Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 175th anniversary of the Trinity United Methodist Church in West Frankfort, Illinois.

In 1835, the same year that noted American author Samuel Clemens-- better known as Mark Twain--was born, a dedicated group of Methodists in Frankfort, Illinois gave birth to a new church and constructed a log structure as a place of worship. While the earliest history of the church existed as oral narrative, the church was known as the ``Old Frankfort Methodist Church.''

The first pastor of record was the Reverend J.P. Crawford. As the church and the Methodist denomination evolved, there were several name changes. In 1853, the church was named the Methodist Episcopal Church and then, in 1939, already over 100 years old, it became the Trinity Methodist Church. In 1968, it was named the Trinity United Methodist Church, after the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church merged to form the United Methodist Church.

As the congregation grew, the old log church could no longer meet its needs and a new frame church was built around 1875. Further structural changes were made after the Second World War, when the church was bricked and the parsonage was remodeled. A new parsonage was constructed in the 1960s.

The 175 year history of Trinity United Methodist Church has not been without some lean years. In the early part of the 20th century, it was feared the church would cease to exist but, through the dedicated efforts of a few determined parishioners, the church got through those tough times and has continued as the oldest church in what is now West Frankfort, Illinois.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 175th anniversary of the Trinity United Methodist Church and wishing the best to the congregation for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the 126th Air Refueling Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

The 126th Air Refueling Wing, ARW, traces its origin to the formation of the 126th Composite Wing at Chicago's Midway Municipal Airport on November 1, 1950. During the 1950's there were a couple of name changes for the unit and its home moved between Chicago's Midway and O'Hare airports before it was finally designated the 126th Air Refueling Wing, received its first KC-97 flying tanker and flew its first air refueling mission in 1961.

From 1967 to 1976, the 126th ARW took part in Operation Creek Party, during which they would fly refueling missions in support of the U.S. Air Force in Europe. 150 million pounds of fuel was off-loaded to U.S. Air Force and NATO aircraft during approximately 600 flights. This marked the first time the Air National Guard had performed a continuous operation without activation.

The first KC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft that is still flown by the 126th ARW today, began its service in 1976, at which time the 126th ARW began support of the Strategic Air Command. The 126th ARW would support U.S. Air Force operations in the first Gulf War and in Kosovo as well as respond to the Illinois Governor's call for assistance during the 1993 Midwest flooding.

As part of the 1995 round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), the decision was made to move the 126th ARW to Scott Air Force Base and the move was completed in 1999.

After September 11, 2001, the 126th ARW was called to fly missions to monitor the skies over major U.S. cities. The wing again was called to support U.S. Air Force missions during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The mission of today's 126th Air Refueling Wing is to provide air refueling support for U.S. and allied nation military forces throughout the world. As it has shown throughout its history, the 126th answers the call to protect the citizens of Illinois through civil defense and disaster relief. The men and women of the 126th Air Refueling Wing continue to protect and defend ``Anytime, Anywhere!''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Wing Commander, Colonel Peter Nezamis, and all the service men and women of the 126th Air Refueling Wing on their 60th Anniversary and wishing them the very best as they continue to provide valuable service to the State of Illinois and our great Nation.

I thank my friend from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6190, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010, Part III. I want to thank Chairman Oberstar of the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Chairman Levin and Congressman Lewis of the Committee on Ways and Means for bringing this bill to the floor today.

Two months ago, we passed bipartisan legislation, H.R. 5900, the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, which was signed into law. It included important airline safety and pilot training provisions from House passed H.R. 3371, the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009. I am pleased that President Obama signed the legislation, H.R. 5900, into law, and I am proud of our efforts to work together in a bipartisan manner to produce the strongest aviation safety legislation in decades.

In addition to the aviation safety provisions, H.R. 5900 included a clean extension of the FAA reauthorization bill until September 30. We passed another extension because the leaders in the other body said they could not reach an agreement with their members and they were at an impasse.

We have reached consensus on the majority of the items from both bills and only a few issues remain which I believe can be worked out. It is unfortunate that we have reached this point after nearing the end of working through both of these bills.

In the interest of keeping the FAA and the aviation transportation system operating safely, we cannot let this reauthorization expire on October 1. H.R. 6190 extends the FAA reauthorization through the end of the calendar year.

There are many important provisions in the FAA reauthorization bill, such as binding arbitration for the air traffic controllers, addressing the consolidation and realignment of FAA facilities, and making investments in NextGen and the air traffic control modernization program. I am committed to passing a comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill next year so that we can provide stability to the FAA and our Nation's aviation system.

With that, Madam Speaker, I urge support and ask my colleagues to vote for this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Southern Illinois Regional Social Services (SIRSS).

The origin of SIRSS can actually be traced to February 10, 1958, with the meeting of a temporary committee whose purpose was to organize a mental health association and clinic in Jackson County, Illinois. Through the dedicated work of a small group of individuals, the Southern Illinois Mental Health Clinic (SIMHC) was opened in October of 1959 with the first full year of services in 1960.

As the organization evolved to meet its service offerings and geographic area, its name would be modified to reflect that growth. Jackson County Community Mental Health Center was the name adopted in the 1960's and then, in the 1990's, it became Southern Illinois Regional Social Services (SIRSS).

SIRSS has always been a dynamic organization, adding new services and evaluating existing services to make sure they are effective, in line with their core mission and addressing the needs of their clients. Substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, wellness education, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and satellite offices are all examples of the variety of services SIRSS has added through the years.

One of the earliest annual reports listed an average clinic caseload of 58 community patients. This has grown to over 2,000 people served annually today. Clearly the need is great and SIRSS has grown to meet that need. Through 50 years of growth, however, they have stayed true to their founding commitment to Build Better Lives and their promise: ``You are not alone. We care. We know how to help.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the board of directors, administration and staff of Southern Illinois Regional Social Services on their 50th Anniversary and wishing them the very best for many more years to come.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5900) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend airport improvement program project grant authority and to improve airline safety, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5900.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5900, the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010.

I want to thank Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica and the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Petri, for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor.

For the past few months we have been working in a bipartisan manner with the other body to produce a comprehensive Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill before it expires on August 1.

We have reached consensus on a majority of the items from both bills and only a few issues remain, which I believe can be worked out. However, the leaders in the other body said that they could not reach agreement with their Members and therefore we have an impasse. It is unfortunate that we have reached this point after coming so close to working through both bills. Therefore, we have decided to go forward with the bill before us tonight.

H.R. 5900 will provide a 2-month extension of the FAA reauthorization bill through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2010, and includes the airline safety and pilot training provisions that we have been able to negotiate with the Senate. In October, the House passed H.R. 3371, the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009, as a stand-alone bill by an overwhelming majority.

Unfortunately, once again, the other body has not acted on this legislation either. Therefore, we are including the safety provisions that we have been able to negotiate with the Senate on the FAA extension.

The bill before us tonight contains the strongest aviation safety legislation in decades. It was introduced after many hearings, roundtable discussions, and with the input from the families of those who perished in the Colgan accident in Buffalo, the pilot groups, airlines, the National Safety Transportation Board, the Department of Transportation's Inspector General, and many Members of Congress.

Throughout 2009, the Aviation Subcommittee held many hearings and roundtables on safety issues and talked about a number of issues concerning the Colgan accident, which culminated in this legislation.

Regional airlines have been involved in the last seven fatal U.S. airline accidents, and pilot performance has been implicated in four of those accidents. This legislation strengthens pilot training requirements and qualifications by increasing the minimum number of flight hours required to be hired as an airline pilot by requiring the Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which is currently only mandatory for an airline captain. The ATP requires a minimum of 1,500 flight hours and additional aeronautical knowledge, crew resource management training, and greater flight proficiency testing.

In addition, the bill also strengthens the ATP qualitative minimum requirements, such as flying in adverse weather conditions, including icing, and requires the FAA to create and maintain an electronic pilot records database. The database will allow an airline to quickly access an applicant's comprehensive record for hiring purposes only.

Finally, H.R. 5900 requires all Internet Web sites that will sell airline tickets to show on the first page of their display the name of the air carrier operating each flight segment of a proposed itinerary. Passing this safety reform legislation now is the right thing to do.

We can no longer delay enacting the strongest safety bill in decades as we work on a final agreement on the greater FAA bill. The Colgan families, many of them who are with us here this evening, have been a powerful driving force behind this legislation, and I thank each of them for their persistence.

For the last 17 months, they have come to Washington, DC over 30 times at their own expense to push for the safety bill and safety improvements. Madam Speaker, it is time for the House and Senate to pass these important safety provisions and get them to the President to be signed into law.

Passing this bill tonight should not distract from our efforts to finish the FAA bill. There are many important provisions in the reauthorization bill, and I am committed to passing a comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill so that we can provide stability to the FAA and our Nation's aviation system by passing a multiyear reauthorization.

With--Madam Speaker, with that I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 15 seconds just to clarify a point in the Record.

Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Florida, the ranking member of the full committee, is correct. But for the record, it wasn't that we didn't pass the bill. This House of Representatives passed a bill in 2007, passed it again in 2009, and we have been attempting to get the other body to work with us to pass a bill out that can be agreed upon.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentlelady from New York (Ms. Slaughter), who has been so very helpful to us in crafting this legislation. She has worked with us very closely.

Madam Speaker, might I inquire as to how much time we have remaining on both sides?

Madam Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman who testified before the subcommittee, who met with us many times to help put this legislation together, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Higgins).

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boccieri), a valued member of our Subcommittee on Aviation, who is a pilot. His expertise and experience was invaluable in putting this legislation together.

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional minute to the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the distinguished chairman of the full committee, who is recognized as one who knows more about aviation and transportation than anyone in this Congress.

Madam Speaker, as I have said earlier, this is the strongest aviation safety bill that we are about to pass in decades. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1875, the End the Trade Deficit Act of 2009.

Since coming to Congress, I have worked to level the playing field of international trade, stop the illegal trade practices of other countries, notably China, and support American workers. The first step in achieving these goals must be addressing our $375 billion trade deficit with other countries. While this deficit is down from the $753 billion deficit we had in 2006, as the global economy recovers, this deficit has increased by billions of dollars each month, and our deficit with China stands at a staggering $226 billion. In addition, the U.S. has lost 3,178,000 manufacturing jobs since 1998 and the recession has aggravated this damaging trend.

The Trade Deficit Review Commission established by H.R. 1875 will take positive steps to address the trade deficit by developing a new, competitive trade policy that emphasizes fair trade and U.S. jobs. Our trade policy must promote the export of U.S.-made goods to foreign markets and support our workers rather than aiding the multi-national corporations who seek weaker labor, safety, and environmental requirements overseas.

I have consistently opposed free trade agreements--including NAFTA and DR-CAFTA--because I believe they have driven good-paying American jobs out of the country. H.R. 1875 is needed to reverse these damaging trade agreements and takes a positive step forward to revitalize manufacturing in the U.S. and create jobs here at home.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1401) expressing gratitude for the contributions that the air traffic controllers of the United States make to keep the traveling public safe and the airspace of the United States running efficiently, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 1401.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor of the resolution, I commend the gentlewoman from New York, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, for introducing the resolution and for her leadership on this issue.

The Nation's air traffic controllers ensure the safety of approximately 2 million aviation passengers per day, or almost 1 billion people per year, and safely guide more than 60 million aircraft annually to their destinations. The current air traffic controller workforce consists of approximately 15,600 dedicated and well-trained men and women across the country and at the Air Traffic System Command Center.

As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, I have visited many of the air traffic control facilities, and have witnessed firsthand the skills controllers utilize to safely separate aircraft moving through the Nation's airspace system. These individuals display exceptional skills, and are able to multitask and to work well under pressure. In fact, the resolution describes nine separate incidents where controllers have saved many lives by providing excellent service.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1401, to express our gratitude for the contributions that the air traffic controllers make to keep the traveling public safe and the airspace of the United States running efficiently.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy), who is the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop), a member of the subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1366) recognizing and honoring the freight rail industry, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 1366.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1366, as amended, introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare), which honors the freight railroad industry and its employees and the important contributions they have made to our Nation and the national transportation system.

Freight railroads have a long important history in the United States. Beginning in the early 1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, freight railroads played a critical role in the expansion and economic development of the Nation. Since May 24, 1830, when the Baltimore Ohio Railroad, now part of the CSX, the Nation's first common-carrier railroad, opened for business from Baltimore West to Ellicott City, freight rail has helped bring American goods to markets domestically and internationally. On May 10, 1869, the industry literally transformed America when the golden spike was driven into the final tie that joined 1,776 miles of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways, creating the Nation's first transcontinental railroad.

Today the freight rail industry employs more than 183,000 hardworking, dedicated Americans who help keep our country and its trains moving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our freight rail industry boasts a vast network across the country. There are more than 560 freight rail companies in the United States that operate 140,000 miles of track and carry more than 2.2 billion tons of freight annually.

Freight rail is also one of the most energy-efficient modes of transportation. It is able to move one ton of freight 480 miles on one gallon of diesel fuel, and helps reduce congestion. One train can take 280 trucks off the road, the equivalent of 1,100 automobiles.

Freight and intercity passenger rails are also important components of our Nation's economic strength and mobility. Freight railroads account for 43 percent of intercity freight volume, more than any other mode of transportation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1366.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to respond to my friend, Mr. Shuster.

Mr. Speaker, let me say for the record Mr. Shuster made a point that we have Democratic bills from the committee before the House today and no Republican bills. The gentleman may or may not know that this Thursday Chairman Oberstar has agreed to markup five Republican bills in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

For the record, I would point out that in the 110th and 111th Congress both, the committee passed well over 40, in fact I think 42 bills out of the committee, and moved them through the House. So I would just for the record say that to my friend from Pennsylvania.

I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare), my friend and the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support the resolution. I have no further requests for

time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5825) to review, update, and revise the factors to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster and to evaluate the need for assistance to individuals and households.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5825.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5825, a bill to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency to review, update, and revise the factors to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster and to evaluate the need for assistance to individuals and households, sponsored by my friend and colleague from Indiana, Congressman Baron Hill.

Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the President has the sole discretion to determine when a disaster is beyond the capability of State and local governments, and therefore, when FEMA and Federal assistance is needed. In doing so, the President looks to the administrator of FEMA for a recommendation.

FEMA published regulations more than 10 years ago to explain the factors it looks to when making a recommendation to the President on whether to declare a major disaster or emergency to provide assistance to individuals and households. These regulations are important, as they provide guidance to the States on when and how to seek Federal assistance under the Stafford Act, including specific criteria FEMA considers. Knowing this helps States put together the best information they can as quickly as possible, and hopefully expedite the process to get assistance where it is needed.

FEMA has recognized that these regulations need to be improved, and have been working with the States to do so. However, the process has been occurring for some time. This legislation would merely put a reasonable deadline of 1 year on that process. This legislation also requires that FEMA add to the list of criteria it considers whether an adjacent community across a State line has received a major disaster or emergency declaration for the same incident.

This logical approach recognizes that the impact of disasters do not stop at the State line. This is something that FEMA should be doing and, if they are not already doing so, will do so under this legislation.

I thank my friend, Mr. Hill, for bringing this issue to the attention of the House and for sponsoring this legislation.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5825.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill).

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4213, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010.

Unemployment levels are high across the country, and in my state of Illinois unemployment has remained well above 10 percent for over a year. Millions of Americans are actively looking for work, and for these families, unemployment insurance (UI) is a necessary to assist with their medical bills, mortgages, and basic needs so they can continue looking for employment every week.

While I share the concerns of my colleagues regarding spending that is not paid for, canceling these benefits now will only hurt these families and our economy. We have a responsibility to support people out of work and in great need. Moving forward, we may not be able to provide as much assistance to people and the states as many would like, and we may not in the short-term be able to fully offset the cost of all Federal spending. But working together, we can continue to chart a course that builds on our economic recovery and helps those in great need while beginning to address long-term economic challenges.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4213.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career of Tom Caliper as he retires as business manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 551 and as executive director of the Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council.

Tom Caliper is the son of Frank and Lola Caliper. Frank, in addition to serving as Mayor of the Village of Colp, Illinois, for 52 years, was the owner of Caliper Plumbing and Heating. Tom undoubtedly learned the plumbing trade from his father, but Tom says his father also taught him a great deal about leadership and about caring for others, qualities that Tom has put to good use both as a labor leader and through his extensive charitable work.

Through 29 years in leadership for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 551 and 25 years at the head of the Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council, Tom Caliper has made an indelible mark on the labor landscape of Southern Illinois. One of his most effective achievements was the implementation of a project labor agreement whereby all publicly funded projects in Southern Illinois would be constructed by Southern Illinois tradesmen and women. This led to increased economic and community development in the region as wages earned by Southern Illinois workers were re-invested within Southern Illinois communities.

Not only was Tom Caliper a driving force for organized labor but he was also responsible for improving the lives of countless area families through his volunteer and charitable efforts. Tom was instrumental in starting the ``Coats for Kids'' campaign which, through his tireless fund-raising and organizational efforts over the years, has provided needed warm-weather clothing for area children. It was important to Tom that the children who were the beneficiaries of the ``Coats for Kids'' program received only new, good-quality clothing, nothing second-hand.

Tom Caliper has been the model of leadership throughout his career. He has worked effectively in representing and advocating for his members, he has helped create additional opportunities for job creation and he realized the importance of giving back to his community.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of appreciation to Tom Caliper for his years of dedicated service to the working men and women of Southern Illinois and to wish him the very best in the future.

I thank the gentlelady for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 5114. I have worked on this issue, as Representative Waters has said. She chairs this committee, has provided great leadership, along with Chairman Frank. And I thank them for their leadership in bringing the bill to the floor today.

We have worked together with them and members of the Congressional Levee Caucus. We authored provisions included in this bill to delay the onset of mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements in the newly remapped areas for 5 years, and then phase in insurance rates for the next 5 years. This will give communities the time necessary to rebuild levees and address other flood control projects and allow our constituents to make their own decision regarding the purchase of flood insurance.

In August of 2007, FEMA announced that through the remapping process, the levees protecting the Metro East area of Illinois along the Mississippi River, which had been protecting our area for decades, including in the major flood of 1993, would be decertified and treated for flood protection purposes as if they didn't exist. As soon as the new maps became final, any homeowner or small business with federally backed mortgages would have to purchase flood insurance. It could cost literally thousands of dollars annually.

Let me say, Mr. Chairman, that we have made a lot of progress as part of this process. Local officials continually ask for some relief. What we do in this legislation is, in the provisions that I described earlier in this legislation, the bill allows FEMA, the flood remapping process to proceed, and requires communities to have evacuation and communication plans in place, which must include information about the availability of flood insurance and the consequences of having a flood.

I want to be very clear at this point, while it is not mandatory, I continue to encourage all of my constituents in the affected area to purchase flood insurance. But that decision should be theirs.

The Federal Government needs to work with local officials to solve these local and national issues. I strongly support H.R. 5114. I thank Chairman Frank and Chairlady Waters for all of their work and ask my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5611, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010, Part II.

I want to thank my friend, Mr. Lewis, from the Ways and Means Committee for yielding time to me to allow me to speak on this important legislation. And I thank Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, and ranking member Mr. Petri for working with me and all of us together to bring this bill to the floor today.

For the past 3 months, we have been working in a bipartisan manner with our friends in the other body to bring a comprehensive Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill to the floor. We have worked through the majority of both bills, and only a few issues remain.

The bill before us today, H.R. 5611, will provide a short, 1-month extension of the FAA reauthorization bill through August 1, 2010, to allow us to finish our work before we adjourn for the August district work period.

This is a clean extension. Primarily, H.R. 5611 extends aviation taxes to support the Airport and Airways Trust Fund, which funds a large portion of the FAA's budget. The bill also extends the Airport Improvement Program contract authority to allow airports to continue critical safety and capacity enhancement projects.

Aviation is too critically important to our Nation's economy, contributing $1.2 trillion in output and approximately 11.4 million jobs, to allow the taxes or the funding for critical aviation programs to expire. Congress must ensure that this extension passes today to ensure that our aviation system is not disrupted and continues to function safely.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. And, again, I thank my friend from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 100th Anniversary of retail operations at Eckert's Family Farms in Belleville, Illinois.

The Eckert family has been involved in farming since their ancestor, Johann Peter Eckert, came to this country from Germany in the 1830's. The first fruit trees, for which the family has become renowned in southwestern Illinois and surrounding areas, were planted near Fayetteville, Illinois, almost 150 years ago., Alvin O. Eckert opened a roadside produce stand on what was known as Turkey Hill, near Belleville, Illinois, in 1910. Thus was born a tradition that has grown and prospered for 100 years.

Currently, sixth and seventh generation Eckert family members oversee an operation that includes multiple orchards, a newly expanding country store and restaurant, garden center and wholesale operations. Generations of area families have built memories and savored the produce at Eckert's pick-your-own orchards, which are the largest family-owned and operated pick-your-own orchards in the United States.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 100th Anniversary of retail operations at Eckert's family farms and to wish the Eckert family and all of their employees the very best for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank my colleague, friend, and the Dean of the House, Congressman John Dingell, for leading tonight's Special Order.

I rise today to honor a true champion of the American working family, Ron Gettelfinger. Since 1935, the United Auto Workers (UAW) have led the fight to create and protect the rights of autoworkers and working people across our country--the basic work place protections that have made the United States the most productive country in history. For eight years as the UAW president, Ron has carried that charge, advocating tirelessly to improve the lives of his union brothers and sisters.

A member of UAW Local 862 since 1964, he spent his career fighting for equity and justice in the workplace, ensuring labor and wage standards in fair trade agreements, advocating for quality and affordable health care for all, and raising the quality of life for workers worldwide. Ron relished being close to line workers and advocating for them on a daily basis. For six years, he served as the director of UAW Region 3 before being elected UAW vice president in 1998.

The last two years have been a historic period for the auto industry as the country recovers from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Amid drastic job cuts, plant closures, and financial hardship, Ron steered his organization to emerge on a solid footing, ensuring that his workers were treated fairly. Tough choices were made, but Ron understood that working with the industry was necessary to secure stability for the automakers and his workers. This willingness contributed significantly to the industry's survival and saved the jobs of thousands of auto workers.

This year also marked the passage of landmark health care reform legislation. I was proud to support this legislation, and am grateful for the efforts of Ron and his fellow union members in support of health care reform.

It is my honor to recognize Ron for his years of service and contributions to organized labor. His leadership and warm demeanor will be missed among his fellow union members, but his legacy will live on. I look forward to working closely with UAW's new president Bob King and I wish Ron a happy and healthy retirement.