Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 1377 to honor the accomplishments of Norman Yoshio Mineta, a pioneering public servant whom I am privileged to call my friend.

I thank my colleagues, Congressman Mike Honda and Congresswoman Judy Chu, for introducing this important resolution.

Norm Mineta has served this country and the Asian American and Pacific Islander community with great distinction and unparalleled humility. The many ``firsts'' he has to his

name--the first Asian American mayor of a major U.S. city, the first chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the first Asian American member of a presidential Cabinet--dot a remarkable career that has been dedicated to bettering lives through efficient transportation, expanding civil rights for all, and strengthening Asian American and Pacific Islander participation in public life.

I thank my dear friend Norm Mineta for his tremendous and longstanding leadership, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on behalf of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Obama tax bill.

I strongly support middle class tax cuts. I strongly support extending unemployment benefits to Oregon families who are still struggling to find jobs. However, this bill is not balanced. The bill extends tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires for 2 years. Yet unemployment insurance is extended for only 1 year. Why are we providing tax cuts to the very wealthy while literally leaving unemployed Americans out in the cold?

Further, this bill is fiscally irresponsible and, as a result, bad for jobs and bad for our economy. The bill costs over $800 billion over the next 10 years. The bond markets are already reacting to this, interest rates are going up, and this will squelch what anemic job growth we do have.

We should defeat this bill, restore fairness and balance between those who have the most and those who have the least, and cut the cost in length of this tax giveaway to millionaires so that interest rates rise less and job growth can continue. Please defeat this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support House Resolution 1717, congratulating imprisoned Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo on the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. I thank my colleague and good friend Congressman Chris Smith for introducing this resolution.

China is an appropriately proud nation, with more than 5,000 years of recorded history, a history filled with great achievements. Chinese is perhaps the world's oldest, continuously used written language. More recently, the nation has achieved near universal literacy and has fed its 1.3 billion people most adequately. And most recently, China has achieved human space flight, joining the international community of space-faring nations.

And on this Friday, another first, the first Nobel Peace Prize. But inexplicably, this achievement has been met by this Chinese Government with opposition and outright hostility. This is an incomprehensible failure of national pride and patriotism. I call upon this Chinese Government to be on the right side of history. I know that Chinese history will some day vindicate Liu Xiaobo, as it has done with other great figures in Chinese history.

In the city of Hangzhou, which is near Suzhou, my ancestral home where my family has lived for 500 to 600 years, Hangzhou was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty and the scene of conflict between the Song Dynasty and northern tribes. In that city is a memorial park to honor a general of the Song Dynasty, Yue Fei, who is now

considered a national hero. He was executed by a jealous emperor. And today, his statue, he stands upon that jealous emperor's neck tall and proud.

History has a way of setting things right. By failing to honor the fundamental rights guaranteed by its own constitution, the current Chinese Government not only fails the Chinese people, but it is also failing to live up to China's 5,000-year history as one of the great civilizations on this planet. People like Liu Xiaobo are the future of China. Let us honor him today and every day as this struggle continues.

Why is Liu Xiaobo, a prolific writer and a longstanding advocate for peaceful democratic reform in China, in prison today, unable to attend the ceremony in Oslo? This year, the world's spotlight will be on the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and that spotlight will shine upon an empty chair. I and others from this body will be there, and we hope to underscore both the universality of the struggle for freedom and the singularity not only of the great achievement but also of the Chinese Government's unpatriotic, incomprehensible reactions to Mr. Liu's historic recognition.

Madam Speaker, it is time for change. With proper recognition and proper action, China can take another important step and evolve peacefully toward its future. The alternative will be a harsh judgment of history.

Mr. Speaker, it is with regret that I must rise in opposition to the NASA reauthorization bill we have before us today. The space program plays a critical role in driving innovation as well as inspiring our nation's young people to strive for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Unfortunately, the bill before us today places these vital missions in jeopardy.

I strongly oppose the cancellation of the human spaceflight program. The Senate's bill, which was drafted without any House input, places too much faith in the private sector to deliver astronauts and cargo to space. By contrast, the bill approved by the House Science and Technology Committee ensured that there would continue to be a publicly owned human spaceflight capability developed following the retirement of the space shuttle. There are untold advancements in health care, energy, and environmental preservation to be gained from ongoing human research in space.

I am also concerned that the Senate's bill does not include language ensuring that retired space shuttles will be allocated fairly to museums and educational institutions across the country. The space program is a national treasure, supported with the tax dollars of each and every American. As such, I believe geographic diversity should be a consideration in the allocation of retired shuttles, so I offered an amendment that was adopted in committee to ensure it would be. Unfortunately, the bill before us today includes no such protections, giving unfair preference to some regions while leaving much of the rest of the country effectively out of the running.

I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing S. 3729.

Madam Speaker, October 10, 2010, heralds 99 years of the Republic of China (Taiwan). I would like to offer my congratulations and best wishes to the people of Taiwan in commemoration of this 99th National Day.

Taiwan is one of the United States' strongest allies and is dedicated to the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. I was deeply honored to meet with Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou at the beginning of this year, and I hope to someday welcome him and Taiwan's other high-level elected and appointed officials to our Nation's capital.

Moreover, in May I introduced H. Res. 1352, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Taiwanese American Heritage Week and recognizing the close relationship between the United States and Taiwan. Taiwanese Americans have played a critical role in strengthening the fabric of American society and in deepening the friendship and understanding between the peoples of the United States and Taiwan.

In celebration of the 2010 Double Tenth National Day, it is my hope that the United States, Taiwan, and the People's Republic of China can continue to work together to promote enduring peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial anniversary of the community of North Plains, Oregon. The celebration being held on Saturday October 2, 2010, is a tribute to the residents of North Plains, both past and present, whose years of hard work, persistence, and endurance is a reflection of the values embodied by their community.

North Plains is situated at the base of Oregon's Coastal Range, which houses one of Oregon's finest watersheds. North Plains is home to Pumpkin Ridge golf course and Bob Horning's hideout, whose music festivals and frisbee golf course attract visitors from across the country, along with numerous other locally owned businesses. At the heart of the North Plains community are picturesque farms, nurseries, and wineries which produce everything from Christmas trees and Halloween pumpkins to small fruits and world class wines. Each August, North Plains celebrates its agricultural heritage by hosting the world's largest elephant garlic festival--an event my kids and I look forward to participating in on our way to camping at nearby Stub Stewart State park, our most recently dedicated state park.

Former Oregon Governor Tom McCall once said: ``Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say, This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.'' The residents of North Plains are American heroes who have devoted their lives to making our country and their community better.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating North Plains on this remarkable achievement. North Plains' history of land stewardship has been an asset to our state and region, and it serves as a model to be emulated. I am proud to serve a community with such a strong commitment to the livelihoods of its families, and I look forward to hearing of North Plains' ongoing successes in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offering congratulations to the Ponzi Vineyards on their fortieth anniversary of outstanding wine making and stewardship of the land.

Located in Beaverton, Oregon, in the heart of my district, Ponzi Vineyards has a long tradition of creating highly rated wines in the great wine-producing region of the Willamette Valley. Ponzi Vineyards is internationally acclaimed for producing some of the world's finest pinot noir, pinot grin, pinot blanc, chardonnay and white riesling, as well as arneis and dolcetto, two rare Italian varietals.

Ponzi Vineyards remains a family owned business, with the second generation now directing the operation. Founded by Dick and Nancy Ponzi, the winery has always maintained an unwavering commitment to building a tradition of winemaking excellence, as well as a commitment to protecting the environment.

All of the Ponzi's vineyard land is certified to comply with the world's highest standard for sustainable viticulture. Since the beginning, the Ponzis have instilled a strong belief in respect for, and responsibility toward our natural resources.

I congratulate the Ponzi family on its forty years of producing high- quality wines, while simultaneously protecting the Earth.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Catherine Carnahan of Oregon for receiving the award of Middle Level Principal of the Year. The National Association of Secondary Schools Principals honors the secondary school principal who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.

Ms. Carnahan believes in the spirit of collaboration and unselfishly credits the highly-trained team that she leads. Over the last five years, this cooperation has led to increased test scores and an attendance rate of 95 percent or higher. She and her team work together to find strategies to help each student succeed.

I am privileged to represent Duniway Middle School in McMinnville, Oregon, and the team of professionals that provide quality education to their students every day. Not only do I honor Ms. Carnahan for her contribution to the noble endeavor of teaching, but I commend her as an example of true leadership. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Carnahan for this important recognition and her commitment to excellence in our public schools.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jim Steiner, Business Development Specialist for Portland's Small Business Administration field office. Specialist Steiner is retiring in August after nearly 20 years with the SBA and 40 years of service to our country.

Jim embarked on an exemplary civilian career with the SBA in 1991. Over the next 20 years, Jim helped numerous entrepreneurs enroll in SBA programs like the veterans Patriot Express program, the Minority and Women Owned Business program and the HUBZone program. He approached his work with integrity and a sense of dedication learned over a 20-year military career.

Mr. Steiner and his colleagues have assisted businesses that innovate and provide jobs and services to our community. Well-known companies such as Columbia Sportswear and Mother's Bistro have benefitted from SBA's assistance.

Former Oregon Governor Tom McCall once said, ``Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say, 'This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.' '' Jim Steiner truly is an American hero, for he has devoted much of his life to making his country and community better.

In 2008 Jim was awarded the Stanley Magiera Award for Excellence in Service to America's Veteran Entrepreneurs. Mr. Steiner's commitment to the people he served has been recognized by his colleagues, community partners, and the public, who are grateful for his efforts to provide excellence in service.

It is an honor for me to recognize Business Development Specialist Steiner for his service and for providing a heroic example to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant support of H.R. 5849, which extends the Small Business Administration's programs--including the Small Business Innovation Research program--for another 60 days. It is disappointing that we must again approve an extension of these programs, particularly the SBIR program. We should have reauthorized SBIR long ago, and we should not be dragging this process out further. Unfortunately, we find ourselves yet again without a compromise bill as the program's most recent extension sunsets.

Knowledge-driven endeavors are essential if our nation is to compete globally, but without making important changes to the 20-year-old SBIR program, we are giving today's companies outdated tools. Today's extension marks the seventh time since September 2008 that we have approved a ``temporary'' extension of the SBIR program. This is a travesty.

Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting today's extension of the SBIR program. But I am utterly opposed to a further extension after today. We have an obligation to America's high-tech entrepreneurs to ensure a steady and predictable funding stream from the SBIR program

that is updated for today's economy. It is time we complete our work on this vital program. We have dillydallied for far too long. We can resolve any remaining differences in the bills passed by each chamber in 30 minutes if the principals will simply get in one room and negotiate face-to-face in good faith.

I look forward to working with my colleague, the chair of the House Small Business Committee, Ms. Velazquez, to finalize a full reauthorization of the SBIR program in the coming weeks.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of my friend and colleague, Peter DeFazio's amendment.

In answer to the ranking member's inquiry, I just want to say that the definition of a livable community is Portland, Oregon.

I support livability, and from the beautiful and livable State of Oregon, I know what it means for communities to adopt livability standards into their transportation planning. It means more stable economies, integrated transportation systems, and walkable streets. It means jobs.

We are now 10 months past the expiration of the past highway bill, and the administration has yet to provide Congress with an authorization proposal or even to submit its long-promised authorization principles.

All they offer are extension after extension.

By doing this they are ignoring high-wage, middle-class, private- sector jobs generated by transportation and livability projects and engaging in legislative ``end arounds'' to spend scarce taxpayer dollars with no congressional or other needed oversight.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 266, to support Taiwan in its bid to participate meaningfully in the International Civil Aviation Organization, known as

I thank the gentlewoman for her kind comments.

I rise in support of the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010, which reauthorizes

the activities of the Science and Technology Directorate and the DNDO at the Department of Homeland Security.

As the chair of the Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, I very much appreciate the important role that technology plays in empowering DHS to carry out its very, very important mission. The Science and Technology Directorate is responsible for ensuring that those who are responsible for keeping us safe have the best tools and the most up-to-date technologies to get their job done.

Over the last year and a half, my subcommittee, the Technology and Innovation Subcommittee, has held multiple hearings on the work being carried out by the Science and Technology Directorate and the DNDO. Through these hearings, we were able to identify critical areas where the directorate could use new tools or, in some cases, new direction to help it achieve its mission effectively and efficiently.

I look forward to working with the Homeland Security Committee to address some of the issues that arose during my subcommittee's hearings, particularly those relating to the public's acceptance of new technologies.

For example, I remain very concerned about TSA's decision to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to deploy full-body scanners in airports across the country without fully understanding the potential reluctance of the public to accept these technologies. This research into acceptance should be done before purchase to avoid wasting taxpayer money.

I want to thank Chairman Thompson, Chairwoman Clarke, Ranking Member King, and Ranking Member Lungren for their work on this important legislation.

I am pleased that our committees were able to work together over the last couple of months to craft this important bipartisan legislation, and I hope that this reauthorization bill will improve the way the Department sets priorities for its research and involves the end users of equipment to ensure that new technology is actually deployable and usable in the field. This has been a gaping shortfall to date.

The reauthorization bill we are considering today takes important steps forward in improving the research and development conducted by DHS, and I look forward to having the Science and Technology Committee work with the chairwoman's subcommittee in exercising our oversight and in continuing to improve the vital research capacity at the Department of Homeland Security.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Scappoose High School on winning the Oregon School Activities Association's, OSAA, 4A boys baseball championship. Scappoose finished their season with 22 wins and six losses, beating top-ranked Astoria High School 2-1 in eight innings on June 5, 2010, to capture their first State championship since 1982.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Principal Eric Clendenin, Athletic Director Jim Jones, Head Coach Robert Medley, Assistant Coaches Joe Girres, Matt Bailey, and Neal Lordos, and all of the Scappoose Indians--Cody Backus, Brandon Bernardi, Dillion Davidson, Aaron Egger, Austin Egger, Willy Fouts, Cory Hendryx, Torin Huff, Nathan Kranyak, DJ Maloney, Tanner Meyer, Brad Morrison, Chris Neifert, Nick Paxton, Paul Revis, Jason Sawyer, Max Updike, and Jacob Watt--for winning the OSAA 4A boys baseball championship.

Madam Speaker, I rise to let my colleagues know that today I introduced the Volunteer Firefighter Fairness Act.

This bill would clarify for volunteer fire departments, volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel, and the Internal Revenue Service that volunteers are not employees of the fire departments where they serve.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, volunteers comprise approximately 72 percent of our nation's fire and emergency services. Although volunteers make up the majority of firefighters nationwide, we are experiencing an overall decline in the number of volunteer personnel. This is due to increased emergency call volumes, the time demands of ongoing training, and the struggle many Americans face trying to balancing family and work obligations.

To help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and other volunteer first responders, some states and local governments offer nominal payments or benefits, such as covering expenses for uniforms.

Historically, fire departments have used the IRS Form 1099 to report these benefits and nominal payments for their volunteers. However, recently many volunteer fire departments have been told by local or regional IRS offices that they must the Form W-2, instead of the 1099, to report payments and benefits. In Oregon, a volunteer fire department was even hit with a $9,900 fine for using a Form 1099 instead of a Form