Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the passing of a great President and American, President Gerald R. Ford.

As I reflect upon the distinguished life and legacy of President Ford, the first things that come to mind are his honesty, integrity, and ability to make the tough decisions for a nation that was fiercely divided by war and recovering from a scandal at the highest level of government. He served with the best interest of America in mind, never losing sight of his faith, family, and his beloved roots in southwest Michigan.

President Ford was truly a Michigan original, and folks throughout our State saw an ordinary man become extraordinary; yet, he always remained our native son. His upbringing in Michigan molded the man that Gerry Ford became--growing up in an environment that encouraged him to pursue his vision of what America should and could be.

I have the great honor and privilege of representing some of the very same folks in southwest Michigan that President Ford did during his time in Congress.

All our hearts go out to Betty and the Ford children: Mike, Jack, Steve, and Susan during this difficult time.

His legacy continues to grow particularly as we see first hand the partisan divisions which divide our country and this Congress. President Ford was one that always put his country first and his party second.

President Ford was a remarkable man and an outstanding representative of the Wolverine State. Our Nation was blessed to have such a compassionate and steadfast leader and he will forever remain in our memory.

Farewell to our President. Go Blue.

Mr. Speaker, I have to believe that we all support ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries are getting the very best deal possible on their prescription drugs and that they want that, that they have access to drugs that their doctors believe will work best for them, and that they will continue to get their prescriptions filled at their local pharmacist. And in many rural communities, and in urban ones too in Michigan and across the country, the local pharmacist, in fact, is on the front line of health care. H.R. 4 doesn't get us there.

As many have mentioned and will mention today, the CBO estimates that having the government negotiate drug prices would, in fact, have a negligible effect on prescription drug prices. The current program which relies on the experience and expertise of the private sector drug plans and on strong market-based initiatives, incentives, is producing significant savings today for our seniors.

Here's a real example: one of my staffers reported that her mom signed up for a Medicare prescription drug plan. It took a bit of doing to sort through the many options available, but she is very glad that she did. She was paying before $106 for her Glucovance diabetes prescription. Now she is paying $5. She was paying $202 for Actos, another diabetes medication that she needs. She is now paying $30. And she was paying almost $29 for Coumadin. Now she is paying $5.

While failing to produce savings like these, many are concerned that H.R. 4, as currently written, would undermine access to medically necessary drugs for persons with HIV/AIDS, serious mental illnesses, ALS, epilepsy and other diseases and conditions. And let me quote from a letter I received this morning from the President of the Michigan Brain Injury Association: ``Let me exhort you to take the time to have adequate committee deliberations on H.R. 4 prior to its passage on behalf of our constituents and all persons with disabilities. Significant modifications are necessary to protect patients' access to prescription drugs as currently provided under Medicare part D.''

Needless to say, we have not had a minute of committee negotiations since we were sworn in.

Finally, while the current program includes requirements that beneficiaries have ready access to prescriptions through their local pharmacies, real concerns have been raised that H.R. 4 could seriously undermine that local access. That is why we need to vote for the motion to recommit which addresses those concerns.

Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is this: we do, everyone here does, want folks with Medicare to get all of the prescription drugs at the very best price. And I believe that consumer choice and the private sector competition can better drive lower cost and more availability than forcing the government to negotiate prices which may, indeed, lead to the withdrawal of drugs from the program alltogether.

As Secretary Leavitt wrote earlier this week: ``There is a proper role for government in setting standards and monitoring those who provide the benefit. But government should not be in the business of setting drug prices or controlling access to drugs.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in strong support of S. 707, the PREEMIE Act, which I hope still comes up for passage yet tonight. This bipartisan bill will improve prenatal care for women and boost research into why one in eight American babies is born early. I want to take this opportunity to thank Anna Eshoo, our original cosponsor, and her staff

for their support and assistance in moving the bill forward, and I also want to express my gratitude to my Chairman, Joe Barton and his staffer Randy Pate for making it possible to bring this bill to the floor today.

As a nation, we must do what we can to ensure that our children are born healthy. In this age of technology and state-of-the-art medicine, it is difficult to comprehend that one in eight babies born in the United States is premature. It is essential that we are successful in reducing the spiraling rate of premature births--they have risen 30 percent since 1981. The stakes are too high to fail--the health of our children hangs in the balance.

Premature birth is a serious and growing problem--the statistics are alarming. In February 2004, the National Center for Health Statistics reported the first increase in the U.S. infant mortality rate since 1958. Each day 1,305 babies are born too soon. Prematurity affects more than 480,000 babies in the United States each year. Tragically, premature infants are 14 times more likely to die in their first year of life.

Further, premature babies who survive may suffer lifelong consequences, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing loss. Pre-term delivery can happen to any pregnant woman, and in nearly one-half of the cases, the cause is undeterminable. The costs are also staggering. The average lifetime medical costs for a premature baby are conservatively estimated at $500,000.

Although we have made vast improvements in treating premature infants, we have had little success in understanding and preventing premature birth, and the knowledge that we have gained has not been translated into improved perinatal outcomes. This has got to change.

The PREEMIE Act is designed to reduce the rates of pre-term labor and delivery, promote the use of evidence-based care for pregnant women at risk of pre-term labor and for infants born pre-term, and reduce infant mortality and disabilities caused by premature birth. This will be accomplished by expanding federal research related to pre-term labor and delivery and increasing public and provider education and support services.

The legislation is strongly supported by the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank my chairman, Mr. Deal, as well. Particularly, I want to thank Chairman Barton and his staff; I want to thank the Republican leadership and their staff for getting this bill to the floor so quickly. I also want to thank my Democratic cosponsor, Mr. Larsen, who I know is rushing to the floor to speak, and I know that in his district I am told that he has I think lost five individuals because of this.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5280 is a simple bill to ban the Internet sale of a drug called dextromethorphan, also known as DXM.

DXM is an excellent ingredient for a lot of cough syrups that are on the market and when used properly there is no danger. And I know that because I have a company in my district that makes this, and that same company came to me earlier this summer and said, we have a problem that we think you ought to be alerted to. And that is what this bill does.

There are some folks that are out there that are absolutely determined to sell this ingredient in its dry bulk form on the Internet. Sadly, kids are buying it. They are mixing it with alcohol to get high. In a massive dose, the drug can raise the blood pressure, lead to seizure or collapse into a coma and die, as we have seen in Mr. Larsen's district and other places around the country. In fact, in the last 2 years we know that there have been at least five deaths directly attributed to this abuse.

The companies and the pharmacists that work with this ingredient on a regular basis don't want it to become the next meth. We have worked on that; we don't want another one. And they know that there is absolutely no reason to have this bulk ingredient outside of the regular channels for drug manufacturing. And that is why, as was said by Mr. Pallone, it is endorsed by the American Pharmacist Association, the Consumer Health Care Products Association, which is the generic drug manufacturers, the Food Marketing Institute, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and obviously the Partnership for a Drug Free America.

This bill allows the FDA to promulgate the rule on the sale of unfinished powder or bulk DXM. It limits the distribution of DXM to only those persons who are a valid part of the drug industry.

This bill, I think, will cut off the supply of pure DXM to those who sell it as a street drug or plan to use it to get high themselves. We need to pass this bill.

Sadly, kids are under the false impression that getting high off this is harmless because it is simply an ingredient in cough syrup. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our kids are playing Russian roulette each time they get high on DXM. Sooner or later somebody is going to die. We have seen it happen. Enough is enough. We need to end it.

I am pleased that we have had so many here in just the last 2 days coming into the office. Yesterday local CBS national radio talked about this as a terrible case that is plaguing many parts of America. Today I think it was on the Today show that they talked about this. We are acting quickly. We have recognized the problem and we are acting quickly. We need to pass this bill today and have the Senate adopt it as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Chris Fisher and Dr. James Bashkin, cofounders of Nano Vir, a Kalamazoo, Michigan bioscience company that received the 2006 Tibbetts Award for innovative work to identify and develop a potential treatment to fight the virus that causes cervical cancer known as Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The Tibbetts Award is a prestigious national award presented annually by the Small Business Administration to small firms, organizations, and individuals judged to exemplify the very best in small business innovation research. This year, Nano Vir is among the select group of 55 firms from across the nation who will receive the award.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a vaccine for HPV that will prevent individuals from becoming infected with the virus. Nano Vir's product would complement the vaccine by fighting HPV infections and preventing cervical cancer for those who already have the virus.

The importance of this research cannot be overstated. Nearly 20 million Americans have incurable HPV, and cervical cancer is the second leading killer of women by cancer worldwide. Nano Vir is at the cutting edge of DNA research, and I commend Dr. Fisher, Dr. Bashkin, and all the folks at Nano Vir for their commitment and dedication to the betterment of millions of women's lives around the world. They may soon develop one of our most potent weapons yet in the war against cancer, and I wish them every success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Herbert ``Herb'' Teichman of Eau Claire, Michigan, who will be honored this morning by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA, and the National Weather Service for his decades of service as a volunteer weather observer. Mr. Teichman is one of 25 individuals across the nation who will receive the John Campanius Holm Award. The award's namesake, John Campanius Holm, was the first known person known to have taken systematic weather observations in 1644 and 1645. Through an act of Congress in the 1890s, the first comprehensive networks of cooperative stations were created consequently establishing the U.S. Weather Bureau.

Weather observation has been a long tradition in the Teichman family. Herb's father, William, established the Eau Claire site in 1923 in order to benefit the family's fruit business. On August 1, 1968, Herb assumed his father's daily duties and continues to serve the NOAA and NWS to this day. Herb's distinguished 38 years of service not only demonstrate his unparalleled commitment, but the fact that he continues to volunteer demonstrates his great character. He has braved severe weather through the decades, from 30 inch snow days to oppressive heat and humidity. His records have been praised for their detail and organization and have been essential for scientists studying floods, droughts, and heat and cold waves. His observations have also played a vital role in supporting economic and national security by the prediction and exploration of weather and climate-related events.

Mr. Teichman is a caring and dedicated servant of Michigan. I would like to extend my thanks to him for all of his good work and wish him congratulations upon receiving this prestigious award. Today, Mr. Teichman joins the illustrious ranks of past Holm awardees, including his father, for his commitment and dedication to weather observation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the illustrious career of Mr. Roy Johnson, who is retiring from the Federal Bureau of Investigations after serving 23 years with great distinction. Mr. Johnson first came to our corner of Michigan in 1985 when he was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Detroit Division in St. Joseph, Michigan. During his initial years of service, he was responsible for a wide range of investigative duties ranging from abductions and bank fraud-embezzlements to homicide and Presidential appointment research.

In 1986, Special Agent Johnson was appointed to manage, direct, and coordinate participation throughout Michigan with the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. This unit has received worldwide praise for its excellence in crime scene assessment/profiling and threat analysis. Special Agent Johnson's vision has extended beyond his assigned duties and I commend him for establishing multiagency partnerships which have allowed for various resources to be shared during complex investigations.

Roy has continually gone above the call of duty and acted for the betterment of our community. He has taught numerous law enforcement programs and lectured to public and civic organizations throughout the state of Michigan.

Johnson's knowledge and professionalism have led others to call on him to testify before Federal and State courts, Federal Grand Juries, and Congressional committees. Moreover, he has received various Congressional, regional, and departmental awards for his investigations and service.

I am proud to call Roy Johnson a friend and thank him for his many years of selfless service. His contributions to law enforcement have made community and great national a safer place. We are all better off for Roy's distinguished career in the FBI.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding.

I rise in strong support of this legislation. I would note that it passed without dissent in the Energy and Commerce Committee some time ago. But I also refer back to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, section 986, the one we remember so well. It did call for a report to Congress on U.S.-Israel cooperative energy research and projects, and this bill takes that one step further, and it funds cooperative joint ventures to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative energy sources.

We have an energy crunch, a crisis. We should be working together. That is what this bill does. It expands the opportunities for companies and universities and different bodies in both countries to work together to develop new technologies, whether it be solar or other different projects, where consumers, citizens from both countries, will benefit. It is good bipartisan legislation. I would like to think that we can pass it without dissent this afternoon, move it to the Senate.

And, again, it was part of the energy bill that the President signed last year. This is a step in the right direction. It is good policy. That is why the Energy and Commerce Committee passed it out on such a strong bipartisan vote, and I would like to think that we will pass it without further ado this afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, I guess it was about 2 months or so ago that my friend and colleague from the good State of Texas (Mr. Conaway) came up to me with a piece of legislation that he thought would really help consumers, an education plan that promoted, in fact, could save lots of gasoline that we would not have to import.

Mr. Conaway wanted to do this the right way. He said, you know, this is such a good idea, obviously it is going to be referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee. He wanted it to be bipartisan. And as a new Member, he was not quite sure what his relationship was with some of the members on our committee, particularly on the other side of the aisle.

He asked for some advice. And he went and shopped that piece of legislation before he introduced it. As it turned out, he got every person that he asked to be a cosponsor of the bill.

Now, Mr. Towns, Mr. Gene Green, a whole number of different Members. The bill moved through our committee. And it passed without dissent. Had a hearing. It passed without dissent and here it is today.

Mr. Speaker, we have an energy crisis. We do. There is a host of things that we as individuals can do ourselves to help our own family budget, particularly as it relates to the fuel efficiency of our vehicles.

Some of us know some of these things already: Going the speed limit, removing the excess weight. But a whole number of different things, and, yes, the Department of Energy talks about it on its Web site. I think we can do a better job. That is what this bill is about, how can we do better?

Working with industry, working with the Department of Energy, working with our constituents trying to promote a whole number of things that collectively make an awful lot of sense. But the bottom line is that we can save, perhaps, if we did them all, if we were in violation of all of these things, perhaps save us as much as 25 or 30 percent of the income that we otherwise use for gasoline.

Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. I endorse wholeheartedly what our colleague, Mr. Conaway, does. I would like to think that it will pass with a very strong vote this afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5319) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require recipients of universal service support for schools and libraries to protect minors from commercial social networking websites and chat rooms, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material.

Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5319, the Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006, which was introduced by Representatives Fitzpatrick and Kirk, along with Representatives Miller of Michigan, Weldon of Pennsylvania, English of Pennsylvania, Davis of Kentucky, and Castle.

I would note that under the leadership of Chairman Whitfield and Chairman Barton, the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee has held multiple hearings exposing the appalling sexual exploitation of children on the Internet. This includes the dark underside of social networking Web sites, which have been stalking grounds for sexual predators who are preying on children all across the Nation; and we have had many and such cases in my home State of Michigan, way too many.

Federal law enforcement officials have described the sexual abuse and exploitation of our Nation's youth as an epidemic propagated by the unlimited access of the Internet. The statistics are alarming. The FBI has seen better than a 2,000 percent increase in its caseload of online sexual predators the last 10 years. And of the estimated 24 million child Internet users, one in five kids has received unwanted sexual solicitations. It is estimated that, at any given moment, 50,000 predators are prowling for children online, many of whom are lurking within social networks.

At a minimum, what our hearings have taught us is that both kids and parents need to be better educated about the dangers of social networking Web sites, and parents need to police their children's online use at home to guard against sexual predators.

However, to the extent that children are using the Internet outside the home, particularly at school or at a public library, parents have not been able to monitor their child's online use, and that is the situation that H.R. 5319 is designed to address.

Earlier this month, the Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee held a legislative hearing on this bill; and as a result of many constructive suggestions that we heard from our witnesses and Members alike, particularly those representing schools and libraries, the legislation before us today I think reflects much improvement.

At its heart, the bill before us today would require schools which receive e-rate funding, and I would note that I am a strong supporter of e-rate funding, to enforce a policy of Internet safety for minors that includes monitoring their online activities and the protection measures to protect against access to commercial social networking Web sites or chat rooms, unless used for an educational purpose with adult supervision.

Additionally, this bill would require libraries which receive e-rate funding to enforce a policy of Internet safety that includes the operation of a technology protection measure that protects against access by minors to commercial social networking Web sites or chat rooms unless they have parental authorization and the library informs parents that sexual predators can use those Web sites and chat rooms to prey on kids.

The approach taken by this legislation is not dissimilar to the approach taken by the Children's Internet Protection Act through which Congress requires schools and libraries that receive e-rate funding to impose filtering technology to protect kids from online visual depictions of an inappropriate sexual nature.

Mr. Speaker, I support the e-rate. I continue to do so. I often visit a school, virtually every week. I have seen the tremendous educational value which the Internet has brought to students throughout our district, and I recognize the importance of the e-rate in making that a reality.

However, as with all technologies, the Internet is a double-edged sword, and Congress does have the responsibility to ensure that, to the extent that a Federal program is involved, like the e-rate, it is doing all that it can to ensure that children are protected from online dangers. This bill represents another step in making sure that online experiences at school and the library are safe.

I want to congratulate Mr. Kirk, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Ms. Bean for their leadership on this issue. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the good State of Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.

I just want to say that as I learn more and more about this legislation, part of it was because of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Bean). We share a media market together, me in southwest Michigan, they, of course, in Chicago, and the concern by so many in talk radio and the news is really something else.

I have to say that just a couple years no one knew about the online predators like we do today, and that is why we have had a number of hearings in the Oversight Subcommittee chaired by Mr. Whitfield.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to one of the coauthors of the bill, along with Mr. Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kirk of Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time.

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say to the gentleman from the great State of Michigan, and my good friend, Mr. Markey, as well, that I know that both Chairman Barton and myself look forward to working with both gentlemen on strengthening this legislation down the road and looking to close as many loopholes as we can to protect our children. Because the bottom line is this, better than a 2,000 percent increase in the FBI caseload of online predators.

This is not the end-all. We know that. But we know that sexual predators should not have the ability to use our schools or our libraries; and we should take away that avenue, if we can, for their evil deeds. And that is precisely what this legislation is intended to do.

And I would note that even though this was introduced some 2 months or so ago, we have nearly 40 cosponsors of the legislation. Melissa Bean has been a great leader from the Democratic side of the aisle, as well as the Republicans that have been mentioned earlier during the debate and that have participated. And I know that in the oversight and investigation hearings that we have had, not only as well as in New Jersey but the legislative hearing that we had with many witnesses, including the Attorney General from Texas, who did a marvelous job of explaining what was going on in Texas, they all strongly endorsed the intent and the legislation as it was introduced.

I think we have a better bill today than perhaps was introduced by taking into consideration the many constructive comments that were made by my friend, Mr. Markey, Mr. Dingell, and others on the committee.

With school starting for many as early as next month, August, knowing that the Congress, at least the House, is likely to adjourn this week, the Senate still has another week, I would like to think that with a strong vote this afternoon the Senate may take up this legislation perhaps next week, perhaps, and we actually may get the bill to the President's desk so that it will be in place for kids as they start school.

So that is one of the reasons, I think, why this legislation was, indeed, rushed to the floor. But, again, I know that we took in many good comments by those at the legislative hearing that we had, and I think that the proof will be in the pudding.

Mr. Speaker, I yield, for a brief minute, to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).

Mr. Speaker, I would say, too, I believe it was over the Fourth of July week break that ``Dateline'' had the big expose; and I know our office was flooded with calls and letters, as I was home in Michigan. There were a good number of parents and others that expressed their concern about some of these different online services that were there; and if we can close the loophole on schools and libraries, I think that it is a good thing.

I think that, because of that, I would hope that most Members, when we vote on this later this afternoon, in all likelihood would vote ``yes'' on the bill. Again, it is bipartisan, and that is why it is here before us this afternoon

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

Mr. Speaker, I don't often speak or vote for motions to recommit, but occasionally they do pass. And I would note that if this motion to recommit does pass, the bill still comes to us in its final form.

The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) and I tried to offer this amendment in the Rules Committee. I must say that in our testimony in the Rules Committee upstairs yesterday, I thought we had pretty good support on both sides of the aisle for this amendment from those that were there.

Iran is a bad player. This bill helps India. Why don't we have India on our side as we work against Iran in the world community? That is what this motion to recommit says. It says that the President has to certify that India is on our side as they work for nuclear capability in the world community and to keep Iran on the other side. Why aren't we working together, India and the United States, as we look at Iran in terms of more of the mischief that they are promoting around the world?

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5852) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance emergency communications at the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and insert extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 5852, the 21st Century Emergency Communications Act of 2006.

I would especially like to commend Representative Reichert for his authorship of this legislation. In addition, I want to recognize the efforts of both Chairman Barton and Chairman King in preparing this legislation for consideration on the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, without a doubt, this Nation has endured significant domestic tragedies in the past 5 years, and of course, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina stand out as most catastrophic.

While both were catastrophic, the causes were very different. The former a profoundly evil terrorist act, and the latter a terrible act of nature. But there at least is one common lesson that we learned from both tragedies: We learned how critically important interoperable communication is for our Nation's first responders during crisis regardless of the cause. It really is a matter of life and death.

At its heart, H.R. 5852 is designed to improve interoperable communications among our Nation's first responders. Of course, this Congress has already paved the way by providing for an orderly digital television transition to be completed by February 17, 2009, at which point 24 megahertz of spectrum in the upper 700 megahertz band will be returned by the broadcasters and provided to first responders to facilitate interoperable radio communications. That spectrum is ideally suited for this purpose. Congress also earmarked $1 billion from upcoming spectrum auction proceeds to assist State and local governments in procuring interoperable communications equipment.

But the legislation before us today mandates a National Emergency Communications report to recommend goals and time frames for the achievement of redundant, sustainable, and interoperable emergency communication systems. It requires a baseline assessment of current emergency communications capabilities and periodic assessments on progress in filling existing gaps, and it accelerates the development of national voluntary consensus standards for emergency communications equipment. It requires State and local governments to establish effective statewide interoperable communication plans before being able to use DHS grant funds for emergency communications. It facilitates coordination on emergency communications by establishing regional working groups comprised of Federal, State, and local officials, first responders, and other relevant stakeholders. And it elevates the importance of emergency communications within the Department of Homeland Security, enhancing accountability and resources to ensure first responders on the ground that it can communicate with one another.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5852 is truly an excellent bill which builds on the work that this Congress has already done to ensure that our Nation's first responders have the interoperable communications that they need to do their job of protecting our constituents in times of crisis. Again, I want to commend Representative Reichert, Chairman Barton, and Chairman King for their excellent work. I would urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this point I would yield as much time as he may consume to Sheriff Reichert, the sponsor of this legislation and the chairman of the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, who has the ability to close?

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time, and at this point I want to include a number of letters as part of the Record: Two from Chairman Barton, one from Mr. Boehlert and one from Mr. Young.

House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure,

Washington, DC, July 24, 2006.

Hon. Joe Barton,

Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the

jurisdictional interest of the Transportation and

Infrastructure Committee in matters being considered in H.R.

5852, the 21st Century Emergency Communications Act of 2006.

Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 5852 and

the need for the legislation to move expeditiously.

Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over a

number of provisions in the bill, I do not intend to request

referral. This, of course, is conditional on our mutual

understanding that nothing in this legislation or my decision

to forego the referral waives, reduces or otherwise affects

the jurisdiction of the Transportation and Infrastructure

Committee.

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure also

asks that you support our request to be conferees on the

provisions over which we have jurisdiction during any House-

Senate conference. I would appreciate it if you would include

a copy of this letter and of your response acknowledging our

jurisdictional interest as part of the Congressional Record

during consideration of the bill by the House.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

Don Young,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would urge all my colleagues to support this bill. I would remind my colleagues that it was clearly a bipartisan bill. It passed 28-0. I want to particularly thank Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Lowey, and Mr. Reichert. This has bipartisan spirit behind it from the start.

I would just note that interoperability is very important. We saw with 9/11 that our firefighters didn't get the message, they stayed in the buildings, and they died. With Katrina, we saw the Coast Guard folks couldn't communicate with the law enforcement folks at the bottom of the helicopter ladders.

It needs to change. That is why we reserved part of the spectrum, as part of the reconciliation bill earlier this year, to retrieve it from the broadcasters and to be able to sell it so that, in fact, that analog spectrum will be available. In addition, of course, we had $1 billion that was part of that sale that was reserved specifically on matching grants to first responders across the country. It is very important.

It is not the end. We need to do more. I realize it, and we are prepared to do such. So I was pleased to see that legislation move forward. This is yet another step. It passed 28-0 in committee. I would like to think that when we have a vote on this later this afternoon, it might be able to pass 433-0, knowing that we have two vacancies in the House at this point.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 150th anniversary of the founding of a storied community in Southwest Michigan, Chikaming Township. This Saturday, members of the community will come together to celebrate the township's sesquicentennial.

The earliest known residents of Chikaming Township were the Miami Indians, who were first encountered by the European explorer, Father Jaques Marquette, in 1675. By the early 1820s the land was ceded to the U.S. Government and Chikaming was formally established on March 6, 1856. The first pioneers to settle there were lumbermen who harvested trees that were used to build the piers that extend out into Lake Michigan--a source of great pride for all Michiganders who reside on the lakeshore. As time passed, the first of many successful farmers and growers in Southwest Michigan took advantage of the soil and climate of Chikaming by harvesting a variety of fruits and vegetables. The magnificent weather and scenic beauty of the land attracted families to vacation on the lake's shores and continues to be a popular summer escape today.

Chikaming Township has also long been an important center of commerce for Southwest Michigan. Forestry and agriculture are only two of the many industries that have strengthened Southwest Michigan's economy. The beautiful beaches and friendly residents have been bringing generations back to the township for years.

I would like to congratulate the residents of Chikaming on their sesquicentennial. Know that your vital community will continue to be a blessing and an asset to our comer of Southwest Michigan for many years to come.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the legislation

Mr. Chairman, I came to the Congress in 1987--the 100th Congress.

We had a number of stars in our freshman class--

Jim Bunning--A Hall of Fame baseball pitcher,

Fred Grundy--an accomplished actor,

Amo Houghton--The 1st CEO of a Fortune 500 Company elected to the Congress,

John Lewis--a hero of the Civil Rights movement who plotted and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As colleagues, John Lewis and I have travelled the roads back to Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma. We stopped along the way numerous times and heard the stories relived.

We travelled the bus route of Rosa Parks and we stopped at the church which had been bombed killing those sweet little girls.

I credit those brave Members of Congress that took action in the 1960's that addressed some of the racism and bigotry that still stain and haunt our history of a just nation.

Passage of civil rights legislation which included the Voting Rights Act was the right step.

Today, it's still not hard to find racism and discrimination. Yes, folks are still trying to prevent Americans from participating in our electoral process.

About a year ago, I sat on the House floor with the Dean of the House and my respected colleague, John Dingell, from the great State of Michigan.

We looked at the Congressional Record and the names of Members of Congress that voted for and against the different civil rights bills of the 1960's.

I was surprised to see how some of our former colleagues voted.

And, my bet is, that some of those that voted no then, would have the courage to vote yes now. That they would see the positive impact that those bills have brought about.

Mr. Speaker, we are the Peoples House--but we cannot be the Peoples House if we construct barriers for the people to participate.

The Voting Rights Act provides protections and removes the barriers. It needs to be extended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Donald P. Lauzon of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers upon both the completion of his command as the District Engineer for the Detroit District and also upon his retirement from distinguished service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Colonel Lauzon earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and is a Distinguished Military Graduate from Rhode Island College, Providence, RI; a Masters of Military Operational Art and Science from the United States Air Force Air University on the historic Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL, as well as a Masters Degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1986.

Lauzon has served with distinction abroad in Bosnia, Iraq and Germany. His assignments include a tour in Bosnia serving on both 1st Infantry Division and 1st Armor Divisions' General Staff at Camp Eagle, Tuzla, and in Desert Shield/Storm as the Assistant Operations Officer and Battalion Battle Captain in support of the 20th Engineer Brigade. As a Lieutenant, he served as a platoon leader and Company Executive Officer of the 547th Combat Engineer Battalion, Germany.

He has also served in a wide array of assignments in the U.S., including the Chief of Operations Branch, Defense Mapping School, Fort Belvoir, VA; Battalion Executive Officer, 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power); Executive Officer, Deputy Chief of Engineers, Headquarters' USACE, Washington, DC; Resident Engineer for Fort Dix/ McGuire AFB of the New York District; and as Company Commander of the 299th Engineer Battalion at both Fort Carson, Colorado and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Immediately prior to arriving in Detroit, LTC Lauzon served as Chief of the Department of Military Training, National Geospatial and Intelligence Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Colonel Lauzon is a recipient of the Bronze Star. His other numerous citations include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal, 4th award; Army Commendation Medal, 4th award; Army Achievement Medal, 3rd award; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; South-West Asia Medal with 2 stars; Kuwaiti Liberation Medal; NATO Ribbon; Armed Forces Service Ribbon and the Meritorious Unit Citation. His badges include Basic parachute and Air Assault.

He served as the Commander, Detroit District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 2004 to 2006. My district, which is southwest Michigan, was fortunate to finally have a Detroit District Commander who really paid attention to the needs of the small communities on Lake Michigan. During his tenure, there was significant progress made in the dredging of the St. Joseph, Michigan harbor for the first time in many years. The entire community appreciated the diligence of Colonel Lauzon in dealing with the issues that were most important to us.

I wish to personally thank Colonel Lauzon for not only his service to the country, but particularly for his assistance to the great State of Michigan over the last 2 years. I wish him much success in his future endeavors, particularly on the golf course.