Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on congressionally-directed funding, I am submitting the following information regarding funding included in H.R. 3288, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Housing and Urban Development--Economic Development Initiatives (EDI)

Legal Name of Recipient: Appalachia Service Project

Address of Recipient: 216 Green Hill Drive, Chavies, KY 41727

Description of Request: Provides directed funding of $460,000 to the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) in Chavies, Ky. ASP is a volunteer- based organization that works to build and repair homes for underprivileged people in the Appalachian region. In rural counties of Kentucky, significant poverty often prevents families from maintaining access to basic services like water and sewer and performing regular home maintenance. Since 1969, ASP has provided critical repairs to 13,000 homes in Central Appalachia and life-changing volunteer experiences to over 240,000 people. In 2008, the economic impact of ASP's activities across Kentucky was $3.15 million, and ASP will combine this FY10 funding with private contributions to provide emergency home repairs for disadvantaged families in rural Kentucky.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on congressionally-directed funding, I am submitting the following information regarding funding included in H.R. 2996, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 2996

Account: Department of the Interior--National Forest Service--Land Acquisition

Legal Name of Recipient: Daniel Boone National Forest

Address of Recipient: 1700 Bypass Road, Winchester, KY 40391

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $900,000 for the Daniel Boone National Forest to acquire additional land from willing sellers in the Red River Gorge area, as well as the Rockcastle River and Horse Lick Creek watersheds. Acquisition of these available tracts of land will minimize fragmentation and help ensure consistent management of the forest. Between 2.5 and 5 million people visit the forest every year.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this freedom-taking bill.

We can all agree that health care costs are too high and that we need to open up access for more Americans. That being said, we need to pass a bill that actually cuts costs and increases access rather than a government-run takeover of health care. I cannot support Speaker Pelosi's monstrosity of a bill because it puts a Washington bureaucrat between individuals and their doctor, it adds to our enormous debt in Washington, and, even more frightening, it will limit health care availability in rural regions like southern and eastern Kentucky.

In these challenging economic times, with double digit unemployment, out of control government spending sprees, and bailout after bailout, we should not pass a bill that will kill jobs and raise taxes. Speaker Pelosi's government-run health care bill not only imposes new penalties and taxes on small businesses, it raises taxes on already struggling individuals and families. Whether someone wants health insurance or not, they'll be forced to purchase it, and the federal government will garnish wages or send them to jail if they don't comply. Even more troubling, the more vulnerable and ailing one is, the more they'll pay, as this bill imposes new taxes on critical medical supplies, like wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, hospital beds, and prosthetic limbs. As if that wasn't enough, the bill opens the floodgates of taxpayer money for illegal immigrants to abuse the system and obtain free government health insurance--all on the backs of law-abiding Americans. Lastly, I am scared for our seniors as this bill makes devastating cuts to the Medicare program to the tune of $500 billion, and puts the popular Medicare Advantage program on life support, virtually eliminating its existence.

I support the Republican alternative health care bill that focuses on lowering health care premiums for families and small businesses, increases access to affordable high-quality health care, and promotes healthier lifestyles without adding to Washington's crushing debt. The plan I support guarantees access to affordable care for those with pre- existing conditions, ends junk lawsuits against our doctors, allows small businesses to band together to purchase insurance for their employees and allows individuals to shop for insurance across state lines. Simple and less costly initiatives such as these will lower insurance premiums by at least 10 percent, and provide health insurance to millions more Americans.

This bill reflects a fundamental and drastic change in our way of life, and is the largest government intrusion into the private lives of our citizens ever. I, for one, am truly frightened by the potential consequences.

Mr. Speaker, everyone agrees that health care is too expensive, and it is not affordable to every American. Everyone also agrees that the American health system is the best in the world for innovation and invention. And polls have shown that most people are happy with their health care. That's why people from all over the world come here to receive health care.

So why are we talking about dismantling our great health system, one- sixth of our economy, and replacing it with a government-run health program that will cost $1.5 trillion in borrowed money that will be paid for by our grandkids?

We need to work together to bring down the actual costs of health care. Republicans have such a plan: cap lawsuits, giving Americans a real choice by letting them purchase insurance across State lines, allowing small businesses and individuals to join together and pool to purchase less expensive coverage.

We need to keep the best system in the world. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Mr. Speaker, the senior citizens in my district are scared, literally scared. They ask me, What are the Democrats planning to do to my Medicare and Medicaid? And I have to tell them, I really don't know because the Democrats are hiding behind closed doors in the dark and keeping the rest of us out of the picture. So we don't know for sure. Except we do know this: They are planning massive cuts to Medicare, upwards of $500 billion, and massive cuts to Medicare Advantage that will result in a loss of health care for millions of seniors. According to the Congressional Budget Office, that Advantage cut would be around $162 billion. As a result, Medicare Advantage plans will drop out of the program, limiting seniors' choices and causing many of them to lose their current health care coverage. Cuts to Medicare Advantage will have an exceptionally harmful effect on seniors in rural areas like mine. I urge us to reject this plan.

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

Let me begin by sincerely thanking Chairman Price for his partnership during this 2010 appropriations cycle. Through the transition in administrations, the very late submission of the 2010 budget request and the truncated appropriations process, he has been fair and respectful and has been willing to listen to our concerns and accommodate the minority's interests where possible. So I want to thank the chairman for his friendship and his ability to work with everyone to write the best possible bill.

This subcommittee, Madam Speaker, since its inception in 1993, has a longstanding tradition of bipartisanship, a tradition that stands in stark contrast, I might add parenthetically, to the exclusionary tactics of the House's Democrat leadership that trounced the rights of the minority and stifled debate during floor consideration of the House bill.

But in spite of some of that partisan mischief, I am truly grateful for Chairman Price's efforts to maintain the long-standing comity that has defined this Chamber's appropriation process, as well as Chairman Obey's work to move this vital spending bill towards completion.

So I am thankful that we were able to hammer out an agreement in conference, for the most part. After all, the safety and security of our Nation's citizens should be the number one priority of the Congress. This urgency is underscored by the recent terrorism cases being investigated in Colorado, New York, Texas, Illinois and North Carolina, as well as the persistent acts of terrorism and violence by radical extremists overseas.

What this terrorist activity tells me is that real security demands persistent commitment. Eight years after 9/11 and 6 years after the Department was created, we must remain vigilant in addressing every threat and every vulnerability. I am pleased to see the conference report is willing to honor that commitment by properly resourcing our homeland security needs.

While I can't say that I agree with everything in the conference report, I think it represents a fairly reasonable compromise on most of our homeland security priorities. However, there is a notable provision that I must respectfully take issue with that the chairman has referred to.

Section 552 of this conference report permits the terrorists detained at Guantanamo Bay to be brought to the U.S. for purposes of prosecution. Since the President announced the decision to close Guantanamo some 9 months ago, we have seen nothing, Madam Speaker, no plan, in spite of the requests of this Congress, this subcommittee, this committee, no plan, no idea of how to dispose of the detainees remaining there, and no legal rationale for the prosecution, sentencing and incarceration of these terrorists wherever.

Instead, those detainees who pose a minimal security threat have been shuttled off to other foreign countries by way of backroom deals, leaving hundreds of suspected terrorists potentially bound for American soil because no one else in the world will let them be brought to their soil. Apparently we have tried, to no avail.

So I for one see no reason why we should afford enemy combatants who have been caught on the battlefield battling American soldiers, to allow them the same constitutional rights as American citizens or the same due process even as criminal defendants in the civilian courts of the U.S., and I see no reason why these terrorists can't be brought to justice right where they are in Cuba before military tribunals, as we have in the past there. In fact, we know military tribunals work. We have completed three tribunals and convicted and sentenced terrorists right there in Gitmo.

It is clear that the majority of Members in this Chamber and in the Senate agree with this point of view, given the clear passage of the motion to instruct two weeks ago in this body, and the Senate's near unanimous adoption of a total prohibition of detainee transfers to this country with the passage of their Defense appropriations bill just last week. Both bodies have spoken by huge majorities: Keep these detainees off sacred American soil.

This is a critical issue that I think we must get right, so I am disappointed that the conferees did not follow the convincing and bipartisan votes that both Chambers have taken over the past few weeks and deny these terrorists access to the United States.

Now, having said all that, and in spite of my opposition to the section on the Gitmo detainees, I believe the base of this conference agreement will go indeed a long way towards the protection of our great country.

I once again thank Chairman Price for his consideration of our concerns and all of his good work throughout the year on this very important bill.

I reserve my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the very distinguished ranking member of the Homeland Security authorization committee in the House, the gentleman from New York (Mr. King).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to one of the hardest working members of this body and a valued member of our subcommittee, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson).

I yield the gentleman another 1 minute.

I yield the gentleman another 1 minute.

I yield such time as he may consume to the very distinguished ranking member of the full Appropriations Committee in the House, Mr. Lewis of California.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to a hardworking member of our subcommittee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

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

In closing, I regret that this bipartisan and well-balanced conference report contains permission to bring Guantanamo Bay detainees onto American soil.

At the conclusion of today's general debate, I intend to offer a motion to recommit that will give this Chamber the opportunity to once again voice its will to the conferees just as it did 2 weeks ago by way of a clear and convincing bipartisan vote.

I appreciated your overwhelming vote then, and I ask the Members once again to register your objection to bringing these enemy combatants, caught in battle with American soldiers, onto America's sacred soil.

The conferees ignored our instructions of 2 weeks ago, which prohibited detainees from being released, transferred, or detained in the United States for any reason, period. My motion today will have the same effect as the language Members voted for then and has the same effect as what the Senate voted for 93-7.

This motion will keep these terrorists off American soil, out of our Federal civilian courts, and in a place that is far more appropriate, given their status as enemy combatants apprehended on a battlefield with American soldiers.

This motion will correct the flaw in the conference report's language and aligns the will of Congress with that of the U.S. Senate as reflected by the strong bipartisan votes on this issue over the last 2 weeks in both bodies of the Congress.

I would hope Members would join me in supporting this motion so that we can further improve and strengthen this critical conference report.

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

Madam Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

I am in its current form.

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

Madam Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

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

The motion to instruct conferees is very simple. Madam Speaker. It would prohibit the transfer of Gitmo prisoners to the United States. It ensures the detainee pictures are never made public, and it mandates the conference report is made public at least 72 hours before being considered on the floor. It's that simple. And that's exactly what the Homeland Security appropriation bill is all about, protecting the American people from all threats, including the warped intentions of terrorists and radical extremists.

Let me state my sincere gratitude to Subcommittee Chairman David Price for listening to the views of the minority during all of these proceedings, during our preconference deliberations especially over the last few weeks. I truly appreciate his bipartisanship and consideration of our concerns.

Madam Speaker, this motion strengthens the House bill's current restrictions on Guantanamo Bay detainees by ensuring their names have been put on the No Fly List and by clearly prohibiting their transfer to the United States for whatever reason. For 9 months, the Obama administration has insisted the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay be shuttered within the year. But what have we seen during that time in preparation for that? Absolutely nothing, no plan, no idea of how to proceed, no instructions to the Congress, no instructions to the public about where these prisoners would be moved to.

Now we read in the press that the administration is thinking of releasing up to 75 of the detainees there. Where will they go? Europe, Fiji, maybe somewhere closer. Maybe in Michigan, maybe in Kansas, maybe somewhere else in the U.S. Who knows. Certainly the Members in those districts in the U.S. don't know. So this motion prohibits the granting of any immigration benefit for any reason to these detainees. Without such a benefit, there is no legal way to bring these terrorists to American soil and in our constituents' backyards. That means these terrorists cannot be granted the same constitutional rights as American citizens. After all, these detainees are enemy combatants caught on the battlefield. They are not common criminals, and they should not be granted legal standing in our criminal courts by bringing them onto U.S. soil.

From my point of view, we can't waiver on this issue, nor can we be weak. There is no reason these terrorists, who pose a serious and documented threat to this Nation, cannot be brought to justice right where they are in Cuba at Guantanamo Bay. If we want to try them, there is the place. I certainly think that that is where the American people stand on this issue as well. They don't want these terrorists in their hometowns, inciting fellow prisoners in our prisons, abusing our legal system and terrorizing their communities.

In addition, Madam Speaker, this motion insists upon the Senate's language prohibiting the release of detainee pictures, language unanimously adopted in the Senate, supported by this Chamber in June and endorsed by President Obama himself by way of his letter to the Senate on July 29. In that letter, I think the President said it best himself: ``Nothing would be gained

by the release of the detainee photos other than allowing our enemies to paint our troops with a broad, damning, and inaccurate brush.'' I frankly couldn't agree more.

And finally, Madam Speaker, this motion also requires the conference report to be made public at least 72 hours before being brought to the floor for consideration. We want to read the bill before we vote.

So Madam Speaker, the ongoing terrorist investigations ranging from Denver to New York to Dallas over the last few weeks and the persistent attacks by radical extremists upon our citizens, our soldiers and our interests overseas remind us of why there is absolutely no reason to bring a terrorist to American soil or to release images that endanger this great country and its Armed Forces.

I urge support of the motion.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes.

Madam Speaker, this motion prohibits the granting of any benefits to the detainees at Guantanamo to be brought here for criminal prosecution.

As Mr. Obey has just said, these are enemy combatants caught, captured on a battlefield. They are not criminal defendants; they are prisoners in a war. Prisoners in a war.

They can and have been tried by the military tribunals at Guantanamo. My understanding is that there were five military tribunal proceedings ongoing until this administration halted those proceedings, trying to figure out what they want to do next.

But my point is these are not criminal defendants; these are enemy combatants captured on a battlefield. They are prisoners of war and should be treated as such, as they have been at Guantanamo. Do not bring them to the U.S. for any purpose. Why would you bring an enemy captured prisoner of war to your country, give them the Miranda warnings, and proceed to a trial as you would an American citizen? It's beyond any question, I think.

These detainees, many of them, those who posed a minimal security threat, have been shuttled off to other foreign countries, leaving hundreds of suspected terrorists, hardened killers that are unwelcome by any place on Earth to be potentially bound for American soil.

Madam Speaker, we need to take a very serious step back and closely examine what we are thinking of doing.

I yield myself an additional 2 minutes.

This motion clarifies and says they would not be brought here for any, any, purpose, including prosecution.

Now, if you have any doubts about the kind of people we are talking about, read the resumes of these detainees. Read them, and you will have no doubt that these are enemy combatants sworn to kill you and every American they can find. And you want to bring them to the U.S.? It's insane, Madam Speaker. It's insane.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to a very distinguished former trial judge in the State of Texas for 21 years, Judge Carter.

May I inquire of the time remaining.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).

We have no further speakers, Madam Speaker, and I would be prepared to yield to the gentleman for a close.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, this is a very simple motion to instruct the conferees on Homeland Security. One, prohibit the transfer of Gitmo prisoners to the U.S., period. Two, insist on the Senate language prohibiting the release of detainee photographs. And three, require that this bill be available at least 72 hours before the bill is brought to the floor so that Members may have a chance to read and consider before they vote on the conference report. That's simple.

These people in Gitmo, if you read their resumes, and study their history, they are not criminal defendants in the sense that most people understand that phrase to be in the U.S. These are hardened killers captured on the battlefield, and they are prisoners of war subject to a military tribunal hearing at Gitmo, which was proceeding until stopped by this administration. They are not criminal defendants. They are hardened criminals on the battlefield captured in the process of trying to kill American soldiers. Pure and simple.

Now, this motion to instruct is in line with Chairman Inouye in the Senate, who has similar prohibitions in his bill for the Defense appropriations bill. This mirrors what the Senate leadership wants the policy of the country to be. And so I would hope all Members would vote for this motion to instruct conferees and keep our position in line with the Senate in prohibiting prisoners at Gitmo from being brought to the U.S., period.

Madam 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 thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.

Madam Speaker, I have no problem with the bill that is before us, the Legislative Branch appropriations bill. I think the chairman and the ranking member have done an excellent job with that bill.

However, I have to register my objection to considering the funding bill for Congress and for putting off the bill that funds our homeland security and including it in the continuing resolution.

For almost 7 years, we've had a near-perfect track record of getting the Homeland Security appropriations bill done before funding for the rest of the government. It has taken bipartisan wrangling and compromise, but we've always produced a bill that the President could sign almost unanimously before the other bills.

Why? Because Congress considered the security of the Nation as paramount. This year should be no different.

We've preconferenced the Homeland Security bill with our Senate counterparts. We could produce a bill for the President to sign in a matter of days. Yet the leadership says no. Include Homeland Security in a continuing resolution, and put it off. Instead, first pass funding for the Congress. Our pay is more important than defending our country.

Not at the moment. I will later.

On June 24 of this year, the House wrapped up consideration of the Homeland Security bill, and passed it with 389 votes in this body. Three weeks later, the Senate passed their version of the bill with a near unanimous vote. So it has been more than 2 months since both bills were passed. Since August, staff has been diligently reconciling these two bills, reaching bicameral, bipartisan agreements. We could have produced a finished bill for this body to consider a month ago. Yet leadership refused to allow it to happen.

So I stand here today very concerned, Madam Speaker. There is virtually no excuse to punt this vital security spending bill and to fund the Department of Homeland Security under a continuing resolution. Instead of actually doing our work and fulfilling the security needs of our Nation, we are placing a priority on Congress' own budget, putting Homeland Security spending on ice, taking the next few Mondays and Fridays off, and basically waiting around until October until we get further direction from on high.

That is as indefensible, Madam Speaker, as it is dangerous. The security and safety of our citizens should be our number one priority. Look around you. We face complex cybersecurity challenges, emerging threats from overseas, terrorist cells operating

on our soil, and increasing violence along the southwest border, which is already claiming U.S. lives.

The fiscal 2010 Homeland Security bill will infuse much needed increases to our efforts to bolster our border security, to track down illegal immigrants, to protect our critical infrastructure, to replace the aging Coast Guard fleet, and to improve the preparedness of our first responders.

Why must our brave Homeland Security professionals wait while we bicker and delay here in the House? Real security demands commitment--commitment from this body and commitment from the Nation's leadership.

I know my subcommittee chairman, David Price, and I are ready to finish the work of our bill, and we could do it in a matter of hours, if not days. So I am disgusted, Madam Speaker. I apologize for that, but I think we should reconsider the decision that has been made by leadership to put off funding for the Nation's homeland defense and, instead, to take up funding for this body.

So I will have to vote ``no'' on the bill, although, I think the Legislative appropriations is okay.

Will the gentleman yield?

Will the gentleman yield?

Well, in response to the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee, if the gentleman would have allowed the Homeland Security conference to proceed--I mean we passed these bills 2 months ago, the House and Senate. We've had 2 months. Yet the gentleman has not allowed conferees to be appointed to consider the Homeland Security bill. In the meantime, staff and Members have been working with our Senate counterparts. We are in agreement. There are no remaining issues. We're ready to go. Ready to go.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on congressionally-directed funding, I am submitting the following information regarding funding included in H.R. 3326--Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: OM, A

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Outdoor Venture Corporation

Address of Requesting Entity: 2280 S. Highway 1651, Stearns, KY 42647

Description of Request: The funding of $6 million will be used to address U.S. Army modular command post tent needs.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: OM, A

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Outdoor Venture Corporation

Address of Requesting Entity: 2280 S. Highway 1651, Stearns, KY 42647

Description of Request: The funding of $3 million will be used to address U.S. Army air-supported temper tent needs.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, N

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Progeny Systems Corporation

Address of Requesting Entity: 155 Valley Oak Drive, Suite B, Somerset, KY 42503

Description of Request: The funding of $2.5 million will be used for the development of a biometrics-based submarine access control system to automate and simplify secure system access. Properly configured biometrics systems, engineered into tactical system workstations and ship infrastructure, offer the ability for systems to reliably recognize users without user intervention, resulting in rapid and secure system access.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, N

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Boneal Incorporated

Address of Requesting Entity: 6962 U.S. Highway 460, Means, KY 40346

Description of Request: The funding of $5 million will be used for the development of experimental low cost, expendable autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). AUVs provide support for a variety of mission including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, deployment of mine counter measures, and assistance of anti-submarine warfare.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: OM, A

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Phoenix Products, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 106 Bethford Road, McKee, KY 40447

Description of Request: The funding of $2.5 million will be used to retrofit U.S. Army UH-60 transmission drip pans.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: OM, ARNG

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Phoenix Products, Inc.

Address of Requesting Entity: 106 Bethford Road, McKee, KY 40447

Description of Request: The funding of $2.5 million will be used to retrofit U.S. Army National Guard UH-60 transmission drip pans.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: DPA

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Aspen Compressor, LLC

Address of Requesting Entity: 825 Chappell's Dairy Road, Somerset, KY 42503

Description of Request: The funding of $4.5 million will be used to produce miniature compressors for electronics and personal cooling systems.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, A

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Tier 3 Data and Web Services

Address of Requesting Entity: 1708 Forest Lane, Suite 105, Corbin, KY 40701

Description of Request: The funding of $2 million will be used to provide the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) with an interface system to the Army's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system. This system will reduce manufacturing and repair potential costs and bridge the communications gap by exchanging product technical data between engineering and reprocurement.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, A

Legal Name of Recipient: University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Address of Recipient: Room 1 Kinkead Hall, Lexington, KY 40506

Description of Request: The funding of $2 million will be used for a lethal cancers early detection and awareness program. This program can provide the Department of Defense with health information to identify high risk factors and exposures to cancer in military environments, and provide a model for early cancer detection and screening.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, DW

Legal Name of Recipient: University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Address of Recipient: Room 1 Kinkead Hall, Lexington, KY 40506

Description of Request: The funding of $1.5 million will be used to accelerate the adoption of sustainable manufacturing for small and medium enterprises in the U.S. Department of Defense supply base. The program will serve as a pathway to find and utilize resources that can be of value to the defense manufacturing industrial base.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, A

Legal Name of Recipient: Morehead State University

Address of Recipient: 150 University Boulevard, Morehead, KY 40351

Description of Request: The funding of $2 million will be used for the development of advanced power technologies applicable to nano- satellites, which will help meet tactical warfighter requirements. The program will look at increasing the power available from solar cells through innovative mechanical structures that increase surface area. This effort is in direct support of the Army's mission in developing nano-satellites to meet tactical warfighter requirements.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: DRUGS

Legal Name of Recipient: Kentucky Department of Military Affairs

Address of Recipient: Boone National Guard Center, 100 Minuteman Parkway, Frankfort, KY 40601

Description of Request: The funding of $3.5 million will be used to support law enforcement in the eradication of marijuana across the Commonwealth of Kentucky through the use of military equipment and personnel.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: OP, A

Legal Name of Recipient: Kentucky Department of Military Affairs

Address of Recipient: Boone National Guard Center, 100 Minuteman Parkway, Frankfort, KY 40601

Description of Request: The funding of $6 million will be used for the procurement of generators for the Kentucky Army National Guard. This will increase the capabilities of the Kentucky National Guard to effectively carry out its Defense Support to Civil Authorities mission by providing adequate power generation to its 54 National Guard armories and rapid, transportable emergency power generation to critical life-saving and emergency response facilities throughout the Commonwealth in emergency situations.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: AP, A

Legal Name of Recipient: Kentucky Department of Military Affairs

Address of Recipient: Boone National Guard Center, 100 Minuteman Parkway, Frankfort, KY 40601

Description of Request: The funding of $2 million will be used for the one-time procurement of advanced civil support radio systems to be installed on Kentucky Army National Guard UH60 Black Hawk helicopters. This will increase the National Guard's effectiveness when performing the full spectrum of state emergency missions by allowing direct communication with civilian first responders.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3326

Account: RDTE, A

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Ensign Bickford Aerospace and Dynamics

Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 219, State Route 175, Graham,

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. David R. Rudy, Associate Provost and Dean at Morehead State University, who is retiring this fall after 29 years of service. I want to recognize his record of excellence as a teacher, scholar, mentor, and public servant, and for his distinguished career.

Dr. Rudy has a prominent record as a Professor of Sociology at Morehead State University, publishing numerous articles and books. His books on drug abuse, alcoholism, and the social struggles they entail are valuable tools to fight the challenges that many Americans face with these troubles, including southern and eastern Kentuckians. Dr. Rudy has published numerous scholarly articles including those in Sociological Analysis and the Journal of Studies on Alcohol. He has received funding to support his research from, among others, the Alcohol Beverage Medical Research Foundation at Johns Hopkins University, the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Among numerous service and outreach efforts, Dr. Rudy is a graduate of Leadership East Kentucky, served as a researcher for the Kentucky League of Cities ``New Cities'' program, and serves on the Board of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP).

Dr. Rudy has a long track record of mentoring young scholars and supporting excellence in their academic endeavors, with several of his students going on to receive Ph.D.s. He has given them an excellent example to follow. As a tenured professor at Morehead State University he was chosen to serve as Dean of a newly established Program of Distinction. The Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy (IRAPP) was then founded by Dr. Rudy in 1999 and over ten years he led the development of IRAPP as a research intensive unit that serves the eastern region of Kentucky. Dr. Rudy has been honored with the Distinguished Researcher Award and Distinguished Service Award by Morehead State University for these and other significant contributions to the campus and community.

Under Dr. Rudy's leadership, Morehead State and the IRAPP program can take pride in his accomplishments. The impact of his career will be felt far and wide, as his students use what they have learned from him, and have their own impacts on eastern Kentucky, our nation and the world. As they do this, they will know that they have Dr. Rudy to thank.

You know, people come to the U.S. from all points of the globe to get the medical treatment that America is best at all across the world. It's the best system ever invented, and we've evolved it over these 200-plus years.

This experiment that the Obama administration is pushing the Congress to pass would rip out that system and put in its place what I think would be an inferior system. People don't understand why we need to do it. And, in fact, we don't have to do it.

Our proposal is essentially three things that would allow us to keep this great medical system that we have, bring down the costs and make it affordable to everyone. We would allow small companies to form co- ops and bargain for their insurance coverage, much the same as the Kentucky Farm Bureau does in Kentucky even today. We would do away with junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of practice and cause doctors to perform very expensive defensive medicine.

Do not pass this bill.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on congressionally-directed funding, I am submitting the following information regarding funding included in H.R. 3288, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill of 2010.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Federal Aviation Administration--Facilities & Equipment

Legal Name of Recipient: Hazard-Perry County Airport Board--Wendell H. Ford Regional Airport

Address of Recipient: P.O. Box 420, Hazard, KY 41701

Description of Request: Provides directed funding of $500,000 for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Wendell H. Ford Regional Airport in Hazard, KY. for precision azimuth and elevation guidance signals to aircraft. For the 12-month period ending September 21, 2006, the airport had 10,200 aircraft operations, an average of 27 per day: 85% general aviation, 14% air taxi and 2% military. This project will make a more secure environment for military and civilian operations and provide safer landings at this regional airport.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Department of Housing & Urban Development--Economic Development Initiatives

Legal Name of Recipient: Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council (Gray, KY.)

Address of Recipient: 5448 US 25 East, Gray, KY 40734

Description of Request: Provides directed funding of $250,000 for the construction of a health and wellness facility in Barbourville, KY., an area with a long history of high unemployment and high poverty. No such facility currently exists in the region, and this project would help combat serious health issues faced by residents as a result of the pervasive problems of obesity and diabetes--thereby greatly increasing the quality of life for local residents. This facility is being constructed through a partnership between the City of Barboursville, KY., Union College and KCEOC Community Action Agency.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Department of Housing & Urban Development--Economic Development Initiatives

Legal Name of Recipient: Kentucky Blood Center

Address of Recipient: 3121 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington, KY 40513

Description of Request: Provides directed funding of $500,000 for the construction of new donor center along US-27 in Somerset, Ky., which would allow for storage of a large volume of blood components. The Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) currently leases a smaller space, which has proved insufficient to accommodate the growth in blood donation and staffing in the area. According to the American Association of Blood Banks International Task Force on Domestic Disasters, the single greatest risk from a disaster is not a lack of blood--but a disruption of the blood delivery system. The new Somerset Center will allow KBC to develop a regional approach in meeting blood donation needs, increasing preparedness for a disaster or blood emergency. The project has already undergone development and design, and can be under construction within 90 days.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Department of Transportation--Buses and Bus Facilities

Legal Name of Recipient: LKLP Community Action Council--Hazard, Ky.

Address of Recipient: 398 Roy Campbell Drive, Hazard, KY 41701

Description of Request: Through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Office of Transportation Delivery, provide funding of $1,000,000 for Hazard-based LKLP Community Action Council to construct a transit facility in West Liberty, Ky. A parking and transit structure would enhance the basic downtown infrastructure to support commuters and businesses, and this new transit facility will serve as an economic catalyst and hub for downtown revitalization in Morgan County, Ky. LKLP operates a number of federal Public Transportation programs including Section 5311, Section 5310, Section 5316 and Section 5317.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Department of Transportation--Federal Highway Administration--Surface Transportation Priorities

Legal Name of Recipient: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Address of Recipient: 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $750,000 to expand US-25 to 4 lanes near Corbin in Laurel County, Kentucky, which will greatly decrease congestion and increase safety in the area. Highway spending yields a 32% annual return on investments measured over decades, which far exceeds most other public or private investments. This important project is included in Kentucky's 2008 Highway Plan, as approved by the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3288

Account: Department of Transportation--Federal Highway Administration--Surface Transportation Priorities

Legal Name of Recipient: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Address of Recipient: 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $750,000 to for continued construction of the Somerset Northern Bypass (I-66). Upon its completion, I-66 will provide a vital connection between Southern and Eastern Kentucky and the nationwide road system. This is crucial to providing Appalachian Kentucky residents with better access to health care, opening up communities to tourism, and supporting additional supply lines for new businesses. The highway will also improve safety for people traveling in and around the area. Highway spending yields a 32% annual return on investments measured over decades, which far exceeds most other public or private investments.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on congressionally-directed funding, I am submitting the following information regarding funding included in H.R. 3293--Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Act, 2010

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Health and Human Services, SAMHSA

Legal Name of Recipient: Operation UNITE

Address of Recipient: 2292 South Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $1,000,000 for a substance abuse treatment and voucher program through Operation UNITE. Operation UNITE is a comprehensive program to combat the scourge of drug abuse in southern and eastern Kentucky by coordinating federal, state and local efforts in law enforcement, treatment and education. Operation UNITE has arrested 3,028 drug dealers and removed over $8.64 million worth of drugs off the street, including 86,068 prescription pills, 450 pounds of marijuana, 11.7 pounds of meth and 23 pounds of cocaine. Over 2,050 nonviolent offenders have participated in UNITE- funded drug courts, and more than 1,430 individuals grappling with addiction have received vouchers for treatment. This funding will be utilized to provide a one-time payment for residential substance abuse treatment for eligible individuals who cannot afford treatment.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Health and Human Services, SAMHSA

Legal Name of Recipient: Operation UNITE

Address of Recipient: 2292 South Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $1,000,000 for a multi-school substance abuse counseling and curriculum development program through Operation UNITE. Operation UNITE is a comprehensive program to combat the scourge of drug abuse in southern and eastern Kentucky by coordinating federal, state and local efforts in law enforcement, treatment and education. From the 2004-2008 school years, 35 counselors served 44 school districts in the region. In addition, nearly 65,000 individual and group counseling sessions were provided, and 3,949 referrals to treatment were made. This funding will provide prevention, intervention, and treatment through drug counselors in the local school system.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA

Legal Name of Recipient: Morehead State University

Address of Recipient: 150 University Boulevard, Morehead, KY 40351

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $250,000 to conduct a health outreach demonstration program in eastern Kentucky. The region has some of the highest rates of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease in the country. This is a targeted and comprehensive project to improve rural health and rural communities. The funds will be used for program development, supplies, health information resources, physician and professional support, and promotional/ awareness efforts.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Department of Education, FIE

Legal Name of Recipient: Eastern Kentucky PRIDE

Address of Recipient: 2292 South Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $250,000 for environmental education and awareness to students through the Eastern Kentucky PRIDE program. PRIDE is the first initiative specifically created to solve severe environmental degradation problems in the region. PRIDE, a non-profit organization, unites citizens with the resources of federal, state and local governments in order to improve water quality in the region, clean up illegal trash dumps and other solid waste, and promote environmental awareness and education to break the cycle of pollution. This funding supports initiatives in local elementary, middle, and high schools to engage students in environmental stewardship.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Department of Education, FIE

Legal Name of Recipient: The Center for Rural Development

Address of Recipient: 2292 South Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $500,000 for the continuation of Forward in the Fifth, a civic literacy program in southern and eastern Kentucky. Begun in 1986, the organization serves 44 Appalachian counties by placing a high priority on literacy education. In addition, Forward in the Fifth has developed and implemented a variety of programs to improve school attendance, enhance science and math instruction, reduce dropout rates, train parents in computer-based education platforms, and increase the number of residents attending college. The program works with local schools, teachers, parents, and the community.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Department of Education, FIE

Legal Name of Recipient: City of Prestonsburg

Address of Recipient: 200 North Lake Drive, Prestonsburg, KY 41653

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $200,000 for arts education at the

Mountain Arts Center, which is a non-profit cultural arts complex based in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. This funding will enable the complex to expand its curriculum and learning opportunities further in eastern Kentucky. It hosts a wide variety of arts education classes for all ages in music, art, and theater.

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3293

Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA

Legal Name of Recipient: Union College

Address of Recipient: 310 College Street, Barbourville, KY 40906

Description of Request: Provide directed funding of $500,000 for renovations and reconstruction on an existing building for a new nursing and allied health program facility. Union College intends to renovate the former Knox County Hospital building into a center for academic programs in nursing and science. This new facility and programs will improve the educational opportunities available to students in an underserved region.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on congressionally-directed funding, I am submitting the following information regarding funding included in H.R. 3170--Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2010

Requesting Member: Congressman Harold Rogers

Bill Number: H.R. 3170

Account: ONDCP

Legal Name of Recipient: National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws

Address of Recipient: 1414 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Description of Request: As also requested by the President, provides $1,250,000 in directed funding to assist states with their efforts to address diversion of, abuse of, misuse of, and addiction to prescription drugs. The National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL) is a non-profit organization that serves as a resource for governors, state legislators, drug and alcohol professionals, community leaders, and others striving for comprehensive and effective state drug and alcohol laws, policies and programs. NAMSDL's national network of drug and alcohol experts researches and analyzes model drug and alcohol laws, and facilitates working relationships among state and community leaders and drug and alcohol professionals. The proliferation of addictive pain-relief prescription drugs in Kentucky and across the country necessitates continued funding of NAMSDL programs.

In case you missed it, there was an ominous report in yesterday's Washington Post that said the administration is delaying for several weeks the congressionally mandated report on economic growth, job creation, and budget deficits, a report that's due right now.

The administration said yesterday, We're not going to tell you what's in that report for several more weeks. Why? I will tell you why. They don't want to downplay the politically damaging deficit numbers, the unemployment numbers, and the economic growth, or lack of growth, numbers that are in that report.

Why? Because it's an attempt to hide this record-breaking deficit as the Democrat leaders break arms to rush through this government takeover, the experiment in health care. That's why the administration is hiding ominous numbers from the American public.