Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am writing to notify you that I was absent for votes on January 4 and 5, 2007. The reason for my absence was that I had a

death in my immediate family that required me to remain in South Carolina.

Regarding the votes that I missed please see below for the way that I would have voted had I been present: rollcall vote No. 3--On Ordering the Previous Question--``nay''; rollcall vote No. 4--On Motion to Commit with Instructions--``yea''; rollcall vote No. 5--On Agreeing to the Resolution--``nay''; rollcall vote No. 6--On adoption of Title I of the Resolution--``yea''; rollcall vote No. 7--On adoption of Title 2 of the Resolution--``yea''; rollcall vote No. 8--On adoption of Title 3 of the Resolution--``yea''; rollcall vote No. 9--On adoption of Title 4 of the Resolution--``nay''; rollcall vote No. 10--On Motion to Commit with Instructions--``yea''; rollcall vote No. 11--On adoption of Title 4 of the Resolution--``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Let me begin by thanking our esteemed chairman Mr. Buyer for all his hard work this Congress. Under his leadership, this committee has fought to do what is right for veterans, and I am proud to serve on this committee and even more proud to call him my friend.

I also want to thank our ranking member, Mr. Evans, and acting ranking member, Mr. Filner, and my ranking colleague Mr. Michaud for all of their efforts. I have a great deal of respect for the bipartisan commitment to our Nation's veterans this committee holds and look forward to continuing our work together next year.

Likewise, Chairman Craig and Ranking Member Akaka of our sister committee in the Senate have also made enormous contributions to the bill before the House today, and I appreciate their support for moving this compromise agreement before this Congress adjourns.

All of us have had the opportunity to spend time with some of the men and women who have been injured as a result of their service to this Nation. There are few more important ways we could demonstrate our appreciation for their sacrifice than to set in place authorizations that will help improve the quality and access to health care services these folks will require. I believe we have accomplished that in this bill.

The legislation we are now considering incorporates substantial measures contained in a number of House and Senate bills addressing veterans health care benefits. As the Health Subcommittee chairman, I am especially pleased that this bill supports new and innovative collaborative partnerships between VA and medical universities and Federal, State and local health entities and the private sector to improve the quality of care delivered to those who have faithfully

served this country. The chairman believes, as I do, that local health care economies can and should be leveraged whenever possible to enhance VA health care delivery and keep pace with 21st-century technology.

Collaboration is becoming increasingly essential in delivering health care across the Nation. So long as we remain true to the distinct identity of the VA, and so long as we ensure the continued quality associated with VA care, VA collaboration on joint ventures with its extensive medical university affiliations and the Department of Defense could be mutually advantageous for all organizations.

In the package before us today, we have a number of exciting possible collaboration projects, including one that is certainly dear to me, and that is the authorization of the advanced planning and design for what might someday be a joint hospital complex between the VA and the Medical University of South Carolina. Likewise, the bill also authorizes co-location of a new VA medical center with the Louisiana State University in New Orleans, a project that is incredibly important considering the devastation that was visited on the area by Hurricane Katrina.

As I have stated, I believe the collaborative projects are critically important in terms of fully leveraging available local resources, and I am hopeful that the diligent and bipartisan work of the committee in this area will continue in the new Congress.

In addition to the construction-related provisions of this bill, I would like to briefly mention a few of the important health measures this bill includes:

Improves VA's ability to respond to the mental health needs of our veterans, including increasing mental health care funding, expanding mental health services at all VA facilities and increasing the number of clinical care providers dedicated to the treatment of PTSD;

Establishes an Office of Rural Health and improves outreach programs to increase access to care for veterans in rural areas;

Requires the Secretary of the VA to establish a strategic plan for long-term care; and

Extends and improves programs for homeless veterans, including grants for community care providers and VA treatment and rehabilitation services for homeless veterans who are mentally ill.

Whether it is improved access to vet centers for newly returning veterans, the improved access to telehealth services, or the codification of the Parkinson's disease and MS centers, this bill is important. It is not only important because of the authorizations it contains but because it represents our commitment to those who have served. I am committed to doing what is right on their behalf, and I know my colleagues on the committee feel the same.

So I would urge the rest of my friends in this body to support this bill, and in doing so, send a strong signal to our servicemembers letting them know that we support them, not only when they are in harm's way but upon their return as well.

Again, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6342) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to expand eligibility for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 6342, the Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006, a bill that would extend several existing Department of Veterans Affairs benefit provisions. This bill has similar provisions as passed by the House of Representatives in H.R. 6314 on November 14, 2006, but also has additional provisions negotiated between the House and the Senate.

As in H.R. 6314, the bill would reauthorize health care services for veterans exposed to chemical and biological testings under Project 112 and SHAD, and extends treatment and rehabilitation programs for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans until December 31, 2007. The bill also extends VA grants and per diem programs for homeless veterans until September 30, 2007. Further, it would extend until December 31, 2007 VA's Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, and a program to provide government markers for veterans interred in private cemeteries.

The expiring authority allowing veterans in the VA study program to assist VA and other government agencies would be extended until June 30, 2007. The work-study program is an increasingly popular benefit that provides veterans with an alternative use of their GI bill if they choose not to go to college.

Mr. Speaker, section 3 of the legislation contains provisions to authorize VA to provide educational benefits under chapter 35 to spouses and dependent children of severely injured servicemembers prior to the member's discharge. These are servicemembers who, in the opinion of the VA, will most likely be discharged with permanent and total service-connected disabilities. Given the long convalescence many of our severely injured servicemembers experience while being retained on active duty, we believe it makes no sense to delay a spouse's ability to get the education and training that may be needed to help support the family. Mr. Speaker, these spouses are just as heroic as the wounded warriors they support. This is not a new benefit. Current law requires severely injured servicemembers to already be discharged from the condition qualified for the chapter 35 benefit; we would merely authorize VA to pay benefits sooner to those who would qualify following discharge.

Mr. Speaker, the following provisions are in addition to those in H.R. 6314. The bill would reauthorize the requirements of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to each submit a report to Congress on use of educational assistance programs by veterans and servicemembers. It would also reauthorize the biennial report on women veterans. The bill would permanently authorize six Parkinson's disease research education and clinical centers. Parkinson's disease affects as many as 1.5 million Americans. While treatment exists, we are still searching for a cure. Currently, VA has six of these centers. They give researchers the ability to see results rapidly and put their knowledge to use helping patients. These centers work with other VA clinical centers in the treatment of tens of thousands of veterans with Parkinson's disease. This language was included in H.R. 1220, as amended, which passed the House of Representatives on July 13, 2005.

In addition, the bill also codifies two existing multiple sclerosis centers. The bill also would authorize major medical facility leases similar to H.R. 5815 which passed the House on September 16, 2006.

Finally, the bill makes technical and clerical amendments to title 38, and codifies the payment amount of the already enacted Veterans Disability Compensation COLA.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is a product of negotiation between the House and Senate and includes several key provisions already passed by this body and agreed to by the other body.

Mr. Speaker, Chairman Buyer asked me to share his appreciation for the hard work of the subcommittee chairmen, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Bilirakis, and Mr. Miller, and the ranking members of the committee, Ms. Herseth, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Michaud and Mr. Strickland during these negotiations and this Congress.

Together we have forged a bipartisan path for veterans legislation and funding to provide our Nation's heroes with much-needed health care and benefits.

I also want to recognize the leadership and cooperation of the acting ranking member, Mr. Filner, and of the ranking member Mr. Evans.

Chairman Buyer also expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of Senator Craig and Senator Akaka, as well as the staff from the Senate and the House Committees on Veterans' Affairs in drafting this legislation.

I urge my colleagues to support passage of the bill before us and ask for it to be expedited as quickly as possible to the Senate for their consideration.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be provided 5 days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 6342.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 4073) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located in Farmington, Missouri, as the ``Robert Silvey Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 4073 would rename the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located in Farmington, Missouri as the ``Robert Silvey Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.''

Robert Silvey, a decorated veteran of World War II, served as a member of the famed 82nd Airborne Division and was among a group of troopers who parachuted into France the night before the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. While fighting in France, Mr. Silvey was wounded three times and was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. After returning home from World War II, Mr. Silvey had been active in various service organizations in the Farmington area and was instrumental in advocating for the construction of this new outpatient clinic and has served as an active member in his community as well as in local veterans organizations. Naming this outpatient clinic for Mr. Silvey would be entirely appropriate.

I ask for the support of my colleagues in passing this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, House bill H.R. 5994 has the full support of the Missouri delegation and the State veterans service organizations and is identical to the Senate language.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes to the original sponsor of H.R. 5994, the gentlewoman from Missouri, Mrs. Jo Ann Emerson.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days in which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 4073.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my good friend Mr. Frank Lucas on becoming the Chancellor of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.

Frank founded LS3P Associates Ltd. in 1963 and built the firm to its present level of success where it employs over 160 people in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina and Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington, North Carolina. LS3P Associates Ltd. provides architecture, interior architecture, and land planning

services for clients throughout the Southeast. During its history LS3P Associates Ltd. has designed over $7 billion worth of construction projects.

LS3P was the recipient of the Outstanding Firm Award and for Distinction in Design by the Tau Sigma Delta Architectural Fraternity of Clemson University. In 1990 LS3P received the South Carolina Arts Commission's Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Award for community service in the arts. In 1995 the firm was honored with the 25 Year Distinguished Service Award for firms by the American Institute of Architects South Carolina. Mr. Lucas has also received Clemson University's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992 and the American Institute of Architects South Carolina's highest honor, the Medal of Distinction, in 1997. He was recognized as Architect of the Year by the Charleston Contractors' Association. He is a past president of the Hibernian Society and is involved with numerous civic, professional, and business organizations.

Mr. Lucas and his wife, Edith, both native Charlestonians, have three daughters and five grandchildren. LS3P and Frank Lucas proudly and strongly believe in giving back to the community, working for the betterment of the architecture profession, and serving his fellow man.

Frank Lucas has been a great success story, but he has not let that success change him. Frank has continued to give back to the community that he grew up in and I am very proud to congratulate him on achieving such a prestigious achievement as becoming the Chancellor of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding this time.

Let me begin by thanking our esteemed committee chairman, Mr. Buyer, for his hard work in this Congress. Under his leadership this committee has fought to do what is right for veterans. And I would like to also extend my thanks to Mr. Michaud, what a great gentleman, the ranking member of the Health Subcommittee. It has been a real pleasure in working with him.

And, Mr. Filner, we certainly appreciate your leadership on this committee. It has been great working in a nonpartisan fashion. We have always said when you come into that committee room, veterans is a nonpartisan issue, and it is great working in a nonpartisan fashion. I look forward to next year.

I especially want to applaud Chairman Buyer's willingness and attempts to look outside the box and push forward new and innovative initiatives to keep pace with the emerging health care needs of those who have faithfully served this country. The chairman has championed opportunities to improve the quality of the care delivered to our veterans through collaborative partnerships.

Collaboration is becoming increasingly essential in delivering health care across the Nation.

So long as we remain true to the distinct identity of the VA, and so long as we ensure the continued quality associated with VA care, VA collaboration on joint ventures with extensive medical university affiliations and the Department of Defense can be mutually advantageous for all organizations.

I am hopeful that the diligent and bipartisan work of the committee and its jurisdiction over VA construction matters will carry into the next Congress. The bill we are considering today will extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation includes provisions to extend the authority for the grant and per diem assistance programs for homeless veterans and programs for the treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans.

The VA is the Nation's largest single provider for integrated and specialized services for homeless veterans. On behalf of the homeless veterans who need and depend on the services in achieving successful outcomes, it is our duty to assure that the continuity of these services is not interrupted.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in 1990, Congress designated October as National Seafood Month. This month-long celebration highlights the importance of seafood as part of a healthy diet. National Seafood Month also honors and celebrates the many contributions of the seafood and fishing industries and recognizes the multiple ways in which industry professionals serve our Nation's economy and continues to spur economic growth.

The First Congressional District of South Carolina, which I represent, has over 75 percent of the South Carolina coastline. Many of my constituents are hardworking shrimpers and fishermen, and I appreciate all the hard work to supply us with good quality seafood.

As the popularity of seafood continues to grow, National Seafood Month offers a unique way to remind consumers of the way the industry helps meet the needs in providing healthy and delicious seafood products year round. Creating a greater awareness among consumers is essential in the efforts to spread the positive message that seafood is a delicious and nutritious source of protein in the American diet.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring House Resolution 479 which supports the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the chairman, for yielding me this time; and I hope I can make it in 2 minutes.

This is an important issue, one which the committee has addressed not only by this legislation, but also through hearings and meetings of members of the committees, officials from the VA, and representatives of our Nation's veterans organizations.

As chairman of the Committee's Subcommittee on Health, I led the committee's effort to understand the health-related impact of the recent loss of computers by the Veterans Administration. While this summer's computer loss regrettably saw the theft of VA data, this incident did not see the security of veterans health records compromised.

Indeed, recent events, such as the VA's response to Katrina, have shown the value of electronic medical records. During the aftermath of that disaster, VA doctors and nurses were able to treat without interruption patients transferred from VA facilities in New Orleans because of the VA's reliance on electronic medical records. All patient records were backed up, secured, transported and were back online and available almost immediately.

That said, we should not let the benefits of portable electronic records of any kind conflict with the need to keep them secure. Medical records contain a great deal of confidential personal information; and if those records get in the hands of the wrong people, it would pose a real problem and even in some cases, perhaps a national security risk.

For that reason, Congress needs to remain vigilant in order to ensure against the loss of all information by the VA. The VA itself needs to be proactive in maintaining the integrity of the health records. Lastly, our soldiers and their families need to continue to feel secure with VA having guardianship over those records.

In closing, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership on this issue and for introducing this important legislation. I urge all Members to support H.R. 5835.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a group of South Carolinians who, for 10 years, have provided burial honors details through the South Carolina Military Department's Caisson Detachment for those killed in the line of duty, whether a member of the police, military, or civil service. How blessed our State and community are to have Steve Riggs, its founder, Jim Kenney, and their Bachman's Battery volunteers, gathered from far and wide, to provide this special service. For those who may not be familiar with the detachment's namesake, Bachman's Battery, in the War Between the States, Captain William K. Bachman commanded South Carolina's German Artillery, Battery B, part of the incomparable Hampton Legion. It came to be known as Bachman's Battery. Captain Bachman was the son of the prominent pastor of Charleston's St John's Lutheran Church, Dr. John Bachman. The Rev. Dr. Bachman, born in New York, was also a scientist and an associate of naturalist John James Audubon. His sisters were both married to Audubon's sons and his father has several species of birds named for him. To all of the Bachman Battery volunteers, thank you for your continued service in final tribute to the families of those who served.

Bachman's Battery--Veterans' Funeral Detail Volunteers List: Stephen R. Riggs, Eric Klatt, John Shuler, James A. Kenney, Lindsey E. Riggs, James Andrews, Archie D. Willis III, Theodore Phillips, Mark Shambley, Keith Purdy, Jay Ford, Mark D. Herron,

Jim Shelby, Jr., David M. Riggs, A.C. Fiveashe, W. Thomas Shealy, Kevin Shiflet, E.G. Sturgis, Michael Lussier, James J. Walker, Jr., John T. McNeill, Stephen M. Riggs, Richard Hippey.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I want to thank our committee chairman, Mr. Buyer, for all of his hard work in bringing this bill to the House floor this morning. Also I would like to recognize the work of my good friend and ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Michaud of Maine, for his contribution and bipartisanship and cooperation in moving this bill forward.

I believe it is vital that VA better manage their medical facility capital assets to meet the needs of our Nation's veterans. VA has not constructed a new hospital in nearly 15 years, and as a result, a good amount of this institutional memory has been lost. It is important that we reassemble the processes that will allow VA to build appropriately sized facilities where they are truly needed and, at the same time, be prudent stewards of the taxpayers' money. Opportunities exist to reevaluate the traditional thinking and create new models for facility financing and construction that take full advantage of existing and potential collaborative relationships with medical universities, research partners, and other nonprofit organizations.

My bill, H.R. 5815, as amended, would ensure that major medical facility projects are appropriately prioritized and support the out- year health care demands of the veteran population. It would reinstitute a sense of centralized, consolidated institutional knowledge within the VA in the areas of construction and project management and also require VA to embrace opportunities to improve the quality of the care delivered through collaborative partnerships.

Collaboration is becoming increasingly essential in delivering health care across the Nation. So long as we remain true to the distinct identity of the VA, and so long as we ensure the continued quality associated with VA care, VA collaboration on joint ventures with its extensive medical university affiliations and the Department of Defense can be mutually advantageous for all organizations by reducing capital and operational costs and eliminating duplications of clinical infrastructure such as operating rooms, labs, and expensive medical equipment.

Let me briefly highlight some of the measures included in the bill. H.R. 5815 would authorize a total of about $2.4 billion for VA medical facility construction projects and leases.

Section 2 of the bill would authorize $310 million to restore the VA medical center in Biloxi, Mississippi, and consolidate the services performed in Gulfport, Mississippi because of the damage from Hurricane Katrina. The project authorized may only be carried out as part of the joint-use facility shared by VA with Keesler Air Force Base, which is also in Biloxi and located in very close proximity to the existing VA medical center.

Section 3 of the bill would authorize $100 million for VA to enter into an agreement with the Louisiana State University to design, construct, and operate a co-located, joint-use medical facility in or near New Orleans to replace the medical center damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005. The $100 million for advance planning and design effectively places a ceiling on how much can be expended while LSU and VA work toward a viable, collaborative model of care. This allows Congress the ability to assess progress and exercise prudent oversight prior to the actual construction of the facility.

Section 4 of the bill would authorize $70 million for VA to enter into an agreement with the Medical University of South Carolina to design, construct, and operate a co-located, joint-use medical facility in Charleston, South Carolina, to replace the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Similar to New Orleans, this provision allows the Department and Medical University the opportunity to thoroughly examine the opportunities and benefits that may exist as a result of co- location, while only providing the funding necessary to plan and design a new facility. I would like to share my special thanks with the chairman of the committee, Steve Buyer, for his diligence on this project.

We have come a long way with the VA over the past years, and I appreciate the momentum you have helped provide. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Section 5 of the bill would authorize $98 million for VA to purchase a site for the replacement of the VA medical center in Denver, Colorado. It would also require VA to submit a report to this committee and our Senate counterpart on the viability of entering into a public- private partnership for the construction and operation of the anticipated replacement facility. This would allow the taxpayers a reprieve from front-end loading the capital costs associated with building a state-of-the-art facility.

Section 6 of the bill would extend authorization for 17 major medical facility construction projects previously authorized under Public Law 108-170, but for which VA is unlikely to have contracts awarded by the end of this fiscal year. The bill would authorize $1.76 billion for these projects. The projects include the construction of

new medical centers in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Orlando, Florida, and the expansion of the Spinal Cord Injury Center in Tampa, Florida.

Section 7 of the bill would authorize the appropriation of $52 million and give VA the authorization to enter into certain major medical facility leases in eight different areas for needed outpatient clinics.

Section 9 of the bill expresses the sense of Congress that VA should take steps to explore all options prior to our approval of funding expensive renovations in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that in the end will still fall short of the capacity needed to handle the projected workload for the region. VA would be required to provide a report on the various options available, including the option of a public or nonprofit organization partnership to construct and operate a new facility that would replace the current medical center.

Section 11 of the bill would establish within VA a new career position with responsibility for construction and facilities management across all segments of the Department.

Mr. Speaker, this is a carefully developed bill that represents the diligence and bipartisan work of the committee in this jurisdiction over VA construction matters. The key provisions of H.R. 5815 are supported by the administration, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5057 is an important bill for my constituents in South Carolina's First Congressional District.

General Francis Marion is an important part of the history of South Carolina and the national forest bearing his name is located within my Congressional District.

Francis Marion commanded the only Revolutionary force in South Carolina and was instrumental in delaying the advance of British forces by leading his troops in disrupting supply lines. General Marion's tactics, which were unheard of in rules of warfare at this time, commanded lightening raids on British convoys, and then he and his forces would retreat into the swamps to avoid capture. British General Tarleton stated that ``as for this damned old swamp fox, the devil himself could not catch him.'' Thus, the legend of the ``Swamp Fox'' was born. His victory at the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September of 1771 was officially recognized by Congress.

H.R. 5057 seeks to authorize the Marion Park Project and the Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to establish a statue of General Francis Marion on Federal land in the District of Columbia in Marion Park at no Federal Government expense.

I was proud to work with Resources Chairman Pombo and National Parks Subcommittee Chairman Pearce to assist in the passage of this bill through the committee not only for my constituents in South Carolina's First District but for all South Carolinians.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 5057.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to be the Republican sponsor of H. Con. Res. 125 along with my good friend from New Jersey, Congressman Rush Holt.

H. Con. Res. 125 is a very important piece of legislation that calls for the designation of ``Hire-A-Veteran Week'' and issuance of a presidential proclamation calling upon employers, labor organizations, and federal, state, and local governmental agencies to hire our veterans--old and new.

According to the most current data, 10.8 percent of all male veterans and 13.3 percent of female veterans between the ages of 20 and 24 are unemployed. The situation is even more troubling for minority veterans. For black male veterans and female veterans between 20-24 years of age, the unemployment rate is 17 percent and 23.9 percent respectively and for Hispanic male and female veterans in that age bracket, the rate is 8.7 percent and 21.6 percent respectively.

It is shameful that so many of our veterans who have risked their own lives to defend our freedom can't find jobs and must endure homelessness and lives of poverty after they return home. On any given day as many as 250,000 veterans are living on the streets or in homeless shelters and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year.

The designation of ``Hire-A-Veteran Week'' would provide an effective and more focused way to do more to help all of our veterans find good, secure jobs and ensure better living standards for themselves and their families.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 125.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2006.

I represent over 75 percent of the coastline of South Carolina, which is some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I have worked closely with Chairman Pombo to ensure that the interests of coastal communities are addressed in this bill.

The revenue share portion of this bill going to coastal communities will help these communities fund important projects such as beach renourishment, infrastructure construction and wetlands conservation.

I thank Chairman Pombo and my fellow Resource Committee colleagues, Congressman Bobby Jindal and Congressman John Peterson, for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor today.

I believe that this bill is an important part of the solution to fix the energy crisis we are all facing today in America. It is also an important step to stop America's dependency on foreign sources of oil. Becoming more energy self-sufficient is not only an economic issue but also an issue of our national security.

Mr. Speaker, I am writing to notify you that I was absent on the evening of June 19, 2006 for votes. The reason for my absence was that the flight from Charleston, SC, was delayed due to a severe storm over the Washington, DC, area. I had no control over this issue and I did not arrive into Washington DC until late in the evening of June 19, 2006.

Regarding the votes that I missed, please see below for the way that I would have voted had I been present:

Vote No. 288--Declaring that the United States will prevail in the Global War on Terror, the struggle to protect freedom from the terrorist adversary--``aye'';

Vote No. 289--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 217 Southeast 2nd Street in Dimmitt, Texas, as the Sergeant Jacob Dan Dones Post Office--``aye'';

Vote No. 290--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6029 Broadmoor Street in Mission, Kansas, as the Larry Winn, Jr. Post Office Building--``aye''; and

Vote No. 291--Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Young Sports Week should be established--``aye.''