industry Association, American Iron and Steel Institute, National Council for Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace Industry Association, Center for American Progress, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among others, have provided

valuable comments and suggestions that helped us produce a better bill. I want to thank everyone who took the time to assist us with this important effort.

Fundamentally, this bill is simple. Manufacturing is crucial to our economy and our middle class, to our national security, and to our ability to satisfy our domestic needs with domestically produced goods. It only makes sense that we have a sound plan for how the government can best help the private sector succeed. I believe that a National Manufacturing Strategy will help us accomplish that, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and doing the absolute best that we can to support manufacturing in America.

I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding.

I know a lot of people have talked about Jack Murtha as a giant, and I really think that this institution probably will not see another man like Jack Murtha in many ways.

But I really think what stands out most to me and what has come through here is that Jack Murtha had a heart of gold. He really cared about people. He cared about the men and women in our Armed Forces. He cared about his colleagues. And he cared about his constituents greatly, especially in his hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

I really didn't get to meet Jack Murtha until I was elected in 2004, but I feel like I really started to get to know him before that. In 2000 I started dating Judy, who is now my wife, and she is from Johnstown. Her family is still in Johnstown. So I would go to visit Judy's family in Johnstown and I would hear people talk about Jack Murtha. I would see what Jack Murtha did for his district. And I knew that his constituents, especially the people of Johnstown, loved Jack Murtha.

When I was elected, I would often go say hello to Jack over in the Pennsylvania Corner, just come over to say hello, and so many times he would give me that smile and he'd tap his colleague next to him on the shoulder and say, This guy married a gal from Johnstown. And I always felt a very close connection to Jack because of that.

I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity in these 5 years to get to know Jack Murtha and what he did for Johnstown. I certainly saw people suffer through floods, economic turmoil, and he really cared about the people, and doing all he could for them meant a lot to him.

I will really miss Jack and what he meant to so many of us. I really think that Jack loved his job because he knew it gave him a great opportunity to do what he really believed, and that is take care of people, to help people out. And this job gave him the opportunity to do that, and he did it throughout all of his life. And because of that I will greatly miss Jack Murtha.

God bless Jack Murtha, Joyce, and his entire family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lithuanian Independence Day Commemoration. The celebration was organized by the Lithuanian American Council of Chicago and will take place at the Lithuanian Center in Chicago, Illinois on February 14, 2010.

The Lithuanian American Council has a proud legacy of action in the Lithuanian American community. Lithuanian Americans have a presence in Chicago, Illinois lasting more than a century. Chicago is home to the greatest concentration of Lithuanian Americans, and I am proud to have so many people of Lithuanian descent in my district. The organization of this event pays due respect to the courageous act of proclaiming a newly independent Lithuanian state in 1918. Although true independence was put on hold until after World War I and the fall of Germany, this single rebellious act paved the way for what has become a free and democratically governed state. Lithuanian Americans have reason to celebrate their heritage proudly, and to remember with great pride the signing of the Act of Independence of Lithuania on February 16, 1918.

I ask you to join me in honoring the Lithuanian Independence Day Commemoration on this important occasion.