Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, as taxpayers filed their income tax this week, many were probably wondering just how much of their individual taxes would be invested in Iraq instead of here in the U.S. at home. Consider that every single second, the Bush administration is spending $4,000 in Iraq. That means that income taxes paid by the average taxpayer would not even cover the cost of one second of this war.

This country is already facing difficult economic times. We cannot afford to continue spending $339 million a day on a war that has no strategy for victory. If we invested one day of this sum in America instead, we could give 2.6 million American children access to medical and dental care, or we could hire more than 2,000 more border patrol agents to protect our borders. And we could send 18,000 more students to college.

Madam Speaker, at a time when Americans are getting squeezed at the pump and the supermarket and are suffering in the housing market, Washington Republicans need to realize that we should prioritize the needs of America over those of Iraq.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order.

I insist upon my point of order regarding this amendment.

Germaneness. It is not germane. H.R. 2537, the Beach Protection Act, speaks only to beaches. It does not address the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, and is clearly on a subject different from the bill under consideration, the Beach Protection Act of 2007. FISA is an outside issue.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee do now rise.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2537 and include extraneous materials in the Record.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chairman, my amendment makes a few technical and clarifying changes to H.R. 2537, as reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on December 12, 2007.

First, it makes a technical change to section 5(c)(2) of the bill, substituting the word ``criteria'' for ``guidance'' to remove any potential confusion on the intent of this language.

Second, it makes a technical change to section 8 to address potential constitutional concerns raised by the administration on requiring States and local governments to perform certain actions.

The manager's amendment shifts the focus from requiring States and local governments to take certain compliance actions to conditioning a percentage of their annual BEACH grant should they choose not to take such actions.

And, third, it puts in a statutory deadline of October 1, 2010, for the Environmental Protection Agency to complete its evaluation and validation of ``rapid testing methods'' for the existing coastal recreation water quality criteria. This significant improvement to the bill will ensure that same-day monitoring data will be available before the end of the decade.

Finally, the amendment changes the requirement of section 303(i)(2)(A) of the Clean Water Act to ensure uniformity among States in the implementation of water quality criteria and standards.

This amendment will ensure that should a State choose not to incorporate potentially new or revised coastal recreational water quality criteria into their own programs, the burden falls on the Environmental Protection Agency to propose regulations for such State setting forth the revised or new water quality standards. This was the structure of the original BEACH Act with respect to the first round of water quality criteria that should be carried forward to subsequent revisions to coastal recreational water quality criteria.

The manager's amendment was developed jointly by the majority and minority staffs of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. I am unaware of any opposition to this amendment, and I urge its adoption.

Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I support this amendment offered by the gentleman from California.

First let me commend my colleague from California for working with us to address some of our concerns with the initial draft of this amendment.

The amendment calls for the Administrator of EPA to conduct a short- term study to assess the benefits of using molecular testing for monitoring and assessing the quality of coastal recreation waters.

This amendment is consistent with other changes made by this legislation to encourage EPA to quickly move on the adoption of rapid testing methodologies for pathogens and pathogen indicators. These studies and changes are essential for shortening the time period between when a water quality sample is taken and when the results of that testing can be made available to the public. As I have stated before, the goal of these changes is to move as close to the same day realtime information on the condition of the Nation's coastal recreation waters as possible. This amendment helps move us closer to our goal.

Again, I appreciate the willingness of the gentleman to work with us in crafting this amendment, and I urge its adoption.

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

Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

This amendment offers a significant improvement to the underlying bill by assuring that the public is made aware of identified sources of contamination to our Nation's coastal recreation waters. I support those efforts of the gentleman in offering this amendment, and I urge its adoption.

Madam Speaker, it is a shame that the research tax credit expired at the end of 2007. Our failure to re- authorize it is counter to the ideals of the America COMPETES Act, passed into law last summer.

At least nine research tax credit bills have been introduced in this Congress.

Last March, I introduced H.R. 1712, a companion bill to that of Senator Baucus, the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. It changes the formula so that the credit is based on a company's research spending instead of gross receipts. It proposes a 20 percent credit for U.S. research expenses exceeding 50 percent of a company's average expenses over the preceding 3 years.

It establishes a more streamlined 80 percent reimbursement rate for all contract research expenses and allows a credit for equity investments in small business innovation companies. Most importantly, the Baucus/Johnson proposal makes the R&D tax credit permanent.

Texas ranks 4th in the Nation for total R&D funding and 3rd for gross State product. Innovation and research are critical for my State.

Again, I strongly support a generous and permanent research tax credit.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Irma Hall, a grand American and educator, for her commitment to the arts and to the community of Dallas.

The daughter of Josephine Hall, Irma Dolores Player Hall was born in Beaumont, Texas. She was raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, where her father was a saxophone player who performed jazz music. She then went on to attend Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa.

This native Texan taught school in Dallas ISD for 30 years inspiring many of our youth to succeed. Irma Hall retired from teaching in 1984.

An interest in acting eventually led her to co-find the Dallas Minority Regional Theater with Reginald Montgomery in 1973. She made her stage debut there in ``Happy Endings.'' An acclaimed actress, Ms. Hall shined in such plays as ``Raisin In the Sun,'' ``Zooman and the Sign,'' and ``Take a Giant Step.''

Ms. Hall's career on the silver screen also began in 1973 after a director saw her at a poetry reading. An accomplished poet, Irma Hall's reading was so poignant that Raymond St. Jacques cast her in the crime film Book of Numbers. This led to frequent television roles. In 1979, Ms. Hall appeared in ``The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders'' and its 1980 sequel, Ron Howard's ``Skyward.'' In 1981, she acted opposite Joanne Woodward in ``Crisis at Central High.''

Throughout the 1990s, Ms. Hall had roles in several well known feature films including ``Backdraft,'' ``Straight Talk,'' ``Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,'' and ``Beloved.'' Her role in the film ``A Family Thing'' earned her acclaim and a Chicago Film Critics Association Award. In 1997, Ms. Hall was voted Chicagoan of the Year and also won an Image award for her role in the film ``Soul Food.''

Ms. Hall continued her television career in the early 2000s with roles in the television series ``Soul Food,'' ``A Girl Thing,'' and ``All Souls.'' In 2004, she received the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her role as the landlady in the film ``The Ladykillers.''

In 2007, the UIL Competition was renamed in honor of Ms. Hall as the Irma P. Hall Theater Festival in order to honor her for her work and achievements.

The arts are, above all, about human communication and interaction. I am one who believes that Ms. Irma Hall has achieved the fullest definition of a role model, not only as a woman, an African American, and an artist, but as an ambassador of creativity and goodwill. She has shared the beauty of the arts and the written word with our multicultural community that is Dallas.

Today, Ms. Hall continues her work with the Dallas Minority Repertory Theater, the Artist & Elaine Thornton Foundation for the Arts, the African American Museum, the Afro American Artists Alliance, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and her membership at the Inspiration Boy of Christ Church.

Madam Speaker, on April 19, 2008, the Dallas community will gather at a special dinner to honor and celebrate Irma Hall's career. I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in saluting an exceptional woman, Irma Hall, for her outstanding service and many contributions to Dallas, and to all who love the magic and vitality of art.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for two essential programs for our children and families--Child Care and Development Block Grants (CCDBG) and Head Start.

We know that early investments in our children pay off in the long run. Early childhood education programs increase school readiness and achievement, and improve cognitive and social skills needed for academic success. Investing in Head Start is a good investment, as for every $1 spent we save nearly $9. These benefits include less welfare dependency, lower crime rates, and a reduction in grade repetition and special education services.

CCDBG programs also offer a life line for many low income families. By offering subsidies for quality child care parents have broader employment opportunities which result in higher incomes, less turnover, and increased productivity. In addition, these funds are improving the quality, as well as the amount of child care available, to low income families.

In Texas, there are nearly 90,000 children enrolled in Head Start. Current proposed funding levels for Head Start in the FY 2009 Presidential Budget will leave this program in peril. If enacted at the President's requested level, 14,000 fewer children will be able to be enrolled in Head Start in 2009. Last year, Congress made many needed improvements to the Head Start program during reauthorization. Many of these improvements will not be enacted without a significant increase in funding.

CCDBG faces similar prospects if there is not an increase in funding. Wait lists for CCDBG programs continue to rise. In Texas, there are currently 15,000 children on a waitlist for child care assistance. If funding continues at current levels 300,000 fewer children nationally will receive child care assistance by 2010. Without this much needed assistance, parents will be forced to make increasingly difficult choices. Many will be forced into debt, will choose lower-quality child care, or end up back on welfare rolls.

Mr. Speaker, we must increase the resources to these programs. Flat funding for CCDBG and near-flat funding for Head Start over the past decade has left hundreds of thousands of children without needed assistance. Current economic conditions have hit many of our low income families the hardest. Now, more than ever additional assistance is needed. I strongly encourage an increase in funding for these essential programs.

Madam Speaker, Tuesday, March 25, 2008, has been designated ``Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.'' I am pleased to join my colleagues in recognizing the unique contributions to our civilization from those of Greece and of Greek American descent.

Democracy was first born in Greece over 2,000 years ago, based on the fundamental principle of consensual government self-determined by free citizens. The ideas forged in ancient Greece by brilliant minds of the day have such clarity and force that 2,000 years later they still hold more power than a host of armed weapons.

The priceless ideas of democracy and equality born in ancient Greece have strongly shaped the American national identity, which became a beacon of freedom and dignity to individuals. They continue to give hope and inspiration to the millions around the world who yearn to live in a free society like ours. Greece set the example for us and we, in turn have set the example for countless others.

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate that the Congress has set aside this national day of celebration again in 2008. Each year, it seems, we have a greater appreciation for the tremendous contribution of Greece to our American values and our priceless democracy.

Madam Speaker, it is a special privilege for me today to honor the nation of Israel on its 60th birthday. As Israelis celebrate their country's 60th anniversary, the international community is celebrating with them 60 years of independence.

In north Texas and in the 30th Congressional District of Texas, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, the Jewish Community Center of Dallas, Dallas Chapter of State of Israel Bonds, Dallas Chapter of Hadassah, Dallas Holocaust Museum, B'nai B'rith International, Congregation Beth El Binah, and other organizations have scheduled a series of events to commemorate this occasion.

As someone with a great interest in Israel, Middle Eastern affairs, and world peace, I believe that the political transformations in this region during the past few years have been dramatic. We have come a long way, despite attempts by extreme factions to harm Israel and the cause of peace in the region.

I would like to quote an excerpt from Israel's ``declaration of independence,'' published 50 years ago as the British mandate over the area drew to an end:

We extend our hand in peace and neighbourliness to all the

neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to

cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common

good of all.

It is in that spirit, and with that faith, that I will continue to work with this and the new administration to ensure the United States remains firm in its commitment to the security of Israel and to those principles necessary to guarantee the success of the Arab-Israeli peace process.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2537.

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

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2537, the Beach Protection Act of 2007. This legislation extends the authorization of appropriations for the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act, the BEACH Act, through 2012. First signed into law in October 2000, the BEACH Act has provided States, local governments and tribes vital funding for assessment and public notification programs that monitor our coastal waters.

Over the years, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment has held numerous hearings on EPA's BEACH program. In fact, the history of the BEACH Act goes back to 1990 when Congressman William Hughes of New Jersey first introduced the Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure and Health Act of 1990. I applaud his vision for effective coastal water quality criteria and public notification, as well as the efforts of Congressman Pallone and Congressman Bishop, the primary sponsors of this legislation, to carry forward this legacy.

As reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Beach Protection Act of 2007 increases the annual authorization level for State and local monitoring and notification grants by $10 million and expands the eligible uses for grants under

this program. For example, H.R. 2735 allows States to utilize a portion of their BEACH grant funding to develop and implement pollution source identification and tracking programs for coastal recreation waters, which will enable interested States to locate the likely sources of coastal water contamination.

H.R. 2537 also encourages the development and implementation of rapid testing methods for determining where and when coastal recreational waters exceed coastal water quality criteria. These rapid testing methods are designed to ensure that the public is notified of potential harmful recreational waters within a few hours, rather than days as under the current system. This provision will have a significant impact on efforts to protect the public from coming into contact with potentially harmful pollutants and contaminants at their favorite beaches.

In addition, H.R. 2537 enhances existing public notification requirements, including making beach warnings and closures available on the Internet. The bill clarifies that the public must be notified within 24 hours of the authority receiving results of contaminated water quality samples. However, because many States utilize a system where two contaminated samples must be identified before a beach is closed, H.R. 2537 also requires that a physical sign must be posted at any beach where the results of a water quality sample demonstrate the likelihood that the water may be contaminated. Again, providing more information and notice on the condition of the Nation's coastal water quality is essential to ensure that the public can avoid contact with potentially harmful pollutants while visiting their favorite beach.

The bill also enhances EPA's review of individual States' compliance with the requirement of the BEACH Act by requiring the Administrator to conduct an annual review of implementation of the BEACH Act by State and local governments and to take corrective action if State and local governments are not in compliance with BEACH Act requirements. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to audit EPA's administration of the BEACH Act.

Finally, the bill requires EPA to conduct annual compliance reviews of State and local BEACH programs.

Later today I plan to offer a bipartisan manager's amendment to the bill to address several technical recommendations made by the Environmental Protection Agency and others that will improve the bill. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the manager's amendment and the underlying legislation that I believe will make significant improvement to EPA's BEACH program.

Much of our efforts are to provide additional safeguards for our families to make sure that they do not come into contact with potentially harmful pollutants and contaminants along the Nation's coastlines. I believe this legislation accomplishes what we tried to do.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I would like to yield 2 minutes to Mr. Kagen from Wisconsin.

Madam Chairman, I would like to yield to our distinguished Chair of the full committee for a unanimous consent request.

(Mr. OBERSTAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey, who is the author of the bill.

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak).

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein).

Madam Chairman, I would like to inquire of my colleague, Mr. Boozman, how many more speakers he has.

I reserve my time.

Madam Chairman, I would like to yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).

Madam Chairman, I'd like to reserve.

I continue to reserve.

Madam Chairman, I continue to reserve.

Madam Chairman, I continue to reserve.

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Castor).

Madam Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the chairman of the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).

Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chairman, this amendment is a proposed solution in search of a problem. The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act, or the BEACH Act, which this legislation amends, was introduced to limit and prevent human exposure to polluted coastal recreation waters, including those along the Great Lakes.

The initial BEACH Act authorized $30 million annually to assist States and local governments to implement beach monitoring, assessment and public notification programs.

Funds authorized under the initial BEACH Act and under the legislation we consider today go either to the Environmental Protection Agency or are distributed to individual States on a formula basis.

Each State receives a portion of annual appropriations which have hovered around $10 million based upon a calculation of the State's variant beach monitoring and notification needs.

The committee is aware of the concerns that the current formula utilized by EPA for the distribution of grant funds may not provide for an equitable allocation of funds among States at current appropriation levels.

Section 9 of this legislation requires EPA to conduct a study of potential revisions to the formula with a specific focus on base costs to States of developing and maintaining water quality monitoring and notification programs, the State's varied beach monitoring and notification needs, including beach mileage, beach usage and length of beach season and other factors that the administrator determines to be appropriate.

None of the funds appropriated under this legislation go out to the States or local communities under a ``congressional earmark.''

This amendment has no bearing on the authorities under the BEACH Act or EPA's beach program.

Madam Chairman, I yield back.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the winners of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, NFCC, financial literary poster contest held among students to raise awareness of financial issues.

The winners include: National winner, Harrison Noh of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Elementary School winner, Christopher Saker of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Middle School winner, Levi Travis of U.S. Army Base, Seoul, South Korea; and High School winner, Victoria Guerra of Crowley, Texas.

I applaud the efforts to bring financial literacy to students by engaging them in proactive learning and knowledgeable ideas about how to manage money effectively. The skill of managing money wisely and effectively is something that needs to be taught early in life. The earlier a person knows the importance of good investments, solid savings, and sound purchasing, the better able that person is to successfully manage their money throughout the remainder of their lives.

With the current economic conditions, there is no better time than now to educate our youth on how to be financially savvy. The poster winners exhibited this knowledge in a creative and engaging manner as they articulated the contest's theme of ``financial responsibility begins with me.''

It is my honor to recognize the financial literary poster winners for such an outstanding job. Through their artistic abilities, it is obvious that these winners have taken it to heart that financial responsibility truly begins with each of them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support designating the post office located at 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, INndianapolis, IN, as the Julia M. Carson Post Office Building.

This past December, my friend and colleague, Julia Carson, lost her battle with cancer. She had devoted her life to public service and her loss is still felt greatly. Congresswoman Carson was an extraordinary person, and a woman of principle who unabashedly championed the issues in which she believed. Her constituents and the Nation have lost a great legislator and an outstanding leader.

Congresswoman Carson made history in 1996 by becoming the first woman and the first African-American Indianapolis has ever sent to Congress. And she came to Congress with one mission--to improve the lives of the people of her community. Even as she rose to a position of prominence in this body, she never forgot the people she was sent here to serve. She truly dedicated her career to them--and for that, earned the respect and gratitude of all Americans.

Since her days in the Indiana State Senate, Congresswoman Carson was committed to helping seniors live with independence and dignity as they age. Throughout her career, she has provided exceptional leadership and devoted service to America's senior citizens.

Congresswoman Carson was also a strong proponent of civil rights movement, scaling the barriers imposed by poverty and sexism. She was a leader in advocating for voting rights, and worked diligently for the health and income needs of people experiencing homelessness and families at risk of homelessness.

Today her grandson continues her legacy here within the House of Representatives. I know that this honor is very meaningful to the Carson family and to her constituents in the 7th District of Indiana, and I'm certain if Julia were here today she would be touched as well. This post office designation is a fitting honor for a woman so dedicated to public service, and I fully support this resolution.

Offered by: Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas

Amendment No. 2: Page 2, line 5, strike ``2007'' and insert

``2008''.

Page 2, line 8, strike ``1346'' and insert ``1346(b)''.

Page 4, line 1, strike ``304(a)(9)'' and insert

``304(a)(9)(A)''.

Page 4, line 2, strike ``1314(a)(9)'' and insert

``1314(a)(9)(A)''.

Page 4, strike lines 4 through 16 and insert the following:

(c) Validation and Use of Rapid Testing Methods.--

(1) Validation of rapid testing methods.--Not later than

October 1, 2010, the Administrator of the Environmental

Protection Agency shall complete an evaluation and validation

of a rapid testing method for the water quality criteria and

standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators described in

section 303(i)(1)(A).

(2) Guidance for use of rapid testing methods.--

(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after completion

of the validation under paragraph (1), and after providing

notice and an opportunity for public comment, the

Administrator shall publish guidance for the use at coastal

recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of

access that are used by the public of rapid testing methods

that will enhance the protection of public health and safety

through rapid public notification of any exceeding of

applicable water quality standards for pathogens and pathogen

indicators.

(B) Prioritization.--In developing such guidance, the

Administrator shall prioritize the use of rapid testing

methods at those beaches or similar points of access that are

the most used by the public.

Page 6, strike lines 13 through 19 and insert the

following:

``(9) the availability of a geographic information system

database that such State or local government program shall

use to inform the public about coastal recreation waters and

that--

``(A) is publicly accessible and searchable on the

Internet;

``(B) is organized by beach or similar point of access;

``(C) identifies applicable water quality standards,

monitoring protocols, sampling plans and results, and the

number and cause of coastal recreation water closures and

advisory days; and

``(D) is updated within 24 hours of the availability of

revised information;

Page 7, line 6, strike ``meeting'' and insert ``meeting or

are not expected to meet''.

Page 8, line 8, strike ``on'' and insert ``on the Internet

on''.

Page 8, strike lines 10 through 24 and insert the

following:

``(3) Corrective action.--If a State or local government

that the Administrator notifies under paragraph (2) is not in

compliance with any requirement or grant condition described

in paragraph (2) fails to take such action as may be

necessary to comply with such requirement or condition within

one year of the date of notification, any grants made under

subsection (b) to the State or local government, after the

last day of such one-year period and while the State or local

government is not in compliance with all requirements and

grant conditions described in paragraph (2), shall have a

Federal share of not to exceed 50 percent.''

At the end of the bill, add the following:

Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank my colleague from Georgia Mr. John Lewis for introducing this resolution which honors the life and legacy of one of America's greatest citizens, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, nearly 40 years after he was tragically taken from us, we are still striving to create a society of equal opportunity which he so eloquently called for. We still have a long way to go before his goals will be achieved, but at least he left for us a beacon of hope toward which we can all strive.

I am privileged to represent the Thirtieth District of Texas in the Congress and would note that there are many in North Texas who have endeavored to maintain the legacy of Dr. King. Indeed, in their everyday actions, the clergy, elected officials, students and community in the district strive to implement Dr. King's philosophy.

In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.

It is ironic that his life was taken so prematurely at the hands of violence as he visited Memphis, Tennessee to help lead sanitation workers in a protest over black workers being sent home with no pay because of bad weather when white workers remained on the job. This tragic incident happened the day after he gave his ``I've been to the Mountaintop'' speech during which he seemed to almost prophetically foreshadow his impending death.

Dr. King stood for the common man and for social and political justice in every facet and echelon of life. As a man of vision and determination to do God's will, King was truly destined to lead the people to the ``promised land.''

Sadly, like Moses, Dr. King was not able to go into the promised land of opportunities with those he led so far through the wilderness of injustice, hatred, and bigotry. Still today, there are many that have been left to rough their way through the thicket of discrimination and racism. Therefore, it is our responsibility to carry on the beacon he left for us that lights the way to true equality and justice.

Mr. Speaker, we can honor Dr. King by bowing our heads in memory of him, but only for a moment. For we must then lift our heads, hold each other hands, look ahead, heads high, and continue the fight for his sacrifice for this Nation which was freedom, equality and opportunity for all.