Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with Congressman Costa to congratulate Stephen Baker upon his induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Baker will be honored at the 50th anniversary enshrinement dinner of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 6, 2008.

A sportswriter once said that Stephen Baker, at 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, was built more for gymnastics than for football. But with his lightning quickness, sure hands and gritty toughness, the wide receiver earned one of the game's enduring nicknames--``the touchdown maker.'' He was given the catchy moniker at West Los Angeles College, where he scored 31 touchdowns in two seasons, before starring at California State University Fresno for two season and playing six seasons with the New York Giants (1987-1992). With the Bulldogs, he was a frequent target of NCAA record-setting quarterback Kevin Sweeney, burning opponents for sixty-two receptions, an amazing 26.3 yards per catch and sixteen touchdowns over two seasons. He closed his collegiate career by catching a thirty-six yard scoring pass that gave the West All-Stars a victory in the Japan Bowl.

Drafted in the third round by the New York Giants, Mr. Baker earned the respect of Coach Bill Parcels with his ability to elude defenders and hang onto the ball. Over the course of his NFL career, he lost just one fumble. He started fifty-three games for the Giants and finished his career with one hundred and forty-one receptions, an 18.3 yards- per-catch average and twenty-one touchdowns. His best season was 1988, when he hauled in forty passes and scored seven times. The highlight of Baker's NFL career came in Superbowl XXV, as the Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19. He caught two passes--one of them a fourteen yard touchdown pass from Jeff Hostetler with just twenty-five seconds left in the first half to cut the Giants' deficit to 12-10.

Madam Speaker, we rise today to commend and congratulate Stephen Baker upon his achievements and induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Baker congratulations on his many accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Gail Mallard-Warren upon being awarded the ``Community Health Champions Award'' at the 2008 West Fresno Health Care Coalition's 4th annual ``This is

Your Life of Service'' dinner and award ceremony. This year the ceremony will be held at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center in Fresno, California, on Friday, October 24th.

Dr. Mallard-Warren grew up in the projects of Oakland, California. Both of her parents were educators and realized the importance of their children obtaining a higher education. Her family moved to East Oakland, but she was bussed to Skyline High School; a school that provided the academic courses that she would need to get into college. Upon graduating from Skyline, Dr. Mallard-Warren attended the University of California, Riverside, where she earned her degree in biology. In 1979, she earned her medical doctorate from the School of Medicine at University of California, Davis.

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Mallard-Warren moved to Fresno, California, and received her training in obstetrics/gynecology at Valley Medical Center. In 1983 she opened her first private practice and today has multiple offices in Fresno. In addition to her private practice, she has made a habit of serving uninsured and underinsured OB/GYN patients over the span of her career. She has worked with Black Infant Health, an organization that provides health education, health promotion, social support and service coordination to pregnant and parenting African-American adult women. Through this program she has diligently worked toward lowering the instances of infant mortality in the most impoverished areas of Fresno and assisted in contributing to the well-being of this underserved community. She also participates in the Liga Doctors of Mercy, a nonprofit organization that has been providing free health care and education to the people of Sinaloa, Mexico, since 1934.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Gail Mallard-Warren upon being awarded the ``Community Health Champions Award''. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Mallard- Warren many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with Congressman Costa to congratulate the 1998 California State University, Fresno, Softball Team upon its induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. The team members and coaches will be honored at the 50th anniversary enshrinement dinner of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 6, 2008.

On a hot day in late May 1998, second baseman Nina Lindenberg sent the first pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning over the left-field fence and the Lady Bulldogs into history. The home run off Arizona ace, Nancy Evans, was Lindenberg's 13th of the season, gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the championship game at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Women's College Softball World Series Most Valuable Player, Amanda Scott, then polished off a three-hit shutout, and the Wildcats, as California State University, Fresno, claimed its first NCAA Division I team championship in any sport.

The 1-0 victory capped a magical season for Head Coach Margie Wright's Bulldogs, who started the season with a 2-2 record and finished with 52 wins 11 loses. The season was highlighted by 4 wins and 1 loss in the Women's College World Series (WCWS) with victories over Nebraska, Michigan, Washington and top-ranked Arizona. The national title was a united effort as four Bulldogs made the All- Women's College World Series team: outfielder Laura Berg, first baseman Angela Cervantez, Nina Lindenberg and Amanda Scott. The Bulldogs captivated all of the San Joaquin Valley as their games were aired on local radio and ESPN. Seeded seventh in the field, they arrived in Oklahoma City determined to win the title for a school that had finished second in the WCWS four times.

The team was led throughout the year by a pitching staff that included Amanda Scott (25-4, 0.79 ERA) and Lindsay Parker (21-4, 1.54 ERA) and a balanced hitting attack keyed by Laura Berg (.458 batting average, 72 runs), Nina Lindenberg (.449, 77 RBI), outfielder Becky Witt (.392, 69 runs) and Amanda Scott (14 home runs, 72 RBI). The team included: OF Laura Berg, 1B Angela Cervantez, 2B Nina Lindenberg, Lindsay Parker, P Amanda Scott, Becky Witt, OF Candice Bowlin, OF Kara Campbell, SS Alicia Dowland, C/1B Jennifer Jokinen, 3B Jaime Maxey, P Kim Peck, C Jennifer Slaney, C Janna Todd, 1B Vanessa Valenzuela, C Amber Wall, C Carolyn Wilson, OF Daviana Wisener. The coaching staff was headed by Margie Wright, assisted by Margaret Sutter and Mary Ivy. Also involved with the team was Maribel Campos, manager, and Andrew Weeks, trainer.

Madam Speaker, we rise today to commend and congratulate 1998 California State University, Fresno, Softball Team upon its achievements and induction into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the 1998 Fresno State Softball Team congratulations on its many accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Helen Jones upon being awarded with the ``Community Health Champions Award'' at the 2008 West Fresno Health Care Coalition's 4th annual ``This is Your Life of Service'' dinner and award ceremony. This year the ceremony will be held at the Radisson Hotel Conference Center in Fresno, California on Friday, October 24th.

Dr. Jones was raised in San Francisco, California. She graduated from Lowell High School, one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the San Francisco school district. She earned a Bachelor's of Arts in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkley and her Medical Doctorate from the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Jones also attended classes at the Universities of California, Irvine and Riverside and attended summer courses in biomedical engineering at Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia. She originally made her way to Fresno to train under Dr. Howard Morelli, the former dean at the University of California, San Francisco. Currently, Dr. Jones is in private practice with Internal Medicine Associates and was formerly with Linder-Quann Medical Group.

In addition to being an internist, Dr. Jones specializes in palliative medicine, a form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms

rather than halting or delaying progression of the disease itself or providing a cure. This form of medicine allows seriously and terminally ill patients comfort and relief from the pain of their disease. Palliative care educates the patient on symptom management, provides information about their illness, communicates with the patient and their families about their disease and provides them with emotional and spiritual support. Dr. Jones has served as the Hospice Medical Director and Ethics Chair of Saint Agnes Medical Center. She is a past president of the Fresno Madera Medical Society. She has developed an obesity prevention toolkit for medical providers through the California Medical Association and has been an advocate for cleaning the air throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Dr. Jones has also served as Chair of the Fresno Unified School District Wellness Policy and was a board member of the Central California Blood Center.

Dr. Jones has been a tireless advocate for accessible healthcare particularly in West Fresno. Through various faith-based and community organizations she has assisted in promoting the awareness, prevention, and care of breast cancer. She is a strong believer that proper education and awareness in disease prevention is the key to keeping the residents of Fresno County healthy. Dr. Jones credits her success to her parents' guidance. The family motto growing up was ``Keep it real, roll up your sleeves and get it done.'' She has held that motto close to her heart.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. Helen Jones upon being awarded with the ``Community Health Champions Award''. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Jones many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Harris Farms upon being honored with the 2008 Baker, Peterson and Franklin Ag Business Award. Harris Farms was honored at a luncheon November 5, 2008 held at the Radisson Conference Center in Fresno, CA.

Harris Farms was founded in 1937 by Jack and Teresa Harris on 320 acres of prime land in the central California's San Joaquin Valley. Over the past 70 years, Harris Farms has grown to cover thousands of acres and has become one of the most vertically integrated, diversified and largest agribusinesses in the U.S. Harris Farms has grown to include Harris Ranch Beef Company, Harris Feeding Company, Harris Fresh, Harris Ranch Restaurant, Harris Farms-Thoroughbred, Harris Ranch Inn and Harris Ranch Online Country Store.

Today, under the direction of John and Carole Harris, the operation produces 33 crops including everything from carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, onions, citrus, nuts and grapes. Harris Ranch Beef and Harris Feeding companies have earned a reputation as two of the largest and most innovative firms in the industry, pioneering the development of branded beef and value-added beef products. Their thoroughbred division breeds, trains and races thoroughbred horses at tracks across the county. The Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant serves 2,000 guests per day and showcases their beef products and produce. Harris Farms is one of the largest employers in the Coalinga area with 1,500 hundred employees.

Harris Farms received the 2002 Fresno Bee Excellence in Business Award. John Harris has been recognized by his peers with State Fair Agriculturist of the Year, Livestock Man of the Year and Cattle Businessman of the Year. He serves on the California Horseracing Board, Western Growers Board and is past president of the American Cattleman Association and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He is past chair of the St. Agnes Hospital Foundation Board. He has also served on the University of California, Davis Foundation, Alumni Boards and the University of California President's Agriculture Advisory Board. Carole Harris is a member of La Feliz Children's Hospital Guild and past member of the Fresno County Historical Society Board. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are involved with countless organizations and annually award scholarships to children of employees.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Harris Farms upon being honored with the 2008 Baker, Peterson and Franklin Ag Business Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Harris Farms many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jerry Prieto, Jr. upon being honored with the 2008 Greater Fresno Area Chamber Agriculturist of the Year. Mr. Prieto was honored at a luncheon November 5, 2008, held at the Radisson Conference Center in Fresno, CA.

Jerry Prieto, Jr. is a native of Corcoran, CA. He is the son of a former migrant farm worker and was raised in a small town with a small family. Mr. Prieto attended California State University, Fresno and obtained his bachelor's of science degree in Plant Science. In 1973, he began working for the Fresno County Department of Agriculture as a Seasonal Agricultural Aide assigned to track the removal and planting of permanent crops. He quickly became a Seasonal Agricultural Inspector assigned to the inspection of cantaloupes and grapes. In 1974, he worked on the Citrus White Fly eradication project and on June 28th was hired as a full-time Agricultural Inspector assigned to the Fresno District performing plant quarantine and pest detection inspections. He also performed inspections on pesticide use, farm worker safety, seeds, and nurseries. In 1977, he was transferred to the egg inspection division where he performed egg quality inspections.

Mr. Prieto was appointed as the Supervising Agricultural Biologist in charge of the egg inspection program in 1979. Within a year he was promoted to the position of Deputy Agricultural Commissioner in charge of the Grower and Consumer Protection Division responsible for the enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to fruit, vegetable, and egg quality. In this position he was also responsible for gathering crop statistics and producing the Annual Crop and Livestock Report. By 1984, Mr. Prieto had transferred to Deputy Agricultural Commissioner of the Environmental Protection Division, where he enforced the laws and regulations pertaining to pesticide use, farm worker safety, and the coordination of the installation and implementation of the Fresno County Department of Agriculture's first computerized restricted use pesticide permit.

In 1989, Mr. Prieto left the Fresno County Department of Agriculture and took a position as a Senior Personnel Analyst with the Human Resources Division of the Fresno County Personnel Department. He supervised the county's labor relations, recruitment and exam programs. In 1993, he was appointed Fresno County Resource Manager. He was responsible for solid waste issues throughout the county and operated the American Avenue Regional Landfill, the Southeast Regional Landfill and the Coalinga Landfill. He was also responsible for providing road maintenance, street lighting, garbage collection, parks, and sewer and water services to 90 special districts.

Mr. Prieto was appointed to the position of Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weight and Measures exactly 25 years after he began working for the department. He was responsible for promoting and regulating the Nation's highest agriculture producing area. Mr. Prieto was appointed Chairman of Secretary Kawamura's AB 771 Honeybee/Seedless Mandarin Co-Existence Working Group. Mr. Prieto also served as a member of Governor Gray Davis' State Committee on Terrorism and the Western Weights and Measures Association Board of Directors. He served as the first Chairman of the California Agriculture Commissioners and Sealers Association's Food Safety and Agriculture Security Committee. He served as Chairman of the Fresno County Department Heads Council for 4 years. He is a member of the California State University, Fresno Agricultural Plant Science Advisory Committee and the Fresno County Farm Bureau. He is the Chairman of the Fresno County Council of Governments Model Farmland Preservation Committee and the Fresno County Land Conservation Committee. He is a past president of the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association. Mr. Prieto served as a judge for the Future Farmers of America California State Final competition for 23 years. For all of his service he has been honored with the ``Distinguished Service Award'' from the Fresno County Farm Bureau, and the ``Service Award'' from the Fresno- Kings Counties Cattleman's Association.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Jerry Prieto upon being awarded as the 2008 Greater Fresno Area Chamber Agriculturist of the Year. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Prieto many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Joe Haratani for his humanitarian efforts and his service to this country. Mr. Haratani was acknowledged Wednesday, October 1, 2008 in his home town of Sonora,

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Securities Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act.

Two earmarks were granted in the aforementioned bill, which I had previously requested from the fiscal year 2009 Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

H.R. 2638 contains an appropriation of $1.2 million for 105mm ammunition procurement from the Procurement of Ammunition Account for NI Industries, Inc. The 105mm ammunition utilizes the deep drawn steel cartridge case manufactured by NI Industries. NI Industries is the only supplier with the unique capability and expertise to manufacture large caliber deep drawn steel cartridges. Due to the Department of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure plans, cartridge case production at NI Industry's facility in Riverbank, CA will cease in early 2009 in support of the relocation of production to Rock Island Arsenal, IL. This request for funding to procure 10,000 cartridge cases is necessary for three specific reasons:

No. 1. Future demand for the ammunition may be higher than originally planned due to recent performance by the Mobile Gun System which uses 105mm ammunition.

No. 2. The Army may be evaluating other types of ammunition to add to the current suite of 105mm ammunition, which will require additional cartridge cases.

No. 3. The relocation of the cartridge case production facility is a major undertaking that is subject to uncertainty. Because NI Industries is the only known contractor with the process knowledge, technical expertise, and skilled manpower to produce the 105mm deep drawn large caliber steel cartridge cases, it is prudent to stockpile additional cartridge cases to mitigate potential ammunition shortages due to the unavailability of cases.

Additionally, SmartSight, Remote Weapon Video Sight project received an earmark of $2 million from the Department of Defense's Army Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Account, in H.R. 2638.

SmartSight is designed to provide vastly improved survivability and overwhelming lethality for dismounted troops in close combat situations, providing a means for aiming direct-fire weapons from cover and concealment using indirect-view display technology. This appropriation will acquire continued development and testing for 120 initial configuration SmartSight systems. The systems will be offered for testing, combat effectiveness and interoperability with existing systems, by operational commands of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, U.S. Navy Special Operations Command, USMC systems Command and/or USMC War Fighting Lab, and possibly other commands.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the 50th anniversary of the first vertical ascent of Yosemite's El Capitan. Standing at 3,593 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor, EI Capitan is the largest granite monolith in the world. Since it was named by the Mariposa Battalion in 1851, this natural wonder has lured travelers and climbers from all over the world.

The natural beauty and wonders of Yosemite National Park have inspired countless travelers and have earned Yosemite its reputation as the ``crown jewel'' of the National Park System. It was this very majesty that compelled Wayne Merry, George Whitmore and Warren J. Harding to fearlessly ascend the seemingly impassable face of El Capitan and become legends amongst the climbing community.

Over a strenuous period of 47 days, this team of climbers courageously charted the Nose Route vertically over the face of EI Capitan. Lacking many of the technological developments available in current climbing gear, these men relied heavily on aid climbing with nothing more than fixed rope, pitons and expansion bolts to facilitate their ascent. Finally, on November 12, 1958, they conquered the summit of EI Capitan, effectively raising the standards of climbing throughout the world.

I am proud to recognize the accomplishment of Wayne Merry, George Whitmore and Warren J. Harding on the occasion of their endeavor's 50th anniversary. Thousands of climbers have since used the very same route to reach El Capitan's summit and vista. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of this achievement and honoring the brave men of the original climbing team.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Northwest Church upon celebrating their 50th anniversary. The church will be celebrating the anniversary throughout 2008 with golf tournaments, luncheons, all-church Bunko nights, reunions and a dedication and renaming of the church's chapel on September 28, 2008 at the church in Fresno, California.

In 1958 a group attending First Baptist Church in Kingsburg began discussing the possibility of establishing a Baptist General Conference church in Fresno, California. The core group of planners consisted of three families; the Swansons, the Bertzs and the Satterbergs. The group determined that Curt Martin, a recent graduate of Bethel Seminary, was to be the first pastor of, what was then, Northwest Baptist Church. Pastor Curt and his wife, Carol Martin, moved to Fresno in August and the first public service was held on September 21, 1958 in their home. The church was officially formed on November 13, 1958 with twenty-four members. That number quickly grew to sixty. With the rise in numbers, the visionaries decided to purchase a five-acre piece of property, complete with a farmhouse.

Almost one year after holding the first public service, they broke ground for the new church on September 20, 1959. The building was completed in 1960, with seating for one hundred. The members quickly realized that they were going to need more space for an educational unit. A building was completed for that purpose in the early 1960's. In 1961, Pastor Martin resigned to pursue his education goals. Reverend Eric Moody and Reverend Rollo Entz both served as senior pastor during the mid-1960s.

In 1968 a young Youth for Christ director, Bufe Karraker, was brought on to serve as interim Pastor of Northwest Church. At that time, the average attendance at the Sunday morning services was about seventy- five to eighty people. However, with Pastor Bufe's gusto and passion during the services, the people began pouring in. Pastor Bufe was asked to stay on as senior pastor. Within six years the refurbished chapel was full; over 750 people would filter in and out for the three Sunday morning services. There was excitement surrounding the church and growth was inevitable. Over the next three decades the congregation built seven additions, including an 850-seat sanctuary and office building. Pastor Bufe was instrumental in this growth, and after thirty-three years at Northwest Church he passed away at the age of seventy-four. Northwest Church has since been lead by Dr. Jim Westgate (interim senior pastor), Pastor Scott Gossenberger, Pastor H. Spees and Pastor Mark Platt.

Over the years, Northwest Church has been instrumental in developing new congregations in the Fresno area including New Covenant Community Church, Central Community Church and New Harvest Church. The church currently supports twenty-three local and national missionaries, and offers various mission trip opportunities to members of the church. They hold three services on Sunday for about 1,200 worshipers, a Thursday night service, and the doors are open to the community for various gatherings, such as Sunday school classes, Weight Watchers group meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon. The focus on religion, family and community is the foundation that has led Northwest Church to be so successful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Northwest Church upon their 50 anniversary. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Northwest Church many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, October 10 marks the National Day of the Republic of China. Due to its democratic system, Taiwan has been able to flourish economically and socially as we have seen over the past decades. Taiwan is now one of the world's leading economic powers.

To help us celebrate all the accomplishments of our friends in Taiwan, I urge my colleagues to support Taiwan's latest request to the United Nations General Assembly to participate meaningfully in the activities of 16 United Nations specialized agencies. I know leaders in Taiwan have worked tirelessly for Taiwan's participation in the United Nations and Taiwan's international participation will certainly encourage cross-strait dialogue and lead to permanent peace in the Asia-Pacific region.

Madam Speaker, congratulations to the people of Taiwan, their president, Mr. Ma Ying-jeou, and their Washington representative: Ambassador Jason Yuan. Jason is an experienced diplomat and he will be an effective bridge between Taiwan and Washington.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues Mrs. Capps and Mrs. Cubin for sponsoring H.R. 1014, the Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research and Treatment, or HEART, for Women Act. I lend my strong support for its swift passage both here and on the House floor Heart for Women Act will be a vital step forward in addressing the disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke between men and women.

Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women, both nationally and in my home state of California. They account for over 30 percent of all female deaths in California, and there are currently approximately 43 million adult women living with one or more forms of heart disease.

These numbers are very telling about the need for this reporting and authorization. But to really understand the importance of this legislation, you must look at how this can affect the lives of any one of those 43 million women living with heart disease today. I personally have seen the effects it can have--the struggles for the individual and the difficulties it can place on a family--through the experiences of a longtime and valued member of my staff But also through her, I have seen the courage displayed by women living with heart disease. They are dedicated to this cause, so that others may have it a little easier than they have. For her and all women living with this disease, this legislation today is a triumph and a testament to their strength.

Thank you again to the bill's sponsors, and I encourage all my colleagues to fully support this extremely important legislation.

When President Bush lifted the Presidential moratorium on offshore oil drilling, the price of oil dropped $12 a barrel immediately and has been falling ever since.

I have said many times over the summer that if Congress passes an energy bill that increases production of domestic energy, the markets will react immediately with lower prices. This is the litmus test that Congress will be delivering what the American people want.

The Democrat energy bill will be received with a resounding thud on the world markets. It won't move the price of gas one cent because it provides no incentives for States who increase production offshore.

Unlike the Comprehensive American Energy Act, the bill we are voting on today does not address oil shale production, lawsuit reform, streamlining the nuclear energy process, coal-to-liquid technology, increase refinery capacity, and opening ANWR. However, the bill does include a drawdown over Strategic Petroleum Reserves, a fraudulent use- it-or-lose-it legislation, and an extremely costly renewable energy mandate. Maybe this majority ought to go back to suing OPEC to produce more oil because under this bill, that reliance is still there.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member from the Energy and Commerce Committee.

When President Bush lifted the Presidential moratorium on offshore oil drilling, the price of oil dropped $12 a barrel immediately and began falling ever since.

I have said many times over our summer recess that if Congress passes an energy bill that increases the production of domestic energy, the markets will react with lower prices.

That is the litmus test that Congress should use to determine whether we are delivering what the American people want, which is lower gas prices.

The Democrat energy bill will be received with a resounding thud on the world markets. It won't move the price of gas one cent because it provides no incentive for States to increase production offshore. Unlike the comprehensive American Energy Act, the bill that we are voting on today does not address oil shale production, lawsuit reform, environmental ESA reform, streamlining nuclear energy processes, coal- to-liquid technology, increasing refinery capacity, or opening ANWR. However, the bill does include a drawdown of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the fraudulent use-it-or-use-it legislation, and the extremely costly renewable energy mandate.

Over the next 20 years, U.S. oil consumption is projected to grow even after factoring in a projected 26 percent increase in renewable energy supply and 29 percent increase in efficiency. Unless we look for and develop new U.S. reserves, reliance on foreign sources of oil-- already over 60 percent--will continue to rise. OPEC will continue to manipulate production levels and prices.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to support the American Energy Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Calvin James Beatty for his dedication to his family and community. Mr. Beatty passed away at Madera Community Hospital on August 19, 2008, at the age of eighty two.

Mr. Jim Beatty was born in Puenta, California on March 21, 1926. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in National City, California in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Western Pacific during World War II and in China after the war. Before leaving the military he attained the rank of sergeant. He received an Honorable Discharge in April 1947.

In 1949, Mr. Beatty settled in Madera, California. He met and married Edith Mae Sciacqua in 1950. They have three sons; Kelly, John and Jerry. He spent most of his life as the manager of a cotton gin and retired in the 1980's. He had many hobbies, including flying. Mr. Beatty maintained a pilot's license for over fifty years. He served as a deputy sheriff in the Madera County Aero Squadron. He was always active in the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also involved with the Knights of Columbus and the Young Men's Institute.

Mr. Beatty is survived by his wife and three children, his daughter- in laws; Cheryl, Michele and Brenda, and five grandchildren: Ryan, Meghan, Michael, Christian and Hallie, and one great-grandson: Brannon. He is also survived by his sister, Donna, her husband and numerous extended family members.

Madame Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Jim Beatty for his dedication to his family and community. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his life and wishing the best for his family.