Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, as a Co-Chair of the Unexploded Ordnances Caucus, I strongly support this amendment. Anyone who lives on or near a site containing disposed munitions can attest how unsettling this can be.

In Florida, thousands of my constituents have moved to an area on or adjacent to an old military gunnery. Unfortunately, inspections have found rockets, mortars, and grenades, putting people at substantial risk. In fact, one piece of live ordnance was found less than six inches beneath a child's backyard trampoline.

This is not a problem confined to a few areas--this is a nationwide issue. Across the country, from Representative Earl Blumenauer's district in Oregon, to Brooksville, Florida, many sites face a similar dilemma. Some people are literally sitting on ticking time bombs.

Congress has an opportunity to prevent the worst from happening. Jurisdiction over cleanup at these older sites falls under two major accounts--the Formerly Used Defense Sites account within the Defense Appropriations bill, and the BRAC 1990 account within this legislation. Our amendment would redirect funds from the BRAC 2005 account, which is set to see a large increase over its previous year funding, to cleanup efforts at these older sites, where people are increasingly taking up residence.

Listen up America! The Federal Government has an obligation to clean up its mess. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense amendment and put public safety first.

Mr. Speaker, for the last 2 days, I've sat on the floor waiting to introduce and have debated an amendment that I have.

And what that amendment does is that amendment provides an additional $89 million to go toward building the border fence. That fence is to keep out those people who may be criminals, who may be terrorists, who America was promised that we would build the fence.

What has all of the delay been? Let me tell you what the delay has been. The delay has been about your tax dollars.

I've got a dollar bill here in a clear transparent folder. It's about transparency of earmarks. It's about the fact that we should be voting on bills where we know what that earmark is, what those earmarks are, regardless.

Now, here's the way it was last year when we voted on appropriations bills. We knew where those earmarks were. We knew who introduced them.

This is what it is this year. It is a hidden appropriation pool that we will not know who this money's going to.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

I would inquire as to the time remaining on my side.

I would like to yield 1 minute to my friend from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).

Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

I thank the gentlewoman from Tennessee.

Mr. Chairman, it is not just the border States that are affected by illegal immigrants who come into our country. They are not all coming here for jobs, folks, and I think we are very naive if we believe that. Some are coming here to form terrorist cells. And a fence may not be the perfect answer, but it is the answer that this Congress voted on last year.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. Chairman, when I talk to my local sheriffs back home, one of whom actually burned out the battery on my cell phone, what they want to do is do what people expect them to do, and that is help the very overtaxed, no pun intended, ICE employees who are out there trying to apprehend the criminals, the criminal illegal aliens.

In Florida, we were able to train 35 State and local law enforcement people under this program, under the 287(g) program. It is a good program, and, believe me, it is very much wanted by many local sheriffs, sheriffs who also get elected like we do and who get frustrated when ICE is unable to come to the jail with the frequency that they need to, who are frustrated because the citizens want illegals who have criminal records, they want them off the streets, off their lawns, and they want to once again be able to reclaim their communities, very often, from a lot of illegal activity.

The 13 jurisdictions that use the 287(g) program are very happy with it. We need to adequately fund it, and I commend my colleague from Virginia for introducing this amendment. It is a good amendment and one that I think the American people certainly would want to have well- funded because of its efficacy.

Again, I commend the gentlewoman.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 451, on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 473, my vote did not register. Only after they closed the vote, was I told of that fact.

Offered By: Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida

Amendment No. 13: Page 2, line 16, after the dollar amount

insert ``(reduced by $89,125,000)''.

Page 11, line 24, after the dollar amount insert

``(increased by $89,125,000)''.

Offered By: Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida

Amendment No. 14: Page 15, line 15, insert after the colon

the following: ``Provided further, That of the amounts made

available under this heading, $300,000,000 shall be obligated

for the purposes of constructing fencing along the southwest

border of the United States:''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 421, a resolution to honor the achievements of women in space exploration.

In the 1960s, a courageous group of women challenged themselves, and the stereotypes of our Nation, to become the First Lady Astronaut Trainees.

These women were all accomplished pilots with a dream to explore the unknown.

Thirteen of these women--``the Mercury 13''--were chosen to be part of America's space team, breaking boundaries with their passion and determination.

Though the program was discontinued before these women could actually fly in space, they paved the way for future female astronauts through their hard work and relentless efforts.

Finally, NASA got the message and began recruiting women again, starting with the class of 1978 astronauts and culminating in the first American woman in space in 1983.

Without the efforts of the Mercury 13, women with skills and interest in science and exploration would have had a much tougher time breaking through gender barriers.

The Mercury 13 women saw roadblocks as challenges to overcome.

I hope that all of the young women in my district and across America may be inspired to make change by their example.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong support of the H-Prize bill that we have before us, H.R. 632.

This legislation encourages the best of what this House can offer, and that is ingenuity and the genius of the American inventor. We have always known that when the American people in our free markets put our minds to a problem, there is no stopping them. When we faced the challenges of World War II, for the run-away inflation of the 1970s, American genius and the free market prevailed and delivered our solutions.

Today's challenge is for us to reduce our dependence on foreign oil sources. Our goal is to create a free market diversified portfolio of energy sources, so that we are never again reliant on one single source for our energy needs. Whether with wind, solar, nuclear or biofuel, this Congress' goal should be to protect the environment with as little prejudice for or against alternative energy sources as possible.

One might ask why? As we are already seeing with ethanol, we should never forget the law of unintended consequences. By forcing ethanol into our gas tanks, Congress has unfortunately raised the price of our gas and the price of feed for our livestock.

Listen up, America. Our experience with ethanol should be a cautionary reminder of the burdens government regulation places on our economy and the everyday lives of American families.

What is so brilliant about the H-Prize is that, unlike most of the programs coming out of Congress, this bill doesn't mandate a specific form of technology or add additional regulatory burden. Indeed, instead, the H-Prize encourages the inventor and the market to generate the ideas and solutions.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans pretty much have been shut out of debate and denied amendments, but this bill was one of our ideas from the last Congress which I voted for then, and I certainly will vote for now. I commend you for moving a free market approach through to the floor so that the 110th Congress can also do the right thing.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Colonel Kathleen M. Spencer, a soldier who has served her country with honor and distinction. Colonel Spencer is retiring at the end of this month following 30 years in the United States military.

First commissioned in the U.S. Air Force on June 23, 1977, Colonel Kathleen M. Spencer received her B.S., cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts. Upon her entry into the Air Force, she was commissioned a munitions officer.

Colonel Spencer served honorably in 16 different assignments throughout the United States, including a 3-year stint in Germany. She will complete her military career as the Chief of Munitions at Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii.

During her career, Colonel Spencer served as a munitions maintenance officer and supervisor, as a munitions staff officer and an instructor to Squadron Officer School. She has also held multiple commander positions, served as a military assistant to the Executive Secretary in the Pentagon, as a chief of logistics, and deputy director.

Retiring with numerous decorations for her years of service, Colonel Spencer is especially proud of her Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, her Air Force Commendation medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

Madam Speaker, it is service members like Colonel Spencer who help make our military the finest fighting force in the world. This Congress congratulates Colonel Spencer on her retirement and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and certainly the chairman of the Veterans Committee.

I rise today in support of H.R. 612, the Returning Servicemember VA Health Care Insurance Act. This measure provides much needed expansion to the availability of VA health care to certain American soldiers returning from combat. Currently these individuals only have 2 years in which they can access medical services at the VA. Unfortunately, conditions associated with service in a combat theater can sometimes take longer to manifest themselves. In response, the measure provides a 5-year window of health care for our veterans.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. Many of the young men and women in our Armed Forces have been away from their loved ones for very long periods of time. During this time, they have endured harsh conditions and tremendous physical and mental strains. The very least that Congress can do is to give these brave individuals 3 additional years of health care. I think it is the right thing to do, and I know that both the ranking member as well as the chairman fully support this effort to extend the health care for the additional time. I think it is a good public policy.

Mr. Speaker, in 2005, the Department of the Army authorized the creation of the Army Combat Action Badge. This important badge provides recognition to our soldiers who personally engaged the enemy in combat. However, the Army's current policy limits eligibility to those who meet its criteria after September 18, 2001.

As such, the Combat Action Badge overlooks thousands of veterans who made similar sacrifices in previous wars. I've heard from many veterans who feel slighted by the Army's failure to recognize their own heroism.

In response, I've reintroduced my legislation, H.R. 2267, to expand eligibility for this award to those soldiers who served during the dates ranging from December 7, 1941, to September 18, 2001. This expansion would be a fitting tribute to countless individuals who made sacrifices for our country.

Mr. Speaker, when I was a child and I misbehaved, my mother would give me a stare that could curdle milk. Believe me, when I saw that stare, I knew how angry she was.

Well, after reading the Senate amnesty giveaway plan, I now know how to give that same look, and so do my constituents. Rather than doing what the American people want, securing our borders, the Senate has thrown open the barn doors and given away the farm.

Our Nation already faces huge deficits in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Now the Senate and President Bush want to give away to anywhere from 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants the possibility to get welfare benefits, Social Security and Medicare.

My constituents back home in Florida work hard each and every day to pay their taxes and to keep America strong. In contrast, the Senate amnesty plan rewards illegal behavior and gives away our constituents' hard-earned Social Security and Medicare dollars.

Listen up, America. The Senate amnesty plan is a tax amnesty bill. This is bad legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to publicly condemn the recent remarks of Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader of the United States Senate. For the leader of one of the greatest legislative bodies in the world to concede defeat in Iraq is a sad commentary on the state of politics in our Nation.

Our troops are the finest fighting force this world has ever known. Our generals are among the finest military minds in the world. My faith is with these brave men and women who put their lives on the line each day in battle, and not on the political choices of a Washington, DC politician.

The American public does not want our troops to shuffle out of Iraq with our tails between our legs. America wants to achieve victory in the global war for freedom, a battle whose center is in the Middle East and in Iraq. Defeatist comments like ``the war is lost'' should be condemned by any freedom-loving Member of this body.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Academy at the Farm School, a Pasco County, Florida charter school that is being recognized for academic achievement at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The Center for Education Reform has selected the School as an Exemplary Charter School for the past year. The Academy at the Farm School is one of six from Florida, 53 nationwide, and was chosen from over 4 thousand eligible charter schools.

Founded in 2002 as an inclusion school for exceptional student education students, the School is designed to place these gifted students in a regular classroom setting. In addition to its focus on academic success, the School also focuses on learning about the environment.

One of the most successful institutions in Florida, the School has a grade of A and has met 100 percent of the criteria required for adequate yearly progress. Additionally, it was one of only four schools in Pasco County to have achieved adequate yearly progress. With a student to faculty ratio of only six to one, there is a strong focus on individual teaching and learning. All the teachers at the School are certified, with 30 percent of them having advanced degrees and a total of over 225 years experience.

The Academy received a letter from former Florida Governor Jeb Bush recognizing the fourth graders as one of the top 100 elementary schools in the State for improvements in writing. They also received a letter from Governor Bush for being named one of the top 50 combination schools in the State that made the most year-to-year progress.

As is the case with many successful educational institutions, the Academy at the Farm School is headed up by strong leaders and administrators. Dr. Michael Rom, the School Administrator, is the former Provost at Pasco Hernando Community College and is highly respected in the education and professional world. He and the seven teachers attending the event in Washington were original staff members of the Academy and have continued their commitment to Pasco County children and families.

Madam Speaker, educational leaders like Dr. Rom and the teachers at the Academy at the Farm School should be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments. Their record of success has proven them worthy of being named an Exemplary Charter School by the Center for Education Reform. I congratulate them on the award and know that they will continue to focus on educational achievement into the future.