Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as we celebrate the 98th anniversary of their inception.

Since 1909, the NAACP has been a leader in advancing civil rights and has sought to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through their use of legal and moral persuasion.

This organization has provided communities around the United States with strong and passionate leaders who have fought for social change. Among these organizations, it is an honor to note that California is home to 72 branches and youth units, each providing inspiration to their respective communities.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of the NAACP, we must also honor the values upon which it was founded, for there is much work left to be done, and the same tireless dedication and clarity of purpose will be required to continue onward.

I commend the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for being champions of social justice and for their tireless efforts for almost a century. I look forward to celebrating their centennial in two years.

Madam Speaker, it is with the greatest respect and sincerity that I rise today to honor TSgt Richard Langman. Sergeant Langman will retire today after serving 20 years in the United States Air Force.

Richard Langman was born in Dover, New Jersey, but spent most of his childhood and teen years growing up in Modesto, California. It was in Modesto where Richard showed a real talent for sports, playing in the local Bel Pasi Youth Baseball Association and even pitching a three up and three down inning during an All-Star Game. Richard continued his passion for sports during his years at Fred C. Beyer High School playing junior and senior varsity football. However, he quickly developed a new passion and entered the NASCAR ``Hobby'' division at Stockton ``99'' Speedway. As one of the youngest drivers, Richard was able to win a number of races and endear himself to many fans. His love of racing continues right up to this day.

Approximately 6 months after graduating from high school, Richard set out on a new adventure and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon completion of basic military training and technical training for Aircraft Environmental Systems at Chanute Air Force Base (AFB), and graduating Technical School, he was assigned to the 693rd Organizational Maintenance Squadron (OMS), KC-135A, Castle AFB in Atwater, California. While assigned to Castle AFB, Sergeant Langman was handpicked to participate in the Strategic Air Command Bombing and Navigation competition (Proud Shield 89). His technical expertise resulted in a 100 percent on-time take off rate and an overall third place finish for the 93rd Wing. In 1991, he was assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron (AREFS), KC-135R Kadena AB, Japan, where he developed and implemented a much needed method of tracking aircraft engine fire suppression system bottles and squibs. His methods improved the tracking rate of over $200,000 worth of Air Force assets and earned him the Air Force Achievement Medal.

In 1994, he was assigned to the 55th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) Altus AFB, Oklahoma, where his dedication to duty shined once again. He was selected as Electro-Environmental systems subject matter expert for the 55th ARS maintenance quality training program. He processed, trained, and certified over 150 civil service personnel in under a 4- month period to accommodate the KC-135R civil service maintenance conversion.

In January 1997, Sergeant Langman began his special operations career when he was assigned to the 16th Aircraft Generation Squadron (AGS) where he upgraded and was task qualified on a completely different airframe in less than 6 months. His superb performance aided the 16th AGS in winning the Air Force Maintenance Effectiveness Award for 1997. Shortly afterwards, Sergeant Langman retrained into the Flight Engineer career field. In June 1999, he was assigned to the 16th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) Hurlburt Field, Florida. Sergeant Langman's SOF career includes Publications Assistant NCOIC, Flight Engineer Functional Manager, and NCOIC Unit Security Office. Sergeant Langman's combat experience in Operation Enduring Freedom includes 164 combat sorties and over 750 hours. Sergeant Langman, wife Sheila, and their two children, Karissa (age 12) and Kirsten (age 7) will continue residing in Navarre, Florida.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to share Sergeant Langman's record of accomplishments, and I thank him for his lengthy service to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Vermont for yielding me the time and for his able leadership on this rule.

I rise in full support of the rule on H.R. 547.

As a new Member of the House Rules Committee, I am very pleased that we were able to have an open rule so quickly in the 110th Congress. This rule will allow an open and honest debate on one of the most important issues facing our country: energy independence.

H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act, addresses an extremely important, however often overlooked, component to our emerging domestic biofuels industry: pipeline and storage infrastructure.

When ethanol and other biofuel additives are mixed with traditional fuels, it can cause disruptions to the pipeline infrastructure through corrosion and contamination, even clogging. These small obstacles should not be impediments to the full development of the biofuels industry, but they are still issues that must be addressed in order to move forward.

This important legislation we are considering today would authorize funds to EPA and the Department of Energy to develop a program for alternative bio-based fuels and low-sulfur diesel fuels to be more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale.

In California's San Joaquin Valley, we are watching the development and progression of our domestic biofuel industry with a particularly close eye. We have some of the most fertile agricultural land in the country. My district alone grows over 200 different kinds of crops, contributing over $5 billion of the $30 billion agriculture industry of our State.

But as we are blessed with our soil, we are similarly blessed and cursed by our geography. The steep mountains on both sides of the valley create a trap for air which in turn creates some of the worst air quality problems in the entire Nation. We are currently in a severe ozone non-attainment area and quickly moving towards an extreme level for both ozone and particulate matter. Limited emissions from ethanol blends and other biofuels have the potential to contribute to our increasingly dangerous air quality levels.

My colleague Ms. Anna Eshoo and I will be offering an amendment during general debate on H.R. 547 to expand the current areas of research covered under this legislation to include strategies to minimize potential impacts of volatile emissions from biofuels. Our amendment exemplifies the importance of this open rule. Neither Ms. Eshoo nor I sit on the Science Committee; however, through this open rule, we are able to weigh in on important legislation on behalf of our constituents.

While I realize that the bill may have passed by unanimous consent last year, clearly numerous Members are interested in offering amendments, and I am pleased that our leadership has provided this opportunity to Members on both sides of the aisle.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this open rule.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from California, and while I support my colleague from Texas' effort to address emissions concerns, I cannot support his amendment.

Mr. Burgess' amendment simply directs the EPA and the Department of Energy to study the effect of increased emissions from biofuels. We need to do more than study this problem; and, in fact, both the California Air Resources Board and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have studies which show increased rates of VOC emissions from ethanol-blended fuels and fuel tanks and pipelines.

We must develop strategies to minimize these emissions from biofuels now so that we can accelerate the use of biofuels nationwide in the future.

The Eshoo-Cardoza amendment does exactly what needs to be done in law to make that possible.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to W.R. ``Reg'' Gomes, who is retiring with distinctIon as Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, for the University of California.

Over the past four decades, Reg has dedicated his life to the land- grant university missions of teaching, research and public service. He has mentored hundreds of current agricultural leaders from his early career as a professor at The Ohio State University, then as the Dean of Agriculture at the University of Illinois and finally in his home state to which he returned 11 years ago to lead the vast and varied agricultural education, science and Cooperative Extension programs of the University of California.

The grandson of immigrants from the Azores of Portugal, Reg was raised in the hard working dairy farming culture of California's Central Valley. This early appreciation for farming life led Reg to California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) to study animal science. Reg and his brother became the first in their family to graduate from college. Reg went on to earn a master's degree from Washington State University and a Ph.D. from Purdue University. This is an impressive collection of degrees for a young man from a small dairy farm in the small town of Hanford, California and it was the beginning of a remarkable academic career.

As an internationally recognized scientist and educator, Reg has been a leading voice on several prominent State and national boards, including the Farm Foundation Agricultural Round Table, the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, the California Farm Bureau Federation Board and the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources of the National Research Council, which he currently chairs.

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am particularly proud that California is the Nation's leading agricultural state with nearly $30 billion in sales coming from over 88,000 farms which produce 350 different commodities. These impressive statistics are due in large part to the innovative spirit of California farmers who are usually the first to use new technologies and science-based farming practices, and it is our state's great land-grant university--the University of California--and leaders like Reg Gomes whom we have to thank for much of our farming successes.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to offer these words in tribute to my friend Reg Gomes and to wish him and his wife Anne a wonderful next phase of their lives.

Mr. Speaker and Mr. Ross, tomorrow night, when the President of the United States delivers his State of the Union Address, the Nation will listen carefully as he lays out his agenda for the final 2 years of office. And there is no question our Nation faces many great challenges. The one issue, however, that weighs most heavily on the minds of the American people is, of course, the war in Iraq. The

President is now moving forward with a plan to escalate the war, despite bipartisan opposition. I have grave doubts about the wisdom of this action, as do most of my colleagues.

Regardless of one's views on the right way to move forward in Iraq, we should be able to agree on one thing: Fraud and abuse and flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars that we have seen throughout this war have got to stop. It is bleeding our Treasury dry, and it is further undermining our security in Iraq.

Some estimates suggest the war in Iraq will cost the American people $2 trillion when all is said and done, and that is truly a staggering figure. That is why the Blue Dogs are putting forward this resolution asking for accountability. We can't afford another $2 trillion in debt piled on to what Mr. Ross has already said, $8.710 and change trillion.

So Mr. Speaker, I am not going to take up a lot of time. We have two distinguished colleagues that have waited here to speak to you tonight. But I will say that I applaud the Blue Dogs, and I am proud of being a member of the Blue Dogs. I am proud to be here with you again, Mr. Ross, and I just believe it is high time that the American people have a full accounting of what this war is costing, and how the contractors have misspent American Treasury in the process.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule and the underlying bill. The cost of public university tuition has increased a staggering 41 percent since 2001. In my district in California's Central Valley, high college costs have been a persistent barrier for working families seeking to send their children to college.

If our country is serious about preserving the American Dream and extending educational opportunity to the next generation of Americans, then we must take action. The College Student Relief Act would cut the interest rate on federal, subsidized loans in half over five years.

As a Blue Dog, I am proud to say that this bill is fiscally responsible: the cost will be offset by reductions in subsidies to lenders which have enjoyed bipartisan support in the past. This is a good bill for the American people, and I urge my colleagues to open the doors of opportunity for young Americans and support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Arkansas for his leadership on the Blue Dog Coalition. I know you are talking tonight about the Blue Dog 12-point plan for fiscal responsibility. I am just so grateful to the gentleman from Arkansas for all his work on this.

I want to report to the House and to the country and to all of my colleagues in the Blue Dog Coalition that today in the Rules Committee for the first time we dealt with some issues. Actually, the PAYGO discussion came up, since our Speaker and the House reinstated PAYGO and the Democrats took over the Congress. In fact, today, we are going to be in just a few minutes having a reportable rule that will talk about the reduction and the interest rates that Americans will be soon paying on student loans.

In that discussion, it was ironic, because in the opening session where we debated the PAYGO rules, the Republican Members of Congress, or a number of them, criticized the Democrats saying we were not doing real PAYGO. Today in the Rules Committee, when the PAYGO rules in fact capped some of what we would like to do, we will not be able to do everything we want to do for student loans right out of the chute, but we will do a significant amount; but we did it under the PAYGO rules and we are doing what we can do under the PAYGO rules.

There was criticism that we weren't doing enough, that we should have done more, and we really didn't need to pay for it. We live by the spirit and the letter of the law of the PAYGO rules that we put in place on day one. In fact, we will have a good bill tomorrow that will limit the PAYGO rules. So it is ironic on day one they were criticizing us that we were not going to do real PAYGO. Then we live by the spirit and the letter of the law and they criticize us that we should have done more and not pay for it.

So, Mr. Speaker, I just came down here to point out that irony; to talk about how effective the PAYGO rules are that are already being put in place and how I think it is a tremendous testament to the work of all the Blue Dogs in the coalition that we have made this impact on the Congress, and we will continue to do so.

I yield back to my colleague from Arkansas, and thank him again for his work.

I thank my friend and gentleman from Florida.

Madam Speaker, as a fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrat, I rise in strong support of reinstating pay-as-you-go budgeting and the rules that accompany it.

As Blue Dogs, we believe, as do the American people, that restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington is an urgent national priority. For far too long now under the previous leadership of this Congress and of the current White House, we have seen reckless fiscal policies that have undermined the future of America's economy. Now the time has come to take our country in a new and responsible direction.

PAYGO rules are the centerpiece of the Blue Dog 12-point reform plan for putting an end to deficit spending. We know PAYGO rules work because they have in the past. During the 1990s, with PAYGO rules in place, the massive deficits that we were seeing at that time were converted into record surpluses. We saw the greatest period of economic growth and prosperity in American history. We can do that again, and we must. This will do, in fact, that.

Mr. Speaker, after 18 years of litigation, the Friant Water Users Authority, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC, in November reached a settlement agreement to restore the San Joaquin River. This historic agreement resolves the lengthy and costly litigation issues that created an atmosphere of uncertainty for the Friant Authority and the growers that rely upon Friant for their water supply.

I rise today in support of the settlement agreement and in support of H.R. 6377, the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act. This legislation not only sets out a course for the implementation of this historic agreement, but it also resolves issues that are crucial to my constituents in California's 18th Congressional District. Without this legislation, the settlement could result in significant costs--in the millions--for downstream landowners and flood control operations, and also would have untolled impacts on water delivery systems for the State of California. The release of water to restore the river would have a domino effect downstream--from flooding, water table impacts, impacts on farmland and crops near the river, Endangered Species Act impacts and resulting water supply impacts to Delta water exporters-- Central Valley and State Water Project contractors--and upon San Joaquin River tributary agencies--Merced, Turlock, Modesto, Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts.

This legislation ensures that the release of restoration flows down the San Joaquin River will not transfer impacts downstream. After weeks of negotiations with the impacted parties, Senator Feinstein and my other Valley congressional colleagues, I am pleased that we were able to come to an agreement on language that would allow the settlement to go forward, while at the same time protect the water rights and property rights of those not party to the litigation. Specifically, the language provides that the resulting spring run salmon population would be considered an ``experimental population'' and therefore not subject to the terms of the Endangered Species Act if the salmon migrate from the San Joaquin to its tributaries to the State or Federal export pumps in the San Francisco Bay Delta. This language will protect CVP and SWP contractors as well as Merced, Turlock, Modesto, Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts from water supply impacts.

This legislation also allows the settlement to go forward with a phased-in approach, requiring the Bureau to conduct a feasibility study on the issues of costs and impacts and mitigation of the various options to release restoration flows. No water, other than test flows and minimum restoration flow levels, will be released until a feasibility study and mitigation plan for property is completed.

The settlement agreement's two goals of restoration and water management are equal goals. In order for this settlement to be successful, it is crucial to have the continued support of the Friant Water Users. Meeting the water management goals of the settlement, with the Bureau developing an effective recirculation plan with excess pumping capacity and a recovered water account to mitigate a substantial portion of the water losses to Friant districts, is the best path toward this success. Successful implementation also dictates that funding is provided to meet both of these goals.

I remain committed to continuing to work with my Valley congressional colleagues, Senators Feinstein and Boxer, the settling parties

and third parties to ensure that this legislation and the settlement agreement are implemented consistent with these goals.

Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest pleasure and gratitude that I rise today to recognize Soroptimist International of Modesto as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.

Soroptimist International of Modesto is one of the first service organizations for women in Modesto and has been an important part of our community as a leading service club for seven decades. This organization is dedicated to making a difference in the future of our community by working together with local community and government leaders in addressing issues that women value and by developing and promoting projects in education, environment, health, human rights/ status of women, international good will/understanding, and social and economic development. Their membership is composed of women of all ages, cultures and ethnic groups who are committed to making a difference through service.

Soroptimist International of Modesto is also a leading philanthropist in our community who donates generously to the Modesto area through their service projects such as the Community Christmas Tree at Vintage Fair Mall, scholarships and other local community organizations and projects such as the MOMobile.

Soroptimist International of Modesto truly makes a difference in the lives of citizens because of the energy and passion of its members. I am honored to recognize this outstanding organization and all of the members whose time, energy, vision and commitment has made the organization the involved, informed and active part of our community that it is today. Their efforts have undoubtedly made a difference in lives of the residents of our community and I commend each and every one of them for their efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent Soroptimist International of Modesto in the United States Congress. I ask that my colleagues join me in offering our congratulations on its 70th Anniversary and in extending our best wishes for continued success and prosperity for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, the past few years the Republican rule in Washington has left our Nation severely crippled with debt. Reckless fiscal policies have turned record surpluses into record deficits in 6 short years. Democrats believe that fiscal responsibility is a crucial ingredient in good government.

When we assume the majority in Congress next year, Democrats in this body will implement a pay-as-you-go plan for spending that will put our Nation back on the right financial path. Pay-as-you-go is the policy that helped us create those record surpluses in the late 1990s, surpluses that have been eliminated with tax breaks for the wealthiest few over the last 6 years. We must be accountable for every dollar that is allocated through this Congress, not constantly passing massive debt on to our children and grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, after Republicans refused to live up to their promises of fiscal restraint, the American people turned to Democrats to get our Nation's books out of the red. When the next Congress begins, we will start the process by using commonsense measures such as pay-as-you-go.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Saturday, November 18th as National Adoption Day and to celebrate all adoptive families.

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, courtrooms across the country will come together to dedicate the resources of our judicial system to finalize adoptions of kids currently in the foster care system.

In the five years since National Adoption Day was established, it has truly grown into a national celebration. Last year, 3,300 adoptions were finalized as part of 227 nationwide events.

Unfortunately, despite the declining number of children waiting in foster care, there are still 118,000 children seeking adoption.

This is simply unacceptable. It is our duty as a prosperous nation to unite and ensure these children find safe, loving homes.

Six years ago, my wife and I decided to expand our family and open our home to two foster care children.

Like many adoptive families, we faced many challenges during this process. But these experiences have only made our family stronger.

The adoption process is often complicated and riddled with paperwork, meetings, and home studies--important factors when accessing the ability of a family to care for a new child--but they can also discourage qualified parents from embarking on the adoption process.

The foster care community has been working with Congress and state governments across the country to streamline the adoption process and focus on limited resources, such as requiring frequent home visits and experienced caseworkers.

As Members of Congress, it is our job to be the voice for foster children and make sure their dreams are recognized. We owe it to them to streamline the adoption process to ensure positive outcomes for these kids.

It is important that we continue to make this process more accessible to families so that these children can be welcomed into loving homes.

Despite the obstacles that we still need to overcome, this is a time to celebrate those families that have decided to make a difference in the life of a child.

I commend these families and hope that children across the nation will find a place to call home this Saturday as part of National Adoption Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Saturday, November 18, as National Adoption Day and to celebrate all adoptive families.

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, courtrooms across this country will come together to dedicate the resources of our judicial system to finalize adoptions of kids currently in the foster care system.

In the 5 years since National Adoption Day was established, it has truly grown into a national celebration. Last year, 3,300 adoptions were finalized as part of 227 nationwide events. These finalized adoptions are cause for celebration. This is a time to commemorate those families that have decided to make a difference in the life of a child.

I commend these families and hope that the children across the Nation will find a place to call home this Saturday as part of National Adoption Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Saturday, November 18th as National Adoption Day and to celebrate all adoptive families.

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, courtrooms across the country will come together to dedicate the resources of our judicial system to finalize adoptions of kids currently in the foster care system.

In the 5 years since National Adoption Day was established, it has truly grown into a national celebration. Last year, 3,300 adoptions were finalized as part of 227 nationwide events.

Unfortunately, despite the declining number of children waiting in foster care, there are still 118,000 children seeking adoption.

This is simply unacceptable. It is our duty as a prosperous Nation to unite and ensure these children find safe, loving homes.

Six years ago, my wife and I decided to expand our family and open our home to two foster care children.

Like many adoptive families, we faced many challenges during this process. But these experiences have only made our family stronger.

The adoption process is often complicated and riddled with paperwork, meetings, and home studies--important factors when accessing the ability of a family to care for a new child--but they can also discourage qualified parents from embarking on the adoption process.

The foster care community has been working with Congress and State governments across the country to streamline the adoption process and focus on limited resources, such as requiring frequent home visits and experienced caseworkers.

As Members of Congress, it is our job to be the voice for foster children and make sure their dreams are recognized. We owe it to them to streamline the adoption process to ensure positive outcomes for these kids.

It is important that we continue to make this process more accessible to families so that these children can be welcomed into loving homes.

Despite the obstacles that we still need to overcome, this is a time to celebrate those families that have decided to make a difference in the life of a child.

I commend these families and hope that children across the Nation will find a place to call home this Saturday as part of National Adoption Day.

Madam Speaker, American seniors are facing their first full week of the donut hole. This gap in prescription drug coverage for thousands of seniors is the direct result of the Republicans' dedication to increasing drug company profits.

As a clear giveaway to the big pharmaceutical companies, the Republican prescription drug benefit does not require that the Federal Government use its huge purchasing power to bargain for lower cost drugs. On three occasions since 2003, House Republicans had the opportunity to support Democratic amendments to reduce drug prices through bulk purchasing. Passage of our amendments would have provided Congress with the money to fill the gap in coverage and eliminate the donut hole.

But, no. This would have eaten into drug company profits and threatened the friendship that exists between the Republicans and the drug companies.

Mr. Speaker, we can still correct this injustice visited upon our seniors before we recess. Today, we should give the Secretary of Health and Human Services the power to bargain those prices down and permanently close the donut hole.

America needs a new direction.

Madam Speaker, the Truth Squad on Waste, Fraud and Abuse has been tasked with holding this administration and this Congress accountable for mishandling of taxpayer dollars.

Last week the Truth Squad recognized the first two winners of the Golden Drain Award, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

We created this award to bring attention to the waste, fraud and abuse in government. Otherwise it will never stop.

Overseeing a department that has squandered billions of taxpayer dollars, Michael Chertoff and Donald Rumsfeld are clearly deserving of this inauspicious honor.

In FEMA alone, we have seen billions of dollars go down the golden drain as a result of no-bid contracts and fraud during the aftermath of the Katrina crisis.

The Defense Department has been unable to produce a clean audit, and the Pentagon's track record of waste, fraud and mismanagement in Iraq under Mr. Rumsfeld is disgraceful.

All told, the Truth Squad has identified over $150 billion that has gone down the golden drain.

Republicans believe that government does not work, and this administration seems to prove it every single day. Enough is enough. It is time for a new direction.