Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2638. This bill was the FY09 continuing resolution, and it also included a section titled, ``Disaster Relief and Recovery Supplemental Appropriations Act'' as well as three of the annual appropriations bills for fiscal year 2009: the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (Division C); the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (Division D); and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (Division E).

Within the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, I requested and the committee approved funding for the following projects:

$1.92 million for the Lightweight Cannon Recoil Reduction from the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army account. This recipient of these funds will be Software and Engineering Assoc, Inc., a small business computer software and engineering firm in Carson City, Nevada (1802 N. Carson Street, Suite 200, Carson, Nevada 89701). The firm specializes in developing computer software for the design and analysis of combustion devices. The funds being requested are to support the Army's Future Combat System (FCS), specifically for reducing the weight of the cannon system. The FCS has an operational requirement to be as close to 20 tons as possible so that it can be rapidly transported and still maintain the fighting capabilities of the 67 ton M1 tank that is one of the systems FCS is expected to replace. A new concept is needed for the 120mm cannon system for FCS. This program will enable a 40 to 50 percent reduction in the weight of the 120mm cannon systems that is necessary to meet the weight goals for the Manned Combat System (FCS version of a tank) and the 155 mm NLOS-C vehicles (FCS self propelled howitzer).

$1.6 million for a Reconfigurable Tooling System from the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army Account. The recipient of these funds will be 2 Phase in Dayton, Nevada (located at PO Box 730, Dayton, Nevada 89403. The firm specializes in developing reconfigurable tooling systems (RTS) which can make or repair parts onsite. Systems are being used and tested at Army and

Marine Corps Depots currently, with positive results. This funding will provide Army and Marine Corps Aviation Commands repair capability in theater, so forces will not have to wait for the time-consuming supply system to provide parts. To alleviate this delay, a portable rapid reconfigurable tooling system is being developed that can repair the specific tool onsite. Aircraft would be able to be put back into operational status faster, giving the Theater Commander more assets to deploy. Two systems were previously delivered to the Corpus Christi Army Depot and Cherry Point Marine Corps Depot for evaluation and testing to facilitate the repair of rotary and fixed wing aircraft, and funds in FY 09 would be used to provide additional systems to the military depots and to provide training for personnel.

$2.2 million for a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier for Responsive Space MPOI from the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force account. The recipient of these funds will be OptiComp Company, a small business located in Zephyr Cove, Nevada (located at PO Box 10779, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448). The company's focus is the fabrication and production, solely for the Department of Defense, of optoelectronic laser and detector modules for use on avionic and space datacom platforms. These modules are used in a fabric to permit fault tolerant wideband switching between computers, sensors, and telecommunications links on the platforms. OCC has a full semiconductor clean room and fabrication facility and an extensive test and measurement facility to evaluate all devices prior to acceptance.

Within the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, I requested and the Committee approved a $3 million earmark for the Cyber Conflict Research Consortium's Distributed Environment for Critical Infrastructure Decision-making Exercises (DECIDE), a large, national university consortium that includes the University of Nevada, Reno (located at 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevda 89557). The consortia aims to help protect the nation from cyberattacks. DECIDE directly addresses the conclusions of a 2006 report from the President's National Science and Technological Council which stated the need to target Federal research and development investment in cyber security and information assurance needs. The Cyber Conflict Research Consortium anticipates the DECIDE Financial Services Model will be completed in 2009.

Within the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, I requested and the Committee approved an $11.375 million earmark for the Nevada National Guard for the Elko Readiness Center (located at 1375 13th Street, Elko, NV 89801). Rapid growth in Nevada requires that a new Readiness Center facility in northeastern Nevada be constructed to meet the needs of the Nevada Army National Guard. The current Elko armory was built in 1961 and does not meet the security or operational requirements for the current mission. The state of Nevada is already providing funds to assist with design.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 6384.

I want to express my appreciation to the gentlewoman from Virginia for yielding time and thank her for her kind remarks and also to my colleagues from Indiana and, of course, from southern Nevada (Ms. Berkley) for the remarks that she made. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to honor and thank the members of the Nevada Army National Guard, Air National Guard and the members of the Nevada Reserve for their service to the State of Nevada and the United States. Members of the Nevada National Guard and Reserve serve our State and country with honor and distinction. Whether they are saving lives during natural disasters or protecting our country abroad, Nevadans and our Nation owe our Guardsmen and Reservists a debt of gratitude for their service. America must remain committed to our men and women overseas, and I pray for the safe return of every servicemember of the United States.

Today I consider it a privilege to offer this resolution along with the Nevada House Delegation, Ms. Berkley and Mr. Porter, in order to honor some of Nevada's finest citizens.

As we all know, the people who make the greatest sacrifices for our country are the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. Very often this means servicemembers are deployed for extended periods of time away from family, children, and friends, sometimes in hostile conditions. In addition, when members of the National Guard deploy, their families are not the only ones that are affected. Since our servicemembers live and work in their hometowns throughout Nevada, employers and communities are also affected by these deployments. I would like to recognize and thank those employers who have displayed patriotism by saving positions for returning servicemembers and supporting the servicemembers' families during this time.

The Nevada National Guard is regarded as a technically and tactically proficient fighting force fully capable of seamlessly serving alongside active duty personnel. Nevada's Guardsmen and Reservists have bravely served both domestically and abroad in support of the global war on terrorism.

The Nevada National Guard has experienced both triumphant and disappointing moments during the past few years. Most of the Nevada National Guard's wartime deployments have been in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The Nevada National Guard has had the pleasure of welcoming hundreds of our airmen and soldiers home from worldwide deployments but also has had the sorrowful task of mourning the loss of three Army Guard combat casualties, the first casualties for the Nevada National Guard since World War II.

At this time, I want to extend my deepest condolences to family members of Chief Warrant Officer John Flynn, Sergeant Patrick Stewart, and Specialist Anthony Cometa who lost their lives in defense of our country. Generations of Nevadans will enjoy greater peace and security because of the sacrifices of John, Patrick, and Anthony.

Despite trying times, I am proud of the accomplishments of the Nevada Guard during the past 5 years. The Nevada National Guard pledges to fulfill its commitment to the citizens of the Silver State and the Nation in the same conscientious and professional manner they have maintained for nearly 150 years.

I support all our men and women in uniform. From the Middle East to Fallon Naval Air Force Station and Nellis Air Force Base, our troops are doing an excellent job of protecting Americans from new threats. Recognizing the sacrifices our troops have made in the past and continue to make today is critical for every citizen.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 358 and honor the bravery of America's best servicemembers.

Thank you very much. I appreciate the comments, and I appreciate you putting this together. I am proud to be part of the quarterly report that we have going on here today, spend some time with the folks back home and let them know what is going on here in Washington, D.C. and what we are trying to do to help them. And I want to thank you again for putting us together.

And you know what is great is to be able to listen to the gentleman from Michigan talk about the experiences that he has within his district. And I think we can do that with Louisiana, with Ohio, Tennessee, California, but I want to give a couple of examples of what I am seeing in Nevada.

I have got a pretty large district. I joke with my colleagues sometimes about the distance that I have to drive, 15 hours to get from one end of my district to the other. I go home most weekends and probably drive 500 miles. In fact, this weekend I am driving out to Elko, which is going to be another 500-mile drive. But that is okay. That is okay.

You know, the difficult part about this is that I try to meet my constituents in my district. Every year I try to travel as far as I can, and the exorbitant cost now that it is, just to visit with my constituents, is becoming incredible. I drove about 50,000 miles this year. And had I done that 2 years ago, in trying to visit with my constituents it would have cost me actually $90,000 less, $90,000 extra dollars to drive because of the non-actions of this particular Congress.

But I want to put a face, just like the gentleman from Michigan did, on what is going on here in the State of Nevada. As I drive across the State, I can give examples.

I have a daughter, and many of you have children that are in sports. And it is a shame that playing in some of these competitive teams, once you get to a competitive level you find yourself traveling great distances. She happens to be playing out of Reno, and she has to go down to Las Vegas or maybe to Sacramento, maybe up to Oregon, across the State to Elko or somewhere of that nature. So it is getting pretty expensive for parents, and I am having parents starting to complain that they can't go to the away games. It is difficult for them to get to the away games because of the cost of travel because of the high fuel costs.

Another example of that, I was in a small town called Lovelock, and they have a restaurant over there called Sturgeons, and I was talking to the general manager. And they were talking about the price of eggs. The price of an egg, since the beginning of the year has gone from 7 cents to 13 cents.

Now, Lovelock is not that far out of the way. From Reno it is probably an hour and a half or so. So you wouldn't think that travel costs would be that expensive. But it is the cost of everything, because of the inaction of this particular Congress, that is causing these problems. It isn't just the price of fuel. Of course it is the price of poultry.

When we start taking all of this corn and the grains and the byproducts and start turning them into ethanol and using what could be used for feed for cattle, for poultry, for hogs and everything else, everything is going up and getting very expensive very, very quickly.

I think ethanol is a mistake right now. I think we need to take a look at other ways, other ways of providing energy, and that is why we went on this trip to ANWR.

But I want to give one more example, and that is a particular family that came to visit me last week. The Anderson family came in, one of my constituents, family from Nevada, and they came out here. They have a couple of children and they want to show their children Washington, D.C. And I was fortunate enough to have them come by my office. And I believe he is a dental technician and she is a nurse, and they have a young daughter that

plays volleyball, very good at volleyball. Their son is a very good baseball player. And they are talking about how difficult it is for them to provide, and the problems that they are facing now with these high fuel prices.

They are very good athletes, and so they want to make all of their events, and it gets more and more difficult.

To tell you how difficult it is getting, in my home State of Nevada, according to the USA Today, because of fuel prices for airlines, they are cutting 10 percent of their flights. Well, we are one of five States they are going to cut more than 10 percent of their flights into Nevada.

Now, for a State like ours that relies heavily on tourism and traffic, you can imagine the impact that that is having. But it is not just coming into the State, the lack of 10 percent flights. It is the lack of 10 percent flights now that are going out. And they talked about how difficult it is to get a flight now and the exorbitant cost it is.

I think an airline industry today just announced that the extra bag is not going to be $25, it is going to be an additional $25 on top of that, for a total of $50 so that they can compensate for these huge costs.

I want to banter back and forth more. I want to talk about our trip to ANWR. I want to talk about our experiences in Golden, Colorado. I think they were great. I want to give others a chance to introduce themselves. And thank you again for the opportunity to be here. And I will yield back to you.

If the gentleman will yield.

Thank you.

You make a very good point on this.

You have heard me say this before, but this energy policy is a three- legged stool. We have to conserve; we have to look at renewable sources; we also need to drill for more oil. You can't do one without the other. You'll have an energy policy that fails. You can't do two without the third or that energy policy will fail.

I'll tell you what I got out of this trip to ANWR, which I thought overall really put this in perspective for me. And that is, as was mentioned, we use 20 million barrels of oil a day here in this country. If we do everything we can to conserve--and the American people are moving in that direction, and I applaud that--if we do everything we possibly can for renewable energy, and that is meet our goals--we have a goal here in these Chambers of 15 percent by the year 2020. If we meet those goals, if we conserve, we're still going to need an additional 10 million barrels of oil a day by 2030.

So where are we going to get the additional 10 million barrels of oil that the American people are going to need if we continue to stop this possibility of going to ANWR, going offshore, looking at shale, looking at all these other prospects, and building additional refineries: Where are we going to get that additional 3 million barrels that we are going to need, even though we're on top of the renewable process and we have conserved, as the American people are doing today? That's the question that needs to be answered.

In my local newspaper just today, there was an article written by some of the people that you're talking about, some of the more extreme environmentalists saying that this country would be better off today if we had the same gas prices as they have in Holland, $10 a gallon: $10 a gallon, if we had that, America would be better off. I have a hard time believing that we are better off if we to try to Europeanize ourselves and increase the price per gallon.

I've had town hall meetings. I've had over a hundred thousand people polled of what they thought of a 50 cent per gallon increase. Eighty- two percent are against it. We have people now calling for doubling the gasoline prices we have today.

Madam Speaker, I have a motion to instruct at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment Improvement Act of 2008. This simple motion directs the House-Senate conferees to insist upon section 221 of the House bill, which states that ``Amtrak shall be subject to the Buy American Act, the regulations thereunder, for purchases of $100,000 or more.''

Especially during these trying economic times, it is important that Amtrak, a taxpayer-subsidized agency that has never turned a profit, support American businesses and jobs. In fact, one of the most important ways Amtrak could help the American economy is by buying American, especially by buying American oil.

Amtrak runs on diesel fuel, and diesel prices in our Nation are at an all-time high. For the past several months, when I was at home in Nevada, the number one issue on the minds of my constituents was the high price of fuel. I am sure there is no difference than any other district, since fuel costs have reached record highs across this Nation.

In fact, this week some of my constituents were in town and came by the office. In talking with them, I was vividly reminded just how the high cost of fuel, spurred by congressional inaction, is hurting families in my district.

The Anderson family lives in Carson City with their two kids, Steve and Sarah. They are a model American middle class family. The father is a dental lab technician, the mother is a nurse. Their kids are good students and play basketball and volleyball. But gasoline expenses are hurting their budget. Disposable income for them, just like all Americans, is disappearing as they drop their kids off to play sports or attend their kids' games.

Record high fuel prices are not only crippling family budgets, but also public safety efforts, educational institutions, small businesses, and causing inflation in all manner of products and commodities.

Despite several promises from the majority party, however, we have seen nothing that would truly help consumers with the high cost of fuel today. Yet, April 18, 2006, more than 2 years ago, then Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi stated, ``Democrats have a plan to lower gas prices.'' Again, April 24, 2006, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi released a statement saying, ``Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices.''

The parade of bold statements promising help for the American consumers continues. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, October 2005 said, ``Democrats believe we can do more for the American people who are struggling to deal with high gas prices.''

Not to be outdone, Democrat Whip Jim Clyburn said, ``House Democrats have a plan to help curb rising gas prices'' in July of 2006.

And Madam Speaker, we haven't seen the results of these plans. The American people would like to see the plan.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve 5 minutes for the gentlewoman from Minnesota, Michele Bachmann.

Madam Speaker, the House has addressed some minor aspects of energy policy. And I have supported several of the measures that the House has debated and voted on, including legislation to address price gouging, halt delivery to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and to address the international energy cartels. But only one of these measures is now law.

I just returned, as my colleague from Minnesota mentioned, with a group from the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve and other areas of Alaska which are rich in potential oil and energy resources. Exploration and development of these resources could easily happen in an environmentally sound fashion, quickly brought online, and is something that Alaskans support.

Our group on this same recent trip toured the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado as well. As Nevada is a leader in renewable energy development, I also strongly support renewable energy as a long-term solution to our energy needs. I voted for a renewable portfolio standard and on the House floor have cosponsored legislation to expand renewable energy by extending tax incentives. However, these bills scratch the surface of our fuel crisis, nor are they a substitution for a realistic and truly comprehensive energy policy.

Congress needs to act now on measures that will lower the price of fuel immediately and in the short term. Conservation is one such area, exploration and drilling are another. Long-term solutions--alternative fuels, renewable fuels, and even the expansion of mass transit--are simply not going to help our constituents this month, this summer, or probably even this year. They are very likely several years off. So this Congress must act to address the short-term needs of drivers today. Currently, the current approach by Congress to date has done little or nothing to address the crisis on fuel prices now gripping my district and the Nation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, Americans are now paying on average $1.67 more per gallon than they were when the 110th Congress began. In Nevada, since the 110th Congress began, gasoline has increased about $1.50 per gallon. So far this year, crude prices have increased 40 percent.

Since passage of H.R. 6, a so-called comprehensive energy bill, in December of 2007 gas prices have risen nearly 10 percent, diesel prices have risen more than 16 percent, oil has reached all-time highs. Clearly this bill was not the answer to our fuel problems. Clearly whatever the House majority is doing, badgering corporate executives, berating the President, holding hearings after hearings wasting time, is not working. It's not the commonsense plan we were promised. Tax increases on fuels are not part of the commonsense solution and are not a substitute for a real energy policy.

I have spoken to more than 100,000 households in Nevada during the course of some telephone/town hall meetings and have asked, Do you support the proposed 50 cent per gallon gas tax?

Eighty-two percent oppose this tax increase sending a clear message that the people of Nevada oppose these outrageous plans.

Additionally, tax increases that affect oil companies also hurt retirees, seniors, and pension funds. In 2004, more than 2,600 pension funds run by Federal, State, and local governments held almost $64 billion in shares of U.S. oil and natural gas companies. These funds represent the major retirement security for the Nation's current and retired soldiers, teachers, and police and fire personnel at every level of government. Fourteen percent of shares are held in IRAs and other personal retirement accounts. Forty-five million U.S. households have IRAs and other personal retirement accounts.

The effects of a punitive windfall profits tax on the energy industry would likely be the same as when it was tried last in the 1980s reducing investment in domestic oil production. The windfall profits tax during the Carter administration drained billions of dollars from the industry which was money not spent on U.S. exploration and production. Furthermore, the windfall profits tax failed to raise a fraction of the projected revenue.

Consequently, like most of the House and Senate Republicans, I have voted against billions in tax increases on energy companies which have only been passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices. With billions in tax increases being put forth in the House, not one of them has passed the Senate. Clearly this approach is not consensus and is not part of a commonsense plan to address high fuel prices.

While speculation may have a significant effect on oil prices, this process can work in reverse as well. Merely the announcement that Congress is willing to allow full debate on the issues or that certain moratoria will be lifted will cause energy prices to react accordingly. In fact, I have requested a hearing on this issue at the Financial Services Committee on which the committee has some jurisdiction.

A real energy policy will address a variety of measures, including the very basic cause of high prices, supply, and demand. Congress desperately needs to address refinery expansion, coal-to-liquid technologies, lifting offshore moratoria, oil shale, and other areas that will address skyrocketing gasoline and diesel prices.

Our Nation hasn't built a new refinery in more than 30 years, yet demand for refined petroleum has continued to increase. Estimates show the world's energy needs will be 50 percent higher in 2030 with 55 to 65 percent of demand from conventional oil and gas.

The last time Congress opened access of a large oil field to develop was in 1973. The Congressional Research Service notes that 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas are classified as undiscovered resources right here in this country and are offshore. Yet Congress has imposed moratoria on much of the Outer Continental Shelf since 1982. This oil represents about 33 percent of Saudi Arabia's proven reserves.

ANWR holds billions of barrels of oil that we intentionally refuse to develop. The U.S. is the only Nation that closes off its own reserves, its own natural resources and willfully subjects its economic future to the whims of oil dictatorships like Venezuela.

Russia and the volatile Middle East can hold sway over the American economy not because they can but because we allow them to. China, a Communist country, is exploring for oil with the consent of Cuba, another Communist country right off our shores. In what economic world does that make commonsense?

Simply put, we cannot conserve, tax, or regulate our way out of this problem. Nor should we cajole our way out by begging foreign nations for help. Renewable and alternative sources of energy, which enjoy bipartisan support, are simply not a realistic, cost-effective option today.

The reality today is that our Nation, now and into the foreseeable immediate future, runs on gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products. Recognizing this reality and doing something about it is critical to our economy, public safety, education, tourism, and other areas.

The House should encourage buying American oil just as we encourage buying American products. In the meantime, this House should have a real broad, open, and forthright energy debate, not a series of small- bore suspension calendar bills that merely tinker around the edges. Congress must address all of the energy and fuel issues gripping this Nation the way the American people understand.

Let the will of the House work in a fashion that our constituents can follow and appreciate. The American people, like the Andersons and so many others in my district and nationwide, are demanding answers and demanding action. We should respond accordingly.

Support this motion to instruct and support buying American, including American energy.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 5 minutes to my colleague from Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann).

I yield 1 additional minute.

Madam Speaker, I have some final thoughts I'd like to share with this body, and I want to thank the chairman for his patience on this particular issue.

It was well-addressed by the gentlewoman from Minnesota, the amount of time and the time and the energy we spent up in ANWR, but I want to talk a little bit about the energy renewable laboratory in Golden, Colorado, where we also spent some time.

I found the statistics and the issues there very, very interesting. I'm one who thinks that we have a three-pronged chair here that's very important in our energy future. We want, of course, to be in conservation, which I believe the American people understand that conservation is a critical part. Renewable energy is also the third leg of that chair which is very critical. And also finding additional sources of energy through our natural resources is very critical.

I want to talk about the National Renewable Energy Lab that we spent some time with out there. We saw and drove in electric cars. We saw and drove in hydrogen cars, and obviously, we saw the hybrid cars, also.

I just want to mention briefly that renewable energy is the future, but I believe it's a long-term future. Let me give you an example.

Five or 6 years ago, I drove in a hydrogen car down in Las Vegas. I got a phone call from the other end of the State, come on down, drive this hydrogen car. I thought it was a great idea, went down there, drove in a hydrogen car, went around the block, got out of the car, and I asked the gentleman: So what does it cost? How much does it cost for a consumer to buy this hydrogen car? He told me it was $1 million, $1 million for this hydrogen car.

Well, Madam Speaker, I drove a hydrogen car last week, drove it around the block, got done, opened the door, asked the gentleman: So how much does this car cost? And the car still cost $1 million dollars, $1 million for a hydrogen car. I don't have very many constituents that are willing to go out today and buy a $1 million car.

So we drove the electric car, drove it around the block, ran fine, asked the question: How far does the car go? He said, well, about 70 miles on a charge. How long does it take to charge? About 6 minutes. How much does this car cost? Very expensive, over $100,000. I said, well, what would it take, what would it take to get an electric car that goes 300 miles at 60 miles an hour that charges in 10 to 15 minutes and costs less than $30,000 but it will go 60 miles an hour? That's what the consumers want here in this country, and they say we're not even close. We're not even close to that.

Renewables are incredibly important; the technology isn't there today. So that is the purpose that we continue to go up to ANWR, take a look at ANWR, talk about additional oils.

I will tell you, what struck me on my trip up to ANWR was this; that if we conserve--and the American people are conserving and they'll do more to conserve--if we build renewable energy, look for cars, look for opportunities, the technology for renewable energies, and meet our goals--our goal here in this Congress I believe is 15 percent by the year 2020--if we meet those goals, we are still going to need an additional 10 million barrels a day of oil by the year 2025. Even if we conserve, even if we do all the renewable efforts--and the American people are doing that--we're still going to go from 15 million barrels of oil a day to 25 million barrels a day by the year 2025. That's why it's critical. That's why we went up to ANWR. That's why we want to take a look at the opportunity to open up the Outer Continental Shelf, to look at the northern shore of Alaska. I think these principles are critical, that's why we did that.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the chairman's comments and his commitment to renewable energies.

I just want to mention, living in a district that's 105,000 square miles--and I mention that every time I get a chance to speak----

Absolutely.

It takes me 15 hours to get from one end of my district to the other.

So what I'm looking for, as I mentioned earlier--and I appreciate your commitment to electric cars because we're all there. The fact is I want a car that goes 300 miles and recharges in 5 to 10 minutes because if you live in Elko, Nevada and you have an electric car, it takes you 300 miles roundtrip to get anywhere. And if it takes you 6 hours to plug it in, it's certainly going to cost you more to reserve time in a hotel in order to get back. But again, I want to thank the chairman.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to vote for the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5057), a bill that I cosponsored and strongly support. I appreciate the efforts of my colleague from New York, Mrs. Maloney, in bringing this legislation and previous bills regarding DNA evidence to the House floor.

A tragic death that took place in my District early this year highlights the need for Congress to support the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program at the U.S. Department of Justice, DOJ. As many of my colleagues know from national news reports, nineteen-year-old Brianna Denison was abducted, strangled to death, and left in a vacant field in southeast Reno. Based on DNA evidence, law enforcement determined that Brianna's murder was the work of a serial offender linked to several other attacks in the Reno area.

Like a majority of states, Nevada has experienced a significant backlog in DNA processing. At the time of Brianna's murder, more

than 3,000 samples were waiting to be processed in Nevada alone. Local law enforcement petitioned the Reno community for donations that would enable them to expedite processing of samples collected as part of Brianna's case and tackle the statewide backlog. Nevadans contributed nearly $300,000 to eliminate the backlog of DNA samples in our State.

This significant outpouring of support demonstrates the American people's commitment to fighting crime through DNA technology. Congress should take this opportunity to mirror the priorities of those we represent. In an age where DNA technology has the potential to solve previously unsolvable crimes and quickly put violent offenders behind bars, there is no excuse for failing to equip law enforcement agencies with the tools and personnel they need to quickly process DNA.

The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act provides a vital means of reducing the DNA evidence backlog in labs across the country. I joined 26 of my colleagues, including the author of this legislation, in sending a letter to appropriators earlier this year urging appropriators to provide full funding for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. Few investments could be more important to effective law enforcement in the 21st century. The national DNA database has made matches or otherwise aided in more than 51,000 cases since its inception. While the DNA of Brianna's killer was unfortunately not detected as Nevada's samples were processed in recent months, it is quite possible that the DNA of Brianna's killer is backlogged in another state. Also worth noting is the fact that Nevada law enforcement was able to link 30 unsolved cases to known offenders as a result of eliminating our state's DNA backlog. Assuming a similar success rate nationwide, hundreds--if not thousands--of criminals could be put behind bars if law enforcement could process all DNA samples on hand. Thousands of victims and families whose cases are currently unsolved could find closure.

Ensuring that all crime-related DNA samples are entered in the nationwide database makes every community in every district safer. Supporting the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program tells law enforcement that Congress supports their crimefighting efforts with the best technology available, and shows the American people our commitment to taking violent criminals off our streets. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act as well as efforts to provide full funding for this vital program.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 243, Motion to Table, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker on rollcall No. 244, motion to adjourn, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay''.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 240, H. Res. 952--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the United States, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall no. 241, Motion to Table, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 242, H. Res. 1011--Calling on the United States Government and the international community to promptly develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable peace and good governance in Chad, as well as in the wider region that includes the northern region of the Central African Republic and the Darfur region of Sudan--had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

In its current form.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the concerns American workers and small businesses have with fuel prices. The majority party in Congress has offered the American people no real solutions to lower fuel costs. Speaker Pelosi said, ``Democrats have a comprehensive plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices,'' and the American people want to know, where is that plan?

Gas prices have risen 50 percent since Democrats took control. Was it the comprehensive energy bill passed last December?

I would yield.

Gas prices have risen 50 percent----

Gas prices have risen 50 percent----

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Gas prices have risen 50 percent since Democrats took control. Was it the comprehensive energy bill passed last December? Gas prices have risen 7.6 percent and diesel has risen 16 percent since December's highly touted energy bill passed.

Earlier today, I heard on this floor one member of the majority blame others for the increases of the last 16 months. We would hate to take responsibility around here, wouldn't we? To make matters worse, Democrats are actually rallying behind a plan to increase the gas tax by 50 cents per gallon.

Mr. Speaker, in my home State of Nevada, gasoline is already on average $3.60 a gallon. This is well over $1 per gallon over what it was when the current majority party took control of Congress.

In the course of holding a number of town hall meetings over the last 16 months, I have spoken to small business owners and more than 100,000 households across my district. During these town hall meetings, I have asked the question, do you support the proposed 50 cent per gallon gasoline tax? Roughly 82 percent of Nevadans asked about this proposal oppose this tax increase. If passed, this gas tax would be devastating for each of the 204,000 small businesses in my home State.

High gasoline and diesel prices are affecting everything and have contributed in part to the rising costs of food and commodities. Increased food prices this year have resulted in a financial burden for many, including small businesses, seniors on Social Security or fixed incomes, and other low-income families. Prices for beef, bakery products and eggs are up sharply.

Several factors have affected food prices, Mr. Speaker, but the most damaging are the gasoline and diesel prices for the operation of equipment and transportation of food to the market.

Our solution to this problem is economics, supply and demand. We need to increase supply, and to that end exploration and production must be increased, including domestically. Refineries need to be built and energy sources expanded, including alternative fuel technology.

Mr. Speaker, in this light I offer my motion to recommit, which will help research ways to lower the price of fuel for Americans and small businesses. This motion simply states that the energy-related research topics in this bill should also include projects that have potential to lower gas and diesel costs.

It is critical that Congress act on this issue of high fuel prices now, not only to help American workers have a better way of life, but to help our struggling small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, on that note, I yield back.

Yes, I do.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, it's a great honor to rise today to support passage of legislation honoring the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the minting of a commemorative $1 coin.

It is a particular honor to be working on a bill sponsored by one of the heroes of the civil rights movement, Congressman John Lewis and my colleague Deborah Pryce.

Madam Speaker, the Civil Rights Act is widely recognized as one of the most effective, influential pieces of legislation passed by the United States Congress in the last century. The statute helped dismantle the insidious system of legalized discrimination in voting and public accommodations in America and served as a model for subsequent civil rights laws. Equally important, the Civil Rights Act helped America belatedly reach the promise put forth by our Founding Fathers, that all men are indeed created equal.

The Act is the bedrock for the America we know today, a Nation that recognizes the equal rights of the disabled, women, the elderly, minority citizens, and other groups as invaluable contributors to our society, and all inherently equally deserving of the protections afforded by our Constitution.

The bill before us today provides for the minting of a Civil Rights Commemorative Coin, with the proceeds expected to raise up to $2.5 million for the United Negro College Fund, providing scholarships and internships for minority students and assisting our Nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As the bill honors our Nation's past, it helps to fund our Nation's future.

Madam Speaker, it is a great honor for me to be joined in this legislative effort by Congressman John Lewis. Mr. Lewis, the principal sponsor, is a man whose courage, thoughtful advocacy, and leadership in the struggle for civil rights speaks for itself. His brave leadership in the first Selma to Montgomery march, and his support for nonviolent revolution in the face of the brutal attacks of that fateful Sunday are the very acts of courage the coin seeks to honor for future generations.

It is especially auspicious that we are taking up the bill this week, because Friday marks the tragic 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, we can help honor his legacy and his indelible and inalterable imprint on America by authorizing a tribute to his historic works in the form of a commemorative coin. While it is but a small tribute to a man who gave his life for our betterment, it is a permanent statement of gratitude from a Nation forever thankful for his vision, compassion, and determination.

Madam Speaker, pick up any newspaper in the country and you will see that the topic of race relations continues to be an important part of our American dialogue. But we should not be a Nation that hides from its past. We cannot sweep our past mistakes under the rug and refrain from debate on topics that we might find uncomfortable. Rather, we must know that the fight for equality for all is never ending and that recognizing and understanding our Nation's past is critical if we are to ensure a just America for all in the future.

The fight for civil rights continues, and the Civil Rights Commemorative Coin honors both our Nation's historic struggles and the promise for justice and equality for all the generations that will follow us.

I urge immediate passage of this bill, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent for a series of votes today due to personal family reasons. I request that my votes be recorded in the Congressional Record.

On rollcall No. 1156 on Ordering the Previous Question on House Resolution 869, I would have voted ``nay.''

On rollcall No. 1157 on Ordering the Previous Question on House Resolution 859, I would have voted ``nay.''

On rollcall No. 1158 on passage of House Resolution 859, I would have voted ``nay.''

On rollcall No. 1159 on the motion to recommit the Conference Report (H.R. 2082) with Instructions, I would have voted ``nay.''

On rollcall No. 1160 on agreeing to the Conference Report (H.R. 2082), I would have voted ``nay.''

On rollcall No. 1161, to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair, I would have voted ``nay.''

On rollcall No. 1162, on passage of H.J. Res. 69, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2246, which will resolve outdated Federal reversionary interests in land important to the City of Reno, Nevada, which I represent.

The reversionary interest concerns a rail line that goes through downtown Reno. The City of Reno and the Union Pacific/Southern Pacific join together to submerge a portion of the track below street level as a result of merger between the two railroads.

As part of the project, known as RETRAC, the railroad agreed to grant the City of Reno title to the land immediately surrounding the right- of-way for the project within the city. This bill assists in the revitalization and economic development in this community.

Title for these lands was originally granted to the railroad in 1866 to facilitate construction of a transcontinental rail system. However, when the United States granted the right-of-way to the railroad, it retained a reversionary interest in the land to ensure that it was, in fact, used to facilitate the building of the railroad. This purpose obviously was satisfied many years ago.

This reversionary interest is an obsolete restriction on the title of the land granted to the City of Reno, and H.R. 2246 instructs the Secretary of the Interior to release the reversionary interest originally created in 1866.

I appreciate the chairman of the committee, and also Chairman Grijalva and his staff, for the work they have done on this legislation. I also want to thank Reno Mayor Cashell, who came out to Washington to testify on this piece of legislation, and the City of Reno for their continued support and the efforts by their citizens. I would encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation.