Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the energy crisis that we are facing in America today is affecting every segment of our society, and my constituents in coastal South Carolina are getting more concerned every day that with what goes on that we do not have a solution to bring a more domestic supply of energy on line.

My constituency sees Russia holding Europe as an ``energy hostage,'' and they do not want to allow foreign and sometimes unfriendly nations to have the ability to hold the United States as an energy hostage in the future.

Right now, Russia supplies 50 percent of Europe's natural gas, and by the year 2020, Russia will supply 75 percent of Europe's natural gas. Right now America is 70 percent dependent on foreign energy. So much of American energy is being produced in prime hurricane zones that are susceptible to natural disasters every year.

Mr. Speaker, we should view our energy resources as a natural asset, not as an environmental liability. The energy crisis that we are currently in cannot be solved by having us being dependent on foreign and sometimes unfriendly nations.

We all must learn a valuable lesson from what's currently going on between Russia and Europe and seize this opportunity to vote on all-of- the-above.

I appreciate the gentleman yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the argument that we have today is an argument that we have been discussing for a long, long time about our energy and energy independence.

We recognized, this past week, when the storm went through Houston, that we found another problem that we had. We were concerned about the price of gasoline.

Now we are concerned about the price, not the price, but the availability. What we need is more supply if we are going to compete in the world arena.

Some 70 percent of our energy today is coming from foreign sources. If you have been following the dialogue on the world market, Russia now controls most of the natural gas going to the European nations.

You notice from time to time there is a threat to cut that supply off. One day that's going to happen to America. With 70 percent of our energy coming from offshore from people that don't like us, we are going to have the same problem one day, a supply problem. Just like we had back with the oil embargo in the 1970s, the same situation is going to happen to us, even as we see some families now going to stations, and they say ``out of supply today.''

The bill we are looking at today concerns me. I represent the coast of South Carolina, some of the prettiest beaches in all the world. We would love to say there are alternate ways to find our energy solutions, but we are willing, in South Carolina, to pay the price, just like in Louisiana, just like in Texas, just like some other places, California and other places, that are using their energy resources to help cultivate the economy of this great Nation.

We recognize if we don't do all of the above, we are going to find ourselves in a Third World situation. We need nuclear power. We need wind, we need solar power. But we also need gas and oil. Gas is one of the best fuels we can find. We can burn it in our automobiles and we can burn it in our power plants. It is a clean-burning fuel, and we have an unlimited reserve off the Outer Continental Shelf. We need to be able to access those resources.

Madam Speaker, today the House leaves on its 5 week vacation just like we do every year. Generally we are joined by millions of American families as they get out of town before the start of the school year, but this year things are different. While we are still leaving Washington, more of these families than ever before are staying home, prevented from visiting places like the beaches and historic sites in my district because of rising energy costs. But we aren't doing anything about it.

And when school starts up again, students are going to see activities cut back because their school districts are having to move money from these important programs just to keep running their school buses. High energy costs are having a dramatic impact on every part of our society. But Congress is failing to address them.

Today, news came out that American employers shed some 51,000 jobs last month, and for so many companies, the burden of high energy prices are behind so many of these job losses. From steel mills to fertilizer plants and delivery services, I could list countless businesses that use energy not only to keep the lights on but as the fuel for getting their job done. And record high energy prices are fighting their best efforts to grow our economy. But we can't even have a vote on accessing more American energy.

Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to highlight some of these businesses being impacted by today's high energy prices. I represent a coastal district where many of my constituents make their living on the water. The heart of my district are its shrimpers, tour boat operators, recreational and commercial fishermen.

However, many of these hard-working residents of coastal South Carolina cannot even afford to take their boats on the water anymore because of all-time record high prices for fuel. Shrimpers must catch 700 pounds a day just to fuel their boats--I can assure you, this is not a small catch.

Before Speaker Pelosi ``saves the planet'' here in Washington, DC, perhaps she can come down to Charleston or McClellanville in South Carolina and explain to the these hard-working men and women why she is refusing to schedule a vote to increase domestic energy production and lower the cost of their diesel fuel to allow them to get back on the water. Their struggles are not a hoax.

Madam Speaker, we currently depend on foreign and in many cases unfriendly nations for over 60 percent of our Nation's energy needs. This is a serious national security concern for my constituents in coastal South Carolina that is only getting worse. It is sad to see that every other country in the world views its energy resources as a strategic asset; in the United States we have come to view ours as an environmental liability.

Madam Speaker, this week I was proud to join with a group of Republicans and Democrats to introduce legislation that was written together that would allow us to start domestic energy production while also investing in many types of renewable energy. When will we get a vote on the bipartisan National Environment, Conservation and Energy Independence Act or any of the other pieces of legislation that offer an ``all of the above'' solution to our energy crisis?

While we may leave Washington today, we cannot leave our responsibility to address this issue for the American people.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following:

Requesting Member: Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr.

Bill Number: H.R. 6599--Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2009.

Account: Military Construction, Air Force.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Charleston Air Force Base, United States Air Force.

Address of Requesting Entity: Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, 29404.

Description of Project: Provide $4.5 million for construction of an addition to C-17 flight simulator complex at Charleston AFB. This addition, which was included in the Administration's Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request, will allow the facility to accommodate a new six-axis flight simulator and loadmaster trainer with space for computers, briefing rooms, component and facility storage and other needed space. Training needs of the aircrews have exceeded the capabilities of the existing three simulators. If this new simulator space is not provided, established training goals will not be achieved at an airbase that currently houses two wings of C-17s currently meeting the needs of our troops deployed abroad.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke at a rally highlighting how America's energy crisis is impacting the working men and women in our Nation. The average working person in my district works at a hotel or a restaurant meeting the needs of the tourism industry.

That average person also drives to work. There is no light rail or subways taking them from rural homes to their place of work near the coast. The folks they serve probably drove hundreds of miles with their families for a well-deserved vacation, but few families are coming to the beach this year because of high gasoline prices. It also means that few folks will be working at the hotels and restaurants.

Mr. Speaker, the Democrat-led House's lack of action on energy policy is affecting every segment of our society, so much so that I am receiving drill bits in the mail demanding that we take action to lower energy prices in America. Those drill bits aren't coming as part of some well-financed campaign; they're coming because we can no longer hope that the problem will go away.

Like many other countries, the United States is blessed with many types of natural resources. I agree with the vast majority of Americans by viewing our natural resources as one of our greatest assets, not as an environmental liability.

We must take action now and vote on legislation immediately that would allow for more domestic energy to be produced by Americans for Americans.

I thank my great friend from Texas (Mr. Sessions) for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today in strong support of H.R. 6003, the bipartisan Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.

I want to applaud Subcommittee Chairwoman Brown and Ranking Member Shuster, along with Full Committee Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica, for crafting a bipartisan reauthorization package that is focused on both improving Amtrak's capital assets, while also providing for development of new corridors in partnerships with States.

I am most pleased to see a major commitment to high speed rail contained in this bill, something that is absent in the Senate's bill. This legislation calls for more than just paper plans for high speed rail projects; it actually calls for dedicated funding and private sector involvement to move these projects forward.

Specifically, I am pleased that this legislation contains a provision that will improve the ability of future high speed rail corridors in the Southeast to best meet the changing population patterns and tourist demands along the cost.

With America facing $4 gas and airlines seeing fuel costs 100 percent higher than last year, we must look to develop in ways that will ensure that new travel options such as high speed rail are directed where they are most needed.

High speed rail can play an important role in reducing congestion in places like the Grand Strand in my State, which sees 14 million tourists a year, and Charleston, which is the most congested small city in the country. And I am glad that this bill takes the next step towards addressing the transportation needs of these communities.

Another important element of this bill moves us towards planning for rail transportation the same way we plan for highways. Again, as we face historically high gasoline and diesel fuel costs, we must ensure that our transportation system is planned out to provide the connectivity that we need for increased passenger rail use and to take advantage of freight rail's ability to move a ton of freight 436 miles on a gallon of fuel. When combined with the investment this bill makes in high speed rail, and by allowing freight and passenger railroads to negotiate access to freight-owned tracks, the Committee's reauthorization proposal will go a long way towards an improved rail system in the future.

But that future may not be possible, Madam Speaker, if America continues

to face $4 gasoline at the pump. I urge the majority to bring to the floor one of the many pieces of legislation introduced to open up domestic sources of energy, or else we won't be able to catch even an on-time train.

I thank my good friend for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 5540, the Chesapeake Bay Watertrails Network bill.

While I understand the value of the bill we're discussing today and I commend my colleague, Congressman Rob Wittman from Virginia, for the hard work he has done on this bill, his efforts will be all for nothing if we do not address the energy crises we're facing in the United States today.

In my district of coastal South Carolina, my constituents are dealing with the same problems as those who live and work along the Chesapeake Bay. Just as the watermen of the Chesapeake Bay cannot afford to bring their boats out of the dock to catch blue crab due to the all-time- record-high diesel prices, my constituents in our fishing communities cannot bring their shrimp boats on the water to catch shrimp due to the high cost of diesel fuel.

Mr. Speaker, it is irresponsible for our Democrat colleagues to continue obstructing responsible energy legislation that will help our energy crisis from being considered on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, we currently depend on foreign--and in many cases unfriendly--nations for over 60 percent of our Nation's energy needs. This is a serious national security concern for my constituents in coastal South Carolina.

On behalf of all the recreational and commercial fishermen, the shrimpers, the tour boat operators, and the recreational boaters in coastal South Carolina, I would like to ask the Democrat majority why we are not voting today on the many pieces of legislation that have been introduced that would open up domestic sources of energy and help them get back on the water immediately?

Madam Speaker, as you know, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about an organization in my home town of Charleston, South Carolina that was started just eight years ago to prevent one of the most horrific aspects of child abuse: child sexual abuse.

Statistics show that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. Further, 90 percent of child sexual abuse offenders are in an authority position over the children they are abusing, making it difficult for children to speak out or confront the abuse.

Ms. Anne Lee of Charleston founded Darkness to Light\TM\ in 1999 with the core belief that adults should be responsible for the care and protection of children. Darkness to Light seeks to reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse by shifting the responsibility from children to adults. Their Stewards of Children\TM\ training program teaches adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. It was recently named ``Crime Prevention Program of the Year'' by the National Crime Prevention Association.

This training program is being utilized by youth-serving organizations, as well as individuals and businesses who want to respond to the epidemic nature of this problem. Darkness to Light also offers Stewards program in a fully interactive, on-line format.

To date, over 120,000 adults in 47 U.S. States and territories--as well as nine foreign countries--have completed the Stewards of Children training. I commend Anne Lee and all of her colleagues for creating this important child protection program, and I encourage you all to visit the Darkness to Light website at

wwwD2L.org to get the necessary information to protect children from child sexual abuse.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 3891, a bill I introduced with Fisheries, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee Chairwoman Madeleine Bordallo. The fundamental purpose of this legislation is to increase from 25 to 30 the number of members who may serve on the Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation was created by Congress in 1984. Since that time, it has financed more than 9,500 conservation projects throughout the United States and in other countries. By using a partnership and challenge grant approach, the Foundation has provided $1.3 billion in critical funding to accomplish its strategic goals of sustaining, restoring and enhancing fish, wildlife and plant populations and their essential habitat.

Under current law, the Secretary of the Interior may appoint up to 25 individuals to serve on the Foundation's Board of Directors. The members of this Board have expertise in fish, wildlife and natural resource conservation; they serve as conservation Ambassadors throughout the world; they review and approve projects submitted to the Foundation and they raise funds for the operation of this highly successful organization.

By increasing the size of the Board, we will greatly enhance the Foundation's ability to finance additional meritorious projects in the future.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yea'' on H.R. 3891.

I appreciate the gentlewoman from Washington for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 147. I am pleased we are considering this measure today on the House floor. I would like to thank my friend and the chairwoman of the Fisheries, Ocean and Wildlife Subcommittee, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, for her hard work on cosponsorship of this resolution.

And what a real pleasure it is to work along with you as your ranking member.

And I would also like to thank Chairman Nick Rahall and Ranking Member Don Young of the Natural Resources Committee as well as my colleagues on the House Science Committee for their support of this resolution.

House Concurrent Resolution 147 recognizes NOAA and its predecessor agencies for 200 years of research and service to the people of the United

States and its stewardship of the marine environment.

It was the foresight of the third President, Thomas Jefferson, that started us down this path of surveying our coastal areas for the benefit of the Nation and laid the blueprint for what we now all know as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

My district is home to several outstanding NOAA facilities including the Hollings Marine Laboratory and the Coastal Services Center, both of which are located in Charleston. These facilities and their work are an important part of the coastal South Carolina community.

NOAA has shown its dedication to our Nation's ocean and coastal resources. NOAA's management and conservation actions have allowed all of us to continue to enjoy our Nation's oceans and coastal resources.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important resolution, and I congratulate NOAA for their 200 years.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday this House unanimously approved H. Con. Res. 186, which honors the 75th anniversary of Brookgreen Gardens, which is located in my district in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. I rise today to thank my colleagues for celebrating Brookgreen Gardens, which is one of the most beautiful places in coastal South Carolina.

In 1931, Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington founded Brookgreen Gardens to preserve the native flora and fauna of coastal South Carolina and to display objects of art within that natural setting. Today, Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark, and contains more than 550 works from American artists in what was the country's first public sculpture garden. Brookgreen Gardens also offers a natural exhibit center and a small zoo, which educates visitors on the unique species and issues of coastal South Carolina.

In conclusion, I would like to especially thank my colleagues from the South Carolina delegation that have shown bipartisan unity in cosponsoring this resolution, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the opening of Brookgreen Gardens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 186 which honors the 75th anniversary of Brookgreen Gardens, one of the most beautiful places in coastal South Carolina.

In 1931, Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington founded Brookgreen Gardens to preserve the native flora and fauna of coastal South Carolina and to display objects of art within that natural setting. Today, Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark and contains more than 550 works from American artists in what was the country's first public sculpture garden.

Brookgreen Gardens also offers a nature and historical preserve; it also includes a small zoo that is accredited by American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and a nature exhibition center. The natural exhibition center and zoo exhibit educate visitors on the unique species and issues of coastal South Carolina.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the rest of my colleagues from the South Carolina delegation. They have shown unity in celebrating the 75th anniversary of Brookgreen Gardens by unanimously agreeing to be cosponsors of this resolution.

To honor the 1932 opening of Brookgreen Gardens to the public, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record a letter from Canadian Ambassador Michael Wilson in regards to H. Res. 427 the bill introduced by Mr. Lantos from California urging the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt.

Canadian Embassy,

Washington, DC, June 25, 2007.

Hon. Tom Lantos,

Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, House of

Representatives, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,

Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Committee, House of

Representatives, B-360 Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen: I am

writing regarding House Resolution 427, urging the Government

of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt, scheduled for mark

up by the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, June 26,

2007. As outlined below, Canada pursues a sustainable and

humane harvest of the seal herds. In this context, I would

ask that the Committee on Foreign Affairs reconsider

proceeding with this resolution.

The Government of Canada takes its role as steward of the

environment and wildlife seriously and is committed to the

sustainable management of its renewable resources. The

Canadian seal hunt is a sustainable, economically viable

activity based on sound conservation principles.

Canada sets quotas at levels that ensure the health and

abundance of seal herds. The harp seal population,

approximately 5.8 million animals based on a 2004 survey, is

nearly triple what it was in the 1970s. In no way can seals--

and harp seals in particular--be considered ``endangered

species''. Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages the seal hunt

and has put in place a five-year management plan for 2006-

2010. In 2007 the total allowable catch was reduced

considerably to ensure the resource remains sustainable.

The Canadian commercial quota is unrelated to groundfish

stock levels. Several factors have contributed to the lack of

recovery of Atlantic cod stocks, such as fishing effort, poor

growth and physical condition of the fish, and environmental

changes. In addition, there are many uncertainties in the

estimates of the amount of fish consumed by seals.

The Government of Canada makes every effort to ensure the

seal hunt is conducted in a safe and humane manner. The seal

hunt is c1osely monitored and tightly regulated. Fisheries

and Oceans Canada officers monitor catches, ensure humane

harvesting practices, and enforce regulations and licence

conditions. The hunting of harp seal pups (whitecoats) and

hooded seal pups (bluebacks) is illegal--and has been since

1987. Penalties are substantial and can include court-imposed

fines and orders to forfeit catches, gear, boats and

licenses.

In September 2002 veterinarians from the Canadian

Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) issued a Special Report

on Animal Welfare and the Harp Seal Hunt in Atlantic Canada.

In independent observations of the seal hunt, the study

concluded that 98 percent of seals taken during the hunt were

harvested in an acceptably humane manner, contrary to the

reference in tile resolution. Harvesting methods used for the

seal hunt have also been studied and approved by the Royal

Commission on Seals and Sealing.

An Independent Veterinarians' Working Group formed in 2005,

with representatives from the United States and four other

countries, made observations and recommendations to further

improve management and hunting practices. Fisheries and

Oceans Canada is currently working to adopt these and other

recommendations including improved enforcement and sealer

training. Neither of the above groups called for a ban on the

hunt.

Seals are a valuable natural resource that provides 25-30

percent of an annual income to thousands of Canadians in many

remote coastal communities. This is a significant income when

average annual incomes may be only $17,OOOUSD a year and

unemployment rates are far above the national average.

Sealing and fishing are also time-honoured traditions that

allow people to provide for their families through knowledge

of the marine environment and hard work.

In light of this clarification on the sustainable

management and humane harvest of the seal herds in Canada, I

would ask that the Committee on Foreign Affairs reconsider

whether proceeding with this resolution is warranted.

I have included a fact sheet that provides more information

on the seal harvest in Canada. The Embassy staff remain

available to meet with your staff to discuss these issues

further.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Wilson,

Ambassador.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule and this critical legislation. While today is, unfortunately, a day several years overdue, it should not diminish the importance of this legislation.

When I came to Congress in 2001, I was excited to be a part of the Water Resources Subcommittee as we began to work on the next Water Resources Development Act. Water is critical to my district, not just because of the projects it authorizes but also because of the important guidance it gives the Army Corps of Engineers. The reforms contained in this bill, which are the results of that process started in 2001, represents meaningful change that will ensure that our limited dollars are spent wisely.

Improving infrastructure is not a partisan issue. It is a commitment we as a Nation must ensure is met. If we do not, then we as a Nation will be facing significantly greater environmental and economic challenges than we do currently.

I cannot think of a group of individuals more committed to improving our Nation's infrastructure than my colleagues on the Transportation Committee. Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica have shown true leadership in guiding this legislation forward, especially as we worked to merge our bill with the one passed by the Senate.

Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Baker have stepped up to their new positions this year with true energy and passion about the issue before our subcommittee. And a special word of thanks must go to my friends, Don Young, Jerry Costello and Jimmy Duncan, who led the fight for this bill the past few Congresses. So much of this bill is because of their work and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I want to close by urging all of my colleagues to support this rule and this critical legislation so we can get the Corps to work. To those who complain about the cost of this legislature, let me remind you that this one bill is doing the work of three WRDA bills.

If you missed a payment on your house, would the bank allow you to pay only the next month's payment, forgetting the payment you missed? Would the bank allow you to do the same thing if you missed two monthly payments? Of course not. You would have to make your catch-up payment, plus make the payments for the current month. That is what this legislation represents, a catch-up of two bills that went uncompleted, while also addressing our current needs.

For the good of our Nation's economy and environment, I urge my colleagues to support this overdue catch-up and pass this rule and the WRDA Conference report.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, I was with the President in my district visiting our troops at Charleston Air Force Base. As such, I missed several votes related to the Transportation Housing Appropriations Bill. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: rollcall 691, Mica Amendment, ``yes''; rollcall 692, Bachmann Amendment, ``no''; rollcall 693, Flake Amendment, ``no''; rollcall 694, Flake Amendment, ``no''; rollcall 695, Chabot Amendment, ``yes.''

Should you have any questions, please contact my Washington office.