Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 2996--Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 2996

Project Name: Mississippi State Natural Resources Economic Enterprises Program

Project Amount: $350,000

Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service

Account: Research Management

Recipient and Address: Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9800, Mississippi State, MS 39762

Description of Request: The integrated extension-research program promotes a sustainable/profitable conservation ethic among landowners, managers, and communities that includes recreational enterprises with fish, wildlife, and forest/agricultural land. It is imperative that we (1) have a long-term interdisciplinary research program, (2) monitor economic impact to rural communities, (3) develop educational curricula and training materials, and (4) demonstrate successful integrated wildlife-forest-agricultural business strategies to promote rural development and family farm incomes.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 859, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, do we have good doctors in this country? Do we have good surgeons? Do we have good hospitals? And do we have reasonable access to that care? The answer is clear that we do.

Do you believe that a government takeover of our health care system will make health care better or worse? Do you really trust the Federal Government to take over this important part of our lives? The last thing that we need is to have some government bureaucrat standing between you and your doctor on making these important decisions.

Finally, the Democratic health care plan will hurt seniors by cutting Medicare. This Democratic plan will push unfunded mandates to my home State of Mississippi in the average amount of $360 million a year for the next 10 years. My district and our country simply can't afford this.

Madam Speaker, one hundred years ago deep in the Mississippi woods, Dr. Laurence Jones agreed to teach a half-grown, barefoot boy to read. The next day, the young boy not only arrived eagerly for his second lesson, but was accompanied by two of his friends. Dr. Jones welcomed the newcomers and began the lesson by singing the well known doxology, Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow. Thus, The Piney Woods School legacy was born.

Dr. Laurence Jones did not stop simply with teaching a few boys while using a fallen log for a desk, but he also eventually built a modest facility in rural Rankin County, Mississippi to provide underprivileged black students with a ``head, heart and hands'' education.

News of the developing black school angered many local Ku Klux Klan members. After capturing Dr. Jones and forcing him to give a final speech, the members of the Klan released ``The Little Professor'' after he expressively compelled them by stating, ``There is not a man standing here who wants to go to his God with the blood of an innocent man on his hands.''

Founded in 1909 in a corn shed and, today The Piney Woods School is a nondenominational, Christian-oriented school that has grown into what U.S. News & World Report has named one of the finest boarding schools in the country. As the flagship of the four remaining historically African-American boarding schools in the United States, The Piney Woods School provides an academic core of mathematics, history, science, English and social studies to black high school students on a campus covering 2,000 acres. The beautiful Rankin County campus is comprised of lakes, farmland and towering pine trees, which creates an educational experience far beyond the classroom.

Comprised of nearly 230 students in grades 9 through 12 from over 20 states, Mexico, the Caribbean and several African nations, all of the students attend on a scholarship, and at all times at least 60% of the student body come from a low socio-economic background. Additionally, to help defray the cost of tuition, each student is responsible for working 10 hours a week.

The Piney Woods School has continued to rely on individual, foundation and corporate support for funding in addition to assistance from religious institutions. Building on the basis of this support, the school has established a goal of at least 1,000 churches, synagogues and other religious institutions contributing $1,000 a year. Among prominent figures that have advocated for the school over the years, are actor Morgan Freeman, television personality Oprah Winfrey, author Bebe Moore Campbell and famed American cartoonist, the late Charles Schultz.

On behalf of this body, I would like to congratulate The Piney Woods School as they celebrate one hundred years of ``changing America, and the world, one student at a time.'' Britton Smith, a young African American intern who serves today in my Washington office and who is a graduate of Piney Woods, is a genuine example that the legacy of Dr. Jones and his wife, Grace, still pulsates through the campus, attracting Christian students eager for an opportunity to grow and to be successful.

Madam Speaker, the City of Brandon, Mississippi was recently named as one of America's top small towns in which to live, according to Money magazine. The CNN magazine named this Rankin County city number 54 in its annual list of 100 Best Places to Live. As a city in the Third Congressional District, which I am proud to represent, Brandon is the only Mississippi municipality to make the 2009 list.

The list of 100 American municipalities compares communities with populations of less than 50,000 and takes into account an area's school system, crime rate, median income and racial makeup.

Brandon's job growth was 30.4 percent from 2000-2008 versus about 19.6 percent nationally and the city posts a median income of $77,679. The city's population is currently 20,600, up from 16,436 in 2000 according to the latest census figures.

A low crime rate was also a key point for Brandon making the study. This is why many of the city's residents consider locking their doors as optional.

Brandon Mayor Tim Coulter said, ``I think people are finding out what we've known for years, that Brandon is a great place to live.''

Rankin County Chamber of Commerce director Gale Martin attributes this honor to Brandon's quality of life. He said, ``You've got a small- town atmosphere with the big-city amenities,'' said Martin. Martin credits quality schools, closeness to cities like Jackson, Meridian and Vicksburg and its short distance from Jackson-Evers International Airport to spurring Brandon's tremendous growth.

The residents of Brandon should also share the honor of this national recognition. Since 1829, residents, first responders, school teachers, pastors and local elected officials have worked tirelessly to ensure that Brandon maintains its standing as the ``City of Red Hills with Golden Opportunities.'' I salute Brandon, Mississippi and the State of Mississippi, both great places to live in America.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDT&E, Defense-Wide

Project Name: Advanced, Long Endurance Unattended Ground Sensor Technologies

Recipient and Address: Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 6301, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762

Amount: $2,000,000

Description: A significant challenge in modern military operations is the ability to achieve and maintain real-time battlefield situational awareness. Achieving battlefield situational awareness requires the ability to robustly and persistently monitor the movements of the adversary in near real-time across a wide range of operational environments including foliage, mountainous, and urban terrain. This initiative is a follow-on effort to ongoing Mississippi State University Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) research and development in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: Operating Forces Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense

Project Name: Regional Counter Drug Training Academy

Recipient and Address: Naval Air Station, 219 Fuller Road, Meridian, Mississippi 39309

Amount: $1,500,000

Description: The National Guard Bureau identified a fiscal year 2009 unfunded requirement of $24.2M for Counterdrug (CD) Schools. With appropriate funding, CD schools will be better positioned to provide counter narcotics-based training programs critical to domestic law enforcement against narcoterrorism. The RCTA Meridian budget has shown little growth since fiscal year 2000, yet the costs associated with training law enforcement officers have increased by approximately 20 percent.

The health care reform proposal expected to come before the House contains provisions that include a tax increase of more than $500 billion on American small businesses and working families, as well as a tax on jobs of up to 8 percent of employer's payrolls. Additionally, individuals would be required to buy coverage or pay a 2.5 percent fine on their income.

This government-run plan proposed by the Democrats will force more than 100 million individuals to lose their current insurance. Knocking this many Americans off their current coverage is a clear violation of the President's pledge to allow individuals to keep their current health plan if they like it. We need preventive medicine, not defensive medicine. I want health care decisions to be between you and your doctor, not some Washington government bureaucrat.

If the President and the Democrats are serious about health care reform, then they will work with the Republicans toward a bipartisan plan. The American people do not need health care reform legislation that can only get 218 votes in the House. Let's come up with a plan that will get 435 votes.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part H.R. 3293--Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Elementary and Secondary Education

Project Name: The Mississippi Early Childhood Bridges Project

Recipient and Address: Mississippi State University, Early Childhood Institute, P.O. Box 6013, Mississippi State, MS 39762

Amount: $630,000

Description: Funding would be used to create and pilot a new early childhood teacher delivery system to improve the quality of instruction and prevent attrition of teachers in early care and education centers.

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Museums and Libraries

Project Name: Outreach Programs, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

Recipient and Address: Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation, 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS 39202

Amount: $220,000

Description: Funding would be used for the acquisition of education outreach vans and equipment so the museum's science literacy programs can reach approximately 120,000 students throughout the state; and for biological database services to assist land managers and economic developers to improve their efficiency and effectiveness by providing tools to streamline planning and permitting processes.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3288--Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: AIP--Airport Improvement Program

Project Name: Essential Air Field Infrastructure Improvements, Jackson-Evers International Airport

Recipient and Address: Jackson-Evers International Airport, 100 International Drive, Jackson, MS 39298

Amount: $750,000

Description: Jackson-Evers International Airport is in need of essential airfield infrastructure improvements that involve rehabilitation and replacement of security systems and airfield erosion and drainage systems.

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Delta Regional Transportation Development

Program Project Name: East Metropolitan Corridor

Recipient and Address: City of Flowood, P.O. Box 320069, Flowood, MS 39232

Amount: $250,000

Description: Funds will be used to finish pre-construction activities. The East Metropolitan Corridor is 5 miles in length and links Interstate 20, at the Crossgates Interchange in Brandon, MS, with Lakeland Drive at its intersection with Old Fannin Road in Flowood, MS.

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Economic Development Initiatives

Project Name: City Center Renovation and Construction Project

Recipient and Address: City of Ridgeland, P.O. Box 217, Ridgeland, MS 39158

Amount: $100,000

Description: Funds will be used to analyze, plan, and commence the conversion of an existing concrete plant site in the heart of Ridgeland into a new city complex and mixed use development. The City Center will be located near the intersection of U.S. Hwy 51 and the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Economic Development Initiatives

Project Name: Pelahatchie Site Development for Economic Development Recipient and Address: Town of Pelahatchie, 705 Second Street, Pelahatchie, MS 39145

Amount: $150,000

Description: The Town of Pelahatchie seeks funds to ready 450 acres for site development along the Interstate 20 corridor.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 3183--Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 3183

Account: EERE--Biomass and Biorefinery Systems R&D

Project Name: Sustainable Energy Research Center

Recipient and Address: Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9632, Mississippi State 39762

Amount: $1,500,000

Description: The goal of the Sustainable Energy Research Center, SERC, at Mississippi State University is to develop new engineering and scientific knowledge and to serve as a catalyst to create renewable transportation fuel industries in the Southeastern US. Renewable transportation fuel platforms under development by SERC include bio- oil, biocrude, and syngas to gasoline. All of these fuels focus on the use of non-food, lignocellulosic feedstock, especially woody biomass.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of

H.R. 2997--Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010:

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service

Project Name: Genomics for Southern Crop Stress and Disease

Recipient and Address: Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9800, Mississippi State, MS 39762

Amount: $797,000

Description: Mississippi State will provide innovative genomics research solutions to address disease and climatic stress-ors in Mississippi's most valuable commodity crops. Forestry, Poultry, Catfish, and many more Mississippi industries will benefit from this research. Advances in understanding genomic responses to stress and disease are anticipated to have a beneficial impact on yields, costs, and environmental sustainability.

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service

Project Name: Biomass-based Energy Research Program

Recipient and Address: Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9800, Mississippi State, MS 39762

Amount: $839,000

Description: The Consortium is developing a unique gasification- catalytic process that utilizes all of the plant biomass, including the lignin, to produce liquid fuel. Mississippi State University and Oklahoma State University will cooperate in conducing technical and economic evaluation for the gasification-catalytic conversion process. Currently, MSU is conducting research to develop new catalysts to improve the conversion of syngas into liquid hydrocarbons.

Requesting Member: Congressman Gregg Harper

Bill Number: H.R. 2997

Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service

Project Name: Wood Utilization Project

Recipient and Address: Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 9680, Mississippi State, MS 39672

Amount: $4,545,000

Description: Mississippi State University will conduct vital research and education on wood use to support the competitiveness of small and medium wood product manufacturers and the needs of the public through the Wood Utilization Research (WUR) Program. 12 Wood Utilization Research Centers at state universities across the U.S. will participate in this program. Mississippi has the potential to economically grow much larger volumes of wood. Focused research is essential to enhance the development of the current industry and to create new wood-based industries such as that of energy and chemicals.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 142, supporting National Men's Health Week. Since first being signed into law on May 31, 1994, National Men's Health Week has been celebrated all over the Nation during the week leading up to Father's Day as a way to raise men's health awareness and to promote a healthy way of living among men.

Men suffer from many health problems at a higher rate than women. They are almost twice more likely than women to die of heart disease; and between the ages of 45 and 54, men are three times more likely than women to die of heart attacks.

Additionally, diseases such as testicular cancer and prostate cancer affect thousands of men every year. Studies have shown, however, that with proper lifestyle choices and medical assistance, men can fight and survive these diseases.

Many health discrepancies between men and women can be attributed to lifestyle differences such as drinking, smoking, and other high-risk behavior, with men more likely than women to partake in these practices. But these differences only contribute a portion of the shorter life span and poorer health of men. In reality, men are less likely than women to visit a doctor, missing opportunities to pinpoint and change unhealthy habits and to diagnosis and treat diseases.

Significant numbers of male-related health problems such as prostate, colon, and testicular cancer could be detected and treated with men's greater awareness of their susceptibility to these health problems. When detected early, men who are diagnosed with these cancers have a high survival rate.

Awareness, combined with the appropriate use of tests such as exams and cholesterol screenings, can detect many health problems early and increase the survival rate of these diseases to nearly 100 percent.

National Men's Health Week not only benefits men, but also the important people in their lives. National Men's Health Week encourages men and their families to increase their awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and medical checkups. Moreover, better long-term health among men can contribute to fewer medical expenses for their families, for taxpayers, and for employers.

I encourage my fellow Members to join me in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 142.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 142.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a

quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 127 recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Every year since 2006, our Nation has recognized the contribution Caribbean-Americans have made to the United States during the month of June.

The Caribbean people have had a place in the history of the United States from its very beginning. The first Caribbean people who immigrated to the United States did so in 1619 as indentured workers who were brought to Jamestown, Virginia. During the centuries that followed, many people were brought to the United States from the Caribbean as slaves and, since 1820, millions more have emigrated, bringing with them their talents and high values, which have enriched our Nation and assisted in its formation.

Many notable people in the history of the United States have strong Caribbean ties. Those already mentioned are certainly very important to the history of our country. Alexander Hamilton, not only the first Secretary of the Treasury, but also one of the authors of the Federalist Papers, was born in the

Caribbean. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Sidney Poitier, and musician Harry Belafonte are all Caribbean-Americans, as you have heard.

Other Caribbean-Americans have contributed to every aspect of our Nation, from the sciences to the Armed Forces. For all of these contributions, we are grateful.

The United States and the nations of the Caribbean have had many traits that are indicative of our similarities with one another. The histories of the United States and the countries of the Caribbean have faced similar trials of slavery, colonialism, and the struggle for independence.

The people who comprise our separate nations are similar in that we are all different, coming from very diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. In addition to celebrating the contribution Caribbean-Americans have made to the United States, we honor these historical similarities between our nations.

I ask my fellow Members of Congress to join me in recognizing the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to the history of the United States and the way in which their presence enriches and strengthens our country.

I support House Concurrent Resolution 127.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this moment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at the moment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 127, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 135, which will enhance the educational offerings of the Capitol Visitor Center by highlighting the contributions of enslaved African Americans to the construction of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Far too often the historical record detailing the rise of our Capitol Building fails to appropriately recognize the vital contributions by slave laborers. As a result of the Slave Labor Task Force, we are better equipped to fill

that void and will take steps toward doing so here today.

The Capitol Visitor Center quickly has become a major attraction for those visiting our Federal city, seeking greater understanding of the history which led to our present. It is therefore appropriate that Emancipation Hall, in the CVC, house a formal recognition of these essential laborers, further enriching the educational experience of visitors young and old.

I urge my colleagues' support for the successful passage of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other Members who wish to speak at the moment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

I am honored to rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 131, and I certainly greatly appreciate the leadership of Congressman Dan Lungren on this matter, who is delayed by travel and unable to be here at this time.

This resolution would direct the Architect of the Capitol to engrave our national motto ``In God We Trust'' and the Pledge of Allegiance in the Capitol Visitor Center. The installation of these two references will be a reminder of the importance our Founders placed on the guidance of Providence in the birth and development and future of our Nation.

The Declaration of Independence, our Nation's first national document, spoke to inalienable rights given by our Creator. Those men acknowledged that in signing that document, one that would be seen as high treason by the King of England, they were placing themselves under the protection of ``Divine Providence.''

When Congress adopted our Great Seal in 1782, included in its design were numerous allusions to biblical references, and the seal was marked by the words ``Annuit Coeptis,'' which translated means ``Providence has favored our undertakings.''

As the Founders were drafting the Constitution, numerous sources point to their collective reliance on God for direction and wisdom. In 1787, when the Constitution was framed at the Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin reminded the delegates, ``To that kind Providence, we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity.''

During the War of 1812, when Francis Scott Key penned the Star Spangled Banner, he included in the final stanza: Praise the Power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: ``In God is our trust.''

These glimpses into our history show but a few examples of the national consciousness that served as prelude to the establishment of our national motto.

The establishment of ``In God We Trust'' as the Nation's motto sprung out of a Civil War letter. The letter from Reverend M.R. Watkinson of Pennsylvania urged Treasury Secretary Chase to install upon our currency some indication for future generations of the Nation's religious consciousness. Reverend Watkinson was concerned that the United States might be shattered beyond recognition by the Civil War.

Secretary Chase agreed and instructed the Director of the U.S. Mint that, ``No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.''

The Presidency of Dwight Eisenhower saw the codification of both our national motto and the Pledge of Allegiance as we know it. On Flag Day, 1954, President Eisenhower signed the Federal law which added ``Under God'' to the Pledge.

Two years later, President Eisenhower signed into law the bill officially recognizing ``In God We Trust'' as our national motto. The motto has since been installed on both our paper currency and the Speaker's rostrum in the House.

By incorporating our national motto and the Pledge of Allegiance as permanent fixtures in the CVC, we will provide further testimony to our Nation's rich history and the degree to which these two statements reflect the philosophical foundation of these United States.

At this time, I would like to enter into the Record those of my colleagues who, in addition to the 160 cosponsors of House Concurrent Resolution 131, wished to be added but were unable due to time constraints:

The Honorable Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland;

The Honorable Roy Blunt of Missouri;

The Honorable Bill Cassidy of Louisiana;

The Honorable Ander Crenshaw of Florida;

The Honorable David Dreier of California;

The Honorable Elton Gallegly of California;

The Honorable Brett Guthrie of Kentucky;

The Honorable Darrel Issa of California;

The Honorable Lynn Jenkins of Kansas;

The Honorable Tim Johnson of Illinois;

The Honorable Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri;

The Honorable Jerry Moran of Kansas;

The Honorable Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania;

The Honorable Pat Tiberi of Ohio.

I am proud to stand in support of this resolution and urge my colleagues' support.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.