Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Amanda Lagergren, who has received Escambia County, Florida's Teacher of the Year Award for 2010. Her passion and dedication prove that teachers can truly make a difference in the lives of their students, and I am proud to honor such an admirable leader of our local community.

Ms. Lagergren began her teaching career at Edgewater Elementary in 2006 as a 5th Grade General Education Teacher. While maintaining her usual teaching duties for class, she has gone above and beyond by working both inside and outside of the classroom to better her students' lives. As Grade Level Chair for the 5th Grade, Ms. Lagergren ensures that her teachers have everything necessary to provide the best education to their students. Her membership on the Continuous Improvement Model Team and Accelerated Reading Committee highlights her focus on improving the reading abilities of Edgewater Elementary's pupils. An expertise in classroom technology makes her a valuable asset to other teachers, and she recently began mentoring new educators on effective teaching methods and classroom models. For the past three years, Ms. Lagergren has inspired both her students and her colleagues with her dedication to teaching, and she is to be admired for her passion.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to thank Ms. Lagergren for her public service to the students and community of Northwest Florida. Vicki and I wish her and her family best wishes for continued success.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today in recognition of Glenda Paul-Ales, Walton County, Florida's 2009 Teacher of the Year.

For the past eighteen years, Glenda Paul-Ales has captivated students at Walton Middle School in Walton County, Florida. In her classroom, learning occurs in a variety of ways, as Ms. Paul-Ales seizes upon every opportunity to generate a lesson. Beyond the curriculum that Ms. Paul-Ales assigns lays the doctrine that governs her teaching: ``there is no one right way to teach all students.'' It is thus, through her dynamic integration of technology, class projects, and group discussions that Ms. Paul-Ales is able to propel her students to academic excellence.

In addition to being named Teacher of the Year for Walton County, Florida, Ms. Paul-Ales has received numerous other awards and recognitions. She is a two-time winner of the Walton Middle School Teacher of the Year award and serves as the school's Professional Development Chair. Ms. Paul-Ales is also a Literacy Leadership Team member and serves as the Department Chair for Science in the 7th grade. All of these titles highlight Ms. Paul-Ales's outstanding teaching capabilities and emphasize her engaging personality.

The title of Teacher of the Year is an immense honor and is evidence of the greatness Ms. Paul-Ales has achieved. Beyond the title lies Ms. Paul-Ales's dedication and devotion, to not only her students, but to the entire community. Her teaching skills and affable personality have influenced many and pushed countless students to a higher level of academic achievement. Ms. Paul-Ales's outstanding accomplishments have distinguished her as one of the great teachers in Northwest Florida, and the First District of Florida is honored to have her as one of their own.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize Glenda Paul-Ales on this outstanding achievement and for her exemplary service in the Walton County School District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Honorable William Jeremiah Tolton, Jr., known to his friends as ``Jere,'' who passed away on Friday, January 23, 2009. Judge Tolton's lifetime of service in both the civic and social realm set a precedent of excellence in the Northwest Florida area and he will be greatly missed.

Throughout most of his 71 years, Judge Tolton's life was spent bettering the civic and social realm. After earning a B.A. and J.D. from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, Judge Tolton moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida where he began practicing law. The succeeding years were marked with frequent promotions as Judge Tolton became the attorney for the Okaloosa County Commission and the City attorney to the City of Valparaiso, Florida. In 1972, Judge Tolton was elected to the Florida House of Representatives where he served for 4 years before resigning to accept yet another job in public service: Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.

When he retired on January 1, 2007, at the age of 69, Judge Tolton's 30 years on the bench made him the longest-tenured judge in the history of Florida's First Judicial Circuit. The 30 years encompassed some of the biggest trials in Florida, including the conviction of former Florida Senate President W.D. Childers. Additionally, Judge Tolton served as President of the Blue Ridge Institute for Juvenile and Family Law Judges and was Chairman of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.

Judge Tolton is survived by his wife, the former Shari Deason, as well as his children, William Jeremiah Tolton III, Lizabeth Tolton Silk, and Timothy Tolton and his grandchild, Liam Silk. My wife Vicki and I send our most sincere condolences to the family as they grieve the loss of this exceptional father, judge, and civic leader.

Judge Tolton's longstanding career in public service will benefit the Northwest Florida community for many years to come. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize the exceptional life of the Honorable William J. Tolton, Jr.

Madam Speaker, rollcall vote No. 30 was a suspension vote on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 31--A resolution expressing support for designation of January 28, 2009, as ``National Data Privacy Day.'' If present, I would have voted rollcall vote No. 30--``yea.''

Rollcall vote no. 31 was a suspension vote on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 84--A resolution honoring the heroic actions of the pilot, crew, and rescuers of US Airways Flight 1549. If present, I would have voted rollcall vote No. 31--``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a lifetime of service and community involvement from Dr. John B. Webb, who, on January 24, 2009, celebrates his 90th birthday.

The past 90 years have seen many changes in Dr. Webb's life, most of which was spent practicing veterinary medicine. After graduating from Auburn University in 1957, Dr. Webb returned to his hometown in Pensacola, Florida, to begin his own practice. When he opened his first clinic, Dr. Webb was the fifth veterinarian to begin practicing in Escambia County, Florida, and the 575th to begin practicing in the state of Florida. Today, Dr. Webb serves as one of the oldest licensed veterinarians in Escambia County.

Over the years Dr. Webb has received numerous awards for his ongoing role in the northwest Florida community. He served 15 years on the Escambia County Board of Directors for the Florida Farm Bureau as well as 25 years on the board of trustees for the Langley Bell 4-H Center. He is also a past president of the Escambia County Extension Council as well as the Pensacola Interstate Fair.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Webb for many years now and I am honored to call him a friend. A strong supporter of conservative principles and values, Dr. Webb has always offered his support and friendship to Vicki and me. As he celebrates his 90th birthday, I have much to thank him for from our years of friendship.

For many years to come, the northwest Florida community will continue to benefit from the lasting impression made by Dr. Webb, whose involvement in the community has expanded opportunities to the surrounding area. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize Dr. John B. Webb upon his 90th birthday and for his exemplary service in the First District of Florida.

Madam Speaker, along with my friend Congressman Adam Putnam, it is a great honor for me to rise today to recognize the retirement of Dr. Jimmy Cheek from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, IFAS. Since 1975, Dr. Cheek has been instrumental in agricultural education at the University of Florida, where he was a mentor of mine.

Jimmy Cheek's career with the University of Florida began as an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, and now, over 30 years later, he is retiring as a senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. Through the course of his career, he served in a number of positions, but all of them were dedicated toward instilling an understanding of the importance of agriculture in his students. Dr. Cheek also received numerous awards and recognition not only for his dedication to teaching but also his vast knowledge of agriculture.

His leadership in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, CALS, as well as IFAS, helped expand the programs offered and the student enrollment, making CALS the fourth-largest college at UF. Dr. Cheek took an outstanding program and improved upon it even further as he oversaw the addition of new programs and research opportunities, and he has

been recognized for his efforts to this end. Some of the numerous awards bestowed upon him include the University of Florida Faculty Superior Accomplishment Award and the CALS Teacher of the Year. He has also been recognized by Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who Among American Teachers, and has received an honorary membership in Alpha Gamma Rho, of which I am a proud member.

Madam Speaker, there is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Cheek's legacy will be remembered for generations to come, not just by students at the University of Florida but also throughout the Nation where his work has been recognized. He dedicated his career to educating students not just about agriculture, but also character, and he will be fondly remembered by all who know him. Jimmy Cheek will be missed in the classrooms in Gainesville and around the State, but he leaves behind an institution that will continue to flourish because of his hard work. He and his family are in my thoughts as they move into the next chapter of his life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marshall Billingslea, the outgoing Deputy Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy. I am proud to recognize his service to the Nation and thank him for his contributions to our national defense.

Marshall entered public service after receiving his master of arts in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1995. He served for over 6 years as the Senior Professional Staff Member for National Security Affairs on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During this period, he was the senior advisor to the chairman and members of the committee on all proliferation, arms control, defense, intelligence, and counter-terrorism issues. These experiences provided an enormous breadth of knowledge and laid the foundation for a career of outstanding public service.

Mr. Billingslea later joined the Bush administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Negotiations Policy and served as the chief negotiator for all major international agreements. In this capacity, he was the principal Department of Defense representative on numerous U.S. arms control delegations, and the U.S. Head of Delegation for Transparency and Verification negotiations with the Russian Federation in connection with the Moscow Treaty on Strategic Nuclear Reductions.

In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, he was appointed the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low- Intensity Conflict. As the principal civilian advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense on Special Operations Forces and counter-terrorism efforts against al Qaeda and other terrorist groups, he had enormous responsibility to safeguard the American people in supervising all special operations activities in the Department of Defense.

Prior to his current position, he served as NATO's assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment. He bolstered the national security of the United States by promoting NATO armaments cooperation policies and programs, and for military common funding. Additionally, he served as Chairman of NATO's Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) and Chairman of the Board of Directors for NATO's Consultation, Command, and Control Organization.

As the first Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy in over 7 years, Marshall has been the senior advisor to the Secretary of the Navy on a wide range of policy and intelligence matters. His advice and counsel to the Secretary during a time of war, as well as his leadership in standing up the DUSN organization, has been invaluable to the Secretary and the Department of the Navy as a whole.

I am proud to recognize Marshall's achievements and wish him and his wife, Karen, along with their daughters, Morgan Alyssa and Elsa Breanne, well as they pursue new endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Israel's right to defend itself and to express my desire for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the current conflict.

In September of 2005, the Israeli government completed an evacuation of all Israeli citizens from Gaza. This historic evacuation, ordered by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, was not widely popular throughout Israel but Mr. Sharon felt it was an important and necessary step in the quest for a 2-state solution. Soon after the evacuation, in January 2006, Hamas won 2/3 of the parliamentary elections in Gaza and took over as the democratically-elected government of the Palestinian people.

Since their election, Hamas has ignored the conciliatory actions of Israel and they have seen their popularity plummet because of this and their steadfast refusal to recognize the existence of Israel. So much was expected of the new Palestinian leadership following the death of Yassir Arafat but the leadership of Hamas has failed its people, and continues to be corrupt. This failed leadership came to a head on December 19th when Hamas ended the six-month cease fire with Israel and fired over 50 rockets into Israel.

After continued rocket attacks into heavily populated areas, Israel had no choice but to retaliate with force against Hamas and protect Israeli citizens. Hamas leadership knew Israel would respond, but still may have been surprised by the forcefulness with which the Israelis defended their citizens. Once the Israelis made clear they would not tolerate the rocket attacks, Hamas leaders followed a time-honored terrorist tradition of hiding amongst and under the people they should have been leading and protecting.

Following Israel's continued defense of its homeland, some have demanded Israel stop its targeted strikes into Gaza. This would only allow Hamas foot soldiers to continue resupplying their terrorist network and would offer little assurance that Hamas will refrain from targeting Israeli civilians. It is regrettable that Hamas continues firing rockets into Israel and as recently as Wednesday, rockets were fired into Israel from Lebanon.

I will continue to support the right of Israel to defend itself and encourage the people of Gaza to demand that their elected leaders cease the unjustified rocket attacks and the conscious choice to act as terrorists. Furthermore, I commend Egypt on its continuing role as an evenhanded facilitator of peace negotiations and urge other Middle Eastern nations to follow suit.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Sergeant Preston Medley, United States Army. Sergeant Medley was killed in action on October 14, 2008 while serving our nation in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Medley was assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

A 2003 graduate of Baker High School, Preston played football and was involved in the broadcasting program. ``He was the energetic, joyful kind of person that helped make our program successful,'' one teacher said. After his mother passed away in 2005, Preston decided he wanted to serve this nation and joined the Army. He will now go to his eternal resting place next to his mother in the Pyron Chapel Cemetery in Baker, Florida.

While Preston was serving on active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he met his beautiful wife, Sarah, who was a fellow Soldier. Sarah gave birth to their daughter, Raelynn, in September 2007 and gave birth to their son, Preston Ray Medley Jr. on December 8, 2008. Preston's name, his fighting spirit and his caring soul will continue to live on through Raelynn and Preston, Jr.

I am always reminded of the greatness of our country by the patriotism of those like Preston and the dedication of our military families like Sarah and the Medley family. We have an all-volunteer military and continue to ask our sons and daughters to travel to faraway lands to fight for our freedom. Men and women like Preston Medley continue to answer the call.

The people of Northwest Florida have reason to be proud of Sergeant Preston Medley for his service and sacrifice for freedom. While his passing is a tremendous loss for our country, his selfless service stands as a pillar of strength for us all. Vicki and I will keep Preston's entire family in our thoughts and prayers. I trust that all the people of Northwest Florida and our nation do the same.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to rise and recognize the service of Leonard Keller, who, after 22 years, will retire from the Naval Supply Center, Gulf Coast Supply Operations. Mr. Keller's dedicated civilian service is a capstone to his brave and dedicated military service in the Vietnam War.

Born in Rockford, Illinois, Len was drafted into the United States Army in 1966. He attended basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division at Base Camp Doung Tam, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. In 1967 while sweeping through an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier, then-Sergeant Keller's unit suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a number of enemy bunkers and numerous snipers in nearby trees. Disregarding his own safety in the face of intense enemy fire, Sergeant Keller and a fellow soldier assaulted the enemy bunkers. They killed the enemy occupants in numerous bunkers thereby saving countless American lives. After his ammunition was exhausted, he assisted with the evacuation of the wounded. Many Americans who were in the Ap Bac Zone of the Republic of Vietnam on May 2, 1967 owe their lives to the brave actions of Leonard Keller. For his conspicuous gallantry in combat and risking his life above and beyond the call of duty, Leonard Keller was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

In 1986, Len came to Pensacola to work at the Naval Supply Center as an Inventory Management Specialist and has been an integral part of Gulf Coast Supply Operations for over the last 22 years. After retirement, he plans to split his time between Illinois and Florida. He plans to maintain an active role in the Medal of Honor, MOH, as he continues to attend numerous social events and conduct speaking engagements at various schools around the country. He also plans to establish the Leonard B. Keller scholarship fund at his high school in the near future.

We honor the distinguished military and government service of Leonard Keller. Vicki and I wish him and his family best wishes for continued success. Our Nation is grateful for Len's dedicated and selfless service to the Nation. His life of courage, selfless service, and patriotism will serve as a shining example to future generations of Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eugene Elebash, Jr., a veritable northwest Florida community leader who passed away on November 24, 2008. Mr. Elebash spent his entire life serving others, and I am proud to honor his life of dedication and service.

Mr. Elebash was born in Pensacola, FL, in May of 1920 and made his home there. He graduated from Pensacola High School in 1938 and from the University of Florida in 1942. Upon graduating college, Mr. Elebash immediately joined the United States Army Air Forces where he served honorably until the end of World War II, achieving the rank of major. He then returned to Pensacola to take over the family business and remained ever since. Mr. Elebash married his high school sweetheart, Jane, his wife of 66 years.

After returning to Pensacola, Mr. Elebash began a life of dedicated service to the community. Over the years. he was active in innumerable organizations including the Saint Christopher's Episcopal Church, the City Civil Service Board, the YMCA, and the West Florida Children's Home Society. He was a member of the Downtown Rotary Board for 61 years. Mr. Elebash was elected to three terms as a Pensacola city councilman and served as the mayor of Pensacola from 1971 and 1973. His family continues to play an active role in the community.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the U.S. Congress, I am privileged to honor Mr. Eugene Elebash, Jr. for his life of public service to his country and to northwest Florida. Mr. Elebash will be remembered by all as a loving husband and father, as well as a genuine community leader and a true friend.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the selection of Dr. L. Bruce Simpson for Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive for 2008. Each year, the President recognizes and celebrates no more than 5 percent of career Senior Executives with this award. Recipients of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals, and scientists achieving results and consistently demonstrating strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service to America.

Dr. Simpson is Director of the 308th Armament Systems Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida and is a 27-year veteran of the Federal civil service. He leads a wing of over 900 personnel and executes a portfolio of programs valued at more than $46 billion. The wing's programs include the Joint Direct Attack Munition, Small Diameter Bomb, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile Targeting System, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, Joint Air-to- Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range, Miniature Air Launched Decoy, Aerial Target Systems, P5 Combat Training System, Sensor Fuzed Weapon, Wind-Corrected Munitions Dispenser and Joint Stand-Off Weapon System. These programs are all key elements in enabling our warfighters to engage high-value targets and are vital weapons in the Global War on Terror.

Selected for Senior Executive Service in 2003, Dr. Simpson has served as Deputy Manager of the Armament Product Group, Director of the Air Armament Center Special Projects System Program Office, and Director of the Directed Energy Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Dr. Simpson has been honored as a Distinguished Fellow at Mississippi State University and received Annual Technical Achievement Awards from the Air Force Research Laboratory and Air Force Systems Command.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to congratulate Dr. L. Bruce Simpson on this most prestigious Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive. America and the United States Air Force depend heavily on the selfless service and leadership he provides. I sincerely wish Dr. Simpson many more years of dedicated public service to this great country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kenneth Owens, who is retiring after almost 40 years of service as a teacher, coach, and administrator in the Northwest Florida school system. His passion and dedication proves that teachers can truly make a difference in the lives of their students, and I am proud to honor such an admirable leader of our community.

Mr. Owens began his life as a public servant almost forty years ago. He spent his entire career enriching the lives of young people as both a teacher and a coach. Seventeen years ago, he came to Central High School in Milton, Florida as an assistant principal where he has remained ever since. As principal, Mr. Owens transformed Central High School from a ``C'' school to a ``B'' school under Florida's A+ Plan for Education. This tremendous achievement exemplifies Mr. Owens' commitment to Central's mission statement of providing an environment that encourages students to achieve their fullest potential. He has touched thousands of lives, and his devotion will never be forgotten. Although he is retiring from his position as an educator, Kenny Owens will always be a Central High School Jaguar.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the U.S. Congress, I would like to thank Mr. Owens for his years of public service to the students and community of Northwest Florida. Vicki and I wish him and his family best wishes for continued success.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today in recognition of East Mt. Zion United Methodist Church on its 180th Anniversary.

For the past 180 years, East Mt. Zion has continued to inspired people throughout the Northwest Florida area. The church has withstood the societal, geographical, and archeological changes that have occurred over its long history, thus authorizing its member's constant faith and enduring dedication.

Opening amidst humble beginnings, East Mt. Zion was initially a rudimentary structure built out of logs. After fire destroyed the building, its members rebuilt the church with whatever materials were available. Logs from a nearby forest were used for the walls and slabs from a local sawmill were made into the pews. In the early twentieth century a more modern church was constructed. Services were held in that location until 1956, when the present church began construction. Since then, the congregation has continued to grow exponentially as worshippers throughout the Northwest Florida area travel to East Mt. Zion.

Over the years, East Mt. Zion has served as a great source of inspiration for its members, who have always helped participate in the betterment of the church. Bake sales, quilt sales, and various other fundraisers were held by the members to raise costs for the various construction projects that the church has held over the years. Their enduring dedication serves as testimony to the excellence of East Mt. Zion and this milestone anniversary is evidence of the greatness the church has achieved.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize East Mt. Zion on this outstanding achievement.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received in the amendment of the House of Representatives to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 2638.

Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.

Bill number: H.R. 2638.

Project: Eglin Air Force Base Range Operations Center (ROCC) Initiative.

Account: RDT&E, Air Force.

Earmark Received: $800,000.

Justification for use of taxpayer funding: Considering the effects of BRAC, emerging Joint Test and Training missions, and increased operations tempo, this initiative will address the current Eglin AFB shortfalls in infrastructure to provide safe, efficient, effective control of range resources. Eglin AFB initiated a phased approach (Super ROCC) to address these shortfalls, and this project will initiate the action by addressing movement and control of people and equipment and relevant security issues. This initiative will help the Air Force increase the operations tempo at the Eglin Range by addressing the movement and control of people and equipment as well as relevant security issues. Through this initiative, the Air Force will greatly improve its ability to track all players on the Eglin Range thereby significantly increase its efficiency in an increased ops tempo environment. Driven by BRAC and safety imperatives, this further provides for more effective control which will better optimize range scheduling and increase flexibility in meeting test and training missions. Simply by knowing the locations of all entities

on the range, more flexibility in reassigning missions to ground and air space previously underutilized will be achieved.

Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.

Bill number: H.R. 2638.

Project: FPS-16 Radar Mobilization Upgrade.

Account: RDT&E, Air Force.

Earmark Received: $2,800,000.

Justification for use of taxpayer funding: This enhanced, mobile radar tracking capability will provide AAC the flexibility required to support testing of current and emerging weapon systems and platforms. This new capability will attract test programs to the AAC test range that cannot presently be supported, provide expanded instrumentation coverage for the range, reduce encroachment concerns, and provide more comprehensive coverage and support to all test programs. This added instrumentation asset will result in more cost effective and timely test support for the U.S. Air Force and ultimately in fielding systems for the war fighter in a more timely manner.

Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.

Bill number: H.R. 2638.

Project: Moving Target Strike.

Account: RDT&E, Air Force.

Earmark Received: $2,000,000.

Justification for use of taxpayer funding: The ability to extend the capability of GPS guided weapons to moving targets will significantly enhance the effectiveness of weapons platforms that use GPS guided systems. The enemy knows that currently if he keeps moving he is safe from many of our current weapon systems. The ability to strike movers from a variety of platforms with GPS guided weapons will greatly reduce the enemy's ability to avoid our weapons.

Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.

Bill number: H.R. 2638.

Project: Gulf Range Mobile Instrumentation Capability.

Account: RDT&E, Defense-Wide.

Earmark Received: $800,000.

Justification for use of taxpayer funding: By developing a GR-MIC we will be able to integrate the simultaneous employment of many advanced weapons/platforms into a single test or exercise/training events. This effort connects test and evaluation ranges that use many communication and data requirements to interact between geographically separated ranges, making valuable information available to everyone who requires it. The result is ranges becoming interconnected and consequently creating a greater training experience.

Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.

Bill number: H.R. 2638.

Project: Joint Gulf Range Complex Upgrade.

Account: RDT&E, Defense-Wide.

Earmark Received: $1,200,000.

Justification for use of taxpayer funding: The upgrade will result in improved and more accurate testing which will improve training effectiveness and mission readiness.

Name of the requesting Member: Jeff Miller.

Bill number: H.R. 2638.

Project: Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) for AFSOC AC/MC 130 aircraft.

Account: RDT&E, Air Force.

Earmark Received: $4,400,000.

Justification for use of taxpayer funding: The funding will be used to provide aircraft protection from infrared and small arms threats.