Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, perhaps the most dreaded day of the year for taxpayers will soon be upon us, April 15. We're all at home with paper and pen, with stacks of receipts and books, strewn upon our kitchen table, and as tax day approaches, I come before the House of Representatives to share Kansans' many frustrations and to call upon Congress to fix the Tax Code.

Our country desperately needs a better tax system. The United States Tax Code is complex, confusing, and terribly burdensome to taxpayers, and it impedes our Nation's economic growth. The IRS has estimated that individual taxpayers and businesses spend 7.6 billion hours each year filling out their taxes. To put that number in perspective, that's 3.8 million employees working full time for the entire year.

It's obvious, certainly to anyone filling out their tax return this year, that an overhaul of the Federal Tax Code is required. The Fair Tax Act, which I support, H.R. 25, is a direction we should go and contains many meritorious ideas which would start the process. The fair tax would repeal income, payroll, and a multitude of other taxes. And those taxes would be replaced by a national sales or consumption tax on retail purchases.

But no matter what system we agree upon, what we model our tax reform around, the fact remains: America deserves an easier, commonsense, and less convoluted tax system than we currently have in place. We need a tax system that promotes personal freedom. Decisions should be made based upon what's good for us individually, what's good for our families, and what's good for our businesses. It shouldn't be all about what's good for the tax man.

But instead of tax simplification and tax relief, Americans this year will be facing the same broken system and a budget proposal that increases their taxes to pay for more spending. Many are angry at the reckless spending of this Congress, so much so that a national grassroots movement of tea parties has opened up this spring. On April 15, over 300 tax day tea parties are planned across the country, many of them in Kansas.

Kansans are tired of footing the bill for Wall Street bailouts and rewarding bad behavior in the housing market. They're frustrated with trillion dollar stimulus efforts that fund projects and programs that simply won't stimulate the economy. They're upset with massive government spending that increases our national debt at a time when most American families are forced to tighten their belts and make tough choices.

Americans are struggling, and we need to get the country moving, but increasing taxes to recklessly throw dollars at the problem is not the solution. I am one of only a few of the 435 Members of this House to vote against every stimulus and bailout plan. I'd like to say that there were more of us. Hopefully, this tax day will serve as a reminder for Congress and the administration to put the taxpayer first--spend a lot less and create a tax system that is fair and efficient and that promotes individual freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon in recognition of a respected business leader in the State of Kansas who died earlier this week. Charles R. ``Dick'' Webb of Pittsburg, Kansas, and founder of Watco Companies passed away on Monday, March 23, at the young age of 70. He was a great Kansan and an exemplary American who will be greatly missed.

Dick Webb made his mark on the Kansas business community through Watco, a company he founded in 1983 along with his wife, Kaye Lynne. Watco was started literally at the kitchen table. A rail service provider, the Webbs' startup would evolve into a titan of Midwestern business. Watco Companies now supports 2,000 employees in over 26 States.

This expansive network of Watco employees and products has benefited millions of Americans through efficient commodity shipping and gainful employment. Watco railroad tracks continue to move the products that move America. Food and fuel find their way across our Nation's heartland thanks to the foresight of Dick Webb. His endurance in times of uncertainty in his industry allowed Watco to emerge as a leader in rail service and technology. Entrepreneurship is highly valued in our society, and Dick epitomized that quality.

With the success Watco experienced, it would have been easy to relocate the company's headquarters to a more densely populated area. But being a loyal Kansan, Dick remained in Pittsburg to grow his business and his community. Whether it was his support for his alma mater, Pittsburg State University, or his support for other local startup businesses, Dick added to the overall quality of life for every Pittsburg resident.

Dick is survived by his wife, his two children, Susan Lundy and Rick Webb, as well as six grandchildren who all were raised to remain in Pittsburg. But knowing of Dick's devotion to his employees, it may well be said that he is survived by his Watco family as well. The employees and their families that aided the building of Watco continue to benefit from Dick's work and leadership.

The legacy he left on our State and this Nation will continue to benefit us all.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives join me in honoring Dick Webb and the lasting legacy he achieved with his life.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose a policy proposal by the Obama administration that would break with our country's obligation to its veterans. As we know, our veterans have sacrificed to protect our way of life and deserve the promises that we made to them being kept.

Yesterday, I joined my fellow Republican members of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and House Republican leaders in sending communications to President Obama in strong opposition to an ill- conceived plan. The administration's plan would bill veterans' private insurance for care related to service-connected injuries. It would permit the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA, to ignore its core responsibility ``to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.'' Our country has a binding obligation to provide this care, particularly to those who have become disabled as a result of their service.

It is wrong to shift this responsibility to private insurers--which actually the veterans will pay for in premiums--and to our disabled veterans themselves. Additionally, billing veterans' private insurance could result in higher premiums for the veterans to cover the cost of treating the service-connected injuries. Some disabled veterans may expend their insurance benefits on treatment of service-connected conditions, leaving no benefits for their family. This policy may also discourage employers from hiring disabled veterans.

I encourage, in the strongest possible terms, the administration to shelve this proposal permanently. While we must look for ways to save taxpayer dollars and tackle our runaway budget deficit, we should not ask those who have already sacrificed so much to pay the bill.

We must never forget that our country has a responsibility to its veterans. Congress should honor this obligation by providing the funding necessary for the VA to maintain health care services to our men and women who have served us in uniform.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in the House in strong opposition to AIG's recent payments to employees in the form of bonuses. I can't believe that this conversation is even necessary. The handling of these bonus payments by AIG's management is an insult to the people who are ultimately paying for them, the American taxpayer.

I believe that good business behavior and superior professional performance should be rewarded. That's the way the market system works and should work. People that are good at their jobs should be recognized. Compensation bonuses awarded to certain AIG employees do not fall into this category of recognition. The American people own 80 percent of this company, yet 73 individuals employed by AIG received a bonus of at least $1 million each.

The CEO of AIG today here on Capitol Hill called the bonuses ``distasteful.'' I can tell you that Kansans have a much more colorful description when they are telling the story about these bonuses. Their outrage stems from a series of corporate actions, actions that have steadily eroded our Nation's confidence in the competency of Wall Street and the business community, and the Federal Government's response

to these business conditions. And the mortgaging of our children's future is especially damning when news of the bonuses arrives like it has this week.

When the Troubled Asset Relief Program was first laid out, Members of Congress were assured that this would be a benefit to the public and would make a difference not only in the short term, but especially in the long term.

For many reasons, I did not support the initial bailout, including my belief that there were few taxpayer safeguards within this legislation. Recent actions on the part of AIG only confirmed what I feared. Troubled businesses--and I think this is what is happening here-- troubled businesses were not forced to change their failed practices. Instead, they were given a lifeline, and they are beginning to pull us under with them.

Kansans ask only to have an opportunity to earn a paycheck and make a living. Most Americans realize that bonuses are awarded if and when their employer is profitable and successful. AIG is neither. It is not fair, it is not right, and it ought not happen.

I ask my colleagues in the House and the Senate to pursue all methods of recourse against companies that flaunt the will of the American taxpayer. But it is not just AIG we should blame. Congress passed this legislation without timely consideration. We rushed to judgment. In many instance, we violated principles that we know work, principles of an economy. And our actions as a Congress that passed this legislation allowed AIG to pay these bonuses. Shame on AIG and shame on Congress.

By demanding accountability and some commonsense from those businesses that are being assisted, Congress may finally begin to get it right, and the taxpayer may finally be protected.

Mr. Speaker, I come this afternoon to the House of Representatives to bring a message from Kansans and those who support the Second Amendment.

The United States Supreme Court ruled last year that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual's right to own firearms and that Washington DC's gun ban is unconstitutional. This decision was a win for all Americans and sent a message to governments across the country in support of Second Amendment freedoms.

Unfortunately in recent weeks we have heard from administration officials and gun control advocates that they are pushing to restrict an individual's gun rights, the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Discussing escalating violence caused by drug cartels in Mexico, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last month called for reinstating the so- called assault weapons ban.

This is the wrong approach. Instead of punishing law-abiding American gun owners, our citizens, our country should be working to enforce existing gun laws that outlaw illegal purchases. We should secure our borders, and we should work to increase the cooperation between the United States and Mexican authorities.

Many Kansans are also concerned about H.R. 45, legislation that has been proposed to license gun owners and track firearms sales. I am hopeful that this bill does not have the support to be approved by this Congress.

An article in today's Wichita Eagle, our newspaper at home, highlights an ironic twist. The article reports that news of gun control efforts, along with concerns that crime will increase with a troubled economy, has ramped up the demand for firearms and ammunitions. Shortages are now common as retail stores are having trouble keeping guns and ammunition on the shelves.

I want to restate that our Founding Fathers established a Bill of Rights to our Constitution to make sure that American citizens can live in freedom without government intrusion. Human liberty and limited government are principles I hold in high regard.

I stand with Kansans in opposing efforts that violate the Second Amendment, and I will continue to cast my votes where it's necessary to protect our rights, including those provided for by the Second Amendment.

Mr. Speaker, while much of the attention here in Congress is focused on the difficulties here at home, as we have heard in speeches this evening, rising unemployment rates, home mortgage foreclosures, increasing health care costs, stock market decline, I rise tonight to remind us that we cannot forget about the pressing challenges to global stability and our national security interest posed by Iran.

One of the best ways to understand the seriousness of the Iranian threat is to listen to the words of its leaders. Iran's President has called the Holocaust a lie, has said that Israel ``must be wiped off the map'' and frequently speaks about a future world in which ``Israelis will be eradicated'' and Israel no longer exists. Iran's supreme leader joined in this hateful refrain recently when he called Israel a cancerous tumor.

The hatred of Iran's leaders is not just directed at Israel. Ahmadinejad has called American objectives and influence ``Satanic'' and has spoken before crowds that chant ``death to America.'' Such aggressive and intolerable words are not just simply rhetoric. They represent the policies of a government committed to terror and destruction.

Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism and is pursuing a nuclear program in defiance of three United Nations Security Council resolutions. Iran's support for terrorist groups Hezbollah and Hamas have enabled these organizations to carry out attacks on Israel and kill innocent civilians. With training and other assistance from Iran, Hamas increased the range of its rockets so now 1 million Israelis are within the scope of attack.

Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens Israel, other nations in the region and our U.S. national security. No government that calls for the complete destruction of another nation should be allowed to have nuclear weapons. Yet Iran continues to move closer and closer to being capable of constructing such a weapon.

Although Iran reportedly does not currently have a sufficient amount of highly-enriched uranium to build a nuclear weapon, Iran does possess enough low-enriched uranium that can be converted into material needed to create an atomic bomb. Using existing centrifuges, Iran could enrich its low-level uranium to that of weapons grade in several months.

Time is not on our side. The Obama administration must back engagement with tougher sanctions and guard against Iranian diversions and delays. Appropriate economic, political, and diplomatic means are the best tools we have to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Last year I cosponsored legislation that declared it was in the national interests of the U.S. to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and urged the President to impose tough sanctions on Iran, specifically its banks engaged in proliferation activities and companies doing business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

I also voted in favor of legislation that expanded the types of entities in Iran that are subject to sanction and allowed state and local governments and individuals to divest in any company that invests in Iran's energy sectors.

America's efforts must go further. I support sanctioning Iran's Central bank and foreign banks that conduct transactions with sanctioned Iranian entities. Efforts to prohibit the export to Iran of refined petroleum products should be pursued.

Israel is one of America's closest allies and plays a central role in the peace and security of the most volatile region of the world. We must continue to demonstrate our support for our Israeli friends in the face of continued defiance and threats.

A nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable. I urge my colleagues in Congress

and the Obama administration to act with the urgency this situation demands and devote the necessary attention to this serious threat. While there are problems at home that require our attention, we must not waiver in our efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to a cost- of-living increase for Members of Congress. Across our country, the faltering economy is closing businesses and leaving many without jobs. Our national debt is climbing to levels that future generations will be responsible for. I believe it is past time for Congress to be responsible. One action we can take is to cancel the automatic pay increase.

Without a direct yes-or-no vote on this provision, we add to the impression that too many people have of Congress. If Congress is to vote itself a raise in pay, it should be done in full view.

This process should be reformed. Members of Congress should not be able to receive an automatic cost-of-living increase. Each of us should be on the record with the citizens of our districts whether we believe an increase to our own salary is justified. In this time of increased economic hardship, I am going on the record in firm opposition to this increase in pay. Since I was not allowed to directly vote yes or no, this forum has become my only recourse. We will not have the transparent process promised to my fellow Americans until we cease this automatic system. I only wish I could do more to right this injustice to the American taxpayer. We have a long way to go in gaining the people's trust. Ending this unfair practice would help.

To the gentleman from Texas, I thank you for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm here to speak in favor of at least a portion of this bill related to the J-1 Visa program. I am a co-chair of the Rural Health Care Coalition along with the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy). In our efforts in rural States to attract and retain physicians in communities that are highly underserved with medical care, the J-1 Visa program, the Conrad 30 program, has become a critical component of our ability to maintain a health care delivery system.

Kansas alone since 2002 has attracted and retained 103 physicians. There are many communities that I represent in Kansas that have no doctor except for a J-1 Visa doc. Now, a J-1 Visa doctor is someone born in a foreign county but trains in the United States, takes their residency and certification here and earns the ability to practice medicine.

In return for serving in an underserved area--and while I represent generally a rural State--these underserved areas are often urban areas of our country as well. And in return for serving the needs of patients in those communities across America, they are allowed to remain in the United States for an additional 3 years.

Just last August--an example of where this comes home--the American Methodist Ministries of Garden City, Kansas, finally was able to recruit a

physician for their community health clinic. That physician is a J-1 visa doctor from Peru; bilingual--a very added attractive feature to this physician's practice, but for a community that was so desperate for a physician, really a dream come true.

Much about how to save lives, improve the health of Kansans and Americans relate to this program. We have tried for a number of years to extend the J-1 visa program longer than for a year at a time. And there are those who want to make changes, reallocate the physicians among States. The Conrad 30 program, the J-1 visa program, allocates 30 physicians per State in the country. The program is managed by State agencies who make the determination and have some flexibility in determining the definition of what is underserved. Most often, it's a general practice, a family, internal medicine doctor; but occasionally it's a specialist in an area that has no ability to attract and maintain a specialist, maybe even at a university hospital setting.

So I come to the floor today to express my desire to see that the J-1 visa program is extended and would tell you that it's very much about saving the lives of persons and very much about increasing the chances that we improve the health of Americans across our country.

So I'm appreciative of the Judiciary Committee bringing this bill to the floor. I congratulate its author for that success, and I'm looking forward to seeing it work its way through a long and always arduous process as we try to balance various States, various regions of the country and a need for physicians across America with the available physicians in this country.

So I appreciate being yielded to. I thank the Speaker for the time I have had to speak in favor. I would like to encourage my colleagues, whether you're from a rural area like me or an urban area like many others, this program matters in the lives of many Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate SIAS International University in Xinzheng, Henan Province, China on its 10th Anniversary as an institution of higher education.

Founded in 1999, SIAS International University is a new type of post- secondary experience striving to prepare students to be global citizens. Affiliated with Zhengzhou University and in cooperation with Fort Hays State University of Hays, Kansas, SIAS was designed to provide Chinese students with an educational experience that blends Chinese educational philosophies with western-style curriculum and techniques, offering students the skills needed to compete and prosper in our increasingly interconnected world.

Licensed by the Henan Provincial Education Commission, SIAS is the first Chinese institution permitted by the Chinese State Degree Office to offer core classes in Western Civilization, Sociology and Government, providing students the ability to explore new ways to think about business and liberal arts. SIAS International University is also the first solely American-owned University in Central China; thus, Chinese students earn both Chinese and American education degrees and are able to apply their skills within trans-national corporations and enterprises.

Fort Hays State University and all of Western Kansas benefit from this relationship. The university has seen an increase in the number of international students on campus which enriches the learning experiences for students, faculty, and administrators. Additionally, the community has benefitted from numerous programs that have been created to share music, art and culture with these international students.

The partnership between SIAS International University and Fort Hays State University is the perfect example of our world flattening--of east meeting west. Even the architecture on the SIAS campus, including the main administration building, symbolizes this marriage of cultures, with one side representing the Forbidden City in classical Chinese architecture, and the other modeled after our own United States Capitol Building. This western-inspired campus serves as an appropriate environment for a new way of thinking for the Chinese students and faculty.

The friendship between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China fosters an exchange of cultural richness and advances our mutual aspirations. The relationship between SIAS International University and Fort Hays State University is one part of this paradigm. Both China and America must work diligently to preserve this friendship and search for ways to recognize accomplishments when they are due. And today, recognition is due to SIAS International University for ten years of success.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating the Founder and Chairman of SIAS International University, Mr. Shawn

Chen, as well as President Li Haijun for their extraordinary work. Also, please help me recognize Fort Hays State University President Dr. Edward H. Hammond, Provost Dr. Larry Gould, Assistant Provost for Strategic Partnerships Cindy Elliott, and the many others who have help foster this relationship and contributed to ten years of remarkable results. It is my hope that SIAS International University can continue its success in enriching the lives of students and communities both in China and here in America for decades to come.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: Agricultural Research Service, Salaries and Expenses

Legal Name of Requesting Entities: ARS Manhattan Unit and Kansas State University

Address of Requesting Entities: 1515 College Ave, Room 101, Manhattan, KS 66502 and 110 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506

Description of Project: I have secured $508,000 for Karnal Bunt (KB which is a disease of wheat that is caused by the fungus Tilleti indica. Although total deregulation of KB is scientifically justified, international quarantine deregulation is a slow and complex process. Past funded breeding programs have been successful and developed an array of resistant breeding lines. These lines are now in final stages of testing prior to variety release. As Karnal bunt research is completed, we request these h d s be transitioned to address new, more critical disease threats, such as cereal rust diseases. Since 2001, other serious challenges to wheat crop health have emerged, including new virulent races of stripe and leaf rust and the African stem rust race Ug99 and its variants. Resources are needed to address these critical disease issues and vulnerabilities in U.S. cereal production. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Salaries and Expenses Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Kansas State University

Address of Requesting Entity: 110 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506

Description of Project: I have secured $259,000 for The National Agricultural Biosecurity Center (NABC) at Kansas State University. NABC was established to help protect the U.S. agricultural infrastructure and economy from endemic and emerging biological threats. There has been progress made with Phase I and Phase II funding, but more work is necessary. The NABC requires Phase 11 continuation funding to implement international

linkages for food animal and food crop disease surveillance, to expand animal health diagnostic screening capabilities in Kansas and the region, to further develop a GIs-based tracking system for pathogen monitoring, and to populate a lessons learned agrosecurity archive. To address these national security needs, funding is also required for enhanced Internet connectivity, on-line training materials, and data mining tools. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service/SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Kansas State University

Address of Requesting Entity: 110 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506

Description of Project: I have secured $515,000 Great Plains Sorghum Improvement and Utilization Center. Kansas State University along with Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University initiated the Great Plains Sorghum Improvement and Utilization Center (GPSIUC). The focus of the center is on genetic improcement, production systems to enhance water and nutrient use, innovative strategies to provide improved weed control. Utilization of sorghum in human food products, animal feed, and as a bioenergy and industrial feedstock, plus marketing, and policy analysis in support of the US sorghum industry. Increased funding for FY09 will permit GPSIUC to expand existing research and education programs, particularly in genetic improvement and sorghum utilization. Sorghum is one of the most drought tolerant crops in the world, offering many potential advantages as a food, feed and bioenergy crop, and could be a key to sustaining viable rural economies in the Great Plains. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service/SRG

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Kansas State University

Address of Requesting Entity: 110 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506

Description of Project: I have secured $142,000 for Preharvest Food Safety and Security program. Currently, Kansas State University has an ongoing USDA special project on the ecology of E. coli 0157:H7 in beef cattle and the environment. This bacterial organism is a major cause of food-borne illnesses in humans. The university plans to expand its investigations into (1) the ecology of Salmonella in beef cattle, (2) antimicrobial resistance in cattle, and (3) agroinformatics and animal health diagnostics. These four areas of research have great overlap and synergy and will allow Kansas State University to better identify emerging threats of food-borne and zoonotic diseases associated with food-producing animals. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service/SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Kansas State University

Address of Requesting Entity: 110 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506

Description of Project: I have secured $69,000 to study water conservation in the Ogallala Region of Kansas This effort is critical to the economic viability of western Kansas. In many parts of western Kansas, freshwater from both surface and groundwater is increasingly in short supply. Drought, aquifer and surface water depletion, and population shills have stretched community and regional water supplies to their limits. As groundwater supplies decline or become cost prohibitive, better management of water through conservation, recycling, and treatment of poor quality water for use becomes even more important. The goals of this project are to help: 1) agricultural producers, both crop and livestock; 2) rural communities in water-short areas; and 3) state agencies to implement economical technologies and policies that will result in water conservation and prolonged life of the Ogallala aquifer in the face of increasing competition for declining aquifers and over allocated surface waters. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service/SRG Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Kansas State University

Address of Requesting Entity: 110 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506

Description of Project: I have secured $240,000 for Wheat Genetic Research. Wheat is the world's most important grain for human nutrition, but genomics and biotechnology research has lagged behind. WGGRC is leading an international effort to map and sequence the wheat genome. The WGGRC gene bank currently maintains 12,000 lines and these collections are continuously expanding as the Center acquires, develops, and distributes new genetic and genomic resources to facilitate wheat genetics, genomics, and breeding research. Kansas State University has already made an investment of almost $1.0 million towards the purchase of a DNA sequencer and a robot for arraying and printing of DNA filters. This request will collect, conserve, and distribute wheat genetic and genomic resources; develop improved germ plasm; develop genetic stocks; develop genomic resources; and support training and outreach. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: DOJ, COPS Law Enforcement Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Emporia Police Department

Address of Requesting Entity: 518 Mechanic Street, Emporia, KS 66801

Description of Project: I have secured $150,000 for the City of Emporia Police Department.

The City of Emporia police department has had problems maintaining the pace of the replacement of equipment and staffing critical to the safety of the officers and members of the community. In the development of a five year capital improvement project, there were only four of the nearly 20 items that were new. Funding is requested for the purchase of Communication and Surveillance Equipment. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: DOJ, COPS Law Enforcement Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Garden City Police Department

Address of Requesting Entity: 304 N. 9th Street, Garden City, KS 67846

Description of Project: I have secured $150,000 for the Garden City Police Department. The Garden City Police Department is always looking for ways to be progressive and adding equipment which would help us monitor gang activity and prevent, or resolve graffiti and gang crime is sorely needed. Gang crime and graffiti have become problematic and public expectations for safety and prevention are high. Video monitoring equipment and accompanying computers and software that officers can access in their patrol vehicles would be of immense assistance to the Garden City Police Department for immediate response and intervention, especially in high crime areas. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

Requesting Member: Congressman Jerry Moran

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Agency/Account: DOJ, COPS Law Enforcement Technology

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Junction City Police Department

Address of Requesting Entity: 210 East Ninth Street, Junction City,

Mr. Speaker, there is not a person in this country that is sheltered from the economic challenges we face. I agree steps should be taken to stabilize the economy and get people to work. However, I feel that the plan presented today is not the right one to boost our beleaguered financial condition.

Spending vast amounts of borrowed money does not work in our households and it does not work in government. These habits are what brought us to this current situation. Individuals, businesses, and especially government have simply borrowed too much. Living beyond our means has consequences. We cannot borrow our way out into prosperity. More importantly, we cannot spend our children's future. It will not work economically and it is wrong morally.

Bundling a large collection of spending projects and calling it a stimulus does not make it stimulative. The purpose of the stimulus should be to spend a dollar in a way that will create greater than a dollar's worth of economic benefits. Spending a dollar in certain ways that have stimulating effects or reducing tax burdens on workers and small businesses is what we need to be doing.

I will again vote ``no.'' I do so as a taxpayer, a father and a public official entrusted to do the best he can for his fellow Kansans. Political posturing has no place in this debate. We need to get the country moving. Unfortunately, this is the wrong plan that will add billions of dollars of frivolous spending to our national debt without stimulating our economy.

I thank the gentleman from California for yielding.

I am here about a specific provision that was initially in the legislation that we are going to address today. In fact, I came to that realization over the weekend and I contacted the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), who was kind enough to return my phone call this past weekend. And as a result of an effort by many in this Congress, this provision has been removed. And I am here to commend the gentleman from Massachusetts and my colleagues on the Rules Committee for making in order a manager's amendment that will eliminate a provision that denies the opportunity for those who receive funds under TARP from owning general aviation aircraft.

I have very little time, but I would yield.

Reclaiming my time. Again, I appreciate it for two reasons; a person who represents very rural America where air service is very limited, and someone who is from Kansas that represents the general aviation industry, which is very dominant. We are very appreciative of the fact that the provisions which would reduce employment in the aircraft industry and eliminate the opportunities for businesses to remain in rural America is stricken from this legislation in the manager's amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Israel's right to defend its citizens and H. Res. 34. Confronted with repeated, indiscriminate attacks on its citizens, Israel is engaged in an effort to ensure its people can live in peace and without fear of rocket and mortar attacks. As one of our strongest allies, it is critical Israel knows it has the support and backing of the United States in this effort. I support Israel's right to defend itself and encourage my colleagues to join me in sending a strong message of support to Israel by voting for this legislation.

In addition to expressing vigorous support for the welfare, security and survival of Israel, the resolution also encourages the Administration to work actively to support a durable and sustainable cease-fire in Gaza that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding its terrorist infrastructure. It is my hope that both groups will implement a swift end to this conflict that ensures future peace and stop unnecessary civilian casualties.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thomas Littrell of Plainville, KS. This recognition is not just long overdue, it is 38 years overdue. Tom Littrell, like many Vietnam veterans, may not consider himself a hero. Today it is my privilege to share the story of an unsung hero, my friend and fellow Kansan, Tom Littrell.

When Tom was sent to serve in Vietnam as a young soldier, he left behind his family and friends in Plainville and headed to a combat zone in Southeast Asia. As a member of the second platoon of the 919th Combat Engineers attached to the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, Tom joined a new family--one forged by shared service in an unfamiliar territory.

He began his tour of duty by courageously volunteered as a driver of an APC tank. His fellow platoon member, Doug Giesige, describes Tom's job as ``the most vulnerable a man could routinely do in our unit. Our enemies would place their land mines on the side of the road that corresponded with the driver's side of the track. Our drivers would be located directly over such explosions and as such, they would suffer the most casualties and injuries of any of us on these tracks. It was hard to demand that a man do this every day, thus all were doing this as willing volunteers. It takes a special breed of man to do this job. Knowing that he was as vulnerable as you can be, day in and day out. They all tended to be hard working and pretty hard nosed and reliable. Stubborn, actually.''

Tom also served as a demolitionist and mine sweeper. He and his fellow soldiers experienced ambush and encountered land mines regularly. During this time, Tom was involved in five incidents where his tank hit landmines. While some soldiers were sent to the rear and treated for their injuries following such incidents, Tom was not. As driver of the tank, he knew the importance of his role. He was treated in the field for his injuries and went back to work. His sense of duty to his fellow soldiers meant more to him than his own comfort. As Doug Giesige recalled, ``On April 2, 1970 our platoon was involved with a 24-hour ordeal that cost us multiple injuries. The final action of the day involved our track hitting a mine and being the focus of an ambush just after dark. All of us were blown off the track except Tom and Lieutenant Livinggood. Sometime during the firefight, Tom went out after Staff Sergeant Russell under heavy fire and dragged him back to the track.''

Tom exemplified the best of those who serve our country--sacrifice, courage, and bravery. Tom would tell you he was just doing his job when he served in Vietnam, but to the men he served with. it was more than that.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Tom Littrell's courageous service today. We also acknowledge the support of his wife of 36 years, Charlotte, and their children, Jason, Amanda and Renee. And although it is decades past its due, we offer a few simple words to Mr. Thomas Littrell of Plainville, KS. Thank you, my friend, thank you.

Madam Speaker, make no mistake about it: what we do in this chamber, the decisions we make as Members of Congress, have far-reaching implications for the Americans we represent and people around the world. I sometimes worry, though, that citizens look first to government to solve problems rather than searching within themselves for the power to make a difference. I'd like to share with you a story about one family that proves the way we change the world happens one person at a time.

Over the last several months, I have had the privilege of assisting a professor and his family attempt to make our world a better place. Dr. John Simmons, a life sciences instructor at Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kansas, and his wife Lori, along with their four biological children, will travel to Ethiopia at the end of this month to adopt two orphaned sisters.

Famine, AIDS, and other diseases have created a sad situation in Ethiopia where 25 percent of the children are orphaned by age 12. While orphanages do their best to provide for these children and see that young girls and boys have a bright future, what these children really need is a mom and dad who will care for them as their own. Few acts are more generous and loving than welcoming another as part of one's own family. I have great respect for the Simmonses and all those who choose to adopt.

While adopting 2 young girls is alone commendable, what sets John and Lori apart is their effort to serve other children at the orphanage and involve the Great Bend community in that mission.

This summer, John launched a fundraising effort to feed and clothe children at the orphanage, purchase humanitarian supplies and pay for their shipping costs. John's goal of raising $10,000 was accomplished primarily by selling ``Barton to Africa'' t-shirts for $30 each. The shirts were printed with ``Barton'' in Ethiopia's official language on the front and a map of the United States on the back with a star in the center of the country, marking Barton County, Kansas. John even created more excitement for the fundraiser by promising to shave his head if the community helped him reach his goal by November 8.

After nearly 5 months of speaking with civic clubs, church members, neighbors, colleagues and students, John exceeded his fundraising goal and at halftime of a Barton County Community College basketball game, he and Barton County Community College Admissions Representative Louie Ochoa had their heads shaved.

I imagine most people would rest on such an accomplishment. But, John dreams of more. It is his hope that the trip to Ethiopia this month will be the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between Ethiopians and the citizens of Great Bend who joined him in his effort. John envisions providing orphans with educational opportunities at Barton County Community College. Doing so would not only offer disadvantaged children a brighter future but also further facilitate relationships between Kansans and Ethiopians.

John's fundraising effort raised awareness about the needs of others in a far corner of the world. It galvanized the community around a common goal and showed that when people work together, there is no limit on what can be accomplished.

I rise today to commend and congratulate John and Lori Simmons, their family and the citizens of Great Bend. Their compassion and effort will help make the lives of orphaned children in Ethiopia better.