Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and Subtropical Agricultural Research Station (STARS) in Brooksville, FL. for the past seventy-five years, STARS has worked in cooperation with the University of Florida to improve animal production. Their hard work to develop superior animal production systems for the subtropical regions of the United States has established them as leaders in beef cattle and water quality research.

STARS began in 1932 with nearly 2,100 acres as a gift to the Federal Government by Colonel and Mrs. Raymond Robins. The STARS program would eventually grow to its current size of 3,800 acres and produce significant research for the categorization and conservation of tropically adapted beef cattle. Their current projects include environmentally focused analysis that will help determine the impact of the cattle on the waters of Florida and their sustainability.

Given its status as the only station located in the South, the STARS program remains a unique and significant research facility. This is extremely significant because of the fact that nearly 40 percent of the entire Nation's cattle herd is located in the southern United States. STARS also serves as a satellite repository to the National Animal Germplasm Program for tropically adapted beef cattle.

Madam Speaker, I applaud all the men and women who have contributed to the success of the STARS program over the past seventy-five years. These individuals exemplify how working tirelessly on animal production and water quality research can greatly enhance the quality of life for America. This program continues to enhance scientific knowledge of beef cattle, and I commend those involved for their efforts to produce research at the forefront of American agriculture.

Mr. Chairman, I reluctantly rise today to speak against H.R. 1684, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year '08. I say reluctantly because even though I was cynical about the campaign promises made by the other side to implement the remaining 9/11 Commission reforms, I never dreamed that the American people would be betrayed the way I believe they are today.

Mr. Chairman, the majority of members on our committee rolled over and played dead, letting their other committee counterparts in the House pick this bill clean of many good security measures in a manager's amendment that will strip them out and gut the bill. Yet the majority has the audacity to come to the floor with this skeleton and call it a good bill.

My constituents will be horrified when I tell them that a provision that was worked out in the Homeland Security Committee to include in the base bill was stripped out. That language would have required employers at critical infrastructure sites to verify Social Security numbers of their employees before hiring them.

Do you know why constituents all around the Nation should be outraged? Because 2 years ago, a power plant in Florida unknowingly had a painting contractor who hired illegal aliens. Several of them had pending criminal charges and had been deported multiple times. These workers had access in and around the nuclear power plant. Let me repeat that. A nuclear power plant had illegal aliens with criminal records wandering around in them. Does that not scare you? It scared me, and that's why we added this amendment to fix it.

I wonder if the majority thought of the residents near any nuclear facility and the sheer devastation a criminal or terrorist act in that facility might cause. Were they thinking of the children and the working families, the people who trust us to keep them safe? Or were they thinking of just backroom deals with other committee Chairs?

I say to the people bent on stripping this bill of the security provisions: Stand up for this bill. Stand up for the good we are doing to safeguard the American people. Do not offer the manager's amendment to strip these provisions out and leave the Nation vulnerable in many areas.

There is no way that this House can possibly justify passing an amendment to this bill that will take out provisions like:

Denying alien smugglers access to maritime routes.

Tough postemployment lobbying restrictions on Department of Homeland Security officials, a Democrat provision being stripped.

Implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendation for a single committee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security.

Or authorizing better information sharing among Federal, State and local law enforcement partners.

These provisions were all stripped from the bill. There is no way that we could support this unless we want to water down homeland security.

We should all be concerned about the things that are not in this bill. We could fix the loophole today by giving authorization and leaving the bill the same as it was when it left the committee. That's an important procedure that would protect America's homeland.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman.

I rise in strong support of the Castor amendment to the Homeland Security authorization bill.

I have worked long and hard to coordinate the agreement between TSA and Florida on their respective worker ID cards for screening port workers. TSA has been dragging their feet, unwilling to compromise so that Florida does not have to discontinue its own card. It wasn't until Senator Paula

Dockery, who shares some of my constituents, reached out to me that the TSA finally began to respond and started negotiations. Senator Dockery is now chairman of the committee that I chaired when I was in the Florida Senate, so I am very familiar with the biometric ID program. That is why she reached out to me.

Right now, congressional intervention has made sure that they are talking. There is still only one remaining sticking point. I am cautiously optimistic that we can work this out so Florida can be confident that TSA's Transportation Worker ID card is secure enough for our precious ports.

Florida has a great system, and TSA needs to recognize that and know that, if anything, Florida's system is above and beyond what TSA is looking at.

This amendment commits TSA to continuing the work my colleagues and I have already accomplished, getting TSA to sit down and talk to Florida. Most of the issues have been worked out. I am pleased to support this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding steps taken by Dade City leaders to renovate and improve their Main Street area. These efforts to revitalize Main Street have made Dade City one of the brightest spots on the Gulf Coast of Florida. On May 18, 2007, Dade City is celebrating its 20th anniversary as part of Florida's Main Street program.

Noticing a decline in the beauty and economic vitality of Dade City's downtown in the 1980s, local leaders began to look into joining the Main Street program. Pat Weaver, Otto Weitzenkorn, Helen Brandt and the late Lewis Abraham banded together to find the resources to send representatives to the annual Main Street meeting in Orlando.

The Orlando meeting taught these concerned residents how to implement the ``Main Street Four-Point Approach,'' a comprehensive strategy tailored to meet local needs and opportunities. The approach encompasses work in four distinct areas: design, economic restructuring, promotion, and organization. Ms. Weaver and Ms. Brandt returned from the meeting with a plan to develop a strong base of local business owners and citizens to see this concept through to becoming reality in Dade City. In 1985, they received a technical assistance program by the Department of State, Bureau of Historic Preservation through the Florida Main Street program. In April 1987, downtown Dade City was officially designated a Florida Main Street community.

On May 18, the Downtown Dade City Main Street program is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a party at one of its highly touted area restaurants. In reflecting on its history, the Downtown Dade City Main Street program has distinguished itself as one of the exemplary models of the Florida Main Street program. In addition, it has been successful in downtown restoration projects such as the Historic Courthouse, the establishment of the Community Redevelopment Agency to fund long-range downtown projects, the facade improvement grant, and for the millions of dollars it has helped bring to downtown construction and restoration projects.

Madam Speaker, I applaud all the men and women who have contributed to the success of the Dade City Main Street program over the past twenty years. These individuals exemplify how working tirelessly on downtown renovation and revitalization can reverse the decline of a community. This program continues to remain a vital part of downtown Dade City, and

I commend those involved for their efforts to keep Dade City vibrant and unique with its quaint shops and small town atmosphere.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, while I do not oppose H.R. 1642, the Homeless Housing at Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center Promotion Act, I do have some concerns about the bill.

This legislation would require that the enhanced-use lease for a homeless veterans housing project at the Sepulveda VA Outpatient Clinic provide sober-living housing exclusively for veterans. The bill also mandates that the housing project be adequately staffed and provide for not fewer than 150, nor more than 250, residents.

At first glance, this sounds like a reasonable requirement. In fact, it is my understanding that the original lease proposal by New Directions, which received the support of the local community leaders, contained a veterans-only facility with a sober-living campus. However, when New Directions sought additional funding through the Housing and Urban Development Agency, HUD, due to Federal HUD's governance requirements, they could no longer stipulate in the contract that the facility would be a veterans-only ``with no alcohol on the premises'' facility.

New Directions is a residential substance abuse and mental health treatment program created by a Vietnam veteran and former homeless veteran John Keaveney. Since 1991, New Directions has been working in conjunction with other service providers and the Department of Veterans Affairs to help assist homeless veterans. In 1994, New Directions became the first social services agency in the country to provide temporary housing and services to homeless female veterans as well as family members of veterans.

To address these issues, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Nicholson, on March 8, 2007, sent a letter to the New Directions administration that would operate the housing under a dry-housing model whereby the residents would agree not to use alcohol or intoxicating drugs. With more than 20,000 homeless veterans in that area, it was anticipated that all of the beds could be filled entirely with veterans.

Mr. Speaker, here is my concern: the Congressional Budget Office in their April 30, 2007 cost estimate for this bill stated: ``VA is currently in the process of finalizing an enhanced-use lease for the Sepulveda facility with a nonprofit organization, New Directions. However, New Directions cannot reach the specified conditions in this bill. Based on information from VA, CBO expects that under the bill, the Department would be required to break off arrangements with New Directions and search for qualified organizations, a process that could take a few years.''

New Directions has agreed to operate under a dry-housing model, and there is certainly a sufficiently large veterans homeless population in the area to virtually guarantee that the facility will be occupied entirely with veterans. Yet my colleagues wish to impose this legislation which would significantly delay the project.

Mr. Speaker, I understand why the local community would want this legislation. However, H.R. 1642 does not address what happens to the hundreds of homeless veterans in the north Los Angeles area who would have been helped by this facility while they wait several years for the VA to begin this process to enter into a new lease.

With the passage of this legislation, are these homeless veterans still on the street waiting for a lease with better terms? That's the question that the American public deserves an answer to.

I would hope that this body can be offered some assurances that temporary provision will be made for the many homeless veterans during this hopefully brief period of delay while a new lease is negotiated. Then, Mr. Speaker, I would be more comfortable in supporting this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to commend you for working with the community to establish a homeless shelter. Having been a county commissioner, I know how heated those public hearings can be when people think that there is going to be a homeless shelter anywhere in the county, let alone anywhere near their particular residence or business.

Having a homeless shelter for veterans only is a very, very laudable goal, and there is a camaraderie there that I understand where you are going with that.

My question is, do you have any idea how long it would take to go out to competitive bid? And also, as you know and when you were practicing law you may have participated in this, the unsuccessful bidders very often can drag it on ad nauseam because they did not get the bid. Do you have any estimate of how long this process would take, because I think our goals are mutual of having a facility there for veterans?

I thank the gentleman for the response.

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

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, I was unable to be present for votes. Had I been present: For rollcall No. 270--H. Res. 334, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Community College Month, I would have voted ``yea''; for rollcall No. 271--H. Con. Res. 112, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of a National Child Care Worthy Wage Day, I would have voted ``no''; and for rollcall No. 239--H. Res. 272, to commend the University of Florida Gators for their historic win in the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to express my concern that Democrats will not extend tax relief measures critical to the American people. Residents in my State are at risk. Floridians currently have the ability to deduct their sales tax from their Federal tax returns. However, this deduction expires after 2007.

As Democrats set the agenda for the coming year, there is talk of offsetting increases in Federal spending by raising taxes for millions of Americans. Frankly, I worry that they will use this important provision to pay for additional spending.

Listen up America: Congress needs to make sure that taxpayers do not face unnecessary tax increases. I appeal to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our constituents can keep more of their hard-earned money.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill, H.R. 1402, the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building piece of legislation. It will rename the South Lecanto Highway Post Office in Lecanto, Florida, after Army Sergeant Flanagan, who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq.

I actually attended the services out at Arlington Cemetery. I was with the family. I also attended the service for the young man that was held in Citrus County.

In my district office, I have a photograph that his mom gave me that was taken at the service. And it appears as if there is this rainbow over the marker. It is truly a tribute to this 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School because Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC, and he achieved the rank of lieutenant in his first year.

Within a week following the attacks of September 11, 2001, on our country, he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq. Sergeant Flanagan then re-enlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2005. Tragically, he was killed, along with three other U.S. soldiers, when an IED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1402, the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building.

H.R. 1402 will rename the South Lecanto Highway post office in Lecanto, FL, after Army Sergeant Flanagan, who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq.

A 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School, Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant his junior year.

Within a week following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq in 2003. Sergeant Flanagan then re-enlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2005.

Tragically, he was killed January 20, 2006, along with 3 other U.S. soldiers when an lED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident.

Sgt. Flanagan was a soldier who firmly believed in our mission in Iraq and in advancing the cause of freedom. As a young boy, Sgt. Flanagan knew that he wanted to be a soldier

in the U.S. Armed Forces. A soldier who felt we must defend America and fight for freedom, Sgt. Flanagan received glowing recommendations from his superior officers and fellow soldiers. One of the principle reasons that he re-enlisted was to act as a mentor to the newly enlisted soldiers and to help train Iraqi army recruits.

Speaking of his future as a soldier and a patriot, Sgt. Flanagan once wrote a poem that included the words, ``And now, my son, I pray to thee. Never ever forget me; that I died a soldier's death, to keep you free with my last breath.''

In times when children and families need role models to look up to and emulate, Sergeant Flanagan was a true American hero. Our community feels his loss immensely.

I hope that in renaming this post office, we will memorialize Sergeant Flanagan's courage and never forget his sacrifice for this great Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Edgar Wilton Carr, a native of Essex, Ohio who served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Assigned as an Aerial Gunner with the 453rd Bombardment Group 8th, Mr. Carr bravely encountered dangerous and life-threatening events during his time in the Air Force.

As a pilot during the attack on Germany in 1944, Mr. Carr participated in the first night's bombing of Berlin. In one mission over Germany, his plane was shot down and he was forced to parachute from the damaged plane. The jump was so dangerous that part of his face and both his hands suffered severe freezing from the air temperature and altitude. Another time Mr. Carr was taken as a prisoner of war and spent fifteen months in a German prison camp.

While the mental and physical injuries he suffered in the fight against the Axis powers were great and stayed with him throughout his life, Mr. Carr always maintained a positive outlook and shared his great sense of humor with everyone he met. This light-hearted attitude made such an impression on his family that even after his passing they tell stories about him with pride and with the comment, ``That's my father.''

As General George Patton once said, ``Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.'' The soldiers of World War II will always be remembered as the greatest generation, a generation that gave so much for our country. Mr. Carr was no exception and

will continue to be remembered as a defender of freedom.

Madam Speaker, veterans like Edgar Wilton Carr should be recognized for their service to our nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. I am honored to present Mr. Carr's family with his long overdue Purple Heart. All Floridians should know that we truly consider him one of America's heroes.

Madam Speaker, May 10, 2007 marks the 85th anniversary celebration of the Woman's Club of Dunnellon. This outstanding charitable organization, located in Marion County in Florida's 5th congressional district, has spent the better part of the last century working on behalf of the good people of Dunnellon.

Volunteerism is an important part of many peoples lives, especially so throughout the 5th District of Florida. Many local organizations have worked very hard to make sure that the neediest amongst us have access to basic necessities like transportation to the doctor, hot meals, hospice care, day care, and providing support for our troops and their families.

The Woman's Club of Dunnellon has been at the forefront of these efforts for the past 85 years, continually finding ways to help give back to their friends and neighbors. From city beautification efforts, to educational seminars, to helping meet the needs of area residents during times of war, the woman's club has many achievements of which to be proud.

On the occasion of their 85th anniversary celebration, I would like to congratulate the women's club on their continued support and commitment to the residents of Dunnellon. Keep up the good work and know that you have my thanks for improving the lives of Marion County residents.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to control the 5 minutes reserved for the opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment before us.

This measure would increase the reimbursement rate available through the veterans beneficiary travel program to the level currently enjoyed by Federal employees, including Members of Congress who travel. It would also eliminate the travel deductible, which imposes an additional burden on veterans.

I have been pushing this issue for quite some time now and am happy to see it reach the floor of the House of Representatives. In my district, which spans eight counties, many veterans have to travel long distances to access health care. Considering today's gas prices, one can understand the enormous expenses incurred by those in need of care. Worse yet, with many veterans living on fixed incomes, the current reimbursement rate can seriously harm their standard of living. I know I have been contacted by many veterans also telling me about the burden that the deductibility imposes on us. It astounds me that in providing this benefit our government holds veterans to a different standard than Federal employees.

I commend the gentleman for introducing this amendment, and as he knows, our two staffs have been working together to put in an individual bill.

I believe that America needs to listen up. It is time for us to fix this inequity and support passage of this important amendment.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule for H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007.

This rule is overly restrictive because it prohibits several good amendments like my colleague just enumerated as well as an amendment that I had tried to get in the bill. I think it is shocking because members are the most knowledgeable about this bill, having worked on it for weeks now, our members of the committee.

One of the amendments that the rule excludes was the rule that basically said if we have an assessment out there

of perhaps a lack of security or an area that we need additional resources in, this information is going to become public. Think about what the terrorists would do. The amendment would have filled this security gap by exempting all sensitive information from Freedom of Information Act requests. It directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue regulations that would prohibit unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as security plans, vulnerability assessments, and risk-based criteria.

Mr. Speaker, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recently wrote a letter supporting my amendment, and I will include that letter in the Record.

International Association

of Fire Chiefs,

Fairfax, VA, March 12, 2007.

Hon. Ginny Brown-Waite,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Brown-Waite: On behalf of the nearly

13,000 chief fire and emergency officers of the International

Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), I would like to voice our

support for your amendment to the ``Rail and Public

Transportation Security Act of 2007'' that would protect

sensitive information about our nation's rail and public

transportation sector.

We share your concerns about protecting sensitive

information from accidental public disclosure. Both the

vulnerability plans and the security assessments described in

this legislation contain sensitive information, such as

threats to our nation's transportation system, security

weaknesses, and redundant and back-up systems. It is

important that this information be shared with the

appropriate fire and emergency services, and law enforcement

organizations to ensure that they are prepared for the

accidental or deliberate release of hazardous materials.

However, this information should not be made public, because

of the serious problems that could occur if information about

weaknesses in the security of our nation's transportation

system fell into the wrong hands.

Thank you again for offering this amendment. If you have

any questions about the IAPC's role in the safe

transportation of hazardous materials, please feel free to

call Ken LaSala, the Director of Government Relations.

Sincerely,

James B. Harmes,

President.

I would also like to quote two sentences from the letter by those who would be the first responders, the Association of Fire Chiefs, and the fire chiefs in your local district: ``It is important that this information be shared with appropriate fire and emergency services and law enforcement organizations to ensure that they are prepared for the accidental or deliberate release of hazardous materials. However, this information should not be made public because of the serious problems that could occur if information about weaknesses in the security of our Nation's transportation system fell into the wrong hands.''

Mr. Speaker, they said it far better than I could, and they would clearly be the first responders. By excluding these important amendments, we are shortchanging the people of America with a bill that is filled with loopholes.

I ask Members to vote ``no'' on the previous question and on the rule so we can go back and make some of these very appropriate amendments in order.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to discuss H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007.

Securing our Nation's rail and public transportation systems has long been a priority for the Homeland Security Committee.

However, many different competing priorities elbowed this issue out of the way as we faced growing concern about border and port security.

Our Committee addressed these issues head-on under the leadership of Ranking Member--then Chairman--Peter King, and made great strides in securing our homeland.

However, attacks in London and Madrid are stark illustrations of the urgency with which Congress must address rail and mass transit security.

H.R. 1401 requires transportation providers to conduct vulnerability assessments and implement security plans.

The bill also mandates security training for transportation workers.

These steps are crucial in bringing rail and mass transit security up to par to the level of airports and seaports.

I also appreciate that our Committee adopted several amendments I offered during our makrup.

Transportation workers will now have to undergo a background check that will look at both criminal history and current immigration status.

We cannot afford to give criminals and terrorists the access to our secure sites.

The American people do not understand or accept such a risk, and nor do I.

My other amendment specified that some of the new training exercises take place at the border.

We have all heard rumblings over the last few years about criminal gang activity, particularly along the Southern border.

It makes sense to have a portion of training dedicated to an area with a high risk.

However, I must express my disappointment that the Rules Committee did not make in order my amendment to better secure sensitive information from Freedom of Information Act Requests.

I fear without this additional language, security plans and risk assessment criteria could easily fall into the wrong hands.

Further, I have grave concerns about the amount of money we are spending in the bill without these protections.

The American people would not thank us for all of our work in airports or seaports if something happens to a major rail or subway carrier.

I want to thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King for their tireless work on this bill and for working with me on my amendments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my concern that the Democrats will not extend tax measures critical to the American people. Residents in my own State are at risk. Floridians currently can deduct their sales tax from the Federal income tax. However, this deduction expires this year.

As Democrats set their agenda for the coming year, there is talk of offsetting increases in Federal spending by raising taxes for millions of Americans. Quite frankly, I worry that the use of this provision will be to pay for additional spending. Constituents don't want additional taxes. They want us to be more conservative in spending.

Listen up, America. Congress needs to be sure that taxpayers do not face unnecessary tax increases. I appeal to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our constituents are able to keep more of their hard-earned money.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding young woman, Autumn Nicole Mitchell. Audi, as she is known to her friends and family, made a decision about 18 months ago to help support the Wigs 4 Kids cancer support network by growing her hair and then donating it to other children without hair of their own.

Wigs 4 Kids is a charitable organization that provides wigs and services to children who have lost their hair due to illness or disease. Wigs 4 Kids' main focus is on cancer patients, but also includes other young people who face similar challenges that cause hair loss, including: alopecia, trichotillomania, lupus, hydrocephalus, burns and other disorders. When donating their hair, young girls like Audi must go to special salons that know how the hair must be cut in order to be made into wigs for others.

Audi is a typical, healthy young girl who genuinely cares about her friends and neighbors. Hearing about the thousands of other children who lost their hair to cancer and other diseases, Audi decided on her own that she would grow out her hair so that she could donate it to Wigs 4 Kids. It takes an exceptional type of young person to recognize the needs of others, and then to take affirmative action to help them in their time of need.

Madam Speaker, I have seen the before and after photos of young Audi. Once her long, straight hair is made into a wig, I know that her beautiful hair will look great on another young child looking to regain some of their self-esteem following their hair loss. Audi is to be commended for her selfless act and for being an example to other children in her school and neighborhood. I know that her generosity will be appreciated by the Wigs 4 Kids program, and trust that this act of compassion will follow Audi throughout her life.